(music
& lyrics by Brent D. Scheihagen)
As the
morning sun was shining
bright
upon your face,
were you
wondering how or where
you'd
ever find your place?
Are
you holding on to pieces
of a past
you held so dear?
Can't you
see me by your side?
Can't you
see me here?
Daylight
again
guiding
your way
when
you thought you were alone
Daylight
again
leading
you away
bringing
you back home
When you
think that you’re alone,
I
will always be right here.
No matter
which way we go,
it’s you
I hold so dear.
No
matter which way we go,
it’s you
I hold so dear.
* *
*
On Songwriting
 |
| The original copy of the lyrics as written in my song book |
The
music for "Morning" was originally composed sometime in 1997, with
the lyrics having been composed on the 23rd of November, 1997, in an
airplane en route to Taiwan over the Pacific Ocean.
I
was only 17 at the time, so this was one of several early songs in my
repertoire, but one of the few to have actually survived until today. It
helps that the lyric, while not being particularly original or innovative, is
quite simple and direct. What's more, it doesn't suffer from any of the
awkward turns of phrase or ill-placed words that many of my other early songs did.
I'd like to offer this song up as an example of how I was growing as a
songwriter. Much like any artist, one learns from ones teachers and the
masters they admire by studying their technique as well as by modeling their works. There's no song that I've written that I couldn't
point to at least one external influence (be it another song or a book or film,
etc.) though most would require that I point these connections out to you...
and I won't, with rare exceptions. "Morning," then, is one such exception.
Because
it is such an 'old' song by my standards, going back 15 years to the day now, I
thought it might be of passing interest to anyone curious about the creative
process. (But, to be honest, it may be my own self-indulgence at work.)
"Morning" can be regarded mostly as a product of the inspiration of
two songs: "Taken at All" and "Daylight Again"; with a
distant third song being "Just trying to be."
The
first song - "Taken at All" - , recorded (in this
version) by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, is the most important as
the form for "Morning" borrows directly from this song (with the
exception being the final section of "Morning," which was added in
2009). There is an instrumental opening followed by a verse sung in two-part
harmony, a chorus, an instrumental verse, a second chorus which dovetails into
a second and final verse. The second verse of "Morning" is
similarly extended. Furthermore, the general mood of "Morning"
borrows heavily from what I consider to be one of CSNY's most poignant and
beautiful songs.
The
second song - "Daylight Again" - , recorded by
Crosby, Stills & Nash, is borrowed from in a less significant way, but no
less obviously when pointed out. Here, the influence is limited to the use of the title as a key lyric in "Morning." Clearly, at the time, I was listening
heavily to this particular group and its various permutations. Their
music is significant in another way; for whatever reason, I was particularly
enamored with the music of David Crosby to the extent that I would try to sing
along with his part on their songs. This was especially challenging as he
usually sang the middle (and, therefore, most-difficult-to-distinguish)
harmony. Many were the days of my youth spent attentively listening, singing
and pacing around the room trying to hear each note correctly. Listen to
either of these songs and you will understand how good they were at vocal
harmony.
Finally,
the third song - "Just trying to be" - , recorded by Jethro
Tull, plays the least significant role (as well as the most recent).
Not feeling up to the task of creating guitar solos up to the level of
Stills or Young (as if I could ever!), I remembered how much I liked the sound
of the celeste
as used in songs such as "Just trying to be." Not having one on hand,
I did my best to approximate the sound using a combination of midi sounds when completing
the song over the past few weeks.
 |
| One morning recently, I found myself in Taroko Gorge Nat'l Park, Taiwan |
There, then, is a glimpse into how this song was born, the progeny of my own mind and the
inspiration provided by the music of those I admired. To be inspired by our teachers, our experiences, and the world around us: so it is with me,
so it is with all artists. After all, there's nothing new beneath the sun. ;^)
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