Video:  http://youtu.be/onjXoooLLGA

(written by:  David Rangel and JT Lawton)

Lyrics:  Died Pretty

Amy / lives on / permanent in time / the deep depths / took her young life / she always loved to swim out far / Marigolds / riding the waves / miles out from the coastline / A bell tolls Sunday on a far off breeze / she's keeping protection / protection of me / you and me / It's permanent now / child of the water / I wish I'd known how / you turned out / a writer / or a fool / Marigolds / riding the waves / miles out from the coastline / I hear your voice calling on a far off breeze / I feel your protection / Amy / Amy lives on / I see her in a storm / I have nightmares of the sea / Yeah I have nightmares of the sea / I have nightmares at the sea


Died Pretty

Even When Im Feeling Blue

Song I wrote for my mother who passed away. 

Dear Mother

Hey, Banjo
Words and music by John David Lawson

Hey banjo
Can you give me a happy tune
Isn't that what you do
If I could learn to play you
Would you tell truth?

I could whistle
Toot on a pennyflute
Strum two chords on a uke
Maybe those things would sound cute
If they weren't so cruel

My piano 
Gathers dust in the studio
Harmonica just blows
Cello is far too mellow
Accordion bellows

Hey banjo 
Can you help me with my head
To write again, at least try
To forget what a friend had said
Hoping it was a lie

'Cause someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
Someone's in the kitchen ohh
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah
The rest you know

Hey banjo 
Guess I got played by you
Got taken in by your tune
And if I never hear five strings again
That would be too soon

-----

Credits:
Vocals, piano, guitar, banjo, harmonica, accordion - John David Lawson
Photo by Morgan Lane on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/wlY66otjq28

"Hey, Banjo", music and lyrics © 2023 John David Lawson. All rights reserved.

Hey, Banjo

A Better Man
LYRICS-Donnie Ray Perry/Bob Mouat
MUSIC -Bob Mouat 

We're all branded early in our lifetimes
We’ve got memories and scars that never fade
All the bad things seem to happen at the worst times
And we’re haunted by mistakes we’ve made 
DNA and fate control our chances
Tragedies and pain shape who we are
Destiny is just a series of glances
How come what's so near can seem so far 

The man I am, ain't the man I was
The one you see, ain’t me because 
I’m changing everything that I can, to be a better man 

I blamed my dad for all that happened 
And sure as hell he blamed his old man too 
So I guess it means we’ve got a lot in common
Way much my more than either of us knew 
Cause his hurt him, and he hurt me, and I've hurt mine and honestly,
Is this some stupid scene all men go through 

Cause the man I am, ain't the man I was
The one you see, ain’t me because 
I’m changing everything that I can, to be a better man 

I’ll embrace my past, fix my mistakes
Open up the door and let ‘em in
I know I’ve got to do, whatever it takes
I can’t let history, repeat again 

The man I am, ain't the man I was
The one you see, ain’t me because 
I’m changing everything that I can, to be a better man 
I’m changing everything that I can, to be a better man

A Better Man

I wrote this when my grandma had to go into a memory care facility.

Breckenridge

Our dog is getting on in age and has some health issues. She sleeps and sleeps and sleeps and sometimes has little micro-seizures. She won't be around forever, and when her time comes, I hope she will pass at home, in her sleep. "Our Dog." Written and performed by John David Lawson.

Our dog sleeps and sleeps and sleeps 
all day long under the sun
I pray the Lord her soul to keep 
until her doggie days are done.

Our dog lies around all day, 
wags her tail and chases squirrels away, 
opens her eyes once in while 
but she's only half awake.

Ahh and I'm trying really hard, that's for sure
to keep my eyes from crying over her
but I've finally come to knowin'
can't stop the ones you love from goin'

Outside, puppies on the street
tumble playfully with one another
waiting to come in for a treat
and one last time, to see their mother

Ahh we will miss her when she's gone, that's for sure
I guess not so very long is left for her
Our dog sleeps and sleeps and sleeps
Lord, I hope she sleeps in peace
Our dog

Credits:
Guitar, synth and vocals - John David Lawson

Our Dog

Runner Up

When You Come Around Here Mix

The System Lights is a guitar-oriented mixture of atmospheric British and American influenced music. Lyrics are taken from shelves of classic and obscure literature as well as this thing called reality. Moody vocals and blistering, effects laden - as well bare bones - guitar, are part of this concoction that walks the line between obscure indie and commercial radio rock and roll. We love life. Shine on. 

Died Pretty

TheSystemLights

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