JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum Mommy & You: Post-apocalyptic lullaby

A 50/90 lyric. Actually, I sat down to write a "normal" lullaby but this is what emerged. Darkish for sure, but what could I do? Perhaps I was influenced by Cormac McCarthy's book (and the movie) "The Road".

Let's hope the scenario never becomes real.

We won't be revisiting this one, but I thought it might interest some of you.

Vocals: Ankari Iresdel
Music & instruments: Billy Playle
Lyrics & melody: Donna Devine

I got the howling wind effect from www.freesound.org, an excellent little site.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10134156

Mommy and You: Lullaby For An Unborn Child After The Apocalypse

Chorus
Lullabye loo
Lullabye loo
None left to remember
But mommy and you

(v1)
The rivers and valleys
Have vanished like dreams
No deer on the mountains
No fish in the streams

Chorus
Goneabye gone
Goneabye gone
All lost to the ashes
Are moonrise and dawn

(v2)
We all owed a debt
And reprisal was fast
The promise of rainbows
Was broken at last

Chorus
Deepabye deep
Deepabye deep
In the last of pure water
You’ll drift now to sleep

(v3)
I’m holding a picture
Of daddy and me
Pressed to my belly
I hope you can see

Chorus
Hushabye loo
Hushabye loo
None left to remember
But mommy and you

Instrumental solo

Chorus
Lullabye loo
Lullabye loo
None left to remember
But mommy and you

© 2010-2011 Donna Devine & Billy Playle

Donna, Such a beautiful melody and arrangement. Such a grim story. My only suggestion is to trim the title to "Mommy and You." Knowing as I read and listen that it's a "Lullabye For An Embryo After The Apocalypse" makes the lyrics even darker. I think the lyrics work better by hinting at the apocalyptic surroundings, a little mystery going a long ways to soften the darkness of the lyrics.

And yes, I can see the influence of "The Road" in the lyrics. Boy, that was a vividly written book, dark as a dungeon and depressing as Dante's warning at the gates of Hell: Abandon all hope ye who enter here.

I feel like I read this a long time ago on the Muse.

I have a really hard time with this one Donna, I think it is well written, but it is too upsetting for me since I lost a child, things like this are really tough.

I just want you to know I listened to some of it and it is beautiful in the music, I think the lyric is what you mean it to be, it just isn't a song for someone like me to handle, I'm too emotional, but it is well done.

Tammy

Thanks, Dan. I love Billy's arrangement and playing, and Ankari's vocals.
I take your point about the title. I've changed "embryo" to "unborn child". Not sure whether it would be clear enough that the woman is pregnant. What do you think?

Yes, it was quite a book. Excellent movie as well, with Viggo Mortenson. Actually, it did end on a note of hope and optimism, as colour began to seep into the frame and the boy met up with the family of "good guys".

Even in this dark lullaby, the fact that the woman is pregnant implies life might go on - one hopes in a better fashion than before the man-made disaster.

Donna

Yes, I posted the original lyric several months ago for feedback.

I appreciate you commenting, Tammy. I understand the difficulty.

Donna

Hi Donna:

I was pulled in by the description of post-apocalyptic lullaby.

Indeed it was.....

Had some power to it for me - I was moved by it....

I like the use of the words goneabye and deepabye. Not sure whether they are existing words or you made them up but they sure added to the feel.

Not sure about:

We all owed a debt
And reprisal was fast

Good lines - just don't know whether they would be in a lullabye. Could be argued they belong in this particular one, I reckon

Scott

Great sounding tune -- I love that cello. Great vocals, too. How did you ever find all these musical folks?

Mighty cool!

Kevin

Scott, thanks so much for dropping by and commenting.

Yes, I made up "goneabye" and "deepabye". Wasn't sure about using them at first, but I thought "What the heck!" I felt they added to the impact and surrealism of what had happened.

I take your point about the debt/reprisal lines. They definitely wouldn't belong in a "normal" lullaby, but as I think you gathered, this one's aimed at adults as well.

Donna

Thanks, Kevin. That cello gets to me every time as well.
I love Ankari's whispered performance. She wasn't sure about doing it that way, but said she followed her intuition. Good decision, I reckon. I feel the whisper effect is a strong counter-balance to the howling wind.

Ankari and I met during the last 50/90. Lots of talented people on those challenges, as you know.

Donna

What a track. So haunting and beautiful the vocal style reminds of Stina Nordenstam and I'm a big fan of hers and so I'm now a big fan of you guys.

Fantastic track I need to hear more!

Intriguing. I have to agree that the lyrics are a little disturbing, as a mother, but I liked the vocal sound and approach a lot and I loved the "made up" words- Nice job

I so remember this lyric on the muse. I hoped you would put it to music. This is chilling and sad. The singer reminds me of Alison Kraus..lovely

I have no nits whatsoever

Kimberly

Andy, Tracy, and Kim, I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment.

Thank you!

Donna

Hi Donna,

A very haunting song. Great melody for some dark lyrics. You set the mood well.

Stevie

Fantastic.

yes minor dark depressing........... the howling wind is great....

but fantastic.
I very much enjoyed the listen. And Ankari's voice is lovely.

Linda

A great write Donna
and another flawless production.

Stevie, Linda, and Nelson, thank you for taking the time to listen and comment.

Donna

Beautiful song, Beautiful performance. Thanks Kimberley for mentioning Allison Kraus. It was driving me crazy trying to remember who it sounded like. This song would so suit her. Nice job all around.

Steve

The lyrics are a little disturbing and absolutely awesome
I love the fact that you placed this in a lullaby-
outstanding Donna!!! Well metered- great imagery-
very well done!!! I think that it being a lullaby adds to the haunting texture of this=
Tim

Steve and Tim, thanks so much for listening and commenting.

Steve: Yes, the singer did a wonderful job. She's working on another one of mine at the moment. I hope to post it shortly.

Tim: I agree. The juxtaposition of the gentle lullaby music/melody and the grim content of the text definitely contribute to the song's haunting element.

Donna

Hi Donna,

Wow, nothing light weight about this. Very effective lyrics and melody, produced to perfection. As for the title, Mommy & You is sufficient as far as I'm concerned. If the listener is paying attention, they'll get it. Well done.

Ricki

Donna, melody is great. As well as the singer and lyrics.

At first listen I thought a child had died. Wasn't clear to me. After reading a few posts and knowing about the pregnancy it became clear to me what the song was saying.

Ricki and Johnny, I appreciate you taking time to listen and comment.

Thank you.

Donna

Wow what a chilling song indeed. I was reminded a lot of the Kate Bush song "Breathing," which had a very similar theme of an unborn child after the apocalypse, even though hers was more about nuclear war. But a similar theme nonetheless.

Wonderful job

Thank you, Ann.

I'm not familiar with that particular song by Kate Bush, but will definitely check it out.
Thanks for mentioning it.


Donna