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BABY BROTHER BILLY

by Ned Hartford

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about

"Baby Brother Billy" is the second track of THE RENEWAL PROJECT, a collection of songs about coming through dark times with the hope of better days ahead.

I'm recording the tracks at home during the pandemic, doing it all myself. I am fortunate to have worked with some truly amazing engineers over the years, and I learned enough from them to know I am not in their league.

My hope is that these tracks are presentable enough that they might provide you with some of the encouragement they have given me over the years -in the writing and the performing, and, now the recording.

"Baby Brother Billy" is the oldest of the songs I'll be recording for this project. I wrote it about 30 years ago, based on something that happened to a friend. It takes courage to reach out for help when you hit bottom. I have tremendous respect for those who make the difficult, painful journey towards recovery.

It looks to be a hard winter ahead. Stay strong. Laugh, sing, dance. Live.

xo
Ned

lyrics

Baby Brother Billy
by Ned Hartford

You didn't ask what was wrong.
I guess you already knew.
Your wife musta been pretty ticked off
Me calling at quarter to two.
But you came and you cleaned up some of the mess
While I packed my clothes,
And as I made the phone call,
You put some coffee on the stove.
Yeah I guess we're both a little bleary eyed
And need a little something for the ride.

My baby brother Billy,
It all goes by so fast.
Everything is change
And nothing seems to last.
Baby brother Billy,
it all gets so unreal.
Now you're all grown up
And I'm too drunk to take the wheel.

It's a cold wind a'blowin.
Heavy snow coming down.
I sure picked one helluva night
to decide to dry out.
We drive along in silence.
Not much left to say.
But I remember back and there was a time
Things weren't always this way.
I remember when I grabbed you
Falling through the ice.
I pulled you out to safety,
And held you oh so tight.

My baby brother Billy,
It all goes by so fast.
Everything is change,
And nothing seems to last.
Baby brother Billy,
It all gets so confused.
Mostly now I end up
Being saved by you.

We pull into the parking lot.
You help me to the door.
You give me a hug and you wish me luck
Like the other times before.
You walk back through the snow,
get in your car and smile and wave.
I call out, "Billy, drive careful,"
As you slowly pull away.
Billy, please don't
Give up on me yet.
Billy Boy,
You're all that I have left.

My baby brother Billy,
It all goes by so fast.
Everything is change.
And nothing seems to last.
Baby brother Billy,
Have patience there my friend.
And maybe one day I'll be your
Big brother once again.

credits

released January 17, 2021
Ned Hartford did all this except...
The ticking clock sound was recorded by InspectorJ (www.jsahw.co.uk) and downloaded from FreeSound.org. Thank you, InspectorJ!
The windshield wiper sound was recorded by morgantj and also downloaded from Freesound.org. Thank you, morgantj!

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about

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Ned Hartford Brooklyn, New York

Used to go by a different name. Time to heal, so I left it behind. I write songs that tell stories that I hope appeal to our shared humanity and our better angels. Join me.

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