A collection of songs written by Nancy Cunningham and Kathy Klopp
Performed and recorded by Kathy Klopp 
February 2022

Get to Yes for FAWM '22 (with Kathy Klopp)

Family Stories - Original Songs

Songs I've written with other people. Most of them performed by my collaborators

Collaborations - Original Songs

Jeff Walker and I wrote these songs together in February Album Writing Month and 5090 2022-2025 fawm.org #fawm
Nadine de Macedo provided the title for Workaholic Country Blues.
R. C. Richardson wrote a lyric that Okay. Not Okay. morphed out of.

Clock Into Our Life - Original songs written by Jeff Walker and Nancy Cunningham. Performed by Jeff.

Like the River Needs the Snow
Written by Nancy Cunningham and Robert Davis
Arranged and Performed by Shawna Hervé

February the snow pack’s here to stay
The river’s ruffled surface frozen still
Hemmed in by the snow
Nowhere left to go
I need you, like the river needs the snow

Late June the snow melt’s raging, so much swept away
The river rips and roars in endless flood
Deluged by the snow
Drowning what’s below
I need you, like the river needs the snow

I can’t stand to lose my temper
To cede control and explode
But you see me, you know me, you love me
All the changes, every season that I am

August cherry snow cones on a blinding summer’s day
The river’s lost in memories of power
Day dreaming of snow
Time's drifting slow
I need you, like the river needs the snow

Yeah, I need you like the river needs the snow
I need you like the river needs the snow

The River Needs The Snow (written with Robert Davis)

Get to Yes
Nancy Cunningham / Kathy Klopp
Performed by Kathy Klopp

So you'd like to be a superstar, and perch on some big pile
Well buckle up your seatbelt, 'cause climbing takes a while
It takes long days of digging, to win to place to show
And if you want to get to yes, it takes a little saying no

I earned a wall of trophies, they weren't much fun to dust
I got hung up on the slogan, go big or you'll go bust
I found my head had got so big, my heart had no room to grow
Well, if you want to get to yes, oh, everything else is no

Everything I used to want was shiny and brand new
I'd trade every dream I ever chased for a simple life with you
Say to other futures, walk out on our old past
Say no to all the haters, they swear our love won't last

Come on now, let's take the leap, even if we take it slow

Here's one way to get to yes, oh, you start by saying no

Come on help me get to yes, we'll do a little saying no

Oh, come on help me get to yes, we'll do a little saying no

Yeah, Baby, we can get to yes, we'll start by saying no

Get to Yes written with Kathy Klopp

Rambling Lady
Nancy Cunningham / Kathy Klopp
Performed by Kathy Klopp

I’m a rambling lady, a wave on the ocean
A river in motion, I’m away with the dawn
I’m a rambling lady, don’t know where I’m going
Only know that I’m going, I’m travelling on

When I started rambling, I was looking for someone
I figured my future was to get settled down
I got some offers, and I took some lovers, 
Put no fire in my heart, and I got out of town 

I’ve seen you in passing, could you understand
Could be I could love you, and you could be my man
Come and let me hold you and then I’ll let you go
Coming and a’ going, well that’s what I know

I’m a rambling lady, a wave on the ocean
A body in motion, the road is my home
I’m a rambling lady, can’t say where I’m going
Don’t know where I’m going, but I’m always moving on

I want to meet the world on my own
Take a good look around, like an eagle I roam
I like what I see, I love being free
This rambling road, it’s the right road for me
On this rambling road is the best life for me

I’m a rambling lady, a wave on the ocean
A river in motion, a way and a prayer
I’m a rambling lady, can’t say where I’m going
Don’t know where I’m going, but I know I’ll get there

Yeah, I’m a rambling lady, I’m finding my way
I’m making it up as I go day by day

I’m a rambling lady, don’t know where I’ll be
I’m a rambling lady, I’m wild and I’m free
I’m a rambling lady, I’m wild . . . and I’m free

Get to Yes

Rambling Lady with Kathy Klopp

Thunderstorm Loose in My Soul
Nancy Cunningham / Kathy Klopp
Performed by Kathy Klopp

Dishes to wash, taxes to file
And I'm feeling so low
Laundry in piles, dust in the corners
Misplaced my get up and go
Mama said things'll get better
But I just don't know

Got in a fight, snapped at the kids
Everything's coming undone
Lousy date night and popcorn supper
Oh, are you even the one
I know we said for better or worse
But oh, this used to be fun

I'm stuck in a rough, dark place
and trouble's too heavy to lift
I ain't got a clue where to start
So I'll light a candle
and I'm looking for grace

Trash overflowing nothing quite right
Too many problems, not enough time
Day after day, takes it's toll
They say you ought to count to ten, but, Baby, I'm on a roll

I'm stuck in a rough, dark place
and trouble's too heavy to lift
I ain't got a clue where to start
So I light a candle
and I'm looking for grace

Maybe it's not as bad as it seems
Open my heart, let it flow
Driving rain pounding washing things clean
Will I find grace I hope so
But there's a thunderstorm loose in my soul
A thunderstorm loose in my soul
A thunderstorm loose in my soul

Thunderstorm Loose in My Soul with Kathy Klopp

Seven Summers
Written by Nancy Cunningham and Kathy Klopp
Performed by Kathy Klopp

You headed up the hill in the springtime
When you left the wheat was poison green
You headed up the hill in the springtime
When you get back, you’ll tell me where you’ve been

Mama says she heard you went to prison
Daddy thinks you shipped out overseas
Mama says she heard you were in prison 
All I know’s you’re coming back to me

Seven summers picking in the hot rows
Seven winters spinning in the cold
Seven summers picking in the hot rows
It’s hard to cotton to all that I’ve been told

