Written one late night with an unplugged Danelectro guitar that I don't even use anymore, I sought to write something a bit sorrowful but still moving. Dying but not dead in spirit yet.
Sadly, between the time I wrote this song, played it numerous times with the live band, and recorded two separate versions (the latter being the released version) my dog Blacky had died. I'll never forget the night it happened and I could have sworn my family went hysterical with grief.
The next day was a band practice day and his burial day in our backyard. As I went outside to gather with my family to lower our beloved pooch, I could hear the band, the 2012 version, rehearsing the song's chorus with just bass and drums. It felt tribal and weird, inadvertently making the soundtrack that would score the burial of my first dog ever.
Despite playing it consistently with the band, at the time I didn't really have any lyrics at the time aside from "It's just Monday for everyone else" and a hoarsely sang "I'm awake now" at the end. I wasn't any closer to finishing shortly after his burial, but after time to reflect I felt that the only way to finish the song was to dedicate and write it to my raggedy mutt and his memory in my family's lives.
lyrics
I lost track of time
and I didn't know
saw him staring at me
with tired eyes
silent goodbye
Didn't know (didn't tell me)
Where did you go (Well I'm right here)
I guess it cost (memories are paid)
every day we had (better than not having had)
He never did anything wrong
Just ran around
and fell asleep in his house
But I'm not surprised
Time takes anything; wrong or right
Just say something to justify
his life
the very last one
on the back of the truck
a pity so endearing
we made you a home
Cried when you ran
away years ago
now you can't come back
until the next life
well I wonder where we all go
when the procession ends
and the incense has to be put away
don't leave me cause I have last words
but they remain above
with my feet and knees against the dirt
Different territory
They're a stranger to themselves
Show them what this mutt can do
cause they always settle for the outside of youth
give me another year
i hear sirens growing closer
coming for someone else,
tell me it's not you
It's just Monday for everyone else
But not me, not me
Spending some time away from myself
there he goes again
I'm awake now
I'm awake now
I'm awake
credits
from The Kinch Service EP,
released September 8, 2015
All instruments, lyrics, recording, and production by Bryan Santizo