VoiceDDB
Politics • Culture • News
oDDBall analysis of conservative politics with a libertarian economic conservative twist. Small government, big freedom.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?

Learn more first
September 30, 2025
Grok Ballad Biography of me

"Join David Ball’s fight for justice and inspiration! Visit his blog at VoiceDDB on Locals.com to read his latest reflections on child protection and faith, or follow @DaOddBall67 (or @ddball67)on X to amplify his voice. Share the Ballad of David Ball with your community, and consider purchasing his Bread of Life series on Amazon to support his work. Together, let’s turn his whistleblower’s cry into a movement for accountability—act today!"

The Ballad of David Ball
[Verse 1]
In New York City, '67, a child was born so bold,
David Ball, with dreams afire, where Sesame Street was told.
His father shaped young minds at Columbia's hall so grand,
Till the '70s called them homeward to Sydney's distant land.
[Chorus]
Oh, sing of David Ball, with a heart both strong and true,
From classroom tales to whistle’s call, his spirit breaking through.
With pen in hand and faith so deep, he writes through joy and pain,
A voice for justice, loud and clear, in every sweet refrain.
[Verse 2]
Self-taught he read by Sydney's shore, with numbers as his guide,
A math teacher in the tough schools, where hope and youth reside.
For thirty years he shaped young souls, with lessons bold and wise,
Till tragedy struck with Hamidur, and tears filled David’s eyes.
[Chorus]
Oh, sing of David Ball, with a heart both strong and true,
From classroom tales to whistle’s call, his spirit breaking through.
With pen in hand and faith so deep, he writes through joy and pain,
A voice for justice, loud and clear, in every sweet refrain.
[Verse 3]
In 2008, a boy was lost, poor Rahman’s tale so grim,
David cried against the silence, a whistleblower’s hymn.
He fought the system, dark and cold, for justice long denied,
A pedophile’s shadow, Hamidur’s fate, with truth he would abide.
[Chorus]
Oh, sing of David Ball, with a heart both strong and true,
From classroom tales to whistle’s call, his spirit breaking through.
With pen in hand and faith so deep, he writes through joy and pain,
A voice for justice, loud and clear, in every sweet refrain.
[Verse 4]
From teaching’s end, his pen took flight, with Bread of Life so pure,
Devotionals of faith and hope, since nineteen-ninety-four.
Forty-five books, a forty-sixth in dreamtime tales to weave,
Warlpiri fairytales to sing, where ancient stories breathe.
[Chorus]
Oh, sing of David Ball, with a heart both strong and true,
From classroom tales to whistle’s call, his spirit breaking through.
With pen in hand and faith so deep, he writes through joy and pain,
A voice for justice, loud and clear, in every sweet refrain.
[Verse 5]
He ran for office, bold and free, in thirteen and sixteen’s race,
A conservative voice on X so wide, with sixteen hundred’s grace.
In Sydney now, a “fat writer” stands, with Capricorn’s fierce fire,
His blog resounds with “muscular faith,” lifting souls ever higher.
[Refrain]
So raise your voice for David Ball, through trials he’s held the line,
From New York’s streets to Sydney’s call, his legacy will shine.
With every word, with every fight, he carves a path so rare,
A ballad born of truth and light, forever in the air.

Notes on the Ballad

Historical Context: The lyrics reflect David’s birth in 1967 in NYC, his father’s work on Sesame Street at Teachers College until the mid-1970s, and the family’s move to Sydney. His self-taught reading and 30+ years as a math teacher are woven into the narrative.
Rahman Case: The death of Hamidur Rahman in 2008 and David’s whistleblowing efforts, including the pedophile investigation link, form a central emotional thread.
Literary Work: The Bread of Life series (2019–2020) and his 45 books, including the upcoming Warlpiri Dreamtime project, highlight his post-teaching career.
Activism and Online Presence: His political runs (2013, 2016) and X activity (@DaOddBall67) with over 1,600 followers are celebrated.
Tone and Structure: The ballad uses a repetitive chorus to emphasize resilience, with a refrain to close on an uplifting note, suitable for folk singing with a guitar or fiddle accompaniment.

This ballad captures David Ball’s multifaceted life as of September 30, 2025, blending fact with the storytelling flair of folk tradition.