I think I wanna be out in the open
I think I wanna feel the soaking rain
I think I wanna be out in the open
So I can see you walking down my lane

Seven summers picking in the hot rows
Seven winters spinning in the cold
Seven summers picking in the hot rows
It’s hard to cotton to all that I’ve been told

I’m not looking for a letter
I’m not waiting for your call
I don’t know what plans you’re making
Maybe you’re making none at all


But you headed up the hill in the springtime
When you left the wheat was poison green
You headed up the hill in the springtime
When you get back, you can tell me where you’ve been

Seven Summers with Kathy Klopp

Breakaway
Written by Nancy Cunningham and Kathy Klopp
Performed by Kathy Klopp

Toss your guitar in the backseat
I’ll take the first turn at the wheel
I can see you’re devastated, Boy
Trust me, I know how you feel

I never knew what you saw in her
That city girl wudn’t your style
She’s an ice-cold flute of pink champagne
Cupid mis-shot by a country mile

Come on we can still outrun this
We’ve got ourselves a good start
Oh, oh, oh, Baby, we could still outrun this
Breakaway, breakaway, breakaway, breakaway, yeah
Break away from this breaking heart

You're tangled up in your troubles, I can help you get fee
You need someone on your side, good thing you got me

Come on, why the hell can’t you see me
I’ve been wanting you my whole life
I know where we need to get to, oh, yeah, why’m I trying to let you drive?

Baby, we can still outrun this, 
we've got ourselves a good start
Oh, oh, oh, Baby, we can still outrun this, we can breakaway, breakaway, breakaway, yeah, 
Break away, break away, break away from this breaking heart

From this breaking heart, from this breaking heart
You got a breaking heart

Breakaway with Kathy Klopp

Exactly What She Means
Written by Nancy Cunningham and Kathy Klopp
Performed by Kathy Klopp

I'd never met a stranger who was stranger
I'd never spent a night in New Orleans
In her songs, she sang no one could change her
Now I see exactly what she means

I caught her at a bar she played on Tuesdays
She warned me that she wasn’t what she seemed
I listened like a moth dancing in blue flames
But now I see exactly what she means

Everything that’s dark and wild and blue
Everything I never I knew
Everything, everything
That’s all I’d have to choose
Everything that’s tame and trite and true
Everything I always do
Everything, everything
That’s what I’d have to lose

I love to see her flick her scarves and boas
She drips them in the doorways of my dreams
I sing along at home and all I know is
Now I see exactly what she means
Oh now I see exactly what she means

I'd never met a stranger who was stranger
Until I spent that night in New Orleans

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Yeah, now I see exactly what she means

Exactly What She Means with Kathy Klopp

Put 'em in your country song
 
 All them times you ran away
 What you learned from bailing hay
 Why do your kids all act that way
 Well, put 'em in your country song
 
 That big ole bear your granddad saw
 What's been stickin' in your craw
 Your neighbors wanna go to law
 Well, put 'em in your country song
 
 The smell of fall in your hometown
 The reasons you still stick around
 Your little house, your patch of ground
 Put 'em in your country song
 
 Leave off pumping, Leave off grinding
 Finish losing, ake up finding
 Your churchin' and your tractors
 Your fishin' and your fact'ry
 You know where they all belong
 Put 'em in your country song
 
 You tell some stories from your bible
 Let a tent fall at revival
 Who do you thank for your survival
 Put him in your country song
 
 God is good and we are free
 It's sounding like a song to me
 We're all right and we're all wrong
 Put us in your country song

FAWM Skirmish Put Em In Your Country Song

Clock Into Our Life

Music by Jeff Walker
Lyrics by Nancy Cunningham

I’m working for the man. I’m dreaming ’bout you, Girl 
Wishing I was home while I’m out in the world 
When I’m gonna get there, what we’re gonna do
While I’m at work, all I think a-bout is you

But I’m
Stuck… in a meeting
Still on the phone 
Won’t get busy, Baby, won't get busy til I get you alone
Gotta tell the boss
Gotta head home to the wife
Punch out of my da-ay job, clock in to our life

'Cause there’s too many minutes in an eight hour day 
Even sixty more seconds, it's too long away
All this thinking’s got me hot here standing on the line 
I should have called in sick cause I am feeling fine

But I'm
Stuck in a meeting, still on the phone 
Won’t get busy, Baby, won’t get busy til I get you alone
Gotta tell the boss, gotta head home to the wife
Punch out of my day job, clock in to our life
              
Instead of pushing piles of paper, stacking sheets of steel
I got mountains to move, ‘cause they’re blocking what is real…

While I’m 
Stuck in a meeting, still on the phone 
Don’t get busy baby, don’t get busy till I get you alone
Gotta tell the boss, gotta head home to the wife
Punch out of my day job, clock in to our life    

Gotta punch out of my day job, clock in…
Help me clock in to our life, baby

Clock Into Our Life

Til Your Fingers Bleed
Nancy Cunningham 2022

Daddy took a second shift down at Lorraine
Til he bought me, bought me my Martin guitar
I's planning on playing that old Leaving on a Jet Plane
I didn't get that far

Daddy found my guitar all stacked up on the back porch
You shoulda heard how loud he fussed
He hollered, God gave you gumption
Don't let me see you let it rust

It takes a lotta messing up to maybe succeed
Sitting on your hands can't get you what you need
Practice working til your fingers bleed
Practice working and working til your fingers bleed

I thought I'd like to never learn my F chord
I got a lotta blisters 'long the way
Sticking it out, callouses, and Daddy
That's what's got me here today

It takes a lotta messing up to maybe succeed
Sitting on your hands can't get you what you need
You practice working til your fingers bleed
Practice working, working til your fingers bleed

