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Melinda Down The Line

from No Time To Be Tender by Ian Fitzgerald

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lyrics

I've been weary since I woke, saw the light and smelled the smoke
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
There's a woman 'neath my window; I don't wanna let her in, though
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
Gonna meet her down the line where good fortune meets design
Where the benefits you pray for meet the penitence you pay for
And a dollar ain't worth nothing 'cause it can't buy any time
Gonna make sure that Melinda's doing fine

I have held her body quaking every time she's been forsaken
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
Even if I held the gun, it would be straight to me she'd run
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
Gonna meet her down the line where good fortune meets design
Where the benefits you pray for meet the penitence you pay for
And a dollar ain't worth nothing 'cause it can't buy any time
Gonna make sure that Melinda's doing fine

In her home behind the mine shaft, she could hear it when the boys laughed
Or when one would drop his ax and pass the cards
Not a single bird in sight; she imagined they took flight
'Cause there's work to be had here but it's hard
Got to scrub the pots and pans if you want to watch her dance
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
You can beg forevermore, but she'll never take the floor
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
Gonna meet her down the line where good fortune meets design
Where the benefits you pray for meet the penitence you pay for
And a dollar ain't worth nothing 'cause it can't buy any time
Gonna make sure that Melinda's doing fine

There's the gentle dark of night and the dark you just can't fight
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
Hold her hand and sign the deed: satisfaction guaranteed
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line

Sweat that started on her brow wound up buried by the plow
In the soil being swept to either side
But rocks aren't fit to plant in; some folks work so they can't sin
And some so they can say 'at least we tried'

There are foxes in the yard 'til the morning standing guard
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
I would comfort, but I can't: planned my last words in advance
I'm gonna meet Melinda down the line
Gonna meet her down the line where good fortune meets design
Where the benefits you pray for meet the penitence you pay for
And a dollar ain't worth nothing 'cause it can't buy any time
Gonna make sure that Melinda's doing fine

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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