Ninety Days (4/20 - 1/21)
Songs
- One Good Day
- Fourteen Days
- Without You It just Wouldn't be Christmas
- Forty Days
- That Mean Cruel Lowdown Heartless Hand of Love
- Once You've Ruled the World
- Ninety Days
- I Dreamed I was a Criminal
- You're Done
- As For Hard Times
- Tear it Down
- The Exit of the Con
- Zombie Song
One Good Day 1/20/2021
This song wraps this collection of songs up on a positive note. I wrote this late at night after the inauguration and recorded it the next day and then multiple times after..it's a process...calling it done.
Honey, we can just for a day take a deep breath, let our guard down
Honey, we take take a break from the fight
It'll be alright to take just this one
This one good day.. didn't know much I needed
This one good day...I was feeling so defeated
Honey, would it be okay to give ourselves this one good day
The bad guys, no they won’t get a free pass for all the wrongs that they have done
Don’t curse the night while we're standing in the sun
It will be alright to take just this one
This one good day...I really could use
This one good day...don’t want to refuse it
Honey, it will be okay to give ourselves this one good day
I’ve spent the years asking the question, "How could these things be done?"
Now, listen to me Honey..and it's only a suggestion
The answer can wait while give ourselves this one good day
It may take the rest of our lives
There’s no guarantee that justice will be done
The sun is shining now and I’m thinking I just might
Honey, it'll be alright to give ourselves this one
This one good day...didn't know much I needed
This one good day... was feeling so defeated
Honey, it will be okay to give ourselves this one good day
This one good day....
Honey, we take take a break from the fight
It'll be alright to take just this one
This one good day.. didn't know much I needed
This one good day...I was feeling so defeated
Honey, would it be okay to give ourselves this one good day
The bad guys, no they won’t get a free pass for all the wrongs that they have done
Don’t curse the night while we're standing in the sun
It will be alright to take just this one
This one good day...I really could use
This one good day...don’t want to refuse it
Honey, it will be okay to give ourselves this one good day
I’ve spent the years asking the question, "How could these things be done?"
Now, listen to me Honey..and it's only a suggestion
The answer can wait while give ourselves this one good day
It may take the rest of our lives
There’s no guarantee that justice will be done
The sun is shining now and I’m thinking I just might
Honey, it'll be alright to give ourselves this one
This one good day...didn't know much I needed
This one good day... was feeling so defeated
Honey, it will be okay to give ourselves this one good day
This one good day....
Fourteen Days 1/8/21
Recognizing the moment in Muddy Water's style.
As I was saying…
About 20 days ago, things were about to get real.
Now, the whole world knows.
I saw somebody's daughter shot and dying on the floor.
I saw you holding the gun.
Tell me, what was that for.
Now you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
You better look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
As I was saying…
Forty days before the swearing-in, “What could possibly go wrong?”
I think you knew then.
Because, I saw you standing, you were there with the crowd.
The president was telling you...you were something special.
Then, I saw you breaking and entering like a common criminal.
Now you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
You better look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
I saw you in the Senate.
You were begging for more.
You were talking about courage.
Then, you were the first one out the door.
I saw you bearing witness.
To a sudden change of heart.
You were telling them to stop this.
When you had pushed them from the start
I hear you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
You better look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
Hey, you at the White House...
It's time for you to go.
Pack up your circus.
It's time to end the show
I hear you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
It's time to look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
About 20 days ago, things were about to get real.
Now, the whole world knows.
I saw somebody's daughter shot and dying on the floor.
I saw you holding the gun.
Tell me, what was that for.
Now you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
You better look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
As I was saying…
Forty days before the swearing-in, “What could possibly go wrong?”
I think you knew then.
Because, I saw you standing, you were there with the crowd.
The president was telling you...you were something special.
Then, I saw you breaking and entering like a common criminal.
Now you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
You better look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
I saw you in the Senate.
You were begging for more.
You were talking about courage.
Then, you were the first one out the door.
I saw you bearing witness.
To a sudden change of heart.
You were telling them to stop this.
When you had pushed them from the start
I hear you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
You better look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
Hey, you at the White House...
It's time for you to go.
Pack up your circus.
