Easily one of my favorite tunes of yours in 2020, James. Reminiscent of some of your 2016 pieces that I also really appreciated. Really enjoyed hearing this on the live last weekend, too!

I've heard this one before....lovely Nikki Dean

I really enjoyed hearing this one the other day on the open mic. Really nice imagery on it.

I went back to listen to this a couple times in the open mic video because I didn't want to wait a week. Your guitar is infuriatingly good here, but your vocal delivery/sentiment match here is somehow pushing past the always high bar you set.

Easy song to like a lot! Keep them coming,

Really drawn in, I love the guitar work.  Also, the melody on the "favorite one" is a really nice hook.  Nice tension throughout supporting the story.

"Favorite One" (#423, 201211)

If I had to choose
Which I love the most
Of all the trains that run

I would choose the train
Headed south to you
In that setting sun

And if I had to ride
Just one set of tracks
Until they lay me down

I would ride the ones
Which take my body back
To the best I’ve ever found

The one who picked me up
The one who sat me down
Who taught me how it’s done

Yes I’d ride the rails
Which bring me back around
Back into the arms of my favorite one

If I had a ticket
One way out of town
When the day had disappeared

I would leave tonight
Runnin’ with the sound
Coal and iron racin’ outta’ here

Week 51 - My Favorite One (201211)

"Everybody Farts" (#425, 201220)

 * co-written with Pete & Pat Luboff * 

You can do it in a church or an elevator
You can do it if you’re a cow or an alligator
You can try to hold it back but it will come out later
Everybody farts

You can be the Queen of England or a newborn babe
You can blame it on the dog and say, Me? No way!
But the truth is you’re gonna do it night and day
Everybody farts

Everybody farts everybody farts
Bless our smelly hearts everybody farts
All the way from Fresno to Sleepy Hollow
Farting is such sweet sorrow
Sing it with me now everybody farts

Who smelt it dealt it who thunk it stunk it
Who spoke it broke it who sniffed it biffed it
Whoever's poking fun is the smoking gun
Everybody farts

	Who declared it blared it who introduced it produced it
	Who spoke it broke it who observed it served it
	Whoever sang the song did the pong
	Everybody farts

Everybody farts everybody farts
Bless our smelly hearts everybody farts
Hold your breath and pull my finger
Wipe away a tear 'cause the best ones linger
The truth will set you free everybody farts

For some folks in South America it’s how they say hello
In China you can get a job as a fart smelling pro
You even do it for a while after you die that’s how it goes

Everybody farts everybody farts
Bless our smelly hearts everybody farts
Anybody hear that barking spider
I stepped on a duck and he was full of fiber
Quick someone get me a lighter everybody farts

Week 52b - Everybody Farts (201220)

"Look 0ut World" (#426, 201220)

L o o k out world I'm gonna' try
See this new determination in my eyes
I know my steps have wandered far
But here and now I've gotta' make a brand new start

L o o k out world I'm gonna' jump
And find out all the things I can become
No giving up now no turning back
Just these two soles that make their way along the tracks

L o o k out world I'm fallin' down
I did my best but I can't handle it right now
The lights are blinding there's all this noise
Nobody's listenin' to this little tiny voice

L o o k out world I'm standin' up
I got these boot straps that I'm pullin' from the mud
There's no more weakness or things to prove
And there ain't nothin' in this world that I can't do

Week 52c - Look 0ut World (201220)

NIKKI DEAN

WHERE ARE YOU?

Will the Trees Remember Our Names
by Tamora Wilson and Laurie Easterling © 12/20/2020 New York, NY and Oak Ridge, TN

Photo by Tamora Wilson, Appalachian Trail near NYC

I’ve been a part of this forest
As long as I can remember
I know every brook and tree
Hiked through her valleys and hills
January through December
She feels like a mother to me

I’ve learned how to read wildfires
Fighting flames far from my home
Now I teach all I’ve seen
As I lead a group up the ridge
I see the smoke and grab my phone
Not too late to call in the team

Chorus:
Will the trees remember our names
We fight to save them from the flames
Hold us in their memories
As the years become centuries
Will the trees remember our names

We all don our gear and grab shovels
The fire grows like it’s alive
My students tremble at the sight
Branches start to burn overhead
As the rest of the team arrives
We will battle through the night

Chorus

Bridge:
Though scarred the forest will survive
She nurtures saplings through the winter
Whispering stories of history
Rebuilding the network together

Chorus

Tamora Wilson and Laurie Easterling - Will The Trees Remember Our Names - 1:1:21, 4.15 PM

They Sang Alleluia
by Erin Wolf (ft. the Meta Wolf Singers), Laurie & David Easterling © 12/31/2020 Little Chute, WI and Oak Ridge, TN

In true Easterling fashion, video: https://youtu.be/Ll_W3b1FgHc

Rose made her last trip to carry water from the river
The day before the well was installed
The people gathered round, waiting for the sound
Water gushed up and rained down on them all (They sang)

Alleluia
Allelu
Alleluia
Allelu

Mara tried not to be lonely and brought a meal to a friend
Gave a hug and went back out the door
Stopped by the cemetery on a cold day in February
And sat a while with those who’ve gone before (She sang)

Alleluia
Allelu
Alleluia
Allelu

They stood anxiously with toes on the painted borderline
And watched for a face they recognized
They heard a familiar song, rising above the throng
Reunited, tears of joy filled their eyes (They sang)

