puts us right in the moment with you, poignant and clear

You write your lyrics with a crayon? So that's the secret! Your voice seems particularly fine on this, James, too!

What a beautiful way to start again. This overflows  fresh hope and joy -eyes wide open. (I was also playing along on salt shaker from v 2)

I really like how you play and perform this track James.

I don't know how you do it - such simple lyrics, but I was hooked from start to finish.  Great writing!

Love how you weave those two lines (younger self and top of the list) as end of chorus

"Me I'm just lucky to count my blessings anytime I can find the words" - I feel that.

Would echo what Kent said. As always great writing, (the sun, the  coat, the blue crayon, the mittens) 

This is a song I wrote about how, in love, and I think for humanity, things must be "more than us'

1. Glorious

original song written and sung by Nathan Della Rovere Goldsmith Freeman 

Somedays

"Top Of The List" (#428, 210104)

Quiet all along the highway
Sun peeking over the trees
Wind picked up but I wore my coat
And it feels alright to me

Come out here every morning
Sit quiet and listen clear
Blue crayon and a piece of paper
And I watch these lines appear

Some people seek salvation in heaven
Other folks build it here on earth
Me I'm just lucky to count my blessings
Anytime I can find the words
Younger self well I never woulda' guessed
What's always on the top of the list

Get an early start tomorrow
Pack a little bag to bring
Blanket and a pair of mittens
Winter's gonna' turn to spring

Week 01 - Top Of The List (210104)

I wrote this about a month ago and hesitated on posting. It didn't feel like it was my place to write. But on my mind today so tweaked and finished-ished.

Old Glory - Song a Week 2021, Week 1

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

Copyright Erin Wolf 2021

Week 1 Prompt - Top of the List
Instruments featured: Acoustic guitar, mandolin

watching the snow fall to the ground
the silence it brings always abounds
feeling lonely amid all this cold
remembering the summer nights i felt bold

still i'm waiting for you to call
i've been holding hope since the fall
hope is for the birds or so they say
i don't care - for you i'd wait all day

i want to love you like Pablo Neruda would
loving you wholly without even knowing i could
just as you are, no mask, no facade
raw, bared, exposed, perfectly flawed

and i'll put your name at the top of the list
somewhere it can't be missed
but i could never forget your face
where we first met in our secret place

i want to love you like Pablo Neruda would
loving you wholly without knowing i could
just as you are, no mask, no facade
raw, bared, exposed, perfectly flawed

watching the snow fall to the ground
the silence it brings always abounds

Pablo Neruda

A Capella cover of "Stand in that River" by Moira Smiley
Performed by Jordie K.

*daughter-mama duet cover coming soon*

Come and stand in that river
Current gentle and slow 
Send your troubles down water
Down on that water flow

When you stand in that river
Angels sing in your head
Secrets beyond any worry
Dreams beyond any dread

Tell me sister, brother,
Where does that river flow?
It flows down to that great water
Where soon my people will go

Come and stand in that river
Current gentle and slow 
Send your troubles down water
Down on that water flow

Stand In That River (a capella cover by Jordie K)

First recording in 18 months. Hoping that Song-a-week 2021 will get me going again.

Music and image Copyright © Claes Akerblom

Solitude(demo)

You'd Be Green Too

Mercy Mile (#429, 210109)

 * Photo credit maciel_aaron * 
 * www.zedge.net/wallpaper/0d218178-ee8c-39b4-b7ec-e7aa63a199d6 * 

I can't take it back
I can't change the facts
I can't make the past be something else

I can't get too close
I can't let you go
I can't dream of loving someone else

One more touch one more embrace
Please don't leave me now
There must be some saving grace
To rise about the doubt

Go the distance take my hand
Lead me like a child
One last night baby one more stand
Just one more mercy mile

I can't be so cold
I can't see the road
I can't draw the blinds or shut the door

I can't seem to say
I can't walk away
I can't live without you anymore

It's too late it's not too late
All I need is you to stay

Week 02 - Mercy Mile (210109)

the weeks theme is optional, whatever seems most impossible, whatever pass as irrational
thats the theme this week

weak theme is optional, trash  clash at the capitol, police greased by politicals
thats our c-u-n-try

the weak's theme is optional, assemble their own obstacles, social synapse collapsable
thats the regime of the week

weak theme is optional, casual irresponsible, spectacle reprehensible, thats the theme this week

theme of the week.....
greed  fear violence shame.....

the weak's theme is optional, refuse as a collectible, overcooked like a vegetable
return without a receipt

the weeks theme is optional, money makes the oath most corruptable, corruption unconscionable
thats the theme of the weak
its the theme of the week

theme of the week is optional

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 01 - Top Of The List (210104)

JamesTristanRedding

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