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

A city boy is leaving town, on a train Virginia bound.
For 2 years now I've been alone; my bags are packed, I'm going home.
Had to do a lot of growing to realize what you really meant to me.
How I miss the Blue Ridge mountains, how I miss the sand and the sea.
A city boy is leaving town, on a train Virginia bound.
For 2 years now I've been alone; this Virginia boy is going home.

Copyright 2013 by James M. Newell; all rights reserved

More at www.jamesmnewell.com

Virginia Boy

An autumn leaf, yellow-orange, drifted slowly in a sigh of October, as I stared out my window, calling your name.

And, for a moment, eternal, fleeting, I thought I heard you say you loved me, as clouds parted and a triumphant ray of sunlight illuminated the leaf and my heart.

Must've been the wind.

I closed the curtains.


More at www.jamesmnewell.com

Copyright 2013 by James M. Newell; all rights reserved

October Wind

There's a place in my heart that belongs to you
An empty space that's filled by two
I long to hold you, bid sorrow adieu
There's a place in my heart for you

There's a shadow at the edge of eternity
The Fates they call relentlessly
Know that forever in my dreams you'll be
And keep a place in your heart for me
Keep a place in your heart for me


I wrote this song for my daughter's 16th birthday.  You can see the accompanying video and download a free mp3 at www.jamesmnewell.com

Copyright 2013 by James M. Newell; all rights reserved

A Place In My Heart

I wrote this song for my father, who died on Labor Day 2006.  At his request, he was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea by the US Navy.

You can view the accompanying video at www.jamesmnewell.com


Sundown, another day; crimson sky fades to grey
I see your smile; a memory of yesterday as ashes drift away

God in heaven, where were you tonight?
Did you see him suffer?  Did you feel his plight?
I hope you know the man you took today, as ashes drift away

No one left to ease my fears,
pick up my shattered world or dry my tears
I see you in the sky today, and as I watch the children play

Rain fell down; a lonely Labor Day
The angels called you back, and took your soul away
I couldn't cry; I refused to pray
What's it matter anyway?

For eighty years you put up a fight
Taught me how to live; taught me wrong from right
You picked me up, took me by the hand
Showed me how to be a better man
and now you drift away...
Ashes drift away.

Now I find myself all alone
In this city of glass and chrome
Can I face another day, as ashes drift away?
As ashes drift away.


Copyright 2007 by James M. Newell
All rights reserved

Ashes

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 song is for Paul, who never made it home…

I remember deep green fields, gentle delta rain.
Take me to a southern land, the Mississippi plain.
Grandma’s walking down the drive, a smile across her face;
this must be my destination, this must be the place.
I’m home at last.  Home at last.

Where have all the faces gone, Papa, Robert, Roy?
Thank you for the memories, thank you for the joy.
There’s no greater treasure than a family bound by love.
A love that grows throughout the years; a gift from God above.
I’m home at last.  Home at last.

Uncle Gus is sitting there, underneath the tree.
Never had a lot to say; reminds myself of me.
A whistle blows, my thoughts are stirred, a train rolls down the track.
Won’t you take me to my home, won’t you take me back?
Home at last.  Take me home at last.  Home at last.

Copyright 2014 by James M. Newell.
All rights reserved.


Home at Last

Can't Make You Love Me
By Jim Newell

Blue skies and sunshine; a picture perfect day.
Wind blows with a sigh.
Still I've got the blues and I guess they're here to stay.
Can't make you love me, hard as I try.

I try to laugh, but everything I do
just makes me want to cry.
Can't stop the pain I get from loving you.
Can't make you love me, hard as I try.

I hear you crying in the night.
There's nothing I can do to make it feel alright.
You'll be in my heart till the day that I die.
Can't make you love me, hard as I try.

Alone in my room; not where I'm s'posed to be.
Since you said goodbye.
Broken by a life that I thought would set me free.
Can't make you love me, hard as I try.

I hear you crying in the night.
There's nothing I can do to make it feel alright.
You'll be in my heart till the day that I die.
Can't make you love me, hard as I try.


Copyright 2014 by James M. Newell
All rights reserved.

Can't Make You Love Me

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

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 

State of confusion

Jim_Newell