your silence

today I listened to your silence
and this is what it said
I'll be better off without you
in the brand new days ahead
I'll be drinking in the sunshine
while you wither in the dark
I don't need to think about you
I don't wonder where you are

something fierce

my country is on fire
and no one can put it out
nobody hears nobody
no matter how loud they shout
I do not have an answer
I do not know the way
all I know is something fierce
is attacking us today

my country knows no reason
this is why some choose to fight
we do not have a leader
who can guide us through the night
people are not giving up
because they don't know how
all I know is something fierce
is attacking us right now

chop wood carry water (rewrite 4)

chop wood, carry water
keep on doing what you oughta
life is so much easier when you have chores to do
eat with spoon, cut with knife
little things make up a life
you got to keep on going till it's through

chop wood, carry water
never spend your last hard-earned dollar
life is so much easier when you understand
that kindness is what really counts
whether in large or small amounts
you got to keep on going while you can

          carry water, chop wood
          sidekick of the neighborhood
          sleeping in a silver Chevrolet
          chop wood, carry water
          strong as the rock of old Gibraltar
          I know that you will be okay

chop wood, carry water
I got a date with the boatman's daughter
life is so much easier with someone by your side
live with love love with passion
better than you can imagine
take that tissue in your hand
and dry the tears you've cried

          carry water, chop wood
          sidekick of the neighborhood
          sleeping in a silver Chevrolet
          chop wood, carry water
          sing and swing like Frank Sinatra
          you know and I know you'll be okay

one track mind

I have a one track mind
and it's stuck on you
today I'm going to find
just what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna walk up to you
and introduce myself
and say I'm a man
of fortune and wealth
you're not mine now
but you'll be in time
I got a one track mind
I got a one track mind

rinse lather repeat

there is nothing to do today
that is different than the day before
I try to do it anyway
because I know there's so much more
to this life besides sitting back
dreaming of a coal-black Cadillac
I'm going to have a heart attack
if I don't get out of here soon
I have to leave this room
to get back on my feet
all I know is
rinse lather repeat

mask

I put on my mask and went outside
to see what I could see
there were people walking all alone
they were wearing a mask like me
who are these people? what are they doing?
why are they passing by?
they are minding their own business
exactly like you and I

brand new day

every day has something new up its sleeve
feels like every morning is New Year's Eve
a new beginning each step along the way
I find myself wondering is this love
it sure does feel good enough
I'm glad to wake up on each brand new day

I have headphones on

I have headphones on
I am set to go
what I'll listen to
nobody know
not even me
its cover is nothing I can see
when I put it on
I don't look at the name
all those other records
I rtreat it the same
here I go drop the needle down
here it comes
the glorious sound
I have headphones on

Don't get me started

Two months into this lockdown shit and I don't know how much more there is to come. Places are opening up but I can't help but think everybody is being premature with this. My life probably won't go back to normal until they have a vaccine readily available. I'm fuckin' scared as shit about the coronavirus, COVID-19. I'm just taking it day by day.

What do you think about the responses from the White House, farmboy?

Those people are so fucked up. Don't get me started on Trump. Seriously. Everyday he does something that royally pisses me off. What a selfish, evil asshole. I know we have to pay attention to what he says and does, but sometimes I can't take it. And his followers. What a bunch of fuckin' zombies. What a bunch of cry babies. Just like their fuckin' leader. 

Tell me how you really feel...

Don't get me started. I'll get really upset and angry and that won't do either one of us any good. I mean, I get really upset. I'm so fuckin' angry at that motherfucking-son-of-a-bitch I can barely speak. So I won't.

But you are, farmboy. I can tell how angry you are. Allow me to change the subject.

Nope. You're too late. I'm already angry and I'm in the mood for raging.

But I don't want to be raged at. I'm not ignoring the situation, I just don't want to be subjected to anyone's anger.

So let's quit talking about it.

That's what I'm saying.

You're right. I should meditate or watch TV or play guitar. Something other than wasting my time being concerned with something I hate.

That makes sense to me. What are you going to do instead?

Do what I always do. Pick up a guitar and do something worthwhile. This is how I live my life. I don't know what I would do without my guitar.

mr. delivery man

I'm waiting on you
mr. delivery man
to drop off my package of weed
I've got your payment
money in hand
I have even more than you need
'cause I've included the tip
'cause you're making this trip
across the town for meI hope that you're snappy
you make me so happy
my mind is finally free

party zone

I was busy
I was working
like I do five days a week
I ain't hungry
I got money
and lots of time, so to speak
so I thought I'd call you
hope that you are not asleep
let's go out on the town
dance cheek to cheek
until we can't dance no more

you are tired 
you been working
and two kids in your home
times are tough
and change purse empty
cash location is unknown
but that don't matter, darlin'
we don't need to get a loan
'cause tonight it's you and me
in the party zone

waiting on a phone call

I'm waiting on a phone call
from a very important person
who will tell me what I'm doing with my life
I have lots of questions
and I need lots of answers
tell me what I'm doing with my life
I need solutions
I've got some problems
I need ideas
on how to solve them
if you could help me
I could dissolve them
hurry please
pick up the phone

