1. |
Backroads
03:31
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Backroads
Written by Johnsmith
Sometimes I get an itch to go off wanderin’
I keep scratching but it never lets me be
It doesn’t have to be some far-off distant island
Any old backroad is fine by me
Chorus :
I still feel the urge to follow
I still hear that ancient call to roam
When I’m done, I’ll circle back around
And let some backroad lead me home
It doesn’t take that much to make me happy
A new song on the wind calling my name
The scent of truth and I can’t help but follow
I chase it down through the hills in the pouring rain
Chorus repeat
Bridge :
Sometimes I think I just like to go off
So I can find my way back home again
And see my porch light burning brightly
A lighthouse reaching out to some old friend
Sayin’ Come on in, tell me where’ve ya been
So if you see me out there on some county backroad
Or having breakfast at some Driftless town café
It’s only me drinking in the landscape
I fill my cup, then I’ll be on my way
Chorus repeat
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2. |
My Name is America
03:35
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My Name is America
Written by Johnsmith
My name is America
I live between two oceans blue
And as nations go I’m a child who
Is sadly now, torn in two
I was born out of a dream
And for that dream I’m on my knees tonight
For there’s shouting on the left and right
I could use some help to mend this great divide
Chorus:
Oh, help me heal
These wounds I feel
Please help me heal
From these wounds I feel
It’s not the first time I’ve been torn
The bloody redcoats shot and drove the natives from their homes
Then the flood of immigrants all came ‘round
In hopes of 40 acres, a mule, and plow
And the right to speak their truth out loud
Chorus: repeat
Bridge:
Then it was the Blue and Gray
The North and South spilling blood over slavery
Leaving a scar centuries deep
Now they’re still marchin’ up and down my streets.
My name is America
I am wounded but I’m not down yet
I am still the Great Experiment
I was born from hope, and tears, and sweat
And I’ll hold to that hope with every breath
Chorus: repeat 2x
My name is America
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3. |
Damn Good Cry
04:16
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Damn Good Cry
Written by Johnsmith & Tom Prasada-Rao
Every tear tells a story
Every tear has its rhyme
Every tear has a moment
When it feels it’s time
Every tear has a season
An autumn, a spring
A time when it rises
And a time when it sings
Chorus
Cuz every tear has its own life
Each one falls in its own good time
Up from the dark, born of the heart to the child inside
Every tear deserves a damn good cry
Sometimes I say I’m sorry
Sometimes I just feel sad
Sometimes I’m still angry
And I can’t let go of that
Sometimes I ask forgiveness
Sometimes I dance with joy
Cuz sometimes mercy finds me
With her still small voice
Chorus: repeat
Cry me an ocean wide
a weeping willow by the riverside
I don’t wanna die
with any tears left inside
Every tear has a story
Every heart holds a well
Every life has known some sorrow
That only teardrops can tell
Chorus: repeat
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4. |
Sing Him to the Shore
04:23
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Sing him to the Shore
Written by Johnsmith
There was a fearless Irishman, lived out near the sea
Outside Ballyferriter, a West Kerry man was he
Danny Sheehy was his name, wore a sailor cap and handsome coat
He was as a farmer, and a poet, and builder of fine boats
In the summers with three comrades, they rowed the Atlantic wide
On their El Camino voyage, like pilgrims of olden times
I raise my glass to the memory
Of Danny and his comrades and their brave days at sea
Chorus :
Oh, sing him to the shore lads
Sing him to the shore
The sea’s white horses
Have taken our boat and oars
Keep his head above the wave lads
For a wee bit more
Sing him to the shore lads
Sing him to the shore
By day their oars became their mantra, at night they camped along the way
Shared music round the fire with folks from Wales and Brittany
Was on the feast of Colum Kiln, ninth of June, twenty seventeen
Danny read a prayer for sailors, that Mary keep them safe at sea
Was off the coast of Portugal, near where the Minho River ends
The sea turned fierce and angry, the jaws of hell took hold of them
Now I raise my glass to the memory
Of Danny and his comrades and their brave days at sea
Chorus : repeat
A massive wave rose before them, then another hit them from behind
Tossed their boat up high above the sea, each man fighting for his life
Danny’s comrades did their best, and as his life slowly drained away
His friend Breanndán sang ‘The Praises of St Brigid’s’ hymn
As Danny sadly passed that day
Now let’s raise a glass to the memory
Of Danny Sheehy and his comrades and their brave days at sea
Chorus : repeat 2x
Sing him to heaven’s shore lads, sing him to the shore
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5. |
Middle Time
03:56
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Middle Time
Written by Johnsmith
Runnin the Middle Fork of the Salmon
Campfire circles, amigos jammin’
Hear the Kingfisher cryin’
See the Golden Eagle flyin’
Up with the sun and down with the stars
Leave your watch and your phone in the car
