EMILY HURD

Kids In Red Wagons

Children on corners and the buskers take orders,

And you wrap your arm around my waist.

Dogs in the crosswalk and the owners make small talk,

And you press your lips against my face.

When the sidewalks are flowing and the windows are open,

Then nobody feels like they are lonely.

When the time starts a-draggin like the kids in the red wagons,

Then we’ll always have Chicago, won’t we?

Tear out the pages with our friends on the stages,

And shake out your pockets at the door.

I stake my claim to our spot, and I save you

The best seat this park bench could afford.

When the sidewalks are flowing and the windows are open,

Then nobody feels like they are lonely.

When the time starts a-draggin like the kids in the red wagons,

Then we’ll always have Chicago, won’t we?

Roll out the blanket like a red carpet, lay it down

For the summer you starred in my life.

Rewinding to the versions of me as a younger person

Reminds me how we’re so alike.

When the sidewalks are flowing and the windows are open,

Then nobody feels like they are lonely.

When the time starts a-draggin like the kids in the red wagons,

Then we’ll always have Chicago, won’t we?

 Written by Emily Hurd

Cold Blood

Hey baby, I see you, so why do you need to hide with your name? 

On the days that you’re lonely, you are not the only one with your pain.

What moves you inside pours out of your eyes and into my own,

From my view to my thoughts where my feelings get lost in the darkness you’ve known.

Who did this to you? Is that how you knew to do it to me?

Who lit you on fire, let you expire, and left you to freeze with cold, cold blood?

Hey baby, I get you, so why can’t you let new mornings arise?

Are you pushing me back before I get a chance to prove otherwise?

What flows through your veins is making its way right into our kiss,

From your mouth to my soul where your hurt takes control and comes out my lips.

Who did this to you? Is that how you knew to do it to me?

Who lit you on fire, let you expire, and left you to freeze with cold, cold . . .

Hey, why do you run away from the sun and into the storm?

Hey, where did you learn that you will be burned by anything warm?

Who made you believe eventually all kindness will fade,

And why can’t it be me who gives you a reason some things will stay?

Hey baby, I want you, but with all that you’ve gone through, I fear your reply.  

If I were to say, I’ll love you today, and until I die,”

From my mouth to your ear, are you just going to hear whatever you choose?

Will the words just be sounds, all rolling around in a heart you don’t use?

Who did this to you? Is that how you knew to do it to me?

Who lit you on fire, let you expire, and left you to freeze with cold, cold blood?

Written by Emily Hurd

Cover Blown

Everybody needs their cover blown,

Lest they burn inside their soul.

I am on fire when I’m alone,

When there’s something to be told,

And it don’t show.

By God, let’s don’t lose time.

My God, he don’t choose sides,

So if it’s true, then it’s alright;

 I’m going to come to you through an open mind.

Everybody needs their cover blown,

Lest they burn inside their soul.

I am on fire when I’m alone,

When there’s something to be told,

And it don’t show.

Driving back to the house today,

Was there something you had to say?

See, I can’t know no other way:

I can only get to you through what you display.

Everybody needs their cover blown,

Lest they burn inside their soul.

I am on fire when I’m alone,

When there’s something to be told,

And it don’t show. If it don’t show,

How’m I supposed to know?

By God let’s don’t lose time.

My God, he don’t choose sides.

Put some truth on the outside.

I’m going to come to you through an open mind.

Everybody needs their cover blown,

Lest they burn inside their soul.

I am on fire when I’m alone,

When there’s something to be told,

And it don’t show. Let it show.  

Written by Emily Hurd

Play The Saint

The morning bed was halfway made. The evening prayer was halfway prayed.

All of the bills were almost paid. This place is where I almost

Stayed, nearly.

The news was hanging on the stair, the coffee, hanging on the air. 

I was just hanging on that chair, but my heart wasn’t really

There, clearly.

I’d like to save your soul, break your game and make you whole,

But I no longer know from whence you came.

I’d like to ease your mind, please your eyes and treat you kind,

But I am not inclined to play the saint.

The morning talk was halfway made. The evening roles were halfway played.

All of the pictures were displayed, and I was almost in the

Frames, nearly.

The welcome sign was being hung. The church’s bells were being rung.

But still these words were on my tongue: “I loved you more when we were

Young,” dearly.

I’d like to save your soul, break your game and make you whole,

But I no longer know from whence you came.

I’d like to ease your mind, please your eyes and treat you kind,

But I am not inclined to play the saint.

The morning love was halfway made, the evening table halfway laid.

The mirror looked at me to say, “This is who you almost

Became, nearly.”

