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.

Beautiful song. Theo Carracino

Belinda Stephens James, your song breaks my heart.

Matthew F. Blowers III I am really liking your song on California, I have a special love for that state. You captured all the reaons I miss it, with your superb storytelling in lyrics and with the smooth harmonies and extremely well played music. It has a catchy beat, and I listened to the very last note.

Very catchy! Too short, maybe. Gotta listen twice.

So today, for some reason I decided to read the words first.. Just the words. And found it an absolutely beautiful experience. The metaphors you use to describe great and cosmic plans and intentions of great societal achievement, contrasted with the lines that begin with, "BUT I dreamed we met for breakfast".... (the switch and the contrast is very powerful) what a tiny, common human thing: meeting over the sharing of food,. Then followed by, "I dreamed I held your hand"... human touch/connection, as though those two simple things are worth more than all the highest achievements of worldly fame, and material ladders climbed! Which they are. They so are. The rest of the lyrics continue to develop & express that idea beautifully. Then I listened to the sing, and although it is good as a song, For me, the words in themselves stand strong and impactful w/o anything else. Not to contrast them and say one is "better" than the other. Just that sometimes I see lyrics that stand alone, And just saying, these words do that very well. Gwyn Henry

This is cool. It gives me ideas.

WoW! Knocks me out. Really sizzles.

Makes me want to find a partner and do a little dance...very nice.

You had me at, "If I back off and shut my mouth..." Know exactly where you are. So afraid the answer is, "No."

Sounds like a 50s Buddy Holly era song. Very sweet sentiment. And, yes, I can dance to it.

Great characterization. Great kick drum sound.

WoW! Rock me, dude! Love the imagery.

Kim Triolo Feil James Michael Taylor that's a fantastic story and a very lovely song

Yes! A MONKEES song, for sure.

Interesting sounds. Cool chord shifts.

Aaah, if Love could only be forgotten... Nice.

Like it.

Very nice...

California has a chorus that camouflages the dramatic irony of the verse narrative. If it weren’t for the unusual intro, it’d seem zirconium. Christopher Youngblood

Circle of No Regrets sounds quaint. That’s what makes it hit. Unless you turn your ears on, it’s a boring song, but once you do, it’s hard to take. It’s almost like you’re giving the audience an option. Christopher Youngblood

I wrote to my children, my answer. I told the how I watched them thru the window and enjoyed them in ways they never knew. How seeing them learn and succeed at their efforts was such pleasure to me. How discovering who they were by the talents and generosity they exhibited made me happy...The first response I got was from Embyr, now a registered nurse, mother of 4, just said, "Jim, you were mean."

Sat 11:38 PM Christopher sent Yesterday at 11:38 PM I listened to Kite a bunch of times, trying to think how it could be improved (it can’t be), and it occurred to me that Ben Franklin flew a key. That part of the story had never occurred to me as important before. But it’s like he was trying to unlock something. Maybe he tried it on a clear day and let the kite rise to where he couldn’t see it. That’d be a different experiment altogether. Christopher Youngblood