Written for monthly DIAMC online meet-up. February 2022 prompt is truth, and what it might mean to you. 

Truth Is...

Truth is that we’ll make it,
On this planet; or we won’t.
The truth is there before us
We should heed it, but we don’t.
Why should I bother?
Neighbours ain’t going to
And I need shoes in 20 colours
‘cause my magazines say I do

Who cares - some fish are dying?
I hear there’s plenty more of those in the sea.
Who care’s if someone’s suffering,
Just as long as that someone isn’t me.
Why should I bother?
My MP doesn’t give a damn.
So I‘ll consume and buy ‘til the day I die,
‘cause this is who I really am

I’ll turn up for work on Mondays
And I’ll have washed behind both of my ears
I’ll switch the News at Ten off when 
it starts preying on my hidden fears
Why should I bother?
What can I alone achieve?
It’ll be fine for me and mine,
If our dear country leader’s to be believed

Truth is that we’ll make it,
On this planet; or we won’t.
The truth is there before us
We should heed it, but we don’t x2

Why should I bother?
Why forgo a shiny new phone?
So, I’ll do, then die,
But I just won’t try
To move an inch outside of my comfort zone

Truth is that we’ll make it on,
this planet; or we won’t

Truth Is... - DIAMC Demo

Inspired by the poem 'Beccan of Rum' by poet Les Bates, from his collection Light Down The Loch. Demo, recorded at home.

Papadil 

I will leave my love bright sea pink
Psalter in his hand
I will leave my love fresh ewe’s milk
While he walks the sands
While he walks the sands

I will row my boat through darkness
Clear stars in his eyes
I will scull my oars to find him
While he stares at skies
While he stares at skies

Papadil
Oh Papadil 
Papadil
Oh Papadil 

My first love, as a maiden of fifteen
Brightness in his wake
I’ve loved him two score years and five
But my love he did forsake
My love he did forsake

I still leave my love bright sea pink
Psalter in his hand
I still leave my love fresh ewe’s milk
He once walked these sands
He once walked these sands

Papadil
Oh Papadil   
Papadil
I love him still

© S Barr 2022

Papadil - Demo

Song written for last August monthly meet online. The prompt was to pick an item of clothing and write something.

I made an accompanying video viewable here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5mKy-5E9Sc

I used 2 GarageBand loops for the melody but really struggled with mixing levels so that you can hear the bass line that comes in later in the song. Without headphones it's almost impossible to hear...but if mixed high enough to hear on computer/phones stand-alone speakers it's so loud it distorts. Suggestions welcome!

Walking Away 

These boots were made for walking away
Once bold and blue, now faded and grey
Years have gone by
And we’ve walked together 
So many miles

These boots have helped me find a sense of home
When I’m walking I don’t ever feel alone
Nature’s nurturing
Has shown me
The way that things can be

These boots have covered many a terrain
Starlit summits, dark days of rain
They’ve been there for me
Helped me up
When others cut me down

And you were always on my mind
Always on my mind

These boots are worn their journeys near the end
Won’t throw them out, they’ll always be good friends
Years have gone by 
And we’ve walked together
So many miles

And you were always on my mind
Always on my mind
And you were always on my mind
Always on my mind

These boots were made for walking away
These boots were made for walking

And you were always on my mind
On my mind
Always on my mind

Walking Away

Written for February 2022 monthly online songwriters meet-up  with 'Drunks In A Midnight Choir'. Prompt was to find one of the many (many, many) 6 word stories available out there on the internet and write a song. I used Apple loops and a midi keyboard to create the melody. (Headphones recommended to appreciate the juicy bass loop 😎) 

Kudos and thank you to Finley Parkinson from Longcroft School in Beverley for the six word story: 'Found her shoes on the roof.' (Read article about the 2019 competition here: https://firststory.org.uk/six-word-story-2019-shortlist-and-winner/)

Found her shoes
Up on the roof
But did she jump 
Or was she pushed?
Found her things
In a neat little pile
And when I asked around no one had seen her in a while

Found her shoes  
But did she jump or was she…
Pushed?

(She really loved those shoes)

They packed her room up
Parcelled it all away
Why she did it
No one ever would say
Glossed it over
Nothing happened that day
And when I asked her mum, she just looked the other way

Found her shoes 
But did she jump or was she…
Pushed?

(‘Cos she really loved those shoes
Man, I miss her and her shoes)

Did she jump, or was she…
Pushed?

