Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

While pondering what can’t be seen
It gradually came to me
We keep company
As parts of everything

Drawn to a time and a place
Reserved for the moment that we
Eventually play
Our part in everything

A puzzle piece to everything
One to another we fit
Not merely astray alone adrift
But together all parts of this

Calendars sundials and clocks
Measure the time that we’ve got
As we leave our mark
When we’re here and when we’re not

A puzzle piece to everything
One to another we fit
Not merely astray alone adrift
But together all parts of this

Collectively we’re limitless
An arrangement that we can’t resist
From beginning of time
Essentially we’re meant to fit

Then happily
All parts of everything

Parts Of Everything

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

A young chimpanzee
Sitting by a palm tree
Thinking about supper time

Up in the tree
A bunch of coconuts
But he’s scared of heights

Here comes a monkey
With a long reach
Typical monkey arms

Our chimpanzee’s
Opportunity
Time for primate charm

Gave the monkey his biggest smile
Let’s have coconut - you and me pal
You climb up - shake ‘em loose
I’ll pick ‘em up and carry ‘em too
For me and you

The friendly monkey’s
Always hungry
And did not think twice

Quick as a wink
He scurried up
They’d have coconut tonight

Soon the monkey was way up high
Droppin’ coconuts - left and right
The chimp‘s on the ground - picking ‘em up
Put ‘em in a sack and then ran off
With the coconuts

Our dear monkey
Thought it funny
But the chimp would not

What came next
The chimp would catch
A bad case of the trots

Coconuts he ate were green
With consequences unforeseen
Late that night the chimp would be
Stuck on the seat - of his latrine

The chimpanzee
Swore off of coconuts
Wouldn’t have another one

The clever monkey
Pickin’  coconuts
For the chimp is done

Now he‘s got his own supply
For coconut shrimp and coconut pie
Coconut shakes and daiquiris
It’s all good for the clever monkey
Very clever indeed

Life So Far

Clever Monkey

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

Another day fades
And the year is nearly gone
Fall surrenders
The winter solstice has begun

The ground is hard as iron
And the river turned to stone
Outside I stir the fire
Study shadows as they grow

They jump across a sleeping landscape
Play pantomime among the trees
I join the game to guess their secrets

While all around me
All around me
Are the stars

All around me
Yes all around me
Are the stars

As the flames die
The dark pushes back the light
When fire burns to coal
The shadows slip into the night

Winter’s spell is cast at twilight
Shifting light from orange to blue
To lavender that ends in darkness

Now all around me
All around me
Are the stars

All around me
All around me
Are the stars

All around me
They keep me company
All the stars
All the stars

All Around Me

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

They’re filled with questions
An endless procession
Anxiously standing at heaven’s gate

They’re always surprised
You see it in their eyes
The bravest ones don’t look away

And the angels sing
From inside the gates

Some are better prepared
From a life of love and care
And comfort others while they wait

Many are fearful and unsure
From disappointments they endured
And the missteps along the way

In every case
Recounting their worst days
Each acknowledge their part in full

Seeking restoration
Of their reputation
And the reclamation of their soul

And the angels sing
From inside the gates

A songwriter stands apart
A practitioner of the art
Embracing the moment before it’s gone

And one more time
Pushing fear aside
This rare soul gave us a song

We followed along

And an angel said
Open the gates

Bring your songs
And welcome home
We’ll hear them all when we start

The celebration
Of your distinction
And the reclamation of our hearts

And the angels sing
We follow along

And The Angels Sing

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

All the the way to heaven
is heaven itself

Mom and Dad showed me
how to get there myself

A memory I treasure
one of many to tell

They said I would never
be alone on the way

If I was willing to share
what I could everyday

Even just a little smile
or a kind word to say

They taught me I’m not
in the world alone
Remember to share
the love I’ve known

Never forget
what they would do
If they had three
they’d give you two

If they had three
they’d give you two

All the way to heaven
is heaven itself

Mom and Dad told me
I could get there myself

I’ll always be grateful
for the lifetime they gave

I’ll be sure to thank them
when I get there some day

They taught me I’m not
in the world alone
Remember to share
the love I’ve known

Never forget
what they would do
If they had three
they’d give you two

If they had three
they’d give you two

They'd Give You Two

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

Long ago when I was ten
Another day at school began
Gramma - Grampa surprised me
Showed up at our spelling bee

They cheered when it was my turn
I got ’strolling’ for my word
I could spell ’strolling’ I was sure

Feeling confident I said
Stro-llin’
Though they laughed I tried again
Stro-llin’

Sorry but retake your seat
You left out the letter ‘G’
And we don’t take apostrophes

Heard snickering till we were done
I was dejected on our way home
Gramma - Grampa didn’t mind
They said be proud that I had tried