Til Your Fingers Bleed - For FAWM 5090

Workaholic Country Blues
Music - Jeff Walker
Lyrics - Nancy Cunningham and Nadine De Macedo 

I could tell the boss I'm leaving
Pay me out, we'll be even
Takin' fifty-two weeks vacation every year

I could turn in my time card
Might make my making rent hard
'less I bass fish (more) and hunt for deer

But the hard truth is
I wouldn't know just what to do
I got the Workaholic Country Blues
It's true
They' hard to lose
The Workaholic Country Blues
Got the Workaholic Country Blues

I could take this Job and Shove It
But in some way I must love it
I make just enough to cover bread and beer

I could crack my nest egg
Bingo might pay off big
But more likely I'll keep working right on here

'Cause the hard truth is
I wouldn't know just what to do
Without my Workaholic Country Blues
It's true
It's hard to lose
The Workaholic Country Blues
Got the Workaholic Country Blues

Grandma ploughs past sundown
Grandad drudges in town
That's the life they choose
My whole family's got the Country Workaholic Blues

And the hard truth is
We wouldn't know just what to do
Without our Workaholic Country Blues
It's true
It's hard to lose
The Workaholic Country Blues
Got the Workaholic Country Blues

Workaholic Country Blues

Music is a Workingman's Freud
Music - Jeff Walker
Lyrics - Nancy Cunningham


My dad says how you gonna pay some guy 
To stretch out on his couch
Eighty bucks an hour
Come on, Son, ouch

You have got your old pick up 
And your truck radio
Listen up good, Son
You got all you need to know

Cause music is a Working Man's Freud
Tells you stories and it thumps 
Keeps you company in the dumps
Keeps it in the road when you're annoyedEm
A good song gets you going like you'd arc your solenoid
But a song can keep you breathing 
When your staring at the void
Oh, Music is a working man's Freud 

Br
Let Doctor DJ Daddy tell you what to take
There's Nyquil for your head cold 
And Hank Williams for your heartbreak

Oh, music is a Working Man's Freud
Tells you stories and it thumps 
Keeps you company in the dumps
Keeps it in the road when you're annoyed
A good song gets you going like you'd arc your solenoid
But a song can keep you breathing when your staring at the void
Oh, Music is a working man's Freud

Music Is A Workingman's Freud

Let the Sun Shine Down On Me
Andrea Campanile / Nancy Cunningham 
(To hear more of Andrea's music: https://soundcloud.com/user-62342567)

Let the sun shine down on me
Let the sun warm me with her kiss
Let me turn into a magpie
Let me fly

Let me feel the air around me
Let me trust in the wind
Let me turn into a storm cloud
Let me feel the light in my bones

Let me turn into a raindrop
Let me water the earth
Let me turn into an acorn
Let me wait and sleep in the dark

Let me turn into an oak tree
Let me dig roots in the ground
Let the sun shine down on me
Let the sun warm me with her kiss

Let The Sun Shine Down On Me - Lyrics by Andrea Campanile

Neben dem Wasser
Nancy Cunningham

Neben dem Wasser, bin ich zu Heim
Neben dem Wasser, bin ich allein
Neben dem Wasser, weil du fährst so weit
Neben dem Wasser, ich bleibe, ich bleibe zu Heim

Dein Schiff auf dem Nord See beschäftigt sich mit Fisch
Das Wetter an dem Strand, es bleibt ja immer frisch

Die Fische, die Netze, du hast so viel zu machen
Ich passe meine Tage in endliche wachen

Neben dem Wasser, bin ich zu Heim
Neben dem Wasser, bin ich allein
Neben dem Wasser, weil du fährst so weit
Neben dem Wasser, ich bleibe, ich bleibe zu Heim

Du kannst nicht schreiben, ich bekomme keinen Brief
Die Wässer der Nordsee sind unheimlich Tief

Im Herbst kommst du wieder, ich hoffe zumindest
Mich in dem Häuschen, daß ist was du findest

Neben dem Wasser, bin ich zu Heim
Neben dem Wasser, bin ich allein
Neben dem Wasser, weil du fährst so weit
Neben dem Wasser, ich bleibe, ich bleibe zu Heim

Die Störche am Dach, sie werden bald fliegen 
Das Baby bleibt bei mir, es liegt in der Wiege

Neben dem Wasser, bin ich nicht allein
Neben dem Wasser, bin ich zu Heim
Neben dem Wasser, weil du fährst so weit
Neben dem Wasser, wir bleiben zu Heim
Ja, neben dem Wasser, wir beide bleiben zu Heim

Neben dem Wasser - for FAWM '23 Skirmish

Three Pretty Good Men (and a God-awful Boat)
Nancy Cunningham

They were three, three pretty good men
Oh, the were three, three pretty good men
Yeah, they were three, three pretty good men folk
And they bought themselves
One God-awful boat

They were living, living in Louisiana
They were living right outside 'a Lafayette
They were living in Lafayette, Lousiana
When they bought themselves
a God-awful boat

Homer, he's the one had the idea
Jeffrson, he's the one had the sense
But Jackson, he's the one had the checkbook
So they bought themselves
That God-awful boat

They'd been watching the Weather
Seen where this Harvey storm would land
They reckon'd its 'a gonna miss 'em this time
But they bought themselves
That God-awful boat

Now none of 'em any business in Houston
None of 'em had  any kinfolk there
All of 'em figured on maybe helping
So they bought themselves
That God-awful boat

Now me, I read about the men in the paper
And to tell you the truth I mighta made up their names
Me, I read about the men in the paper
But they bought themselves 
That God-awful boat

Me, I don't exactly 'member the details
I can't tell you just how many they saved
I just scribbled down some words in a notebook
Reminding myself to write a song some day

I said
They were three, three pretty good men
Oh, the were three, three pretty good men
Yeah, they were three, three pretty good men folk
And they bought themselves
One God-awful boat