And listen to the rhythm of this river’s heart
Chorus
‘Cause we’re runnin’ on Middle Time
Yeah, we’re runnin’ on Middle Time
Runnin’ where the North Star and Heart of this river rhyme
Runnin’ with the Milky Way
Where the osprey and the otter play
Under an Idaho wild blue sky
We runnin’ on Middle Time, yeah we’re running on Middle Time
Where the river and the granite kiss
Taste the sweetness upon your lips
Whispers of the Shoshoni call
Petroglyphs on the canyon walls
This river dances as she makes her way
Back to her mother I hear her say
Listen to the rhythm of this river’s heart
Chorus repeat
Soak in the healing hot springs
Sleep under meteor showers singin’
Let the timeless cradle you
Let your spirit be renewed
Chorus repeat
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6. |
Out Across the Openness
04:09
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Out Across the Openness
Written by Johnsmith
Here I stand, an older man
Reaching out with open hands
Did I try to take a chance
Did I do the awkward dance
I think I might throw out my line
Maybe catch a big ole wish and I
I will take that wish and I’d follow it
Out across the openness
Chorus
Out across the openness
Spread my wings and go for it
Not look over my shoulder, no sir, not one bit
I would surely shout it out, sing my truth right out loud
I’d even share my brokenness
Out across the openness
And if I was an old windmill
I’d harness the winds of change unti
The waters flowed up from my roots
A singing fountain of my truth
Out across the openness
Spread my wings and go for it
I’d even share my brokenness,
out across the openness
Bridge : If I were an old black crow
Flyin’ high above redemption road
I’d find a place, where I could land
Join the parade and sing with the band
Here I am dancing in the fallen leaves
In the Autumn of my life, I sing
All I want is to make my peace
With the shadow and the light in me
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7. |
Rattle my Bones
02:59
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Rattle my Bones
Written by Tom Kimmel & Johnsmith
I get lost from time to time
Runnin’ circles in my mind
I chase my tail and if the truth be told
‘Till I find myself in a deep dark hole
Chorus
So rattle my bones and shake my heart
Call my name if I stray too far
When I need to know I'm not so alone
Shake my heart and rattle my bones
You know me when I lose touch
I run too fast and I bite off too much
I talk real tough like I don't care
I spin my wheels to get nowhere
Repeat chorus
Bridge
Long as I remember
I've walked a lost highway
Did you think I'd ever
Be standing here today
For all the times, I slipped off the track
I would not blame you if you turned your back
But I know you and you never will
And that keeps me climbing up this hill
Chorus
©2017 Morrissette Music (ASCAP)/Blue Pine Music (ASCAP)
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8. |
Trempealeau
04:22
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Trempealeau (Tremp a low)
Written by Johnsmith
If I were a painter true
I’d paint a picture postcard of you
Nestled ‘long the river bend
My tried and true familiar friend
And If I were a singer clear
I’d raise a melody for all to hear
The swans and swallows would all come round
To Trempealeau our little town
Trempealeau, Trempealeau
My jewel along this winding river road
From the banks of the mighty Mississip
Up to the limestone blufftop ridge
I’m proud to call you home
My home sweet Trempealeau
If I were a weaver fair
I’d weave a tapestry so fine and rare
A quilt of oak and cedar hues
Shining brilliant in the morning dew
If I were a poet divine
From the eyes of God these lines I’d write
I’m delighted with my work of art below
Put a frame around her, little Trempealeau
Chorus: Repeat
Trempealeau oh Trempealeau
You know me well as good friends go
My deepest secrets I‘ve shared with you
Whispered them all upon your streets and avenues
So let the seasons come and go
From summer lilies to winter snow
Here I’ll stay until I take my leave
May my spirit soar upon an eagle’s wings ….over Trempealeau ….
Chorus: Repeat
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9. |
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On the Road to Los Alamos
Written by Johnsmith
On the road to Los Alamos
Cobalt skies, a rising moon
Echoes of Kokopelli’s flute
Voices ride the wind that blows
On the road to Los Alamos
On the road to Los Alamos
Hearts go walking where the air is sweet
Magpies dance to an ancient melody
There you will find, time waltzes slow
On the road to Los Alamos
Chorus
On the road, on the lonely Road
To Los Alamos, New Mexico
Where lost love goes
I walk along with those
For I am the ghost
On the road to Los Alamos
On the road to Los Alamos
In the distance, mission bells toll
Prayers offered up, for loved one’s souls’
The other side is always close,
Here on the road to Los Alamos
Chorus: Repeat
On the road to Los Alamos
I feel their sorrow, I hear their songs
Owls and coyotes join the chorus and sing along
The night is young and there are miles to go
On the road to Los Alamos
I am the ghost on the road to Los Alamos
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10. |
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Where’s the World Goin’ To
Written by Johnsmith &Tom Prasada-Rao
Where’s the world goin’ to?
