Standard (EADGBE)

Intro

x8

Verse 1

The farmer drove his tractor where the soil had been tilled

planting corn in rank and file from the silo to the lumber mill

he rode along in silence as looked out past the honeysuckle field

watched the water turn turn the water wheel

started thinking about his daughter with affection her reaction of disdain

the day he replaced the blue hydrangea with the climbing grain

while her disappointed sister looked on quiet as the snow

knowing well that those that know don't talk and those that talk don't know

Chorus 1

but she couldn't help but sing

she couldn't help but sing

No, she couldn't help but sing

she couldn't help but sing

She tried but she couldn't help but sing

she couldn't help but sing

No, she couldn't help but sing

she couldn't help but sing

Verse 2

(Repeat chords from Verse 1: C C Em Em)

the tortoise in the wheelchair wrapped his forehead in a bandage

with a cast they made from plaster for his phony broken leg

so he'd get pushed around the sidewalk by the zookeeper's assistant

with the hummingbird observing from behind the yellow flower

and he flapped his tiny wings they moved so fast you couldn't see them

with resentment for the tortoise which was clear by his expression

but the tortoise turned and smiled with a peacefulness which proved

that there's a movement in our stillness and however much we move

Chorus 2

(Repeat chords from Chorus 1: G G Em Em)

we're bound to stand completely still

we stand completely still

we all stand completely still

we stand completely still

Let's all stand completely still

Let's stand completely still

Let's all stand completely still

Let's stand completely still

Bridge

x2

Ending: (Repeat Bridge chords until end)

come tortoise, standing still

go hummingbird, my will

come tortoise, stumbling blind

go hummingbird, my eyes

come tortoise, empty hand

go hummingbird, my plan

come tortoise, undefined

go hummingbird, my mind

come tortoise, letting go

go hummingbird, I know

come tortoise, come and die

go hummingbird, my I

goodbye, I, goodbye, I

goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

(End on Em chord)