Till The Morrow Comes I’m heading myself over to the poor boy’s shack I’m on a roll, it’s kind a hard to say when I’ll be back. Driving down the road, all those troubles in my wake with a bag of Eagan’s cheeseburgers and a big blueberry shake. Now don’t get in my way while this guitar squawks and hums I’m setting the world on fire till the morrow comes. I’m a slipping and a sliding mostly with the out-crowd scene as the planets all align and the streetlights are all green. I’ll be going, going, gone up and away across the state line, so just you stay up with me so we get there at the same time. I may be hanging with the deadbeats and all them southeastern bums but we are on a mission friend, till the morrow comes. I’m working hard to get this here surprise party underway, but that other guy with his shuck and jive, driving a lot a folks away. Not happy with him talking to my friends and sitting in my chair, he’ll need to know he’ll have to go as soon as I get there. We don’t need no negativity, it’s time to add up all the sums of thems that are and thems that ain’t, till the morrow comes. I’m hoping you got a good seat for the fireworks and the rest as the thunder and the lightning flashes from the east to west. Stakes are running higher now and the devil may care, when he sees me coming from behind, my gun loaded for bear. Ain’t no need to get excited when you hear them distant drums you got all the time in the world, or till the morrow comes.

Is Anybody There? He is up there, on a makeshift stage performing tunes he recently wrote. As he sings out the songs from his heart he feels every word, every note. With each new song, his eyes closed tight, as music and voice dance along when he’s done, he opens his eyes; to no applause, to no audience to hear his song. And he cries, “Can anybody hear me? Does anybody care? Am I out here all alone just singing to myself? Is anyone listening? Is anybody there? He is alone, perched on a stool in his room to record a track in the seventh place. As he works out a pleasing melody a certain smile crosses his face. And with each new track, he fills a void, as music and voice are complete; when it’s done, he listens again, and tears fill his eyes; it sounds so sweet. And he wonders, “Will anybody hear this? He wonders, will anybody care? Am I out there all alone just singing for myself? Is anyone listening? Is anybody there? Is anybody there?

I Just Got Paid Honey, throw that Casserole in the freezer, and cancel all the plans you’ve laid. Come on and put on your favorite dress, forget about the rest, we’re going out tonight, I just got paid. It’s been so long, since we’ve had money, seems like we’ll always scrimp and save. But for now we’re doing fine, and getting better all the time, lets’ have some fun tonight, cause I just got paid. We’ll fill up the back trunk with groceries, pay off those past bills we’ve made. Maybe, buy some new shoes, or we can fix the car’s blues, Ah, things are looking up tonight, I just got paid, Baby. We’ll get a piece of that American dream, and not have to hock, borrow or trade. We ain’t riding so high, but we are getting by, and feeling good tonight, I just got paid.

My Little Town It was years ago, I was passing through. That big city was calling, with so much to do, but I was here just for a while and I would be on my way. But that “just for a while” turned into a year, and I found myself connecting to here, as family and friends helped me to want to stay. Even though this place was growing on me other voices called telling me where I should be until one day as I stepped outside and looked around and it occurred to me, things have changed somehow and I was never more happy than I am now it felt good to be here, in my little town. My little town,… my little town. Walking downtown, amongst the small shops and stores I found a lot of what I needed was within their doors, still, cities to the north and south had more to give. But the different mindset here; life kind of easy and slow that you find yourself missing from, whenever you go, made me realize that here is where I wanted to live. I remember the rat race, going round and about, thinking back then, that someday I’d find a way out and as I’m looking at the mountains from a canoe out in the sound, I know things can seem better from the window of a bus but I think things have turned out for the better for us to be a part of this community in my little town. My little town,… my little town. Strolling down the street just feeling kind of good, stopping and going in the neighborhood, melding with the fall rain and the leaves turning brown. Friends smile and greet us as we take another turn, asking of our welfare with sweet, genuine concern, I’m thinking, life is good here, in my little town.

