Tracy, I love the music/melody, production and vocals. Some nice imagery as well. It was a pleasure listening to the song.

If you ever decide to re-record, however, I have a few suggestions with regard to the lyrics. There are places that need tightening up, strengthening, and clarification. I feel this would give the lyric heaps more punch and bring it more closely into line with that fantastic music. wink

I've mentioned some below, and hope the comments are helpful. Keep or sweep, of course. wink

Donna

"Promises" The title needs to be stronger, hookier. Ideally it should be in the chorus.

Through Lawley field, 'cross the face of the rollin hills
Through the high grass mid bloomin daffodils
By the stream to the banks of the river
Innocence and the promise of a coming day This line doesn't seem connected to the previous three.

Chorus
Come on down, place your feet in the muddy waters
Feel the cold run through your veins This image seems odd here. It also has a negative association that doesn't match the mood of the lyric. Perhaps mention something about the coolness of the water on skin.
A little stick, blood is thicker than water The meaning of this line is unclear.
And the hours, oh the hours, they slip away

By the old barn all tired and broken down I feel this could be tightened. The word "old" already implies the barn is tired and broken down. Perhaps more concrete details. What colour was the barn? Were the sides caving? etc.
Near old Mr. Donnelly's where we used to hang around
sharing thoughts, tossing rocks down a wishing well I feel "sharing thoughts" is vague. Perhaps "Shared our secrets".
Promises, only time could tell The notion of "promises" isn't strongly connected to what's gone before.

Chorus
come on down, place your feet in the muddy waters
Feel the cold run through your veins
A little stick, blood is thicker than water
And the days, oh the years, they slip away

I presume this is a verse and not a bridge? The metering and rhyme scheme though are different from those of verses 1 & 2. Consistency in the rhyming pattern and so on helps keep the listener's attention. In fact, verse 1 is AABC, verse 2 is AABB, and verse 3 is ABCC.
I do remember the night your father went away left, we were so young
When your mother passed you seemed so frightened by life's hour glass I don't feel this last part conveys the grief and confusion the girl probably felt.
Our different lives got in the way
We could only sit back and watch the promises fade away

Chorus
Come on down, place your feet in the muddy water
Feel the cold run through your veins
A little stick, blood is thicker than water
And the time, time, time, time, time, time, time, it slips away...... [/quote]

Honour the Earth. Without it, we'd be nowhere.

Life is too important to take seriously.