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"God helps those who help themselves", it is said. And yes - I largely agree - if you CAN help yourself, don't wait for God to intervene. However: I found myself, for a long while now, in a personal situation where, for whatever reason, I felt I could NOT help myself - and all I could do was to ask for whatever benevolent (hopefully) higher power may or may not be "out there" to intervene.

Because I still don't feel that intervention, I eventually had what I can only call a "musical tantrum" ;-) this morning ... and wrote this.

I personally don't really agree with my own lyrics, haha ... in the sense that I don't believe that "God" is necessarily a "parent" for us ... we (mostly, at least) gotta stand on our own two feet in this crazy world of ours. Also, if you have a "spiritual relationship with God", there are no parameters such as a "duty of care", etc. ... God has freewill, you and I have freewill, too (in my "what do I know anyway?" opinion, of course!). But ... I liked the end result of this little "throwing my toys out of my pram" "exercise" of mine ... so thought I'd post it to see what you think, too! Thank you so much for listening, and, of course, as usual - all feedback very welcome and gratefully received.

https://audiomack.com/song/jamesdelsono/duty-of-care

[8 BARS INSTRUMENTAL]

"Deliver us from evil"
The good man's prayer said
And so, upon that basis,
With you along I went.

"Deliver us from evil ..."
Thy Name but blessed be ...
Yet people are still dying
And suffer so, you see.

I studied once the law,
So argue if you dare,
I think that you are failing, Lord,
On your duty of care.

[4 BARS' BRIDGE]

They say we are your children;
Who treats their children so?
Either you are a monster
Or have power no more.

If you powerless are
At least I'd like to know;
But if you power have, and don't
Help us, you're not the Lord.

I studied once the law,
So argue if you dare,
I think that you are failing, Lord,
On your duty of care.

The deal was: you'd care
For children lost as I;
I do not want your pity, Lord
That art, they say, in the sky.

I do not want you there
All times, morning and night;
But, when we are in trouble,
Why don't you bring ... the light?

Maybe you're not our parent
To care for us always;
But we are children still, you see,
And will be to the end of my days.

[4 BARS' BRIDGE]

So, if you still remember us,
Come back, oh Lord, I pray;
Remember those you left behind
And help us ... if you can ... today.

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Duty of Care - 10 October 2019
File: Duty of Care - 10 October 2019.SGU
Key=Db , Tempo 60, Length (m:s)=4:28
No intro. 63 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 63. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Key Signature,
Style is _BLZ12PA.STY (Bluesy Acoustic Piano 12/8 w/ Ba)

RealTracks in style: 533:Bass, Electric, 12-8 Crystal Sw 065
RealTracks in style: 2368:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment Bluesy12-8John Sw 060
RealTracks in style: ~526:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Hank Sw 065
RealTracks in style: 627:Pedal Steel, Background 12-8 Crystal Sw 065
RealDrums [in style:Nashville128^06-a:HiHat, b:Ride

*******************

Nice work, James It flows tremendously well and has a lot of tenderness behind. Definitely sincere, and really calming and peaceful to listen to.

Thanks for sharing!

James,

An interesting lyric. Cool BIAB background - it could all be slightly louder to get closer to the level of the vocal.

Deryk: thanks!!!

floyd jane: thank you - and yes, argh, my usual problem ... the vocal being too loud than the background. I'll have another go at tweaking it :-)

Really interesting and thoughtful piece James!! I enjoyed it!! Take care. Greg

Lovely backtrack and the lyric was very well done..

Hi James,

I'm listening as I type.

I love this background.

Your lyrics gave me a lot of thought. They flow very well and the message contained within them is presented very clearly and honestly.

These lyrics remind me of a man or woman who has travelled across mountain after mountain after mountain on his or her journey through life and feels a little angry, and maybe even bitter, that this has had to be the case for them when so many people seem to get it easy.

The blues backing sits very comfortably with such lyrics.

I enjoyed where you took me. Thank you.
Noel

• some BIAB "Food for thought" on arranging 3 x acoustic guitars, cello, vocals – incredible performance! (Song: Wake Me Up)

Greg and Scott C: thank you!!!

Noel: thank you so much for taking the time to give that in-depth comment. It's so interesting to see what different people see in different songs. Personally, it was just a bit of frustration at what seemed to be divine indifference to me ... an "Eli, Eli, lama sabactani" moment, if you will ... but yes, I can completely see how your interpretation might work! I wasn't really sure about this track - both lyrically and musically - so I'm glad that so many here liked it, it probably means that (on some level, at least) it worked. Thanks again!

There's really nothing to add after Noel's eloquent review.

Very contemplative and well done....

J&B

Thank you Janice & Bud - so kind of you! Really appreciate your encouragement!

A very poignant recitation...
Perhaps a variation of the story of Job...
But a lot shorter in length
Hopefully, like Job, the Lord will intervene in your personal situation.

I love the Book of Job, Jim, so thank you for your really kind words. This is, in retrospect, not one of my best songs, I feel - I just "lost my rag" one morning with everything and wrote it as a musical whine, haha. Thankfully, the situation has really changed since then (hopefully it stays like this! haha), so I feel kind of sheepish now!!! Also, musically, I'm not sure it was that great - I've written better, even if I say so myself ... but we can't write at our best every single day, right? haha.

Thanks, though, for your wonderful words and wishes - everything seems to be "on track" now, thankfully :-)