sambear made me really hear these words for the first time today. How did I miss this before?
Echo’s Children—”Right and Left Grand”
Lyrics and melody © 2000 by Catherine Faber
Arrangement © 2000 by Arlene “Callie” Hills
The caller we answer has summoned the dancers;
Our hands touch; I ask myself why
Parting’s repeating must shadow each meeting;
The fruits of hello bear the seeds of good-bye.
Passing through, changing places, we smile on new faces;
Our joy lies in saying hello.
Balance and swing, promenade ’round the ring,
It’s a joy to embrace and a grief to let go.
Yet the same steps that part us will bring us
New partners to honor and guide.
Hand clasping hand weaving right and left grand,
I will meet you again on the circle’s far side.
Our histories braid as the steps are replayed
With each partner, cycling through
We part and we meet in the pattern’s repeat
And the pattern I follow leads right back to you
For the same steps that part us will bring us
New partners to honor and guide.
Hand clasping hand weaving right and left grand,
I will meet you again on the circle’s far side.
Parting’s seeds grow, till they blossom “hello”
In their own time; the question is when?
I see at a glance that our lives are a dance
And the pattern’s a promise I’ll meet you again.
The same steps that part us will bring us
New partners to honor and guide.
Hand clasping hand weaving right and left grand,
I will meet you again on the circle’s far side.
