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The Lonely Road (Deserve This)- 2007 by aclarke [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 828
Comments: 26
Votes: 4
Plays: 82
Last Played: Sep 24, 2008 - 04:58:35 PM
Downloads: 38
Fans: 13
Uploaded: Dec 24, 2007 - 06:39:12 AM
Last Updated: Jan 26, 2008 - 08:43:13 PM
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Description:
This was originally posted back in 2005 with a nice, sweet mix and Ziti's amazing guitars added in. This is the original song with just my vocal and guitar and minimal (if any) effects.

At a time in our history when it costs more than ever just to get through the day the minimalist approach seems appropriate.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

The original post from 2005: http://www.macjams.com/song/15502

Lyrics:
The Lonely Road
words and music by Adam Clarke
December 1993

Old man walks a lonely road
shivering in the winter's cold
in younger days he had everything
a heart of gold and a young man's dreams
He once believed in Santa Claus
Jesus Christ and God above
but life can break the strongest man
faith slips away
leaving empty hands

Oh God what did he do to deserve this
why won't anybody lend a hand
oh my God what did he do to deserve this
Christmas time should be a warm time
but it's the coldest time of year

a young boy sits on santa's knee and says
please don't bring a toy for me
they're closing down the factory
my daddy's job's in jeopardy
and ma's not feeling well at all
but Suzie'd like a brand new doll
Santa I believe in you
just do the best that you can do

oh God what did he do to deserve this
can't you see he's just a little boy
oh my god what has he done to deserve this
Christmas time should be a childs time
but he's got to grow up this year

(break)

I really can't complain I guess
my loving wife well she's the best
by my side through it all
and she lifts me up when I'm feelin' small
my kids believe in santa claus
Jesus Christ and God above
it's taken time for me to see
but I finally know what Christmas means

oh God what have I done to deserve this
I'm no better man than any man
oh my God what have I done to deserve this
Christmas time's a family time
I'm the luckiest man alive
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man &mdash 12/24/07 - 07:23:57 AM
i thought it was bon jovi singing..hehhhe....great lyrics/great song ac!!!!.....haven't forgot ya.........merry christmas to u and yours!!!!!!

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Thanks, M! &mdash 12/31/07 - 05:01:02 PM
Always appreciate ya stopping by! I'm pretty sure this is the first time my voice has ever been compared to Bon Jovi. That's a pretty darn good Christmas present! Happy New Year!

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minimalism is good &mdash 12/24/07 - 07:54:11 AM
nice to hear it straight up like this

Christmas time changed for me when my kids came along a long time ago it seems, now; almost like magic - but I almost hate to use that word for Christmas.... When my son was five, I made a video in the living room late on on the eve, used pause-record to make the milk & cookies disappear, the presents appeared under the tree, and all the sparklies floated down (hidden ceiling fan) and the wind chimes tinkled. Sorry to go on about this - but the expression on his face when he watched the video is one I will never forget. He watched it over and over for years until the video just wore out.

Thanks for this song, and bringing back the memories

. - Harold

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What is great &mdash 12/31/07 - 05:09:19 PM
About music and holidays is the association between the two- how these sounds can trigger powerful emotions and memories.

Thanks for sharing that story! What a fantastic idea- kinda wish I'd thought of it myself when mine were a little younger.

Happy Holidays, Harold... and an especially warm and Happy New Year to you and your family!

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one of the finest &mdash 12/24/07 - 09:14:15 AM
songs ever put on macjams

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and one of the finest &mdash 12/31/07 - 05:11:47 PM
compliments I've ever had. Thank you, my friend. Happy New Year!

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what christmas means &mdash 12/24/07 - 01:40:38 PM
Adam, what a great song. Lyrically and emotionally powerful. Your voice trips my tear well breaker. The playing is solid and recording sounds super sweet. Bravo

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I love this song &mdash 12/25/07 - 12:29:01 AM
The lyrics are perceptive and pertinent. The ideas and images set the mind racing. Your voice is excellent, and you perform the song with tremendous restraint, but full of heartfelt spirit. Very nice. Thanks for sharing it at this time. Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year to you and yours. Peace.

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Stripped Back &mdash 12/26/07 - 06:47:52 AM
To basics can be very powerful and this lets a great story show through even stronger.

