Shared Weight

Russell Nomer · Shared Weight

Shared Weight

Copyright August 17, 2025 Russell Nomer  ASCAP Work ID 931551017 ISRC#QT5AM2551017 

[Verse 1] 

Sunrise paints the fields in rust and gold 

Another winter story of the old and bold 

The chilled air smells of wood burning fumes 

As the frozen ground accepts no tombs 

I count my wealth in calloused hands 

And the heavy taxed weight of all this land

[Chorus]

Oh, the north wind bites and the stars hang low 

But there's a fire in the hearth where the good folks go 

Yeah, the fields stretch out and the road runs long 

And the weight is shared when we sing this song

[Verse 2]

The silence hangs so heavy there 

Just the creak of wood and a well-worn chair 

Thinking 'bout the seasons gone 

Trying hard to just hold on 

To what is true beneath this gray 

Hoping to survive for another day

[Chorus] 

Oh, the north wind bites and the stars hang low 

But there's a fire in the hearth where the good folks go 

Yeah, the fields stretch out and the road runs long 

And the weight is shared when we sing this song

[Bridge] 

Then the snow melts down and the river wakes 

And the ground gives up for goodness sakes 

There's a fiddle tune and a lantern light 

We're all here now, holding tight 

To the hope we had when the days were grim 

We earned this feeling, to the brim

[Outro] 

Yeah, the road runs long where the north wind bites 

We huddled and survived the bone chilled nights 

We came together, where we all belong 

We shared the weight as we sang our song

[End]

Acoustic-driven Americana song with a storytelling folk-rock feel. Instrumentation includes a clean acoustic guitar playing open chords, a subtle mandolin for texture, and a soft, melodic dobro solo. The drum beat is a simple, driving 4/4 with brushed snares, not too loud. The lead male vocal is sincere and warm with a slightly rough, lived-in quality, singing with a strong sense of melody. The harmony vocals are tight, two-part male harmonies during the chorus, adding depth and a communal feel. Overall mood is raw and grounded in the verses, but swells to a hopeful and powerful sense of camaraderie in the chorus.

A raw and authentic Americana anthem for the heartland. "Shared Weight" is a tribute to the quiet resilience of those who live on the land. Inspired by the realities of rural life in Idaho, Montana, and across the upper Midwest, this song honors the hard-won pride of the "old and bold," the deep-rooted community found in small towns, and the shared struggle against the elements and modern pressures. It's a testament to the fact that no matter how heavy the burden, you're never alone.

Tags

#Americana #FolkRock #CountryFolk #Acoustic #Heartland #MidwestMusic #RuralLife #Storytelling #Idaho #Montana #Wyoming #NorthDakota #SouthDakota #Kansas #Wisconsin #AmericanaMusic #FolkMusic #NewFolk #IndieFolk #SharedWeight