“ The Other Side of Town “
  
Is the sunrise just as striking
does the snow come floating down
does the wind blow through the treetops
on the other side of town

  Do the leaves turn orange in autumn
do the blackbirds make that sound
  is the sunset just like magic
on the other side of town

  Do the old men still play checkers
does the ice cream truck come ‘round
do the kids still walk ‘round barefoot
      on the other side of town

And
  though I’ve never caught the train
  that takes you ‘cross the tracks
  I’ve often said that if I go
  I’m never comin’ back
I’ll sell the memories I’ve earned
  I’ll take the mailbox down
  I’ll find a place to lay my head
  on the other side of town

Do they sit out on their porches
do they wave when you come down
  can you walk downtown at midnight
on the other side of town

Can you take your *******
  moonlight walks
do you hear those baying hounds
  do the crickets tell the stories
from the other side of town

Am I
  just a fool for dreamin’
I can turn the clock around
Can I find what I still long for
on the other side of town

And
  though I never caught the train
  that takes you ‘cross the tracks
  I’ve often said that if I go
  I’m never comin’ back

  I’ll sell the memories I’ve earned
  I’ll take the mailbox down
I’ll find some peace beside the trees
on the other side of town

  I’ll find that dream
   inside my heart
on the other side of town

“ Time  Goes  By “


Time  goes  by and it frees  the  pain
  time  goes  by and  we
bless  the  rain

The sun shines through  and then
         once  again
  we find our hearts  in the
      hearts  of  friends

     The  door  swings  back and  we
      see the past
     we find the place  where  we’re
       free at last
     the door  swings  back and  we
          finally  know
     if we  loved  them, we  let  them  go

   We’ll sing  of  the  summer  nights
we’ll sing  of  the  falling  leaves
  we’ll sing  of  the  tender  times
  the  reasons  we  believe



Time  goes  by and it  gives  us  peace
  gives  us  moments
of sweet  release

The  moon  shines through  as the
clouds  roll  by
our  hearts  will  find  that our
tears  have  dried


      The  door  swings  back and  we
   see the past
     we find the place  where  we’re
    free at last
     the door  swings  back and  we
      finally  know
     if we  loved  them, we  let  them  go

We’ll sing  of  the  summer  nights
we’ll sing  of  the falling  leaves
we’ll sing  of  the tender  times
the reasons we believe

     the reasons we believe

“Times Square”

  I sat there at the table
     gazed out at Time's Square
  sipped my cup of coffee
     surprised that I was there

  Watched the crowds meander
     a term from days gone by
  more controlled confusion
      put a twinkle in my eye

  The lights, the noise, the people
     and all that it became
  the heartbeat had a magic
     sitting sideline for the game

  The night was soft and subtle
     was music in the air
  young lovers held each other
     old folks moved with care

  The children ran like rabbits
     like at a country fair
  another glimpse of yesterday
     when they did it all with flair

  My eyes they wandered skyward
     up monoliths of steel
  with stories from before my time
     of lifetimes that were real

  Of men who walked the girders
     who risked their lives each day
  and helped to build this city
     that took my breath away

so,

  As I drank my coffee
     and watched the carnival prepare
  I knew the best I’d ever see
     was right here in Times Square

“Turn Around”

I wandered down that dusty road
so long
it took me all the way
to hell and gone
     all I heard was an empty sound
     all it gave was the cold, hard ground
and all that I could do was turn around

I used to think the romance
  was in the pain
I’d sell my soul just to feel it
once again
     I cried at that high lonesome sound
     somewhere in that sleepy town
and all that I could do was turn around


The whistling train left
an echo in the wind
I tried but I could never
  hear that train again
     somewhere in that sleepy town
     I paid for all that cold, hard ground
and all that I could do was turn around


Down along that lost
and lonely road
I finally heard the words
that I’d been told
     I cast a wish on the nights
first star
  despite the rain
  I’d come so far
     despite the wind
       I’d listened for the sound
and all that I could do was
  Turn around
all that I can do is
turn around

“Walk Through this Life”

The trade winds blow, sailors go to the sea
to find their place in the shadows
Warriors leave their homes in the dream they’ll
return someday to lie in green meadows

They walk through this life , they run
     through the fields as they follow the stars
They sail on the winds, they’ll come back again
as they follow their hearts
and somewhere in the night
they’ll find a chance at love
  And somewhere in their lives
they’ll know it from above

