Although I was not seeking comment I thank you all for your kind messages both here and the private ones I have recieved.

To Gerry Woods I will say that you have been a Chordie Member since 13th July 2007 and this is only your second contribution to the Forum (the other one having been deleted) I on the other hand joined 6 months prior to you and what kind of man am I? Well I have posted over 1,000 messages to this Forum, contributed several songs, all of which have been recorded and, along with some cover versions put on the Internet. I have helped a number of people and made numerous friends in America, Canada, Australia, Asia and Europe through Chordie. I have brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren and alas now only one cat all of whom I love and all love me in return. I have grieved, mourned and shed many tears for the loss of my cat Henry and what you seem not to have grasped is that to receive love (and respect for that matter) be it from man or beast, you have to first give it. Remember also that a cat, or any pet for that matter, is completely dependent upon you for its care and wellbeing. They give their love unconditionally.

Why not start a new thread in the 'Chat Corner' and find out just how many famous artists have written or performed a song about a pet, I think you will be surprised.

The song "Slave", if you had taken the trouble to read, play or listen to it, is in fact a tongue-in-cheek take on the way that a cat's behaviour is so very different from that of a dog. My latest song "Business As Usual" however is based on the sense of loss that I feel but I have tried to write it so that it can be about a death or the parting of ways for a person.

I do not know what sort of reaction you expected from me from your comment but I feel a great pity, sadness and sorrow for what is missing from your life.

If I can help you in any way please do not hesitate to write to me privately.

Take care,

Roger

Hi Jeff,

As 1947 was a vintage champagne year and also the year that I was born I think that 47 is a good one to have chosen.

Great song from you again with and interesting and unusual chord sequence that works very well. Thank you.

Roger

Nice recording James,

The finishing touch to a superb song, well done.

Roger

p.s.
I see the Helena had been living up to her signature

Hi James,

Welcome to Chordie. I think Rebel is spot on with her comments (she is one smart lady), nice chord progression and lyrics.

Now as you are the most recently added friend to FoC how about getting behind a microphone and letting us hear just how your song should sound. There is always a place for a new song there.

Thank you and well done,

Roger

Nice one Helena,

I love to hear the songs recorded. It is fine to sit and play one from the chords shown but the recording from the composer brings the song to life and shows it the way it was intended to be.

Thank you and well done.

Roger

Half a century ago (and I am not joking) when I learnt the F chord I learnt it as SouthPaw's number 3). It served me well for a number of years before I decided to learn the full barre chord. It was not too difficult then to stretch the index finger from barring two strings to barring the lot.

Roger

Hi Ryan117,

Welcome to Chordie. I am afraid to tell you that there are no easy answers, just practice, practice and then some more practice. You have to train your finger muscles and tendons to go to a fairly exacting position for each chord as soon as you think of it and that takes time.

Stick with it though, it may be hard at first, but the rewards are tremendous.

Roger

Wonderful Helena,

A great song for a great guy from the charming and ever gracious you. Well done.

*** I have done what little needed doing apart from the first square bracket '[' before the 'song]' formatting switch. I was unable to put that in as the same bug that affected John Walding's post is affecting this post too***

Roger

My daughter sent me this one:

A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him.
The waitress asks for their orders. The man says, "A hamburger, fries and a coke," and turns to the ostrich, "What's yours?"
"I'll have the same," says the ostrich.
A short time later the waitress returns with the order.
"That will be £9.40 please," she says and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact amount for payment.
The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, "A hamburger, fries, and a coke."
The ostrich says, "I'll have the same."
Again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with the exact amount.
For a while this becomes routine until the two enter again later in the week. "The usual?" asks the waitress.
"No, this time it's a treat, so I will have a steak, baked potato, and salad," says the man.
" Yep! Same," says the ostrich.
Shortly the waitress brings the order and says, "That will be £32.62."
Once again the man pulls the exact amount out of his pocket and places it on the table.
The waitress can't hold back her curiosity any longer. "Excuse me, sir.
How do you manage to always come up with the exact money from your pocket every time?"
"Well," says the man, "several years ago I was clearing the attic and found an old lamp, when I rubbed it a Genie appeared and offered me two wishes.
My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always be there."
"That's brilliant!" says the waitress. "Most people would wish for a couple of million pounds or something, but you'll always be as rich as you want for as long as you live!"
"That's right. Whether it's a pint of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact money is always there," says the man.
The waitress asks, "But, sir, what's with the ostrich?"
The man sighs, pauses, and replies, "My second wish was for a tall bird with a big bum and long legs who agrees with everything I say."

Roger

Hi Lieven,

I can only speak for myself and I am very reluctant to write a harsh critical comment on anyone's song. Whatever I may feel, someone has put a lot of time and effort into writing and posting their song and they think it is good enough, so in reality it is probably just my interpretion of what is put down that is at fault. What I think is wonderful someone else will think is rubbish and vise versa, it is all a matter of opinion and taste.

There are also so many songs and poems being posted now as opposed to a year ago that it is impossible to read, play and comment on every one.

On saying that I have been know to write privately to an individual if I think that they have done something horribly wrong or I can help in some way.

Roger