A song I wrote in approx 2001

I can't remember exactly when I wrote this song. I am no musician. If anyone has the want to put some music to it and sing it feel free lol as long as you share! I have highlighted the middle verse in italic because this isn't a good verse, I know it doesn't `flow` as it should so obviously another unfinished piece of mine. lol

I luckily wrote little snippets and reasonings why I wrote these things so this is what I've put at the end of the page.

This song reflects life, the chances we take and the gambles throughout it. `the game is fixed` we cannot cheat death.

The Jester Cuts the Deck

The Jester cuts the deck a'laughing all the while
And all souls gather round - to pay the ante up.
Deal the cards and place your bets, Guard jealously your hand!
You only get one chance to live the final round.

Fates dice tumble blindly
Life's a double sided coin
Win or lose - sink or swim

you haven't got a choice! When all is dealed and done.

(oh what a merry dance)

Play a card and take a chance you will prevail
Raise the stakes and cross your fingers
before you double up!
The Jester's face lights up and with a grin he plays the queen
and all is done and dusted.

Fates dice tumble blindly
Life's a double sided coin
Win or lose - sink or swim

you haven't got a choice! When all is dealed and done.

(oh what a merry dance)

With a sinking heart you know the end game has begun
He calls the final cards - to place them on the felt
And with a simple sigh you fold or fail the test -
The jester's won the pot!

Fates dice tumble blindly
Life's a double sided coin
Win or lose - sink or swim

you haven't got a choice! When all is dealed and done.

I imagine this sung to a swaggering sort of tune. The more I think about it the more it suggests a straight 4/4 meter . . . and a trombone.

It reminds me somewhat of Tom Waits.

The switch from card to dice and coin metaphors is very noticeable and you should think about that: the verses carry on a card game metaphor through a narrative arc, and then the chorus cuts in with dice and coins. Is it distracting? Maybe, maybe not. Traditional northern European ballads usually have a refrain that seems a bit out of place - if you haven't already looked at the Child Ballads ("Child" being the name of the guy that collected 'em) I'd recommend it - Google "child ballads," you should get a link to sacred-texts.com and you can get the entire thing there. I'd post the link but the forum won't allow me to yet.

For some reason, Jethro Tull's "Two Fingers" also comes to mind when I read this.

Keep working at it; I think it has good potential as a song.

Thank you

Odd you should mention Jethro Tull.. About the time I wrote this song (and prior to this) I was very into a British group called Magnum, not sure if you've heard of them? I may have gotten some inspiration from them. Check out On a storytellers night and Les morts dansant. Similar flavour to Tull...

It's not something I'll ever finish. It's too old for me to pick up now. My muse on that one has long gone.

oh nice call! I have read some of the Child Ballads lol. Not all though, I find them a little hard going but I did reference them for some of my roleplaying.

A belated thanks for the recommendation; I'll check them out.