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A friend succumbs to his weaknesses. We all do eventually surrender to something that causes us great pain and we know it will eventually be our undoing, but the power is too compelling.
Features: Yamaha Acoustic, Gretsch Guitar
For years he was playing the songs of his life
Making music and laughter with friends
But after this far he got covered with scars
Picking the way he knew it would end
The magic is gone, the feeling’s selective
Taking in only what his body needs
In his jaundiced eye, the spark is now dimming
Casting the last of his creative seeds
He gave no advice to anyone listening
Only recollections of selective accounts
Of moving in circles and the wake of his passing
A lyric of music, light and sound
The magic is gone, the feeling’s selective
Taking in only what his body needs
In his yellow eye, the spark is now dimming
Casting the last of his creative seeds
For years he was playing the songs of his life
Making music and laughter with friends
But after this far he got covered with scars
Picking the way he knew it would end
Don’t Get the Naked Jamaican Man Mad
Features: Gretsch, Takoma bass
This term was coined by my daughter Leila and her friend Anais (pronounced "Anna-eece". Don’t know how they got this notion, but the imagery is unmistakable and had plenty of fun with this one. I think there may be more to this story in the future: viz, our hero learns that there is a Naked Jamaican Woman out there that accepts him for what he is. He doesn’t get mad anymore. Visuals?
Nigh where you can get a tan
You will find Jamaica Man
Tho’ he smiles and looks real glad
Don’t get the naked Jamaican man mad
And the night is nice and breezy
But Naked Jamaica Man anger easy
When the sun sets and there’s fun to be had
Don’t get the Naked Jamaican man mad
Don’t get the Naked Jamaica Man mad
Don’t get the Naked Jamaica Man mad
So what makes the Naked Jamaica man mad?
When he asks Wendy to dance
But she says no pants, no chance, no dance
That’s what gets the Naked Jamaica man mad
But you know he wants romance
He goes and looks for his pants
But he’s gone too long and misses his chance
He’s got his pants...but no dance
Don’t get the Naked Jamaica Man mad
Don’t get the Naked Jamaica Man mad
Rebirth after fire. The Tuesday morn is the day my aunt died and I realized that one has the responsibility to live the life that gives one the maximum inner peace. It may not seem from the outside world the most productive; it may disappoint some and one might not “live up to one’s potential”, but why spend your life filling up someone else’s bowl of expectations? My aunt lived that way; she lived alone, but had a huge circle of friends and created her world that gave her the maximum inner peace. God's rest.
Features: Gretsch, tambourine, wooden frog percussion
Used to keep my house well
Then I died and went to hell
Used to work before the machine
Printing dollars for the Queen
Used to have a lot of stuff
Sold it all in a garage sale
Wondering what I do with the extra
Cash I got in my coat
Then I went down to the store
And I bought a little more
Happened on a Tuesday morn
Same day I was born… I was born
Used to keep up the form
Til I found out a little more
Hoopered(?) on a Tuesday morn
Same day I was born, I was born
Used to keep my house well
Then I died and went to hell
Used to keep my hair clean
Til I found Brylcreem (nod to Dad)
Didn’t stray beyond the door
Till I knew a little more
Happened on a Tuesday morn
Same day I was born…I was born
<bridge>
Used to stare up in the sky
Wondering what I was doing
Used to see the way each star
Faded in the night
Used to keep my house well
Then I died and went to hell
Used to keep my hair clean
Til I found Brylcreem
Sitting there play my guitar
On the front porch there you are
Saw you on Tuesday eve
Looking fine, looking at me
But I know you won’t come near
Cause you think I’m a little queer
Happened on a Tuesday morn
Same day day I was born…I was born
Used to stare up in the sky
Wondering praying thinking
Used to see the way each star
Faded in the night
LEAD
I was born, I was born
Traveling from the Left Coast, the plane circling a big-ass thunderstorm and there was a play of lightning and lights against the clouds from the airplane strobes. The evening was darkening and stars hung motionless in the black as other lights danced and moved with us. Made me wonder if light has the prescience to know what it reveals.
Features: Gretsch, Ovation mandolin
Big steady bolts, flashbulbs and bright lights
Hanging on curtains, the others move on
Could have been tail lights or the flash of the lightning
An unanticipated blow to the head
Delivering stars to the affected parties
What would they care to illuminate? showing
Is it that something catches your eyes
Or does light know what it sees?