Cowboys ride to the end of the line as they stake their claim
to a piece of forever
children run into the sun
as the days fade from laughter eternal

We walk through this life, we run through
     the fields as we follow the stars
we sail on the winds, we’ll go back again
     as we follow our hearts
and somewhere in the night
we’ll find chance at love
  and somewhere in our lives
we’ll know it from above

A warm wind cuts through the night as I hear
the voices of yesterdays sorrows
Moonlight captures my gaze as a tear falls
on grounds rightly hallowed

I walk through this life, I run through the
     Fields as I follow the stars
I sail on the winds, I’ll go back again as I
     Follow my heart
and somewhere in the night
I’ll find a chance at love
  and somewhere in my life
I’ll know it from above
    from above

"When Fiona Smiles"

When Fiona smiles
It's like sundrops from heaven
Moonbeams in the night sky
Rainbows in the valley

When Fioana smiles
It's like stardust in the northwoods
A sea breeze in the harbor
The sunrise in the morning

And the angels sing as the trees sway
The birds wing, the children play
It's made easy, the many miles
On this journey
When Fiona smiles

When Fiona smiles
It's butterflies in the sunshine
A warm breeze in the valley
Feathers in the moonlight

And the angels sing as the trees sway
The birds wing, the children play
It's made easy, the many miles
On this journey
When Fiona smiles
When Fioana smiles

“With the Wind”

I seen you on the wrong side of town
    I knew someday you’d come ‘round
‘round 9 we started to dance
   ‘round 10 we hadn’t a chance
last round they told us again
    then we were gone with the wind

I tried to climb to the top of the world
    I grabbed hold of one lucky girl
   she said her name was alone
   she said I’d reap what I’d sown
she said to look in her eyes
and then she told me goodbye

I walked to the end of the tracks
Turned ‘round and never looked back
That town faded from view
Along with memories of you
The sun rose with the dawn
That’s when I knew you were gone

So now I ride to the end of the line
Just like a con who is still doing time
‘round 9 I started to dance
“round 10 I hadn’t a chance
last round he called out again
and then I was gone with the wind

"Your Story"

   You told the world your story
   In a language long forgotten
With pictures from a scrapbook
    Of memories misbegotten
Like a snapshot from tomorrow
   Or a song from yesterday
You told the world your story
  Like you'd never go away

You sent the world a postcard
Of a visit to the sea
   Standing near the rumbling tide
     You flashed the sign of peace
But off behind the swaying palms
      Deep down in the sand
  You dug a hole of burning rage
       You'll never understand

You played the world a ballad
   A composition from your past
Of stolen dreams and broken hearts
      Never meant to last
  But at the end of every day
     When you lay your burden down
   You'll find the ghosts you thought were gone
    Forever stand their ground

You showed the world a copy
  Of a fine agreement signed
       That if you shake, I'll also shake
       And all will be just fine
       And no matter who we might become
      Or who we'll never be
  The clouds will pass, the sun will shine
   We'll live in ecstasy

  But the world will tell our stories
  In the way that it decides
The struggles and the victories
The places that we hide
The grand designs we'd penciled in
     To lead us to our dreams
      Yes, the world will tell our stories
        And it's never what it seems


So, you told the world your story
    And you gave it all you had
    You tried to keep it happy
    Yet somehow left it sad
  But when it's all been said and done
   With all you've had to say
   You've told the world your story
        And it's just another day

“Your God, Your Mother and Me”

If there's anything left in this world you want
anything left in this world to see
if there's anyone left in this world to trust
it's your God, your Mother and me

If there's anywhere left in this world to go
anyone you'd like to see
is there anything left you'd like to show
to your God, your Mother and me

It's almost time for that long hard walk
so you better come clean
before the rooster crows
and I'd bet a dime against
a solid sawbuck
that down among the rubes and cons
there's somebody that knows

If there's anytime left in this world to cry
anyplace that you feel free
then give it back
in a prayer and a dream
to your God, your Mother and me

It's almost time for that long hard climb
so you better come clean before you dot your I's
and I'd bet my life
on your soul's surprise
it's your God, your Mother and me
the faces in your dreams are
just what you think it means
your God, your Mother and me

“One True Companion”

I used to live in wide open spaces
I used to look in forbidden places
I used to run like there was no tomorrow
I used to laugh with forgotten sorrow

