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4th Iron - Queen of the Ball

from Somethin' Bout Tomorrow by Mark Bishop Evans

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lyrics

4th Iron (The Queen of the Ball) By Mark Bishop Evans – 12/24/2018

There’s a place in the mountains a bit north of Conway a train trestle spans a ravine.
They call it the 4rth Iron for obvious reasons, the fourth bridge that crosses the stream.
Late in her life she would sometimes just sit there and watch as the water flowed by,
being grateful for the goodness her 95 years had supplied.

She was born to a family of adequate means, deep in society’s game.
She grew up the apple of everyone’s eye and gathered some honors and fame.
A beautiful child that more often smiled than ever gave in to a frown,
more glad in the forest than wearing tiaras and gowns.

She rose to the top of society’s pedestal, had all that she could desire.
But when war took the nation she rushed to the aid of the boys that the country required.
She served without thought all the ones who had fought and were so often far from their homes.
So they made her the Queen of the Ball and they called her their own.

Chorus
Now I’m standing on 4th Iron over the water that rushes and tumbles and falls.
As the mist in the valley collects in my eyes I remember the Queen of the Ball.
My tears and her ashes all mingle together in memories that pour down like rain.
And I cling to the thoughts of the woman who loved me and I cherish the joy and the pain.

By the end of the war there were men by the score all rushing to ask for her hand.
But she loved a Marine who was dashing and clean and soon at the alter they’d stand.
Next came her son and she’d only have one which was something she couldn’t have known.
But when the soldier took leave then she raised up her baby alone.

For most of her years her son wasn’t near having wandered far off on his own.
And although she grieved she always believed that someday he would wander back home.
Though that didn’t happen the way she supposed it still came around in the end .
And 30 years later they found out that they were still friends.

Late in her 80’s she moved to the East, there to be close to her boy.
With walks in the forest and drives by the sea they recaptured those lost bits of joy.
She opened her heart and she told him her story and shared all her loves and her pains.
They laughed and they cried and then afterward he did the same.

For 95 summers, 95 spring times, 95 winters and falls,
she laughed and she cried but all she would say is how much she was blessed by it all.
If you’re one of the folks that was lucky to know her I’m sure you’ll always recall,
the smile on her face and the grace of the Queen of the Ball.

Chorus
So I’m standing on 4th Iron over the water that rushes and tumbles and falls.
As the mist in the valley collects in my eyes I remember the Queen of the Ball.
My tears and her ashes all mingle together in memories that pour down like rain.
And I cling to the thoughts of the woman who loved me and I cherish the joy and the pain.

And I cling to the thoughts of the woman who raised me and fashioned the man I became.

credits

from Somethin' Bout Tomorrow, released August 15, 2020

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Mark Bishop Evans Phoenix, Arizona

Mark grew up in California where his major musical influences were Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and pretty much any folk, folk rock or beach music. He has a way with words and melodies, bringing them together in pleasant and poignant combinations. His music is an intriguing blend of Folk, folk rock and ballads, lyrically rich in emotional content and melodically comfortable. ... more

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