JUMP WITH A CHILD'S HEART
(2011)
Jump With a Child's Heart
Some come here prepared to fail, some with delusions of success but no workmen's confidence.
They swarm the restaurants and with their swollen feet they overdramatize their beat.
After one year of bithcin’, they return to their home state with silken hands.
And for those who’ve been here for years working it and trying it, their hands show the rough, rugged course.
And in early fall when the sun hits the leaves just right, is when our tables house the rich Hamptonites.
Now pockets a little greener, our hearts a little younger, we'll work through the slow and make bank with the flow.
I don’t mean to be crude and I don’t mean to be rude, but if you put in the time she’ll give you wine.
We’ll keep up the heart until she shows us the next course to chart and in truth we’ll jump with a child’s heart.
Ooooh, in truth we’ll jump with a child’s heart.
Ooooh, in truth we’ll jump with a child’s heart.
Ooooh, in truth we’ll jump with a child’s heart.
Ooooh, in truth we’ll jump with a child’s heart.
Ooooh, in truth we’ll jump with a child’s heart.
You & Me & the Evergreen
The world is catching up behind you
She’s soft and fast on your heels.
The wind picks up her voice and carries it across your ear
Asking “Why all this fear?”
Your feet try to loose her in the wood.
You turn your stiff, stubborn neck saying,
“Keep away. You’ve brought me only grey. You lead my brother’s life away
And to this day, my mother can’t find her way”.
The world slowed down for a minute
Crying hard for your pains.
But she knows her role - she’s up in haste. Find’s you quick, your head in your hands
Sitting by the old evergreen.
“You and me and the evergreen.
He’s old and wise, says I am your prize.
We’re sorry for you tears my love,
But I’m all yours - me and my hard, hard ways”.
Copenhagen Heart
Copenhagen heart lead me home by way of the Inner City Expressway.
I’ll trade le Sacre-Coeur for Suydam St.; three flights up to the railroad where you sleep.
I’ll marry you tonight
Baby, please tonight
Oooh, I’ll marry you.
Berlin bleeds of art and hope and grit. Never in the day did we ever feel that they quite.
It pulls and shines just like our Bushwick home and from its core it screams that you are alone.
I’ll marry you tonight
Baby, please tonight
Oooh, I’ll marry you.
Ash in the European air has kept me from your ever-constant stare.
Your stare, your stare
Oooh, I’ll marry you
etc.
Money only Hates Me
I’ve been spoiled by the mountains and the woods and the fogged over hills.
The romance of the cold and the Hudson Wool blanket wrapped around me.
But here I make list after list and then run off to find some money.
‘Cause money, money only hates and it leaves me. Money’s not my friend.
Money, money only hates. It’s my X keeping me reeled in.
The city’s like a friend from childhood almost like... like distant kin.
In one breadth enraging and supporting all I’d ever want to do.
But the mountains are peace and the crickets are calm, but I’d need an active job... keep my limbs tied on.
‘Cause money, money only hates and it leaves me. Money’s not my friend.
Money, money only hates. It’s my X keeping me reeled in.
Hell's Gate
She was born down deep from a watery sleep
And awoke to a blackened, mischievous call.
She defied her father with greed as she stretched out her limbs
and in one big gulp she engulfed it all.
She came up from Hell's Gate
All in her way she ate
Laughed in the face of fate
She spoke with the monsters of myth and with no respect
said "I'll show'em real prowess", Oh Loche Ness!
She inched in, inched in ever drinking. Took our
sea, our land and our livelihood.
She came up from Hell's Gate
All in her way she ate
Laughed in the face of fate
Her life unwanted, her thick black water. We fought
her with valor, a plug snug in her heart.
Her limbs lay limp and her breadth seemed short
But her nature compelled her to leave hints of her power
She came up from Hell's Gate
All in her way she ate
Laughed in the face of fate
The Island of Manhattan
On the island of Manhattan out your window the buildings form a mountain.
Sitting on the East River bed. Reaching high from the river bed.
Tugboat waves hit the city walls, they tugged on down from the Northern seaways.
And the water calls us in, to the East River wind.
"Oh, go, go, go sweet bird we humans can't bear too much reality" *
Father Time our foe & our savior.
We spent too much time on the golden island hiding from life just a little too long
in the cities dark back rooms of it's gleaming grey saloons.
Oh, go, go, go sweet bird we humans can't bear too much reality
Father Time our foe & our savior.
Go, go, go, Go, go sweet Bird
Swiftly sing a lullaby cure
Go, go, go, go, go, go sweet bird.
Go, go, go, go, go, go sweet bird.
On the island of Manhattan out your window the buildings form a mountain.
Sitting on the East River bed, Reaching high from the river bed.
*quote from T. S. Elliot's Four Seasons
Ghost Body
He grew up fast. Was an old man before his time.