Did She Jump (Or Was She...) - DIAMC Demo

Daffodils reflecting in dark glass,
Sparks of gold that tug at Sally’s heart
Hiss and spit of frothing milk
The backdrop of her life
How did she get here?
Mother, waitress, wife

Coffee rings, the crumbs of things, forks and knives
The leftovers that fill all of Sally’s days
The friendly banter back and forth
Her only human touch
How did she get here?
She misses them so much

The years they passed by quickly and she didn’t understand
She craved for peace and time alone
When things got out of hand
She wished the kids would all leave home
Her husband from her hair
Be careful what you wish for 
Because now…you’re the only one there
The only one there, and you’re lonely Sally
Oh so lonely, Sally
Careful what you’re wishing for 

Daffodils reflecting in dark glass,
Sparks of gold that tug at Sally’s heart
A letter sent, in front of her
A ticket for a flight
But will she go there?
Grandmother to new life

See Sally fly
See Sally fly
See Sally fly

Careful What You Wish For

This is a cover version of a song written by my wonderfully talented friend, Colin Macduff.

This is the rather rushed recording (it's been a busy month)of the prompt result for our June 2022 Drunks In a Midnight Choir online Zoom meet. This month we were paired off and tasked with choosing one of the songs from our partner's back-catalogue from the past year.

So, this was the song by Colin that I chose and this is my one-take-2-mic-warts-and-all version (although I did also add some backing vocals on a second track just for additional interest and to distract from the mistakes). I'm not very accomplished at playing, and even less so when I try to play and sing a the same time! If you listen closely you'll hear a couple of duff notes and I think I hit one of the mic stands with the ukulele at least twice throughout the performance. Whoops.

 Blue Lullaby

I know I should sing of sweet dreams on the wing
And paint the night bright with my song
But I’ve had a bad day, pride got in the way
And the right it got washed out by the wrong

Life’s turning the screw, I’ve drunk one or two, 
And my lullaby’s turning to blue
But hush, little guy, you need not know the why,
The when, the where, or the who

My blue lullaby, to dream is to fly
But no guarantee’s absolute
Poor boy you’ve no choice but to hang on my voice
And float down in its worn parachute

Once those eyelids slip down, you’ll be tomorrow bound
When we’ll walk hand in hand to the town
And we’ll pass that old place where I first saw Dad’s face
As he laughed when I acted the clown

Long since got that part, I’ve learned it by heart
Through the smiles and the tears and make up
But that show has moved on, like your Dad, now long gone
Still I hurt every day I wake up

Our blue lullaby, to live is to fly
But turbulence happens, it’s true
This blue lullaby longs to wake to blue skies
We’ll rise high when that new dawn breaks through

Oh blue lullaby, be it live, dream or fly
There are no guarantees absolute
Draw, lose or win, now it’s time to turn in
And pack up this old worn parachute

Blue Lullaby - Demo

This month's Drunks In A Midnight Choir (my monthly online meet-up group) challenge was to write a song influenced by a 'life philosophy'. A myriad of choices, but this won. 

I'm saddened by the lack of foresight we humans (well the majority, at least)  have shown during our short existence on this planet. These lyrics paint humanity poorly; but even so I have to believe that we can still turn it around because without hope, what is there?

This song is also influenced by my recent participation in Karine Polwart's 'Scottish Songbook Singing Weekend' at Stones Barn in Cumbria. It was a joy and an inspiration to sing her beautiful arrangements with so many other voices. Fresh on the back of it I concentrated more on melody/harmony and building layers of voices than the lyrics, hence the repetitive nature of the song (and alas for now, there was only me to sing all the parts!) 

Yes - it's probably a bit simplistic and saccharine, but singing harmonies always makes things a wee bit better.

If I Can Turn Around

Humans rend
Then devour
Humans take
What isn’t ours
Humans lie
Humans hate
I must believe
It’s not too late

If I can turn around
If I can turn around
If I can turn around
And still see light
If I can turn around

Humans rend
Then devour
Humans take
What isn’t ours
Humans lie
Humans hate
You must believe
It’s not too late

If you can turn around
If you can turn around
If you can turn around
And still see light
If you can turn around

Humans rend
Then Devour
Humans take
What isn’t ours
Humans lie
Humans hate
We must believe
It’s not too late

If we can turn around
If we can turn around
If we can turn around
And still see light

If I can turn around

If I Can Turn Around - DIAMC Demo

The October 2022 DIAMC writing prompt was about displacement, taking a character either fictional or real and putting them into an alternative reality. I imagined a world where Little Red was all grown up and off to the bright lights and big city, in search of Mr Wolf.

