Five-Point Star: Lyrics and the Story Behind the Song

I have always wanted to write a wedding song. There are so many wonderful examples out there and listening to them inspired me to write one, too.

Great wedding songs:
Give Yourself to Love written by Kate Wolf (performed by me)
Off-White written by Bill Morrissey
Dimming of the Day written by Richard Thompson
I Do It for Your Love written by Paul Simon
The Wedding Song (There Is Love) written by Paul Stookey

The setting for Five-Point Star is Gould Hill Farm in Contoocook, New Hampshire. On a Saturday afternoon, I picked a whole bushel of apples with my two boys and some friends. It was the perfect Fall day.

There is a special tree there called “The Wedding Tree.” While we were resting in the grass, a bride and her attendants walked down the dirt road to the tree to have their pictures taken.

The title of the song describes what you will see if you cut an apple in half across the middle.

"That Love is all there is, Is all we know of Love" is a line from the Emily Dickinson poem. Doesn't that line just say it all about love? . . .

Song Lyrics

We’ll stand in the grove—No shoes on our feet
And, those who have come—Will fasten a ribbon
Of silk or of linen
And, bind—your hand to mine

We’ll dance to a tune—Of pipes and of strings
We’ll join our right hands—Then circle around
One foot on the ground
It’s corners right and back to the bar

Chorus
Pass ’round the ale—cakes and sweet things
Here in this field—We’ll put on the rings
The wheel of the year—is turning again
The leaves are all orange and gold

Dancers join hands and weave in and out
Spinning around and turning about
* That Love is all there is, Is all we know of Love.
And a heart without love—cannot live and grow
Smolder and glow
Catch fire and spread through the soul

Chorus
Pass ’round the ale—cakes and sweet things
Here in this field—We’ll put on the rings
The wheel of the year—is turning again
The leaves are all orange and gold

* (From “That Love is all there is” by Emily Dickinson)

Song Credits

Holly Hanson: vocals, acoustic guitar
Steve Hayes: acoustic guitar
David Eure: violin
Sven Larson: upright bass

Written by Holly Hanson. © 2011 Wild Braid Music (BMI). All rights reserved.

Five-Point Star appears on the album Strawberry Moon by Neptune's Car.