Feb 2022 folk protest eco ukulele
I started this song in the fall, but I wasn't happy with the melody and I had too many ideas for the lyrics--mostly angry rants against the leafblowers all around me.
Now that it is peacefully snowing, I could hear myself think, calm down, and write again.
When autumn leaves drift by my window
orange, yellow, and brown
Apples and pumpkins fill the farm stands,
ghosts and goblins in town
Sunny and dry, not a cloud in the sky,
a perfect day to be out
Til the fine crisp air gets tainted by
a whiff of fossil fuel
A leaf blower shatters the peace with its angry drone
Where there’s one, there’s usually another, they never work alone
Chase the leaves around the garden until the land’s stripped bare.
Assault the senses, scare small children, befoul and dirty the air.
Strike out the two-stroke engine, time to give it a rest
Leave the leaves where you found them, mother nature knows best.
Some folks think that driving a Prius means they’re saving the earth
But in their yard those noisy machines pollute an SUV’s worth.
Why do humans wage this war against the humble leaf?
Leaves protect and enrich the soil, give home to creatures beneath.
Strike out the two-stroke engine, time to give it a rest
Leave the leaves where you found them, mother nature knows best.
@nancycunning Mar 2022
I love the way the waltz rhythm gives me the visual of the leaves spinning about in the air, Then that tempo change is like winter blowing in. Then that bluesy feel to the refrain. Great work.
@kadmad202 Mar 2022
My neighbor has a battery-powered one, so I think that’s a little better. I’m happy that farm is in February so that we might get a snowblower or two during the month, but at least the lawnmowers and leaf blowers are all done. Great job on the song! Nice chords, and just the right amount of angst in your voice. I hope it was cathartic : )
@leslie333 Feb 2022
Nice protest! (I HATE those things - they seem so pointless and they are so foul) I like the way the song breaks when the blowers start.
@readwrite Feb 2022
You got me on this one -- I haven't raked anything more than my driveway and front walk in 30 years, my trees and my wild collection of native plants eat those leaves right up. But I still have to listen to the blowers every year.
You've hit a nice balance between outrage and making a good song that's vivid and real, and I love the melody and the harmonies you put with it.
@roddy Feb 2022
This is really good, I very much like your lyrics and agree with your observation and recommendations - very wise. Musically this is a very subtle and well-crafted piece. So many interesting chords and changes.
@abudabard12514 Feb 2022
I like the texture change when you hit the hook line, big quarter note strums were the move there for sure. I think this turned out really nicely
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Really identified with this one. A fun "protest" song is a great combination.
We have an apartment that overlooks a swimming pool that belongs to the opposite block and so we are not allowed to use it. So we get none of the pleasures of its existence and all the pains. Not least the bloody leaf blower which roars for over an hour as it clears the surrounding garden, usually just when I am about to record a take for my latest song! Grrr...
@makers8 Feb 2022
I really love the Tin pan alley/Tiny Tim feel of this song. It's dark and foreboding message sent out in a whimsical twist is always a great time. Well done! :) Mother nature knows best..
@b4rkst4les Feb 2022
Great message.
@mrmadcarpenter Feb 2022
Great momentum throughout.
@richaaaay Feb 2022
Love these lyrics. So honest and humorous. I assume that this song applies to snow blowers too. That's a plus for shoveling. Well done Oaks!
@frey Feb 2022
Love the imagery! These lyrics are such a fun way to convey the message
@nilsjesper Feb 2022
I like this! The chord progression is pretty but a little haunting. The lyrics manage to be whimsical but not "wacky" if that makes sense. They never work alone indeed.