Her Faith Evening falls and she prepares and plans out her next day; what she’ll do or can, or should. She has miles left to go and trials she must face, so she prays that her choices will be good. With her kindness and love she works long and hard on the tasks she will see done. There are times she gets worn out in spirit and heart but her faith gives her hope to carry on. There are times that she feels she has all but fallen short after tolerance and patience are gone, so she’ll ask for more strength in a prayer to the Lord and her faith gives her hope to carry on. Deep inside she hurts with a pain that her family is falling away. And so she lives with a broken heart that her smile will not betray. Another day, another chance for her to do her right; she will offer her humble prayer at dawn, and as the words of the scriptures come to fill her with light her faith gives her hope to carry on,... Her faith gives her hope to carry on.

I Don’t Remember What was it that we were talking about? I can’t remember; I don’t remember. So I’m talking and in mid-sentence my mind starts to play, and suddenly, I won’t know what it was I was gonna say. And then, I can’t return to my train of thought. I stare back with a stupid, blank look on my face wondering if anyone’s noticed that I lost my place, or are they waiting for me to finish what I cannot. But I can’t seem to remember; I don’t remember. I walk into a room with a project underway, intent to do or find something to do today, but then, I don’t know what I’m standing there for. In search for signs or references, with an unease despair, but the general idea is gone; I don’t know why I’m there, I struggle for something deep within my mind’s core. And I can’t remember; I don’t remember. I worry parts are failing as I stare vacantly into space. Filled with apprehension, that I am slowly fading away; losing valuable thoughts and my precious self-control. I fear that someday I’ll wake up and look out at them and wonder who they are or even who I am. I fear to be a burden to my family as I spiral down that hole. And I can’t remember; I don’t remember. So many years of sentience to gradually leave behind, as something occurs to me and it’s on the edge of my mind, but I can’t seem to remember, I don’t remember No, I can’t remember; I don’t remember.

I Lean In They’re falling like flies all around me, and I’m worried; will I be next to go? I still haven’t done all the things I set out to, and there’s so much I still don’t know. Lately I been paying attention to the present Getting involved with friends and kin. Lately I been seizing the moment as it comes and as it does, I lean in. We only get so many days to live here on earth to be our own special one. Ain’t nobody knows when their time is up, it just happens and then it’s done. Lately I been seeing a whole new light; precious things without and within. Lately I been seeing life and myself in real time and as I do, I lean in. Lean in to get a closer view of what’s happening from the start. Lean in to get a better feel of the moment of the passion of the heart. I got me this whole new perspective thing going I try to stop and think before I react. I try to look from their way of thinking, not judge from limited hearsay facts. Lately I been thinking, my time is running out, and that’s okay; life is one big spin. It’s a time to be, a time to learn, a time to love so when I do; I lean in.

It Looks Like A Long Road Ahead When I was young, I thought by thirty three, I’d retire, kick back and live at ease. I passed that goal some years ago, working hard instead and it looks like a long road ahead. In my running years I figured out, that with a wife and kids I’d settle down. Now I can hardly keep them sheltered, clothed and fed, and it looks like a long road ahead. A long row to hoe, a long way to go, with no rest for the weary or the tired. Working hard to get so far behind in the red, and it looks like a long road ahead. I wrote these songs and polished them like pearls, for the time I’d sing them to the world. Still, no matter how many songs I write there is so much left to be said, and it looks like a long road ahead. I thought when I labored hard and I did my best, I’d advance this latter to success. But I ain’t going nowhere fast for this model life I’ve led, and it looks like a long road ahead, A long row to hoe, a long way to go, with no rest for the weary or the tired. Working hard to get so far behind instead, and it looks like a long road ahead. Yes it does! It looks like it’s a long road ahead.

No Patience So it’s stop and go on a construction road and I’m weaving on both sides of the road to see what’s happening beyond this huge semi that’s just creeping along in front of me. When I finally get to past him, I yell out the window “You idiot!” but my hat flies out into the street, so I have to jump out pick it up; my kids are looking out the window and I’m looking stupid; I got no patience. No patience. Standing in what I perceived was the shortest line at the grocery store, watching the longer line next to me move quickly down the floor so I move to that quicker line only to find I have to wait even more, and I groan and roll my eyes; obviously, I have no patience. No, no, I got no patience. Years ago I was led to believe that having kids would bring about more, but over the years I seem instead to be more aggravated than before. So there’s an old man with a walker at a crosswalk, and he’s making me wait as he inches along, smiling at me as if I’m happy to give him his space, but he doesn’t grasp; (well he doesn’t have to) that he’s making me and everybody behind me late. and I roll past as soon as I got room; and I’m unhappily, cause I got no patience. No, I got no patience. She say’s she’s almost ready; “Hey, we gotta hurry Hon, or we’ll be late for the show.” “Just a few things to finish up,” she say’s as I’m pacing to and fro, then a half an hour later I’m sitting on the couch I’m still waiting to go, and I’m exhaling through my nose; and she knows, I got no patience. Hmm, I have no patience.

