His Young Life's Song

from The TakeAway by Tad Wise

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about

My mother died at 95 in May of 2022 and soon after my uncle Tim Wise died at 91 or was it 92? In any case, he'd outlived his older brother--my father, Terry Wise--by more than a decade. I never found a newspaper in which to write my Dad a proper obit. So after Tim died I composed this Father's Day Song for both brothers. I had Julie Last produce because she has a special talent for bringing out an authentic vocal performance, and I also wanted a cello accompaniment from Tony Levin. But Tony became obsessed and ended up creating a small orchestra of cellos which makes this sad song--by my estimate--heartbreaking. The opening lines refer to a photo of the toddler who'd eventually become my father. I'll use the photo next Father's Day when I release this song as a single. O--and a special thanks to Dave Schneider for his marvelous acoustic guitar!

lyrics

His Young Life's Song Words and Music by Tad Wise

Barrel-chested even as a kid.
His head bigger still with the college cap his Dad put on it.
Apple of his eye 'til little brother came along.
Adding the first strain of dissonance
To His Young Life's Song.

Made man of the house at twelve, the day his Daddy died.
More father than brother, now Terry showed his sweetest side.
Role model, daring Tim to sneak back what he stole.
And how famously they got along, singing
Their Young Life's--
Singing Their Young Life's Song.

Both had luck and pluck,
Terry with his movie-star good looks.
Yet Tim pulled out ahead
'Til to the bottle he was the first hooked.
Their mother sold Christmas cards door to door.
Neither of her boys could ever do wrong.
Especially while they were singing their,
Their young lives'...
While singing their young lives' song.

The rest of the story you won't hear here.
I'll set it to a different melody but will I hold it as dear?
I'm the only one left to sing it now--
The older bother's first born son.
And I'm almost done telling you about
HIs young life's...Terry and Tim Wise...
Their young life's song.
Song.
His Young Life's Song.

credits

from The TakeAway, released November 18, 2023
Tad Wise: guitar and vocals
Tony Levin: cellos (self-recorded and arranged)
Produced and Engineered by Julie Last at Cold Spring Studio
Mastered by Mark Dann at Mark Dann Studio

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about

Tad Wise Woodstock, New York

Tad Wise started writing songs at ten, while raking Bob Dylan’s leaves. He was discovered by John Hall in 2000 who promptly produced Wise’s first CD. Twenty years later Wise returned. First with "For The Record," with Tony Levin & Jerry Marotta. Then with "Mind's Eye." In 2023 he'll release
"The TakeAway," starting with the title track...right now. ... more