To bring the folk ballad "The Ballad of David Ball" to life, the musical arrangement should reflect its narrative depth, emotional resonance, and traditional roots while aligning with David Ball's personal story and cultural context. Below are suggestions for tempo, rhythm, and instruments, tailored to enhance the song's storytelling and evoke the spirit of Australian folk music with a touch of global influence.

Tempo

  • Suggested Tempo: Moderate, around 90–100 beats per minute (BPM).
    • This tempo allows the lyrics to be delivered clearly, giving listeners time to absorb the story of David’s life, from his New York origins to his Sydney activism. It’s brisk enough to maintain momentum but slow enough for a reflective, heartfelt tone, mirroring the ballad’s blend of struggle and hope.
    • A slight ritardando (slowing down) can be used in the refrain to emphasize the legacy and resilience, creating a poignant close.

Rhythm

  • Suggested Rhythm: 4/4 time with a gentle, lilting feel.
    • Use a simple duple meter with a strong downbeat on the first beat and a lighter, bouncy feel on the off-beats (e.g., a "boom-chick" pattern common in folk ballads). This mirrors the "bouncy rhythm" noted in folk traditions (as per Britannica's definition) and suits the narrative flow.
    • Incorporate a slight syncopation in the chorus to lift the melody, reflecting David’s defiant spirit as a whistleblower and writer. For example, emphasize the "Oh, sing" with a slight delay to create anticipation.
    • The rhythm should evoke a walking pace, symbolizing David’s journey from teacher to advocate, with occasional pauses (rests) in verses to highlight key moments like Hamidur’s death or his book-writing phase.

Instruments

  • Primary Instrument: Acoustic Guitar

    • Role: The backbone of the arrangement, providing chordal support and rhythmic drive. Use open chords (e.g., G, C, D, Em) with a fingerpicking or strumming pattern to mimic the storytelling tradition of folk music. A capo on the 2nd fret can add a brighter tone, reflecting David’s optimistic faith in the Bread of Life series.
    • Technique: Alternate between a steady strum for verses and a more intricate picking pattern in the chorus to highlight emotional peaks.
  • Secondary Instrument: Fiddle (or Violin)

    • Role: Adds a traditional folk flavor and emotional texture. The fiddle can introduce a haunting melody in the verse about Hamidur’s death, using slides and double stops to convey sorrow. In the chorus, it can play a lively counter-melody to uplift the spirit of resilience.
    • Cultural Tie: Reflects Australian bush ballads and connects to David’s Sydney roots, where folk traditions have a strong presence.
  • Supporting Instrument: Harmonica

    • Role: Provides a soulful, improvisational layer, especially effective in the refrain. A bluesy harmonica solo can bridge verses, symbolizing David’s personal struggles and triumphs, from whistleblowing setbacks to his literary success.
    • Cultural Tie: Echoes American folk influences from his New York birth and Sesame Street heritage, blending with his Australian identity.
  • Optional Percussion: Bodhrán (Irish Frame Drum)

    • Role: Adds a subtle, earthy pulse to the rhythm, keeping the 4/4 time with a soft, hand-played beat. This can underscore the grassroots nature of David’s activism and teaching career.
    • Cultural Tie: Introduces a Celtic influence, common in Australian folk, and nods to his “muscular Christianity” ethos.

Arrangement Tips

  • Verse Structure: Start with a solo acoustic guitar to set a narrative tone, introducing the fiddle midway through the first verse (e.g., at "Till the '70s called them homeward" ) to build texture.
  • Chorus: Bring in the harmonica and bodhrán for a fuller sound, encouraging a communal sing-along feel to reflect David’s public advocacy.
  • Refrain: Slow the tempo slightly, letting the fiddle and harmonica trade melodic lines over a soft guitar strum, ending with a sustained chord to linger on his legacy.
  • Dynamics: Use a crescendo in the chorus to mirror David’s growing voice on X and in his books, then a decrescendo in the refrain for introspection.

Performance Notes

  • This arrangement suits a live setting, such as a Sydney folk festival or online stream on Locals.com, where David’s community could join in. The instruments are portable and accessible, aligning with folk music’s grassroots ethos.
  • Encourage a call-and-response style in the chorus ("Oh, sing of David Ball…" ) to engage listeners, reflecting his 1,600+ X followers’ support as of September 2025.

This combination of tempo, rhythm, and instruments creates a rich, evocative folk ballad that honors David Ball’s life story while staying true to the genre’s storytelling tradition.