Alleluia
Allelu
Alleluia
Allelu

They Sang Alleluia

Copyright Erin Wolf 2019-2020

*This track was originally released in 2019 featuring GarageBand hip-hop loops (link below). The acoustic version happened after stumbling upon the hand-written lyrical notes on New Year's Eve 2020. What better way to end a weird year than to create weird acoustic covers of one's own music?*

www.soundcloud.com/erinwolf/are-you-there

are you
are you 
are you still with me
are you 
are you there

stop
hands are shaking
nerves are quaking
heart is racing
thinking of you

and oh
the crescendo building
almost breaking
fear is rising
but i can't back down

why
clock still running
moments ticking
keep it moving
are we almost there

oh 'cuz you know
can't stop pacing
won't stop pushing
keep on fighting

this urge to flee
keep on fighting
this urge to flee

are you 
are you
are you still with me
are you
are you there

stop
silence ringing
ever growing
heart is aching
waiting on you

and oh
are you listening
hearing me
wanting me anymore

'cuz all your
power grabbing
passion crashing
trust is breaking
where did you go

oh there's no
recognizing
understanding
comprehending
what just happened here
what just happened here

are you
are you
are you still with me
are you
are you there

Are You There (Acoustic)

Copyright Erin Wolf 2021
*Song A Week 2020 - Week 53 Bonus Prompt: Protest Songs*
Trigger Warning: Conversation & lyrics surrounding the #MeToo movement re: sexual assault & sexual abuse. 

National Sexual Assault Hotline (U.S.A.)
online.rainn.org | 800.656.4673
Línea de Ayuda Nacional de Asalto Sexual (EE.UU.)
rainn.org/es | 800.656.4673

Image credit: https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/identities/2019/10/4/20852639/me-too-movement-sexual-harassment-law-2019

The #MeToo movement was originally started by Tarana Burke (pictured) in the early '00s as a way of letting victims and survivors of sexual abuse know they were not alone, that they were seen, and that they were believed. Her advocacy work continues today. The story shared in the lyrics is part of my own and does not reflect the experiences of all survivors.

For more resources, visit www.rainn.org or www.metoomvmt.org

---

Let me take a moment to introduce myself
No my story ain’t one for putting on the shelf
I used to be known by the name “1 in 4”
But Lord knows it’s probably more

To be hurt by those who said they loved me
And knowing I told, but they still walk freely
I don’t speak these words with vanity or pride
It’s time to stop making us run and hide

Me, too
I (we) don’t say it for your pity
Me, too
I (we) don’t say it to be witty
Me, too
Speak the truth for the others
Me, too
My (our) siblings, sisters, brothers, too
Me, too

They took what they wanted in their fire
In their power lust, not desire
Breaking you in all the ways only they can know
Leaving you feeling helpless despite your “NO”

Then when the truth comes out as it seems to do
It’s hard to know who will stand by you
So few believed, so little justice served
Yet somehow we keep on fighting through, undeterred

#MeToo

From the demo reels: I Need More

Copyright Renegade Faith 2021

First of the Song a Week 2021 challenges - Not on topic

A nice simple bluesy rocker

Hot Damn

I almost have enough songs about the homeless for an EP!

Since I’m still commuting to work, I’m still noticing stuff, and here’s a story I couldn’t pass up.  Plus it’s a nice balance to some of the more serious songs I have.

While walking on 42nd Street (Dec 30, probably 9:40pm or so), I observed a young woman who was either new to New York or perhaps a tourist.  She appeared to be giving a lactose intolerant homeless man a coffee with milk.

Wish I had a little more time for guitar rehearsal before recording this track, but hey, I couldn't play at this tempo a year ago, so it's progress.  I'm looking forward to creating some more upbeat songs this year.  Very happy to be a part of SAW again!!


I Can’t Drink Latte Today

All her life she dreamed of Times Square
Broadway and all the money she’d make there
But she never left the suburbs
And she probably never will
But at least tonight she can board a flight
Big Apple, here I come

She saw him digging for a bite to eat
Tattered clothes and old shoes on his feet
Down the block was a Starbucks
A cup will help him out tonight
It’s cold on the street, have a nice warm treat
Please take this, here you go

Thank you, how kind of you
But wait!  Does this have milk?
My stomach will ache, it will make me ill
So excuse me as I say
I can’t drink latte today

Oh no, I’m so sorry, she said
That’s okay, I’m used to this, he said
What people throw away
Will surely blow your mind
But tonight I’m stuck, can you spare a buck
Some coins or change will help

He reminded her of a friend she knew back home
Made her laugh and even wrote a poem
But standing on the corner
Was not the point of this trip
She gave him a buck and wished him luck
It’s late now, I must go

Thank you, how kind of you
But wait!  Does this have milk?
My stomach will ache, it will make me ill
So excuse me as I say
I can’t drink latte today

I Can't Drink Latte Today - 1:8:21, 7.20 PM

Nashville songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Godin Guitars Official Artist and Founder of www.songaweek.org.

His catalog of 500+ titles includes collaborations with hit writers Mark Narmore, Elliott Park, Steve Dean, and Pete & Pat Luboff, among others internationally from England to Australia.

Redding's music has landed cuts by numerous recording artists including Dan Whitehouse, Emma Gale, and David Easterling.

Week 51 - My Favorite One (201211)

James Tristan Redding

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Tamora Wilson

Mark Irving Anderson

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