I don't know what the answer is I would like to see more people post on here. In my short time of being part of chordie I have been very thankful for the generosity of spirit of those on here who have helped me navigate music and storytelling through helping me with words and lyrics and their knowledge of music.
377 2023-05-16 06:37:06
Re: In A Car Learning To Swim (14 replies, posted in Poems)
Cheers Jim when I wrote that poem, I was metaphorically trying to put together my feelings about ageing and coming to accept the changes that come with it. I find it hard as I get older to conceptualize what people mean when they talk about middle-aged, elderly aged. third age. This third age thing does that mean we have a first age and a second age if so, what makes a person fit into those categories? In my head I’m young but my body as it is now falling apart tells me different things. I guess like most people tell me youth is wasted on the young. I’m glad that you got my metaphoric way of expressing myself as I was worried that people would take my words literally or read them as the nonsensical ramblings of a mad man. I hope my words are something that people from all over the world can relate to.
Like you and Phill I would be interested to know how two of the legends of Chordie Bill and Russell are doing.
378 2023-05-15 11:08:20
Re: In A Car Learning To Swim (14 replies, posted in Poems)
Cheers Piri there are times when we are all in-the passenger seat with a driver with whom we feel is out of control.
Please resend me the email you sent me as I didn't get it due to a problem at my end of emails not been received last week on my email that has now been fixed,
379 2023-05-15 07:15:35
Topic: In A Car Learning To Swim (14 replies, posted in Poems)
This is a poem I wrote about Louie Armstrong singing the song Wonderful World on a car radio coming to my rescue.
In A Car Learning To Swim
Siting in the passenger seat is not always a fun thing.
Listening to the music on the radio as my serious driver talks about morbid things.
I’ve been chasing all sorts of dreams for a long time.
And now I am wondering as an old man what is the right time.
Is it time to stop or be thankful with my lot.
Now that I forget more than I remember.
Does it matter if its April, May or September.
I use to look for a song.
To tell me about right or wrong.
To be positive about my dreams.
The old songs of my youth are starting to feel staid.
The new songs are all about been laid.
All so temporary.
Ships in the night with no guiding light.
Taking the warmth out of the sun shining bright.
Songs from before my time that I didn’t like in my youth.
Loved by my elders and wasted on my youth.
Fill me with the wisdom of old fashion truth.
Those of my generation who thoughts made a big splash.
Many I want now to throw in the trash.
Cross legged Gurus on mountain tops.
Ideas and mantras don’t mean a lot.
The Frank Sinatra mantra of I did it my way.
I’m not sure or confident if that’s what made me okay.
Will children gain wisdom as they grow.
Will they learn much more than I'll never know.
As I’m about to get out of the car.
To head into a Chapel to say goodbye to another friend.
Satchmo comes on the radio and make’s me smile.
No longer out of my depth in modern murky water.
I have learnt how to swim.
380 2023-05-09 08:54:27
Re: via con Dios (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Mojo, that is a good song about a man getting shot because of his love for a woman.
381 2023-04-19 08:12:45
Re: Astral Dream Woman (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Jim, reading your lyrics created an image in my head of a beautiful maiden born of the cosmos whose spirit and beauty appears to a warrior or a knight of old. There she is in all her beauty standing on a beach appearing to him in a dreamlike manner via nature. Like the wind he can feel her, but he can’t physically hold her in his arms. This beautiful astral dream woman, the love of his life. I could also see this as a song about a man on a beach, seeing in nature a love of his life who has passed on but her spirt haunts him. The sort of song that would be good in a movie.
Wonderful lyrical images you have created there Jim I look forward to hearing it as a song.
382 2023-04-15 11:56:42
Re: Are You Out There? (3 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Phill Williams wrote:
Great Post Pedr. I knew you were well read but Plato?
Cheers Piri, when Maree and I spent time in Greece staying with her family it hit me how Greek history and culture has had a significant impact on Western civilization. As a result of Maree and her father's influence on me it led me in to reading about some of the famous and influential philosophers from the ancient Greek world, including Plato.
383 2023-04-15 11:50:35
Re: Succession Regression (5 replies, posted in Poems)
Excellent thought-provoking piece of writing there Scott.
384 2023-04-13 08:22:22
Topic: Are You Out There? (3 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Sitting in a quiet café today waiting for a friend to arrive made me feel strange or out of place.. It hit me the reason why I started feeling uncomfortable was because there wasn’t the sound of music or the noise of people voices telling stories. The Simon & Garfunkel song “Sound Of Silence”, entered my head and hearing in it in my imagination lifted my spirit. As we all know with all the dark clouds and stormy situations in the world through out time, some human and some in nature in the middle of it all a song can lift ones spirits. Storytelling and song is as old as human culture I guess. Many societies have long-established storytelling and song traditions. The deal with stories, and song performances thereof, function is to entertain as well as educate. Plato said, “Those who tell the stories rule society.” I would say that would also apply to song. So I would like to thank all the wonderful musicians, songwriters and storytellers on chordie who take the time to post their songs and poems for continuing that tradition. What I’m thinking is there must be people who read these posts on chordie who have never posted, that write and play songs.
