If You Ever Go Away

[This is our first "fully" produced song. I wrote the chords for the chorus first -which I REALLY liked - and the words for the chorus just came naturally. I then added the verses. Kind of a folk-rock feel. -VC]

If You Ever Go Away

Can you tell me 
Who my love could be? 
It's more than you should know, 
Or what it means to me. 

Would you stay 
When I ask of you 
To listen 'til I'm through 
Saying what this could mean? 

Can I ask you something? 
I really need to know today. 
Can you tell me what I should do 
If you ever go away?

I'm sorry-
If I scared you so. 
I didn't mean to be 
So high when you were low. 

'Cos it's you-
You I want to be near. 
All the while you're here 
And even when we go! 

Can I tell you one thing? 
One thing I need to say? 
Tell me what should I do 
If you ever go away!

If you ever go away. 
---
[image "Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind(detail)" by John Everett Millais
(License: Public Domain)]



If You Ever Go Away

Let It Go
[I wanted to break away from writing only love songs, and intended this to be simply about casting off things that cause pain in your life....But somehow a love theme made it into the chorus...Oh, Well! BTW Written BEFORE the well known 'Frozen' song of the same name, but AFTER the less well known Def Leppard song of the same name!-VC]

Let it Go

So you say that your life is such a drag.
Work all day, turn around go home again.
You need to know - 
How to let it go.

When you see that the world has gone insane.
All the while that you're going down in flames.
It's time to know-
You gotta let it go.

Is it really that hard to see 
When you gaze into your own soul
How to set it free?
Are you really that far from love?
So far that I can't begin to hope to hold you near to me?

Guess that all along I knew you hurt so bad.
All I can say is "Here's my love...And please don't let it go!"
---
[image: "Ringelreihen" by Franz von Stuck
(License: Public Domain)]

Let It Go

Pretty Girls
[The original version of this song was written as a piano piece many years ago when I was a young man as a joke on a friend of mine who complained about the overuse of the Cm-Eb-Bb-Cm chord progression in the popular music of the time....So of course I wrote for her a tune that ONLY used those chords...at least for the verse. Considering its genesis, I really like the way this song turned out. It is very dreamy and transporting. Please notice that the original piano part has been retained for the opening bars of this song.-VC]

Pretty Girls

You say you want to know when - 
Know when they lie, yeah.
I'll tell you what you want to know, then - 
If you won't think of me unkind.

You say you want to know when - 
Know when they lie, yeah.
I'll tell you what you want to know. When - 
They say they love you for your mind.

You say you want to know when - 
Know when they lie, yeah.
I'll tell you what you want to know, then - 
If you won't think of me unkind.

You say you want to know when - 
Know when they lie, yeah.
I'll tell you what you want to know. When - 
They say they'll want you for all time.

And you know that I love you.
I love pretty girls.
And you know I can't think of a thing to say -
In defense.
Yes, I want you
I want pretty girls.
And you know I can't think of a thing all day
But pretty girls.
I love you pretty girls.
---
[image  "My Wife and Daughters in the Garden(detail)" by Joaquín Sorolla 
(License: C0 Public Domain)]


Pretty Girls

Give It All You've Got

He claims that times are bad. 
And says things are getting tough.
And somehow this is all our fault. - Seems
We're not working hard enough.

The man paid for the privilege of walking all over you-
But he didn't figure on paying 
Quite so much and quite so soon--

Give it all you've got!
Give it all you have!
We believe in you and in your dream. 
Give it your best shot!
Show you want it bad!
We can see it too, that's all we need.

You say you're looking toward a better day?
That day will come my friend, I promise you.
A wise man told us once- 
"We have nothing, nothing to fear."
Brothers and sisters together we stand
And suddenly that day is here! 

Give it all you've got!
Give it all you have!
We believe in you and in your dream.
Give it your best shot!
Show you want it bad!
We can see it too, that's all we need.

You say that you could use a red-letter day?
That day is here my friend, I promise you. 
A wise man told us once-
"It will all, all end in tears."
The tears will all be theirs,
While we are shouting far and near: 

Give it all you've got!
Give it all you have!
We believe in you and in your dream.
Give it your best shot!
Show you want it bad!
We can see it too, that's all we need.

Give It All You've Got

Maybe Things Are Better This Way
[Remembering those who lost their lives in New York in September of 2001, their families and what has transpired since, and acknowledging those who have served.-VC]


Maybe Thing Are Better This Way

You will never know my name.
I won't pretend to know your pain.
Maybe things are better this way.

There is truly no relief.
But what we have is the firm belief
That maybe things are better this way.
Maybe things are better this way today.

They will feel all your love today.
We will need all your love today.

Silent wings in darkness deep.
May Day flowers woven in a wreath.
Maybe things are better this way.

We will never be the same.
Much was lost, but some was gained.
Maybe things are better this way.
Maybe things are better this way today.

They will need all your love today.
They will feel all your love today.
---
image courtesy of U.S. Navy

Maybe Things Are Better

Maybe Things Are Better This Way

The Sun-Warm Sand

[This surf rock tune is probably the most complicated song from a production standpoint I have done to date. The story line is based on a true event, as told to me years ago by a friend.-VC]

The Sun-Warm Sand

On the beach she is walking
I better do some talking
I run over near her to say something that is shocking, shocking!

Glad I caught up with you.
Saw your silhouette against the star-lit surf.
Our days here are few - And you should know
I've been really trying to get to see you all alone.

Your head will soon be spinning.
Your love I will be winning.
You can blame it on the sun-warm sand.

