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Bitter Tears

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Buc McMaster

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« on: August 04, 2017, 04:12:26 PM »
Posted this in the WIP section, but without providing the melody seems like it might be better shared here.  I do have a solemn, minor key rhythm and a melody to go along with it but no lyric yet for the bridge section yet.  I'll try to knock out a recording of what I do have to add some sense of mood to this...........

Being fascinated with the American Civil War, I have just finished reading a book on Gen'l Sherman's sacking of Atlanta, Georgia and the subsequent march across the state to the coastal city of Savannah.  A trail of utter destruction.  Last year I wrote 20th Maine, a tale of their stand on the Union left flank at Gettysburg that saved the Federal position.  This year it's The Army of Tennessee and their march across Georgia.  Still a work in progress for sure with a refrain/chorus (?) yet to be tackled......

BITTER TEARS   The Bucster, August 2017

That house near the corner……no one’s been there for years
……they all left for the border……with broken hearts and bitter tears
The railway station behind us……they burned it down in ‘63
……it’s still there and reminds us……of Sherman’s march to the sea

No quarter for the rebels…….I’ll make Georgia howl!
……we heard he was the devil…… or some relation anyhow
With the fall of Atlanta…….they came on like a storm
……and all the way to Savannah…..the heart of Dixie was torn

Thirty thousand turned to Macon……Augusta threatened to the east
……all was broken, burned or taken……the land devoured as a feast
They could hear the Yanks a’comin’……they could see the smokey skies
……all the women and their youngin’s…..some defiant, some just cried

Through the forests, cross the rivers……unrelenting as a flood
……like the unrepentant sinner…..rebellion’s price is paid in blood
Three hundred miles the army plundered……Savannah fell without a fight
……the heart of Georgia torn asunder…..and Carolina in their sights

diademgrove

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« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2017, 07:37:22 PM »
Great set of lyrics, they work for me. Reminds me of The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down by the Band.

Keith

lillypilly

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« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2017, 05:00:31 AM »
Excellent set of lyrics here, been listening a lot to Mandolin Orange and they have an excellent song same vain. "Wildfire"
cheers
Lilly

Neil C

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« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2017, 09:07:26 AM »
Neat wordsmithing.

Re the chorus I think it could see it being based around a repeat of the title e.g.

Bitter tears are all around us
Bitter tears through smoke and rain
Bitter tears keep on falling
As we're falling once again.

I wrote a song to Vintage's lyrics a while back on the Civil war, thought you might to listen.

https://soundcloud.com/neilconnor-2/whispers-of-defeat-demo-mix-9-nov-2014
 :)
neil
songwriter of no repute..

Vintage54

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« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2017, 09:21:01 PM »

    Good write Buc, damn good. This is right up my street, i to have a fascination with the American civil war, and i don't know why. Lots of good lines here, too many to quote, so i'll just say, well done.
    I don't know if you've heard of a songwriter called Ben Bedford, if not, can i point you in the direction of his debut album, " Lincoln's man" Couple of songs on there about the conflict that are straight out of the top drawer, in fact every track is a gem.

                    Vintage54

PaulAds

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« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2017, 07:30:50 PM »
Yeah...I've always had a great fascination for the Civil War...I got transfixed by Ken Burns' sprawling documentary and Shelby Foote's three-part masterpiece...I think perhaps it provides the perfect dichotomy of what America really is as opposed to how it wants to see itself.

Anyway...really enjoyed this one, Buc...seems to capture some of the sense of loss that still seems to present itself today, somehow.
heart of stone, feet of clay, knob of butter

Waterpilot

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« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2017, 12:39:16 PM »
I like the simplicity and imagery of these lyrics. The flow of this one is good. It shouldn't be too difficult to put music to.