Recording and Mixing Dates: Recorded January 13 and February 15, 2010. Mixed April 5, 2016.
Genesis: Sometime around 1976 I read a volume of poetry by Charles Baudelaire in English translation. In one of his poems he writes of the “sorrows of the moon.” I liked that phrase and recorded it in my lyric notebook. Two years later I used it as the title of this week’s song. I imagined the moon looking down on us and having no recourse but to observe our human follies. The singer is trying to console a friend or lover over some predicament but is also suggesting that things could be much worse and that it was time to move on.
I was deeply into singer-songwriters at the time, so it is no surprise that Jackson Browne influences my lyrics and music in this song.
Production: Bass Guitar, Piano, Drums.
Lyrics
SORROWS OF THE MOON
The teardrops angle down your face
Your voice begins to crack
Your words come in a torrent
As you take the long road back
Sad tales and bitter stories
Find their way into this room
But they’re nothing when compared to
The Sorrows of the Moon
So many disappointments
You’ve taken them to heart
Now your dreams are either hiding
Or trying to depart
Your song may be a sad one
But it’s an old familiar tune
And the music pales when compared
To the Sorrows of the Moon
Silent and forsaken
A piece of frozen stone
Shining bright – reflected light
Not its own
The dark side holds a secret
In the never-ending night
And whatever must be concealed
Time will not make right
You could be two miles wide of paradise
And never find the gate
You could miss your fateful moment
And never know you’re late
Your prayers have not been answered
If they are it may not be soon
So while you wait contemplate
The Sorrows of the Moon
Posted like a watchman
An eye upon us all
Observing our mistakes and lies
The risings and the falls
It takes these sights in nightly
Unless obscured by clouds
And then it hears our voices
Crying soft or shouting loud
I’ve dried your salty tears
But I don’t see a smile
I think you kind of like this mood
You’ll keep it for awhile
In time you will feel better
Freed from memory’s tomb
You will mend but they’ll never end
The Sorrows of the Moon
Copyright 2016 Fred Grittner All Rights Reserved
Fred,
First, let me state that I’m really enjoying the 52 tracks. Now, I’m gonna be the watchman. “Find THEIR way into this room”.
Looking forward to the next one.
Hope to see you and Theresa in August.
Joe
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Thanks, Joe! I made the correction, watchman…. We will be at camp this year. See you then.
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Wonderful music Fred !
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Thanks, Dani. Glad you are enjoying the songs.
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Good song, Fred!
Just a little too sweet for me to like it even more. Yes, I know I also have songs that are too sweet.
I suppose it´s the well-played piano that tinkles just a tad too much for me.
Radio-compatible for sure. Sorrows of the moon, tears of the sun.
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Okay…you are more of a guitar guy. I doubt radio is in this songs future.🌚🌚🌚
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So do I, Fred, we are under the radar. But it would sound good on the radio.
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