To understand the story behind this song, I thought I'd provide some context.
At my music program Wild at Heart (which is a program for artists with mental illnesses or disabilities), I met a girl named Alice Gartner who is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. What we have in common is a similar music taste, and she has ADHD and autism (I have the latter condition).
I developed feelings for her, but felt uneasy knowing that she was also a widowed mother of three girls. She had lost her husband to a terminal illness in 2019, and used songwriting as a way to cope with the grief. (When we performed separately for a radio interview at the end of 2021, we talked about our life experiences).
At an end-of-year gig we both played at, I also found out that she had a new partner and felt heartbroken, but one of the mentors told me it would be best to be a good friend to her, understanding what she had been through. (Now my songs "I Love You in My Head" and "But You're Taken", from the beginning of February, make a little more sense!)
This song is my attempt to convey some sympathy and moral support for her (and perhaps others in situations like hers). I reckon it's one of the hardest songs I've ever tried to write, but the compassion really comes through in this song.
My Wild at Heart mentor Yannick Rosette helped me write the lyrics and some of the chord structures.
The demo was recorded on my phone. I sang whilst playing my Yamaha PSR EW-400, set to a "piano and strings" sound.
Weight of the World
Roussac & Rosette 2022
(Refrain)
Pretty darling,
You’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders x2
V1
These nights at home
Spent all alone
When the day is caving in
You don’t have to walk on your own
In me you’ve got a friend
At the end, we’ll win
V2
Your wings aren’t broken
There’s been some time since you flew
Now the cage is open
And the world waits for you
(bridge 1)
Our pain is not the same
Though we’re all in the game
Of trying to keep our head’s above water
We’re all completely insane
When love has it’s way
And life is bound to get us caught up
Just remember one thing
That each day does bring
Something brand new for us all
Like birds of a feather
Singing songs together
Building bridges instead of walls
(Refrain)
Pretty darling,
You’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders x2
(Bridge 2)
Losing a loved one so dear
How could I understand?
Holding out, year after year
After all this, you can still stand
I see how deep you hurt
Yet you carry on smiling
Giving all those around you
A love so inspiring
Raising children on your own
Planting seeds in a garden
Is so much for one to tend/handle?
I’ll be a shoulder to cry on
An ear to lend
To help you mend
V3
Rain washes our tears away
After the storm has raged through
Feeding the flowers for another day
A glimmer of light shines on you
V4
As a tear falls from your eye
Look up to see a cloudless sky
And a songbird sings its resilient tune
On some bright sunny afternoon
V5
A circle of friends with their ears to the ground
Tell you that you don’t have to sit in the dark
Should you walk on, the sound resounds
And everyone follows on your path
Then you’ll see that you’re already free
And can be however you wish to be
V6
Keep your spirits up
Hold your head up high
When all seems lost
Keep up the spirit of hope
Refrain
Pretty darling,
You’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders x2
@chrismyth02 Mar 2022
Thanks for telling your story; the context makes the song all the more heartbreaking. The chord changes in the piano carry the emotions throughout very well. You can hear aching in the vocals. I love the bit of keys after "help you mend". Hope the music has done that for you and your friend!
@nadine Mar 2022
This is a damn heavy story. And yes, this means carrying a lot of weight on the shoulder. Your friend can be proud of having such a friend like you who understands the situation. Even better, turning these thoughts into insightful and strong lyrics. There is much emotion in this song. #tit4tat
@timfatchen Mar 2022
"Our pain is not the same
Though we’re all in the game
Of trying to keep our head’s above water" This is so true, in all directions. And the insanity of love and getting caught up. But it's not actually insanity, it's our only hope. This song has a generous feel. And I could see it in a musical. BTW really enjoyed and appreciate your grasp of harmonic possibilities and ability to work the progressions to support the lyric.
@wolfkier Mar 2022
What a sad but romantic backstory, but what a great program that must have been. And what a lovely song came out of it.... The "we're all insane" lift is worth the price of admission on it's own.
This is a great big accepting and emaphetic hug to your friend. Good stuff.
#tit4tat6. - I've covered all your faves and one more rando to go... I'm right, right?
@sheilerk Mar 2022
I like the sowing a d tending a flower garden as a metaphor. Very nice. It’s hard when we see opportunities slip away, and writing can definitely help. Offering friendship and support is kind. Very nicely done.
@darcistrutt Mar 2022
Lovely lyric and delivery. Being a friend is a very important role when you have so much understanding. Your voice has a sadness and honesty to it.
#tit4tat
@mattoxic Feb 2022
You have such a unique voice, and you get such fraught emotion through it. I'm sure people tell you that all the time.
This could stand up as poem - but it isn't, it has your honest delivery through song. I like the strings under the piano, and that it's uncluttered.
I really appreciate your lyrics and the thought you put in them - I just try and find a phrase of a hook that seems clever at the time - it's a cheap shot. Next year I'll try harder, this year has been a battle for me.