Master of Hiding

HarbingerRoad

Hey all - I wrote this some time ago but thought I would share it. I've put many things I've written to music, but I only did an acapella version of this to put the lyrics together and haven't revisited it yet. Too many new writings. Please share your thoughts and critique at will. All opinions are valid, and an honest opinion is always the right opinion. I'm certain, as many of you know, this will evolve as it is put to music. Please give me a good critique that may serve to guide that process as well. My initial thought after revisiting this is to drop the middle chorus and break it up with a bridge but lay your thoughts on me.

Thank you in advance for checking it out and giving me some feedback.

https://www.reverbnation.com/harbingerroad/song/34392666-master-of-hiding

The Master of Hiding

I’m the master of hiding my friend

You’ll never know where I start and I end

Too many years covering up what I feel

Now just a reflex unable to heal

Behind this cloak, protector, my shield

My feelings hide, left never to yield

A lifetime of learning my craft

You can cry, you can scream, but I won’t cry or laugh

 

I’m the master of hiding

How did I get here

Emotionally dying

Internal pain and despair

Laughing while crying

 

I’m your brother, your father, your friend

Love too much, not enough, and pretend

All alone in a large, crowded room

Stuck in my head with the things I assume

Feeling battered, beaten, torn down

You’ll never know as I polish my crown

So deceitful in who I really am

Tears me apart while I don’t give a damn

 

It starts out with some practice to heal

But after a while it’s just harder to feel

No intent with a path that seemed clear

The years roll by and you’re suddenly here

Heed my warning my loves in my life

Never hide, bare your soul, face the strife

Only to heal if you’re free and let go

Covering up only buries your soul

 

Please… no more masters of hiding

Let yourself feel what you feel

No more masters of hiding

No more masters of hiding

sidshovel

What a wonderful voice! Something right out of "Phantom of the Opera".

You sir, have talent, develop it.

Sid

HarbingerRoad

Ah, thank you Sid. You are very kind.

popitup

@HarbingerRoad . . . Yes, really like this a lot . . . and as @sidshovel alludes to, it really takes on a musical theater identity, an interesting combination of acting and singing, with some very well written lyrics. I think the true power of the lyrics could be realized with a chord progression and musical arrangement . . . but I did totally enjoy this as-is !

HarbingerRoad

Thank you for your kind words @popitup. I would concur that this could become much more with a proper arrangement. I don’t think I’m at a place (yet) to create a proper arrangement for this, which is why I have written so many things since and haven’t completed this one. Hopefully I can complete this in the near future.

RainyDayMan

Very dark and intense - and ironically, full of emotion!

Only line that felt even slightly out to me was "Internal pain and despair" where "internal" felt a little rushed. You could try shortening that to In pain and despair when you re-record and hear how it sounds.

Good job!

HarbingerRoad

Thank you very much RDM. Great feedback and I will definitely take your advice on “internal”. Great suggestion. Thank you.

robcrozier

Very cool vocal, lyric, and melody! I can hear different music under this. Especially a Rocka Rolla era Judas Priest style vibe.

2 cents.