A melody on an instrumental Scott sent me was amazingly close to one of my earliest songs and I liked the feel of the style Scott chose -my introduction to the cinematic style guitars.
Written for the family of friends who had lost someone dear to them.

A Stranger`s Prayer

Style is _VIVID.STY (Vivid Cinematic Guitar)

RealTracks in style: 1255:Bass, Electric, PopShiningA-B Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 2459:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewAgeFastOstinato Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 3230:Guitar, Electric, Background CinemaHeldLowDarin Ev16 090
RealTracks in style: 3231:Guitar, Electric, Background CinemaHeldHighDarin Ev16 09
Americana RootsDrums
RT oohs/aahs



A Strangers Prayer
(for Joanna Lilia)

In mountains there`s a lily flower
opens when the snow has gone
under the avalanche love waits
to sing her song

now you`re a snow lily
petals shrouded unseen
let these tears your friends have cried
turn your leaves to green

I would be you friend
down the road I`ll wait around the bend
where stars jewel your hair
I will write a strangers prayer
I will write a strangers prayer

only words we never said hello
I never saw spring in your eyes
what can I give to you
answer your goodbye

to me this life`s a river wild
I drown as I learn
death seems like a music box
with a handle I can`t turn

I would be you friend
down the road I`ll wait around the bend
where stars jewel your hair
I will write a strangers prayer
I will write a strangers prayer

© Robert Cordrey July, 1994

This is great, Robert! As always your lyrics are top notch. Favorite line among many:

"death seems like a music box
with a handle I can`t turn"

Vocals sound good, and Scott always comes up with nice, melodic lines to compliment them.

Enjoyed the listen!

"to me this life`s a river wild
I drown as I learn
death seems like a music box
with a handle I can`t turn"

Your lyric sense amazes me. Always unique and interesting.

A heartfelt vocal, perfectly suited for the subject. As are the backing tracks.

Scott's guitar fits nicely.

Another "thought provoking" listen...

fj

Nicely done - the lyrics are astounding, and your vocal delivery takes them to the next level. Very heartfelt, and instantly relatable. It packs a real punch - and the instrumentation flows perfectly as well.

You should be proud of this one, thanks for sharing

Thank you, Dave. Scott`s melodic demo would have made a lovely instrumental on its own, so I`m grateful he was willing to encourage the adaptation into song.



Floyd,
I remember wondering at the time if those lines didn`t put too much of my own philsophy into something intended as condolence, and also the encouragement to go deeper into songwriting I received from the response.
I really appreciate your listen and kind thoughts.


Robert

Robert (and Scott),

It’s a pretty song—really well strung together. The vocais really magnetic—warm and vulnerable. I’m probably really far off on this . . . but there’s a part of me that would have likes this to move a bit more quickly . . . not much, but just a smudge upping the tempo. A subjective thing, that likely may be a good suggestion—just an initial reaction while listening. So take it for what it’s worth.

Really nice stuff, gentlemen.

Regards,

Deej

Robert, I, like Dave noticed that line "death seems like a music box
with a handle I can`t turn". It really captures something! Your songs are always complex lyrically and more and more musically these days! This one is a beautiful tune! You did a marvelous job on the vocals and Scott's work complimented it all so well! Your songs deserve multiple listens to appreciate fully what you've done! Thanks, Torrey

Thanks Robert for taking a melody that has being sitting idle on the hard drive for a lot of years and making it special. Thanks to those who have commented so far. Your comments are appreciated

Superb! Beautiful, beautiful vocal ... the guitar is out of this world and the lyrics, well ... I want to cry. An incredible song - well done to all involved in it.

A gentle flowing tribute...
The lyrics fit well in the composition...
I especially like the lines...

"death seems like a music box
with a handle I can`t turn"

Vivid & graceful...
Well done!

WOW what outstanding lyrics sung with so much passion. Your instrumentation and the style you chose fits the mood perfectly. Scott's guitar is excellent, as always.

You two should be very proud of this one.

Lots of great poetry in this, I enjoyed it very much. "Stars jewel your hair" one of many great lines. Those guitar breaks were perfect.

Truly moving. It really captures a moment and a feeling, and brings it alive in the listener - a common thread in all great songs. Excellent collaboration on this.

Deryk,
I appreciate your approval- especially on the vocals.
Thanks for commenting.



Thanks for the listen and suggestion Deej - tempo verging towards dirge or too sprightly for the song mood? A matter of taste as you say.






Torrey,
Thank you for the very kind review!



Its good to hear we communicated emotion with this. I agree Scott`s guitar is lovely.

Robert

You have THE voice for this mixture of lamentation and sad optimism.

Ray expressed in one sentence what we've tried to say for years. Yes!

It's simply hard to express how strong that lyric is. Amazing. "Thought provoking" as floyd said.

And your vocal along with Scott's melodic playing make it even all the more powerful.

As always you chose the perfect band for the production and mixed a fine soundstage.

Well done indeed!

J&B

Really unique atmosphere, a bit folky, Scott's ethereal guitar playing, beautiful chording especially in the chorus, lyrics with sadness and pearls like "stars jewel your hair" and top of that all your heartfelt interpretation. One worth listening to many many times.

Janne

Jim,
Thank you for those kind comments.





Thank you,Mario!





I appreciate your listen and thumbs up.





Recording this many years on certainly brought back feelings from the time it was written.
Thanks for commenting.




RayC, J&B,

I do appreciate those generous thoughts.
That`s a strong statement from RayC- its making me uncomfortable,a little boxed in; so next outing with Scott will be something completely different without a trace of lamentation!

Robert

Very nice - I like it! Keep posting!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to have a listen. Your comments are appreciated

Robert / Scott

Ethereal - and intelligent music. Nice production and Scott's playing perfectly suited the mood.

Excellent

Peter

Pretty song guys!! I really like the concept of the song, and the lyrics do a great job of developing it! Enjoyed!! Take care. Greg

Janne, Jim,Peter & Greg:
Thanks for your listens and positive comments!

Robert

Thanks Robert...
For taking time to listen to “There Won't Be No Christmas This Year” ...

You will find my response to you comments there...
Also I’d like to mention...
You really add to the success of this User Showcase forum!
Thanks again...

Hi Robert and Scott,

The atmosphere that you manage to create through instruments, arrangement, vocals and words is brilliant.

For me the ambience made me think the thought that this is the sound of hope wrestling with sadness and neither one wins nor loses.

You've both done a great job.
Noel