Electronic Press Kit

Synopsis:

A reflection on mortality from a place of innocence, before any real experience of loss has taken place. The stage of grief this corresponds to is “Denial”.

Lyrics:

One day there’ll be a last new song I sing
I wonder at what each new day will bring
Right now the season of my life is spring
But one day there’ll be a last song that I sing

One day I’m gonna eat my final meal
I hold on for dear life through revolutions of this wheel
I hope to leave more miles in the dirt beneath my heel
But one day I’m gonna eat my final meal

I hope I live 
And suck the marrow out of life
I hope I love
And sample all the worlds delights

And when I die
And venture off into the night
I hope I lived lived lived
And did it right 

One day I’ll hold you for the final time
Will I know it when I feel it, will I get to say goodbye
I hope you never leave you bring the reason to this rhyme
But one day I’ll hold you for the final time

I hope I live 
And suck the marrow out of life
I hope I love
And sample all the world’s delights

And when I die
And venture off into the night
I hope I lived lived lived
And did it right 

When it’s my time to step into the light
If I knew love, I’ll go without a fight

Synopsis:

The true story of my first real experiences of loss that inspired this song cycle. The stage of grief this song corresponds to is “Anger”.

Lyrics:

It was Halloween
Two thousand eighteen
I went to the barebones show

June was a friend of a friend
Recently met her end
Someone called out her name as they mourned

I remember the thought so clear in my head
Never yet had to hear that a loved one was dead

But then later that night
Beneath Acadia’s lights
I saw David and Devon play

Didn’t say my goodbyes
Left while they were still live
Didn’t wait for their set til its end

And I never saw Devon again. 

I was headed out west
For a weekend of rest
When Hanna, she called with the news

I was along for the ride
So I just sat there and cried
Wouldn’t make that poor stranger turn back

When I got to the cabin I tried to settle in
But I just had to grieve with my family; my kin

So I borrowed a car
Though the journey was far
I sped the whole six hours back 

Finally got to the place
Where our friends were holding space
And I tossed his clothes into the fire

Which was now Devon’s funeral pyre

Not even six months on
Pain a long way from gone
When I went to a show at the roost

Some friends were playing Devon’s songs
And David came along
To play drums with the band

Though I was glad to see he was there
He was clearly spun out, he seemed shaky and pale

So some of us made a plan
We would reach out a hand
It was clear that this couldn’t go on

But we were too late
Our hand outplayed by fate
I just wanted to see my friend thrive

It was the last time I saw him alive

Had to do it all again
Mourn the loss of a friend
And with hardly the strength left to plan

Another tribute show
One more memorial to go
It was a year of remembrance and wakes

Though nothing brings you together like the loss of a friend
I would trade it all to see their faces again

Another funeral pyre
One more angel in the choir
And then just two years later went Max

It was a great conflagration
One cruel initiation
And until I drawn my last breath

I will never forget my first waltz with death
No I’ll never forget my first waltz with death

Synopsis:

This song is a cover of a song by the band “I’m With Her”. In addition to fitting thematically, it was a song I listened to frequently during the period of grieving that inspired this collection of songs. The stage of grief it corresponds to is “Bargaining”.

Lyrics:
Do not cross over
Don't get yourself undone
Do not cross over
The other side is a wild one

They say that there are mountains
Cut by wind and snow
I want to climb the hillside
But I hear the women wail
Of a cautionary tale

It starts with just a whisper
Calling me to stay
Why would you want to leave us
Everything we gave
And everything we made
Singing

Do not cross over
Don't get yourself undone
Do not cross over
The other side is a wild one

Where once there was a fire
Is only ash and stone
Where once there was a city
There are ghosts who freely roam
And they're kicking up the bones
Singing

Do not cross over
Don't get yourself undone
Do not cross over
The other side is a wild one
The other side is a wild one
The other side is a wild one

(By Aoife Maria O'Donovan, Sarah Ellen Jarosz, and Sara Watkins

Copyright Fiddle and Fall Music c/o Hipgnosis Worldwide, Soraw Music c/o Reservoir 416, Cosmic Seed Music c/o BMG Gold Songs)

Synopsis:

This song is dedicated to Max Graham of the band Kind Country. It is a reflection on the feelings of regret, and the thoughts about what one might have said or done differently that you are left with after the loss of someone close. The stage of grief this song corresponds to is “Depression”.

Lyrics:

All it takes is a gram of kindness
One small spark to build a giant flame
Feel its warmth, the memory will last forever
Once it’s gone, nothing’s ever quite the same

If I could change even just one moment
I’d have reached out a helping hand
It’s not my place and maybe it would not have mattered
I just wish I’d let you know I understand

All it takes is a gram of kindness
One small spark to build a giant flame
Feel its warmth, the memory will last forever
Once it’s gone, nothing’s ever quite the same

Though your face, I haven’t seen in a while now
Still your grace is sending ripples through
All the lives of those of us that felt your fire
Hope you know, wherever you are, we love you

All it takes is a gram of kindness
One small spark to build a giant flame
Feel its warmth, the memory will last forever
Once it’s gone, nothings ever quite the same

All it takes is a gram of kindness
One small spark to build a giant flame
Feel its warmth, the memory will last forever
Once it’s gone, nothing’s ever quite the same

Yeah once it’s gone, nothing’s ever quite the same

Synopsis:

Inspired by the first line of the traditional “Irish Blessing”. At the end of our journey, we find ourselves back where we began, reflecting on mortality, but this time less abstractly; with a greater depth of wisdom and empathy borne of experience. It is a benediction for all of our beloved who have gone before us. The stage of grief this song represents is “Acceptance”.

Lyrics:

May the road rise up to meet you
May your travels all be sweet
May you leave your cares behind you
Like dust beneath your feet
Wheresoever your heart takes you
As you march off to its beat
May the road rise up to meet you
May your travels all be sweet

May the road rise up to meet you
May your travels all be sweet
May you leave your cares behind you
Like dust beneath your feet
Wheresoever your heart takes you
As you march off to its beat
May the road rise up to meet you
May your travels all be sweet

Though I’ll miss you on the morrow
When I wake to find you gone
I will not be filled with sorrow
For I know we’ll meet anon
When I finally cross that valley
Where were all eventually drawn
Then I know you’ll be there waiting
You were never really gone 

Though to you I will not hurry
Since I know it’s not my time
And to shrug off life’s great miracle
Would surely be a crime
I’ll remain here with my memories
And I’ll mark the clock tower’s chime
As my hopeful wishes for you
I commemorate in rhyme

May the road rise up to meet you
May your travels all be sweet
May you leave your cares behind you
Like dust beneath your feet
Wheresoever your heart takes you
As you march off to its beat
May the road rise up to meet you
May your travels all be sweet