Love and War

I feel like I'm constantly reminded (on a daily basis) that life is a battle.  It is H-A-R-D. The challenges that seem to be the most difficult are often those that we struggle with internally...and I like to call these moments "psychological warfare."  This realization has been further cemented as I've lived through half of my 20s where huge decisions seem to be at every turn.  We've all heard the famous proverb, "All's fair in love and war."  I actually disagree.  Life is not fair (it's a crying shame) and therefore I'm convinced that love (and war) is often not fair as well.  Part of mortality is going through enough of the unfair things so that we can appreciate when things really do work out.

In this song, things eventually do work out.   (Phew.) 

I hope you enjoy... 

(I tried a new format for this vid...fingers crossed that it works out.)

Three Act Show

I am laughing right now as I type this, mostly because this song is really opposite of what I typically do and also because I have no clue where the inspiration to this one came from, other than the first verse practically wrote itself and I just went from there.  Someone who doesn't know me might think the events in this song actually happened.  Well...wait a second, let me clarify: I'm sure they did happen to someone at one time, just not me (thank goodness).  Sorry to disappoint.  Almost all of what I've written up to this point has been at least somewhat drawn from personal experience, but this one? Not entirely sure what provoked it.  Anyway, my sister Amber said this is her favorite one because it's "funny."  Then again, she says "THAT one is definitely my favorite" about every song I play for her.   Without further ado, here is "Three Act Show"...

Three Act Show

If you have something to say, well go and say it all right now
It's time to speak your peace then you can go and take a bow
The floor is your I won't interrupt cause you and I both know
My hands are washed, I'm done with you and your three act show

It started like a fairytale, but then things unraveled quickly
You had me fooled right at the very start
But just like dirt comes out in wash I saw who you really were
All three acts of us were destined to fall apart

I'll admit Act 1 was your only claim to fame
But in Act 2 you started falling when lies became your game
Your excuse was really sad but I gave you a pass
Until it happened three more times I knew we would not last

It started like a fairytale, but then things unraveled quickly

You had me fooled right at the very start

But just like dirt comes out in wash I saw who you really were

All three acts of us were destined to fall apart

As if I hadn't had enough I got a knock one night

Act 3 starred yourself and also all of your pride

Instead of "It's not you, it's me" you said that you'd moved on

Truth is I was glad cause you helped me to write this song

It started like a fairytale, but then things unraveled quickly

You had me fooled right at the very start

But just like dirt comes out in wash I saw who you really were

All three acts of us were destined to fall apart

Of course I am not at all shocked to see you come crawling back

But this time I am all the wiser too

So go ahead: plead and beg, I won't be so quick to fall

My only wish for you is to get a clue

If you have something to say, well go and say it all right now

It's time to speak your peace then you can go and take a bow

The floor is your I won't interrupt cause you and I both know

My hands are washed, I'm done with you and your three act show

First Love

Sorry there's been a major delay in time from my last post.  I've been trying to figure out my life which has been stressful.  I will divulge more information about what I mean by "trying to figure out my life" in a few weeks when I have more information.  This is a new song called "First Love."  I've been in a weird phase lately in which I will start writing a song, get 75% done with it, and then have writers block and not be able to finish it.  I was therefore glad I was able to finish this one.  Although quite honestly, I still feel like this one could use some editing.  It seems a little long to me.  As usual, all my stuff is a work in progress.

I'm going to let you think whatever you want about why this song was written.  My only disclaimer is that it does not currently apply to me.  (Cheer's to being cryptic!)

First Love

You never forget your first love.

How it felt, the way it was.

When your heart skipped a beat or two – at least for you.

The first words he said came out like gold

You tried to speak but nerves got a hold

I’ll see you soon, he said to you – and then your heart knew

It’s a crazy thing when you’re in love

A blessing from the good Lord up above

Ironic how you feel safe and secure

But also scared it may not be that sure

Holding hands, walk in step

He makes you laugh and better yet

He holds the door and takes it slow –you let your heart go

You think that this might be the one

All of the odds are single to none

In favor of this moment now – you would take a vow

It’s a crazy thing when you’re in love

A blessing from the good Lord up above

Ironic how you feel safe and secure

But also scared it may not be that sure

First love makes a mark in time

They sometimes last but you often find

They don’t work out and that’s ok – you find your way

You’ll never forget his face and name

You definitely won’t be the same

You’ve since moved on and he has too – but this won’t undo

It’s a crazy thing when you’re in love

A blessing from the good Lord up above

Ironic how you feel safe and secure

But also scared it may not be that sure


Lastly, because I'm all in favor of putting in plugs for up and coming talent out there, I may or may not be slightly (or majorly) in love with this kid:  Bryce Merritt.  His cover to this Frank Sinatra song put me over the edge.  Woah. Woah woah woah woah.  De-lish.

For Jack

Hope everyone who cares to read and follow this little venture of mine is having a happy start to 2012.  I was fortunate enough to spend the whole month of December up north at home in Pennsylvania with my parents and siblings (the whole clan), and the best part...my nephew Jack and niece Emma.  So December has been busy with celebration after celebration (I turned 25!) and tons of food.  It was definitely hard to make the 7 hour drive back down to North Carolina and start life back up again, but so it goes...

I did a lot of writing while I was home, and I will hopefully get those posted within the month.  But this post is actually not an original of mine (although I WISH I could write stuff like this).  It is by Ben Rector, who is a musical genius in my opinion.  I found his music about a month ago and have not been able to get enough of it.  Seriously, ask my sister...it's Ben Rector this and Ben Rector that.  He is a singer/songwriter out of Nashville and from what I have seen of his live youtube videos he is one of those artists that is just as good live as on record.  INSANE.  This guy is the real deal.  He wrote this song (I'm guessing) for his nephew.  It's called "Hank."  Here's my version of it.  Dedicated to little boy blue (aka Jack).  Miss and love you, buddy!

