All Empires Crumble
by @paul_pedersen · @lyricslinger
Liner Notes
Each FAWM, I've been privileged to team up with Simon Wright to create a song or two. This song keeps the honoured tradition going.
While the lyrics suggest older times, I feel the thrust of the song reflects current events. See what you think.
Lyrics
All empire crumble All empires fall Till they're just tourist attractions One more curtain call
All Caesars buried All dead and gone Now just names on faded pages Their time is done
Their shiny citadels sparkled in their time Gold flowed in, some of it minted through state crime Corruption was the cancer that poisoned their blood No barricades or armies could quell the coming flood
Instrumental
All empires crumble All empires fall The meters gained in bloody fights Lost as maps redrawn
All Caesars interred All dust and bones The glitter in which they cloaked themselves Gone like their thrones
New shiny citadels will rise towards the sky New wannabe small gods will follow those who die
Comments
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Nice one guys. Poignant lyrics and melody that suits a melancholy and optimistic view of what is currently happening . Like many Canadians I hope you guys can weather this storm!
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Thanks for your kind words, Paul. As another Paul and another Ontario style Canuck in North Bay, I'm carefully watching the foolish storm that has beset us.
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Oh cool!!!! The mix is so nice, I love hearing those tom drums being put in their rightful place. The music reflects the lyrics so very well, too, so much to like about this!
Thanks Abby. Since the song was about the rise and fall of empires, I wanted a drum track that was march-like but not obviously so. I'm very happy with the lyrics that Simon provided and the music that came to me.
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Thanks Abby, glad you like it!
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Great collaboration, guys. Very thought-provoking lyrics--and I love the music/vocals, as always! ❤️
Thanks very much, Jerry. I enjoyed teaming up with Simon on this one.
And, knowing the direction of your Facebook posts, you might also like this one: https://fawm.org/songs/322282#c394416
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Wow, a lot of clever metaphors here, fallen empires as tourist attractions and dust and bones as glitter. Also really like the sound of that dulcimer (?)
Working at the speed of FAWM, I don't remember every musical detail that went into the track. The basic bones of it are double tracked acoustic guitar and double bass. In places there was a trumpet and French horns. I think in one section there were quiet countermelodies by clarinet and oboe. The one thing that was not there was a dulcimer.
Haha, I think it was just the upper strings of the guitar I heard
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there are two songs here. one is historical, the other contemporary, i dont know if the things that toppled past empires are the same that will topple those of today. i think contrasting them would be more interesting than suggesting similarities. what i like most in the song is the observation that all things must pass, and that yesterdays glitter and gold is todays bones and dust
Hey Bill! Thanks for digging into the crumbled empires with us.
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Fantastic. Great pairing of lyrics and music and absolutely love how you sing on it Paul. And yes very much reflecting current times unfortunately.
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Kate. I loved Simon's lyrics and I guess it shows.
Loving this more with each listen, Paul. Thanks again for bringing one of my lyrics to life
I'm so glad that you like it, Simon. Thanks for entrusting it to me.
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Wish I could blast this on the streets of DC. Damn good song, gentlemen. Love the instrumental in the middle; gives us a breathing space.
Thanks for your enthusiasm, Griff. I get a much more direct in a song I hope to have ready for tomorrow. It's called Bullshit in a Blue Suit.
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Love the key change at the cancer line. And horns! This whole song is beautiful. Such soulful vocals and melody, with illustrative and poignant lyrics. New shiny citadels will rise towards the sky is so cool.