A Sampling of My Originals

 Every now and then you feel the need to leave this town, you just gotta roll

You’ve played the same old tired-out scenes, you’ve got a hunger in your soul

So you pack your bags and load the car, 

your playlist fills the air

Driving west on 90, destination anywhere

The city lights they beckon, a universe within 

Your quickened pulse and hopeful heart draw you swiftly in

Over your head and loving it all, 

adventure’s now your own

You live hard, give all you got, 

but one day you’ll go home

Cuz there’s nothing like going away

 to make coming home so sweet

Home is where your heart is, 

it’s where you feel it start to beat

You can travel the world around, 

but nothing’s quite the same

As that certain sense of ease you feel 

when you’re headed home again

Now you’re back on an old familiar route 

you knew before you were gone

Your curses for that winding road 

become a blessed homeward psalm

Rolling through the empty town 

at night when lights are low

It feels good to be back here 

and in your heart you know

There's nothing like going away

 to make coming home so sweet

Home is where your heart is, 

it’s where you feel it start to beat

You can travel the world around, 

but nothing’s quite the same

As that certain sense of ease you feel 

when you’re headed home again

Bridge:

You can’t really come back home 

until you go away

You will never know that feeling, 

til your homebound day

Chorus/Outro

Your motivation came suddenly

almost like you had a vision

And I'll do anything to support you

 with just one provision

You can travel wide and travel far

But just keep me in your heart

like the northern star

You were always special

From the start that was a given

How was I to know

Just how driven you would be

To see the world

Now you're off and under power

Sails unfurled

Oceans come with storms

And storms come without warning

So hold on tight, do what you need to do

And you'll be there by morning

Now the time has come 

for me to watch you sail away

You've charted all your courses

And you start to leave the bay

Someday you will find a home brand new

But there will always be a port here

Safe and true

Oceans come with storms

And storms come without warning

So hold on tight, do what you need to do

And you'll be there by morning

Now the time has come 

for me to watch you sail away

You've charted all your courses

And you start to leave the bay

Someday you will find a home brand new

But there will always be a port here

Safe and true

There will always be a port here

Safe and true

Hanging with your friends 

on a summer night

Beer buzz, stars overhead, 

everything's alright

Times like this 

seems it's never gonna change

But when you turn around, 

there's no turning back again

Like a train across the countryside, 

you see so many things, 

it's such a crazy ride 

And sometimes, 

I know you can't get enough 

But the station's coming soon, 

and I know goodbyes are rough

I can see how it's all gonna go, 

we're all getting older now, 

and it's starting to show

When I was a younger girl, I just couldn't see, but just look at the changes 

that the years have put on me

Take your darlings, hold them close by,

 And tell them "I love you" 

come on now don't be shy 

Any moment you or I could go, 

and that's the honest truth, 

but I think you know

Bridge:

Gotta keep your loved ones near, 

the words you long to say 

are the words they long to hear

I can see how it's gonna end,

One day we'll say goodbye forever

my forever friend

But your ride's not over yet,

There's still some track to run

So you gotta roll along

Til your journey's done

You gotta keep rolling on

Til your journey's done

Deep south on a hot and muggy night

Old plantation mansion shining bright

A nearby river, velvet black,

 it shimmers passing by 

the stories in this place will never die

Western desert clay of red and gold, 

the widest skies, the deepest water holes 

The ancient ones who came before 

and gave this land their souls 

Their stories will live on, 

though they're untold

Every one of us, we are water running down, Spirits who are bound to join the sea 

All the deepest hardships 

and the joys that we have found 

Will bring us one day to a place of peace

Thickest Appalachia by a stream 

hills and woods like something from a dream The people there work hard,

 sharing life in every song 

And through the music legacy lives on

A Northern town beside a distant bay, 

where boats are moored

 and waiting by the quay 

The scent of brine defines this place 

and for all those living there 

The open ocean's lore lives in the air

Every one of us, we are water running down, Spirits who are bound to join the sea 

All the deepest hardships 

and the joys that we have found 

Will bring us one day to a place of peace

Bridge:

Rivers join the ocean, 

which touches every shore 

All of it one flowing piece 

from here to evermore

A chain link fence surrounds a city block 

The noises from the street they never stop Children splashing in the puddles, 

laughing, unaware 

Of the universal song that they all share 

Of the universal song that we all share

because

Every one of us, we are water running down, Spirits who are bound to join the sea 

All the deepest hardships 

and the joys that we have found 

Will bring us one day to a place of peace

Bridge:

Rivers join the ocean, 

which touches every shore 

All of it one flowing piece 

from here to evermore 

From here to evermore 

We're flowing here to evermore

Were you ever going to tell me? 

