It’s still Tuesday, just a little later than I’d planned. I hope you all enjoyed your time off. I know I did. And I’ve got a little bit of a sunburn to prove it!

I’ve got just the song to close out the month of May. It’s for all you graduates out there. Enjoy!

I was just listening to my husband’s songs on my computer (yes, I really do that) and I came across one that I had forgotten about. It’s called The Hand That Plowed. I’m putting it up on a Tuesday because I want you to have a chance to listen to it and tell your friends about it so they can listen to it in time for Memorial Day. I think it’s a beautiful tribute to all the men and women who have died for our country’s freedom. Regardless of your political beliefs, there are men and women that have always answered the call to stand up and fight when our country has needed it knowing that it may be the last thing they do on this earth. For that I say, thank you.

If you know anyone that you think would be touched by this song, send them over. I’m posting the lyrics only because I don’t want you to miss a single word. You can critique if you want, but this isn’t really about putting a song out there for critique, it’s about giving honor. So enjoy your family this weekend and take a minute to thank God for the freedom we have that someone else gave their life for. I’ll post again on Tuesday.

The Hand That Plowed

For every harvest gathered in there was a hand that plowed
For every laureled champion a wealth of work endowed
For every man in history that walked uncharted lands
There was to urge his infant steps a parent’s open hands

A banner waved a banner burned a soldier ‘neath a cross
And every mighty victory a mother’s painful loss
Since time began until the end the laws of living last
Every good and precious thing owes something to the past

So here’s to you our fearless sons our fallen ones
And those who still remain
Photographs and memories may fade away
But never freedom’s flame

For every dark and dreaded night there is a coming morn
In every time of tragedy a hero’s strength is born
For every soul who shrinks in fear God calls the one who will
And through the raging flames of strife truth comes marching still

So here’s to you our fearless sons our fallen ones
And those who still remain
Photographs and memories may fade away
But never freedom’s flame

So sing the song of spacious skies and mountain’s majesty
Sing about the fruited plains from sea to shining sea
But when you sing these noble words remember with no doubt
For every amber wave of grain there was a hand that plowed

Okay, here’s the deal. I just got back from a 4 day women’s retreat and I’m exhausted. I just picked a random song from my husband’s stash that’s lighthearted and fun and doesn’t require any analyzing. And no lyrics, either, because I’m too tired to find them and write them out.

Well, I guess I can add Let’r Burn to the list of songs you wouldn’t want on a cd someday. You never really know how people are going to react to a song. But, that’s why we’re here, isn’t it

Now, this week we’re going to do things a little differently. I’m not going to include the lyrics for you to read while you listen. I think we’re all using the left side of our brains a little too much. My husband told me that the A and R guys in Nashville don’t ever read the lyrics of a song while they’re listening to it because it causes the left side of their brain to take over and makes it hard for the right side of the brain to hear the song as a whole. That’s not my way of telling you to take it easy on your critiques. I just think you might notice a difference in how you hear a song, if you listen without having to read or process anything. Let me know if you notice a difference.

This week’s song is called These Women of Ours. I thought about releasing it early for Mother’s Day, but I am a mother and I just didn’t have time between taking a Mother’s Day nap and not cooking dinner for my family. I took a holiday from everything! It’s not just for mothers, either. It’s a tribute to all womankind. (And you’ll be happy to know there’s not a “misogynistic” line in the whole song!) By the way, Happy Mother’s Day, a little late.

My husband finally got his music program to work so he could give me the song for this week. The song I really wanted to post is going to have to wait because it is brand new and the tweaks are still being worked out. Sometimes that can drag out for a while. And then there’s the actual recording of the song. I sometimes forget that my husband not only spends countless hours writing a song, he then has to learn to play and sing it well enough to record it. Maybe in a few weeks. We’ll see.

I asked about the last song, Rusty Red Wagon , and it turns out there’s really nothing exciting about the creation of it. It was one of those songs that came as a melody first and then over a couple of weeks the lyrics came. Even though there’s no real story behind it, I still find it fascinating that he can create something like that out of nothing.

Well, let’s get to it. This week’s song is called Let’r Burn. Here it is…

John Deere poppin’ throuth a cotton field years ago
Ridin’ on my daddy’s lap only six years old
Cotton bale burnin’, on fire on the edge of the field
"Look over there Daddy. Whatta we do?" I yelled
“Son”, he said, “One thing ‘bout cotton you’ll learn
Let ‘r burn”

Chorus
Cause a little bit of fire ain’t much of a bother
But some you’ll find just keep gettin’ hotter (uh huh)
Sometimes it just ain’t worth the trouble
Like Nero playin’ a song on his fiddle
While Rome burned down to smolderin’ rubble (uh huh)
Sometimes it just ain’t worth the cryin’
Might as well stand back and let fate have it’s turn
Let ’r burn

Headin’ into town, me and Daddy in the old Ford truck
On the side of road was a man with trouble enough
Cadillac burnin’, fire comin’ out of the hood
Hewas slappin’ with his coat but it really not doin’ much good
Daddy said, "Man, get back ‘fore you get burned.
Let’r burn"

Chorus

My grown son called me the other day a little upset
Said, "Daddy it’s bad. She’s mad and a throwin’ a fit
Tried perfume, jewelry, sweet talk and roses, too
I’ve tried everything I know, what can I do"
"Son" I said "one thing about a woman you’ll learn
Everything’s just fine
Just give her time
Just let’r burn"

Chorus

We’re having computer problems. The new song will be up late this morning.