My Song of Change - "Hand" - Written Work

This is the link to the audio recording of my performance.

Hand

C  H  O  R  D      P  R  O  G  R  E  S  S  I  O  N  :

1 G	2 D	3 E♭	4 D
G major: DGB	D major: DF#A	E minor: BEG	D major: DF#A

M  A  I  N    F  O  C  U  S  :

I wrote this song ‘Hand’ based on the feelings I had about the monumental mental changes I experienced in my continuous growing up process. I talked about how I began to realize how minuscule I was in the enormous and enigmatic extent of the world, how not all people were considerate and thoughtful, and that revelation dazed and even depressed me at first. But then, I realized change, however small, had to be initiated by me and I had to make the first step into the wild, no matter how frightening it might be. By the end of the song, I talk about self-acceptance awareness, telling my revelation that even though the world is large and mysterious, step by step I’ll find my place and make my change.

L  Y  R  I  C  S  :

VERSE 1

G         D

I, I haven't forgotten

   Em

That I am just

G

One voice in the crowd.

G            D

I remember I’ve fallen

         Em

In the laughter

        G

That grows loud and louder.

PRECHORUS

G

But I know

     D

That I can't stay still

           Em       D

And expect my life to change.

G

I can see

     D

That I don't know things,

           Em

And I can't expect

  D

My hand to be held-

Always.

CHORUS

G

I know

     D

That I don’t even know

             Em

All the extensive things

   D

I think I know.

G

I know

     D

That I won’t get to see

             Em

All the wonderful places

   D

I wish to go.

G  D         Cmin

You don’t have to follow,

Bm#5        D         G

Shelter me, help me stand;

G

Just let me hold your hand.

VERSE 2

G

I can feel

D

Time is slipping

        Em

Right by me;

      G

It flies while I walk.

G

I have heard

       D

That there’s millions

    Em  G

Of voices that want to be heard.

PRECHORUS

G

I've been told

     D

That it's not enough to

Em  G

Wish or pray for dreams.

G

But I know

D

If I keep on going

Em       G

Step by step I will

Make it some day

CHORUS

G

I know

     D

That I don’t even know

             Em

All the extensive things

   D

I think I know.

G

I know

     D

That I won’t get to see

             Em

All the wonderful places

   D

I wish to go.

G  D        Cmin

I know      I’m not ready,

     Bm#5    D     G

For all the world demands;

G

Just let me see your hand.

CHORUS

G

I know

     D

That there's so many things

             Em

that I don't understand,

   D

In the universe.

G

I know

     D

I haven't forgotten

             Em

That I should grow up

    D

Go out and change the world..

G       D       Cmin

I don’t know how to do it,

     Bm#5           D          G

I’m scared each breath I take,;

G

Just let me see your-

FINAL CHORUS

G

I know

    D

That one day I will

Em

Go and find the things

   D

I need to know.

G

I know

     D

That one day I will see

             Em

All the wonderful places

   D

I wish to go.

G  D     Cmin

One day I’ll be ready,

Bm#5 D            G

One   day you’ll see;

G

I’ll be your helping-

Hand.

My Song of Change Feedback

The general feedback I received was that my performance could have improved a bit if I had recorded it beforehand or if perhaps another person played it, because of my nerves and inexperience with the piano, I messed up some of the chords, and I was unable to add much harmony. Additionally, someone said that a C minor chord I used sounded a bit misplaced, now I understand their point and would use a C major instead. However, they said I had a good melodic line. I think my melody was quite catchy and simple but understated, with the lyrics meaning a lot to me and conveying a strong and relatable message. Next time, I would have someone perhaps help me record it or thicken the accompaniment, as I think my inexperience with the piano hindered the texture of my song; however, I think I did quite a good job and my song is a well-textured, catchy piece.