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A little while back, I was reading through forum posts one Sunday morning when I stumbled across a comment by Bud. It piqued my lyric-writing senses and I sat down and mapped out a rough first-draft of lyrics. I sent this draft over to Bud and Janice and asked if they would be interested in helping me to shape the thoughts into a song. They jumped on board and after a few emails, BIAB files and mp3s zig-zagged around the world between Australia and the US, we arrived at this destination...




Please feel free to comment.

Hope you enjoy our collaboration!
Noel


BIAB Info
All Realtracks and Realdrums were generated using the Audiophile edition of the software

RT 1121: Bass, Acoustic, CountryWaltz Sw 085
RT 824: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Country Waltz Sw 085
RT 2053: Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryWaltzBrent Sw 085
RT 2557:Cello, Background SlowWaltz Sw 085

RealDrums: NashvilleWaltzSw^6-a:HiHat , b:Sidestick, Hihat

Lyrics
When I'm watching a Georgia sun rise
I remember days of summer fun
And the night when you asked me
“Do you want to dance till morning comes?”
From that moment onwards
A single thing's been true
I won life's lotto
When I said, “I do”

Our journey has been amazing
There's nothing that I want to change
The golden ring you gave me
It's a blessing I live to celebrate
How did fortune choose me?
I haven't got a clue
I won life's lotto
When you said, “I do”

When trails we are biking toss us to and fro
Or paths we are hiking are uncertain
You are there, always, a beacon full of hope
A keeper of promises made long ago

Whatever fate delivers
Whatever boat we're paddling
With you here beside me
Tomorrow is worth traveling
The days keep on dawning
With dreams to pursue
I won life's lotto
When you said, “I do”

Days keep dawning
With dreams to pursue
I won life's lotto
The day we said, “I do”

"I Won Life's Lotto" © 2016 Janice Merritt, Bud Merritt, Noel Adams. Words and Music. All rights reserved.


MY SONGS...
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ROG Offline
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Hey Noel, J&B.

What can I say? It's an absolute classic!

* Clever lyrics
* A great waltz style
* Beautiful arrangement
* Excellent mix
* Janice on top form.

A professional package that you should all be proud of.

ROG.

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Noel Bud & Janice

That was lovely!
Loved the lyrics - (tingle down the spine stuff).
Pretty melody and beautifully sung (loved the last held note).

Great work.

Peter

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Noel, Janice & Bud,

A very cool collaboration - perfect all around.

Bob

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Well written lyrics (great hook!), track sounds great as does Janice.

Nice collaboration, enjoyed the listen!

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Wow, That was spectacular. I love the personal notes ( hiking and biking etc.) that make this a believable and authentic story. A beautifully written and arranged love note from Janice to Bud that is delivered in a superb package from one of my favorite vocalists. Simply outstanding in every way. Standing ovation and congratulations to all three of you. Tom

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We'll respond individually to the kind comments but I want to point our that our contributions to the lyric were minor. Noel had picked up on our love of the outdoors (biking, hiking, kayaking, etc.) through comments I'd made on the forum and to him via earlier conversations. With that and my comment about life's lotto he wove a lyric that stunningly defined our relationship and for that we will be forever grateful.

Bud


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Noel,
Very good on all levels!
A heartfelt and elegant song with vocals up there with the best- congrats to the three of you.

Robert

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Noel, Janice and Bud

How absolutely sensational! Janice has put her (usual) professional stamp on this.

The lyrics are both poetically thoughtful and masterful in every way.

The choice of tempo and style could not be more perfect.

Congratulations to you all, this is another piece of exemplary, classic genius.

Take a well deserved bow. All of you.

Trev



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It's beautiful, it's personal, it warms the heart
the melody is lovely.

Kenny

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Noel, Janice and Bud,

You've woven a vividly rich lyrical tapestry into this lovely arranged waltz. it's a beautifully sung celebration of love for Janice and Bud that warmed and tugged my heart.

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Originally Posted By: ROG
Hey Noel, J&B.

What can I say? It's an absolute classic!

* Clever lyrics
* A great waltz style
* Beautiful arrangement
* Excellent mix
* Janice on top form.

A professional package that you should all be proud of.

ROG.


Thank you Rog. Noel did a beautiful job with the write and the production. It was hard for me to keep the tears away when I sang it. I appreciate you mentioning my vocal!

Janice


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Originally Posted By: ROG
Hey Noel, J&B.

What can I say? It's an absolute classic!

* Clever lyrics
* A great waltz style
* Beautiful arrangement
* Excellent mix
* Janice on top form.

A professional package that you should all be proud of.

ROG.


I had the same thoughts so all I can add is this is a keeper.


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Noel96 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: ROG
Hey Noel, J&B.

What can I say? It's an absolute classic!

* Clever lyrics
* A great waltz style
* Beautiful arrangement
* Excellent mix
* Janice on top form.

A professional package that you should all be proud of.

ROG.


Hi ROG,

Thank you for passing through! Appreciate the comments.

When I first sent that rough lyric draft to Janice and Bud, I had no idea that the song would grow so well. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Merritts to create this. Each of us did our bit and, voilà (because I know you are fluent in French), it all came together seamlessly!

Thanks again,
Noel


MY SONGS...
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Hello, Noel, Janice & Bud

Simple but very beautiful melody supported with the best vocal.
You are a great melody maker.
This song reminds me “Lonesome Whistle” of Hank Williams Jr. a little bit.
But I think your song is much better, more beautiful and more modern.
As ROG said, it's an absolute classic! A professional package that you should all be proud of.
Nice collaboration, enjoyed the listen!

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Originally Posted By: PeterF
Noel Bud & Janice

That was lovely!
Loved the lyrics - (tingle down the spine stuff).
Pretty melody and beautifully sung (loved the last held note).

Great work.

Peter


Thank you Peter. Noel handed me a lovely gift. I tried to do it justice and am happy that you like it.

Janice


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Great song!!!!! Excellent lyrics!! Beautiful vocals!! Great hook! A winner!!!

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Originally Posted By: rsdean
Noel, Janice & Bud,

A very cool collaboration - perfect all around.

Bob


Thanks Bob!

Janice


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What a great collab!!! Noel, you are such a good writer, particularly in this style. And I can't think of anyone who would be able to deliver the vocals and help with the arrangements as well as Janice and Bud. This is just a beautiful song! Rachel and I celebrated our 40th anniversary back in June. I really feel that I won life's lotto when she said "I do", as well!

Thanks for sharing this!

Steve


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Originally Posted By: PeterF
Noel Bud & Janice

That was lovely!
Loved the lyrics - (tingle down the spine stuff).
Pretty melody and beautifully sung (loved the last held note).

Great work.

Peter

Hey Peter,

Thank you for dropping in and commenting. Personally, I think that the 'tingle down the spine stuff' that you mention is entirely due to Janice's wonderful vocals. I never tire of listening to her sing.

Again, thanks!
Noel


Originally Posted By: rsdean
Noel, Janice & Bud,

A very cool collaboration - perfect all around.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. It's always good to see you. Working with Janice and Bud has been a highlight of my songwriting adventure so far! I thoroughly enjoyed it. If Aristotle was talking about collaborative songwriting when he said, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts", then he was DEFINITELY correct! The end result is much better than anything I could have created by myself.

Regards,
Noel


Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Well written lyrics (great hook!), track sounds great as does Janice.

Nice collaboration, enjoyed the listen!

Hi Dave,

Thank you! It was the hook that first grabbed me too. The minute I read what Bud had written, it was like floodgates opened in my mind and a current of ideas tumbled out. That was where this song began.

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
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