“Girl With the Red Umbrella” was written during covid. Gabrielle explored the theme of inspiration and writing music to help others in their lives. Through the titular character, we see someone who appears confident but wears a façade to hide who they used to be. The singer changes from wanting to be that girl to wanting to help her, deciding to write this song as a way to reach out to her.

Lyrics:

I sit and stare at empty paper

But nothing comes to mind

To write a song of how I’m feeling

Takes me too much time

In a small cafe

On a gloomy, rainy day

Beyond the clouded windowpane I’m starin’

I wrack my brain for inspiration

But nothing comes to pass

And then I see a girl in red

Who’s walking just too fast

She caught my eye

With the fire in her stride

I wonder where she’s going

What she’s thinking

Girl with the red umbrella

Tell me what to do

How can I have the courage

To be a bit like you?

You’re waiting for the light to change

And you look straight at me

I’m caught off guard and try to smile

But you quickly break away

Behind those eyes

Was a glimpse of a disguise

And when you cross the street

I find I’m thinking

Girl with the red umbrella

Why do you look away?

What did you have to go through

To lead you so astray?

Girl with the red umbrella

Why do you look so gray?

How can I give you courage

To cast your fears away?

I sit and stare at empty paper

And words begin to flow

You’re out of sight but not of mind

If only I could show

Maybe all you need is a voice,

A song to heed

I wish you’d hear my words

And what I’m thinking

Girl with the red umbrella

Why do you look so gray?

How can I give you courage

To cast your fears away?

Girl with the red umbrella

Why do you look so blue?

Hidden beneath your cover

Is the real you you withdrew

Is the child that once was you