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Farewell Reel Lyrics

It's been a hard time
and when it rains
it rains on me
the sky just opens
and when it rains
it pours

I walk alone
assaulted it seems
by tears from heaven
and darling I can't help
thinking those tears are yours

Our wild love came from above
and wilder still
is the wind that howls
like a voice that knows it's gone
cause darling you died
and well I cried
but I'll get by
salute our love
and send you a smile
and move on

So darling farewell
all will be well
and then all will be fine
the children will rise
strong and happy be sure
cause your love flows
and the corn still grows
and God only knows
we're only given
as much as the heart can endure

But I don't know why
but when it rains
it rains on me
the sky just opens
and when it rains
it pours

But I look up
and a rainbow appears
like a smile from heaven
and darling I can't
help thinking that smile
is yours
3 Meanings

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Cover art for Farewell Reel lyrics by Patti Smith

I love this song but was wondering why it is called Farewell Reel.

Cover art for Farewell Reel lyrics by Patti Smith

In other songs she sings of turning into a bird. "Reel" likely refers to the flight pattern, going around in circles. I'm sure there is more to the image of birds in flight.

Song Meaning
Cover art for Farewell Reel lyrics by Patti Smith

A reel is a Irish song/dance. All reels have the same structure, consisting largely of quaver (eighth note) movement with an accent on the first and third beats of the bar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reel_(dance)

But Patti actually wrote a jig, the emphasis is on the first and fourth bar in 6/8 time. An honest mistake. Its a "Farewell" Reel for Fred, her husband. The chords are G, C, D, DM :)

 
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