Serenity Valley Waltz (Rough MP3, Lyrics) (Patreon)

I'm in a mild state of shock. I successfully wrote my first Firefly song for this project with Mikey Mason.

Yesterday, Mikey and I recorded a podcast. We talked about the first episode of Firefly, "Serenity". Then we discussed themes that we found in the episode. 

It was an awesome exercise. And the podcast will be available to patrons next Thursday and to the public on Sunday.

When we finished our discussion, we each had some song ideas to work with. I decided to write a song called "Serenity Valley Waltz". 

The song started off with me inserting quotes from the show into a waltz melody. But when I took a break for lunch, I realized that's not how I wanted to write the song. I wanted something with more universal appeal. But all about Firefly and more. 

And so I wrote a song about depression...

I'm blessed that I don't get depressed like I used to when I was younger. I'm too busy moving. I don't have time for depression. And MOSt of the times it doesn't affect me...

But not all the time. There've been some tough moments this past month since Gwen left. I still have vivid memories sort of torture me. They bring me down.

A couple years ago, I was listening to an episode of This American Life on NPR. They were asking why do people listen to sad songs when they're sad. There's something cathartic about it.

That's an idea I pulled into this song as well.

"The Alliance said they were gonna waltz right through Serenity Valley. And we choked them with those words. We've done the impossible. And that makes us mighty!"

You see, one of the ways I found joy when I was feeling low was by dancing. And the waltz in particular holds a special joy in my heart. I decided to incorporate the waltz as a part of the song. 

The theme of the song as I mentioned above is depression. It's about our battle memories, both physical or mental. It's about finding a way through the dust to find peace.

One final note of thanks to my wife Gwen. She is my amazing editor. I included TWO versions of the song. The main one you can play right here on Patreon. The first version, you'll need to download. I think it shows how much Gwen's changes improved the song. She gave it a more cohesive storyline and more personal sounding.

This is still just a rough recording. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do for the final version. But I'm very happy with this so far.

"Serenity Valley Waltz"by Marc Gunn

There's a place that I go.When I'm feelin' low.And a battle is ragin' in my head.It dries up my tearsAnd holds back the fearGives me strength to face what's ahead

* Serenity Valley WaltzWhen I'm feelin' like everything's lost.My heart is all ablazeAnd my mind's in a hazeLet the Angels carry away my faults.

I saw the sadness that you causedWhen you exposed all my flawsAnd treated my fears as unreal.There is truth in your lieSo much hurt as I criedWhen you left my soul scarred and unhealed

Each day that I riseI look up in the skiesI'm grateful my family's with meStill I wait for the dawnAnd struggle to go onSo I pray for Serenity.

I want to send a special thanks to these fine Heroic and Glorious Gunn Runners: Alexis, Beth Bailey, Brian Morin, Carol Baril, Cary Whitney, Chrystin Pleasants, Craig Wallerstein, Doris Lane, Ed Powell, Eric Ray, Erica Thomasson, Gina King Brown, James ODell, James Regan, Jan Czenkusch, Jen wallace, Jennifer Crispin, Jeremy Hendon, Jerrie Adkins, Jessica Clark, Jimmy Rimmer, Jolene Butt, Josh Brown, Karen Cox, Kate Dempsey, Kelira, Kurt Goodyear, LauraMay Sorkin, Les Howard, Lilith Marek, Lisa Dalton, Marie Alm, Miranda Nelson, Randy Brown, Scott & Anita Gorrell, Scott & Melanie Wienhusen, Stephen Conroy, Susan Hamrick, Tim M. O'Brien, Troy Rodgers, William McKissack

Thank you for your generosity!