Our nearest neighbor is the renowned sculptor Jim Sardonis (www.sardonis.com).
Jim's family bought a house in Nova Scotia in the early 70s that had been
previously occupied by a legendary widow named Mae Pyle. Mae lived in her
house on the bluffs of Nova Scotia by herself until she was in her 80s.
She had no electric and heated with wood. She lived alone with her cats.
Anytime a neighbor would try to warm up to her she would have nothing to do
with it. The song is written from the perspective of Joe Carter who played in
Mae's apple orchard as a child. Later as a young man, Joe would drive her to town
for groceries. She was always cold and unappreciative. When Mae finally died
the neighbors tore her walls apart looking for "hidden treasure".
No one knows
if anything was ever found. Jim asked us to write a song about Mae and Joe. He
generously offered "sculpted" wedding rings for my wife and I in return. Now Jim
is no ordinary sculptor. His work is remarkable. This year Jim was included in
college text books just a few pages down from Michael Angelo. The idea of having
rings made by Jim was thrilling for my wife and I. Mae must have wanted us to have
the rings because my wife produced the lyrics for the song in a matter of minutes
and the music seemed to be already written in my mind. Thanks Mae, and thanks Jim
for these lovely wedding rings!
Mae Pyle
Words Donna Davis, Music Val Davis, Story Jim Sardonis
She walks the bluffs alone looking out to sea
Near her weather-worn shingle shack where wait her cats and tea
I drive her into town and have to wonder why
In the stone cold silence her affections lie
Mae Pyle the snow lies heavy at your door
Mae Pyle springtime gone will come no more
I would come to warm your heart but you won't let me near
Mae Pyle what is it you fear.
In my days of you we stole apples from your trees
Just to hear you voice could cause our blood to freeze
Now the orchard lies forgotten choked with weeds
Just like a broken heart abandoned and in need
Mae Pyle the snow lies heavy at your door
Mae Pyle springtime gone will come no more
I would come to warm your heart but you won't let me near
Mae Pyle what is it you fear.
The stinging winter winds are blowing through the trees
On the jagged rocks below the seaspray starts to freeze
As the season ends I'll have to drive away
Wondering what curse could make that lonely widow stay
Mae Pyle the snow lies heavy at your door
Mae Pyle springtime gone will come no more
I would come to warm your heart but you won't let me near
Mae Pyle what is it you fear.
Our nearest neighbor is the renowned sculptor Jim Sardonis (www.sardonis.com).
Jim's family bought a house in Nova Scotia in the early 70s that had been
previously occupied by a legendary widow named Mae Pyle. Mae lived in her
house on the bluffs of Nova Scotia by herself until she was in her 80s.
She had no electric and heated with wood. She lived alone with her cats.
Anytime a neighbor would try to warm up to her she would have nothing to do
with it. The song is written from the perspective of Joe Carter who played in
Mae's apple orchard as a child. Later as a young man, Joe would drive her to town
for groceries. She was always cold and unappreciative. When Mae finally died
the neighbors tore her walls apart looking for "hidden treasure".
No one knows
if anything was ever found. Jim asked us to write a song about Mae and Joe. He
generously offered "sculpted" wedding rings for my wife and I in return. Now Jim
is no ordinary sculptor. His work is remarkable. This year Jim was included in
college text books just a few pages down from Michael Angelo. The idea of having
rings made by Jim was thrilling for my wife and I. Mae must have wanted us to have
the rings because my wife produced the lyrics for the song in a matter of minutes
and the music seemed to be already written in my mind. Thanks Mae, and thanks Jim
for these lovely wedding rings!