Let's Talk

Old Dad Wash

Out of the Darkness

________________________________________

How many years has it been since I felt free   

The words and the music came easy to me      

I know the pain of being kept in the dark

It’s time to free myself to again feel that spark

 

I’ve been here for so long

Please let me out to play

I have a song or two still in me today

If I can see the light of

I know that I will shine

And bring joy to the world in ¾ time

 

These walls that confine me get smaller every day

If I can break the darkness the binds will go away

I am lost and forgotten my back against the wall

I need someone to guide me through so I don’t take a fall

 

I’ve been here for so long

Please let me out to play

I have a song or two still in me today

If I can see the light of

I know that I will shine

And bring joy to the world in ¾ time

 

The day had arrived for me to find a home

A place where I’m loved and would not feel alone

The keys of my heart unlocked the hidden soul

The music started flowing out so I hit the road        

 

I’ve been here for so long

Please let me out to play

I have a song or two still in me today

If I can see the light of

I know that I will shine

And bring joy to the world in ¾ time

Odo’s Song

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________________________________

There was sun and heat, wind and rain,

But we rode on ’till the morning came.

In the distance we saw a small town,

This village would be our safety ground.

The horses knew just where to go,

So we let them lead and we followed.

 

Poncho knew this land so well,

The others thought a living hell.

The law would try to track us down,

We would always stand our ground.

 

One night we rode in the dark

With no moon, n just the stars,

We were tracking men across the desert sand,

They did not know we were close at hand

Would it be just a quick fight

In this darkness and this barren night

 

Poncho knew this land so well,

The others thought a living hell.

The law would try to track us down,

We would always stand our ground.

 

Then one day as we rode

We crossed the border down in Mexico.

There must have been a thousand men,

Surrounding the canyon.

It seemed as though all was lost

But we fought our way and we got across.

 

Poncho knew this land so well,

The others thought a living hell.

The law would try to track us down,

We would always stand our ground.

10 More Rivers

_________________________________

I’m rolling down the highway on a dark and starry night

Lookin’ past these  headlights at what I might find

There is a storm coming fast, don’t know if I will last alone,

One more minute without you

 

10 more rivers I must cross until I see your smile

There was a time I was lost but now I’m not alone

The road has been good to me, as I log all these miles

But there are 10 more rivers until I am home

 

I’ve seen the sun rise across the hot desert sand

The snow on the mountains as I left from Cheyenne

But what I want to see today is you sittin’ on our front porch swing

As I pull in the drive

 

10 more rivers I must cross until I see your smile

There was a time I was lost but now I’m not alone

The road has been good to me as I log all these miles

But there are 10 more rivers until I am home

 

I hope I’ve told you what you mean to this old soul

The love we share, how much we care our kids and our goals

No matter what a storm may bring it won’t shake our hearts cause I know,

We are home

 

10 more rivers I must cross until I see your smile

There was a time I was lost but now I’m not alone

The road has been good to me as I log all these miles

But there are 10 more rivers until I am home

Take My Breath Away

_________________________________________________

There was a time when I was young

I didn’t think I’d last too long

The things I did and things I said

Kept coming back into my head.

 

Everything turned around it seemed

The day I met you by the sea.

It was then my life would change

The minute that you said your name

 

You take my breath away

My life will never be the same

Around you I can’t breathe

You take my breath away.

 

As we went on, as we grew

I knew that I needed you.

To share our love in this life

To live and laugh with each days night

 

You take my breath away

My life will never be the same

Around you I can’t breathe

You take my breath away.

 

Look at us now.   Our hearts in the clouds

The sun is shining bright on the sea.

We will be together.   We will love together

As long as we can breathe.

 

You take my breath away

My life will never be the same

Around you I can’t breathe

You take my breath away.

