This song was sung, played, and minimally recorded analog in a laundry room, 1979 in Bremen, Georgia. It is me doing a a song I wrote for friends mentioned in the words. I am not in the habit of showcasing my inadequacies, but the purpose is to show the real me and give evidence to support the reasoning behind my being a dedicated co or team writer. I want you to know that guy, and I haven't come out of hiding before now. It is why I think of myself as primarily a lyricist and why I am grateful to have found the friends I have, folks with total buy in and steady readiness when it comes to being in this thing together!

Lyrics:Calling Cards - Thin Line Medley
It was not the astrologers, and not a band of angels
It was just a few good old friends, who had chanced to happen by
When they told me how their lives had turned
And told me of the things they’d learned
They told me that I’m welcome in the sky.

With the world as my teacher, I have learned to recognize
A brother by the calling cards, he leaves me with his eyes
 Or a sister, who with words so clear
Assures me that I’m drawing near
To all the things I’m searching for, and more.

There’s a thin line, between trying and relying
On your God to pull you through
And it seems I never cross that line
Unless I think I’m out of time
Or when it seems there’s nothing else to do
But that’s not true
There’s more in store for you.

There’s a thin line, between trying and relying
On your God to pull you through
And every time I hear that line, it serves not only to remind
It helps me know, the things I know are true
It leads me back to you,
Leads me back to you.

It was not the magician, or the players in disguise 
It was just a few familiar faces
And as it turns out, they didn’t even try
When they showed me how it works so well
Much better than their words could tell
They told me that I’m welcome in the sky.

Calling Cards Thinline Medley

After 65 years existing on a yellowed sheet of notebook paper for so long, written when I was 15, we gave it  edited lyrics, new life, a  modern, slow country melody, and it changed into a love song with a new name. It's a Southside Tracks / Three Amigos production with co-writers Mark Lyle and Brian Carter. Together we scored and formatted this tune to be what it grew up to be. It's a song that speaks to how relationships develop and grow over time. The vocal is me because initially the words came from me. Actually it's the second chapter to the song "I'll Meet You In The Lab'' posted a few weeks ago, written for that first crush girlfriend. They were at the time, written for her, but it applies to other loves I've been blessed to fall into in my life. If you are so moved, the dance floor is wherever you are!

Lyrics: The Colors Of Our Love
1957 / 2023:I Took A Scary Turn / The Colors Of Our Love (The Next Chapter)
1.	I took a nervous turn 
From hello to a fellow
With uncertainties ,
You might say
Red was the color of the first day.

2.	I took a nervous turn,
The day I went to get her
But soon I would have bet her
There’d be other days
And other ways. 

Chorus:	To color ups and downs
Or to find our way around
From a slow turn
To a slow burn. 
To get from reds to yellows
To go easy, To go slow
To the colors of the love, 
We’d come to know.


3.	I took a nervous turn
From hello on to mellow
Feeling surer 
I might say
Green was the color of the next day
Chorus:	To color ups and downs
Or to find our way around
From a slow turn
To a slow burn. 
To get from reds to yellows
To go easy, To go slow
To the colors of the love, 
We’ve come to know.

Bridge:	From a timid turn
To a time to learn
From a wonder
To a will
And the colors of our love
Could blend and never end
They’re there still!

