Written by Damian Smith
Produced by Robert Ruby
Fiddle by Rachel Crick

It's a simple love song. Life is short, but today we have each other, so let's take advantage of the the time we have. Was going for an Appalachia / bluegrass feel on this one. This was a lot of fun to write and play. I hope you enjoy listening!

Sweet Mountain Air

Lyrics

You leave me to cry
I don’t understand why
You’ve shown me who you are
Oh! So many times
It’s ok to cry in front of me
Don’t be afraid to let me see
The hurt you hold within
The pain inside

My arms are ready to cradle you
Within a warm embrace
Yet you still leave me to cry

Don’t hide yourself away
When you get overwhelmed 
I know this place is filled with hate
I know so many don’t understand
So many times I’ve held your hand
Yet you always leave me to cry

Your pain is real
Just hidden from sight
You smile you wince
You try to hide
What is inside
My arms are ready to cradle you
Within a warm embrace
Yet you still leave me to cry

We go round again
This time it is me
You get overwhelmed 
No longer being my friend
How is it that 
When I need yiu close
You leave me to cry 
Alone 
Alone
You leave me to cry alone

My arms are ready to cradle you
Within a warm embrace
Yet you still leave me to cry

leave me to cry

Check out the video on YT: https://youtu.be/6ojfK3MErTQ  -some great footage.

Coffee and a Soundtrack by Mechanuck and Ens

Our Short Eternity

#folksong #songwriter #dreamer 

This started out as a beautiful fantasy but,  like all my writing,  turned into a darker version. . She is a dreamer. He is on solid ground. 

daydream

Sipping wine at an outdoor cafe
On a beautiful day In Florence, Italy 
Fresh olives and aroma of cheese
Warm bread with oil
Tempting all senses

You look about … not at me
And I wonder what it is you see
Even in this daydream
Your world seems to fall
I see you stumble and crawl
I sip the wine. I nibble the cheese.
And I watch as you leave me

No life is perfect
No one without fear
Those words we too often hear
But in our heads the world breaks in bits
As we try, we try to have it make sense
I’ll love you forever
Whatever that means
But tomorrow you’ll leave me
And this daydream

Reclining in a beach chair, warmed by the sun
On a summer day by the Mediterranean 
Beautiful people all around
Smiling and laughing
Such wonderful sounds

You look about … not at me
And I wonder what it is you see
Even in this daydream
Your world seems to fall
I see you stumble and crawl
I stare at the water. I listen to its peace.
And I watch as you leave me

No life is perfect
No one without fear
Those words we too often hear
But in our heads the world breaks in bits
As we try, we try to have it make sense
I’ll love you forever
Whatever that means
But tomorrow you’ll leave me
And this daydream

This daydream. This daydream.
Tomorrow you’ll leave me
And this daydream.

this daydream

A shimmering anthem of nostalgia, Half-Forgotten Days captures the essence of fleeting moments—those golden memories we only recognize as precious once they’re gone. This track sweeps you into an emotional wave of longing and euphoria. It’s about the cracks that let the light in, the small moments that define us, and the bittersweet beauty of time slipping through our fingers. Press play, and let the memories dance with you.

Lyrics:
Yesterday, I found an old photograph,
Corners worn, the colors softly fade.
Took me back to all the moments
We never knew we’d need someday.
We were laughing at nothing,
Talking like time would never bend.
We never saw the days were fleeting,
Now I wish I could live them again.

Funny how the years slip by,
Like shadows stretching toward the night.
We held the present in our hands,
But only now, I understand.

In those half-forgotten days, when the sunlight wouldn’t fade,
We held on tight without knowing, but we loved it anyway.
Let the memories play, let the memories play!
It’s the cracks that let the light in, where the story comes alive.
In those half-forgotten days, I wish I could press rewind.

I remember your footsteps echoing low,
On a quiet night by the silver shore.
We never spoke the words we needed,
But in that silence, we felt something more.
I don’t know where the years have led you,
Maybe we still chase the same sky,
But somewhere deep within the distance,
You’re still walking through my mind.

The moments come, the moments go,
Like whispers lost inside the breeze.
But in the spaces left behind,
I still find you haunting me.

