This is a clip from a performance with my band, Amanda Richards & The Good Long Whiles from last year. (Steve Moore, Andy Clapp, Mark Powers).
The song is called Ain’t No Ash Will Burn, written by Walt Aldridge
This is a song that you might hear at a bluegrass jam around the Pacific NW but we do a very slow version and completely different arrangement than the original. We actually took the lyrics from the second verse and changed it into the quiet bridge of the song while adding some additional chords and passing tones.
I’m a songwriter and generally like to lead with my own songs but while I am still gathering my videos to put on this blog, I thought I would share this as I find the lyrics to be very melancholic and beautiful about a love that is all burned out with no substance to keep the flames burning.
I have seen snow that fell in May
I have seen rain on cloudless days
Some things are always bound to change
But there ain’t no ash will burn
Love is a precious thing I’m told
Burns just like West Virginia coal
But when the fire dies down it’s cold
There ain’t no ash will burn
You say this life ain’t worth your lot
I can’t be something that I’m not
We can’t stoke a fire that we aint got
There ain’t no ash will burn
Love is a precious thing I’m told
Burns just like West Virginia coal
But when the fire dies down it’s cold
There ain’t no ash will burn
In every life there comes a time
When there’ll be no more tears to cry
We must leave something dear behind
But there ain’t no ash will burn
Love is a precious thing I’m told
Burns just like West Virginia coal
But when the fire dies down it’s cold
There ain’t no ash will burn
And if there’s one lesson that I’ve learned
There ain’t no ash will burn
There ain’t no ash will burn