https://soundcloud.com/user-108834131/salt-of-the-earth


Hello all,

This song goes way back to early BIAB learning curve. Style C Denver country the only RTs Drums Nashville 2 beat and 365 Guitar Acoustic F pick, everything else is Midi
It’s a subject close to my heart, our inland farmers are being crushed by the drought, they fight on so bravely.
Around me vineyards are being ripped up for development, the culture and tradition lost forever.
Lose your ‘men of the soil’ and you rip out a big part from the heart out of a nation

I see him every day // he always waves and smiles
He’s been working this old land// he’s been here awhile
What can I say about a man that works the soil
Whose hands and his face surely say it all
What can you say if you’ve never been there
You have never lived his life // I wonder if you care
He’s the salt of the earth // he’s the kindest of kind
But his world is a changing he’s being left behind
What does he know of a fancy sales pitch // what could learn digging down a ditch
Well he knows what he needs // what he needs he gets
If he thinks it’s too much // he’s going to give to the next //give it all to the next
So drive your fancy car while you roll the dice //play stakes high /skate around thin ice.
Keep your lady friend in jewels and mink coat
While the bailiff and the judge got a hand on your throat
See the salt of the earth // smile every day // the hardest of times he just blows them away
He knows why you fall but he will still lend a hand// he’s the salt of the earth
He’s raised on the land // he’s a man who loves the land
You see he’s seen it all Wall Street blow away //lost friends in war // no work and no pay
He just knows what he needs// what he needs he gets// if he thinks it’s too much he’s going to give to the next// give it all to the next ……
What you want he don’t need/// what he needs he gets
If he thinks it’s too much he gives it all to the next// he gives it all to the next
“Salt of the Earth” © 12/4/2013/Graham Paddy Gobel

I really enjoyed this one Paddy! There is an underlying philosophical theme that runs through your songs. You are clearly a thinker, one who evaluates what parts of life have lasting value and what parts are just good for a moment's thrill.

In fact, I think the very word VALUE plays heavily into the songs I've heard from you... values, personal integrity, faith etc.

It is interesting to see the various song writers' personalities emerge in their songs. Thanks for introducing yourself to us through your music. I think I would like the person as much as I like the person's music.

Hi Paddy,

great lyrics and nice delivery.
Enjoyable listen.

Guenter

Nicely done Paddy!! Very touching song. Some interesting chord changes. Arrangement works very well I think. You should check out "A month of Sundays" by Don Henley. Similar subject. Cool song! Take care. Greg

Love it! Great song, and a gorgeous mix. Fine, fine, lyrics too.

Hi Paddy,
There are some hard hitting lyrics in your song though it sounds quite mellow on first impression :

So drive your fancy car while you roll the dice //play stakes high /skate around thin ice.
Keep your lady friend in jewels and mink coat
While the bailiff and the judge got a hand on your throat

Your feelings on the song`s subject are well expressed and your voice is very clear - I`ve enjoyed my several listens!

Robert

Loved the tune. Excellent lyric and vocal

Hi Paddy,

Apart from the heartfelt lyrics here I notice that your vocals sound fuller, brighter and better than your previous submissions.
And you may remember that I once told you that you have a beautiful timbre in your voice. Well, that really shows here.
I also noticed some clever and original chord changes, this is something that I've seen in your work before.
This is definitely a very pleasant listen!!

Rob

Thanks for the uplifting comments Pat, Boehm, Greg, David, Robert KC, Scott, Rob and Anne –Marie
For taking the time to ‘listen I feel there is a thread about the ‘falling of a tree in a forest’ that is in my thinking somehow, but I cannot for the life of me think why.

Paddy G

Paddy,

Well done. Your lyrics always seem to come from the heart...

fj

My stepfather was a farmer. Ultimately he and all his neighboring farmers were squeezed out by "big agri-business." I learned a lot from him and his brothers.

Much of this song reminds me of our conversations around the fireplace.

We enjoyed everything...the lyric, the vocal and the nice supporting arrangement.

Well done!

J&B

Thank you Floyd , Janice and Bud, I welcome the comments, especially as I have noticed that within many of your songs there is a deep appreciation of people that shaped things in the past .

Paddy G

Paddy, I agree with Pat that your themes always have a lot of value. There are some unusual chord choices here but you manage to make them work. Vocal sounds great. Tom

I sure many people have told you that your voice sound like Willie Nelson, and that's a good thing. I really that the song could be a hit on the radio, that's how amazing I think it is. You need to get this out there, it's that great.

I also suggest you do this as a bluegrass ballad as I felt this more like that. Also on the salt of the earth parts, I would add some vocal harmonies, maybe a woman's voice. I love the old vintage 50/60's style country feel you have going on it.

Hi Paddy,
This is beautifully done with the RT's you've chosen. I like the metro country sound. Love you voice and the song reminds me of something the great Tom T. Hall might have written.

Paddy,
Some interesting chord changes and thought provoking lyrics.

enjoyed

Alyn

Paddy
Good message song - interesting chord progression and a nice overall sound enjoyed it.