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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

J/B
4T team strikes again.
wonderfull song and lyrics and vocals.
highly impressive and beautifull...seriously.
v good production.

best
om

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.

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

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.

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.

Thanks OM. We’re glad it worked for you!

J&B

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Thanks Marty - not too many guitarists practicing the "respectful" genre - I might get a few calls......
Janice did a stellar job on this.

Peter

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

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.

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.

We often forget indeed.

Thanks for all and appreciate the lyric and harmony mention!

J&B

Really nice song y'all.

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!

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!