SAC Regional Songwriters Workgroup #2

I attended my second SAC Regional Songwriters Workgroup on Saturday. Our assignment was to take a published/performed song and change the lyrics to match the syllables of the original song, and the mood of the melody. I chose Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" as performed by Billy Joel.

Here are my lyrics changing those of Dylan's to "Help Me Heal My Soul":

I feel my pains grow from this broken back
Exposed for all to see the strength I lack
But I know you’ve a certain tact
Please help me heal my soul

I’ve been searching where it’s dark and deep
Free of light you’d think that I could sleep
But all this mystery’s just too hard to keep
Please help me heal my soul

I’m sure that you have better things to do
And I would never place no blame
If you could spare me just an hour or two
I’ll keep on talking all the same

I lost all hope before I lost my face
I’m so reluctant just to state my case
If you could save me just a little space
Please help me heal my soul

The sidewalks crack beneath my fumbling feet
As I come softly to your gate
Before I just keep walking down your street
Before your remedy’s too late

Might you spare another hour or three?
To keep me company in my misery
I know how temperate that you can be
Please help me heal my soul

In your hands I found the cure I seek

You’ve helped me heal my soul

I was again complimented on my singing (which still throws me for a loop) and everyone liked the lyrics. Liana, our group leader, thought it was too "perfect" (I have to email her to find out what that means) in that it captured the same mood as the original. One of the parts of the homework, however, was to match the lyrical mood with the melody, so I'll take that as a good thing...

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