Acoustic Soul
Let the Hem Down
A daughter sits down to mend her own child’s school skirt and remembers all the evenings her mum did the same.
Let the Hem Down
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An original Songilingy example. The people and story are fictional.
The story
Her mum never had a sewing room, just the kitchen table. Years later, a daughter is trying to let down her own child’s school skirt. The job sends her back to those evenings: the scissors, the thread, being told to stand still. She picks up the phone to ask for help, and to say something she understands differently now.
Start your own song
Choose one ordinary thing your mum did for you. Describe where she did it and what you remember seeing. That can say more than a list of everything she means to you.
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The chalk line moved each August By an inch or sometimes two I'd stand up on the kitchen chair And try not to move You'd turn me slowly to the light Check the back and check the front I wanted to be out with friends You said, "Give me one more minute, love" Let the hem down Take the waist in Turn it round and pin again Your good scissors by the phone Little threads across your clothes I thought things just came that way Ready for my first school day Mum, there's so much I can see Now you're not doing it for me You never had a sewing room Just the table by the phone The kettle boiled, the doorbell went You found the place you'd stopped I brought it back with grass stains And a button in my hand You held it up and shook your head Then started it again Let the hem down Take the waist in Turn it round and pin again Your good scissors by the phone Little threads across your clothes I thought things just came that way Ready for my first school day Mum, there's so much I can see Now you're not doing it for me She's standing on my kitchen chair She wants to go outside I've pulled the stitching out twice And still can't get it right I ring you with the speaker on You talk me through the seam Then laugh and say, "She's just like you You wouldn't stand still for me" Let the hem down Take the waist in Turn it round and pin again Your good scissors in my drawer Little threads across my floor I'm sending you a photograph She's turning round to show the back Mum, I know what you were doing Now I'm kneeling in your place One more minute, love I'll get it straight