You'll soon be feeling better.
Explain it to him later.
I'm sure that he will understand.

Her fiance put on pressure.
But didn't take her full measure.
Her girl-friends, they all promised him an innocent adventure!

I brought this flower for you.
Not quite as nice as the rock I saw you wearing.
My resources are few, But now you know. Take this
Star-filled diamond sky tonight from me alone.

Your head will soon be spinning.
Your love I will be winning.
You can blame it on the sun-warm sand.

You're friends are all good-lookin'. 
But only girls, not women.
So come on, Honey, take my hand.

Your friends all went to a movie
But you were feeling kinda' moody
And told them you'd rather stay behind.

A long walk in the sunset
That took you by the bungalow I rent.
So now you are by my side.

"Future Hubby" couldn't be colder.
When she left from Minnesota.
And now there is no one here 
To stop us when I hold her, hold her!

Your head will soon be spinning.
Your love I will be winning.
You can blame it on the sun-warm sand.
You'll soon be feeling better.
Explain it to him later.
I'm sure that he will understand.

---
[image: "Paseo a la Orillas del Mar" by Joaquin Sorolla
(License: Public Domain)]



The Sun-Warm Sand

Rockin' "A"

[Conceived as an instumental work, I wanted this to be a simple message of joy, declaring "It's good to be alive!". I decided to add lyrics to further move this feeling to the listener. The song's name comes from the fact that -before words were added-I kept this song in a file of song ideas named generically "ROCK_A"-followed by ROCK_B, ROCK_C etc. -not knowing what the final title would be!-VC]

Rockin'-A!

Like a snow-fresh wind blows.
Like a young girl laughing and dancing her day away.
I want to see them there on that sun-filled month of early May.
Like a storm-swept summer.
Like a young boy running and tumbling in wild play.
Rockin'-A!

Snow fresh wind blows.
Girl on her way goes.
Young boy in wild play.
I gotta say - 
"Rockin'-A!"
---
[Image "The Dancing Lesson(detail)" by Thomas Cooper Gotch
(License:Public Domain)]




Rockin' A

When A Man Has Everything (Jan's Song)

[Dedicated to my wife. -VC]

When a Man has Everything (Jan's Song)

If I never knew another girl for all of my life,
I would never even think to say It's wrong.
No - No - No.
If I never knew another girl for all of my life.
You see the thing is - 
I've been waiting so long.

If I never had another girl to stand by my side,
I could never even think to say It's wrong.
No - No - No.
I don't really want another girl to stand by my side.
You see the thing is - 
It's no good when you're gone.

When a man has every thing that he could ever want
Suddenly someone - like you - walks right into his life
Just to show him how poor he is without you.
---
[image "Vanitas Still-life (detail)" by Evert Collier
(License: Public Domain)]



When A Man Has Everything

When A Man Has Everything (Jan's Song)

Piper

When I dream
About her - ten thousand times ev'ry day.
Then I sing
Softly
The music that is in her name.

Oh Piper will you play-
Play a tune just for me?
And Piper - Will you stay?
Don't run off
Just stay here with me.

When I climb
Upon the bright, wind-swept peaks in the sky.
There I find
Her 
Looking down, even higher than I.

Piper will you play?
Piper stay the same!
And play for me.

When life seems
That I shan't go on, not one more day.
Then I hear
Clearly
The music that lives in her name!

Oh Piper will you play-
Play a tune just for me?
And Piper - Will you stay?
Don't run off
Just stay here with me.

[image "The Procession of St. Agnes(detail)" by David Gauld 
(License:C0 Public Domain)]

Piper

STURGIS

I wove my way through the Badland Hills.
Just make a wrong turn - You will be there still.
They call them "Badlands" 'cos the lands are bad.
Ain't no reason - Just God's greater plan.
Ain't no earthly reason...Just God's greater plan.

I made my way through the California gold.
The girls are pretty there - Just like we was told.
They bake 'em brown in the sinnin' sun.
The only trouble is, I never got me one.
Only trouble is - Never got me one.

I had a thing to say, but no one heard it.
Guess I never really had much talent that way.
I'd rather strap on my spurs, slide m' boots in the stirrups.
Rather kick down my ride - Get on over to Sturgis.

I fought my way from the Jersey shore out East.
Man, it's city on top of city with no relief.
Folks there are slick and tend to be mean.
I'm glad to be shot of that big-city scene.
Yeah, glad to be done with that big-city scene.

Tore myself away from the deep-down Dixie South.
Hid away all winter in a sleepy river town.
They drink some dam' good liquor, Race okay cars.
Like to stay, but I gotta go far.
Would-a like to stay, but I gotta go Oh, so far.

I had a thing to say, but no one heard it.
Guess I never really had a gift that way.
I'd rather strap on my spurs, slide m' boots in the stirrups.
Rather kick down my ride - Get on over to Sturgis.

So I'm cruising along...Through the Badland hills
Hangin' on tight - A cocoa-buttered thrill.
They call them "Badlands", but they ain't so bad
With a little "Jack D" or "Fire Ball" at hand.
Just a little "Jack D"..."Fire Ball" close at hand.

I had a thing to say, but no one heard it.
Guess I never really was too good that way.
I'd rather strap on my spurs, slide m' boots in the stirrups.
Rather kick down my ride - Get on over to Sturgis.

I had a thing to say, but no one heard it.
Guess I never really had much talent that way.
I'd rather strap on my spurs, slide m' boots in the stirrups.
Rather kick down my ride - Get on over to Sturgis.

Sturgis

All Original...All Unique...All Vernon Corv!