It's time to end the show
I hear you say, “No, that wasn't me.”
It's time to look in the mirror.
It's time to see clearer.
Without You It Just Wouldn't be Christmas 12/23/20
This one's for Paula. I mean really...how many people get a Christmas song written for them? Lucky!
Packages tied with bows beneath a Christmas tree
You put love into everything you do
You make this time of year special for me
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
You go to work in the morning and you come home safe at night
Not to mention the hundred other things you do
I wrote this song to say it just right
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
It may snow on Christmas eve
Carolers might sing in the neighborhood
Children may wake on Christmas morning
Believing the world is full of good
Packages with bows beneath a Christmas tree
I want to thank you for every loving thing you do
You make this time of year special for me
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
You put love into everything you do
You make this time of year special for me
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
You go to work in the morning and you come home safe at night
Not to mention the hundred other things you do
I wrote this song to say it just right
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
It may snow on Christmas eve
Carolers might sing in the neighborhood
Children may wake on Christmas morning
Believing the world is full of good
Packages with bows beneath a Christmas tree
I want to thank you for every loving thing you do
You make this time of year special for me
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
Without you, it just wouldn’t be Christmas
Forty Days 12/6/2020
This song is other in that group of "And that's the way it is ..." reporting, though obviously subjective. For this song, it's a bit more than forty days but took poetic liberty. Stay tuned, I'll check in again as we get closer.
There’s nothing here to see folks…so move it along
It’s just a rag-tag band of lawyers trying to turn right into wrong
The votes have all been counted twice with nothing to reveal
The want-to-be king won’t concede while there’s a dollar left to steal
Every verdict has declared to throw the cases out
Until the the final gavel ’s down, these criminals will trade in doubt
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
Meanwhile, one hundred senators won’t to do anything about
Bringing relief to the people who are now going without
The pandemic is out of control and we all know the reason why
Instead of facing facts, all they know how to do is to deny
This country is divided, that’s not by accident
It’s a game of distraction to keep us from asking where all the money went
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
Jupiter and Saturn will soon align
I don’t generally follow the planets, but ya know maybe it’s a sign
I’ve been taking notes since the cracks in the sidewalks first appeared
Trying to predict the future, the way is not clear
When it’s all just point of view and facts are what you feel
You might want to grab hold of something, things are about to get real
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
Better days are up ahead, though we’re not quite there
There is s a way forward, I can see the signs from here
That road may be rough, the road is going to be long
Sacrifices will be made to get back where we belong
Because, you got to pay attention where you’re at to get to where you’re going
I’ve been looking out in case there’s anything here going on worth knowing.
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
It’s just a rag-tag band of lawyers trying to turn right into wrong
The votes have all been counted twice with nothing to reveal
The want-to-be king won’t concede while there’s a dollar left to steal
Every verdict has declared to throw the cases out
Until the the final gavel ’s down, these criminals will trade in doubt
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
Meanwhile, one hundred senators won’t to do anything about
Bringing relief to the people who are now going without
The pandemic is out of control and we all know the reason why
Instead of facing facts, all they know how to do is to deny
This country is divided, that’s not by accident
It’s a game of distraction to keep us from asking where all the money went
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
Jupiter and Saturn will soon align
I don’t generally follow the planets, but ya know maybe it’s a sign
I’ve been taking notes since the cracks in the sidewalks first appeared
Trying to predict the future, the way is not clear
When it’s all just point of view and facts are what you feel
You might want to grab hold of something, things are about to get real
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
Better days are up ahead, though we’re not quite there
There is s a way forward, I can see the signs from here
That road may be rough, the road is going to be long
Sacrifices will be made to get back where we belong
Because, you got to pay attention where you’re at to get to where you’re going
I’ve been looking out in case there’s anything here going on worth knowing.
It’s four o’clock in the morning and I’m writing down this song
With forty days before the swearing in, what could possibly go wrong?
That Mean Cruel Lowdown Heartless Hand of Love 11/14/2020
I have had this song for many, many years. I re-recorded vocals and changed a few words this morning. Otherwise, the music was recorded previously. I could hear this in a movie.