There was some other trip, sitting on the grass
In still another Western, long ago land
It was impossibly, a long still memory
But he felt the same as then now
The expectation from him were always crowded in
Around his senses and although, for a while, he could take it
After some things had burned he couldn't, but failed to perform more spectactularly
But now we’ve reached our altitude--steady our objects
Preparing for another arrival--the end of another departure
Big steady lights, flashbulbs and bright lights
Hanging on curtains, the others move on
Could have been tail lights or the flash of the lightning
An unanticipated blow to the heart
Big steady bolts flashbulbs and bright lights
Hanging on curtains, the others move on
Could have been tail lights or the flash of the God's lightning
An unanticipated blow to the heart
Delivering stars to the affected parties
What would they care to show each other?
The offering sparks of energy or
Is it that something catches your eye?
Or does light know what it illuminates?
What would they care to illuminate?
Did these feelings create sparks and energy or
Is it that something just catches your eye?
Or does light know what it shines on?
Could have been nav lights or the flash of the lightning
Or an unanticipated blow to the heart
Night time intrigue in the big city muck-a-muck Daddy Warbucks and associated social clientele and climbers. One gets wounded when she mistakenly outshines the reigning queen of the ball. Dirty business in fancy dress. Don't spill your drinks; don't show your price.
Features: Fuzzy Gretsch
The party wasn’t unlike the night
It darkened as time wore on
She effected the typical stance of a dancer
Not one who’d likely be scorned
The seating was selectively simple
Money doesn’t talk, it roars
Eager invitees joust just to be near her
Crawling around on all fours
Bets were exchanged at the bar
Deals moving mountains were done
Prominent penguins displayed their plumage
All for the night of fun
Dreams were served
As behind their backs
Blood was spilled on the floor
Calico mistakenly took the limelight
The veterans all moved to the door
We dove for the bushes
We headed for the Benz
And grappled for the keys to the car
But just for a moment, briefly was silence
Wounds opened up on old scars
Dances were gripping their partners
Spinning and grinning in left-footed wheels
She caught the eyes of rivals' glances
Dancing with the popular toys
Drinks were served
As behind their backs
Blood was spilled on the floor
Calico girl then took the limelight
The veterans all moved through the storm
We dove for the bushes
We headed for the Benz
And grappled for the keys to the car
But just for a moment, briefly was silence
Wounds opened up on old scars
Combination of two short phrases merged: One: Friend of my dad called and this gent is deeply religious and wears his heart on his sleeve. At the close of the conversation he asked for prayers for his son, who took off for Iraq for a year to do good work and teach in the newly-built schools there. Two: The Mercies part comes from an incident when my dear father tripped on a walk around the block; he was praying the Divine Mercies as he fell down and it is my mother’s speculation that this kept him from much harm. To my knowledge, the young man still walks un-wounded and my father escaped with minor cuts.
Yamaha acoustic, electric piano
Got a call from an old friend
Looking for some time
He had lost some recently
Wanted some of mine
He asked me to pray for his son in another land
Who walked away for a year to lend a hand
He is saying Mercies as he walks along
Maybe this will save him from certain wrong
Now there’s some people who judge what under God should be
But every nickel’s got this phrase and they eagerly collect these
He asked me to pray for his son in the war
Who gave up a year of his life to teach people there
He is saying Mercies as he walks along
Maybe this will save him from certain wrong
He asked me to pray for his son in the war
Who gave up a his life to teach people more
He was saying Mercies as he fell
Maybe this will save him from Hell
Now there’s some people who judge what under God should be
But every nickel’s got this phrase and they eagerly collect these
My friend asked me to pray for his son in the war
Who gave up thirty years of his life
He was saying Mercies as he fell
Maybe this will save him, he'll never tell
A cool, calm black-bedecked Orthodox priest sits waiting for an airplane and a tale of the life of a cabbie who escaped from Iran.
There’s a man in a black cassock
With a big chain and a ccross around his neck
And he is waiting patiently, and almost disappears
Until all you can see is his beard
Now he might be a priest, he might just be a monk
But whatever his calling, He’s not scared, no
He’s Not Scared
I met a man who married a Persian
Who escaped with her father
Who had gotten pretty far in the diplomatic corps
But now he’s driving a car
For eighty damn dollars a day
And he told me of his life
And all his struggles
But whatever his hand
He’s not scared
He’s not scared
Can’t really say what this about. Supposed to make you feel you're overwhelmed by something bigger.
Features: Gretsch, Takoma bass, Liv on vox backup
Whoa, it was loud
Strong and proud
Not shy, large
Bigger than the stars
Whipping through the trees
Taste of ocean breeze
Spinning around me
A real hurricane
Two lights keeping up
One the moon
The other in my head
In my head, in my head
Feet solid, but light
Crazy delight
Shaken but now worried by the blast and the fury
Faint but awake
Reeling memories
A cake on a plate from the corners of history
Two lights keeping up
One the moon
The other in my head
In my head, in my head
Chaste but not strained
By the soaking from the rain
Tired but not wanting to sleep
Whoa it was loud
Strong and proud
Not shy, large
Bigger than my head
Whipping through the trees
Taste of ocean breeze
Spinning around me
A real hurricane
Two lights keeping up
One the moon
The other in my head
In my head, in my head
Two lights keeping up...
