Only the second song that I have posted. Need to catch up!
Of all his friends he's the only struggling ass among them - a man who has meandered through and cowered in the shadow of a half-lived life. He's taking a hard look at the sorry results.
Wordsmith - inventing songs and farming out the melodies - genuinely surprised by
the returns such as this ditty about embracing late middle age - perusing the past
and thinking "boy, that went fast." Not a full demo just a trial run. Composer sings.
Story behind the song
Written as I sang my son to sleep, having tired of bedtime tunes. Worried at how my wild, mercenary romantic past might blemish his life. Dropped into drawer until recently. Thnx for listening.
Lyrics
Livin’ In The Shadow
by Jim Donaldson 11/08
1-When I see myself reflected
in the image of my son
I’m filled with shame and sorrow for
the sinnin’ that I’ve done.
I fear he’ll follow in my footsteps
where I stumbled in the sand.
A fool who failed to pass the test
Of what it takes to be a man.
2- The fault is mine that love and I
just never got along.
Still runnin’ with a daydream girl
I conjured up in a song.
And after two wives and their lawyers
finished skinnin’ me alive.
Reconciled to lovin’ less -
To fix what’s broken inside.
Chorus - So tired of livin’ in the shadow
Of whatever might have been.
Of living in the shadow of the life
I meant to live.
And these shoulda, coulda, woulda days –
Of yesterday are gone.
It’s time to step out in the sun and be free/let go
Livin’ in the shadow.
3 -Had some dreams in tow as I
meandered through this life.
Couldn’t make myself believe
That I’d ever get it right.
And while my friends are pushin’ babies,
And buying second homes upstate.
I am searching through Matchdotcom,
Always looking for a date.
Chorus - Tired of livin’ in the shadow
Of whatever might have been.
Living in the shadow of the life
I meant/wanna to live.
And these woulda, coulda, shoulda days –
Of yesterday are gone.
It’s time/I’m gonna to step out in the sun and let go
Livin’ in the shadow.
Bridge –
I’ve been wrestlin’ demons that always seem to win. Fighting with myself and always getting pinned.
I turned to prayer but the sign on the church said Jesus wasn’t in. My only hope is this song I wrote that churned within – now.
Tired of livin’ in the shadow.
So tired of fightin’, hopin’, scrapin’, prayin’, scratchin’ for the crumbs upon life’s table. I’ve had enough! I’ve had enough! I’ve had enough of ---
Repeat chorus to cold out.
Adam, Don't know if you & the writer are the same (AKA?) but either way I really like the song.Well written introspective on life. I have "Been there-Done that" also. Trite saying but -unfortunately -True. Good going Adam Gene T.