The Prairie Wind (original)

Along the plains of Nebraska, as the wind burrows through the long grasses and speaks in the rustle of stalks and leaves, it's easy to see why the indigenous people believed in a wind spirit. It's easy to believe in it yourself.

Lyrics

The [G]heat beats down like thunder
On the [D]settler in his [Em]field
As 'e [C]strives to save what little [Em]hope
The [D]grudging soil [Em]yields,
But [G]withered stalks like skeletons
Stand [D]pricking at his [Em]skin
And he [C]pauses at the [D]murmur
Of the prairie [Em]wind.

And the [G]spirit of the prairie whispers,
[D]Rustling through the [Em]grains,
"[C]I was here before you."
And it [D]brushes past his [Em]face.
The [G]spirit of the prairie whispers,
[D]Shushing leaves proclaim:
"[C]I will be, when nothing more
Of you and yours [D]remains."
And [C]in the not-quite [G]quiet
Whispers [D]hiss from crack-mouthed [Em]clay,
[C]Speaking for the [D]spirit of the [Em]plains.

His little daughter calls to him
When bitter daylight ends;
Her full day's work of weaving
Buys the thread with which she spins.
He breathes a prayer for pity
As he goes to tuck her in,
And he pauses at the murmur
Of the prairie wind.

And the [G]spirit of the prairie whispers,
[D]Rustling through the [Em]grains,
"[C]I was here before you."
And it [D]brushes past his [Em]face.
The [G]spirit of the prairie whispers,
[D]Shushing leaves proclaim:
"[C]I will be, when nothing more
Of you and yours [D]remains."
And [C]in the not-quite [G]quiet
Whispers [D]hiss from crack-mouthed [Em]clay,
[C]Speaking for the [D]spirit of the [Em]plains.

Their graves are in the city
In the concrete and the steel;
The chiseled rock beside the fence
Is all that keeps them real.
But suit-clad walkers shiver there
Despite the city's din,
Pausing at the murmur
Of the prairie wind.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Prairie
• Wind
• original
• folk
• Acoustic
• Guitar
• Songwriter
• Singer
• existentialism

[roofer63]

Great.

Very thought provoking.

Thanks for posting.Good luck on your life journey

[PearseLames]

@roofer63 Thanks for the kind words! Best of luck to you, too.

[ginawina21]

did you write this song? ihave a few i wrote that remind me of yours in a way. are u from nebraska

[PearseLames]

@ginawina21 Hi Gina,

This is one I wrote while I was going to school in Nebraska, though I'm currently in Ohio. Are you in the process of uploading some of your songs? I'd love to hear them.

Best,

Pat

[SailorBJupiter]

This is perfect to describe the book I am reading. You are awesome!

[PearseLames]

@SailorBJupiter Thanks! What's the book?

[ginawina21]

did you write this song? ihave a few i wrote that remind me of yours in a way.

[SailorBJupiter]

@PearseLames Prairie Whispers by Frances Arrington. I had to read it for school and it was pretty good. How come your videos don't have more views though? You sing beautifully. You kinda remind me of a less nerdy Hank Green!

[marcoacca]

This is a perfectly beautiful gem. A perfect beauty. Thank you SO much for this. Ciao, Marco