Track 40 Come the Early Spring

Fred Grittner

gristmillRecording and Mixing Dates: Recorded October 4 and 6, 2016. Mixed October 6, 2016.

 

Genesis: Since hearing Richard Thompson in Fairport Convention in the late 1960s, I have been a fan of his songwriting and guitar playing. His English take on folk and folk-rock is very special. I wrote “Come the Early Spring” in 1987 and I can see his influence both in lyric style and melody. This dream song about the singer’s beloved marrying the miller’s son came before I learned that my surname means “grist miller” in German. Perhaps I was the one who stole her away from the singer.

Over the years I experimented with a number of arrangements, from acoustic guitar-vocal to heavy electric guitars. I finally settled on an arrangement that suggests the dream state of the singer. The pedal steel guitar, fiddle, and synthesizer produce an undulating drone background that is supported by the rhythms of the guitar and mandolin. The introduction and the interlude were created by extending the first half of the verse chords from half to full measures.

 Production: Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Pedal Steel Guitar, Synthesizer, and Drums.

Lyrics

Come the Early Spring

I dreamed her down to Birmingham

I dreamed her to my bed

I told her of my love for her

And this is what she said

“Dream on, dream on, you foolish man

You do not know a thing

For I’m to wed the miller’s son

Come the Early Spring”

 

I was meant to love you dear

You said that you loved me

I haven’t heard a word you said

No change has come to thee

“Forget the words, forget the kiss

Forget the wedding ring

For I’m to wed the miller’s son

Come the Early Spring

 

I told her I was foolish

I told her I was vain

I said that I was filled with love

A cloud pent up with rain

She pulled her hair she pulled her sleeve

She pulled the final string

“I’m to wed the miller’s son

Come the Early Spring”

 

When I awoke I wrote my love

Describing all I dreamed

I laughed and smiled as I penned the tale

The merry words they streamed

Her short reply was to the point

I still can feel the sting

“Yes, I’m to wed the miller’s son

Come the Early Spring”

Copyright 2016 Fred Grittner All Rights Reserved

Track 40 Come the Early Spring

5 thoughts on “Track 40 Come the Early Spring”

  2. Dale Jernberg says:

    40 songs done and the year is getting shorter and shorter. I imagine you’re felling some relief now that the end is in site.
    I absolutely love the lyrics in this song – how you tell the tale and incorporate the same lines (or close to it) at the end of each verse. Each verse tells a different part of the tale but that continuity from the end of the verse knits everything together. Well done.

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