Feb 2022 country-folk guitar fiddle bass harmonies
My second collaboration with Nancy Cunningham. She was thinking in line of this being an homage to Meryl Haggard. I remained much closer to her original lyrics this time and I think it came out sounding great. Enjoy.
Ma rolled out a pie crust, I was late to meet no good
I could a used some money, but I knew just where she stood
She chewed her lip nervously, frowned, and shook her head
I laced up for a dressing down, she touched my sleeve instead
Ma said: Son, you need an ironed shirt,
Hon, let me iron that shirt
No clue how to iron you out,
but surely,
I can iron that shirt
I've dodged my share a bullets, I've paid a few stiff fines
Wracked up misdemeanors, but somehow, no hard time
Ma went without a lotta things, but she’d come and post my bail
And always brought an ironed shirt when she picked me up from jail
Every time, Son, you need an ironed shirt,
Hon, let me iron that shirt
No clue how to iron you out,
but surely,
I can iron that shirt
I ran late to Ma's funeral, there barely at the start
Her iron's pointed arrow tip was singe-d across my heart
Had tried my best to press my shirt, I couldn't get it flat
I wish the hot-cotton smell could 'a brought dear mama back
But Mama's up there singing, she's joined an angel band
I can see, what must be, a gold iron in her hand
A host of angel mama's, 'a starching up the dead
All in three-part harmony,all singing like she said
Son, you need an ironed shirt,
Hon, let me iron that shirt
No clue how to iron you out,
but at least, I can iron that shirt
@nancycunning Feb 2022
I'm so happy with how this one turned out. Makes me smell the hot starch.
@andygriff Feb 2022
Also "her iron's pointed arrow tip was singed across my heart" is a truly magnificent line!
@andygriff Feb 2022
Another super collaboration from you both! Wonderfully evocative and effective lyric brought superbly to life with this tune and Bob's usual excellent musicianship and vocals.
@erbaer Feb 2022
Love the fiddle and the harmonies. Great collaboration. You really brought this tune to life.
@jayjay Feb 2022
Wonderful storytellling
@gregwere Feb 2022
lovely tune, nice work