So glad you are here with a skirmish prompt today. Late to the party but want to jump in anyway.
I usually do full songs during Fawm, this year may be a bit different. My wife and I are in the process of moving back to New York City (from Wichita, KS!). Currently I’m sitting in a small Airbnb in NYC after a long day viewing potential apartments. I did bring a guitar so hope to get a song in soon, but tonight is lyric only. We’ll be back in KS next week, and the following week we’ll be driving a cargo van with our belongings and 2 cats & a dog cross-country!
So I had to laugh when I saw this prompt! We are definitely down-sizing our belongings by a lot. Selling things, donating things, throwing junk away. And my son and his girlfriend are getting an apartment together soon so they are taking some furniture items as well.
AND I’ve always been a soul that tends to carry “emotional baggage” more than I should. It’s a life-long journey learning to get better about that.
V1:
Possessions accumulate
Time passes by
Like unchecked emotion
That thickens the sky
I’ve already down-sized
At least that’s what I thought
But changes are brewing
Feel like I’ve been caught
CH:
I carry too much baggage
That’s the way I’ve always lived
Like my momma did before me
Just a pack rat on two legs
But we’re moving’ to the city
So somethin’s gotta give
Gonna shed a couple layers
Toss ‘em down into the dregs
V2:
Lightening the load
Fewer boats to row
When I hit the road
Hope I’m ready to go
And all I leave behind
Are memories loud and clear
By shedding I may find
A way to lose my fear
CH again
@sheilerk Mar 2022
I’m sorry I missed this one after the skirmish. I really relate to what you’ve written. I just downsized a ton for a move to Mexico, but still have a shed to go back and go through. Most of it will need to go! After clearing out my mother’s, mother-in-law’s, and brother-in-law’s worldly goods. I don’t want to leave more than I need to for my kids to have to go through. The Mexico move really helped with that, because I also come from a long line of packrats! This flows nice and easily, I can almost hear the music. It’ll make a great song!
#tit4tat
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Oops, can't actually listen. But this has great potential. I hope you or a collaborator gives it life musically.
@ajna1960 Feb 2022
This is a perfect description of too much baggage:
"Like unchecked emotion
That thickens the sky"
Wonderful lyric :)
@tukayandryan Feb 2022
Great imagery and structure. Look forward to hearing it in full form when you are safely moved and unpacked!
@mariekevinkmusic Feb 2022
Well structured lyrics with a good flow to them. I am imagining the chorus being a bit of two halves with the second half turning really uplifting, like clouds parting ...
@taracraig Feb 2022
Having moved this past year I totally relate to the need to downsize. "By shedding I may find, a way to lose my fear" is a really powerful line. Good luck on your move!
@vivalarayna Feb 2022
Thanks for your kind words on Time for Letting Go. Yes, that downsizing can really force us to evaluate what matters in life, physically and emotionally. I love thechorus and how you allude to this being a generational pattern you're trying to break (that is definitely the case with me). Best of luck for a safe move!
@donna Feb 2022
Oh, I hear you! I seem to be in perpetual decluttering motion. (-
Nice tight lyric, good imagery and details, lots of strong lines (e.g. 'pack rat on two legs').
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
I'm forever downsizing so I really get this! Welcome to the slightly madhouse. Must do a lyric for you!
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Gawd, I love the pack rat on two legs line. I so relate to this as I've been "Marie Kondo"ing my life the past year. Good to keep the lyrics going. I think this will be a good song when you get to it!