I used to walk down paths in the moonlight
I used to sing my songs under spotlights
I used to see my dreams like a street sign
I used to look for gold in a coal mine

and when the storm came fast
through the highlands
I used to run with
my one true companion
My friend, my foe
my overwhelming choice
to lay my love beside at night
to find my hidden voice
My friend, my foe
that warm caressing hand
that cooled my heavy heart
that helped me understand

I used to hitch rides on the A train
I used to search for love in the cold rain
I used to scream out load after midnight
I used to roll through the mist in the daylight

and when the rain poured
down on the mountains
I would hold true to
my one true companion
My friend, my foe
my overwhelming choice
to lay my love beside at night
to find my hidden voice
My friend, my foe
that warm caressing hand
that cooled my heavy heart
that helped me understand
helped me understand

“The Only Blues I know”

The snow across the westward ridge
the horizon in the sky
your Mother's angry barbeque
you never question why

The bleeding heart across the land
your Father in cheap suits
the gift you gave in tender times
that left you destitute

And

the only blues I know are the ones that make me cry
the only way to Jerico is 'cross the ocean wide
the only blues I know are with me night and day
tell me less than what you know
is more than what you say

The danger in the distant lights
the jostle in the crowd
your brother's ancient retrospect
he's shouting right out loud

The claim of your intrinsic rights
the sister you ignore
hidden deep beneath your smile
is the pain that you adore

And

the only blues I know are the ones that make me cry
the only way to Jerico is 'cross the ocean wide
the only blues I know are with me night and day
tell me more than what you know
is less than what you say

“Gently”

Gently hold my hand once more
and look me in the eye
let me see you smile again
before you say goodbye

For all the miles and all the trials
and all the tears we've cried
right now all I want to do
is stay here by your side

And hold you once before I go
for my time's yet to come
and as you know I've got to go
and face another sun

So, gently I will kiss you now
and gently say farewell
where our paths will cross again
only God can tell

But
I'll hear you in the evening song
that whispers through the trees
and I'll see you in the morning sun
that rises in the east

yes,

I'll remember all the love
you gently gave to me
and I'll forever give it back
as you did, so gently

“Crazy Horse”

Crazy Horse was right
he rode into the loneliness
of the darkest night
he rode across the land he'd known
the land that he'd called home

Crazy Horse was right
Somewhere in the distance
he'd seen the light
knew that there'd come a day
a day he'd have to fight

For as long as the grass grows
as long as the wind blows
as long as the water flows

Crazy Horse was right
he knew that they'd rode too far
inside his heart
a place he'd have to end
a place he'd have to start

For as long as the grass grows
as long as the wind blows
as long as the water flows

“The Accidental Caretaker”

The accidental caretaker
has found his way back home
He's traveled far and traveled wide
to find his birds have flown
The western wind will tell the tale
of journeys he has known
and all along the rugged road
his destination known

The accidental caretaker
will leave here once again
He's always heard the siren's song
somewhere 'round the bend
down along the waterfront
he'll find his journey's end
the moonshadow will lead him on
to find his long lost friend

The accidental caretaker
has put away his shoes
his time is done for spotlights filled
with other people's blues
He's found a place to hang his hat
and listen for the news
of how and why and where and when
he'll pay his final dues

The accidental caretaker
has found his way back home
He's traveled far and traveled wide
to find the words he'd known
The waves will crash, the sun will set
on journeys he has known
and all along the rugged road
his destination known
his destination known

“Paradise”

Still a long way to Paradise
still a hard line when you roll the dice
and
if you think you've found the road
that leads you to the Motherlode
all that I can say is
I don't know

Still a long day that's comin' down
still some jokers keep on runnin' 'round
tell us that they've found the way
tell us that we've got it made
all I can say is...........

