Song picture
Petit Jean
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A Ray Bertram & Glenn Spayth collaborative production
ray wendell wendell ray bertram ray bertram bertram a tourist in the land of reason
Artist picture
Just me. Just songs.
I was born with an undiagnosable brain dysfunction, having seizures, and with blue skin dur to oxygen deprivation. I would spend much of my youth on strong, mind-altering medication, I would ultimately end up being declared fully disabled on psychiatric grounds, and I've had to be committed to five different psychiatric facilities in three different states. These days, the primary thrust of my overall creative efforts is the advocacy work that I seek to do for the mentally ill and the mentally disabled. These are my songs.
Song Info
Charts
Peak #177
Peak in subgenre #24
Author
Bertram/Spayth
Rights
(c) 2012 W. Ray Bertram, Glenn Spayth
Uploaded
November 14, 2012
Track Files
MP3
MP3 5.1 MB 128 kbps 5:34
Story behind the song
Most people who have been following my work and writing closely enough over the years will know that I live with my family deep in the heart of Arkansas (U.S.A.), way out in the country, and on top of a mountain. The mountain's name is "Petit Jean Mountain," "Petit" being pronounced like "petty." I love the mountain here so much that it's only natural for it to work it's way into my writing from time to time. And, truth be told, one of the first lyrics that I ever wrote was actually specifically about the mountain here. This lyric, simply titled "Petit Jean," sat idle for years at the bottom of the stack of lyrics that I network whenever occasion provides opportunity...until lately. Reading it again some weeks ago, and loving the mountain here the way that I do, I couldn't help but hear the potential song behind it in my head. I shared the song with my good friend Tennessee singer/songwriter/musician/producer Glenn Spayth and he was able to see the song behind the words as well...so he went to work and produced the song that you see here around it. And we're all ready shooting a music video for the song that will feature a lot of beautiful Petit Jean Mountain and local Arkansas scenery. Production for the video is very intricate and detailed, though, and it may take a little while to complete - so we decided to go ahead and put the song out here in the meantime. So click on the link, give the song a listen...and stay tuned because a really cool video for it's all ready in the works :-)
Lyrics
Petit Jean Verse 1: I’m looking out at this old city Hard concrete is everywhere When I look out from our window I wonder what I’m doing here All of the cold lonely people Hustle and hurry to and fro And how I ever ended up here Is something I don’t really know This city’s killing me slowly Maybe you know what I mean I just can’t stay here any longer I want to go back to Petit Jean Chorus: Lets go back to the country To the prettiest place I ever saw To the top of Petit Jean Mountain Deep in the heart of Arkansas I just can’t stay in this old city Let’s pack our bags and leave today We can go live on the mountain I don’t know why I ever went away Verse 2: She stands proudly by the river So majestic, straight, and tall From up there the world’s so pretty Standing up on top you see it all The land up there is so peaceful The woods are quiet, the lake is still The family farm is still standing On the other side of Simmon’s Hill Won’t you please go back with me It’s the prettiest place you’ve ever seen We can spend our lives together Up there on top of Petit Jean Chorus: Lets go back to the country To the prettiest place I ever saw To the top of Petit Jean Mountain Deep in the heart of Arkansas I just can’t stay in this old city Let’s pack our bags and leave today We can go live on the mountain I don’t know why I ever went away "Petit Jean" (c) 2012 W. Ray Bertram, Glenn Spayth
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