Can't Sleep

it's a beautiful time, and devastating
the dim light and wind in the trees
rain now, leaves bobbing
and strings of lights with a swoon

the darkest nights staying long into day
and coming on early, early, earlier

we said it was beautiful. All of it, yes.
But oh, love, not easy --

A deep sorrow settled in, has cast
the strangest light on all of us
(hasn't it?)

It's time to go home, but I can't
It's getting late, flung far and wide,
but there's no return, I don't suppose,
for any of us
to anywhere we've been

And I will tell you a secret, darling
how I believe in so very little
how I know peace best
by its unspeakable silence

but --

(shh, shh)

there are songs I love to hear
and the lights-- oh, the lights

Nativity, blasphemy, dubiety
Who will speak next, dear?

I can't sleep for listening
I can't sleep for listening

The Dusk of the Year.

As I type we're getting ready to send the newsletter out... To send links out to new music... To send some enormous thanks out to the world of Ellery Listeners.
It's a cold, cold morning in Cincinnati. We're both wearing layers and hats in our kitchen, and our empty coffee mugs are sitting nearby. There are a few glass bulbs hanging near the windows, and in certain moments, when birds fly by or when leaves fall, you can see several lovely moving shadows in them.

It's certainly December,
In all its cold, gray, dark, warm, colorful, bright, soul-stirring paradoxical glory.

One of the great gifts that came to us this season was the opportunity to collaborate again with Ric Hordinski.. Ric is a dear friend and an intensely-talented musician who makes glorious things happen when he encounters guitars. "We Can Dream Tonight" is the song that came from our work with him this season...

And it's such a treat to re-release a couple Ellery holiday tunes via the free holiday EP; we really feel like our hearts and our thanks are sent off in these songs. You can get all four songs on the "December Days" EP for FREE by clicking here, or at www.myspace.com/ellerymusic!

We've never made their lyrics available online... Until now. :) You'll find them below.

We hope a song or two will join your holiday playlist this year...
Our very best to you!

December Days
© 2007 Set Adrift Music ASCAP

I was afraid
You always came in like a ghost
Snow falling soft from your coat
Lighting our lanterns with whispers and prayers

I stayed up late
You always sang me right to sleep
Glittering lights in the trees
You held our dreams out like stars everywhere

chorus:
I wish you could come
now like you used to
I wish you could come
now like you used to
I’d love to bring you back

When I was alone
You always spoke like something old
Magic and lights in the cold
I’d breathe you in like a wind on my soul

I’d close my eyes
You always came in like a breath
Quiet and still while we slept
December days falling graceful and gold

(chorus)

I’ve held them close
Winters I so wish I could find
Angels and wonders and signs
Mary and Joseph, a stable, a star

Lay Your Head Down
Tasha Golden, © 2007 Set Adrift Music ASCAP

Lay your head down dear
There's no sorrow here
Only time for letting go
And room for landing light as snow
The gentle daylight fading slow
My murmur soft and whisper low
So lay your head down
So lay your head down

Lay your head down dear
There’s no sorrow here
Only time for starry skies
And room for long and languid sighs
A gentle dream to close your eyes
A night to fall, a moon to rise
So lay your head down
So lay your head down


Lay your head down dear
There's no sorrow here
Only time for falling in
And room for shadows dark and dim
A gentle song to soft begin
Your breathing out, your breathing in
So lay your head down
So lay your head down

We Can Dream Tonight
Ric Hordinski & Tasha Golden © 2008 ASCAP

I thought you were afraid
When the Winter came in like a lumbering train
And the snow clouds put out the stars,
but you were quiet and still in the dark
You were holding on, a sigh and yawn
barely a breath in my arms

But I think we both know
I'm the one who's afraid of these ghosts
Oh, I think we both know
I'm the one who's afraid of these ghosts

I heard you cry in the night
and I heard myself say we were alright
I'm sorry; it's never been true
But I’ve tried to believe it for you
Maybe you're the star, the sign, a starting line
Morning could break over you

So sleep, close your eyes
Darling, I think we can dream tonight
Sleep, close your eyes
Darling, I think we can dream tonight

So what child is this? I was crying tonight while you slept
Maybe you're the star, the sign, a starting line
Darling, I'm holding my breath...

So sleep, close your eyes
Darling, I think we can dream tonight
Sleep, close your eyes
Darling, I think we can dream tonight