A River Past This Forest.
Here's a Bluegrass Gospel song I composed in 1974.
A River Past This Forest.
Copyright 1974 Frederick Warner.
There's a river past this forest That I have never seen
How I long to walk it's banks, So golden and serene
Just to be upon that shore Where by the waters flow
And rest my weary mind Where troubles never grow
And on that river bank There is the cave of life
And when I reach the mouth How bright will be the light
For there is peace and happiness That's stamped within its' walls
So rugged are the feet That walk it's precious halls
No torrent will be found Within this river's depths
To the Master Builder I shall pay away my debts
I will tread deep in the waters So far out from the shore
And there I'll fear no evil For it will be no more
A new stream will be flowing As Earth goes 'round once more
Each time it's a river That no one's sailed before
But, the waters may turn dark While the raging rapids run
And it's often hard to see Him The Lifeboat as He comes.
A River Past This Forest.
Copyright 1974 Frederick Warner.
There's a river past this forest That I have never seen
How I long to walk it's banks, So golden and serene
Just to be upon that shore Where by the waters flow
And rest my weary mind Where troubles never grow
And on that river bank There is the cave of life
And when I reach the mouth How bright will be the light
For there is peace and happiness That's stamped within its' walls
So rugged are the feet That walk it's precious halls
No torrent will be found Within this river's depths
To the Master Builder I shall pay away my debts
I will tread deep in the waters So far out from the shore
And there I'll fear no evil For it will be no more
A new stream will be flowing As Earth goes 'round once more
Each time it's a river That no one's sailed before
But, the waters may turn dark While the raging rapids run
And it's often hard to see Him The Lifeboat as He comes.
The composition above is titled "Jay-Henge" and was composed entirely on the summit of Jay Mountain in Jay, NY. It is a great example of the music genre I've created that I call "Cinematic Bluegrass". I hope you enjoy. Thanks for listening.
Cinematic Bluegrass
Cinematic Bluegrass is a genre of music that I may very well have started years ago with my "Headwaters" album. I call it this -Cinematic Bluegrass- owing to the use of orchestral-style violin string sections and other instruments, which in my humble opinion, provide a lot of emotion to the pieces. This page presents a piece I've written in memory of a dear old man I knew and loved who was robbed and murdered for a twenty dollar bill he had in his pants pocket next to him one night while he slept. I"ve titled the piece "Blue Heron" and included the words. This page also includes "The Handmade Vase", "Rusty Waters" and the tune right below this next paragraph which I've titled "On The Upper Lake" which was featured on my debut album "Headwaters", years ago and is dedicated to my dear friend Jeremiah Lewis.
For an example that includes water and waves, please listen to this piece titled "On The Upper Lake" composed on location at the Upper Au Sable Lake, property belonging to the Au Sable Club in St. Huberts, a hamlet in the township of Keene, Essex County, New York. This piece was composed in loving memory of a dear friend who lost his life one night after overturning a guideboat in very rough waters on the Upper Au Sable Lake.
Press the arrow on the grey-colored bar just below on the left to hear "On The Upper Lake."
ON THE UPPER LAKE:
For an example that includes water and waves, please listen to this piece titled "On The Upper Lake" composed on location at the Upper Au Sable Lake, property belonging to the Au Sable Club in St. Huberts, a hamlet in the township of Keene, Essex County, New York. This piece was composed in loving memory of a dear friend who lost his life one night after overturning a guideboat in very rough waters on the Upper Au Sable Lake.
Press the arrow on the grey-colored bar just below on the left to hear "On The Upper Lake."
ON THE UPPER LAKE:
Here's another Cinematic Bluegrass piece I've composed and titled "Blue Heron":
BLUE HERON
by Frederick A. Warner.
Copyright 1992
I'd go down past the mill pond
Each and every morning
On my way to see the old man
Down at the mill
When I'd get to the alders
That old blue bird would fly
Today, when I walked by
He stood there still
Could he know that the old man
Was murdered late last evening
Killed for a twenty-dollar bill
Like an old Blue Heron
On a dark winter's evening
Standing in a river
Too cold to fly
With his thoughts on the springtime
Of a warm, misty morning
Blessed are the memories
In this old bird's eyes
Well, that's just how I feel
When I think of the old man
Lonesome are the winds where he flys.
