Songwriting Camp with Mandy Rowden 2022

The first Kids With Pens Songwriting Camp was a really fun time of creativity, sharing, vulnerability, silliness, and dance parties. Each camper brought a unique perspective to the prompts they were given and were able to create songs that were so authentic and enjoyable. Some played instruments already and some didn't, but all participated in a showcase at the end for their parents. Please enjoy reading the lyrical sides of their songs, and watch for these names in big lights!" – Mandy Rowden

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Lime Ocean

By Alec Burkhart

Verse 1 Eyes deep and dark like the ocean

Sinking further still can’t stop hoping

Strolling through life your hand in mine

It almost feels like we could stop time

Chorus The scent of lime floats through my mind

You are the one I was meant to find

Verse 2 Can you feel my heart beating inside my chest

Come run with me we’ll figure out the rest It all comes down to you and me This is how it’s supposed to be

Chorus The scent of lime floats through my mind

You are the one I was meant to find

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Fourteen Floor Fire

By Riley Gonzalez Orr

Chorus

It’s a fourteen floor fire

Reaching higher and higher

Up towards the sky

With sparks that fly

No it’ll never tire

This fifteen floor fire

Verse

Down in the city

Where the people are

Screams in the streets

As flames reach for the stars

Heat pouring out in waves

Heat melting off your face

Gasoline and wood

Do more than a fireplace ever could

Chorus

It’s a fourteen floor fire

Reaching higher and higher

Up towards the sky

With sparks that fly

No it’ll never tire

This fifteen floor fire

Verse 2

In the building

Where the people are

Smell of rotting flesh

As flames reach for the stars

Light that’s got hypnotized

Light that’ll blind your eyes

It’s a match that’s struck

And the building goes up

Chorus

In a fourteen floor fire

Reaching higher and higher

Up towards the sky

With sparks that fly

No it’ll never tire

This fifteen floor fire

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Cemented

By Holly Herman

Chorus

I’m cemented in place

With grime in my face

I’m stuck all alone

I wish I had brought my phone

Verse 1

I spy in the distance, a place so gross

I fear I’ll get sun, unlike most

This place is the bathroom, though necessary I can’t help but think that I’ll need therapy

Chorus

I’m cemented in place With grime in my face I’m stuck all alone

I wish I had brought my phone

Verse 2

I’m stuck and frantic with no phone I’m scared I’ll die all alone

Nothing to eat, nothing to drink Irrational fears are all I can think

Chorus

I’m cemented in place With grime in my face I’m stuck all alone

I wish I had brought my phone

Verse 3

I have to come to terms, there’s nothing to fear So I take a deep breath, they don’t need to here Just go to the bathroom, it’s perfectly safe

You will not get stuck with grime in your face

[Evolved] Chorus

No longer cemented The room is clean

I step outside To a cool breeze

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Let Me Use My Voice

By Lowary Smith

Verse 1

Dead roses withered and frail

I’m starting to wish fear hadn’t come

I awake every morning with a joyful song

And I go to sleep with the bedroom light on

Chorus

The world is a wreck right now And I am a mess I know

Life is dragging me down Leave me alone world Let me live my life Without your guidance

I should have a choice Let me use my voice

Verse 2

I’m tired of trying to fight

I’m done with losing life

Go ahead and move along

I am a hopeless cause

There’s promises I can’t keep

That’s the one thing I know about me

So go ahead and move along

Apparently I’m a hopeless cause

So go ahead and move along Apparently I’m a hopeless cause

Chorus

The world is a wreck right now

And I am a mess I know

Life is dragging me down

Leave alone world

Let me live my life

Without your guidance I should have a choice

Let me use my voice

Outro

Leave me alone world

Leave me alone world

I wish I was prepared for

The chaos and the gore

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Roaches Are No Bueno

By Lucy Tedesco

Verse 1

The first time I saw you was three

I didn’t mean to walk under your tree

I didn’t see you jump

But my head felt a jump

It scared the death out of me

Chorus

Seeing these bugs leaves my seething

My greatest fear is seeing them teeming

I know they don’t deserve to die

But when I’m around them my nerves are fried

Verse 2

Every time I see you crawl

You know that I will haul

Myself far away from you

And suddenly have things to do

Since seeing you makes me bawl

Chorus

Seeing these bugs leaves my seething

My greatest fear is seeing them teeming

I know they don’t deserve to die

But when I’m around them my nerves are fried

Verse 3

I think I finally get it

I’m not afraid to admit it I am scared of you

But there’s nothing I need to do

If you stay far from where I sit