Sometimes I feel older
Older than I appear to be
It's true that I have lost at love
More times than you have yet to dream
I could tell you of stars and planets crashing
Leaving you in charge of
In charge of your own destiny
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
Sometimes I feel younger
Younger than I appear to be
Drifting and drifting
In existential non inevitabilty
drifting and wondering
wondering what I was born to be
Was I born to be defenseless a victim before the cruel hand of love
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
I see the hand of love is an ocean
I see the hand of love is a sea
Wave after wave after wave crashing down on me
I see the hand of love is a lion
Threatening with with closeness
I see the hand of love is a lion threatening to tear me tear me limb from limb
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
Sometimes I feel older
Older that I appear to be
While politics and romance embrace in the streets, history repeats endlessly
The moon shines brightly
White and unforgivingly
And stars and planets crash to leave us in charge of our own destiny
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
Older than I appear to be
It's true that I have lost at love
More times than you have yet to dream
I could tell you of stars and planets crashing
Leaving you in charge of
In charge of your own destiny
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
Sometimes I feel younger
Younger than I appear to be
Drifting and drifting
In existential non inevitabilty
drifting and wondering
wondering what I was born to be
Was I born to be defenseless a victim before the cruel hand of love
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
I see the hand of love is an ocean
I see the hand of love is a sea
Wave after wave after wave crashing down on me
I see the hand of love is a lion
Threatening with with closeness
I see the hand of love is a lion threatening to tear me tear me limb from limb
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
Sometimes I feel older
Older that I appear to be
While politics and romance embrace in the streets, history repeats endlessly
The moon shines brightly
White and unforgivingly
And stars and planets crash to leave us in charge of our own destiny
Left at the mercy of the cruel hand of love
That mean cruel low down heartless hand of love
Once You've Ruled the World 11/8/2020
A thought.
Once you’ve ruled the world, I can see how it’d be hard to take on a day job.
Once you’ve ruled the world, I can see how you might think you’re over qualified.
When you’re used to people doing just what you tell them to, you might find it hard to learn how to compromise.
Once you’ve ruled the world, I can see how it’d be hard to take on a day job.
Sometimes there’s a change in the tide.
Fortunes they come and they go.
Sometimes you have to swallow your pride.
Sometimes, you have to let go.
Once you’ve ruled the world, it’s hard when your service is no longer required
Once you’ve ruled the world, it's hard to find other work to satisfy you (inspire).
When you’re used to people telling you everything you say is true, you might find it hard to take someone else’s side.
Once you’ve ruled the world, I can see how it’d be hard to take on a day job.
...Right now, you have to go.
Once you’ve ruled the world, I can see how you might think you’re over qualified.
When you’re used to people doing just what you tell them to, you might find it hard to learn how to compromise.
Once you’ve ruled the world, I can see how it’d be hard to take on a day job.
Sometimes there’s a change in the tide.
Fortunes they come and they go.
Sometimes you have to swallow your pride.
Sometimes, you have to let go.
Once you’ve ruled the world, it’s hard when your service is no longer required
Once you’ve ruled the world, it's hard to find other work to satisfy you (inspire).
When you’re used to people telling you everything you say is true, you might find it hard to take someone else’s side.
Once you’ve ruled the world, I can see how it’d be hard to take on a day job.
...Right now, you have to go.
Ninety Days 10/29/2020
This one is about an observation that the songs I'm writing are different than they used to be. A "live" recording of guitar and singing, added a bass. a few backing vocals and keys.
In 90 days, when the counting is over,
I can't wait to get back to writing love songs,
I’m so done. I can’t write one more of these “government gone wrong” songs.
It's been so long. I hope I remember how to write an “I’m missing you like the Winter misses the sun” song
It's been so long. I hope I remember how to pick up my pen and spill my heart all over those pages.
It seems like ages…
When I think of those four years gone, what a waste of time…
I said I feel like crying.
In 90 days, when the votes are all counted,
I’m going to pick up my guitar and write “She’s leaving town on a train” song.
I’m so done. I can’t write one more of those “President talking nonsense and giving out nothing but pain” songs.
It's been so long. I hope I remember how to write a line like,
“This is what a goodbye looks like standing in the rain.”