Three Pretty Good Men (and a God-awful Boat) Written for FAWM'23 Skirmish

Maggie's Daddy Took the Old Spring Wagon
Nancy Cunningham 

Maggie's Daddy took the old spring wagon
He brought her brother home
Her brother died down at the River
Her brother didn't die alone
A couple 'a hundred from the County
He died on the third day
Maggie's Daddy took the old spring wagon
He brought her brother home

The wagon had seen better days
The paint was peeling green
No more trips to make to church
No grain to haul this season
One more body of a young boy
Laid careful on it's boards
The wagon had seen better days
The paint, the paint was peeling green

Joel had made lieutenant
At a battle before that
All those dead at Shiloh
Was that just a few weeks back?
Joel had made lieutenant
His colonel 'd called him brave
Joel had made lieutenant
And now they'd have to make his grave

Maggie had heard the canons
From up on top of the bluff
It was too far to hear the screaming
But those canons were close enough

Maggie never meant to marry
She 'd meant to keep Joel's house
She 'd borrowed a book about canning
She 'd bartered for a cow
If Maggie hadn't had her  children
Would I be here today
Is that predestination
Who can say

My Father was named for her Brother
My Grandma showed me Maggie's Farm
Grandma told me all about that December
When her Grandma's father harnessed up his last horse, 
that last horse left in that barn

Maggie's Daddy took the old spring wagon
to bring her brother home
Her brother was dying at the River
Her brother wadn't dying alone
A couple 'a hundred from the County
'a dying on the third day
When Maggie's Daddy harnessed up the wagon
To try to bring her brother home

The Old Spring Wagon

Wicked Soup 
Lyrics - Nancy Cunningham
Music - Jeff Walker

> Hey, Baby Boy, you're coming back
> We're glad to hear you're back on track
> You got knocked for a wicked loop
> We thought you'd drown in wicked soup
> Oooh, oooh, oooh
> But here you are, you're coming back
> You are getting back on track
> Look at you, you're coming back
> 
> That no-good girl, she did you bad
> She led you wrong, what a ride you had
> She knocked you for a wicked loop
> She knocked you into wicked soup
> Oooh, oooh, oooh
> But look at you, you're coming back
> You are getting back on track
> Yeah, look at you, you're coming back
> 
> We missed you and the songs you sing
> We missed that special sauce you bring
> She spun you in that wicked loop
> She spooned you in to wicked soup
> Oooh, oooh, oooh
> But you're still here, you're coming back
> You are getting back on track
> Just look at you, you are coming hack
> 
> You're sounding good on your guitar
> You're looking better, you can still go far
> Alhough she led you on a wicked loop
> Though she'd 'a let you drown wicked soup
> Oooh, oooh, oooh
> But you're up there, you're coming back
> You are getting back on track
> Look at you, you are coming back
> 
> Hey, Baby Boy, don't you complain
> Let people talk, y' let us explain
> We'll tell 'em she knocked you for a wicked loop
> We'll tell 'em we thought you'd drown in her wicked soup
> We'll tell 'em, look at him, he's coming back
> Can't you see he's back on track
> Just look up there, he is coming back
> 
> Yeah, look at you, you are coming back
> Oooh oooh oooh
> You are coming back

Wicked Soup

Storm Cellar Gal
Nancy Cunningham ©2023

She was a storm cellar Gal all the years I knew her
She had this little song she liked to sing
That old, old song about the Centerpoint Tornado
That's the one that killed that little girl
It killed that little girl Gramma used to know

Woooh wooooh wooooh wah the siren
Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding the bell
Woooh wooooh wooooh wah the whistle
All of that's still locked in the weather smell
I can hear it now in the weather smell

She would watch the stirred up sky out her bedroom window
Waiting for the signs it was getting bad
Long before she saw 'em,she'd be grabbing me by the hand
Saying get up girl, let's get going down
Come on, girl, we're both going down

Woooh wooooh wooooh wah the siren
Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding the bell
Woooh wooooh wooooh wah the whistle
All of that's still locked in the weather smell
I can hear it now in the weather smell

A king snake reigned, down in the crawl space
A king snake keeps the copperheads away
On the dirt floor, she'd tell me strange things she had seen
Like that broom straw
She saw a broom straw
She saw a broom straw, saw it pounded into a tree
Just like a nail

Woooh wooooh wooooh wah the siren
Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding the bell
Woooh wooooh wooooh wah the whistle
All of that's still locked in the weather smell
I can hear her now in the weather smell

She was a storm cellar Gal all the years I knew her
She had an old song she liked to sing

Storm Cellar Gal

Ziggy, He Was a Force

Ziggy answered an ad in a magazine
He loved to make the crowd roar
They'd holler and they'd yell Ziggy
He was a force

Now ya' might 'a read about Ziggy in the paper
Ya might 'a even seen him fight
Heavy weight champion of Texas
Facing Frazier on a' Tuesday night

Zigggy lasted ninety-six seconds
He held his own 'gainst Smokin' Joe
Even then Ziggy, well, he went down 'a swinging
That's the only way Ziggy knew to go

If it hadn't 'a been for Ziggy
I'd still be in Arkansas
If it hadn't 'a been for Ziggy
Fran would not 'a opened her bar

Fran and Ziggy, they were lovers
It's a shame they had to divorce
Both of 'em so full of passion
And Ziggy, he was a force

Ziggy sued to make his comeback, back in eighty-two
He got knocked out,  but he had no regrets
Ziggy said he'd had unfinished boxing business
Said a boxer never forgets

Ziggy kept cracking, made it eighty years
Life was always a show
Even then Ziggy, well he went down 'a swinging
That's the only way Ziggy knew to go