He got a job pushing mail through a mail hole slot.
One day, he didn’t wake up as his wife called up from the coffee pot.
He listened to what she said upon her finding him in their once warm bed.
Dear Jim, your dead.
I should’ve seen it coming. Your soul left you long ago.
It’s been a long time since your words kept me warm.
Instead they’ve only come with scorn.
Dear Lord, forgive me, but I’m glad he’s dead. I’m glad he’s dead.
As he heard her words, he felt his ghost body move downwards.
With a fright, he noticed not a light, but his eternal night.
Salinger said...
I hate way too cool for school. Screw 'em and the vintage they rode in on.
I fear I've got too little talent but it doesn't seem to matter too much these days.
To be nobody would be more courageous of me than to stand up here & please you.
I'm not so sure and I've never been but the whisper lives inside me.
I'll write evermore, over by my door.
I'll write evermore, over by my door. Evermore.
I thought if I wrote about my self-doubt maybe it'd help me out.
To let go, high-ho, reach for a hallow, balance the art with life.
To be nobody would be more courageous of me than to stand up here & please you.
I'm not so sure and I've never been but the whisper lives inside me.
I'll write evermore, over by my door.
I'll write evermore, over by my door. Evermore.
Oooo.
Lookin' Out
In my reoccurring dream cobblestone roadways lead me to my Grandma dear.
Made my turn at the old oak tree into the front door to my, to m’Grandma dear.
And across the Oriental rug into the kitchen. Water on. To my, to m’Grandma dear.
Back to the screened, screened in porch in the noon sun. We sat there lookin’, lookin’ out.
Back to a time when I was 8 playin’ pin the tail on the side of our house,
Back to a time when I was 10 standin’ in my Dad’s boat puttin’ up a tree house.
Back to a time up in that tree, poutin’ loud. Madeline sipping tea without me.
Back, back, back to all those times. Sittin’ in our porch chairs. We sat there lookin’, lookin’ out.
Back to my first co-ed dance. Long haired boy in a dark basement stuck his tongue in my mouth.
Back to the old public school. Transfered in silently. They all dresses as they pleased.
And across from that old public school brick by brick stood the house where she used to live.
Back to the day that I left home. Bottom of my luggage bag she stood framed lookin’ out.
In my reoccurring dream, I get up from the porch chair. She stayed there lookin’ out.
After all, all these years she’s still there lookin’ out, lookin’ out, lookin’ out.
After all, all these years she’s still there lookin’ out, lookin’ out, lookin’ out.
After all, all these years sittin’ in her porch chair she’s still there lookin’ out...
Sittin’ in her porch chair she’s still there lookin’ out...
Sittin’ in her porch chair she’s still there lookin’ out...
*****
THROUGH THE FARMLANDS & THE CITIES
(2009)
(2009)
Seneca Falls
I woke up this morning to see the snow fall
On the trees, the hills and all over Seneca Falls.
And I rolled over in a rented bed
To see my baby lying there and his cheeks were red.
The roads twisted & bended and I feared the ice.
I wouldn't even touch my food but they made me pay the price.
But peace like a river, we were safe
And the paranoia blues left me and I went with you.
Seneca Falls where are you now all covered up in snow.
Take a trip with me to the great big city where
Lonely hearts are grey, lonely hearts are grey...
I woke up this morning to see the snow fall
Through a grey, dirt splattered window in the Bog Apple.
I rolled over in an empty bed, but I
Smiled and smelled his hair from where he'd laid his head.
In a book store over yonder a chapter can be found
Of a town where all the snow will stay always fresh and pure and cold.
And I fear the abominable snow man,
But I'll run from him indefinitely until I reach the end.
Seneca Falls where are you now all covered up in snow.
Take a trip with me to the great big city where
Lonely hearts are grey, lonely hearts are grey...
Oh, Seneca Falls where are you now all covered up in snow.
All covered up in snow...
I woke up this morning to see the snow fall
On the trees, the hills and all over Seneca Falls.
Pennsylvania
Up from Louisiana all the way to Pennsylvania.
Her muffler gave a bark so cupids ear could follow.
Through the farm lands and the cities.
Near the Delaware Gap.
On the day she met her maker she said, "Lord, I really loved him".
He said "Sorry dear, honey dear but he never really loved you. I put that great river between you and left up to you to venture 'cross".
So now up from Louisiana all the way to Pennsylvania.
Her muffler gave a bark so cupids ear could follow.
Through the farm lands and the cities.
Near the Delaware gap.
She went up north to put her heart on her sleeve.
Hand over her whole history - to him.
Down from Dickson City all the way to Lake Charles.
Her muffler gave a bark, now rusted and defeated.
Through the farm lands and the cities.
'Cross the great Mississippi.
