Mike LeBlanc sent me what he described as "another doom and gloom lyric but with the added beauty of a flower in it".
Apart from changing a couple of lines it's his lyric.
I chose the style because it had a Steve Earle sound to it, then I swapped some of the instruments.

BIAB tracks:
Bass 3119
Drums Pop modern groove sync, Tambourine Even 8ths
Fiddle 3152, 3157
Mandola 3155
Mandolin 3377
Guitar 1828 and a few touches of 801

https://on.soundcloud.com/24z5P

A Graveside Flower © 2023 Mike LeBlanc & Vic Arnold

I've learned to laugh through the pain
Only cry in the rain
On a wish and a prayer let my life not go to waste
I've learned to roll with the ages
As I turn my life's pages
While I am well aware I've reached the final stage

And as my life comes full circle, I close my eyes
My soul now possesses all the power
And onward to that kingdom I know of in the skies
And for you I'll leave behind a graveside flower
For you I'll leave behind a graveside flower

I've done the best that I could do
Maybe not all I needed to
My trials and tribulations now are done
I've found the light in the darkness
To shine when I felt hopeless
I've seen my revelation and my heart and soul are one

And as my life comes full circle I close my eyes
My soul now possesses all the power
And onward to that kingdom I know of in the skies
And for you I leave behind a graveside flower
For you I leave behind a graveside flower

Vic,

Your treatment of the tune has done the lyrical content justice! Love the instrumentation choices! Could be in a movie soundtrack! A very good song sand performance!

Thanks, T

Vic,

I really enjoyed this - great vocal and great mix.

Bob

Sounds Irish

I love the sparse arrangement that keeps the focus on the vocals and the lyrics themselves.
This is VERY well done!

That's a very beautiful song, and you've crafted a lovely arrangement and performance around the lyrics. Especially love all the little touches you added to the end of the song to give it a "big" wrap up relative to the rest of the song. Very skillfully done all the way around. Oh, the BiaB instruments did their jobs perfectly, too!

Thanks Torrey.
That would be nice.

Vic

Cheers Bob.
That’s good to hear.
I will pass all comment on to Mike.

Vic

Hi, Vic.

The intro with the mandolin and tambourine is great.

Compelling story, excellent lead vocal. Love the instruments dropping out at the end of the chorus.

Everything sounds perfect - love it!

Cats In The Cradle meets Copperhead Road.
Cool band, very cool song.
fab vocal but, as usual, I'd manually de-ess a little.

Relly well done making a song our of lyrics, Vic. Nearly impossible for me for some reason. It's likely easier whe the lyrics are this good. As always you curated a remarkable band to present this sad beauty. So well done, Vic and Mike.

Hi B.D.
Thanks for your comment. I do try to work on the "Less is more" style.
It's too easy with the selection of BIAB tracks to get carried away and drown the whole thing.

Vic

Vic,

I like these American tunes you are doing!

They sound cool!

Vic...first off Mike wrote some very fine lyrics and as others have said you assembled the perfect band for the profound lyric...I love the long intro and the all of the instrumental choices...it's a wonderful melody and though the subject is very serious the tempo and style you chose kept a lighter aura around this graveside lament...well done in all aspects!

Vic & Mike...

Good song.
Good tracks. Excellent opening.
Well sung.
Good mix.

Mike is a heck of a wordsmith. AND a nice guy. I suggested to him that he should join here (he is a BIAB user, after all...) - don't know why he doesn't...

fj

Beautiful and atmospheric song. Well arranged. Listened twice and will likely listen again

Thank you DC.
Glad you noticed the "little touches". They were an afterthought that I think was needed to lift the gloom.

Vic

David.
Thanks for those nice comments.

Vic

Vic, you really brought Mike's lyrics to life with tremendous passion.
Outstanding vocal backed by the perfect instrumentation.
This is one outstanding song!

Thanks for your ears, Ray.
Sssssssssses seem to be the bane of my life now.
I have today reduced them manually just for you, 🙂.
I’d forgotten Cats in the Cradle. Thanks for that reminder.

Vic

Thanks Marty.
I don’t think I ever created music for someone else’s lyric without changing a line or two and often more to suit my style or taste or ability.
Lyricists without much musical ability can be tricky to write with. I’m lucky that most just let me make the changes needed without question. After all, I’m the one who will cop most of the flak if it sounds off.

Vic

Thank you David.
I loved Americana even before it was invented.

Vic

Many thanks, Dan.
Good to hear it worked for you.

Vic

Hi Floyd.
Thank you. I did mention it to him myself some months ago. I don’t know why either.

Thanks Alex.
Feel free to listen as much as you like.

Vic

Thanks Mario.
Very kind of you.

Vic

I love the vibe of this song!! I'm going to have to fool around with that band. A nice lyric and very apt music! Good job with everything!! Take care. Greg

Cheers Greg.
The band is for stealing.

Vic

Excellent. Your voice and the rhythm track work perfectly together.

Vic, the style is perfect for the excellent lyrics. You laid down a sensational vocal and the production is top notch, Tom

Thanks WaoBand.
I couldn’t ask for more.

Vic

Hypnotic rhythm fits with the strong lyrics. Although the story is about the inevitable ending, it has hopeful light of acceptance, the graveside flower is a nice metaphor.
I enjoyed the chord progression and how well it works with the instrumentation, that bassline flows nicely and the fiddles support your vocals.

Janne

Hi Tommy.
That's great. Thank you.

Vic

Nice description, Janne.
Appreciated.

Vic

Hey, Vic:

Listened to this a couple of days ago . . . liked it then, like it now. Wouldn’t have thought fiddle, mandola and mandolin would all work together as well as they do here, but, yeah, the do. Artfully done from a production standpoint. Excellent vocal work here . . . nice sentimental story, well-delivered. Really like this one!

All my best to you,

Deej

Yes, it does have a Steve Earle feel to it and you and Mike have created another fine song together.

These lines stood out for us:
“I've learned to roll with the ages
As I turn my life's pages”

Your vocal is backed up really well with those BiaB tracks and the fiddle and mandola are great.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

Hi Deej.
What took you so long?
Your comments are very welcome.

Vic

Hi J&B
Thanks very much. It was an enjoyable collab. Mike lets me get on with it.

Vic

Loved the Steve Earle vibe. Super vocal and lyric. What a cool song. Instrumentation was perfect. Well done...

Vic & Michael,

A powerful song in all respects. The lyric shines, and your vocal - with a perfect band - adds an extra gleam to the project. This is a beauty of a song and so well presented. Great work by both of you.

Alan

Cheers Scott.
Glad you liked it.

Vic

You are very kind Alan.
Thank you.

Vic

Vic,
A strong work, enjoyed the vocal, band choice and melody.
Good song.

Peter

Thanks Peter.
Music to my ears.

Vic

I agree Torrey: this could be in a movie soundtrack. I like the whole feel and performance. One of your best songs.

Beautiful. Johnny Cash sings Celtic songs, perhaps. Your trademark voice, stunning lyrics (the "graveside flower" lines are out of this world, for me at least) ... excellent song. Yes, it's sad, some people don't like to face their inner sadness, perhaps ... I do Loved it.

I like that idea, Scott.
Thanks for commenting.

Vic

Haha!
Thank you James.
Much appreciated.

Vic