BLUE HERON
by Frederick A. Warner.
Copyright 1992
I'd go down past the mill pond
Each and every morning
On my way to see the old man
Down at the mill
When I'd get to the alders
That old blue bird would fly
Today, when I walked by
He stood there still
Could he know that the old man
Was murdered late last evening
Killed for a twenty-dollar bill
Like an old Blue Heron
On a dark winter's evening
Standing in a river
Too cold to fly
With his thoughts on the springtime
Of a warm, misty morning
Blessed are the memories
In this old bird's eyes
Well, that's just how I feel
When I think of the old man
Lonesome are the winds where he flys.
Here's an instrumental I composed and titled "The Handmade Vase". The mandolin I used for this recording was built by David Nichols of Whippleville, NY in 1992. www.custompearlinlay.com
Here's another Cinematic Bluegrass piece I composed, recorded and copyrighted in the early 1990's. I titled it "Rusty Waters". Katie Moody does a fine job of singing the lead vocals. She sang harmony on "Blue Heron". The words are:
Rusty Waters
Copyright 1990
Frederick A. Warner
Was lost all night On Ebeneezer
Town folks out 'Til break of morn
When morning came And daylight reached her
They wondered why She looked so torn
Chorus:
Gonna drag my chain Through rusty waters
Heal her wound With a pinch of salt
Gone and changed But why'd she bother
Ain't to blame It's all my fault
Toward the other side The demons swim there
They'll drag you down 'Fore you reach the shore
'Bout half-way cross Those rusty waters
She'd not turn back And cross no more
Repeat Chorus
Yesterday morning Thought I smelled the coffee
It smelled so rich And oh, so strong
But this mornin' When I got up, Lord
I could smell My baby had gone
Repeat Chorus
Rusty Waters
Copyright 1990
Frederick A. Warner
Was lost all night On Ebeneezer
Town folks out 'Til break of morn
When morning came And daylight reached her
They wondered why She looked so torn
Chorus:
Gonna drag my chain Through rusty waters
Heal her wound With a pinch of salt
Gone and changed But why'd she bother
Ain't to blame It's all my fault
Toward the other side The demons swim there
They'll drag you down 'Fore you reach the shore
'Bout half-way cross Those rusty waters
She'd not turn back And cross no more
Repeat Chorus
Yesterday morning Thought I smelled the coffee
It smelled so rich And oh, so strong
But this mornin' When I got up, Lord
I could smell My baby had gone
Repeat Chorus
The Old Swimming Hole photo by Mary Winchell
The Old Swimming Hole
Copyright 11/01/2009
Frederick A. Warner
(Verses 1 & 2)
We parked our old car at the top of the hill on the roadside overlooking the stream
The steep path led down to the river and the grounds where many years ago I would dream
My sweetheart and I holding hands side by side while I thought of those days long gone by
If she'd been here back then how happy I'd of been I fought back the tears from my eyes
(Chorus)
Then my memories fell back to the days along the stream
Pretty flowers on the path I've seen them in my dreams
Songbirds sang to me flying....tree to tree
How this old swimming hole was a safe place for me
And then her sweet, tender voice would call me back
Back to the old swimming hole
(Verse 3)
I dreamed in those days of a life free from pain a childhood wish for sure I must say
But when I was a boy growing up on the river it seemed as clear to me as today
(Chorus)
(Verse 4)
We headed up the bank taking care not to slip on the rugged path overlooking the stream
As we opened up the doors to our old Cadillac my mind drifted back to those dreams
(Chorus)
Copyright 11/01/2009
Frederick A. Warner
(Verses 1 & 2)
We parked our old car at the top of the hill on the roadside overlooking the stream
The steep path led down to the river and the grounds where many years ago I would dream
My sweetheart and I holding hands side by side while I thought of those days long gone by
If she'd been here back then how happy I'd of been I fought back the tears from my eyes
(Chorus)
Then my memories fell back to the days along the stream
Pretty flowers on the path I've seen them in my dreams
Songbirds sang to me flying....tree to tree
How this old swimming hole was a safe place for me
And then her sweet, tender voice would call me back
Back to the old swimming hole
(Verse 3)
I dreamed in those days of a life free from pain a childhood wish for sure I must say
But when I was a boy growing up on the river it seemed as clear to me as today
(Chorus)
(Verse 4)
We headed up the bank taking care not to slip on the rugged path overlooking the stream
As we opened up the doors to our old Cadillac my mind drifted back to those dreams
(Chorus)
Here's a song I wrote some years ago that I didn't get a chance to play on the Bluegrass circuit although I sure had hoped to. The story is about a young boy, perhaps 10 or 11 years of age who experiences his first feelings of "love" for a girl his age. She lives miles away and only comes to the Adirondack Mountains for a couple of weeks each summer with her parents. When she returns to her home by the ocean, each day in her absence, he climbs his favorite tree and daydreams about her. Within the following couple of years, they part ways never to see one another again. The boy, now a man and grown to a ripe old age, while driving by the area, notices the old white pine has been felled, sawn and removed. Well, you get the idea.
