Post Fallapalooza...

Fallapalooza, the monster that eats up time has been vanquished in a most spectacular fashion. We had a fabulous time and now should have some more time to work on the wikisongs project. Tom has some wonderful music and plans for Drayton. As soon as we can remember where we were we'll continue work on the wiki-thing.

Drayton

I've had these lyrics for some time but hadn't posted them here.

Drayton

Drayton incline
drag me further down
just another village
like so manycome around
this hills stole the life
of one good donkey and one bad son
and may take many others
after my time tillings done

Chorus:
voice 1 |:|while my back is good and willing, in Drayton I’ll be tilling |:|
voice 2 |:|rolling down his time|:|

verse 2:
Drayton fields
steal my day away
since my wife went and died
I sleep alone in your hay
I’ve still one bad donkey
and I’ve still got one good son
but I’d rather it were the otherway
while there’s still tilling to be done

Chorus:
voice 1 |:|while my back is good and willing, in Drayton I’ll be tilling |:|
voice 2 |:|rolling down his time|:|

USS Pintado

Here's the "bed" if you will for USS Pintado.

AIDS Walk and USS Pintado

Despite my mystery virus preventing my from playing as much guitar as I would have liked, we certainly had fun at the AIDS walk this year. We got to play through our set and gave some of the Wikisongs public exposure. Now we will start to record some more of these tunes. Last night I set to work on Uvadale Price. I had a melody and plan running in my head during the day. But once home I spent too much time trying to find the right harpsichord... I burnt out and ended up instead with a USS Pintado start. No harpsichord, but a good feel. After I give it a little more body I'll post it.

Progress

Last night Kevin, Tom, Brian & I practiced for the AIDS Walk on July 17th and we currently have three wikisongs in the set- Ruby Character, 63 and Leonard Feeney. I think that after the AIDS Walk we'll concentrate on recording and posting more.

Leonard Feeney Rough

Here's the rough first mix of Leonard Feeney. It's only the chorus and some guitar.

Approach

I haven't been able to sit down and record anything or even work with an instrument for any of the songs yet, so my approach has been much different thatn how I usually write. I have a clipboard that I've been carrying with me that has the wiki entries and I've been writing lyrics and letting arrangements and melodies form in my head. I think it will result in better songs than my usual write on the instrument first technique. I hope... I've also found that I'm writing in character of the topics when they are people. It reminds me of the Jake Waif songs! Here's the Leonard Feeney chorus I'm particularly fond of (imagine a Tom Waitsesque piano blues delivery...)

extra ecclesiam nulla salus
I hate to be the one to bring ya bad news
but that Pius the twelfth's just jerkin' youse
extra ecclesiam; nulla salus

63 - first draft

I went off the wikipath with these lyrics, writing what first came to heart and mind rather than adhering to the wikipedia entry. I may revisit these lyrics. This is a country song with a great melody and backing vocals. I'll record and post soon.

Do you remember the night
that I first walked you home
the headlights swirled like stars ‘round our brave new world
swift and oh so free, similes of you and me
the night running beside us breathlessly

You grew to hate New Year's, you grew to hate Fourth of July
you grew to stay out later and later at night
You never once felt shame
for all of these and other things
in the nine years it took me
to wear down your puppy-dog heart

We had a good run
What more

Now on this long dark road
A couple of miles below the limit
I run and run, but I can't keep up with you
You live seven years for every one of mine
I gotta keep on running
and hope I make it home safe tonight

We had a good run
Our time hasn’t come

Standing at the platform
A voice crackles over the speaker
As the last train for Melbourne departs
give Lupe a gentle hug
give Uncle Jimmy all my love
I’ll see you when my own days of running are done