The Daughters of Amherst

Words and music by Richard S. Grossman

This song was born out of a desire to add my voice to the discourse evolving from the #MeToo movement. I was curious to see if I could find a compelling story of strength, courage and wisdom on the part of women in American history that could serve as an inspirational example for women, particularly young women, today.

My research led me, rather quickly, to the fascinating story of Helen Hunt Jackson and her oddly poignant and enduring friendship with the poetess Emily Dickinson, both from Amherst Massachusetts and childhood classmates. I was struck by how the lives of these two essentially polar opposites (with the exception of their passion for words and rhyme) became so richly entwined ⎯ as if sisters from different mothers. Separated physically for decades, they reunited later in life to rekindle their friendship until their deaths less than a year apart. Together, they were a symbol of transcendent strength far greater than either could have ever been apart. In their story, I found my voice for this song.

Given the subject matter, I felt strongly about having a female voice sing this song. I’m so grateful to my dear friend and long time musical collaborator Holly Circle for her powerful and evocative performance. Much love.

Once, they were childhood friends

Forever bound, by reason and rhyme
One was a private poet
And the other, the public face of her time

There was Emily dressed all in white

An angel of mythical light
And Helen the Hunter of Words
Was the consummate Muse; pursuer of justice and truth

Two lives as different as moon and sun

Yet friends for the long run
They were soul sisters in meter and verse
The Daughters of Amherst

Lives, shaped by idealist dreams

Inspire hope, desire and heart
To learn, that which makes us the same
Is the strength to defeat what keeps us apart

Just like Emily dressed all in white

We are angels of mythical light
Transcendence our shared destiny
As we open our arms in a gesture of pure empathy

They weren’t the only ones destined to leave their mark
Though they were the first, with a hunger and thirst
The original Daughters of Amherst

And when they appear to you in your dreams

There will be no doubt what it means
Heed their message of wisdom and strength
All you need to do is be on that same wavelength

Our lives reflecting the moon and sun

Friends for the long run
We are soul sisters in meter and verse
Like those Daughters of Amherst

They’re weren’t the only ones

They’re not the only ones
To drink from the waters of Amherst

Because it was meant to be, we honor their legacy
We’re the new Daughters of Amherst

Credits

Keyboards: Richard S. Grossman
Lead and Harmony Vocals: Holly Circle
Additional Vocals: Edie Rae and Colleen Martin
Engineered by: Richard S. Grossman
Produced by: Richard S. Grossman and Madeleine Hart