Congratulations to all the Solo Songwriting Challenge Participants!
What was the challenge?
This challenge had three prompt levels writers could choose from. We also dedicated this challenge in memory of former MAS member and MAS board member, Catherine "Cat" McNerlin. The very minimum was to write a song in memory of someone important in your life. We realize, for some, that might be too close to home for the moment, so we left it optional.
Level 1: Huh, okay. Seems easy enough.
- Title: Work Up the Nerve. We also accepted Worked Up the Nerve or Working Up the Nerve, etc.
Level 2: Umm sure. A challenge but I’ll go for it.
- Work Up the Nerve. We also accepted Worked Up the Nerve or Working Up the Nerve, etc.
- Should have the phrase, “A regular day in the life of me,” somewhere in the song.
- Chord Progression: B-A-B-A-E-G somewhere in the song. We allowed transposing it to another key.
Level 3: Yeah baby! Bring it on!
- Work Up the Nerve. We also accepted Worked Up the Nerve or Working Up the Nerve, etc.
- Should have the phrase, “A regular day in the life of me,” somewhere in the song.
- Chord Progression: B-A-B-A-E-G somewhere in the song. We allowed transposing it to another key.
- a non-typical VCVBCBC song structure.
Fun Facts
- The title idea Working Up the Nerve came from a MAS testimonial written by member Trudy Taylor. Thanks Trudy for the inspiration!
- The phrase, "A regular day in the life of me," was happily lifted from member Mark Grim's answer to one of our poll questions. There's your 2-minutes of fame, Mark ?
- The chord progression B-A-B-A-E-G are the scale notes found in the name of MAS member Barbara English. Who needs a name up in lights, Barbara, yours is up in music!
Everyone had the usual 30-days to write their song.
Here's what they came up with.
Enjoy
Working Up The Nerve
Date submitted: May 4, 2021 at 10:34 am
By: Douglas Millaway
Copyright info: 2021
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Working-Up-The-Nerve-Challenge.rtf
Working Up The Nerve – Doug Millaway 2021
Selling kisses for a dollar at the fair
Boys lining up from everywhere
The smile, the laugh, the flip of your hair
It’s more than all those other guys deserve
Four quarters in my pocket burning deep
If you ask me, it’s way too cheap.
The eyes, the voice, it just makes me weak.
It’s hard just working up the nerve.
I slowly walk ahead to join the line
A thousand pictures are in my mind
The fear, the hope, my imagination blind
It’s a whole lot more than I deserve
I wish I had your blazing confidence
I’ve only learned life by accident
Through sweat, tears, and common sense.
It’s hard just working up the nerve.
It’s obvious you think it’s a waste of time
One kiss is the same as ninety-nine
You’re nice, you’re sweet, it’s all benign
All those rumors you don’t deserve
I know this is not some fine romance
It’s kind of silliness at first glance
I’ll hope, I’ll wait, I’ll take a chance.
It’s hard just working up the nerve.
Working Up My Nerve
Date submitted: May 6, 2021 at 10:23 am
By: Patricia Hager
Copyright info: 2021
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/WORKING-UP-MY-NERVE.rtf
WORKING UP MY NERVE
My hands are shaking, my voice is quaking,
Don’t wanna’ fight, but this ain’t right
You don’t see their plight.
You don’t want to hear, you’re living in fear,
You’re living your dream, in your reality,
Not my reality
CHORUS
Well I’m working up my nerve, to throw you a curve,
Just wanta’ serve the truth for once
Well I’m working up my nerve, to let you go
won’t cry cuz you’re not worth tears
Well you’re really mad and I’m really angry,
We’re gonna’ fight, cuz this ain’t right
You don’t see what’s right
You don’t want to know, the pain others feel,
You think you’re always right, cuz they can’t fight,
You don’t see their plight
CHORUS
Don’t want to listen to the hate you spread,
When I think of you, I feel dread
Don’t want to be with you
You don’t much care about anybody else
Except yourself, and that ain’t right
You’re not the only one
CHORUS
@Copyright Patricia Hager 2021
Work Up the Nerve
Date submitted: May 11, 2021 at 10:48 am
By: Trudi Taylor
Copyright info: 2021
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Trudi-Taylor-Work-Up-the-Nerve-Solo-Challenge.rtf
Work Up the Nerve
© Trudi Taylor | 651-707-4585 | tataylor46@yahoo.com | Singalongwithtrudi.com
(Ya gotta)
CHORUS: Work up the nerve to follow your heart
Work up the nerve to do your fair part
Work up the nerve to earn the life you deserve
To be the best you can be, you gotta work up the nerve
These words my mother modeled gave my life a head start
They’re steeped in my mind – even though we’re apart
You’ve been given gifts, (she said) so much is required
Keep on learning and giving, so your soul stays inspired
Don’t let fears control you, for they paralyze
You can trust in yourself and your hopes realize
If you just… (Repeat Chorus)
(She told me)
To work up the nerve, name that challenge you face:
A new job? Start a family? Go to school? Run that race?
