Day 10
YOU COME TO A FORK IN THE ROAD – TAKE IT!
Strength and vulnerability. Interesting bedfellows.
Definitely makes for interesting poetry and late night dorm-room philosophical fodder.
Self realization can be a life-changing moment. It can be the trigger that launches the next phase of your life. And when you’re ready to come clean with (and forgive) yourself, it’s much easier to open yourself up to meaningful relationships.
Yes, life can be incredibly stingy with time. Still we often fritter it away.
And it can take a lot of time to realize that there actually can be strength in vulnerability.
And with time being as limited as it is, it’s good to learn that while it can still count.
THE MUSIC (SONG 10) – “FORK OF MY LIFE”
“I claim no misapprehensions of what I am.“
Written by Andrew Roman and Robert Steel
Produced by Elm Treason
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Realm Tones Music
The final song (or better yet, the final voice) of our journey takes us to a proverbial fork in the road….. or rather, a fork in our lives. Yes, this specific leg of the trip may be at its end, but there’s a whole lot of “next” waiting ahead. “Here we are at the fork now. Care to come along?” That’s what we’re asking:
“FORK OF MY LIFE”
(Listen now. Take it!)
LYRICS
Nod to the day like a pen takes to a page when it’s time to write.
Sight with sound, foot tastes the ground where how meets why.
Down and off from fragments of cross where the outraged thrive,
I’ve saved a space for you here at the fork of my life.
And time don’t care, the little it spares is just a flash, a ripple.
This slice right here is fine. It’s fine.
I claim no misapprehensions of what I am –
A life lived in spirals and jungles by my own hands.
But these hands are mine, blemished and fine, and now I’m untied.
And now I’ve got this hand here that’s free at the fork of my life.
And time is cold, what little it doles is just a flash, a ripple.
This piece right here is fine.
Morning’s hand fell on me. Felt like it went on endlessly. Felt like it went on just for me.
On and on and on until I was gone to the fork of my life facing me… facing me.
There at my feet, the place it should be, like shaken rain,
fallow and foul, face to the ground lays all the blame.
I see it now, can’t tell you how, but I think I’m knowin’ why.
So, I’m just asking clear, would you like to be here at the fork of my life.
And time don’t care, the little it spares is just a flash, a ripple.
This slice right here is fine. It’s fine.
EXTRA EXTRA BONUS CONTENT
Bobby goes in deeper about his approach to this song.
Andy delves into the song’s inspiration and Bobby’s contributions.
Copyright 2021 Realm Tones Music, LLC
Bravo!!!!
What a perfect song to end this journey!
Melody Melody Melody!!
What a great melody!!
Got a lump in my throat.
The woodwinds!Oh so good!
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Mark, you have given us so much hope, so much enthusiasm for the future. Your support has been beyond anything we could have expected. You are precisely the kind of music lover we had hoped to find out there in the blur that makes up the universe… This song, FORK OF MY LIFE, is one of those tunes that FINDS YOU…and you either allow it to guide you, or you blow your chance at writing a potentially good song.. I (Andy) chose NOt to ignore it…and I chose to make it the best it could be by handing it over to my bandmate to see what he would bring to it…. This one runs deep, and the melody is even beyond my comprehension. It’s one we’re proud of. Hope you enjoyed all the bonus material, too. Thank you, brother.
A beautiful way to end 10 glorious days. Thank you thank you thank you!
We THANK YOU for taking this ride with us, Ruth. We are glad you took the time to check out our new music. This last tune is, in fact, a fork in the band’s life as well.. Where do we go? How will the album be received? All of that… It has been beautiful for us to have you on the journey! GRATITUDE, Ruth! In a BIG WAY.
A “fairy tale, dancing with the mad hatter, love story” ,kinda vibe, rushing you. A beautiful love song, and the ever dreaded topic…time. it really throws your emotions all over the place. This song just resonates. Maybe that’s why I’m leaving such a smashing review. But, I’ve already said everything I need to say to and about you, to you. Wha.. ok, seriously, I get why we called this a journey, and, number 10, they ain’t call you that for no reason..I love this song. It is perfect in its imperfections. and, Andy, your voice, and , Bobby with the mandolin and drums, everything base. Such creative madness. Loud love on a job well done. You boys are the man!! I’m gonna miss being a critic tho, in central Missouri, reporting mostly bullshit, ya girl, Sonya. ✌❤🤘
I (Andy) had a feeling that this one would touch you. Rock and roll is in our souls, it’s true. It’s what moves us. It’s what sets the fire underneath our collective gluteus muscles. But, perhaps just as relevant – just as powerful – is the HONESTY we find in the music that moves us. There are so many songs out there that directly infuse themselves into us (for the want of a better phrase) because the honesty just oozes from it and calls to us, reaches out to us. It’s not really quantifiable, but you just KNOW IT when you hear it…. I think I was trying to find that in myself. Bobby certainly did it with with Firefly in trying to direct the pure sentiment he found in writing a lullabye for his child into music that would connect universally. We always try to do that in our songs, of course (because people can detect when you’re being phony), but FORK OF MY LIFE was my “hard look, honest assessment” moment…and much like I did in helping to bring out Bobby’s essence in Firefly, he did the same for this song. The poetry IS me….but so is Bobby’s mandolin line….. The ripples in my voice are ME.. but so is the drum part Bobby dropped in….. It’s ELM TREASON. And the band is bigger than Bobby or myself individually…. I say that not in a conceited way, but as testament to what happens when those guys (Andy and Bobby of Elm Treason) get together……
We have LOVED your comments, Sonya. Beyond our ability to express. Thank you for taking this ride with us. It would not have been the same without you.
