Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?

Subject: Origins: Seeking songwriter- I have the lyrics
From: GUEST,Senjata Witt
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 04:49 AM

I had a copy of this on a mixtape that was given to me ages ago, but I've never managed to identify the writer/performer of the piece. Google-fu has not been helpful. I guessed at the song title, Hearts and Hands. Here are the lyrics:


Waking up one morning, I saw smoke against the sky.
I don't know if it was fire or just diesels rolling by.
caught a chill from the water, felt the wind against my face
I was one of a generation looking for a place.

I was headed for Vancouver, and I tried to make the coast
got caught up in the rockies, had to winter on the slopes.
I worked long enough to watch the glaciers creep along the stone
while the weather-broken hundreds of us scattered 'cross the globe

Well we marched against the Gulf war, banged our heads against the wall
we were tired and we wondered at the point of it all.
And I worked a while for Greenpeace, but I couldn't make the rent.
We all thought we made a difference, but we didn't make a dent in the...

hearts of our mothers, in the hands of our lovers,
in the gaze of our teachers we were running for cover
and the hard bitten fathers who'd been silent and injured
it's a wonder we all didn't just lay down.

I don't wanna raise a family, I don't wanna own a home.
Don't wanna be a consumer- when I die, don't want a stone.
There's a bulge in the workforce, but it's not weighing on my chest.
Go on leave whatever's left to all the brightest and the best.

'Cause in the hearts of our mothers, in the hands of our lovers,
in the gaze of our teachers we are running for cover
and the hard bitten fathers who'd been silent and injured
it's a wonder we all didn't just lay down.

I'm not sayin' it's the times but I don't think it's only me
it's just that every time I move I feel the boundaries recede
I am measuring my life, and I am measuring my part
I am looking in the distance, I am looking in the dark

'Cause in the hearts of our mothers, in the hands of our lovers,
in the gaze of our teachers we were running for cover
and with hard bitten fathers who'd been silent and injured
it's a wonder we all didn't just lay down.

'Cause in the hearts of our mothers, in the hands of our lovers,
in the gaze of our teachers with our sisters and brothers
and with all of our fathers fathers who've been silent and injured
it's a wonder we all didn't just lay down.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 05:30 AM

Hi - I used my usual legendary magical methods, and didn't find anything. Interesting song.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 09:25 AM

I couldn't find anything, either. I'd suggest investigating singer/songwriters local to where the mixtape originated. There are plenty of good songwriters who never make it to YouTube.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: cnd
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 02:11 PM

You were dead on with the title! You can hear it on Mary Ellen Weasel's album Current Obsessions. Not sure if is an original to her, but her album was released 1996.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: cnd
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 02:14 PM

Via https://filkontario.ca/wesselsm-2/:

She has now also established herself as a featured artist. She has her own album, “Current Obsessions,” which, although a folk album, features several songs by filkers; and she is the principal vocalist in the Black Book Band, and featured on their album, “First Contact.” An active folk singer, she has helped to introduce filk songs to non-filk audiences. She also has a way of finding non-filk songs that touch the filk community and leave a lasting impression.

Which doesn't fully answer the question but puts us in the right direction.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: cnd
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 02:16 PM

Sorry for the bombardment of posts. I'm searching the US Copyright database now, but Weasels still performs as a half of the duo "Hopeful Romantics" and contact info can be found at http://www.mewsic.com/AboutHR.html if the copyright search proves unfruitful.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: cnd
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 02:40 PM

Oops, Mary Ellen Wessels and not weasels!

Nothing turned up on the catalog search, however the answer was right under my nose!

Composer is Sam Baardman

http://mewsic.com/CurrentObsessions/index.html

Looks like he sang it himself on a few releases; Manitoba sampler as well as a release of his own CD called Kicking the Stone Home

Once upon a time you could download a file at that link to hear Baardman's recording, but the link is to a .RAM file. I tried downloading RealPlayer to make it work, but no dice.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 21 - 11:23 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceC8X9BCHso

It is sung there by Mary Ann Wessels.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Oct 21 - 10:37 PM

Thanks so much! And yes, it was the Sam Baardman version I heard. Canadian folksingers. I should have guessed. :D Gotta love them!

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: GUEST,Rob Hall
Date: 10 Dec 21 - 11:04 AM

I found this song on a sampler: "Folk Alliance 1999" Manitoba Sampler. I'd gotten it because it had recordings from the Wyrd Sisters on it, but loved Hearts and Hands by Sam Baardman. It is from his album "Kicking the Stone Home". It lists an email as [e-mail] , though there's no telling if the email is still valid.

Subject: RE: Seeking songwriter-I have the lyrics-Hearts&Hands?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 21 - 11:34 AM

Hearts & Hands
bass [Bass] and guitar [2nd rhythm guitar]: Sam Baardman
congas [Conga]:
Sally Childs-Helton (percussionist)
guitar [Rhythm guitar]:
Barry Childs-Helton
background vocals [Harmony vocal]:
Mary Ellen Wessels
recording of:
Hearts & Hands (by Sam Baardman)
lyricist and composer:
Sam Baardman