The Colors Of Our Love

These words came to me as a way of saying thanks to my adopted son, co-writer and fellow musician, Rob Ervin, because he became brother to my daughter in the Native ceremonial way, and shared with me his knowledge of the Lakota path that he walks. I was interested in learning more about his practiced take on teachings and passed down wisdom of the elders related to stewardship of the Earth and our responsibility to safeguard the beauty of Creation for “seven generations, and on and on”. The lyrics were his gift for that first “Covid” Christmas. Since we have joined forces, Rob and I with Bryan Carter and Mark Lyle at Southside Tracks, to compose, record, perform, and produce the song we are all sharing with you today. We do this also for our “childrens’ childrens’ little ones, to spread the word! I warned y’all I might preach! In the bridge of the song which says, “May the Sacred fires burn, May our little ones grow and learn, To help us turn the tide, Far and wide”, a Lakota prayer is superimposed which roughly translates as praying for continuing life on and of the planet which is left to our care! We are grateful to have been given this song to bring!
Lyrics: 
Seven Generations
Chorus:	For seven generations / For our children’s little ones
		Their right to a healthy Earth / And not a danger zone
		For seven generations to come / And on and on, And on and on.
1.	For seven generations / All Nations of the World
Responding to Creator’s plan / Let your Earth flags unfurl
Bring medicines to heal her wounds / Teachings to light our way
And wisdom of the elders / To take the time to pray.
Chorus:	(as above)
2.	For seven generations / The reason for this stand
A pure act of protection / For the water, air, and land
The call goes out to relatives / All colors and all creeds
To honor our ancestors / And fight the blinding greed.
Bridge:	Let the sacred fires burn / Let our little ones grow and learn
		Help us turn the tide / Far and wide.
Chorus:	(as above)
3.	For seven generations / Across the turning years
Our warriors come to lay down / Their long knives and their spears
And people join together / To know and sing what’s true
In honor of each other / To do what we must do.
Chorus:	(as above)
Tag:		And on and on…

Seven Generations

In 2015, about this time of year, picture from Harvest Ball, we recaptured and made digital what we believe is the first recording ever of the song "Prophets" that I posted on Friday. This takes you back to Vermont in 1974, another time machine ride. It is me playing a "Time" guitar that was made for me there and singing with my dear friend Susan Hansen in a sing along fashion. We were just learning and taping the song to send to our friend Paul. It was recorded with a cassette deck, same rig you heard when we visited 1979 Georgia earlier this year. You are invited to attend, as I think of it, the birth of this song! The quality is that of a work tape, the lyric has held fast.
Lyric: (original 1974)
1974: Prophets 
1.	Prophets speak to me again, In the words I understand
Let them come not from your lips, but from my own
Let them come as a surprise, A little light in someone’s eyes
Oh let them grow, and show the seeds that you have sown.
2.	Angel fly by one more time, Let your light shine on me now
Let me hear the good news, Whisper in my ear
Saints and sinners we are one, After all is said and done
I will feel you’re real, And know that you are near.
Bridge: 	I have seen, you before
	     	I will see you again, for sure
	     	We have been, here before
	     	We will be here forever
	     	Ageless age, Timeless time
	     	I am yours, You are mine.
3.	Trumpets sound throughout the land
Let the notes ring sweet and clear
On the breezes, like a river, Let them roll
Gabriel listen to the tune
It has changed but not too soon
Oh your horn has born the music of my soul.
Tag: Your horn has born the music of my soul!

1974 Prophets 11 - 4-15

Since we've been in this soft place for some time, we'll do this as a Wednesday (hump day) posting and keep the flow going. In my heart I believe that these words rank on the upside of my most felt lyrics list. Not bragging! It was delivered through the ozone by some magic muse. These lines are what I wish for everyone,us, our and your children, their children, and their children's children's children, for ever and ever, on and on! (Thanks to my friend for reminding me that it's gonna take us all!) Be safe and have days ahead that are kind to you.
Lyrics:
Moonbeams Lullaby 
Chorus 1:	Good night, Sleep tight 
                        Sweet dreams Baby, Here’s my wish tonight.
1.	May you see the best in others
        And give it in return
        May you recognize the gifts you bring
        And take just what you earn
        May your senses all be sharpened
        And your vision crystal clear
        May you welcome every new day
        And hold each moment dear.
Chorus 2: 	Good night, Star bright
                         May moon beams Baby, Bathe you in their light.
2.	May you stand for peace and justice
        And let them be your guides
        May you offer up your service
        And aim for larger strides
        May you live in health and plenty
        And have enough to feed
        The ones who walk among us
        And have a greater need.

Chorus 1: (same as above)
 
3.	May you keep truth at the heart
        Of all you do and say
        May you make your own sweet music
        While you sing, and dance, and play
        May you leave this world a better place
        While making dreams come true
        May you learn this lesson early on
        There’s nothing you can’t do.

Chorus 2 & 1: (same as above)
Good night / Star bright
May moonbeams Baby / Bathe you in their light.
Good night / Sleep tight 
Sweet dreams Baby / Here’s my wish tonight.

