Name: Be Thou My Vision by The Music of Dan Swanson
Duration: 1 min 53 s
Description: An 8th century Irish hymn, arranged and performed by Dan Swanson.

Written by Nadia Sheikh
Produced by Nadia Sheikh & Rowan Davies
Mixed by Rowan Davies
Mastered by George Perks

The Start of December

The Start Of December

This is a remix recording, with added instruments,  of an instrumental I shared some years back.

It was my tribute to Clifford T. Ward (1944-2001), a talented & underrated British singer-songwriter.  He recorded ten plus studio albums but only made the UK singles chart twice with “Gaye” & “Scullery”.   It was said that he would have had more commercial success were it not for his dislike of touring, public appearances, interviews etc.   His songs are on Spotify should anyone is interested.

This is my final entry of the year and will certainly share more music next year.
Thanks so much for your support.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.


[CREDITS]
Music / Keyboards / Programming / Arrangement – Michael C. Lynn
The 2nd bridge (2:33 to 3:00) was adopted from Clifford Ward's song “ The Way of Love”.
Strings (background) – Avery Bright #Band_in_a_Box

The Fleeting Moments    [2025 Mix]

Got my wife Charlottie and her Froggy Bottom H-12 to join me on this bit of blues fun.

Him And Not A Me

The song isn't quite finished, but I'd like to upload it as early as possible in December, even though you can listen to it at any time of year. Since I don't have any more time this year, it's coming out now on SC. I'm happy with it as it is. I don't always like the vocals in the second verse, so I would re-record some parts. The bass is just a first draft and the mix (the volume of the individual instruments could certainly be improved). But I'm happy with it as it is. Anyone who doesn't like it this way wouldn't like the revised version either. Let's go it's:
December
I ride my bike through the frozen streets
memories of different past years meet
from the suburb to the city I go
while in the air there's a little bit of snow

there's to the right the street to my old school
where some of the boys often played the fool
I hear in a distance the sound of the sea
the harbor comes in sight
the boats lie silent and the sails are dry
the beach cafe has been closed for months
back next season in Mai I will be welcome
in summer I had ice cream and coffee there, was awesome

shops with frosty glass
as the day has passed
in the city the light shine bright
festive colors in the night
it's this peaceful month
it is Christmas coming
preparations running

while in my face the cold wind blows
in the shops with glowing windows
the Christmas season silently shows
the scent of cinnamon is in the air
decorated houses are everywhere
the market place ahead
with yellow busses and people widespread
it's this months the calm December
the good moments of the year you remember
as the year fades into quiet slumber
----
Have a great Christmas time and December and rest of the year!


December

This is a song about an escalated night of Christmas drinking.
Starring: You and me and a  Mall Santa Claus ( a Harry Dean Stanton type character).
This is probably the most depressing Christmas song ever.
Happy Holidays!

Lyrics:
Yeah (well) anyways...
I guess I'm your guardian angel
I should  wish you good luck
I've been sent by"The Entities" above
To get you out of your Christmas rut

I went down to the bar
I know that you couldn't go far
You've let yourself go soft
I gave my better judgment the day off
I'm full of Christmas cheer
I've got 10 cases of imported beer
I'm moving out tables and chairs
We're gonna have a dance floor here!

I've been writing Christmas songs
I hope you'll all dance along
and sing along
I'm spinning records of Metal and Motown songs
Songs for everyone
Even if you feel like you don't belong

Oh, when I was a child
My mother took me to go see Santa Claus
At a broken down mall
With a broken down Santa Claus
And I said:
"Santa Claus, what can I do to have everything I want in my life?"
And Santa Claus said to me:
"Get your head out of your own asshole Son"

Ahhh yeah
Get out of your Christmas rut!
I've got some dynamite in my trunk
Let's get you out of your Christmas rut!
I've got a present for you
It's a box of old dumb luck

There goes Santa Claus
Walking home from the Mall
I think he's got a bottle of Ripple in him
Go, Santa Claus, go!!!

Ahhhh, come on
Get out of your Christmas rut!
We're drinking with a Mall Santa Claus
That's (Huh?) down on his luck
C'mon, get out of that Christmas rut!
How about loaning your guardian angel
About $150 bucks?

(Holiday Bell Ringer: )
The holidays  
It's about family
And friends
And peace on earth

(Drunk Santa comment:) 
Yeah?!?! (ha)" Peace on Earth"
More like 'piece of the action' if you ask me!

Lucy Clip: "You're in a rut! A big fat rut!
"I think we're gonna need some good Attorneys"
Get out of your Christmas rut!

Christmas Rut!

Silent Night All Day Long (John Prine cover)

I was very happy when Viv agreed to collab, and then produced some beautifully inspired acoustic and bass, and loved what he created.
Many thanks Viv, it was fun working with you again!
Garddwr Porffor - Acoustic, Bass, Synth, and Mixing
Lizzie Taypen - Music, Lyric, Vocal, and Classical guitar ( Clara)
Doo - Wood Pigeon
Daw - Jackdaw
Lyrics
An unlikely a pairing
As ever would be
The Doo and the Daw
In a strange harmony

One bustles, one struts
But their business is clear
The attaining of order
For survival so dear

Day after Day
In garden and field
They comb all the ground
For a hopeful yield

Blue eyes a watching
Should a chance appear
Or a playful encounter
With a friend, brings cheer

Thankyou to those of you who liked and commented last week when the vocal stem went out by mistake!

The Doo 'n' the Daw  With Garddwr Porffor

Taking Nancy Home

Just messin around on a snowy sunday. Why not write a song about red trucks and their owners. I think chicks dig red trucks.. probly. 

I have some other new ones Id really like to record but Im way out of shape right now as I haven't played since the summer.

I like my eggs over easy and I cook em in lard
I got big strong muscles cuz a work real hard
I got me a 4 wheel ATV that I keep in the yard
I keep it in the yard
Its out in the yard
and if you mess with me or mine 
yer gonna git ded

My Truck is Red.. yep

I dont go down south cuz its too damn hot
I put mustard on my brat cuz I like it a lot
I hope you like PBR cuz thats all I got
Thats all I got
its the only kind I got
And if you trespass on my 40
 yer  gonna git ded 
My truck is red....

Now in this mean old world you gotta toe the line
Whats yours is yours and whats mine is mine
you got to mind your own affairs cuz there just aint time
There aint any time
I got no time
And if you look at my wifes butt 
yer gunna git ded
My truck is red....



My Truck is Red

Alex Arcady:  Drums, Synths, Vocals, Mix & Master
Dirk Taubenheim:  Vocals, Guitars, Bass

This is our 'Christmas Song'. Thanks for your attention. God bless you.

World in trouble   ft. ALEX ARCADY

An 8th century Irish hymn, arranged and performed by Dan Swanson.

Be Thou My Vision

This site is a mix of some of my compositions and solo guitar performances.

Be Thou My Vision

The Music of Dan Swanson

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