On the day she met her maker she said, "Lord, I really loved him".
He said "Sorry dear, honey dear but he never really loved you. I put that great river between you and left up to you to venture 'cross".
So now down from Dickson City all the way to Lake Charles.
Her muffler gave a bark, now rusted and defeated.
Through the farm lands and the cities.
'Cross the great Mississippi.
She went back south the reclaim her heart.
Hand over all thought of him - to the wind.
On the day she met her maker she said, "Lord, I really loved him".
He said "Sorry dear, honey dear but he never really loved you. I put that great river between you and left up to you to venture 'cross".
"Sorry dear, honey dear but he never really loved you. I put that great river between you and left up to you to venture 'cross".
"Sorry dear, honey dear but he never really loved you. I put that great river between you and left up to you to venture 'cross".
On the day she met her maker she said, "Lord, I loved him".
He said "Sorry dear, honey dear but he never really loved you. I put that great river between you and left up to you to venture 'cross".
Our Families
Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams. Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams.
Maybe they went straight to Chicago or met a man from Scarsdale. Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams.
Maybe she met a world war soldier and spent 12 days on a ship all sick.
Maybe their mother sent them to Canada all alone at 15 to send money home.
But our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams. Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams.
Maybe they started a burger chain that stretched form Maine down to Georgia.
But our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams.
Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams. Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams.
Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams. Our Families came over from over seas and we were their dreams.
I'll Be Right Here
It happened long ago on a cold January day back in a time when you had your own way. I never knew black ice could be so cruel.
Binghamton to Syracuse you clutched to the steering wheel so tight. I'll never know the fright you felt that night... or any hell you've been through since then.
Mary-Mae your life is here to stay.
It may have gone astray.
No time for you to have your say...
But I'll be right here.
Always right here.
I'll be right here.
Now you live in Rockaway, NY and the kids across the street have never known a white lady so sweet. You taught them how some soap brings worms from the deep.
In your nursing days you watched Lady Jean pass away and heard her ask the angels where she'd stay. She's been with you since that very day.
Mary-Mae your life is here to stay.
It may have gone astray.
No time for you to have your say...
But I'll be right here.
Always right here.
I'll be right here.
I'll be right here.
Always right here.
Oh my, my dear!
I'll be right here.
A Song for Dolly
I am a musician and I play the guitar with no radio waves.
I play it loud to the Lord up above so he knows I’m doing what I love.
I came down here from upstate far. 12 hours North by car.
I left my dog and my mama too just to stand/sit up here and sing my life to you.
My Grandma came from Napoli Bay. Married a man untrue.
They called him Red and he lived up to the name with a temper fiery and cruel.
Now she bore a son, my daddy dear. Sweetest man you’ll ever hear.
He took a bus to the cold North roads. Met a Canadian rose.
They raised us four in a big ‘ol house. Grandma took a room there too.
And they raised us well, “Keep your eyes up above and always only do what you love”.
And now I am a musician and I play the guitar with no radio waves.
And I play it loud to the Lord up above so he knows I’m doing what I love.
So he knows I’m doing what I love.
So he knows I’m doing what I love.
Empire State
Empire State up high in the sky;
Men carry weight as the whips on by.
Bulldozer hats strapped ‘round their chins.
Will they beat wind and stay to win.
Only 5 died, then Herbert Hoover switched the light on.
Working men laid their tool belts down, marched from their windblown home.
Home to their wives away from the sky.
Safe in their arms. No more beams up high.
Empire State up high in the sky. Men carry weight as the wind whips on...
By. In the sky men carry weight as the wind whips on by.
High in the sky men carry weight as the wind whips on by.
Once was the tallest skyscraper in the whole world.
Before sad attacks it stood second from gold.
Only to go back to its old place.
Where the sun shines, shines in its face.
Empire State up high in the sky. Men carry weight as the wind whips on...
By. In the sky men carry weight as the wind whips on by.
High in the sky men carry weight as the wind whips on...
Ring Down
Hop, skip, jump over rocks and logs in my yellow field;
Trees to the left and the gate to the right.
Racing, leap-frogging in my yellow field;
It sat behind my old home.
I was a littler girl there. I learned to shoot
bow and arrow into haystacks out back in m'field.
The sky, the sky was clear and the birds flew over without a fear.
The sky, the sky was clear and the birds flew over without a fear.
The day I turned 16, I met him there.
His family moved in across the dirt, dirt road from my old home.
I said “hello” with an apple pie in hand
My mom and I had made that very great morning.
And from that day on, we shot bow & arrow
Out back in my yard and we hit haystacks.
I could hear his heart from miles away, from miles away.
I could hear his heart from miles away, from miles away.
The day I turned 18, I woke to a
Chill in my fingers and my toes it was dark out.
I crept downstairs to my front window pane.
