Freedom Isn't Free

[rightonthemark]

Thanks to everyone involved in helping complete this tune.

Paul Dempsey - lyrics
Todd Viera - drums
Aslan_Bass - bass
Steve Smith - backing vox
Tricia Dovidio - backing vox
Steve McAndrew - backing vox
Andy Gupta - backing vox
Mark Shrider - music, lyrics, guitar, vox, programming, mix

this tune is dedicated to all who have served to fight for, defend and preserve the cause of freedom throughout the world.
it is the duty of all who live under the very freedom their sacrifice has secured to ensure it was not vain.

Freedom Isn't Free
(lyrics: Paul Dempsey & Mark Shrider)

(v1)
Crossing sacred ground
where past heroes bled
Lifted by the spirits
of Long past dead

(v2)
We are all here
By their sacrifice
They gave all they had
the steepest price

(chorus)
Freedom isn’t free
nothing's ever free
It’s up to you and me
'cause freedom isn’t free

(v3)
Oppression is evil
imprisons the mind
It stifles liberty
By design

(v4)
a strong willed people
Will fight every day
Once freedom’s tasted
It lights the way

(chorus)

(v5)
From monuments and statues
To spanning walls
We honor the many
That heard the call

(v6)
Facing a strong wind
We follow their lead
Defending freedom
And we may bleed

(chorus)

[PVD]

Mark:

It was great to join you on this meaningful lyric.  It is powerful and the haromonies are great.

Paul

[rightonthemark]

thank you Paul for the great lyrics.
and yeah, those backing vox made the song.

[CosmicDolphin]

Nice, I love the big synthy sweep at the start. There's something about the the backing that reminds me of the Mash theme in the verses which is quite appropriate.  Big lift in the chorus with Steve on backups and a good message.

I think there's something a little off somewhere in the timing, as though someone's track isn't lined up right which can often happen in the collab process - judging by the quality of the players involved it should be super tight.

CD

[rightonthemark]

Nice, I love the big synthy sweep at the start. There's something about the the backing that reminds me of the Mash theme in the verses which is quite appropriate.  Big lift in the chorus with Steve on backups and a good message.

I think there's something a little off somewhere in the timing, as though someone's track isn't lined up right which can often happen in the collab process - judging by the quality of the players involved it should be super tight.

CD

Thanks CD...
i appreciate the comments.
interesting, this is the second tune i've mixed recently you found something off with timing/track lining up.
hhhmmm...i wonder if there's something going wrong on my end.
there were parts of the chorus vox i thought may have been off a bit but i thought with the gang vox thing that the imperfections worked in the context of the tune.
i may go back and try to isolate where the timing issue is and either correct it or just remove it considering there are several backing vox tracks.
thanks again...
Mark

[CosmicDolphin]

Nice, I love the big synthy sweep at the start. There's something about the the backing that reminds me of the Mash theme in the verses which is quite appropriate.  Big lift in the chorus with Steve on backups and a good message.

I think there's something a little off somewhere in the timing, as though someone's track isn't lined up right which can often happen in the collab process - judging by the quality of the players involved it should be super tight.

CD

Thanks CD...
i appreciate the comments.
interesting, this is the second tune i've mixed recently you found something off with timing/track lining up.
hhhmmm...i wonder if there's something going wrong on my end.
there were parts of the chorus vox i thought may have been off a bit but i thought with the gang vox thing that the imperfections worked in the context of the tune.
i may go back and try to isolate where the timing issue is and either correct it or just remove it considering there are several backing vox tracks.
thanks again...
Mark

I hadn't realised I mentioned it on a different track of yours, you do tend hear it on a semi regular basis on collab sites with files going back and forth

It usually occurs when someone tracks to an MP3 ( instead of a WMA or Wav file ) and also made worse if people don't put click tracks on the start of their beds. 

The best way to work it out is mute everything except the drums and use your ears & eyes, then maybe figure out why it's off...sloppy playing or mismatched timelines.

CD

[Zax]

Great collab you all!!

Really great cast of people involved in this one.   

I find the main arpeggio theme very memorable, and suits the song perfectly IMO. 

Well done!

Frank

[rightonthemark]

thanks Zax.
this is one of those tunes i had laying around for quite a while...all the music and a chorus.
so i enlisted paul to write the story.
 i do like how it turned out.
thanks again...

[Tricia41]

Very nice writing Mark and Paul! Gotta love the meaning behind this. Thanks for letting me add a little!

[rightonthemark]

Very nice writing Mark and Paul! Gotta love the meaning behind this. Thanks for letting me add a little!

no. thank you...
absolutely loved that adlib you did on the final chorus.
it gave the song a little more character.
 thanks again..

[Billy]

Man, you got all the guys on this one.

Got a bit of a 'Sabbath' sound with the vocal for sure.

Good collab guys.......I'm liking this.

[rightonthemark]

thanks Billy.
the gang did a great job for sure.
thanks again...

[Thunder]

Mark thanks for letting me groove this rockin tune.

[Albino]

It turned out great Mark, I really like it. Thanks for letting me contribute to the collab.

[Tricia41]

Hey Mark, do you have this posted anywhere yet? reverbnation, soundcloud, etc? I'd be happy to share your link on twitter and facebook, if you do.