Hem — Half Acre
Album: Rabbit SongsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2931
Length: 3:20
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
And folded in this scrap of paper
Is the land I grew in
Think of every town you've lived in
Every room you lay your head
And what is it that you remember
Do you carry every sadness with you
Every hour your heart was broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with you
A man is walking on the highway
A woman stares out at the sea
And light is only now just breaking
So we carry every sadness with us
Every hour our hearts were broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with us
But I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
I am carrying this scrap of paper
That can crack the darkest sky wide open
Every burden taken from me
Every night my heart unfolding
My home
Torn from the map of Michigan
And folded in this scrap of paper
Is the land I grew in
Think of every town you've lived in
Every room you lay your head
And what is it that you remember
Do you carry every sadness with you
Every hour your heart was broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with you
A man is walking on the highway
A woman stares out at the sea
And light is only now just breaking
So we carry every sadness with us
Every hour our hearts were broken
Every night the fear and darkness
Lay down with us
But I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
I am carrying this scrap of paper
That can crack the darkest sky wide open
Every burden taken from me
Every night my heart unfolding
My home
Comments (393)add comment
Working at a stressful job right now--good to have calming music with me
Tesselate wrote:
Not sure where I've been, but just hearing Hem for the first time now. Wonderful! And I'm definitely intrigued by the band name. I'm not sure I'm ready for a +1 for a cool band name right now, but it is interesting and just might get there.
I first heard this song in the early 2000's and it was on heavy rotation on my playlist for many years. It's been quite a while since I've heard it and despite the melancholy tone of the song it made me really happy. Sally Ellyson has such an incredible voice!
Not sure where I've been, but just hearing Hem for the first time now. Wonderful! And I'm definitely intrigued by the band name. I'm not sure I'm ready for a +1 for a cool band name right now, but it is interesting and just might get there.
So happy to see they're working on new music! Notice posted 9/23 on their FB page.
Proclivities wrote:
That does look more like a hare, Fred: longer ears, longer fore limbs, and larger feet.
yes but Hare Songs sounds too much like glam rock (and who can spell these days anyway)
That does look more like a hare, Fred: longer ears, longer fore limbs, and larger feet.
bialia wrote:
I laughed
This is really nice. And the Wikipedia photo makes it look like this band consists of one gigantic lady and a very tiny guy playing a cello like a stand up bass. Tee hee.
I laughed
fredriley wrote:
That does look more like a hare, Fred: longer ears, longer fore limbs, and larger feet.
... Nice bunny on the cover, though :o). Or is it a hare? The ears look a bit long, and the paws look a bit doglike. Maybe it's a GM hybrid...
That does look more like a hare, Fred: longer ears, longer fore limbs, and larger feet.
This is really nice. And the Wikipedia photo makes it look like this band consists of one gigantic lady and a very tiny guy playing a cello like a stand up bass. Tee hee.
An underrated gem.
Maybe not on RP though, it's rightly at 7.5+.
nomnol wrote:
Yes! I read about it on WIKI!
The tale in Wiki about how they found the singer named Sally is intriguing.
Yes! I read about it on WIKI!
churchd wrote:
Upper Michigan for me (or at least it was a long time ago....).
Apparently overrun with trumpist militias now, or so I gather from talking with someone from the extreme UP.
Upper Michigan for me (or at least it was a long time ago....).
Apparently overrun with trumpist militias now, or so I gather from talking with someone from the extreme UP.
Following Elbow's Fly Boy Blue with this piece is inspired programming. Why? I can't say, but it seems perfect.
NICE!!! I never heard of them before. Thank You RP!
This song just knocks my socks off every single time.
The tale in Wiki about how they found the singer named Sally is intriguing.
This tune was my introduction to HEM...not easy to sing along with but fun! Was given the CD and still love it. Great driving music - thanks again Kazoo!
I'm a Yooper again.
Kokoloco53 wrote:
As the old phrase goes, you've read the book and seen the film, now try the stew...
...read Watership Down. Along with Lord of the Rings, it's about the only book that I read more than once. Watership Down is one of the very best books of all time for me personally. .
I do like the idea of Hem playing The Knitting Factory (see Wikipedia pic to the right). What other bands/appropriate venues can we come up with?
lily34 wrote:
'Do you carry every sadness with you?'
oh, i hate this so much.
'Do you carry every sadness with you?'
Just bumped this to a nine
LOLOLOL h8rhater wrote:
lily34 wrote:
Good...good. Use your aggressive feelings. Let the h8 flow through you.
oh, i hate this so much.
