Well, I just thought I'd put this here.
https://soundcloud.com/jpmist/ballard-of-reading-gaolMy brother has a blog and he posted a few lines of a poem which I read and at the time thought he wrote it. I'd have given it a B- for some awkward phrasing and forced rhymes, me being such an expert, so imagine my surprise when he pointed out my mistake and said it came from a very long poem that Oscar Wilde wrote about being in prison seeing other fellows being hanged.
The imagery implied by the words were interesting, though I don't really agree with it's premise "each man kills the one he loves, each man does not die." I took some liberties with the poem in order for it to flow with my folkie guitar playing. I chose to repeat some lines to give it sort of a chorus.
Each man kills the thing he loves
Each, let this be heard
Some do it with a bitter look
With a flattering word
Coward does it with a kiss
Brave man with a sword
Some kill their love when they are young
Some when they are old
For each man kills the thing he loves
Each man does not die
For each man kills the thing he loves
Each man does not die
Some love too little, some too long
Sell what others buy
Some do the deed with many tears
And some without a sigh
Some strangle with the hands of Lust
Some with hands of Gold
Kindest use a knife because
The dead, so soon grow cold
Some love too little, some too long
Some sell, and others buy
Some do the deed with many tears
And some without a sigh
Some do the deed with many tears
And some without a sigh
Each man kills the thing he loves
Each man does not die
For each man kills the thing he loves
Each man does not die
Some love too little, some too long
Sell what others buy
Some do the deed with many tears
Some without a sigh
Some without a sigh
Some without a sigh
I'm no singer and so overdubed the vocals in an attempt to disguise my many not quite dead-on notes. If you've read this far and listen to it, I'd love feedback on how original the melody seems, (it wouldn't surprise me if I borrowed heavily), if my guitar playing verges on monotonous, and perhaps some tips on how I might EQ my recordings better. It was done on a Taylor (of course!) my 322, capo on G, which has an interesting compressed quality when recorded.
Thanks in advance!
https://soundcloud.com/jpmist/ballard-of-reading-gaol