My Engine Stalled It was a cold rainy night, I was laying there in bed after a long hard day I just needed to clear my head, I was hoping to get some sleep when that boss man called. I was halfway to down work when my engine stalled. I was stranded on the turnpike on my way to the show things were all backed up and there was really nowhere to go. Then suddenly there was this clearing, and my lane became unwalled. Oh, and I was making my move when my engine stalled. I was racing down some back road and I was biding my time swerving round the obstacles; getting close to the finish line. Though my suspension was shaky and my tires were bald I was still doing just fine till my engine stalled. It was a warm sunny day; I was cruising down by the beach flying in my Nova, way out of any problem’s reach. Then she and her mustang passed me, she stepped on the gas and hauled and I almost caught up with her, well, that is, before my engine stalled.

What Matters Does it matter that I’ll never to be that man of success, I’ve tried so hard to be? Does it matter that I’ll always fall short of accomplishing my great deeds? Does it matter that no one will ever know my name? Does it matter I’ll never see fortune and fame? No. All that matters in the end; from what I have come to learn is that I am loved and that I can love in return. Does it matter that I’m at an impasse everything’s moving around me, but I’m just standing still? Does it matter that I’m stuck where I am my job’s going nowhere, but I’m going downhill? Does it matter that I’ll never be valued as the special one? Does it matter that my masterpiece will never be done? All that matters in the end I’ve found, and where I place my utmost concern is that I am loved and that I can love in return. I spend so much time focused on where I am in the world of man I lose sight of what’s important; why and who and what I really am. All that matters; what I hope my children’s children might discern is that I was loved and that I loved in return. What matters, and the longer I live the more I’m bound to learn, is that I am loved and that I can love in return.

Too Darn Hot Vapors radiate and rise from the asphalt and the street, Not a sign of boy nor dog out to brave this summer heat. I got things I need to do, but I can’t because I’m just beat. I’m melting and can’t move from this spot, I’m not going out there; it’s too darn hot. A dip in the pool sounds good until you sit and do the math, hundreds of kids crowded in that water that’s warmer than a bath? Sure there’s always the river, but there’s the walk there and the walk back; and I’m just not ready to take all this energy that I’ve got, no, I’m not going anywhere; it’s too darn hot. Global warming, climate change? Blame whoever you want; that’s fair, but I won’t be getting stuck with no AC out there. I just know I’d evaporate if I went out in that scorching air, and no wind stagnation in here ain’t helping me a lot, but still, I’m not going outside; it’s too darn hot. So, I’m withering as the thermometer goes up way beyond its scale, I’m thinking I can’t just stay here locked up like I’m in some jail, so I’m burning the bottoms of my feet just going out to get the mail. We go more than a week of this heat believe it or not, till then I ain’t going nowhere; it’s too darn hot. Yeah, it’s too darn hot!

