2020 Summer Winners

 2020 SUMMER LYRIC CONTEST WINNERS

Thanks to our Lyric Contest Director, Alexis Tapp for comments below.

Semi-Finalists

One Rich Man by T Edwin Doss and Robert Gann, Bumpass String, VA

The Seeds of Joy by Catherine Pittman, Clackamas, OR

Cornbread by Don Wall, Dallas, TX

Today is Tomorrow by Will Hoover, Henderson, Nevada

Any Words Can Make A Song by Will Hoover, Henderson, Nevada

FIRST PLACE:  One Rich Man by T Edwin Doss and Robert Gann, Bumpass String, VA 

Robert Gann/T. Edwin Doss - lyrics

T. Edwin Doss – music

Don’t be concerned with these worn out shoes I’m wearing.

This old coat and hat, they’re gonna be just fine.

Don’t be fooled by this little shack I live in.

God’s building me a mansion on the other side.

CHORUS:

You may look at me and say there goes a poor man.

My clothes ain’t new….There’s dirt upon these hands,

But I’ll be walking streets of gold

when your silver turns to sand.

I know that you don’t see this……

but I’m one rich man.

What good will your silver and diamonds do

On that day when you’re laid to rest?

I’ll be laying up my treasures “over yonder”

So when I face the Lord, I’ll know I’ve done my best.

Chorus

Bridge:   Not concerned about the finer things of this world.     

               So much more waits in eternity.  

               I live by faith in a man called Jesus. 

               He died for me that day on Calvary

You may look at me and say there goes a poor man.

My clothes ain’t new….There’s dirt upon these hands,

But I’ll be walking streets of gold

when your silver turns to sand.

I know you don’t see this……

But I’m one rich man. ….

Ooooohh....I know you don’t see this

But you’re looking at one rich man

Lyric Judge Comments:  I enjoyed your lyric very much.  My suggestions in red are for a smoother flow and rhythm.  Your structure works well, and your song idea is uplifting. I hope you’ll record this and enter it into the annual song contest if you haven’t already.   

SECOND PLACE: The Seeds of Joy by Catherine Pittman, Clackamas, OR

©2019 Catherine Pittman

Verse I

Long, Long Ago, one winter night,

A child was born to bring us light.

A gift of wonder to behold,

He slept… upon His hay of gold.

Verse 2

From kingdoms far, the wisemen three

Came Bearing gifts for their new king

A lowly stable, manger bed…

That’s where the star above them led.

CHORUS:  

For the Lord,so loved this weary world,

He gave his only son!

The seeds of joy were born that night,

Sweet child of hope and light.

Verse 3

While shepherds watched on hillsides green

Beneath a star’s bright loving beam

Appeared an angel, ‘ore the trees,

They fell and praised on bended knees.

Verse 4

Be not afraid; the angels sing,

Songs of Joy is what I bring, 

In Bethlehem, you shall see,

A babe, a King, the prince of peace

CHORUS:

Ending:

Mere echoes now: Messiah's song,

It's old as time,still growing strong,

His love burns brightly this Christmas night!

He, lovingly, gave us His light!

Burning brightly, this Christmas night

He, lovingly, gave us His light!

Lyric Judge Comments:  I really enjoyed your timely lyric.  I’ve included suggestions in red, because the manner in which you structured your stanzas made your lyric quite difficult to read, and especially your chorus. Keeping to four lines for each verse makes it much clearer  for judging and for song pitches.  I’ve added a few words in each verse for the sake of improved meter and rhythm.  A bridge is not necessary, but because you’ve got four verses, you might consider making a bridge of one of them.  Nice job.  I don’t know if you’ve already recorded this, but I hope you’ll enter this as a completed song into the annual contest if you haven’t already done so.

THIRD PLACE: Cornbread by Don Wall, Dallas, TX

C -Cornbread, cornbread, cornbread, ice tea

Don’t forget to eat your black-eyed peas

That’s a Texas feast on New Year’s Eve

I wasn’t born here; I may not die here

But I got Texas in my genes 

V-Yankee this, Yankee that

I broke down and bought a hat

Barbecue, chicken fry

I gained weight, that’s no lie

Jalapenos, margaritas

Gorgeous Texas senoritas

On the highway, feeling mean

Got me a plate with refried beans

C-And some Cornbread, cornbread, cornbread, ice tea

Don’t forget to eat your black-eyed peas

That’s a Texas feast on New Year’s Eve

I wasn’t born here; I may not die here

But I got Texas in my genes   

V- July 4th went to Austin

Spent the day with Willie Nelson

Hippies, rednecks, bikers, smokers 

Bought a brand new pair of Ropers (I WOULD CUT “ME”)

NOW I FIT IN.  I BELONG HERE.

