The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => Lyrics => Topic started by: Vintage54 on May 23, 2017, 07:36:11 PM
-
Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, when everyone is writing about sunshine and summer days. But sometimes i get so angry, and i have to exorcise that demon by putting it down in words.
These things i've seen.
I've been around, sometimes i think i've been around too long
I've done some good, but i'd be lying if i said i did no wrong
Most of my time has been spent in contentment
Some has been spent in sad regret
I've seen some things that i'd hope to remember
And some things that i wish i could forget
Seen broken homes, heard angry voices coming through the wall
Seen broken bones, heard the children crying down the hall
You try to make a difference, you call for some assistance
But help sometimes comes too late in the day
If you stand around just looking, if you stand there and do nothing
Then you may as well just look the other way
I've seen unrest, seen the people protest with good cause
I've seen them met, with riot shields and snarling canine jaws
I've seen the tear gas bursting, seen the crowds dispersing
While apathy just leans against a fence
You try to make a difference, you offer some resistance
But it's not easy when the odds are stacked against
Seen begging bowls, in every corner of the globe
Seen hungry souls, seen people take a look and cross the road
Heard nations crying "Feed us" while sloth like leaders
Shake hands and talk but don't get nothing done
You try to make a difference, you offer some assistance
But it's hard to fill a bread bin with a crumb
I've seen wars, seen the lion and the eagle tear the lamb
I've been ashamed, of the ways of old John Bull and Uncle Sam
When you face the likes of Hitler, with your finger on the trigger
The only course of action is to pull
But sometimes there's no reason, sometimes the flag of freedom
Just covers up the crossbones and the skull
I've seen faith, down on it's knees without a prayer
I've seen hope, disappear like smoke into the air
I've heard tales of abuse, underneath a holy roof
The devil laughs and splits another log
If you can't trust your children in the hands of the priesthood
It's no wonder that we turn away from God
I still believe, i still believe that this world will get it right
That day will come, like a locomotive burning through the night
We'll be waiting at the station, we'll feel the good vibration
Of it's new wheels rolling down the line
It's engine will be glowing, fuelled by the people
Who tried to make a difference in their time
In their time.
Vintage54
-
Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, when everyone is writing about sunshine and summer days. But sometimes i get so angry, and i have to exorcise that demon by putting it down in words.
These things i've seen.
I've been around, sometimes i think i've been around too long
I've done some good, but i'd be lying if i said i did no wrong
Most of my time has been spent in contentment
Some has been spent in sad regret
I've seen some things that i'd hope to remember
And some things that i wish i could forget
Seen broken homes, heard angry voices coming through the wall
Seen broken bones, heard the children crying down the hall
You try to make a difference, you call for some assistance
But help sometimes comes too late in the day
If you stand around just looking, if you stand there and do nothing
Then you may as well just look the other way
I've seen unrest, seen the people protest with good cause
I've seen them met, with riot shields and snarling canine jaws
I've seen the tear gas bursting, seen the crowds dispersing
While apathy just leans against a fence
You try to make a difference, you offer some resistance
But it's not easy when the odds are stacked against
Seen begging bowls, in every corner of the globe
Seen hungry souls, seen people take a look and cross the road
Heard nations crying "Feed us" while sloth like leaders
Shake hands and talk but don't get nothing done
You try to make a difference, you offer some assistance
But it's hard to fill a bread bin with a crumb
I've seen wars, seen the lion and the eagle tear the lamb
I've been ashamed, of the ways of old John Bull and Uncle Sam
When you face the likes of Hitler, with your finger on the trigger
The only course of action is to pull
But sometimes there's no reason, sometimes the flag of freedom
Just covers up the crossbones and the skull
I've seen faith, down on it's knees without a prayer
I've seen hope, disappear like smoke into the air
I've heard tales of abuse, underneath a holy roof
The devil laughs and splits another log
If you can't trust your children in the hands of the priesthood
It's no wonder that we turn away from God
I still believe, i still believe that this world will get it right
That day will come, like a locomotive burning through the night
We'll be waiting at the station, we'll feel the good vibration
Of it's new wheels rolling down the line
It's engine will be glowing, fuelled by the people
Who tried to make a difference in their time
In their time.
Vintage54
Spanner gratefully accepted.
Are you a police officer by chance?
Or maybe work for the emergency services or social services?
Nice lyrics by the way.
I have lived and seen them all.
Jackdaw1888 :-)
-
Hi Vintage 54,
a great poem but I'm having difficulty putting it to music in my head. For me its missing a tag at the end of each verse like Dylan's Chimes of Freedom, just something to tie it all together.
Have you got some music in mind?
My favourite image is of the flag of freedom covering up the skull and crossbones.
Impressive write,
Keith
-
Hi Vintage,
Always such a pleasure to run across a new song from you............
Feels very sincere and bursting with energy and outrage..
I like the wordplay and the rhythmic pacing...
The only question I have is concerning V1....Seems more like an introduction that doesn't get referenced later in the song....What would he like to remember and what to forget?.....
Top quality and inspirational approach and powerful execution....
A big fan,
igg
-
I found vocal melody after only about ten seconds. Sang really well and with exceptional drama.
It's a complex vocal melody with timing that is not what one would expect, but it felt very natural.
If you would like some help finding music for this, I could easily do a vocal melody and send it to you. Then, (if no one else will do it) I'd try to find time to set it to music. Let me know if you're interested.
-
It's nice, I like it. It's difficult for me to put it in music, but you wrote this song so I'm sure you already found a good sound.