World On Fire It is the best of times; it is the worst of times; these are the days where anything goes. Where one is assessed by power points instead of what he knows. A hundred and ninety six players, posturing to stand a little higher; most with a not-so-hidden agenda fanning a world on fire. Conflicts, strife and civil war tax the kingdom’s peace of mind, but while they’re fighting internally they’re all just falling behind. Stakes are high; costs are too as ambassadors walk a tightrope wire as protocol pretends nothing’s wrong on the edge of a world on fire. Eyes on the prize and polite pretentiousness each playing close to the vest, the East cries foul to neighbors in the North, busy with threats from the West. Words bent on obfuscation as circumstances turn dire. Need to be careful where you step with a world on fire. Alliances insure smaller forces gain a unity and strength to resound, helping against the bullies that push the small, weaker countries around. And almost every country’s the same; each believes they’ve the only truth to acquire, but when all else is wrong, wage a war to fuel the flames of a world on fire. Everybody wants to rule the world; to be that most respected one, as others kowtow to their ideology and be resigned to the way things are done. The bottom line is power and control; it’s what most of the nations desire; to be the one on the top of the hill looking down at a world on fire. but that’s of doing business in a high-stake event those who’s factions are not as strong. No ones’ playing nicely Making new weapons to replace the old but there’s no way the old stuff can retire; just refurbish and hope it’s aimed in the right direction to be ready with the world on fire. So what if the community is up in arms; demanding corrupt officials retire; there’s more important fish to fry and change things to meet their ways ed get lost in their skewed, dogma maze. will meet the needs has a one size fits all idea that their ideology is better in turn; cram their particular but make no mistake, Damage control; it is the worst of times; these are the days where anything goes. Everything has an agenda with an open outcome that nobody knows. So what if the community is up in arms; demanding corrupt officials retire; there’s more important fish to fry with the world on fire. seeking justice protesting misuse and abuse , burning up in more ways than one things are hotter than a bonfire in autumn everything s of truths and lies understood from stilted viewpoints as seen from a person’s eyes. But beyond growing technology and knowledge has anything really changed to know? Are we not following down the same roads that we did two thousand years ago? from who or where you think yourself to be,

We Can Forgive There are people that, for whatever reason, have a sense of justice to push through, to retaliate or for revenge seek to cause grief and suffering to you. From reactions and cause and effect; the suffering and hurt is hit or miss, but for all that it does or doesn’t do, little to no good can come from this. When we’ve been wronged, beset to break, It’s hard not to react to get back, for vengeance sake. And how to choose from what it is, but as all else fails; we can forgive. There are people easily offended, with a short fuse to fight and react. They may see the error in their ways but all they want to do is to strike back. Who understands the underlying reasons why a person lets the dogs of war loose? What matters more is how we response to their exploitation and abuse. When we’ve been wronged, dignity taken away, There are those who believe any payback is okay. And it’s never easy, sorting out what it is, but it’s good to know, my friend; we can forgive. We have a choice; we have a right to follow a dark path or step out in the light. Somehow someway, love has to start a healing process for that change of heart. And when we’ve been wronged; bad feelings grow, We can hold that anger in or we can let it go. It’s not hard to choose from what it truly is, for the sake of our well-being; we can forgive. defiled and disgraced and falsely blamed, dignity to strike back embarrassed disgraced mortified shamed dishonored debased. humiliated while this guitar squawks and hums

She Comes To Me Falling out of bed; not enough time to think about, only gotta get myself to work on time. Walking on eggshells; just need to get in and get out, don’t make any waves; just stay in line. Falling out of life; not enough time to wonder why, only gotta get myself through another day. Come home worn and tired; thinking about my life, and how pointless it all seems to play. And just when I lament over what I have come to be; she comes to me. Driving down the road wolfing down a burger and fries, thinking, what happened to the dreams I used to love? I’ve settled for this life of layered compromise in hopes that some tomorrow might still come. Driving down the road, with her sitting by my side thinking, how, on so many levels I’ve let her down. And when it was she chose to come along for the ride, did she realize she’d end up on this side of town. But just as I’m feeling sorry for her and all that she’ll never be; she comes to me.

Mr. Control A7 G7 A7 Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. A7 G7 A7 Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. He’s out there, at every workplace you are at or will ever go. He may be in some top office or out there with you on the floor. He wants you to believe you’re free to decide; to be your own man, but in truth, he wants control over everything he can. A7 G7 A7 Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. A7 G7 A7 Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. You may think it’s you that’s there to be getting that job done, it’s you they’ll be coming to and it’s you that’s under the gun, but someone interceding and redoing all you did and more, you have to wonder why and what you’re doing all this for. Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. They say’s that they encourage new thoughts from you and me, and when that fresh idea appears, they may even seem to agree, but everything is filtered through their perspective for their gain and they’ll always get the credit when it comes around again. Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. He or she is out there lurking amongst your family and friends, taking liberties and undue control with their own means to their ends. They need to micro-manage, no matter how small or large, they want to have the last word; they need to be in charge. Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr., Mr. Control. Every step of every action done by you within that role is not-so-secretly being structured skillfully by remote-control.

