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about

This song was written in 1982 in San Jose, California at 3 AM in the morning after hearing about my grandmother ’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s Disease. I was far away from Illinois where I was raised, couldn’t sleep and couldn’t erase the picture of my grandmother sitting alone on her porch (which she did for years)--- grieving the loss of her beloved husband in stoic silence.
I sat on the floor of the Motel 6 where I was staying, and with my guitar on my lap— I penned this song.

Another inspiration regarding this song was from my neighbor who unexpectedly lost his wife to a heart attack. He sat next to me one Christmas eve at our dinner table. His name was Walter — he was a beautiful man, and I could literally feel his unspoken heartache as we made light conversation. That would have been his first Christmas without his wife. It was Walter who I modeled the “Ira” character after. Walter died shortly after Christmas of a broken heart.

This tune was first recorded as a demo in Queens in 1988. The track was brilliantly produced by Mark Falchook, but as the years went by -- I didn’t like my vocal-- so I recut the song in Athens, GA.

lyrics

Old Ira

Denise D’Angelo Jones

Old Ira, what are you gonna do now?
You don’t get around as good as you used to
All your friends have let you down.
No one’s there when you’re wearing a frown

Old Ira, where are you gonna go now?
Now that Sara’s gone, and the time has come
To face up and caring on
Yesterday can no longer be found

On your own wearing the world upon your shoulders
Sara’s calling you back to another day
Try to find your way—hey. . . . . . . .

Old Ira, you sit on your porch and wait
And watch the street so eagerly
For the visits that never take place
The sun goes down and the moon leaves no trace

Old Ira, I’d like to help you along,
But your grief is aimed at the window- pane
Where you--- sit and you stare for so long
No one said that you had to be strong.
Copyright Sister Sound Productions, BMI
All Rights Reserved
Contact: ddjsongs@gmail.com

credits

from Queens L​.​I​.​E. EP, track released May 5, 2023
Denise D’Angelo Jones—vocal, piano, synth strings, digital percussion

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Denise D'Angelo Jones Athens, Georgia

Award-winning singer/songwriter, Denise D'Angelo Jones has been influenced by the writers of the 40's - present. She began her career in Greenwich Village in the 80's singing original music and playing guitar in rock bands. She is a classically trained opera singer/jingle singer/jazz singer/pop crooner who writes music influenced by jazz and R&B. Inspirational, classy and comedic. A pianist, too. ... more

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