FAWM: "Snowdrifts and Icy Roads"

Snowdrifts and Icy Roads

2 days ago by @berni1954 · @kahlo2013

Snowdrifts and Icy Roads

berni1954 +1

00:00

Liner Notes

I liked these lyrics of Liz's and hoped someone would set them to music. Then @sunnymae read them and thought I should be the one to do that. With such a powerful prompter, who was I to argue.

I went back to the song and as I read it, the main melody just sang itself to me. I got out my Tuning App and sang into it to figure out what key it was in and found there were some changes that were outside my comfort zone. However, they worked and I am pleased with the result. But as I am ignorant of music theory, I don't know what I did here 😉

Instrument: Baton Rouge Parlour Guitar (one of the best value for money instruments I own).

Liz says: I’m so glad @berni1954 that you followed the sage advice of @sunnymae and brought this lyric to life with your gorgeous music. I always treasure our collaborations and your musical sensibility. The chord progression and melody you brought to this song really capture the sentiment I was trying to convey with the metaphor. I’m so grateful for your time, talent, and gift of music.

#parlourguitar #acoustic

Lyrics

V1
(E) I sought paradise on a (Am) far off shore
(A) looking for something, (E) something more…
but un(C#m)sure of what I needed
or (F#m) what I sought (A) and what (E) for..

Pre-C
But (A) I kept (E) going - (A) sailing a(E)way
(F#m) farther from the truth I once lived (B) by

C
(Am) Windswept snowdrifts on (E) icy roads
(Am) chill the marrow (E) in my bones
(F#m) White out snowfalls and (A) heavy loads
(B) make it hard to go back (E) home

V2
(E) I followed passion - blind (Am) in strong wind
(A) seeking out someone - (E) someone new
(C#m) Change seemed possible
(F#m) Change seemed (A) easier back (E) then…

Pre C2
so (A) I kept (E) searching - (A) moving a(E)way
(F#m) farther from the love I knew be(B)fore

CHORUS

BRIDGE
But I've (B) learned my lesson
I was (G#m) burned by the heat
And (C#m) now I would like to come (G#m) home
I have (B) learned my lesson
but can’t (G#m) navigate the street
(A) feeling the cold … seeing the (B) snow …

CHORUS

Comments

@jeremykazoo 1h

A powerful delivery of a fantastic lyric. Coming out of a very deep freeze here, this lyric really speaks to me.

@hmstreetteam 2d

I love the core weather metaphor as a starting point. The music brings out the journey or ballad angle of the song, while still letting the emotions shine through. All very nice.

@sunnymae 2d

This rendition of Liz's lyrics is a beauty Berni! I love your mix of minor and major chords. They so suited the shift in tone of lyrics as this lost and not quite found journey unfolds. You're the troubadour deluxe! Liz,I"m always amazed by the way you tune into the human psyche with your "seemingly" simple use of language! For me, they always evoke the most brilliant images in the reader. Space to feel, relate one's own experience. A visceral experience. You shine a light on humanity with such grace!

@billwhite51 2d

liz and bernie, two of my favorite fawmers, have collaborated to create this melancholic tapestry of words and music to illuminate the plight of a wasted life, frittered away in the search for something meaningful but finding only "snowdrifts and icy roads." eventually one gets so lost in their misadventures that there is no returning home.