New Old Songs - Audio CD
Album Credits
New Old Songs is my tenth studio album - released digitally in April, 2021. It is a collection of my best songs and recordings - new and older songs that were never recorded. I also released all the H.D. Thoreau poems that I put to music. Robert Arconti provided sax tracks for Too Many Songs.
1. Too Many Songs
There are too many songs about breaking up
There are too many songs about tough love
There are too many songs about putting up
There are too many songs with reckless themes
There are too many songs about too many songs
There aren't enough songs about beating the odds
There aren't enough songs about beautiful things
There are too many songs about tough love
There are too many songs about putting up
I don't wanna hear no more of them, no no no
There are too many songs about broken dreamsThere are too many songs with reckless themes
There are too many songs about too many songs
I don't wanna hear no more of them, no no no
There aren't enough songs about precious loveThere aren't enough songs about beating the odds
There aren't enough songs about beautiful things
I just wanna hear one more of them, yeah yeah yeah
I just wanna hear one more of them, yeah yeah yeah
I just wanna hear one more of them, yeah yeah yeah
I just wanna hear one more of them, no no no
2. See You In My Dreams
Now it's time to go
Take care of yourself
Remember me for who I am
I may not see you again
See the good times we had
And how they faded too fast
See the good that life holds
And bare the pain it unfolds
This is a parting of our ways
It's time we start another day
When I turn and walk away
Put your face into the wind
And see the sun that sets
Let it's light lead your way
And remember me if you can
Well I will see you in my dreams
Take care of yourself
Remember me for who I am
I may not see you again
See the good times we had
And how they faded too fast
See the good that life holds
And bare the pain it unfolds
This is a parting of our ways
It's time we start another day
When I turn and walk away
Put your face into the wind
And see the sun that sets
Let it's light lead your way
And remember me if you can
Well I will see you in my dreams
Remember me if you can
I will see you in my dreams
Remember me if you can
I will see you in my dreams
3. The Voyager's Song
Gentle river, gentle river
Swiftly glides your stream along
Many a bold voyager
Bravely swelled the gay chanson
Many a lagging year agone
Gliding oer the rippling waters
Taught to banish care in song
Now he gleams along the lake
Hark across the bounding billows
Liquid songs the echoes wake
E’ne the lark’s begun her lay
Let us all in deafening chorus
Praise the glorious king of day
Swiftly glides your stream along
Many a bold voyager
Bravely swelled the gay chanson
Thus we lead a life of pleasure
Thus we while the hours away
Thus we revel beyond measure
Gaily live we while we may
Thus of old our valiant fathersThus we while the hours away
Thus we revel beyond measure
Gaily live we while we may
Many a lagging year agone
Gliding oer the rippling waters
Taught to banish care in song
Chorus
Now the sun’s behind the willowsNow he gleams along the lake
Hark across the bounding billows
Liquid songs the echoes wake
Chorus
Rise Apollo up before isE’ne the lark’s begun her lay
Let us all in deafening chorus
Praise the glorious king of day
Chorus
4. 300 Taxis
Life in the Indies, is different than here
300 taxis wait to take you anywhere
They’ve got all day, just to sit and drive
Sunrise to midnight, when the tourists arrive
They drive little vans, made in Japan
Lay linoleum down, to protect from the sand
They just get paid off, and they’re all worn out
Ten years to the bank, that’s what it’s about
He was a hard working island man
He hung with others near our resort
Or went down to the docks, when a ship came to port
300 taxis wait to take you anywhere
They’ve got all day, just to sit and drive
Sunrise to midnight, when the tourists arrive
Lay linoleum down, to protect from the sand
They just get paid off, and they’re all worn out
Ten years to the bank, that’s what it’s about
300 Taxis, 300 Taxis
300 Taxis ride
I met a driver, named Abraham300 Taxis ride
He was a hard working island man
He hung with others near our resort
Or went down to the docks, when a ship came to port
Chorus
5. All the Time (in the World)
No itinerary that I must meet
I’m not part of a corporate merger
I’m not a member of the elite
I don’t have much that I can sell you
I don’t have much that I can buy
All I got is warm, tender loving
And just a little to get you high
My hot tub is just a bath
I’ve never been a frequent flyer
And I flunked college level math
I’ve got all of the time in the world
I’ve got all of the time in the world
I got all the time in the world for you
There’s no big deals on my horizonI’ve got all of the time in the world
I got all the time in the world for you
No itinerary that I must meet
I’m not part of a corporate merger
I’m not a member of the elite
I don’t have much that I can sell you
I don’t have much that I can buy
All I got is warm, tender loving
And just a little to get you high
Chorus
My car has no turbo engineMy hot tub is just a bath
I’ve never been a frequent flyer
And I flunked college level math
Chorus
6. Brother
Brother, where do you dwell?
