The grapes of wrath are ripe
and we're all drunk off the wine
we'd get shovels and picks and rebuild '66
but theres nowhere to go this time

They say 'stay gold' but we all grow old
with stories left untold
Ive got miles to go before i sleep
and i carry a heavy load

the ghost of Tom Joad is still trying to fight
his soul my shadow and his cause still the right
look into their eyes ma its me that you'll see
im a travelin soldier seems like the last of the breed

3rd world is our world and its second to none
like russian roulette with a loaded mag in the gun
they take their chances im just takin' my time
lonely vagabond gypsy
still walkin the line

then Atlas shrugged
and the world fell down
no one made a sound
when it hit the ground

(c) 2011 CJG

It's sunshine and beaches, dolphins and sea shells
That keep me a long way from home
Its tequila and breezes blow'n cross this ol tarp
that keeps me from feeling alone

It's women, bad traffic and fresh broken hearts
That keep pushing me further away
But the Baja Cali playas
With 5 peso fish tacos
Quietly beg me to stay
(c) 2010 CJG

If I was a fish I'd swim up a river
I'd swim until i reached the end
And when I arrived I'd ask the old eagle to take me to see a friend

When we came upon her current location
The eagle would drop me right in
And when I came to I'd flop to the fish bowl
And sit quietly up on the rim

Then I'd tell her I missed her, quite dearly, Im sorry
That I want to be more than just friends
But alas, I'm a fish, oh I cant speak to women
So lonely round the bowl I'll just swim
(c) 2010 CJG

Don't think about the scars, no.
Don't think about tomorrow.
Just sit by the fire
And watch all the stars glow.
(c) 2008 CJG

I dont cry when it rains
dont always smile when the sun shines
ive seen my fair share of pain
and it helps me through the tough times
ive broke a couple of hearts along the way
had mine broken once or twice myself
thats just the way it goes they say
but i say

if life throws you a curve, you keep your eye on the ball
and if youre backed up and cards are stacked up
make sure you know where the hammer falls
some nights youll sleep with your boots on
and some days youll walk alone
but ive been there and i can still say with no shame
i dont cry when it rains

I dont cry when it rains
i guess i never really thought to
never been one for walking behind the crown
guess i was never really taught to
i dont always do what i should
I dont like to do what I'm told
I guess im just happy to live my life
with any luck I might die old.
(c) 2013 CJM

money doesn't grow on trees so if you're selling' I ain't buyin'
and putting' your eggs in one basket wont keep the mocking bird from cryin'
a leopard cannot change its spots, not even in a New York minute
and a picture ain't worth a thousand words if theres nothin' painted in it

well I went on back to square one back up to the drawin' board
so come hell or high water I'm gonna keep kickin' that dead horse
yea I don't think that he'll mind much if we get down to brass tacks
these idle hands they are the devils tools and I know...

i got a pistol named curiosity so I gave it to the cat
if it ain't one thing its another and if it isn't then its that
they say that it takes two to tango, I say it only takes one to dance
and don't you make no bones about it 'cause its so...

you ain't playin' with a full deck, maybe we got off on the wrong foot
and I'll say this off the record, but I'll let you off the hook
just so we're on the same page, and you don't try and pass the buck
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and let you know...

I'll be the whiskey that you used to drink,
if you be the good thoughts that I like to think
I'll be the paper you write all of your tragic poems on,
if you promise me you'll sing them like they've never been sung.

I'll be your late night till the darkness turns to dawn,
if you will take my simple words and turn them into song
I'll be the one who sometimes makes you want to see red,
but you'll always be that gypsy tune runnin' through my head

Standin' on the front porch smoking' Camel cigarettes,
favorite cup of coffee hangin' 'round with your best friends
you are the life inside the painting that is hanging on the wall,  
and if I didn't come here to see you then I wouldn't come here at all

old suitcases and the guitar strings scattered round the floor,
knives drawing notebooks and a bucket of dreams sittin' by the door
I will be playin' this guitar for you as you fall asleep tonight,
and you'll hear it through those paper walls in the early mornin' light

you can find her at the depot but she ain't waiting' for no train,
you might find her in the attic starin' out at the rain
she is as lively as the colors of which most artists only dream,
she's seen the bitter side of life before and its jaded her it seems
(c) 2011 CJM