So, if you're reading this and your one of those it would be great to see you become a presence on here.
385 2023-04-04 06:53:10
Re: Word Keys (6 replies, posted in Poems)
Thank you, Jan, I'm pleased my words made some sense. For this upcoming long weekend wishing you and everyone, on chordie a good Easter.
386 2023-04-02 07:39:45
Re: Word Keys (6 replies, posted in Poems)
Cheers, Piri and Jim, I have this weird theory that most probably is boring to most people, that behind every simple event is a slightly bigger picture to write about. I think your right the thirst for likes that people want never quenches their thirst for acceptance. For those who have an Internet addiction, all computer use can feel essential. With the rise in online banking, bill paying with business and doctors doing more online it's getting harder to get away from the internet. The agenda to get everyone online is going to be unhealthy for the mental health of many in the long run, I think. Jim, I like and appreciate your suggestion and I will add your two words to the end of my poem.
387 2023-04-01 04:37:55
Topic: Word Keys (6 replies, posted in Poems)
Thank you to Jim aka TIGLJK for the last two words of this poem.
Word Key
Life is a typewriter with different fonts and different response.
Absurd and humorous.
Right and wrong and numerous.
Word processors tongue and cheek.
Out of our beaks is it answers to life’s questions we seek.
Whispering meek.
Or just loud words flowing down a creek.
Is it something profound.
Or something to be drowned.
Does the right to express thought have to be brought.
Do we have to believe everything we’re taught.
It is a young child telling us they have been finking about fings.
Or an adult raving after drinking too many strong things.
Breaking hearts torn apart by a tongue and words delivered with no heart.
Berating debaters and narrators.
The captains that stand at our helm and overwhelm.
While those below decks stop our ships turning into wrecks.
Dancing fingers on keys lighting up computers is what most people get to see.
Gone is the feather, the quill and the ink.
Still doesn’t mean that we can’t think.
Too many theories make me tired and weary.
Are they Canneries in a mine or words that are a waste of time and dreary.
I will switch off the computer, go for a walk.
Just let nature and beauty fill my thought.
While the lady concentrating on her phone walks into me.
Jolted back into reality apologizing profusely.
With no harm done I wonder if she knows the words, she just said to me are from a bible psalm.
It's only another ten seconds walking away from me.
She’s worshipping her phone again looking for certainty and approval..
388 2023-03-29 09:33:18
Re: You tube video of the song Rise Up ( from the dust) (3 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Excellent video Jim to match your song and Phills performance.
389 2023-03-29 09:29:58
Re: OUTRAGE - written by myself Jandle (aka Kiki Jan on Soundcloud) (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Jan your song covers the many aspects of frustration and outrage that many around the world experience. In the space of a couple of minutes which would take politicians talking for a couple of hours to cover, your song sums things up really good. You're a good songwriter.
390 2023-03-16 20:03:41
Re: Soundcloud recording of Rise Up from the Dust (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
A master class in song writing and music arranging and performance. Excellent work guys.
391 2023-03-11 23:50:42
Re: Posting pictures on Chordie (28 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Jan their good pics of you thank you for sharing. Growing up as a kid my Mum use to love playing and singing with her ukulele it was a happy part of my growing up. With the ukulele making a big comeback with groups popping up all over the world like the one that you and Easy beat were in makes me think it should be taught as an instrument to kids in schools due to it being not too expensive an instrument to start on. I remember hearing J 'ukeville playing together upstairs at the 1841 it was good to see you all having a good time with it and putting out a good sound.
392 2023-03-01 08:06:01
Re: NO WAY OUT. (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Phill Williams wrote:
Thank you my brother from another mother, well translated there! It is actually closer than that as the boy lived next door to me and the family are all druggies. It is believed he was delivering some stuff when he hit the man who is not out of the woods just yet, so he could still be done for man slaughter or murder...? You wouldn't expect stuff like this to happen in this small town but drugs, taking and dealing are rife and the Uthorities do little or nothing about it but if you park on double yellow lines.....
Question: why do my replies to you always turn into sermons? Lol
Cheers Father Piri
Your sermonizing is always interesting thought provoking well delivered and, on the mark, ( not to be confused with the gospel of Mark). Your words are good and find a good home unlike Father McKenzie In the song Elanor Rigby. Father McKenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear. No one comes near. Looking back at myself at times I'm a bit of a Father Ted in that somedays I haven't got much to get hung about Strawberry fields forever. If I am going to use Beatles lyrics, on chordie I should get it right.
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever
Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It's getting hard to be someone
But it all works out
Thank you, John Lennon, for those lyrics now that's enough of me losing the plot.
