Maia was from Georgia. The Georgia that was part of the the USSR. She drew pictures of her sisters. She lived on orange juice and tea. (Horns by my brother, John.)
MEETING MAIA
Where the tram stops in front of the Van Gough Museum, I waited…
MAN THAT I AM - Key Dm
Dm
Train pulls out the station and the shades are all drawn
Cold steel bites my ankles and I am on my way home
G
I would jump out of that window. Risk a bullet in my back
Dm
But I'm shackled to a bunk…
BEDROOM AND A BATH
At the end of the hall
is a bedroom and a bath
A place he never goes
Way back there,
buried in the past
but she'll never know
When the kids moved out
he took one of their rooms
He made the bed
Closed the shade…
James Michael Taylor
Roland Brown Thank you for listening and commenting, Roland. Especially, Room @ the end of the hall. You are the 1st to mention that one. I debated putting that one on the list.
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Roland Brown
James Michael Taylor That is , IMHO, a powerful mind journey. I was enthralled by it.
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BEDROOM AND A BATH
At the end of the hall
is a bedroom and a bath
A place he never goes
Way back there,
buried in the past
but she'll never know
When the kids moved out
he took one of their rooms
He made the bed
Closed the shade…
Roland Brown
I sort of slowed down a bit weekend before last and listened to and enjoyed “My New Shorts”. On first listen I was particularly struck by Room at the End of the Hall (love that one!), Fireflies (thoughtful), Cattails and Butterflies, Broken Cookies and Day Old Bread, and Everyone I Need to Talk To. Well done!
This one explains itself...for Eric.
WORLD OF HURT Capo @ 3 Key G
G
A friend of mine called yesterday
Em
To try to cheer me up
C
He said I should be happy
D
Things could be much worse
He told me he was…
MOTHER'S EYES
I used to chide my mother
She saw the loss in every face
The cemetery. The old folks home
along the way
I used to laugh at Mother
She saw the pain in every eye
Now time has passed
and Mom is gone and here am I
And…
VIDEO - https://www.facebook.com/100001468692811/videos/1120270078888215/
https://www.facebook.com/true.taylor.3/videos/397153049918748
GHOST TOWN capo @ 2 in C
C Em F G C
I…
Naad Kaur Khalsa
Well that was just gorgeous...beautiful poetry in its own right...all the way through, lovley lyric, lovley playing polished and easy tonkick bk to despite the ghostly disappearing act...which actually I quite enjoyed
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James Michael Taylor
Naad Kaur Khalsa Thank you for listening and commenting...
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Naad Kaur Khalsa
James Michael Taylor my absolute pleasure...was really fun...you're in TX right? What town? Your whole vibe is so there...it just has me grinning from ear to ear ....so much of the American I love...from my uniquely un-American vantage point
MOTHER'S EYES
I used to chide my mother
She saw the loss in every face
The cemetery. The old folks home
along the way
I used to laugh at Mother
She saw the pain in every eye
Now time has passed
and Mom is gone and here am I
And…
There is nothing like the presence of a horse. The quiet understanding. The gentle strength.
Woodlake, California...1961. I had a horse. She was my friend.
There were times in my teens when Babe was the only being that did not judge me…
SOMERTHING TO BELIEVE capo @ 2 in C
C
They’re rounding up the roosters down in Florida
F
Drowning all the snakes in New Orleans
G
The fires are chasing antelopes in Chyanne…
David Young
This one is really nice! I downloaded it so I can listen a lot more. The guitar part fits perfectly. Your voice is so distinctive -- Leslie was playing the song on her phone and I recognized your voice instantly. (I think it was the first note you sang that gave it away!) You are amazingly talented and I continue to be impressed by your knack for writing thoughtful lyrics and for your incredible output of great songs.
Refuge into the imagination:
Is it crazy?
Is it survival?
Is desire to survive crazy?
THERE SHE WAS Key - G 102811
G
She'd been gone for three years now so he'd been on the road
Playing every truck stop bar and every song he…
Robert White
Hey James Michael Taylor! Excellent Song and a beautiful Story! "There She Was" That is probably one of the longest songs and the story was so sad! You are a Singer and a Poet! Beautiful Voice! Thanks for Sharing! 🤗
Still struggling with this one...
Maybe not possible to make this work in a country song...MY DICK DON'T KNOW SHE'S GONE
1. She's been gone for three years now. Three years since she walked out
Friends and folks I work with ask me what it…
key - C
I’m clinging to the memories as the world falls apart
The falling leaves, dead Everleys are pulling at my heart.
My quest for rationality, I can’t even start.
So, I’m clinging to the memories as the world falls apart
I’m clinging…
VIDEO - https://www.facebook.com/100001468692811/videos/1120270078888215/
https://www.facebook.com/true.taylor.3/videos/397153049918748
GHOST TOWN capo @ 2 in C
C Em F G C
I…
I wrote this at my dad's urging. He likes it. We sing it together. I have YouTube Video of it up.
