The Things He Left Behind

This one was written by fellow FAWMer Robert Bronston. Rob posted the song to the FAWM forum with a midi piano backing track and the melody filled in by a violin. He asked if anybody would be prepared to lay down some vocals. I made some backing with BIAB and then I carried the song around on my iphone until I was comfortable to enough to record. I must say it was not an easy vocal to do because of the range!

The Aeneid is the story of Aeneas, a hero of the Trojan War and Dido, the founding Queen of the city of Carthage. The song is written from Dido's perspective immediately after Aeneas's departure.

Lyrics

The sail slips into the sunset
On the ship that steals my love from me
And my tears fall among the rubble
On this cliff that overlooks the sea
And I find
My strength has failed me as I lay reclined
Atop this pile of things he left behind

My hands move across the wreckage
Of the life together we had planned
His sword cloak and bleeding wine-skin
I see them but I cannot understand
I was blind
My hope has failed me and I am resigned
To stay here with the things he left behind

Anna
Bring me some torches
Anna
Bring me some fire
Anna
I must destroy this
Anna
Build me a pyre

Leave me
Innocent sister
Leave me
Out here to die
Leave me
Out with the refuse
Under uncaring sky

The flames lick across the cedar
Of the couch that was our bridal bed
And I know he won't spare an instant
To spend in mourning for me when I'm dead
I don't mind
My life's a burden and I am resigned
To burn here with the things he left behind

Tracks:
RealTracks in style: 1690:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopPromise Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 1686:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopPromiseCrispA-B Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 1689:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopPromiseGrittyA-B Ev16 100
RealDrums in style: PopPromiseEv16^1-a: Snare on 4, HiHat , b: Snare, Open HiHat
RT1752:Accordion, Rhythm Pop8ths Ev 110
RT2338:Violin, Background, PopLow Ev 085 (1TrackStringSectio

Photos are from Google (labeled for reuse with modification)

Comments, as always, are most appreciated.

Hi Joanne,

Well done! This would not have been easy at all. Some of the musical intervals would certainly provide a challenge for any one. What I heard, though, was that you met that challenge head-on and conquered it! The backing was well conceived and assembled. You've done a commendable job. I hope your fellow FAWM'er was happy.

All the best,
Noel

P.S. All the best, too, with your new album. I listened to a few track on Youtube the other day. Very nice work

Marvelous delivery Joanne. Very powerful.

Exactly as Noel mentioned, the phrasing must have been quite challenging.

Excellent

Glorious! I enjoyed every moment of this very unusual song.
I also enjoyed the YT "history lesson" too.
Complicated phrasing and range sung to perfection. And praise too to Robert for the music and the concept.
Regards
Ian

well THAT was different! what a novel song writing approach to delve into history/mythology for topics tragic enough to make interesting lyrics!

I wasn't familiar with that story, but it works pretty well as a musical narrative! It would have been interesting to hear it presented using ancient instruments like harp, pipes and hand drum!

Listening to this song I couldn't help noticing how strong and confident your vocals have become since you first started posting here! I don't know if you use any pitch correction, but your notes are rock solid!

I think this is an interesting branch in your ever expanding tree of genres, and it would be a treat to hear more along these lines. The Greek tragedies tend to be bummers, but then, so do country songs.... swap war horses for pickup trucks and wine for beer and at the end of the day, ballads haven't strayed too awful far from their origin.

Nice collaboration! Thumbs up!

Hi Joanne,

I heard this version: http://fawm.org/songs/56182/
too. It's what we call "Kunstlied" (art song) and very
difficult to sing. Your version is easier to digest and more entertaining. I enjoyed it. Kudos for getting that range.
Unfortunately I can't find the original version with piano and violin.

Guenter

Noel - Thanks (and thanks for also listening to some tracks from my new album). Yes, I think Rob liked it (at least that is what he said but he may have been being polite...). The vocal was a challenge indeed.

Trevor - You are a star!

Ian - Glad you enjoyed it and yes, thanks to Robert for an extraordinary song.

Pat - your detailed comments are always appreciated. I think BIAB is missing the harp and pipe but I do see a Celtic style though. Maybe this is worth a try. I am sure we would be able to find appropriate midi tracks. Anybody keen to give it a go?

Hi Guenter - so glad you seem to have come right (by hook or by crook) to view the YT videos. The midi piano and violin track is here.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zt1n3oaulushlot/LeftBehind.mp3?dl=0

and if you are interested, there is the sheet music Rob supplied me with.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z410r6bts4y38l4/LeftBehind2.pdf?dl=0

I quickly learned that the piano chords used don't always translate into chords that can be used for the entire backing!

Edited to add: I am sure Rob would be very interested in what you would be able to do with this song with a vocaloid...

Nice job on that, Joanne.

As others have said "Well delivered". And a very nice arrangement - good build. Good mix.

floyd

My hands move across the wreckage
Of the life together we had planned

One of my favorites of a lot of good lines! This is really nicely done, and you did a superb job of delivering it Joanne! Very haunting and beautiful!. Take care. Greg

Another goodie Josie.
Rob

Great job on the vocals and mix Joanne. The song also has some very cool lyrics.

PS. All the best with your album, what I've heard so far sounds great and I'm enjoying keeping up with you via the newsletter too.

Hi, Joanne !:))


I must say that this was really
something new coming from you and
I was very pleasantly surprised !
Somehow I came to think of this
music eventually going well in
a musical ???

In any case, I liked it truly much
and wish you all the best with this
as well as with your new album !:))

Cheers
Dani

Nice song. I enjoyed it.
You have sung it very well with great feeling.

I like it a lot.

Sergio

Could not say it better than Greg. Those lines are our favorites too.

Kudos!

J&B

Hi joanne,
Very well sung piece despite the difficulty !
Pascal

Floyd - thank you for your kind comments.

Greg - yes, those lines are very powerful. I also enjoy them.

Rob - you are too kind! Thank you!

Josie - glad you popped past and left a comment. I appreciate it.

Joanne
Very interesting song really well delivered and conceived - something quite different.

This was a great song for you to do. Enjoyed listening and watching the video.

Caloo, PeterF and Charlie
Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you. I really appreciate you listening to the song and commenting. Thank you!