Good...good. Use your aggressive feelings. Let the h8 flow through you.
Lovely arrangement.
nrg wrote:
Upper Michigan for me (or at least it was a long time ago....).
Michigan - my home too. So I'm sort of a sucker for this song
Upper Michigan for me (or at least it was a long time ago....).
garyalex wrote:
Mine too.
A2
Mine too.
A2
nrg wrote:
A2
Michigan - my home too. So I'm sort of a sucker for this song
A2
Beautiful orchestration and vocal. Bumping my 7 to 8.
When I'm feeling blue this song just chokes me up. The musical composition, the lyrics, her voice. I bought the CD based on this song alone but the other tracks are fine too.
Thanks Bill!
Grammarcop wrote:
Mine too.
Michigan. My home.
Mine too.
pallasathene82 wrote:
Every time I need quiet, comforting music I turn to Hem. Thanks Radio Paradise for introducing me to them 13+ years ago with this song!
All of the above and it feels good to like what I hear for the first time and discover lots here do too Man..I melt into a big puddle whenever I hear this woman's voice. This is so lovely!
I first heard this song in the early 2000's and it was on heavy rotation on my playlist for many years. It's been quite a while since I've heard it and despite the melancholy tone of the song it made me really happy. Sally Ellyson has such an incredible voice!
stevesaw wrote:
Mandolin maybe?
Nice use of banjo
Mandolin maybe?
Michigander here, too. Way up north in the snowbanks.
lily34 wrote:
Brooklyn? Or you don't like women? Or mandolins?
oh, i hate this so much.
Brooklyn? Or you don't like women? Or mandolins?
lily34 wrote:
Good...good. Use your aggressive feelings. Let the h8 flow through you.
oh, i hate this so much.
Good...good. Use your aggressive feelings. Let the h8 flow through you.
Lovely song, and it raises goosebumps. But, baby, she's seriously living in the past.
Autumn Tactics by Chicane was coming to a close and in my mind I thought "I'd love to hear Hem's Half Acre next" and lo and behold Bill read my mind.
Thank you Bill!
Nice use of banjo
I feel like I just heard this, or another song from the same album...
Every time I need quiet, comforting music I turn to Hem. Thanks Radio Paradise for introducing me to them 13+ years ago with this song!
Michigan - my home too. So I'm sort of a sucker for this song
Great article on Dan Mess' and Hem on addiction and their near demise: Q&A: Dan Messe of Hem
Some knobs just won't look at the lyrics. How do you sing this? To a heavy metal - Rolling Stone - Reggae type of music?
If you can't relate to these lyrics then you probably have a trust fund and never had to move around.
If you can't relate to these lyrics then you probably have a trust fund and never had to move around.
Grammarcop wrote:
Michigan. My home.
Michigan. My home.
Love these guys...sadly I learned of them just about the time they quit touring........
Holds up well, pleasant to listen to each time . . . off on a niche all its own.
Really like this one. Took a while for me to notice it.
coccyx wrote:
so...your fantasy involve boring the he%& out of your partner to the degree that she feels she has to go to her 'special place' and sing a song that she's sung literally hundreds of times before, just to pass the time.... !
so...your fantasy involve boring the he%& out of your partner to the degree that she feels she has to go to her 'special place' and sing a song that she's sung literally hundreds of times before, just to pass the time.... !
oh, i hate this so much.
One of the handful of 10s I've given out. This song is magical.
decent song, interesting sound
btw, the Wiki link goes to hem as in when a person is sewing
btw, the Wiki link goes to hem as in when a person is sewing
Yes yes. Good set for crunching data this AM.
I haven't heard this in a while. Nice.
Bill is on another segue roll:
Adios to California into Isn't It A Pity into Half Acre
The transitions are seamless and meaningful.
I agree - this whole album is great. Would be nice to hear it all the way through sometime...
Imkirok wrote:
5 tracks from this album in the RP library. 15 tracks by Hem all told.
Beautiful song. Wish we'd here something else from this album though.
5 tracks from this album in the RP library. 15 tracks by Hem all told.
leafmold wrote:
Ditto. It's pathetic. And I wish I had a button on the remote that controls my home stereo.
This song bores me to tears.
Ditto. It's pathetic. And I wish I had a button on the remote that controls my home stereo.
Lovely song from a most pleasant album.
Her voice, filled with clarity and sweetness, couples with a confident clarinet to raise goosebumps. I vote 9, looking wistfully out the window ...
