One Little Song

Listen while you read:  https://youtu.be/UbnZMbes0vE

There's gotta be a song left to sing
'Cause everybody can't have thought of everything
One little song that ain't been sung
One little rag that ain't been wrung out completely yet
Just got a little left

One little drop of fallin' rain, one little chance to try again
One little bird that makes it home now and then
One little piece of endless sky, one little taste of cherry pie
One little week in paradise, and I start thinkin'

There's gotta be a song left to sing
'Cause everybody can't have thought of everything
One little note that ain't been used
One little word ain't been abused a thousand times
In a thousand rhymes

One little drop of fallin' rain, one little chance to try again
One little bird that makes it home now and then
One little piece of endless sky, one little taste of cherry pie
One little week in paradise, and I start thinkin'

There's gotta be a song left to sing
'Cause everybody can't have thought of everything
One little song that ain't been sung
One little rag that ain't been wrung out completely yet
'Til there's nothing left

~ Gillian Welch

Whenever this song comes on my shuffle, I am reminded once again of its simple beauty. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, partners in music and life, released Soul Journey in 2003. I was a newly-grieving widow at the time, and this song, for me, was a song of hope. It still is.

I don't have a lot to say about it; the song speaks for itself. The takeaway, for me at least, is to look to the small things for a reason to continue. Yes, the world seems to be falling apart, but outside my window, the white ibis take off as one in a breathtaking ascent into the blue sky. When the sky turns gray, an obliging earth soaks up the gentle rain, and moments later, a silvery brightness returns, more glorious for its reflection in the gathering puddles. The Muscovy ducks waddle to them and continue their simple existence, free of any disturbance in the world.

And the music! Where would we be without music? Without dance and art and theater? Without museums and comedy and sport and adventure? Without gardens and wildflowers and forests? There are so many ways to distract ourselves from the fear of nuclear annihilation. There are songs left to sing. Listen to this one again, but this time, sing along.

Then go get yourself some cherry pie. 'Til there's nothing left.