"The Vineyard©"
Lyrics by M.S. McKenzie | Performed by American Storyteller Music & is Protected by Copyright
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"The Vineyard"
[Intro]
Take the Woods Hole Ferry past Nobska Lighthouse
To a land of white clapboard homes and gatehouses
Where the rich and famous from presidents to stars
Live in coastal mansions and write their memoirs
[Verse 1]
Oak Bluffs offers a carousel and pirates
While Edgartown’s all class and white
It’s best to take a car over to see the sites
Find a B and B and stay a few nights
[Chorus]
Martha’s Vineyard, draw your line
Between the tide and island time
From Gay Head cliffs to Vineyard Haven
You’ve got your own state of mind
[Verse 2]
There’s such beauty in all the inlets and bays
Where you can rent a boat and get lost for days
Or pull in to Menemsha Basin for fresh fish
Baked cod and steamers make a wonderful dish
[Verse 3]
Local kids love to jump off the famous bridge
Where Spielberg’s great white once took a bite
But now it’s all laughter and easy to manage
Happy screams of joy are heard in the sunlight
[Chorus]
Martha’s Vineyard, draw your line
Between the tide and island time
From Gay Head cliffs to Vineyard Haven
You’ve got your own state of mind
[Chorus]
Martha’s Vineyard, draw your line
Between the tide and island time
From Gay Head cliffs to Vineyard Haven
You’ve got your own state of mind
Song Description
Intro
The song begins with a cinematic ferry ride from Woods Hole, passing Nobska Lighthouse. Right away, the listener is placed in a traveler's perspective, arriving at Martha's Vineyard. The intro sets a tone of contrast: elegant homes and storied residents (from presidents to celebrities) balanced against the timeless New England coast. It feels like stepping into a world both glamorous and quietly traditional.
Verse 1
The first verse draws out the island's dual personality:
- Oak Bluffs is playful and fun, with its carousel, pirate themes, and lively vacation energy.
- Edgartown is refined and stately, marked by its whitewashed charm and upscale character.
- The lyrics also encourage exploring the island by car and staying overnight, pulling the listener into the rhythm of island life, much like a travel diary.
Chorus
The chorus is the song's anchor, both musically and lyrically. It captures the Vineyard's philosophy of slowing down:
- "Draw your line between the tide and island time" suggests leaving the mainland rush behind.
- The geography—from Gay Head cliffs in Aquinnah to Vineyard Haven—spans the island, reinforcing its distinctive sense of place.
- The repeated line "You've got your own state of mind" emphasizes independence and a unique island spirit.
Verse 2
This verse shifts into natural beauty and culinary delight:
- Picturesque inlets and bays invite exploration, either by sail or small boat.
- A stop in Menemsha Basin ties into fishing traditions, with fresh seafood as a highlight—baked cod and steamers embody the authentic coastal experience.
- The verse has a slower, indulgent feel, encouraging savoring both scenery and food.
Verse 3
The tone lightens with local color:
- The Jaws Bridge (made famous in Spielberg's Jaws) is reimagined as a carefree gathering place.
- The menace of the shark is replaced with laughter, joy, and summer rituals of kids leaping into the water.
- This imagery adds both pop culture resonance and a sense of generational tradition.
Final Choruses
Repeating the chorus twice drives home the sense of timelessness—Martha's Vineyard isn't just a vacation spot; it's a way of life. The double ending gives the song a natural fade-out feel, like lingering on the island long after the day has ended.
Musical Atmosphere
Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar as the backbone, with light percussion, mandolin or fiddle flourishes, and breezy harmonies to evoke sea air and ferry rides.
Tempo: Moderate and easygoing, keeping a relaxed "island time" pace.
Mood: Gentle nostalgia, warmth, and a touch of whimsy, balanced by reverence for the Vineyard's beauty and prestige.
Summary
"The Vineyard" is both a travelogue and a celebration of place, blending history, local culture, and natural wonder into a song that feels like a ferry ticket to Martha's Vineyard. Its charm lies in balancing elegance with fun, tradition with pop culture, and local authenticity with a broader mythic appeal.