The sun was just about to shine. The stars were just about in line.

You went to check in on the time—that’s when I checked out in my

Mind. You just couldn’t hear me.

I’d like to save your soul, break your game and make you whole,

But I no longer know from whence you came.

I’d like to ease your mind, please your eyes and treat you kind,

But I am not inclined to play the saint.

Written by Emily Hurd

Daytime Fireflies

I’ve got honey on my mind and a knife upon my tongue

And a sweetness in my soul too big to speak it.

I’ve a woman on my face, and a heart that is too young

And just careful enough not to let you see it.

Ain’t no stars in city lights. Ain’t no daytime fireflies. I am who I am tonight.

Waiting just behind my pride. Til you tell me not to hide.

I’ve got roses in my blood and a thorn upon my hands

So I keep em pocketed for your protection.

Cuz I’ve got a will of stone and a courage made of glass,

But if I used it, it would be on your affections.

Ain’t no stars in city lights. Ain’t no daytime fireflies. I am who I am tonight.

Keeping watch, like I know how. Til it’s safer to come out.

I’ve got summer in my bones and winter in my eyes

And a trusty cloud that never lets the light through.

But if I ever let it show, maybe you would realize

That I want you so much I try not to like you.

Ain’t no stars in city lights. Ain’t no daytime fireflies. I am who I am tonight.

Holding back each time your’re here. Til the coast is finally clear.

Ain’t no stars in city lights. Ain’t no daytime fireflies.  Written by Emily Hurd

Another Source

Well, well, I dug you a well, deep enough so that you could help

Yourself to buckets of hope.

But you done found another source, and that’ll get you round, of course.

But the funny thing about love left alone is you don’t know it’s gone until it’s dry as a bone.

Sun, sun, I made you the one, and I gave you heat, enough so you’d come

Back home to me every night.

But you done found another source, and that’ll get you round, of course.

But the funny thing about love left alone is you don’t know it’s gone until it’s dark as a crow.

I could dole out all my soul until I’ve none myself.

And I’d still implore you to take more if I thought it might help,

But you don’t need the things from me that I require of you.

So I’m giving up on giving love until I get it too.

Time, time, I gave you all mine to have and to hold, should you find

That you’d like to have what I got.

But you done found another source, and that’ll get you round, of course.  

But the funny thing about love left alone is you don’t know it’s gone until it’s hard as a stone.

Road, road, I built us a road, long enough so that we could know

Ourselves through a love that could last.

But you done found another source, and that’ll get you round, of course.

You done found another source, and she will get you round, of course.

But it’s funny how you could love her so fast, and you won’t know I’ve gone until I’ve already passed.

Written by Emily Hurd

Would That I Were

Would that I were in your mind, I’d let you think of me sometimes.

Would that I were in your dreams, I’d ask that you consider me.

Would that I were stealing just an hour of your week,

To finally know the feeling of your breath upon my cheek,

To watch your body reeling as we understand how deep the love goes.

Would that I were in your mind, I’d let you think of me sometimes.

Would that I were in your dreams, I’d ask for you to notice me.

Would that I were catching just the corner of your eye,

To find you find me fetching as you see me strolling by,

To know to count our blessings so we understand how high the love goes.

Would that I were in your mind, I’d let you think of me sometimes.

Would that I were in your dreams, I’d ask that you remember me.

Would that I were in your heart, I’d hold me in some small regard.

Would that I were in your soul, I would tell you, “Hey, you ain’t alone.”

Would that we were starting down a no conditions path,

Where no one need be sorry for the sorrows of the past,

To know each others’ arms before we understand how fast a life goes.

Would that I were in your mind, I’d let you think of me sometimes.

Would that I were in your dreams, I’d ask that you consider me.

Heaven This Way

If it is God each time that you got a sense of peace, then

I think I might know him, judging by going home this evening.

The crackle of leaves, and the humming of streets, and the dancing of flies.

And the thought of your face up ahead just a ways—pacifies.

If it is heaven when you start heading for the light.

Then I think I just saw it. I think I just caught a glimpse tonight

While taking the back roads on my way back home in the rain.

Your house is a star. I’m driving my car to heaven this way.

If it is holy not to be lonely in your heart, then

Something divine must be down the line amidst the darkening

Sky. I’m breathing the air of angels there…senses are on fire. 

And I’m hearing the gravel. It’s starting to rattle, and it sounds like a choir.

If it is heaven when you start heading for the light.

Then I think I just saw it. I think I just caught a glimpse tonight

While taking the back roads on my way back home in the rain.

Your house is a star. I’m driving my car to heaven this way.

If it is grace each time that you taste a bit of some glory,

Then I think I just kissed a bit of God’s lips when I kissed yours. We

Lay here for hours, the smell of the flowers cuts the cold.

And it’s got me believing even the seasons have a soul.

If it is heaven when you start heading for the light.

Then I think I just saw it. I think I just caught a glimpse tonight

While taking the back roads on my way back home in the rain.

Your house is a star. I’m driving my car to heaven this way.

 Written by Emily Hurd

Mess With Fate

Mothers give way to the friends you meet in school.

And what is now my common sense was once a fool.

So I would be a fool to waste you just for fun.

Because I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

Friends give way to other friends, another phase.

And what is now a passing trend was once a craze.

So I’d be crazy if I strayed since we’ve begun.

I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

Friends give way to lovers, loving without heed.

And what is now more than enough was once a need.

Well I don’t need more time to say, “My search is done.

And I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

I don’t want you to give way to anyone.”

Lovers give way to more lovers in distress.

And what is now what I’ve recovered was once a mess.

So I am going to mess with fate under its gun.

See, I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

You gave way to every fright and every tear.

And what is now taken in stride was once a fear.

So you don’t need to be afraid that I might run.

Because I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

I don’t want you to give way.

I gave way to you and me, and here I am.

And what is now a memory was once a plan.

So I am going to plan to stay through every sun.

Because I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

I don’t want you to give way to anyone.

I want you.

Written By Emily Hurd

Lakes

I’ve got skies in my eyes. They are lakes. See them shine.

If it seems I’ve grown mean, change your mind, and I am fine.

You view what you view. You view what you view. Look at my open hand. Honey, honey I am who you make true. So say, “She’s sweet,” and then I am.

If the light doesn’t burn then the waters turn dark as coal,

And I just reflect so what you get is what you show.

Don’t read my mind, just treat me kind,

And you will find me kinder.

Because I don’t intend to be less than friends,

So if we meet again, remember: “you like her.”

I can’t see what you see. I’m alone, over here.

And you are there, over where you alone know you, dear.

So how could I even try, how could I even try to enforce any shame? Honey, honey,

I don’t know where you go, who you are, or why you came.

If the light doesn’t burn then the waters turn dark as coal,

And I just reflect so what you get is what you show.

Don’t read my mind, just treat me kind,

And you will find me kinder.

Because I don’t intend to be less than friends,

So if we meet again, remember: “you like her.”

If you throw me a stone, you will break all that’s still,

But if you’d like to see me shine, then see me shine, and I will.

If the light doesn’t burn then the waters turn dark as coal,

And I just reflect so what you get is what you show.

Written by Emily Hurd

Tend Too Much

I tended to the garden, and the flowers went to bloom,

So I made for your apartment, and I put them in your room.

I tended to the money, and though my dimes were few,

I spent like I had plenty because I’d saved them all for you.

Comes to dimes, I’ve got a tender touch.

Comes to love, I tend to tend too much.

I tended to the table to give you some of my bread,

I prepared what I was able, then I went hungry to bed.

I tended to the fire. I kindled flames of light,

But I put out your desire in the course of being kind.

Comes to flames, I’ve got a tender touch.

Comes to love, I tend to tend too much.

With all them things I know just how to grow,

You’d think I’d be more easy on a soul.

With all them things I work so gently on,

I still overwork a love until it’s gone.

I tended to the garden, and the flowers went to bloom,

So I made for your apartment, and I put them in your room.

Comes to blooms, I’ve got a tender touch,

Comes to love I tend to tend too much.

 I was born to this body. I was born to this time.

I was born to this story. It’s hard to know what is mine.

I was given religion. I was given my name.

I was given a vision, and now it won’t go away,

So take me down to the river with a vengeance.

Let’s swim around until there ain’t a day or night.

Until we no longer bear our own resemblance,

And we love outside of this life.

I was raised to be careful. I was raised to be kind. 

I was raised to be fearful, which raises doubt in my mind.

If I was made to be loving, ain’t it my love I should trust?

See I know I was made for something every time I think about us.

So take me down to the river with a vengeance.

Let’s swim around until there ain’t a day or night.

Until we no longer bear our own resemblance,

And we love outside of this life.

I was shown to be tender. I was shown not to ask.

I was shown to know better than to forfeit my past.

They were sure when I saw you that you sure weren’t for me,

But it sure feels like I want you, so I’d sure like to see.

If you take me down to the river with a vengeance,

And swim around until there ain’t a day or night,

Until we no longer bear our own resemblance,

And we love outside of this life.

Written by Emily Hurd