Nice to collaborate with Travis again on this one.
It's folky but not in any strict sense.
Mostly Travis' lyrics, slightly adjusted and with a few of my own thrown in.
Somewhat ambiguous in parts left to the imagination.
Does it work?

Vic

https://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold/soldiers-field

Soldiers Field © 2019 vaughan/arnold
V:
The sun is rising o'er the meadow
as I walk the hallowed ground
Trees have grown, casting shadows
The lark sings a pleasing sound
V:
Much greener grass than I remember
Pastures lush where wounds have healed
Wildflowers grow in swathes of splendour
But this for me is Soldiers Field
C:
If this soil one day reveals
the misery that it conceals
of a hundred years ago
still the seed shall grow
for the young men of all nations
when to Soldiers Field they go
Inst:
V:
I walk alone here night and day
I stand beside you as you greave
my soul can find no place to lay
except upon this Soldiers Field
C:
Outro: I am that whisper on the breeze
and the rustling of the leaves
So here's to those who plant the seeds
Here we lie on Soldiers Field

Hi Vic and Travis:

Enjoyed my listen. We owe so much to so many lying in "soldiers fields" around the globe. Thanks for caring and for this musical memorial. Vic, your vocal often has that "Johnny Cash Vibe" in this one... and it works well. Nice work, you guys.

----Dave

I very much enjoyed the pensive, thought-provoking beauty of this song, It's nicely written and delivered (though I think that "my soul can't find no place to lay" should be changed to "my soul can find no place to lay"). Does it work? I think so. And I, too, hear echoes of Johnny Cash throughout this song, especially in the outro. Fine work.

I like it. The musical treatment has just the right tone for the subject. Love the guitar. One thing that did strike me was that the feeling of the chorus is kind of similar to the verse. I think it might add variation and be easier to get more of an emotional lift just by adding syllables to lines 1 and 3 (and possibly line 2 also). The example below is not necessarily the right wording, just showing what I mean about the extra syllables. If what I'm saying doesn't make sense when you try singing it, then it's obviously just me - it often is

If this soil one day reveals the sad secrets
of the misery concealed (below the grass)
From the blood that shed a hundred years ago
A brighter flower will grow
for the young men of all nations
when to Soldiers Field they go

Great collaboration.

Thank you Dave as always, for the support.

Vic

Hi David.
Didn't spot that one so thanks. Now changed.
I was always a Cash fan so slip into that sombre mood occasionally.
Vic

Vic and Travis,

Really well done . . . Just the right tone and mood. Vic, your vocal is just so chill on this, among your best. A most enjoyable collaboration.

My best to you both,

Deej

Thanks for the comments Gavin. Glad you like it.
Yes, many folk songs don't tend to have choruses. This one is more to give a subtle change between verses.

Have you tried singing what you have suggested? I dare you.
That is quite a mouthful to sing to that melody. My other thought was that the phrases "sad secrets" and "blood that shed" was already covered by "the misery concealed",
which makes them redundant. Not convinced of "Brighter flower" being better than "seed" as seed includes the grass and trees that have grown.
However I do appreciate that you are thinking of the song.

Thanks again for the time spent.

Vic

Yes, Vic, I tried singing it and it seemed to work just fine for me. I tried it again now and it didn't work at all. I think it was because I was singing it from memory after listening , had jumbled up the melody in my head and accidentally come up with a different one of my own. Please consign my suggestion to the appropriate file in the corner

I wasn't suggesting you changed the words to the ones I posted. I just used them as a way to show how to arrive at the melody, which was, of course, the wrong melody! I'm going to shut up now.

Hi Vic and Travis,
This is a great collaboration. The words, music and voice blend well. And getting compared with Johnny is always a good thing. I keep getting compared with Willy, which to me, is a compliment.

Hey you two,another cool co-write.Very well done Vic. Mike

You're a star, Gavin.

Good luck with your version too.

Vic

Thanks Deej.
That's good to hear.

Vic

Hi Dave
Yes I agree we have a lot to be thankful for.
Thanks for the listen and your comments and thumbs up.
Regards
John

Thanks David for your suggestion/ears. Much appreciated
Regards
John

Thank you for the comments, John.
I like Mr. W. Nelson's style too so you're in good company.

Vic

Hi Gavin
Thanks for your input and support once more.
Help us always welcome
John

Well, I don't think I was much help this time, but I try LOL.

One volunteer is worth ten pressed men, Gavin as my father in law often pointed out when he needed help with his overgrown garden

This is a great collaboration Vic and John - and I must say a very good production also. The lyrics are very compelling and say so much with few words.

