(I Don't Want Your) Salvation

by @newukenewyork

Skirmish: Salvation (@deandra)

Liner Notes

FAWM 2026 / Song 12 Instrument: laminate spalted maple (pineapple shape) concert ukulele tuned low GCEA

2/11 Update with Melody and demo (lyrics are from a skirmish):

I know this is a common self-criticism among songwriters (and OF songwriters) but I'm in one of those ruts where I feel like all my songs sound the same and I'm not coming up with anything "interesting." So I really pushed myself to do something different melodically and rhythmically here. I think I changed time signature from verse to chorus, too? The original draft of lyrics only got tweaked a little to fit into what happened when I picked up my uke. It was nice to do something that felt a little "off the beaten track" for me, but I want to get weirder with it. I want to get outside more.

-----original notes: Good morning! I'm such a brat that when I saw the perfectly reasonable "salvation" writing prompt, "I don't want your salvation" is the first thing that popped into my head. I need a shower (and, arguably, salvation from myself!), so let's see how fast I can write lyrics (update: the answer was 30 minutes; I can revise later), and then I'll see if music occurs to me eventually. ;)

Just to reiterate, this is not commentary on the prompt. Salvation is a fine concept to ponder and I could write about it in a positive direction, too. My brain is just being a brat today.

@ukulele #singersongwriter #personwithukulele #girlwithukulele #acousticonetake #fuc #uke #acoustic #americanasati

Lyrics

I'm shallow enough to want shiny But I know I need a breath And I'll take bruised grass any day If that's what we've got left

Salve Maria, hold my beer Somebody's getting preachy over here

I don't want your salvation I don't want your pocket words What I want's the brush of sky here on my cheek I don't want your salvation I don't want your liquid looks I don't think they mean the thing you think they mean to me

Come on in, the water's wine It's gonna make you sore If heaven comes down in a wave While you stand on the shore

Hey conductor, hold the door We've dropped the plot on the platform floor

I don't want your salvation I don't want your pocket words What I want's to walk my heart from here to town I don't want your salvation I don't want your liquid looks Every penny that I'm holding, I will put it down

Pick up our pieces Drink from the hose Hold onto our babies Tell them they're gold Ask to be melted Try to be good Salt for the flavor Blessing the food

I don't want your salvation I don't want your pocket words What I want's to talk about what's working and what hurts I don't want your salvation I don't want your liquid looks What I want's the spade someone's half dug into the dirt

I don't want your salvation

Comments

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Excellent, I agree with laurenoxford, the switch is awesome! Your vocals are great and the uke is strong. Love the abrubt ending!

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Thank you very much for letting me know your thoughts! I considered two very different ways to do that ending, so I’m glad the one that I picked works for you.

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i know you said you really pushed yourself with this and are a little unsure about it, but i can’t think of any other way to sing this song! the switch from the very “stuck in the motions” 3/4 to the faster, more insistent 4/4 for the choruses makes total sense! the choruses are full of resolve with those powerful “i” statements, and changing the music to match that gives this whole song momentum and a “push towards” energy that it’s… kind of all about? i think what you did here is brilliant!

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Thank you for revisiting and commenting so supportively, Lauren. I appreciate your ear — and you!

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For those lyrical commenters interested, "Salvation" now has an updated demo with trial melody and chords! @laurenoxford @mishykatz @robinleaf @thwingbill @mccannrs @stacyswinford @prsongsmith @deandra @leslie333 @jwhanberry Thank you for being the "first responders" encouraging me to finish it!

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i cannot believe you wrote these lyrics in 30 minutes. 🤯 there are so many stunning lines here. “come on in, the water’s wine” made me laugh, “the brush of sky here on my cheek” is so delicate and lovely, “ask to be melted, try to be good, salt for the flavor, blessing the food” has such an insistent build to it, and of course the very last line, “what i want’s the spade someone’s half dug into the dirt” is the call to action, the “let’s actually DO something real guys." i’m so glad you went this direction with the skirmish prompt. if this makes you a brat, count me in, sis 😜

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I will admit I was hoping I wouldn’t be the only one tickled by “come on in, the water’s wine.” I appreciate you calling out lyrics that work for you because I admire you so much as a songwriter, and that you absolutely nailed the meaning of the spade at the end makes me very happy. 🥰

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Bruised grass, pocket words, liquid looks...

I love these images. And I love how snarky the song is, too. My take on that prompt to write about how love from a particular person can be like salvation. I think yours is more fun.

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Thanks for being here for the snark!

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Great bratty lyric. "We've dropped the plot on the platform floor" is a striking visual to me. Good stuff.

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Thank you much! As a daily subway user it worked well for me. 🙂

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Ha! Love the Salve Maria hold my beer, someone’s getting preachy over here line! Great lyrics overall - want to hear music with it!

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Thanks! I definitely will try to get some music up for this!

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Thank you for being part of the skirmish! So many great lines in the song, some of my favorites: "Hold onto babies Tell them they're gold Ask to be melted Try to be good Salt for the flavor Blessing the food" Great work!

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Thanks for the prompt and the kind comment. I like it when skirmishes surprise me!

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Oh, wow -- such great turns of phrase here! "Pocket words" "Liquid looks" "ask to be melted" "Come on in, the water's wine" Amazing work! Well done.

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Many thanks for reading these lyrics and letting me know what you connected with. Thank you! :)

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oooh I love this! I went dark with my song. Sometimes you just have to go where the song takes you. Hold my beer - someones getting preachy over here. HA! Brilliant line.

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I agree, you have to! :) Thank you!

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Hey, nothing wrong with questioning the concept of salvation, I had a similar take for mine. I love the chorus here, and you've got some great imagery. I've never seen anyone use the term "liquid looks" before but I know exactly what that is, lol. Nice skirmish!

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I do often feel a prompt is there to be turned on its head! Thanks for reading and commenting!

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Originally from UK?

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No, why?

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I was too late for this prompt. Your take reminds me why. It might have gotten disgustingly preachy. Great lyrics. straight from the gut.

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I have plenty of too-preachy songs, so I think I was talking to myself as much as anyone else. ;)

Thank you!

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Wow, 30 minutes? Holy Moly! I love these, Loved this line the first time and even more the second with the one following And loved your story, I look forward to hearing the music if it happens! Also, good to see you!!!

  • I don't want your liquid looks Every penny that I'm holding, I will put it down
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Thanks for your friendly and encouraging comment. It was a lovely one to have as my first one on this skirmish write! :)

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