@sunnidayz: Thank you so much, Sandy!  I wrote the melody for this song when I first picked up the banjo at age 16 and my mom loved it.  When she passed away a few years ago, I decided to write lyrics and complete the song.  I'd like to think she still heard it.  Thanks again for your uber-nice comment and repost!

This is fantastic!  Love the vocal sound you're getting.  Really great song!

What's here for, that's really getting, Everything drinne, one may not at all be heard stop, I'm surprised and boah because I want to stay in the running, was super, everything is more so

At the very first note I knew that I love that song .. great!!

Young wife, another day, mirror on the floor
Child madonna, only 22
Says she just might make it if she does a little more
She'll be so far away
So far away

Long nights, mostly Saturdays, spent crying lonely tears
She's out again with George and John and Paul
Staring at the stereo, a song begins to play
And she's so far away
So far away

More at www.jamesmnewell.com

Copyright 2013 by James M. Newell; all rights reserved

Kathy

Why do you seem so close when I know that you're not there?
I can see your blue eyes, I see your silver hair
Like the flowers on the delta, like the setting sun
Where have you gone?  Where have you gone?

Why do I feel I need you now; never needed you before
Can't stop now I gotta go, I see an open door
Now it seems the doors are closed, I've nowhere to run
Where have you gone?  Where have you gone?

As the last carnation was laid upon the pall
The sun stopped shining, the rain began to fall
Like the flowers on the delta, like the setting sun
Where have you gone?  Where have you gone?

Copyright 2013 by James M. Newell.
All rights reserved.

Flowers On The Delta

"I Believe I'll Dust My Broom" was originally recorded by Robert Johnson in 1936, as a traditional Delta blues song.  It was subsequently recorded in an amplified slide guitar style by Elmore James in 1951, that has served to inspire rock-and-rollers for decades.  This is my tribute to Johnson and James...

Dust My Broom  (Robert Johnson/Elmore James cover)

I wrote this song in the spirit of Emerson's essay of the same name.  Hope you enjoy!  - Jim


Have you seen my friend?  So much wiser than me...
With a spirit free he soars in search of the sunshine.
So far away; here a minute ago.  But I'm older now and I know we all gotta grow.

Shadows, ghosts and dreams, illusions, smoke and wind
Have you seen my brother?  Have you seen my friend?

Take a look around you; tell me what you see.
People wanting to be, with faces hard as diamond.
Walking down the avenue, in a lonely crowd.
Did I whisper now your name or cry aloud?

Shadows, ghosts and dreams, illusions, smoke and wind
Have you seen my brother?  Have you seen my friend?


Copyright 2014 by James M. Newell.
All rights reserved.

Friendship

This one is for you, mom…

Paddle turns, the river churns, memories take me back
to a time when I was young; a place beside the tracks.

River wide, sunny skies, young hearts wild and free.
Banjo plays a fiddle tune; it rings from earth to tree.

Take me back to yesterday, to faded memories
of paddle wheels and riverboats, thoughts of you and me.

Table bare, we gathered round, bluegrass music rang.
Filled the air with hope and joy every time we sang.

Paddle wheel beats like a drum, plays a southern song.
The Mississippi riverboat slowly moves along.

Take me back to yesterday, a faded memory.
The paddle wheel riverboat played its song for me.

Copyright 2014 by James M. Newell.
All rights reserved.


Paddle Wheel Rag

Thank you, SoundCloud community, for a great year; 14000 plays and 2000 followers, including some of the most talented people on the planet.  I am truly honored to share the cloud with you...

So here's a new song that I hope you enjoy.

