A nice collaboration!  Love the story in the song.

A sad guitar instrumental with a touch of the blues in a cinematic texture. It's strong and powerful with an edgy, emotional draw.

Eternal Midnight

Death's Door

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to arrange and record one of Joanne's songs.
Thanks Joanne and thanks for the harmonies.

District Six      by Joanne Cooper
 
I used to stay with granny in her home in District Six
People came down to her stoep their problems would be fixed
One day a girl came walking a toddler by her side
Her face was blue and swollen granny listened as she cried

Why don’t you leave why don’t you go   It’s no use staying on
Go back home to mum and dad   They know where you are from
Your whole life  your whole life     your whole life a-head
Go back home to mum and dad      Go back home she said

A year has passed the girl came back a smile from ear to ear
Dressed just like a lady           not a trace of fear
She has a gift to give my gran carried on her back
A sack of oranges with which to show her thanks

Thank God you had the strength to leave   It was no use staying on
You went back home to mom and dad    They knew where you’re from
Your whole life  your whole life    your whole life a-head
Went back home to mum and dad    You went back home she said

When you can only see            one road a-head 
There’s a pathway down the side      Just ask you’ll be lead

We make mistakes a wrong turn here   it’s no use staying on
Go back home to mom and dad     They know where you are from
Your whole life  your whole life      your whole life a-head
Go back home to mum and dad   Go back home she said

District Six

John The Revelator
© Trad Arr Bud Merritt, Janice Merritt & Peter Fulham
Janice: Vocals / cajon / arrangement
Peter: Guitars / arrangement / mix assistance
Bud: Arrangement / RealTracks / mix / mastering / cover art
John the Revelator is a traditional gospel/blues song typically heard in a call and response format. Its chorus refers to John of Patmos writing about the opening of the seven seals (which brings  about the apocalypse)while the verses contain additional biblical references. The first written version is said to have appeared in 1880, although it's possible the song is considerably older. We've been unsuccessful in locating the specific reference to this date.   Regardless the African-American origins are indisputable and are, unfortunately, not always referenced.  Interpretations have been done by Blind Willie Johnson, Son House and more of late John Mellencamp, Depeche Mode, Gov't Mule and Larkin Poe.

There are a multitude of lyric variations.  We chose these with a bit of tweaking.

Tell me who's that writin’? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
He wrote the book of the seven seals

	God walked down in the cool of the day
	Called Adam by his name
	And he refused to answer
	Cause he was naked and ashamed

Tell me who's that writin’? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
He wrote the book of the seven seals

	You know he had twelve apostles
	And three he led away
	He said, Watch with me one hour,
	'till I go yonder and pray


Tell me who's that writin’? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
He wrote the book of the seven seals

	Well who is worthy, thousands cried holy 
	Bound for some, Son of our God
	Daughter of Zion, Judah the Lion 
	He redeems and binds us with his blood

Tell me who's that writin’? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
He wrote the book of the seven seals

John The Revelator

What took you so long
I’ve always been here
I gave you my song
You gave up your fear

No longer
resistant
Just a little
hesitant

The night is over and you’re still beautiful
If we had a thousand years, 
When all the stars would clear
There’d still be everything wonderful
About you

You shine ever so bright
Empyreal flame
Warm me on a winter’s night
Love me in a summer rain

No longer
resistant
Just a little
hesitant

The night is over and you’re still beautiful
If we had a thousand years, 
When all the stars would clear
There’d still be everything wonderful
About you

There’s one thing that I’ve found
I’m never lost when you’re around

The night is over and you’re still beautiful
If we had a thousand years, 
When all the stars would clear
There’d still be everything wonderful
About you

Wonderful

This is is a political song. The quality of a US-leader (ex by now!) is of concern to all Western countries. The shattered glass in the photo symbolizes the effect this president has on his relationships with many people and countries except perhaps Russia...

20/09/2020: I changed the melody of the song and a bit of the lyrics.
I think it's more punchy now.

The lyrics:
It is what it is(c) HWBerkhout, 09092020

The world in trouble, we can't sleep
Democracy erodes, we weep
A president more freakish everyday
Praising dictators. Thinks it's ok!

Chorus
Mayhem and madness cause this world to decline
It is what it is while he feels fine
He's indifferent as cities burn
Call it nasty, but it's not his concern  

Black lives matter, MeToo
Pandemics and Truth ends under his shoe
No empathy, calls all a hoax 
Lies on everything, Shatters hope

Economy a loss, environment in despair 
Millions without work, he doesn't care
This leader proved he cannot reign
He can't admit it. He's so vain

Chorus
Mayhem and madness cause this world to decline
It is what it is while he feels fine
He's indifferent as cities burn
Call it nasty, but it's not his concern

Solo

Chorus2
Let's prevent voting to be toyed 
It is what it is, Democracy can't be destroyed
We'll be indifferent as his empire burns
Call it nasty but it's not our concern

Mayhem and madness make his world decline
If it is what it is, we feel fine
Call this a dream? Then dream it all your time!
It is what it is, we feel fine!