"I’m breathing in; and it’s all I can do to breathe out again.”
When I think of these four years gone and what a waste of time it’s been.
Doesn’t anybody else feel like crying.
I never thought I’d write a song about these political blues,
I never thought I’d write song about their lies killing the truth.
I never thought I’d write about some want-to-be king.
Meanwhile, I can’t keep my mind on anything…
In 90 days,
With these four years over,
I’ll write another “Songbirds singing and me with the love-sick blues” song.
I’ll be done with those “I can’t stand watching what I’m seeing on the evening news” songs.
“Ain’t it a shame nobody, nobody ever wrote me no love song.”
I hope I remember how to pick up my pen and spill my heart all over those pages.
It seems like ages…
When I think of those four years gone, what a waste of time…
I said, I feel like crying.
In 90 days, when these four years are over,
I can't wait to get back to writing love songs.
I can't wait to get back to writing love songs,
I’m so done. I can’t write one more of these “government gone wrong” songs.
It's been so long. I hope I remember how to write an “I’m missing you like the Winter misses the sun” song
It's been so long. I hope I remember how to pick up my pen and spill my heart all over those pages.
It seems like ages…
When I think of those four years gone, what a waste of time…
I said I feel like crying.
In 90 days, when the votes are all counted,
I’m going to pick up my guitar and write “She’s leaving town on a train” song.
I’m so done. I can’t write one more of those “President talking nonsense and giving out nothing but pain” songs.
It's been so long. I hope I remember how to write a line like,
“This is what a goodbye looks like standing in the rain.”
"I’m breathing in; and it’s all I can do to breathe out again.”
When I think of these four years gone and what a waste of time it’s been.
Doesn’t anybody else feel like crying.
I never thought I’d write a song about these political blues,
I never thought I’d write song about their lies killing the truth.
I never thought I’d write about some want-to-be king.
Meanwhile, I can’t keep my mind on anything…
In 90 days,
With these four years over,
I’ll write another “Songbirds singing and me with the love-sick blues” song.
I’ll be done with those “I can’t stand watching what I’m seeing on the evening news” songs.
“Ain’t it a shame nobody, nobody ever wrote me no love song.”
I hope I remember how to pick up my pen and spill my heart all over those pages.
It seems like ages…
When I think of those four years gone, what a waste of time…
I said, I feel like crying.
In 90 days, when these four years are over,
I can't wait to get back to writing love songs.
I Dreamed I was a Criminal 9/25/2020
This one is more of a folk song..acoustic guitar with a capo, a uke and lap steel guitar.
I dreamed I was a criminal/I'd had this dream before/Like a deep down buried hurt that gets pushed up to the fore/I woke up praying I could be better than before/I shook it off, saying it was only a dream...a dream and nothing more.
I dreamed I was a criminal/The kind who'd do anything to get what I needed/I lied when it suited me, murdered, stole and cheated/I had riches, they came and went/There was one thing I could not keep/I'd trade all that money and power too for one good night's sleep.
I dreamed I was in a mansion/I'd had this dream before/There were one hundred rooms on every floor, each with an open door/I walked through every one like they were mine because I'd walked through each before/I woke up in my own small house knowing there was something more.
I dreamed I was a captive and I was my own prison guard/The same one who kept me under lock and key was the one who could set me free/Day and night and night and day, my heart grew cold and hard/My release was guaranteed/By my own forgiveness, I'd be freed.
I dreamed a dream within a dream/I woke within the strangest scene/A line divided life and death and I was right between/I weighed my decision carefully/I said out loud, "Let me with the angels be."/Then I woke unsure if I was the dreamer or if the dream was dreaming me.
I dreamed I was a criminal/I'd had this dream before/Like a deep down buried hurt that gets pushed up to the fore/I woke up praying I could be better than before/I shook it off knowing it was only a dream...a dream and nothing more.
I dreamed I was a criminal/The kind who'd do anything to get what I needed/I lied when it suited me, murdered, stole and cheated/I had riches, they came and went/There was one thing I could not keep/I'd trade all that money and power too for one good night's sleep.
I dreamed I was in a mansion/I'd had this dream before/There were one hundred rooms on every floor, each with an open door/I walked through every one like they were mine because I'd walked through each before/I woke up in my own small house knowing there was something more.