Beautiful song. Wish we'd here something else from this album though.
pixie music
I'll give it a 7 even though a voice like this would normally annoy me
I'll give it a 7 even though a voice like this would normally annoy me
Joni Mitchell knock off
ThePoose wrote:
so...your fantasy involve boring the he%& out of your partner to the degree that she feels she has to go to her 'special place' and sing a song that she's sung literally hundreds of times before, just to pass the time.... !
I have this sexual fantasy. It involves making love to the woman I love as she sings like this.
so...your fantasy involve boring the he%& out of your partner to the degree that she feels she has to go to her 'special place' and sing a song that she's sung literally hundreds of times before, just to pass the time.... !
So this is what a Hemmed Half Acre sounds like.....
7>>8 
Startlingly beautiful; gives me chills.
Jeez it sure is funny to see how much venom A SONG can produce. I'd never heard this song before this and think it is pretty darned good. I click on the comments and apparently a bunch of people think it's the worst song ever. Oh well, the variety is why I listen to 'rp'.
Bite it haters - still rates high without you lot
jackiewelsh wrote:
Bummer.
gets a 1 bc i'm soooooooooo sick of hearing this song on this station (or anywhere now for that matter)
Bummer.
jameshay wrote:
One of the things I like about RP forums is the contributors' sense of humour. (Or not, as the case might be!)
Thanks, James..........or not, whichever might be the case here.
One of the things I like about RP forums is the contributors' sense of humour. (Or not, as the case might be!)
Thanks, James..........or not, whichever might be the case here.
sirdroseph wrote:
Zoinks!!!
This is one of those songs that sends me into a murderous rage.
Zoinks!!!
leafmold wrote:
Oh, please. Have none of you ever produced a typo? It was supposed to be "go lower than a one." So sorry for the confusion!
(I'm sure you understood the original post, but just disagree—which is fine.)
One of the things I like about RP forums is the contributors' sense of humour. (Or not, as the case might be!)
Oh, please. Have none of you ever produced a typo? It was supposed to be "go lower than a one." So sorry for the confusion!
(I'm sure you understood the original post, but just disagree—which is fine.)
One of the things I like about RP forums is the contributors' sense of humour. (Or not, as the case might be!)
This song is so beautiful.
TerryS wrote:
Could lower a what lower?
Oh, please. Have none of you ever produced a typo? It was supposed to be "go lower than a one." So sorry for the confusion!
(I'm sure you understood the original post, but just disagree—which is fine.)
Could lower a what lower?
Oh, please. Have none of you ever produced a typo? It was supposed to be "go lower than a one." So sorry for the confusion!
(I'm sure you understood the original post, but just disagree—which is fine.)
leafmold wrote:
I wish you could too.
wish I could lower than a 1
I wish you could too.
leafmold wrote:
Could lower a what lower?
wish I could lower than a 1
Could lower a what lower?
wish I could lower than a 1
It's just wrong to follow George Harrison's magnificent "Isn't It a Pity" with this. Nonetheless, it's better than the 3 rating I gave it last time. Bumping it to 4.
Kokoloco53 wrote:
I read the English copy every 2-3 years just to keep my life in proper perspective
- I love to read a good description for some habit I can't explain or some feeling I can't grasp just yet. Thank you :)
What a great song. Gives my pause, nice thoughts, life is ok, kind of feeling. I like the cover, rabbit song deal. If you want to read the best, and possibly only long fantasy novel with rabbits that speak to each other, read Watership Down. Along with Lord of the Rings, it's about the only book that I read more than once. Watership Down is one of the very best books of all time for me personally. I also have a copy in Spanish which I've only read once, but I read the English copy every 2-3 years just to keep my life in proper perspective. Compared to rabbits, we humans have it way easy, though the social differences between rabbit warrens in this book actually mimic our own cultures in so many ways.
I read the English copy every 2-3 years just to keep my life in proper perspective
- I love to read a good description for some habit I can't explain or some feeling I can't grasp just yet. Thank you :)
ThePoose wrote:
That's probably better than fantasizing about her singing like Carol Channing. NTTAWWT.
Nice tune, by the way.
I have this sexual fantasy. It involves making love to the woman I love as she sings like this.
That's probably better than fantasizing about her singing like Carol Channing. NTTAWWT.
Nice tune, by the way.
So so so love this song, please keep playing it.
so so so so sick of this song. PLEASE stop playing it so often.
Otomi wrote:
Source: https://www.davidmack.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bunny_facepalm.jpg
Thought it was lhasa de sela - cute bunny :)
Source: https://www.davidmack.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bunny_facepalm.jpg
Thought it was lhasa de sela - cute bunny :)
This song bores me to tears.
