Feb 2022 acoustic singer-songwriter folk americana alt-country country ukraine
A friend shared an email from some colleagues in Ukraine. I was struck by how pragmatic it was. The gist of it was:
- We're OK
- We won't be available to work today
- We'll check in with you, but we expect to be able to work tomorrow
I've always struggled writing topical songs. I always feel like I'm telling, but not showing. My lyrics always seem obvious and not very interesting.
I decided to give the #ukraine subject a try, but tell it as a story from someone from Ukraine.
We won't be in
For work today
But we're writing
To let you know we're okay
I can hear bombs
And missiles from here
They're not very close
But they're far too near
Perhaps tomorrow
We'll all report in
And life can feel
Normal again
But for now
We'll sleep in the subway
Emerge in the morning
To go on our way
Survey the damage
Muster the courage
To return home
And live another day
Perhaps tomorrow
We'll all report in
And life can feel
Normal again
I can hear bombs
And missiles from here
They're not very close
But they're far too near
We won't be in
For work today
But we're writing
To let you know we're okay
Perhaps tomorrow
We'll all report in
And life can feel
Normal again
Perhaps tomorrow
We'll all report in
And life can feel
Normal again
@nancycunning Mar 2022
This really makes me think about how having work relationships with people all around the world ties us together. I like how understated your song stays. Your guitar playing is beautiful.
@truetone Mar 2022
@tamsnumber4 @paulotteson @misterdemp @bfwaite thanks for listening and for the kind words!
@tamsnumber4 Mar 2022
A wonderful write, the style is laid back, but the words showing great heroism and caring. Love the guitar and vocal on this, thank you for sharing this story on the Ukraine Thread!
@paulotteson Mar 2022
I really enjoyed this - Quite a powerful effect to consider the normalcy of life amidst this raging war. A heavy topic delivered with beautiful melancholy. Great vocal delivery and fantastic finger picking throughout.
@misterdemp Feb 2022
Great take on this. Communication is one our basic needs, and this song speaks on this well.
@bfwaite Feb 2022
Great, great chorus! It gets across the sad and odd combination feelings (unthinkable tragedy/stoic return to work). It also has an interesting rhyme scheme.
I think you do the (awful) story justice. Well done!