“It’s a Great Life” – Third Day of National Poetry Month
It’s a Great Life
It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken–
so mama said, her face grown pale.
It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken,
but oh lord help, if you should fail.
I gave my love my heart’s safe-keeping
I gave my love my heart to hold:
oh it’s a great life, if you don’t weaken–
my love, he took that heart once whole.
Love’s just so grand until it weakens,
sun shines so bright on your travails,
But when skies dim and leave no beacon,
then tears are all that fill this vale.
That man, he gave my heart a beating
though it beat fast as any bird’s,
oh it’s a great life, if you don’t weaken,
If I but heard my mama’s words–
But life was loud when love was spoken,
and his hands’ touch–it felt so true–
It’s a great life, when vows aren’t broken,
but oh lord help, when love is through.
I gave that man my heart as token
of how I loved him through and through
It’s a great life, till we are broken
now, my heart’s gone, lord help me do.
It’s a great life, till we are broken,
now my heart’s gone, lord help me do.
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Here’s a song as my third poem for April 2015 National Poetry Month, and written for Shay (Fireblossom)’s prompt on With Real Toads. I can sing this in my head, and it sings country.
ps- I have edited this slightly since first posting. I also came up with a very dirge like tune, which I have sung (ha!) and recorded here.
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Tags: Country song lament, It's a great life if you don't weaken song, manicddaily, That Man done me wrong song, Third Day of National Poetry Month
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ManicDDaily 
April 3, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Applause, applause! This is simply outstanding, K!
April 3, 2015 at 4:39 pm
Ha, thanks, MZ.
April 3, 2015 at 4:50 pm
I can hear Alison Krouse singing this.
April 3, 2015 at 5:01 pm
You wrote a great song/poem..I could hear it sung country or blues. I’m leaning more toward blues, because that ending is full of blue notes. Nice work!
April 3, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Excellent! I loved the sentiment and sang the song to a generic country rhythm in my head and it really rocked along. Right on!
April 3, 2015 at 6:11 pm
A tune for your really great poem is a-bubblin’ in my brain!!!
April 3, 2015 at 6:19 pm
You should feel free to use it. Give me credit for lyrics only! Thanks Helen. Hope all is well. K.
April 3, 2015 at 7:02 pm
I think it sings bluegrass! nd you drew elephants for it! Yayyyyyy!
April 3, 2015 at 7:09 pm
Ha. I have a song that I may record but it’s rather dirge like since my composing is not very good.
April 3, 2015 at 8:16 pm
[…] « “It’s a Great Life” – Third Day of National Poetry Month […]
April 3, 2015 at 8:19 pm
Oh yes, I hear it as Country too. I love it. (I was brought up on that saying, ‘It’s a great life if you don’t weaken. 😊 )
April 3, 2015 at 10:12 pm
A fantastic song! My mom always said that too – it’s a great life, if you dont weaken………
April 3, 2015 at 10:13 pm
Thanks, Sherry. k.
On Fri, Apr 3, 2015 at 11:12 PM, ManicDDaily wrote:
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April 4, 2015 at 1:26 am
that was a *fantastic* singing rendition of your stunning pen, K. I am in awe. the piece reminds me of the best folk, of a young Dylan, or an even more pensive Lucinda Williams. spectacular! ~
April 4, 2015 at 5:50 am
Ha. Thanks.
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April 4, 2015 at 5:51 am
Ps so liked your villanelle– it was terrific.
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April 4, 2015 at 10:00 am
Bravo, bravo. Kudos
April 4, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Definitely old Blue Ridge Mountain folk, for me.More on the recording entry.