[Ellenback1]

Ok, so here is the story - my Da wrote a song, one of many, but this one is so close to my heart that I don't want to muck it up for him. He wrote about my Mum, who passed when I was a child, leaving him with 6 kids to raise on his own, and I think he wants to tell her something, now that he's 77 years of age. Mainly, that he loved her, even though they went through hell, together, and that he still misses her. See, Mum was an alcoholic, which is what killed her, and my Da was angry for a long, long time. He wrote this song that just makes me cry, and I would love to get some help on the chords for it, so I can play it for him, but after the first few notes, I'm not going anywhere. Eventually, I can picture playing at the pub with him singing it, so it has to be straightforward, and since you already know what a fabulous guitarist I am (NOT!) the chords have to be fairly simply as well - nothing TOO exotic! (little hands, BIG guitar!)

I started with Cadd9, went to (maybe) a Dm, then perhaps an Em, just not sure where to take it...It has to be wistful, sad, reminiscent, but it will need to go to a dominant at some point. I'd love some input on the music behind these lyrics (he'll KILL me if I change a word! LOL) So if anything seizes you, let me know? And remember, he's as Irish as the night is black, so a Celtic feel would be great...See, I can hear the melody, or at least the start of one, but can't seem to find my way through the chords without using the exact same ones that I've already done in my own songs, and I don't want to use them, so perhaps fresh minds, like yours, would help me find my way through the murk?

I Remember Your Name

It means nothing to remember your name
With feelings of rancor and blame
It does nothing to think of the past
In bitterness, anger and pain

If I could recall all the times that we danced
The nights that we walked in the rain
T'would be better to remember that way
Than blame you for things as they are

It means nothing to think of those days
With hard eyed anger or pain
It does nothing to leave you the blame
For a life that went wrong many ways

And now I remember the nights and the days
The laughter, the tears and the pains
I remember you loving and caring for me
My working and caring for you

A life that's half lived can never be true
The memories buried in pain
I wake from my bed, my sleeping half done
And now I remember your name.

Elle's Da

[Ellenback1]

Thank you, Paul! I'll give that a try tonight...I'll be working on this song this weekend, as my poor guitar is just laying there in its box due to work constraints...

[pbee]

Sorry Ellen, I forgot that I had a capo on the guitar
the chords I used were: capo on 2nd fret the verses in Am,C,G,Am and the chorus in Dm,G,Am all relative to the capo.
cheers
Paul

[Hilch]

poor guitar is just laying there in its box due to work constraints

Naughty Girl ...

You told me that would change

[Ellenback1]

Originally Posted by pbee

Sorry Ellen, I forgot that I had a capo on the guitar
the chords I used were: capo on 2nd fret the verses in Am,C,G,Am and the chorus in Dm,G,Am all relative to the capo.
cheers
Paul

Still sounded good, Paul! I'll try it again with the capo...Finally got the chance to play tonight for a few minutes, and I'm playing ALL weekend, as I don't have to work!

Elle

[Ellenback1]

Originally Posted by hilch

poor guitar is just laying there in its box due to work constraints

Naughty Girl ...

You told me that would change

It HAS, as of tonight, and who's gonna make me change, other than YOU and YOUR army...LOL

Elle

[Hilch]

ooops I'm scared

[scotty_b]

Hey
If you like , record the melody you have in mind, send it to me, and I will put some chords around it for you.
It is a powerful lyric and story

[carol m]

I've just caught up with this Elle. Very touching lyrics and I'm sure that whatever you come up with you will do it justice. I'm also pretty certain that your Da will love it, however it turns out, just because you cared enough to even think of doing it.

By the way, I was listening to Brothers in Arms (Dire Straits) as I read the lyrics, and the style of the melody/chord changes sounded appropriate to your Da's words. If you are stuck, you could maybe play around with a tune along similar lines? Just an idea.

[Jomi]

Those lyrics are stunning Elle, I had a try this afternoon and came up with this but I think you'd need to use one of the verses as a bridge. Good luck with whatever you decide.

G.............BM...........C................G
It means nothing to remember your name
.....................D.............C
With feelings of rancor and blame
G..........BM..........C..............G
It does nothing to think of the past
..................D............C
In bitterness, anger and pain

[Ellenback1]

Jomi, it's odd, you and I think alike! LOL I've actually had a go at this song this past weekend, and ended up coming up with something very similar to what you'd suggested Jomi, without even seeing your idea yet! I'm having trouble with the chorus, and the overall feel of the song, but I have recorded a few versions of it. It's just when I get to the chorus, I get the timing and sync messed up, so I won't post it until I get that fixed. And I ended up changing the way my Da had set the song up, putting two verses together, choosing a chorus, etc.

I'll keep working on it, soon as I am ready, I'll put it up. Thank you, all, for your suggestions - they led me to this place I am in with the song, and I couldn't have figured it out without all your help!

Elle

[Hilch]

Hows this going Elle ?

Can someone record some music for Elle ?

I would love to hear it , I would if I was about 100000% better at playing

[Ellenback1]

I can sing it, I hear the melody, I even know the chords, but my strumming is where it falls down..it's sooooo bloody boring! I've been trying to fix my strumming style, as it seems to be a carbon copy of all the other songs, pretty much, and that's what I got dinged for at my last jam. I'd love to take you up on the offer Scotty, just don't have a way to send it to you, but I plan on recording this sometime this weekend, as I'm finally starting to slow down with my less compelling pursuits, such as work....LOL

Elle

[Hilch]

Yes you do , Soundclick ..Scotty could listen to what you have from there ?

[scotty_b]

hey Elle
if you did record the melody and then converted it to MP3 you could email it to me - I'll give you my address if you like.
May be a bit too far to just drop it in at my place!
Trev's suggestion of Soundclick could work too. I could record the tune off there, and then notate the melody and off up some suggestions for harmonisation. I promise I won't get too weird with it!

[Hilch]

Did this happen guys ???

When do I get to hear it

Trevor