What sun shines for you now?
Did you indeed farewell?
As we wished here below
What season did you find?
It was winter here
Are not the fates more kind
Than they appear?
Is your brow clear again
As in your youthful years
And was that ugly pain
The summit of your fears
Yet you were cheery still
They could not quench your fire
You did abide their will
And then you retired
Where chiefly shall I look
To feel your presence near?
Along the neighboring brook
May I your voice still hear?
Do you still haunt the brink
Of yonder river’s tide?
And may I ever think
That you are at my side
I was the strongest here
Of sturdiest pace
Say, am I still your peer
In your foot race?
For then, as now I trust
I always lagged behind
While you were ever first
Cutting the wind…
When on the pond I whirl
In sport, if sport may be
But now that you are gone
May I still follow thee
Brother, where do you dwell?
What sun shines for you now?
Did you indeed farewell?
As we wished here below
What sun shines for you now?
Did you indeed farewell?
As we wished here below
What season did you find?
It was winter here
Are not the fates more kind
Than they appear?
Is your brow clear again
As in your youthful years
And was that ugly pain
The summit of your fears
Yet you were cheery still
They could not quench your fire
You did abide their will
And then you retired
Where chiefly shall I look
To feel your presence near?
Along the neighboring brook
May I your voice still hear?
Do you still haunt the brink
Of yonder river’s tide?
And may I ever think
That you are at my side
I was the strongest here
Of sturdiest pace
Say, am I still your peer
In your foot race?
For then, as now I trust
I always lagged behind
While you were ever first
Cutting the wind…
When on the pond I whirl
In sport, if sport may be
But now that you are gone
May I still follow thee
Brother, where do you dwell?
What sun shines for you now?
Did you indeed farewell?
As we wished here below
7. Want Me Some Love
I want me some love
I've been waiting so long
Still haven't found anyone
Who has ever really tried to know me
To find me and to love me too
I wonder what love feels like
I've said the word so many times
But now I look back
And I realize that I never really meant it
Neither has anyone that I have heard
I've had the word said to me
So many times in the past
But now I see that
Nobody has ever really loved me
It couldn't have been love, I mean true love
Is there anyone who wants to show me?
Is there anyone who wants to know me?
Is there anyone who has the time to know me?
Is there anyone who wants real love?
I've been waiting so long
Still haven't found anyone
Who has ever really tried to know me
To find me and to love me too
I wonder what love feels like
I've said the word so many times
But now I look back
And I realize that I never really meant it
Neither has anyone that I have heard
I've had the word said to me
So many times in the past
But now I see that
Nobody has ever really loved me
It couldn't have been love, I mean true love
Is there anyone who wants to show me?
Is there anyone who wants to know me?
Is there anyone who has the time to know me?
Is there anyone who wants real love?
