• From: Starkville, Mississippi USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,069

Topic: "On The Prize"

I never did realize it as a young man, but it is not always easy for young ladies who are beautiful and smart and talented.  Most guys are just scared of them, and most of the other girls just hate them without even really knowing them.

My daughter is a very smart and very pretty young lady with a genuinely sweet and caring disposition.  She had a very rough time a while back being bullied and derided by some female peers who were just plain nasty to her - your classic 'mean girls' sort of visciousness and hurtful ugliness.

That phase is over now (thank goodness!), but this little song is about how my wife and I helped her through a troubling period of adolescence.

On The PrizeJames McCormick, July 22, 2007


in 6/8 time, a tender lullaby


[G7]Let 'em [C]whisper, let 'em talk, let 'em jabber away


Let 'em [G]babble and [F]chuckle and [C]grin.


[G7]Let 'em [C]sneer and be snide, let 'em cuss and deride


Let 'em [G]stew in the [F]juices they're [C]in.


[G]People will try to [F]tear down your [C]pride


With [Am]jealously, rumors, and [D]lies


Just [F]keep your head [C]up, keep your [F]spirit a-[C]live


Keep your [Am]eyes firmly [G]set on the [F]prize . . .


Keep your [Am]eyes firmly [G]set on the [C]prize.


[G7]Well, [C]maybe they're bored, maybe they're mean


[G]Maybe they're [F]sad and a-[C]fraid.


[G7]Or [C]maybe they're nasty or bitter or nuts


[G]Maybe they [F]need to get [C]laid.


[G]People will try to [F]tear down your [C]pride



With [Am]jealously rumors and [D]lies


Just [F]keep your head [C]up, keep your [F]spirit a-[C]live


Keep your [Am]eyes firmly [G]set on the [F]prize . . .


Keep your [Am]eyes firmly [G]set on the [C]prize.


[G7]Keep [C]doing your best, just keep being strong


Keep [G]working [F]toward your [C]dreams


[G7]Keep a [C]smile at the ready and your manners intact


Quiet [G]dignity [F]reigns su-[C]preme.


[G]People will try to [F]tear down your [C]pride


With [Am]jealously rumors and [D]lies


Just [F]keep your head [C]up, keep your [F]spirit a-[C]live


Keep your [Am]eyes firmly [G]set on the [F]prize . . .


Keep your [Am]eyes firmly [G]set on the [C]prize.



"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

James McCormick's Website

  • Registered: 2007-04-03
  • Posts: 3,489

Re: "On The Prize"

Well done James and your wife,

for dealing with this one. Its difficult as it can restrict your child in many ways!

My second son got the same treatment!  When my son was 22 years old,

the guy who caused him such hardship apologised to him! which i did admire! He revealed his own
parents marriage had ended at that time in school! and he hated the way i said" Hello My Sunshine Child" to my son when picking him up from school.
Message recieved!

Old Doll.

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !
  • upyerkilt
  • upyerkilt
  • Unofficial king of Scotland
  • Offline
  • From: Balloch, Scotland, UK, Earth
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 3,290

Re: "On The Prize"

very good James.!!
I like a good song with a good meaning. Or a good meaning to a good song.
am I getting de ja vu or have i typed something like this before?lol

Ken

ye get some that are cut out for the job and others just get by from pretending
  • arkady
  • arkady
  • ambient moderator
  • Offline
  • From: England
  • Registered: 2006-11-23
  • Posts: 2,147

Re: "On The Prize"

Hi
Now I've dabbled a bit on the songwriting forum I  feel I can lend my two pennies worth (Yes that does date me  smile a bit).

I like this song. Nice expressive lyrics and chord progressions. I've had a go and it works well figerpicking though the chords.

I feel some empathy as I have a daughter who is nearly 30 now, though I don't think she was bullied  as such. I remember the feelings of wanting to protect her from anything that could hurt her mentally or physically. Of course you can't. But there it is.

Ark

  • From: Starkville, Mississippi USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,069

Re: "On The Prize"

Thanks arkady & upyerkilt & Old Doll - I'm glad you found something worthy in the song.

I am very proud of both of my kids (daughter 18, son 12).  They each are able to think and do for themselves.  They have each had run-ins with bullies and have had to learn the hard lesson that some people apparently have nothing better to do than cause trouble for others.

There is no way to protect them from every danger - all you do is help them to grow up thinking clearly and help them to make sense of the world.  I'll get down off my soapbox now and shut up.  James

"That darn Pythagorean Comma thing keeps messing me up!"
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_comma[/url]

James McCormick's Website