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#1127430 05/05/17 10:59 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 13
Rob W Offline OP
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Song was inspired by the story of my grandparents' marriage. Short version: My grandfather, Marshall, was an alcoholic through my mother's (and her siblings') childhood. My grandmother, Minnie, one day decided she had enough. Minnie threw Marshall out and told him to stay gone until he was ready to sober up. Indignant, he returned to his home in Kentucky and stayed gone...for years. Minnie never remarried and went about the business of raising the family alone. One day Marshall shows back up on Minnie's doorstep, straight as an arrow, and vowed to never touch another drop. Minnie kept her promise and took him back. Marshall kept his promise and stayed sober until the day he died some 40 years later.

Minnie's strength, despite her vulnerability, amazes me every time I think about it, and her ability to forgive after all is all the more incredible. Marshall's weakness against his demons followed by his strength to not only beat them but to admit to his failings inspires me daily.

I couldn't possibly tell this story from only one vantage point. So, this is the first duet I've ever written. The bridge is...ambitious. It's meant to be an argument, heated, both shouting, neither listening, but ultimately they both want the same thing. I'm still on the fence, though, if it works, musically.

Long Way Home

On a cold December eve
I beg the whiskey's reprieve
As night fall sets in
I curse the day’s sins
While the wind blows straight through to my bones

It's barely been a month
And I can hardly tell you're gone
But when the midnight wind blows
The scent of your ghost
Wanders across our home

Through cracks in the curtains shines
A pale blue honest light
Through the cracks in our hearts it finds
The pain beneath the pride
It’s so hard to just let go
Of everything you know
But don’t give up if you
Still believe in us
I’m just taking the long way home

You said you knew what you wanted when you slammed that door
You thought you could control me
But you never dared turn your back on me this way before
Rule the ground right below me
(The following lines are sung simultaneously)
Now I’ve finally discovered how strong I am
But freedom’s a lonely place
So don't you even think about me if you can't
And all the whiskey in Kentucky won’t numb this heartbreak
Climb out of that bottle and find your way back home again
I’ve beaten the bottle, I’m trying to find my way back home again

Through cracks in the curtains shines
The breaking morning light
And the scars on our hearts remind us
That it’s ever worth the fight
When the night gives way to dawn
And the fighting gives way to calm
I want nothing more
Than to walk through that door
See you walk back through that door
At the end of this winding road
I’m taking the long way home

Rob W #1127431 05/05/17 11:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 18
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Great song Rob! Really great story and great simple recording really allows the beauty of these lyrics to come through. "Through cracks in the curtains shines a pale blue honest light through the cracks in our hearts it finds the pain beneath the pride." That is really great writing! I really also liked the simultaneously sung lines. That has to be written and sung just right or it becomes a mess. You've pulled it off with aplomb and it really works well. Again, well done all around!!!

Kurt

Rob W #1127458 05/06/17 09:04 PM
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Rob, this is an impressive effort. Really strong lyrics, and touching, particularly with your having shared the back story. Like the guitar work as well. The bridge is definitely ambitious, but it works musically (at least IMHO) and you both do a good job with it. I agree with Kurt that it has to be executed perfectly, and as you work this more, I think there are opportunities to get a little tighter with the harmonies and timing in some spots. But overall, this is pretty brilliant—well done and keep working it!

Best--Deej

Deej56 #1127463 05/07/17 09:48 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
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NIce story Rob. Thoughtful song. Pretty melody.

Rob W #1127486 05/07/17 08:18 PM
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Wow, Rob, ambitious to say the least. A unique way of doing this duet. It would have been pretty good anyway but that really added a lot of emotion to this story. Nice g/v as well. If you do add instrumentation, keep it under control so it doesn't step all over all those lyrics. They make the song memorable. Well done.

Ricki

Rob W #1127725 05/14/17 01:43 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
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Rob W Offline OP
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Thanks to all for the feedback. I labored on this song for over the year. I don't consider myself a great lyricist, so for many of my songs I'm happy if they get "close enough." But this one was way too personal to settle for anything less than perfect. I'm glad to hear the effort paid off.

Rob W #1127726 05/14/17 01:58 PM
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Hi Rob:

I'm listening as I comment... and I agree with the others. Great "song-story" and the duet is performed flawlessly. Knowing the "provenance" and personal nature of the song really make it special. Thanks for sharing. Really inspiring.

----Dave

Rob W #1127739 05/14/17 07:49 PM
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Rob,

Wow, a wonderful story, your intro was as exciting as the actual write, I felt like I was caught on the Hallmark channel (I mean that in a good way, I love those movies..LOL).

This is so emotional and a loving tribute, I think the duet, the music, the words are coming together in a brilliant way. I really enjoyed this, my favorite line was

Climb out of that bottle and find your way back home again

Tammy


http://tammyjann.com/
https://soundcloud.com/tamsnumber4
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1038504

Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it...
Professor Albus Dumbledore





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