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The Letter You Wrote

from A Place Where Flowers Grow by The Ocean Floor

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about

This is a song of the sadness of being guided so long by someone so close. It's hard to know how to be yourself and not be afraid of the "new you" looking silly or disappointing to that person. This song is about three pairs of siblings - two pairs of actual siblings, one pair of honorary siblings - growing into and apart from each other.

lyrics

Standing up is so very hard to do
when you know how I know you
One thing that I know
Is when it's time to go, go, go
But that's one thing that I can't do

Looked over my shoulder
Thought that I'd see you
But you grew
Won't be a moth in your coat
A hole in your boat
Looked over my shoulder
Thought that I'd see you
But you flew
Won't be a frog in your throat
I'll be the letter you wrote

Growing up was so very hard on you
Things in your heart made your eyes blue
You sang your songs just standing in my shoes
But there'll be suits that won't suit you

Looked over my shoulder
Thought that I'd see you
But you grew
Won't be a moth in your coat
A hole in your boat
Looked over my shoulder
Thought that I'd see you
But you flew
Won't be a frog in your throat, now
I'll be the letter you wrote

Standing up was so very hard to do
With my top bunk two feet above you
So many nights you would kick until I knew
Our ceiling stars wouldn't glow for you
But if you come back unlike anything I've ever known
I won't call you names
I know what happens when you're left alone
You're making up the tune and all the while
Still learning how it's told
Your heart of hearts is whistling a tune of
Everything is growing old
But if you come back sounding unlike anything I've ever known
I won't call you names
I know what happens when you swim with birds
You're making up the tune and all the while
Still learning how it's told
Your heart of hearts is whistling a tune of
Everything is growing old

Looking for a pen pal
Thought it could be you, who knew?
Won't be your barnacled skin, no
I'll be your bare-knuckled friend

credits

from A Place Where Flowers Grow, released April 28, 2015

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The Ocean Floor Portland, Oregon

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