My Dad was my hero when I was a kid
And I tried to copy everything that he did
But one day I saw him hide his face in his hands
A heart isn't something that a child understands

He said "Son, I'm feeling sad because your Grandpa passed away"
Then something fell out of his eyes I was supposed to learn that day

It's OK to cry
It's OK to cry
Pour out the pain you bottle up so deep inside
To help you pull through when life makes you blue
Sometimes you've got to do what grown-ups aren't supposed to do

It was twenty years later, almost to the day
I'd started a family in much the same way
My uncle came calling in the cruel light of dawn
He said "I'm so sorry, but your father is gone"

Like an earthquake in my soul the words he spoke shook up my world
Then I lost my cool composure when the voice of my little girl said

It's OK to cry
It's OK to cry
Pour out the pain you bottle up so deep inside
You have the key to set your heart free
Would it really make a difference if someone were to see?

When life has been unkind and brings a heartache at my door
I close my eyes and I can still see my Dad's teardrops hit the floor
I see his teardrops hit the floor

It's OK to cry
It's OK to cry
Pour out the pain you bottle up so deep inside
You have the key! Set your heart free!
Would it really make a difference if someone were to see?

My Dad was my hero when I was a kid..

Its OK To Cry

I show up with my rollers and my brushes
I cover up the floors to keep 'em clean
I roll out a new hue to make the walls look new
If only I could do that for the love that we once knew

But another coat of paint ain't gonna do it
Another coat won't cover up the blue
Until I'm over you, my heart will show right through
And another coat of paint ain't gonna do

I can mix and match  my colours to perfection
My customers all praise the work I do
I never hear complaints about the cov'rage of my paints
But they always seem too faint to hide a heart that's torn in two

And another coat of paint ain't gonna do it
Another coat won't cover up the blue
Until I'm over you, my heart will show right through
And another coat of paint ain't gonna do

I pack up for the day
Head for home in my old van
Every rattle that it makes says:
"You're a lonely, lonely man"
"Such a lonely lonely man"

...and ...
Another coat of paint ain't gonna do it
Another coat won't cover up the blue
Until I'm over you, my heart will show right through
And another coat of paint ain't gonna do

Until I'm over you, the blues will show right through me
And another coat of paint ain't gonna do..

Another Coat of Paint

A lonesome man sailed across the world
To win the hand of an English girl
And to anyone who'd listen
He'd talk about his mission:

"I'm searching for a "Happily Ever After"
A place I'm sure my true love I will meet
We'll fill our world with sweet memories and laughter
I know she's waiting there for me"

A wounded soldier came from the war
She nursed his shoulder as she worked her floor
When they kissed a fire ignited
And to her sister she confided:

"I'm searching for a "Happily Ever After"
A place I'm sure my true love I will meet
We'll fill our world with sweet memories and laughter
I know he's waiting there for me"

I often visit that old tombstone
Grandpa didn't leave her there alone too long

Before he joined her where she laid
He had these words engraved

"We'll search no more for "Happily Ever After"
"We found a place our love can always be""

And in that world of sweet memories and laughter
They'll love for all eternity.

Happily Ever After

Hard Act to Follow

The More I Drink

Rest in Peace
Copyright 2015 Tennyson Road Music

Rest in peace, old friend
Rest in peace
You made it 'round the bend
You're safe at home again
Rest in peace, old pal
Pain can't torment you now
Lay your defenses down
And rest in peace

We lived and loved, old mate
We lived and loved
No-one can ever say
We frittered life away
You heard the battle call
You stood up brave and tall
But we can't win them all
Rest in peace

Rest in peace, old friend
Rest in peace
You've made it 'round the bend
You're safe at home again
Rest in peace, old pal
No pain can reach you now
So lay your armour down
And rest in peace

{br}
You are the light
You are the light
When morning breaks the dawn
When dusk forsakes the sun
And as this day
Fades into night
Hear my advice
Hear my advice

Rest in peace, old friend
Rest in peace
You've come around that bend
Safe in the arms of home again
And as you sleep, dear friend
Keep our love near at hand
Until we meet again
Rest in peace

As you sleep, dear friend
Keep our love near at hand
Until we meet again
Rest in peace

Rest In Peace

Bad Dog

Sleep all day, bark all night
You a bad dog
She afraid of you bite
You a bad dog

You don't come when she call
You a bad dog
She need love not growl
Bad, bad dog

No surprise how you arrive on one shit-list or another
She in pain 'cause you keep sayin she a bitch just like your mother!

