Feb 2022 folk
Took about 20 minutes to write this song this morning, recorded straight to mobile phone. Personal and political relevance of course. Probably needs a bit more work but that will come later. Only a 3 chord loop, sorry (not sorry).
THE IMMIGRANT
[Capo on 1]
Am G D
We came to this country more than a hundred years ago
It was hard to survive for anyone then I know
There wasn't much time for love or living free
Nose to the grindstone, begging for a cup of tea
We worked as fast as we could just trying to keep alive
Didn't look at our feet and didn't stop to hitch a ride
There wasn't time to try to learn the rules of the game
We knew we were different, and never tried to be the same
Saturday rest, and Sunday when the papers come
Daddy's in his vest and the neighbours learnt to play a drum
Cold seeped in our bones and burning paper to keep warm
Keeping up with the best, waking early at the dawn
We loved the country and never thought of going home
Home is where the heart is but memories are buried in our bones
Everyone has stories, everyone has a reason and a song
Can't change the road behind you, can only choose the next to go along
[instrumental]
One hundred years later and life's still hard, although not as hard as then
People try their best and they mostly get there in the end
We're in this life together whether we're together or we're not
Travelled different paths just to end up at the same spot
No need for fuss and fighting, no need to raise a fist
Nobody's complaining and nobody is getting kissed
There's never time to learn the rules of all the games
Everybody's different and still we're all the same
@mariekevinkmusic Mar 2022
I am still telling myself that simple does not mean bad or boring when I write my own songs. I know it isn't because here's a good example of simple and not boring. Poignant lyrics for these dark days as well.
@doglatin Feb 2022
A 3-chord loop can be very effective, especially with a song like this. I mean, look at early Dylan stuff, sometime never a bridge or chorus, super powerful stuff. As is this one. Some great sentiments in here, and a great final line, "Everybody's different and still we're the same."