Joanna Newsom - Baby Birch

baby birch
capo 2

C F
this is the song for baby birch
Am F C
though i will never know you
C F
and at the back of what we’ve done
Am F C
there is the knowledge of you

C F
well , i wish we could take every path
Am F C
could spend a hundred years adoring you
C F
yes , i wish we could take every path
Am F C
because i hated to close the door on you

C F
do you remember staring up at the stars
Am F C
so far away in their bulletproof cars?
C F
when we heard the rushing , slow intake
Am F C
of the dark , dark water in the engine brakes?

C F
and i said to you , “well , how about them engine brakes?”
Am F C
and if i should die before i wake ,
C F
will you keep an eye on baby birch?
Am F C
because i’d hate to see her make the same mistake

Asus4 C
when it was dark , i called and you came
Asus4 C
when it was dark , i saw shapes
Asus4 C
when i see stars , i feel in your hand
Asus4 C
and i see stars , and i reel again .

C F
well mercy me . i’ll be goddamned .
Am
it’s been a long , long time
F C
since i last saw you .
C F
and i have never known the plan .
Am
it’s been a long , long time .
F C
how are you?
C F
your eyes are green . your hair is gold .
Am F C
your hair is black . your eyes are blue .
C F
i closed the ranks , and i doubled back
Am
but , you know , i hated to close
F C
the door on you .

Asus4 C
we take a walk along the dirty lake .
hear the goose ,
Asus4 C
cussing at me over her eggs .
Asus4
you poor little cousin .
C
i don’t want your dregs
Asus4 C
( a little baby fussing all over my legs ) .

Am
there is a blacksmith ,
and there is a shepherd ,
and there is a butcher – boy ,
C
and there is a barber , who’s cutting
and cutting away at my only joy .
Am
i saw a rabbit ,
as slick as a knife ,
and as pale as a candlestick ,
C
and i had thought it’d be harder to do ,
but i caught her , and skinned her quick :
held her there ,
Am
kicking and mewling ,
upended , unspooling , unsung and blue;
C
told her “wherever you go ,
little runaway bunny ,
i will find you . ”
Am
and then she ran ,
C
as they’re liable to do .

Asus4 C
be at peace , baby , and begone .

Asus4 , C to fade