Chris Thile - How to Grow a Woman from the Ground

I do not own Chris Thile, (and it kills me)nor do I own this song... All the same, I'm almost certain Chris Thile didn't write this song either, but Tom Brosseau. Thile undoubtedly made better work of it, though.

This song is kind of Emo Bluegrass, but I love it any way. Listen to it all the way through; it's a pretty lovely piece.



I caught a string full of fish down by the damn
I'll drag them back to the field they should be dead by then
Wipe the sweat off my neck and tally ho the plow
I'm gonna grow a woman from the ground

The night was a chalkboard with a fingernail moon
If the fish ain't dead yet they will be pretty soon
Kinda like the feeling at an old folks home
Even though you love them you can't wait for them to go

I'll call her Angelina she's a teacher I once had
A halo of honey wrapped around her head
And she always used to give me some when I was a kid
I told her that I loved her and then I went and hid

I'll take you into town and I'll show you off
And there's room on your dress for a corsage
And I'll open up every door for you

I opened up my almanac and in my mind I read
Cut your wrist on the fins of the fish and drain all you can
So I rolled up my sleeves and then began to draw lines just as deep as the days are long

I sewed up my wrist and sewed the ground with my blood
Staind up my clothes pretty good and I turned that dirt to mud
I couldn't help but close my eyes and lay my body down
'Cause I heard it takes forever to grow a woman from the ground

I bleed for you now and I'm skinny as a rail
And I'll be so obliged to keep you nice and warm and safe
and won't you be so proud of me

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Chris
• Thile
• How
• to
• Grow
• Woman
• from
• the
• Ground
• Band
• Tom
• Brosseau

[lefty51]

While I think that Chris is an amazing musician and enjoy his version of this song, I would not go so far as to say that he has "undoubtedly made better work of it." I think that, compared to Tom's version, some of Chris' phrasing is a bit awkward. Also, it should be pointed out that Tom rarely plays a song the same way twice. Then again, this conversation of preference is "undoubtedly" subjective.

[Godwillcome]

I can certainly respect that. -And yes, it is subjective because he's been my hero since I was like ten. I'm glad to have your input, though.

[Stijnthomas]

tom's version creates a more desolate atmospere wich is more suiting for the lyrics and abit less conventional as for all the lil runs.

this isn't bad though

[Syracuserose08]

I agree with you, it upsets me that I don't own him either. How can you resist him? He's got the looks and the talent. Thank you for posting this. I wish everyone knew about him.

[inzunzam]

Where can I listen to Tom's version of this song. Any one have the link. Thanks in advance!

[missiworld]

This song was twirling through my head all night, the same little bits repeating and repeating. A very peaceful night.

[colddove88]

3 people get weeds in their garden.

[bigsquaw]

Godwillcome, thanks for the lyrics. What a wonderful song. deeeep

[nworbrelytthefirst]

i think we're going a little too far as a society with the labeling of genres. Emo bluegrass? C'mon. This is just good shit.

[Zvanunhoft]

This is Lax Racket jsdfsdf

[jesserizzle]

i disagree

[carlosjcsc]

Thile's album, by the sam name, is def worth having. although this is the only Brosseau cover, 'i'm urs if u want me' and 'ur an angel, and i'm gonna cry' are amazing originals..

[bluetality]

Tom Brosseau's version is better.