This song is about my 9 grandchildren...... a sort of American Pie-ish take on their potential.

 

Lyrics:  

 

I think you could flip (Ella) the script show how to stand like a rock like a narrow neck bottle that makes the world take note   I think you could smile (Olivia) though joy show the wonders of the world like that first magic kiss that blows evil away   I think you could dig (Ava) out answers show the tree of humility just like a life dictionary that orders the way of our thoughts     I think you could skate (Bennett) to solutions show a long addition sum Like a secret nerve triggered that forces life interrupted   I think you could speak (Maya) the language and show a banquet of consequences like a book of wisdom that brings air to the soul.   I think you could box (Mason) the world show how to contain stupidity like a shirt with a hundred pockets that feeds the germ of happiness   I think you could swim (Brooklyn) the future and show the cul de sac of life like a vacuum on carpet that sweeps the way home   I think you could climb (Molly) the cliff show the strength of feeling like a butterfly beyond grasp that sails in no direction.   I think you could game (Maverick) the journey show fuel for determination  like a rocket on a rising path that drums the beat of persistence   Chorus I know you could do I know you can do in your way of verbs that shows who you are

 

This song is an ode to young men of my generation who were forever changed as a result of military service.

 

Lyrics:

 

He came down from the distance 

In 1964

Looking for the home he

Used to know

 

Like a wolf without a pack

he’s traveling alone

All the world and nowhere

Left to go.  

 

His Mom and Dad are gone and

Sister left town

That damn spring tornado

Took them down.

 

While he was at war not a

choice of his own

his world became a set

of gravestones

 

Chorus

 

Life is never easy with

Events out of control

The measure of a man Is how he 

takes on the whole

For what’s in the past of

Every life lived 

Has to be pushed behind

To move ahead

 

Now he has to build anew

A second life

Not one of war and 

Constant strife  

 

But one that gets him a

Reason for hope

In a new place with a

different scope

This song is about my Dad, who pounded a hammer through a wall one night to initiate a needed remodeling project.  

Lyrics:

Harvey sat at the table and looked at his family a growing clan of 4 kids He said, Phid we are close to outgrowing this kitchen what to you think we should do   The house was to small to offer many options his elbows rubbed against the wall They thought how they might expand into the living room it meant knocking out that wall   Chorus Harvey was do it yourself guy and a man of modest means When a problem needed a fix he was there to get it done   He stared at the problem took a deep drag on this cig squinted his eyes with a plan If we knock that out and move the pantry we can have room for us all.   He went to the junk drawer for a rough looking hammer  and gently tapped on the wall With a few close listens he knew where the studs were and how to take it down.   With a smile on his face and a cig in his lips, he smacked the hammer in his fist. And turn to Phid and asked for her approval  she shook her head not so sure.   He looked up and down from floor to ceiling and around the to living room  and with one gentle swing he buried that hammer one end sticking out each side   He turned to Phid with his cig still dangling, smiled and said now it’s got to be done. She smiled and said that’s good by me honey We can use the extra room.

 

 

This song is about a shift of focus from things we can and often easily meausure to things we cannot measure.

Lyrics:

Way of the world is to measure it all It makes life simple and clear Length times width multiplied by depth Storage compartments to keep stuff near

Count by numbers, or A-Z Sort by colors or small, medium, large Test for introvert or extrovert Tell how to learn by pictures or sound

In the end the  things that count most can’t be so easily scored The love of a parent The trust of a child the hope of a student the drive of a musician

Get out to world and notice the ways measurements tell the story for all Three miles to the rink; five to the mall  Fifteen minutes to cross town in traffic

Buy food in pounds, pints and ounces Count carbs sugars salts and fat. Check the smart watch for important stuff Blood pressure and heart rate  texts or calls

In the end the  things that count most can’t be so easily scored the urge of a lover the joy of a singer the spirit of a teacher the dream of a grandma

Take a new tack get out of the rut Find new ways to frame the world Let actions give meaning and feel to a world that is far too strict.

In the end the  things that count most can’t be so easily scored The love of a parent The trust of a child the hope of a student the drive of a musician the urge of a lover the joy of a singer the spirit of a teacher the dream of a grandma

Too Young to Get Old is a statement of my generation, Baby Boomers.  

 

Lyrics:

Spent a life, guessing how I’d get old                                                     thinking how that change might come.  Now I’m here and found I know the answer                               where old too soon might come from.

        Those who age young just let it happen                                        turn into their parents overnight         they act like a victim of others actions                                when it was their choices made out right

I don’t want to fall into old yet    don’t let it take hold I’m just too young to get old yet    just too young to get old

   I saw some hints then embraced change                                                           planned a response to things on the move     took transitions with no stress or anger,                              found things to love that fit my groove

  Laughed out loud every day to be happy                                                        good friends were a link to overcome fear meaningful love and trust was a passion                                 a purpose kept my brain in gear

Mustang Story is about my first car.