When I Come Home To You Spending too much time each day, keeping the balance set. Working my hours away until there’s nothing left when I come home to you. And Honey, it seems so long, that we could share our love and yet, it’s not really gone, just waiting to be woke up when I come home to you. And Honey, you’ve grown more precious and lovely each day, while I let the tasks of the world get in my way. Although we get by most times with just a kiss and a smile, Darling, it’s you that makes all I do worthwhile. It’s hard to accept the rest, when you wonder why and doubt. The house is in such a mess and the kids got you all burned out when I come home to you. When you can’t see those little signs that show you how much I care still know that my love and time is waiting for you to share when I come home to you. And Honey, you’ve grown more precious and lovely each day, while I let the tasks of the world get in my way. Although we get by most times with just a kiss and a smile, Darling, it’s you that makes all I do worthwhile.

Fellow Traveler Here I am, here, there you are, there; following paths to who knows where, both of us with purpose, designed with care and love. Looking at our surroundings, what’s right—what’s wrong and wonder of the other and how they might get along, is there joy in that life, is their station needs and comforts enough? We are not so different, fellow traveler, you and I; we both look for truth to understand who we are and why. We glimpse from a world away of how another will live and die and wonder of the passion of the struggle, of the fight; wonder of the happiness in life and for what it was worth. We’re not so different; beyond location and route; working out our lives for our dear family we care about; our loved ones; the treasure we could not be without here on earth. We are much alike, fellow traveler, you and me; we’re both feel ourselves in the flow something greater than what we see. Your world and mine are so different from settings and days in geography and surroundings, in cultures and ways, and yet, universally, beyond time and space we are the same. on separate paths in journeys to live and to learn, to share all the findings with those that come after our turn. We are truly kin, fellow traveler, you and I both with a hope to be remembered through the night, so their road too will be well; that they too might discern their place.

A Finger On The Button The cold war’s hot as Hades today; and everyone knows what it’s all about, but diplomacy is nothing but useless when nobody’s listening for a way out. When someone said they thought they heard that someone else might have said something about a bomb or something but then that someone might have been misled. You gotta be hoping you’re not the guy living on the wrong side of town when there’s a finger on the button just waiting to press down. Russia, China, France the US and the Brits have an agreement of non-perpetuity, yeah, but Pakistan, India and Israel say nuclear fission is their new ideology. Syria, Iran and North Korea; are not throwing into anyone else’s lot. Nobody really knows beyond their own fortress walls what the other guy has or hasn’t got. There’s a wariness and anxiety whether they’re wearing a smile or a frown, when there’s a finger on the button just waiting to press down. Who is watching the watchmen, to be certain things stay in check especially when distant temper flairs and an idiot wants to clear the deck? Who is in charge of the one in charge? What safety valve is there in play? How do we avoid a “Final Destruction” move that would take so many lives away? We are all left to pray we’re not in sync with some trigger-happy clown with a finger on the button just waiting to press down.

