© George Hunt
Mark Clavey: vocals, guitar
Mary Hanover: vocals, hammered dulcimer
Rachel Gaither-Vaughan: lead vocals, fiddle
George Hunt is our studio engineer in Kansas City (Chapman Recording). In addition to engineer, George is a guitarist, singer, songwriter extraordinaire, former “Musical Blade”, devoted husband, captivated father, and close friend. “Lighthouse” is a song he wrote in 2008... three songs at once really – an articulation of, paean to, and celebration of his idealized woman… a conjuring of her some would say (if some believed in conjuring). Far from a repudiation of past experiences and entanglements, this was a creative act on his part. This was the claim he was staking in what he wanted in his life’s partner… the unconditional acceptance, the ever-mindfulness, the abiding concern, the uncanny insight into his thoughts and fears, the simple ways, the attitude of gratitude. George readily admits to being pretty fond of himself when he wrote the song… fairly immodest… a cocky guy… and still, “she is the better part of me”. She is his guiding light, his “one trustworthy star”. She’s not up in her lighthouse… she IS his lighthouse – revealing to him the way, keeping him safe. “I really enjoyed the whole premise and process of writing the song”.
Lyrics
If there’s only one reason I am not afraid when the winds get high and seas grow dark - she’s a tiny reason, with her hair in braids, manning her lighthouse off the Cod.
She is the better part of me, and she leads me to ground. She’s up in her lighthouse, just guiding me home – I was lost, now I’m found. She’s up her lighthouse, just guiding me home.
I’m not in church on Sundays, and she never minds, but still prays for me, out at sea. It’s like she’s magic when she reads my mind. The kind of girl that all the girls should be.
She is the better part of me, &c
When I hadn’t a penny she would buy my lunch and sing me a shanty as I ate. When I make my millions I won’t buy her pearls – she would totally think it were a waste.
She is the better part of me, &c
If there’s only one reason I am not afraid when the skies get dark and seas grow high. She’s a tiny reason, with her hair in braids, manning her lighthouse through my night.
She is the better part of me, &c