On Memorial Day 2015, I woke up remembering a close friend who had died suddenly just a few months earlier. The thoughts worked themselves into this song. And, while I originally thought I was writing it for him, over time, after I worked on it, playing it over and over, I realized that it was intended for me as well.
The words and questions that both he as well as his mother, Gratia, had written and spoken before and at the time of her much-too-early death, worked their way into the lyrics of my song. Just as her name suggests, she was a gracious lady who was like a second mother to me. She used the endearing phrase, “Dear Heart,” when she addressed us. She was just love. In her poem, “Epitaph,” she wrote: “Do not sing me far away, sing me near…”
lyrics
Restless Heart
Restless heart, I’ve heard you’re wondering
‘bout this new road you’re trav’lin on,
‘bout where you’ve been and where you’re going,
how you’ll live, and what’s left undone.
But, oh, dear heart, why are you worrying
about what you’ll find along the way?
Trust in the love that is abiding,
not only now, but for all your days.
This new road can lead to freedom.
Though you might stumble on the way,
for every step there is a reason,
and every mile’s a yesterday.
Oh, dearest heart, walk in the sunlight.
Don’t look back; no need to fear.
Even at dark, trust in the stars’ light
to guide you home, to sing you near.
Yes, this road can lead to freedom.
Where there’s a will, you’ll find your way.
And what is sown comes in due season;
who knows what part you’ve yet to play.
Oh, dearest heart, walk in the sunlight.
Don’t turn back; your way is clear.
Even at dark, trust in the stars’ light
to guide you home, to sing you near.
credits
from Field Work,
released September 2, 2019
Performed by "Earth Harmony"
Christina Nordstrom, lead vocals and guitar
Ted Mello, back-up vocals and bass
Michelle Glidden, back-up vocals and guitar
In addition to three solo albums (Songs for the Journey Home, Kids’ Songs, and North Stream) this collection written by
Chris Nordstrom includes two projects and a single recorded by Earth Harmony: Field Work (Nordstrom, Ted Mello, Michelle Glidden), Earth Harmony Sampler (Nordstrom, Ted Mello, Ric Bailey), and Rock, Paper, Scissors (Nordstrom, Ric Bailey, Michelle Glidden, Bruce Joy)....more
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