What did the farmer get when he stepped on the rake?
Two acres!
Sorry...I'll get my coat...
Love the song by the way...
Two acres!
Sorry...I'll get my coat...
Love the song by the way...
I have this sexual fantasy. It involves making love to the woman I love as she sings like this.
frankgindc wrote:
You know, I had no idea, but it doesn't break the deal for me. Once, a student employee was in my office while RP was playing, and when some song used in an iPod commercial came on, he said "I've never heard anyone actually listening to that song, you know, other than the Apple commercial." I told him that was the beauty of RP.
Not a bad song but here's the deal breaker: it evokes an insurance company. For me that overshadows any other message the song might have.
You know, I had no idea, but it doesn't break the deal for me. Once, a student employee was in my office while RP was playing, and when some song used in an iPod commercial came on, he said "I've never heard anyone actually listening to that song, you know, other than the Apple commercial." I told him that was the beauty of RP.
Not a bad song but here's the deal breaker: it evokes an insurance company. For me that overshadows any other message the song might have.
Otomi wrote:
Source: https://www.davidmack.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bunny_facepalm.jpg
Pretty sure that's illegal in most places...
Source: https://www.davidmack.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bunny_facepalm.jpg
Pretty sure that's illegal in most places...
kharrigan wrote:
I can't believe I thought this was Sarah McLaughlin for eleven years.
Source: https://www.davidmack.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bunny_facepalm.jpg
Before Liberty Mutual...There Was "Rabbit Songs". Great Tune
this song is hope that makes the heart soar. lovely.
I can't believe I thought this was Sarah McLaughlin for eleven years.
I love this song - very gentle and simple. Soothing. 
Lovely!
Best song on a great album, IMO.
This is one of those songs that sends me into a murderous rage.
Commercials be damned, it's a beautiful song.
Aww, it's my and n4ku's wedding song! Or my "walking down the aisle" song, I should say.
(I chose this long before that insurance commercial was ever aired.)
Have I already said this before? Sorry.
(I chose this long before that insurance commercial was ever aired.)
Have I already said this before? Sorry.
Kokoloco53 wrote:
You might also enjoy Brian Jacques' Redwall series.
What a great song. Gives my pause, nice thoughts, life is ok, kind of feeling. I like the cover, rabbit song deal. If you want to read the best, and possibly only long fantasy novel with rabbits that speak to each other, read Watership Down. Along with Lord of the Rings, it's about the only book that I read more than once. Watership Down is one of the very best books of all time for me personally. I also have a copy in Spanish which I've only read once, but I read the English copy every 2-3 years just to keep my life in proper perspective. Compared to rabbits, we humans have it way easy, though the social differences between rabbit warrens in this book actually mimic our own cultures in so many ways.
You might also enjoy Brian Jacques' Redwall series.
fredriley wrote:
Watch out for the fangs; that rabbit's dynamite!
Nice bunny on the cover, though :o). Or is it a hare? The ears look a bit long, and the paws look a bit doglike. Maybe it's a GM hybrid...
Watch out for the fangs; that rabbit's dynamite!
Liberty Mutual — admit that the "pay it forward theme" is a stroke of genius for them. The song is sweet.
Jelani wrote:
Yeah, with all that phony pay it forward tripe, and fallacious introspective love thy neighbor posing.
Yeah, with all that phony pay it forward tripe, and fallacious introspective love thy neighbor posing.
One of the first songs I remember RP turning me on to. Thanks RP! Still gives me chills....
Kokoloco53 wrote:
*sets trap*
What a great song. Gives my pause, nice thoughts, life is ok, kind of feeling. I like the cover, rabbit song deal. If you want to read the best, and possibly only long fantasy novel with rabbits that speak to each other, read Watership Down. Along with Lord of the Rings, it's about the only book that I read more than once. Watership Down is one of the very best books of all time for me personally. I also have a copy in Spanish which I've only read once, but I read the English copy every 2-3 years just to keep my life in proper perspective. Compared to rabbits, we humans have it way easy, though the social differences between rabbit warrens in this book actually mimic our own cultures in so many ways.