Paradise
you're hiding somewhere in the dark
Paradise
can't you hear the soulful cries
Paradise
I'm still waiting to hold the spark
To light the fire in this life

Still some storm clouds a rollin' in
Yet still a chance to begin again
'cause when I see those cloudless skies
reflected in your endless eyes
I know
we'll find ourselves a different road

Paradise
you're hiding somewhere in our hearts
Paradise
can't you see our stressful strife
Paradise
I'm still waiting to shake your hand
and light this fire in my life

“A Painting Hanging Crooked on the Wall”

There's a painting hanging crooked on the wall
Photographs are fading down the hall
And every now and then
you still can feel so small
like that painting hanging crooked on the wall

There's a beat up old jalopy in the yard
it used to be the place you'd park your car
and every now and then
you want to drive so far
away from that jalopy in the yard

There's a barely working TV on the stand
it long ago belonged to your old man
it's all he left behind
and you still can't understand
the bills he left you holding in your hand

There's a rusty box of tools in the garage
a dusty torn award from some old lodge
a place he used to love
a place you used to dodge
like the rusty tools he left in the garage

There's a bleeding in the heart from distant wounds
and the healing that will come can't come too soon
you step out from the mire
and reach out to the moon
and pray you'll get the chance to change that worn out tune

So you write another poem, still accused
and tell another tale to stay amused
and though you hear the gavel slam
you still remain confused
at the verdict that you wear for feeling used

Yes,
You're just another prisoner of the past
you once believed or hoped it wouldn't last
but you never could escape
from the shadow that was cast
long ago, when  once you ran so fast


There's a painting hanging crooked on the wall
There's photographs a fading down the hall
and every now and then
you still can feel so small
like that painting hanging crooked on the wall

“Meet Me”

Meet me at the holligram
back to where time stood still
We'll buy new dreams at the old dream stand
them set them free to square the bill

Meet me where the church once stood
on the dirt road past the open sky
we'll lay down in the poppy fields
and hold hands once more, you and I

Meet me where the spirits dance
the crescent moon will lead the way
stone markers in the darkened woods
Softly, we will hear them say
Hallowed be
Hallowed be
Hallowed be

Meet me in the old north woods
where colored leaves drift to the ground
the whistling wind will sing the song
with silence as the constant sound

Meet me where the night dogs howl
sad and lonely in the dark
singing for a lover lost
calling to the crystal stars
Hallowed be
Hallowed be
Hallowed be

Meet me where the rolling waves
kiss the earth of sand and shore
to tell the tale of men in ships
lost and gone forever more

Meet me in the city streets
Brownstones that were once called home
We'll draw a map of life and times
of past, present and still to come

Meet me where the birds of time
spread their wings to sail the sky
to show us signs of freedom's flight
to mark this place we live and die
Hallowed be
Hallowed be
Hallowed be

Yes, meet me at the holligram
near the corner of 12th and time
We'll sell our dreams to the gypsy girl
Then square our bill yet one more time

“This Dream”

I'm looking through the ruins to find Socrates
I'm thinking there's a clue he's sending me
to lead me to the forest green
Mountain meadows rarely seen
Answers to the riddles that have always been
part of this dream

I'm looking through dusty shelves to find Sophocles
I'm thinking there's something new he's telling me
That gives to me a sense of sight
to lead me through this darkened night
into the brilliant morning light to see
this dream

I'm listening to this Gershwin rhapsody
I feel there's s special way it's touching me
sending me above this rhyme
beyond the sense of space and time
to know a love so sublime and free
as part of this dream

“Prisoner”

I'm a prisoner of my heart
I'm a prisoner of my soul
of the silent nights apart
of your touch that made me whole
Of searching through the trees
to find the path I'd lost
of the overwhelming joy
embraced at any cost
of looking for the line
in the poem that you wrote
full of unfiltered truth
in a little post it note

I'm a prisoner of my heart
I'm a prisoner of my soul

I'm a prisoner of my mind
I'm a prisoner of our times
of the search for empty words
to fit in time and rhyme
Of the visions from my past
that haunt me in my dreams
of what's never meant to last
what's never what it seems
of listening to the wind
sing like old ceramic chimes
I'm a prisoner of my mind
I'm a prisoner of our times

Bound in chains
from the stardust that we're built from
Bound in chains
in the shadows where we belong
Bound in chains
in the deck this hand was dealt from
Bound to play this hand
Bound to sing this song

I'm a prisoner of my love
I'm a prisoner of my tears
of the long forgotten memories
from the long forgotten years
of the times when it was magic
when we held the magic wand
of the love that lasts forever
even as we're lost and gone
of the sight that keeps me blinded
of the blindness that's finally made clear
I'm a prisoner of my love
I'm a prisoner of my tears

Bound in chains
from the stardust that we're built from
Bound in chains
in the shadows where we belong
Bound in chains
in the deck this hand was dealt from
Bound to play this hand
Bound to sing this song
Bound to find the key
to unlock the chains all along