Go In Peace The world is a troubled place, unsettling news from everywhere. The media with its issues insist you have to care. you live in fear of a tomorrow that will drag you down in chains. The corrupt have their power to manipulate all man, spinning webs of deceit and lies subjugating all they can. Anxiety high, psyche damaged, as hope in humanity wanes. But we need not be afraid in the midst of their terrible sin, with the knowledge that good will triumph and that we can fight the power and win. Labor not with a heavy heart though the evil onslaught will never cease, but carry on, go your way, my friend; walk your good path and go in peace. you need not partake of the warring madness; let your gentle heart find release, as you live and let live, my friend; walk your noble path and go in peace. The world is a troubled place, disturbing news from everywhere. We’re barraged from media about issues that they insist we have to care. Anxiety high, our psyche damaged, as our hope in humanity wanes, we live in fear of the tomorrow that will drag us down to captivity in chains. We labor with a heavy heart as an evil onslaught seems to never police, but let it go my brother, let it go my friend; walk your path and go in peace. The world is a troubled place, disturbing news from everywhere. We’re barraged from media about issues that they insist we have to care. Anxiety high, our psyche damaged, as our hope in humanity wanes, we live in fear of the tomorrow that will drag us down to captivity in chains. We labor with a heavy heart as an evil onslaught seems to never increase, but let it go my brother, let it go my friend; walk your path and go in peace. . and contrite spirit, till we believe, accept our fate, and are It’s hard to conceive we might dismantle an entity that has tentacles reaching into every aspect of our lives. nor can we expect that problems that grow from the use of violence, such as murder, rape, and domestic abuse. These behaviors are found even in cultures that do not make war, or societies like the Amish, or Quakers that are nonviolent or relatively so But ending war, where groups of men take up weapons and bond together to go kill, indiscriminately, men who belong to another group. people who have spent years struggling to end war. In one way or another they ask me the same question. Not, can we end war? They believe we can and have been trying mightily to do it. The question they ask is, how? They are stymied. How do we do it? How can we do something to defeat this behemoth that no activists from generations before us were able to defeat? A monster that they themselves have been striving to defeat. That provides employment for many millions of global citizens. That reaches even into our homes, to take from us our sons to serve, and if necessary to die, in its wars. can we achieve something men and women of good will from previous generations could not? What has convinced me that we might actually do such an amazing thing? our time differs from preceding epochs in ways that give us, if we grasp the chance, a window of opportunity to make this hugely historic shift from war. It is entitled “To date nonviolence movements were ‘before their time.’ Now they are poised to change history.” This is firstly because a critical mass of global citizens know “in their bones” that what we are doing is not working. They grasp with deep unease that we desperately need a new way to live with each other. Our time is hugely different because our global home is now “full.” From our isolated beginnings in Africa we now occupy all niches on the planet that are readily habitable by humans. It is no longer possible to escape from each other by emigrating to a frontier, moving to a place with fresh resources and unoccupied land. Our backs are to the wall, and we are floundering as we spend huge resources on war that are desperately needed for along list of critical needs. We have significantly eliminated the part of us that favors compromise over fighting in ways that have plunged us into roughly 10,000 years of war after war after war. begun to restore balance in our approaches to resolving conflicts. How do we move the global community from the cultures of violence in which we now live to a future in which physical violence, particularly in the form of war, is no longer standard practice? he Action Plan provides 1) specifics for how to assemble the necessary leadership, 2) a shared unifying vision, and 3) a strategy and tactics to shape a paradigm shift that would rival in magnitude the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. I’ve called it The Nonviolence Revolution. The Action Plan is built around “Constructive Programs” (such as peace education, work to shift our economies, reaching young men so that they become part of the solution) that are grouped into nine cornerstones, and “Obstructive Programs” using nonviolent direct action to directly tackle the war machine, the goal being to dismantle it piece-by-piece. Dismantling the War Machine The war machine—a massive money-maker for the few and a job creator for the masses—is not just going to fall apart because a great many people decide they would like it to. We must take it apart, piece-by- piece. How do we do that? Simply put, we will need a way to unite great numbers of us so that we can focus enormous persuasive power on vulnerable aspects of war’s infrastructure. We tackle this enormous dismantling project by directing focused action against “fulcrums” – vulnerable components of the vast death machine. http://afww.wordpress.com/ if we want it bad enough and make the choice to act, we can end war. I could be bitter or stressed out; but that ain’t gonna get me nowhere, you know. I gotta move forward; put the past behind me, I need to go home, to find the love that’s been missing in my life. I’m happy, I’m sad, what took you so long to create, you see your work, your love, moving forward without you at the gate. You could spend a lot of time feeling sorry for yourself. You can foster negative energy and blame someone else, or letting go, search within the latent dreams that you aspire, to find the next you, you only need but to find another fire. It would seem it’s too late to start over, as you stand in the back of the line, but remember years ago, that thing you wanted to do but never had the time? You got all the time in the world now; no need to look back from where you’ve been. Who cares how long it’ll take if it means you can be happy again? It doesn’t matter what others say; if they think you’re wrong or right, just as long as in your heart its what you want to do with your life. You may find yourself having to go out on a wire, but to find the next you; the new you, you only need but to find another fire.