ASHES ON THE SEA — Bruce Phillips
A song in remembrance of
Woody Guthrie. He was cremated and his ashes scattered on the sea off Coney Island. Tune similar to Lorena (recorded by Rosalie
Sorrels “Miscellaneous Abstract Record No. 1”)
What is this song I hear
repeating
Sprung from the careless
seeds you’ve sown
Our songs will come and go
like seasons
To bloom and fade all on
their own.
And now I know I cannot
find you
You’re gone from all but
memories
And I am told that one who
loves you
Has strewed your ashes on
the sea
I stepped outside for just a
moment
To turn and look on my own
face
What is that shadow just
behind me
Why it’s the old one I reach
out to embrace
It’s one thing to look upon a
picture
It’s another thing to read
the pages through
Or perhaps to linger by the
wayside
Hoping I might find a trace
of you
Your dust clouds still blow
across your footprints
Your best friend still stands
there all alone
Your box cars still keep the
lovers parted
Your little boys still run
away from home
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