Pete Seeger wrote this song based on a 1938 poem by the Welsh poet Idris Davies, who lived in the town of Rhymney, Wales. The poem was written in protest of a pay cut the British government imposed on the coal industry as an austerity measure after WW I. Pete turned it into a protest about mine safety as is evidenced by his changing the line "who robbed the miner" to "who killed the miner". The Byrds then turned it into one of the most quintessential (and best) folk rock songs ever recorded, releasing it on their 1965 debut album "Mr. Tambourine Man".
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"The Bells Of Rhymney" (Seeger/Davies)

Oh what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney
Is there hope for the future 
say the brown bells of Merthyr

Who made the mine owner 
say the black bells of Rhondda
And who killed the miner 
say the grim bells of Blaina

Throw the vandals in court 
say the bells of Newport
All would be well if, if, if, if, if 
say the green bells of Cardiff

Why so worried sisters why 
say the silver bells of Wye
And what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney

Oh what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney
Is there hope for the future 
say the brown bells of Merthyr

Who made the mine owner 
say the black bells of Rhondda
And who killed the miner 
say the grim bells of Blaina

The Byrds "Mr. Tambourine Man" Columbia Records 1965

“The Bells Of Rhymney” (Byrds cover)

BON ANNIVERSAIRE BÉBÉ
Paroles et Musique par ©James Lawrence Nesser 2021
Traduction par Pascale Finella

This is the French language version of my song "Happy Birthday Baby" from a few years ago. The music is celebratory but also tinged with sadness because the one having the birthday is far away. I added the musette (done on my Korg M1) to make it sound more like a French café song. I would like to thank my fellow SoundCloud poster and fine musician Luc Finella for his very valuable advice and critique. I would also like to give a great big "Thank You!" to Luc's wife, Pascale, for translating my lyrics. Without her efforts this work would not have been possible. Both sets of lyrics are below.


Bon Anniversaire, Bébé
Nous nous sommes rassemblés 
Pour t'envoyer nos meilleurs vœux
Et remplir ta journée de joie

Une autre année est venue est repartie
Comment le temps a passé
Tu seras toujours aussi chère 
Que la prunelle de nos yeux

Nous t'enverrons toujours notre amour
Chaque jour de l'année
Tu nous manques, et tu nous es cher
Nous aurions aimé être avec toi

Bon Anniversaire, Bébé
C'est tout ce que je voulais dire
Pour t'envoyer tout mon amour
En ce jour particulier

J'ai encore une chose à dire
J'espère que tu le sais 
Tu seras toujours mon amour
Pour toujours je t'aimerai

Remercions les étoiles
Pas besoin de déprimer
Nous te remercions également, mon amour
D'être ce que tu es

Bon Anniversaire, Bébé
C'est tout ce que je voulais dire
Pour t'envoyer tout mon amour
En ce jour particulier

Je t'envoie tout mon amour
En ce jour particulier

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Happy Birthday, Baby 
We all have gathered here 
To send you our best wishes 
And fill your day with cheer

Another year has come and gone
The time it does pass by
But you will always be the one
The apple of our eye

We'll keep sending out our love to you
Throughout the coming year
We miss you and we cherish you
And we wish you could be here
 
Happy Birthday, Baby 
That's all I really want to say
To send out all my love to you
On this, your special day

There's one more thing to speak of
I hope you know this, too
You will always be my love
Forever I'll love you

So let us thank the stars above 
There's no need to feel blue
And let us thank you, too, my love
We're so grateful that you're you

Happy Birthday, Baby
That's all I had to say
To send out all my love to you
Upon your special day

I'm sending all my love to you
On this, your special day

Bon Anniversaire, Bébé

"Bon Anniversaire, Bébé"

"Walk Right Back"
By James Lawrence Nesser (2021)

Yesterday I heard that Don Everly passed away.  This is a tribute to the Everly Brothers.  The song was written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets fame.  When the Everly Brothers recorded it the second verse hadn't been written yet so they just repeated the first verse.  My version is raw, unproduced, and "unplugged".
July 2022 Update: After one year, I added some percussion and tweaked the sound slightly.

