These Days from The Assumption by Michele Thomas
I wrote this song in dedication to my sister and my mother who passed away in 2005 and 2006. I believe I was inspired by a song Dianne Reeves recorded on her 1987 self-titled album…a song called “Better Days” funny enough. But what stayed with me was the archetype of the strong black female matriarchs who are often profiled in songs by Black Americans who solemnly understand the birthright of faith and love that gets handed down to us through their care. And I am no exception.
Tracklist
| 4. | These Days | 6:20 |
Lyrics
These Days
That girl from way back when
She didn’t know what she had
She didn’t know who she was
All she ever did was depend on your love, your love
Love of a mother, sister
Love that was fierce and true
Love of a martyr, soldier
Love I imperfectly knew for a time
I look up from the days that pass
and find my tears have fogged the hourglass…
…and realize these days are so much shorter since you’ve been gone
But I’m standing much taller than I had before
Who knew that your shoulders stayed beneath my feet all along
Maybe that door never closed
Memories that hold me fast
Wash up upon my mind
Like tea leaves in my mug
Like chocolate strawberry smiles we once shared back then
I stand in awestruck of your
Backbone of peace and light
I reach back for your power
To persevere through this fight one more day
Then I look in the mirror and see
that everyday you’re looking back at me…
…and realize these days are so much shorter since you’ve been gone
But I’m standing much taller than I had before
Who knew that your shoulders stayed beneath my feet all along
Maybe that door never closed
Ah Marie, you fought the good fight with the softness of the haze glow from the rainbow jettisoned from a bitter storm…
From this cruel providence
The fortitude of your strength was magic
Nothing short of magic
What you brought, magic
What you left, magic
In my heart where you will always stay
But these days are so much shorter since you’ve been gone
But I’m standing much taller than I had before
Who knew that your shoulders stayed beneath my feet all along
Maybe that door never closed
These days my heart has grown fonder with distance and time
Never knowing the fullness of your love in this life
I always wonder if I would be the same if you could’ve stayed.
These days are so much shorter
But I’m standing, I’m standing much taller
Right on your shoulders, right on your shoulders
I always wonder if I would be the same if you could have stayed
Credits
Music & lyrics by Michele Thomas
Michele Thomas - Vocals, keys
Darren Scorza - Drums
Clark Sommers - Bass
Neal Alger - Guitar
Chris Mahieu - Piano
License
All rights reserved.
The daughter of a preacher, Chicago singer Michele Thomas brings an irresistible gospel-soul warmth to jazz.
“Bold in concept and brilliant in execution, The Assumption finds co-producer Darren Scorza working with Michele Thomas to produce an album of originals and covers that dazzle from beginning to end.” ~ Preston Fraizer, Something Else Reviews - Best Jazz of 2022