This tune is about the eternal possibility of reconciliation which is only possible, by definition, after a painful schism of some kind. I was told by a friend of mine of the “three brains” that we have: the primal brain stem that regulates breathing and basic functions, the middle brain which is the core of emotion, and the higher cerebral cortex: the seat of reason. Strong experiences make the middle brain change in ways that are unpredictable. The mystery is to make the change reconciled to the higher brain.
I was stronger than
You ever knew
I am older now
And made it through
Waiting for that clear blue sign
And I’ll wait until this heart is fine
Catching tears
A drop a day
Welling inside
A partial phrase
Walls are thick
And seas run high
The path is gone, but the trail is nigh
When it hurts
And it hurts so loud
When the feelings begin to slow
When there’s love for so long
I’ll be older then, but not so strong
Picture feet
On solid ground
Shaken peace
But still around
Pausing once, under clearing skies
Knowing that, this heart is fine
When it hurts
And it hurts so long
When the callings begin to slow
When there’s love for so long
I’ll be older then, but not so strong
Now we're having some serious fun. Liv's great as the Jump In girl.
That’s easy, it’s safe to say
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Do it the same in the usual way
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Give me your juice and moves to share
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Move it now baby, get out of that chair!
I’m jumping in from off the street
Jump in!
I am part of the feet elite
Jump in!
<bridge>
I see a blue hue
Wrapped all around you
I want to touch you
But I won’t!
The booths are jammed
There’s standing room only
Jump in!
Who’s that jumping up on the table
It’s Mabel!
Get down Mabel!
Give me your juice and moves to share
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Move it now baby, get out of that chair!
<bridge>
I see a blue hue
Wrapped all around you
I want to touch you
But I won’t!
Or maybe I will
Oh yes I will
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Everybody jump in...jump in...jump in
Everybody jump!
A kitty’s visit departure. This started out about a, um working lady, but got some objections, so it's about a putty cat.
Lilly follows me home
A sunny forenoon
Dreamy and wild
But too much to hold
The beat of her heart
The hush of her breath
A beauty so young
But ways so old
No one will see us
Repose on the ground
And I’m lost in her love
Where she lies—oh
Lilly lies lies lies-oh
Lilly lies lies lies-oh
I give her my heart
I give her my key
She purrs as she takes them
Both from me
Audrey’s got her Gaelic inflection
Not one to withhold her affection
Liv tells it all without hesitation
And the two of them are a sensation
One takes her coffee with a little drop
The other won’t tell us what she’s got
They’ll keep yarning until they drop
Chalk and Cheeze
Chalk and Cheeze
more to it, but I don't rememeber
The lyrics for this were borrowed from here: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian/issues04/oct04/presence.html. Lots of rumour and intrigue in Paris in the 17th C.
Legions of spies
Three thousand in all
Took careful notes
And watched every footfall
Eavesdropping in cafes
And listening in bed
Made records and scripts
Of the rumours they spread
An account most juicy
One of the richest
Was told of the King
To one of the snitches
It was overheard
At the café de Foy
That the King had a new mistress
A beautiful toy
Her name is Gontaut
This maiden he chooses
The niece of the Duke
And Comtesse de Toulouse
But if so, there could be some radical changes
It’s true this rumour is spreading
But I find it hard to believe
Since the Cardinal’s in charge, this King has no inclination
In the chase of the women or any feeling in that direction
One said: “Would it really matter?”
“This affection de Roi
Not the greatest of evils the King could enjoy”
“Well messieurs, it might not pass
This first love, this yearning
It would better for us all, if the King preferred hunting.”
Ok, off we go again
China, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea
You can bet I really wanna see ya
There’s so many people there, from Beijing to Soeul
Lo lo lo I get a feeling of unrest on the road
Everytime I turn my head
I see someone there
I wish it was you instead
But I find you nowhere to be seen
When we land and catch our breath
I hesitate a moment
Try to remember the last time I was here
Makes me wonder where the time went
I can see there’s two things that really matter
One is love, the other idle chatter
Traveling is sabotage, a criplling disorder
Not one I would imagine I’d fake
But it’s as lethal as poison whoa oh oh
Coffee in my cup
Is steaming a haze above a lake
Round the center white it swirls melds its lines eventually
Disappearing ravenously baby, while settling to lite gray
Spinning stimulus comes to rest and, whack, like all things
Eventually must
But not now
I’ve got to move out of the room
Sometimes I speak out of turn
Sometime I move out of the room
China, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea
You can bet I really wanna see ya
There’s so many people there, from Beijing to Soeul
Lo lo lo I get a feeling of unrest on the road
She made up this story
For herself about her mother
Watching as the light changed
Above her head to another
Where’s the fire cooking?
