Following are the lyrics from the song written and sung by Carrie Newcomer on her CD The Geography of Light
~~~~ This song was given to me by my new friend, Courtney, and is written here in memory of my longtime friend, Frank Montello.
The truth I learned when I was eight
My dad swam the length of Spirit Lake
And it must have been a million miles
This I knew was true
My mother sang while hangin' clothes
The notes weren't perfect, heaven knows
Yeah, but heaven opened anyway
This I knew was true
'Cause leaves don't drop, they just let go
They make a space for seeds to grow
And every season brings a change
A tree is what a seed contains
To die to live is life's refrain
I left her with some groceries
Said "Check the oil and call me please"
And she said "Hey, Ma, I'll be just fine"
This I knew was true
'Cause leaves don't drop, they just let go
And make a space for seeds to grow
And every season brings a change
A tree is what a seed contains
To die to live is life's refrain
I traveled through my history
From certainty to mystery
God speaks in rhyme and paradox
This I know is true
And finally when my life is through
I'm what I am, not what I do
'Cause it comes down to you and your next breath
This I know is true
'Cause leaves don't drop, they just let go
And make a space for seeds to grow
And every season brings a change
A tree is what a seed contains
To die to live is life's refrain
The words stand alone as pure poetry but to hear them in Carrie's alto voice is expansive and divine. The song is available on iTunes.
Source: Geography of Light 2008 Rounder Records, Song written by Carrie Newcomer © Carrie Newcomer Music BMI Bug Publishing & Michael Mains BMI
Photo: Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Boston
