The Lumps We Took

⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛—∞—⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛ “The Lumps We Took”, An Original Work © 2026, All Rights Reserved Clifford E. Sarke/Azalea Parke Music 'Clifford E. Sarke'/@cliffordesarke ————————∞——— 💝at bottom See "CSN&Y 1" Playlist for this and other pieces in the series. https://suno.com/playlist/b533495a-3945-4b80-9001-da97bc24b20e ————————∞———————— This was my story—18 years an Army Brat. It was adventuresome. It was Hell-on-Earth. It turned me into an enigma even my own wife could never really comprehend. Now I’m old and gray. But I see YOU. My Brothers and Sisters, the 'Brats' of today (Sorry, I hated the term, too). I know it’s not any easier now. Whenever I see a Unit lining up to deploy, I still feel that exact same knife twist in the gut—only it’s not my Dad anymore, not my Mom. But I remember the knife. When you feel that blade turn, please... talk to someone. Don’t go it alone. 💝at bottom I see you – this is your song. [Style: Acoustic guitars driving a steady, highway rhythm, building into rich, four-part vocal harmonies on the choruses] [⸿ Intro | 12-string guitar strumming and cello on melody] Do-do-do-do-da— Do-da-do-do— [ad lib] [⸿ Verse 1 | The Pastoral Present → Establishes a peaceful, domestic contrast (Indiana, retirement)] Green pastures in Indiana, cuckoo clock on the kitchen wall; Eight-to-five― weekends free, no "Greens" in the hall; The youngunz grew up there, 'neath a steady sun, They only knew the quiet years, when the fear, 'n' hard battles was dun. (Fear 'n' battles dun.....) [⸿ Verse 2 The Haunted Past → Escalates tension; plunges into Cold War paranoia and Vietnam anxiety] But I remember Quarters, and the cold West German rain; I 'member autumn sixty-two, the awful quiet 'n' pain. Two years of waiting for a letter from 'Nam, praying tha phone doughn' ring; While the sirens wailed across the Zone, and the news kept threatening. [⸿ Chorus (The CSN&Y Harmonized Hook) | The Cognitive Frame → Releases tension through harmonic philosophy (Reframing trauma as "Opportunity")] I don't think I had'ny better picture of reality We just looked at the world through a different history No wiser than the rest, Juss' born inta tha wind....... An' I had the opportunity―| Yeah! Go 'head!! Call it "Opportunity" To take a few more 'lumps' from life― Than they did. (A few more 'Lumps'........) [⸿ Instrumental Interlude |12-string guitar strumming and Cello on a deeply melancholy melody] [⸿ Verse 3 | The Transition → Tracks the physical and cultural rebellion/healing post-service] With my hair grown long and freaky, Just trying to find some space; To shake the dust of the military, Off my teenage face. Flew 'cross the ocean, Scattered out from coast to coast. Livin' with the memories; 'N' the things that shaped us most. (Things that shaped us most.....) [⸿ Bridge | The Generational Pivot → Reaches emotional apex; acknowledges the passing of the guard] Now the parents 're gone, (Rest in Peace........) The front line'z cleared away..... (Commin' a New Day........) And the younger bunch don' understand― The price we had to pay. But, there's no room fer bitterness here, Juss' the wisdom in the scars; Of the older “Brats” who stood the watch, 'Neath the Cold War stars............ (Cold War starz.........) Do-do-do-do-da— Do-da-do-do— [ad lib] [⸿ Chorus | Reinforced Truth → Returns to the core thesis with deeper, earned weight] I don't think I had'ny better picture of reality. We just looked at the world through a different history. No wiser than the rest, Juss' born inta tha wind....... (Born inta th'wind...........) An' I had the opportunity―| Yeah! Go 'head!! Call it "Opportunity" To take a few more 'lumps' from life than they did. (A few more 'Lumps'........) [⸿ Outro | The Brotherhood Fade → Collapses into an intimate, spoken/whispered mutual recognition] Just a few more lumps... (I see ya, brother.) Yeah, I get it now. (I get it now.....) Do-do-do-do-da— Do-da-do-do— [ad lib] I see ya, Brother... (I see ya, Brother...) (I get it now.....) Do-do-do-do-da— Do-da-do-do— [ad lib] [⸿ Finale | 12-string guitar strumming and cello on melody] [Vocalizing ad libitum with a fading vocal harmony] [All Fade] [⸿ END | Stop] ⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛—∞—⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛—⸛ ©2026, All Rights Reserved, Clifford E. Sarke/Azalea Parke Music for an original work. You are free to use this audio/video and its sound for non-commercial purposes such as public worship services, educational purposes, personal enjoyment and home entertainment. Attribution to the creator of the Original Work (Clifford E. Sarke/Azalea Parke Music) is appreciated but not required. Monetization, commercial use, and distribution of this audio/video or its sound as sound waves, digital files, or notation in any form are not permitted without explicit written permission from the creator (Clifford E. Sarke/Azalea Parke Music). All rights for personal use, performance, and monetization of this Original Work, are retained by Clifford E. Sarke/Azalea Parke Music. For permissions, licensing, or further inquiries, please contact us at: [email protected]. 💝You are warmly invited to share your comments or questions to "CES" (that's me), [email protected] (I will NEVER dishonour your trust by violating your privacy!) Let me know you are a fellow songwriter/listener on Suno. 🙏(Blessings and Prayers)🖖(LLAP) ————————∞———————— {The Lumps We Took | ℞ 069-032-310}