Devoured
by @berni1954
Challenge: PERSONAL SOUNDTRACKLiner Notes
The theme of the "Seasons for the Ukulele" was "Eating and Food". I have written several songs on that topic and so I was struggling to come up with an idea. But then my recent experiences with memory problems led me to wake up this morning with the line "It's eating up my memory…." on my brain. I came up with the entire chorus while lying in bed at 05:00 - not wishing to disturb my partner, Carmen, by getting up to write it down. Eventually, I dropped off to sleep again, hoping I would remember it in the morning. Luckily , I did. Then I got up and wrote the verses.
I watched Carmen's Dad go into decline with Alzheimer's, though it took it five years to eventually kill him and then I watched her Maternal Uncle go from his cheery normal self to full blown Alzheimer's in a matter of months. I suppose it was a blessing that he died of it within 6 months.
So, my memory issues have me concerned, but not yet as terrified as my narrator.
INSTRUMENT: Baton Rouge 8 String Baritone Ukulele
Lyrics
Intro: (D) (A) (D)
It's (G) eating away at my memory It's (D) eating away my pride It's de(A)vouring all my brain cells Eating (G) me from (A) the in(D)side!
There has (Bm) been no diagnostic But (A) I don't see the need I (Bm) know what's happening to me These (G) symptoms don't mis(A)lead I (Bm) take an age to remember things Which (G) causes me such (A) angst I hate the (G) lapses in my (D) thinking The (A) moments my mind goes (D) blank
CHORUS
It's (Bm) coming on me slowly Guess I (A) should give thanks for that But I'm (Bm) terrified because I know Where one (G) day I might be (A) at I've (Bm) seen the empty eyes of those I've (G) known with the dis(A)ease Caught (G) in their private (D) prisons With no (A) hope of a re(D)prieve
CHORUS I'd (Bm) hoped that by the time I got To the (A) age that I am now (Bm) They'd have found a cure With all the (G) latest know-(A)how But de(Bm)spite the research into Neural (G) stress or dental (A) plaque There (G) is no current (D) method That can (A) hope to turn it (D) back
CHORUS
Comments
A surprisingly jaunty tune for such a dark topic. It's one of my greatest fears, especially since it runs in my husband's family. On a lighter note, good to actually see you! And now I have ukulele envy :D
That is one scary song! I know I am starting to forget words and that frightens me, though it’s pretty minor so far. I would have trouble singing as lightly as you about this topic.
Well done I usually forget them by then! Which is apt for this song!
Great lyrics and it’s nice to see you play and sing on camera. You’ve got a lovely clear sound. It sounds really good in my headphones.
it plays like a comic romp, but seriously addresses a serious theme. bernie is a stellar writer and musician and it is a joy to watch him perform with such energy and affability. but after the pleasure of the musical experience, we are left with our unavoidable thoughts on our physical and mental decay as we age. it doesnt have to be full blown alzheimer's for us to be concerned about memory lapses and common foibles such as forgetting to turn off the stove
Powerful stuff. Losing your memory and mind is a terrifying thing. The somewhat carefree strumming and happy chords help to alleviate the heavy subject matter somewhat. Powerful piece.
I applaud tackling a serious topic, which mainstream pop would never touch. My mother died of an accident as an indirect consequence of dementia, so I can relate to the fear of getting that diagnosis. I honestly don't know how I would cope.
BTW, that 8-string Uke is a very nice instrument.