Country Music Muse
By Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds
Verse 1
Well, I’m sittin’ down to write another tune,
Tryin’ to give Nashville that heartbroke swoon.
But my muse walks in, with a grin so sly,
Says, “How about a song ‘bout tractor ruts?”
he rolls his eyes at my serious tone,
I can’t believe I wrote that in our happy home?
Give me that crayon, Here, let me show you how it’s done.
Chorus
Nashville wants me in a black hat, singing ’bout heartbreak and tears,
But my country music muse says, “Let’s make it fun, no sadness here!”
He’s got me writin’ ’bout love and joy, takin’ life’s ride with a smile,
And now I’m wonderin’ how that’s gonna play in Nashville tonight.
Why write about whisky when you have watermelons?
Verse 2
I start a verse ‘bout a man feelin’ low,
He jumps in, “Oh please, babe, let that go.”
He adds, “Sing ’bout the laundry you never fold,
Now that’s a story worth its weight in gold.”
He flips my sadness, turns it on its head,
“How ‘bout you write ‘bout breakfast in bed instead?”
Let’s have a songwriting sessions set to “We Time”
Chorus
Nashville wants me in a black hat, crooning “drunk dumbass” songs all day,
But my country music muse says, “Let’s take a happier way!”
He’s got me writin’ ’bout simple things, like sunny days and a good cup of brew,
And now I’m wonderin’ how that’s gonna play in Nashville too.
Bridge
He laughs, “Oh sure, go on, write about your ‘cold heart,’
Right after I brought you flowers, standing all cowboy and smart.”
I try to write about hard work and addiction to Scotch,
He suggests a song, “about Netflix having nothing to watch.”
Verse 3
I start to strum a tune ‘bout feelin’ blue,
he says, “Why not write ‘bout the smoothie I made for you?”
Every line I draft, she makes it bright,
Turns my darkness into sunny light.
he frowns and says, “No one needs more of a lickin’,
How ‘bout you write ‘bout rainbows and fried chicken?”
Instead of “riding off into the sunset,” try something like, “Can’t we ride off to Sonic instead?”
Chorus
Nashville wants me in a black hat, singin’ sorrow and regret,
But my country music muse gives me sunshine instead.
he’s got me writin’ ’bout fun and love, dancin’ ‘neath the open sky,
And now I’m wonderin’ how that’s gonna play in Nashville tonight.
How ’bout a bowl of cereal instead of all this hurt?”
Outro
he whispers, “Write all the tearjerkers you want,
But don’t forget, you cried last week over burnt croissants.”
So here I am, with him by my side,
Singin’ love songs, along for the ride.