Suggested images
[Verse 1]
Lyrics: "In New York City, '67, a child was born so bold, David Ball, with dreams afire, where Sesame Street was told. His father shaped young minds at Columbia's hall so grand, Till the '70s called them homeward to Sydney's distant land."
Image Suggestion: A nostalgic scene of 1960s Manhattan with a young David Ball as a baby in a cradle, surrounded by Sesame Street puppets (e.g., Big Bird, Elmo) and educational toys. In the background, Columbia University’s Teachers College looms, with a ship sailing toward Sydney’s harbor silhouette.
Prompt: "A warm, vintage 1960s New York City street scene, a baby cradle with a newborn David Ball, surrounded by colorful Sesame Street puppets like Big Bird and Elmo, educational toys scattered, Columbia University’s Teachers College in the background, a ship sailing toward Sydney’s harbor silhouette, soft pastel colors, nostalgic mood, detailed and whimsical, digital art style."

[Verse 2]
Lyrics: "Self-taught he read by Sydney's shore, with numbers as his guide, A math teacher in the tough schools, where hope and youth reside. For thirty years he shaped young souls, with lessons bold and wise, Till tragedy struck with Hamidur, and tears filled David’s eyes."
Image Suggestion: A young David teaching math on a Sydney beach, chalkboard in sand with equations, surrounded by diverse students. Transition to a somber classroom scene with a shadowed figure of Hamidur, tears falling from David’s eyes.
Prompt: "A vibrant Sydney beach with a young David Ball teaching math, chalkboard in the sand with equations, diverse students around him, transitioning to a somber classroom with a shadowed teenage boy (Hamidur), tears falling from David’s eyes, warm coastal colors fading to muted tones, emotional and detailed, watercolor style."

[Verse 3]
Lyrics: "In 2008, a boy was lost, poor Rahman’s tale so grim, David cried against the silence, a whistleblower’s hymn. He fought the system, dark and cold, for justice long denied, A pedophile’s shadow, Hamidur’s fate, with truth he would abide."
Image Suggestion: A dramatic confrontation—David standing with a megaphone against a shadowy bureaucratic building, Hamidur’s ghostly silhouette fading, a dark figure symbolizing the pedophile cover-up lurking.
Prompt: "A dramatic scene of David Ball with a megaphone, standing against a shadowy bureaucratic building, a ghostly silhouette of Hamidur fading into the background, a dark figure symbolizing a pedophile cover-up lurking, intense lighting, stark contrasts, gritty and bold, digital painting style."

[Verse 4]
Lyrics: "From teaching’s end, his pen took flight, with Bread of Life so pure, Devotionals of faith and hope, since nineteen-ninety-four. Forty-five books, a forty-sixth in dreamtime tales to weave, Warlpiri fairytales to sing, where ancient stories breathe."
Image Suggestion: David writing at a desk, surrounded by stacks of books (Bread of Life covers visible), with a dreamlike overlay of Warlpiri Dreamtime figures (e.g., ancestral spirits, desert landscapes) emerging from his pen.
Prompt: "David Ball writing at a desk, surrounded by stacks of books with Bread of Life covers, a dreamlike overlay of Warlpiri Dreamtime figures like ancestral spirits and desert landscapes emerging from his pen, warm earthy tones, spiritual and surreal, mixed media art style."

[Verse 5]
Lyrics: "He ran for office, bold and free, in thirteen and sixteen’s race, A conservative voice on X so wide, with sixteen hundred’s grace. In Sydney now, a ‘fat writer’ stands, with Capricorn’s fierce fire, His blog resounds with ‘muscular faith,’ lifting souls ever higher."
Image Suggestion: David campaigning with a banner, a laptop displaying his X profile (@DaOddBall67) with 1,600 followers, transitioning to him as a robust writer in Sydney, a Capricorn symbol and fiery aura behind him.
Prompt: "David Ball campaigning with a banner, a laptop showing his X profile @DaOddBall67 with 1,600 followers, transitioning to him as a robust writer in Sydney, a Capricorn symbol and fiery aura behind him, modern and bold, mixed with traditional folk art elements, vibrant colors."

