Writing Credit (demo 10 - 7 - 2021)

HONEY TRAP
(Words and music by E.P. Schwartz)

Behind her back the whole town
called her Honey Trap
because everyone in town
thought they knew
she was curvy, ginger and gorgeous
and they thought they had it right
but no one in town had a God damn clue

She worked five nights a week
at Minnie's Diner
where all the wives in town
did not approve
they thought she had designs
on their husbands
but their husbands weren't the flavor
that made her swoon

Honey Trap liked the ladies on the square
the way their gingham dresses moved in the air
it was 1959
Honey Trap was biding her time
until she climbed on that bus
and rode somewhere

The years went by 
and there was always something
that seemed to keep Honey Trap there
Her dad would get sick
she'd cover the mortgage
a doctor's bill or 
a car repair

Honey Trap watched the ladies on the square
the way their mini skirts moved in the air
it was 1969
Honey Trap spent her time
knowing she'd never get out of there

The whispers behind her back 
had long since changed
"Why'd she never marry
she's still pretty for her age"
No one in town even
remembered anymore
why they called her Honey Trap
all those years before

The whole town seemed to move
out to the bypass
Minnie's was only open now
'til noon
Her father long gone
then one day while mowing the lawn
Honey Trap knew what she should do

She finally sold the house and 
bought a ticket
Greenwich Village called her name
she'd make up for lost time
leave Honey Trap behind
say goodbye to the town and all the shame

They watched Honey Trap cross the square
they watched her graying red blow in the air
it was 1989
she would be herself
while she had time
she climbed on that bus
and got out of there.

Honey Trap Demo (11 11 2021)

SUNDOWN GROCERY
(words and music by E.P. Schwartz)

Out past the water tower
and the high school football lights
not far from the county line
where the wind turbines rise
open from dawn to dusk
the old neon light still glows
"Welcome to Sundown Grocery
the last stop on your way home."

They've still got quarter candy
for the kids by the door
they make single serving meals
for folks who don't need much more
the keep the coffee brewing
all through the day
and the air smells of fresh baked bread
if you're driving out that way

After dark when Sundown Grocery
closes for the night
across the shadowy cornfields
you can see the pale light
of the freeway and the stripmalls
and the corporate megastore
creeping across the landscape
every year a little more

The guys from the VFW Hall
are there early and bright
for a paper and a cup
and a cruller, don't tell the wife
And while jawing with the checkout girl
They tell the same jokes every day
Then they head for the door
and give the manager a wave

YOu can get a dozen eggs
from a farm up the road
sweet deal on some sweet corn
from a guy everybody know
"I hear they're talking about sushi now
man, don't that beat all"
We'll have them apple cider doughnuts
later in the fall 

(CHORUS)

In '82 they closed a stretch
while the city dug a new well
in '96 a twister came 
and blew the roof to hell
but the little store is still standing
doors open every day
except Thanksgiving and Christmas
but folks think that's okay

Out past the water tower
and the high school football lights
not far from the county line
where the wind turbines rise
open from dawn to dusk
the old neon light still glows
"Welcome to Sundown Grocery
the last stop on your way home."

Sundown Grocery (demo 11 -14 - 2021)

Tryin' to be a good
twenty first century man
reading the room
doing everything I can
So I get disappointed 
when those feelings come around

I have to ghost the beast
and stand my ground

It's my job to keep
my thoughts and hands to myself
to tame my word and urges
and anything else
so if my Ape-Lights flicker
I have to go where I won't be found

I have to ghost the beast
and stand my ground

it's not a priviledged, misogynistic quip
it's not a sarcastic, passive-aggressive trip
I swear from the bottom of the bottom
I mean every little bit

So wear what you want
lead the life you want to lead
I might steal a glance
but that's all you get from me
but you don't need my permission
so I'll go find some sand to pound

while I ghost the beast
and stand my ground

SchwartzDevelopment