I started off writing this as Week 44 when realized that there are no
"minor"characters in The Weight by The Band.
Everybody tends to get a full verse.
Since they are a pair this should better qualify for Week 42 "Couples"
Carmen And The Devil
Carmen and the Devil
Took me by surprise
Left me out here on the streets
Without a place to hide
I gave her my eternal soul
To him my peace of mind
And I just sit and wonder how
I could have been so blind
Don't you curse the one you love
When the Spring is in the air
You'll find that in the winter wind
They won't be 'round to care
Don't you curse the sacred
In a search for wealth and fame
You'll find when you are down and out
What it means to be profane
Carmen and the Devil
Went to higher ground
I was stranded in this valley
As the rain came pouring down
Washing away the fertile soil
Where the olive branches grew
And drowning precious memories
Of a life I thought I knew
Don't you curse the one you love
When the Spring is in the air
You'll find that in the winter wind
They won't be 'round to care
Don't you curse the sacred
In a search for wealth and fame
You'll find when you are down and out
What it means to be profane
Now Carmen and the Devil
Went their separate ways
And I walk the street of Nazareth
As we did in younger days
Singing songs of salvation lost
And of my love unrequited
And telling tales of separate paths
That are not to be united
Don't you curse the one you love
When the Spring is in the air
You'll find that in the winter wind
They won't be 'round to care
Don't you curse the sacred
In a search for wealth and fame
You'll find when you are down and out
What it means to be profane
John
This is my Seal of Approval:
It's the rock that gives the stream its music . . . and the stream that gives the rock its roll.
Very nice, John.
I'm not familiar with the song from which you draw the characters, but I like this song. Wonderful imagery. It leaves me with a haunting lonely feeling.
A suggested change for one word in the 2nd verse.
Carmen and the Devil
Went to higher ground
I was stranded in this valley
As the rain came pouring down
Washing away the fertile soil
Where the olive branches grew
And drowning precious memories
Of a life I thought I knew
I suggest this only because "ground", what you had originally, rhymes with the couplet before it ("ground"/"down"). This can be used to good effect (I'm a fan of it myself), but I don't think that's what you're going for. But that image, the rain washing away the soil where peace grew... smashing.
Rob
Ice cream is a dish best served cold.
Soon as I saw the title, I knew I was going to like this - "The Weight" is one of my all-time favourite songs. I even got to play it with Dan and Laura and Scrybe a few months back!
I didn't want to look at it last night, I was so knocked out by Kath's "James McKenzie" song....to compare them would have been a bit unfair. Or so I thought at the time. Between the pair of you, you've come up with a couple of real goodies this week!
So what do I like about this song? Hmmm - just about everything. Seems a little outside the usual Celt style, but still recognisable. It even manages to capture the same feel as "The Weight," although - if I may be so bold as to make a suggestion - it might suit a slightly slower, more "country" feel - I can imagine this with lap-steel or pedal-steel.
One tiny nit-pick.....(Yes, you guessed it John, it's the Grammar Police....well, almost....)
"Singing songs of salvation lost
In stories unrequited"
I've never seen the word "unrequited" used other than in conjunction with the word "love," so I checked the OED - the definition it gives is:
unrequited, a. (of love) unreturned.
So with that in mind, maybe, "Singing songs of salvation lost, and of love unrequited" - or something along those lines, anyway.
But.....like I said, I really like where you're going with this. Looking forward to hearing it - and I said that about "James Mackenzie" before Kath served up her MP3!
:D :D :D
Vic
"Sometimes the beauty of music can help us all find strength to deal with all the curves life can throw us." (D. Hodge.)
I didn't want to look at it last night, I was so knocked out by Kath's "James McKenzie" song....to compare them would have been a bit unfair. Or so I thought at the time. Between the pair of you, you've come up with a couple of real goodies this week!
Well said, Vic.
Kathy's "Jack MacKenzie" made it on my iPod.
I haven't heard all her songs but from what I have heard, that one is the best.
I was reading John's lyrics while listening to Kathy's song. Very interesting.
KR2
It's the rock that gives the stream its music . . . and the stream that gives the rock its roll.
this is great John, and I am also looking forward to hearing it.
Falling in love is like learning to play the guitar; first you learn to follow the rules, then you learn to play with your heart.
Thanks Everybody,
It's always funny how the lines I have the most trouble with
get corrected back to the original thought.
That is usually me getting in the way of what the song wants.
I'm working on the music and think I may have it.
Seems I put myself in the unenviable position of coming up
with something that evokes the feel of a true classic but
is original in itself. Or at least not obvious plagiarism. :D
Oh and SlowPlay Welcome back I haven't seen you around in a while.
It's good to get your feedback.
John
Hi,
This one took a bit of a twist while I was putting it to music.
MP3 and Updated Lyrics:
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6871881
Carmen and the Devil
Carmen and the Devil
Took me by surprise
Left me out here on the streets
Without a place to hide
I gave her my eternal soul
To him my peace of mind
And now I sit and wonder how
I could have ever been so blind
Don't you curse the ones you love
When the Spring is in the air
You'll find that in the winter wind
They won't be 'round to care
Don't you curse the sacred
In a search for wealth and fame
You'll find when you are down and out
Why this whole damn world's profane
Carmen and the Devil
Went to higher ground
I‘m stranded in this valley
As the rain comes pouring down
Washing away the fertile soil
Where the olive branches grew
And drowning precious memories
Of a life I thought I knew
Don't you curse the ones you love
When the Spring is in the air
You'll find that in the winter wind
They won't be 'round to care
Don't you curse the sacred
In a search for wealth and fame
You'll find when you are down and out
Why this whole damn world's profane
Instrumental...
Don't you curse the ones you love
When the Spring is in the air
You'll find that in the winter wind
They won't be 'round to care
Don't you curse the sacred
In a search for wealth and fame
You'll find when you are down and out
Why this whole damn world's profane
Now Carmen and the Devil
Have gone their separate ways
I walk these streets of Nazareth
As we did in younger days
Telling tales of separated paths
That can never be united
Singing songs of lost salvation
And love that's requited
Carmen and the Devil went away
hey Celt listened to this song too and also really liked it.Again I like your sound. Looking forward to hearing more.
Thanks Maddog,
I almost forgot about this one I have to get up to
standard for performance soon.
