Hearth Within Our Hearts

Lyrics

[Intro: Female, wordless folk vocal] [Verse 1: Male] Your blue wool shawl still hangs beside the door The hem you mended rests against the floor I hear your careful steps in winter snow Then turn too late to see you go [Verse 2: Female] You taught my hands to braid the rye and flax To leave a little bread beneath the eaves Now every feast has one place set apart And every old song catches in my heart [Chorus: Male and Female] Mother, we miss you dearly Your name is warm against the cold Mother, we miss you dearly In every story that we hold Across the fjord, across the years Your love still gathers us from far Mother, we miss you dearly You are the hearth within our hearts [Verse 3: Male] The birchwood bowl you carved is on the shelf I keep it near, though I can feed myself Your weathered hands made small things feel like home And made a crowded hall less far from home [Verse 4: Female] I wear the silver pin you gave to me Its little raven looks toward the sea When northern winds come hard against the wall I speak your name, and I am not alone [Chorus: Male and Female] Mother, we miss you dearly Your name is warm against the cold Mother, we miss you dearly In every story that we hold Across the fjord, across the years Your love still gathers us from far Mother, we miss you dearly You are the hearth within our hearts [Bridge: Female, then Male] If you could hear us from the mountain pass We keep your place, we raise the cup at last The children know the kindness in your name The fire burns, but nothing feels the same [Final Chorus: Male and Female, fuller harmony] Mother, we miss you dearly Your name is warm against the cold Mother, we miss you dearly In every story that we hold Across the fjord, across the years Your love still gathers us from far Mother, we miss you dearly You are the hearth within our hearts [Outro: Female and Male, soft] Mother, we miss you dearly We carry you wherever we are