New CD "Overdue"

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I remember driving through the desert late at night,

massive semis shaking my poor bug.

A lightning storm was raging, lighting up the chaparral,

like God was finally cleaning this old rug.

We were young and knew that our whole lives were still ahead,

and anything we wanted we could be.

She helped me see my choices and the man I might become

while we were busy being young and free.

Young and free, we were young and free.

Too young to understand the world at our command.

Young and free, and oh, so proud to be.

We felt it every day and knew that it would always be that way…

I took a Greyhound Bus to see my old friend in Salt Lake.

We heard the choir singing in the shrine.

We met some young philosophers debating God and man.

What I believe is we are ALL divine.

Then on a whim, I decided I would hitchhike home.

A sweet young couple said they’d go that way.

When we hit Las Vegas, I stood up as their best man.

Their honeymoon was in that Chevrolet.

Young and free, we were young and free.

Too young to understand the world at our command.

Young and free, and oh, so proud to be.

We felt it every day and knew that it would always be that way…

Now I see the road ahead stretched out in front of me,

and every dream I’ve had I still believe.

A little weary, maybe, from the years out on the road,

but I’m still busy being young and free.

Young and free, we were young and free.

Too young to understand the world at our command.

Young and free, and oh, so proud to be.

We felt it every day and knew that it would always be that way…

Young and Free.

I look around me for the love. 

  I see a river… it knows what I’m dreaming of.

Every drop, every ripple, so important to the flow 

  helps it know where to go.

My life is not so clear to me. 

  I am a river, but I don't know how to find the sea.

Every thought, every action, means more than we know. 

  Still I go with the flow.

Sparkling River – on a journey to the sea... Sparkling River – carry me.

So many people just don't know how precious life is 

  and they won't until it's their time to go.

This is their chance to do some good to make a difference while they're here,

  to bring some hope – to bring some cheer.

Sparkling River – on a journey to the sea... Sparkling River – carry me.

The river flows through majestic mountains and it passes right by me.

  I would rather be following this river to the sea.

Sparkling River – on a journey to the sea... Sparkling River – carry me.

On the way to destiny the old man stops to look at me,

  then recalls some rendezvous. He’s got important work to do.

He picks up something from the floor, a memory or maybe more.

  Then suddenly he forgets, like all our old duets.

On my way to play a bar in the South Bay

  I used to stop and see the dad that couldn’t remember me.

But I remembered him, the builder of my jungle gym.

  On my way to play a bar in the South Bay.

The nurses say he’s like all men and sometimes he will flirt with them.

  Other times he is withdrawn, obviously almost gone.

At first he smiled when he saw me and asked about the family.

  Now he doesn’t know my name but I can’t say the same.

On my way to play a bar in the South Bay

  I used to stop and see the dad that couldn’t remember me.

But I remembered him, the builder of my jungle gym.

  On my way to play a bar in the South Bay.

Now, all night long I’d see his face on every drunken person in the place.

  I drank the drinks they bought for me, and my dad drank along for free.

I owe my music to this man, the leader of my family clan.

  He loved his Dixieland and blues, Louis Armstrong, Ella too.

His band rehearsed into the night. My mom said “Close your eyes real tight, 

  and sleep will find a way.” I do that to this day.

On my way to play a bar in the South Bay

  I used to stop and see the dad that couldn’t remember me.

But I remembered him, the builder of my jungle gym.

  On my way to play a bar in the South Bay.

Underneath the sea 

  shifting plates are grinding now 

    moving little waves.

Far away on sand 

  angry words turn into pain 

    as the tide drifts in.

Nobody knows tomorrow’s mysteries. Nobody sees.

She wipes tears away. 

  Maybe he will understand 

    when tomorrow comes.

Hiking up a hill 

  sadness washes over him. 

    He can’t see her now.

Nobody knows tomorrow’s mysteries. Nobody sees.

The waves along the shore draw back in one long inhalation.

  She wonders why the wind is still like God’s own meditation.

A hilltop realization, 

  he sees the devastation and he cries alone… alone.

Searching for her now 

  there is not much left to find 

    where they used to live.

Love was not so bad. 

  Living was the hardest part. 

    How to say goodbye...

Nobody knows tomorrow’s mysteries. Nobody sees.

We play all our favorite songs from years ago, 

  all the classic hits we heard on the radio.

We’re just fans of the music, not the Wrecking Crew,

  but the tears while we play – that’s all true.

Every Monday we re-live the dreams we never knew.

  We were too busy making a living,

    but now that we’ve got time it’s not taboo  

      it’s overdue.

So it’s Midnight Train to Georgia and Mrs. Jones.

  Then it’s Light My Fire, Creedence and the Stones.

So many songs are out there that sing right to my soul,

  There’s Country, R&B, and Rock n Roll…

Every Monday we re-live the dreams we never knew.

