FAWM Song #3 – Apple Pie

Each week, FAWM poses a challenge to its participants, which is how this song came to be. The challenge was to write about food and the first thing that popped into my mind was the eulogy my Mom had given for my Poppa’s funeral last December. The theme of the eulogy was Apple Pie. I really liked the idea, and I had this strange melody line going through my head, but it took me a week to really sit down and write the song. I wanted it to be vague, but obvious to those who knew him that the song was about him and my Nana.

When I wrote it, I ended up with a common chord progression that included an F chord, which I can’t really play well yet. So I reached out to some folks for a collaboration and got a nice fingerstyle accompaniment back from one person. I think it still needs something more upbeat, and hopefully another person I talked to will come through. Otherwise, I’ll master that F chord and do it myself one day.

It has been a few weeks now and I’ve gotten a chance to record this again. My guitar teacher helped me fill in some pieces, and while it is a bit faster than I’d like, this is the final version until I am able to professionally record it.

Here are the lyrics:

It started with an apple
on crisp fall day
He took a bite and knew
What he’d be doing that day

He took 5 cups of flour
One pound of lard
A teaspoon of salt
from the mason jar

Mixed it all together
with a whole lot of love
A warm and flaky crust
from heaven above

As he rolled out the dough
They laughed and cried
He knew her so well
He didn’t even have to try

He looked into her eye
Offered her some pie
Said they’d be together
Till the day that they died
A universe of love
in every single bite
And when you were in need
He would make you Apple pie

Like the dough their love
Was just the right size
No holes on the bottom
When he laid it inside

Next came the apples
Peeled with care
Add a pat of butter
Now we’re getting somewhere

When a pie’s made with love
It always turns out right
Doesn’t matter what is in it
All your probems hide from sight

He could never refuse
That single request
His heart was always open
And he gave it his best

He looked into her eye
Offered her some pie
Said they’d be together
Till the day that they died
A universe of love
in every single bite
And when you were in need
He would make you Apple pie

The love they had together
Was pure and strong
And she knows how much he loved her
Even now that he’s gone

He touched so many hearts
That still to this day
They’re singing his praises
In so many ways

He looked into her eye
Offered her some pie
Said they’d be together
Till the day that they died
A universe of love
in every single bite
And when you were in need
He would make you Apple pie