R.C. O'Leary
COFFEEHOUSE CHRONICLES
To Stand As Tall
He took me down to where land meets the water
where we walked thru the sawgrass and sand,
He told me the story how this land was traded
for a handful of trinkets and beads .
Beneath once muddy streets subway's rumble deep
where weathered two story old buildings once stood,
Precincts on every block smiling faces of Irish cops
hear the clatter of the hoof and the bell ,,,,,
Twin towers stand tall like a father and son
then in the blink of an eye the damage was done,
The eyes of Lady Liberty holds their silhouettes
the father said to his son we must never forget
to Stand As Tall
Their heartbeats are gone their memories live on
in everybody's heart and soul,
In the eyes of the father, the eyes of the son
oh To Stand As Tall
Sloop Clearwater
Come aboard the Sloop Clearwater Dutcher delight
sail her back into time for the timing is right,
Heave ho ladde lassies singin' fe fi fo fum
go peak n' throat time for cleaner water has come .
SO, come aboard the Sloop Clearwater emerald hue
sail her into the twenty-first century's view,
Here's to all the fine folks for their vision divine
we salute their dear hearts for Clearwater's design,,,,,
Keel laid in the cradle October sixty-eight
up at Harvey Gamage shipyard down in South Bristol Maine,
Launched May the seven-teenth nineteen sixty-eight
sailed her maiden voyage to her Hudson river home .
She carries four-thousand three hundred n' five
square feet of gaff rigged sheet when she's full upon the tide,
She beams twenty-five wide her reach one hundred-six
one hundred-eight atop her mast Clearwater banner fly's .
Two mates cook n' Captain boatswain engineer
two mates of education director tutelar,
Six volunteers chosen fifteen total crew
she carries fifty passengers oer' the Hudson river view .
She sails on the river she sails oer' the sound
she sails into the harbor where Lady Liberty is found,
She sails along the shoreline she sails around the bend
she sails for tradition and every citizen ,,,,,
Come aboard the Sloop Clearwater such a delite
as she sails up the Hudson into paradise,
Heave ho ladde lassies singin' fe fi fo fum
go peak n' throat time for cleaner water has come .
Come aboard the Sloop Clearwater splendorous jewel
sailing thru mountain valleys magnificent view,
Here's to Ver Planck and Colliers sloops of the Hudson
we salute their insight a tradition re-born,,,,,
SO, come aboard the Sloop Clearwater Dutcher delight
sail her back into time for the timing is right,
Here's to all the fine folks for their vision divine
we salute their dear hearts for Clearwater's design ,,,,,
Farmer's Lament
A farm is a place where seeds are sown
row by row mother earth grows her crops tilled harvest moon,
Now she may raise corn soy or wheat fields amber bent
she may raise nothing at all but Farmer's Lament .
A farmer is a cultivating man
combining his land between family God and land,
Sunrise to sunset finds him constantly bent
by the chores farming implores ode to Farmer's Lament,,,,,
The kids are fed their prayers said he tucks them into bed
there on the porch he looks across his land and bows his head,
She rubs his back and prays to God that he can find the strength
to carry on this family farm borne to Farmers Lament .
The banker man much to his chagrin
increasing cost of raising crops no more money can he lend,
Somewhere down the row Lord before he's heaven sent
be it etched in stone grave monument here lies Farmer's Lament,,,,,
The kids are fed their prayers are said he tucks them into bed
there on the porch he looks across his land and bows his head,
His loving wife comforts him thru tearful testament
nothing short of a miracle prevents this Farmer's Lament,
Somewhere down the row dear Lord before he's heaven sent
be it etched in stone grave monument
here lies Farmer's Lament .
Houseboat Dream
I've had enough of this big city living
had my fill of elevators and high rise buildings,
I can't stand riding subways and hailing cabs
crosswalks and traffic jams are driving me mad .
So tomorrow morning at the stroke of nine o'clock
I'm going to withdraw my savings and sell all my stock,
I'm gonna call my boss and tell him Sid I'm solid gone
back to Thibodaux, Louisiana where I come from,,,,,
I'm going to buy me a houseboat out on the Mississippi river
catch some big ol' catfish on finger lickin' chicken liver,
I'll be docking down along the way where the river people sing and sway
when Cajun fiddle and squeezebox play down at the fais' do do .....
I can feel the bayou water on my keel
old memories come to play every turn of the wheel,
Slipping past the Spanish moss and cypress knees
I can smell sweet magnolia on the breeze .
An alarming sound is ringing in my head
waking me from sleep in my high rise bed,
Morning light came flooding on the scene
quickly washing away my Houseboat Dream,,,,,
One day I'll buy me a houseboat etc.
Someday I'll buy me a houseboat...
Cold Around The Heart
He came in from a hard days work
grabbed a cold one from the fridge quenched his thirst,
Sat down at the table said you loving daddy's home
not a sound broke the silence whispering in the room .
He went down the hall to the bedroom
the closet door was open her things gone,
He sat down on the bed confused and so alone
touched the sheets where they laid a chill went to the bone,,,,,
He sat there like a statue of a man turned to stone
in disbelief and shock she was solid gone,
Emotions rolled he lost control broke down in the dark
nothing chills like love that's gone Cold Around The Heart .
