FAWM: "Burn Some Sage and Grow Some Standards"

Burn Some Sage and Grow Some Standards

1 week ago by @alyxanderjames

Burn Some Sage and Grow Some Standards

alyxanderjames

00:00

Liner Notes

So every year I try to do at least one #OracleChallenge. This year's deck that @writeandwrong brought was hilarious. This was my card:

As someone who was extremely fortunate to not really have any romantic exes, I wasn't quite sure where to go with this at first. But I had a pretty traumatic friend breakup last year, and so I kind of channeled that for this.

So here's a little folk punk for your morning, with space heater for ambiance. It deserves a louder/angrier take, but it is 7:30am and I am tired lol. Guitar is tuned DADAAD.

#Folk #FolkPunk #SingerSongwriter #AcousticOneTake #PersonWithGuitar #Silly

Lyrics

Babe, I know it doesn't feel great You thought they were the one; they turned away But please put down the phone and think this through Pull yourself together—they're bad for you

Your ancestors did not survive plagues For you to text your ex And neither did you Yeah, neither did you

Burn some sage and grow some standards Burn some sage and grow some standards Burn some sage and grow some standards Burn some sage and grow some standards

Babe, I know you're hoping things have changed But I gotta say, you sound a bit deranged Now is not the time to act a fool Pull yourself together—they're bad for you

Your ancestors did not survive plagues For you to text your ex And neither did you Yeah, neither did you

Burn some sage and grow some standards Burn some sage and grow some standards Burn some sage and grow some standards Burn some sage and grow some standards

Comments

@tageule 4d

This is amazing! I can totally imagine a louder, punkier version - the guitar already has that energy, just dialled down a bit. But I really like your soft voice as well. I'm not great at taking good advice to heart, but I might if it's delivered like this. Sarcasm and gentleness mixed just right.

@judypie 1w

lol what an incredible card 😁 This is full of truth bombs and sage advice. Love the sing along refrain too, wonderful work👏 👏

@moonraccoon 1w

Love it. I wholeheartedly believe that a song should only repeat lyrics if they matter that much, and yep, your repetitive "Burn some sage and grow some standards" absolutely deserves the repetition you crafted for them (and, I'd argue, they also deserve an enthusiastic audience singalong). The tenderness of your voice and simplicity of your guitar underscore a romantic life's need for standards.

@rocketgrrrl 1w

This is a very sweet song. Such a gentle way to give some advice for someone else or perhaps yourself. Lyrically you really brought the story together that first verse. And I’m glad you chose the line about Sage and standards for your hook. I think it was the best part of your reading.

@writeandwrong 1w

Ha! Love how this came out! Very fitting in today's world! Love the write and performance, matter-of-factly poignant, spot on! Thanks so much for participating in the challenge! Great work! 😄

@nwhosings 1w

Heehee, so fun! Your trademark gentleness, but also tongue in cheek humour and sarcasm?! I'm hooked! The punchy guitar is a great through-line and that line, "Your ancestors did not survive plagues, so your could text your ex" Bahahaha! Love it!

@dkord 1w

Great way to interpret the prompt, love the vibe! Well done!

@coolparadisoMod 1w

That is a cool prompt - and you've done a great job, using that line as the main chorus lone was inspired. You've conjured a good song from not much

@rowleyjohnuk 1w

love the title, great song with the space ambience!

@bethdesombre 1w

How could I not listen to a song with that title -- love that phrase and your use of it. What a useful pep talk (to yourself or someone else). Agree that "and neither did you" is a genius move.

@skylermf 1w

I love the line “burn some sage and grow some standards” as a hook and the addition of “neither did you” to the text of the card. Great comfy vibe with this one!

@sapient 1w

I love the idea of "quiet punk" - it sounds like one of those genres that could only come from FAWM 😀 It's a very fine moving-on song. Or at least a call to shift yer ass and move on ;)

@ayeahmur 1w

Yeah, the Oracle challenge never fails to deliver. This one was particularly sassy, but I love how you've turned it around into something a bit more heartfelt. Really like the "Your ancestors..." stanza reminding us that our generation has indeed been through some serious stuff. Which is an excellent thing to be reminded of. Lovely song.