This song is in response to two songwriting challenges: the first: to write a ballad; the second: to write about an inanimate object. I succeeded with the second. On this recording, finger-picking and strings are provided by Band-In-A-Box while other guitars, 'foot tapping' and vocals are provided by me.

LYRICS
VERSE 1
I was watching when they first brought you home
When you climbed to your feet, walking on your own
I saw the pain when you cut    your    knee
When you learned to tie your shoe laces at the age of three

VERSE 2
Your first day at school filled me with pride
You put your lunchbox in your case and off to school you’d ride
I saw you come home with your crayons and your picture
And showed them to your mother and described your new teacher

CHORUS
I am a painting on a wall
Nothing escapes me – I see it all
I’ve seen the highs and lows, the joy and the pain
I hope I’ve been a constant for you, time and time again

VERSE 3
Christmas Day was always such a treat for me
Your family opening presents round the Christmas tree
And Mummy cooked a roast – I could smell it in the air
After lunch you had a nap with Grandad in his chair

VERSE 4
I was there when you brought Johnny home to meet your Mum and Dad
Your father let him know the expectations he had
I saw what Johnny tried to do, when you were both alone
And the tears you cried in shame and sadness sitting on your own

CHORUS

VERSE 5
Your parents were so proud in the graduation hall
And a photo of you all next to me       up on the wall
I heard of your promotion and your transfer overseas
And when you came to visit, your parents were so pleased

BRIDGE
For many years, your life was busy – your time was not your own
Your parents would wonder if you’d call them on the phone
Your Dad was often sick, your Mum had trouble remembering
You promised them continually, but the telephone never rings

VERSE 6
You finally came back home, but your Mum and Dad have gone
This house is cold and dark     without the light you shone
You look up at me - the tears run down    your     face
You can’t see mine, but I am looking over this place.

CHORUS


Painting on a wall (BIAB mix)

"Hard Times Come Again No More" (sometimes, "Hard Times") is an American parlor song written by Stephen Foster (in stamp) in 1854
The first audio recording was a wax cylinder by the Edison Manufacturing Company in 1905.
In my version I sing and play guitars and mandolins (Napolitan and Octave). I produced this at my home wirh Band in a Box and Reaper.
Laulun on kirjoittanut Stephen Foster (postimerkissä) 1984. Se äänitettiin ensi kerran 1905 Edisonin vahasylinteritallentimelle.
Versiossani laulan ja soitan kitaroita sekä mandoliineja (napolilainen ja oktaavi). Tuotin tämän kotonani Band in a Boxilla ja Reaperilla.

Hard Times Come Again No More (Stephen Foster 1854)

Je suis l'auteur compositeur de cette chanson.
Les arrangements ont été faits à partir de Band-in-a-Box (contrebasse, guitare, mandoline) et de Suno AI (voix, violon, violoncelle).

Chaque personne est un iceberg
Dont on ne voit que le haut
Chacun se complimentant
Sur la forme de son chapeau
Entre confiance et méfiance
Savoir sur quel pied l’on danse

Qu’en est-il de leurs abysses
Tout au fond de l’Atlantique
Doit-on quand même s’y risquer
A l’instar du Titanic
Entre confiance et méfiance
Peut-on compter sur la chance

L’expérience et l’intuition 
Seront les meilleurs radars
Prévenant la collision
Avant qu’il ne soit trop tard
Entre confiance et méfiance
Il faut sortir sa balance

Entre confiance et méfiance

Kitchin Sync

R.W. Davis: Lyrics
Me: Music, arrangement, mix, master, vocals, harmonies, BGVs, guitar break
Freepik.com: Graphic


A Forge, A Waitress and a Jukebox Song

Sons of Thunder

Janice Merritt: vocals, percussion and arrangement
Peter Fulham: guitar rhythm, fills and solos
Bud Merritt: lyrics, arrangement, mix/mastering & photo
AI: None

NO TURNAROUND 
Intro 

Verse 1

I always wanted to be your safe full of treasures 

But you never tried to learn my combination

The numbers on that dial were oh so simple 

Why didn’t  you find trying it a sweet temptation?