With my ice chest full of cold beer

Cowboy dreams, blue eyes cryin’

It’s a whiskey river, man, I ain’t lyin’ (I WOULD CUT “MAN”)

C- And I like Cornbread, cornbread, cornbread, ice tea

Don’t forget to eat your black-eyed peas

That’s a Texas feast on New Year’s Eve

I wasn’t born here; I may not die here

But I got Texas in my genes

V- I’ve lived round Dallas 30 years

People still know I ain’t from here

But I’ve been through bout every town

I’ve seen the sunrise and the hail come down

I must say I’ve reached a nexus

In this nation state called Texas

Born and raised here, my kids say

They would never want to move away

C-And they like Cornbread, cornbread, cornbread, ice tea

Don’t forget to eat your black-eyed peas

That’s a Texas feast on New Year’s Eve

And the kids say, we were born here; we’re gonna die here

Cause we got Texas in our genes 

(repeat chorus)

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: CATCHY, CUTE AND ORIGINAL. GREAT CHORUS. VERY PERFORMANCE FRIENDLY.  I’VE OFFERED VERY FEW SUGGESTIONS.  AS A BORN AND BRED TEXAN, I CAN CERTAINLY RELATE.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENTRY AND MAKING ME SMILE.

FOURTH PLACE: Today is Tomorrow by Will Hoover, Henderson, Nevada

Sparks start fires, fires die out.

Sorrow weeps, anger shouts.

The hopeful dream, the lonely cry.

The earth endures, as time flies by.

Lights go dark, close your eyes.

Something's born, something dies.

A new day dawns, then it’s gone.

Time won't wait, life goes on.

CHORUS

Today is tomorrow when swift the river flows.

We will never know where all the time goes.

Dusk Darkness Dawn

Another day’s gone.

Say hello, say goodbye.

Don't ask why, no don't ask why.

Today is tomorrow when swift the river flows.

We will never know where all the time goes.

Time flies by, clouds roll in.

Winners lose and losers win.

Open windows, open doors.

Try to learn what this life’s for.

Knowledge falls like summer rain.

What you lose and what you gain.

Ask the questions, read the clues.

Some you win and some you lose.

CHORUS

BRIDGE

All that you have done and all that you will do

All that you become… all that you will choose

All of it is real; all of it is true

Everything you feel, all of this is you.  

The day begins and then it ends.

Virtue grins as evil sins.

Enemies turn into friends.

Find the good in what life sends.

Can we stay, must we go.

Can we learn, can we know

Why life starts, how it ends,

What it breaks, what it mends?

Sparks start fires, fires die out.

Sorrow weeps, anger shouts.

Today rolls on, yesterday is gone.

Time won't wait, life goes on.

OUTRO

Today is tomorrow when swift the river flows.

We will never know where all the time goes.

FIFTH PLACE:  Any Words Can Make A Song by Will Hoover, Henderson, Nevada

Any words can make a song

There is no right; there is no wrong

Short or long, weak or strong

Any words can make a song

Any tune can sound OK

If the rhythm makes you sway

And the notes don’t go astray

Any tune can sound OK

CHORUS

But when I want my song to say “I love you”

The words I choose to say it must be right

The tempo and the harmony must capture all you mean to me

The melody must flow out smooth and light

I will love you every day and every night

Any words can make a song

Words to hang a feeling on

Any fool can do it wrong

Any words can make a song

Any tune can sound OK

Any tune that you can play

But will the tune blow them away

Even if it sounds okay?

CHOURS

But when I want my song to say “I love you”

The words I choose to say it must be right

The tempo and the harmony must capture all you mean to me

The melody must flow out smooth and light

I will love you every day and every night

OUTRO

Any words can make a song

There is no right; there is no wrong

Short or long, weak or strong

Any words can make a song

Judge’s Comments: Cute and original.  I have offered a few suggestions in red. I don’t really understand the word “always” at the end of each chorus; it doesn’t really feel necessary or add anything to the story. Please continue to work on this lyric as you have a good start.