*sets trap*
What a great song. Gives my pause, nice thoughts, life is ok, kind of feeling. I like the cover, rabbit song deal. If you want to read the best, and possibly only long fantasy novel with rabbits that speak to each other, read Watership Down. Along with Lord of the Rings, it's about the only book that I read more than once. Watership Down is one of the very best books of all time for me personally. I also have a copy in Spanish which I've only read once, but I read the English copy every 2-3 years just to keep my life in proper perspective. Compared to rabbits, we humans have it way easy, though the social differences between rabbit warrens in this book actually mimic our own cultures in so many ways.
FrankMc wrote:
Well said - it was one of those rare commercials that actually complements the song appropriated for it.
The commercial mentioned below has a sort of sweet message about looking after our neighbors, saving one another from disasters of varying scale. Not sure what they are selling but they do a good job of saying, "Look out for each other."
Well said - it was one of those rare commercials that actually complements the song appropriated for it.
This was on a CD my teenage daughter burned for me a few years ago. For that simple reason, this is special to me.
The whole CD is great, my daughter's favorite. Very kind music.
AliGator wrote on 8/28/2008:
I still love this song so much.
(I'm still married to n4ku)
OK, I can say it now. This was the processional for our wedding. I imagined it sometime in 2005. I made it happen on August 1, 2008.
I still love this song so much.
(I'm still married to n4ku)
window wrote:
Agreed. I first heard it as background music during a voiceover on my local public radio station (WUFT). It is just lovely. I need to buy the CD...
A stunning, beautiful song! Thanks to Bill and RP for turning me on to this album many years ago.
Agreed. I first heard it as background music during a voiceover on my local public radio station (WUFT). It is just lovely. I need to buy the CD...
So glad I don't have television and have never seen the ad mentioned below: nothing to ruin this fabulous song for me! 
Ok you guys, come clean ''Who's Got The Other Half'' ? ? (Beautiful voice Beautiful song)
FrankMc wrote:
The commercial mentioned below has a sort of sweet message about looking after our neighbors, saving one another from disasters of varying scale. Not sure what they are selling but they do a good job of saying, "Look out for each other."
It was indeed Liberty Mutual, with the message of looking after neighbors. Beautiful, really. Some art is ugly and mean, some commercials are stirring and gorgeous. Defy those categories. sirdroseph wrote:
Yeah, with all that phony pay it forward tripe, and fallacious introspective love thy neighbor posing.
I am sorry, but the commercial has ruined this song for me! When I hear it all I can think of is Prudential insurance or whatever the product is!
Yeah, with all that phony pay it forward tripe, and fallacious introspective love thy neighbor posing.
A stunning, beautiful song! Thanks to Bill and RP for turning me on to this album many years ago.
fredriley wrote:
The fact that you can't remember the product/service being advertised shows that the advertisers have failed. Which is no bad thing. Luckily, I've not seen this ad (I video most progs and FF through the ads) so my experience of the song isn't ruined. It's pleasant enough, but a little on the dull side and doesn't stick in my brain. 5 from the Nottingham jury. Nice bunny on the cover, though :o). Or is it a hare? The ears look a bit long, and the paws look a bit doglike. Maybe it's a GM hybrid...
You crack me up fredriley!
The fact that you can't remember the product/service being advertised shows that the advertisers have failed. Which is no bad thing. Luckily, I've not seen this ad (I video most progs and FF through the ads) so my experience of the song isn't ruined. It's pleasant enough, but a little on the dull side and doesn't stick in my brain. 5 from the Nottingham jury. Nice bunny on the cover, though :o). Or is it a hare? The ears look a bit long, and the paws look a bit doglike. Maybe it's a GM hybrid...
You crack me up fredriley!
sirdroseph wrote:
The fact that you can't remember the product/service being advertised shows that the advertisers have failed. Which is no bad thing. Luckily, I've not seen this ad (I video most progs and FF through the ads) so my experience of the song isn't ruined. It's pleasant enough, but a little on the dull side and doesn't stick in my brain. 5 from the Nottingham jury. Nice bunny on the cover, though :o). Or is it a hare? The ears look a bit long, and the paws look a bit doglike. Maybe it's a GM hybrid...
I am sorry, but the commercial has ruined this song for me! When I hear it all I can think of is Prudential insurance or whatever the product is!
The fact that you can't remember the product/service being advertised shows that the advertisers have failed. Which is no bad thing. Luckily, I've not seen this ad (I video most progs and FF through the ads) so my experience of the song isn't ruined. It's pleasant enough, but a little on the dull side and doesn't stick in my brain. 5 from the Nottingham jury. Nice bunny on the cover, though :o). Or is it a hare? The ears look a bit long, and the paws look a bit doglike. Maybe it's a GM hybrid...
So, is this Jem's second elder sister?