“Thank the Ones Who Serve”
Written by Carla Gordon
Interview by American Songwriter
Carla Gordon is the American Songwriter Songsgiving Lyric Contest Promotion winner for her song “Thank the Ones Who Serve.” American Songwriter caught up with Carla to get the story behind her lyrics.
How long have you been songwriting?
I have been writing lyrics for as long as I can remember. At my fiftieth elementary school reunion a classmate reminded me that I wrote the words to the Bradwell School’s “Clean-Up Song” That was 1958. Even as a little kid, my thoughts came in rhyme.
Why did you enter American Songwriter’s Songsgiving Promotion?
I entered Songsgiving Promotion because I am proud of my lyrics and songs and the feelings they convey. People say that my words inspire them and I want more people to feel that way.
What was the inspiration behind your song, “Thank the Ones Who Serve”?
Two events inspired “Thank The Ones Who Serve.” The first was at a dinner party another guest told how the pilot asked the passengers to let a young veteran deplane ahead of the others and as he went down the aisle with his camouflage uniform and heavy duffel everyone on the plane applauded. A few days later I was watching the local evening news. It ran a story about a sergeant who had lost an arm in battle. His remarkably upbeat attitude moved me.
In a sense, though, lyrics write themselves.
Who are your all-time favorite songwriters and why?
My alltime favorite songwriter is Irving Berlin. His songs could be inspirational or funny or a little of each. He wrote funny lyrics for musicals and also wrote “God Bless America” and beautiful love songs. Other favorites are George and Ira Gershwin and Jerome Kern. I love the open-heartedness of the songs of the 1920s and 1930s
Are you planning to release any new music this year?
I write often and create custom lyrics for many singers in the National Cabaret Community.
What would you tell other artists who are considering entering the contest?
I would tell other songwriters (and singers), “We creatives have to take the reins on getting our work out into the universe.” Get feedback from people you trust and put your songs out there!
Read’s Carla’s winning lyrics to “Thank the Ones Who Serve” below:
“We were boarding in Chicago,
Halfway back in coach,
A soldier stepped into my row,
He smiled as he approached.
And if you saw his face,
You’d think he was “”just a kid.””
But look into his eyes then you’d see everything he did.
So we came to chat a while as we began the flight,
He was flying home: He called me “”ma’am””. His folks had raised him right.
He had photographs to show of his prom and of his car,
And he told me how he reached this day by travelling so far.
No matter if your politics lean left or to the right,
You can speak and you can choose ’cause someone went to fight,
So when you see those uniforms please get up the nerve,
To say “”hello””, to shake a hand,
And thank the ones who serve.
He had pictures of his parents and photos of their farm.
He said”” I’m going home to help ’em out, I can with my new arm,
Then I saw his brand-new hand: I hadn’t looked before,
This veteran would always have a souvenier of war,
The flight went very quickly: I liked my new-found friend,
Then the pilot spoke to all as we started to descend,
He said “”There’s a HERO on this plane: He’s served for several tours,
May he deboard ahead of you: His mom’s waited more than yours.
No matter if your politics lean left or to the right,
We can speak and we can choose ’cause someone went to fight,
So when you see those uniforms,please get up the nerve,
To say “”hello,”” to shake a hand,
And thank the ones who serve.
Say “”hello.””
Shake a hand,
And thank the ones who serve.”
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