a hundred years ago the train still rolled through our backyard
you covered your face from coal and the cold
and since that ditch was dug, the barges floated down the Canal
where you tightened your laces and picked marigolds
cut your hair and smile sly
you can’t just stay inside
you’ve got the open sky
yellow birds on High Street
a hundred years ago the schools were closed and no more ships sailed
the breath in your lungs crackled and failed
in the Valley you picked banjo strings and read poetry
‘til you followed the 2 for city travails
cut your hair and smile sly
you won’t just stay inside
you’ve got the open sky
yellow birds on High Street
I drag my heels where you walked
thrust into the same town
watch the planes lift off
but keep my feet on the ground
a hundred years ago the Brooks you know led to our backyard
you dreamt of flight through lanternless nights
and in a year or so you would go around the globe
but for now we’ll share the same sights
and I’ll cut my hair and smile sly
I can't just stay inside
we’ve got the open sky
yellow birds on High Street
fly, fly, fly
fly, Amelia, fly
The Icelandic songwriter packs her stunning debut with sweeping melodies delivered via intimate, folky arrangements. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 12, 2023