8. Frozen Pipes
It gets hot here in Southern California
There’s too many cars and not enough water
The air is real dirty
And the highways are worn
But for me, I’ve come back to where I was born
I’ve lived back East for so many years
Played it safe and hid from my fears
But I still felt restless
Like I was missing something
It’s hard to explain and defies reasoning
So goodbye frozen pipes and old man winter
I’ll come back to see you in the summer
But for now I’ll indulge
In the mountains and beaches
I can’t wait to find out, just what it teaches
There’s too many cars and not enough water
The air is real dirty
And the highways are worn
But for me, I’ve come back to where I was born
I’ve lived back East for so many years
Played it safe and hid from my fears
But I still felt restless
Like I was missing something
It’s hard to explain and defies reasoning
So goodbye frozen pipes and old man winter
I’ll come back to see you in the summer
But for now I’ll indulge
In the mountains and beaches
I can’t wait to find out, just what it teaches
9. The Back Way
And head down the Interstate highway
I know where I’m going but I still get lost
Ain’t life just like a road map
And head back up the same old highway
I do the driving and my car does the work
Lost in a dream, I roll home
Pot holes and icy curves
Frost heaves will jar your nerves
But as long as I’ve got the time of day
I’ll take the back way
Every morning I get up and hop in my carFrost heaves will jar your nerves
But as long as I’ve got the time of day
I’ll take the back way
And head down the Interstate highway
I know where I’m going but I still get lost
Ain’t life just like a road map
Chorus
Every evening I walk out and hop in my carAnd head back up the same old highway
I do the driving and my car does the work
Lost in a dream, I roll home
Chorus
10. Blues For Jerry
Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jone is ready but watch you speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
River going take me, sing sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy all the way home
Fair ye well, fair ye well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul
I have spent my life seeking all that's still unsung
Bent my ear to hear the tune and closed my eyes to see
When there were no strings to play, you played for me
Sometimes we live no particular way but our own
Sometimes we visit your country and live in your home
Sometimes we ride on your horses, Sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own
If all you got to live for is what you left behind
Get yourself a powder charge and seal that silver mine
Lost my boots in transit babe, pile of smoke and leather
I nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weather
I spent a little time on the mountain
I spent a little time on the hill
Things went down we don't understand
But I think in time we will
Well I ain't always right but I never been wrong
It seldom turns out the way it does in a song
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
Ship of fools, on a cool sea
Ship of fools, sail away from me
It was later than I thought when I first believed you
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools
It all rolls into one and nothing comes for free
There's nothing you can hold onto for very long
And when you hear that song come crying like the wind
It seems like all this life is just a dream
Let my inspiration flow, in token rhymes
Suggesting rhythm that will not forsake you
Till my tale is told and done
While the firelights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow
Till things we've never seen seem familiar
The wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold one
You can't go back and you can't stand still
If the thunder don't get you, then the lighting will
The shoe is on the hand that fits
There's really nothing much to it
Whistle through your teeth and spit
But it's alright
If I had the world to give, I'd give it to you
Long as you live, would you get it fall
Or hold it all in your arms
If I had a song to sing, I'd sing it to you
As long as you live, lullaby or maybe a plain serenade
Wouldn't you laugh, dance, and cry or be afraid at the change you made
Life may be sweeter for this, I don't know
See how it feels in the end
May lady lullaby sing plainly for you
Soft, strong, sweet and true
One watched by night, one watched by day
If you get confused, listen to the music play
I love to hear that Rhapsody in Red
On my feet or laid back in my bed
Takes me way back where I don't mind
Takes me way back in my time, in my time
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He's gone, he's gone and nothing gonna bring him back
He's gone
Casey Jone is ready but watch you speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
River going take me, sing sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy all the way home
Fair ye well, fair ye well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul
I have spent my life seeking all that's still unsung
Bent my ear to hear the tune and closed my eyes to see
When there were no strings to play, you played for me
Sometimes we live no particular way but our own
Sometimes we visit your country and live in your home
Sometimes we ride on your horses, Sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own
If all you got to live for is what you left behind
Get yourself a powder charge and seal that silver mine
Lost my boots in transit babe, pile of smoke and leather
I nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weather
I spent a little time on the mountain
I spent a little time on the hill
Things went down we don't understand
But I think in time we will
Well I ain't always right but I never been wrong
It seldom turns out the way it does in a song
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
Ship of fools, on a cool sea
Ship of fools, sail away from me
It was later than I thought when I first believed you
Now I cannot share your laughter, ship of fools
It all rolls into one and nothing comes for free
There's nothing you can hold onto for very long
And when you hear that song come crying like the wind
It seems like all this life is just a dream
Let my inspiration flow, in token rhymes
Suggesting rhythm that will not forsake you
Till my tale is told and done
While the firelights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow
Till things we've never seen seem familiar
The wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold one
You can't go back and you can't stand still
If the thunder don't get you, then the lighting will
The shoe is on the hand that fits
There's really nothing much to it
Whistle through your teeth and spit
But it's alright
If I had the world to give, I'd give it to you
Long as you live, would you get it fall
Or hold it all in your arms
If I had a song to sing, I'd sing it to you
As long as you live, lullaby or maybe a plain serenade
Wouldn't you laugh, dance, and cry or be afraid at the change you made
Life may be sweeter for this, I don't know
See how it feels in the end
May lady lullaby sing plainly for you
Soft, strong, sweet and true
One watched by night, one watched by day
If you get confused, listen to the music play
I love to hear that Rhapsody in Red
On my feet or laid back in my bed
Takes me way back where I don't mind
Takes me way back in my time, in my time
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He's gone, he's gone and nothing gonna bring him back
He's gone
11. The Darkest Night
I’m guided in the darkest night
By flashes of auroral light
Which over dart your eastern home
And teach me not in vain to roam.
