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Post Your Work => Original Songs => Topic started by: Ray Brookes on March 23, 2023, 02:02:23 PM

Title: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Ray Brookes on March 23, 2023, 02:02:23 PM
Dedicated to the people of Ukraine

Be still my love; the battle awaits
I swear I can hear the barbarians at the gates
The enemy is strong; a worthy opponent
Here am I in a Road To Damascus moment.
Keep that heart beating for me

No need for a steed; sabre or gun
With the jawbone of an ass I'll slay each one
A tooth for a tooth; an eye for an eye
See them run when they hear our battle cry
Keep that heart beating for me

Oh, take a draft from my flagon of ale
We'll chase the dogs down along this winding trail
It is written; thy will be done
Once the farmer now the warrior that I've become
Keep that heart beating for me.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: TPB on March 23, 2023, 02:55:01 PM
Really liked this one well done brother soft harp in the back ground adds to the mood
Tim
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Pete C on March 23, 2023, 03:22:27 PM
Really good song Ray - I was trying to understand the lyrics then spotted the dedication above them. It's all a senseless waste of lives on both sides to satisfy the ego of one man. Sad.

Pete
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: StephenM on March 23, 2023, 07:54:54 PM
I am really into the imagery of the lyrics and I know some of those stories too...
good stuff.

the song has an fun side to it... a kind of mountain country vibe... it's quite organic and I like it..
lots of interesting details along the ride.  The singer is good as any i have heard and then some!
really loving that accordion
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Redler on March 23, 2023, 10:22:05 PM
Very touching lyrics to me...the Ukraine nation is fighting for us (The Finns). It's terrible to live next to criminal state, fortunately we are joining in Nato with in a few weeks...

Fine music and performance, as alaways.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Kenneth on March 23, 2023, 11:43:40 PM
The song touches the heart Ray, very beautiful and powerful. The situation is unbelievable and I personally feel for all the families and children who have lost their joy in their childhood.
Love the biblical references in the lyrics.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: thetworegs on March 24, 2023, 01:44:00 AM
It's a terrible situation for the people of the Ukraine that we can all agree ... you've outdone yourself on this one Ray excellent lyrics love the chorus
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Ron D Bowes on March 24, 2023, 07:09:43 AM
Sweet guitar strumming and nice understated blues harp. You always write such great and deep lyrics. A true wordsmith. And is that the dreaded banjo creeping in? LOl. Nice one Ray!
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: BerryPatch on March 24, 2023, 10:24:58 AM
Incredible song Ray! The atmosphere is tangible here. Outstanding production and haunting backing vocals and harmonica and organ. I love the full arrangement here, so comforting yet reflective.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Johnbee on March 24, 2023, 04:38:31 PM
Interesting combination of compelling lyrical content to a laid back country/bluegrass music background but it works and works so well.  Great piece of work.
 :) John B
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: funkyaxe on March 24, 2023, 04:49:22 PM
Touching song. Love the whole mix of this.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: DarrenG / The Devil's Toupee on March 26, 2023, 04:27:33 AM
Love the style of the lyrics ray, it's like Shakespeare wrote them, just great.
Also love the minimalistic music, it works perfectly. Love all the instruments. Great country vibe to it.  Just fantastic vocals..very catchy chorus.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: launched on March 26, 2023, 06:53:50 AM
The bg vox and guitar are hauntingly infectious, this tune is great! I was going to say more, but I'll just leave it with god bless those poor people who didn't deserve this madness that has been going on a long, long, long time.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Mike_S on March 26, 2023, 04:14:37 PM
Terrible situation that nobody really expected, except maybe the Ukranians who tried to warn us. I am a bit surprised it hasn't inspired more songs here on SC (unless I have missed them), but maybe it is so dark it's hard to put to music. But this works brilliantly Ray.

Mike
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Greeny on March 27, 2023, 03:41:15 AM
Beautiful & poignant. So expertly put-together, but it's those 'Keep that heart beating for me' parts with the backing vox that really blow me away. Amazing piece of work.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Frank53 on March 27, 2023, 06:54:22 AM
Heartfelt dedication, Ray. Good lyrics, and I love the instrumentation employed.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Zoltan on March 27, 2023, 09:53:18 AM
Great piece of art. Strong storytelling.
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: chapperz66 on March 27, 2023, 01:40:50 PM
Poignant and heartfelt song, and as expertly performed and produced as always, Ray.

I'm a fan.

Paul
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Oldrottenhead on March 28, 2023, 02:58:48 PM
wow!
Title: Re: Barbarians At The Gates
Post by: Trist on March 29, 2023, 06:52:42 AM
Classy song Ray, love it, production , theme and the rhythm is excellent, has such a good feel to this . good subject matter and lyrics nicely conveyed, enjoyed this one  alot. need to catch up on your other songs, will be sunday though