Bernd's Lyrics

 ... and Songs Bernd Harmsen
all my lyrics so far my songs on SoundClick licensing conditions

 

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All my lyrics so far


After a dozen years of lyrics or song writing quite a few lyrics have accumulated, so I started to provide collections of my lyrics in the PDF format: there is my basic lyrics collection, called Bernd's first hundred lyrics (complete as of May, 2009, released November, 2009). All titles I have written since then can be found under Bernd's Second Hundred Lyrics.
Changes and additions are posted here - and will eventually make it into yet another compilation.

I have also prepared three special lyrics collections:
Bernd's MotorPlanet Lyrics containing the texts I have written for a blues rock trio from Bremerhaven (actually one song is missing, it's called "Hold on").
Bernd's Folk Lyrics comprise the lyrics to my own folk songs published on SoundClick and elsewhere as well as lyrics that I consider particularly suitable for folk music.
And last but not least there is my most philosophical(!) and personal collection, Bernd's carpe diem songs and lyrics

The archive provides links to former versions of the current lyrics page from the top of this page as well as lists and 'deep' links into the former lyrics pages. You can also browse the lyrics I've written between 2000 and 2010 from there. But note that there are about 170 of them, and that they are in no particular order, which actually were the reasons for replacing the former starting page with this one.

I am proud of my lyrics writing. Fortunately, I am not alone with my opinion. See some reviews if you like.

 

My songs


I am not a musician and I don't play the guitar particularly well. Nonetheless I enjoy writing and playing my own songs. I regard my own recordings as rough demos. The presentations are admittedly lousy, it's the ideas behind them that I'd like to direct your attention to. Maybe sometime folk singers or bands will (rearrange and) 'cover' some of my songs?
In spite of my rather obvious lack of musical skill there have been quite a few positive reviews.

 

Licensing


All my stuff is free for all to use, i.e. it can be set to music or covered - as long this is done in a non-commercial manner (note my "creative commons license" below). Public performances, CD-productions, as well as internet downloads that are charged all are commercial uses and must be registered with the appropriate performing rights organization (the "PRO" - that would be ASCAP or BMI in the USA, or GEMA in Germany). Note that the performing artists, i.e. the band or soloists, never need to pay royalties at all. The producers or organizers look after that, in Germany they even have to pay if the composers and lyricists are not affiliated with a PRO. In any case, I would appreciate if you informed me of your productions or performances so I can keep track and claim my royalties.

Creative Commons License
All my lyrics and songs are licensed under a Creative Commons License. What does it mean? Well, credit me for my part in the resulting work, i.e. as its lyricist, or maybe as its composer as well. If you alter my creations you may distribute the lyrics or songs under the very same conditions, adapting the credits accordingly, e.g. by adding your name as a co-author or as composer. As for commercial use see the notes above.
 

If you should be interested in collaborating with me simply send me an email: