Joey
(if you have SoundCloud issues an alternative link is at the bottom of this page, thanks)

My uncle who inspired this write was truly a gentle soul. I wish I had known him for a longer time.

A few weeks ago I reflected on a time during my hospital administrative career when everything possible, it seemed, was in crisis. During that time my staff gave me a bowl with a single candle in it (based on the old Chinese proverb). Thinking about that and looking at the bowl that 35 years later (it still sits in our home) lead me to what became verse three. Janice commented that it reminded her of my uncle and that lead me to expand on my memories of him.

I put together a chord structure with my usual RT genre mashup :-), Janice quickly came up with a melody/vocal and Tom (tommyad) hugely complemented the whole feel with his guitar.

Thanks for your time -- comments are both welcomed and appreciated!

J&B

Vocal: Janice (Rodes NT1/Blue Icicle/Logic Pro X)
Lead Guitar: Tom
Guitar R RT 362 Acoustic Strumming
Guitar R RT 680 Electric RockBritSoul
Drums RD N’ville 8ths
Bass RT 1036 Northern Rock Ballad
Accordion RT 1757 Pop
Piano RT 2045 Country Pop

Track Effects/Mastering: Nectar 2 and Ozone 6

© 2015 Janice & Bud Merritt All Rights Reserved

V1
Joey was a kind man, he walked life with purpose
We’d hike the nearby forest, the two of us
He delighted in every shape and color
I learned to see beauty all around me in nature

Chorus
When he passed on few seemed to care
He’s gone, but I feel his gentle soul everywhere
In every garden, in every forest I still see him
And hear nature singing his last hymn

V2
Joey forever swam against the tide
It didn’t bother me, it was fun being along for the ride
I was young maybe nothing more than curious
he didn't mind, he was always so gracious

Chorus

V3
he taught me how to make each moment last
to worry less about the future and the past
light a single candle when the blues seem endless
Joey said it’s better than cursing the darkness

Chorus

Alternate play link:
Joey

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