Original Song: Birds Are Flying Overhead

A quick start to month 62 of the original song a month project with Birds Are Flying Overhead pulled together in a few hours over the weekend. As is generally the case these days, the lyrics were written on a flight after seeing a poster with the words “for this you’d stand in line” on it. Musically it’s very raw (and the mix is awful!) as I’m looking to see how it will turn out once it gets the Compañero treatment! I do like being able to compare the raw idea with the finished product – even though the raw version certainly exposes my limitations! On a side note, I used both a Squier Bass VI as well as the Bass IV I’d recently built for the basslines, and the other build, my Telemaster, for the guitar lines.

BIRDS ARE FLYING OVERHEAD
©2017 Chuck Smeeton

Dm
Birds are flying overhead
Bb
But they’ve not heard a word you said
C
Perhaps the time just isn’t right
C
Trapped here in the dark of night

Dm
Black water beneath a greyscale sky
Bb
A wind that dries the tears you cry
C
The stars are there to ease the fear
Dm
While waiting for the mind to clear

(Chorus)
Bb
For this you’d stand in line
F
And sure you’d feel just fine
Gm
Waiting for another sign
Am
Waiting for the sun to shine

(Solo over Dm/Bb/C/Dm)

Mist that creeps across the lake
Waiting for the dawn to break
Shadows hide what you can’t see
Shifting shapes from which you flee

(Chorus)

Birds are flying overhead
But they’ve not heard a word you said
Perhaps the time just isn’t right
Trapped here in the dark of night

(Chorus repeats)

About the original songs
In January 2012 I commenced a goal of trying to write and record at least one song from scratch each month – sometimes it comes easily, sometimes it’s a real challenge, but I love the discipline it creates. I managed to complete the year, but it was so much fun that I’ve decided to keep it rolling for as long as I can.