2025 Competition Entry:

Back at the Diner by Vernon Papers (Drew Shanefield)

Genre

Folk

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

I played all instruments (acoustic/electric guitars, bass) and sang all vocal tracks on this recording.

Description

This song is something of a confessional, a way to wrestle with my mother’s growing dementia, months prior to her passing. It’s the story of going to the same diner, day after day. It’s a song of acceptance, understanding and surrender.

Bio

Welcome to the world of Vernon Papers, from singer-songwriter/composer/arranger and multi-instrumentalist Drew Shanefield.

“Why Vernon Papers? I think it’s a way to create an alternative reality and personality, one that’s, for me, void of history and expectation. The Vernon Papers project is largely a collection of home studio recordings. As a result, much of the ego is gone, dismissing excuses and the need for perfection. The only need is to be genuine and search for musical truth.” So I go on, looking for truth, following a hunch, and trying not to get caught up in all of the distractions.

Drew (Vernon Papers)

Lyrics

She asked if I wanted to go for a ride
Maybe to the diner on the other side
You’ll have some coffee and I’ll have toast
Seems to be the place you love the most
 
Talking about the same things again and again
The work, the hurt, the parents, the friends
Feels like we’re still just marking time
But it makes you smile, and that’s just fine
 
I sometimes wish this day would never end
Cause I sometimes think I don’t want to face tomorrow
But tomorrow’s here and we start it all again
Start the day with the sunshine and the sorrow
 
So now we’re back at the diner, coffee and toast
Seems to be the place you love the most
Still talking about our parents again and again
Say it like the first time, like a new friend
 
So why do we need to know the day
It’s the same thing that happened yesterday
Why do we need to know the time
Why do we need to make it rhyme?
 
I sometimes wish this day would never end
Cause sometimes think I don’t want to face tomorrow
But tomorrow’s here and we start it all again
Start the day with the sunshine and the sorrow
 
I sometimes wish this day would never end
I sometimes wish this day would never end
I sometimes wish this day would never end
I sometimes wish this day would never end
She asked if I wanted to go for a ride

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