Absolutely Beautiful Song!
This new album is hitting on all the feelings! Bravo!!
And Bobby is so right about strength and vulnerability, a true dichotomy! It takes such strength of character to open up one’s self to another, to be so vulnerable that the smallest thing could feel like a mortal wound.
That is just what we were hoping to hear, Nancy. Our thought, our thinking, our HOPE was that you would be able to connect with the record – even if not with all the tracks, but with enough that would give the record meaning for you. THANK YOU most sincerely!
Just keeps getting better with each day, Shanti Bhais’
Hi Michael! Thank you for the VERY encouraging words. CANNOT thank you enough for th positive feedback on the work we’re doing. You make our day.
Man that almost is prophetic. Seems a lot of people come to that fork sooner or later but I feel the time is ripe at this very moment to be there with you. Bobby I liked how you explained Andy’s chords, I have a friend that comes up with these unusual but tantalising voicings. Take full marks for that guys. It has 🐝 n a buzz tagging along the road with you and enjoyed the ride. Thank you again.
You can’t imagine how wonderful it feels when a song connects with someone like that. Kerry, thank you. We really really enjoyed having you along for this ride. We thank you for investing a little bit of each day to check out the music. It means more to us than we can say.
You guys are the best of the best, love this track anx lyrics are so good.
Definitely from the “digging deep” file. The music, of course, came first before the words, but various forms of some of these lyrics ewere existing in fragments on random sheets of paper in the studio. Not a lot. Just a line here and there.. but when the inspiration arose for this song, the words pummeled me (Andy) in one spirited sweep. Thank you for taking the journey with us. Truly! It has been wonderful to have you along.
Wow! What a wonderful way to end an album… It’s hard for me to grasp that I have never heard this before; a “new” song per se. This triggers memories of strolling down sunny Goodge street a lifetime ago. Well done!!!!
With that said, this musical journey that you have brought us through has been amazing! I can not thank you enough for this album pre-release adventure! I truly appreciate the Elm Treason vibe. It’s nice to know that there are folks out there keeping the classic groove alive! God, I hope your able to play live soon. I crave a live Elm Treason show!! Much love, Joe
The reason why this comment is so important to us, Joe, is because what you’ve said is our way of trying to encapsulate what we do. We want our music to sound like people SHOULD already know it – like an old friend – but to be fresh enough where it doesn’t bore someone or sound like a ripoff. It’s been our genuine pleasure to have you along through our new album. 🙂 Thank you for investing your time and energy in our music.
Omg… could you get any better…..I’m at a fork in the
Road myself. Looking forward to what can be ….
Aww, thank you, Karen. This song, we felt, would resonate with a LOT of people, because there is just no telling WHEN we will reach those forks in our lives. We are so grateful to you for taking this journey with us, Karen.
Glad to be here at the Fork in your Life Andy…
My (Andy’s) honor to have you hear. It’s all ahead of us..
It’s sad to come to the end of this journey, but the path taken has been an exciting one. This was the perfect song for the end. Felt like a music box spinning round and round. A beautiful song to dance to. So lovely played and written. Thank you guys. I look forward to your next journey. Astounding! Marvelously done my friends. Congratulations!! May Peace be with you always.
Beautiful. The dissonance is beautifu
Wow. WONDERFUL of you to say, Tom. Thank you so much. We are humbled and honored, man. Truly. Very personal, indeed…but we think relatable. Can’t thank you enough for taking this journey. 🙂
Very right on!! May it be a guide for others. What a beautiful journey, this album preview. Your writing is skilled, thoughtful and kind. Talented with your instruments. Tools of your chosen trade. Thank you so much for including me. Till we meet again. Blessings and Peace y’all
The pleasure has been all ours having you on this journey. 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to check out our new music. Racine, you have been a genuine joy!
Thank you Elm Treason for the last 10 days of music and the behind the scenes warmth. I’ll be a fan for life of your art. Just blown away.
Bobby and Andy, thank you for taking me on this journey. These 10 days and you guys sharing your insights on writing, music composition, instruments used and inspiration was absolutely wonderful. I feel like you are best friends. Rock on Elm Treason and God bless Brooklyn (my old town) and NYC for keeping on producing musicians like you guys from your experiences there.
Again thank you for sharing this journey. Your music and lyrics are awesome.
Hope we can do this again one day. If you ever want to come and play in Montreal where I now live in venues or some of the music festivals we have here. Reach out to me as I know people here in the business and would love to help you guys on expanding and sharing your talents to a wider audience.
God bless,
Andy
Andy, our gratitude to you is beyond measure. I mean that. Bobby and I (Andy) are so glad – so honored – to have had you on this journey. It pleases me especially, to no end, that you took advantage of all the extra materials. THANK YOU.
Thank you for the gracious invite as well. We have so many wonderful supporters and friends in Canada – Quebec, especially – that it is actually a bucket list item for ELM TREASON.
God Bless, brother! Cannot wait until you get the music in your hands!
Absolutely amazing
Thank you for the killer feedback, Chris. It is definitely my most introspective song to date. Proud of it. 🙂 Bobby’s contributions are priceless. Thank you much for taking the journey with us!