Henry’s voice “aims for the emotional center” as she commands and captures the complete attention of the audience, telling real stories while also bringing a sense of ‘joie de vivre.’ She’s performed at the Rainbow Room with the Cab Calloway Orchestra, and the Lincoln Center with the Juilliard Jazz Octet; at jazz festivals including the 2006 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival; for the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in Pittsburgh; at jazz clubs such as The Dakota in Minneapolis and Arturo Sandoval’s Jazz Club in Miami; throughout central Mexico with her tribute concert to Billie Holiday; for senators and congressional representatives at the Democratic National Convention and the Congressional Black Caucus; at numerous private engagements and fundraisers; and for charitable causes benefiting Arts Education and AIDS awareness with organizations such as: AIDS Alliance, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, I Have a Dream Foundation, and the Black AIDS Organization; and she often acts as a guest speaker for school children. She’s also performed in Korea, Japan, Mexico and London and been interviewed, highly reviewed, and mentioned by such media as Swing Journal, Prairie Home Companion, jazzreview.com, Sirius Satellite Radio, DownBeat, All About Jazz, XM Satellite Radio, L.A. Jazz Scene and more. She’s shared the stage with music legends such as Isaac Hayes, Kenny Werner, Jennifer Holliday, Sammy Figueroa, Johnny O'Neal, Nicholas Peyton, Eric Alexander, Joan Osborne, Roberta Flack and Tom Scott to name a few. As Swing Journal stated, "...Nicole sings with such power and emotion. She has a big future ahead of her." In her recordings, and during any of her live performances, you feel that power and you feel that emotion that emerges sincerely from her heart.
Also an actress and spokesperson, Nicole is the host and producer of the music segment of Miami’s PBS show ‘ArtStreet’ on WLRN-TV. As a lead, her acting skills have been featured on national television campaigns for Verizon Wireless, Amtrak, McDonald's, Air Jamaica, Rite Aid Pharmacies, Hershey's Swoops, Sears Optical and others.
Creating fans immediately, this world-class performer's presence, classic elegance, infectious energy, sexy appeal, and honest interpretations make for a truly moving experience. Poised to impact international audiences, Nicole Henry will touch you and tell a story like none other...
Waters of March
Nicole Henry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the rest of a stump, it's a little alone
It's a sliver of glass, it is life, it's the sun
It is night, it is death, it's a trap, it's a gun
The oak when it blooms, a fox in the brush
A knot in the wood, the song of a thrush
The wood of the wind, a cliff, a fall
A scratch, a lump, it is nothing at all
It's a beam it's a void, it's a hunch, it's a hope
And the river bank talks of the waters of March
It's the end of the strain
The joy in your heart
The foot, the ground, the flesh and the bone
The beat of the road, a slingshot's stone
A fish, a flash, a silvery glow
A fight, a bet the fange of a bow
The bed of the well, the end of the line
The dismay in the face, it's a loss, it's a find
A spear, a spike, a point, a nail
A drip, a drop, the end of the tale
A truckload of bricks in the soft morning light
The sound of a shot in the dead of the night
A mile, a must, a thrust, a bump,
It's a boy, it's a rhyme, it's a cold, it's the mumps
The plan of the house, the body in bed
And the car that got stuck, it's the mud, it's the mud
A float, a drift, a flight, a wing
A hawk, a quail, the promise of spring
And the river bank talks of the waters of March
It's the promise of life, it's the joy in your heart
The lyrics of Nicole Henry's "Waters of March" describe a diverse range of everyday objects and experiences, each given equal weight in the telling of the song. From a stick and a stone, to the sun and the moon, a fox in the brush, the wind blowing freely, a truckload of bricks, and even the fangs of a bow - everything is imbued with meaning and significance. The repeated phrase "it's the end of the road" creates a sense of finality and the idea that everything must come to an end eventually. However, the song also celebrates the beauty and complexity of life and the natural world, capturing the promise of spring and the joy in one's heart.
The lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible meaning is that life is made up of a series of interconnected moments, each one unique and important in its own way. The song invites the listener to reflect on the impermanence of everything around us, and to appreciate the power and beauty of the natural world. The final lines of the song, "it's the promise of life, it's the joy in your heart", suggest that despite the challenges and endings that come our way, there is always hope and the possibility for happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
A stick, a stone, it's the end of the road
It's the realization that the journey has come to a complete halt.