Baby won't you spell me, 

spare me of the cruelest lies, 

I can see it in your eyes 

You're leaving, and your heart begins retreat While mine is grieving 

and I'm left here all alone 

to wonder why

Time gave us a certain distance, 

making every instance, 

yet another tiny clue 

evidence of just how you, so beguiling, 

were making plans to leave, 

while you were smiling, 

and you were leaving me alone 

to wonder why

Cuz you and I have been 

every kind of friend 

A partnership around the world 

and back again 

You and I had been so much more 

to each other, 

lovers, friends, a sister and a brother 

Who know all the many reasons

that people change like seasons, 

Say hello and say goodbye, 

it's enough to make you cry 

Though you're long gone, 

and I know that it's all good, 

Sometimes I miss you, 

probably a bit more than I should

Cuz you and I have been 

every kind of friend 

A partnership around the world 

and back again

You and I had been so much more

 to each other, 

lovers, friends, a sister and a brother 

Were you ever going to tell me? 

Baby won't you spell me, 

spare me of the cruelest lies, 

I can see it in your eyes 

You're leaving, and your heart begins retreat While mine is grieving 

and I'm left here all alone 

to wonder why

Tryin to make some sense of it all

You're just a tiny speck

On one enormous wall

Growin up you figure it out

You play by the rules

And yet you're still so full of doubt

Still you had a hell of a real good time

Til everything changed on the turn of a dime

Cuz you never know, how it's all gonna go

And we never know just what we got

We're always looking for 

the next sweet spot

When it's all clear, that the moment is here

The moment is now

You find a love, maybe you have a kid 

The years pass by and you can't remember all those things you did

 At first the time it goes so slow,

and then one day you wonder 

where did all that precious time go?

Still you had a hell of a real good time

Til everything changed on the turn of a dime

Cuz you never know, how it's all gonna go

And we never know just what we got

We're always looking for 

the next sweet spot

When it's all clear, that the moment is here

The moment is now

Bridge:

Minute by minute, you try to sink down in it

But you gotta know, that it's all gonna go

Slipping into the ether

There were tragedies and good times too And through all of that 

Somehow you made it through 

Take my hand and tell me it's ok, 

cuz I could use a little help today

Still we had a hell of a real good time

Til everything changed on the turn of a dime

Cuz you never know, how it's all gonna go

And we never know just what we got

We're always looking for 

the next sweet spot

When it's all clear, that the moment is here

The moment is now

Slipping into the ether

It wasn't as though I knew her well,

I met her a time or two

But even then I could see

How her light came shining through

Yesterday, when I heard she died

I just couldn't believe the news

How could someone like that ever lose?

I World War II vet on his own

Living on Locust Grove

His young wife hit and killed by a car

Years ago as she crossed the road

He vowed never to touch the wheel

So he simply walked everywhere

Lived most of his life all alone

His lot in life wasn't fair

Whoever told you life was fair?

My mother had said to me

As a child that was everyone

That I'd ever met since the age of three

Play nice, share your toys

Be good girls and be good boys

Play by the rules

Now I know why the rules are there

Cuz the game of life's not fair

Most of us are doin' ok

Got what we need to get by

But one misstep can change it all

And you'll find yourself asking why

When it's good you gotta lean in hard

Making every moment count

Cuz I guarantee that things will change

Don't you believe they won't

Whoever told you life was fair?

They did not understand

Things can go wrong at anytime

It's the law of the land

Play nice, share your toys

Be good girls and be good boys

Play by the rules

Now I know why the rules are there

Cuz the game of life's not fair

Bridge:

You may believe in karma

That everything works itself out

You may be right

It might work that way

But me, I have my doubts

Now I understand

That things don't always go right

Make the best of the ride you're on

Don't give your soul up to the night

Live life best as you're able

Make happiness the choice

Do it all with love and care

Go on and make some joyful noise

Whoever told you life was fair?

Well they may not be right

Still you gotta live in this world

Looking for the light

Play nice, share your toys

Be good girls and be good boys

Play by the rules

Now I know why the rules are there

Cuz the game of life's not fair

Waiting on the couch 

as the living room grows dark

I've got too much to do

And yet I sit

The solitude is heavier 

Than it has ever been before

This new life doesn't seem

A perfect fit

Such a time as this it seems

Your thought begin to burn

Somehow it all hits at once

This time you really learn

You had your turn, you had your turn

You had your turn

The should-have-beens

And still-might-bes

They wrestle in the air

And they don't seem to care

That I can't choose

Now my friends are all far-flung

Across so many lands

And the way it stands

It seems I lose

Such a time as this it seems

Your thought begin to burn

Somehow it all hits at once

This time you really learn

You had your turn, you had your turn

You had your turn

The suppertimes, the evening baths

A book and then to bed

My son he rests his head

As I lay near

Years and years and years like this

So close we're almost one

But now that time is done

And he's not here

All alone so late in life

It never was my plan

Somehow I always thought there'd be

Someone to hold my hand

To hold my hand, to hold my hand

Bridge:

