Naubinway is this little town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, at the northernmost point in Lake Michigan. It's a little fishing town, almost the only one left on the Great Lakes. I have this idea of writing songs about places in Michigan that I like, so here's one.
I like this song. I feel like it’s one of the few keepers from this year, though there are definitely some gnarls in the lyrics I need to untangle a bit. Plus, why, why, did I do this with a capo on. It’s too high!
When my boat rolled in the harbor
Seeking shelter from the storm
Blown by the endless wind and weary from the rain
I found love to keep me warm
There is a flower in a garden
Just a few steps from the bay
After so long a time out in this barren world
I found a rose in Naubinway
[chorus]
Now there’s a feeling that she planted deep in me
Growing stronger every day
She is the queen of all this wide and lonely shore
She is my rose of Naubinway
Once I envied all the lovers
Like being poor in paradise
Now I bless the day I walked away
Because I finally realize
[chorus]
That there’s ...
No one north amid the cedars
An empty highway east and west
Of all the people in this lonely world
She is the one that I love best
[instrumental verse]
[chorus]
She is the queen of all this wide and lonely shore
She is the rose of Naubinway
@zecoop Mar 2022
What a wonderful picture and story. This is a beautiful song and so captivating. A very classic and satisfying vibe, played and sung beautifully. I have driven through the town, during the vacation i decided we should drive all around the perimeter of the UP. The Northern had a lot more going for it, but there were lots of quaint little towns, just like this one. :)
@odilongreen Mar 2022
This paints a terrific, almost nostalgic, picture in my mind, full of charm and a real feeling of sincerity. Just warm, inviting, and a joy to listen to.
@nancycunning Mar 2022
Oh, I love this love song to a place that feels like a love song to a lover or at least a love song to love itself. This feels good like Paul Simon and Billy Joel and the Beatles jamming at a barbeque on the beach.
@guitarpatz83 Mar 2022
I love songs written about places I’ve never heard of, particularly small towns that usually have special meaning for the lyricist. It’s evocative and exciting and this song is a great example of how to do it right. The harmonies and chord changes are amazing are really lovely and the choice of instrumention is great. Catchy hook, interesting lyrics and a lovely warmth to it all. Fantastic!
@seanbrennan Mar 2022
Such a timeless feel, and what a way to dedicate one's love. The banjo deserves some major love here. Really nice work!
@halfwayhome Mar 2022
That's such a beautiful thing that happens in the chorus - those harmonies as the instrumentation plummets to F# (or Gb - I don't know!), they do that thing music can do where it just makes a little bit the brain shudder.
Love the development in the third line of each verse, and how it resolves on the chorus.
Anyway, sorry, I don't need to theorise why, it just is, very cool, very beautiful.
@ayehahmur Mar 2022
Man, I adore the chorus in this, the melody is perfect for your voice, and the harmony line brings it all to life. And props for the little running banjo line that adds a wonderful authentic texture. Nice!