On that old lonesome prairie, there is music to be heard: We released “Always in the Saddle” on the 20th of September. Let me tell you something about the making of this track!
This song is inspired by the character “Arthur Morgan”. His story and how he dealt with the things in his life became a leading part in writing the lyrics about the popular western cowboy videogame “Red Dead Redemption 2”. A rough cowboy that has done dark deeds, though we all discover soon enough that there is plenty of good in his heart too. Without spoilers; he knows he’s doomed in one way or another and has to come to terms with his bad deeds and how he’ll spend the rest of his life.
The song was recorded with the duo female vocalists “indigo:” and Marlieske Doorn on the violin. It was a very challenging song for all of us, from start to finish. I had to revisit the lyrics many times and I needed hundreds of takes for the vocals (and am still not satisfied with the final version of the verses). The violin needed some directions and a few retakes, but it ultimately became a very beautiful addition to the song. So I’m very grateful to Marlieske for joining us in creating this piece. And even though the ladies of indigo: were perhaps the most nervous I’ve ever seen anyone be, their contributions pull most of the weight of the song and it really wouldn’t have sounded all too well without them. Once again, I’m very grateful for their contributions.
It is the second Western song we’ve released, the first being “These Violent Delights.” I may try my hand at this genre again at some point, but for the foreseeable future this will be the last ‘dark western’ I’ll write!
So enjoy it as much as you can. If you haven’t already; we’d be grateful if you’d give the song a listen!
LYRICS
Time
It waits for no man
And it slips away
As fast as it can
Time
You ain’t my friend
Since you’ve been taking my days
As fast as you can
I have known some regrets
Now my aching heart can never know rest
And I have been making wrong bets
And once that starts, you belong to the West
I can never sit back for too long
Someone’s gonna do some wrong
And death rides right beside you
He’s always in the shadows
So I’m always in the saddle now
I’m always in the saddle
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re always in the saddle now
Always in the sa-a-addle
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re always in the saddle now
Life
It’s the cards that you’re dealt
So I keep a gun
Strapped to my belt
Life
I have survived
So there ain’t no chance
They’ll take me alive
I can never sit back for too long
Someone’s gonna do some wrong
And death rides right beside you
He’s always in the shadows
So I’m always in the saddle now
I’m always in the saddle
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re always in the saddle now
Always in the sa-a-addle
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re Always in the saddle now
We’re always in the saddle now
CREDITS
Released September 20, 2024
Vocals + Guitar by Bart Zeal
Violin by Marlieske Doorn
Backing Vocals bij indigo:
Mix by Tom de Munck (AudioScape Studio)
Written by Bart Mesman
Bart the Bard 