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Mend These Bones

from Singles by Bill Milford

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about

This song is part of my "Mother of a Set" - that is, four songs about my mother. Along with "Life Full of Time", "Warrior" and "Dust Outside the Sun" - the songs reflect different parts of her journey after my dad died.
"Life Full of Time" recalls the full shock to her of my father's sudden death. "Mend These Bones" focused on her unexpected strength and resilience in rebounding from falls (which included broken bones, etc.). "Warrior" reflects the quiet strength she displayed in aging. And "Dust Outside the Sun" is my homage to my sister and her after their deaths.

However, like most songs that I write about other people, they end up being about me and my experiences which filter my observations about other people. So this song really ends up being about recovery - really from anything - loss, depression, addiction, disappointment, etc. The first step is to get up and do something - anything - but it has to be when I am ready and able to maintain "balance". Then it is the belief in the small steps forward - even if they are "kai-zen" barely perceptible.

I love the darkness of the guitars in the beginning and Chris and Barb's very sparing and gentle harmony. This is from one of our Winni Concerts with Barb Siftar and Chris Peters.

lyrics

Mend These Bones

Mend these bones,
Heal this heart,
Give the patience for each day to come together and apart,
Mend these bones,
Give it time,
When it all falls to pieces, help me find some peace of mind.
Mend these bones –Mend these bones – Mend these bones.

Help me stand,
Keep me strong,
Give me courage to find balance, And wisdom for how long,
Help me stand,
On my two feet,
Brave enough to make some promises,
And the faith in ones to keep,
Help me stand- Help me stand- Help me stand.

Let the peace in this life flow around me,
Let me gather up my breath till I let go,
Let me welcome the journey of the mystery,
Let it be alright that I don’t know…

Help me walk,
Day by day,
Sure and steady and keep my head up to help me find my way,
Help me walk.
With steps so small,
That I mindfully move forward without the fear to fall,
Help me walk, help me walk, help me walk.

Instrumental

Let the peace in this life flow around me,
Let me gather up my breath till I let go,
Let me welcome the journey of the mystery,
Let it be alright that I don’t know…

Let me be,
Where I am,
Strong enough to care about it,
Strong enough not to give a damn,
Let me be.
On my own.
In the gift of the moment,
Together or alone.
Let me be, let me be, let me be....
Mend these bones- mend these bones – mend these bones.

7/15/09

credits

from Singles, released February 1, 2019
Guitar and vocal -Bill Milford
Guitar and background vocals - Chris Peters
Background vocals - Barb Siftar
Recorded by Kevin Weston
Keyboards added later: Bill Milford

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Bill Milford Tallahassee, Florida

Bill Milford lives in Tallahassee, FL. He performed professionally during his 20's and still plays out occasionally. He has performed with Barb Siftar, Lindy Hearne, Lynn
Adler, Chris Peters, Gail Nickse, Fred Griffeth, Richie Summa, and many other fine artists. He made dozens of dollars during his folk career so he offers his recordings without charge. ... more

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