All our lives have their issues, you can guarantee
And if resolution seems hard to see
Narrow your problem, get it down to its core
Start with just a small step, then work up to more
Just start to… (Repeat Chorus)
To work up your nerve, learn as much as you can
Observe and listen and build your plan
Give others credit for helping you grow
Stop worryin’ ‘bout showing how much you don’t know
Old pros make things look easy, ‘cause they’ve been at it for a while
Just keep on trying and sharing that smile.
And you will ….(Repeat Chorus)
Well, when you’ve worked up the nerve ‘til some hope you can see
Have a pat on the back and say “Hey! Good for me!”
What’s the worst that can happen? If it all goes to hell?
If you gave it your best, practice saying: “Oh, well”
Don’t let worries freeze you, there is courage in you
And I’m right here cheering every brave thing you do
I know you’ll … (Repeat Chorus)
Now, Life won’t always be easy, it’ll toss you a curve
But through times, great or sad
I know you’ll work up the nerve
Working up the Nerve
Date submitted: May 15, 2021 at 11:48 am
By: Bill Davis
Copyright info: Composed 2021. All Rights Reserved
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Working-up-the-Nerve-RTF.rtf
Working Up the Nerve
I’m here alone wondering what might have been
Think ‘bout many things from way back when
You were so young just learning your way
So many things I never got to say
You left us so quickly I couldn’t say goodbye
I celebrate the good things from your life
My heart has been broken for far too long
It never seems fair and is surely wrong
Chorus
Well I’ve been working up the nerve to write you this song
You gave so much and it’s been way too long
Working up the nerve to sing you this tune
Hoping someday we’ll meet again soon
Well I’ve been working up the nerve to write you this song
You gave so much and it’s been way too long
Birthdays and holidays they come and go
Everyday is the same for me I never really know
All the things I thought never came to be
A regular day in the life of me
You left so quickly so many things unsaid
I celebrate the great life that you led
My heart has been broken for far too long
It never seems fair and is surely wrong
Bridge (instrumental 1)
Repeat Chorus
Bridge (instrumental 2)
Repeat Chorus
©Bill Davis || bill@fabcor.net ||714-609-2512
Worked Up the Nerve
Date submitted: May 18, 2021 at 5:04 pm
By: Chuck Thomas
Copyright info: Copyright ©2021 Chuck Thomas
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Chuck-Thomas-Worked-Up-the-Nerve-Challenge.rtf
Worked Up the Nerve
The back of grandma’s hands told the story of her life
Every line every wrinkle, a good mother and a wife
And when I came along she helped to raise me up
Grandma held me in those hands, so I’d feel safe and loved
On Saturday’s she’d dial up the Grand Ole Opry show
I’d curl up in her lap, and do my best to sing along
Never understood those George Jones leavin’ songs
Until grandma had to go home and I’d feel so alone
If I could’ve worked up the nerve
To talk to God today
Just maybe if I would’ve bent his ear
He’d kindly explain
Why do little boys have to grow up
And why do grandmas go away
Wish I could’ve worked up the nerve
To talk to God today
Twenty-five years later I’m standing in the rain
Tears streaming down my cheeks, no need to feel ashamed
Though life and miles had come between us in those recent years
I could still feel grandma reach for me, and the pain just disappeared
What I wouldn’t give to travel down that road again
Back to a time of innocence when I was still a little kid
Then I heard grandma’s voice say it’s ok life moves on
You might feel like love’s been lost, but in your heart, it’s never gone
(repeat chorus)
Never a bad word for anyone
A lesson we could all learn from
Always spread the kindness she embraced
Her name was Grace
If I could’ve worked up the nerve
To talk to God today
Just maybe if I would’ve bent his ear
He’d kindly explain
Why do little boys have to grow up
And why do grandmas go away
Wish I could’ve worked up the nerve
To talk to God today
Yeah wish I could’ve worked up the nerve
To talk to God today
Copyright ©2021 Chuck Thomas
Our Song Will Never Be the Same
Date submitted: May 19, 2021 at 9:26 pm
By: Mary Kealy-Falk
Copyright info: 2021