I dreamed I was a captive and I was my own prison guard/The same one who kept me under lock and key was the one who could set me free/Day and night and night and day, my heart grew cold and hard/My release was guaranteed/By my own forgiveness, I'd be freed.
I dreamed a dream within a dream/I woke within the strangest scene/A line divided life and death and I was right between/I weighed my decision carefully/I said out loud, "Let me with the angels be."/Then I woke unsure if I was the dreamer or if the dream was dreaming me.
I dreamed I was a criminal/I'd had this dream before/Like a deep down buried hurt that gets pushed up to the fore/I woke up praying I could be better than before/I shook it off knowing it was only a dream...a dream and nothing more.
You're Done 9/15/2o
Maybe not quite a folk song.
Your words are loaded like a shotgun
You call out, “Ready, fire, aim.”
It’s alright if you miss so long as you got someone to hear your gun go bang
In the recoil of your scattershot recklessness
You're looking around for someone to blame
In case the ricochet returns your lead filled speech to the mouth from where it came
Your words are spent like counterfeit hundred dollar bills
In a penny ante poker game
You unnecessarily raise the stakes
With nothing to lose and little to gain
To distract from the facts with false confidence
You double down on your lies again
You’ve bluffed your way through up until now
You’ve learned how to talk up a losing hand
You can stop your talking right now
The other guy has already won
You’re done
You might not want to admit
You’re done
You might as well quit it
It was over for you right from the go
The sad fact is you didn’t even know
You were done
This is my “Come Together” 2020 updated
It’s now time for a change
The amateur’s over rated
He's got no accountability
Here comes the new Joe
He's got sincerity
The worlds on the fire and the climate denier who played down the threat the death toll would be higher
Cares more about his own electability rating than about the root cause of division and hating
Political rallies for his own vanity during time of Corona is insanity
His supporters call hoax in his defense say their right to be free trumps the consequence
That others might suffer death needlessly and he never owns any responsibility
While towns are on fire he does nothing but talk and his talk is helping no one
You can stop your talking right now
The other guy has already won
You’re done
You might not want to admit
You’re done
You might as well quit it
It was over for you right from the go
The sad fact is you didn’t even know
You were done
History repeats for our education
Cruel leaders take advantage of people’s frustrations
To achieve their own ends
Fabricate justification to oppress the “others” within their own nations
Addressing the question of how could “good” people comply
Without questioning actions that clearly belie the values of kindness and liberty
They follow the cult of personality
Corrupt leaders make promises and talk endlessly while willing to sacrifice their own citizenry
You can stop your talking right now
The other guy has already won
You’re done
You might not want to admit
You’re done
You might as well quit it
It was over for you right from the go
The sad fact is you didn’t even know
You were done
You call out, “Ready, fire, aim.”
It’s alright if you miss so long as you got someone to hear your gun go bang
In the recoil of your scattershot recklessness
You're looking around for someone to blame
In case the ricochet returns your lead filled speech to the mouth from where it came
Your words are spent like counterfeit hundred dollar bills
In a penny ante poker game
You unnecessarily raise the stakes
With nothing to lose and little to gain
To distract from the facts with false confidence
You double down on your lies again
You’ve bluffed your way through up until now
You’ve learned how to talk up a losing hand
You can stop your talking right now
The other guy has already won
You’re done
You might not want to admit
You’re done
You might as well quit it
It was over for you right from the go
The sad fact is you didn’t even know
You were done
This is my “Come Together” 2020 updated
It’s now time for a change
The amateur’s over rated
He's got no accountability
Here comes the new Joe
He's got sincerity
The worlds on the fire and the climate denier who played down the threat the death toll would be higher
Cares more about his own electability rating than about the root cause of division and hating
Political rallies for his own vanity during time of Corona is insanity
His supporters call hoax in his defense say their right to be free trumps the consequence
That others might suffer death needlessly and he never owns any responsibility
While towns are on fire he does nothing but talk and his talk is helping no one
You can stop your talking right now
The other guy has already won
You’re done
You might not want to admit
You’re done
You might as well quit it
It was over for you right from the go
The sad fact is you didn’t even know
You were done
History repeats for our education
Cruel leaders take advantage of people’s frustrations
To achieve their own ends
Fabricate justification to oppress the “others” within their own nations
Addressing the question of how could “good” people comply
Without questioning actions that clearly belie the values of kindness and liberty
They follow the cult of personality
Corrupt leaders make promises and talk endlessly while willing to sacrifice their own citizenry
You can stop your talking right now
The other guy has already won
You’re done
You might not want to admit
You’re done
You might as well quit it
It was over for you right from the go
The sad fact is you didn’t even know
You were done
As for Hard Times 9/5/2020
A short tune..always leave 'em wanting more.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m handing, if I’m handing down the same old world that was handed down to me/Sometimes I wonder if I’m handing, if I’m handing down the same old troubles that were handed down to me.
