Here's a poignant piece by Emmylou Harris from her brand-new 'Red Dirt Girl' album – at least, Colin Irwin says in a review that it is about her father, and I am happy to take his word for it. Check out the album. It's lovely – every bit as good as 'Wrecking Ball' I reckon.

BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY
(Emmylou Harris/Guy Clark)

I meant to ask you how to fix that car
I always meant to ask you about the war
And what you saw across the bridge too far
Did it leave a scar?

Or how you navigated wings of fire and steel
Up where heaven had no more secrets to conceal
And still you found the ground beneath your wheels
How did it feel?

Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning, from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly, I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me, world without end

I meant to ask you how, when everything seemed lost
And your fate was in a game of dice they tossed
There was still that line you would never cross
At any cost

I meant to ask you how you lived what you believed
With nothing but your heart up your sleeve
And if you ever really were deceived
By the likes of me

Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning, from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly, I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me, world without end

Gone now is the day and gone the sun
There is peace now tonight all over Arlington
But the song of my life will still be sung
By the light
Of the moon you hung

I meant to ask you how to plough that field
I meant to bring you water from the well
And be the one beside you when you fell
Could you tell?

Bang the drum slowly, play the pipe lowly
To dust be returning, from dust we begin
Bang the drum slowly, I'll speak of things holy
Above and below me, world without end

Copyright Poodlebone Music/EMI April Music Inc (ASCAP)

Source: Emmylou Harris 'Red Dirt Girl' Nonesuch Records 79616-2.


--Stewie.