My Song Lyrics
Click the title to play
The Clothes I've Worn
During my time as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco, I donated an American Flag jacket and other clothing to a Salvation Army second-hand store. Weeks later, while stopped at a red light in the South of Market part of town, I saw a homeless guy wearing the same style jacket. I wondered if it was the one I had worn, so I parked and wrote this.
During my time as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco, I donated an American Flag jacket and other clothing to a Salvation Army second-hand store. Weeks later, while stopped at a red light in the South of Market part of town, I saw a homeless guy wearing the same style jacket. I wondered if it was the one I had worn, so I parked and wrote this.
I Lost Agnes in the Smoke
I wrote comedy material and contest announcements for Barbecue Competition emcees. Since there are over 300 of these events every year, it was a moneymaking sideline. Naturally, I met very interesting characters, and imagined the heart-and-soul tribulations they might face.
I wrote comedy material and contest announcements for Barbecue Competition emcees. Since there are over 300 of these events every year, it was a moneymaking sideline. Naturally, I met very interesting characters, and imagined the heart-and-soul tribulations they might face.
Nothin'
At a Blues Bootcamp at Port Townsend, Washington, I met Otis Taylor, Philadelphia Jerry Ricks, and John Johnson. That weekend, we played together, ate together, and shared a bit of spirits. I listened in amazement as they told their stories about life on the road, performing night after night, in town after town. They never lost hope that their income would cover their expenses. Nothing discouraged them. A great lesson.
At a Blues Bootcamp at Port Townsend, Washington, I met Otis Taylor, Philadelphia Jerry Ricks, and John Johnson. That weekend, we played together, ate together, and shared a bit of spirits. I listened in amazement as they told their stories about life on the road, performing night after night, in town after town. They never lost hope that their income would cover their expenses. Nothing discouraged them. A great lesson.
Doin' Fine
When separation nearly led to divorce, the awkward congeniality of continued communication was understood to be a hedge against impending emotional, social, and financial changes. The introductory question "How are you doing?" began to ring hollow, given the gravity of tearing the family apart.
When separation nearly led to divorce, the awkward congeniality of continued communication was understood to be a hedge against impending emotional, social, and financial changes. The introductory question "How are you doing?" began to ring hollow, given the gravity of tearing the family apart.
Makin' Tracks
This song is dedicated to Darren, my best friend and World-class guitarist, Producer, director, studio engineer, and art show entrepreneur. The hours we spent in his studio were a combination of creative projects, mutual inspiration, philosophical consensus, and emotional support.
This song is dedicated to Darren, my best friend and World-class guitarist, Producer, director, studio engineer, and art show entrepreneur. The hours we spent in his studio were a combination of creative projects, mutual inspiration, philosophical consensus, and emotional support.
12 Bars
Being Irish, I'm often inclined to "have a throat on me." So, when just starting to play guitar as a teenager, one music teacher said, "You can play just about any Blues story in just 12 bars." His words sounded like a Shakespearean double entendre, implying playing in, drinking in, or performing in 12 "Bars."
Being Irish, I'm often inclined to "have a throat on me." So, when just starting to play guitar as a teenager, one music teacher said, "You can play just about any Blues story in just 12 bars." His words sounded like a Shakespearean double entendre, implying playing in, drinking in, or performing in 12 "Bars."
My Life is Junk
Desperation is the pheromone of The Muse. Having a sense of humor about it is how we tease Calliope to laugh in the spiritual act of love. Knowing guys who "fell apart" after a romance was dashed to pieces, gave me a clear picture of how some guys act when trying to pick up their pieces.
Desperation is the pheromone of The Muse. Having a sense of humor about it is how we tease Calliope to laugh in the spiritual act of love. Knowing guys who "fell apart" after a romance was dashed to pieces, gave me a clear picture of how some guys act when trying to pick up their pieces.
Damn Skippy
I believe Country Music is a Caucasian Blues form and, not surprisingly, also lends itself to expressions of testosteroneous braggadocio found in many Rap songs.
