In July I wrote the lyrics to a new song, “Log Uit”, which I've been putting to music this week. I don't always write directly into Sibelius, but I did for this one, simply because I can't always get my piano-hands around the harmonies that I am hearing. Sibelius graciously accommodates.
The gist of this new song, with it's French subtitle - a reference to the last line of the chorus - is this:
“Log Uit” tells the story of a family man whose online habits are eroding his ability to be present as a husband and father. Narrated from the point of view of a fly-on-the-wall, or perhaps an angel-on-the-shoulder of this man, the song urges him to consider his family and “Log uit”, so that all is not lost, “Pour Que Rien N’Est Perdu.”
I was writing the lyrics of the chorus, trying to think of what would rhyme with “nu”, and came up with words like “jus”, “fondue"… all Dutch words derived from French. Then I thought, “Rien N'Est Perdu” and realised that would fit thematically, so I tucked it at the end of the chorus. It may seem a little left-field, but anyone educated in the Netherlands has had anywhere from 4 to 6 years of high school French, so I figure I can get away with it. I'm also quite inspired by the bilingual songwriting of Dutch artist Claude ('Mon Dernier Mot') and the applied linguist in me likes to play with the options available in rhyming between languages.
The theme of the song is a challenging one, but it comes from a gentle and kind place, which I hope listeners will hear, when it's eventually released.
English Translation:
"Please log out. Go and have dinner with your wife. I can hear her singing in the kitchen. Your kids really need you, in person. A sincere father, who is present and who will stick around.
Log out. Actually be present at home for once. Erase your tracks and log out. Do it now, so that all will not be lost.
Oh, your little man. You're still his hero now. But what about when he's older and starts asking difficult questions? He needs you so badly. A sincere father, who is present and who will stick around.
Log out. Actually be present at home for once. Erase your tracks and log out. Do it now, so that all will not be lost.
And your little girl. How will she believe that good men even exist, when you've betrayed her own mother? She needs you so badly. A sincere father, who is present and who will stick around.
Log out. Actually be present at home for once. Erase your tracks and log out. Do it now, so that all will not be lost.
Dutch Lyrics:
