Something Fragile from Homemade Wine by Penelope Swales

Something Fragile
© Penelope Swales 1997

Oh, what can you say about longing
‘Cept that it exists
‘Cept that it’s here?
Oh what can you say
About long-standing commitments
‘Cept that they exist
And sometimes they interfere?

Chorus:
Something fragile’s born
Something Fragile dies
I would be a fool to say
I had any claim
Or any right
Something fragile’s born
Something fragile’s born
Something Fragile dies

Oh what can you say about belonging
‘Cept that it’s elusive?
You and I have both been the odd ones out
What can you say about understanding
‘Cept that it’s crucial and its rare
And I think I know what you’re on about?

Chorus

Like at tender seedling that I sheltered with my hands
Encouraged with my eyes and made a little room in all my plans
Something fragile born
In the space between us
But ah! We were so nonchalant
Now you want me to hold on
Without the sunshine of your certainty
Well, I’m a jaded soul and it may well be too much for me
Something fragile’s born
Something fragile’s born
Something Fragile dies

Oh, what can you say about holdin’ on
‘Cept that it exists and some people think it’s foolish?
What can you say about living in suspense
‘Cept that it sucks. Yeah well, it does.

Something fragile’s born
Something Fragile dies
I would be a fool to say
I had any claim
Or any right
Something precious born
In the space between us
But ah, now. Weren’t we nonchalant?

Something fragile’s born
Something Fragile tries
I could be a fool and say I could guarantee it would survive Something fragile’s born
Something fragile’s born
Something Fragile dies
Something fragile’s born
Something fragile tries
Sometimes fragile things survive
Something fragile’s born
Something Fragile tries
Sometimes fragile things….

• Acoustic
• Australian
• Contemporary Folk
• female
• female vocalist
• indie folk
• political
• singer-songwriter
• Boolarra