The Coldest Day of the Year (January 25, 2021)
In honor of my father—a farmer, a veteran, and a quiet caretaker of the earth.

High on a hill
Where the bald eagle flies
Where the evergreens pray
To the mid-winter sky
Footsteps approach
On sacred ground
To the blindness of light
And the deafness of sound
High on a hill
Where the bitter wind wails
Where the crest of the snow
Meets the heavenly veil
Centuries of earth
Meet the beckoning day
Go follow the whispers and wings
And be on your way

Soar like the eagle
To the mountains beyond
Rise like the morning fog over the pond
Past the woods, the farm, the stone walls and deer
Feeling your warmth
On the coldest day of the year

God on a hill
A soldier’s salute
A lonesome call
To the red, white, and blue
Deep in the timber
Here you are free
Go tend to your gardens and fields
And young apple trees

Soar like the eagle
To the mountains beyond
Rise like the morning fog over the pond
Past the woods, the farm, the stone walls and deer
Feeling your warmth
On the coldest day of the year

Soon the rivers will flow
And spring will embrace
The seeds you left to sow
To the warmth of the days
To the nurturing rain
The harvest will turn
And the wind will call your name

Soar like the eagle
To the mountains beyond
Rise like the morning fog over the pond
Past the woods, the farm, the stone walls and deer
Feeling your warmth
Holding your light here
On the coldest day of the year

Music & lyrics by Ruthann Baler

Love and appreciation to Ron Schulman for inspiration and lyrical insight
Ruthann Baler: vocals, guitar, harmonica
Sam Baler, guitar
Marco Giovino – drums
Magic Dave Roberts, bass, instrumental arrangement
Luke Konopka — violin

Engineered/recorded/produced at Electric Treehouse Studios, a special thank you to Alec Francesconi
Engineered/recorded/produced/mixed at Frequency Recording, a special thank you to Rich Fabrizio