He got up and walked out of the house
never looking back on love that's been lost,
Rolling down a lonesome road around the midnight mark
he closed his eyes and left this world Cold Around The Heart
he closed his eyes and left this world Cold Around The Heart .
Rank Beginner
Dropped off near the corner with a guitar cased in hand
bag over his shoulder dreams for a plan,
Walked up to the crossroads down MacDougal and Bleecker
stood there for the longest time he was a Rank Beginner .
Washington square park benches flop house subway blues
weary eyed bonified payer of dues,
Open mics the crossroads down MacDougal and Bleecker
name and fame don't come easy for a Rank Beginner ,,,,,
Standing at the crossroads down Bleecker and MacDougal
forty years and looking back worth all the time and trouble,
Names and faces span the years like a thousand fretted strings
attuned to the melodies of songs the whole world sings ,,,,,
Memories a Go Go, Bitter End, Village Gate
Cafe Wha, Night Owl and the Fat Black Pussycat,
Bottom Line, Gaslight Cafe, Izzy Youngs Folklore Center
CBGB's, Gerdes Folk City played this Rank Beginner .
Build a bridge Rank Beginner cross generations gap
pass your songs down the ages come time for looking back,
From high above the bridge you'll see what you left behind
how sweet to be remembered in peoples hearts and minds .
He got off near the corner no guitar cased in hand
no bag over his shoulder memories for a plan,
Walked up to the crossroads down snugged the brim of his cap
stood there for the longest time remembering back
when he was Rank Beginner MacDougal and Bleecker .....
Le Neige De Montreal
Theres a city on an island at the head of a river
where they Parlez Vous en Francais' Bonjour Mon Ami,
Through the province of Quebec flows the Saint Lawrence river
winding it's mighty way along tiding to the sea .
In the city of Montreal where steeples reach so tall
like the sailors true love for his French Canadian girl,
In the wintertime they met as the Gros' Bourdon did toll
they pledged their love that wintry day in Le Neige De Montreal
they pledged their love that wintry day in The Snows of Montreal,,,,,
The shipping lanes are wide there's no place to hide
when gales of winter churn the seas run wild,
With her picture in his hand he called out her name
the Gros' Bourdon began to toll in Le Neige De Montreal
the Gros' Bourdon began to toll in The Snows Of Montreal .
On the shores of Montreal where tides rise and fall
she came to answer her true loves last dying call,
Swept away upon the tide she was carried to his side
the Gros' Bourdon began to toll in Le Neige De Montreal
the Gros' Bourdon began to toll in The Snows Of Montreal,,,,,
Upon the shipping lanes wide she's there by his side
when gales of winter churn she holds him tight,
The sailor and his bride protect ships upon the tide
now when the Gros' Bourdon begins to toll it tolls for love
in Le Neige De Montreal
when the Gros' Bourdon begins to toll it tolls for love
in The Snows Of Montreal
Memory Crossing
Memory Crossing please drive slow,,,,,
He lives on Magnolia she lives across the road
so if your ever on Magnolia for Gods sake drive slow,
Cause there's a Memory Crossing he visits her sometimes
they laugh and love together but only in his mind,,,,,
They were nearly lovers once then came the war
her eyes would fill with tears of pride each time he wore his uniform,
But pride can take a different road and some wounds time can't heal
so when the letters stopped lord it just broke her heart when he came home on wheels .
He sits by the window now and watches her work in her yard
it's not the way things should have been but it's the way they are,,,,,
He lives on Magnolia she lives across the road
so if your ever on Magnolia for Gods sake drive slow,
Cause there's a Memory Crossing he visits her sometimes
they laugh and love together but only in his mind,
Memory Crossing please drive slow .....
I'll Remember Her Name
Her laughter was like a mountain breeze flowing over me
down from the high country echoing thru the trees,
Her fragrance was of flowers from a virgin mountain range
and I'll Remember Her Name (in the morning) .
She lay beside me sleeping in the cold and dismal room
the neon sign flashed it's glow thru the falling snow,
The howling wind touched my lips thru the broken window pane
and I'll Remember Her Name (in the morning) .
She spoke in dreams of pretty things her young heart wanted so
laying in my arms I knew one day she'd up and go,
And when she left I knew that I'd never see her again
and I'll Remember Her Name (in the morning) ,,,,,
Winters come summers go fall begins to blow
bringing winds that chill within to well I know,
She left one early morning in a gentle spring rain
and I'll Remember Her Name (in the morning) .
Her face has not been lost in time nor' her memory
she returns on wintry nights and blossoms in my dreams,
Her fragrance was of flowers from a virgin mountain range
and I'll Remember Her Name (in the morning),,,,,
Winters come summers go fall begins to blow
bringing winds that chill within to well I know,
She left one early morning in a gentle spring rain
and I'll Remember Her Name (in the morning)
and I'll Remember Her Name (in the morning)
Ode To Caffe' Lena
Two highways pave the way to Schenectady Troy and Albany
merging Northway eighty-seven making toward the Adirondack way,
This long greyhounds flying home like a meteor on silver wings
bound for stellar constellation in Saratoga Springs .