The Old White Pine
Copyright 1993 Frederick Warner
When summer's breath.....would die away
She'd return to the sea
This country boy......was saddened so
It helped to climb that tree
(Chorus)
I'd spend my time.......in the old white pine
I'd climb it to the top
And dream about.....the girl I loved
When we were miles apart
(Verse 2)
We made our plans......beneath that tree
We'd never, ever part
Our lives would always.........be as one
We'd never break our hearts
(Chorus)
(Verse 3)
I drove by there.......the other day
The old white pine is gone
I learned back when..........she'd passed away
Her memories live on
(Chorus)
The Old White Pine
Copyright 1993 Frederick Warner
When summer's breath.....would die away
She'd return to the sea
This country boy......was saddened so
It helped to climb that tree
(Chorus)
I'd spend my time.......in the old white pine
I'd climb it to the top
And dream about.....the girl I loved
When we were miles apart
(Verse 2)
We made our plans......beneath that tree
We'd never, ever part
Our lives would always.........be as one
We'd never break our hearts
(Chorus)
(Verse 3)
I drove by there.......the other day
The old white pine is gone
I learned back when..........she'd passed away
Her memories live on
(Chorus)
Here's a song I found in my archives that I wrote many years ago. The High Peaks Boys used to play this one out and around. It goes right along in speed so it was often asked for.
I Can't Take Any More of Your Hurt
Copyright February, 1973 Fred Warner
G F C G
Please listen if you will how it troubles me still
D7
That I ever fell in love with you
G F C G
If I'd known before hand you'd find another man
D7 G
I'd not of fallen and been so blue
CHORUS:
C G
There'll be no coming back to fill this lonesome gap
D7
Or to rub me any more in your dirt
G F C G
This heart's had its fill keep traveling if you will
D7 G
I can't take any more of your hurt
VERSE 2:
Keep away if you can stick to your new-found man
And hold him a little closer to your heart
Such a pity as it seems all finished now our dreams
Your lying tongue has forced us apart
(Repeat Chorus)
Please listen if you will how it troubles me still
D7
That I ever fell in love with you
G F C G
If I'd known before hand you'd find another man
D7 G
I'd not of fallen and been so blue
CHORUS:
C G
There'll be no coming back to fill this lonesome gap
D7
Or to rub me any more in your dirt
G F C G
This heart's had its fill keep traveling if you will
D7 G
I can't take any more of your hurt
VERSE 2:
Keep away if you can stick to your new-found man
And hold him a little closer to your heart
Such a pity as it seems all finished now our dreams
Your lying tongue has forced us apart
(Repeat Chorus)
To Kneel and to Pray on Mom and Dad's Graves
To Kneel and to Pray on Mom and Dad’s Graves Copyright July 19, 2011 Frederick Warner
CHORUS:
C G
If I ever get back to the old home place
D
I’ve one thing to do a promise I’ve made
G C
To walk up the path on a bright sunny day
G D G
And to kneel and to pray on Mom and Dad’s graves
VERSE 1:
G C G
When I left my old home my thoughts run astray
D
I wanted to roam so far, far away
G C
And to meet me new friends and ramble around
G D G
I neglected our folks before I left town
VERSE 2:
G C G
Now the truth is today I’m far, far away
D
I may never return to the old home someday
G C
I’ve lived my whole life just a-rambling around
G D G
I’ve rued my old ways from the dark side of town
CHORUS:
C G
If I ever get back to the old home place
D
I’ve one thing to do a promise I’ve made
G C
To walk up the path on a bright sunny day
G D G
And to kneel and to pray on Mom and Dad’s graves
VERSE 1:
G C G
When I left my old home my thoughts run astray
D
I wanted to roam so far, far away
G C
And to meet me new friends and ramble around
