"...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.
Victoria
Wishing Chair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wore a Crow braid in her hair
I was sent there by my father
To bring their stallion our best mares
She said no use waiting round here
I know a place where we can go
So she saddled up her pony
And we headed for the mountain snow
I'd just seen fifteen summers
She was all of seventeen
But I knew that I would follow
Anyplace that she might lead
We rode up to a warm spring
Swam until the moon was high
When she wrapped her arms around my waist
We melted into sky
Victoria
This cannot be wrong
Victoria
You changed my life
In the morning we rode down
And our lives we put back on
She said nothing really happened
But I knew that she was wrong
Now I'm standing in my window
Streetlights changing in the rain
Though twenty years have run like water
I'll take you in my arms again
Victoria
This cannot be wrong
Victoria
You changed my life
The lyrics of Wishing Chair's song "Victoria" narrates a nostalgic memory of a young man who fell in love with a confident girl named Victoria when he was just fifteen. Victoria was an adventurous and independent woman who wore a Crow braid in her hair, and her spurs were Spanish silver. At the request of his father, the young man went to a place where Victoria lived to bring their stallion the best mares. Victoria showed him a place where they could go, and they headed for the mountain snow. Despite the age gap between them, the young man followed Victoria because he was smitten.
The second verse shows a romantic encounter between the young man and Victoria. They rode up to a warm spring and swam under the moonlight. When Victoria wrapped her arms around his waist, they melted into the sky. The chorus follows, with the young man expressing that Victoria changed his life. However, the morning after they swam together, Victoria claimed that nothing really happened, but the young man knew she was wrong. The song concludes with the young man standing in his window, longing for Victoria despite the passage of twenty years.
In conclusion, "Victoria" portrays a story of first love and the bittersweet memories that come with it. The lyrics illustrate the admiration of a young man for an independent and self-assured woman who leaves a lasting impact on his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Her spurs were Spanish silver
Her boots were adorned with silver spurs imported from Spain, indicating her high social status and wealth.
She wore a Crow braid in her hair
She had her hair styled in a traditional Crow braid, a Native American tribe known for their horsemanship and equestrian traditions.
I was sent there by my father
My father had sent me on a mission to bring our best mares to their stallion, entrusted to the care of Victoria and her family.
To bring their stallion our best mares
It was my responsibility to bring our finest horses to mate with theirs, a sign of respect and honor between our families.
She said no use waiting round here
Victoria suggested that we leave the current place and find somewhere else to spend time.
I know a place where we can go
Victoria knew of a location where we could go for privacy and seclusion from others.
So she saddled up her pony
Victoria prepared her own horse for the journey and invited me to join her.
And we headed for the mountain snow
We set off towards the snowy mountains for a scenic and peaceful ride.
I'd just seen fifteen summers
I was a young boy of fifteen years of age, inexperienced and naive.
She was all of seventeen
Victoria was only two years older than me, but appeared more mature and confident.
But I knew that I would follow
I felt compelled to follow Victoria and her lead, wherever she went.
Anyplace that she might lead
I was willing to go anywhere with Victoria, simply because I trusted her and was enamored by her charm and beauty.
We rode up to a warm spring
Victoria took me to a natural hot spring for a relaxing and intimate experience.
Swam until the moon was high
We spent a long time swimming in the hot spring, enjoying each other's company and the stunning moonlit scenery.
When she wrapped her arms around my waist
Victoria embraced me affectionately and romantically.
We melted into sky
Our intimacy was so intense that it felt like we transcended our physical boundaries and became one with the sky.
Victoria
This cannot be wrong
Victoria
You changed my life
Victoria had a profound impact on my life, and our relationship was something I cherished deeply and irrevocably.
In the morning we rode down
The next morning, we descended from the mountains and returned to our separate lives.
And our lives we put back on
We resumed our previous roles and responsibilities, though our connection remained strong in our hearts.
She said nothing really happened
Victoria claimed that our night together was insignificant and inconsequential, perhaps out of fear of judgment or repercussion.
But I knew that she was wrong
I disagreed with Victoria's assessment, as our experience together had a profound impact on me and changed my perspective on life and love.
Now I'm standing in my window
After two decades, I reflect on our time together and how it impacted me, as I stand alone by a window.
Streetlights changing in the rain
The streetlights outside are changing color in the rain, a reflection of the shifting emotions and memories within me.
Though twenty years have run like water
Despite the long passage of time, my memories of Victoria and our night together remain as vivid and intense as ever.
I'll take you in my arms again
I long to hold Victoria once more, to relive the cherished moments we shared together so many years ago.
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Don.
The song was recorded ny Martin Cathy in 1976