JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum Shadows. Vic

An almost total rewrite of a song I wrote in 2011.
Based on a tragedy in a Welsh mining village near where I was born.
"Honey town" comes from the colour of a town in the sunlight as it appears viewing from a mountain top.
Comments welcome.
Vic

https://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold/shadows
Or
https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=13758402

Shadows © 2018 Vic Arnold

On this mountain, beautiful mountain
shadows fall on honey town
where we drink from crystal fountains
coming up from the coal dark ground

On this river, beautiful river,
where the children skim the stones
on sparkling water that flashes silver
'til their mothers call them home.

Yes we lived here through the ages
and we loved here for a while
but now we're shadows, just shadows.
Merely shadows ... of time

In this valley, beautiful valley,
there's a dark cloud on the hill.
People crying for the many
coal black bodies lying still.

Oh they lived here through the ages
and they loved here for a while
but now they're shadows, coal black shadows.
Merely shadows ... in time

An interesting sound overall, Vic. The solo guitar and atmospheric steel are stand outs.

The ending is a bit odd.

The dirge like pace fits a "tragedy song" (though the story is fairly sketchy - without your explanation, I doubt I would catch it).

fj

Is this about Aberfan, Vic?

I particularly like the intro. Really atmospheric, with one weird haunting sound thrown in there that I can't identify.

Vic,

Love the intro—pulls the listener right in--and really the production throughout is first rate; magnetic sound from start to finish. Compelling vocals . . . Poetic lyrics (beautiful), but having read your preamble, not sure I would have picked up on the specific inspiration for the song just based on the lyrics. Not sure it matters though—the vibe comes through. Well done piece, Vic. A pleasure to listen to, as always.

All the best,

Deej

Thanks Floyd.
Yes, I am not sure myself about the ending. It was a personal song for me. No hit here.

Vic

Hi Gavin.
Thank you and yes, Aberfan was a major part of it and also my childhood memories of the area.

Not sure what instrument you mean. There are two synths there and a steel guitar.

Vic

To be clear.... By "the ending". I meant the music/instrumentation in the last measure...what the boys played - not the lyric. I like the lyric (quite a bit) - even though it is somewhat nebulous...

Thanks for sharing, Vic:

Sadness permeates this one... but it is good to remember that terrible event. Penelope Keith has a series going over here on Public Television and this was briefly covered because the Queen visited the site a few days after it happened, then later when they opened the new school.

Well done. ----Dave

Hi again Floyd.
Yes again. The instrumentation is what bothered me.
Changed it now on the Soundcloud version.

"Nebulous" What a great word!
Thanks again,
Vic

Vic

Your lyric is very moving. And the soundscape you created is stunning - I really like the lead guitar work. The overall sound makes me think of some of Mark Knopfler's ballad work. Your voice has a special tone which brings out the mood of your song. Well done!

Thanks Deej.
I believe you are right. It doesn't need explaining.
As long as it can mean different things to different folks it's done it's job imo.

Vic

A beautiful song Vic.Mike

Hi Vic,


Lots to like in this one but THIS part is my favorite.....


Merely shadows ... of time


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Dave.
Thank you for the comment.
You know the history of that area.
The image of that big mound of slag covering what was once a school is an image that will stay with me.

Vic

Thank you Mike.
I am a Knopfler fan on his folk sound too.
Check out "Haul Away" if you like the folk thing.

Vic

This is like the lyric of an old folk song - in some of those there aren't enough details to get the story but you definitely get the feeling. I like that sense of mystery.

Listened to the soundclick version. Yeah the ending was a bit unexpected.

I like the lead electric guitar part too - it kind of bends the genre a bit.

Nice one, Vic.

Scott

Thank you Michael.
Glad it got you.

Vic

Hi Calvin.
Thank you lots.

Vic

Your voice is so well suited to this delivery. Just enough pathos w/o being overwrought. Perfecto.

The guitar solo fit nicely and the drums, for us, are right where they oughta be.

And as I've oft said we are fans of " you connect the dots " lyrics.

Most enjoyable!

J&B

This is beautiful, Vic. Your vocal is perfect for this (I hear a bit of Knopfler as well) and the music so atmospheric. Lyrically, while the listener may not know the exact details, they are clearly speaking to a tragedy and I'm not sure if knowing anything more is necessary. They, and the music, still make me feel something and in the end, that's the point, right?

Ricki

Hi there Scott.
I'm with you there. Can't beat a song that makes you think a bit.
Dylan hides it in a deep hole.
Thank you. I think the Soundcloud version has a better ending.

Vic

Nice intro Vic the melody seemed familiar to my ears.
I enjoyed the listen
Best of luck with it
John

Thanks J&B.
"Connect the dots lyrics". I like that phrase.

Vic

Hi Ricki.
Thanks.
I like Knopfler and I agree with you on the feeling of a song is what matters.

Vic

Thanks Travis.
You may remember the original I posted on this forum back in 2012.
The melody is almost the same but the chorus is a little different.

Vic