  We were too busy making a living,

    but now that we’ve got time it’s not taboo 

      it’s overdue.

We all worked for years,

  we raised our families…

The kids are gone, the amps are on,

  and we can play whatever songs we please.

Every Monday we re-live the dreams we never knew.

  We were too busy making a living,

    but now that we’ve got time it’s not taboo 

      it’s overdue.

I’m taking my pictures down from the wall,

  packing everything that I own.

Here are the souvenirs we bought on the pier.

  Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve known,

    Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve known.

And who will be comforted by pieces of love

  shadows of the star that once shown?

“Not I” says the lone wolf who lives in my heart.

  Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve known,

    Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve known.

Hold me once more, this one last time.

  Whisper my name, look up to the sky.

This time tomorrow, in no time at all

  there'll be one less star shining, 

    it’s fading, it’s fading…

And here are your treasures confided in me.

  I cannot give them back, but they’re not alone.

They’re here with the love that I can’t let you see.

  Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve known,

    Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve known.

My friends are all around me. I’ve never seen so many.

  It’s a very special party, like a holiday.

Each friend brings something special. I appreciate their spirit.

  They all tell different stories from the times of our lives.

I haven’t seen some of these friends now for so many years.

  Some of their stories bring laughter, many bring tears.

I am the guest of honor and I laugh at all their stories.

  Don’t know why no one seems to see me in the middle of the room.

I see my wife is crying, so I reach out to hold her.

  Oh, I think I understand now, but how can this be?

My dog walks in and sits at my feet, his fur on my skin.

  I reach down to scratch his ear, he leans in…

My friends are all around me. I wish I could console them.

  But their voices start to fade now, and light fills the room.

I know this light from somewhere. My memory is returning.

  There are people here who love me, who welcome me home.

My friends are all around me. My friends are all around me…

Miguel and Maria and little Lucia 

  traveled by caravan through Mexico,

afraid of the others, coyotes and such, 

  who wanted their money to smuggle them in.

Sad to have left their family home,

  escaping the violence they came to know.

A local gang murdered their first child Ricardo 

  while the police looked away.

Miguel and Maria and little Lucia 

  on Cinco de Mayo, fire in the sky. 

They dreamed of their future celebration 

  some sweet day, some sweet day.

Miguel and Maria and little Lucia 

  were trying to hide in a Mexican town.

The sounds of the party, the fireworks and shouting, 

  sounded too much like the violence they’d seen.

A woman named Rosa invited them in 

  after finding them huddled alone.

They sat in a corner away from the noise  

  sheltered in each other’s arms.

Miguel and Maria and little Lucia 

  on Cinco de Mayo, fire in the sky. 

They dreamed of their future celebration   

  some sweet day, some sweet day.

Later while Rosa was cooking, she told Maria the news

  that families that made it as far as the border 

    were ripped apart, then sent back home.

Maria said no, that can’t be true. We have no home to go to.

  Then she fell back into Miguel’s arms and cried…

Miguel and Maria and little Lucia 

  on Cinco de Mayo, fire in the sky. 

They dreamed of their future celebration

  some sweet day, some sweet day.

I am and I will, I am and I will, I am and I will…

When I got your letter I didn’t believe

  that you had anything for me.

Now, isn’t it funny when feelings change? 

  How everything in turn is rearranged.

I’m just a Picasso in this beauty pageant world, 

  but I’ll make you happy if you’ll be my girl.

I am and I will, I am and I will, I am and I will…

That summer Sunday the hot afternoon

  faded to a Shakespeare mischief moon.

I don’t know what happened to me over night, 

  but morning found me blinded by your light.

I don’t believe in fairy dust, but I’m in love with you. 

  I know I can make you love me too.

I am and I will, I am and I will, I am and I will…

You’ve become a shining star, I never thought that I could see so far.

Could I be the man you need, confident to let you be the powerful woman you are?

I am and I will, I am and I will, I am and I will. 

What can I say, I don’t even know you, 

  familiar strangers in a way.

A similar momentary wink of an eye…   

  quiet night by the fire.

The moon is a sliver, a smile in the sky,

  the wine is a river rolling by.

A taste of the reason you’re making me sigh, 

  quiet night, quiet night…

I can’t tell you and you can’t ask, what’s all this talking all about?

  I move in closer just to fill your glass. 

    We’re caught in the moment, oh let’s not let it pass.

But I don’t even know you… what can I say? 

  Is this some friendly kind of game?

Am I the wiser, or just crazy to play?

  Quiet night by the fire.

I can’t tell you and you can’t ask, what’s all this talking all about?

  You move in closer just to fill my glass. 

    We’re caught in the moment, oh let’s not let it pass.

But I don’t even know you… what can I say? 

  Is this some friendly kind of game?

Am I the wiser, or just crazy to play? 

  Quiet night, quiet fire in your eyes.