This is a lady who was born, lived and died and I'd never even heard of her. It was simply a random story of her death that brought me to her videos. Over the past few days I've played her tracks and listened to interviews, and I can't help feeling I missed something very special in not knowing of her existence. This track takes us back to Nanci as a child. All so long ago and now long gone. Such a beautiful girl. RIP Nanci.
Same here! I've been falling in love with her for a couple weeks, and learned some of her songs. What if mainstream radio responded to talent instead of sales?
Reading these beautiful comments tonight when Nanci’s death has been announced. These songs have meant so much to so many people. What a wonderful life and legacy x
I am near 80 now and sadly missed Nanci when she was popular. I lived in Texas then but did not know about her then. Much later I would discover her on RU-vid. I have been listening to her now for 30 years, even if I missed those first years. Magic, I tell you. Not properly recognized for the legend she is.
Telluride in the 80's,I adore her.jus heard she passed what planet am I on? Anyhow,new years eve,Telluride,the Sheridan Opera house,long drive in ice,fabulous,so thankfull for these songs I play them and connect to her spirit!wish I could finger pick like she does.our planet is more beautiful because of her words smith tunes!
Crying listening to this tonight. Her music is tinged with sadness and yet, her voice is such a comfort. Rest in peace, Nanci. Your music has been a gift to so many. ❤️
I am Heartbroken. I went to the funeral today for one of my best friends for 40 years and then heard this news. Love them both forever and glad to have her music forever. She will always be there for me through her music. R.I.P. Nanci
I am so sorry for your loss. Best friends for 40 years...I have one of those and would be devastated. My heart goes out to you. And yes, goodbye Nancy. I love her music...
🌲🪕🎻 1980s Bluegrass festival up in Grass Valley… quiet warm twilight evening and you sang this beautiful song to us Nanci. My 7 year old son wrapped in my arms on our ground quilt, he was completely absorbed in your song about Mary-Margaret. When you finished he looked at me with his big ‘ol seal eyes and said “mama, I want to sing that song when I grow up”. Thank you Navi for a beautiful night in the trees and your wonderful stories and music. Take flight, you are free dear woman🦋
Many years ago on a Nanci Griffith mailing list mostly in Philadelphia, she was called "our poet." She was a poet, a songwriter, and a singer, and yet she mostly said she was a guitar player. She captured something elemental many of us could feel. Nanci never knew me, but she was my friend.
My wife and I heard her sing this at the Birchmere a couple of weeks after her friend Mary Margaret passed away. There were two hundred people in tears by the time she finished. This was easily the most memorable song I've ever heard performed live.
Beyond sad that we lost Nanci so young.😭 I recall vividly browsing the used vinyl LPs at Cheepo Records In St. Paul looking for any obscure Minneapolis Sound or New Jack Swing or Prince bootleg treasure and hearing this song from her live album “One Fair Summer Evening” over the store’s speakers. It was love at first sound. One of the most angelic voices in music history. She blew the doors open to my love of folk/female singer-songwriter music (first sparked by Joni). Soon after, Lilith Fair artists would be the rage and I leaned into Melissa Etheridge, Michelle Shocked, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, Sheryl Crow, Rosanne Cash, Jann Arden, and later Mary Chaplin Carpenter, Jewell, Alanis and my most favorite Allison Krauss. RIP Nanci. And yes, there is a light beyond these woods Mary Margret (and "nobody likes to live too close to Lubbock").
PASSING OF A LEGEND The great, beautiful soul that was Nanci Griffith has flown into the eternal. I fell in love with her when I first saw this video back in 1987. I loved the fragile grace of her voice. I have loved her music ever since. Like many artists, I didn't share her political views (she was very left wing), but she was passionate and articulate with her beliefs. I have no problem with someone's political views (right or left) if they ground them in philosophy, ethics and faith. She was incensed at those who would take advantage of others -- regardless of the reason. She was sometimes filled with righteous anger and still her grace and love for her fellow man bled through in her face and in her words. Rest in peace Ms. Griffith. your music, your spirit will be missed. And yes, there IS a light beyond these woods.
I discovered Nanci Griffith on a ride through the Colorado Red Rocks with new friends when I was a very young man. She’s accompanied me on a lot of journeys through my life. My heart is broken, but I think we’ll keep riding together for a while.
So sad. ..what a loss but we are graced by the joy of her music....I spent decades painting to her music in my studio and dancing...gonna put those albums all on again and start dancing to her amazing spirit and music.....thank you Nanci may you be singing in the Ever Present...........
I've been tearing up off-and-on since hearing the news yesterday. I wore out Nanci's "Other Voices, Other Rooms" and "Flyer" CDs. The world lost a beautiful, gifted voice. R.I.P.
There are so many songs this woman sings that I adore, but this one will always stand out in my heart. I love this woman; if it wasn't for her...I would have never gotten through my teen years.
I share every word you have written! except that when I was young I didn't know Nanci.. I add that this song is a very few songs that at the same time makes me cry and laugh at my heart!
