by Alex Wilson
Album
Holler Bones
Year
2025
Genre
Country/Americana/Folk
Duration
3:42
Description
A poignant country ballad exploring themes of generational trauma and healing within an Appalachian family. 'Where the Creek Runs Cold' uses vivid imagery of a rural Kentucky landscape to represent the cyclical nature of pain and the hope for a better future. The song's emotional core lies in the narrator's desire to break free from past hurts and create a positive legacy for his son, using the creek as a symbol of cleansing and renewal.
Lyrics
Verse 1: Grandpa's cabin sits alone on fifteen acres Where the holler meets the ridge above the road That old porch swing still creaks like it remembers All the secrets that these mountains used to hold Rusty mailbox leans like Sunday morning sinners Chain-link fence around a garden gone to weeds But that water keeps on flowing through the timber Carrying away what nobody needs Chorus: Where the creek runs cold Where the creek runs cold Wash away the hurt that I can't let go Down where willows bend and the current flows Where the creek runs cold Where the creek runs cold Verse 2: Used to skip rocks with my daddy by that water Back before the bottles took him from this place Now I bring my own boy down here every summer Trying to give him what time cannot erase Teach him how to cast a line and tie a leader Show him where the old-growth oak trees touch the sky Tell him stories 'bout his granddad as a dreamer Before the world taught grown men how to cry Chorus: Where the creek runs cold Where the creek runs cold Wash away the hurt that I can't let go Down where willows bend and the current flows Where the creek runs cold Where the creek runs cold Bridge: Some things change and some things stay the same Generations come and go like seasons But this holler holds more than a name It holds the truth behind our reasons And in my son's eyes, I see a chance to finally be free From the chains of the past, and the ghosts that haunt me Chorus: Where the creek runs cold Where the creek runs cold Wash away the hurt that I can't let go Down where willows bend and the current flows Where the creek runs cold Where the creek runs cold Outro: Where the creek runs cold Where the creek runs cold (Fade)
Notes
This song should be performed with a gentle, introspective feel. Instrumentation should include acoustic guitar (fingerpicked or lightly strummed), upright bass, subtle percussion (brushes on a snare drum), and a prominent fiddle. The fiddle should carry the melody in instrumental breaks and provide harmony during the verses and choruses, especially during the call and response sections. Vocals should be heartfelt and slightly weathered, reflecting the character's experiences. Consider adding a subtle banjo or mandolin for texture. The song builds slightly in intensity towards the final chorus, with the percussion becoming a bit more prominent. The outro should fade out gradually, leaving a lingering sense of hope and resolution. The key of G major is suggested for its suitability for both male vocals and fiddle. The tempo should be slow and deliberate, allowing the lyrics and emotions to resonate with the listener. For live performances, encourage audience participation during the chorus, creating a sense of community and shared experience.