It's the rest of a stump, it's a little alone
It's the feeling of isolation and loneliness that comes with being left with nothing but remnants.
It's a sliver of glass, it is life, it's the sun
It's the recognition that even the smallest things in life can have immense significance.
It is night, it is death, it's a trap, it's a gun
It's the duality of life with its opposing forces of light and dark, safety and danger.
The oak when it blooms, a fox in the brush
It's the beauty and diversity of nature in all its forms.
A knot in the wood, the song of a thrush
It's the recognition of the imperfections and unique characteristics that give things character and value.
The wood of the wind, a cliff, a fall
It's recognizing the power and unpredictability of nature and its ability to evoke both awe and fear.
A scratch, a lump, it is nothing at all
It's understanding that some things in life may seem insignificant, but can hold deeper meaning and significance when looked at closer.
It's the wind blowing free, it's the end of the slope
It's the feeling of freedom and release that comes with reaching the end of a difficult journey or obstacle.
It's a beam it's a void, it's a hunch, it's a hope
It's the recognition that life is full of both positive and negative emotions and experiences, and that hope and intuition can guide us through the dark times.
And the river bank talks of the waters of March
It's the idea that nature is constantly communicating with us, with its sounds and movements conveying deeper meanings and significance.
It's the end of the strain
It's the sense of relief and release that comes when a difficult period or struggle comes to an end.
The joy in your heart
It's the feeling of happiness and contentment that comes with overcoming obstacles or achieving something meaningful.
The foot, the ground, the flesh and the bone
It's the recognition that we are all connected to the earth and to each other, on both a physical and spiritual level.
The beat of the road, a slingshot's stone
It's the idea that life is a journey, with its ups and downs, and that every experience - even the difficult ones - can propel us forward in some way.
A fish, a flash, a silvery glow
It's the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and the awe-inspiring moments that take our breath away.
A fight, a bet the fange of a bow
It's the recognition of the darker side of human nature, with its conflicts, betting, and desire for power and control.
The bed of the well, the end of the line
It's the realization that everything must come to an end, even life itself, and the importance of making the most of the time we have.
The dismay in the face, it's a loss, it's a find
It's the recognition that life is full of both joy and sorrow, gain and loss, and the importance of accepting this duality.
A spear, a spike, a point, a nail
It's the recognition of the tools and weapons that humans have created over time, and the ways in which they have been used for both good and evil.
A drip, a drop, the end of the tale
It's the idea that sometimes the smallest moments or details can have the greatest significance, and that life itself is made up of a series of small moments that add up to a larger whole.
A truckload of bricks in the soft morning light
It's the idea of seeing beauty in unexpected places, and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life.
The sound of a shot in the dead of the night
It's the recognition of the violence and trauma that humans are capable of, even in the stillness of the night.
A mile, a must, a thrust, a bump
It's the journey of life, with its twists and turns, and the unpredictability that lies ahead.
It's a boy, it's a rhyme, it's a cold, it's the mumps
It's the recognition of the many experiences and emotions that shape our lives, from the joys of childhood to the pains and challenges of adulthood.
The plan of the house, the body in bed
It's the recognition of the many parts that make up our lives, from our physical bodies to the places that we call home.
And the car that got stuck, it's the mud, it's the mud
It's the idea that sometimes in life we get caught up in small, insignificant details, and lose sight of the bigger picture.
A float, a drift, a flight, a wing
It's the sense of freedom and possibility that comes with exploring the world, and the many ways in which we can move through it.
A hawk, a quail, the promise of spring
It's the beauty of nature, with its many creatures and the promise of new beginnings and growth that comes with each changing season.
And the river bank talks of the waters of March
It's the reminder that nature is all around us, and that we are part of a larger, interconnected world that is constantly communicating with us in subtle ways.
It's the promise of life, it's the joy in your heart
It's the recognition that life is full of promise and possibility, and that we can find joy and happiness in the midst of even the most difficult times.
Writer(s): Antonio Carlos Jobim
Contributed by Audrey T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.