11 Moonbeams Lullaby - Final Mix 2017

Written about my Daddy, Harry C Thomas, who passed away in 1997. This was the second song I ever wrote, and the first song I wrote during a Jimmie Dale Gilmore Songwriting Workshop at Esalen Institute.

Note Attached to All My Songs Here: I had a prolific period of songwriting at one point in my life. Strictly therapy for me. Very healing. Although I don't have a great voice that does not matter to me. The healing from my songs came from the writing of them and all the feelings that went along with that, as well as sharing them with others who knew/know and care about me. There were some songs that once completed and shared brought about a magical 'letting go' of whatever I was singing about. Hard to explain haha

DNT Songs

Daddy Died

A change of pace Humpday offering y'all; Over the weekend I shared what I consider to be the final edit of first the words and then, in stages, the music for a tune that has been with me since 1971, a song called "The Truth Is." It was later in the game that it presented itself as something I would not sing alone, that I needed help. I had a rough melody in my head I could sing it to, and all I had to do was try to know. That's when I started calling it "No Name Yet Duet." The present title, when the edit I have shared rolled out of the song itself. It seems right to me, personal and meaningful to me, and it actually is an account of an event that happened in 1971, a stop at a collection on treasures piled by the side of the road. The words say what I would like to say to others, to pass along. My hope is you will find it as uplifting as I have across all these years.
Lyrics:
The Truth Is
Intro:
Chorus: 	The truth is where you find it / Don’t matter-
		Get yourself behind it / Don’t scatter your light
		The only way to give it / Is to truly truly live it 
                The truth is where you find it / The truth is…
1.	It could be in a book / Or a painting you took
        From a pile by the side of the road
        It could be in a grin / On the face of a friend
        Helps you see how to lighten your load
        Or it could appear / in the music you hear
        It could be in the words of a song
        Or it could be, Yeah, it could be
        Right there in your heart / all along.
Chorus: Repeat…
(Lead break)
2.	It could be in a note / Something that someone wrote
        You read and the meaning comes clear
        It could be in the eyes / of an elder so wise
       Who tells you there’s nothing to fear
       Or it could be there / in the common or rare
       It could be written right on your wall
       Or it could be, Yeah it could be
       Right there in your heart / after all
Chorus: Repeat

The Truth Is, Original Cut

I'm called to  revisit this song today because I am in a soft and thoughtful groove once again. Sooner or later, it seems, songwriters will write a tune about how that creative process happens for them. This one is a co-write with my friend Mark that he invited me into because we do that with each other often. It speaks to common threads of process, elements, and, perhaps most importantly. a shared gratefulness that songs come to us to pass along. I am also fortunate to have my daughter, Amelia Faith singing with me on this song.

Songs Are What I Do - Reprise

I've been re-posting and revisiting songs through the time involved in wrapping up new projects. "Pink Slip" is the first never before unleashed on an unsuspecting group of folks tune. that Mark, Bryan and I  (The Three Amigos) got to the finish line with first. Expect more new ones soon! This one is rich with stuff we've never done before. For example, you will find a a percussion track composed completely of sounds Mark went in the booth and made with his mouth. A trash can served as a kick. Don't ask me who came up with all these play ground tactics! I will never tell! Conceptually, it is in the yard with "Take This Job...", but it takes a more gentle path to getting it said. Were we beyond the legal limit of having fun? You be the judge! Group grins are up for grabs. Enjoy!
Lyrics:
Pink Slip (New)
Chorus: 
You can take that Pink Slip, and slip it where the son don't shine
I was fine before I got here , I'll be fine when I leave it behind
You can pay me what you owe me, or you can watch me slowly
Moving on down the line
You can take that Pink Slip, and slip it where the sun don't shine.
1.   I've been working here, for going on three years
      Working my fingers to the bone
      Then you called me to the office today
      'Cause al I asked you for was a little raise in pay
      Then you handed me this paper
       Well. all I got to say.
Chorus:
2.   Well, listen here, I got a new job yesterday 
       Better pay, shorter hours, paid overtime
       Things are starting to look up
       I'm finally getting over that last little bump
       When you called me into that office
       I remember what I said that day.
Chorus:

Pink Slip

I offered up this kind of quick tempo love song in celebration of my youngest daughter Amelia Faith on her birthday weekend. She's the "Twang Queen" on our crew. It is also offered in loving memory of our friend Tommy Dodd who came in to add some of his steel guitar magic when we recorded the tune. He made it so much sweeter. Throw in some Bryan, Mark, and some father/ daughter duet vocals, and this is how it turned out for us. I love singing with family! It's boot scooter if you want to be up on the dance floor. Enjoy!

