Storm Boy

Here`s a Canadian folk song based on characters in W.O Mitchell`s novel Who Has Seen The Wind, about a young lad growing up on the prairies.
I hope you enjoy!

Key=C , Tempo 106, Length (m:s)=4:33
8 bar intro, 109 bar chorus, from bar 9 to bar 117. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _BCJG110.STY (Boom Chick Joe Solo Guitars 110)

RealTracks in song: ~685:Harmonica, Background Pop Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 2518:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking BoomChickJoe Ev16 110 (Simple)
RealTracks in style: 2517:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking BoomChickHighJoe Ev16 110 (Simple)
RealDrums in style: CountryTrain: a: Brushes Soft b: Brushes Hard


Storm Boy

he paddles dirt road rivers in a leaf canoe
rides the rails wearing hobo`s shoes
sails all the oceans on the school house globe
from cottonwood rigging in waves of snow
over the prairie sea

like a dust devil driven on the toe of the wind
he runs to where the big wires sing
and the crazy captain living alone
waits for the lord to rain fire and brimstone
over the prairie sea

you know he`s never been
but everyday the wind
fills the sail of his soul
keep one eye on the captain
an ear to the crows
the storm boy knows what he knows

the captain had a name crows stole away
says they`ve got to give it back come judgement day
"storm boy you come on a fury of wind
beaten from the Angel Gabriel`s wings"
over the prairie sea

you know he`s never been
but everyday the wind
fills the sail of his soul
keep one eye on the captain
an ear to the crows
the storm boy knows what he knows

there`s a man living in a box called The Ark
with a stowaway boy sailing through the dark
he sees the light in a leaf the magic of a toad
the sadness of paper blown down a road
over the prairie sea

you know he`s never been
but every day the wind
fills the sail of his soul
keep one eye on the captain
an ear to the crows
the storm boy knows what he knows


© Robert Cordrey Jan.1996

Robert,

I REALLY like this. It has some very strong Paul Simon elements, and I say that as a huge compliment.

David,
Mr Simon`s early work is waay up there for me so thank you!

Robert

Thoroughly enjoyable, the choice of style fitted just perfectly.

Hello Robert, nice! I agree it is Paul Simon-esque. Wonderful!

Pauline
PG Music Team

Very nice job, Robert. Love the feel of the song. Thanks for posting the lyrics.

Bob

Hi Robert,

The fingerpicking work does remind us of Paul Simon.
The vocal, however, doesn't....
It reminds us of Donovan

Nice work!
Rob and Anne-Marie

Robert, as I commented on Sound Cloud, your painter's canvas has many colors on it. Masterful use of creative lyrics here! And as others have stated, very much like something Paul Simon would do. Thanks, Torrey.

Thank you! Glad you liked the simple style.

Robert

Pauline,

I appreciate your listen and happy you enjoyed.

Robert

Bob,

Thank you.
I`ve tried to accompany this song with this style of fingerpicking and never mastered it, so was happy to find those twinned Real Track guitars that carry the song`s feel.

Robert

Hi Rob and Anne-Marie,

Thank you for listening. Funny you should mention Donovan - I did hear a bit of Colours in the melody ...after I`d come up with it of course!

Robert

Many thanks for your listens and very kind comments,Torrey.
Its an old song but I still often play it as I like the story in there.

Robert

Very cool vocal and lyric

Nice song Robert!! Some really interesting lyrical images. I really like the chord changes and melody. Arrangement works well (particularly harmonica). Very nicely done!! Take care. Greg

The band works well for this, Robert. Interesting imagery in the lyric (as always). I did find it rather cryptic - even after a couple of times through...

A nice "gentle" vocal.

fj

Thanks for your listen, Scott - glad you liked it.

Greg,
Thank you!
A lot of images in there from the marvellous descriptions in the book.
I`ve been wanting to get a little harp into a track since getting BiaB.

Robert

Floyd,
Thanks for giving it a couple of plays - glad you liked the simple arrangement & the vocal. I think there`s a little of the cryptic in most of my songs... its my style!

Robert

A moving song, a boy's thoughts as he goes about his chores on the prairie. I spent a year in Canada and the prairie loomed large in peoples' imagination. I liked the way "over the sea" ended in a melodic turn down.

Marty

Robert

Nice song and a strong arrangement.

Peter

Robert,

Nice work. Excellent choice of the style as well as real tracks. "Dust in the wind" is one of my most favorite songs by Sarah Brightman. What attracted me the most was its accompaniment by two guitar fingerpickings. Your song reminded me of it.

Hiroshi

Yes...and that is a huge compliment.

The stripped down band is perfect for the arrangement and allows
the fine vocal to carry the lyric very well. I'm fond of saying that
perfection is not when more is added but rather when there is
nothing left to take away.

Well done!

J&B

Thanks for that, Marty- I`m glad the prairie meets imaginative boy theme came through.

Robert

Thank you ,Peter!

Robert

Hiroshi,

Thank you for your listen and comments.
The twinned guitars opening that Sarah Brightman song are cool - I`d not heard it before.

Robert

Janice & Bud,

Thanks for stopping by. Its great to know a simple arrangement was all the song needed...I like your sayings!

Robert

The style you chose for this song fits really well (perfectly!) with your lyrics... I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This is today's Hot Forum Topic!

Robert,
I like this folk song. Interesting storytelling and imagery.
Your voice is so easy on the ears and the harmonica was a nice touch.

Glad you enjoyed the song, Callie...and thank you for highlighting on the forum!

Robert

Sundance,
I appreciate your listen and kind comments.

Robert

Robert,

Another strong song demonstrating your songwriting skills.
Superb lyrics and I can also see some of the magical influences of Paul Simon and Donovan in amongst it all.
Loved the harmonica - it fitted like a glove.

Excellent work,
Jez

Thanks Jez!
I`m really glad you liked the lyrics and found a bit of magic in there.

Robert

Hello, Robert

As Jez said, I also feel some of the magical influences of Paul Simon and Donovan in amongst it all.
Very good melody and very gentle vocal!
It is so nice the chord progressions of A part which start with Dominant (G7) instead of Tonic (C) and go to Dominant of A minor (E7) - Am - F.
And Harmonica is very pleasant.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Robert,

I was mesmerised by the backing that you've assembled and arranged for this creation. I thought it was ideal. Lots of imaginative lyrics, metaphors and imagery! I found myself wondering what the book must have been like to read.

Thanks for posting. It's always enjoyable to hear where your songwriter's pen takes us.

All the best,
Noel

Hi Shigeki,

Thank you for listening, I`m happy you liked this song... your way of picking out the chord progression so exactly is impressive.

Robert

Noel,
I have to give most of the credit to BiaB for the arrangement... not much to change with the new styles. The book (and especially the boy`s relationship with the slightly touched religious man) is very good.
Thanks for continuing to listen to my songs!

Robert