Lives & Loves    

© 2002 Tracy Comer, music and Stephen Elder, lyrics\

[This is my musical setting of a lovely sonnet written by Steve for his wife, Hilda.
Shown below is the poem in its original form, which I modified very slightly for the musical setting.]

[Tracy plays on piano...starting key is Ab; alternate version on guitar is played starting in key of G with capo at 1st fret, standard tuning]

The hour is blue. It is the time of eve
When she goes walking in the woods. The trees
Just slightly dip their limbs, as if to please
Her as she passes. Somehow, I believe

They're paying homage to her dryad past,
For even now she seems as one with them.
Her arms reach out to touch this leaf, that stem,
Then wrap around a trunk to hold it fast.

I watch this strange communion from our door,
And pray my heartfelt thanks that she is now
With me. And I'll not ask if she loves more

The forest or the man. I know somehow
There's room for both, the after, the before.
We'll love and hold her safe in arm and bough.