And to shake my misery
Think of all the fun there’d be
Doing stuff with apostrophes 

Like-
Runnin’  Taggin’
Throwin’  Catchin’
Hidin’  Seekin’
Over sleepin’

Movie watchin’
Huggin’  Kissin’
Grandpa proposin’
While we’re strollin’

Stro-llin’
Don’t need no ‘G’ at the end
Stro-llin’
How Gramma - Grampa’s love began

It’s a happy place that we come from
We know where to find our fun
There we just don’t pay no mind
How you spell a real good time

Like-
Campin’  Hikin’
Cookin’  Eatin’
Dancin’  Singin’
Rock & Rollin’

Dreamin’
Window shoppin’
Holdin’ Gramma’s hand
While we’re strollin’

Stro-llin’
We fall in love again and again
Stro-llin’
Led to l-o-v-i-n’
And you in the end

Gramma - Grampa sitting in a tree
K-i-s-s-i-n’  -  apostrophe

Strollin'

FYC 65th Grammy Awards
Best American Roots Song

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

Greetings from Paris France
Where your postcard said
Every day you see the Eiffel Tower

What you wrote on the other side
Details of your days and nights
I read again over many hours

You’re on the way to everywhere
And all the other places in between

You embrace the best of life
Your happiness is a thrill to me

You’re a delight
I think about you all the time

Got your card from Tokyo
I’m glad you decided to go
To the land of the rising sun

What you wrote on the inside
Details of what it was like
I was fascinated with what you found

Out there are places where
Your dreams are not beyond your reach

You’re living your best life
To be everything that you can be

You’re a delight
I think about you all the time

With a post mark from New York
The hand writing I know is yours
An invitation has arrived

Greetings from my new home
Come on up share a meal with me

And it’s signed
I think about you all the time

Greetings

FYC 65th Grammy Awards
Best American Roots Performance

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

The fortune cookie said
I could be what I want
But it didn’t say when

Before I get that break
I’ll just make
My own luck till then

Persistence on my part
Is necessary to what
I‘ve been doing with
My life so far

Fortunes are fine
Especially the kind
That make you think

They can just be fun
But this was one
That inspired me

An unexpected start
That would lead  to what
I’ve been doing with
My life so far

What’s more human
To want to be something else
I take my chances
To reinvent myself

Thru everything I’ve been
So determined to spend
The time given to me
To choose carefully
My path so far
That’s how I got this far

I’ve come to know
That the future holds
Not only dreams

And along the way
Life doesn’t have to just
Happen to me

I get to do my part
It’s fundamental to what
I’ve been doing with
My life so far
 
What’s more human
To try to be something else
As long as I’m living
While I can I might as well

I’ve come so far
In my life so far

My Life So Far

Album: Life So Far
FYC 65th Grammys
Best Folk Album

Baby say maybe
To the proposition that I make

Darling let’s get started
Get to know each other’s ways

Don’t miss out
Forget your doubt
Take a chance
you won’t regret

Just cut loose 
What you got to lose
A new adventure’s what we’ll get
This could be the best one yet

Baby just maybe
We could investigate this thing

Honey we should probably
Celebrate this feeling

Come on let go
For all you know
This could be a dream come true
What comes next is up to you

Baby, say maybe
To the invitation that I made

Don’t miss out, forget your doubt
Take a chance you won’t regret

Just cut loose 
What you got to lose
A new adventure’s what we’ll get
This could be the best one yet

Baby just say maybe
Baby say maybe

Say Maybe

FYC 65th Grammy Awards
American Roots Performance

Album - Life So Far

The party was over
The night was done
You know you can only
Have so much fun

It was time to go
We were dismissed
Left with a new girl
Who I couldn’t resist

I studied her to get a clue
For a sign to make my move

But I saw it coming
It was crystal clear
She was gonna leave me
Just standing there

She put on her coat
Made up her mind
Still gave me a wink
For maybe next time

Dedicated I was not thru
I decided what I should do

I said just a minute
If you gotta go
Take your time
And walk away slow

She liked that idea
And to let me know
She flipped her hair
Then walked away slow

She made her exit
I’m glad we met
But what I got
Was all I was gonna get

Captivating she put on a show
Infatuated I watched her go

She did us all a favor
And walked away slow

Look at you go girl
Just go slow

Walk Away Slow

Fa la-la
Fa-da-la Fa-da-la la la
Fa la-la la la

I’m usually grumpy
But just ignore me
I’m rarely friendly
But then comes Christmas Day
You’ll like me on Christmas Day

I don’t talk to neighbors
Goes against my nature
Don’t ask for a favor
Except on Christmas Day
But only on Christmas Day

Other days don’t be knocking
Don’t stop by - keep walking
I’m the mean guy on the block
Keep your leaves off my lot
Kids keep off my grass
Except on Christmas Day