You’ve summed it up to perfection. This song makes me cry every time. Also, let me add, “It’s not the way you hold me when the sun goes down, noooooo; it’s not the way you call my name that left me stranded on the ground.” Also, if anyone ever called me baby the way it’s said in, “ If I were the woman you wanted, BABY, I would not be the woman I am, “ I’d be a goner.
manchesterblue2007 Yes, she does. No one, and I mean NO ONE, tells a true story about love, life and the obstacles you face in either, with more TRUTH and HUMANITY. I LOVE Nanci Griffith with everything I have and ever will have. ♥️
Sometimes I think I love Nanci's beautiful introductions more than the songs themselves. Okay, not quite, but it's close. So much humanity here. Incredible.
Your in that light now you beautiful, gorgeous, soul. And it has never shined brighter. Your music got me through the most difficult and challenging days of my 68 years and changed my life. A piece of me went with you, but then again you left me so much. I will love and miss you forever my dear friend. And thank You so much for introducing me to John Prine.GOD’s going to freak when you do “Speed of the sound of Lonliness for him
This song always makes me cry in memory of my late sister Margaret who passed to young. She would have loved my husband had she ever met him. Love this song.
all about her is wonderful....I never tire of watching her.....She's such a joy......God creates such people to give us beauty and joy and love....thank you
Oh my. I've just 'discovered' Nancy Griffith and have now got to catch up on 30+ years of her music. I've generally avoided country music but everything I listen to of hers I love.
I have loved Nanci Griffith for too many years to count, but this song is special to me. When I first heard it I was struck by one line; a line that struck such a cord for it was almost a mini-soundtrack for my life. "Think that we will go there and see what makes it shine" . . . which seems to be what I have done for my whole life. There is always another light just beyond the hill and I seem to always have to go there to see what makes it shine. . .
Any girl who's ever had a best friend much be touched by this. And now i live 1600 km away from my best friend, and this song makes me cry. She's still my best friend. Thanks Nanci!
Timeless, I remember when I first discovered the 'light beyond the Woods' album in my local record shop. I liked the cover so I brought it. I was eighteen. It tought me to listen to the stories in the lyrics of songs.I'm 51 now and still listen to the stories in every song . Thank you Nannci :)
I’m 55... I ‘discovered’ Nanci Griffith when I was 20 and she opened for Emmylou at The Capitol Theatre in Concord. Emmylou was great but I remember thinking, “holy cow, what the heck was that?!” Nanci was an amazing experience there in the intimate, classic theatre stage. A “quiet show” in my recollection but she knocked everyone over- including me- with her powerful presence and musicianship.
I've been a huge fan of hers for decades, but I never listened to this song. What a haunting, reflective story. Oh man what a loss the world has suffered. Still hurts.
I love everything Nanci has recorded - As time goes by, I'm finding it more and more difficult to accept that there will be no more wonderful songs of lost love or life experience from her - It makes me very sad, but uplifted at the same time when I listen or watch her perform on video
Was late in finding out of the passing of Nanci Griffith. What a sweet, gentle soul, so pretty, and such a great songwriter and singer from the heart. Was lucky to see her in concert many years ago.
I'm 20 now, and thanks to my older sister, grew up listening to Nanci Griffith. Normally, I'm a die hard rock n roll girl, but I still listen to her on a regular basis. She has the most beautiful voice and her songs bring back so many memories for me...I am and always will be in love with her music.
I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan and thought they were everything. But when I heard Nanci the first time ... oh man ... the structure of the songs, the content ... the singing. She is an extraordinary talent.
She'll sound even better now you're 28. Now a 57 year old man when I was a your age I listened to AC/DC, Motorhead, Iron Maiden and the like, oh and a drop of Elvis of course. I discovered Nanci in my early thirtys and have just adored her. Our musical pallet changes as we mature and as we wander through life's paths different songs have different meanings and in an instant upon hearing a song we can be transported back in time to a place, a moment or with an old flame... Wonderful..
Simple songs about life and relationships, songs that tell stories and fill our hearts and mines with imagination, a beautiful and innocent and all so sweet voice, it doesn't get any better than this.
Nanci played the first song I ever heard from her at a small town venue 40 years ago. I shouted it as a request. She played it. It was as if she played for me alone. I hear this now and have a damn hard time not crying. But what a comfort it is for me.
Ii have Nanci Griffiths music for more than 25 years. Incredible songwriter. This song is more poignant, since Mary Margaret lost a battle to cancer before the Winter Marquee album was recorded. Nanci has had two bouts with cancer also.
Jon-Francis, the first song of hers I ever heard was It’s A Hard Life Wherever You Go & I thought, this is something special. I went out & bought One Fair Summer Evening & I fell in love with her & her music. It’s now one of my prized possessions. My heart breaks when I think of her passing, but we get to keep the music she left behind for us, and that’s a very good thing. I envy you, you get to discover her now.
When I ran across John Prine a few months ago - I became attached to how he tells a little story before many of his songs. Nanci Griffith does this too. It works.
I'm sorry that you lost "John" Nanci especially at such a tender time, but your Daddy was rite, You'll never learn to fish on a borrowed line, sorry your feet get cold, livin alone, mine do too, Sniff, Sniff....Love you, live on Nanci~!!!
I was so blessed to share your music Nanci. Thank you for making my life so much better with your amazing heart and soul. You will always be with me sweet angel.
