Hold On: Three Fingers and a Mariner's Song

Three Fingers and a Mariner’s Song


Hit the ground a-running
That’s how it always was
And yet our feet, they were dragging
Our meeting ripe for sabotage
Such good, good love...
It left us bragging
Bragging to everyone

I always had your back because I was so far behind
It was only a matter of time
Before your neck grew stiff from turnin’
And I became an anchor ‘gainst your sails
Just as they were catching the wind
How could I hate you then
For leaving me when you did?

But I don’t want to be an anchor anymore
Never before a thought of leaving
I am leaving the harbor

Now you tell me that the winds sometimes are cold
Your ship is ever moving
And though so grand - the sea is not a home
So will I take you once again?
A gypsy with my blood still on her hands?
Oh, I would take you any way
But I’m afraid…
I want this to be real too much, you see?
Oh, can’t you see this ragged wraith that I’ve become in my longing?
Oh, can’t you see?
In your time of doubt, I was strong for you
Now you’ve got to be strong for me

Cause I’m not sure about
The stitches holding my heart
I’m still healing from the last time around
You got to be easy with me
You got to be patient, honey
I am holding on to the arms of your clock
Like Harold Lloyd
My grip is not so sure

Awake to gentle shower
The beach is a grey world
Walking along the watermark
Had the last year really occurred?
Such good, good love...
We left it hanging
Hung out to dry in passion’s drought

No more extensions, may we stand now side by side?
The dying part of me has died
Upon the thought of the life I’ve lived
Continuing its fruitless stale motions
Heavy and numb to the winds
How could I remain this thing
After the time with you I’ve spent?

No, I don’t want to be an anchor anymore
So let us sing a mariner’s song
Holding hands along this shore

Raise the sails; I say we ride into the storm
This ship’s still young and able
And when it’s cold - then I will keep you warm
So will you take me once again?
With familiar scars a stranger changed
For I would take you any way
But I’m afraid…
I want this to be real too much, you see?
Oh, can’t you see this jaded grace that I’ve unwound in my longing?
Oh, can’t you see?
In your time of doubt, I held on for you
Now you’ve got to hold on for me

Cause I’m not sure about
The stitches holding my heart
I’m still healing from the last time around
You got to be easy with me
You got to be patient, honey
I am holding on to the arms of your clock
Like Harold Lloyd
My grip is not so sure

But I’m still smiling…
From this height


April 20, 2008