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Description:
(This is the third time I'm posting this song. I keep changing the instrumentation. I'm sorry about the posts and deletes.)
About a decade ago, my grandmother, after a lifetime of hardship, developed a profound depression. It was triggered by my grandfather's death and her son's (my two uncle's) squabbles over his estate.
I wrote this song at that time. She has never been the same since. Even though she is still very much alive, her spirit is hidden, suppressed - perhaps gone.
I miss her very much.
This arrangement, like my other post "Rattles and Crib," is very simple. I love the sounds of three instruments put together - a triangle of sound. In this case, my voice, the piano, and software cellos/strings.
Lyrics:
Teapots and brooms and long lost years
Just a little quiet simplicity
Sweat and ginger and home-made soup
Never mind the hope for some sanity
Tell me I have Grandma’s eyes
I’m not sure where she has gone
Loving life couldn’t have been easy
Gently forgiving all that went wrong
Chorus:
Grandma, sit in your chair
Tell me a story
Where have you been all this time?
Grandma, just rest easy
Tell me a story
I’ll answer when the door-bell chimes
I forget the stories she has told me
Temples and peasants so far away
I want to see again Grandma’s eyes
And hear once more all she has to say
I can remember Grandma’s eyes
Round and bright, full of aching
I could see a world of hard faith
And sense the pain of cruelty’s making
Chorus repeat
You ask me what she will leave behind
The answer is simple like her life
There’s a legacy of stories left to tell
Beyond her fate as a simple wife
Chorus repeat
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Yes... &mdash 07/11/06 - 11:56:22 PM
a slight improvement of an already great tune. Love the addition of the
cellos. They sound more natural and play well off of the piano.
Now, don't tamper with this anymore! If you re-post with your vox
replaced by a Kazoo or something I'll be really miffed!
Be well friend! [ Reply to This ]
Yes... &mdash 07/12/06 - 10:34:08 AM
For the time being, no more reposts. :)
Thanks for the listen and comments, Mike. You know they are always appreciated.
Cheers.
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Check out my latest: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22498">Grandma's Eyes</a> [ Reply to This ]
Yes... &mdash 07/14/06 - 01:36:50 AM
Since I can't e-mail you right now I'm going to use this comment space!
I wonder about a collab between you and I sometime in the future (It's too
late to attempt one in the past---don't you agree? HINT: Say "Yes!"). I could
add some nice guitar licks (ala Some Golden Daybreak) to your pretty piano. I
think we could even trade off or harmonize on vocals.
This weekend I'll be posting my RUN SALLY RUN. The opening vox (before the
Rock part kicks in) bears some similarity to to your own and Richard Schletty's
styles, I think.
Something to consider. It might be fun. It could be nice.
Be well! [ Reply to This ]
Yes... &mdash 07/14/06 - 10:07:08 AM
Well. I guess I'll say... of course. Sounds like a ton of fun, Mike.
I've create an alias email address: collabwithconductor@mac.com
Email me there, we can exchange real email addresses and I'll delete the alias. Let's avoid that spam!
Look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers. Charlie
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Check out my latest: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22498">Grandma's Eyes</a> [ Reply to This ]
Answering each doorbell &mdash 07/12/06 - 08:59:44 AM
Love the Mandy Patinkin feel, the differing line lengths, the construction.
So many stories of women who were so much more than wives. The line
"I%u2019ll answer when the door-bell chimes," when I first heard it, seemed trite
in comparison to the subject, a missed chance; but then I imagined how
many times she would have answered the door whenever it chimed, how
the action would conjure up so many memories, people, encounters,
anticipations in you, that I ended up cherishing it. This should be a video,
complete with old photos and silhouetted memories. [ Reply to This ]
Answering each doorbell &mdash 07/12/06 - 10:38:23 AM
Thanks, Tobin. I too really struggled with that very same line. I ended up keeping it, even though it does seem to jump out a bit. Seems a little out of context. But I also wanted the line to mean the "final" doorbell, when death comes knocking. And for that reason, I kept the line.
Thanks also for the Mandy comparison. I'm a fan of his.
Cheers.
---
Check out my latest: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22498">Grandma's Eyes</a> [ Reply to This ]
Answering each doorbell &mdash 07/13/06 - 04:26:07 PM
Great Idea Tobin!
I think every family should have a video of loved ones passed, and the time to
begin is in the final stages of they're life....Charlie did such a wonderful job of
this song that a video would become a family treasure....I sure wish I had a video
like that of my grandmother's but they passed away long ago....Peace, Norman [ Reply to This ]
Great performance &mdash 07/12/06 - 02:36:04 PM
A wonderful piano sound that strikes from the very first note. And then comes your voice... wow, not only technically perfect but also full of passion and emotion. A rare combination, but you master this so well. One could say this is a very mellow song, and in fact it is. But gosh, Charlie, I like this tremendously!
Walter [ Reply to This ]
Great performance &mdash 07/12/06 - 08:08:29 PM
Thanks, Walter. I'm so glad you enjoyed the song. I appreciate your compliments.
I think, like for you, this whole home recording thing has opened up a whole new outlet for self expression for me.
Cheers.
---
Check out my latest: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22498">Grandma's Eyes</a> [ Reply to This ]
Another Fine Song! &mdash 07/13/06 - 04:37:13 PM
The thing I like about your music Charlie is how human it is. My guess is
that many people on this site are going through similar situations...and
you bring words and melody to their experience. Thats also why I liked
Peter Greenstone's Emmett..Tobin was right too, this would make a fine
family video or addition to a movie or play (I know I've said this
before)....anyway, keep up the good work. Say hello to the Orcas for me!
Peace, Norman [ Reply to This ]
Another Fine Song! &mdash 07/13/06 - 10:53:31 PM
Thanks, Norman. You give me a great compliment with saying how "human" my music is. Thank you. Our personal experiences, however unique, also contain universal elements and truths. We aren't as different as we sometimes think, are we.
Thanks for mentioning Peter's Emmet. I hadn't heard the song before. It really is beautiful. Again, what's personal becomes universal.
I continue to appreciate your support and encouragement.
With a tip of the hat and a wink. Cheers.
---
Check out my latest: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22498">Grandma's Eyes</a> [ Reply to This ]
Emotionally Thoughtful &mdash 07/14/06 - 04:25:18 AM
Charlie, you never fail to make me feel when I hear one of your songs.
Congratulations on another excellent effort. [ Reply to This ]
Emotionally Thoughtful &mdash 07/14/06 - 10:09:01 AM
Hey, Tim. So glad you dropped by. Thank you for listening and commenting. I'm gld you found the song emotional and thought provoking.
Just trying to keep up with Monkaton in terms of story telling. :)
Cheers.
---
Check out my latest: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22498">Grandma's Eyes</a> [ Reply to This ]
Emotionally Thoughtful &mdash 07/14/06 - 11:47:03 PM
you got talent man! &mdash 10/19/06 - 01:10:17 AM
your music really connects with my own taste....I really like the
melancholic, romantic, memory evoking feelings......you should publish
these melodies....they deserve a wider audience. great voice too... [ Reply to This ]
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cellos. They sound more natural and play well off of the piano.
Now, don't tamper with this anymore! If you re-post with your vox
replaced by a Kazoo or something I'll be really miffed!
Be well friend!
[ Reply to This ]