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This is a song that the idea came from something Danny Jackson ( Evil World, Red on Blue, Old Tin Roof) was trying to write. He wasn't getting very far with it so I wrote this to perhaps prompt him to look at things a bit differently, but he didn't like this for various reasons, and said no thanks. I decided to finish it up and record it.

The words tell a story that might or might not be about Danny or me.....

Quarter And The Bible (original take)

Edited version.... to remove the nits Quarter And The Bible
nits removed or fixed.... ghosting on the BGV, tuned the electric guitar solo, and changed the tone (different EQ) on the electric solo and added verb.

The band:

Drums: Pop Modern Syncopated groove 16
Bass 1827
Mandolin 1947
Piano 1839
B3 689

All guitars and vox by me.
2 acoustic guitars
1 Electric SG Gibson rhythm
1 Electric Tele lead
5 vox tracks. 1 lead, 2 doubles, 2 harmonies


Lyrics:

Momma told me I should always watch , the company I keep
She told me I could climb the mountain high, or get bogged down in the street
Words of wisdom falling on young ears, I wasn't taking her advice
Acting mainly on my own accord , I never thought about it twice

Found myself inside the county jail, you got a phone call you can make
Let this be a lesson to you son, better make this one your last mistake.
I thought long and hard about those words, last night still pounding in my head
Dropped my last quarter down the payphone slot, remembering words my Momma said

Here's a quarter if you ever need to call, you can call me day or night
There's only so much that one body can do, but I'll try to make it right
Here's the bible that you got from me, you can talk to God from anywhere
Between the quarter and the bible, you can always reach someone who cares.

Got the phone call late one Friday night they said we need you here at home
The doctor said that it ain't looking good, as I hung up on that phone
I bowed my head and fell down to my knees, not knowing what to say
I talked to God like he was my best friend, just like Momma used to pray

Here's a quarter if you ever need to call, you can call me day or night
There's only so much that a body can do, but I'll try to make it right
Here's the bible that you got from me, you can talk to God from anywhere
Between the quarter and the bible, you can always reach someone who cares.


Hope you enjoyed this.

Herb,

This is great man! Love the hook idea. Awesome. Fantastic lyrics.

Unfortunately though, my lawyer will soon be contacting you about you ripping off my own song, Bible on the Dresser.

Just kidding!!!!!!

No, really man, this is great. Super mix.

Herb,

This is excellent. Great song, but your vocal and the mix really stand out.

I had this turned up loud and it sounded like you were "live" in my living room.

Loved it!

Bob

What a cool write and a great song, Herb. Love the lyrics. Man, this is perfect: "Between the quarter and the bible, you can always reach someone who cares." Very pleasant mix, and excellent harmony.

Yeah, I like this one, Herb.

Great write, I'm with Marty, that "Between the quarter and the bible, you can always reach someone who cares" line is right on the money.

Good vocal, especially like the harmony.

Nice country licks on the Tele, good solo and outro.

Enjoyed!

Herb,

Good one. Vocals and BGVs are good. And a solid mix.

The hook line that everyone has quoted is a good one.

I like the outro.

fj

Nice hook and vocals. Production is very good. Liked it a lot.

Have your people call my people and we'll have lunch darling.

David, I appreciate your keen observation skills.

Thanks

I thank you. I like loud. I worked carefully on the mix on this as my last one was not as good as it should have been. thank you for mentioning the mix.

Hi Herb,

Loved the whole thing from the great opening bars to the delicate ending.

I can tell that a lot of work has gone into the arrangement and it's paid off big-time.
Very professional the way things are layered-up and the way the B3 comes and goes.

Wonderful vocals which really cut through and which are especially powerful on the choruses.
Lovely tone on the Tele.

Great lyrics and that hook line has to be worth a lot of $s.

And yes, it does sound good up LOUD - it all hangs together beautifully.

Nicely done old pal.

ROG.

Hi Guitarhacker,

Congratulations, you are a good versatile musician. The lyrics are very engaging with your voice which lends itself perfectly to it. Well done. I appreciated.


Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Standing ovation from me. The lyrics are simply extraordinary, and the music is just perfect for them. Love every word and every phrase. Beautiful guitar solo in the middle.

This is nothing short of an instant classic, for me. Bravo.

P.S. the mother in this song sounds so much like my own. It's like I could hear her advice echoing in my ears. I kinda cried a little. Thanks.

Thank you for listening. I really like that line too. I like it when things just spill out naturally as this did.... After several tries that ended with frustration and in the circular file of digital dust.

Many thanks. Seems like that line hits home with a lot of people.

There is 5 vox tracks in this. One is the lead. I have 2 doubles and 2 harmony tracks. The harmony and doubles are raw.

Thanks for listening.

Excellent song - good idea, well executed - really good write. Classic country sound.

And it sounds great - vocals, instrumentals, mix - it's all there.

Well written tune. Great story. The band is good too. Nice, clear vocals. The mix is perfect.

Glad you like it. The outro.... Ending a song is often as difficult as other parts of the writing, and I'm glad you noticed that part of the song. I kinda liked that ending too.

Thanks

Short simple and to the point. Thanks for listening and hitting the main points in you comments.

Herb

Enjoyed the song, a really nicely told story, pretty melody and well performed.

The vocals were particularly well done and the guitars were an excellent fit.

Peter

Really like the lyrics on this one, Herb. Like everyone else has said, great hook.

Your vocals are well done and place on this one. The harmonies are nice (sounds to me a little like Neil Young singing country harmonies.) A good, honest sound.

I like story songs, and this is a good one. Really enjoyed it.

Steve