Twelve years ago I shared a collection of songs with whomever might come to listen, might happen to stumble upon them. I titled the collection Songs from Fort Defiance, Vol. 1. The volume one add was very intentional. The addition was a reminder to me that I needed to share more songs. It was a reminder to me that I was not finished hiking my musical trail.
Today I shared the first of a new collection of songs. The title will be Songs from Fort Defiance, Vol. 2. The first tune, appearing in the stream-verse today, is For My Girl. The song spark was a winsome politician’s smile. That first line emerged from a heart giving into the cynicism of a moment.
In the end, the song had something far better than cynicism to bring to me. I am grateful for the opportunity to share it with you. I hope it has something for you in it too.
For those inclined to join the throng with guitar, piano, hornpipe…I am playing in C.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of a newly written tune. It is a gift. Every time I get to experience it, I am deeply grateful. This one started out on the guitar, but I really enjoyed finishing it on the piano. This is basically a work-tape recording. But worth sharing, I think.
Feel free to hum or play along. I am playing this one in C. Enjoy.
An update for the curious: Directly below is my original piano work tape recording. As is often the case, I donned my editor/refiner hat. The lyrics below are edited some as I often have to discover how I might actually play and sing the song. Below the piano version, I share the guitar/harmonica rendition. You could call it the “traveling troubadour” version. I love pianos, but they do not travel well.
Piano
Guitar/Harmonica
Trouble Come
In the morning I must go, never to come back.
I’ve loved your love for a season.
But in my youth, I crossed a man and he’s ever on my track,
and if the harm came to you I’d be grieving.
“I will not let you go.” My love she spoke to me,
“I will not have your love for just a season”
You underestimate me, my love. Trouble I’ve known some.
Let trouble come. Let the man give me reason.
She said, “My daddy was a bad outlaw, many a man feared his gun,
And I his only child, and he raised me strong as any son.
I can ride long and fast, load and shoot good as any man.
Let trouble come. Trouble won’t find me fearing none.
So we made up our minds to stay. And God gave us three lovely daughters
And my love said, “Let’s raise them fierce as any sons,
And should trouble come some night we’ll put up one hell of a fight.
God help the man with any mind to harm us.
Now after a score of quiet years, joy, laughter, and tears
The crack of fiery shells upset my slumber.
Before I could rouse my gun the skirmish was all done.
The man had finally come and he’d fallen like thunder.
Now as the morning light did break, I did rise to survey
Many were the men who’d come and fallen.
For three daughters I could account, but my love was nowhere about
And I knew that dark angel had come calling.
I had told her, “In the morning I must go, never to come back
I’ve loved your love for a season.
But in my youth, I crossed a man, and he’s ever on my track
and if the harm came to you I’d be grieving”
“I will not let you go.” My love she said to me,
“I will not hold your love for just a season”
You underestimate me, my love. Trouble I’ve known some.
Was I to tell the truth, for a time I was afraid that I had forever lost this love of music and songs that is such a very central and deep part of me. I can recall days that I would pick up my guitar to play, and I could hardly recall how to hold my favorite plectrum.
This scoffer’s voice was in my head and kept repeating, “The world doesn’t need another song.”
I do not recall how long I was in that place, longer than I wanted to be, no doubt.
My heart would not have it for one day from the depths returned the verbal volley, “The world doesn’t need another song, but I do.”
And then I unwrapped this song as a child unwraps a greatly anticipated birthday gift.
Enjoy, and be set free to hum, sing, or play along. We are playing it here in G.
Together You and I | Scot Phegley
Together You and I
Why do we sing songs? Why do we tell stories? Why do we rise early to catch the dawning of the light? Why do we track stars? This universe is dancing. What if we could dance Together, you and I?
I see a child born to plenty And another who is hungry. My soul cries for reasons why, For a useful tale that I can tell. I would travel 1000 miles To uncover one real love story. Brother do you know the way I feel? Sister tell me I am not alone.
Chorus
Now I am one born to plenty. Tell me brother have you known the cold and hunger? Let’s share this table for a while, Help me to see and understand. Brother, let’s travel a thousand miles Planting seeds of hope and mercy. Sister, will you come too, Let’s spread love like water upon the land.
Chorus
Teach it to your children. Teach it to your old ones. Teach it near and far Till we shine brighter than the stars.
