Castles on the Riverbank

[Bluesberry]

Here is a new one I wrote over the last few weeks.  I decided to not get hung up in the verse/chorus pattern and instead write this in sections or movements.  Each section represents the main phases of a mans life from childhood to old age.  That was the idea anyways.   Thanks for listening.

Castles on the Riverbank

Words and music: Dave Berry

Morning light on the mountain stream,
catches the eye of the child within his dreams.
The day begins, present and aware,
of all the beauty, he plays without a care.
Castles on the riverbank, a choir of birds in song,
picking spring flowers in the meadow,
filled with wonder all day long.
But the day is drawing near, to turn from childish visions shown,
the acceptance turning to questions,
it's time to set out from his home.

Summer sun beating down, I hitch a ride to the next town.
Looking for work and a place to hide,
Don't know where you're going till you've been on the other side.
I've been on this road so long I can't recall.
I've had enough, years wasted and angry
These raging rapids, nearly the end of me.
...Time to go home...

Home at last, tired I close the front door,
Try not to trip on the toys laying on the floor.
I endured this Autumn day with a grim resolve,
The traffic home from the factory a puzzle I barely solve.
My life has become a wide and slow river.
I watch my son grow up so fast, it makes me realize,
I know what's important at last,
I'll live this truth without compromise.

And then one day my son is grown,
He comes to us, says he's gotta leave home,
I feel the pain my Father felt all those years ago.

The moon hangs low over the water,
The old man looks up as his eyes catch the light.
He drags the boat down to the river,
Stops to catch his breath,
shivering quietly on this cold winters night.
Reflecting back on his life,
memories fill his mind like a picture show.
Rowing out into the current,
he feels the boat taken by the river flow.
As the river flows into the ocean,
the boat drifts farther out from shore.
The gathered crowd waves from the beach,
As the mist closes in and he is seen no more...

[Gary F]

Great songwriting Dave!!! I like it!!!
Gary

[Geir]

this is a wonderful song Dave !! I love all the changes ....

progtastic ... I'll be back with more .....


piePod

[Greeny]

I liked it just from the title! Beautifully done. So many clever touches and changes, with the ambition and scale of a massive epic! It gave me an echo of Harry Chapin's 'Cat's in the Cradle' in the lyric. The bit where it drops away with those soft pads and choir-sounding synth at the end gave me goosebumps. Wow!

[Tony W]

This is one hell of a journey, and such a beautiful sonic painting to travel. It's a brilliantly put together piece of music Dave. Your compositions are becoming epic by the post.

[Jim1970]

Holy Cow!!  What a Fantstic Piece of Magic you have Here Dave!!

I agree!!  You are writing som Epic Stuff!!
I love all the tempo Changes and Vocals sound Great!
JIM

[Nelson]

An instant Classic, Love all the change ups and the guitar solo.
Very expressive Lyrics and vocals and creative musical arrangement.
Well Done...

_Nelson

[Redler]

Nice to hear new music from you! Absolutely stunning and ambitious stuff again, Dave! You are a great musician and songwriter!!

Kari

[Gritter]

A truly epic piece. A well told story and excellent performance. Tasty bits all over the place...a really well crafted piece...it reminds me of something off of Quadrophenia.

[Satchwood]

Wow Dave, now this is EPIC prog at it's best!!  Great songwriting ~ i luv it all.!.  What a production dude!  This sounds great, but with headphones on, this is LiFE....

How did you do the percussion? - man the cymbals sound great and so many changes!