If it hadn't 'a been for Ziggy
We none of us would 'a come North
If it hadn't 'a been for Ziggy
But, Peace
We're gonna see him on the other shore
Til then I'm  gonna miss Ziggy
Oh, Ziggy, he was a force
Oh, Ziggy, you were a force

Ziggy, He Was a Force

Turned Them to the Wall
Written and Recorded by Nancy Cunningham

Aunt Julia took the family portraits, she turned 'em to the wall
She couldn’t stand ‘em judging her, so she rehung 'em all
She took our family portraits, and Aunt Julia turned 'em, turned 'em to the wall

He built that bridge on the river
That engineer from town
He knocked it up in record time
He knocked the old one down

He married our Aunt Julia somewhere along the way
He married our Aunt Julia though she came to rue that day
He married our Aunt Julia, well, he already had a wife
He married our Aunt Julia, and he just about wrecked her life

We couldn’t see the gilt frames
Just the paper on the back
We couldn’t see the faces
Just that paper faded black

I’ve got all those old pictures now, they're back facing front
No, Polaroid of that engineer, the one who pulled that stunt

No snapshot of Aunt Julia
She stayed camera shy
She’d mostly look away from me
But I'd try to catch her eye

Shame and embarrassment, that’s what got handed down
I took those family portraits, and I turned 'em back around

I’ve wed my share of mishaps
And I've filed for divorce
But let the family watch me
Cause life i s gonna run its course

And I just hope you kids all know, whatever gets done to you
You’re always safe at my house, your family's love runs true
And I want your pictures too
Yeah, I want all your pictures too

Turned Them to the Wall

Double Cousins
Nancy Cunningham

Double cousins that’s something special, means we're extra kin
You marry up TWO families, then you marry them up again
Double cousins that's SOMEthing special
We’re extra extra extra double kin, we're double kin

We share our grandmas and grandpas, we share our hand me downs too
We’ve both got the same last name, I’ve got the same smile as you

Double cousins that’s something special, means we're extra kin
You marry up two families, then you marry them up again
Double cousins that's something special
We’re extra extra extra double kin, yeah, we're double kin

My Daddy married, your mama’s big sister, Daddy’s brother married your ma
So I say uncle to your daddy, like you say uncle to Pa

Double cousins that’s something special, means we're extra kin
You marry up two families, then you marry them up again
Double cousins that's something special
We’re extra extra extra double kin, yeah, we're double kin

I’m always over at your house, half the time you spend the night
You’re my spitting image, we're like sisters, 'cept we don’t fight

Double cousins that’s something special, means we're extra kin
You marry up two families, then you marry them up again
Double cousins that's something special
We’re extra extra extra double kin, yeah, we're double kin

Double Cousins (with Garry Kirby)

Somebody's Calling Me
Nancy Cunningham

Somebody’s calling me , God I hope it’s you
A whisper guiding me, insisting what I do 
Somebody’s calling me and calling me and calling me
God, I hope it’s you 

Could it be the devil, does he know my name 
He's tempting me to listen, acting oh, so glad I came 
Could that small voice live in my head 
Does it mean I’m crazy if I follow, I follow where it led

Somebody’s calling me , God I hope it’s you
Some whispers guiding me, insisting what I do 
Somebody’s calling me and calling me and calling me
and God I hope it’s you 

That voice is not the devil, and it's not just crazy talk
That's my savior leading me, the way I mean to walk
Just like his apostles I am laying down my net
I'll follow in his footsteps, til the day I hear him bid me rest

Somebody’s calling me , God I hope it’s you
Some whispers guiding me, insisting what I do 
Somebody’s calling me and calling me and calling me
and God I know it’s you 
Yeah, God, sweet God, I know it's you

Somebody's Calling Me

Since I've Been to Texas
Nancy Cunningham / Valerie Cox

Well it’s been too long since I’ve been to Texas
And it’s been that long since I rode at that rodeo
It’s been too long since I’ve been to Houston
But you’re back there, so I don’t go

Though it’s been too long since I’ve been to Texas
And it’s been that long since I heard that radio
See it’s been too long since I’ve been to Houston
But you’re back there so I don’t go

If you'd blow up to Oklahoma or blow back to Tennessee
Maybe I'd catch wind of it
Maybe somebody could tell me

Cause it’s been too long since I’ve been to Texas
And it’s been that long since I rode at your rodeo
It’s been way too long since I’ve been to Houston
But you're back there as far as I know

As long as you’re back there
If you’re still back there
If you're still there, I’ll never go

Since I've Been To Texas (with Valerie Cox)

Rambling Lady 
Nancy Cunningham / Kathy Klopp

(A)I’m a rambling lady, (E)a wave on the (A)ocean   (A A E A)
(D)A river in  (A)motion, (E) I’m carrying (A) on  (e
I’m a rambling lady, can’t say where I’m going //A E A 
Only know that I’m rolling,  away with the dawn// D A E A
(E)When I started rambling, (A) I was looking for someone  
(D)Figured my (A)future  was to (E)get settled (A)down
(E)I got some offers, (A) I took some lovers, 
(D) Put no fire (A) in my heart and (E) I went on (A) alone
I’m a rambling lady, a wave on the ocean //A E A
A river in motion, I’m carrying on //D A E
I’m a rambling lady,I can’t say where I’m going //A E A
Only know that I’m rolling, away with the dawn //D A E A
I want to meet the world on my own //E A
Take a good look ‘round, like an eagle I roam //D A E A
I like what I see, I love being free// E A
This rambling road is the right road for me //D A E A
On this rambling road is the best life for me//D A E A
I’m a rambling lady, a wave on the ocean //A E A
A river in motion, I’m carrying on //D A E
I’m a rambling lady,I can’t say where I’m going //A E A
Only know that I’m rolling, away with the dawn //D A E A
Only know that I’m rolling, away with the dawn //D A E A
I’m a Ramblin Lady and I’m away with the dawn