You take my breath away

You take my breath away

Gettysburg

_______________________________

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

I hear the cannons raging on

Smell of powder fills the air

Smoke and fog hide the trees

In the morning light

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

The fighting’s gone three long days

The spirit sinking low

So many men lie motionless

When it’ll end no one knows

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

My brother’s gone ahead of me

Mother prays alone

Father tries to tend the fields

Wonderin’ if we’re coming home

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

The field is silent in the wind

The lucky have survived

I’m goin’ home to see my gal

There’s no more pain inside

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

Living Waltz

_____________________________

The floor is empty

The lights down low

The band is playing

A song that we know

 

I reach out my hand

You give me a glance

With your hand mine

We begin the dance

 

We dance all night, we never tire

We hold on tight, our hearts on fire

Across the floor, our lives entwined

Just swaying to 3/4 time

 

Five years have gone by

Since we danced that night

We’re married with children

We live a great life

 

The kids are asleep now

The lights down low

Music is playing

Our eyes are a glow

 

We dance all night, we never tire

We hold on tight, our hearts on fire

Across the floor, our lives entwined

Just swaying to 3/4 time

 

So many years

Slipped by thus far

Our grandkids are playing

Out in the yard

 

Our lives have slowed down

But our love still stands

As the music comes on

I reach for your hand

 

We dance all night, we never tire

We hold on tight, our hearts on fire

Across the floor, our lives entwined

Just swaying to 3/4 time

The Dad

____________________________

Before you could walk

And before you could talk

I promised that I’d teach you

All the lessons of my life

 

It was not as easy

As they said in all those books

I hope I’ve kept my promise

And it helped you through the years

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

You started out so small

Yet full of life

I watched you dance around

With the spirits by your side

 

Look at you today

Oh my how you’ve grown

To an independent woman

Teaching lessons of your own

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

And I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

Now the day has come

For me to give you away

To a man that says he loves you

In each and every way

 

He told me he was the one

When he asked for your hand

So I gave him my blessing

And we talked all night long

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

And I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

And I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

Yes I’m proud to be your dad today

Lessons Learned

_____________________________________

Momma’s a teacher, doctor and a wife

Momma’s a chef, mediator and a friend

She’s been doing these things for us most of her life

She will do them until it comes to the end

 

There isn’t anything you would not do

To make sure my life was straight and true

We did not always get along

But you will always have my love, mom

 

You were always the one teaching me

About the life that did not see

Oh, the candles that we would burn at both ends

You were always warning me about my friends

 

There isn’t anything you would not do

To make sure my life was straight and true

We did not always get along

But you will always have my love, mom

 

These times they go by so fast

These memories we have from the past

How I wished I had listened a little more

Before walking out that front door

 

There isn’t anything you would not do

To make sure my life was straight and true

We did not always get along

But you will always have my love, mom

 

But you will always have my love, mom

Rain Dancer

_____________________________________

I saw this girl dancing on the street

There were emotions that could make you weep

The moves she made were all her style

And didn’t care that we watched a while

 

There was joy and there was pain

You could feel it in the rain

Here eyes were bright her hair was long

She was dancing to her love song                 

 

People gathered to watch her dance

She put us in her peaceful trance

With flowing arms and gentle moves

We were soon in the groove

 

The evening light was fading fast

How much longer would we last

The rain had turned an icy cold

Would she release her hold

 

The night was long and morning came

We were standing in the rain

The dance was done and she was gone

There’s nothing left so we went on

        

There’s A Stone

__________________________________________________

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive                                               

 

We would walk together searching in the night        

For that last ray of hope waiting in the light             

I still see your smile as I looked into your eyes                      

Feel your hand in mine as we held each other tight                

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive                                            

 

Wish I could tell the others how I struggle everyday                              

Think about your tears as I hope and live and pray                      

I know we’ll be together in our Savior’s home

For now I’ll stay and serve and know we’re not alone 

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive                                            

 

So now I come to tell you that I love you                               

And talk about the little things and people standing by                   

Kneeling down I feel you deep inside me                                          

You are my precious one the angel of my life                        

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive

 

But in my heart is where I’ll always love you                                        

In my heart you’ll always be alive                                            

                                           

Old Dad Wash

Out of the Darkness

________________________________________

How many years has it been since I felt free   

The words and the music came easy to me      

I know the pain of being kept in the dark

It’s time to free myself to again feel that spark

 

