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Marie, the Revolution's Still On (Aren't the Stars Bright?) Not a Christmas song, but I often think of these lyrics about a soldier far from home on a cold winter night at this time of year. Simple tune without a chorus, just a quiet meditation on love and the cost of duty. This is one of our first songs, but with all new vocals and arrangement. All instruments are BiaB. Wishing each of you a joyous holiday season. R.W. Davis: lyrics Me: music, arrangement, vocals, production AI: none Style is _BRAMBLE.STY (Bramble Fast Folk with Brushes) RealTracks in style: ** N/A ** ~520:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 165 RealTracks in style: ** N/A ** ~407:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 165 RealTracks in style: ** N/A ** ~1120:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Strumming Ev 165 RealTracks in style: ** N/A ** ~524:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 165 RealDrums in style:BrushesPop8thsSwirl: a: Swirl Tap b: BrushesPop8thsSwirl MARIE, THE REVOLUTION’S STILL ON (AREN’T THE STARS BRIGHT?) It’s pretty safe to say It’s gonna be a long night Wake me when it’s my watch Aren’t the stars bright? I’ll dream of peaceful times When we didn’t have to fight Wake me when it’s my watch Aren’t the stars bright? Marie, the revolution’s still on I know I’ve been gone too long It’s a trifle cold But my rifle makes me bold ‘Cause out there Somewhere Are the ones who want to take away our freedom Hey, we don’t need them and we will surely beat them But, Marie, you better stay at home Don’t try to find me or even mark my grave I know you’d do it ‘cause you are so brave But, Marie, just wait for me at home I have to clean my gun To make it nice and shiny The lights of the city Look so very tiny Word has it from up north They won’t attack tonight You think we can trust them? Aren’t the stars bright?
Last edited by DC Ron; 12/24/25 06:44 AM.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Ron,
A new favorite for me... I don't remember hearing this before, but I love everything about this song.
I also wanted to call out the production - top notch and those acoustic guitars sound "live".
EXCELLENT!
Bob
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What a fun little bouncy one, Ron. Happy Christmas to you and R.W., and thanks for all your songs this year. When you say Revolution I in --especially if it's anew one. I'm re-binging TURN, my all-time favorite Revolutionary show. This song can fit in there so well. You surround your soldier with some fine music, and it gets him through these times to see Marie again.
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It's a very pleasant song to listen to. The guitars are very good.
Laurent
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Ron,
A new favorite for me... I don't remember hearing this before, but I love everything about this song.
I also wanted to call out the production - top notch and those acoustic guitars sound "live".
EXCELLENT!
Bob Thanks, Bob! No, not posted previously, just old and in need of a refresh. A lot like me in that respect. Ha! Those guitars really do sound nice. I was going to record my original fingerstyle backing on the opening and then transition to BiaB, but the RealTracks sounded WAY better than adequate. Glad you liked the tune!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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I like this a lot, I especiallly liked the title. One line confused me: "don't try to find me or even mark my grave." Is he dead? Good story, dead or alive. I also liked the bright stars, away from the city's light pollution. Stars are amazing if you get far enough away from civilization. Enjoyed the storytelling!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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What a fun little bouncy one, Ron. Happy Christmas to you and R.W., and thanks for all your songs this year. When you say Revolution I in --especially if it's anew one. I'm re-binging TURN, my all-time favorite Revolutionary show. This song can fit in there so well. You surround your soldier with some fine music, and it gets him through these times to see Marie again. THANKS, Marty! Have checked out Turn based on your post and it looks like a binge-worthy experience for sure. Glad you enjoyed the tune. Merry Christmas! It's a very pleasant song to listen to. The guitars are very good.
