Well, Rosie's like a lot of folks She's just trying to stay afloat But she's got a broken boat She's a going down And Rosie's got her problems, friends She just tries to do her best Who's gonna do the rest She's a going down If god had longer arms, you know He'd reach on down to Rosie Reach on down to Rosie Reach on down (2) Etc...

This came out of a story in the Star Telegram about a guy that lived under one of the bridges near Trinity Park. I was angry at a reporter who did a story about him and it got him removed.

Talking about listening to "criticism:" A producer who lives down toward Houston called me one evening after he listened to , MY NEW SHORTS and he gave me advise on how I could and should "go ahead and finish," those songs. He had detailed suggestions for every one of them. I listened and thanked him for taking the time to listen and respond. Everything he said was sound advice about how to expand each of the short clips...one thing though, he missed the point of what I was doing. One GETS IT or one DOESN'T GET IT.

Another citizen of Lancaster street?

This is amazing. The vocals and instrumentation serve the song perfectly.

This Jack Hardy song is about one of Kerrvill's favorites. Gone now. Had a weekly song circle and spigetti feast at his apartment in New York for years. I nail his voice at a place or two. I also step a bit across the worshipful attitude line everyone had for him. He and I had an immediate connection. One night I was singing in some east Texas town and he was there, so, he got to hear my song before we lost him. Maybe the fact I was older than him allowed me a certain playfulness.

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

David Young Wow! Beautiful song! One of your best.

Leslie Young Evocative song.

John R. Thielges I think you bring poetry to grief; in an unique way. "Help" and hickory sticks. Thank you.

Raechel Frice James Michael Taylor the story telling aspect of your songs/lyrics remind me of John Denver. This is meant as a compliment.

Paul Smith James Michael Taylor I freaking love your music.

Randy Brown I think everyone was hesitant to encourage the final solution. I love the melody and the sadness of the lyrics.

Dene Colwill You are truly one of the greatest song writers of this decade. Right there with Paul Simon and Gordon Lightfoot in my opinion. All I can say off that sadness and anger is still strong pray to God for peace as only he holds the way to you being able to let b it go. You can't change other people or events that have happened, but you can learn to forgive and change how YOU react to them. If you ever feel nobody cares or will listen, call me. I'll find time and make the time to meet with you or listen over the phone. Don't let depression or anger beat you down for too long old friend. Like Reply2h Active James Michael Taylor I write songs to explain my situation to myself. Considering it all I might just be the happiest person I know.

Lazarus Knight Sometimes you post a song with a link that brings up an album. I don't always listen to the full album because of the rush of life. But I'm trying to remember one of the very recent ones ... I think it (the song)_ was called "Sometime". It is so beautifully poetic and the feeling is passed along so gracefully. It is truly an expression of sweet sorrow, or more accurately, a sweet expression of the numbing pain of loss. It is the thing that my story songs just don't quite do. Lazarus Knight

Brian Gagnon I fought this feeling by staying angry. 30+ years later, I'm still angry.

Tim Tandy The mood of this song reminds me of John Denver's "Perhaps Love." He explained that he wrote it when he was no longer in a relationship but that, while there was sorrow and pain, there was also the beautiful memory of love to see him through. You've captured the bittersweetness -so different from melancholy - of the best haiku poems.

Tim Tandy Whew.............

Haunting. A different take on driving a dark desert highway, cool wind in your hair....Tim Tandy

Jere Reiser Beautiful and Haunting. It is not we, who summon ghosts from the past. Rather it is we who haunt our past. It's like going back to the present. In some instances, I suffer from being the perpetrator and can't avoid picking at the scab. But that's just me.

Ken Gaines Well, my friend, I'm glad you haven't ridden that bullet yet. Meanwhile, I miss swapping songs with you.

I dig it - Raechel Frice

David Young Very sad song but your lyrics are wonderfully written, as always. You are a musical treasure!

Kat Angel Heartfelt and beautiful.

Leslie Young Sad song.

This sounds like more verses to Hey, Regina...

What a sweet song. That guitar figure really catches the time...