On a serious note it is sad how methamphetamine use has spread all around the world even as far as quiet little towns away from the rat race. Here in NZ meth use is everywhere and the police are not winning the battle. It is hitting all socio-economic groups. Nationwide wastewater testing which covers up to 75 percent of New Zealand’s total population has picked up huge amounts of methamphetamine in all areas of this country. The main drug suppliers here are organized crime and gangs who are a corrupting influence that threaten the well-being and prosperity and safety of many of our communities. They exploit the most vulnerable people through drugs, violence and intimidation. Organized crime is also often hidden and therefore the size and impact I think could be underestimated by the average Kiwi person.
The street where Maree and I live is a quiet area but a few years back we had a house across the road from us that became a drug supply house. In the day it was quiet but at night it was bad with cars and noisy people coming and going all through the night. Eventually thank goodness the police started raiding them and they eventually moved out and we got our peaceful neighborhood back again. Here endeth my sermon.
393 2023-02-28 08:23:08
Re: NO WAY OUT. (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Piri
Fy mrawd o fam arall that is a real good song there going inside the mind of a kid who while doing wrong in a split second his actions could have caused someone’s life to be gone. Fortunately, this old man has survived his injuries, He then runs away instead of fronting up which also making matters worse a cowardly choice. It has got all the right lyrics that make a good rock song interesting while not being overwritten but in a way that flows easily into the listeners ears. The fact it is about a current real-life story gives us something to think about on all different levels.
You are an outstanding songwriter.
Pedr
394 2023-02-28 08:18:45
Re: Recording of " Feeling Helpless: on soundcloud (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
There is nothing wrong with your songwriting Jim and its clever how you put the chords together and take the time to put them up on soundcloud.
This song holds up good like all your songs.
395 2023-02-24 09:06:54
Re: Cyclone Gabrielle (8 replies, posted in Poems)
Cheers Jan it is sad that after this disaster that there is this evil element who are making it tougher on people who need all the help they can get. But it is also good to see how it has also brought out the best in humanity with Kiwis and people from around the world helping those who have been badly affected by Gabrielle. The government will have to lift its game on getting good outcomes for people in the badly affected communities.
396 2023-02-21 10:16:52
Re: Cyclone Gabrielle (8 replies, posted in Poems)
Thank you Piri and Grah for your kind thoughts. Even though my hand and fingers are not up to it I gave a slightly rearranged very rough sort of musical version of the poem a quick run through on the guitar. I will take it down after a couple of days. Here it is attached.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_sWJhocrvA
397 2023-02-20 09:46:59
Re: Cyclone Gabrielle (8 replies, posted in Poems)
Thank you, Mojo and Neo for your kind thoughts. Fortunately for me and my family we have avoided. the destructive parts of the storm but to the North and North East of us it has been hit hard. Those are the areas where the majority of New Zealanders population live.
398 2023-02-19 23:16:41
Re: Welfare line A re write of an old Highwaymen song (5 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Grah, you do that song really good.
399 2023-02-19 22:35:15
Topic: Cyclone Gabrielle (8 replies, posted in Poems)
Unfortunately, I'm not up to playing music much nowadays. I wrote these lyrics, but I haven't been able to put them into a musical form. I wonder why the weather people called this cyclone Gabrielle when that name means "God is great." In Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), Gabrielle is an archangel with power to announce God's will to men. Anyway on this occasion here in New Zealand we were fully made aware that we are not exempt from the powerful forces of nature.
Cyclone Gabrielle
Gabrielle she done her thing.
Not expected this to be a summer thing.
The agnostic on the roof.
Water rising he calls to God.
Please save my wife and baby's life.
For four generations this place has been his family's life.
All washed away overnight.
The orchards and all its fruit swept away.
The animals won't get to live another day.
Gabrielle she done her thing.
Not expected this to be a summer thing.
The agnostic on the roof.
Water rising he calls to God.
Please save my wife and baby's life.
The house and vehicles under water.
Please save me, my wife and my sons and daughters.
Don’t let us die in muddy waters.
Please save me, my wife and my sons and daughters.
Don’t let us die in muddy waters.
Gabrielle she done her thing.
Not expected this to be a summer thing.
The agnostic on the roof.
Water rising he calls to God.
Please save my wife and baby's life.
The helicopters circling overhead.
Will they save us and takes us where its safe and the kids can go to bed.
Gabrielle she done her thing.
Not expected this to be a summer thing.
The agnostic on the roof.
Water rising, he calls to God.
Please save my wife and baby's life.
400 2023-01-12 09:05:55
Re: Gate Keepers (10 replies, posted in Poems)
Piri I agree with Jim that farmer came up with a brilliant way of getting around the system. To have an opportunity to perform at the Royal Albert Hall at an early age is something that would have inspired me to perform if that happened to me. Maree and I went on a guided tour of the Albert Hall when in London year's back and standing on the stage with just our tour group and no audience made me wish that I was a performer playing to a real audience.