A winter's night, cold wind was blowing; you were standing there
I liked the way you looked at me, warm smile, flowing hair
Big brown eyes so innocent, confused me from the start
I had to kiss your ruby lips, had to win your heart
Dance all night, love all day, never let me go
Judy I love you so

Georgetown nights were cold and lonely until I met you
I never knew what life could be like; didn't have a clue
You danced your way into my heart and chased away my blues
No one else before or since could follow in your shoes
Dance all night, love all day, never let me go
Judy I love you so

Copyright 2014 by James M. Newell, All rights reserved

Judy

Tunnel Vision on First Street

Last night I saw a woman; her address was First & Mass.
She was laying by the station in the snow
Talking to herself as the people hurried past
They were staring straight ahead; gotta go
Careful with your eyes, if you don't want to see her
Careful now that you don't say hello
Keep on walking, don’t you know
Homeless womans dying slow
You’re staring straight ahead; gotta go

Laying on the subway grating keeping warm
Five old soldiers, North Korea's foe
People pass as quickly as the memories
Staring straight ahead; gotta go
Careful with your eyes, if you don't want to know
Careful with that dime you might save them
Keep on walking, don't look back
They don't need you anyhow, Jack
Staring straight ahead; gotta go

Careful with your eyes, if you don't want to see them
Careful now that you don't say hello
Keep on walking, don't look back
Where'd you park your Cadillac?
Staring straight ahead; gotta go


Copyright 2014 by James M. Newell
All rights reserved.

Tunnel Vision On First Street

It's Alright
By Jim Newell

I saw you walking yesterday
The sky was overcast & grey
You captured raindrops, hands cupped as if to pray
And this is what I heard you say
Come the wind, come the rain
Ain't no good times without pain
Come what may, and come what might
It ain't over, but it's alright

The flowers that grew outside your door
don't grow there anymore
The places you remember
the people you adore
are different than before
Come the wind, come the rain
Ain't no good times without pain
The day is done; comes the night
It ain't over, but it's alright

The waves come crashing on the sand
to pull you out to sea
Be not afraid now, just take my hand
And together we'll be free
Come the wind, come the rain
Ain't no good times without pain
Gone the dark; comes the light
It ain't over, but it's alright

Come the wind, come the rain
Ain't no good times without pain
Come what may, and come what might
It ain't over, but it's alright


Copyright 2015 by James M. Newell
All rights reserved.

Image “Sunset from a California beach after a winter storm” by Andrew Schmidt; licensed under public domain.

It's Alright

Walk This Road
by Jim Newell

Come with me and walk this road
Strong of heart, following our code
We will walk this road to a distant antipode
Together we'll begin a new episode
Together we will walk this road

Before us, there's no boundary but the sky
Where eagles dare, there our spirits fly
Together by and by, our souls in heaven high
will hear the trumpets sound and the angel's cry
No boundary before us but the sky

And is that heavens gate I spy?
Did we live to see today or did we die?
The road it calls; we must reply
Let's travel it together you and I

Brothers take your sisters by the hand
Mothers take your children by the hand
Walking hand in hand, our hearts are in command
Brothers take your sisters by the hand
Mothers take your children by the hand

And is that heavens gate I spy?
Did we live to see today or did we die?
The open road, the endless sky
We'll travel them together you and I

Come with me and walk this road
Strong of heart, following our code
We will walk this road to a distant antipode
Together we'll begin a new episode
Together we will walk this road
Come with me and walk this road


Copyright 2015 by James M. Newell
All rights reserved.

Walk This Road

State of confusion
By Jim Newell

Sun came up this morning; think I lost my New York State of mind.
Came here looking for myself, never really knew what I might find.
From the Amish farmers upstate, to the money masters down on Broad and Wall,
It's a State of confusion, and I've had enough of it all.

Chorus:
Well there's no rhyme or reason; don't know what it's all about.
I'm in a State of confusion, looking for an exit route.

Back home in Virginia, where the Blue Laws rule;
no drinking there on Sunday, but God says any other day is cool.
And as Norfolk trains the sailors, Arlington buries them away.
It's a State of confusion, and I just can't stay.

Chorus 

Moved to California, to escape the cold.
Found no milk or honey; Lord knows I found no gold.
And the police want to beat me, but Feinstein says I shouldn't have a gun.
It's a State of confusion, and I've gotta run.

Chorus

Copyright 2015 by James M. Newell
All rights reserved 

Paddle Wheel Rag

Jim_Newell

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