Rambling Lady (performed by Kathy Klopp)

Break Away (from a Breaking Heart)
Nancy Cunningham / Kathy Klopp

Toss your guitar in the backseat, I’ll take the first turn at the wheel   
 I can see you’re devastated, Baby, trust me, I know how you feel             
I never knew what you saw in her, that city girl wudn’t your style            
She’s an ice-cold flute of pink champagne, cupid miss-shot by a country mile              
Come on, we can still outrun this
We’ve got ourselves a good start                  
Oh, Baby, we can still outrun this     
Breakaway, breakaway, breakaway, yeah  
Break away from a breaking heart 
                                                              
You’re tangled up in your troubles, I can help you get free 
You need someone on your side, good thing you got me
                                                                                         
So, why the hell can’t you see me, I’ve been wanting you my whole life   
I know where we need to get to, why’m I trying to let you drive? 
Come on, we can still outrun this
We’ve got ourselves a good start                  
Oh, Baby, we can still outrun this     
Breakaway, breakaway, breakaway, yeah  
Break away from a breaking heart 
 Toss your guitar in the backseat, I’ll take the first turn at the wheel   
 I can see you’re devastated, Baby, trust me, I know how you feel             
Oh, come on, we can still outrun this
We’ve got ourselves a good start
Woo a woo, Baby, we can still outrun this   
We Can Breakaway, Breakaway, Breakaway Yeah
Break away from a breaking heart
We Can Breakaway, Breakaway, Breakaway Yeah
Break away from a breaking heart
We Can Breakaway, Breakaway, Breakaway Yeah
Break away from a breaking heart

Break Away (from a Breaking Heart) with Kathy Klopp

The Weeds and the Wheat
Nancy Cunningham

When the weeds and the wheat grow together
Wait don't winnow not til the fall
Then go harvest your portion
Better take what you need of it all

But leave a little something for the blackbird
Save a mite for the poor
Day is on the horizon
We don't need to worry
Not anymore

Cause the Good Lord he sees about the sparrow
The Good Lord he sees about the rain
The Good Lord sets up in business
He measures out our portion of grain

So leave a little something for the blackbird
Save a mite for the poor
Day is on the horizon
We won't need to worry
Not anymore

We'll be reunited with the old folks
We'll see how forever feels 
We'll be singing in his sunshine
We'll be the angels, gleaning in his fields

We'll leave a little something for the blackbird
We'll save a mite for the poor
Day is on the horizon
We don't need to worry
We won't ever winnow
We won't need to worry
Not anymore

The Weeds and the Wheat by Nancy Cunningham

Get to Yes
Nancy Cunningham / Kathy Klopp
Performed by Kathy Klopp December 2023

So you'd like to be a superstar and perch on some big pile
Well, buckle up your seatbelt, cause climbing takes a while
It takes long days of digging to win to place to show
Well, if you wanna get to yes, it takes a little saying no

I earned that wall of trophies, they weren't much fun to dust
I got hung up on the slogan, go big or you go bust
I found my head had got so big, my heart couldn't grow
Well, if you wanna get to yes, it takes a little saying no

Everything I used to want was shiny and brand new
Let me trade every dream I ever chased for a simple life with you

Say no to your old future, walk out on your old past
Say no to all the haters, they swear our love won't last
Come on now let's make the leap, even if we take it slow
There's one way to get to yes, you start by saying no

Oh, come on help me get to yes, we'll start by saying 
Oh, come on help me get to yes, Baby, we can get to yes
It starts by saying no

Get To Yes -with Kathy Klopp

When Our Momma Sent Us Away
Nancy Cunningham / Robert Davis

When Our Momma Sent Us Away - with Robert Davis

The Old Spring Wagon
Nancy Cunningham

Maggie's daddy took the old spring wagon, when he brought Maggie's brother home
Maggie's brother'd been fighting at the river, Maggie's brother wasn't fighting alone
All those boys from the county, alive on that day
Maggie's Daddy took the old spring wagon, when he brought, he brought Maggie's brother home

The wagon, it'd seen better days, its paint was peeling green
No more trips to make to church, and no grain to haul that season
One more body of a young boy laid careful on its boards
The wagon had seen better days, and its paint, its paint was peeling green

Maggie had heard the shooting from up on top of the bluff
It was too far to hear the screaming, but the canons were close enough
Ooooh, oooooh, ahhh

Maggie's brother had made lieutenant, the battle before that
All those dead at Shiloh seemed like just a few weeks back
Joel had made lieutenant, Joel's colonel called him brave
Joel had made lieutenant,  but now would they have to make his grave

Maggie never meant to marry, no she meant to keep her brother's house
She'd borrowed a book about canning, she'd been saving up for a cow
If Maggie hadn't had her children, could I be here today
Is that predestination, I can't say

But my daddy was named for Maggie's brother, Daddy's Mama showed me Maggie's farm
Grandma told me all about that December, when her grandma's daddy harnessed up his old horse
That last horse, left in the barn

Maggie's daddy took the old spring wagon to try to bring her brother home
Maggie's brother'd been fighting at the river, no one was fighting alone
All those boys from the county, they all died on that day
Maggie's daddy took the old spring wagon
And he tried, oh, he tried to bring her brother home

Mess It Up, Stick It Out
Nancy Cunningham


Daddy took a second shift, down at Lorraine
He was saving up for my Martin Guitar
I promised him I'd learn to play Leaving on a Jet Plane
First few months I didn't get that far

Daddy found my guitar, stacked on the back porch
Ya'll shoulda heard how loud he cussed
God gave you gumption, Girl, that's what my Daddy yelled
I can't stand to sit and watch you rust