	Chorus

	So I’m gonna travel a single lane for a while

	Leaving’s all that matters not where I’m bound

	Don’t wanna roundabout just need a straight line 

	No side roads and damn sure no turnaround

Verse 2

The credits are rolling ‘n there’s no backing up

My Mama told me hearts are made to be broken

They’re  all going to leave you sooner or later

Maybe that’s why you left so many words unspoken 

	Repeat Chorus

Solo

Bridge 

You used to tell me what you wanted to be

But wanting to be and being ain’t the same for me

	Repeat Chorus

Outro

No Turnaround

This is a mystical song, because of its lyrics and used instruments, like a cello, strings and conga's. A touch of Rock and a cool lead guitar. It is in the key of G, 95 bpm.

Confusing Times
(c) HwBerkhout, 11102025

Verse 1
In the nighttime I lie awake
And the morning brings no conclusion
That’s the hard part - when all feels fake
Oh, I’m still chasing a true solution

Verse 2
No, not what you call better
That doesn't matter much to me
No, that doesn't matter

Chorus 1 (confusion)
C1/ Oh... it’s the morning where I have to start
I wonder why my thoughts won’t break
You saw me staring - a lonely card?
Oh, my mind is a silent lake

Verse 3
There’s a time when I go walking
Maybe truth is somewhere near
And there's a time for me talking
But no answers do appear

Verse 4
No, don’t leave me in that corner
Don’t just turn away
Oh I - I’m in the rain all day

Chorus 2 (doubt)
C2/ And... it’s around noon where I fall apart
I wonder if my heart will ache
You saw me dreaming - a wounded heart
Oh, my mind’s a shadowed lake

Chorus 3 (longing)
C3/ But... it’s the evening where I see your face
I wonder if it’s just a mistake
You see me reaching - through empty space
Oh, my mind’s a trembling lake

Solo

Verse 5
We kept our promise to laugh every day.
And enjoy all the good old songs.
It ain't me and it ain't you, no way
But sadness comes, to life it belongs

Chorus 4 (acceptance)
C4/ But... in the morning that I start to climb
I wonder what the dawn will take
You see me rising - for one more time
Oh, my heart is a clearing lake

Chorus 5 (peace)
C5/ And now... It feels I'm living in a confusing time
I wonder where the light will break
But you see me smiling - my soul aligned
Oh, my mind is now a shining lake

Confusing Times

No One Knows the Blues Like Me
By David Snyder

V1

I don't need the rain 
To make me feel my pain 
Lord knows I been crying 
In the bright sunshine 
Don't need to be in Memphis 
Or Chicago South side 
Or down at the crossroads
In a Mississippi Delta tide
Cause my blues knows every city 
And my blues is certified

PC

See I got mine from the devil 
In a crossfire hurricane 
I've been bad to so many womens 
I only got myself to blame 
And I can't even look in the mirror 
And it’s a dirty rotten shame


CH

Good Lord I'll sing the chorus 
And I need y'all folks to see 
That I lost my soul 
While I was breaking hearts 
From sea to shining sea
And there ain't no one in Chicago 
Or even in hell 
That I can see
No one knows the blues like me
Aw naw child
No one knows the blues like me
 
Music and lyrics copyright 2025 
by David Snyder
ASCAP/Day of Faith Records
David Snyder: Guitars and Vocals, additional instrumentation, mixing, production, mastering

NO ONE KNOWS THE BLUES LIKE ME

Eleven (or 10)

Just me letting off a little steam.

I am playing the lead guitar and via my breath a nd keyboard controller the Swam flute. Band-in-a-Box is supplying the balance of the tracks using my sound sources.

Warning - there is some dissonance in this song.  It was intentional. 

City Nights

I've been a guitarist since the age of 15 and writing songs since then, albeit more prolifically since 2000. I prefer strong melodies and to borrow chords to move outside of the diatonic. Usually, the song mix contains my vocals, guitars and sometimes bass, with drums, keys and other instruments auto-generated. The tracks uploaded in my Soundcloud are attempts to 'illustrate' the idea and sound I imagined when writing the songs. At best, the quality of recordings are demo quality. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!

Painting on a wall (BIAB mix)

Andrew of the antipodes