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Traveler, the third release from Johnsmith, has received rave reviews in Performing Songwriter, Dirty Linen and many others!! Songs include "Part - Time Angels", and "Rooks In The Castle". Free MP3s! Rooks in the Castle and Appalachian Rain . (Right-click to download, left-click to listen.) |
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Based on a true story
I was trying to rest, trying to take it easy
But something wasn't right, I had a bad gut feeling
So I went out walking, but I didn't know where
Thought maybe all I needed was a little fresh air
Then something said, Go down by the river
So I followed that voice and the next thing I remember
I was standing there looking up stream
When I heard a young boy scream
Chorus:
Help, help, somebody help
My brother fell in, he can't save himself
He's way over his head now and he can't swim
So without even thinking, I jumped right in
Oh, we don't know where, and we don't know when
But we are all just part time angels
Every now and then
I got a call last night, about 3 am
From my younger brother, in trouble again
He was back on the bottle, he was back on the street
He was down on his luck, down on his knees
He was ready to pray, ready to cry
To lay down his fist and give up the fight
He was lost and all alone
Looking for a friend to lead him home
Chorus
Bridge
Brother, I have worn your shoes
I have walked down your road, too
I have been the fallen son
Cried for help, cried for love
Chorus repeat except
My sister fell in, she can't save herself
She's way over her head now
And she can't swim
written after a trip to ireland
As I went out walkin' early this morning
Along the locks of Tullamore
I came upon a pasture green
And the ruins of ancient lords
So I hopped the fence, to look within
To imagine what life must have been
Then I shouted out 'til it echoed loud
And the residents, they all took off flyin'
chorus
Now there's rooks in the castle, change in the air
The wind and the rain, no they don't really care
Towers will crumble and crowns will fall
The crows and the ravens will nest in these walls
And the doors will rot and the hinges rust
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Nothing lasts forever, 'cept maybe a prayer
Now there's rooks in the castle, change in the air
Now the wrecking ball swings at the center of town
Trading the old for the new
But as sure as the night gives way to the dawn
All of this will surely pass too
And if castles can fall to the wind and the rain
Why hold on so tight, are we that much afraid
To loosen our grip and let go of the reins
To set the horses all free and trust they know the way
chorus
Oh but what of this life, the one with my name
Etched on a tombstone, that waits for my name
Here lies a man who wasn't afraid
To raise up his sails to the winds of change
chorus
Frost is on the cornfield
Pumpkins on the vine
Candle in the window
Just waitin’ on the stars to shine
Geese call in the distance
Like some choir way up there
The wood is up for winter
And the burley’s in the barn
Gonna need an extra blanket
You can feel it in the air
CHORUS:
Baby, we got it right this time
Baby, we got it right this time
Ain’t no ocean between us
Ain’t no mountain to climb
Baby, we got it right this time
Baby, we got it right this time
Laughter through a doorway
Echoes down the road
Closer by the minute
And the minutes slippin’ by
Like the tears of jealous angels
I’ll be there before you know it
CHORUS
Throw some gravel on this road and call it a highway
Put up a sign and call this a town
Put a dream and try calling it someday
But what do you do when you are living it now
CHORUS
Rosie lives out by the sea, just outside Portaferry
Up in County Down
Rosie’s life is rooted deep in faith and friends and family
Up in County Down
CHORUS
Oh, up in County Down, up in County Down
The finest folks you’ll find around
Are up in County Down
Rosie sings her songs of truth
A voice as sweet as morning dew
Up in County Down
Rosie writes her songs ‘til noon
Up in County Down
CHORUS
Up, up, I wants go up
I wanta empty out, I wanta fill my cup
I’m goin’ down, down, all the way down
I’m gonna drink from the well of a sacred ground
Rosie’s not afraid of much
She’s not the kind of turn and run
Up in County Down
Rosie, she’s not choosing sides
The North, the South, who’s wrong right
Up in County Down
CHORUS
Rosie lives out by the sea, just outside Portaferry
Up in County Down
Oh, up in County Down, up in County Down
I WILL FLY JOHN SMITH
When my time
Comes to leave
I want you to know I believe
That love goes on
And it never dies
When I’m gone I will give
You a sing
CHORUS:
I will fly across the valley
I will land up in the pine
When you hear the lonesome wren song
You will know it’s me up on high
So please don’t cry
When I go
Just break out the fiddle and rosin the bow
Sing all night, ‘til the morning comes
Send me on my way on the wings of love
REPEAT CHORUS
So throw my ashes
To the cold four winds
Remember my promise to come back again
And on some dark blue day
When your heart is sad
I’ll be up there singin’ on the highest branch
REPEAT CHORUS
Last night I tried to get it just right
I sifted, mixed it, fixed ‘til I realized
I messed up, I misread my measuring cup
But when you took that first bite, your whole face lit up