Mess it  up, stick it out
Gotta  work at what you need
Gotta learn to practice working til your fingers start to bleed
Mess it up, stick it out
You say you wanna succeed
Better mess it  up, stick it  out
Then mess it  up, then stick it  out
You mess it  up, and you stick it out
That's what you  need
 
Well, I swear I'd like to never learn my F chord
I got my share of blisters along the way
But those callouses and that woodshed and my Daddy
That's the ticket that got me here today

Mess it  up, stick it out
Gotta  work at what you need
Gotta learn to practice working til your fingers start to bleed
Mess it up, stick it out
You say you wanna succeed
Better mess it  up, stick it  out
Then mess it  up, then stick it  out
You mess it  up, and you stick it out
That's what you  need
Just mess it up stick it out til you succeed

Mess It Up, Stick It Out

Groundhog Day
Nancy Cunningham

Groundhog Day, Groundhog day
I heard 'em say it's Groundhog Day
I heard 'em say, It's Groundhog Day again 
They talk like that's some holiday
 Celebrating Groundhog  Day 
But for some of us it comes Every Day
 
A groundhog lives for digging, see that  big hole under the stairs
He'll never leave off digging if you  leave him digging there
Now  I won't buy a shotgun, so my  neighbor, he'll bring his
 My neighbor won't shoot my groundhog, though not unless the groundhog digs

Groundhog Day, Groundhog day
I heard 'em say it's Groundhog Day
I heard 'em say, It's Groundhog Day again 
They talk like that's some holiday
 Celebrating Groundhog  Day 
But for some of us it comes Every Day

When my  neighbor was a school kid, he'd get a box of shells
 Sometimes he would shoot and miss, but he  mostly shot pretty well
He'd make his shells last all summer, cause he knew how to take his time
From a box of fifty    shotgun shells, he   mostly hit    forty nine

Groundhog Day, Groundhog day
I heard 'em say it's Groundhog Day
I heard 'em say, It's Groundhog Day again 
They talk like that's some holiday
 Celebrating Groundhog  Day 
But for some of us it comes Every Day
Where I live every day is Groundhog Day
Where I live every day is Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day

PUT OUR MONEY ON PASSION (Cunningham/Jones)
© All Rights Reserved 2024

I've put enough nickels in your curse jar
'at should pay for a trip to Cancun
With what's left you can buy a new bikini
So let's pencil us in for June

Cause, caution's over-rated, Honey, and action's underpaid
So Baby, let's take some action
Put our money on passion
Put our money on passion every day

Some guys just hunker in the safe room
They pray for the storm to pass 'em by
But I'm up in your face, I love chasing your tornado
Sitting you out, that wouldn't fly

Cause, caution's over-rated, Honey, and action's underpaid
But we want in on the action
Put our money on passion
Put our money on passion every day

I know I'm still rough around the edges
Though you say I clean up pretty good
I'll always meet your fire with my fire, Babe
That's how we're built, that's understood

Cause, caution's over-rated. Honey, and action's underpaid
But we believe in action
Put our money on passion
Put our money on passion every day

Yes, caution's over-rated. Honey, and action's underpaid
So Babe, let’s take some action
Put our money on passion
Put our money on passion every day

We want in on the action
Put our money on passion
We believe in passion every day

Put Our Money on Passion

A collaboration of four randomly assigned people. 

Béphane Stroisseau: Music
Nancy Cunningham: Lyrics
Court Lee @courstellation: Vocals 
Robert Goldbach: Guitar/Mix

Cold

Nothing's Harder Than Getting Started
Nancy Cunningham

Nothing's harder than getting started, 'cept getting started again
nothing harder than getting started, it hardly matters when
The hardest part 'bout getting started, the hardest part is knowing where to begin

You got you a blank piece of paper
You got your story to tell
You got your stalled out pick up truck
Can you push that truck, but push it up hill

Nothing's harder than getting started, 'cept getting started again
nothing harder than getting started, it hardly matters when
The hardest part 'bout getting started, the hardest part is knowing where to begin

You could try closing your eyes now
Try getting something down
Don't worry if it's not good yet
Later, later you can turn it around

Nothing's harder than getting started, 'cept getting started again
nothing harder than getting started, it hardly matters when
The hardest part 'bout getting started, the hardest part is knowing where to begin

Try to find a pretty good stopping place
Leave yourself something to say
Leave yourself something to pick back up
When you sit back down the next day

Nothing's harder than getting started, 'cept getting started again
nothing harder than getting started, it hardly matters when
The hardest part 'bout getting started, the hardest part is knowing where to begin

Nothing's Harder Than Getting Started

Girl, Thank Me
Lyrics - Nancy Cunningham
Music - Jeff Walker

If you're still eating steak, thank a farmer
If you're  still reading romance, thank a tree
If you still know what you don't want in a man
Well, Girl, thank me

You liked going out, I took you dancing
You liked diamond rings, I took a knee
You liked to tell me what you don't want in a man
Well, Girl, thank me

See, maybe, you could thank me for a good time
Or at least you could thank me for a laugh
For all those times I let you wear my ball cap
Or for letting you think I ever liked your cat
You could maybe thank me for the way I really loved you
Or thank me now for leaving you alone
You might think I'd thank God if we ever got back together
But thank me, girl, you're on your own

If you're still eating steak, thank a farmer
If you're  still reading romance, thank a tree
And whether you still know what you don't want in a man
Well, Girl, go ahead, thank me

Girl, Thank Me

Down at the Fu Bar Buffet
Lyrics - Nancy Cunningham
Music - Jeff Walker & BIAB

A new Chinese place opened last week
Seemed a little shady, but I took a peek
Nothing looked good, but it sure came cheap
With my luck lately, it was the place for me
                      
