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When Nellie Fell

from No Time To Be Tender by Ian Fitzgerald

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lyrics

When snow finally fell on Nellie's fire red hair
The flakes were gone before their shapes could be compared
The dark rings 'round her eyes could have been drawn by silver smoke clouds
That from flames escaped and into which she stared
If the river rose she could have swum like John the Baptist
Or Mary as a mermaid of the sea
Staring proudly at the sunset through the surface like a garden
That her baby grew before she set him free
Her silence was one more wish in the well
When snow finally fell
Be still my heart
Let what's happened to us catch up with what will
Be still my heart
Be still

When Nellie closed her eyes, she almost felt the water racing
And her red hair matted wet against her skin
Stretched before her, nearly endless numbers counted how long
when this fire goes out will it take to start again
Her silence left the answer where it lies
When Nellie closed her eyes
Be still my heart
Let what's happened to us catch up with what will
Be still my heart
Be still

She found the force to whisper even if it wasn't true
"What if there's no ghost to give up? What if it gives up on you?"
The echo whispered back, "There's nothing you can do."

When Nellie finally fell, the frozen river swelled in silence
And then waited for the cracks the melting brings
Her red hair wrapped around her like the ivy up a spire
And tight to her tired body warmly clings
Her silence became gold she couldn't sell
When Nellie finally fell
Be still my heart
Let what's happened to us catch up with what will
Be still my heart
Be still

credits

from No Time To Be Tender, released February 26, 2013

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Ian Fitzgerald Providence, Rhode Island

Though perhaps technically a singer-songwriter, Ian Fitzgerald prefers the term 'folk singer,' as it more accurately describes the tradition in which his music is rooted. From early twentieth century field recordings through Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, and hundreds of artists in between, Ian has been influenced by one of the sturdiest strains of American music. ... more

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