CHORUS
You said lose that recipe, this tastes good to me
A little bittersweet, I must have accidentally
Gotten salt in the sugar
You and me, we’ve got a chemistry
How we blend together is a mystery
Chaos, seems to work for us
A pinch of spice and a spoonful of honey made a good sauce
CHORUS
Even Einstein, let it go
He knew the Universe was out of control
Happy accidents, half-baked plans
True love works best when there is room for chance
Sometimes, I think about the big guy
Up in heaven’s kitchen, cookin’ up nebulae
Then the phone rang, he forgot about the whole thing
Then the oven overheated and the whole place blew with a big bang
Setting out on this journey
I packed up my regrets
Now I sit here in this shelter
Seems I don’t have many left
So I’m writing you this letter
On this rainy April day
You said your heart needed some distance
So I walked away
CHORUS:
I would gladly walk from Georgia, all the way to Maine
I would cross the creeks and the mountain peaks
Whispering your name
If you asked me I would do this
I would go and not complain
But this walk’s for me, to find my peace
In this Appalachian rain
Looking out the Blue Ridge
I pulled a pebble from my shoe
I threw it down into the valley
Then I sat and thought of you
I wish somehow it was that easy
To just let go of all the pain
But it’s not, so I keep walkin’
In this Appalachian Rain
CHORUS
You could meet me at Katadin
On that clear September day
But if you’re not there where the trail ends,
I’ll still be okay
CHORUS
Here’s to all us soldiers
On the field of Love
Who've laid down our defenses and chosen not to run
We have all been wounded
We have all been hurt
Knocked down in the trenches with our faces in the dirt
But still we get back up again
Stronger than before
Step by step we march ahead
'Cuz loves' worth fighting for
Chorus:
Worth fighting for
Worth fighting for
Worth every tear we've ever cried, worth every slamming door
Worth going for
Worth reaching for
It's worth all of this and more
Oh love's worth fighting for
We have all been cowards
and in our foolishness
Like Judas with his silver we've betrayed love with a kiss
But love gives second chances
Love is not a judge
Love will never tell us that we are not good enough
But still we get back up again
Stronger than before
Step by step we march ahead
'Cuz loves' worth fighting for
Chorus:
Worth fighting for
Worth fighting for
Worth every tear we've ever cried, worth every slamming door
Worth longing for
Worth burning for
It's worth all of this and more
Oh Love's worth fighting for
Bridge:
Love gives second chances
Love is not a judge
Love will never tell us that we are not good enough
Eggs are sizzling/, coffee’s perkin’
Voices talkin’ down the stairs
Mom and Daddy get up early
A lonely robin says the dawn is here
CHORUS:
And all is well, between these sheets
The house is warm and the comfort deep
The world is right on 7th Street
Home means all of this to me
All in a circle on our knees
Last night we bowed and prayed
Mother led the rosary, Mary lit the flame
We filled these walls ‘til they were full of grace
CHORUS:
This old house feels like a ship
Safe in harbor when the storm comes in
Anchored so deep, heart beats home sweet home
Think I might just go back to sleep
Close my eyes and dream a dream
Of distant shores and mountain tops
I’m not afraid ‘cuz when I wake up
CHORUS:
Traveler
John Smith
I have been across the great Divide
Across the ocean wide
Stood on sands so white
I have looked into a child's eyes
I have cheated the hands of time
Chorus
Oh, I am, I am, I am only a traveler
I am, I am, I am only a traveler
I have followed where my heart has led
'til I lost my head and found my way again
I have taken time to kiss the wind
To taste the salt upon my lover's skin
chorus
Bridge
Traveling like a river swift, to the ocean to fall again
Down the mountain, through the canyon, along this lifeline that I've been handed
I have fallen more than once or twice
Stumbled blind on my foolish pride
I have gone through where my shadows hide
Followed my tears to the other side
Bridge
I have laid down my sword and shield
Stood defenseless in an open field
I stake no claims and I build no walls
I'm only here until the Maker calls
chorus
chorus
The soles on these shoes are wearin’ thin
From all this miles, that I have spent searchin’
And the trail might be cold but it’s not quite frozen
I’ll find my way if I just walk each day with my hear wide open
I’ve been worn down like an old river song
Caught up in the current, tumbled and thrown
My spirit is weak, but it’s not quite broken
Let that river run, I’ll take what comes
With my heart wide open
CHORUS:
I want to take every breath
Like it’s the last one I’m gonna get
I want to release every regret
Let go of the pain and forgive
I want to know what it’s like to live
With my heart wide open
I’ve held on too tight, I’ve let go too soon
I have built walls, clear up to the moon
But now here I stand, unguarded and hopin’
That love calls again, ‘cause I’ll jump right in
With my heart wide open
CHORUS:
I want to know what it’s like to live with my heart wide open
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©2009, Johnsmith, Blue Pine Music
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Johnsmith
24721 2nd St
Trempealeau WI 54661
john@johnsmithmusic.com