Cause' they got all you can eat at the Fu Bar Buffet
They got all you can drink from the Fire Hose
They got all you can eat at the Fu Bar Buffet…
I get the early bird special 
I get it every day
Oh I keep my plate full
Down at the Fu Bar Buffet

I could take you out to dinner, 'stead of chowing down alone
I would ask you out Honey, if you would pick up your phone
Save you from having to be cooking at home
But it's lookin' like tonight I'm back on my own


I'd get you all you can eat at the Fu Bar Buffet
Then all you can drink from the Fire Hose
They got all you can eat at the Fu Bar Buffet
They got a early bird special 
I get it every day
Oh I keep my plate full
Down at the Fu Bar Buffet

Got laid off, got bills to pay?
Get more helpings…at the Fu Bar Buffet

They got all you can eat at the Fu Bar Buffet
They got all you can drink from the Fire Hose
They got all you can eat at the Fu Bar Buffet
They got a early bird special 
I get it every day
Oh, I keep my plate full  
 down at the Fu Bar Buffet

Yeah, it's all you can eat at the Fu Bar Buffet
I get the early bird special every day
Down at the Fu Bar Buffet

Down At The Fu Bar Buffet

50/90 2024, Track 15. Lyrics by the ever-brilliant @nancy-cunningham-2.

I Don't Want Your Life

A baby was born on the W Train the night before my mom's birthday, with some help from strangers. I wrote a song about it during February Album Writing Month. Thank you to Wobbie Wobbit for mixing.

A Baby Got Born
Nancy Cunningham

Somebody's baby got born on a subway train this morning 
I saw it in the paper, so maybe it happened last night
Some baby got herself born in the first car on a W train
She found a stranger to help her out 
Made me smile, they think she's  gonna be alright 

You used to be a baby on a subway train most mornings 
You used to mostly like it, unless we’d had a rough night 
Then you’d cry like the baby in the first car on the W train , 
Til a stranger   would help you out 
He would smile like it's all gonna be alright 
Til you'd Smile, like we're all gonna  gonna be alright

So if you see a baby on a subway train this morning 
If you see a mother who needs a little help some night 
If you see somebody who used to be a baby in the first car on the W train, be a stranger,  help ‘em out 
Go on Smile like you'reall gonna be alright   
Until they smile, like  you're all gonna be alright 

Tell 'em a baby got born on a subway train one morning
Go on smile,  make 'em smile,   it's alright 
Go on smile,  make 'em smile,   it's alright 

A Baby Got Born

 One of the themes that recurs for me in music and in life is that true love is worth the hard work.I wrote this song during February Album Writing Month for Becky Warren's SongSideKick Song Circle. Thank you to Wobbie Wobbit for mixing it for me.

Somewhere Warm Again With Me
Nancy Cunningham

It’s February, and I’m tired of the slushy sidewalks
February,  I’m tired of the bitter cold

Would you go somewhere warm again with me
 Somewhere that you’d still like to see
How long can this last
 I’m almost scared to ask
Could you go somewhere warm again with me

If you wanted, we could both get off our islands
We could thaw out, maybe make something to eat

Would you go somewhere warm again with me
 Somewhere you’d still like to be
How long can this last
Am  I too scared to ask
Could you go somewhere warm again with me

I know I froze you out for a couple seasons
Silent nights, rehashing all my reasons

But would you go somewhere warm again with me
Somewhere where we both still long to be
How long can we last
If we stay too scared to ask
Will you go somewhere warm again with me

In the car or at the table, in the bedroom by and by
Let's find a way, let's turn back on the sun

Would you go somewhere warm again with me?
Would you go somewhere warm 
Could you come somewhere warm again with me?

Somewhere Warm Again With Me

Garrett Kirby invited me to help him write this song and sing it. The music  and the idea came from Garry. We worked on the lyrics together.

No Shadows to Darken My Door
Nancy Cunningham / Garrett Kirby

Let me tell you a story
About my past
Let me tell you ‘bout my family
‘bout how we used to laugh
I used to work so hard every single day
Back in my youth, back in my heyday.

When my memories finally fade away
Where will I go, who’s gonna know my name
Will I sit here? Will I still feel so alone
When I’ve got no shadows to darken my door

You try to hug me
I don’t think I know your name
The other one yesterday
Acted just the same
I’ve always been proud how I’d never forget a face
Since back in my youth, back in my heyday

When my memories finally fade away
Where will I go, who’s gonna know my name
Will I sit here? Will I still feel so alone
When I’ve got no shadows to darken my door

I couldn’t tell you exactly where I am
So I try to pretend and act like I still understand the plan
But my mind has blurred the spaces
I don’t recognize these places
Not like back in my youth,
back in my heyday
 
The sun through my window warms me like my flannel coat
I’m held together by a single thread
Something rips at the seams
I can’t see what lies ahead
And I can’t say just what I dread

But let me tell you a story
About my past
Let me tell you ‘bout my family
‘bout how we used to laugh
I used to work so hard every single day
Back in my youth, back in my heyday.

When my memories finally fade away
Where will I go, who’s gonna call my name
When I sit there Will I still feel so alone
When I’ve got no shadows to darken my door

No Shadows to Darken My Door (with Garrett Kirby)

Perfect Mason Jar

Thank God He Made It Home

I write songs with people and on my own.  I love the way a song can light a match and illuminate a story or a feeling or a character. I'm especially drawn to Americana and Country.

I spend every February writing at fawm.org (February Album Writing Month). It's a great place to hang out if you've ever wanted to sing, play, write, compose, listen, or discuss music. You can find me there as nancycunning.

 I've gotten to write with friends in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington Wisconsin, as well as Canada, France, England, Finland, Germany, and Peru.

Nancy Cunningham

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