PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Songwriting Sample Arrangement Analyzed

Help is on the Way (performance)
Help is on the Way (lyrics)
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This is a repost of a writeup added to a thread about bridges. That thread was taken down by the OP a few days later, without explanation. The analysis is still good and it will serve as an example of classic bluegrass arrangement by Quicksilver, a groups that has been awarded many vocal group of the year. Here goes again:
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A quick analysis of this well-known bluegrass tune might shed some light on the topic of the chorus. Though this song has been a favorite for a longtime, it still has much to offer today's composer in that the arrangement is tried and true. Open the lyrics in a small window and follow along until song becomes 2nd nature.
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8-bar intro : The last two lines of the Verse or Chorus. Often instrumental.
V1 L3 (Call) He said | woman don't you | worry, (Response) for | God sent me | today
V1 L4 (Call) And be | fore you even | ask me, (Hook) | help is | on the way
(Note: Intro is instrumental. Words included for reference.)
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8-bar Verse One: The verse is four call and response lines, each consisting of a 2-bar call and a 2-bar response, for a 16-bar total.
L-1 (Call) A women in the bible days,(Response) her last meal almost gone
L-2 (Call) But God sent Elijah,(Response) to make his word known
L-3 (Call) He said woman don't you worry, (Response) for God sent me today
L-4 (Call) And before you even ask Him,(Hook) help was on the way
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8-bar Chorus One: The Chorus is also four call and response lines, each 2-bar call and a 2-bar response, a total of 16-bars. Note: the first line of the chorus is the same hook that ended the verse; also is the title of the song:
L-1 (Call) Just hold on a little longer, (Hook) help is on the way
L-2 (Call) A brighter day is coming, (Response) for those who believe and pray
L-3 (Call) Help won't help tomorrow, (Response) if you give up today
L-4 (Call) Just hold on a little longer, (Response) help is on the way
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Instrumental Bridge: Lines three and four of Verse/Chorus. Example:
L-3 He said woman don't you worry, for God sent me today
L-4 And before you even asked Him, help is on the way
(Note: Lyrics are included for reference. Bridge is instrumental.)
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Verse Two and Chorus and Repeat Chorus
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Closing is last two lines of the chorus repeated and
a modified 4 bar instrumental outro.
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The first line of the chorus was virtually already written when the first verse was complete. Following this formula takes some of the guesswork out of starting the chorus. It is a continuation of the scene set in the first verse -- a despondant woman receives a spiritual message of hope and that message is, "Help is on the way." There is a variety of melodic and chord progression treatments of the chorus, as listening to a
variety of tunes will show. Often the chorus is a continuation of the thoughts of the last line or two of the verse.
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It has been said the main thing of art is to have something to say. Once the scene has been set and the hook stated, the song more or less writes itself. While this may not apply to much contemporary music, the object of the lesson may be of some use.[b][/b]

As an afterthought, for those who watched 90 Db's recent post about recording vocals, do you notice how this lead singer effectively uses the heart-shaped pickup pattern to minimize pops, silibence (sp?) and distortion? Watch carefully and you'll see him working the field as he sings.

Floyd James video of how to make a song is another good example of microphone technique.

Jim:
Do you happen to recall the title of that post? I'd like to see
it. I searched all posts by Floyd Jane. (There are quite a number.)
I think I recall; but at the time wasn't paying much attention
to microphones. You know how that goes. I broke out the ribbon last
week. Now, there's a good mike, tho fragile. THX

Ed, I searched but couldn't find it before I made my post. Maybe Floyd will read this and provide a link.

Is this what you are looking for?

Announcing... The Birth of a Song – Extended Version! (with Floyd Jane)

It's a pinned post at the top of the User Showcase forum.

All righty, then, Steve. Thanks for the link. Looks like well worth setting the time aside for. Thanks for coming up with that and for looking, Jim.

That's it Steve! Well worth the viewing time.

I understand now why I couldn't find it when I searched for it, (1) Callie created the post and (2) title is birth of a song instead of making or creating a song.

Bob Dylan said he gets his religion from the music. I guess this is what he means. That song moves me more than an hour sermon.

Nice analysis. I've always been confused about where the "call" and "response" parts of a song are.

How about that, jbt. That message might have been written yesterday, don't you know? Doyle Larson is quite the band leader & a good one to listen for the traditional aspects. Solid. Also, true to the minstral roots of folk.
Yeah, I too got a greater appreciation for call and response -- two bars two bars repeat four times. I'm glad you caught that. The original post (removed) wanted to talk about chord placement. In bluegrass, placement and structure are related.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n2308MSpjk

The Floyd Jane video was a learning experience, Steve. Thanks again. It is one to bookmark!

So, the man is out with his wife and in a roomful of people gets carried away on a topic he has strong feelings about. The people start looking his way. His wife tells him to "Chill," adding, "a little bit of you goes a long way!" There's a short pause. He replies, "Hey, that would make a good song." At which point, his wife would be forgiven for concluding he is beyond hope.

Lotta good info in the video, Floyd & Callie. Thanks for doing.