“The Lights”

The lights are shining through your heart
They carry you away
Looking down through dusty dunes
You  know you’ve heard them say

    The lights

The lights are shining through your mind
You hear the distant roar
They lead you down a lonely road
You’re never really sure, but it’s

  The lights

Have you seen the lights ?

  They’re staring in your eyes
Looking through your helpless soul
Kissing you goodnight


       Have you seen the lights ?

They’re carrying your dreams
Giving you another chance
Seems just like it seems to be

      The lights

The lights are shining through your past
You feel them once again
They lead you into yesterday
And bring you back again

    Have you seen the lights ?
                  
They’re reaching in your soul
Tearing at your history
Left you there alone

Have you seen the lights ?

They’ve taken all you have
They left it on some mountaintop
And they’ll never give it back

Have you seen the lights ?

The lights are shining through your heart
They carry you away
Leading you down dusty dunes
You  know you’ve heard them say

    The lights
  Have you seen the lights?

“The Lost Child”

If you haven’t learned by now,
     You probably never will
It’s not about the grand escape,
     It’s not about the thrills

It’s just about a young child's face,
     And how it made you feel
A place you lost so long ago,
     A world that once was real

   Before the secret deal was cut
     With forces dark and wild
   That set you on the journey
     That forever lost that child

Yet

   You have the choice and you have the chance,
     To find that child once more
        He’s sitting on the sidewalk,
     Waiting by the door

        He’s asking for a second chance
     To step into your heart
       So take his hand and let him in
     To lead you from the dark

        Back into the sunshine
     That forever warms the day
     And gives you back the happiness
   That once was stole away                                                             ­   

If you haven’t learned by now
     You probably never will

"The Mystery and Majesty"


As the earth turns to
  meet the day

and the birds dance
     through the trees

my heart fills with
  life's bouquet

of the

  Mystery and Majesty

“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

“ 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

“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

“This Train”

This train keeps a rollin’ on
Takes us further down the tracks
Sometimes East, sometimes West
And once on board
You can’t go back

We journey onward day by day
Coast to coast, sea to sea
And every now and then we stop
To catch the fleeting
Summer breeze

A step ahead of Winter’s chill
We’ve neatly packed up all our gear
We only carry what we need
And keep our topcoats
Ever near


For on this train that rumbles on
Through soft and silent dark of night
Gives us leave to rest our bones
‘til misty eyes
Meet mornings light

For
We have no choice but to step on board
And find our seats as best we can
Settle in ‘til journey’s end
Then disappear
Around the bend

Yes
This train keeps a rollin’ on
Through the tunnels time has kept
And while we’ve chased another day
A distant whistle’s
All that’s left

“ 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

“Tomorrow and Beyond”

Help me up in the saddle
Stirrups 'round my boots
Whack the pony on the back
And turn that baby loose

I'll hold tight to the saddle horn
I'll grab firm to the reigns
And off we'll go in clouds of dust
For vistas yet un-named

I'll ride until my body's sore
I'll  bed down for the night
I'll dream big dreams of distant lands
Then head out at first light

And somewhere on the journey's path
I'll watch a wild hawk fly
I'll hear the song of solitude
That draws me near the sky

I'll feel once more that wanderlust
That leads me on and on
That makes one leave ones happy homes
And head out in the dawn


So,
There I'll be, a gypsy bard
Riding with the wind
Searching for that valley green
To put down roots again

And somewhere down around the bend
With many miles behind
I'll find the valley from my dreams
The dreams I've longed to find

I'll know my home when I step down
I'll gaze from far to wide
Ill mark a line down in the sand
And claim that land as mine

Then there I'll be and there I'll stay
The sunsets and the dawns
Will take my hand and lead me forth
To tomorrow and beyond

“Torn Curtain””

The end of illusion brings
The sanding of the surface
Back to the original state

The start of reunion rings
The bells of clarity certain
Through the presents
Adjacent gate

The flight to communion sings
Of a melodies torn curtain
On to tomorrows
Unstained slate

“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

“What we Can”

I reach for the stars
I reach for my dreams
I’ve journeyed so far
To know what that means

I’ve known you before
I’ve seen you in time
We sang a love song
We spoke it in rhyme

We gaze at the moon
We dream from the heart
It’s over to soon
It’s doomed from then start

But here we still are
And here we will stay
‘til we find us a cloud
To take us away

So
Kiss me again
And hold tight my hand
As we reach for the stars
As we do what we can

"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

"Where I Go "

I take my music with me where I go
It doesn't matter rain or wind or snow
A place to rest my head and soothe my soul
Melody and words are what I know

Long ago I tried to climb the hill
I found a ledge that left me standing still
As Crowley said it's just "Do what you will!"
I did and I was left to foot the bill

Sometimes it seems there ain't no seeds to sow
I don't know much but here is what I know
Somewhere soon they're putting on a show
And everyone is free to come or go

I won't whine, just covering my tracks
I'll tell you all there ain't no looking back
If today you're standing in the past
You'll find you're rolling downhill mighty fast

Still,
Every now and then I need to rail
It's better off than ending up in jail
With great new friends you wouldn't want to fail
Waiting for their letters in the mail

I've always known when casting out my line
I better learn the meaning of sublime
There's more to words than learning how to rhyme
There's more to life than dancing on a dime

Sometimes the clouds are soft and  warm and white
Sometimes the darkness overtakes the light
Sometimes we're flailing wildly in the fight
Sometimes we're just not sure what's wrong or right

These questions that still lead us on and on
Are here today, the next we know they're gone
As we drive all night into the dawn
We'll stop and rest to make our way beyond

So,

I've finally learned to dance and sing in tune
I've finally learned that song about the moon
I'm finally filling up that empty room
Just in time for moving on so soon

It's said we just don't know what we don't know
I'll say I've learned on bumpy roads it's so
So,
Once more on that bumpy road I'll roll
And I'll take my music with me where I go

“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 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

"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