Lists of all my things to-do

Fix the old and buy the new

Seems a trivial pursuit

To keep the heartbreak down

I know that it's time to fly

To live my life before I die

Above me is that waiting sky

I've just got to leave the ground

I've got to leave the ground

A certain slanting ray of gold

Pours into the room

It interrupts the gloom

And makes me yearn

The far-off mountain ridge

That I can see from where I sit

Reminds me that there's still

So much to learn

My life it overtook me

I just never had a plan

I don't regret a single day

It's just that I'm not sure

Of where I stand...

I guess it's clear I stand right here

I stand right here

I guess it's clear I stand right here

I stand right here

Under the clear

And waiting sky

Hey it's good to see you again

What's it been, five, six years? Maybe ten?

So much to catch up on, we can't do it here

Let's stay in touch, sometime 

we'll grab a beer

Hey I think I know her from somewhere

Damn this over-50 brain, it just aint fair

We had some good times, that much I know

But I can't recall her name, so I'll let it go

I'm reaching for the memories 

and I'm pulling them apart 

Searching for the tiny clues 

remaining in my heart 

I know that I remember

cuz the feelings all live on,

 It's just the words, the details 

and the names are gone...

When you see me start to hesitate

I know you know just what it's like

And so you wait

You show me a friendly bit of care

You know that the answer's 

still inside somewhere

No one here is going it alone

Yeah it's hard to contemplate

This path we're on

Slow your pace and keep it steady on

Keep leaning into life until it's gone

I'm reaching for the memories 

and I'm pulling them apart 

Searching for the tiny clues 

remaining in my heart 

I know that I remember

cuz the feelings all live on,

 It's just the words, the details 

and the names are gone...

Bridge:

When my father lay dying

And his mind was scattered

He still knew that we loved him

And that was all that mattered

Looking back on all the things I've done

From playing in the bands

To raising up my son

I have always done the best I can

A tiny piece inside a larger plan

Many of my stories now are lost

Casualties of life, I'll pay the cost

But everything's that's lost is not in vain

It disappears then reappears

Just like the rain

I'm reaching for the memories 

and I'm pulling them apart 

Searching for the tiny clues 

remaining in my heart 

I know that I remember

cuz the feelings all live on,

 It's just the words, the details 

and the names are gone...

The words, the details 

and the names are gone

But is a raindrop ever

really gone?

  (Rubato Verse)

I haven't showered in a week

I'm eating loads of carbs

I'm getting fatter as we speak

So easy on the barbs

I'm not the girl I used to be

There's much more of me now

But I'll make it somehow, through these...

Pandemic Times, it's a struggle that's new

Everyone is bored and eating

But what can we do?

Inside we must retain our sanity

The last thing on our minds

Should be our vanity - (in these)

Pandemic Times, it's a struggle that's new

Now the kids are home all day

Whatever shall we do?

Books and forts and games

And lots of videos

Pulling all the stops out

Now anything goes (someday)

Bridge:

We will tell our children

Way back in 2020

When fear and sickness were aplenty

Somehow it's true

That we made it through (those)

Pandemic Times, social media's king

A great way we can stay in touch

A wonderful thing

I can't hold your hand

But I can see your face

It restores my faith 

In the whole human race 

Kazoo solo over verse

Pandemic Times, it feels somehow unreal

Yet in due time it will be past

And we will all heal (from these)

Scary, oh-so hairy Pandemic Times!

  I used to think I wouldn’t grow old, 

that was just a story 

that some other folks told

But things are changing rapidly, 

I just might be sold,

 I guess I’m not too hip to grow old

Graying hair and new hammertoes, 

crepey-looking skin 

I just can’t cover up with clothes

The evidence is mounting, 

do you suppose, 

that this is how the story goes?

 I was kind of a star, 

back in my salad days

When adventure’d come along I’d nab it, 

So when your turn comes up baby, 

better grab it!

This is how the thing will unfold, 

sorry but the truth can sometimes be cold

Everyone who’s living now 

will turn into mold, 

'Cause no one is too hip to grow old! 

Kazoo solo over Verse

 I was kind of a star, 

back in my salad days

When adventure’d come along I’d nab it, 

So when your turn comes up baby, 

better grab it!

This is how the thing will unfold, 

sorry but the truth can sometimes be cold

Everyone who’s living now 

will turn into mold, 

'Cause no one is too hip to grow old! 

So I’m told 

No one is too hip to grow old

Don’t mean to scold 

But no one is too hip to grow old!