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Arlene & the Fourth of July

from If Only Words Could Keep Me Warm by Mandy Troxel

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lyrics

Arlene, Arlene and the Fourth of July
She had a light like the colors that lit up the sky
but my grandma, she had a certain sparkle in her eye
the kind that would not fade away

It was the summer of ‘27
and Grandma was sixteen and Grandpa had a car
They’d been friends since grade school
when they both moved to town
from their old midwestern farms

There was this girl from out of town
and her name was Arlene
She was the prettiest girl
these kids had ever seen
Their folks were all friends and asked
Gram if she’d be willing to show Arlene around

So Grandma called Grandpa,
who called his friend Charlie
And they jumped in the Chevy
to pick up the fair Arlene
Drove down to the high school
for the 4th of July
and the fireworks display

But there was a fire in the hills
above town that night
and it raged through the brush
and brightened the sky
and the cars lined up
to take in the sight
for the foothills were glowing.

Now, Grandpa was handsome
but Grandpa was shy
and ol’ Chuck in the backseat
he was an outgoing guy
and if you ask Grandma how
she and Gramps got together
she’ll say “someone had to sit
in the front seat with the driver”

And they don’t recall what the kids
in the back seat were doing
but the kids in the front seat
well they got to talking
and in just a few years
down the aisle they were walking
and the rest is history

Arlene, Arlene and the Fourth of July
She had a light like the colors that lit up the sky
but my grandma, she had a certain sparkle in her eye
the kind that would not fade away

credits

from If Only Words Could Keep Me Warm, released January 18, 2014
Mandy Troxel, guitar, vocals
Bruce Harvie, bass, mandolin,

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Mandy Troxel

"With a folky voice of clarity that reminds one of early Emmylou Harris, Troxel navigates the waters of love lost and found with songs that offer memorable lines, but no easy answers." - Bill Mallonee

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