Iris DeMent - Sweet Is The Melody Lyrics






Sweet is the melody, so hard to come by
It's so hard to make every note bend just right
You lay down the hours and leave not one trace
But a tune for the dancing is there in its place

Well, the dance floor's for gliding and not jumping over ponies
Where boots and gold bracelets come and meet as they should
It's for celebrating a Friday night romance
Forgetting the bad stuff and just feeling good

Oh, sweet is the melody, so hard to come by
It's so hard to make every note bend just right
You lay down the hours and leave not one trace
But a tune for the dancing is there in its place

Oh, an arm's just an arm till it's wrapped 'round a shoulder
Looped side-by-side, they go stepping out together
A note's just a note till you wake from your slumber
And dare to discover the new melody

Oh, sweet is the melody, so hard to come by
It's so hard to make every note bend just right
You lay down the hours and leave not one trace
But a tune for the dancing is there in its place

Oh, sweet is the melody, so hard to come by
It's so hard to make every note bend just right
You lay down the hours and leave not one trace
But a tune for the dancing is there in its place

Ooh, ooh





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Iris DeMent Sweet Is The Melody Comments
  1. G.... W....

    Love her voice - she & John Prine are wonderful together

  2. E.... R....

    Wow. She sounds exactly the same here, live, as she does in the studio recording.

  3. G.... R....

    I know this is about Miss Iris, but does anyone know who the bass player is?

  4. W.... B....

    She's a natural treasure, echoing our very selves throughout time...

  5. M.... M....

    top banana that.

  6. A.... H....

    Iris DeMent is so... special. I am entranced every time I hear her sing. The nose wrinkle is pretty endearing as well.

  7. f.... ....

    This is where we should be...WTF happened?

  8. T.... M....

    perfect iris

  9. 0.... �....

    Sweet.




    <3

  10. E.... C....

    Awesome voice, delicious woman, brilliant tune.

  11. V.... G....

    Amazing!

  12. B.... B....

    What a showpiece the Transatlantic Sessions were. Superb music, superb musicians.

  13. D.... D....

    This lady is unique....

  14. A.... E....

    I wish they would bring back, transatlantic sessions.

  15. W.... C....

    When people talk about "the best minds of my generation," this is who I think about first. Really.

  16. A.... K....

    The nagging voice in our hearts to be true to ourselves and to others .
    My Lord ,how simple it is .
    Love You Iris ,and the others whom are supporting you.

  17. E.... C....

    Dolça i única en el món és la teva veu, Iris...

  18. O.... S....

    At rare times special people have creations of nearly perfect beauty. This is one of those times. This song comes together like a complex puzzle balanced from side to side and top to bottom. It speaks to the heart directly. I love it.

  19. R.... F....

    Fuccck, beautiful voice

  20. H.... C....

    so beautiful

  21. T.... ....

    cool song, timeless and true

  22. J.... C....

    just love her x

  23. C.... H....

    Beautiful, beatiful! Song makes me tear up. "Our Town" too.

  24. H.... K....

    what does the phrase "jumping over ponies" exactly mean? i´m german, couldn´t find it on google...

    H.... K....

    I do not think it is a phrase in common usage. She may have coined it just for this song. I'll have a go at a translation. She is contrasting different styles of dancing: The dance floor is for gliding: graceful, fluid movement, not jumping over ponies, jerky, vertical pogo dancing? She is wanting an atmosphere for romance, and for the punks to leave her alone!

  25. B.... T....

    if she's not from nova scotia she sure as hell should be.

  26. b.... ....

    Such a fabulous voice.....been listening many years now.

  27. M.... m....

    Try When my Morning Comes, my favorite by Iris.

  28. A.... M....

    linda música

  29. f.... i....

    One of the absolute most authentic country singers in America. I'm in love with her!

  30. K.... D....

    Sublime.

  31. g.... ....

    1st , play late 80s, / 90s !!

  32. C.... E....

    How old is that video? anyone knows?

    C.... E....

    Claude Edgar Ruest 20 years

  33. J.... O....

    I,m not Northamerican but this is the unic I love of this Country, this music

  34. g.... ....

    1st played , in the early 90s !!

  35. S.... B....

    Beautiful

  36. H.... D....

    No great soprano, but God bless 'er she always makes me smile !!