Where’s it off to now?
I guess we’ll find out in time
If we can turn this thing around
Somewhere, someway, somehow
Some say it’s goin’ to the dogs
To hell in a handbasket, a ship runnin’ aground
Some say we might be headed for the light
Guess we’ll see what the fates allow
Somewhere, someway, somehow
Nothin’ stays the same
Blue skies turn to gray
Every sunrise takes its bow
A ray of hope can be found
So we hope and pray
Love will show the way
And turn our mistakes around
And lay tomorrow down
Where’s the world goin’ to?
Where’s it off to now?
Everyday let us find a way
Even though we don’t know how
To lift the furrowed brow
‘Cuz the world is comin’ round
Somewhere, someway, somehow
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11. |
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Virgil’s Sweet Six String
Written by Johnsmith
Virgil Sebranek was his name
His sweet six string was a Gibson made
She looked real nice there on his lap
Then he’d plug her into his old tube amp
He had a little band and they played around
Down at the Old Folks Home in town
Johnny on the banjo, Bec on the keys
Virgil on his sweet six string
Chorus :
Virgil on his sweet six string
He turned her up and he made her sing
Happy as a lark in spring
Virgil on his sweet six string
Virgil on his sweet six string
He worked all week to feed his kids
He cleared brush from the power lines, he did
He saved his pennies and he saved his dimes
‘Til he had enough so he could buy
That pretty guitar that he saw
In the mail order guitar catalog
And when the weekends rolled around
Virgil’s sweet six string rang out
Chorus
Now Virgil’s gone, God Bless his soul
He lies high on the hill and I’m sure he knows
That his kids and grandkids carry on
Down in the valley when the sun goes down
About this time, every year
Friends and family gather here
To hear that sweet bluegrassy ring
From the fiddle and the banjo
And the sweet six string
Chorus 2x
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12. |
Forty Years
04:14
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Forty Years
Written by Johnsmith
I met you in the shadow of the mountains
On the Colorado Plains
I never saw it coming
I was caught out in the rain
I felt a lifetime pass before me
On that day our eyes first met
A lifetime and you were in it
Even though I didn’t know you yet
Like we already won some race
And we were still standing at the gate
Chorus
Forty years and counting
Forty years around the sun
Forty years since the mountain
Forty years in love
Forty years and counting
We said our vows late in September
There was a chill in the air that day
We lit a fire and threw the braided rug back
I took your hand as the band began to play
I know I’ve never been that easy
I can be as fickle as the wind
But you’ve always been the willow
You hold your ground but you always bend
Repeat chorus
Forty years still going strong
We’re still writing our love song
Repeat chorus
40 yrs around the sun, 40 yrs in love
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13. |
Before I Go
03:43
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Before I Go
Written by Johnsmith
I’ve been thinkin’ a lot lately
About how much time I have left
There’s a whole lot more behind me
Than how much lies ahead
I feel the need to make a list
To write it down so I will know
A few things that I’d like to do
In my life before I go
Chorus:
Before I go
I wanna walk the hills of Spain
See the birds in Costa Rica
The Northern Lights in northern Maine
I wanna spend more time
With the ones I love the most
These are a few things I’d like do
Before I go
Maybe I’ll buy some watercolors
Learn to paint a country lane
One that rolls on down to some
Pastural peaceful place
And maybe I’ll write a book
Tell my story, share my truth
Bare it all upon the page
That’s something I might like to do
Chorus: repeat
Bridge :
Maybe there’s a book up there someplace
With our names and the day we’ll pass
But I don’t think there is, so I wanna live
Each day like it’s my last
I wanna go sailin’ for a couple of weeks
Down in the islands with Vicki and Stan
Feel the sun on my face and the wind at my back
Walk with JoJo in the soft white sand
And when my traveling days are done
I wanna sit and watch the river flow
I wanna live with no regrets, with this time I’ve left
Here before I go
Chorus: repeat
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Johnsmith Trempealeau, Wisconsin
Kerrville TX fest New Folk winner. Teaches songwriting, leads music groups to Ireland, raft trips to Idaho, was featured on
NPR's ‘New Dimensions’.
“Johnsmith’s songs make me laugh, cry, dance, or just sing along. He is one of the most consistent writers of quality songs that I’ve ever met.” Lydia Hutchinson, Editor, Performing Songwriter Magazine
... more
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