Cut By Wire

words © by Geoff Bartley & John Gorka 1997
traditional English melody from Lord Franklin a.k.a. Lady Franklin's Lament circa 1847
Published by Joshua Omar's Music BMI
All Rights Reserved

The letters stopped in a minor key
A Christmas card that you drew for me
Done by the hand that I knew so well
Disguised a message that you could not tell

I see you bent above your potter's wheel
The piece you're throwing is the peace you feel
The softest colors and an eye so true
For cups and bowls that are shaped like you

You work in porcelain cut by wire
And now as ever lovers walk through fire
When we were breaking we made no sound
The pieces almost touching on the ground

And now your silence says there's someone there
Who stands behind you as you brush your hair
Ah does he hold you like a long-lost friend?
Or are you like me on your own again?

So I write you in a minor key
Wond'ring if there's something left for me
I'm only writing so I can sleep
I never found another love as deep

You work in porcelain cut by wire
And now as ever lovers walk through fire
When we were breaking we made no sound
The pieces almost touching on the ground

One Kind Word

track 9

Mike Rivard; upright bass
Billy Novick; soprano sax
Jonatha Brooke, John Gorka; backing vocals
Geoff; vocal, Martin M-36 in dropped D tuning, capo 1, & classical guitar

Ireland's Mary Black recorded a faithful version of this song on her 2000 CD, Speaking with the Angel. Thanks to the foresight of my agent, we got to hear Mary sing this at Boston's Symphony Hall in April of that year. Mary Black has recorded several of John Gorka's songs, and another one we co-wrote called Raven in the Storm is on her earlier CD, Circus. ~ Geoff