When it becomes apparent that the poor inheriting the earth means they become dirt when they die,
The Rich Man's Prayer - Em to D
I kneel down on a calloused knee
Hold my children close to me
And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer
It's…
I kneel down on a calloused knee
Hold my children close to me
And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer
It's not one that Jesus spoke
That one turned into a joke
So I pray The Rich Man's Prayer
Not the prayer that Jesus said
Not, "This day our daily bread."
No, no, I pray The Rich Man's Prayer
God only answers The Rich Man's Prayer
I kneel down on a calloused knee
Hold my children close to me
And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer
(C) 2011 Royal T Music
When it becomes apparent that the poor inheriting the earth means they become dirt when they die,
The Rich Man's Prayer - Em to D
I kneel down on a calloused knee
Hold my children close to me
And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer
It's…
DADDY MIGHT KNOW
Mamma keeps a asking when I a coming home
I said, "See ya on your birthday," but what does Mamma know?
Mamma's got damintion running round her so
Mamma doesn't get it but my daddy might know
Mamma's got demintion. You…
"Is one dead baby worth all this sorrow?"
"Gotta get outta bed if you're going to make history."
Scenes from John Steinbeck's book, IN DUBIOUS BATTLE.
"There's something going on out in California and I'd like to know what it is." Preacher…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
HOME
(Am D) or (F C)
VERSE 1.
Where the (G) windmill sings to the mocking bird
And the (CM7) prairie wind, without a word
(Am) Whispers thru tall (D) grass, I’ll be (G) home
(F C G) or (Am D)
VERSE 2.
Where the butter cups and…
One night after three month of no rain, as we were driving home from singing at Gringos in Grapevine a splash of water hit the windshield.
I said to myself, "Sweet Rain."
I went home and wrote the song. It's on the soundtrack of a movie called…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
THE COUCH - key - C
https://fb.watch/lIEUn31mBZ/
https://www.facebook.com/100054814402634/videos/2856132984527543/
1-C 4-F
Today we put the couch out by the road
5-G…
KAWEAH (says the crow)
"Kaweah, Kaweah"
There's a place on up the hill
Redwood trees are standing still
The murmur of the river will invite you
Lay your head down on a rock
You'll forget about the clock
The whisper of the sun will…
BEAVERS AND WILLOWS
Capo @ 5 in C
C) Like beavers and willows (G
Bats and mosquitos
F) Toad C) frogs and G) flies (C
Algae and oil spills
Shovels and coal hills
Black holes and light
(C) 2020 Royal T Music
I wrote this song with Lisa Aschmann. CAPO @ 3
Video - https://www.facebook.com/100001011201926/videos/1285714588695761/
HICKORY STIX
Dm Am
Billy Mac and Don McCray drive to work each dawn at six
Down the mountain to the factory, makes…
As I wrote the verses, Lisa would guide me by saying, "No, that one is another song, a song about the depletion of the hickory forest." Like that. When we finished the 4th verse Lisa declared it done and we danced around and hugged each other...but later, I said, "Nothing has happened. We have just set the scene. So I wrote the next verse...and we danced and hugged each other again. On the last verse I was stumped for a meaningful rhyme with "trucks" and she came up with "deluxe." Then I said, "We really need a refrain/chorus. The next morning Lisa sang me three notes. Said that was the chorus. Instead of humming or "oooing" the notes I did the "aaaooo" and we knew that was right, so, we danced again and hugged each other. (Maybe not.)
Well, I was up on the ladder cleaning the leaves out of the gutters and this song came to me. What could I do? I climbed down and wrote this song.
YOUR VOICE
G Gyp 4 Bar 5 Gyp 5
I hear your voice and I go…
When I was a kid, my dad was the preacher at the Church of Christ in Tehachapi, California. We lived in Palmdale, so we'd get up early on Sunday mornings, pile the 5 of us into our 1950 Chevy coupe and head up thru Lancaster and Mojave, over the…
capo @ 3
Am walk down...
When I was a child we'd drive 200 miles
to Grandma's in the Spring
I'd hop out of the car, run to the back yard.
Grandma had a swing
But the times have changed...
When I became a dad I took all the rope I had…
GONE - My sequester song...
Chain wrapped around the dog park gate
Weeds growing on the school yard lawn
Where has everybody gone
The chairs are stacked
And the stage is dusty
And my strings are getting rusty...
(C) Royal T Music
There is a story behind this song. I'll leave it at that for now.