What’s for dinner?
The face in its place
Smiling at her with love
She made up this story
For herself about her mother
She made up this story
For herself about her mother
Sitting on the beach
Sharing covers
Together making things
Warm and warm
Knowing that the discovery
As bound to bring her home
Creepy Basement Song
I don't know what the hell it is, but it is hard to sleep sometimes. This kid is freaked out and thinking all about the bad stuff.
Barring the usual monsters
Lying under the bed
Think I’ll fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep
Daylight’s a wink ahead
Curtains hold back the night
A ray of the moon filters in
Think I’ll fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep
To the gentle rap of the wind
Here and there, there and here, here and there
Sounds crack the quiet like a twig
I’ll sing my self to sleep, self to sleep, self to sleep
With my heart pounding so big
Cause it’s a chance I take
What if I don’t awake
I close my eyes, eyes, eyes tonight
How long will it take, oh oh
Who knows?
It’s four o’clock in the morning
And I look at my watch, the clock is hardly moving
But I know I will fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep
Without you there,
I will fall asleep, fall asleep
Eventually
Oh, the door opens slowly
The gloom is cleaved
She walks in and advances
Pulls gently on my sleeve
Are you still awake, child?
Is there something troubling you?
I’m not one to bother, interfere
But I’ll stay if you want me here and you can
Fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep
Yes, you can fall asleep
Barring the usual monsters
Lying under the bed
Think I’ll fall asleep, fall asleep, fall asleep
Daylight’s just ahead
And I will dream tonight, dream tonight, dream tonight
Yes I will fall asleep
Had a notion to write about a friend's trip to Hispaniola. What the hell rhymes with Hispaniola? Gondola!
Features: Nice tone on Fuzzy Gretsch
She took a gondola to Hispaniola
To take a needed break from her hometown blues
To count the days passing
And gray hours lapsing
A gondola’s great for moving around
Mr L’s leery, but doesn’t scare easy
The paperwork will wait, so will yesterday’s news
A trip to the island could yield a big diamond
A gondola’s waiting to break from the ground
The meaning for this greeting, aw look in the tea leaves
The hot sun and waves and sand scratching your back
Sunset’s the best time to be by the water
A full round gondola breaks from the clouds
Up up up up away you go!
I’m not one to give a suggestion
Up up up up away you fly!
If you’re quite ready to go, give it a try
Just watch where you’re gonna land
From your gondola view in the sky
She took a gondola to Hispaniola
To take a needed break from her hometown blues
To count the days passing
And gray hours lapsing
A gondola’s great for moving around
Up up up up away you go!
It’s not easy to lose you
Up up up up away you fly!
Just watch where you’re gonna land
From your gondola view in the sky
Bits and bites of Jack and his friends
The evening wore on, but the snow didn't end
When the weather closed in, the chances were slim
To get out and walk, we took the time to talk
It was cold, at least that was clear
It was the last evening you were here
We made snow angels
In the softly feathered ground
We made snow angels
And our feet never touched
Weather front was at our door
Knocking louder, evermore
Whistling in the wind howled and grew
The fire cracklin' yellow and blue
The rafters creaked beneath the load
But tested like this, I think the roof should hold
Ran out both of us to the diamond sky
A bitter cold, but I think we could fly
We made Snow Angels...
It was cold, at least that was clear
The car wasn't moving for at least half a year
Bits and bites of Jack and his friends
The evening wore on, but the snow didn't end
We were like Snow Angels
In the velvet sky
We were like Snow Angels
Side show out of my back door
Was playing in the sky
Walked out onto my back porch
Stuck a spyglass in my eye
Two o'clock in the morning when most sane people are abed
Wondrous things happen in the stars above our heads
Saturnalia Sally sang her heart out with the band
Solar sisters with Sally's lead made quite the celestial clan
Breaking hearts expanding notions of what farther reaches are
Beyond the 13 planets beyond the farthest star, oh
She was so big, that when she got up to dance
Needed the asteroid belt to hold up her pants
Saturnalia took the string thing to the limit
Cosmic Ray came and stuck his particle beam in it
Lord of Dark Matter brooded in his space
While Saturnalia Sally radiated moonbeams from her face
Shadow bigger than the orbits, summed up combined
Forced the spiral galaxy to start to unwind
Saturnalia Sally sang her heart with the band...
She was so big that when she got up to dance
Needed the asteroid belt to hold up her pants
And the black hole is noticeably absent
Side show out of my back door is playing in the sky
Walked onto my back porch, stuck a spyglass in my eye
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