Track 4 of the album Halfway Home · 2019
Mended Nets, Steady Hands
by Zuri Bell
“My grandmother has been up before the sun my whole life. Needle, thread, tea: that is the whole song.”
pop · tender pop · folk-pop · 2:24
Lyrics
Before the sun is up, my grandmother's up Needle in her fingers, tea in her cup Mending the nets by the lantern glow Every knot she ties, she tied years ago Salt on the wind and the boats come in She never boasts, she just begins Mended nets, steady hands Hold the sea and hold the land Nothing loud, nothing grand Mended nets, steady hands Oh-oh, steady hands Oh-oh, steady hands I watched her hum when the tide ran low Patience in the pull and the quiet flow Now the fishing boats wear the morning gold And I learn the stories that her hands have told Salt on the wind and the boats come in She never boasts, she just begins Mended nets, steady hands Hold the sea and hold the land Nothing loud, nothing grand Mended nets, steady hands Oh-oh, steady hands Oh-oh, steady hands Some days are thin and the catch is small But she stands up straight, she stands up tall I'll carry the needle, I'll carry her name Same quiet pride and it's not for fame Mended nets, steady hands Hold the sea and hold the land Nothing loud, nothing grand Mended nets, steady hands Oh-oh, steady hands Oh-oh, steady hands Morning light on the water's skin Steady hands, let the day begin