I saw Sara Watkins in concert in April of 2010 just by chance. She headlined a performance to benefit a local charity for whom my best friend was the Executive Director. Somewhere in my pop culture-loving brain, I’d heard of Ms. Watkins former band, Nickel Creek, but I’d never really listened to them. The night of the concert, I heard her crystal clear voice, the sounds of her sweet fiddle strings and knew that I was a fan. That night, I bought and had her sign a copy of her debut self-titled album.

When she released her latest project, Sun Midnight Sun, in November I was torn on whether to buy it. I go through spurts with music and needed to rein in my discretionary spending. Then, I heard her perform on Mountain Stage. The sound was a little edgier, a little grittier, and I liked it. I quickly purchased the album.

Just a few days before Thanksgiving, this song – the last on the album – caught my ear. I love the sound of the song, but the lyrics are what really touched me. I thought it was appropriate for this dawning of a new year. Waking up and leaving yesterday behind you. Working to plant a new future. The hard work you put in now will pay off in a bountiful harvest.

Sun is up, a new day is before you
Sun is up, wake your sleepy soul
Sun is up, hold on to what is on
Take up your spade and break ground

Shake off your shoes,
Leave yesterday behind you
Shake off your shoes,
But forget not where you’ve been
Shake off your shoes
Forgive and be forgiven
Take up your spade and break ground

Give thanks, for all that you’ve been given
Give thanks, for who you can become
Give thanks, for each moment and every
Take up your spade and break ground
Break ground, break ground, break ground.

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