Peered out across the dirt, dirt road from my old home.
From that day on, I listened for his laugh
Creeping out from the trees to the left of my old home.
To this very day, I listen for his laugh
Creeping out from the trees to the left of my old home.
I can hear his voice ring down to me, ring down to me.
I can hear his voice ring down to me, ring down to me.
x2
Southern Town
The sun will rise over this Southern town & we'll go to places with the car windows down. We'll see a few friendly faces and a few who hate to leave traces.
There'll be a girl in a bookstore reading books on folk lore hiding from time behind paperback paneled lines.
And her face will be white and her smile will sweet, but her eyes will be distant and her voice will sound beat. It used to belt loud for her in a choir built around here.
But time passed on she grew tired of song, afraid to move up and a afraid to move on. So she settled on a book store with books of local lore.
So we'll ride on through the town the heat'll never let down to the bar with the pool table stars and we'll see a few friendly faces and a few who hate to leave traces.
So we'll ride on through the town the heat'll never let down to the bar with the pool table stars and we'll see a few friendly faces and a few who hate to leave traces.
There'll be a girl there short hair blue eyes. Hard as nails and a tough girl guise. You'll never get a soft look unless she's taking the lead.
And then her neck'll sink into her soft shoulders, her eyes'll twinkly and her smile shine. But quick back; a smile can't crack when you're on a tough girl track.
So we'll ride on through the town the heat'll never let down to the bar with the pool table stars and we'll see a few friendly faces and a few who hate to leave traces.
So we'll ride on through the town the heat'll never let down to the bar with the pool table stars and we'll see a few friendly faces and a few who hate to leave traces.
Martha & Richard
Martha went about her day without changing in any way. Richard got on a steam train; headed out west where the trees grow tall.
Friends wrote letters. They said "Martha, how are you? What's new with you?". But she never wrote back; she never replied, but she'd cry when they wouldn't stop by.
Richard called and said "Martha, please come home.
Oh & Martha, I am your home.
Oh & Martha, the past is done.
Oh & Martha, you gotta move on.
You've gotta move on, baby.
You've gotta move on, baby".
She said Richard your wrong it's not gone It lives on in my heart. While you ran away to find an empty town to hide your empty heart.
I know they time will come when I've gotta move on, but for now i'll hold on.
Martha called and said, "Richard, please come home.
Oh & Richard, I am your home.
Oh & Richard, there's good in the past.
Oh & Richard, you've gotta live on.
You've gotta live on, baby,
You've gotta live on, baby".
Where the Money Is
Last night my day, my dad came home. Said we gotta roam.
Head North to Ohio. His eyes were heavy and his voice,
His voice was low. Said we gotta go.
Where the money’s good.
Go gotta go where the money’s good. Watch that dough grow.
Go gotta go where the money is. Go gotta go watch that dough grow.
So I put on my favorite jeans and my pink backpack
And climbed into the Oldsmobile; sat on my mama’s lap.
Drove to the Rio Grand. All of us hand in hand.
Go gotta go where the money’s good. Watch that dough grow.
Go gotta go where the money is. Go gotta go watch that dough grow.
When we reached the boarder patrol they looked over in row.
Took our paper work and the hefty fee. Thank God, my
Dad worked his hands to the bone to give us a life of our own.
Go gotta go where the money’s good. Watch that dough grow.
Go gotta go where the money is. Go gotta go watch that dough grow.
Here I stand 20 years in my hands.
Babies born and a junkie wedding band.
But I am an American.
Yes I am an America.
Go gotta go where the money’s good. Watch that dough grow.
Go gotta go where the money is. Go gotta go watch that dough grow.
Foggy Dew (traditional)
As down the glen one Easter morn to a city fair rode I
There Armed lines of marching men in squadrons passed me by
No fife did hum nor battle drum did sound it's dread tatoo
But the Angelus bell o'er the Liffey swell rang out through the foggy dew
Right proudly high over Dublin Town they hung out the flag of war
'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky than at Sulva or Sud El Bar
And from the plains of Royal Meath strong men came hurrying through
While Britannia's Huns, with their long range guns sailed in through the foggy dew
'Twas Britannia bade our Wild Geese go that small nations might be free
But their lonely graves are by Sulva's waves or the shore of the Great North Sea
Oh, had they died by Pearse's side or fought with Cathal Brugha
Their names we will keep where the fenians sleep 'neath the shroud of the foggy dew
But the bravest fell, and the requiem bell rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Eastertide in the springing of the year
And the world did gaze, in deep amaze, at those fearless men, but few
Who bore the fight that freedom's light might shine through the foggy dew
Ah, back through the glen I rode again and my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men whom I never shall see more
But to and fro in my dreams I go and I'd kneel and pray for you,
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, When you fell in the foggy dew.