_____________________________________
Moonlight shined through the trees in the woods
A barred owl called and I understood
Nocturnal presence flew silently by
I tried…
Some time back, you left me a note on a song, Kingston Recliner:Destiny . . . You know, your verse might make a nice bridge to really capture the essence of “Destiny”. I just saw it and am wondering what "Destiny" is.
capo @ 4 Am - 3/4 time (starts on A)
Am G Am G Am
Last night I said Good bye to Rose but long ago I learned.
The things that last we seldom know and think a bridge is burned…
I wrote this song after planting and fertalizing a crop of sudan grass just to have the sun shine down with no relief on it for 100 days and no rain. We, Texas Water, were heading home one night AFTER A GIG at Gringo's in Grapevine when the…
That’s a terrific tune, James! Good lyrics, playing, and vocals. I enjoyed that. It actually helped relax me. I’m so glad you sold it! Sweet song. I always like your music. It’s good you’re making some income with it. You deserve that! - Doreen Peri
Probably anyone who plays the guitar could write this song....
Someone asked if I was actually in Spain in 2003. Actually, 2000. Working on the movie, THE STONE RAFT with George Sluizer, from a book by Jose Saramago.
Inspired by something Jenni…
LULLABY
Key D
(D) Close your eyes and tell me. Tell me what you see. In the sleepy landscape of your reverie. (G) Can you count the blossoms in the (Em) garden (A) of your (D) mind? Think about the mountains and the flowers and the trees…
Begin to see me, worthy Sailor, navigator
Living on the ocean for days
The spirit of the sea lies below us
Above us, dark skies of gray
I just can’t let it go
The search for the grail has gone cold
But a wreck of a ship lies below us…
This is, actually, the instrumental version of I Play C and THEN comes SNAPSHOTS, which was written one morning at a campground between Comfort and Welfare, Texas called OLD NUMBER NINE Depot. It was a weekend songwriter retreat with Liza Gilkyson…
SOMETHING ABOUT THE NIGHT TIME
(Am)Something about the (Bm)night time makes me feel alive
Makes me want to sing a song. Think about my life
(C)Maybe light a (D)candle. I like lemon grass
(Am)Something about the (Bm)night time (B Am E…
Got to be one of my may favorites you have shared!!! Love love love this one.
First the rareified topic... loving the night time, the dark, what it does for me... as i said, "...u begin right there in the pitch dark of ur room to face the blooming moon knowing...u r of the darkness... a ghost haunting your own room & u move with delight that u are a wraith an invisible scrap of shadow..."
echos your more succinct, "Something about the night that makes me feel aware,,. All my inner voices speaking loud and clear" Gwen Henry
It hit me...I know so many sides of so many arguments it's all become useless.
TOO MUCH
I’ve heard too much. I’ve seen too much
Don’t ask me any questions because
I know too much
I’ve read too much. I’ve written too much
Consider…
HOME
(Am D) or (F C)
VERSE 1.
Where the (G) windmill sings to the mocking bird
And the (CM7) prairie wind, without a word
(Am) Whispers thru tall (D) grass, I’ll be (G) home
(F C G) or (Am D)
VERSE 2.
Where the butter cups and…
HOME
(Am D) or (F C)
VERSE 1.
Where the (G) windmill sings to the mocking bird
And the (CM7) prairie wind, without a word
(Am) Whispers thru tall (D) grass, I’ll be (G) home
(F C G) or (Am D)
VERSE 2.
Where the butter cups and…
Another song for the 2021 National Solo Album Month.
What do we think of this cat? I have an urge to get proggy right now and generally that requires a level of talent that I don't posses. I'm not putting myself down when I say that, it's…
Another song for the 2021 National Solo Album Month.
What do we think of this cat? I have an urge to get proggy right now and generally that requires a level of talent that I don't posses. I'm not putting myself down when I say that, it's…
It's been a long absence from a regular daily practice of song writing. Covid and a major change in the family has distracted me for well over a year. Recently I've been lucky enough to drift back into old familiar things like wine soaked evenings…
"Destiny will find you when you think you're in control. Destiny will find you and rip you a new ass hole..." (Sorry. I couldn't stop myself...destiny, you know.)
