(Vocal Intro: Soft, resonant acoustic guitar picking—a mix of steady folk rhythm and delicate fingerstyle) [Verse 1] I remember the sun on the Sonoma hills And the way the morning light would bend The shadows long across the fields Like the reach of an old, familiar friend We’d walk the road where the lilacs bloom Past the house with the squeaky well To find the quiet of the afternoon Before the evening shadows fell. [Chorus] And it’s lay down low, my own true love Where the silver branches sweep the ground The bark is rough on the willow tree But the heart inside is soft and sound Oh, the river runs and the hawks fly free By the aging bark of the willow tree. [Instrumental Interlude] (A warm, melodic guitar solo accompanied by a subtle, humming harmonica, reminiscent of Nina Gerber’s style) [Verse 2] There’s a hiding place by the church on the lake Where the grass is deep and the air is still A refuge for the hearts that break Or the ones who’ve climbed too high a hill You can see the wood despite the trees When you press your ear against the grain And listen to the rustling leaves Whispering sweet to the falling rain. [Chorus] And it’s lay down low, my own true love Where the silver branches sweep the ground The bark is rough on the willow tree But the heart inside is soft and sound Oh, the river runs and the hawks fly free By the aging bark of the willow tree. [Bridge] Love is planted just like a seed It is born in fire and raised in grace Its Memory gives me what you need As I sit by your grave in this secret place And now, for me too, the yeats do wear And the miles I’ve waited and walked alone ThoughThe willow has its own weight to bear It holds the memory of the Love we’ve known. [Instrumental Interlude] (A brief, soulful mandolin melody weaving through a steady electric bass line) [Verse 3] Now the night is coming, soft and slow And the owl is calling from the height The river carries those years ago Into the center of this night I’ll stay right here where the roots go deep Beneath our canopy of green While the rest of the world has gone to sleep And the willow watches, wise and lean. Whispers: “Soon your heart will be free of pain And you’ll lie you down by your true love” . . . again. [Chorus] And it’s lay down low, my own true love Where the silver branches sweep the ground The bark is rough on the willow tree But the heart inside is soft and sound Oh, the river runs and the hawks fly free By the aging bark of the willow tree. [Outro] Hiding(Vocal Intro: Soft, resonant acoustic guitar picking—a mix of steady folk rhythm and delicate fingerstyle)
