FAWM: "Bridges"

Bridges

Skirmish: Bridge(s) or Bridging (@kahlo2013)

Liner Notes

I just dunno about this one. But it adds to my count so there! 😀 Took me 1-1/2 hours...a skirmish and a half! And I messed up a lot so sue me!

#folk #country #americana

Lyrics

Bridges February 07, 2026 https://johnstaplesmusic.com/FAWM2026/JohnStaples-Bridge.mp3

across the great Ohio River it is just a short drive to escape the busy city start to feel alive

where the pavement fades to grass and children play outside no one stacked in gray apartments just rolling countryside

I feel the life returning as I cross the bridge and see a life worth living just beyond that ridge

a bridge to fulfillment a bridge to happiness a place where we can live and play a place where we can rest

across the great divide separating us today they are wrong we are right my way or the highway

it seems that we could use a bridge to find some common ground if we don't resolve our problems we may not always be around

we would feel the life returning if that bridge we crossed helped achieve a life worth living no longer lonely, sad or lost

a bridge to fulfillment a bridge to happiness a world where we can live and play a world where we can rest

where to start? vote your heart toss the trash do your part organize use your mind help a neighbor just be kind

a bridge to fulfillment a bridge to happiness a world where we can live and play a world where we can rest

Comments

@kpollock 1w

Amazing that you did this that fast! I adore your timing on the vocals. The lyrics definitely appeal too. I'm a real old hippy mostly.. So yeah, let's be kind! Well done man, well done.

@coolparadisoMod 1w

My lawyers have been informed! It does flow very well, a real comfortable feel but "if we don't resolve our problems we may not always be around" theres the rub!

@johnstaples 1w

Lawyers?

@coolparadisoMod 1w

Ha ha I’m one of those odd people who reads your liner notes, you said “ And I messed up a lot so sue me!” Ha ha

@johnstaples 1w

I had already forgot what I wrote! Thanks for the humor!

@aflinner 1w

Nice job John, this was worth writing, and certainly worth sharing. With all the bridge and other imagery, I take it that you too may be in the Pittsburgh area? :-) Positive tune, good work!

@johnstaples 1w

I'm from everywhere, man, I'm from everywhere! :)

Actually I'm originally from Louisville and that bridge is across the Ohio River heading north into Indiana. Never been to Pittsburgh but I was rootin' for them Steelers. Oh well, maybe next year?

@grayland 1w

Awesome!!! I've crossed that bridge so many times!! Beautiful finger picked guitar and vocals!! The lyrics use that bridge metaphor so well. Amazing skirmish and a half!! It takes me days to write a decent song and you just created a wonderful, deep ballad in such a short time its astonishing!! I love all the references to home and at the same time, references to the current situation we all find ourselves in. Brilliant!!

@quork 1w

Who is this deep voiced guy singing new American classics?

@the_bachelor 1w

Oh man…….this song has a “Sunday Morning Coming Down” feel…… very descriptive and relatable…… I really like this one

@froggymagee 1w

Beautiful guitar picking, and your voice, oh gosh! Loving all of your tunes so far! The fact that you did this in just 1 hr and a half is fantastic in its own right, sounds like it was very well crafted!

@jacobeverettwallace 1w

This feels like it belongs in a movie soundtrack. Such vivid and nostalgic imagery! I like it a lot, John!

@musicsongwriter 1w

You don't know about this one? I believe, I do. It's gorgeous. Such a poignant song, singing and playing. Very visual. Brilliant story telling. I didn't want to close my eyes. They were wide open. Loving your singing and playing. It's definitely a keeper.

@ruby 1w

This one took me ages to, I just uploaded. I love this. The finger picking and vocal feel like the journey over the bridge. Perhaps the perspective is clearer from over the bridge? Idk. Top drawer though, beautiful piece of work.

@jongoldie 1w

Love your lyrics. Common theme but worth repeating again and again and again. Cheers

@lofiwaves 1w

A little Johnny Cash in that vocal? Lovely guitar and balance in the production.

@seemanski 1w

Great take on the challenge. This sounds great, despite what you say. Love you lyrics they feel so accomplished for something done in such a short space of time.

@mikeb 1w

A great interpretation of 'bridge' - the physical and the metaphysical all in one. And your bridge brings it all back what is happening around us now.

@hmstreetteam 1w

Nice way to illustrate that distances are not so great after all. There is something deep and philosophical there, I think.

@nwhosings 1w

Really enjoyed the pairing of metaphorical bridges with one grounded in physical space. Thelonging for rest is echoed through the guitar, very gentle chord progressions with lovely melodic touches.

@strumandstress 1w

Your hashtags "Folk/country/americana" sum up this song perfectly. Lovely gentle playing and universal sentiments. It was worth taking the extra half hour to write this.