Waterbound

The Fretless are a Canadian folk music group. The group released the album Waterbound in 2012. The group consists of violinists Trent Freeman, Karrnnel Sawitsky and Ben Plotnick, and cellist Eric Wright. In the song I have chosen, “Waterbound”, the group is joined by vocalist Ruth Moody.

The song “Waterbound” was written by Dirk Powell, an American fiddler, banjo player and fiddler. Powell was born in Ohio into a family with deep Kentucky roots. He is considered one of the world’s leading experts on traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo styles. Powell is also a recording engineer, producer, and owns a studio, the Cypress House. He has won four Grammy Awards.

The song tells of a frightening time when the river rose and the singer finds her home has been carried to the field below. She is trapped, not knowing if she will be rescued. She carved her name on the barn wall to prove she was there and to provide a feeling of permanence in contrast to her wanderings.

Lyrics of Waterbound by The Fretless, Ruth Moody

I went out late one night
The moon and stars were shining bright
Storm come up and the trees come down
Tell you boys I was waterbound

Waterbound on a stranger′s shore
River rising to my door
Carried my home to the field below
Waterbound nowhere to go

Carved my name on an old barn wall
No one’d know I was there at all
Stables dry on a winter night
You turn your head you could see the light

Black cat crawling on an old box car
Rusty door and a falling star
Ain′t Got a dime in my rations sack
Waterbound and I can’t get back

It’s all gone and I won′t be back
Don’t believe me count my tracks
River′s long and the river’s wide
I′ll meet you boys on the other side

So say my name and don’t forget
Water still ain′t got me yet
Nothing but I’m bound to roam
Waterbound and I can’t get home

Writer(s): Dirk Powell, Dirk R Powell

Naturally Flowing Water