I'm waiting on a message
to visit my computer
to answer the message I just left
all these facts and figures
statistics and logistics
have found my mind bereft
I need solutions
but I ain't got none
maybe if you help me
I could find one
if there were answers
I'd finally be done
hurry please
type in those words

chop wood carry water (rewrite 3)

chop wood, carry water
keep on doing what you oughta
life is so much easier when you have chores to do
eat with spoon, cut with knife
little things make up a life
you got to keep on going till it's through

chop wood, carry water
never spend your last hard-earned dollar
life is so much easier when you understand
that kindness is what really counts
whether in large or small amounts
you got to keep on going while you can

          carry water, chop wood
          do everything you know you should
          be yourself each step along the way
          chop wood, carry water
          strong as the rock of old Gibraltar
          you know and I know you'll be okay

chop wood, carry water
I got a date with the boatman's daughter
life is so much easier with someone by your side
live with love love with passion
better than you can imagine
take that tissue in your hand
and dry the tears you've cried

          carry water, chop wood
          let yourself be understood
          be yourself each step along the way
          chop wood, carry water
          sing and swing like Frank Sinatra
          you know and I know you'll be okay

chop wood carry water (rewrite 2)

chop wood, carry water
keep on doing what you oughta
life is so much easier when you have chores to do
eat with spoon, cut with knife
little things make up a life
you just continue going till it's through

chop wood, carry water
never spend your last hard-earned dollar
life is so much easier when you understand
that kindness is what really counts
whether in large or small amounts
you got to keep on going while you can

          carry water, chop wood
          do everything you know you should
          be yourself each step along the way
          chop wood, carry water
          I know you're thinking it's a bother
          but you know that
          you will be okay

chop wood, carry water
I got a date with the boatman's daughter
life is so much easier with someone by your side
live with love love with passion
better than you can imagine
take that tissue in your hand
and dry the tears you've cried

          carry water, chop wood
          let yourself be understood
          be yourself each step along the way
          chop wood, carry water
          sing the blues like Frank Sinatra
          but you know that
          you will be okay

you will be okay (rewrite 2)

you will be okay
you just don't know that now
you will make it through
even though you don't know how
I know you're frightened
damn near every day
but there will be a way
you will be okay

you will be all right
even though you can't imagine it
you and friends and family
all of you will manage it
take care of one another
and you will make it through the night
hope is still in sight
you will be all right

you are very strong
your strength knows where to find you
but sometimes you forget
so I'm here to remind you
trouble comes to an end
you wind up where you belong
sometimes right conquers wrong
you are very strong

you will be okay
you will be alright
you are very strong
you are full of might
soon this will be over
and the fear will go away
no matter what you may say
you will be okay
there will be a way
you will be okay

chop wood carry water (rewrite 1)

chop wood, carry water
make sure you're doing what you oughta
life is so much easier when you have chores to do
eat with spoon, cut with knife
little things make up a life
you got to keep on going till it's through

chop wood, carry water
never spend your last hard-earned dollar
life is so much easier when you understand
that actions, not words are what counts
whether in large or small amounts
you got to keep on going while you can

          carry water, chop wood
          do everything you know you should
          be yoursel each step along the way
          chop wood, carry water
          I know you're thinking it's a bother
          but you know and I know
          you will be okay

chop wood, carry water
I got a date with the farmer's daughter
life is so much easier with someone by your side
live with love love with passion
better than you can imagine
take that tissue in your hand
and dry the tears you've cried

          carry water, chop wood
          let yourself be understood
          be yourself each step along the way
          chop wood, carry water
          sing the blues like Frank Sinatra
          you know and I know
          it will be okay

chop wood carry water

chop wood
carry water
make sure you're doing
what you oughta
life is so much easier
when you have some chores to do
eat with spoon
cut with knife
little things
make up a life
you got to keep on going
till it's through

chop wood
carry water
never spend
your last hard-earned dollar
life is so much easier
when you begin to understand
that actions, not words
it what really counts
whether in large
or small amounts
you got to keep on going
while you can

          carry water
          chop wood
          do everything
          you know you should
          be yourself
          each step along the way
          chop wood
          carry water
          I know you're thinking
          it's a bother
          but you know
          and I know
          you will be okay

just begun

I hear the rain outside my front door
don't go out there
it's too damn rough
it's not like it once was before
any shred of hope
can never be enough
I am standing in the shadows
of a world that never was
standing silent in a meadow
what's the reason
just because
don't leave me broken by the roadside
I know the path I have to run
amid the sad truth of my history
I can't help but think I've just begun

chores

when work is done
and the chores are over
it's time to sit outside
with a fresh cup of coffee
and marvel about how
you have fooled your laziness
to do something that seems important

there
now don't you feel good

morning coffee

I make my morning coffee
it's the start of a new day
the water starts to boil
and now it's on its way
what happens after this
brings nothing but dread
so I'll focus on my morning cup
of coffee instead

the last full moon

you wake up in the morning
and it's already afternoon
you look for clean clothes
somewhere in the mess called your room
you're going out on the town
but you won't be returning soon
but when you come back
you'll be shining like the last full moon

everything depends on you

I'm all alone here
nothing but myself
I wish that I could see
somebody else
it hurts to be so lonely
I don't know what to do
everything depends on you