You lie down with a stray
Bad dog
Bloody hound
You gonna pay
Bad, bad, bad dog

You don't come when she call
You a bad dog
She need lovin not growl
Bad, bad dog

Bad Dog (AI with my Lyrics)

Tomorrow Man

There's always time to run amok
Never time to clean it up
Treat the world like it's a garbage dump
Elect a clown like Donald Trump !
Liquid waste and toxic fumes
Floating 'round our living rooms
But if ever things get out of hand
Remember there's "Tomorrow Man"!

Tomorrow Man
He'll understand
Tomorrow Man
He'll make a plan
Why deal with what Today demands?
Just leave it for tomorrow, man!

Borrow money, grab some cash
Tomorrow Man will pay it back!
Pile your refuse ten feet high
Tomorrow Man will make it right!
To hell with peace, let's start a war
Tomorrow Man he'll get it sorted
And when this planet goes to trash
We all know who will save its ass:

Tomorrow Man
He'll understand
Tomorrow Man
He'll have a plan
Why deal with what Today demands?
No, leave it for tomorrow, man!

{br}
Tomorrow Man is waiting 'round the bend
He'll solve all of our problems, he's our friend
They say he's standing by to help the cause
Right next to the Tooth Fairy and dear ol' Santa Claus!
(So we'll never have to fuss)

Tomorrow Man
He'll understand
Tomorrow Man
He'll make a plan
Don't clean that mess, don't soil your hands
Leave it for tomorrow, man!

Don't clean that mess, don't soil your hands
Leave it for  tomorrow, man!

Tomorrow Man

Lyrics - Jack Deremiah
Music - Paul Tarle
Production - Suno AI

A fragrance in the atmosphere
A scent that tells me you were here
And in that breath, I see it clear
I suppose
I should trust my nose
Breathe in everything of you

Someone laughing just like you
In that funny way you do
So I tell a joke or two
Just to hear
You in my ears
Persuing everything of you

Every moonlight and cloudless blue
They bring back you
Bring back you

A falling star, I close my eyes
Cause I have everything I need
I bid my wishes all goodbye
It will be
The job for me
Being everything of you

When bluebirds gather in early dawn
For each and every morning song
They know I’d rather
Stop... to sing-along
..to sing-along

When I take your arm in mine
And you take my breath away
I smell your hair a thousand times
I never will
Get my fill
I need everything of you
I need everything of you

Everything Of You (AI cover) (Lyrics - Jack Deremiah)

Everybody's Gone

I pulled up obituaries on my little phone
Scrollin thru for names of folks I used to know
Ragged yearbook on my table showed my grade nine class
Every face was now encircled to the second last..

There she was - old Betty Harper - she just made the list
I picked up the magic marker that I use for this
When I drew the line around her things were near complete
Now the only one not circled was a teen-aged me

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I don't understand is
Everybody's gone - but me.

Early days there weren't too many that you'd see appear
A sudden illness, accident, maybe drank too much beer
But lately they're repeating like a beating drum
And the ink in my old felt pen's nearly running out

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I don't understand is
Everybody's gone - but me.

[bridge]
I look so young
So innocent
Shyly smiling
For the camera
My caption says:
"Likely to live the longest"

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I don't understand is
Everybody's gone - but me.

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I'll never understand is..
 
Everybody's gone - but me.
Everybody's gone - but me.
Everybody's gone..  but...
Me.

Everybody'sGone (AI Cover of my Song)

Santa, Come Down

On Christmas Eve, when Santa leaves
With little time to spare
His sleigh's so full, it's hard to pull it
Way up in the air

Santa, come down
Santa, come down
Santa, make us a stop on your flight
Santa, come down
Santa, come down
Santa, come down the chimney tonight!

It hard to breathe, at 10,000 feet
As around the world they bound
But the reindeer get to catch their breath
Each time they touch the ground

Santa, come down
Santa, come down
Santa, make us a stop on your flight
Santa, come down
Santa, come down
Santa, come down the chimney tonight!

Santa, come down
Santa, come down
Santa, make another stop on your flight
Santa, come down
Santa, come down
Santa, come down the chimney tonight!

Santa, come down the chimney
Won't you come down the chimney?
Santa, come down the chimney tonight!!

Santa, Come Down

Life is a Song

When you sit on the porch in the evening
And the sky is a blanket of stars
Do you think on the things you believe in?
Do you wonder who you really are?

When you open your eyes in the morning
As the sun introduces the day
Are you stokin' your fame and your fortune?
Are you acting a part in a play?

Somebody told me that life is a song
Chorus and verse and you're done
But look down the Paige, there's a new one begun
She'll find her place to have fun, 
In the sun..

Somebody told me that life is a song
Chorus and verse and you're done
But look down the Paige, there's a new one begun
She'll find her place to have fun, 
In the sun..