In those half-forgotten days, when the sunlight wouldn’t fade,
We held on tight without knowing, but we loved it anyway.
Let the memories play, let the memories play!
It’s the cracks that let the light in, where the story comes alive.
In those half-forgotten days, I wish I could press rewind.

I never told you how the smallest things,
Are the ones that linger, sharp yet kind.
Not the grand or sweeping moments,
But the quiet ones we left behind.
Now when I think of days gone by,
It’s not the big waves, but the ripples in time.

In those half-forgotten days, when the sunlight wouldn’t fade,
We held on tight without knowing, but we loved it anyway.
Let the memories play, let the memories play!
It’s the cracks that let the light in, where the story comes alive.
In those half-forgotten days, I wish I could press rewind.

Half-forgotten days, where the echoes softly stay,
Now I see you clearer, through the lens of yesterday.
The little things that slip away, are the ones that always stay,
In those half-forgotten days, I wish I could press rewind.

Half-Forgotten Days

Some music just deserves to be turned up...until the neighbors can enjoy it too.

Guillotine Beauty Queen

This is a very old song written when I first picked up my music after a long layoff. It is written about Lena Leonardi, our landlady ( Landlord fit the song better  ) back in 1980. We moved into our new apartment when my joyce was pregnant with our first child. Lena was a sort of Philosopher.. Very hard working and always there to offer advice on whatever. She was very kind to us but she was also tough. I recall times when she would come to the back door when we were late on the rent and pound on the glass , and in her endearing Italian accent she would yell " Liggett!!!  I know you're in there !! PLEASE Liggett! PLease pay the rent !! ".. One time I came to the door and had to explain that we just didn't have the money right at the moment...she took me over to her apartment and sat me down while she prepared a couple of jars of Minestrone soup.. homemade and delicious. She said " Liggett, all you need is a little bread, a little bit of soup and a little bit of wine... that's all you need Liggett "  I never forgot her..Joyce and I talk about her once in a while and quote things she told us.. To this day she is in our hearts and minds.. almost like family. And thats how most of the Italians were to me growing up.. treated me well and looked out for me as I lived in a town called Elmwood Park known as little Italy..  Now, back in november of last year when I made the decision to start uploading all of my songs.. who is there b, among many others of course, but two who have given me the most support and good advice along with wonderful and inspiring music and words? But Michael Ansani and the beautiful folks at The Beating Edge.. From Italy...of course. Oh... and Len Benatti  .. you from Italy too?😊So.. I dedicate this song to them and wish them good fortune and calm seas ahead ! Salute!

Lyrics:

Long ago when I was 21 and I was just out on my own
a pretty new bride and a brand new son
trying hard to make a home
I wasn't ready to settle down and I needed some advice
My old Italian Landlord, she always treated me nice

A simple life and a happy home 
and everything will be just fine
But things don't always go that way 
and you can get a little bit behind
well if you lose direction and you're looking for a clue
my old Italian landlord she always knew what to do

She said:  A little bread and a little soup and a little bit of wine
that's all you need , that's all you need
a little luck and a little love and a little bit of time
that's all you need, that's all you need

I met that old lady, all those years ago
she led a very simple life and she always told you so
she was there when we were hungry 
she was there when we were broke
and even after all these years 
i remember the words she spoke

Now and then I think of her she holds a place in my mind
not too many like her so humble and so kind
I hope there's just a few spread around here and there
looking out for guys like me who need someone to care

She said:  A little bread and a little soup and a little bit of wine
that's all you need , that's all you need
a little luck and a little love and a little bit of time
that's all you need, that's all you need


All you need

lifetime of memories.mp3

Dawn Breaks.mp3

I wrote this song a while back after I had an 'awakening' of sorts.  I discovered meditation and my whole perspective shifted which changed my life for the better.  I wrote a song inspired by that time in my life... in fact, many of the songs from 'Durban Girl' were inspired by it.    Hope you enjoy it and if you do, leave me a comment so that we can connect! 

The album Durban girl was recorded in Nashville and was produced by the amazing Fred Mollin. 

Durban Girl

Be Careful What You Wish For

Love music as much as air. I am writing & creating  my own music with the help of Ai tools. Hope you will listen to some of them.

leave me to cry

ilasky