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Arcs of Life We both love history and spend a lot of time seeking out and documenting forgotten old structures and cemeteries. As we wander around 200 year old cemeteries (for which we are likely the first visitors in many years) we find ourselves reflecting on the lives represented by crumbling headstones or no marker at all. Many years of these musings led to this song which we hope you enjoy. Comments are most welcome. Thanks to Peter and PG Music. Janice: vocals, progression, melody & arrangement Bud: lyric, photo & and the tech stuff Peter: guitar solo/swells/fills & arrangement Drums: RealDrums NashvilleEven8 (snare removed) > Waves CLA Drums Snare: RealDrums N’villeEven8 audio file > Waves JJP-Drums > ChromaVerb Bass: RealTrack 518 Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085 > Waves Bass Rider Piano: MIDI SuperTracks 1809 Rhythm CountryBalladJohn Ev 065 > Logic Pro Grand Steinway > Waves CLA Unplugged Mastering: Ozone EQ > Ozone Multi-band compressor > Ozone Imager > Ozone Limiter > Ozone Tonal Balance > Youlean Loudness Meter Neutron 3 was used to balance the bass and kick drum. Verse 1
hidden deep in the forest lies an abandoned cemetery it’s crumbling walls hold the graves of those long deceased they are barely seen beneath vines and fallen branches do their souls rest in peace? Refrain
like faded rainbows arcs of life hang above
they hold good, evil, hate and love Verse 2
the few headstones offer little more than a name and two dates
stories of life between those years remain unknown
sometimes there’re brief sentiments that speak to character
are they true even written in stone? Refrain
like faded rainbows arcs of life hang above
they hold good, evil, hate and love Bridge
gone and forgotten
gone and forgotten Solo Verse 3
many graves have no stone, no marker, no beginning, no ending
they are known only by a slight depression in the ground
ashes to ashes and dust to dust
are they still eternity bound? Refrain
like faded rainbows arcs of life hang above
they hold good, evil, hate and love © 2022 All Rights Reserved J. Merritt, B. Merritt & P. Fulham
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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J/B
4T team strikes again.
wonderfull song and lyrics and vocals.
highly impressive and beautifull...seriously.
v good production.
best
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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That piano is strong and so are the lyrics. Both beautiful with feeling. Janice shines like no one else can, singing with feeling and soul, then adding the perfect harmony. Dang this is so good. Very creative. Peter's guitar is so tasteful --respectful even. What a wonderful song, folks.
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Interesting subject.
History surrounds us and we often forget it's lessons.
Wonderful lyrics
Band sounds great.
Particularly love the harmony vocals.
Well done!
moto
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Great song and a good topic.
Nice work on this from everyone involved.
Side bar: A guy I used to go to church with developed an interest in documenting these old forgotten cemeteries. He'd research, knock on doors and go into the woods and fields to find them. Then, he'd photograph and document them with GPS.
Side bar: My dog is a trained cadaver dog. We are often called out by law enforcement to, among other things, find old cold case graves. But taking it a step further, we have a tentative mission some time this year to assist an historical society that is documenting old slave burial grounds that have long since been forgotten. Often, slaves were buried in a different area and marked with wooden markers that got knocked down, or simply rotted away with time. Our dogs are able to still find those graves.
I enjoyed the song.
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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A lovely song about a paradoxically lovely topic. I like that chatty style of the lyrics.
I used to bicycle a lot around western Massachusetts and would always stop when I'd come upon a 17th-18th century cemetery. The stones often included a lot more text and information than is customary nowadays, and often made it clear that death was not anybody's preferred state of being.
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J/B
4T team strikes again.
wonderfull song and lyrics and vocals.
highly impressive and beautifull...seriously.
v good production.
best
om Thanks OM. We’re glad it worked for you! 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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I like your stuff. You have a great sound. I recently found the grave of my great-great-great Grandfather in one of the cemeteries you're describing in a northern California ghost town. It's the furthest I've ever been able to trace a family member. The headstone was made of wood, the one next to him was marble and the one on the other side was unmarked. This song really took me back there, thanks.