Lyrics:

Guys have a story about their first car

The farther you look back 

The better the stories are

It was a 65 Mustang military blue

With a 3 speed Hurst 

Yea, this one is true. 

      Chorus

 Full length pin-stripes,  

shiny metal hubcaps, 

eight track stereo player 

narrow racing tires

custom cap for the gas tank

feau leather steering wheel cover

 

It was $595 at Vance used store

I was a bit short of cash 

dad made a loan for more. 

Engaged for marriage still living at home

Sharing a room with my brother

at parents to save a dime   

 

My wife decided to learn how to drive 

we were in a family way

my 3 speed would not survive. 

Traded my Mustang for a red Maverick  

seemed like a good idea 

 now 50 years later lots of regret  

 

 

This is about what a streetlight sees at night.  

Lyrics:

Shiny red car speeding across the town without a care at all  

Weeping women covers her face to hide her tears of sorrow 

Listing old man wrestles a walker and weaves his way in the crowd. 

Loving couple cuddles not even aware anyone else is around 

 

Young girl on a bike riding too fast takes charge of the space she requires 

Clearly drunk stranger talks loud and brash to no one person at all 

Smelly garbage truck rolls pounding the road on its daily route          

Whining police car heads in haste to another and another case 

       Chorus

Don’t know where they’re going or where they’ve been

Only see a flash and then they’re gone again.

Where my light shines i can only see them track

Its dark in the front and dark in the back

Where my light shines from dusk to dawn 

Where my light shines                                                          

 

Blaring fire truck honks, wails and flashes and plows through traffic in haste 

Care free young musician plays harmonica filling the air with delight 

Boys look for girls and girls look for boys and wait for one to move first            

Sign posted says the cat is lost and answers to the name of Hopper 

 

Barely awake dog walkers are out and the dog lifts his leg just below. 

Streaking shadows of flying black bats menace those who notice at all 

Hapless bugs are attracted to gather and dance with no impact or cause 

Secret cameras scan a wide field of vision seeing what no-one will watch

 

 

This song describes the benefits of finding a four leaf clover.

Lyrics:

 

I need a new view 

may be a redo

Let’s change the tempo 

create some resto 

take time to find a four leaf clover. 

take time to find a four leaf clover. 

 

I should just hang loose.

Consider a rejuice

Slow down the pulse rate 

slide to a new pace 

take time to find a four leaf clover. 

take time to find a four leaf clover. 

 

I know I need to head on over                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            stop being such a aimless rover

construct a new mental cover

take time to find a four leaf clover

take time to find a four leaf clover. 

 

I’ll probably sit down 

settle on the ground 

stretch my weary bones 

let out a few groans, then 

take time to find a four leaf clover. 

take time to find a four leaf clover. 

 

Then I will have time

and shift my paradigm 

to take a long break

just for my own sake

take time for find an four leaf clover

take time to find a four leaf clover

 

 

Something New is really about how I live my life.   

Lyrics:

 

Can I exercise my awe in a way that shines

Take my marvel out for a ride

Give a jolt to my brain like a battery charge

Raise my fascination fuel my curious way

 

Would  I admire a thought made with intent of jest 

Just may be a cause to perplex  

Does the reverence of moments change my take 

Will brilliance always stake a place

Chorus

I want to wonder about something new 

that opens my eyes when i do

Save my sanity for something new

That’s what I want my life to pursue

 

So I’ll create a sensation with my wit

the crowd will applaud with restraint

May I relish some splendor in the  summer light

go for an admiration trip

 

May I perform a miracle on my know how

take measure of enlightenment 

If I were to toss engagement a commitment bone 

will it be a spectacle for all

This song is not completely true.    I don't like fall.  

Lyrics:

Fall is such a beautiful time to me.

Fills my senses like no other time of the year 

I watch from the comfort of my porch 

and dream about a walk in the park.

Chorus

I love the sound of trees as they wave

Delight in the touch of fallen leaves

Cherish the smell of cool breeze blowing

Savor the taste of falling rain

Marvel to see the palate of colors before me 

The balance of nature is the coordination 

of what we cannot ever control

 

Fall brings cool air, so go with fleece 

and keep my gloves handy in case of the need 

sometimes I pull my hat over my ears 

and breathe deep to inhale the fall fresh air

Chorus

We have soup on the stove and bread in the oven

The pumpkins and squash are on every block

It’s apple orchard time all around the county 

and the corn maze of fun is open for all

Chorus