Ballad Of St. Anne's Reel Lyrics

Ballad of St. Anne's ReelHe was stranded in some tiny townOn fair Prince Edward's IslandWaiting for a ship to come and find himA one horse place, a friendly faceSome coffee and a tiny traceSome fiddling in the distance far behind himA dime, a cross, the counter then, a shy helloA brand new friendA walk along the street in the wintry weatherA yellow light, an open door, a welcome friendThere's room for moreSoon they're standing there inside togetherHe said: 'I heard that tune before somewhereBut I can't remember whenWas it on some other friendly shore,Did I heard it on the windWas it written on the sky aboveI think I heard it from someone I loveBut I never heard it sound so sweet since then'How his feet begin to tap, the little boy says:'I'll take your hat'He's caught up in the magic of his smileThen leaps the heart inside himWhen off across the floor he sendsHis clumsy body graceful as a childHe said: 'There's magic in the fiddler's armThere's magic in this townThere's magic in the dancer's feetIn the way they put them down'Smiling people everywhere, boots and ribbonsAnd locks of hairLaughter, an old blue suits and Easter gownsWell, the sailor's gone, the room is bareThe old piano's sitting thereSomeone's hat left hanging on the rackSome empty chairs, a wooden floorThat feels the touch of shoes no moreWaiting for the dancers to come backAnd the fiddle is in the closet of some daughter of the townStrings are broke and the bow is goneAnd the case is buttoned downWell often on December nightsWhen the air is cold and the wind is rightFor the melody comes passing through this town