https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:15:28 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362770 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:20:48 +0000 I have read this story somewhere before or something similar, great idea to put the sentiments into a song! It is a very meaningful story. http://www.naute.com/inspiration/luck.phtml

Good Luck Bad Luck!

There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?"

Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?"

Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck?

Who knows?

Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So we are wise when we leave it to God to decide what is good fortune and what misfortune, and thank him that all things turn out for good with those who love him.

Author Unknown
I agree with Neil, the "Horse..Of Course" rhyme does look a little forced and reminds me of the kids song "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly" ;) :lol:

****POOF Changes Made :mrgreen: **** It's not set in stone, but hopefully improved thanks to your input.

James]]> Sunday Songwriters Group jamestoffee https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362770 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362764 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:40:35 +0000 He fell off its back and hit the ground hard; broke his leg, of course The "of course" seems a bit too matter of factly. Perhaps something like;

He fell off its back and hit the ground hard; broke his leg by the force

And, yes, how'd you do that so fast? :D

Neil]]> Sunday Songwriters Group chefie https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362764 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362757 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:16:54 +0000
The words and music mesh very well to my ears, nice melody. A little fine tuning required, but I'm sure that will come with playing it, cuz wow, you really get a song together fast. I am a little envious as it takes me a fair while! :lol:]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Melody https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362757 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362754 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:18:01 +0000
There's always another side of the coin, no?

I liked this a lot. The music flows nicely and the structure of verse to chorus is a nice break from the usual ones you hear a lot of the time.

The first line of the third verse:

The farmer's son was doing his best to tame one wild horse

sounds a little awkward when you're singing it (it reads a little awkward, too) and I don't know if it's just because you were getting used to the new song or because it is a little awkard.

Also was wondering if you considered using a different melody line for the last line of the chorus. Having the last two lines exactly the same in terms of lyric and melody is okay, but it just seems like it might be nice to make the last "to know" up a bit higher. It's more than fine as it is, though.

Looking forward to more.

Peace]]> Sunday Songwriters Group David Hodge https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362754 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362734 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:13:28 +0000 Sunday Songwriters Group John Sargent https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-362734 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-40640 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:38:46 +0000
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10177728

==========REVISED LYRICS============

A farmer had an old horse; an old horse to till his fields
But one day, that old horse escaped and ran away to the hills
While the neighbors thought this was very bad luck
The farmer only replied

Chorus
Good luck, bad luck
Who is that wise?
Could misfortune be good and good fortune be bad; just in disguise?
Who is that wise to know?
Who is that wise to know?

After a week that old horse returned the neighbors excited and thrilled
For he brought with him a herd of wild horses down from the hills
While the neighbors thought this was very good luck
The farmer only replied

chorus

The farmer's son was doing his best to tame one wild horse
He fell off its back and hit the ground hard; his leg broke from the force
While everyone thought this was very bad luck
The farmer only replied

chorus

Later the army marched into the village and took all the young men away
But the farmer's son with his broken leg was allowed to stay
So what, what would you say?
What, what would you say?

chorus

==========ORIGINAL LYRICS============

A farmer had an old horse; an old horse to till his fields
But one day, that old horse escaped and ran to the hills
While the neighbors thought this was very bad luck
The farmer only replied

Chorus
Good luck, bad luck
Who is that wise?
Could misfortune be good and good fortune be bad; just in disguise?
Who is that wise to know?
Who is that wise to know?

After a week that old horse returned the neighbors excited and thrilled
For he brought with him a herd of wild horses down from the hills
While the neighbors thought this was very good luck
The farmer only replied

chorus

The farmer's son was doing his best to tame one wild horse
He fell off its back and hit the ground hard; broke his leg, of course
When everyone thought this was very bad luck
The farmer only replied

chorus

Later the army marched into the village and took all the young men away
But the farmer's son with his broken leg was allowed to stay
So what would you say?
What would you say?

chorus]]> Sunday Songwriters Group jamestoffee https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/y9w13-good-luck-bad-luck/#post-40640