What would my younger self say to me now if he could see what I can see?/Would my younger self implore me to leave this place a little better, a little better than it was left for me?
And as far as hard times, everyone has known at least a few, some have known many, nobody has never not known any. And as for hard times, we’ve all had our share. How in this world then can good people not care?
Sometimes I wonder if I’m handing, if I’m handing down the same old world that was handed down to me/Sometimes I wonder if I’m handing, if I’m handing down the same old troubles that were handed down to me.
What would my younger self say to me now if he could see what I can see?/Would my younger self implore me to leave this place a little better, a little better than it was left for me?
And as far as hard times, everyone has known at least a few, some have known many, nobody has never not known any. And as for hard times, we’ve all had our share. How in this world then can good people not care?
Sometimes I wonder if I’m handing, if I’m handing down the same old world that was handed down to me/Sometimes I wonder if I’m handing, if I’m handing down the same old troubles that were handed down to me.
Tear it Down 8/6/2000
The instrumentation in this song was built up and stripped down as was the lyric, as was this description...deconstruction.
Some days I want to tear it all down
Keep only the essentials
Strip away all of those things
I’ve been carrying for no reason
Put away sorrows, put away fears
Gone are the days of isolation
I’ll tell you a story of loss and tears
In a time of separation
Together we rise, divided we fall
In these times of desperation
Until it’s all for one and one for all
There will be no hope for this nation
You gotta be willing to scrap everything
Build it all up again
Ain’t nobody holding nothing over me
That I can’t let go if I want to
Put away judgement, put away blame
Gone are the days of recrimination
I’ll tell you a story of hurt and pain
In a time of resignation
Together we rise, divided we fall
In these times of desperation
Until it’s all for one and one for all
There will be no hope for this nation
Build it up just to tear it down again
Just enough to create a moment
Leave it alone when it gets to feeling right
Don’t let your mind take over
Put away trouble, put away shame
Gone are the days of implication
I’ll tell you a story of guilt unnamed
In a time of discrimination
Together we rise, divided we fall
In these times of desperation
Until it’s all for one and one for all
There will be no hope for this nation
Keep only the essentials
Strip away all of those things
I’ve been carrying for no reason
Put away sorrows, put away fears
Gone are the days of isolation
I’ll tell you a story of loss and tears
In a time of separation
Together we rise, divided we fall
In these times of desperation
Until it’s all for one and one for all
There will be no hope for this nation
You gotta be willing to scrap everything
Build it all up again
Ain’t nobody holding nothing over me
That I can’t let go if I want to
Put away judgement, put away blame
Gone are the days of recrimination
I’ll tell you a story of hurt and pain
In a time of resignation
Together we rise, divided we fall
In these times of desperation
Until it’s all for one and one for all
There will be no hope for this nation
Build it up just to tear it down again
Just enough to create a moment
Leave it alone when it gets to feeling right
Don’t let your mind take over
Put away trouble, put away shame
Gone are the days of implication
I’ll tell you a story of guilt unnamed
In a time of discrimination
Together we rise, divided we fall
In these times of desperation
Until it’s all for one and one for all
There will be no hope for this nation
The Exit of the Con 7/27/2020
I woke up with the first line and wrote down the rest. This version is acoustic live recording with aa lap steel overdub. It's a lot of words..so excuse a few stumbles.