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Mary-Kealy-Falk-Our-Song-Will-Never-Be-the-Same-Solo-Challenge.rtf
Where The Rose Forever Blooms (Work Up The Nerve)
Date submitted: May 19, 2021 at 9:45 pm
By: Paul Beckermann
Copyright info: Copyright Paul Beckermann 2021
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Where-The-Rose-Forever-Blooms-Work-Up-The-Nerve.rtf
Where The Rose Forever Blooms (Work Up The Nerve)
By Paul Beckermann (2021)
Grandma Rose, I loved hanging at your house
Playing cards, telling stories, and eatin’ too much
Your skinny arms could hold me strong
And I always wondered how you lived so long and so strong
Chorus 1
Dear, Grandma Rose with your gentle touch you loved me so much
I thought I’d always be there, sittin’ on your couch
Eatin’ day old popcorn, watching Family Feud
You’ll never know how much I learned from you
This is where the rose forever blooms
Ten healthy boys born in that house
I can only imagine that it got real loud
Each one grew up, and they settled down
Sons and daughters and mothers they came along and made you proud
Chorus 2
Dear, Grandma Rose with your gentle touch your loved me so much
I thought I’d always be there, sittin’ on your couch
Eatin’ day old popcorn, watching Family Feud
I never saw your cry, but I know we all do
This is where the rose forever blooms
Flowers still bloom upon your grave
Unbelievable beauty like the life you made
From just one vine So much can grow
Can I work up the nerve To let myself bloom like you, like you
Chorus 1
Dear, Grandma Rose with your gentle touch you loved me so much
I thought I’d always be there, sittin’ on your couch
Eatin’ day old popcorn, watching Family Feud
You’ll never know how much I learned from you
This is where the rose forever blooms
This is where the rose forever blooms
Come Again the Merciful
Date submitted: May 20, 2021 at 6:51 pm
By: Tim Goodwin
Copyright info: 2021
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Tim-Goodwin-Come-Again-the-Merciful-Solo-Challenge.rtf
Sunrise behind me
Prairie rolls on like the sea
Storm clouds ahead
Breeze on my neck like your breath
Aching for those passed
Look ahead and look back
Waiting for you again
Before wind brings stinging rain
Come again the merciful
Through the darkest nights
Our loves our lives
Come again
Lips numbed, can’t speak
Strong gives way to the meek
Winds laugh at us
Loud like gun, soft like a hug
Build up, tear it down
Lightning strikes ignite the ground
Rains come, put it out
Bitter taste left in my mouth
Comes a flood and then drought
Live with each other or do without
Work up the nerve to let go
So lies die and truths take hold
Working Up the Nerve
Date submitted: May 20, 2021 at 8:03 pm
By: Paula Wilson
Copyright info: 2021
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Working-Up-the-Nerve-by-Paula-Wilson.rtf
Worked up the Nerve
Date submitted: May 20, 2021 at 10:41 pm
By: John Bennett
Copyright info: © 2021 by John Bennett
Lyrics sheet: https://mnsongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/16/Worked-Up-the-Nerve.rtf
Worked Up The Nerve ©2021 by John Bennett
When it came to women
I’ve always been shy and reserved
Clumsy and afraid and a little bit chicken
You could say I was a social introvert
Til the day I finally worked up the nerve
So beautiful and funny Sandra Lee was her name
I first saw her across the crowded room
So I made it my mission
To get over this inhibition
And try not to be so subdued
Then I boldly walked over to get a little closer
Hoping I would get to know her more
While keeping my composure thinking I could win her over
I spilled my lunch tray all over the floor
Seeing my situation she was so sweet and kind
She said, “That’s ok I do that too sometimes”
So we talked a bit and relaxed and one thing led to another
We decided to meet each other on Friday night.
CH
That’s the day I finally worked up the nerve
Reached out and took that first step
I got more than a man could deserve
On the day that Sandra Lee and I first met
One Spring and one Summer in a whirl wind romance
All because of that lucky day I took a chance
Growing closer together as each day passed us by
She accepted my hand in marriage in our journey through life
CHORUS
The day I finally worked up the nerve
Became the happiest day of my life
I got more than I thought, I ever could deserve
On the day that Sandra Lee became my wife
