https://youtu.be/4fcpchmUmVM

Sharing this rough cut of the second song I ever completed. At the time of writing, the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial was being completed/dedicated/opened to the public.

I hoped to have a BiaB version last year, but never got to it. I've tried various RT's, but nothing seems to fit. Yes, it could use bass, maybe a violin, and I've always wanted military style snare drums during the bridge.... I'm open to suggestions.

But, this is just me, a two-take with little processing in all its imperfection. I did sprinkle in some harmonies with Nectar 2. The ending is too brief, my fault for not letting the guitar note sustain.



MONUMENT

Copyright © 1986
By Scott H. Olson

Chorus

THERE’S A MONUMENT IN THE CENTER OF OUR TOWN
PEOPLE TALK IN WHISPERS THERE, WALK SOFTLY ON THE GROUND
UNDER THE PEACE OF THE OAKS AND SYCAMORE
IT CARRIES THE NAMES OF THE ONES WHO FELL IN WAR


WHEN HE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, TIMMY STOOD WITH THE REST
WATCHED AS THEY UNVEILED OUR MONUMENT
THERE NEAR THE TOP OF THAT POLISHED MARBLE STONE
WAS THE NAME OF HIS FATHER, TIM HAD NEVER KNOWN

Release

TEARS FELL ON THAT DAY, AS A HUSH WENT THROUGH THE CROWD
WHEN THE TEARS DRIED AWAY, THERE WAS TIMMY STANDING PROUD

LIFE IS HARD FOR A BOY WITHOUT A DAD
WHO’S TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, YOUNG BOYS ALWAYS HAVE
MANY A NIGHT TIMMY CRIED HIMSELF TO SLEEP
WHILE HIS MOTHER PRAYED THAT GOD WOULD EASE
THE PAIN HE FELT SO DEEP

AS HE GREW TO BE A MAN, TIM BEGAN TO REALIZE
WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE IN FREEDOM, WHY IT’S WORTH THE FIGHT
HE UNDERSTOOD THE REASONS FOR HIS FATHERS LIFE LAID DOWN
AND HE WEPT AT THE MONUMENT IN THE CENTER OF OUR TOWN

Bridge

FAR AWAY ANOTHER WAR RAGED ON
ANOTHER FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
TIMMY KISSED HIS MOTHER’S CHEEK, GOODBYE
A TEAR ROLLED DOWN HER FACE, HIS BUS ROLLED OUT OF SIGHT

Repeat Chorus

Hello Olemon,

a real moving song, of remembrance

Regards

Great tribute! Don't worry about the nits.

My best friend's name
is finally on that monument. His remains
were IDed many years after his helicopter
went down.

Thanks for posting this.

J&B

Hi Olemon,

great tribute. There is nothing in the song
that really disturbs.
Enjoyable listen.

Guenter

Very nicely written song, Scott!! I like the way the melody climbs through the first 3 lines of the verses-interesting idea. The simple arrangement works very well. When this track ended, another one of yours began and had a mandolin. It occurred to me that mandolin might work very well in Monument. Just a thought. Nice work! Take care. Greg

Good tribute to the fallen.

In 1966 when I was a kid at a private boarding school in the UK we had an American exchange student, Doug Hamlyn, who after a year went back to the US because we were told that he had been called up to fight in Vietnam and we heard no more.
I have often wondered what happened and this Remembrance Day reminded me of him.

And as Janice and Bud said

Alyn

A moving tribute. Very nicely done- a simple message presented in a simple arrangement. Powerful result.


Charlie

Scott, This is a very good write. Perfect contribution to Memorial Day. Nice tribute. Tom

I appreciate that. Thank you.



Thank you. The Vietnam Memorial was in the news regularly back then, but from Hawaii to Maine, monuments or memorial parks can be found in nearly every community honoring the fallen, like your friend. So much to endure, past, present, and future.



Thank you.



I experimented with mandolin and nearly went with that and/or rhythm and solo violins. One day I'll try again. Thank you for listening, Greg, and for those nice compliments:)



Thank you for listening, Alyn, and for that personal story.



Thanks, Charlie. I was trying to keep it simple. I'm glad that resonated with you.




With humility, thank you, Tom.

Wonderful tribute.

Most people do not remember, or are not aware, how controversial and divisive "The Wall" was in the beginning. The story you told in your song happens during every war and is still happening today.

Hi Oleman,
First off, thanks for writing and posting such a wonderful tribute. They say patriot songs are difficult to write. I have a feeling this came to you pretty naturally. You and hear the truth and sincerity in your voice.
Lots of differebt ways you can go with an arrangement but I'd suggest keeping it simple so people focus on the lyrics. I've got a couple of patriotic songs on my website. I was going for a different feel so the arrangements are rather lavish.
By the way, I frequently visit the Viet Nam memorial in DC since I live nearby. You nailed the feeling in your first verse.
"PEOPLE TALK IN WHISPERS THERE, WALK SOFTLY ON THE GROUND"
Please let me know when you post your final mix.

DC SpaceDog

www.soundclick.com/dcspaceog

I agree with Charlie - this simple arrangement serves the song well.

While I could easily imagine many things that you could do the polish it: a swell of strings, fife and drums, a lonesome fiddle at the break, a bugle call at the fade.

But none of that's really necessary.

Oleman,

I enjoyed this very much. I understand there is a traveling wall now that tours the nation. Like some others i liked the simple instrumental arrangements and the vocal/harmonies. Thanks for posting it for us.

A sincerely delivered tribute.
The vocal is up front and personal and works well with the acoustic axe.
Well done.

Gibson:
I checked The Wall for Doug (and Douglas) Hamlyn and his name did not come up.

Carry on....

Nice

Scott, This is a very good write. Perfect contribution to Memorial Day. Nice tribute. Tom


Hi, Scott !

Tommy said this better than I could do !


Cheers
Dani

I'm catching up and didn't realize there were more comments on this. Apologies.



Thank you, Jim. It was my intent that the song be about more than one place or one event. I'm glad you made that connection.



Wow. Thank you. I always pictured the song's setting as Central Park in Small Town, USA, but I whispered and walked softly too, when I visited the Memorial Wall.



Thank you, David.



Thank you for the listen and for those comments, Patrick.



Thank you, Sir.



Thanks for the listen, Herb:)

Hi Scott,

A heartfelt and beautiful song. I am pretty sure that one of the Brent Mason country or fingerpicking RT's will work with this.

Rob

Beautiful song, Scott... A captivating piece.

I agree the military drumbeat would be a great addition. I've looked for that myself for an intro to a song I've not been able to complete a track for, but had no success in finding.

This is certainly worth the effort.

Thanks for the listen, Dani:)



Appreciate that, you two. I've experimented some, have to revisit and see. Thanks for the listen.



Thanks, Curt. I was able to create some snare drum rolls with Addictive Drums, and then I was going to borrow a snare from a friend and record myself, not sure what I'll end up doing though. Good luck with your search.

Hi Scott. I like it as is.
The minimal accompaniment focuses attention on the vocal and the lyrics.
Good one sincere and universally true. Cheers.

An excellent write, Scott. And a beautiful performance. Seems like a BIAB version would be pretty much a no-brainer - it does this type song easily...

Well constructed.
Excellent lyrics. Love your strong vocal.
Great work.
Rob