My father lived to be 94 years old. He was a man far ahead of his time with a vision for what could be rather than what was.
The first thing you noticed when you drove up to Joe’s home was that it was not shaped like any other on the block. In fact, it wasn’t shaped like any other on almost any block. Joe divided the world into round house people (those that lived in a geodesic dome) and square house people. For him, round house people were different because they could see the world from another vantage point; one where people lived their lives with concern for our environment, using our precious resources judiciously; one where everyone has the healthcare they need, and food to eat; but equally importantly to him, a world where everyone could afford to own their own home. He said that owning your own home instilled a sense of pride in oneself.
Our dad was a man who was born 100 years too early and wanted to live another hundred more. He wanted to build one more dome, read one more book and share a meal with one more friend. Joe left us all with a legacy of passion, independence, Irish stubbornness, and a philosophy that we all should treat each other with kindness and love. He loved us all. He gave to me strength of will along with that Irish stubbornness, and taught me that no matter who you are in this life, if you live what you believe in, treat one another with respect and share your gifts with the world, you will have lived a good life. Our father was a good man who indeed lived a good life.
The chorus for this song was born on a night when the wind was whipping outside my window and lightening was cracking open the sky. My father had just been hospitalized and I knew what lay ahead for him in his final days and I did not want to face it – either for him, or myself. He was my father, but he was my friend and my inspiration. Like so many songs of mine, it took it’s own turn, but the seeds were born of the pain that we all experience from having to face inescapable loss: loss of family, loss of freinds, loss of loved ones.
This song features the beautiful guitar and vocal work of my co-producer and musical compadre, Lonnie Knight and the stunning mandolin work by Peter Ostroushko.
REFUGE
Late at night I see the lightning flashing
‘Cross my eyes it burns into my brain
Hold me down and keep my faith from crashing
I need a way to face this rain
Once I had a true companion
Like a nested bird within a tree
But in time all things abandon
What it is that sets them free
And there isn’t any refuge, there’s no one to rescue me
In the end’s it’s love’s betrayal
That plunges deep beneath
The ocean of my heart and mind
And I cannot find relief
No there isn’t any refuge, no one to rescue me
You can never tell how love will happen
Right between the eyes or soft and slow
Draw a line and it becomes misshapen
Through traces of the afterglow
I close my eyes and I can almost hear it
If I listen only with my heart
I know in time I’ll find a way to bear it
But leaving is the hardest part
And there isn’t any refuge, there’s no one to rescue me
In the end’s it’s love’s abandon
That plunges deep beneath
The ocean of my heart and mind
And I cannot find relief
No there isn’t any refuge, no one to rescue
You and me again
There is no refuge there is no refuge
Outside of me
There is no refuge
Refuge is available as a single digital download and on the CD Blue Companion.