  37. D.... B....

    please tour Ireland sometime

  38. A.... B....

    what horrible voice has iris dement is a nightmare for my ears please take her so far far far AWAY ! ! !

    A.... B....

    All I can say is that you need to not have such a horrible, critical attitude. If you can't see the value in this artist you are blind as well as deaf.

    A.... B....

    Armando this is folk music at its purest form. If you cannot appreciate American folk music sung by a talented female with her native southern accent (I believe she is from Arkansa), then you are not mature enough to appreciate the American folk music genre.

  39. l.... ....

    She sounds like an real human being singing. Not always the case in music...

    l.... ....

    l p punte

  40. R.... T....

    she has a wonderful voice

  41. E.... o....

    a much loved singer in ireland - love her facial expressions - what a voice

    E.... o....

    One more thing to love about Ireland, then.

    E.... o....

    happy christmas to all

  42. E.... V....

    just bought youre new cd, an he is marvelous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. J.... ....

    I love watching her expressive face (with the dimple) as she sings so earnestly.

  44. g.... ....

    great , / words , , sing  this so sweet, words,!

  45. A.... M....

    A WONDERFULLY PLAYED EMOTION!!BY PROFESSIONALS AND MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT ...

  46. D.... F....

    to remember her name, i call her IRISH DEMENTIA!!

  47. M.... C....

    Love this music, all pure talent, not like the electronic filler that we hear so much of today.

  48. K.... E....

    These are the cream of the crop as far as musicians go in this genre love the way they dovetail Iris D...they put a lot into this incredible piece....she in a league of her own...much appreciated here in Ireland...

    K.... E....

    Loves the little shindigs like these. My mother is gone to wexford tonight with my sister for an ould knees up, few guitars, accordion, fiddle etc, the good proper nights in a little country pub.

  49. S.... C....

    An Angel's Voice!

  50. V.... L....

    im only 35 yrs old and i completely understand this song :D its moving and lovely at once :D

  51. t.... ....

    Thank you for posting this most beautiful song that I've ever heard. I sent it to my son with the suggestion he listen to the words carefully and take it to heart. He said he didn't quite understand. I told him that maybe only us old folks could understand but the only counsel I could give him is that he already started writing the melody that would be there in his place....my grandsons.

  52. m.... d....

    good job

  53. F.... ....

    A rare beauty and an unforgettable Artist,
    songs of everlasting loveliness.

  54. M.... R....

    looked so long for this.found it at last.a treasure.I am going to learn it on my horner Mc

  55. B.... M....

    Absolutely lovely.

  56. C.... B....

    Her solo gig at Shepherds Bush about ten years ago was one of the finest things I have ever seen.  She is one of these artists that make you resent funky black musicians hijacking the term "soul music".  Iris has more soul than James Brown ever had.

    C.... B....

    Iris is great and I love her singing, but saying what you say about James Brown (I'm sorry to say) is rubbish ! 

    C.... B....

    @Charlie Boston sheperds bush my youth ....

    C.... B....

    @Irma Vandaele Soul music is a genre and Iris just is not in any way a part of that genre.

    Iris sings folk music and also bluegrass/country. Three genres. The new term would be roots music. She is an American folk artist.

    Comparing Iris to James Brown is akin to comparing apples to oranges.

  57. C.... D....

    What can you say?  Fabulous!

  58. 1.... ....

    Who is playing bass on this?  She's good and georgeous!

    1.... ....

    I believe that beautiful lady is Molly Mason.

    1.... ....

    Molly Mason, the list of the musicians is just under the clip.

    1.... ....

    Thanks guys...I stumbled onto this awhile back, 20 yrs. after it was made.

  59. T.... ....

    There isn't any song that comes from Iris Dement that doesn't reach right inside of me.

  60. N.... D....

    Exquisite, pure and true.

    N.... D....

    You are so right! Her voice is as pure as a brook flowing after a springtime rain shower. That hum and yodel at the very end damn near brought me to tears. This song is so moving and rips out your very heart.. Damn Her!

  61. t.... ....

    What a wonderful artist! She was one of my dad's favorites , we just said our last "good-byes" to him earlier this year, so I find myself listening to his favorite music a lot and what a treat it has been for me.

  62. J.... ....

    One of my favourite singer/songwriters. Excellent Iris!

