Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#212514 08/17/13 08:55 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Most of my relatives are Iowa farmers. As a young teen, I spent several summers working on my grampa's farm - which was actually run by Uncle Paul and his sons (my cousins).
My grampa, Eben, worked that farm every day of his 92 years.
The last few years, he was nearly blind, but you could not have gotten him off that tractor.
He plowed and cultivated fields knowing when to turn from memory...

This is his story and the story of what happened the most of the family farms. I wrote this song 35 years ago. Before recording it recently, I rewrote a few lines and turned what had been the 3rd verse into a bridge (rearranging things and cutting it in half).

I hope you enjoy it.


EBEN



did you forget to lock the barn door again
the herefords have wondered back into the yard
has the 1024 been repaired, have you fixed the bailer
when will you admit that this life has grown too hard
the combine and the diesel have rusted with the years
and been discarded in a field that's overgrown
a lifetime of dreams, blood, sweat and tears
on the line with every seed you've thrown

(chorus)
eben, you're no longer young
don't take on the fields today
pulling on his working boots, he says
"you can take an interest,
but don't take my life away
please don't take my life away"

the silage should have been cut a week ago before it dried
you won't get the oats in before they fall
the ad for the hired man just won't be answered
the rewards for an honest day's work has grown too small
your brothers to the south of you,
the neighbors to the north
found the land just won't support them anymore
so they sold out to the big man, the mass production farm
but eben's on his way to do the chores

repeat chorus

bridge
old friends gone to the earth that they lived for
the few that have survived have moved to town
but eben's out revving up that old john deere
no sign of ever slowing down

repeat chorus




Here are the RealTracks:

RealDrums in style: NashvilleSkip^01-a:SideStick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
RealTracks in style: ~520:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088
RealTracks in song: ~407:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 165
RealTracks in song: ~589:Banjo, Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 (Rhythm)
RealTracks in song: 377:Guitar, Resonator, Background Trav Ev 088
RealTracks in song: ~615:Harmonica, Background HeeHaw Sw 165

As always... comments encouraged.

floyd



floyd jane #212516 08/17/13 08:59 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,374
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,374
cool tune....

nice clean sound to the mix.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Guitarhacker #212521 08/17/13 09:26 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,494
Hi, Floyd !

This tune should be on the C&W chart
if it ain´t already ?
Superb in every aspect! I enjoyed it
very much !

Cheers
Dani

floyd jane #212528 08/17/13 10:12 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Hi Floyd,

I love the way you tell your stories.
Vocals and Biabettes strong as always.
Another enjoyable listen (three times so far).

Guenter

floyd jane #212533 08/17/13 11:05 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,348
ROG Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,348
Hi Floyd.

Very moving and thought provoking lyrics, together with a beautiful soulful delivery. Very professional package, as always.

I particularly liked the stereo balance.

ROG.

floyd jane #212538 08/17/13 11:42 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075
Yay! Another Floyd Jane song for my listening pleasure!

It doesn't happen very often, but this song actually choked me up a bit. I work with several people who also farm on the side. Through the years of working beside them, learning the names of their family members and hearing stories of the events that formed their lives, I've come to respect the farmers more than just about any other profession.

And you nailed it. The devotion to task (to them, its not just a job, they see themselves as caretakers of the earth) creates a unique breed of person.

your lyrics:
"take an interest... but don't take my life away" <--interesting parallel structure

"the rewards for an honest day's work has grown too small" <--sad but true

"old friends gone to the earth that they lived for..." <--my favorite line


One line that made me think of my best friend:
"the combine and the diesel have rusted with the years..."
my friend has so much arthritis that he often comments that he's rustier than his plow


Floyd, I can never find words to adequately praise your songs... but that doesn't stop me from rambling in search of them. Thanks for the inspiration you provide to me (and I suspect to many others)

edit:
"The last few years, he was nearly blind, but you could not have gotten him off that tractor."
I've seen a lot of people like this in the local WalMart parking lot... wink

floyd jane #212539 08/17/13 11:58 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Floyd,

Very enjoyable! Another excellent song from "The Floyd Library". grin

Great job on the mix, and a really fine "tasty" use of the dobro & harmonica.

Greg

floyd jane #212584 08/18/13 04:04 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Herb - thanks.

Dani - Appreciate the thought!...

Guenter - thank you... the BAIBettes actually sat this one out - so I had to do all the harmonies myself...

ROG - appreciate the kind remarks...

