Feb 2022 alternative acoustic viola sonnet
@deadhead: Sean posted these lyrics from some sonnet challenge or something (I'll let him describe that part!) and claimed that it sucked. I disagreed so turned it into a song. This isn't my normal songwriting style, but it just felt right. Very emotional.
@seanbrennan: The sonnet challenge was the doing of @stephenwordsmith in this thread: https://fawm.org/forums/topic/12295/#c259908 Having never written one before, I tried my best. A couple lines in here I like, but it definitely exudes the rambunctious energy of a novice to the craft. I love what Andrew did with it and felt like the viola's main job was to just stay out of the way!
Track Credits
Andrew Russell: lead vocals, guitar
Sean Brennan: viola
Lyrics by Sean Brennan.
Music by Andrew Russell.
[Verse 1]
For all the sounds that rage in disarray,
The silence is the loudest of it all.
The ancient trees have never seemed so tall,
As when they have been felled and cleared away.
[Chorus]
There is no other pain that we may know
Like listless longing wrought by loss of love.
And though we cry for comfort from above,
We burn with inner embers from below.
Like listless longing wrought by loss of love.
And though we cry for comfort from above,
We burn with inner embers from below.
There is no other pain that we may know
[Verse 2]
As solace in our fellow man now fades,
I pray we rediscover what is just.
And when the last of us has turned to dust,
Show mercy on us for the mark we made.
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
How strange, the way we treat what we hold dear:
We notice it the most when it's not here.
[Chorus]
@ofishell Mar 2022
Y'all, this is amazing. Andrew, I agree with you...the lyrics are sound and I'm so glad you got them set to music. There is such a longing in the lyrics and the accompanying music. Everything here works.
@beacon Mar 2022
This is a great collab. I never knew that I needed to hear more viola, but it works so well. I especially love the lyrics in the bridge. Very cool way of doing this! #listeningskirmish
@danvaillancourt Mar 2022
Love that viola right from the get-go! The long lines in the verses contrast nicely with the quick delivery in the chorus. Great collab! "As solace in our fellow man now fades, I pray we rediscover what is just." Yes.
@katestantonsings Feb 2022
Viola love! Rocking that alto clef. Such a soothing and mellow sound. The lyrics are lovely. This is quite beautiful. Well done, Sean!
@metalfoot Feb 2022
That is a really poignant lyric and the arrangement of guitar and viola is potent. Energetic and passionate vocal performance too. Two thumbs up!
@pippa Feb 2022
Interesting collaboration, good words, and good way to put them to music. Keep it up.