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FOUR WIDOWS (2006)


[Verse 1]

Susan puts the boys to bed and listens to their prayers
Janet lets herself in as she’s coming down the stairs
Putting on some music and putting chips in bowls
Saying hi to Carolyn who’s done with her patrols

Half an hour later, Melanie comes in
Blurting out apologies, but now they can begin
Settling in to talk about the week
Voices low at first, while children fall asleep

[CH]

Four widows on a Friday night
Laughing and keeping their scars out of sight
Four women who used to be wives
Helping each other to get on with their lives

[Verse 2]

Carolyn has a boyfriend, and Janet has to tease
Janet thinks her hair’s too long, but Susan disagrees
Susan’s kids want a dog, but she has her doubts
Melanie’s mechanic keeps asking her out

No one holds back in expressing her views
They talk about everything……except about the news
Janet checks the mantle – on Friday it’s clear
Susan takes the pictures down when everyone’s here

[CH]

Four widows on a Friday night
Laughing and keeping their scars out of sight
Four women who used to be wives
Helping each other to get on with their lives


[Bridge]

Glasses of wine on the table
Memories of tears that were shed
Folded-up flags in the closet
So much to say
That doesn’t need to be said


[Verse 3]

Melanie sees the time, and rises with a groan
Has to say good night and get the sitter home
The evening is over – All of them stand
In a tight circle with glasses in hand

The women grow somber as they ready the toast
This time it’s Susan, it’s her turn as host
For the first time that evening, she finds it hard to speak
She says “Here’s to the widows who joined us this week.”

[CH]

Four widows on a Friday night
Laughing and keeping their scars out of sight
Four women who used to be wives
Helping each other to get on with their lives


I was reading a lot of anti-war songs, and a lot of them went for the obvious. I challenged myself to write one that would work as both a "red state’"and a "blue state" protest song, without putting up bumper stickers.

This did strike a chord with people, and was voted the Lyric of the Year for 2006 at The Muses’ Muse

crumpled paper