Greg - thanks for the listen and the nice comments...


floyd jane #212585 08/18/13 04:09 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Pat,

It is nice when you know that a song that you have written actually "touches" someone. Particularly if it involves a subject/topic with which they are familiar/involved. The details of this were easy... they all played out in front of me as a kid.

Farmers are a unique breed. They work every day, all day - the milk cows don't take a day off. They have millions in land and equipment and are basically "dirt poor". They don't complain about the work or the circumstances because it is their life and they would seldom choose any other...

Thanks for the listen... and your "rambling" comments - they are much appreciated.

floyd


floyd jane #212608 08/18/13 08:57 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,931
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,931
A very moving story Floyd. I have always been a city dweller but I know some farmers and can relate to the words. Well done.

Last edited by jo131; 08/18/13 08:57 AM.

LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
floyd jane #212614 08/18/13 11:21 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,987
Floyd,

You've done it once again! Another fine song, with poignant, touching lyrics. Your harmonies on this one are superb. Reminds me a little of the Gatlin Brothers. My dad was the son of a sharecropper farmer, and he grew up in the Great Depression. I have never lived on a farm, but have relatives that are farmers, and I have heard all the stories. This song really touches my heart.

Thanks for sharing it.

Steve


Steve Young
Music
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
floyd jane #212645 08/18/13 10:12 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Floyd,
What can I say that hasn't been said before.
An excellent country tune with a wonderful story and I do like songs with a story.
and written 35 years ago eh... When you find the words for songs like that it's "BANG" and you are back in the day you wrote it. I find it amazing how then you remember the tune and chords ... almost!

Well done
Alyn

floyd jane #212659 08/19/13 05:35 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Floyd, Love a good story song. Also reminds me of the Gatlins. This song is a shining example of the plight of America's small farmers. Well Done! I must say the bridge is great and really important to the structure as it adds something different to lead into the chorus again. Thanks for posting. I am going back for another listen. Tom

floyd jane #212666 08/19/13 07:54 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Hey Floyd,

This is my new fav of yours. Really touching song from start to finish and I especially like the bridge. The banjo adds a nice flavor too.

floyd jane #212733 08/20/13 08:31 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Beautifully written and performed, outstanding!

Later,

floyd jane #212756 08/20/13 05:23 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,275
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,275
Floyd, its all been said so all I can add is WOW!

This story is so true! I really like the line ‘Don’t take my life away! I think that speaks for a lot of us senior citizens!


I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!


64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
floyd jane #212867 08/22/13 04:49 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Joanne - glad you liked it...

Steve - thanks for the kind words. Always good when a song hits home...

Alyn - always nice to have you drop by for a listen... 35 years is a long time, but this was one of the few decent ones I did back then - you have a tendency to remember those the best, I think.. there are many that were lost (with brain cells along the way) - and that is probably for the best (the songs, not the brains cells)...

floyd jane #212869 08/22/13 05:27 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,469
Tom - thanks for that. 2 votes for the Gatlins... maybe I should head to Myrtle Beach smile Good to know the bridge did what it should. When I originally wrote this, most songs were just 3 verses and 3 choruses. And I followed that formula. I don't think I've written a 3 verse song in 25 years. Replacing the last verse with a bridge seemed the right thing to do to "modernize" this. Kind of like swapping out those gold and olive appliances in your kitchen....

Josie - thanks for the listen and the comments. The trick is to try to make each new one a "new favorite"!

Danny - thanks for dropping by for a listen!

Mario - appreciate it... who would have thought we would still be doing this when we got to the point where we were eligible for "that discount"...


Last edited by floyd jane; 08/22/13 12:03 PM. Reason: 'Cause Pat is making me forget things...
floyd jane #212883 08/22/13 08:03 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,075
Quote:
maybe I should head to Myrtle Beach

if you ever do, let the Carolina forum members know

floyd jane #212979 08/23/13 12:25 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,418
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,418
It's all been said Floyd since your productions always feature superior song writing, singing and use of RTs. This song really struck a responsive note with Janice as it reminded her of her uncle who kept working the cows well after most would have given it up. And it reminds me of my step father who after essentially giving up farming due to economic conditions continued to keep a few cattle -- just for the ambience.

Also, Mellencamp or Young ought to sing this song at Farm Aid. And I sincerely mean that.


Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more.
If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks!
Our Videos are here on our website.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,384
Posts778,546
Members39,641
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
bestbushcraft, bokane65, Intelligent Crypto, dv.trpn, Leo grant
39,640 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 151
DC Ron 113
WaoBand 109
rsdean 90
dcuny 81
Today's Birthdays
Joncofy, noixdesmers, StephenP
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5