Breath

Joanna

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Description

I stole a wee bit of time from work to write a song. I had an incurable urge to pick up my guitar and this is the result.

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Lyrics

She takes another breath
Hears the rasping sound
Hiding from the light
Clinging to the ground

She takes another breath
Seeing youthful eyes
Playing in the park
Under clear blue skies

Daddy's gone to war
Mommy hides her tears
Daddy's home but not the same
Closets full of fears

She takes another breath
Dancing heart to heart
Handsome in his tux
Til death do them part

She takes another breath
Children laughing now
Crabgrass in the yard
And a dog named Chow

Children gone for good
She visits his gravestone
Never thought her life
Would end with her alone

She takes another breath
Hears the nurse's shoes
She takes another breath
Nothing left to lose

Song Stats

Hits: 5317
Comments: 39
Fans: 6
Plays: 2417
Downloads: 101
Votes: 17
Uploaded: Jul 26, 2005 - 07:11:09 AM
Last Updated: Jul 26, 2005 - 12:25:04 AM Last Played: May 22, 2009 - 05:01:44 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

eMac, Shure SM58, nylon string guitar

Software:

Comments

cutundertherest	cutundertherest said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)
	brrr... this sent shivers up my spine. perfect in it's simplicity, and what a beautiful clear guitar sound.

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	brrr... Thank you, Cut! I'm still trying to work out the proper mic-ing of the guitar. It was so soft I had to quadruple the track, but eventually, I got to an audible level. Tech stuff can still flumox me at times. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

thetiler

thetiler said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)

more of an appreciation for the elderly
To me th is is a great piece of writing. I reminds me of a
great homage to the eldery. Though this seems like an
indivual elderly person and her last few days of earth or at
least appears like that situation.

I guess in this throw-away type world that we live in that
doesn't seem to honor the eldery like we honor the
superbowl, word series, sports hero's, rock stars etc.

Good job Joanna, powerful writing as usual!

Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	more of an appreciation for the elderly Thank you, Tiler! In my mind, the song is about those last few moments of life, when each breath is a decision, and one's past flashes before one's eyes. That's the specific. But the broader themes are many, and you've definitely touched on a big one. With so much life lived, the elderly have a lot to teach. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

mandolinquent	mandolinquent said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)
	Really good... ... such a compressed narrative over such an economical backing. It's really Brel-like. Wonderful stuff... Check out my latest song called Had We But World Enough

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Really good... Thank you, Mando! A comparison to Jacque Brel? I'm not worthy! But knowing your own artistry with both words and music, I'm deeply touched by your comment. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

snowdragon	snowdragon said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)
	Hello in there A subject that needs more attention. Hit home with me. Just curious, "a dog named Chow" a reference to lot of seniors on fixed incomes having to resort to sustanence wherever they can find it or is that just what it made me think of? Check out my latest song called The Wolf 7

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Hello in there Thank you, Snowy! As for "Chow", having just written a book about dogs, I have all these breed names in my head. The name just popped out, but I like your interpretation better. So yeah, that's what I meant. Yup. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

jackstone	jackstone said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)
	Great again I can't believe that the same woman singing this. You have alot of style and vocal. I like this style! Check out my latest song called July Sky

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Great again Thank you, Jackstone! Yes, this is a different style for me. I was playing my guitar and when I heard that pattern, it sounded almost like a clock ticking, or some sort of low, rhythmic advance of time. Not a subject to be belted out, but rather almost to be whispered. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

Rebsie	Rebsie said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)
	Song of sorrow It's great to hear you doing something dark and melancholy (I love dark and melancholy songs!) and getting so much soul into it. The guitar is hypnotic and has a lovely tone to it. The simplicity of the arrangement really helps to build the mood. Excellent. Check out my latest song called Amongst The Colours (w/ Luna Trick)

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Song of sorrow Thank you, Rebsie! You know, I tried to add more to the arrangement, like drums, a flute, or another instrument, but nothing felt right. In the end, I realized it had to be this simple. I did, however, get to use my bamboo flutes. The rhythmic pattern at the end is me clacking two flutes together. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

alley-oop	alley-oop said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)
	Haunting and beautiful. My God, Joanna, this takes me to such an unexpected place. She takes another breath Repeating that line is mesmerizing. When it's all said and done, eventually, that's what it comes down to. Taking that next breath. Check out my latest song called anymore

Joanna

Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)

Haunting
Thank you, Alley! You don't know it, but you were part of the inspiration. I
went to listen to your song, Bleed, again. It put me in a contemplative state of
mind, tinged with melancholy. When I picked up my guitar, my head was still
in that place, and led me to write this song. So it wasn't the content as much
as the emotion that inspired me. So for that, I thank you doubly.

Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

alley-oop	alley-oop said 1577 days ago (July 28th, 2005)
	Haunting I'm very happy to know I influenced you, wow! You've always influenced me. I'm glad it's mutual! Check out my latest song called anymore

	said 1579 days ago (July 26th, 2005)
	fuzz The fuzz drives me crazy, but the song itself is fantastic. Very deep, and dark, which i love. I can imagine many different forms of this song! kudos. BP

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	fuzz Thank you, Brandon! Sorry about the fuzz. I'm still working on proper mic techniques. But I'm glad it didn't spoil the whole song for you, and I thank you for listening! Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

MowMeDown	MowMeDown said 1579 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Female Prine Has a John Prine sort of eye on this one. Cold and clear. I like the way you keep it focused. Check out my latest song called She's More To Be Pitied

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Female Prine Thank you, Mow! John Prine - a lovely thing to say, thank you. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

stevel	stevel said 1579 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Stark imagery Wow Joanna, a wonderful haunting performance..very different to other things you have posted! I think that this is a really memorable narrative track, the spartan arrangement is essential to the overall effect. Very impressive Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Stark imagery Thank you, Steve! In the end, I realized this song had to be a case of "less is more" because nothing else I did added; it simply cluttered it. Then again, guitar and voice are made for each other. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

bronco	bronco said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Good job Is this based on someone you know? Tough subject to write about. Good job with it. Check out my latest song called Strange Feeling

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Good job Thank you, Bronco! No, not based on anyone I know. Just doing a little storytelling. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

	said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Powerful Simplicity.... This song just stops me in my tracks. The repetitive guitar chimes as if keeping time as this life unfolds. Your poignant vocals singing those incredible lyrics. Again, the simplicity of the entire song (lyrics, guitar, and vox) delivers a spellbinding musical moment. Did I say that I like this very much? : ) Jack

Joanna	Joanna said 1578 days ago (July 27th, 2005)
	Powerful Simplicity.... Thank you so much, Jack! You summed it up perfectly, and hit the nail on the head as to what I was trying to do with the guitar. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

ziti	ziti said 1577 days ago (July 28th, 2005)
	devestating jeez...what a snappy little tune.... this is deep with emotion for all of us who have watched our parents age... very very good jo!! Check out my latest song called All Smokey

Joanna	Joanna said 1576 days ago (July 29th, 2005)
	devestating Yeah, you just can't help dancing to it, right? I know -- tough subject, and not very comfortable, but at least she had a good life. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

Suzanne

Suzanne said 1577 days ago (July 28th, 2005)

paying attention
i took care of my mother for 12 years during her cancer. her last request was that i hold her hand when she died. to be there. after a 3 day vigil, the doctors, nurses all told me i should go home, let her go, that she was holding on because of me. i left, she died 6 hors later, and i have regretted leaving ever since. thank you for paying attention to the right voice.

Check out my latest song called Rock The Baby With Voodoo (w/Tobin)

Joanna

Joanna said 1576 days ago (July 29th, 2005)

paying attention
Oh, Suzanne, I'm so sorry to hear that. I missed a chance at seeing my Dad
one last time. His death was sudden and very unexpected, yet I've never
forgiven myself for not knowing that it was the last chance, and flying home. I
figure they're far more forgiving of us than we are of ourselves. What matters
is that they knew they were loved. Your mom obviously knew that to the
deepest part of her.

Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

caroline	caroline said 1577 days ago (July 28th, 2005)
	ouch! this hurts but i mean that as a compliment to you joanna - it's just that i prefer not to feel like this. lovely work - thank you x Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

Joanna	Joanna said 1576 days ago (July 29th, 2005)
	ouch! Thank you, Caroline -- I understand exactly what you mean. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

Cameron	Cameron said 1576 days ago (July 29th, 2005)
	ALL our clocks are ticking Very hypnotic guitar accompaniment with your melancholy vocals, which definitely put me into a trance. Your lyrics are vivid and poetic, and speak truly. I'm glad to see you exploring new musical territory! Check out my latest song called EPONYM

Joanna	Joanna said 1576 days ago (July 29th, 2005)
	ALL our clocks are ticking Thank you, Cameron -- here's hoping all the ticking clocks stay muted and in the background for a good long while. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

wittybrit	wittybrit said 1576 days ago (July 29th, 2005)
	Beautiful and ouch! Haunting, sad, and brilliant! I'd love to hear more of your fun, happy upbeat side. You are such an AMAZING talent!

Joanna	Joanna said 1576 days ago (July 29th, 2005)
	Beautiful and ouch! Aw, thank you, Witty! Just click on my name and you'll see all kinds of silliness amongst my songs. This one is actually a departure for me. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

Chris Boros said 1573 days ago (August 1st, 2005)

Nice
Nice mellow tune--liked the melody a lot. I would have added more production. I feel this song needs some psycedelic overdubs--keyboards maybe, some reverb perhaps. I know this is "folk" and that usually means stripped down acoustic music, but I just felt this was too good to be just a guy and a guitar. I wanted more sounds to create a dark, mellow, depressive sound. But other than that, this is a very nice song--I just wanted a bit more, that's all.

Check out my latest song called Taking What You Know

Joanna	Joanna said 1573 days ago (August 1st, 2005)
	Nice Thank you, Chris -- because I wanted the focus to be on the lyrics, I kept the song as simple as possible. I can understand your disagreeing that choice; that's fine. By the way, I'm not a guy, I'm a woman -- just an FYI. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

	said 1572 days ago (August 2nd, 2005)
	Pensive She should go to bingo! That'll cheer her up! :) On a more serious note, this is very, very good Joanna. I like the quality of your voice, the simple arrangement and the lyrics are excellent.

Joanna	Joanna said 1572 days ago (August 3rd, 2005)
	Pensive Thank you, Mungo! It's sad that no one mentioned Bingo to her, for surely that would've been her salvation. Either that or Texas Hold'em. Seriously, thanks for listening, and for understanding what I was trying to do. Check out my latest song called Nellie G.