When you C reach the Em point
When it’s F all in the rear view C mirror
And Am reflection is your G only point of C view G
You C feel it Em inside
When it F becomes so C clear
There’s Am nothing that G you can C do
F Hold on to G memories…
It's been a long absence from a regular daily practice of song writing. Covid and a major change in the family has distracted me for well over a year. Recently I've been lucky enough to drift back into old familiar things like wine soaked evenings…
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
I kneel down on a calloused knee Hold my children close to me And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer It's not one that Jesus spoke That one turned into a joke So I pray The Rich Man's Prayer Not the prayer that Jesus said Not, "This day our daily bread." No, no, I pray The Rich Man's Prayer God only answers The Rich Man's Prayer I kneel down on a calloused knee Hold my children close to me And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer (C) 2011 Royal T Music
I had to go look up Jack Hardy, he's one I've missed somehow.
Okay, I need words and chords for this one, I like it. It sounds like something I've heard before, but I know I haven't, which is a good thing.
What's the twanging in the background? Upbeat song about pretty depressing topic.
The Great Depression is such fertile ground for songs, such great imagery that never seems to go out of style.
Such a great classic
Nola Lloyd Griffiths Wolley A story in a song - loved this ❤️
My next JMT song to learn. Then Ghost Town
Great to hear Barbara's voice again. I'm playing this for some colleagues.
Roland Brown That is beautifully done, Jim! Seriously vivid storytelling it with genuine pathos. ❤️ I’m sharing.
Linda Linder I really enjoyed this song. A story song. They are the best. You played and sang it Very nicely. Thank you.
Marion Flowering-Sun Great old couch tribute…old years of memories
Ken McIntyre Love this
Naad Kaur Khalsa OMG...you are way to cute! That was just so adorable and real....laughter and tears all at once
Shawnee Smith Ray James Michael Taylor Beautiful and sad at the same time.
Chris Harper Love all of the short songs! I think my favorite was The Recliner……..
These are like little audio poems which create a rich visual idea in my head when I hear them.
These are great songs.
As I wrote the verses, Lisa would guide me by saying, "No, that one is another song, a song about the depletion of the hickory forest." Like that. When we finished the 4th verse Lisa declared it done and we danced around and hugged each other...but later, I said, "Nothing has happened. We have just set the scene. So I wrote the next verse...and we danced and hugged each other again. On the last verse I was stumped for a meaningful rhyme with "trucks" and she came up with "deluxe." Then I said, "We really need a refrain/chorus. The next morning Lisa sang me three notes. Said that was the chorus. Instead of humming or "oooing" the notes I did the "aaaooo" and we knew that was right, so, we danced again and hugged each other. (Maybe not.)
Beautiful song. Theo Carracino
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Blaire Stroud Love the harmonica on that just beautiful!
Laurie Callinan beautiful and sweet....❤ dear friend
I have a clue but still searching for answers. I hv listened to Shorts and I love it. You are a fucking genius. Joseph Brunelle
Some time back, you left me a note on a song, Kingston Recliner:Destiny . . . You know, your verse might make a nice bridge to really capture the essence of “Destiny”. I just saw it and am wondering what "Destiny" is.
Lazarus Knight James Michael Taylor I'm not altogether sure what Instagram is, but "Tonight I Said Goodbye to Rose" is my favorite from Namedropper.
That’s a terrific tune, James! Good lyrics, playing, and vocals. I enjoyed that. It actually helped relax me. I’m so glad you sold it! Sweet song. I always like your music. It’s good you’re making some income with it. You deserve that! - Doreen Peri
Love that song my friend - Chris Harper
Jere Reiser Nice meditation James
WoW! Great drone. Love the dissonance.
Welcome to this busy crossroads of music.
Theo Carracino wrote, "Beautiful. Best moments of my day. Thank you, James Michael Taylor."
Got to be one of my may favorites you have shared!!! Love love love this one. First the rareified topic... loving the night time, the dark, what it does for me... as i said, "...u begin right there in the pitch dark of ur room to face the blooming moon knowing...u r of the darkness... a ghost haunting your own room & u move with delight that u are a wraith an invisible scrap of shadow..." echos your more succinct, "Something about the night that makes me feel aware,,. All my inner voices speaking loud and clear" Gwen Henry
We've all heard too much and seen too much ... too much of many things. Theo Carracino haha ... i love that ending.
Jim Lamb Very well written, James Michael, great lyrics and story!!
Reads like a poem and sounds like a song. Jeff Prince
Rock On!!!!!
Mix your voice up at least on the level of the solo guitar...
"Destiny will find you when you think you're in control. Destiny will find you and rip you a new ass hole..." (Sorry. I couldn't stop myself...destiny, you know.)
...a song to be remembered for...
I hear ya, Buddy... but that guitar has incredible presence. (pyropool@earthlink.net)