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The Heart and the Head

from Nothin to Write Home About by Sam Steffen

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lyrics

Said the head to the heart, “There is no cause to worry
There is no reason to fear
If you got something to tell her, man, well do it—but hurry
If you need I will be right here,”
Said the heart to the Head, “I wish it were so simple
I wish there were no obstructions or blocks
But I worry if I speak my tongue may stumble
And I will wind up the laughingstock…”
Said the head to the heart, “I will mind the tongue
I will outfit it with the cleverest phrase
I will compare her complexion to the golden sun
So that she will not fail to sing your praise,”
Said the heart to the Head, “I would it were so easy
A matter of knowing just what word to use
But if I reveal my desires and she doesn’t need me
Then the only chance I have, I’ll lose…”
Said the head to the heart, “Then I will keep them hidden
So that she will not suspect the truth
And if she happens to notice your pained expression
I will tell her it is in your tooth…”
Said the heart to the Head, “I wish it were so straightforward
As to be covered up by that disguise
But even if I tell her that my mouth is tortured
She will surely see it in my eyes…”
Said the Head to the Heart, “I will keep them closed, then,
So your love of her will not be known
And if she asks you please to let them open
I will play indifference like a stone,”
Said the Heart to the Head, “Would that it were no harder
Than pretending to be unaware
But the moment I attempt to disregard her
My lungs, they will want for air…”

Said the heart to the head, “Will you keep me breathing
Will you keep my words from fading and receding?
Is our signal clear for you to keep receiving?
Shall I speak to her, head, now that she’s speaking?
Shall I pursue her, head, now that she’s leaving?
Can you hear me over that constant beating?
That sounds like a buffalo herd, stampeding?
Is this a question, head, that needs repeating?
Can you hear me over that constant beating?
did you hear what I said? Excuse me did you hear what I said?”
Said the heart to the head.

credits

from Nothin to Write Home About, released June 13, 2020

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about

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Sam Steffen Boise, Idaho

Sam Steffen is a Pennsylvania-bred, Boise-based singer-songwriter whose songs are the torch-wood for a new generation of folk music that has learned from the best stuff in the tradition and aims in spite of everything to keep the human spirit alive and kicking. A versatile musician and skilled finger-picker, Sam is at heart a story-teller, and a prolific one. ... more

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