8. York, Maine

Lyrics and Music: Peter Fischman, ©1995 Peter Fischman

Vocal and Piano: Mike Agranoff

Chorus
How many times did we gather our good friends and sing until early light?
The breakers still roar as they reach for the shore. The stars still sparkle at night.
But only in mem'ry do these walls still stand, embracing the voices within.
Did I hear a chorus drift up from the strand, or only the cry of the wind?
Or only the cry of the wind.

1
Fire! Fire! Our house is on fire!
Go wake up the children and stumble away.
Watch how the flames turn everything black
As firelight slowly fades into day.

What was the house made of? Doorways and windows.
Bookcases, banisters, stonework and stairs.
What is a home made of? Couches and cushions.
Bedroom and kitchen and table and chairs.

Chorus
How many times did we gather our good friends and sing until early light?
The breakers still roar as they reach for the shore. The stars still sparkle at night.
But only in mem'ry do these walls still stand, embracing the voices within.
Did I hear a chorus drift up from the strand, or only the cry of the wind?
Or only the cry of the wind.

2
Fire! Fire! Our dreams are on fire!
The lions and dragons* and Micky, the cat.
At least we're alive. Thank God we're alive.
I wouldn't trade us for any of that.

What were the dreams made of? Camera and canvas.
Fiddle and squeezebox and books by the score.
What is a life made from? Laughter and loving.
Family and friendship and music and more.

Chorus
How many times did we gather our good friends and sing until early light?
The breakers still roar as they reach for the shore. The stars still sparkle at night.
But only in mem'ry do these walls still stand, embracing the voices within.
Did I hear a chorus drift up from the strand, or only the cry of the wind?
Or only the cry of the wind. Or only the cry of the wind.

* The "lions and dragons" were archetectural features of the house.

Peter has since written a new verse to the song commemorating its rebuilding. Here it is.

3
Fire, fire, the flames were extinguished,
The charred walls demolished and buried below.
And all that remained were the concrete front steps,
A yard full of rubble, and the tide's ebb and flow.

Rumble of rocks, builders blasting a basement.
Pounding of hammers and up goes a wall.
Just like a phoenix reborn from the ashes
A house stands, the doors wide to welcome us all.

chorus
And how many times will we gather our good friends and sing until early light?
The breakers still roar as they reach for the shore, The stars still sparkle at night.
These walls full of promise now properly stand embracing the voices within.
Come hear a chorus drift over the strand And sing with the sigh of the wind.