I got no how-do-you-do’s
No please or thank you’s
I’d rather argue
But not on Christmas Day
I got manners on Christmas Day

I don’t care to get together
With folks that would rather
Have parties - play games
Truth or Dare or Charades
I don’t like to sing songs
Except on Christmas Day

Fa la-la
Fa-da-la Fa-da-la la la
Fa la-la la la

I got a new ambition
To broaden my horizons
I’ll pick another day
Maybe Christmas Eve
You’ll like me on Christmas Eve

You’ll see I won’t be grouchy
I’ll be a lot more friendly
You won’t believe your eyes
I’ll be a different guy
You’ll catch me dancing
But only on Christmas Day
I’m foolish on Christmas Day
And maybe on New Year’s Eve
We’ll see

Fa la-la
Fa-da-la Fa-da-la la la
Fa la-la la la  Fa la-la la la

Only on Christmas Day

Only On Christmas Day

For your sweetheart and mine

Lyrics-
Waiting for a bus it started to rain
I was rescued when a girl next to me
Said her umbrella had lots of room underneath

We stood together caught in the storm
Lightning struck and she grabbed my arm
That was the moment etched into my memory

She’s beautiful on the outside
But what’s on the inside I love the most
Beautiful on the outside
But what’s on the inside I love the most

Rain blew sideways it wouldn’t let up
And chased us both into a restaurant
We spent hours enjoyed each other’s company	

She’s beautiful on the outside
But what’s on the inside I love the most
Beautiful on the outside
But what’s on the inside I love the most

A chance meeting if you’re open to it
Can change a life in every way
It happened to us in a single moment
Courtesy of the rain

We’ve been together since we found our way
To one another on a stormy day
That she made better with her generosity	

She’s beautiful on the outside
But what’s on the inside I love the most
Beautiful on the outside
But what’s on the inside I love the most
I love the most

14 Feb 2023

I Love the Most

Detroit summers on our block: shouts, friendly and otherwise, kids’ street games and music – always music.

Ten Buck Luck

Porches

Celebration of the jumping-off places that spur us into what’s next — even the last thing we may do.

One Step Away

Climbs and breathless drops followed by those great, flat places where you can just coast.

Winter’s spell cast from a long-ago dream:  Return to me, it’s cold tonight. Remember me, be warm tonight.

Snow Walk

In this lullaby
You get to be
All that you hope for
In all of your dreams

In this lullaby
You get to do
All that you wish tonight
Whatever you choose

Paint a big sky we haven’t seen yet
Splash it with colors we’ll never forget
In this lullaby

In this lullaby
You”ll find your best friend
A companion for life
Through thick and through thin

You’ll get to dance a brand-new step
And sing a song we haven’t heard yet
In this lullaby

In this lullaby
You get to see
The world as a better place
The way it could be

In this lullaby
There’s adventure for you
You’ll be surprised
At what you can do

Fly to the moon where you can see
All of the stars within your reach
You’ll hear me call, hey wait for me
In this lullaby

In this lullaby

In this lullaby

10/30/2018

In This Lullaby

To all of our kids – even when they gang up on us.

When you were small
I was ten feet tall
a hero

We had forever then
to share our endless
tomorrows


Our time had just begun
life would be made of –
a little this, little that
do you remember that


Life went up and down
what we tried
we did together

We did our best
the world did the rest
thru tears and laughter


Your childhood has come and gone
life is still made of –
a little this, little that


Close my eyes I see us way back when
If I could I’d do it all again

Interlude

Now you’re grown, it’s just begun
life will be made of –
a little this, little that
remember that


If we could I’d do it all again


You have forever now
to spend your endless
tomorrows

You’re no longer small
you’re ten feet tall
a hero –

doing this and that
a little this, little that
little this, little that

Little This, Little That

What's more human than wanting to be something else? A Dream's Enough.

Lyrics:

If your life’s no fun – That can be fixed
Take a little step back – Make room for what’s next

You can turn around the day – And see it another way
Just remember you can fix it like this

When the going gets tough – A new dream’s enough
If it all falls apart – A new dream can start

If your days a dud – there’s an answer for that
Just take a deep breath – Then take the day back

You can rescue the day – And feel a different way
Just remember you can fix it like this

When the going gets tough – A new dream’s enough
If it all falls apart – A new dream can start

Now imagine how far – You can get
Every leap of faith – Takes a first step

One step before the other – One after another
Just remember to continue like this

When the going gets tough – A new dream’s enough
If it all falls apart – A new dream can start

A new dream can start – Your new dream can start

A Dream's Enough

Most of our luck has snuck up on us, and some has been patient. Years ago my wife gave me a ten dollar guitar. After half a lifetime I found it again.

Ron Collins

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