Nanci Caroline Griffith, July 6, 1953, Seguin, Texas

Cracked my heart open
The first time I heard her sing
Still does, every time

You see, we all have
This problem, and it’s called love
Nanci Griffith knows

And for some of us,
Heart on sleeve fools, no one else
Sings it quite like her

From Kerrville campfires
To the London Symphony
Nanci’s played ’em all

And tracing romance
Or tugging hatred’s hood, she
Sings about what’s real

Nanci pays tribute
To her strong-women heroes
Love isn’t weakness

Has her causes, too
From the death penalty to
Equal marriage rights

Been through life’s wringer
Death of young sweetheart, divorce,
Cancer twice, friends lost

Years of writers’ block
Came too, but that’s over now
Her muse has returned

“The Loving Kind” said
Nanci’s back; new CD says
She’s staying awhile

Happy birthday, girl
You take the cake, and our hearts
It’s all frosting now