Feb 2022 folk acoustic-rock cardchallenge
This was for the #cardchallenge more info on that here:
https://fawm.org/forums/topic/12151/
I was drawn:
The Lady of the Sacred Earth from the Celtic Oracle. The image shows a proud white horse pawing at the ground. A fountain of fire flows up from where her foot is plaed. A crescent moon and stars are overhead, and you see images of horses in the sky too, like constellations. Each sky horse has a star for its eye. The lady of the Earth shows her power and energy, her bounty even when we humans exploit her. She is that from which we all come and to which our physical form will return. She can transform all things. This card is associated with Rhiannon, and you could read her story for additional inspiration. She has three wondrous birds which can return the dead to life or enchant the living into a timeless sleep.
I wrote this as a bit of a metaphor from the prospective of the earth being in an abusive relationship with humans and like how with many truly strong beings, she doesn't wield their power as she could and allows the weak to think they are in control. It's also yet another song addressing personal issues under the guise of something else which has become my favorite way to write a song.
I kept this pretty simple and write it in under an hour which the demo REALLY shows. I kept the processing to a minimum though I did fade out my vocals at one point because I held a not too long and it showed. It's been a while since I yelled while record and I may have gone a touch overboard. I maybe should have written a third verse but I was pretty happy with the story I told. Maybe I'll put an instrumental break between the second and third choruses.
Edit: At the suggestion of @davidtaro, I threw vanity to the wind and removed my edit so the chorus is how I recorded it.
Chorus: f#m D A E
Verse:
You try to over power me
And I allow you to pretend
But I know it's my strength
That puts this to an end
Chorus:
But it's a game we play
A dangerous one
But your still
Having fun
You spit in my eye
Tell me I'm crying
But I know that's a lie
Verse:
When the floods recede
And all we see is rust
Everything's dried up
And nothing's left
But ash and dust
Chorus:
But it's a game we play
A dangerous one
But your still
Having fun
You spit in my eye
Tell me I'm crying
But I know that's a lie
Chorus:
But it's a game we play
A dangerous one
But your still
Having fun
You spit in my eye
Tell me I'm crying
But I know that's a lie
@dzdandcunfsd Mar 2022
It was a good choice to leave that long note IMO... It's already a super powerful performance, but that really just puts it into a realm of somewhere else. Really amazing track here!
@stephenwordsmith Mar 2022
A more polished recording would only take away from the passion and rawness on display here. One hears so little genuine belting here on FAWM, and your voice here channels pain and insight in equal (generous) measure. The sort of song that tells the world around you to shush while it holds you and hits you uncomfortably.
'You spit in my eye/ tell me I'm crying' is such an eloquent framing of physical and psychological abuse. Incredible, and the fact it was the fruit of a Skirmish makes it all the more impressive. I agree with comments below that it ended no sooner than needed.
#tit4tat
@elainedimasi Mar 2022
What a powerful concept and so well executed too in that hour. A keeper for sure.
@berty38 Mar 2022
This is heartbreaking. You’ve really got a way with lyrics and vocal style.
@mandolinda Mar 2022
Whoa so strong , sad and vulnerable all at once. Guitar play is crisp and steady, Carrie’s the song. It’s nice to get such a variation in your voice when you are placin* emphasis on lyrics. #tit4tat
@wylddandelyon Mar 2022
That's a powerful chorus! Somehow in the business of FAWM, I missed this one. Thanks for using my card to inspire such a strong song. I also particularly like Verse 1.
#tit4tat
@nancycunning Mar 2022
Wow. I love how that chorus busts out and up. And then that pulled back broken repeat of "it's a lie. And then the intensity of the last two lines, I'm amazed that this was the product of an hour. Great work.
@williamjames Mar 2022
Very emotional vocals! I loved the way you finish the chorus. You really bring the words alive. The chorus lyrics are especially great here. Kind of sends chills down my spine. Loved the long belted out note at the end!
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
#tit4tafI just found 5 mainly because i missed a few skirmishes! Glad i picked them up - some real good ones. This one is a bit different, some more subtleties with tone and volume changes. Still got the emotion. Wow you gave this the lot, well done.
@tawny249 Feb 2022
I enjoyed those last three chorus lines a lot. They could have a number of meanings, and all of them are effective with the "anthem" sort of vibe this has. Good driving guitar, too. Also, I wish I could hold a note steady that long. That last note was impressive. #tit4tat
@bjunker Feb 2022
Great demo. Powerful song, powerfully presented. I don't think it needs another verse.
@gm7 Feb 2022
Catherine a great song with emotional vocals those deep lyrics and all under a hours..how do you do it?
@n24 Feb 2022
I’m amazed at what you can come up with in an hour! Really that’s incredible, I think the long powerful note sounds great, it doesn’t tail off in an out of tune way or anything, it feels very natural. Some of these lyrics are really gold, ‘you spit in my eye and tell me I’m crying’ the whole theme of almost like a petulant child who thinks they’re in charge is a very powerful image. You really get the sense of the strength and grace of the earth and her patience. Wonderful song!
@nadine Feb 2022
What you wrote these lyrics and recording under a hour? Yes I know you use a very common chord progression (Zombie for example) but this damn good vocals forgive you! This is powerful as hell. A keeper.
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
This really drew me right in! Love the emotion you put in this. Great contrast between the verses and chorus! Powerful!
@davidtaro Feb 2022
The vocal is incredible!! I love how much welly you’re giving it, it totally rocks. I actually would have liked to hear you crash out of that last note, would have kind of befitted the song (but I bow to your judgement on it obviously!). Beautiful, powerful lyrics and a great overall conceit. Well done!
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Powerful vocals and a lot of raw emotion coming out of this. I love the "dangerous game" concept here. Nice job.
@zeekle1998 Feb 2022
Great dynamics verse to chorus. There is raw power and emotion in this demo. I really enjoy listening to your songs. Fantastic job.