For about the past year George has been working on songwriting with another very talented man named James who lives in Florida. They met online through a mutual friend and they both work very well together. They’ve created dozens of incredible songs and they chat on Skype regularly to talk music and shoot the shit too. He’s a great guy.

As always with music, while I like all their songs there are some that I like more than others. I have a handful of favorites but their recent collaboration, called “A Hard Place” just hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s told from the point of view of a Marine who realizes that the only way he’s coming home is in a flag-draped coffin. The song is a letter home to his wife, apologizing for her that he can’t keep his promise of coming back safe and sound and telling her all the things she’ll need to do. It’s a tear jerker and very moving.

George did the music and James wrote the lyrics and did the vocals. He was a Marine himself so he knows of what he speaks in this song. After listening to it a few times I asked if I could make a photo montage video of it. Using attribution licensed photos from Flickr’s Creative Commons section I put this together and wanted to share it with you.

(If you’re one of the many people with someone fighting out there somewhere, please know this song is extremely emotional; I won’t be offended if you choose not to listen or watch the video.)

It’s a beautiful tribute and it pains me to think of how many loved ones have gotten letters much like that one. I hope you enjoy it.

Lyrics in the extended entry:

“A Hard Place”
James Cain/George Carter Jr. 2010

(Spoken)Boys I ain’t gonna lie to you. We’re in a hard place to get out of
You got 10 minutes Write your letters to your mamas, your wives and your girlfriends
Say it from your heart Marines. Today we are lean mean fighting machines
And I am proud to be one of ya. We’ll make our stand and if we fall we fall as Marines
“OORAH”

Honey I’m sorry, I made the promise
And I’ve always told you the truth
But I’m in a hard place to get out of
And all I do is think of you
I knew it was wrong when I said I’d be OK
And Soon I ‘d be home to stay
But I’m in a hard place to get out of
Be proud when I stand my ground
And honey forgive me, soon I’ll be coming home

My three brothers will bug you to make sure you’re doing OK
Please let them help you cause they won’t know what else to do or say
Let Jeff fix my truck he’ll get it running, sell it you’ll need the money for sure
Ollie will write a poem, he knows my heart. It’s only you who knows it more

Dexter will preach but he’ll have a hard time be sure to go stand with him
My sisters will sing Pretty and sweet
The Children will lose it and cry
Have a mirror ready,tell them LOOK He’s right there in your eyes

Honey I’m sorry, I made the promise
And I’ve always told you the truth
But I’m in a hard place to get out of
And all I do is think of you
I knew it was wrong when I said I’d be OK
And Soon I ‘d be home to stay
But I’m in a hard place to get out of
Be proud when I stand my ground
And honey forgive me, soon I’ll be coming home

Watch Mom like a hawk you know she’ll go crazy her worse fears realized
Whisper “he loves you so”
Show her this letter and my last words
Mom I’m in Heaven
And I’m doing fine.

You can hear more of the awesome stuff George and James write by checking out James’ profile at SongRamp right here. You can see which ones were collaborations with George; his name is always listed alongside the titles. Personal favorites include another tearjerker, Wheels of Life which is about James’ nephew’s fatal accident, Big Jack, Earthquake, and Throwaway Girl.

Enjoy!