After a long season of writing, I’m releasing my new original ballad “I Tried…”

It’s a song about authenticity. About the cardboard figures and shadows on walls that we project from our fears. About people who climb on our failures to make their own mountain peak — and how they fly too close to the sun.

And ultimately, about choosing to simply be.

Musically, I kept it restrained and soulful — the way it was written. Acoustic piano establishes the harmony, fingerpicked guitar with natural harmonics, upright bass gently joining, ambient pads, muted trumpet and breathy harmonica, and a warm, soulful choir on the chorus. It builds from a whisper to a climax, then fades intimate and harmonized: “I am simply myself…”

Lyrics – Verse 1:

“It’s been a journey that I’ve taken,
To get to where I am.
Not easy, nor taken for granted,
But choosing where I stand.”

I hope you find a piece of your own story in it.

Listen, lyrics, and chord progression are now up on the music page.

Thank you for being part of this community.

— Journeeman

[Album Artwork]
Original song by Journeeman 2026.