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Hem — Half Acre
Album: Rabbit Songs
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2934









Released: 2000
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
Comments (393)add comment
Working at a stressful job right now--good to have calming music with me
Posted 5 months ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
 Tesselate wrote:

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.
Posted 8 months ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
So happy to see they're working on new music! Notice posted 9/23 on their FB page.
Posted 1 year ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
 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)

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 bialia wrote:

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
Posted 2 years ago by deedubya    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
... 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.
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
An underrated gem.
 
Maybe not on RP though, it's rightly at 7.5+.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 nomnol wrote:

The tale in Wiki about how they found the singer named Sally is intriguing. 




Yes! I read about it on WIKI!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 2 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
Following Elbow's Fly Boy Blue with this piece is inspired programming. Why? I can't say, but it seems perfect.
Posted 2 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
NICE!!! I never heard of them before. Thank You RP!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
This song just knocks my socks off every single time. 
Posted 3 years ago by chuck02    [ Reply ]
The tale in Wiki about how they found the singer named Sally is intriguing. 
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
I'm a Yooper again. 
Posted 3 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

...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. .

As the old phrase goes, you've read the book and seen the film, now try the stew...
Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
oh, i hate this so much.
 
'Do you carry every sadness with you?'
Posted 3 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Just bumped this to a nine
Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
LOLOLOL h8rhater wrote:
 lily34 wrote:
oh, i hate this so much.

Good...good.  Use your aggressive feelings.  Let the h8 flow through you.
 

Posted 4 years ago by DocSeagullRedux    [ Reply ]
Lovely arrangement.
Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 nrg wrote:
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....).
Posted 4 years ago by churchd    [ Reply ]
 garyalex wrote:


Mine too.
 

A2
Posted 4 years ago by marklaw    [ Reply ]
 nrg wrote:
Michigan - my home too.  So I'm sort of a sucker for this song 
 
A2
Posted 4 years ago by marklaw    [ Reply ]
Beautiful orchestration and vocal. Bumping my 7 to 8.
Posted 4 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 4 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
Michigan. My home. 
 

Mine too.
Posted 4 years ago by garyalex    [ Reply ]
 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 

Posted 4 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
Man..I melt into a big puddle whenever I hear this woman's voice.  This is so lovely!
Posted 4 years ago by woodchuk    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 4 years ago by Tesselate    [ Reply ]
 stevesaw wrote:
Nice use of banjo
 
Mandolin maybe?
Posted 4 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Michigander here, too. Way up north in the snowbanks.
Posted 4 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
oh, i hate this so much.
 
Brooklyn? Or you don't like women? Or mandolins? 
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:
oh, i hate this so much.

Good...good.  Use your aggressive feelings.  Let the h8 flow through you.
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Lovely song, and it raises goosebumps.  But, baby, she's seriously living in the past.
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 5 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
Nice use of banjo
Posted 5 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
I feel like I just heard this, or another song from the same album...
Posted 5 years ago by rkt53    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 5 years ago by pallasathene82    [ Reply ]
Michigan - my home too.  So I'm sort of a sucker for this song 
Posted 5 years ago by nrg    [ Reply ]
Great article on Dan Mess' and Hem on addiction and their near demise: Q&A: Dan Messe of Hem
Posted 6 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 6 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
Michigan. My home. 
 

Posted 6 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Michigan. My home. 
Posted 6 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Love these guys...sadly I learned of them just about the time they quit touring........
Posted 6 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
Holds up well, pleasant to listen to each time . . . off on a niche all its own. 
Posted 6 years ago by jagla    [ Reply ]
Really like this one. Took a while for me to notice it.
Posted 7 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
 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....  !

 

Posted 8 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
oh, i hate this so much.
Posted 8 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
One of the handful of 10s I've given out. This song is magical.
Posted 8 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
decent song, interesting sound

btw, the Wiki link goes to hem as in when a person is sewing 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Yes yes. Good set for crunching data this AM.
Posted 9 years ago by Mr_Cabbagehead    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this in a while.  Nice.
Posted 9 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]

Bill is on another segue roll:

Adios to California into Isn't It A Pity into Half Acre

The transitions are seamless and meaningful.