Demo, recorded in the spare bedroom of our holiday cottage in Ackergill.



Little Red

Little Red she’s grown up proper
Little Red, nothing’s going to stop her
She’s going to shine, like the moon
Mr Wolf, big man in the city
Mr Wolf sure likes them pretty
In for a surprise, Mr Wolf
You’d better watch that back
Look both ways
She’s coming for her due
Little Red

Little Red, headed for the Hood
Telling Granny she is going to be good
She may be lying, but honest she’s trying
Little Red steps into his bar
Mr Wolf greets her with a snarl
“Hrrrrrrrr, Babe, you’re looking swell”
Little Red flicks back long hair
Walks by, ignoring his stare
“Make mine a double on the rocks 
And wipe that look, off your face,
I swapped out that blunt old axe,
For some Mace
And I’m not afraid to use it,
Don’t need a Woodcutter no more.”

Little Red, now she’s a star
Mr Wolf, he’s gone and bought her a car
And a house, and a yacht, and a ring
He fell under her spell
Little Red, she played him so well
But damn, that girl could sing
Ahoooooo, Little Red
Ahoooooo, Little Red
Ahoooooo, Little Red

“Turned out there’d been a bit of a misunderstanding. Mr Wolf isn’t all bad, you know? Last I heard…he’d gone and bought Granny…a new condo”

Ahoooooo, Little Red
Ahoooooo, Little Red

"Turns out, it had all been a misunderstanding. Mr Wolf, well, he is all bad you know. In fact, the last I heard, he'd gone a bought Granny a new condo.

Ahoooooo, Little Red
Ahoooooo, Little Red

© S Barr 2022

Little Red - Demo

Extremely grateful to have received the opportunity of some film mentoring via the Universal Hall Promotions 'In the Spotlight' professional mentoring programme. 

I wanted to make a music video, so I re-recorded the vocals from my 2021 version of this song to use as a soundtrack and this is the result - still a home recording. You can view the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/AnXY-S6ama4

TRAiN
Train, it's the way to go
Gets you there, without driving woe
Read a book, or watch the world glide by
Train, it's the way to go
Don't get stuck in no traffic jam
It's so easy, to go with the flow
Be wild, with your spare time
Have a little buffet, say a little rhyme

I'll tell you why you should take the train
It's going to save you hours of pain
Why get there grumpy, tired and bored
Why not snooze on the go?

Train, it's the way to see
Parts of the country, that you've never been to 
Find a map, and pick a place to see today
Train's the way to go
Travel express, or station to station more slowly
Night or day, a friendly guard is there
To smooth your way

Train it's the way to go
Gets you there with a happy glow
Why sit in that traffic jam pumping your hand on the horn?
Won't get you anywhere, except bored
Train, it's the place to be
For writing that essay
Or watching that show on TV
As the world passes by
Plug in your headphones, happy sigh

Choose train
Choose train
Choose train

© S Barr 2021

TRAiN

I've been watching Music Tech Help Guy(https://www.youtube.com/@MusicTechHelpGuy)YouTube tutorials on how to use Logic Pro. The guy is a legend; I'm only 9 tutorials in and I've spent the last night of the year creating this wee lullaby using my own loops created using a midi keyboard. 

I came up with the melody and then just repeated a phrase over and over. Simple, but I'm blown away by how easy it is to create my own loops. 

Off for a glass to celebrate and see in the New Year - Happy New Year!

© S Barr 2022

Hush

Written for a new wee being in the world.

Demo recorded at home, with some additional midi overdub.

Beneath Silvery Moon

Time for sleep
My little one
The day's complete
We had so much fun
Now I’ll watch over you
As you sleep beneath silvery moon

Close those eyes
My little one
You make me smile
Little ball of sun
Now I’ll watch over you
As you sleep beneath silvery moon

May all your dreams be sweet
May all your dreams be sweet

Rest that head
My little one
Safe in that bed
‘til tomorrow comes
And I’ll watch over you 
As you sleep beneath silvery
Dream beneath silvery 
Sleep beneath silvery moon
I’ll watch over you
As you sleep beneath silvery moon

© S Barr

Beneath Silvery Moon - Demo

February 2023 DIAMC prompt was to write a song inspired by a name, which was to be included within the title. 

Yesterday I sat down, wrote and recorded, this song about - and for - my beautiful almost, almost always friend. We met when I was 9 and she was 10. 


