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Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 08/24/20 11:49 AM.
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Some very poignant lyrics. You don't write something like this unless you've lived it or someone who has tells you about the experience. Very powerful and touching.

Thanks to Don Gaynor for pulling this all together, to Keith Stempfly for the moving lyrics, and Joanne Cooper for the melody, vocals, and BIAB arrangement. I'm honored to have been asked to play on this. You guys rock.

Bob Buford cool

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Bob and Jo, I hope to follow with a back story soon.

Donny

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Don, it was an absolute pleasure working with you and Bob on this song. As Bob said, said such poignant lyrics could only have been written by someone who lived through this nightmare.
Will post the lyrics and real tracks when I am not on my iPhone!


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Well done Don! Really loved the progressions and overall vibe. Joanne you also sound excellent too! Great job both of you! smile


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Joe
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I'm a disabled Vietnam vet, as many of you know. Not many things bring tears to my eyes but you folks managed to do so. Simply wonderful in its sadness and poignancy. A big salute to all of you! God bless,

Alan


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Originally Posted By: JoanneCooper
Don, it was an absolute pleasure working with you and Bob on this song. As Bob said, said such poignant lyrics could only have been written by someone who lived through this nightmare.
Will post the lyrics and real tracks when I am not on my iPhone!


Dear Josie,

I've said it before, dear friend, but you could sing the Johannesburg phone directory and make it so beautiful.

Bob added a special touch with his guitar mastery, just a subtle fill and exquisite tone. I think we'll be enjoying a lot more out of you two in the future.

I marvel at your ability to anticipate my exact wants and needs then interpret them with your beautiful voice. You exceed my every goal. I'm extremely proud to call you "friend".

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What a wonderful song, beautifully sung by Josie of course.

Last edited by furry; 08/07/17 09:50 AM.
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A fine job of putting this together, Don. Good job by all. Bob's guitar is really well done...

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Great collab y'all. From OK to CO to South Africa.

The power of the net, talented musicians and BiaB shines through here!

Kudos...

J&B


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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
A fine job of putting this together, Don. Good job by all. Bob's guitar is really well done...


FJ,

You don't know what your nod of approval means to all of us. We acknowledge you as the resident wordsmith and voice of authority in songwriting and production. Your approval means so much. Thanks for listening and especially for the encouraging comments.
I don't think I've ever thanked you for popping in on us when Josie and Megz visited me last year. A belated and heartfelt thank you.

Donny

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Awesome collaboration. Super vocal and lyric. Loved Bob's guitar work so tasteful dancing around the vocal.


Scott Collingwood
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https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Hi Don. Having trouble finding this track.
Rob

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Originally Posted By: Rob4580
Hi Don. Having trouble finding this track.
Rob


Try this one, Rob

SoundCloud Link: I Only Wrote The Telegrams

Bob

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Originally Posted By: Buford
Originally Posted By: Rob4580
Hi Don. Having trouble finding this track.
Rob


Try this one, Rob

SoundCloud Link: I Only Wrote The Telegrams

Bob


Thanks Buford.
Got it.
What a pretty ballad.
Joanne always does justice to a good melody.
Excellent.
Rob

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Don,Joanne and Bob,
Gorgeous, in a heartbreaking way.
In my opinion this is one your best, Joanne - these are simply top drawer lyrics for which you`ve found a lovely melody and then taken to another level with your vocal and harmony.
Bob`s guitar is very tasteful and the production just fine.
This one will reach many listeners.

Robert

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Joe, Al-David, Graham, Floyd, Bud and Janice, Scott, Rob and Robert. Thank you all for your comments. The generosity of this community never fails to astound me.

Lyrics by Keith Stempfly

I only wrote the telegrams sent words of regret
To mothers wives and fathers who were praying for a vet
Sent words in a daze that seemed totally unreal
With no one around to tell me how to feel
But I only wrote the telegrams

I only made the shadow boxes with medals in their rows
Which ones were the posthumous I didn't want to know
Spent hours and hours to get them in just the right place
Tried to deny the void they meant to replace
But I only made the shadow boxes

I only set the funerals for some fathers and some sons
Whose luck put them too soon in the ground of Arlington
The taps would play and the guns sound their salute
A gently folded flag instead of a young recruit
But I only set the funerals

I only wrote the telegrams thirty years ago
In an undeclared war for reasons we'll never know
nights filled with dreams medals crashing on my desk
And dirt falling falling on my face
and taps and guns.....and words full of regret
But I only wrote the telegrams


RealTracks:
RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 1595:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop8thsSteady Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 1601:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop16Melodic Ev 065
RT1592:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 065

and of course.. Bob Buford's wonderful guitar


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116 plays in 1 day says it all!

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Great job, Don! A very powerful tune indeed. I loved the chord progression and the vocal delivery on this. It sounds very professional!

Thanks so much for sharing - you should be proud of this one!


Cheers,
Deryk
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Don, Joanne and Bob,

You've all done an outstanding job with this. It well deserves all the high praise that it's been given. The topic is a tough one.

Impressive work all round!

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
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