EULOGY
He grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma
Red dirt back yard, Gramma's place
Honey suckle in a dust bowl
Life as hard as limestone lace…
I never sing this song the same two times in a row.
The lyric below is pretty close to how I sing it now.
Listening again, this is an awful version of this song...
I have my recording machine working again...I must redo this.
I PLAY C…
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…
Shirley Crawford
Hello…old friend. This one hits me in the heart. When we moved here to NM back in June… we left behind in the house, our old couch that we’d used for 22 years. It had been my parents before that. It was probably close to 40 yrs old. And yes, it made into a bed.
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…
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…
Daniel Payne
This one hits. Heavy reflections on all the stuff that served me faithfully, and all the leaving was my doing. To reward all that loyalty, I do to my stuff what I always hate other people to do to me.
america is a state of micro-managed fascism.
its many laws are the product of overpaid lawyer, judges, politicians, police, and pundits.
compulsory schooling streamlines personality traits,
departmentalized careers collapse cognition.
CIAFBIDHSNSALPD…
i see a path,
it's a trail.
i see a road,
thru these woods.
And on that road,
we move so fast.
we move so fast,
it changes us.
and we make the changes
we move so fast,
wheels sprout under us,
then they become wings.
and it changes us.
and not…
After reading the book: The Immortal Life of Henryetta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Google HeLa cells and you'll get the whole story. The most famous cell line EVER.
RUN HeLa RUN
Her name was Henryetta Lacks but she never knew
Her family finally…
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…
How old is that song? Was rhatvwritten from a personal stance if I may?
LeAnna
LeAnna M Christian
Overall good song; performance and production
JMT - I wrote/recorded this in 2011. Just looking at the poor man's perspective, (which I have knowledge of) noticing no matter how much he prays he's still poor. "Must be the wrong prayer."
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…
There is nothing like the presence of a horse. The quiet understanding. The gentle strength.
Woodlake, California...1961. I had a horse. She was my friend.
There were times in my teens when Babe was the only being that did not judge me…
Rosemarie Kempton wrote:
Just finished listening to your memories of your horse Babe. Your words painted such a vivid portrait of your night rides that I felt like I was riding Babe, too. Beautifully done!
There was a movie Peggy and I were doing the location sound over in east Dallas: THE HOLDINGS OF THE HEART. If I remember right they put this song in the movie.
THE HOLDINGS OF THE HEART - in C
The heart can hold a lot of things: the sunshine…
The heart can hold a lot of things: the sunshine and the flowers
The chill that springs the falling leaves. Winter's darkest hours
The rains that quench the thirsty earth. The buds that sprout and bloom
Sometimes it tries to hold too much and there isn't enough room
Sometimes it tries to hold too much
The heart can hold a multitude. Family and Friends.
There are things that life will give and things it only lends
A wife becomes a mother, a son becomes a man
There are things the heart can't hold
And still it thinks it can
There are things the heart can't hold
The holdings of the bank are cold, but holding hands are warm
The holdings of the mind are thoughts that in the moment form
The hands that hold the tools that build the brushes for our art
None are as enduring as the holdings of the heart
The holdings of the heart are self-renewing
On holdings of the heart, high interest, paid
Holdings sometimes best be liquidated, yet we stay
The heart can hold the music. The voices of the Time.
The heart collects the little things. The pennies and the dimes
The heart can try to measure the stature of a dream
Pounding like the waters on the stones that block the streams
Pounding like the waters
The holdings of the bank are cold, but holding hands are warm
The holdings of the mind are thoughts that in the moment form
The hands that hold the tools that build the brushes for our art
None are as enduring as the holdings of the heart
None are self-renewing like the holdings of the heart
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...
JONAH LIVES UNDER THE BRIDGE
Jonah lives under the bridge
He's there, up off the ground
His world is looking down
Bicycles pass him by
Children ask parents why
Jonah lives under the bridge
Jonah lives under the bridge
No insurance…
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.
Comments on James Michael Taylor's stuff
Maia...not really… but partly..
"I listened to that song and loved it." Scott Grace
James Michael Taylor Roland Brown Thank you for listening and commenting, Roland. Especially, Room @ the end of the hall. You are the 1st to mention that one. I debated putting that one on the list. Like Reply3h Roland Brown James Michael Taylor That is , IMHO, a powerful mind journey. I was enthralled by it. Like
Roland Brown I sort of slowed down a bit weekend before last and listened to and enjoyed “My New Shorts”. On first listen I was particularly struck by Room at the End of the Hall (love that one!), Fireflies (thoughtful), Cattails and Butterflies, Broken Cookies and Day Old Bread, and Everyone I Need to Talk To. Well done!
Gerald Ray Lovely my friend
I really like this song. I don't remember it if have heard it. Maybe just now I understand it. Time presents new perspectives and lessons.
