One of my happier moments...

Songs

(this song reminds me of my son Justin, since he used to sing it as a child...)

The Tug

have you ever felt the moon
and the way that he tugs when he's full
you know very soon
he's a mischievous moon

when the dogs start to howl
and the casanova's on the prowl
it's affecting our lives
when the full moon arrives

something happens to me
when I see that moonlit sky
get a lunar high
and it can happen to you
astronomical chemistry
between you and me
and the moon

it's a time to be born
from evening to early morn
though others will die
a strange alibi

it's the tug they say
that makes mother nature gray
her tides tend to rise
and romancing eyes

yes, something happens to me
when I see that moonlit sky
get a lunar high
and it can happen to you
astronomical chemistry
between you and me
and the moon

the guy in the sky
just hangs out all night
reflecting light
but it seems so profound
to linger so long
on a rock that goes
round and round

I See You Again

summer showers
sit inside and wait
pours for hours, a rainy holiday
nothin' brewin'
at the Killin' Time Cafe
nothin' doin'
the lime will have to wait

'til I see you again
and you brighten up my day
I see you again
like a fireworks display
I see you again
I see you again

grass is greener
the garden's lookin' great
summer steamer
my plans evaporate

soaps on t.v.
outside the willows weep
melancholy
a loss at Lover's Leap

but I see you again
and you brighten up my day
I see you again
like a fireworks display
I see you again
I see you again

all this time
I've been waiting for a sign
like a songbird
singing by my window
but the thunder claps
and the evening overlaps
with the day...

(this song is for my wife Valerie)

It's All In Your Eyes

I've been watching you
every single movement
from across this crowded room
can't you feel my eyes caressing

you've been looking too
I can sense the magic
don't know what we'll ever do

people say it's something in your eyes
you can't disguise
you say it all with your eyes
it's all in your eyes, in your eyes
it's all in your eyes, in your eyes

I would trade my life
give up my possessions
just to hold you once again
take you in my arms and love you

you remember when
somewhere deep inside you
it was so exciting then

still,
people say it's something in your eyes
you can't disguise
you say it all with your eyes

from my perspective you and I
always seem to see eye to eye
but it's no mystery to me
it's the magic that I see
in your eyes
in your eyes

I've been watching you
every single movement
from across this lonely room
can't you feel my arms caressing

you've been looking too
I can sense the magic
don't know what we'll ever do
people say it's something in your eyes
you can't disguise
you say it all with your eyes
it's all in your eyes, in your eyes
it's all in your eyes. in your eyes

(If it hadn't been for Jesus, I would probably be in jail or dead right now. Thank you Lord for your unending grace and mercy.)

On Solid Ground

like a boat I was drifting
never knowing where I would land
always trying to live my life
on sinking sand

but You continued to call me
no matter when or where I would be
You always knew I would answer The Call
eventually

now I know
and I hide it in my heart
now we'll never drift apart
'cause I'm livin' my life for you
on solid ground

there are times I remember
seemed the only hope that I had
was always trying to hold on to
a love gone bad

but You continued to guide me
to the place where I'd understand
that all I ever needed
was the touch of Your hand

and now I know
and I hide it in my heart
now we'll never drift apart
'cause I'm livin' my life for you
on solid ground

in the dark
You're the Light that leads my way
in a storm
You're the Anchor when I pray
Jesus, Jesus

now I know
and I hide it in my heart
now we'll never drift apart
'cause I'm livin' my life for You
yes, I'm livin' my life for You
I'm livin' my life for you
on solid ground

(My oldest son James used to play air-guitar to my only "heavy-metal" song. This was my singular attempt.)

Maid in Japan

when the lights are low
and my attitude is high
I can feel it
I can see her
tip-toeing by

every time I look
in those oriental eyes
I can feel it
I can see her
and there's no surprize

she's my maid in Japan
maid in Japan
I believe that I could live without her
maid in Japan

she is finer than
any work of human hand
she is tender
I surrender
to that foreign land

the silk kimona missing today
the sayonara she didn't say
the saki goes to my head
I lie alone in my bed
Japan's a million miles away

maid in Japan
maid in Japan
I believe that I could live without her
though I won't forget about her
I believe I'll have to live without her
maid in Japan

(...and now you see why it was my first and final attempt...)

(when my old friend and duet partner, Cinzia sang this one, it became one of my favorites ...)

The Kiss

I remember everything
slow-motion in my dream
every scent, every sound
the way your hair was hanging down

I remember everything
falling water set the scene
an attraction redefined
technicolor in my mind

and the kiss
a romance novel kind of kiss
could not be written to compare
with any episode like this
the kiss, the kiss

I remember everything
the dream is lingering
even when I'm wide awake
the feeling's hard to fake

I remember everything
the emotion of this thing
just makes me want you more
than I ever did before

and the kiss
a romance novel kind of kiss
could not be written to compare
with any episode like this

the kiss meant so much to me
like love it will last
through all eternity
that's how it was meant to be

I remember everything
the dream is lingering
even when I'm wide awake
the feeling's hard to fake

I remember everything
the emotion of this thing
just makes me want you more
than i ever did before

and the kiss
a romance novel kind of kiss
could not be written to compare
no matter how unique or rare
no matter how spontaneous
there's always one thing I will miss
at precious moments such as this
the kiss, the kiss, the kiss

(I sometimes fight my battles with a pen. What more could I do? It can be quite cathartic.)