I'm tired of all this silence
it's painful to hear
the sounds of all I know
have begun to disappear
every touch I feel now
is one I thought I knew
everything depends on you

          I believed I was invincible
          I thought I'd make it on my own
          but everything's invisible
          everyone I've ever known

maybe you could comfort me
maybe be my friend
maybe you prove to me
that this pain is at its end
tell me that you love me
help me make it through
everything depends on you

alive at night

every morning I wake up at noon
hoping the day will be ending soon
because I come alive at night
that's what I do
I'm hoping you become alive at night, too

I spend all day cursing the sun
'cause the moon says when my time's begun
because I come alive at night
that's who I be
I'm hoping you'll be alive at night with me

          I don't need sunshine
          spoiling my joy
          nighttime is the only time
          I employ

late at night, the moon is high
shining in a pitch black sky
and I'm here alive at night
that's who I am
as for the day, I just don't give a damn

come join me here in the dark
I know a place where we can park
we'll be alive at night
we'll finally be free
I'm hoping you'll be alive at night with me
I'm hoping you'll be alive at night with me

I will be your lighthouse

when nothing works
when everything hurts
when you're feeling lost at sea
I will be your lighthouse
you can count on me
when all's dissatisfaction
and the only color is blue
I will be your lighthouse
I'll be there for you

          and if you need a friend
          here is where I'll be
          if you're feeling at an end
          just come look for me

when the ocean's rough
and you're not so tough
and the world is your's to fear
I will be your lighthouse
I will be right here

bones

if anything can go wrong
you will go wrong
I know it
I can feel it in my bones

Hope for the future

Man, this is so hard. I don't feel like doing a fuckin' thing lately. I don't want to practice and I don't want to write and I don't want to meditate and I don't want to cook. I don't want to do anything that I'm supposed to do. But I do it any way because there's nothing else to do (laughs). I felt bad yesterday until I played myself out of my bad mood.

Do you have any idea why you feel this way, farmboy?

Well, I'm bored. This lockdown -- or whatever you want to call it -- has brought up all sorts of shit for me, but nothing serious. I'm mainly bored with doing the same things every single day, seven days a week. And it's up to me to change it. But I'm afraid to let any of it go.

You know, I walk in my apartment every night after midnight. And it's okay, and I get steps in, and it's a workout and everything, but I fuckin' dread it more each day. I've thought that I could change it to where I'm doing it during the day, but I'm afraid to change.,

It may not hurt to try. You can always go back to walking at night if it doesn't work out.

I might try it. We'll see how that goes.

This ain't a big deal, you know? I just don't want to ignore the goals that I had during the times that we weren't in a pandemic. Hopefully I won't get sick and die from this shit and hopefully there will be life after this. It may not go back to normal but life will continue.

That's true, farmboy. Every song that you play is, in a sense, a sign of hope that the world will be continuing.

Yeah. Thanks. I need to remember that. Same with walking and exercising and writing. It's all in the name of hope for the future. I need to continue doing those things.

This is going to sound like a cliche, but take one step at a time. One song at a time, one piece of writing at a time.

That's what I'm doing. I'm trying to not burn myself out. I'm betting that the future is coming and I'm saving up for it with my actions. It's not easy, but nothing ever is. I guess I'll keep on going.

there is nothing to do today

there is nothing to do today
so I'm gonna waste the day away
if I was a kid, I'd jump and play
but that's not me right now
no, today I'm going to stay inside
climb in bed, in there I'll hide
it may harm my foolish pride
but I really don't know how

there is nothing to do anymore
it's not like it was before
with music and laughter and fun galore
those days are at an end
all that's left from here on out
is everything I'm all about
it's nothing I can't do without
I wish time was my friend

          there is nothing to do today
          nothing I can find
          I know that if I had my way
          I'd own some peace of mind

looking for inspiration

I'm looking for inspiration
do you have any to spare?
I've searched my entire imagination
but I don't see nothing in there
where it has gone is a mystery
I've examined all my life's history
but instead all I find is this misery
I seem to have nothing to say

for Parks and Recreation

all my friends have come over
at least on my TV
because our lives have turned to shit
they've come to rescue me
to make me laugh
to make me cry
like everyone in this nation
today I thank the Lord above
for Parks and Recreation

weather report

it's up and at 'em
and maybe I'll go walk outside
oh wait...it's raining

when work is over

when work is over
and the long, hard day is through
you can take a nice long breath
and return to being you
no one can report you
for just being yourself
when you've spent the whole damn day
being someone else

when work is over
you don't think of your boss
instead you go out drinking
no matter what the cost
and after a little while
thoughts of working disappear
it's amazing what can happen
when you drink too many beers