Posted 9 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
I agree - this whole album is great.  Would be nice to hear it all the way through sometime...{#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by MilesW    [ Reply ]
 Imkirok wrote:
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. {#Good-vibes}
Posted 11 years ago by Pedro1874    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
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. 
Posted 11 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Lovely song from a most pleasant album.  
Posted 11 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
Her voice, filled with clarity and sweetness, couples with a confident clarinet to raise goosebumps.  I vote 9, looking wistfully out the window ...
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Beautiful song.  Wish we'd here something else from this album though.
Posted 11 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
pixie music
I'll give it a 7 even though a voice like this would normally annoy me 
Posted 11 years ago by bronto    [ Reply ]
Joni Mitchell knock off
 
Posted 11 years ago by lostintokyo    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
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....  !
Posted 11 years ago by coccyx    [ Reply ]
So this is what a Hemmed Half Acre sounds like.....
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
7>>8 {#Cheers}
Posted 11 years ago by skooba    [ Reply ]
Startlingly beautiful; gives me chills. 
Posted 11 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
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'.
Posted 11 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
Bite it haters - still rates high without you lot
Posted 11 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 jackiewelsh wrote:
gets a 1 bc i'm soooooooooo sick of hearing this song on this station (or anywhere now for that matter)
 
Bummer.
Posted 11 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
This is one of those songs that sends me into a murderous rage.
 



Zoinks!!!
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 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!)
Posted 11 years ago by jameshay    [ Reply ]
This song is so beautiful.
{#Good-vibes}
Posted 11 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
 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.)

Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
wish I could lower than a 1
 
I wish you could too.
Posted 12 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 leafmold wrote:
wish I could lower than a 1
 
Could lower a what lower?
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
wish I could lower than a 1
Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 12 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

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 :)
Posted 12 years ago by Catecaneverall    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
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.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
So so so love this song, please keep playing it.
Posted 12 years ago by sajitjacob    [ Reply ]
so so so so sick of this song. PLEASE stop playing it so often.
Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
 Otomi wrote:


Source: https://www.davidmack.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bunny_facepalm.jpg
 

Thought it was lhasa de sela - cute bunny :)
Posted 12 years ago by tuttle99    [ Reply ]
This song bores me to tears.
Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
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... 
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I have this sexual fantasy. It involves making love to the woman I love as she sings like this.
Posted 12 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 frankgindc wrote:
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.
Posted 12 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
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. 
Posted 12 years ago by frankgindc    [ Reply ]
 Otomi wrote:


Source: https://www.davidmack.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/bunny_facepalm.jpg

 

 
Pretty sure that's illegal in most places...
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 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


Posted 12 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
Before Liberty Mutual...There Was "Rabbit Songs". Great Tune
Posted 12 years ago by Joe_G_Bear    [ Reply ]
this song is hope that makes the heart soar.  lovely.


Posted 12 years ago by Proton_Soup    [ Reply ]
I can't believe I thought this was Sarah McLaughlin for eleven years.
Posted 13 years ago by kharrigan    [ Reply ]
I love this song - very gentle and simple. Soothing. {#Meditate}{#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Lovely!
Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Best song on a great album, IMO.
Posted 13 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs that sends me into a murderous rage.
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Commercials be damned, it's a beautiful song.
Posted 13 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 13 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

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.
Posted 13 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
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!
Posted 13 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
Liberty Mutual — admit that the "pay it forward theme" is a stroke of genius for them.  The song is sweet.
Posted 13 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

Yeah, with all that phony pay it forward tripe, and fallacious introspective love thy neighbor posing.

 

{#Yes}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
One of the first songs I remember RP turning me on to.  Thanks RP!  Still gives me chills....
Posted 13 years ago by Seahunt    [ Reply ]
 Kokoloco53 wrote:

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*
Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]

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.


Posted 13 years ago by Kokoloco53    [ Reply ]
 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."
 
Well said - it was one of those rare commercials that actually complements the song appropriated for it.


Posted 13 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
This was on a CD my teenage daughter burned for me a few years ago. For that simple reason, this is special to me. {#Sunny}

Posted 13 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
The whole CD is great, my daughter's favorite.  Very kind music.
Posted 13 years ago by Rafter101    [ Reply ]
 AliGator wrote on 8/28/2008:
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)


Posted 13 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
 window wrote:
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...


Posted 13 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
So glad I don't have television and have never seen the ad mentioned below: nothing to ruin this fabulous song for me! {#Smile}
Posted 13 years ago by wilcogirl11    [ Reply ]
Ok you guys, come clean ''Who's Got The Other Half'' ? ?  (Beautiful voice Beautiful song)


Posted 13 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
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!{#Eek}
 
Yeah, with all that phony pay it forward tripe, and fallacious introspective love thy neighbor posing.

Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
A stunning, beautiful song!  Thanks to Bill and RP for turning me on to this album many years ago.
Posted 14 years ago by window    [ Reply ]
 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! 
Posted 14 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
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!{#Eek}
 
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...

Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
So, is this Jem's second elder sister?
Posted 14 years ago by gumbo73039    [ Reply ]