Two stragglers left behind and the Con has exited out of the scene
Didn’t he have it it all, didn’t he play it clean
Right up to the end, he didn’t once break character
That’s the first rule of the long game, our caps off to you sir
He was a natural, he was born for this
He had them from the start
He could work a room like Elvis
Now they’d tear their “king” apart
They loved him once so selfishly with all their longing hearts
He wanted to be their president
There’s money and fame to be made in the government.
History had warned him not to trust the crowd
He never read those books anyway, facts only got in the way
The people cheered him when they heard him speak their bigotry out loud
He said he could kill on 5th avenue and make a clean get away
They offered up their trust in him unconditionally
Though he was never known to take responsibility
He’d come on like a tyrant and then expected sympathy
He’d act like a clown then expect to be taken seriously
When his gang finally caught on dragged him from the white house
He said the place to him was more like a jail house
Then, he denied he had ever occupied the place
Blamed it all on a case of mistaken identity somebody with a similar face
He said the game was rigged, he alone could lead the nation
Claimed his enemy’s listened in on his every conversation
Blamed the state of the union on the last administration
He cried that no one had ever suffered such cruel indignation
He claimed to be the only one who knew where all the secrets had been hid
He said he would spill every one if they didn’t do just like he said
He tried to strike up a bargain he was sure there was a deal he could get
Said once set free he’d forgive and to forget
He said that he knew the right people to set this all straight
That he had connections everywhere with princes and heads of state
He said he had some loose cash that he could spread around
And inside information where more could be found
Every crooked senator and and every bought off magistrate
Claimed duress and said that that it was all too much and all too late
To their old allegiance, they did disavow
Said they’d been pressured to obey, but they were over all that now
They swore an oath before God and man that there never was a master plan
They passed it off on momentum that had gotten out of hand
Said the brown kids in cages would be set free again
Then went on with their usual business like there was nothing to defend
No books will be written, no stories will be told
He’ll be like yesterday’s news thrown out and grown old
His earnings will be taxed, his creditors paid ten fold
His empire will be toppled, his estates will all be sold
No libraries will be built to his renown
All of his his signs will be dismantled and be brought down
All of his buildings will be raised and leveled to the ground
On television, his face nowhere will be found
We won’t hear his voice again, not even one word
There will be no media coverage, no speeches will be heard
No interviews with anyone with whom he may be involved
Had that happened from the start, how many troubles would be solved
Lady justice may be blind, but her memory is long
Her scales are there to balance the right from the wrong
Her sword defends the weak from the oppression of the strong
He’ll be left on the trash heap of history right where he does belong
From the time of the Roman emperors, right up until now
Despots have come and gone thinking that somehow
They could escape retribution while committing any crime
Justice wins out in the end, every single time
Keep a close watch out who for those who would seek power and fame
For the sole purpose of history remembering their name
I could go on like this for hours, the list is that long
I won’t do him the favor of naming him, not even once in this song
Didn’t he have it it all, didn’t he play it clean
Right up to the end, he didn’t once break character
That’s the first rule of the long game, our caps off to you sir
He was a natural, he was born for this
He had them from the start
He could work a room like Elvis
Now they’d tear their “king” apart
They loved him once so selfishly with all their longing hearts
He wanted to be their president
There’s money and fame to be made in the government.
