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DNA Song

from Stay Awhile by Joanne Rand

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DNA Song (classical, alternative) written 2020

I wrote the lyrics to this song during three separate long hikes into the same ancient redwood grove, literally writing as I was hiking back out during the setting sun. Each time I returned, I'd write more verses. The melody was "given" to me by the trees themselves.

lyrics

Standing in a dark wood in my tattered nightgown,
Candle held before my bare feet on the ground.
Maggots in my head won’t give me any peace.
Trees are growing wild and the sun is going down.
Oh, the way in was filled with Summer,
Sweet meadows on a Sunday afternoon.
And I thought it would last forever,
But day’s gone too soon.
Worry lines betray my storied fascination
In these ancient redwoods, in this archetypal room,
Ready to do battle with life and death before my
Bare feet on the ground and the sun is going soon.
Oh, the way in was filled with sunshine,
Red madrones holding out their arms,
But the evening is closing in now
And this old wood has lost her charms.
In the treetops the sun’s still golden,
But roots yawn cavernous and black
How I wish I could part this dark wood,
But I can’t turn back.
Standing in a dark wood in my tattered gown
And the mountain lions prowl.
Massive godlike tress with mythical properties,
Illuminate me now!
How I wish that I had a guardian,
Someone watching over me,
But there’s no one to put my faith in,
Except my own two trembling feet.
Standing in a dark wood in my tattered gown
And I’m yearning for a friend,
‘Cause god only knows what’s coming around
The next ugly bend.
This ol’ wheel of life keeps turning
And I keep holding on,
But there’s a wind up ahead that wears my name
When I’m gone.
This old wheel of life keeps turning
And I keep holding on,
But there’s a wind up ahead that will be me
When I’m gone.
This old wheel of life keeps turning
And I keep holding on,
It’s the journey of generations
DNA song.
Standing in a dark wood
And my time is wearing thin
But we’ve got to embrace what’s coming around
And go gracefully in the end.

credits

from Stay Awhile, released October 28, 2022
Album Credits:
"Stay Awhile" ©2023, Joanne Rand, Homefire Productions, BMI
All songs written, arranged, and produced by Joanne Rand.
Mix production by Stephen Hart, Petaluma, CA
Recorded at Universal Balance Studios, Piet Dalmolen, Arcata, CA.
Tim Randles (Bass), Piet Dalmolen (electric guitar), Rob Diggins (violin)
Joanne Rand (piano, acoustic guitar, vocals, design), Greg King (photo).
Thanks to Stephen Hart for 30 years of exquisite creative collaboration!
Thanks to all the musicians, to Piet, & to my family for their love & support.

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Joanne Rand Arcata

“A fixture of the Northern California folk scene, Rand’s life, activism & art are woven seamlessly together. A celebrated musician, composer & teacher. From stripped-down folk songs to lush, textured rock arrangements, she makes consistently engaging, perceptive, universal music.”-SFStation.com 2012. Touring nationally for 30 years, Rand is currently releasing 15th CD of original songs. ... more

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