I believe Country Music is a Caucasian Blues form and, not surprisingly, also lends itself to expressions of testosteroneous braggadocio found in many Rap songs.
You're All Set
Years ago, when I first began visiting a friend in Maine, I noticed that nearly all cashiers, bartenders, or salespersons ended their conversation with me by saying, "Okay, you're all set!" or "You're all set, have a nice day!" My Main(e) friend deserved a song about her state, so I wrote this.
Years ago, when I first began visiting a friend in Maine, I noticed that nearly all cashiers, bartenders, or salespersons ended their conversation with me by saying, "Okay, you're all set!" or "You're all set, have a nice day!" My Main(e) friend deserved a song about her state, so I wrote this.
Demon Rig
The Barbecue Competition circuit is such a high-energy, fun-loving group of characters that I felt they needed a frightening folktale to flesh out their image traditions.
The Barbecue Competition circuit is such a high-energy, fun-loving group of characters that I felt they needed a frightening folktale to flesh out their image traditions.
Comic Songs
Use Your Mitts
From French fries to charcuterie to oysters, we forego utensils when eating with our hands. I felt a song was appropriate for a chorus of cultured, proper women to encourage us to dig in.
From French fries to charcuterie to oysters, we forego utensils when eating with our hands. I felt a song was appropriate for a chorus of cultured, proper women to encourage us to dig in.
Diagnosis Blues
When you have a good friend who is a Blues-loving Nephrologist, you have to go the extra mile.
When you have a good friend who is a Blues-loving Nephrologist, you have to go the extra mile.
Nephrologist Blues
Diagnosis Blues like B.B. would sing it.
The Day After Christmas
Santa handles a Communist Troll uprising.
Santa handles a Communist Troll uprising.
Crime Songs
Banjo Duet
Edward Benson, a 63-year-old man from West Milton, Ohio, allegedly beat his 60-year-old wife, Katie Merle Phelps Benson, to death at 5 a.m. on May 22, 1991. The police reported that he used the musical instruments as weapons during the attack. This was the first time a banjo was used to kill a person.
Edward Benson, a 63-year-old man from West Milton, Ohio, allegedly beat his 60-year-old wife, Katie Merle Phelps Benson, to death at 5 a.m. on May 22, 1991. The police reported that he used the musical instruments as weapons during the attack. This was the first time a banjo was used to kill a person.
Karla Faye Tucker
Karla Faye Tucker was an American woman sentenced to death for killing two people with a pickaxe during a burglary. Due to her gender and widely publicized conversion to Christianity, she inspired a large, albeit unsuccessful, national and international movement that advocated the commutation of her sentence to life.
Karla Faye Tucker was an American woman sentenced to death for killing two people with a pickaxe during a burglary. Due to her gender and widely publicized conversion to Christianity, she inspired a large, albeit unsuccessful, national and international movement that advocated the commutation of her sentence to life.
Life Poems Set To Music
A Beginning
Lost in the first blush of love.
Lost in the first blush of love.
My Promise
Trying to put my fractured marriage back together.
Trying to put my fractured marriage back together.
Not Yet Lost
Losing a blossoming love.
Losing a blossoming love.
Paddy's Eulogy
My final words to my brother at his funeral, but denied the opportunity to present.
My final words to my brother at his funeral, but denied the opportunity to present.
Free Verse Set To Music
The Stickman
A street beggar on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, in a painful fit that was misinterpreted by passers-by as a dance.
A street beggar on 2nd Avenue in Seattle, in a painful fit that was misinterpreted by passers-by as a dance.
Stickman Country
Stickman as an uptempo, happy Country song.
New Meaning
A squirel faces traffic and finds new words and the identity of God.
A squirel faces traffic and finds new words and the identity of God.
Three Dash Zero Zero
Experiencing a stream-of-consciousness immediately before a rear-end traffic collision.
Experiencing a stream-of-consciousness immediately before a rear-end traffic collision.
A Reminder
A plea for forgiveness and forgetfulness.
A plea for forgiveness and forgetfulness.