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What a beautiful song!
And the subject.... very special.
Great guitar work of Peter!
Janice sings fantastic, great harmonies!
A very special song!
Rob and Anne-Marie
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An unlikely topic to strike connections to folk but it does.
I had to go to the door for a moment and put my head phones down...the melody is strong and carried across the room through that cans.
Everyone did their job extremely well...not a hair out of place but not groomed into a poodle either.
Lovely melody, thought provoking narrative, solid backing, beautiful harmonies and, as ever, a fab. guitar.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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You always bring an immensely high standard to this board. So, to say that this song is really one of your best is, to me, high praise indeed ... for it really is.
Verse 2 really hit home.
So beautiful. A tinge of hushed respect and reverie, throughout. And the refrain ... so inspired. As I said, truly one of your best.
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That piano is strong and so are the lyrics. Both beautiful with feeling. Janice shines like no one else can, singing with feeling and soul, then adding the perfect harmony. Dang this is so good. Very creative. Peter's guitar is so tasteful --respectful even. What a wonderful song, folks. Any time the word soul is mentioned in a comment on Janice's singing she lights up with a BIG smile. Thanks for everything! 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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That piano is strong and so are the lyrics. Both beautiful with feeling. Janice shines like no one else can, singing with feeling and soul, then adding the perfect harmony. Dang this is so good. Very creative. Peter's guitar is so tasteful --respectful even. What a wonderful song, folks. Thanks Marty - not too many guitarists practicing the "respectful" genre - I might get a few calls...... Janice did a stellar job on this. Peter
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J&B and Peter:
Really engaging opening with that piano. Great vocals as usual—and really lovely harmonies (actually, beautifully mixed harmonies—nice touch there). Wonderful write capturing and compellingly conveying the thoughts of that cemetery wanderer. Lovely tune!
My best to you all,
Deej
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I think what's hard in commenting on the work of the three of you is I find myself attempting to say the same thing I always think in a different way. I mean, it's excellent.
Every note choice, every delivery of that note choice, every lyric, every aspect of mixing and production. Would you consider put out a song here and there that has a few issues to it. I'll let you pick what and where. I just would like to be able to say ANYTHING different! I don't think Peter could pick a note or tone that would be the best choice though. If all of your instincts are correct...maybe do the opposite? Anyway, you get my point that I love the song AND the artwork. With Janice always looking so young it almost feels like a young girl wondering about a long lost descendent.
As are as the subject, it's a mixed bag for me. Not that I don't like it but there is a sadness in how time treats these now orphaned reminders of a person. A life was lived. What made that person laugh? What were some of the happiest days of their lives? What were their fears? What did they live through? Just so many questions. I know it's overly said, but between those numbers was someone's entire life. It makes me think. Sadly, how soon we are forgotten.
I did want to make special mention of the stacked vocals at 2:28. WOW! That was so cool in my book!
I was all over the place with this post, but the types of subjects tend to do that to me. Thanks for such a special song.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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J&B+Peter
I read about your project before listening and have some understanding what it is about. I have deep respect for your dedication. This song is a wonderful reflection of your journey. Very spiritual. One of the best harmonies by Janice I have heard. Tasteful guitar passages by Peter. Well composed and mixed. Listen very well. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
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Interesting subject.
History surrounds us and we often forget it's lessons.
Wonderful lyrics
Band sounds great.
Particularly love the harmony vocals.
Well done!
moto We often forget indeed. Thanks for all and appreciate the lyric and harmony mention! 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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This is a really pretty song, with excellent vocals and harmonies to go with an excellent lyric. Nice clear mix - everything is easy to hear and understand. Subtle guitar solo. I really like this! 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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An interesting topic, what a great idea for a song!
Janice sounds great as always, I especially enjoyed the harmonies. And Peter is at his tasteful best.
Love the mix, Bud, paid special attention to the snare after reading your notes. Sounds great! Piano sounds really good also.
Lovely song, well done all!
Last edited by BlueAttitude; 03/24/22 01:28 AM. Reason: typo
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