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Warrior

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.

"Warrior" has one my most favorite and challenging guitar licks in it. It is in DADGAD tuning - and I literally have practiced the main guitar progression hundreds of times to get my fingers to mind what my brain heard.

My mom was a quiet and gentle soul. Her mom died when she was about 10 years old and she bounced around a bit until she married my dad in her 20's. And then once they bought a house in Hamden, CT - she was bound and determined to live there the rest of her life and she did.

lyrics

Warrior

D Em G A
My mother is a warrior inside an aging shell,
D Em A
I know she is a warrior because I know that fight so well,
Bm
She does not stop or surrender,
E7
And got up each time she fell,
Em G Em A D
My mother is a warrior inside an aging shell,

My mother is a stubborn mule inside an aging shell,
I know she is a stubborn mule because I know that resistance well,
She does what she does in her own good time,
And if not, politely gives you hell,
My mother is a stubborn mule inside an aging shell,

My mother is a motherless child inside an aging shell,
She knows she had a mother but did not know her well,
She is kind in all her outreach,
And casts a caring spell,
My mother is a motherless child inside an aging shell,





Bridge
C G
Sometimes I lie awake at night,
Gm D
And wonder how she is,
Em G A D
And imagine that she’s lying awake, too.
C G
And I bet we’re thinking the same thing,
Gm D
Longing for my dad,
Em G A
And wondering if he’s proud of how we’re doing.


My mother is a mystery inside an aging shell,
A mystery of power, and where it comes from, I can’t tell.
A fountain of strength, a fountain of fear,
And a fountain of love as well,
My mother is a mystery inside an aging shell.

7/25/2014

credits

from Singles, released February 1, 2019
Bill Milford - Guitars, vocal

Recorded 10/2022

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all rights reserved

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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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