History had warned him not to trust the crowd
He never read those books anyway, facts only got in the way
The people cheered him when they heard him speak their bigotry out loud
He said he could kill on 5th avenue and make a clean get away
They offered up their trust in him unconditionally
Though he was never known to take responsibility
He’d come on like a tyrant and then expected sympathy
He’d act like a clown then expect to be taken seriously
When his gang finally caught on dragged him from the white house
He said the place to him was more like a jail house
Then, he denied he had ever occupied the place
Blamed it all on a case of mistaken identity somebody with a similar face
He said the game was rigged, he alone could lead the nation
Claimed his enemy’s listened in on his every conversation
Blamed the state of the union on the last administration
He cried that no one had ever suffered such cruel indignation
He claimed to be the only one who knew where all the secrets had been hid
He said he would spill every one if they didn’t do just like he said
He tried to strike up a bargain he was sure there was a deal he could get
Said once set free he’d forgive and to forget
He said that he knew the right people to set this all straight
That he had connections everywhere with princes and heads of state
He said he had some loose cash that he could spread around
And inside information where more could be found
Every crooked senator and and every bought off magistrate
Claimed duress and said that that it was all too much and all too late
To their old allegiance, they did disavow
Said they’d been pressured to obey, but they were over all that now
They swore an oath before God and man that there never was a master plan
They passed it off on momentum that had gotten out of hand
Said the brown kids in cages would be set free again
Then went on with their usual business like there was nothing to defend
No books will be written, no stories will be told
He’ll be like yesterday’s news thrown out and grown old
His earnings will be taxed, his creditors paid ten fold
His empire will be toppled, his estates will all be sold
No libraries will be built to his renown
All of his his signs will be dismantled and be brought down
All of his buildings will be raised and leveled to the ground
On television, his face nowhere will be found
We won’t hear his voice again, not even one word
There will be no media coverage, no speeches will be heard
No interviews with anyone with whom he may be involved
Had that happened from the start, how many troubles would be solved
Lady justice may be blind, but her memory is long
Her scales are there to balance the right from the wrong
Her sword defends the weak from the oppression of the strong
He’ll be left on the trash heap of history right where he does belong
From the time of the Roman emperors, right up until now
Despots have come and gone thinking that somehow
They could escape retribution while committing any crime
Justice wins out in the end, every single time
Keep a close watch out who for those who would seek power and fame
For the sole purpose of history remembering their name
I could go on like this for hours, the list is that long
I won’t do him the favor of naming him, not even once in this song
Zombie Song 4/12/2020
A song about things that don't respond to reason. Layered a few guitar tracks.
Zombies don’t observe international borders, or any of the holy days, or military orders.
It’s just another place, just another day.
They don’t understand a single word you say.
Zombies don’t care that you never learned piano.
Zombies don’t care about your bank account too.
Zombies don’t care nothing about nothing.
And they care even less that about you.
Zombies don’t...no, they don’t....they really don't care ....no, they don’t care.
Zombies don’t care if you pay them no attention, pay them in hundred dollar bills, or don’t pay them anything at all.
Zombies don’t care if you offer them bribes, or cut them in on business dealings.
They don’t care about your feelings.
Zombies don’t care if you're guilty of insider trades.
Zombies won’t judge you for the compromises you made.
Zombies aren’t interested in human affairs.
Zombies really don’t care.
Zombies don’t...no, they don’t....they really don't care ....no, they don’t care.
Zombies don’t want you to take them to your leader.
They’re not that kind of invader.
They’ll catch up sooner or later.
Zombies don’t mind if you keep them waiting.
They’re not ever in a hurry.
They never worry.
Zombies don’t care if you’re running late to your meeting.
Zombies can’t relate.
Zombies don’t do meetings, or run anywhere.
Zombies don’t care.
Zombies don’t...no, they don’t....they really don't care ....no, they don’t care.
It’s just another place, just another day.
They don’t understand a single word you say.
Zombies don’t care that you never learned piano.
Zombies don’t care about your bank account too.
Zombies don’t care nothing about nothing.
And they care even less that about you.
Zombies don’t...no, they don’t....they really don't care ....no, they don’t care.
Zombies don’t care if you pay them no attention, pay them in hundred dollar bills, or don’t pay them anything at all.
Zombies don’t care if you offer them bribes, or cut them in on business dealings.
They don’t care about your feelings.
Zombies don’t care if you're guilty of insider trades.
Zombies won’t judge you for the compromises you made.
Zombies aren’t interested in human affairs.
Zombies really don’t care.
Zombies don’t...no, they don’t....they really don't care ....no, they don’t care.
Zombies don’t want you to take them to your leader.
They’re not that kind of invader.
They’ll catch up sooner or later.
Zombies don’t mind if you keep them waiting.
They’re not ever in a hurry.
They never worry.
Zombies don’t care if you’re running late to your meeting.
Zombies can’t relate.
Zombies don’t do meetings, or run anywhere.
Zombies don’t care.
Zombies don’t...no, they don’t....they really don't care ....no, they don’t care.