[Refrain]
Lyrics: "So raise your voice for David Ball, through trials he’s held the line, From New York’s streets to Sydney’s call, his legacy will shine. With every word, with every fight, he carves a path so rare, A ballad born of truth and light, forever in the air."
Image Suggestion: A triumphant David with raised arms, a crowd singing, a map connecting New York and Sydney, light rays breaking through clouds, symbolizing his legacy.
Prompt: "A triumphant David Ball with raised arms, a diverse crowd singing, a map connecting New York and Sydney, light rays breaking through clouds, symbolizing legacy, warm and uplifting tones, epic and detailed, oil painting style."

https://suno.com/s/bIHE4UzJfUcxAbzR

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?

Learn more first
What else you may like…
Videos
Posts
Articles
November 27, 2022
Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle...

00:02:04
September 01, 2021
Intro to Locals for the Conservative Voice

David Daniel Ball calls himself the Conservative Voice.

I'm a teacher with three decades experience teaching math to high school kids.I also work with first graders and kids in between first grade and high school. I know the legends of why Hypatia's dad is remembered through his contribution to Math theory. And I know the legend of why followers of Godel had thought he had disproved God's existence.

I'm not a preacher, but I am a Christian who has written over 28 books all of which include some reference to my faith. Twelve blog books on world history and current affairs, detailing world events , births and marriages on each day of the year, organised by month. Twelve books on the background to and history of Bible Quotes. One Bible quote per day for a year. An intro to a science fiction series I'm planning, post apocalyptic cyber punk. An autobiography with short story collections.

I'm known in Australia for my failure as a whistleblower over the negligence death of a school boy. ...

00:01:50
September 28, 2025
Grok biography of me

This is edited to correct obvious mistakes
David Daniel Ball (born January 10, 1967, in New York City) is an Australian writer, conservative blogger, political activist, and former high school mathematics teacher. As the younger brother of cognitive scientist John Samuel Ball, David has carved a distinct path in education, advocacy, and self-publishing, often focusing on social justice, child protection, history, and Christian devotionals. His life story intertwines family intellectual heritage with personal campaigns against institutional failures in child welfare.

Early Life and Family

David was born in Manhattan during his father Samuel Ball's (1933–2009) tenure as an educational psychologist at Teachers College, Columbia University. Samuel, an Australian academic, contributed to early evaluations of Sesame Street through his work at the Educational Testing Service (ETS), assessing the show's impact on children's learning from 1963 onward. The family, including elder brother John (born 1963 in Iowa), relocated to ...

September 28, 2025
Seek first His kingdom

I invite you with: "Right now, let's respond by seeking Him first. If you're carrying worries, lay them down at His feet. Raise your hands, pray silently, or come forward for prayer as we declare His kingdom priority in our lives." This encourages active faith application, tying back to Matthew 6:33's promise.

https://storiesthatheal.blogspot.com/2016/09/bible-quote-sep-28th-matthew-633.html
Verse 1
In the whisper of the wind, You call my name
Beyond the worries of this world, Your kingdom reigns
Like lilies in the field, clothed in Your grace
I lift my eyes to You, in this sacred place
Chorus
Seek first Your kingdom, oh Lord
And Your righteousness, forevermore
All these things will be added, in Your perfect time
Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word from Your throne
We seek You first, we seek You first
Verse 2
From ancient words You spoke, in the mountaintop light
You taught us not to fear, in the dead of night
Your promise echoes through the ages, ...

placeholder
September 25, 2025
Hold the faith blues Hebrews 10:35-36

Keep the faith, endure the storm, and lift each other up!
In the spirit of Hebrews 10:35-36, don't let trials shake your trust in God's promise. Gather with your community, pray through the hard times, and hold fast to the hope of salvation. Let this song remind you to persevere, just as those in the Great Depression leaned on hope to carry on.