Ohh
Is it what it is? Do we feel fine?
Come on, man. Wake up !
=======================================

It Is What It Is

Crocodile

Eyes Wide Blind

clinging in the rigging
to reach hard harbour town
took all her wild bird poise
refugee eyes still surprised
she flew into the glass
one time I didn`t laugh with the boys

held her to be kind
her eyes wide blind

searching her circuits
`til  lights turned green again
she walked away I wouldn`t say her heart was read
enduring things to glimpse her wings
somewhere in a crowd
the backrow kid singing in his head

held her to be kind
her eyes wide blind

lay me under senseless stones
my bones tell of the time
I held a bird
her eyes wide blind

is our living only trying
to do no more than no harm 
boats come and go who sees their wake

hold someone to be kind
our eyes wide blind

lay me under senseless stones
my bones tell of the time
I held a bird
her eyes wide blind


© Robert Cordrey August 2020

Eyes Wide Blind

LONG DISTANCE SATELLITE
BY DAVID SNYDER

V1

I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING, I FEEL YOU I FEEL YOU
IT SEEMS LIKE THE MADNESS IS WORSE THAN A WAR
AND WE’RE SPINNING WE’RE SPINNING, IN WEBS OF ILLUSION
ELECTRONIC CONFUSION, AND THERE’S NO EXIT DOOR
BUT I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I’D GIVE MY LIFE FOR YOU
AND I’LL TELL YOU AGAIN LIKE I’VE TOLD YOU BEFORE
I WILL HOLD YOU, WILL HOLD YOU, WILL HOLD YOU
UNTIL WE FEAR NO MORE

CH

OH I WILL BE YOUR LONG DISTANCE SATELLITE
I WILL BE YOUR LONG DISTANCE SATELLITE
AND ALTHOUGH I AM COVERED, I AM COVERED
I AM COVERED IN BLOOD AND SACRIFICE
YOU CAN CALL ME, ANYTIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT
AND I WILL BE YOUR LONG DISTANCE SATELLITE

V2

YOU’VE HEARD OF BETHLEHEM OVER AND OVER
AND SOMETIMES WE DON’T KNOW WHAT ANYTHING MEANS
AND IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE IN A WORLD WHERE THE POWER
MAKES SURE THAT THIS POWER IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS
BUT I HEAR YOU, I HEAR YOU, MY HEART’S BEATING FOR YOU
AND I’LL TELL YOU AGAIN LIKE I’VE TOLD YOU BEFORE
I WILL HOLD YOU, WILL HOLD YOU, WILL HOLD YOU
UNTIL WE CRY NO MORE

CH

OH I WILL BE YOUR LONG DISTANCE SATELLITE
I WILL BE YOUR LONG DISTANCE SATELLITE
AND ALTHOUGH I AM COVERED, I AM COVERED
I AM COVERED IN BLOOD AND SACRIFICE
YOU CAN CALL ME, ANYTIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT
AND I WILL BE YOUR LONG DISTANCE SATELLITE

BRIDGE:

SO CALL ME TONIGHT
CALL ME TONIGHT
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK, AND WE WILL MAKE IT RIGHT

CHORUS

WORDS AND MUSIC COPYRIGHT 2020 BY DAVID SNYDER
ASCAP/DAY OF FAITH RECORDS
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

David Snyder. Guitar, Vocals, Production, Engineering

Long Distance Satellite

A BETTER ME

i wish there was a way to explain
why i left without a word
but i live in a constant rain
i hear devils even god ain't heard
i couldn't be the man you needed
or the one i thought that i should be
so i thumbed a ride to this start over town
thinking i might find a beter me
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better me
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i need to shake this strange
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better me
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'cause something needs to change
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and i'm willin' i'm hopin' 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i'm praying to see 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;that winnin' hand
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better me

i found steady work as a driller
it should last far as i can tell
soul drummin', mind numbin' 12 hour shifts
pulling oil up from somewhere in hell
got an open invitaion from the lutheran peacher
told him we'll just have to wait'n'see
i've actually considered showing up on sunday
thinking i might find a beter me
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better me
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i need to shake this strange
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better me
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'cause something needs to change
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i'm willin' i'm hopin' 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i'm praying to see 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a miracle
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better me
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i'm willin' i'm hopin' 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i'm praying to see 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a miracle
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a better me


harmony: Janice Merritt (https://soundcloud.com/mootsman)

District Six

TuiGorge

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Janice & Bud Merritt

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