This ol' bus station never stops presenting past present and future
liken to the mother church of folk music Caffe' Lena,
Troubled times confrontation hand in hand they rolled across the years
Lena was the common thread in this tapestry of peers,,,,,
This New York stage of players poets writers singers of song
the rafters of this mother church like a sounding board chime on,
The names of all who have appeared echo down the dusty halls
their voices live forever in Caffe' Lenas walls .
Three decades actress Lena Spencer offered folk the shelter of her door
pilgrims of today retrace pioneering footprints 'cross the floor,
This sanctifying edifice endless time zone rock of age
come children sing your songs on Caffe' Lenas stage .
One tragic night in September Lena fashioned for an old friends play
in leaving fell on landing high tumbling into harms way,
October twenty-third nineteen eighty-nine Lena summoned by the great Creator
heavens brightest rising star acclaimed her most divine director,,,,,
This New York state of mind you see abounds in minstrelsy
the rafters of this graystone church echo forth it's ministry,
Her passing on has brought this throng acapella prayer and song
until we meet again dear friend we shall carry on .
Two highways pave the way to Schenectady Troy and Albany
merging highway eighty-seven making toward the Adirondack way,
This long greyhounds flying home like a meteor on silver wings
bound for stellar constellation in Saratoga Springs.....
This Ol' Town
Barstools are the same faces still remain
after twenty-five years in this ol' town,
The scene in the mirror hasn't changed thru the years
in This Ol' Town,
Lines in the faces reflect the ages
like fathers before them,
A quarter still plays he stopped lovin' her today
a favorite song in This Ol' Town ....
The barmaid Jane's heard em' bitch n' complain
for twenty-five years in This Ol' Town,
They never leave just drink and grieve
sons and daughters leave This Ol' Town,
The sheriff is seventy and he ain't got no memory
of ever drawing his gun,
A quarter still plays he stopped lovin' her today
in This Ol' Town,,,,,
Three things worth mention ever got mentioned
'round here in twenty-five years,
The mayors affair with the Sunday school teacher
the angel with long blonde hair,
The plant shutting down cheaper labor found
down 'round Mexico way,
Johnny Leroy hometown soldier boy
Medal of Honor etched on his grave,
A quarter still plays he stopped lovin' her today
a favorite song in This Ol' Town .
(the ballad of) John Studebaker Hardy
Another Monday gathering on Houston street tonight
bill of fair wine song and pasta critiquing delight,
Started in the seventies friendly songwriter circle
creative minds swapping lines totally informal .
Playing singing brand new songs this bite n' sip critique
rolled on thru the English Pub, Cornelia Street Cafe,
Booking in the Club Speakeasy on MacDougal street
giving singer/songwriters a formal place to play,,,,,
Mentor teacher playwright poet producer artist player
singer/songwriter editor extraordinaire,
Coined the phrase short for long
shut up and sing the song,
The guest book reads like a who's who
signed by hundreds,
That came to diner on Houston street
for wine song critique and pasta .
Returning home from Europe in nineteen seventy-three
rented number nine walkup down on Houston street,
Never dreaming fast folk music his plays and poetry
would go down in history a treasured legacy .
John Studebaker Hardy swashbuckling Irish guy
sailed his songs thru hearts and minds upon a natural high,
March eleven two thousand eleven left this earthly roam
with a heavenly band of angels singing Go Tell The Savior I'm coming home,,,,,
The green velvet blazer color of the emerald Isle
no longer glistens in the glow of his leprechaun-ish smile,
It fashions his memory captioned Kodachrome
worn the day John Studebaker Hardy played
Go Tell The Savior I'm coming home .
Another Monday gathering on Houston street tonight
bill of fair wine song and pasta critiquing delight,
Started in the seventies friendly songwriters circle
creative minds swapping lines totally informal
So goes the story (the ballad of) John Studebaker Hardy .....
Troubadour (for Mickey Newbury)
Weary from the miles and years spent upon the endless road
of one night stands all night jams that keep him far from home,
His songs have grown from simple form to symphonies of romance
each one composed and arranged by life's circumstance .
He sits down at the microphone on a different stage each night
as they introduce his name they slowly dim the lights,
He strikes a chord on his guitar the room takes on a hush
as he paints a picture with his words like a master with his brush,,,,,
Troubadour what's the score what have you new to say
where have you been what have you seen while traveling life's highway,
He paints with words the love between a farm boy and a harlot
using the masters touch of old he paints the last word scarlet .
When he ends his final set applause brings them to their feet
he thanks them with one last song before making his retreat,
His taillights fade in the night the world drifts off to sleep
never dreaming that he had painted his final masterpiece,,,,,
Troubadour thank you for the words and melodies
that have filled our hearts and minds with sweet memories,
Until the day we meet again your legacy's our sounding board
we've all reserved front row seats at your new venue Heavens Door .
Weary from the miles and years he finally made it home .....