Birthing Songs
A New Demo Called "Red Hill Rider" In This Post
Good morning and happy Friday.
The narrator in a bookI recently finished makes a comparison between her two daughters. She explains: “[Emma was] the opposite of her sister in almost every respect, Rebecca’s was problematic from the moment of conception. My pregnancy left me feeling enfeebled and bilious, and while Emma had popped painlessly out of me, as if she simply wanted to get going on with life without another moment’s delay. Rebecca’s was a long and challenging labor that required the intervention of two doctors and a fleet of nurses...she finally appeared in a tsunami of blood, shit and screaming.”
Yikes! Let’s be clear, I’m not equating songwriting to child birthing. I say this for the sake of all my female readers but mostly for my wife (who would be the first to tell me I know not what I say). However, both are acts of creation. And I thank god that as a male the only birthing I’ve had to do are these songs I write. That being said. Some come easy. Some are long and challenging.
The tune I’m sharing with you today has had a long journey. I shared an early draft with a songwriting group last year. I didn’t get much feedback except for one comment that “the line about the champagne is good, definitely keep that in there.” At the time I didn’t have a chorus—I was yodeling. But every few weeks or so I would return to it—each session ending in failure— until last week when it all came together. I’m not sure how a songwriter knows when it’s done but this just feels right. Now, on the same day, I wrote a second song and it took all of 20 minutes. It just popped out. Maybe I’ll share that one in a future post. Anyway here’s the new song, “The Red Hill Rider”.
Thanks for listening and for reading. Peace to you! - Mick
The Red Hill Rider By Mick Chorba ©2026 Dinner Time Music ASCAP I’m a red hill rider And I’ve made some mistakes I took what I wanted And then I wandered away It’s the sound of the rain In the night that brings me pain Like a tooth gone rotten Something has gotten me waylaid I’m a red hill rider I’m an actor in a play I keep rehearsing All that a person can say And though I’d rather stay I keep riding away I keep riding away I keep riding away Riding away I’m a red hill rider And a glass of champagne Is something I remember Though I know I’ll never know again Like your arms around my waist Or gentle on my face I keep on sliding Even though I’m riding the brakes And though I’d rather stay I keep riding away I keep riding away I keep riding away Riding away
Upcoming Schedule
Friday 4/10 - Beach Haus Brewery, Belmar, NJ 7:00 - 10:00 (Mick/Ron Duo)
Saturday 4/11 - Screamin Hill Brewery, Cream Ridge, NJ 2:00 - 6:00 (Mick/Ron Duo)
Sunday 4/12 - The Chesterfield Inn, Chesterfield, NJ 5:00 - 7:00 (Mick/Ron Duo)
Friday 4/17 - The Druery, Lawrenceville, NJ 7:00 - 9:00 (Mick Solo)
Saturday 4/18 - Dharma Bums, New Hope, PA 8:00 (Full band electric Mick/Ron/Pete w/ Tom O’Grady sitting in on drums while Rob Martin recovers from knee surgery). Appearing with Those Looks and Loose Panic.
What I’m listening to:
Fontaines DC. While painting this week I listened to their new album Romance about 5 times and their debut album Dogrel at least 7 times.
What I’m reading:.
The Elements, by John Boyne. What an emotional roller coaster. This is the book I quoted from in this post.
That there's a good 'un.
Male author, female narrator: nice. Also, I like the new tune.