"Walk Right Back" (Everly Brothers cover)

"I'm In A Dark Place"  
words & music by 
(c)James Lawrence Nesser

"I'm In A Dark Place"

Another Beatles cover.  This is a re-mix of a track I had posted a few years ago.  It isn’t very different though I hope I improved it somewhat.

"Things We Said Today" (Beatles cover)

"I Knew I'd Want You" by James Lawrence Nesser

A very romantic love song written by Gene Clark and recorded and released by The Byrds in 1965 for their first album, Mr. Tambourine Man.  It's a great album and Gene Clark is one of my favorite writers so I'll be doing some more covers of his songs.

I Knew I'd Want You

"I Knew I'd Want You"  (Byrds cover)

"If I Needed Someone" 
Words & Music by George Harrison 
From The Beatles' 1965 album "Revolver" (1966 "Yesterday & Today" in North America).  I always liked George songs.

"If I Needed Someone" (Beatles cover)

This is a cover of a cover, so to speak.  The original by The Marvelettes from 1961 was covered by The Beatles in 1963 on their second album, "With The Beatles", and it is The Beatles' version that I am covering here.  It's a repeated four-chord, doo wop progression from the Motown era. Although the lyrics revolve around snail mail  it's still a good, fun song and I like it.

Please Mr. Postman

"Please Mr. Postman"

"I Am A Rock" (P. Simon) 
performed by
James Nesser

An unplugged version of the Simon & Garfunkel classic.

I Am A Rock

"I Am A Rock" (Unplugged)

"Beautiful Sad Dream" (Fantasie Vocalise)
                      (c)2022
            By James Lawrence Nesser

I dreamt a dream both beautiful and sad
So many nights it nearly drove me mad
At first all colors shone in brilliant hue
And all around me looked so fresh and new

As time passed on close to the end of day
Those pretty colors dimmed to fade away
From high upon a hilltop I looked down
At all the bright lights shining in the town

When something strange I noticed by and by
I found that for the first time I could fly
Yes, I could bank and swoop, and I could soar
But when I tried to do just one thing more

Though I could dart so swiftly all around
I tried but could not fly down to that town
And no amount of effort took me near
Those sparkling amber lights so warm and clear

In time I saw one special tiny light
Among so many in the winter night
Its beam merely a weakly blinking glow
When suddenly I felt a chill wind blow

It stung my face and filled my eyes with tears
I now know after all these many years
That I was looking at my childhood home
From high upon that hilltop all alone

Somehow I knew that I could not go in
I knew I never could go home again
The night air then turned bitter and so cold
I felt as if I'd suddenly turned old

But that is just how some dreams tend to go
And they're not real, at least I don't think so

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Note:  This "poem" is based on an actual dream I used to have fairly  frequently.  Once I wrote out these verses I don't think I've ever had it again.  But I remember it so well I can visualize it any time I want to.

Beautiful Sad Dream

Beautiful Sad Dream (Fantasie Vocalise & verse narrative)

An great old Johnny Horton song I got to thinking about one day.  It's from 1953, so even older than I thought.

All For The Love Of A Girl

"All For The Love Of A Girl"

"Lonesome Town" -  All vocals and instruments performed by James Lawrence Nesser.  

A 1958 hit by the then 18-year-old Ricky Nelson with backing by The Jordanaires.  Written by Baker Knight, it seems a strange song to give to an 18-year-old in that the quite dark lyrics seem to be more suited to a more mature person who has lived long enough to have experienced heartache, disillusionment, and regret.

Lonesome Town

"Lonesome Town" (Ricky Nelson cover)

Jan. 2023 - A tribute cover of a Yardbirds song to honor Jeff Beck, who passed away unexpectedly a few days ago.  This song was on their 1965 album "Having A Raveup With The Yardbirds”.   This is most likely the simplest guitar riff Jeff ever played, so even I could try my hand.  It was one of the first uses of a fuzz pedal and was influenced by sitar music, which was in vogue at the time.  My version features a Telecaster recorded direct with digital effects.  The acoustic guitar is an Epiphone EJ-160e.

"Heart Full Of Soul" (Yardbirds cover)

Today is May 1st, so I’m posting my cover of "First of May", a poignant and beautiful song by the Bee Gees.  All vocals and instruments, including the virtual strings, are mine.

