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~Dear Life~ (3:22)
This song began as a conversation with friends regarding “Trading Polaroid’s for memories” when celebrating and commiserating. On this occasion we were commiserating the election results. The words started flowing and the line “Holding on to Dear Life” came out. The song became something truly significant to me when an off duty police Officer Thomas Orr was shot and killed at a venue I was preparing to perform at. His death occurred on Sunday (August 20th 2017) the day after was the total solar eclipse and the following Friday we performed the song for the first time. His death had a profound impact on me, the idea of playing music in this place where someone just lost their life... This song has become a cathartic anthem for me, a collection of experiences translated to lyrics that with each line have a literal and symbolic meaning for me. A reminder to “hold on to life” with both fists, while remembering how delicate it is. Musically, the organ was added to provide immediate recognition of a universally recognized spiritual presence.

lyrics

~ Dear Life ~
We were climbing over walls
And squarin' off with the night
Facing our demons
and putting up a good fight

Singing songs about the old times
and loves that aren't here
worrying about tomorrow
and shown' no fear

Taking polaroids for memories
Whisky for Strife
In the belly of the buzzard
We were hanging on to life

Taking polaroids for memories
Whisky for Strife
in the belly of the buzzard
we were hanging on to dear life

Momma said there might be days like these
Might be hard to get out of bed
You got do what you can
Not to lose your head

Bottom might drop out
Life can come undone
Sun might disappear
And the good will die young

Taking polaroids for memories
Whisky for Strife
in the belly of the buzzard
we were hanging on to dear life

Taking polaroids for memories
Whisky for Strife
in the belly of the buzzard
we were hanging on to dear life

Now you're stranded in the street
Wondern' which way to go
Someone calls out your name
But it's no one you know

You're stumblin, down the alleyway
Tryn' to hail a ride
we'll come back to the beach someday
if we can just stay alive

Taking polaroids for memories
Whisky for Strife
In the belly of the buzzard
we were hanging on to dear life

Taking polaroids for memories
Whisky for Strife
In the belly of the buzzard
We were holdn' onto life

credits

from Out in the Cold - 12th ST Singles, released April 28, 2018

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John L keck image

John L keck Kansas City, Missouri

I write from personal experience on the whole, and even when I’m telling a tale, its grounded in something that's happened to me... a sliver of time in the crazy ride that has been my life. Hopefully that comes through honestly .I write about everything, often about love or emotions surrounding relationships, those seem to be the songs that people respond to the most. ... more

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