Laurent Thank you, Laurent. As my primary intent is to provide a pleasing musical context for the lyrics, your assessment as a "very pleasant song to listen to" is quite a compliment. Hope you have a Merry Christmas! I like this a lot, I especiallly liked the title. One line confused me: "don't try to find me or even mark my grave." Is he dead? Good story, dead or alive. I also liked the bright stars, away from the city's light pollution. Stars are amazing if you get far enough away from civilization. Enjoyed the storytelling! Thanks, Rob. Y'know, my brother only infrequently shares the context of his lyrics, so my process is to provide the context and backstories that I use to write the music myself. This is a process my brother is very comfortable with, and he delights when I (or anybody else) finds a context or interpretation that he did not have in mind. Truthfully, he includes ambiguity just for that purpose. I think it's cool and artistic WAY beyond my capabilities, though I couldn't tell HIM that. Anyway...I interpret that line to mean this: The night watch is expecting an attack that may or may not come. They've been TOLD there will not be an attack (maybe a Christmas Eve truce?) but are not convinced. Either way, their situation is less than confident (it's going to be a long night) and the possibility of not surviving the night is real. So the narrator is reflecting on a possible grim outcome of the night, even as he still marvels at the beauty of the night sky and worries for the girl he left behind. I've never served, but supported those who did for almost 40 years. Have known more than a few who were supposed to come back, but never did. I like to imagine I know what that must be like. Of course I never can. But I respect their sacrifice, and think of them when I think about this song. Well, THAT sounds like a downer, but it's not supposed to be. It's just a slice of reality, I think. Hope you and your family have a great Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Thanks for a AI-free song. Pleasent to listen, even tho lyrics are up-to-day.
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RW and Ron, this is an outstanding piece of music, especially at this time of the year. A lot of soldiers will not be home for Christmas or New Year so I think this song should be dedicated to them
Outstanding mix. Those acoustic guitars sound great. Super vocal. The lyrics took it over the top for me.
IMHO this is your best to date.
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Thanks for a AI-free song. Pleasent to listen, even tho lyrics are up-to-day. Arri, THANK YOU for the listen. The lyrics (not mine) sound very up to date to me as well. The background of the song you listened to has an interesting (to me) chronology: American "Revolution": 1775-1783 These lyrics: 1981 This music to the lyrics: 2016 This recording: 2025 So this one took quite a while to write. Ha! Merry Christmas!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Another interesting, thoughtful lyric. Melody sits well on the ear.
Good vocals - clear and clean.
Really nice use of BIAB. Just-right arrangement/production.
(got a gentle-on-my-mind thing happening. Does it get better than that? no...)
Very much enjoyed.
fj
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We just finished Ken Burns new series on the American revolution. This reminded us of many of the thoughts and paintings from it. Great BiaB session folks (that bass has long been a fav of ours). The open mix sets up a nice soundstage on our Kalis. Kinda like watching this band in a small club ... third row center.  Great narrative and vocals top it all off. Much enjoyed it! J&B
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
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Well done Ron,
A song that is relevant today, yesterday and tomorrow. Lyrically, it's perfect and your vocals were really excellent and drove the songs message home. It's one of those songs that has a message every generation should hear.
Great stuff, all the best for 2026. Kind regards
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That was a surprise. I was expecting your patented power-pop sound, but instead I heard a delightful acoustic folk song. Excellent through and through.
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Chorusless seems to be the new trend for 2026 Good song, I like the contrast between the gentle backing band and the (unfortunately) still relevant lyrics. And as far as production goes, it's as good as it gets. Excellent ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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RW and Ron, this is an outstanding piece of music, especially at this time of the year. A lot of soldiers will not be home for Christmas or New Year so I think this song should be dedicated to them
Outstanding mix. Those acoustic guitars sound great. Super vocal. The lyrics took it over the top for me.
IMHO this is your best to date. Thanks, Mario. Absolutely agree with your dedication point of view.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Another interesting, thoughtful lyric. Melody sits well on the ear.
Good vocals - clear and clean.
Really nice use of BIAB. Just-right arrangement/production.
(got a gentle-on-my-mind thing happening. Does it get better than that? no...)
Very much enjoyed.
fj Thanks, Floyd! "Gentle on My Mind" is a killer song from that distant past when writing a hit song could set you up for life. Those were the days! Pretty sure I was trying to channel Gordon Lightfoot when I wrote this music. Always loved his way of telling a story in song.
Last edited by DC Ron; 12/30/25 04:58 AM.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Cool song. I got that same gentle on my mind vibe that Floyd noted.
Mix sounded good
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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We just finished Ken Burns new series on the American revolution. This reminded us of many of the thoughts and paintings from it. Great BiaB session folks (that bass has long been a fav of ours). The open mix sets up a nice soundstage on our Kalis. Kinda like watching this band in a small club ... third row center. Great narrative and vocals top it all off. Much enjoyed it! J&B THANK YOU, J&B! That bass is very cool indeed, and provides a bouncy focal point for the abundant spaces between lyrics. Hope ya'll have a great New Year!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Another excellent song, Ron, a bit of a different sound from you! A 60s folk sort of vibe with the storytelling.
Great sounding guitars and bass.
Looking forward to hearing more from you in 2026!
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