G D G
I neglected our folks before I left town
VERSE 2:
G C G
Now the truth is today I’m far, far away
D
I may never return to the old home someday
G C
I’ve lived my whole life just a-rambling around
G D G
I’ve rued my old ways from the dark side of town
Some of the Documentaries I Composed Music for:
Below are a couple of documentaries written and directed by Michael Mannetta. I was fortunate to be able to compose the soundtracks to both films.
Adirondack Great Camps Part One
http://www.adirondackart.com/adk_giftsvideo.htm
http://www.adirondackmuseumstore.com/music-and-dvds.html
Writer/Director Michael Mannetta
Come visit the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. Discover these historic and architectural treasures in a region of upstate New York famous for its natural beauty and extensive wilderness. Part One explores the early history of this rustic architecture and how it evolved from the simple lean-to or log cabin called a camp into grand estates often known as Great Camps. In the late 1800's, the scenic Raquette Lake area became the center for much of this camp building. Here, the Great Camps of William West Durant - Pine Knot, Uncas & Sagamore - were show places that inspired imitation and attracted the wealthy who desired rustic yet elegant wilderness retreats. Durant built his camps in harmony with nature and they have stood the test of time as monuments to his vision. His exploits in the Adirondacks tell a fascinating story and follow the early development of the region.
http://www.adirondackmuseumstore.com/music-and-dvds.html
Writer/Director Michael Mannetta
Come visit the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. Discover these historic and architectural treasures in a region of upstate New York famous for its natural beauty and extensive wilderness. Part One explores the early history of this rustic architecture and how it evolved from the simple lean-to or log cabin called a camp into grand estates often known as Great Camps. In the late 1800's, the scenic Raquette Lake area became the center for much of this camp building. Here, the Great Camps of William West Durant - Pine Knot, Uncas & Sagamore - were show places that inspired imitation and attracted the wealthy who desired rustic yet elegant wilderness retreats. Durant built his camps in harmony with nature and they have stood the test of time as monuments to his vision. His exploits in the Adirondacks tell a fascinating story and follow the early development of the region.
Adirondack Great Camps Part Two
The story of the Great Camps continues in the Saranac/St.Regis Lakes region of the Adirondacks. Here these woodland estates evolved in appearance and stature from 1897 to 1907 through the talents of architect William Coulter. On the shores of the Saranac Lakes, he designed grand rustic lodges at camps Moss Ledge, Eagle Island, Prospect Point and at other distinguished camps. On Upper St. Regis Lake, the richest woman in the world, Marjorie Merriweather Post, built her own Great Camp in the 1920's, the lavish Topridge, while at nearby White Pine Camp with its picturesque Japanese teahouse, President Coolidge spent his summer fishing. A log villa set in the heart of the Adirondacks, Santanoni, possibly the grandest camp of its time, tells a different story. Donated to New York State, the camp deteriorated over many years but is now enjoying a renaissance with the help of state and local government and the preservation community.
Writer/Director Michael Mannetta
http://www.adirondackart.com/adk_giftsvideo.htm
http://www.adirondackmuseumstore.com/music-and-dvds.html
Writer/Director Michael Mannetta
http://www.adirondackart.com/adk_giftsvideo.htm
http://www.adirondackmuseumstore.com/music-and-dvds.html