Laughing Again

she said
"nothin' ventured, nothin' gained".
but when smoke cleared what remained?
a shell of a man just not the same
inside.

circumstances are disguised
with accusations and alibis
the more you believe it
the more you compromise

first I cursed the Heavens
then prayed to God
He'd come to my aid
with a lightening rod
what more could I do?
my options were few
then you came into my life

now I'm laughing again
just when I thought
I had it together
I'm laughing again
I was accustomed to inclement weather
you could have knocked me off
with a feather
I can't believe
I'm laughing all over again

where's the children?
where's the home?
where's that lifestyle
I'd grown to know?
the papers arrive
and there's nothin' left to show

consequences people say
echo sins of yesterday
but sometimes your pride
is the price you have to pay

yes, I cursed the Heavens
then prayed to God
He'd come to my aid
with a lightening rod
what more could I do?
my options were few
'til you came into my life

now I'm laughing again
just when I thought
I had it together
I'm laughing again
I was accustomed to inclement weather
you could have knocked me off
with a feather
I can't believe
I'm laughing all over again

(Emotion reminds me of Nicholas, my youngest son. He would always say "daddy, do Emotion." I think he would request it since it has only a one word title; you see he was very young with a limited vocabulary.)

Emotion

Every touch, very emotion
whenever we touch
it's perpetual motion
whenever we kiss
whenever we lie in bed like this
ooh, it's emotion

every heart, every heartache
if you've got a heart
then you've had a heartache
with every break
with every loss you've got to take
you take with emotion

love's the kinda thing
you never can predict very well
but I can surely tell
with you
it goes on and on
with emotion

yes love's the kinda thing
you never can predict very well
but I can surely tell
with you it goes on and on
it goes on and on
it goes on
with emotion

every touch, every emotion
whenever we touch
it's perpetual motion
whenever we kiss
whenever we lie in bed like this
ooh, it's emotion

(In 1971, as a freshman in college, I had an Intro English class and was required to write a paper on a film that the class viewed. I wrote this song instead of the paper. Although the professor applauded my creativity, I got an "F" on the assignment for not following directions.)

Becoming Toys

childrens' eyes
sparkling wide
shining innocense
virgin minds

toys on display
waiting for someone to be them
children dreaming of when
they're cowboys, and Barbies
and army men

toys took up arms
the war had begun
turning to men
there was burning, and blasting
of everyone

childrens' eyes
still sparkling wide
but they didn't know
their heroes had died

children are toys
when following dictates
of those who destroy
becoming toys
all of our beautiful
girls and boys
children becoming toys

(love is a funny thing; one day you're cruisin' on easy street and the next thing you know you crash into a brick wall...)

The Right to Say Goodbye

we had it all you and I
the times we laughed
the times we cried
we were the talk of the town
it got around

a funny thing I'd say
how you up and went away
nothing was said to me
you just went away

so many things
I never had the chance to say
so many tears
the years can't wash away
but since you've gone
I'd never have you back again
I only want the right
to say goodbye

I guess I learned a lot
about people that day
how lovers and friends
can just slip away

and even though I know
time changes us so
I only thought you might
want to know

so many things
I never had a chance to say
so many tears the years
can't wash away
but since you've gone
I'd never have you back again
I only want the right
to say goodbye

there was a time
when your heart beat with mine
and everything seemed fine
but then you went
and changed your mind

and there I stood
I'd done all that I could
I hoped and prayed you would
but you never came back to me

(sometimes a bad situation can really open your eyes and show you that things could always be much worse...)

The Bottom

life at The Bottom
life at The Bottom

there are people
living in this world
they don't know who they are
they can't reach very far
but still people in this world

there is sadness in their eyes
I saw it from inside
I felt it and I cried
all the sadness in their eyes

and I knew my shoulders could not hold
my heart strings being pulled
"it's The Bottom" I was told
medicated and controlled

life at The Bottom
life at The Bottom

there are people
living in this world
they bleed you and me
but their minds won't set them free
crazy captives in this world

somewhere in that secret place
where they hide the welfare case
they've lost the human race

life at The Bottom
life at The Bottom

(by the way, The Bottom is the "house" name for the local state mental hospital)

(I wrote this song for my parents, Pat and Bucky, although the facts are not correct. I think it's called poetic license.)

