Lullaby for Genevieve

Our first memorial song, written and recorded on the piano Karyn inherited from her grandmother. Lullaby for Genevieve weaves a complex story of religious deconstruction with a deep and respectful love, and explores what it means to mother as we mourn.

Lyrics

Genevieve sang me to sleep and she tried
to carry me home and to open my eyes
shame carved an echo shaped scar on my skin
Genevieve never had language for sin

maybe we run farthest from what we need most
and it takes generations to give up the ghost
of the way law can turn love to blades in our hands
you told me love is all that I am
you told me love is all

I’ll lay me down
bleed solid ground into roots that will help her to grow
while she spins around
to the legacy sound of old maple and ivory keys
with her laugh like a lullaby for Genevieve 

Genevieve sang me goodnight and I know
she left me with words she believed in her soul
faith is a legacy broken with blame
so I’ll sing to the small hope that carries her name

maybe we hold tightest to losses we fear
cling and carry away what we’d hoped to keep near
oh the way law can turn love to blades in our hands
you told me love was all that I am
you told me love was all

I’ll lay me down
bleed solid ground into roots that will help her to grow
while she spins around
to the legacy sound of old maple and ivory keys
with her laugh like a lullaby for Genevieve 

Genevieve sang me to sleep and she tried
to carry me home and to open my eyes