The Wolf Den: Spring Valley Rose

From Contributing Editor Clay Riness
Editor In Chief, The Weary Wolf Journal

Somewhere around 2001 my old friend Paul Kogut informed the world he was getting married and a date had been set for a big, outdoor wedding, right on the trout stream, at his place in Spring Coulee. He asked me if I would sing something during the ceremony. I don't make a practice of playing weddings, so I did what I always do when a friend asks me to bring my voice to a wedding. I told him I would do it if he trusted me to choose the music...non-negotiable.

He agreed, smiling. Of course, I was going to write a song for their wedding, and that would be my gift. It was something they would never expect.

Paul is a passionate lover of military history, an active Civil War re-enactor, and most everyone who knows him knows that about him. My take on a love song for him and his bride was to frame it in the setting of a civil war soldier returning home to his beautiful, waiting wife. That's how Spring Valley Rose was penned.

The wedding experience was awesome. Before I sang the song I told the congregation that anyone who really knew Paul knew that he loved two things: the woman he was standing with...and Civil War Re-enactment. Cracked them all up. The song was a huge success. Everyone told me I hit the nail square on the head with my unique and unusual little gift.

The next year, I came out of retirement and began performing concerts again, and I performed Spring Valley Rose for a full house at an intimate concert for the Rustic Valley Concert Series. Paul and Kim were in house and actually danced to their wedding song. I stumbled across the recording of that concert a few days ago, footage never before released. I hadn't even heard it since it was recorded in 2002. It was good to hear.

Listen to Spring Valley Rose:

Spring Valley Rose

by
Clay Riness

In a valley so green she is waiting,
In her calico dress by the stream.
For her true love to come promenading
Up the trail to his Spring Valley dream.

She loves a soldier. He loves no other.
She waits for him every bright and shining day.
He's just a soldier, a northbound stranger,
With so many miles to go, bound for home, but he knows
With his Spring Valley Rose he will stay.

She's the fresh blooming rose of the valley.
She's the warm evening sun that sets in May.
She's the soft gentle rain that feeds the garden.
She's the new bride of spring every day.

She loves a soldier. He loves no other.
She waits for him every bright and shining day.
He's just a soldier, a northbound stranger,
With so many miles to go, bound for home, but he knows
With his Spring Valley Rose he will stay.

Oh they say she was the pride of old Chicago,
The fairest girl in that cold and windy town.
But she traveled to the hills of old Wisconsin
And she settled with the new love that she found.

She loves a soldier. He loves no other.
She waits for him every bright and shining day.
He's just a soldier, a northbound stranger,
With so many miles to go, bound for home, but he knows
With his Spring Valley Rose he will stay.

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Spring Valley Rose

The Wolf Den: Potentially Abscessed Man

From Contributing Editor Clay Riness
Editor In Chief, The Weary Wolf Journal

In honor of my dental appointment this morning, I hearken you back to 2003 when I developed my first abscessed molar, and after too many years of avoiding the dentist, got the news that I was dreading. I am happy to say that, although my choppers are not getting better, they are also not getting worse, as I have been true and faithful to them ever since...after having gotten the hell scared out of me.

This performance is from a concert at Folklore Village in Dodgeville, Wisconsin and appears on my 2004 album, Little Windows. This song was written less than 48 hours before the performance.

Listen to Potentially Abscessed Man:

Potentially Abscessed Man
By
Clay Riness

You don’t see it coming. It happens one day.
You suddenly feel you’re not feeling okay.
A low throbbing lingers down deep in your head.
It’s a festering molar, and a day full of dread.
Two or three days and you feel even worse.
Who could cast such a spell and bring on such a curse?
Every breath is a brand new adventure in pain,
But you’re still in denial though dread still remains.

I’m long in the tooth, many years from my youth.
So heed this advice if you can.
I will sing from the heart to offer my part,
A potentially abscessed man.

Finally you’re sure it’s the doctor you need.
The pain is so crippling you can’t even eat.
And then in dental crisis you pray for the chair.
You’d pay twice the fee if he’d just put you there.
“The x-rays are gloomy” he says as he squints,
“but it’s got to come out.” You say “good” as you wince.
Two pricks of the needle, your face is gone numb
And extraction comes quickly and soon it is done.

I’m long in the tooth, many years from my youth.
So heed this advice if you can.
I will sing from the heart to offer my part,
A potentially abscessed man.

When it’s over he comes to you bearing bad news.
Periodontally speaking, your teeth are all loose.
There are pockets and plaque and the bone loss is stout,
And your gums have receded. Your teeth may fall out.
So stock up on your toothbrushes and your toothpaste.
And whenever you eat then go flossing post haste.
And at pain’s slightest sign you should do what you can.
‘Cause you might be a potentially abscessed man.

I’m long in the tooth, many years from my youth.
So heed this advice if you can..
Take good care of your gums or one day you’ll become
A potentially abscessed man.

© Copyright 2004 Clay M. Riness

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Potentially Abscessed Man

The Wolf Den: LBD Preview - "Way Of The World"

From Contributing Editor Clay Riness
Editor In Chief, The Weary Wolf Journal


Here's a second installment of our Little Black Dress preview. My description? Greg Brown meets old-time music. Don't ask.





Listen to Way Of The World:

The Way Of The World
By
Clay Riness, Brett Huus, Terry Nirva

(Note: Drop D tuning: DADGBE)

There’s a place in the world for a woman and a man
and you can’t wait around for a miracle to happen.
A man’s got a fire that will burn him up inside
and a woman’s got a fire that can take him for a ride.

So a man tips his hat and he gives a little smile
and a woman smiles back and they visit for awhile.
Then the woman sends a message that she maybe wants more
and the man takes the cue and he shows her to the door.

A little bit of sugar couldn’t do him any harm
so he turns to the woman and he wraps her in his arms
And the woman plays along ‘cause the game is what it is
and they both melt away in a passionate kiss.

Tell me what can you say when it happens all the time?
It’s the way of the world when two people are inclined.
When a man and a woman play a dangerous game
it can open up a door to a lifetime of blame.

© Copyright 2009 Clay M. Riness, Brett Huus, Terry Nirva

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Way Of The World