Steemit Open Mic Week 74 - Original Song "Golden Chain"

I wrote "Golden Chain" in Arizona this past July while I was attending the Sedona Summer Colony artists residency program. I wrote five songs over the course of a week staying on the campus of the Verde Valley School. I found all sorts of neat nooks to write in: at the Steinway piano in the library; at the little upright piano in the chapel; on my guitar in the grass in the courtyard. This one was written in the shower down the hall from my dorm room — it was one of those songs that came all at once and I was careful to calmly, but quickly get back to my room so I could write down all of the lyrics before I forgot them. A rush of creativity like that is always such a wild feeling. I don't believe that artists are supposed to sit around waiting for the angels to visit before they get their pens back to the paper, but it's always a gift to share their company when they come down.

A baby's born.
Oh, happy day!
Congratulations!
Hip hip hooray!
But soon they take its
toys away.
Its time to work.
No time to play.

Ain't it a shame,
cradle to cane,
all tangled up
in a golden chain

A boy in love
has a song to sing —
pretty little words
for his pretty little thing.
But if he can't buy no
band to bring
those wedding bells
they will not ring.

The Bible says
loot's the root.
The Devil dresses up
in a fancy suit.
He drives a car
long as a train.
He hangs his watch
from a golden chain.

An honest man
works his honest way
wants honest pay
for an honest day.
But the bossman smiles
and the bossman say
"A dollar tomorrow,
a dime today."