FAWM: "The Ballad of Clifton Webb"

The Ballad of Clifton Webb

2025 by @sarahdevalliere

Skirmish: Random sentences from a r... (@robinleaf)

Liner Notes

#skirmish #ukulele #ghost #ballad OK I wasn't planning on doing another skirmish today but I saw the prompt 30 minutes in and I just LOVE book/poetry related prompts. Huge book on my bookshelf that I've never peaked into called "GHOSTS" so that screamed out to me, and opened it up to a page about an encounter with the late Clifton Webb (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Webb). It had tons of great dialogue so this came pretty easily. I have no idea who this actor is, but I hope he is thrilled I wrote this song in the voice of his ghost 😂

Apologies for rough vocals and I am NOT a guitar/uke player so just trudged through this one. Really wanted to move away from the piano for a bit ;)

Lyrics

I once was an actor Acting all my life Now that I’m dead I can take off my disguise

I’m lonely I’m thirsty I’ve lost everything Money and friendship Please get me a drink

I want to sing I want to sing When the music is good I can do anything I want to sing I want to sing When the music is good I can do anything

It’s cold in this house I wish I could leave There’s no one to help me No one I believe

A Webb of intrigue A webb of lies A webb of deception Here comes my reprise

Comments

@gb9 2025

Nicely done 👏 Love how you've built the storytelling element, the intrigue. Beautifully engaging, and clever play on his name. Very enjoyable

@lizandthelovelies 2025

O wow I love this. I love a "Ballad of" and this a perfect lyric, mood combo. Your voice sounds awesome too!

@tjeff 2025

Fantastic chorus! I also like the wordplay on the name Webb. I like your description of how you picked your book for the challenge. An enjoyable listen.

@kkd 2025

I love how this turned out. I love the play on his name, Webb. The Uke was great and worked so well with your voice. Well sung story and melodically interesting!

@greenglacier 2025

Your voice is lovely and any rough bits add to the tone and vibe of a ghost crying out to be heard, superb!

@sheilerk 2025

If that's trudging, I'd like to trudge along with you. I really enjoyed this. Your voice soars on the chorus. The music is good, and I want to sing along! I really enjoyed this.

@chrisgray 2025

Love that the actor ghost can finally take off his disguise. And esp. wants two things: a drink and to sing. I really like voice and also your uke -- esp. the contrast between the verse and chorus.

@haim 2025

lovely voice and singing. Nice to open an unread book that has been waiting for this moment all of his life. I love how you go high with the vocals and it sounds beautiful. And fits well together with the lyrics. Masterpiece of a skirmish. Honestly. Easily can be the opening for this book's musical. EDIT: Congrats on reaching song number 14!!! what a way to cross the finish line. The song even related to it. superb. congrats.

@jimeddy9 2025

Your vocal was in fact extremely effective. I smiled bigly at the use of his name in the last written verse. I know nothing about Clifton Webb and now I need to change that. What a delightful song.