Jane

If this soil one day reveals
the misery that it conceals
of a hundred years ago
still the seed shall grow
for the young men of all nations
when to Soldiers Field they go

I just find the word "If" to be a little confusing here...

This soil always reveals
the misery that’s concealed
from a hundred years ago
So seeds of wisdom grow
for young men of all nations
when to Soldier’s Field they go...

Thank you Michael.

Vic

Hi Jane.
Yes. Always whittle away at the words.
Thanks for listening.

Vic

Hi Japov.
Thanks for the response.
Not sure why you find "if" confusing. The verse has to be taken as a whole.
It's not certain that the soil will reveal all
and there are no seeds of wisdom here,
just nature's way of carrying on no matter what.
Your suggestion would reverse the meaning in the verse.

Vic

Hi John
Vic's Johnny Cash connection I believe goes back a lot further I remember Vic telling me he met him here in the UK and even managed an autograph!
I'm sure Johnny treasured that signature until his dying day.
No seriously Vic got a album cover signed by the great JC
Much appreciate your comments and listen
Cheers
John

Hi Vic,

I always really like songs that depict history--and you have a talent for that because I know you also love history. I really like what you and John have done both with the music and lyrics. You have the right vocal style to pull it off for sure! Great stuff!

I do think you could make some production adjustments for enhancing the "build" a bit more -- giving the song even "more" climactic build. Let me know if you're interested in those small tweaks or ideas. One sug is: At song's ending, use a distant percussion "march" to create a ghostly military feeling on that field.

Loved this!

steady-eddie

The Vic and John show strikes again! Good to know you're both still giving your all. Great delivery and understated production make the lyrics shine. Nicely done both of you.

Ricki

Hi Eddie and thanks for your views.
I did think about using the marching drum fade out as I was recording but decided against it as I thought it may be a little cliche and also already used it in two previous songs of mine (Sons of Gettysburg and We'll Never Leave The Alamo). As Ricki says, " understated production make the lyrics shine".
However, nothings over 'til it's over so thanks again as always, for the sugg.

Vic

Hi Mike
Thanks good to see you around
John

Hi Vic - not enough songs out there honouring the young men and women lost in war IMHO.
This one is really good - you capture the mood perfectly in the vocals, lyrics and guitar .
Or is that a mandolin?
Not a nit to be found here in my book

Paul

Hi Jane
Thanks once again for your comments and support. Good to know you liked this new song
Regards
John

Hi Japov
Thanks for your suggestion, I think "always" doesn't work as well IMHO.
"If" being ambiguous as it's a former battle field with its secrets and anomalies not to forget spirits!
Cheers
John

Thanks Ricki.
Yes, John and Vic on the road again.
I like understatements.

Thank you Paul.
Well, there's one more now.
Acoustic guitar strum and mandolin picking.

Vic

Hi Edd
As Vic inferred nothing is set In stone and your idea is worth considering
Thanks again for your comments, help and listen.
Regards
John

Hey, Travis and Vic you too make one hell of a team in a good way, You produce hot tunes that move the listener to listen closely to your vocals and lyrics and to really get into your music. I have walked in many military cemeteries, fired 21 gun salutes to honor some of the fallen, sang amazing grace at some, just to the wail of the bagpipes. I was humbled and always will be by such hallowed ground. I might have been one of those beneath one of those Soldier's Fields, but someone else took my place, and though he remains unknown he is most dear to me for the life I have been able to lead. This song moved me to tears, which is righteous, and it speaks volumes to what you to have created. ~~Matt

Thanks for your comments Paul
John

Matt. I'm humbled by your words. Thank you for your honesty and appreciation.

Vic

This has a classic Americana vibe. I think the contrasting sections are good enough the chorus kind of jumps out, its not a pop song. I can hear Springsteen doing this... in his older years...lol

I do think the second verse could be better, its not as good as the first verse lyrically.

I enjoyed my listen, sounds good, good vocals. Reminds a bit of knockin on heaven's door.

Hi, Fdemetrio.
Yes, an Americana vibe. I like Springsteen's latter day stuff too.

I suppose verses can be changed but I reckon one verse will always be better [or worse] than another. Maybe we'll think of something else somewhere down the line.
Thanks for your view on it.

Vic

Thanks Matt
Good to know it touched you, quite dark topic. But I think as long as we continue to write, we show we care for the great sacrifice these guys made.
Thanks for your comments and listen
Regards
John

Thanks for your listen and comments Fde
John

I have always loved to listen to you sing and you haven't ever let me down..could listen to this all day..perfect..just perfect...

Hi Glyn.
Good to hear from you and thanks.
Your support is appreciated.
Vic

Thanks Glynn
Good to see you around again
John