Thin Places
When I was five or six years old, we lived in the countryside near the north-east coast at a little place called Embleton. One hot summer’s day, Dad put a tent up in a meadow at the back of the house. I have a strong memory of lying in the long grass on the cool ground, peering up at the blue skies through wildflowers. That’s where this song began.
The idea of “thin places” is an ancient one. It’s imagined as a place where the veil between time and worlds is thin; a place where we can step away from the heaviness of life and feel rejuvenated.
Whether thin places exist or not, I know my early morning walks stir joy and wonder in me and, for a while at least, I meet my wild, wide-eyed child again.
When hollyhocks grow higher than the moon
And foxgloves stretch their spires to the sky
In the tall, tall grass I lie
A remnant of the days gone by.
But the Earth still sings to the seeds in my soul
Breathes the words to make this half-woman whole.
So I search for the places where the universe is thin
To find my wild, wide-eyed child again.
Find the thin places.
When buttercups grow golden in the sun
And dandelions sow stars into the sky
On the cool, cool ground I lie,
A shadow of the days gone by.
But the Earth still sings to the seeds in my soul
Breathes the words to make this half-woman whole
So I search for the places where the universe is thin
To find my wild, wide-eyed child again..
Find the thin places.
What a stunning set of images, and a beautiful performance. Cracking song Suzanne. It spoke to me. I hope you find your wild wide eyed child again!!
Really lovely song, you have such a way with words, I long to be there and feel as you did too.
This is enchanting, beautiful lyrics and guitar playing. I could imagine lying there in the grass on a summer’s day – just lovely.
Hey lovely person.
Those chords alone-just carried me away. “Dandelions sow stars into the sky” just one of the great lines from your song. Excellent👍
Gonna play it again right now.!
That got my attention, Suzanne!
Oh, you’ve done it again Suzanne. Just beautiful imagery, and I love the whole idea of it. Very nice chord progression and melody, which somehow fit the mystical feel of the lyric. Another superb song!
Beautiful song Suzanne. Lovely lyrics, great chords and dare I say it, wonderful Sandy Denny type vocal
Took me to a thin place where I could easily step through to when I first heard Sandy Denny. Thank you; it was lovely.
I believe we all spend our adult lives searching for that thin place……There’s a sweet sadness for the loss of our inner child. If we’re lucky we’ll catch rare moments when our child returns to share the timeless beauty and universal joy of a simple life well lived. Good tune!
It’s all been said but the imagery and the concept of this is very meaningful to me. Thin places. Where one might just touch another or previous reality. Great stuff Suzanne x
I listened and commented on Facebook – I’m glad that you are taking up position here Suzanne. Wonderful song thank you.
Gorgeous lyrics paint such vivid imagery. Gorgeous chords and performance. What’s not to love? Well done again.
A lovely song, Suzanne. And your voice gives it the sound of a modern folk classic. Really good
Interesting song. Brought to mind ‘Heaven lies about us in our infancy! (Wordsworth).
Delicious Suzanne! Wonderful imagery in those lyrics and as always a fabulous performance x
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous all the things everyone has already said too.
Saw your live folk festival performance video and you sounded great Suzanne. Another strong song too. Voted.
Beautiful song Suzanne, vivid imagery, full of happy bittersweet longing of youthful simplicity. Love the core of Earth, Sun and Moon, reminds us of our small special place in it all.
Top quality Suzanne – a beautiful set of images and the music transports is to the Thin Places
When hollyhocks grow higher than the moon
And foxgloves stretch their spires to the sky’ I probaby don’t need to say much more after that stunning opening. I’m with you on the concept of thin places – I think most of us have felt that. Another Suzanne classic.