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near &mdash 12/26/07 - 06:50:51 AM
Nice to hear songs performed like this. Just one man with his guitar. Good singing and good lyrics:)

Thanks, enjoyed it!

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I didn't &mdash 12/26/07 - 09:14:22 AM
hear the original, but this sounds really full and rich sounding with excellent vocals and brilliant lyrics and sentiment, Merry Christmas to you and yours M

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I've loved .... &mdash 12/28/07 - 12:45:58 AM
... this song from the first time I heard it .... still love it !

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wow &mdash 12/29/07 - 11:06:06 AM
What terrific words for sure! To me this should be played on the radio all around the US. I can see you playing this at the Bluebird Cafei in Nashville. That place gets packed like any place I've seen and I think it would be highly thought of especially during Christmas season. But this a tune that would do well if it would be played all year long.
The music backs up the words nicely.

Way to go!




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what's shaking, AC? &mdash 12/29/07 - 12:33:27 PM
very clean vocals. you have a great voice. very smooth, and rich. almost devoid of effects on the voice. i am too big a sissy to do that... ha!
one thing; try to double the guitars, and pan them 3/4 each way. it might really make them jump out and beat your ears to a pulp!!!
nice post. you are a great all around musician to be sure.
Allen

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Beautiful piece of.. &mdash 12/29/07 - 12:41:00 PM
storytelling and songwriting.Thanks for sharing such a wonderful tune and your God given talents.Much enjoyed.

Blessings,

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Christmas can be cold &mdash 01/06/08 - 08:09:15 PM
Nice song with classic feel. It's like three little acts linked together by a chorus. I'm glad you ended on a positive vibe - it's beautiful how the "oh God what have I done to deserve this" line still works but in a converse sort of way. The simple strait-forward presentation suits the song well.

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Damn &mdash 01/08/08 - 11:22:59 AM
Adam - I missed this first time round - my loss - this is a lovely lyric, beautifully sung. This is an ace xmas song - very contemporary and moving - love it.

steve

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Nice &mdash 01/21/08 - 03:37:24 PM
I like it.

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From workin man to another! &mdash 01/28/08 - 08:58:45 PM
Great job! Being new here, I am immediately impressed by the talent on MJ. This is an awesome song -- simple, honest, real. Not to mention a great voice!

Heading over to Itunes now to get your EP!




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solid as a rock &mdash 01/28/08 - 10:03:40 PM
if only you knew how some of us are incapable of producing such a steady foundation of rhythm thru strumming the guitar. this was a great example of exactly that which i cannot do. swell, easily delivered vocal - and some good chord changes. nice job, adam.
anne

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sad tune.... &mdash 02/09/08 - 07:34:51 AM
....but very very nice.... :)

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Good &mdash 02/11/08 - 11:01:49 PM
Good lyric... I like the melody and sound... Good played...

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Thank you. &mdash 02/16/08 - 10:32:30 AM


Hi

I absoultely love your music too, and you have such an enthralling captivating smile too on your pic if that is yourself ?

I think that your lovely nature too, also shines through in your comments, and I can see you also have a nice spirit and your souls in your music that is why it so good to listen too.
I thank you so much for sharing your lovely music too. I have listened to many a good musician on here and you are also included and as you might not be aware, I only taught myself music about six months a go properly or should I say nearly haha You might have also mentioned this now I am not to sure?

The lyrics are soo sweet too.

I love your voice lyrics were very good and you play your guitar really nice and melodic and very dream like. Right enough crawling for now. haha. Wink.

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Great &mdash 03/05/08 - 02:25:30 PM
This is a great melody.. and touching lyrics... The chorus is superb... Nice performed, and i like your voice/vocals.... Very good song... Thanks for sharing....

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Great Song &mdash 03/15/08 - 09:04:43 AM
Adam, this is really a fine song. I would love to know what kind of acoustic you are playing and how you miked it. I really identify with this song. I think it has a real universal appeal.
Great job,
Stephen

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Hey Stephen &mdash 03/15/08 - 10:17:55 AM
I'm playing my almost 20 year old Washburn D12CE with a MXL 990 condenser mic about six inches from the guitar and placed between the base of the neck and the sound hole. I love the sound of that guitar mic'd so much better than plugged in!

Thanks for the listen!

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