When you sit on the porch in the evening
And the sky is a blanket of stars
Do you think on the things you believe in?
Do you wonder who you really are?

Life Is a Song

Do you remember the days of the stone-faced pioneers?
They were fightin' the land and the cold wind year after year
But their legend lingers on
And it's there for us all to see
'cause it's not what you get, it's what you leave

Do you remember the time when your dinner wasn't bought in a store?
But it was ready to eat at the minute you walked in the door
And the people laboured on
As they tried to make ends meet
And  it's not what you get, it's what you leave

Oh you covet the world like a dog with a bone
But your legacy is the thing that you can't own

break

Do you remember the days when your grandparents rocked in their chair?
And you knew they had it so hard, but they just didn't care
The love you saw in their eyes
For new additions to the family
It's not what you get, it's what you leave

No, it's not what you get, it's what you leave
Oh, it's not what you get, it's what you leave

It's What You Leave

All I Want in This World
Copyright 2015 Tennyson Road Music

My whole life is a puzzle
That's been missing a piece
Then you came into the frame
And you made my heart beat...
Slip this ring on your finger
Make my picture complete
All I want in this world
Is for you to love me

I don't want to be famous
I don't want to be rich
No, those things are over-rated
They don't make my heart tick ..
So say "I will" to my proposal
While I'm down on one knee
All I want in this world
Is for you to love me

You turn me on with your kisses
You fire me up with your love
And every morning drive me senseless
When I feel your heart throb..
I'll do my best so I can get you
Anything that you need
But all I want in this world
Is for you to love me

I'll never be rich and famous
I'll never be Donald Trump
No, those things are over-rated
They don't make my heart thump ..
So take my hand and let's go dancing
To our own symphony
All I want in this world
Is for you to love me

Take my hand, we'll go dancing
To our own symphony
All I want in this world
Is for you to love me


All I Want in This World

How many times does she have to hurt you
Before you get it through your head?
How many hazy nights, how many crazy fights
Where she left you there for dead?
How many times do we have to divert you?
How many bars, how many beers?

To see a love like that can only end in tears
A love like that can only end in tears

Oh you think that it's not an act and she really loves you - she don't
And you think someday she gonna tell you she really cares - she won't
And you hope when she puts her evil arms around you
It shows you got a lovin' bond but it just ain't there!

How many times do I have to alert you?
Her love is not what it appears
And a love like that can only end in tears
Hey, hey a love like that can only end in tears

solo

How many times will she try to pervert you?
No, she's not what she appears
And a love like that can only end in tears
Yeah, a love like that can only end in tears

A Love Like That

The Wilnot brothers will not go home
They always stick around
When the watering hole is closed
Tell them once
Tell them twice
Tell them thrice
(But that won't suffice)
The Wilnot brothers will not go home

The Wilnot brothers will not comply
You think they'd take the hint
When you give the place a wipe
Tell them once
Tell them twice
Tell them nice
(But that won't suffice)
The Wilnot brothers will not go home

[solo]

Tell them once
Tell them twice
Tell them nice
That won't suffice!
The Wilnot brothers will not go home

Yeah, they like to raise a stink 
And they like to hang around
They're bigger than you think
And they're never going down..
down..
down..

Tell them once
Tell them twice
Tell them thrice
That won't suffice!

Tell them once
Tell them twice
Treat them nice
But Jesus Christ!

The Wilnot brothers will not go
The Wilnot brothers will not go
The Wilnot brothers will not go
The Wilnot brothers will not go home!

The Wilnot Brothers

She was a wonderful girl
The pinnacle of my world
We were enjoying a day at the fair
He chose a moment when I wasn't there

He told her I was no good
He dragged my name through the mire
Just when I thought she was falling for me
That's when she fell for his lies

I saw them get on a ride
The sight of her by his side
Had to believe that she never could know
What it did to my pride

Pretty soon they had gone
They left me standing alone
Just when I thought she was falling for me
That's when she fell for his con

Now a lie is young and polished
We make believe that is true
The truth is old and honest
But it's really hard to prove

Just when I thought she was falling for me
That's when she fell for his lies

I hoped and I prayed she was falling for me
Instead she fell for his lies




His Lies

Everybody's Gone

I pulled up obituaries on my little phone
Scrollin thru for names of folks I used to know
Ragged yearbook on my table showed my grade nine class
Every face was now encircled to the second last..

There she was - old Betty Harper - she just made the list
Picked up the magic marker that I use for this
When I drew the line around her things were near complete
Now the only one not circled was a teen-aged me

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I don't understand is
Everybody's gone - but me.

Early days there weren't too many that you'd see appear
A sudden illness, accident, maybe drank too much beer
But lately they're repeating like a beating drum
And the ink in my old felt pen's nearly running out

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I don't understand is
Everybody's gone - but me.

