Young Charles Ives

Lyrics: Tim Bluhm, Greg Loiacono
Music: Tim Bluhm, Greg Loiacono

Sung by Greg Loiacono with Phil Lesh and the Terrapin Family Band in 2014.

When walls were being raised around young Charlie's family
It was then the spark did start behind one thousand tiny doors
They walked down to the water, young Charlie and his father
And listened to the echoes of a Danbury [palm day] sound
It was there they found
The music handed down
To him

And let that spark ignite ten flames and set a-roaring
Leave the ropes and frozen clothing drenched around the old man's bones
He watched behind the window while the thunderstorm came dumping
His father without a hat or coat and listen to the bells that rung
From the church they hung
Was a question sung
To him

He came into the house and yelled, how do they make that sound
Sat down at the piano and he tried
But the music that he captured outside above the rain
Sent his mind a-reeling outside the bells kept peeling

Said, son let go of habit and free yourself from customs
Stretch your ears and come down close 'cause this'll be the last
Behind their ivy walls they don't want their answers questioned
But boy dont be afraid to play the music in your heart I've heard
You can trust my word
Leave the questions
Unanswered

When his father passed the boy felt so alone
When the bells would ring outside the family home
And he'd feel it