This was my contribution to Mitchell's assignment of writing a sequel to a song from an earlier round. One of my previous songs dealt, in a somewhat oblique way, to my experiences and responses to fashioning a life in New York City in my earlier days. This song is about the pivotal moment I decided to move back, and one of the major reasons why. This is one of maybe, I dunno, two unabashed love songs I've ever written for my girl. Sorry, in advance, for the schmaltz. Couldn't help it.
lyrics
a younger man he spreads himself
so thin to the horizon
it's not the dignity of gravity he wants
I dug myself out from the dirt, good roots gone dispossessed
I had no need for such as your blue dress
your blue gingham dress
I rode so far afield to find
I know not what I sought
while you sowed seeds of lavender and sage
I clutched the photograph, your crooked smile, your hair a mess
and I thought some more about your gingham dress
your blue gingham dress
we've seen the good times
and the best ones
I'll never doubt your sense of direction
so never nonchalant
I hope you'll always want
to dance with me in your blue gingham dress
I thought about your green eyes
the quiet way you worked
the peacefulness you struggled so to find
the soil brings forth the shoots
the flowers fearful to express
the joyful yes of your blue gingham dress
your blue gingham dress
like the sun above the treeline
shadows shortened to a point
the days grew long and I began to yearn
to spread these cloths beneath your feet
your dreams to hear confessed
to hide my face in your blue gingham dress
your blue gingham dress
we've seen the good times
and the best ones
I'll never doubt your sense of direction
so never nonchalant
I hope you'll always want
to dance with me in your blue gingham dress
funny how i had to go so far away to find
the girl down at the local record store
her blue gingham dress
your blue gingham dress
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