Drifting Days
(by Helen Avakian, copyright 2000 HelenHighwater Music - ASCAP)
Like the rags I wear whose patches are frayed
Little remains of the life I made
You bring me hope in this gray place
Of dirt and bars and the guard's hostile face
We cannot speak, but you are a friend to me
You don't know I exist, yet you keep me company
As we measure the drifting days
By the sun's slow shifting rays
I admire how you weave a perfect tapestry
Sit for endless hours patiently
You may be small, but you're tricky
Trapping prey twice your size with thread thin and sticky
We cannot speak, but you are a friend to me
You don't know I exist, yet you keep me company
As we measure the drifting days
By the sun's slow shifting rays
Now winter's icy hand clutches the helpless land
Reaches through this locked door...
Like the web that sags, torn and frayed
Little remains of the life you made
Just a picture in my mind
Of how you did your best to survive
As must I
We cannot speak, but you are a friend to me
You don't know I exist, yet you keep me company
As we measure the drifting days
By the sun's slow shifting rays
("Drifting Days" is based upon the book "Life and Death in Shanghai" by Nien Cheng. See "Helen 'N Nien" in the gallery for more info, or see Helen's site below.)
NEW!! Download the "Drifting Days" MP3 right here!!
This is the out-of-print version that Helen recorded live at the Rosendale Street Festival. Some people like this even more than her studio version on her "Vanishing Point" CD as this one is just Helen and an acoustic guitar. This may help convey the isolation of the song. Helen does a short introduction to Drifting Days as well. Both are available to download. Right click on each, then select "save":
Drifting Days MP3
Drifting Days Introduction MP3
Helen's own homepage: www.HelenAvakian.com