"First Of May"

Since hearing the sad news of the great Gordon Lightfoot's passing a few days ago I decided, as a tribute,  to re-mix and re-post my cover of this song.

Go-Go Round

"Go - Go Round" (Gordon Lightfoot cover)

"Route 66" by James Lawrence Nesser

There are hundreds of covers of this classic, written by Bobby Troup in 1946 and first recorded by Nat King Cole that same year.  Here is one more, a version that is influenced by a number of different artists, but mainly by The Rolling Stones on their self-titled 1964 album.

Fender Tele
Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Viola Bass
Addictive Drums 2

Route 66

"Route 66"

"Paperback Writer" by Lennon & McCartney performed by James Nesser.

Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Viola Bass
Addictive Drums 2 - Black Oyster

"Paperback Writer"

A cover of The Cars' biggest hit.  From 1984, I believe.

"Drive"  (Cars cover)

"Queen Of My Skies" (c)James Lawrence Nesser - This is a remix of one of my earliest recordings.  I hope I improved it somewhat.

"Queen Of My Skies"

"Stone Cold Blues" Words & Music written and performed by James Lawrence Nesser

Veterans Day 11-11-2018. On this day of remembrance, I am posting this remixed version of a song originally titled "Stone Cold VA Blues" in honor of the courageous service and sacrifice of all our veterans.  It was written in the summer of 2014 at the height of the scandals in the U.S. Veterans Administration.  I changed the title because the issues are broader than any one set of circumstances.  Not to imply that all or most veterans are struggling with these same issues, but PTSD remains a problem for many, as recent tragic news events have sadly reminded us, and many do not get the help they need.  I also added back in a verse that was originally omitted, which makes the song too long, but I wanted to say what I wanted to say.

"Stone Cold Blues"

"All I Have To Do Is Dream" (Everly Brothers cover)

A Buddy Holly classic.  I leaned heavily on The Hollies version for this cover.   So, a cover of a cover mainly.

"Take Your Time" (Buddy Holly/The Hollies cover)

This song was on the first Beatles album I ever got.  My cover features an Epiphone EJ-160e and an Epiphone Viola Bass, both recent acquisitions, both of them used, and both of them with flat-wound strings.

"This Boy" (Beatles cover)

“You Are A Hero”  Words & Music (c) by James Lawrence Nesser

July 16, 2019 - I wrote this as a eulogy to Neal Armstrong the day after he died.  It’s from the point of view of what I would like to have said had I been given the honor and privilege of meeting him the day prior, his last day.  I’m in the process of re-writing this song, but given all the media attention surrounding the 50th anniversary of the moonshot I wanted to post it in its current state to celebrate the event and all who participated in it.

“You Are A Hero”

One of my favorite Beatles songs.  Epiphone Casino (2016) and Epiphone Viola Bass.  Virtual drums, but with a real tambourine.

"And Your Bird Can Sing" (Beatles cover)

(c)2020 James Lawrence Nesser

The night a young man discovers he has fallen in love.  

Italia 12-String, Epiphone Casino, Epiphone Viola Bass, a couple of synth patches I made, virtual drums, and a Korg Nanopad.

"Ready To Fly"

A Beatles classic with Lennon & McCartney providing a bit of genius melody writing on this one.  Much more than a lead vocal with a harmonized descant, rather there are two counter melodies that create an ever shifting set of intervals making the harmony seem much richer than one might expect from a two-part vocal.  I put a 15 ips tape echo on the vocal intro at the last minute. 

I had posted an earlier version of this cover a few years ago.  This one has been re-mixed and also had a number of errors corrected.

"If I Fell"  (Beatles cover)

(c)2021 James Lawrence Nesser

A year into the pandemic, a song about forced optimism.

“We're Gonna Be OK”

Although I love just about all types of music, the biggest influence on what I write and record is the pop, rock, folk, and country music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  All vocals and instruments are performed and recorded by me and, except where otherwise noted, all songs are original compositions.  I often post the lyrics to my compositions as an aid to listeners who do not have English as their first language.  Thanks to all who stop by and listen to any of my songs.  I appreciate your time and attention, and I hope you enjoy listening.

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