Anniversary Date

you call me your Valentino
I call you my valentine
you say "hold the cappuccino"
I say "fine, let's pour the wine..."

play the stereo so low so
we can dance to our heart song
cheek to cheek and toe to toe so
this can last the whole night long

and together make a vow
to forever love as now
and we can celebrate
our anniversary date

place a rose on my lapel-o
with baby's breath from your bouquet
I recall when red was yellow
seems like only yesterday

you and I are so contento
so reads the biography
strike a pose for our mementos
a keepsake for the family

and together make a vow
to forever love as now
and we can celebrate
our anniversary date

now with 50 behind us
what are we waiting for
time simply refined us
and I'm in the mood for 50 more

(if the shoe fits, wear it...you know who you are!)

192

it's a hot day today
must be 192
nobody's out cruisin'
the avenue
temperatures risin'
but what can I do?
just sit and act cool
thinkin' of you
just sit and act cool
thinkin' of you

I woke up this mornin'
it was 50 below
and I saw you cryin'
through the wind and snow
everything changes
and people must grow
we ain't no different
you had to go
no we ain't no different
you had to go

so let go
gotta get beyond it
go, can't pay it no mind
I know it couldn't get any stronger
even if it carried on longer
it's just one of those things ya know
it's just one of those things ya know

it's kinda crazy
what some people will do
and sometimes I wonder
'bout you know who
I could get angry
but what good would it do?
it ain't so simple when
it's 192
no it ain't so simple when it's 192

so let go
gotta get beyond it
go, can't pay it no mind
I know it couldn't get any stronger
even if it carried on longer
it's just one of those things ya know
it's just one of those things ya know

("For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom.10:13)

Over Yonder

over there, way over yonder
I long to be, never to wander
over there, way over yonder
I long to be, never to wander

just like a baby longs to be
upon his daddy's knee
I long to be way over yonder

over there, way over yonder
I long to be, never to wander

just like the branches on a tree
they lift their arms to thee
I long to be, way over yonder

I can't conceive
what you've promised me
blessed assurance for eternity
and oh what a day when I hear Jesus say
"come go with Me, way over yonder."

over there, way over yonder
I long to be, never to wander

just like a runner in a race
I rush to seek your face
and I long to be, way over yonder

yes I can't conceive
what you've promised me
blessed assurance if I only believe
and oh what a day when I hear Jesus say
"come go with me, way over yonder,
come go with me, way over yonder..."

(this is a poem, which, when it's finished, will be a song for my dearest daughter Sarah)

Bedside Prayer

a bedroom
ruffled sheets and ribbons
moonlight
peeking through the shades
Sarah asleep upon her pillow
thank you Lord
for this miracle you made

sometimes
I wish she'd stay a baby
and I could try
to protect her from all pain
but I know
that's not the way You planned it
You'll show her
rainbows in the rain

when we pray beside her bed
and we kiss goodnight
she lays down her sleepy head
and all of the angels from Heaven surround her at night

Jesus
You're forever faithful
keep her
in Your tender care
I'll teach her
to know You and to love You
let this
be my bedside prayer

(Whenever I used to play a gig somewhere people would request the "Park Bench" song. I should have renamed it that!)

Sit Awhile

I have been wondering all over town
for someone to stop and talk with me and visit but now
I dont know anybody around
think I'll sit awhile
sometimes I feel lonesome
among all my friends
I know they dont need me
and I'm lost in the end
gonna sit awhile in this town

and then the evening comes
with Saturdays noise
theres all the laughter
from the girls and the boys
in the highrise next door
gets lonesome on Saturday
gets lonesome on Saturday

now people pass by me
their eyes on their feet
so how in this cold world
can anybody meet
gonna sit awhile
pull up a park bench and sit awhile
I'd like to lay down it hurts me inside
I can't seem to get past
the times that I've cried
gonna sit awhile
hide my eyes and just sit awhile

and then a stranger
on the street said to me
"I have a friend
I would like you to meet
if you call out His name
He'll be with you everyday
Closer than a brother may", ya ya ya

oh, I have been wondering all over town
for someone to stop and talk with me and visit but now
I know somebody around
dont ya know I know somebody around
I know somebody around
think I'll pray awhile
sit and talk with Jesus awhile
think I'll pray awhile
sit right down
and talk with Jesus awhile
think I'll sit awhile
think I'll sit awhile

Nobody Hears Me (for Justin)

Nobody hears me
Do you ever hear me?
Do you ever listen to what I say?

No one understands me
Do you understand me?
I just look at things a different way

I assume you see me
Or do you stare right through me?
Are you ashamed of what's become of me?

I'm not the one you fought for
Or ever did a lot for
You never gave a thought for what bothers me.

So now,

What do you think I'm thinking?
I'm in a boat that's sinking
Would you take the risk to rescue me?

But no one understands me
You'll never understand me
I just look at things a different way,
I simply look at things a different way.

(I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ..)

Jesus Christ is Lord

we will pray with authority
and we will sing out in unity
we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord

it was finished at Calvary
and we will join in the victory
we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord

for the Holy Spirit is here
and the demons all tremble in fear
but the angels shout a mighty cheer
when they hear Jesus Christ is Lord

we will pray with authority
and we will sing out in unity
we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord
we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord
we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord

You're What I Do

For the last time, NO THIS IS NOT ME, IT'S ANOTHER GEEK!!!