Student’s in Robin Neal’s Local Living Writers class have completed the lyrics to one of two melodies provided by singer-songwriter Alastair Mook. Mook visited the class in early October to share his writing process and inspiration. (See the original mashUp post.)
Here is Mr. Neal’s assignment:
Alastair urged us to play with the sound of language and admitted he doesn’t write successful songs if he begins with a purpose in mind. Instead, he begins with a “kernel”–usually a specific line or image–and then writes to see how the song will unfold. When attempting your own lyrics, I encourage you to do the same. For those of you that need it (which is all of us I think), begin within these parameters. Begin by writing about an actual place in Boston. It can be famous or personal, specific or general.
Here are a couple of the students’ lyrics (more can be found on the class wiki where you can also listen to the lyrics with music):
Crowds by Caroline and Jenn
A shy smile and nod
Give you the feeling
That may be there
Is some unseen connection
But then the train
Jolts you awake
And you start to see
The truth in plain
You’re a tiny part
Of the lively crowd
That’s headed nowhere
Heading there fast (x2)
As you walk along
Among strange faces
You notice one
That is familiar
And suddenly
Bridging the gap
Doesn’t seem as hard
As it used to be
So you start thinking of
All of the connections
That you kept and lost
And are reminded of the pain that comes with knowing that
You’re a tiny part
Of the lively crowd
That’s headed nowhere
Heading there fast (x2)
Teddy Ballgame by Brooke and Dylan
a long long time ago
in a far away land
the kid was born
with much demand
he grew up fast
with a hat that said “B”
and a powerful gaze
ready for the world to see
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
we were so lost before
you’ve come right on cue
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
now that your gone
the team sure misses you
the Red Sox went flat
in that summer of 41
all the bats went cold
but the splinter had some fun
that lucky number 9
may leave the field for good
as his country sent him off
he was so misunderstood
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
we were so lost before
you’ve come right on cue
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
the planes are flying west
please make it through
his plane flew strong
as the gunshots roared
he never backed down
earned him an award
back to boston bat in hand
Teddys up at bat
the ball is pitched
and thats the end of that
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
we were so lost before
you’ve come right on cue
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
your sox stay red
and the fans still love you
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
we were so lost before
you’ve come right on cue
Teddy Teddy Teddy
where did we find you
we know your season done
but your legacy lives on
For more, see the class wiki.