This was my attempt at a traditional sounding miner's ballad (maybe?) on a uke. Based on on snippets of musings in a notebook I discovered the other day from an Alaskan journey some years back.
Sourdough Lullaby 2022
Ache of Desire
The splendor of youth
Drink a toast to this longing
This Sourdough truth
Sit down beside me
As the arc of night bends
Your journey begins
Right where my journey ends
Cisco and Billy
Where did they go?
Over the Chilkoot
Near 30 below
So welcome stranger
With your pyrite soul
May you chase your dreams
Down through to the Mother Lode
Bridge:
If I leave you my pick axe,
My cradle, my rod
Will you lay me down easy
In the armor of god?
Where the mountain meets skies
Sing me this sweet sourdough lullaby
I’ve never set foot down
Into the Treadwell mine
Give me the flash in the pan
With a patch of blue sky
When you get older
And the years have passed by
You’re left with nothing but
A Sourdough lullaby (4x)
@thomasfred Feb 2022
Awesome song. I really love the bare honesty and raw beauty in your voice here and the skilled Uke playing only compliments that to a T.
@elainedimasi Feb 2022
This is so much pleasure to listen to, with the conversational style, the saucy little licks on the uke, and so many great lyrical touches. "your pyrite soul," "in the armor of god?" so great, and then also, you talk plain: my journey ends.. right where yours will. But, not now.
@nadine Feb 2022
I just has to listen this song because of the title. And I did not repent it. What a great mandolin picking and voice. The storytelling is great.
@tseaver Feb 2022
Nice write! I particularly like "pyrite soul," as well as the fleetingness of the miners' existence. Please drop a note on my soundboard if you get the issue with the demo worked out.
*edit after listening*
Lovely accompaniment on the uke for an evocative song.
@dock Feb 2022
I couldn't link either - something about violating Google's terms of service? Personally I think google should get stuffed.
Good lyrics, wish I could hear what you sang.
@sunnymae Feb 2022
Gosh these lyrics are gorgeous! Every line packed with crystal clear imagery. Standalone storytelling on its own. Great work!
Hope you get the link going. If not, you can donate 25 bucks to the FAWMgods and they'll email you a link to their song hosting site, which is what I use. Or open up a quick soundcloud account.
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
Nor me
@ltunes Feb 2022
Bummer I couldn't get the link to play.