[bridge]
I look so young
So innocent
Smiling shyly for the camera
Caption says:
"Likely to live FOREVER "the longest"

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I don't understand is
Everybody's gone - but me.

Everybody's gone - I'm the last one standing
Everybody's gone - Every woman and man is
Everybody's gone - What I'll never understand is..
 
Everybody's gone - but me.
Everybody's gone - but me.
Everybody's gone..  but...
Me.

Everybody's Gone

I'll Make it up to You

Damn This Field
Copyright 2016 Tennyson Road Music

Damn this field!
Ploughing is rough
In this wind, in this dust

Damn you, field!
You never offered a crop
Worth this work and this fuss

Hold on, Bess!
Don't hurt yourself!
Ten furrows left
Won't be long now
We'll unhook this plow

Curse this land!
For burning these hands,
Sticking knives in my knees

Curse you, land!
If it's pain you demand
You should be righteously pleased

Woah there, Jess
My God you sweat!
Just eight rows left
Won't be long now
You'll get some rest...

...........

Damn this field
For taking Pa
Still see him slumped over

And for muffling the shout
Of his heart giving out
In the weeds in your corner

Woah there girls
Don't go down in these furrows
Just six rows left
Won't be long now
You'll get your rest...

Damn you, field!
You never upheld
Your end of the bargain

Damn you to hell!
Next to nothing to sell
Come the freezing this Autumn

Hold on Bess
It's not you I address
It won't be long now
No, it won't be long now
We'll get you some rest
We'll get you some rest... 

Damn This Field

The Shape Of You

The trial was well underway
Each side had been pleading its case
But the Lie had convinced them
And no-one would listen
When the Truth came stumbling in

The Lie had arrived by Ferrari
The Truth - charact'ristic'ly tardy
So the Lie had the show
Wrapped up with a bow
When the Truth wandered into the party

Now, the Lie was as sharp as a dagger
And he spoke with a confident swagger
With his mirrors and smoke
The jury was stoked
To believe him ahead of that laggard

The Truth, to the murmurs of laughter
Had the facts stacked up to the rafters
Then she took her sweet time
Crossing T's, dotting  I's
But the crowd wanted out of there faster

Yeah, the crowd wanted out of there faster

When you sit in your chair in the evenin'
And you're glued to the news of the nation
Well, your judgement should wait
'Cause the Truth will be late
Awww, you're just going to have to be patient!

Yeah, she's bound to be late
So you'll just have to wait
For the the Truth to come
Stumbling..
Bumbling..
Grumbling..
Until the Truth comes stumbling in!

The Truth Comes Stumbling In

I'd like to call your heart to testify
No need to swear her in - she'd never lie
I only have one question
And I count on her reply

Who loves you?
I do

Love is such a game of hide-and-seek
Our eyes are blind to things our hearts can see
If I'm allowed my question
She can solve this mystery

Who loves you?
I do

Asked and answered!
How can this trial proceed?
Asked and answered!
We must let this witness speak!
Let her speak!!

Who loves you?

"You do"

Who Loves You?

Lyrics: Neal Klassen
Vocals: Barb Klassen
Music: PaulCanuck (a.k.a. Paul Tarle)

Too Many Men

Holbrook Nebraska, nineteen thirty-one
Dust-beaten fields in the withering sun
The Speakeasy’s busy when the corn ain’t growin’
And too many men leave too many women all alone

Sweat stained nights and hard bitten days
Rumours of work down Arkansas way
It’s five weeks out, then four days home
Too many men leave too many women all alone

But the floor needs sweeping and the hens need keeping
And there’s wood needs splittin’ in the shed
Now, children stop cyrin ‘cause mama’s busy fryin’
Flour dough to keep your bellies fed

California called him, but the mail must be slow
His letters stopped coming six months ago
I’m minding the nest ‘cause Papa-bird’s flown
Too many men leave too many all alone

I’m minding the nest ‘cause Papa-bird’s flown
Too many men leave too many heartaches at home

Too Many Men - collab with Neal K. featuring Barb on vocals

Au revoir, mon ami, au revoir
Au revoir to the nights when we set the world on fire
I'll try to get by without your light in my life
Au revoir, mon ami, au revoir

Goodbye my dear friend goodbye
Goodbye to the nights when we laughed until we cried
I'll try to get by without your light in my life
Goodbye my dear friend goodbye

Au revoir, mon ami, au revoir
Au revoir to the times when we set the world on fire
I'll try to survive without your light in my life
Au revoir, mon ami
Au revoir, mon ami
Au revoir, mon ami
Goodbye.

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