I’ve been here for so long

Please let me out to play

I have a song or two still in me today

If I can see the light of

I know that I will shine

And bring joy to the world in ¾ time

 

These walls that confine me get smaller every day

If I can break the darkness the binds will go away

I am lost and forgotten my back against the wall

I need someone to guide me through so I don’t take a fall

 

I’ve been here for so long

Please let me out to play

I have a song or two still in me today

If I can see the light of

I know that I will shine

And bring joy to the world in ¾ time

 

The day had arrived for me to find a home

A place where I’m loved and would not feel alone

The keys of my heart unlocked the hidden soul

The music started flowing out so I hit the road        

 

I’ve been here for so long

Please let me out to play

I have a song or two still in me today

If I can see the light of

I know that I will shine

And bring joy to the world in ¾ time

Odo’s Song

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________________________________

There was sun and heat, wind and rain,

But we rode on ’till the morning came.

In the distance we saw a small town,

This village would be our safety ground.

The horses knew just where to go,

So we let them lead and we followed.

 

Poncho knew this land so well,

The others thought a living hell.

The law would try to track us down,

We would always stand our ground.

 

One night we rode in the dark

With no moon, n just the stars,

We were tracking men across the desert sand,

They did not know we were close at hand

Would it be just a quick fight

In this darkness and this barren night

 

Poncho knew this land so well,

The others thought a living hell.

The law would try to track us down,

We would always stand our ground.

 

Then one day as we rode

We crossed the border down in Mexico.

There must have been a thousand men,

Surrounding the canyon.

It seemed as though all was lost

But we fought our way and we got across.

 

Poncho knew this land so well,

The others thought a living hell.

The law would try to track us down,

We would always stand our ground.

10 More Rivers

_________________________________

I’m rolling down the highway on a dark and starry night

Lookin’ past these  headlights at what I might find

There is a storm coming fast, don’t know if I will last alone,

One more minute without you

 

10 more rivers I must cross until I see your smile

There was a time I was lost but now I’m not alone

The road has been good to me, as I log all these miles

But there are 10 more rivers until I am home

 

I’ve seen the sun rise across the hot desert sand

The snow on the mountains as I left from Cheyenne

But what I want to see today is you sittin’ on our front porch swing

As I pull in the drive

 

10 more rivers I must cross until I see your smile

There was a time I was lost but now I’m not alone

The road has been good to me as I log all these miles

But there are 10 more rivers until I am home

 

I hope I’ve told you what you mean to this old soul

The love we share, how much we care our kids and our goals

No matter what a storm may bring it won’t shake our hearts cause I know,

We are home

 

10 more rivers I must cross until I see your smile

There was a time I was lost but now I’m not alone

The road has been good to me as I log all these miles

But there are 10 more rivers until I am home

Take My Breath Away

_________________________________________________

There was a time when I was young

I didn’t think I’d last too long

The things I did and things I said

Kept coming back into my head.

 

Everything turned around it seemed

The day I met you by the sea.

It was then my life would change

The minute that you said your name

 

You take my breath away

My life will never be the same

Around you I can’t breathe

You take my breath away.

 

As we went on, as we grew

I knew that I needed you.

To share our love in this life

To live and laugh with each days night

 

You take my breath away

My life will never be the same

Around you I can’t breathe

You take my breath away.

 

Look at us now.   Our hearts in the clouds

The sun is shining bright on the sea.

We will be together.   We will love together

As long as we can breathe.

 

You take my breath away

My life will never be the same

Around you I can’t breathe

You take my breath away.