Naad Kaur Khalsa Well that was just gorgeous...beautiful poetry in its own right...all the way through, lovley lyric, lovley playing polished and easy tonkick bk to despite the ghostly disappearing act...which actually I quite enjoyed Like ReplyHide2h Active James Michael Taylor Naad Kaur Khalsa Thank you for listening and commenting... Like Reply1h Active Naad Kaur Khalsa James Michael Taylor my absolute pleasure...was really fun...you're in TX right? What town? Your whole vibe is so there...it just has me grinning from ear to ear ....so much of the American I love...from my uniquely un-American vantage point
thank you James for sharing that with me. Hope you don't mind if I share it further. Judith
Lane Beauvais Caught me by surprise!
Laurie L. Ward James, loved it…interesting where you chose to end it…but somehow…just perfect.
Brian Gagnon You do a great job blending stories and music. People should listen.
Kat Angel I love the last line... 🤣
David Young This one is really nice! I downloaded it so I can listen a lot more. The guitar part fits perfectly. Your voice is so distinctive -- Leslie was playing the song on her phone and I recognized your voice instantly. (I think it was the first note you sang that gave it away!) You are amazingly talented and I continue to be impressed by your knack for writing thoughtful lyrics and for your incredible output of great songs.
Robert White Hey James Michael Taylor! Excellent Song and a beautiful Story! "There She Was" That is probably one of the longest songs and the story was so sad! You are a Singer and a Poet! Beautiful Voice! Thanks for Sharing! 🤗
"...you're such a Master Craftsman ." Kelly Cutler
Me - Is this a country song? Johnny Delbert Mcloud - By all means.
That's awesome, James. - John Delbert McLoud
Lazarus Knight The last verse says it all.
https://stefanprigmore.bandcamp.com/track/i-play-c?fbclid=IwAR3UQXa1yThdHIBGgFLgedUn0O6sY4YgOK1fL-IDPore_VP_DZIMCB9J6Vo
Violet Lea James Michael Taylor you really are one of the best songwriters alive.
Comments made by James Michael Taylor
Kat Angel PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the song, love you singing it just to me (in my imagination)
Bruce Balmer Beautiful.
Shirley Crawford Hello…old friend. This one hits me in the heart. When we moved here to NM back in June… we left behind in the house, our old couch that we’d used for 22 years. It had been my parents before that. It was probably close to 40 yrs old. And yes, it made into a bed.
Candy Davis Beautiful, poignant memory song. I could just picture that old couch and what it meant to you.
Perrin Gardner Beautiful song, James Michael Taylor!
Carolyn Wade Sending love ❤️. Love it and remember the memories of us. Button your shirt.(Gladys Burcham).
Becky Byrd Spicer Wiping a tear for all the relics I have kept, and those discarded.
Scarlett Maneikis So beautiful, n heart felt. I love it.
Doreen Peri Wonderful. Thank you for sharing this!
Daniel Payne This one hits. Heavy reflections on all the stuff that served me faithfully, and all the leaving was my doing. To reward all that loyalty, I do to my stuff what I always hate other people to do to me.
...as Buddy holly said, "RAVE ON!"
...really gets the feeling of that path!
I don't understand being criticized for a track being TOO LOUD. Doesn't everybody have a "volume" knob?
That is fun...
How old is that song? Was rhatvwritten from a personal stance if I may? LeAnna LeAnna M Christian Overall good song; performance and production JMT - I wrote/recorded this in 2011. Just looking at the poor man's perspective, (which I have knowledge of) noticing no matter how much he prays he's still poor. "Must be the wrong prayer."
How old is that song? Was rhatvwritten from a personal stance if I may? LeAnna LeAnna M Christian Overall good song; performance and production
Rosemarie Kempton wrote: Just finished listening to your memories of your horse Babe. Your words painted such a vivid portrait of your night rides that I felt like I was riding Babe, too. Beautifully done!
The heart can hold a lot of things: the sunshine and the flowers The chill that springs the falling leaves. Winter's darkest hours The rains that quench the thirsty earth. The buds that sprout and bloom Sometimes it tries to hold too much and there isn't enough room Sometimes it tries to hold too much The heart can hold a multitude. Family and Friends. There are things that life will give and things it only lends A wife becomes a mother, a son becomes a man There are things the heart can't hold And still it thinks it can There are things the heart can't hold The holdings of the bank are cold, but holding hands are warm The holdings of the mind are thoughts that in the moment form The hands that hold the tools that build the brushes for our art None are as enduring as the holdings of the heart The holdings of the heart are self-renewing On holdings of the heart, high interest, paid Holdings sometimes best be liquidated, yet we stay The heart can hold the music. The voices of the Time. The heart collects the little things. The pennies and the dimes The heart can try to measure the stature of a dream Pounding like the waters on the stones that block the streams Pounding like the waters The holdings of the bank are cold, but holding hands are warm The holdings of the mind are thoughts that in the moment form The hands that hold the tools that build the brushes for our art None are as enduring as the holdings of the heart None are self-renewing like the holdings of the heart
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.