Gwendoline

Northern lights watched late, from garage roof
Swung on swings with Walkmans, in our youth
Oh my darlin’, times were simpler then

There’ve been darker days, tears amongst laughter
Can’t stay kids for ever, and after
Oh my darlin’, growing up can hurt bad
 
I just hope that I always had your back

Wish I still took time and wrote more letters
To have and hold, with love from sender
Cos my darlin’, you know I’m really glad

All  these years you’ve been there for me too
The  lovely  things you say,  and that you do
Oh my darlin’, you’re the friend I’ve almost, almost, always had

Through all the good and bad
The happy and the sad
Lucky to have Gwendoline

If you need me darlin’, you just call
You know I’ll catch you if you fall
If you need me darlin’, you just call
You know I’ll catch you if you’re falling

© S Barr 2023

Gwendoline - Demo

Was watching 'Sprung', the comedy series this week, and this song featured in the soundtrack. I hadn't heard it for years. Couldn't get it out of my head. Wondered what it would sound like with some shruti box accompaniment. The rest is history. 
Feeling proper chuffed with myself as I played everything and sang at the same time, using the footpedal for my shruti. (Now I just need to be able to do it with people watching!)

Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol Cover

A song about joy.

Felt Inspired to try my new partial capo out and this is the resulting new tuning. Demo recorded at home in one take with guitar and vocals, and then additional finger picking and a little midi-bass added in.

I've made a video, too: https://youtu.be/6wethWHWkW4

Flotsam

Take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Fill my lungs, chance to breathe
Take me away to the rolling sea

Got to get out of this city
It’s making me blue and the
Forecast’s so pretty

So take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Flotsam and foam, joy to my bones
Take me away to the rolling sea

Want to see this face smiling?
Let’s hit the road and
Put some miles in

As you take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Fill my lungs, chance to breath
Take me away to the rolling sea
Flotsam and foam, joy to my bones
Take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Take me away to the rolling sea
Curlew’s calling
Take me away to the rolling sea
Curlew’s calling
Calling me home

© S Barr 2023

Flotsam - Demo

June 2023 DIAMC songwriting prompt was quite tough,
We were given a link to a random 8 word generator. My 8 words were:
DISTRESS
CONSIDER
TORTURE
SWEET
FRAIL
BATTLE
ROPE aaaaaand ICE-CREAM 

Um...

I used it as an exercise in learning how to use live loops in Logic Pro X, courtesy of another fine tutorial video from MusicTechHelpGuy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqJu0opJb2c) and gave myself 3 hours to write and produce something. I ended up taking 5, including learning how the live looping system worked, so it's random, but the live looping function in Logic Pro is impressive. I've barely scratched the surface so far.

I made a video too, with the help of my very patient husband. https://youtu.be/OQJdspigeP4

Sweet As Ice-cream

You, you want a world that’s sweet as ice-cream
Why equate battle with distress
Your frail heart’s a tortured mess

You, you want a world that’s sweet as ice-cream
Consider this the final rope
A handhold on a slippery slope

You’ve got to reach out and fight me 
You’ve got to reach out invite me

© S Barr

Sweet As Ice-cream - DEMO

When my songwriting friend Colin Macduff (find his beautiful debut album 'The Past and the Sky" here: https://www.birnamcdshop.com/product/colin-macduff/) shared his poem 'The Rope', I asked if he'd mind if I tried to put a melody to it.

I did. This is the demo version which I'm hoping to record in a studio soon. There's an accompanying video created with footage from my phone: https://studio.youtube.com/video/yhxZxWGo0wY/edit


The Rope

Coiled, crossed, entangled in a corner
Old and wise and silent, silent as a snake
Left aside beside the new, unwanted
You dream of hands, the touch, their grip, their shape

Once you ran the span and moored our vessels
Safe between the capstan, the capstan and the quay
Once you were the rope that held us steady
Once you were the rope that cast us free

The push the pull, the swing, lasso and ladder
The tug of war when we were in our teens
The give, the take, that bound us all together
The start, the end, the knot, the way and means

Life line, last line, frayed and poorly
In my hand your strands so soft, soft and slack
In my dreams you’re running on beside me
With me all the long way – the long way out and back
With me all the long way – the long way out and back

© C Macduff & S Barr 2023

The Rope - Demo

Working freelance as the marketing manager for Universal Hall Promotions in Findhorn Shirley's life was already immersed in live music, but in 2021 she discovered a passion for writing and performing her own songs. Since then she has taught herself to play tenor guitar and shruti box, incorporating these and looped samples to create multi-layered soundtracks for her lyrics. She can often be found out and about with her Zoom recorder, capturing moments in nature to weave into her ethereal vocals and perceptive songwriting.

Shirley Barr

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