  63. T.... C....

    Iris DeMent is the real deal. She sings every word from the Heart. Very moving.

  64. J.... B....

    just delicious

    J.... B....

    you said it brother

  65. w.... e....

    sweet is the music from Mrs Iris Dement,all good stuff.

  66. J.... E....

    Sometimes It is just so simple and sweet!  thanks so very much.

  67. J.... H....

    Just stunning really.

  68. R.... S....

    Great song, beautifully performed...........

  69. g.... w....

    Her yodel at the end just breaks my heart. Luv ya...

  70. g.... ....

    A soo sweet VOICE,!!

  71. w.... e....

    I just can't get enough of iris and this song.

    w.... e....

    me either, there is something about it that makes you cry, those tears, the ones more than the heart can express

  72. w.... e....

    the only I can say about iris is wonderful music,thank you

  73. j.... ....

    Everyone is focusing and commenting on Iris, and rightfully so, but the other musicians are terrific as well. This is a terrific video!!!

  74. a.... k....

    she is so wonderful and then so whacky i wonder when she goes from dement to demented and then back - amazing

  75. G.... C....

    As am I! What a powerhouse!

  76. m.... m....

    sometimes there's just no substitute for Iris, the best singer in country music since Hank Williams

  77. s.... ....

    Looks like everyone in that room is in love with Iris.

  78. b.... p....

    i wat to make love to this lady so much right now

  79. g.... w....

    Excellent musicianship by all. I really love her yodel at the end. Phil Cunningham, the accordian player looks like he's smitten. I would be too.

  80. t.... ....

    Might be one of favorite performances ever by anyone. Perfect voice and song.

  81. u.... ....

    Now, if that's not a compliment, nothing is!;=) Pray that she will make more releases and return to comfort us on this side of the Dam with her most special Voice. How could one not love such a person!

  82. u.... ....

    Yes, a american gift, to the World!!!!!! And the southern accent makes her music even more sublime! Yes, I admit, I am in love!;=))

  83. u.... ....

    And I've been to many concerts but what was special, in every pause it was completely silent, of respect for her, I've never experienced that before, a indescribable event! And man, does she deserve that respect!!

  84. u.... ....

    That she verily is! Do not pass over a chance to see her in concert, you will be even more in love!!!;=)) I was there, I know!!;=)

  85. u.... ....

    Now I discovered her i last november and is indeed captivated! I feel blessed to have been in concert with her, 2x standing ovation, and very justly so!!!!!;=)
    I, for one would not trade that moment for anything!

    Like everyone here knows, she is the Real Deal, and for those of us who know,, well,,, a True Soul she verily is!

  86. a.... ....

    A wonderful song but "a tune for dancing for the dancing" a truly fantastic line

  87. R.... M....

    i love her

  88. a.... ....

    wow ,now thats pretty!!

  89. J.... ....

    Check out "Let the Mystery Be" or 'Our Town" or any of a number of her other tunes. She is just wonderful.

  90. f.... ....

    Starfighter, You and Iris have at least one thing in common; You both have a way of bringing to mind the good and essential things of life; stripped of the hustle and bustle that weighs us down. It makes us long for the simple life, which probably ain't going to happen but does give us a few moments of reverie. .

  91. R.... ....

    I bet those folks in the room, playing for her, couldn't believe their luck. You wouldn't trade that day for anything.

  92. R.... ....

    Lucky you :)

  93. w.... ....

    such a pure voice that cuts to the deepest parts,
    I could listen all day and go to a place where
    memories of the past and the people I loved are there.

  94. M.... H....

    In Bonnie Scotland with Aly Bain on Violin & Phil Cunningham on Accordion,SUPERB,recorded in Killiecrankie on the A9 just short of Pitlochry and the beautiful Blair Atholl.Blair Castle is where I played when I was a wee boy when I stayed with my Granny & Grandad Scott,and the memories are still there even though I'm 66 years old now.....Murray

  95. l.... ....

    I met her at an airport in the early 90's and she seemed totally shocked that anyone would recognize her.

  96. J.... a....

    i love this song! it's so hypnotical!

  97. P.... J....

    better singing that anything I hear on "hot new country" radio stations

  98. T.... ....

    Pure and clean. Simple in it's complexity. Complex in it's simplicity.