'Falling Slowly' lyrics from 'Once' movie soundtrack as sung by Kris Allen

Kris Allen decided to"take this sinking boat and turn it home" on Tuesday's "American Idol," taking a risk by selecting the haunting, Oscar-winning ballad "Falling Slowly" from the "Once" movie soundtrack. It paid off -- for Kris and the song.

"Falling Slowly," despite winning an Academy Award for best original song for Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, is still relatively unknown to mainstream American audiences, something pointed out by "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi. It's a risk because the audience doesn't immediately recognize and embrace the song, having to experience it for the first time.

It's kind of like last week, when Adam Lambert sang the Gary Jules arrangement of Tears for Fears' "Mad World," which was featured on the "Donnie Darko" soundtrack.

With both the "Mad World" and "Falling Slowly" covers, however, everybody wins. The "Idol" contestants prove they have the singing and performance skills to sell a song that the audience may not know. The songwriters get renewed interest in their songs. And of course, the public is that much more enriched musically.

This is also why we love "The Simpsons" because they're often ahead of the curve. In the episode "In the Name of the Grandfather," Hansard is featured singing the song as the family is looking for something to do in Ireland.

So here's "Falling Slowly" with clips from the film "Once" as a backdrop. Lyrics follow.

"Falling Slowly" lyrics:

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

And now, Kris' version:



Your thoughts?

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