out with the old (in with the new)

from 12 Months a Year by Leslie Hudson

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Originally written at the Slumberbardy songwriting workshop held by Bill Sutton & Brenda Sinclair Sutton, Dec 8-9 2018. There was a houseful of bards and novices in every corner, writing & composing.

I had written the first line and the image stuck with me hard. The words began to tell the story of La Befana, the old witch from Italian folk tradition who leaves candy or coal in children's stockings, but the song strayed from the path to became a story about holding your ground when you're "already found."

lyrics

It was a dark and stormy day and she was glad
Because it matched down to each blowing leaf the mood she had
She had a dark and stormy way that made her smile
A little thunder for the chaff she swept away awhile

Leave me in peace
No I will not go to seek
What I've already found
Leave me in peace
As I sweep, sweep, sweep
Out with the old
In with the new year crowned

A crowd began to pass her by and still she swept
When they called out to her she stood and her own threshold kept
The crowd began to thin till she was left alone
To watch the sunset when the winter birds had all but flown

Leave me in peace
No I will not go to seek
What I've already found
Leave me in peace
As I sweep, sweep, sweep
Out with the old
In with the new year crowned

A star above her in the evening sky appeared
It shone as boldly as the ones before now disappeared
The star above her in the darkness burned so bright
Taking its place among a billion suns of love and light

Leave me in peace
No I will not go to seek
What I've already found
Leave me in peace
As I sweep, sweep, sweep
Out with the old
In with the new
Out with the old
In with the new
Out with the old
In with the new year crowned

credits

from 12 Months a Year, track released December 21, 2021

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about

Leslie Hudson Stratford, Ontario

Leslie Hudson is a Canadian singer songwriter and pianist. Their albums range from storytelling styles to bluesy bar rock to dialed-up, full-band homages to pop culture. With lyrical piano skills and a voice that cuts through the crowd, their songs dive deep into archetype and folklore, modernizing ancient voices & shining a spotlight on the shadowy paths we walk through life, myth and media. ... more

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