I wrote this song during one of my Songwriting 2 classes this past semester. We were tackling the very familiar songwriter's problem of being uninspired or stumped and addressed it by actually imposing limits/rules/must-haves on the example song I set out to write. I had to google cheesy phrases about unrequited love and turn it into an introspective song that Ed Sheeran or John Legend would sing. 

You Lose

Warrior is a Child (T. Paris)- Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mark Carpio, soloist

And closing out the songs I wrote for my first semester at Berklee: my Songwriting 1 final project. (Although what I presented in class was an abridged version, to conform with the project parameters of 2 verses and a chorus.)

On one of my sunset runs along the river -- the run when I happened to be thinking about what to write for my songwriting final -- I impulsively took a new path that led me past a tree-lined playground, where in the shade a mom was pushing her kid on a swing (actually, it was more like a mini-zipline -- how times have changed!). The image hit, and from that unplanned running path sprang the song. (I did take liberties adding a dad to the scene -- of course Tatay is no less a part of my story, haha.)

I couldn't let the semester go by without writing something for the two most important people in my life, who, in every imaginable way, made everything about who and where I am today possible. 

Inay and Tatay, this is for you.
 
Mixed by Jett Galindo.

=====================

YOUR BABY
P. K. Tirol

I walked by a playground at sunset today
Where a boy ran around his mom and dad in the shade
Their laughter carried me back to the times that we had
And I swear I could feel,
As I walked farther on,
The familiar weight of your hands.

And I was still on that swing,
Still riding my bike,
Still trembling on stage,
Your baby.
Still scraping my knee,
Still learning what's right,
Still finding my way,
Your baby.
It's the one thing I'll always be:
Your baby.

"It's for your own good"; "You won't know till you try";
"Just give it your best"; "Things will turn out alright."
These words still ring in my ear though I seem grown up and gone
'Cause deep down inside
Is the heart of a child
So eager to hear: "Well done."

I guess I'm still on that swing,
Still riding my bike,
Still trembling on stage,
Your baby.
Still scraping my knee,
Still learning what's right,
Still finding my way,
Your baby.
It's the one thing I'll always be:
Your baby.

And when the honors are read and champions declared,
And your baby has made it through.
I'll run to your side, glowing with pride
As I whisper: "This medal's for you."

I'm always still on that swing,
Still riding my bike,
Still trembling on stage,
Your baby.
Still scraping my knee,
Still learning what's right,
Still finding my way,
Your baby.

It's the one thing I'll always be
And the one thing that stays with me.
I will always be proud to be
Your baby. Baby. 
Your baby.

Your Baby (P. K. Tirol)

From my debut album The Last Words of an Empty Bedroom
FREE DOWNLOAD ON BANDCAMP: http://calvinlamothe.bandcamp.com

Warrior is a Child (T. Paris)- Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mark Carpio, soloist

Eleria Music

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