My third entry this month is another song from “Ten Miles Out Of Midnight” – track number nine on the album called “Legacy” in Acoustic channel. This song is about a subject many musicians, artists, poets and other creatives will identify with – leaving something behind – a legacy that will live on after their own deaths. Around the time I wrote the vast majority of songs for the album I suffered a trapped nerve in my back which left me with loss of 50% of feeling down my right arm and hand. Being left-handed this is my fretboard hand and I was worried it would subsequently deteriorate to a level where I would be unable to play the guitar atall. So I was determined to get into the studio and record my album before it got any worse and “Legacy” is a very personal reflection of the fear that I would not leave anything behind should I become unable to play the guitar. (thankfully it did not affect my dexterity although I still have limited feel in my right hand) It is also a bigger reflection on my solo album overall – To record an album or write a book is something many people dream of doing but surprisingly few do and if I die tomorrow then at least I recorded an album that could keep my memory alive to friends, family and fans alike. The main melody of this song is one that I’ve had in my head for years and it was the last song I finished prior to recording. There is no chorus as such in “Legacy” – just three simple verses again with lyrics I am very proud of. It is a sad song, yet a happy song – Wistful, reflective, melancholic yet peaceful – My “Legacy” is my music. My last will and testament – my thanks to my Creator (if one exists – I’m agnostic) and those that raised me – My attempt at immortality (in its most humblest of meanings) by simpy leaving behind my songs, my music, my life in a reflection of thanks and humility. (sniff – pass the tissues lol)
Lyrics to "Legacy"
What better way To say “Goodbye” What softer shroud In which to lie What lasting testament To will My legacy That time can't kill
More faithful friends No man could know Than wind and rain And ice and snow What finer things Than silk and gold My legacy That can't be sold
And who knows what The future brings It only whispers - Never sings Come rest your head Come lay your wreath My legacy Can rest in peace
Comments for Legacy
by James Alan Gourley
My third entry this month is another song from “Ten Miles Out Of Midnight” – track number nine on the album called “Legacy” in Acoustic channel. This song is about a subject many musicians, artists, poets and other creatives will identify with – leaving something behind – a legacy that will live on after their own deaths. Around the time I wrote the vast majority of songs for the album I suffered a trapped nerve in my back which left me with loss of 50% of feeling down my right arm and hand. Being left-handed this is my fretboard hand and I was worried it would subsequently deteriorate to a level where I would be unable to play the guitar atall. So I was determined to get into the studio and record my album before it got any worse and “Legacy” is a very personal reflection of the fear that I would not leave anything behind should I become unable to play the guitar. (thankfully it did not affect my dexterity although I still have limited feel in my right hand) It is also a bigger reflection on my solo album overall – To record an album or write a book is something many people dream of doing but surprisingly few do and if I die tomorrow then at least I recorded an album that could keep my memory alive to friends, family and fans alike. The main melody of this song is one that I’ve had in my head for years and it was the last song I finished prior to recording. There is no chorus as such in “Legacy” – just three simple verses again with lyrics I am very proud of. It is a sad song, yet a happy song – Wistful, reflective, melancholic yet peaceful – My “Legacy” is my music. My last will and testament – my thanks to my Creator (if one exists – I’m agnostic) and those that raised me – My attempt at immortality (in its most humblest of meanings) by simpy leaving behind my songs, my music, my life in a reflection of thanks and humility. (sniff – pass the tissues lol)
Lyrics to "Legacy"
What better way
To say “Goodbye”
What softer shroud
In which to lie
What lasting testament
To will
My legacy
That time can't kill
More faithful friends
No man could know
Than wind and rain
And ice and snow
What finer things
Than silk and gold
My legacy
That can't be sold
And who knows what
The future brings
It only whispers
- Never sings
Come rest your head
Come lay your wreath
My legacy
Can rest in peace
(c) James Alan Gourley 2008