FAWM: "The Mountain, Me, and You"

The Mountain, Me, and You

Liner Notes

FAWM 2026 / Song 3 Instrument: laminate concert ukulele tuned low GCEA

All of my FAWM songs are drafts but some feel more “done” than others. I’m not settled in how I want to play this one, and the melody may yet change.

See all my originals here: https://tinyurl.com/seligsongs

#ukulele #singersongwriter #personwithukulele #girlwithukulele #acousticonetake #fuc #uke #acoustic #americanasati

Lyrics

The Mountain, Me, and You

Morning on the mountain All the air was grey and blue I tried to hold the birdsong In my breathing while it grew Everything a little damp With night’s long sorrow, too Only ground and sky and dry and dew The mountain, me, and you

I remember everything, I know where lost things go They’re secret in the snow of pages I’m afraid to write They’re on the edge-side of the coin we spin, it’s Heads or tails, you lose - we’re only winning If we somehow get the thing to land upright

Climbing down the slope when Lightning gathers at the peak Headed for the treeline I think I would be a tree But nothing can be copied It will always come out new The ground and sky and dry and dew The mountain, me, and you

My fingertips erode Because I touched my tears For all these years My feet becoming sand, The dust of me Worn down by every hand That’s ever held me here

The ground and sky and dry and dew The mountain, me, and you

Comments

@williamjames 1h

This really has potential galore. I love the first two sections especially. The lyrics are quite nice very thoughtful and meditative.

@bobjestes 10h

I’m drawn to the very different rhythms from each different section in the song. Gives some interesting movement. The lyrics are very visual and inviting. I must admit I’ll have to listen to this a few times to get my head around it, but that’s not a bad thing.

@newukenewyork 10h

Thanks for the comment. You know, there are parts of it I'm puzzling over, myself. ;)

@rubberbandage 12h

Wow, gorgeous melodic movement and I just adore the richness of your voice and your vibrato in combination with the ukulele.

I loved this line especially:

But nothing can be copied It will always come out new

Unrelated, your cat is living their best life 😸

@newukenewyork 12h

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the comment and knowing the line that struck you.

Re: that happy cat. We have two and they take turns snoozing in the background of many of my videos -- especially when it's as cold in our apartment as it is this week and I don't get the fuzzy blanket folded up. ;)

@adambeiter 13h

I adore the way that the feel switches to a more syncopated groove for the modulation - what a clever and intuitive choice, and it's reinforced so well by that glorious build into the "somehow" line. Your voice has this super effective balance of folk and classical influences that is just the perfect delivery for an optimistic and nuanced song like this. Not to mention that's one of the coolest designed ukes I've ever seen!

@newukenewyork 12h

Thanks so much for weighing in, because that switch was making me feel very unsettled in this song, and I appreciate that it works for you! And thank you for the kind words about my voice. :) The uke is a fun pineapple one by Ohana that I won in a random drawing!