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Bright Smile Lyrics
Now my work is done,
I feel I'm owed some joy.
Oh Imogene and Abelard,
I'm your homeward boy.
But there's another one,
Who brings me to your door.
And the boat she weaved from the tidal reeds,
Was always tied to shore.
(Chorus)
With bright smiles and dark eyes,
Bright smile, dark eyes.
Everywhere I went oh,
I was always searching for ya,
Bright smile, dark eyes.
I'm looking for some peace,
But it's so hard to find.
With Calamity Janes and Steamboat Casanovas,
And Darling Clementines.
If she's your only one,
Then she is also mine.
Just pin your heartbeat up agianst my heartbeat,
And you'll see how well we rhyme.
(Chorus)
Man is only half himself,
The other half is a bright thing.
He tumbles on by luck or grace,
For man is ever a blind thing.
(Chorus)
I feel I'm owed some joy.
Oh Imogene and Abelard,
I'm your homeward boy.
Who brings me to your door.
And the boat she weaved from the tidal reeds,
Was always tied to shore.
With bright smiles and dark eyes,
Bright smile, dark eyes.
Everywhere I went oh,
I was always searching for ya,
Bright smile, dark eyes.
But it's so hard to find.
With Calamity Janes and Steamboat Casanovas,
And Darling Clementines.
Then she is also mine.
Just pin your heartbeat up agianst my heartbeat,
And you'll see how well we rhyme.
The other half is a bright thing.
He tumbles on by luck or grace,
For man is ever a blind thing.
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My theory is that Abelard IS Peter Abelard, whereas I'm thinking Imogene might be Imogen from Cymbeline. I think the reason for pairing them up is how they both went through a secret marriage, albeit, one historical and the other one fictional, and then had to separate from their spouse. But it's just a theory :)
This song is probably my favorite by Josh Ritter. It's pretty self explanitory and it has so many cute one-liners in it (pin your heartbeat..). It is a delight.
My favorite to I guess... I wish I went to Ireland to see him! It is jst great!!
i love this song, but what's "imogene and abelard"?
I love this song. I love that in his earlier music you can really hear the influence of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. This song really reminds me of Springsteen; his vocalization in the chorus sounds a bit like "Sad Eyes." He has his own particular references though - Calamity Jane! Could Abelard be Peter Abelard?
i always thought imogene and abelard was a reference to heloise and abelard -famous star crossed lovers from history- but aparently imogene isn't a variant of heloise after all. which leaves me stuck. unless Josh got it wrong which i highly doubt! adore man is only half himself ... compare to every heart is a package ... the idea that we are made whole by another person.