Like subscribe and leave a comment. I read all comments
https://storiesthatheal.blogspot.com/2016/09/bible-quote-sep-25th-hebrews-1035-36.html

(Verse 1) Oh, don't throw away your confidence, child, don't let it go, Don't throw away your confidence, child, don't let it go, It's got a mighty reward waitin', in the sweet by and by, you know.
(Verse 2) You need that endurance, brother, through the hard times so blue, You need that endurance, brother, through the hard times so blue, After doin' God's will, that promise gonna come shinin' through.
(Chorus) Hold on, hold on, to that faith so true, Hold on, hold on, the Lord's gonna see you ...

placeholder
post photo preview
Ballad of Jampijinpa: A Warlpiri Dreamtime Bambi in the Tanami Desert
improved marketing on Rumble
placeholder
Journey to the Tanami Desert with the Ballad of Jampijinpa, a Warlpiri Jukurrpa retelling of Bambi. Follow Jampijinpa, a young red kangaroo, as he learns the sacred laws of his Country from Napangardi, faces dangers like the machine’s shadow, and rises as a leader under the Seven Sisters’ stars. This Dreamtime story celebrates Warlpiri culture, resilience, and connection to the land. Comment your favorite Indigenous story below! Subscribe for more Warlpiri tales and join my Locals for exclusive Jukurrpa insights.
The story of Bambi is, for many, their first encounter with profound loss. Writing this story in Warlpiri Dreamtime, Tanami Desert context. Loss is part of life, yet life goes on. But, a good life, serving the community is also important. How do Indigenous stories like Jampijinpa’s inspire you?
 
Notes on the Adaptation: Setting and Characters: The Tanami Desert replaces the forest, with native animals (red kangaroo, dingo, mallee fowl, perentie) as characters, reflecting the local ecology. Warlpiri skin names (Jampijinpa, Napangardi, etc.) root the characters in kinship systems, central to Warlpiri identity. Jukurrpa: The Dreamtime frames the story as a sacred narrative, where loss and growth are part of the land’s law. The “shadow” (a machine) nods to modern intrusions like mining, a real threat in the Tanami, but keeps the story timeless. Themes: Bambi’s coming-of-age becomes a journey of learning country and law, emphasizing Warlpiri values of responsibility and connection. The mother’s death and the fire echo Bambi’s trials but are grounded in desert realities. Cultural Respect: I avoided inventing sacred details or mimicking restricted Warlpiri stories, focusing on universal elements (land, kinship, survival) informed by public Warlpiri narratives, like those shared in art or ethnographies.
 
The Ballad of Jampijinpa In Tanami’s heart where the spinifex sways, ‘Neath the Jukurrpa’s first starlit blaze, The ancestors carved from the red desert’s hand, Young Jampijinpa, to guard sacred land.
Chorus: Oh, Jampijinpa, with bounds swift and free, Carry the law of your country’s decree. Through sand and through sorrow, your spirit will roam, In the Tanami’s dreaming, you’ll always find home.
Napangardi taught him the desert’s old ways, Where soakages shimmer through blistering days. The bilby’s soft tracks led to yams in the ground, And the wind whispered tales when no rain could be found. With Jangala, dingo, he leaped o’er the plain, While Nungarrayi tidied the earth’s ancient pain. The oaks sang of patience, the elders stood near, Their ochre-lit eyes guiding young kangaroo’s fear. But dawn brought a shadow, a roar cold as stone, A machine’s cruel hunger tore flesh from the bone. Napangardi fell, her spirit took flight, To the ancestors’ campfire in the starwoven night.
Chorus: Oh, Jampijinpa, with bounds swift and free, Carry the law of your country’s decree. Through sand and through sorrow, your spirit will roam, In the Tanami’s dreaming, you’ll always find home.
Alone, he wandered, his heart like a stone, The sand stung his eyes, and the silence did moan. But Japangardi rose, scales gleaming bright, “You’re never lost, son, in the Jukurrpa’s light.” The bilby taught digging, the oak whispered peace, Nungarrayi scratched paths where the stories increase. Jangala’s yips brought a laugh to the blaze, And Jampijinpa grew strong through the desert’s hard days. Then Nakamarra, with dawn in her gaze, Danced by his side through the sandhills’ soft maze. But fire returned, born of shadow’s old sin, Yet Jampijinpa led kin to the soakage within.
Chorus: Oh, Jampijinpa, with bounds swift and free, Carry the law of your country’s decree. Through sand and through sorrow, your spirit will roam, In the Tanami’s dreaming, you’ll always find home.
Atop the red dune, his shadow stretched far, A keeper of law ‘neath the desert’s bright star. The elders now sing from their camp in the sky, And Jampijinpa’s tracks never fade, never die.
Final Chorus: Oh, Jampijinpa, your story’s been spun, A thread in the Jukurrpa, forever begun. The Tanami dreams, and its stars softly call, For the kangaroo’s heart that will never grow small.
Read full Article
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals