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Another short history lesson. This one took a lot of thought. I enjoyed the research though especially about where he got his name. Legend had it that was from Mexican soldiers screaming to St. Jerome to save them from their fate. Soundcloud file here http://snd.sc/16PXzUySoundclick file here http://sclk.co/s7eyz4Geronimo © 2013 Vic Arnold v1 Born on the prairies where the wind blew free Warmed by the sun and sheltered by the trees We hunted the wild beast, we gathered nuts and corn In winter we wore the skin of deer to keep us warm v2 There were no reservations where we lived content Each day we prayed to Usen for our wisdom and our strength When soldiers killed my family and sought for us to tame I vowed to make them tremble every time they heard my name ch. Geronimo leaves no tracks. Geronimo's everywhere. Geronimo will steal your cattle. Geronimo will take your hair Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo v3 We fought in Arizona, down to New Mexico All the way to Texas the bloody river flowed Made peace at Casa Grande but they filled us with mescal Then while we were sleeping they took us back to hell v4 And now I have been tamed and I learned the white mans way I long to be Goyathlay of the Bedonkohe My dimming sight is clearer I see all from where I stand I should not have surrendered, should have fought to the last man ch. Inst. ch.
Last edited by Vicarn; 08/22/13 01:37 PM.
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i can't get it to play Vic,hurry up and do somethin'!Mike
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That's strange Mike. The link works for me. Maybe Soundcloud is under attack :-).
Try again or try the Soundclick file.
Vic
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Alright,much better!This is really cool Vic!I've been to Fort Bowie and all up in those mountains there and Apache Pass.He was one of my favorites!You have a fitting melody for this one too.Mike
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I think Apache Pass was his biggest battle.
He was a bit of a rascal wasn't he? Sad story though.
Thanks, Mike.
Vic
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Good song Vic, great atmosphere and feel to it.Plenty of groundwork done resulting in another winner.
Travis
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde
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Another good one, Vic
Bill
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Thanks Bill.
Nice to hear.
Vic
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Nicely done, Vic. A cool sounding track - and some solid writing.
floyd
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Well done Vic. A great sounding track with your usual fine vocals. No nits here and I learned something about Geronimo.
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Vic--
You're back in form with this SOUND--I close my eyes and hear the MAN IN BLACK playing, like he never left us--I love this one (I'm an eighth Indian on my mother's side)!
Keep up the good work--
Write on--
Mackie
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Hi Vic,
I enjoy these historical songs.
Two thoughts. Last line. v.4, if I am understanding what you are saying, really needs to be two statements, otherwise it sounds like he's saying "I should not have fought to the last man". Maybe you can fit an extra word in like:
I should not have surrendered, should have fought to the last man
Also, the verses are clearly Geronimo speaking, but who is speaking in the chorus is less clear. It feels like you are changing persons.
Enjoyed this slice of history. Thanks for the education.
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Hi Floyd.
Thanks for that nice comment.
Vic
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Thanks Colin.
That's what I like about writing historical songs.
I can learn.
The chanting, by the way I got from listening to an Apache war dance song.
Vic
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I am standing and applauding you Vic, this is just super WOW, playing it again....man,this is now my favorite, love the music, your vocals....WOW again....
glyn
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Hullo Mackie. Thank you very much for your comment and the complement. Are you the eighth of ten?  Vic
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Hi Vondelle.
You're right about that line. I will change it.
The chorus could be spoken or thought by Geronimo, or it could be just a reflection of what the rest of the world is saying about him. A bit like saying "The bogey man will get you if you don't eat your greens".
Thank you for your interest and help.
Vic
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Hi Glyn. Does that mean you liked it?  Thank you very much. Vic
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Calvin, thanks. Would you mind just mentioning that to my wife?  Vic
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Vic, Another great song lesson. A thought: 1st verse: past 2nd verse: ends in "now" 3rd verse: past 4th verse: now The two 'nows' are different. First "now", Geronimo is free. The second "now", no. Maybe reword the 2nd verse to be past tense as well? Dave
Last edited by Dave Whitehead; 08/16/13 11:56 PM.
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Hey Vic, I like the song. Was Geronimo Apache? I think he was. If someone of Apache heritage likes the song then you're good to go.
This is tough. With all of the political correctness out there, I would be afraid to write a song about "Native Americans" for fear of offending someone, but I'm glad you went ahead and did it. Good for you Vic.
A very enjoyable listen. Keep it up. ben willis
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Hi Dave.
Thank you for the helpful comments.
I thought about it but thought that it was ok to leave.
He is telling a story and making comparisons with then and now as in:
"Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday"
Still thinking about it though.
Vic
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Hullo Ben.
Yes he was from the Bedonkohe so 'tis said.
The song is written around knowledge that is in the public domain so hopefully no one will be offended.
Thank you for your comment and for giving it your ear.
Vic
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That was a fun and interesting listen for me, Vic.
You definitely created an atmosphere and the song could fit well with a movie or documentary on the subject.
Doug
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I really enjoyed this endeavor. Having written a few historical tunes I can appreciate the effort that you put into the imagery -- it works very well!
Check out our new album Janice Merritt "Am I Blue Enough?"
on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon and others.
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Hi Vic,
This is such a great track! Very atmospheric and would definitely fit well in a western movie or documentary. No nits here!
Great work!
Karen
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Hi Doug.
Thank you for listening.
Vic
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Hullo Janice and Bud.
I went to your website and enjoyed the listen.
Thank you.
Vic
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Hi Karen.
Thank you, you're very kind.
Vic
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Vic,
When I get time, I will come in and give this a listen friend.
Tammy
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Tammy, Come back here! Vic
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Hi Vic.
I've been away from JPF for awhile-summer is my "hay-making time with my biz."
I've enjoyed your "Americana Western" collections! This one is done well also. I have only one small nit, and that is the 3rd line in verse two with it's lyrical/musical prosody--I think you can tweak or deliver that line to the music rhythm a bit better--I experimented with "The soldiers killed my Mother, my wife my family" Use or lose.
Cool vocals Vic, love the chorus and your backgrounds!
steady-eddie.
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I really like this one Vic. You know I love story songs and this is right up there. I think you have inspired me as well..let me think, what rhymes with 'Sitting Bull'
I will play it for Helen when I get home, I know that she will love it as well.
God Bless Roy and Helen
Last edited by Roy Cooper; 08/21/13 08:22 AM.
'You Have To Kiss A Lot Of Frogs To Find A Prince'
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Hi Eddie and welcome back.
Yes, that was my least favourite line.
It needs to rhyme with the last line though so I'll either experiment with the phrasing or change the last line.
Thanks for the comment.
Vic
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Perfect Vic just perfect. Loved the story and the "history" within it.
douglas
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Hi Roy. Thanks for the visit and comment.
I did think about "Sitting Bull" while starting to write this but I preferred the sound of "Geronimo".
Vic
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Hey Vic,
Raising my hand, raising my hand -- can I have your autograph?! Another WONDERFUL slice of history singing to us so beautifully!
Lisa
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Thank you Douglas. I love the history too.
Vic
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Awesome atomosphere and vocal and mesmerizing story. If that's you singing I am totally impressed. You've got some seriously rich pipes there and they really carry the story perfectly. Wow. I loved the chanting at the end. It caught me by surprise and was a great addition. My only nit is the weak rhyme in V2 at the ends of line 3 and 4. Your first verse is so damn solid and it set me up to think that V2 would be the same.
Overall, however, this is an amazing lyric with awesome production and vocals and it really sounds polished and ready for the next level. Very nicely done. I'm impressed.
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Lisa, if I wore a hat I'd raise it to you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Vic
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Bobby, thanks for the input.
Due to yours and others suggestions I have changed the lyric slightly (see above) which I hope sings better now and makes it clearer.
I struggled to find an alternative to those two lines because I wanted to make clear that he had lost his mother, wife and children in an attack on his camp, which set him firmly on his path of revenge.
Thanks again.
Vic
Last edited by Vicarn; 08/22/13 01:45 PM.
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Vic, I was waiting to give this thing a bump. I really am enjoying the gunslinging musical tear you are on. This one is phenominal!
73's & 88's Good Buddy!
Chris Bohlman
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Vic,
I came back!!
Love this lyric and the delivery.
You crafted the music to give it the true feel of the subject and story...
Great stuff my friend!!!
Tammy
Last edited by TamsNumber4; 09/13/13 01:42 PM.
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Chris, sorry to be so long replying. I missed your post. Thanks for the bump. It didn't hurt. Vic
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Tammy, welcome back and thank you.
A friend of mine told me he thought the song sounded pretentious. Now I can tell him he's been outvoted.
Vic
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Nice work Vc. Very well done all around. one small nit is I think the vocal in the verse should be a bit flatter. perfect everywhere else. Just the verses need less of whatever it is your using on your voice part in the verses only. Great tune man!
Last edited by Doug Healey; 09/13/13 09:47 PM.
Learn all the musical rules inside and out- Then break 'em...
Grace..Peace...Love
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Hey Vic.....Fine story-telling!! Love the music....love the lyric....love the performances. What's there not to like??
Very enjoyable, and entertaining!
My hat's off, once again....kudos!!
-Tom
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G'Mornin' Brother Vic!!!
Thought I'd commented earlier on this Fine Song you've got here...but definitely enjoyed my Second Listen this AM.
Nice Job at presenting an Indian's POV. I remember as a kid, in every Western I saw..movies or TV, the Injuns were The Bad Guys.
Then, little-by-little, over my lifetime, the Truth's leaked out that it was often the Settlers..US Gov't..and the Calvary Troops...that were the Worst Guys.
Think there were only 200 Seminoles LEFT in the state of FL when the war against Indians in our state finally ended. Their offspring a few generations Later were savvy enough to buy the Hard Rock Casino biz...now finally gettin' Rich-&-Powerful..in the White Man's World.
Good Reportage, Amigo..know it'll sell Well in parts of Florida!
Good Luck with it!
Best Wishes & a Big Guy-Hug,
Stan
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