Lyrics: A Real Good Thing (Duet)

1. 	Ain’t no payback on your mind, When you give yourself so free,
And there’s no doubt, it ain’t about, Boy, what’s in this deal for me
There’s no questions left to ask, Ain’t no need to second guess,
There’s no doubt, it’s all about, Getting good as we can get
You ain’t waiting for a free ride, You ain’t  looking for a fling
We got a real good thing, Yeah girl, we got a real good thing.

Chorus:	We got a real good thing, We got a special deal
		We got a gift so rare, We got a love that’s real
We got beyond our past, We grabbed the golden ring
We won that prize at last,  We got a real good thing.

2. 	There’s no need to worry now, Ain’t no reason for regret,
And there’s no doubt, it ain’t about, Finding cause to fuss and fret
There’s no games you have to play, It’s not something you can fake
There ain’t no doubt,  it’s all about, Learning how to give and take
You ain’t handing me no lines, You don’t put me on a string
We got a real good thing, Yeah boy, we got a real good thing. 

Chorus: 	(same as above)

3. 	There’s no call for jealous thoughts, ‘cause on me you can depend
And there’s no doubt, it’s all about, Hanging out and hanging in
There’s no reason to slow down, Ain’t no need to hold too tight
And there’s no doubt, it’s all about, Doing just what feels so right
We ain’t ashamed to tell the world, And It makes us want to sing 
We got a real good thing, For sure, we got a real good thing.

Chorus (same as above)

a real good thing, edited

New song alert, kinda. The words came firstThis is the first time that this kind of sleepy, slow to unfold song has been put out there for you to listen and see what we were up to the day we got it to set down. It's a tricky tune if you want to know what it means, because, at least to our way of thinking, it seems to vary and change based on the mood or circumstances a listener is in at the time it finds our ears. It is, we think, a song about writing a song but also more than that. Our best advice is to use your imagination and ignore what you think I might have been thinking when I got the words down. I'm not sure myself!  Enjoy the game, and then, on the other hand... You are invited to let us know what you think.
Lyrics:
2022: On The Other Hand
1.	I think I might have let these lines
Slip too far off what’s real
To say just what I want to say
And stay true to what I feel
So I’ll try to keep it simple
With words we can understand
And steer back from the edge of 
On the other hand.
Chorus:		On the other hand, There’s the promises we made
		On the other hand, There’s the cornerstones we laid
		On the other hand, There’s still bills to be paid 
And we can run away, or stand, On the other hand.
2.	I hope that I have kept the words
That capture my intent
To tell you what I know is true
And say just what I meant
So I’ll try to keep it grounded
To places we can land
And not keep flying off to
On the other hand.
Chorus:		On the other hand, There’s the promises we made
			On the other hand, There’s the cornerstones we laid
			On the other hand, There’s still bills to be paid 
And we can run away, or stand, On the other hand.
Solo:
Bridge:  	There are things that I believe in
		There are still things up my sleeve
		There are still some songs to sing to you
		Before I take my leave, but…
 Chorus:	On the other hand, There’s the promises we made
		On the other hand, There’s the cornerstones we laid
		On the other hand, There’s still bills to be paid 
And we can run away, or stand, On the other hand
Tag:		And still do the things we planned, On the other hand.



On the Other hand wav

I spend about half the year in an RV, going from friend to family to special spots I love (Maine, FL Keys...) I have a magical spot, with special people, in Carrollton the rest of the time. I spent my work life in a world of psychology, growth and spirituality.  At the core of all my work (with kids and adults of all ages) has been encouraging the willingness and courage to ask "Who Am I REALLY?" which can lead to the discovery of deeper, more authentic parts of ourselves than our unintentional brainwash since birth may have led us to believe we are. Authenticity Heals. As does music. And meditation. And Gratitude. And Service.

Daddy Died

dnta11

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