Thy steady light on t’other side
Pales the sunset, makes day abide
And after sunrise stays the dawn
Forerunner of a brighter morn
When others cry I am not sad
Be they grieved or be they merry
I’m supernumerary
I am a miser without blame
Am conscience stricken without shame
An idler am I without leisure
A busy body without pleasure
But staying here to be
And I should be most sorely spent
Where first I was most innocent
I thought by loving all beside
To prove to you my love was wide
And by the rites, I soared above
To show you my peculiar love
By flashes of auroral light
Which over dart your eastern home
And teach me not in vain to roam.
Thy steady light on t’other side
Pales the sunset, makes day abide
And after sunrise stays the dawn
Forerunner of a brighter morn
But I didn’t think so bright a day
Would issue in so dark a night
I did not think such sober play
Would leave me in so sad a plight
When others laugh I am not gladWould issue in so dark a night
I did not think such sober play
Would leave me in so sad a plight
When others cry I am not sad
Be they grieved or be they merry
I’m supernumerary
I am a miser without blame
Am conscience stricken without shame
An idler am I without leisure
A busy body without pleasure
Chorus
There’s no being here to meBut staying here to be
And I should be most sorely spent
Where first I was most innocent
I thought by loving all beside
To prove to you my love was wide
And by the rites, I soared above
To show you my peculiar love
12. I Wonder
I wonder
Who I am
To the people
In my world
I wonder
Where I'll be
When I leave
And who I'll meet
Who I am
To the people
In my world
I wonder
Where I'll be
When I leave
And who I'll meet
13. Never Wrong
What you see is what you get
But you ain’t seen nothing yet
If all is fair in love and war
Then why are you keeping score?
If you’re feeling no pain
Then tell me where’s the gain
Where there’s guts, there is glory
But I can tell you another story
I may not always be right
But I’m sure never wrong
I never learned how to fight
But I can sing you a song
But you ain’t seen nothing yet
If all is fair in love and war
Then why are you keeping score?
If you’re feeling no pain
Then tell me where’s the gain
Where there’s guts, there is glory
But I can tell you another story
I may not always be right
But I’m sure never wrong
I never learned how to fight
But I can sing you a song
14. Little Licks
15. Mary's Waltz
16. Guitar Piece 1
17. Blues in Open C Tuning
18. Winter and Spring Scene
The willows droop, the alders stoop
The pheasants group, beneath the snow
The fishes glide, from side to side
In the clear tide, the ice below
The ferret weeps, the marmot sleeps
The owlet keeps, snug in his nook
The rabbit leaps, the mouse out-creeps
The flag out-peeps, beside the brook
The partridge calls, far in the wood
The traveler dreams, the tree-ice gleams
The blue jay screams, in angry mood
The apples thaw, the ravens caw
The squirrels gnaw, the frozen fruit
To their retreat, I track the feet
Of mice that eat, the apple’s root
The winter bee not fearing frost
The small nuthatch, the bark doth scratch
Some worms to catch at any cost
The catkins green cast o’er the scene
A summer glean, a genial glow
I melt, I flow, and rippling run
Like melting snow in this warm sun
The pheasants group, beneath the snow
The fishes glide, from side to side
In the clear tide, the ice below
The ferret weeps, the marmot sleeps
The owlet keeps, snug in his nook
The rabbit leaps, the mouse out-creeps
The flag out-peeps, beside the brook
Now melts the snow in the warm sun
The meadows flow, the streamlets run
The spring is born and trees drop gum
And winter’s gone and summer has come
The snow-dust falls, the otter crawlsThe meadows flow, the streamlets run
The spring is born and trees drop gum
And winter’s gone and summer has come
The partridge calls, far in the wood
The traveler dreams, the tree-ice gleams
The blue jay screams, in angry mood
The apples thaw, the ravens caw
The squirrels gnaw, the frozen fruit
To their retreat, I track the feet
Of mice that eat, the apple’s root
Chorus
The chic-a-dee lisps in the treeThe winter bee not fearing frost
The small nuthatch, the bark doth scratch
Some worms to catch at any cost
The catkins green cast o’er the scene
A summer glean, a genial glow
I melt, I flow, and rippling run
Like melting snow in this warm sun
Chorus