Ten cover songs originally written by Tom Rush, Stan Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, Tegan and Sara, and Leonard Cohen — not to imitate, but to honor the stories they told. These songs reflect introspective storytelling — from Pete Seeger’s social consciousness to Dylan’s poetic solitude, Lightfoot’s melancholy reflection, and Cohen’s dark wisdom.

Folk and Their Stories

I wrote the main riff to this song when I was in high school. Since then it has been little additions here and there.

So Impossible

Lyrics written in Fall 2020 while relaxing by the fire. The music was written in 2005. I can't seem to get the fuzz sound at the beginning, so let's pretend it's the sound of a phonograph record. :)

Unnatural Cat-Astrophe

The Descent of the Green Man

Wrote this song back in 2005. It's about freaking out on the train (referred to as the "T" in Boston) during Rush Hour.

CHIPS

Though this may sound like an ill-fated love song at times, it is really a self reflection while journeying through life looking for hope, looking for personal truth, and finding peace.

Broken Circle

We all feel a little lost at sea at times, right?

The Seafarer's Lament

What is really inside? What is the "I" behind the "eye?" Memories of passed family and friends may feel isolating, but is reality what it appears to be?

3rd Eye Vault

Arbitrary Destiny

Added some light mandolin as ornamentation.

Eternal Flame

A demo version of a tune I wrote in my younger days.

The Purple Sweater

My attempt at covering Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind."

Interpretations - Songs in the Style of PWA

Blowin' in the Wind

Cover of "The Heart of Saturday Night" by Tom Waits

The Heart of Saturday Night

Man in Black

Cover of "Pacing the Cage" by Bruce Cockburn

Pacing the Cage

Cover of "Suzanne" written by Leonard Cohen

Suzanne

My first time trying to do an Elvis Presley cover. Oh boy!

I Can't Help Falling in Love

A cover of "Bang a Drum" by Jon Bon Jovi from the Young Guns II Soundtrack.

Bang a Drum

First time trying to perform a solo on a violin, Not bad since I don't know how to play the violin.

Here is some history surrounding this song:
https://musiccourtblog.com/2011/06/28/the-house-of-the-rising-sun-a-folk-evolution/

The House of the Rising Sun

This is the second collection of original songs.

The Final Chosen One

Mindfulness and Madness

Make My Day

Dug this one out from the Archives! I played way to fast back then! From Club Passim in January 2010, Cambridge, MA.

So Impossible (Club Passim January 2010)

Dug this one out from the Archives! From Club Passim in January 2010, Cambridge, MA.

Alone and Wasted (Club Passim January 2010)

Originally released in December 2021. New mix has electronic drums and a few minor corrections.

3rd Eye Vault (2024 mix)

Cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Urge For Going” in the style of Tom Rush.

Urge for Going

No Regrets

Cover of “Lock-Keeper” by Stan Rogers

Lock-Keeper

Cover of “The Mary Ellen Carter” by Stan Rogers

The Mary Ellen Carter

Cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind”

If You Could Read My Mind

Cover of Bob Dylan’s “Tomorrow is a Long Time”

Tomorrow is a Long Time

Cover of “Where Have All the Flowers” gone.

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”

Both Sides Now

Cover of Tegan and Sara’s “Walking With a Ghost”

Walking With a Ghost

An abridged cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows” with some minor lyrical alterations and a rock vibe.

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight is fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows, the naked man and woman
Are just shining artifacts of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
Everybody knows

And everybody knows that we’re in trouble
Everybody knows what we’ve been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beaches of Malibu
Everybody knows it's all coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody Knows

Songs for distribution are uploaded here first. Most cover tunes will be here, too.

Otherwise, please follow me on your online streaming service of choice. 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yRyOAOKq8Wvp8yKVdttN7?si=wJkfLcjjR8SFYKPHWm9DbQ


All original songs © Paul Matthew Watts Jr

Paul Matthew Watts Jr

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