Episode 3 - I'm Building a Boat (for Tanara)

I Wrote this Song for You

The loss of a loved one is always difficult, but sometimes, while navigating our grief, we can find new horizons opening up before us that inspire our wildest dreams. Following a decade as her mother's caregiver, Tanara is celebrating her mom's life while embracing all that awaits her with joy and hope.

I'm Building a Boat is written and performed by Wells Hanley and sung by Jessica Fox. They are joined by DJ Harrison on drums, Andrew Randazzo on bass, and Makeda McCreary and Frankie James on backing vocals. Lyrics appear below.

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Thank you to family and friends for your support in the long journey that created this podcast. Your hearts are woven into every episode.

A special thanks to you, Jude Treder-Wolff for introducing me to the NYC storytelling community and for our many adventures together in pairing story and song.

A very special thanks to you, Courtney Page Ferrell for bolstering my confidence before I believed in this idea, for realizing "it's a podcast!", and for continuing to cheer me on tirelessly.

The deepest and most cathartic thank you to you, Elizabeth Smartt for partnering with me to birth this creative vision. For spending countless hours sculpting my idea into something clear and concise down to the logo, website, and even the format of each episode. You are a godsend of a creative collaborator and I am eternally grateful to you for bringing this podcast into the world with me.

Thank You Patreon supporters for helping me produce this episode! Patreon Gold (Passionate): Paula Atwood, Moira Danis, Thomasina LaGuardia, Molly Perkinson, Linda Wells, Sharon Wyse Patreon Silver (Inspired): Royce and Rosalie Blowe, Tanara Bowie, Diane Carter, Alison Deadman, Hayes Hanley, Karen Hanley, Joseph Lee, Linda DiPaolo Love, Stephanie Mastri, Sallie Thalhimer, Robert Williamson, William Zybach

I'm Building a Boat Music and Lyrics by Wells Hanley ©2021

(She's building a boat, she's taking it far away from here...)

Here I sit staring out at a sea where I've longed to sail

I feel inside that it's finally time to begin

I felt safe beneath her shade, but now I'm not afraid

of the wild wind.

Standing on my own, I am learning to trust myself

and the wiser ones inside who help me to grow

(We're standing around you, you know...)

So I'll answer to the call, it's now or not at all

So here I go, it's time to go

So I'm building a boat, I'm taking it far away from here

I'm building a boat, I'll be heading so far beyond my fear

And I'll sail my way to a better world and a better life someday

Let the wind and sea come and carry me on my way

(She's building a boat, she's sailing away...)

I've seen a lot of love in my life, and I know that's true

And it wouldn't be so if she hadn't have helped me along

(You've waited so long for this...)

But my work here now is done, I've stepped into the sun

and I'm feeling strong. I know where I belong,

and it won't be long.

'Cause I'm building a boat, I'll be taking it far away from here

I'm building a boat, I'll be heading so far beyond my fear

And I'll sail my way to a better world and a better life someday

Let the wind and sea come and carry me, come what may.

I'll be on my way, I'm on my way...

(She's building a boat, it's going to carry her away,

she's building a boat, she's going to see a brighter day...)

And I'll sail my way to a better world and a better life someday

As I turn the page, let the storm clouds rage,

I won't stray, I'll be on my way,

I'm building a boat, I'm gonna sail away

(She's building a boat, she's sailing away)

I'm sailing away