From the recording Blue Ridge Mountain Time: Songs from Wildacres
(2005): my first song written at Wildacres; I recorded this in Durham with the mighty hand of John Plymale on the board. Charlie Ebel on electric guitar and Lew Wardell on bass. I thought it might be included on my Deep December Dreams, but I chose another version instead. This one fits so well here.
Lyrics
Songbirds have all left the land
Mourning dove has made a stand
Calling out at dusk and dawn
I keep the night – this is her song
The owl in silence wheels its way
On the prowl – a bird of prey
He calls – I too am of the night
I prefer the dark to light
Help me keep the dark at bay
Let it not devour day
Bring a blessing to my soul
Shine your light; make me whole
Clouds of darkness around me wait
Threatening ever to overtake
They’ll take the sun and turn it black
Say they’ll never give it back
Help me keep the dark at bay
Let it not devour day
Bring a blessing to my soul
Shine your light; make me whole
Songbirds have all left the land
Mourning dove has made a stand