You take my breath away

You take my breath away

Gettysburg

_______________________________

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

I hear the cannons raging on

Smell of powder fills the air

Smoke and fog hide the trees

In the morning light

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

The fighting’s gone three long days

The spirit sinking low

So many men lie motionless

When it’ll end no one knows

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

My brother’s gone ahead of me

Mother prays alone

Father tries to tend the fields

Wonderin’ if we’re coming home

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

 

The field is silent in the wind

The lucky have survived

I’m goin’ home to see my gal

There’s no more pain inside

 

There is a light at the end of the road

It’s as far as I can see

There is a light at the end of the road

And I know that it’s meant for me

Living Waltz

_____________________________

The floor is empty

The lights down low

The band is playing

A song that we know

 

I reach out my hand

You give me a glance

With your hand mine

We begin the dance

 

We dance all night, we never tire

We hold on tight, our hearts on fire

Across the floor, our lives entwined

Just swaying to 3/4 time

 

Five years have gone by

Since we danced that night

We’re married with children

We live a great life

 

The kids are asleep now

The lights down low

Music is playing

Our eyes are a glow

 

We dance all night, we never tire

We hold on tight, our hearts on fire

Across the floor, our lives entwined

Just swaying to 3/4 time

 

So many years

Slipped by thus far

Our grandkids are playing

Out in the yard

 

Our lives have slowed down

But our love still stands

As the music comes on

I reach for your hand

 

We dance all night, we never tire

We hold on tight, our hearts on fire

Across the floor, our lives entwined

Just swaying to 3/4 time

The Dad

____________________________

Before you could walk

And before you could talk

I promised that I’d teach you

All the lessons of my life

 

It was not as easy

As they said in all those books

I hope I’ve kept my promise

And it helped you through the years

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

You started out so small

Yet full of life

I watched you dance around

With the spirits by your side

 

Look at you today

Oh my how you’ve grown

To an independent woman

Teaching lessons of your own

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

And I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

Now the day has come

For me to give you away

To a man that says he loves you

In each and every way

 

He told me he was the one

When he asked for your hand

So I gave him my blessing

And we talked all night long

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

And I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

It was a miracle the day that you came into my life

I taught what I knew as we weathered all the storms

This daughter of mine today is your day

And I’m proud to be The Dad today

 

Yes I’m proud to be your dad today

Lessons Learned

_____________________________________

Momma’s a teacher, doctor and a wife

Momma’s a chef, mediator and a friend

She’s been doing these things for us most of her life

She will do them until it comes to the end

 

There isn’t anything you would not do

To make sure my life was straight and true

We did not always get along

But you will always have my love, mom

 

You were always the one teaching me

About the life that did not see

Oh, the candles that we would burn at both ends

You were always warning me about my friends

 

There isn’t anything you would not do

To make sure my life was straight and true

We did not always get along

But you will always have my love, mom

 

These times they go by so fast

These memories we have from the past

How I wished I had listened a little more

Before walking out that front door

 

There isn’t anything you would not do

To make sure my life was straight and true

We did not always get along

But you will always have my love, mom

 

But you will always have my love, mom

Rain Dancer

_____________________________________

I saw this girl dancing on the street

There were emotions that could make you weep

The moves she made were all her style

And didn’t care that we watched a while

 

There was joy and there was pain

You could feel it in the rain

Here eyes were bright her hair was long

She was dancing to her love song                 

 

People gathered to watch her dance

She put us in her peaceful trance

With flowing arms and gentle moves

We were soon in the groove

 

The evening light was fading fast

How much longer would we last

The rain had turned an icy cold

Would she release her hold

 

The night was long and morning came

We were standing in the rain

The dance was done and she was gone

There’s nothing left so we went on

        

There’s A Stone

__________________________________________________

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive                                               

 

We would walk together searching in the night        

For that last ray of hope waiting in the light             

I still see your smile as I looked into your eyes                      

Feel your hand in mine as we held each other tight                

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive                                            

 

Wish I could tell the others how I struggle everyday                              

Think about your tears as I hope and live and pray                      

I know we’ll be together in our Savior’s home

For now I’ll stay and serve and know we’re not alone 

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive                                            

 

So now I come to tell you that I love you                               

And talk about the little things and people standing by                   

Kneeling down I feel you deep inside me                                          

You are my precious one the angel of my life                        

 

There’s a stone that marks the place I last saw you                             

There’s a stone that has the days of your life                           

But in my mind is where I’ll always see you                                          

In my heart you’ll always be alive

 

But in my heart is where I’ll always love you                                        

In my heart you’ll always be alive