Johnny Stone's Favorite tracks on alonetone

by Johnny Stone

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4:02

HELP 2007 - SLAUGHTER MOUNTAIN

Uploaded December 14, 2011 4:45am.

197

The lyrics of this song,
as they pertain to plot,
are my exact memory of the event.

I had spoken to the kid maybe a minute before the “action” started about how the pressure of the water was very strong. He was nestled down with his back to the current.

Seconds later, he floated past me and uttered that word. People gathered on the bank as I struggled to help him get to the shore.
Seeming not to realize that the child and I were on the brink of sinking and being swept on down the river.

I did yell to those gathered on the bank,
“I need some help here.”
Where upon someone grabbed the kid and I got myself to safety.

I never saw the child after that or heard
who or how he was.

Had I not lost a child to drowning many years earlier I suspect I wouldn’t have written this song… iburymydead.com

HELP - Em

Em Am C B7 Em
He said, “Help.” A lonely cry for his existence
He said, “Help.” The camp ground echoed his resistance
As I see him in the distance I respond at his insistence

He said, “Help,” as he flowed down with the water
Not a scream. Just that word and not much louder
Just a statement. Not a shout. He held his chin up like an otter.

He said, “Help,” as the swelling waters lift him.
He said, “Help.” The sand beneath his was shifting.
Lost his footing, now he drifting.
Will the Hands of Time constrict him? He said, “Help.”

Am - I got sunflowers and tomatoes, caster beans and summer squash
Em - I got roses piled with coffee grounds, but this summer is a wash
Am - There’s lightning and there’s thunder sparking ‘cross the dusty plain
C B7 - I love the distant fireworks but what I really need is rain

He said, “Help.” Not like he’s dying
He said, “Help,” and it was me that he was eyeing
Our time had come, there’s no denying. Like a puppy’s gentle crying

He said, “Help.” I knew I was rushing into trouble.
He said, “Help.” I knew the drowning could be double
I knew I must avoid a struggle with the boy that broke the bubble

He said, “Help.” Oh, how can I forget it?
He said, “Help.” But to forget is not permitted.
You can’t stop once you’re committed. I’m confused and I’ll admit it.
He said, “Help.”

Am - We were meant to meet that day bobbing in the current.
Em - You can’t hold destiny at bay when you’re stripped of all deterrents
Am - And the memory will replay, that River Scene recurrent…

He said, “Help.” People standing there just talking
On the shore. Drinking beer and gawking
Smoking cigarettes and laughing. All the fun that they were having

He said, “Help,” as he felt the River’s power
He said, “Help, help me delay my final hour
Tho unspoken, he could sense it. You can buy but no one rents it

He said, “Help.” He was someone’s little brother.
He said, “Help,” and somewhere he had a mother
And where I this child’s father as I splash across the water?

He said, “Help.” I said, “Son, don’t stop trying.
He was silent as I shoved him toward the shoreline
All the people standing there. I said,
“Do something. Don’t just stare!”
I said, “Help!”

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James Michael Taylor said December 28, 2023 5:42pm

David Young I have always felt an emotional connection to your songs. “Help” was your song that first caught my attention then “Hickory Stix” and “Lisa Makes Appointments.” You have such a great talent for introducing characters and describing situations. You do it with simple but perfect lyrics and wonderful tunes. I never get tired of crying along with you!

James Michael Taylor said October 4, 2023 1:47pm

NAAD -Just read your lyrics and liatend.to the son...w Very beautiful, very moving...beautiful how you he'd on the rhyme scheme an dmade it work...so love the slave t rhymes as well...they're my favorite...super smooth transitions....tell me a bit about the inclusion of you garden reflections in the middle of the song...counter point? Balancing urgency and reality? Love, love, love thisnone...will.ha r to listen again. "tell me a bit about the inclusion of you garden reflections in the middle of the song...counter point?" it all ties in when I relate it to the weather, "...there's lightning and thunder...but this summer is a wash...what we really need is rain." The reason the river was up that day was because there had been so much rain in the previous days, they were lowering the dam to lower the water lever in the lake that fed this river.

James Michael Taylor said January 19, 2023 5:21pm

Greg West My favorite JMT song.

James Michael Taylor said June 20, 2022 5:11pm

Terry Rasor I remember those daze Michael, y’all were awesome and I’m glad and proud to have known you all and have you at my Raz On The Braz festival so many years ago! Love ya my friend!

James Michael Taylor said April 13, 2022 4:08am

Marcie Brooks Whew! What a powerful song. Thank you for sharing James. Love you man

James Michael Taylor said April 13, 2022 4:06am

Lazarus Knight That will always be my favorite. No doubt the history plays a part.

James Michael Taylor said April 13, 2022 4:05am

Tim Tandy Wow, it's still as powerful as the very first time I met you and heard it, at a Concert in the Attic, sitting next to Barbara, who was silently mouthing occasional lyrics with tears on her cheeks.

James Michael Taylor said July 20, 2021 10:23am

what awesome lyrics mate! Reminds me of good old Robert Zimmerman... but it also doubles as metaphorical mastery! The boy represents an issue within your community... one for which you are there, and MUST help... but which the community just sits back on, not really seeing the "problem" you are attempting to fix... Powerful stuff, mate. Love it. Mark Brookman

James Michael Taylor said December 13, 2020 3:18am

(One of) 2 songs that make me tear up just hearing the song title. JMT’s the most gifted song writer I know! Kathy Holdway