To a boy who looks just like his father, who's a brother to his sister who

sings this song with that boy from far away

I am young but you are younger until speak more words then mumbles, You'll      

have to lend an ear to everything i say.                          

So be kind and love your mother and your father, though sometimes they seem

to bother come my age, and you'll know

There the ones who'll always love you and support you, they prayed for you      before you stepped foot into this world.

                          

That's one thing that I've learned.

I remember you were walking, in a month I'll hear you talking. and There's

a million things I'd love to say to you.        

Though your parents, they are wiser and will be better advisers, maybe

hearing these things twice will get them through.

                                               

Go and find a girl for whom your love is selfless, someone who makes you

helpless, to change the way you feel. But stay away from girls who always

look so pretty, who's hearts just aren't fitting for the man in you I see.                        

Would you remember that for me?           

When you find yourself alone in times of trouble, reach inside you and

above you, there's nothing He can't heal.  

if it is you do not end up with a brother, just call your aunts and uncles,                                            

We will always lend an ear.

Would you remember that for me?      Would you remember that for me?

The Old Man of the Sea

In high school one of my favorite books we had to read was The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.  It's about an old fisherman named Santiago who has gone 84 days without catching anything.  On the 85th day he sets out to sea and catches a huge marlin.  He fights with the fish for a few days because neither he or the fish are willing to give in.  Santiago realizes this is no ordinary fish and eventually comes to revere and admire it for its strength and character.  In an unfortunate series of events sharks eventually finish off the fish and all that is left is the skeleton. 

Anyway, it's an excellent book.  It's definitely one of the "classics" for a reason.  Here's the song I wrote inspired by the book...

(Forgive the hair in my face...super annoying but I was sick of refilming, so this is the best we're going to get!)

THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA
The old man of the Sea is a tale for you and me.
His hands were rough from years of working endlessly.

84 days past and still no fish he caught on his line,
But he would not relent and went out to sea again.

And time did pay off, he caught a fish, and he held on tight.
He held on long but in the end he lost the fight.
Farther out to sea he went for he would not give up,
But the old man’s luck was soon to change when he drank from the sea’s bitter cup.

The fish was gone for good, but this old man did not give up dreaming.
He kept his fishing line and pole and he waited for a bite.
He knew that when we wait, good things come to those who are patient.
The old man worked and worked and became a great Sea King.

And time did pay off, he caught those fish, for he held on tight.
He held on long and in the end he won the fight.
Farther out to sea he went for he would not give up.
The old man’s luck had finally changed and he thanked the good Lord above.

At times we’re each this man; hoping, working, endlessly dreaming.
We cannot be deterred if our dream seems lost at sea.
Life does not slow down, we catch up or get left behind,
So like the fisherman, we should always keep our line.

Time does pay off; we’ll catch that dream, when we hold on tight.
If we hold on long, we’ll find that we have not lost the fight.
Farther out in life we go for we must not give up,
Our days and years are marked with trials but with faith, we have enough.

Redo

Newest song.  I wrote this one earlier this week.  It's called "Redo."  I got to thinking about all the times in life when we wish we could go back and redo something we said or did.  It happens to all of us and it's just part of the learning curve of life.  (Sentimental, I know.)  Lyrics are at the bottom again...

Redo

There are certain things that make me think of you

Memories of a past I wish that I could just redo.

If I had a clock I’d make the hands of time go back

Another chance to say what I was just afraid to ask

The better person was you even through your loss

You were the perfect study in how kindness comes across

I knew but I was hesitant to lay things on the line

Instead I shut myself off and left you and us behind

I would just redo much of what I said and did

I’d redo it so you would know the truth.

But hind sights 20-20 and it makes me see my flaws

Part of my regret is that I didn’t give my all (to you)

You’re gone and now I sit here with some questions on my mind

I don’t know if they ever will be answered in my time

I guess in some ways I have learned to give with all I have

To say and do and feel and make the most and not look back

It’s hard to live your life avoiding all of the what if’s

But those questions will never bring back all of what you missed

It’s time that helps you come to grips with how things really are

There’s no redo or rewind and well that make life so hard.

I would just redo much of what I said and did

I’d redo it so you would know the truth.

But hind sights 20-20 and it makes me see my flaws

Part of my regret is that I didn’t give my all (to you)

Redo redo redo redo redo

I would go back and try to just redo you

I would just redo much of what I said and did

I’d redo it so you would know the truth.

But hind sights 20-20 and it makes me see my flaws

Part of my regret is that I didn’t give my all (to you)

Life's About

I wrote this song about two weeks ago.  It's called "Life's About."  Lyrics are at the bottom.  Happy listening!

Life's About

Summertime is over; winter’s on the edge.

I have 47 different thoughts inside my head.

Life’s a constant puzzle sometimes we can solve.

But mostly we are here to walk by faith and not get lost.

Life’s about singing through the rain.

And rain will always fall but it is not to blame.

The measure of a man is not in what he attains,

It’s who he becomes on the way.

Things don’t always work out the way you think they should.

Our plans and schemes and best-laid dreams often don’t turn out that good.

But purpose comes through waiting; We learn to ride things out.

And that is when we figure out what life is all about.

Life’s about singing through the rain.

And rain will always fall but it is not to blame.

The measure of a man is not in what he attains,

It’s who he becomes on the way.

Dwelling on the past we see missed opportunities

We must look ahead to truly see (that)

Life’s about singing through the rain.

And rain will always fall but it is not to blame.

The measure of a man is not in what he attains,

It’s who he becomes on the way.

The measure of a man is not in what he attains,

It’s who he becomes on the way.