Wolf didn't get her recording career going until the mid-'70s, by which time she was well into her thirties. Prior to emerging as a solo artist, she had headed the band Wildwood Flower (who backed her on her first two albums), and organized folk concerts and festivals in Northern California. Very much a self-starter, her first two albums were released on her own Owl label; thereafter, her catalog was handled by Kaleidoscope.
Over the next few years, Wolf built a strong following on the folk circuit with a series of fairly similar but remarkably consistent albums. Her recordings always benefited from first-rate instrumental support from various small bands; guitarist Nina Gerber was her most important associate in this regard.
She was still at her peak when her life was tragically cut short by leukemia in 1986.
The Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival has been celebrating her music for many years now in northern California.
Friend of Mine
Kate Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
D, G/D, A/D, D, D, G/D, D, A
A D D G G
FRIEND OF MINE, I CAN'T UNDO THE WRONG
Em Em A7 A7 A7
I COULD HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST THESE CRAZY SONGS.
D D G G
I WALKED DOWN BY THE RIVER, AND I THOUGHT OF YOU TODAY.
YOU ALWAYS SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND THE WORDS I COULDN'T SAY.
D7 G B7 C Cm
BUT WHEN WE'D SING TOGETHER THOSE COUNTRY HARMONIES
G Em Em C C/D G G, D, G/D, D, A
I NEVER HEARD A SWEETER VOICE COME SO EASY AND SO FREE.
A D D G G
FRIEND OF MINE, AT TIMES YOU WERE SO WISE
Em Em A7 A7 A7
WITH THE SWEET WAYS OF A PLAYFUL CHILD AND SORROW IN YOUR EYES.
D D G G
YOU CAME RIDING THROUGH BUT YOUR HEART MADE YOU STAY.
Em Em A7 D
I COULD USE SOME OF YOUR HONESTY NOW THAT YOU'VE GONE AWAY
D7 G B7 C Cm
I CAN FEEL YOUR FOOTSTEPS WALKING HERE WITH ME
G Em Em C C/D G G, D, G/D, D, A
I NEVER HEARD A SWEETER VOICE COME SO EASY AND SO FREE.
D D D G G
FRIEND OF MINE, SINGING TO ME NOW
Em Em A7 A7 A7
I WANTED TO SAY I CARED, I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW HOW
D D G G
NOW DRIVING ON THESE DUSTY ROADS WHERE WE SPENT SO MANY DAYS
Em Em A7 D
YOUR SONGS WRAP CLOSE AROUND ME LIKE THE HEAVY SUMMER HAZE
D7 G B7 C Cm
THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA HOLDS ME LIKE YOUR MELODIES
G Em Em C C/D G
I NEVER HEARD A SWEETER VOICE COME SO EASY AND SO FREE.
Em, C, C/D, G, G, D, G/D, D, A, A, D
The song "Friend of Mine" by Kate Wolf is a tribute to a friend who has passed away. The singer reflects on how this person was always able to understand her when she couldn't put her feelings into words, and how they used to sing harmonies together. The singer laments that she wishes she could have given more than just "these crazy songs" to this friend who meant so much to her.
The lyrics are filled with a sense of longing and loss, but also with a deep feeling of connection and love. The repetition of the lines "I never heard a sweeter voice come so easy and so free" underscores the beauty and purity of the friendship that is being remembered.
Overall, "Friend of Mine" is a touching tribute to a person who had a profound impact on the singer's life, and who continues to live on through the memories and music they shared.
Line by Line Meaning
FRIEND OF MINE
Addressing a dear friend
I CAN'T UNDO THE WRONG
Regretting past mistakes and missed opportunities
I COULD HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST THESE CRAZY SONGS.
Feeling like not enough has been given to the friendship
I WALKED DOWN BY THE RIVER, AND I THOUGHT OF YOU TODAY.
Reminiscing thoughts of the friend
YOU ALWAYS SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND THE WORDS I COULDN'T SAY.
The friend was a great listener and always understood even when words were hard to express
BUT WHEN WE'D SING TOGETHER THOSE COUNTRY HARMONIES
Recalling times singing with the friend
I NEVER HEARD A SWEETER VOICE COME SO EASY AND SO FREE.
Appreciating the beauty of the friend's voice and harmonies
AT TIMES YOU WERE SO WISE
Acknowledging the friend's wisdom
WITH THE SWEET WAYS OF A PLAYFUL CHILD AND SORROW IN YOUR EYES.
Describing the friend's personality with sweet and sorrowful qualities
YOU CAME RIDING THROUGH BUT YOUR HEART MADE YOU STAY.
The friend was present when needed and had a caring heart
I COULD USE SOME OF YOUR HONESTY NOW THAT YOU'VE GONE AWAY
Missing the friend's honesty and longing for their presence
I CAN FEEL YOUR FOOTSTEPS WALKING HERE WITH ME
Remembering the friend and feeling their essence even though they're gone
SINGING TO ME NOW
Feeling the friend's spirit in the present
I WANTED TO SAY I CARED, I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW HOW
Feeling regret for not expressing love and care properly
NOW DRIVING ON THESE DUSTY ROADS WHERE WE SPENT SO MANY DAYS
Revisiting places where they spent time together
YOUR SONGS WRAP CLOSE AROUND ME LIKE THE HEAVY SUMMER HAZE
Feeling comfort in the friend's songs and the memories they bring
THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA HOLDS ME LIKE YOUR MELODIES
Finding solace in familiar places and memories with the friend
I NEVER HEARD A SWEETER VOICE COME SO EASY AND SO FREE.
Appreciating the friend's voice and music once again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DYLAN Y ALTMAN, TOMMY LEE JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind