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As we all know Wendy has one busy and fertile mind. She was inspired by Oliver Twist and a character therein, Bill Sykes. In the book he murders poor Nancy and trys to escape. This song is based upon that escape attempt.

Thank you Wendy for sharing your lyric and your musical guidance.

Any advice and comments are welcome.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7739440


Nancy
Words and Music by Wendy DuMond and Tom Franz

V1
The wind blows blue
At the death of the day
As she walks behind me
As I run away
As I run away

V2
A shadow from my dreams
What truth will she tell
Am I redeemed
Or do I burn in hell
Do I burn in hell

Chorus
In silence she follows
Her steps on my heels
Like a great wave she swallows
Like a worm she steals
My soul is burning
Like her hair in the ashes
My mind keeps turning
I remember in flashes

V3
In the murk and the gloom
Inside of my head
I cannot remember
The words that she said
The words that she said

V4
Did she pray for mercy
Did she raise her hand
Did she even cry out
In the end
In the end

Chorus

Bridge
The children can see her
And they know I’m cursed
They feel my evil
I’m one of the worst
Their eyes are just like hers
Staring glassy and cold
They won’t turn away
They won’t be consoled

V5
Comeback for the gallows
Her cold lips cry
The time is at hand
For bad men to die
For bad men to die

chorus

Hi Wendy and Tom,
I'm not familiar with the story at all.In fact I'm quite ashamed of myself that I have never taken the time to read this because I know that it is a classic and I also love to read.Since I'm not familiar with the story,when hearing this I would have expected the title to be "In Flashes",but I am sure that anyone who has read the story would understand the title.It is a very good song and the vocals are perfect for this(although I was personally a bit disappointed when I didnt hear Wendys beautiful voice at least doing harmonies on this).Very very nice song,and now has sparked my interest in reading the book.
Michelle

Psst Michelle,
Don't tell Wendy but I haven't read it either. I'll read it too but it sounds a bit like Crime and Punishment and I did read that in school. Does that count?

Thank you for your kind words and I should have let Wendy sing harmony. You are right. You up for it Wendy??
Tom

Tom/Wendy,

Whooo, this is to date the best song I've heard in here!

I like everything about it. The idea, the arrangement, the performances. Fantastic emotion, you shook my nerve, and brought me to tears!

I really dig the idea of doubling the last line of the verses and make the melody soar there, but then I really got chills when you soared even more in the choruses. Just amazing!

To me you sounded a lot like David Bowie in the opening, and at places throughout, but I aslo hear the drama of Johnny Cash' American series, and the stellar voice of Emmylou Harris in there. Im thrilled..

Believe me, if I had a nit I would give it to ya, but Im too shaken right now to think straight, so I'll get back if I ever can get this on critical distance.

Tom and Wendy,

I love the lap steel and your soulful vocals, Tom. This sounds wonderful in the headphones, nice balance and fidelity, and no clutter.

Wendy, another great write from you. I'm not familiar with the Dickens, but found the lyric gripping and darkly dramatic, nevertheless.

Mike

Hy guys,

Everything here is cool, especially this !

My soul is burning
Like her hair in the ashes
My mind keeps turning
I remember in flashes

Thanks for the entertainment this morning,, you're both very talented.

Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Strong and powerful. Deep sound to this. The lyrics and music fit well to each other. The insrumentation is very good - nice textures.

Tom

Mange,
You brought a tear to my eye with your critique! Thank you very much for saying such nice things.
As you know this particular song is all about the amazing lyrics that Wendy created. She has a gift with language. If I had that kind of talent I would have an attitude for sure. But she is just a sweet person.
I have heard the Bowie comparison before but I don't hear it at all. Thank you so much again Mange, your words mean alot.


Mr. Zaneski,
How kind of you to comment on the production. As you have more talent (and brains)in that regard than I will ever have. I'm glad you liked the slide. It was actually just my acoustic. And I do not play slide well at all. Fortunately this was simple just sliding up to the cord and trying to stay in key (not always accomplished). Wendy was very helpful keeping this arrangement sparce. She kept me from doing to much with a simple song.
And as Sub once said about Wendy "she has magic in her words".

Calvin,
I'm with you how does she think of this stuff????


Mr. Shea,
Thank you on the sound. It is so hard to tell how this comes across on others speakers. I listen to it in the car on my computer on the home stereo and it sounds so different each place. I'm glad it sound good on your system.

Instant classic. I try not to read reviews before I listen, but I read them first this time -- and then the pressure was on for the song to be great. ... and the song didn't disappoint. The delivery is a cross between Tom Waits and Bruce Springsteen.

Really enjoyed all the instrumentation and the words are stark and moving. Pretty impressive all the way around.

Kevin

Wonderful lyric, Wendy! A lovely tight write with good lines and imagery. I enjoyed the music and your distinctive voice, Tom. A collaboration a cut above the average.

Donna

So first let me say that it's writing like this that make me so proud to be associated with this group. Man, ya'll got a good one...

I listen to this flawless song and have to smile cause here's what I love about it. I'm a huge fan of Trans Siberian Orchestra...in particular the writing of Paul O'Neill and Jon Oliva. You listen to their stuff? Well you should acquaint yourself with them, cause Mr. Franz and Ms. DuMond...you write just like them! This song is anything TSO/Savatage has done, with an acoustic feel.

Mind if I listen to it again? This time with my nice headphones? Yeah, it's that good!

Hi Tom and Wendy,

What a brilliant, emotional, gut wrenching collaboration. Wendy, no one writes such unique lyrics on subjects that most would find untouchable. It is a gift in it's own self. I have not read the book, did not know the story, but now I feel you have given me the story.

Tom, I guess I never really heard you before, forgive me I don't know why, but you are an amazingly unique performer. Yes, I did get reminded a little of David Bowie, which is a good thing for me lol, but you have a distinct style all your own. Just wonderful work from both of you, thank you for sharing it.

Letha

Hi Tom & Wendy,

Well, I'm on the bandwagon too. This is an awesome write, Wendy. And Tom, there is such palpable emotion in your vocal. The music fits like a glove and you are right to keep it sparse. The imagery is so stark and compelling. This is going in my JPF all-time favs right now. Thanks for being you!

Ricki

Kevin,
Thanks I'm glad you like it. And you nailed my influences. I have played and sung Thunder Road and Heart Of A Saturday Night so many times I am overly effected.

Donna,
Very kind of you, I am a fan of yours so that means a lot. And I agree with your comments on Wendy's write.

Terrill,
Wow that is nice of you to say those things! And considering it came from the guy responsible for Northern Star makes it even more meaningful. I don't think I am familiar with TSO but I will be checking them out directly.


Letha,
You are very, very kind to say such things, thank you.
But the real brain behind this operation is Wendy. I always think that Lyrics are a slave to the melody but not in this case this song is 99% lyrics and the melody just kind of wrote itself. Thanks again.

Ricki,
You know I hold your work in very high regard. Thanks for the listen and for saying those things!

Well, I guess I'm the odd man out on this.

Just kidding - I love it!

Perfect example of why the distinction between poetry and lyrics is cloudier than most might believe. Love the story - even though I'm not familiar with the story.

And your vocal is great as usual, Tom. Perfect fit for the song.

Great collaboration!

Scott

Oooohhh Yeah!!! Great job on this. Love the lines

My soul is burning
Like her hair in the ashes
My mind keeps turning
I remember in flashes

Strong and deep set of lyrics delivered very well!

Charles

Hi Tom!,
Cool words and I like the vocals! I don’t know if my head is being washed to like county/folk but my mood is in the pocket!

Niece Job!!!
peace,
Dave

Hey folks! Thanks for all the fine feedback and for listening. Tom is far too modest. He did a wonderful job with my strange lyric.

Initially, I had an idea to do a Nick Cave kind of thing (like he did on his Murder Ballads album). I sat-up late one evening and watched an adaptation of Oliver Twist on PBS. That gave me the idea to do something related to the story of Bill Sykes and Nancy. I had read parts of it Oliver Twist in high school, but didn't remember it really well. I tried researching it on the web, but that didn't satisfy me..so I went and bought Oliver Twist and read it (because I'm crazy).

This is one of many plot turns in Oliver Twist. It was written in installments and was a bit like a 19th Century mini series. As a result, the novel has quite a few characters and there are many elements, twists, and turns. Bill Sykes is far less sympathetic in the novel, but I thought it would make for a more interesting song to try and humanize him.

This is the only lyric I've ever written for which I didn't have an internal melody. I didn't even try to come-up with one, though I did suggest to Tom that it should be in 3/4 time. He agreed and then came-up with this fantastic music for it.

Anyway, thanks again for listening and commenting.

Really like this one, guys. The story is very moving and the melody certainly fits the subject.

So, what's not to like? Nothing! Everything in this is close to perfect as anything I've heard in a long time. The lyric, the arrangement, the production, the vocal...all spot on. Everything abou thtis syas "Hit waiting in the wings"!

One of the pther reviewers mentioned it sounded a little like Tom Waits and Sprongfield. And it does, It also has the classic Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson nuance, as far as style and delivery. Nice vocals, Tom!

Wendy, there's hardly a word in this lyric doesn't shine on its own. And put together the way you did it...it's almost musical magic.

Super job, you two!

Alan

I'll let this baby sink but I just wanted to thank the folks that took the time to listen and respond:

Scott,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting so postitively.

Charles,
I'm with you on Wendy's lyrics. I jump at the chance to work with her. Unique talent for sure.

Dave,
Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comments. Don't worry to much about liking country it is a genetic failing in yanks. That mutation is rare in GB.

Tricia,
Always so nice to hear from you. Hope all is well. I hope Paul, Gerry and Tracy are all ok. I will stop in and see how they are doing soon.

Al,
How nice of you to expand my influences to Waylon and Willie. Two writers I hold in the highest regard. Thank you.

Tom

Tom/Wendy really difficult to critique this because it's more of a song to admire.

You know, Wendy, I've always thought about you: great writer, great vocalist - although they're not on this track of course - and if you could get together with a great musician/producer and someone with more self belief than you have, then you could make some great songs.

Tom, you're that man! The whole songs really well put together and produced to a very high standard, and your vocals are superb - it's a committed vocal, one where you really hang it out and give it everything you have - that's the way to sing a song!

Great work.

Lucian

Tom, you might be Nick Nasal but man you sing with soul...

Hi Tom and Wendy

I'm Late to the party - but once again in awe of the talent.

Love the soulful writing and delivery- Vocals rise to an appropriate distinction and the slide is perfect imho.....

I'm Gonna give you one Note because --- I'm hopeful that my mention will press you into action --- when the mandolin come in there is a production bump...... and maybe a couple of places the same with the slide......... so I propose that THIS piece would be an IDEAL project to give to Mike Caro for a Pro MIX --- and NO -- he does Not ask me to plug for him. : ) All the best jm