A Sow's Ear

UncleTupeloFan

Genre: Folk (contemporary)

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Description

A song I wrote about an obituary writer for the newspaper, suddenly faced with writing his own.

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Lyrics

A crooked desk in the corner
The only one without a phone
Sour milk in bitter coffee
I start another day alone

I write tales that are forgiving
Once you’ve given up the ghost
I miss the land of the living
But it’s a better job than most

Chorus
Will I paint a picture with my verse,
Tell the world your life was more than it appears?
Another column that’s a silk purse
About a life that was just a sow’s ear.

Most people live a contradiction
Grieving sons, beloved wives
And I can’t show you fact from fiction
Because neither one survives

But today, you’ll see my best work
Of dreams stolen in their prime
About a man who lost his life today
For the very last time

CHORUS

The doctor said that if I fight it
Maybe turn six months into a year
Sell my house to buy the treatment
Watch my whole life disappear

So I send my obit to the print room
Sharper than a two-edged sword
And I send my body through the window
The only death I can afford.

CHORUS

Song Stats

Hits: 527
Comments: 15
Fans: 12
Plays: 39
Downloads: 38
Votes: 5
Uploaded: Apr 02, 2009 - 10:41:14 AM
Last Updated: Apr 02, 2009 - 10:41:14 AM Last Played: Nov 09, 2009 - 11:30:53 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Comments

blindsidedpoets	blindsidedpoets said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	A Sow's Ear O. M. G. This is an absolutely fantastic song! I love it! The guitar work is wonderful, awesome lyrics, great vocals! Thank you for this! Check out my latest song called Sorry (Bracelet of Hope Version)

Char	Char said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	Thanks to BSP, ... I owe you one. Thoughtful lyrics delivered easily and sweetly. Wow! That is really something worthwhile. Thank you very much. Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)

PaddyNavinCaryatid	PaddyNavinCaryatid said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	Back.. .. good to see you back with more awesome and haunting tunes! Love this! Check out my latest song called The Last Goodbye (New Version)

lavalamp	lavalamp said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	Whoa Very nice piece of songwriting. Gritty, but sweet voice. In the same vein as Springsteen or Pete Sieger. Enjoyed this. Excellent lyrics. WOW The last verse is so incredibly deep and sad. Which I love. Dave btw, thanks Char for sending me here. Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

magnatone	magnatone said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	Sow's Ear terrific guitar work, i LOVE your voice - i see you're a returning MJ'er - welcome back!! Check out my latest song called Symphonic Smackdown

Dadai.2	Dadai.2 said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	really good song UTFan... Your light, well-done finger-picking guitar is just right to allow your solid vocal to shine and tell the story. Classic folk sound. I really like this. Jack Check out my latest song called The Riverside (with Ed sloparts sitting in)

Day-Dreamer	Day-Dreamer said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	Awesome!!!!!!! fantastice as usual. Dee1962z Check out my latest song called IT'S OVER (V2)

Feter	Feter said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	A Sow's Ear So glad to hear a new song from you ..its been awhile ..the vocal is deep as the lyrics ...loved the harp sound at the back ...kudos .. thnx alot for sharin !!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

Godchaser	Godchaser said 238 days ago (April 2nd, 2009)
	Pretty in Pink Sweet guitar,harmonica and your vocal and lyrical work are a pleasure.Wilco comes to mind.Thanks for sharing this little gem. Check out my latest song called As i Walk

UncleTupeloFan	UncleTupeloFan said 237 days ago (April 3rd, 2009)
	Thanks! for all your generous comments, and thanks for listening. Peace, Paul Check out my latest song called A Sow's Ear

guygrooves	guygrooves said 237 days ago (April 3rd, 2009)
	Loved it... D/L'd it.... Thank you!! Peace Guy Check out my latest song called Last Day Here

jgurner	jgurner said 236 days ago (April 4th, 2009)
	Wonderful Such a great concept and so beautifully done. It paints a very vivid and sad picture and does so well. The somber, low key tone of your vocals fit the lyrics so well. It's all very well done. Sounds like you've written an obit or two yourself. Not the most fun job in the world. Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

Bob6stringer	Bob6stringer said 235 days ago (April 5th, 2009)
	I hope this is fiction... You did indeed paint a picture with your verse. Inspires deep empathy. Man I hope this is fiction. Unfortunately, it's not for too many people out there. Your voice and guitar sound great. Check out my latest song called Yours and Mine

UncleTupeloFan

UncleTupeloFan said 233 days ago (April 7th, 2009)

thanks...
guy, jg, bob, for the nice comments!

Actually, I have never written an obit and Bob, it is purely fiction. A lot of people ask me if I am a sad person at heart and I truly am not -- I think writing sad songs is a way for me to balance my positive attitude. I like to mine the deep places and search the shadows for my material... thanks for listening!

Peace,
Paul

Check out my latest song called A Sow's Ear

Bob6stringer

Bob6stringer said 17 days ago (November 9th, 2009)

Graveyard shift...
At long last, hello again, Paul! I'm back to add another comment to this great tune. The depth and maturity of the lyrics runs deep into John Prine country for me. (Look-up his tune "Safety Joe" for example, a slightly more recent than "classic" album.) Your lyrics, disciplined fingerstyle and vocal delivery are in unity (or is that trinity?!) and the harp is right where it belongs.

I was good friends with an obit writer in my college years in Syracuse. Strange gig. Especially because he worked the graveyard shift - pun intended.

Check out my latest song called Yours and Mine

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