Letters from Nam

Slow Sad Southern folk, blues, chain gang, acoustic, realistic male harmonies, call-and-response, live performance

[Intro]

[Letter 1, October 15, 1969] 
[Verse 1: Male vocal, reflective]

"Hey Sug, sure is different here, 
 Ain’t nothin’ like home, that much is clear. 
 Heat’s got teeth, air’s thick as mud,  
Ain't seen a breeze, can’t shake this crud. 
 I’d give near ‘bout anythin’ for just a night,  
Of bein’ next to you, sitting by your side.

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
"I’ll see ya on the other side, if the creek don’t rise,  
See your face e’rytime that I close my eyes.
I’m holdin’ on strong, though the road is long,  
Thinking bout you keeps me keepin’ on."

[Letter 2, December 1, 1969] 
[Verse 2: Male vocal, reflective]

"Sweetheart, it’s rough, a lot of hard-luck days.  
Lost too many good men, more than I can say.  
Ain't sleepin' too well, God knows that I try. 
Gotta keep an eye open if I’ma survive.  
Stay thinkin’ of you, wishing I was back home.
Wakin up holdin you, instead of layin alone”

[Instrumental Break with guitar solo]

[Chorused “ooohs” fading out, resonant and hopeful] 
(ooooh, ooooh, ooooh)
(ooooh, ooooh, ooooh)

[Bridge: Male vocal, reflective]
"Tell Mama I’m fine, I’ll be back soon,  
Just a couple more months to get on through.  
Don’t worry one bit, it’ll be okay,  
I’ma get through this, day by day.”

[Powerful Instrumental Break]

[Letter 3, February 18, 1970] 
[Verse 3: Male doubled vocal, reflective] 
"Seems I’m runnin’ out of words to say,
Feels like forever since I went away.
Got a note from Mama, says y’all still pray,
Given me strength to stay strong each day.
Grateful for that more than you know, Can’t wait till I finally find my way home.

[Background harmony builds, somber and reflective]

[Chorus]
"I’ll see ya on the other side, if the creek don’t rise,  
See your face e’rytime that I close my eyes.  
I’m holdin’ on strong, though the road is long,  
Thinking bout you keeps me keepin’ on."

[Chorused “ooohs” fading out, resonant and hopeful] 
(ooooh, ooooh, ooooh)
(ooooh, ooooh, ooooh)

[Chorus with breaks]
"I’ll see ya on the other side, if the creek don’t rise,  
See your face e’rytime that I close my eyes.  
I’m holdin’ on strong, though the road is long,  
Thinking bout you keeps me keepin’ on."

[Fade out to end]

2622/7500

[Big drum package] [Light reverb] [Clean, raw mix] [Proper pronunciation] [Clear, folky vocal chain] [Vocal Cuts Through Mix] [Final Vocal Mix] [Final Master] [Big drum package] [Slow, steady rhythm] [Rich, soulful harmonies] [Intro] [Letter 1, October 15, 1969]  [Verse 1: Male vocal, reflective]  "Hey Sug, sure is different here,  Ain’t nothin’ like home, that much is clear.  Heat’s got teeth, air’s thick as mud,   Ain't seen a breeze, can’t shake this crud.  I’d give near ‘bout anythin’ for just a night,   Of bein’ next to you, sitting by your side. [Instrumental Break] [Chorus] "I’ll see ya on the other side, if the creek don’t rise, See your face e’rytime that I close my eyes. I’m holdin’ on strong, though the road is long, Thinking bout you keeps me keepin’ on." [Letter 2, December 1, 1969]  [Verse 2: Male vocal, reflective]  "Sweetheart, it’s rough, a lot of hard-luck days. Lost too many good men, more than I can say. Ain't sleepin' too well, God knows that I try. Gotta keep an eye open if I’ma survive. Stay thinkin’ of you, wishing I was back home. Wakin up holdin you, instead of layin alone” [Instrumental Break with guitar solo] [Chorus] "I’ll see ya on the other side, if the creek don’t rise, See your face e’rytime that I close my eyes. I’m holdin’ on strong, though the road is long, Thinking bout you keeps me keepin’ on." [Chorused “ooohs” fading out, resonant and hopeful]  (ooooh, ooooh, ooooh) (ooooh, ooooh, ooooh) [Bridge: Male vocal, reflective] "Tell Mama I’m fine, I’ll be back soon, Just a couple more months to get on through. Don’t worry one bit, it’ll be okay, I’ma get through this, day by day.” [Powerful Instrumental Break] [Letter 3, February 18, 1970]  [Verse 3: Male doubled vocal, reflective]  "Seems I’m runnin’ out of words to say, Feels like forever since I went away. Got a note from Mama, says y’all still pray, Given me strength to stay strong each day. Grateful for that more than you know, Can’t wait till I finally find my way home. [Background harmony builds, somber and reflective] [Chorus] "I’ll see ya on the other side, if the creek don’t rise, See your face e’rytime that I close my eyes. I’m holdin’ on strong, though the road is long, Thinking bout you keeps me keepin’ on." [Chorused “ooohs” fading out, resonant and hopeful]  (ooooh, ooooh, ooooh) (ooooh, ooooh, ooooh) [Chorus with breaks] "I’ll see ya on the other side, if the creek don’t rise, See your face e’rytime that I close my eyes. I’m holdin’ on strong, though the road is long, Thinking bout you keeps me keepin’ on." [Fade out to end]

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