"...a songwriting, accordion playing, harmony singing, storytelling,
hand drumming, banjo strumming, soul stirring,
two woman tour-de-force."
With award-winning songwriting and musicianship, Wishing Chair, "never fails to create that exhilarating sense one gets when great melodies, strong harmonies, and superb execution come together," says The Performing Songwriter Magazine. The 6th CD and latest offering from this roots/folk duo is no exception. Produced by Grammy nominated producer Mark Hallman, Underdog is "folk to the core," (Lexington Herald-Leader) delivering a rich collection of stories and clear-eyed diatribes, outlaw weddings, love songs, and an anti-Bush circus for good measure.
Since 1995, the folk and soul partnership of multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson and songwriter Kiya Heartwood has become well regarded for their engaging performances, passionate activism, stirring harmonies and award winning songs. With any subject being fair game, they have earned high honors from Kerrville (Political Songwriting Finalist 2003), Falcon Ridge (Emerging Artist Finalist 2002), Outmusic (double Winner 2003, Finalist 2004) to The South Florida Folk Festival (double Winner 2003).
Throughout the U.S and Canada, they have won over audiences and presenters alike performing in venues ranging from The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to The Ark in Ann Arbor, Uncle Calvin's in Dallas and Club Passim in Cambridge, and at festivals including the National Women's Music Festival, the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Clearwater Folk Festival, the South Florida Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Sidewalks
Wishing Chair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
© 2005 Kiya Heartwood
Slip on the sidewalk
these cracks in time
all the wishes we left behind
what can we hope for
will we find our way
Flesh and blood, mud and bone
I just want to walk you home
First ones up and the last ones in
we fall down and get up again
like a holy fool
or some crazy saint
I’m drowning in visions
and mistakes
Flesh and blood, mud and bone
I just want to walk you home
Betrayals
moments left on file
boxed in hours
unspoken trials
concrete faces
the forgotten touch
how can we hurt
the ones we love so much
If they see I love you
let them walk on by
we’ll leave our laundry
on the line
forgive my resistance
my fear of you
God bless the child who loves this true
Flesh and blood, mud and bone
I just want to walk you home
The song Sidewalks by Wishing Chair is a meditation on life's struggles and the human experience. The opening verse describes the cracks on the sidewalk as a representation of the passing of time and the wishes left unfulfilled. The singer questions what we can hope for and wonders if we will find our way. She then declares that she is not saving any souls today, perhaps indicating a resignation to the reality of life's challenges.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the human experience, declaring that we are all flesh and blood, mud and bone. The singer desires to walk someone home, perhaps indicating a desire for connection and companionship in the face of life's challenges.
The second verse delves deeper into the difficulties of life. Betrayals and unspoken trials are mentioned, as well as the notion of hurting the ones we love. The singer declares that if anyone sees her love for the person she wants to walk home, they can walk on by. This may be a nod to society's pressure to hide vulnerability or may indicate a desire for privacy in a world that can be harsh.
The song ends with the same refrain as the chorus, suggesting that despite life's struggles and challenges, we are all connected by our humanity and desire for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Slip on the sidewalk
Moving on the unstable pavement
these cracks in time
Referring to the past mistakes and experiences
all the wishes we left behind
Talking about the unfulfilled dreams and hopes
what can we hope for
Wondering about the future and what it holds
will we find our way
Questioning if they will be able to navigate through life's tough situations
I’m not saving any souls today
Not able to help anyone else because of their own struggles
Flesh and blood, mud and bone
Describing their own physical body
I just want to walk you home
Expressing a desire to be with a loved one
First ones up and the last ones in
Being a constant presence for the loved ones
we fall down and get up again
Accepting the setbacks and moving forward
like a holy fool
Feeling foolish but still driven by love and passion
or some crazy saint
Being guided by spiritual or moral values that others might not understand
I’m drowning in visions
Having too many thoughts and ideas that are weighing them down
and mistakes
Referring to the bad decisions they have made in the past
Betrayals
Talking about being let down by someone they trusted
moments left on file
Reminding themselves of the past memories
boxed in hours
Feeling trapped in time
unspoken trials
Referring to the difficult situations they have been through that they haven't shared with anyone
concrete faces
Referring to the people who show no emotion
the forgotten touch
Missing the connection they used to share with someone
how can we hurt
Wondering how they could have done something to cause pain to a loved one
the ones we love so much
Referring to the people they care for
If they see I love you
If anyone notices that they love someone
let them walk on by
Asking others to not interfere in their personal life
we’ll leave our laundry
Keeping nothing hidden or private
on the line
Being open and transparent
forgive my resistance
Seeking forgiveness for being hesitant or stubborn
my fear of you
Admitting that they might have been scared of their loved one
God bless the child who loves this true
Appreciating and valuing genuine love
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Don.
The song was recorded ny Martin Cathy in 1976