REDEDICATED (2021)
Lyrics to ALL 22 Songs
disc 2
1. Ribbon Of Moonlight
Ribbon of moonlight... you make me shiver and shake
Ghost of the chances that I never did take
What if I’d loved her? Tell me, what if I’d stayed?
Oh, ho... gonna be a long, long wait till the break of day.
Firefly dancin’... at my window outside
You trace the romancin’ that flickered and died.
What if I’d chosen not to leave her that way?
Oh, ho.... gonna be a long, long wait till the break of day.
Well, I could walk all night and never hope to find the break of day
Well, I could walk all night and never hope to find the words to say… Hey...
Ribbon of moonlight... now you’ve got me awake
Maybe you’d tell me, if it isn’t too late ---
Would she forgive me? Could I blow it away?
Oh, ho.... gonna be a long, long wait till the break of day.
Oh, ho.... gonna be a long, long wait till the break of day.
Ribbon of moonlight... ribbon of moonlight...
2. Nina
Nina, don’t say a word
Just let the waters flow
Leave the singin’ to the birds
And let my own heart row
Nina, please don’t explain
I wouldn’t want to know
Just let me kiss your lips again
And let my own heart row
On the rivers of time
Say you’re gonna be mine
Say you’re gonna be mine, mine alone
In the desert our dreams
Gonna sparkle like streams
Gonna sparkle like streams goin’ home...
Nina, sailing away
Wherever I may roam
I will return to you one day
And let my own heart row
3. If I Have To Leave
One leaf skipping down the open road
One leaf shivering in the corner
I don’t know if I should stay or go
I only wish that I could warn her
‘Cause if I have to leave
It’s gonna be so hard
One light screaming down the railroad track
One light flickering from a vandle
One cries, “Come away!” One cries, “Come back!”
It’s too much for me to handle
‘Cause if I have to leave
It’s gonna be so hard
One light flickering… one light crying…
One leaf shivering… one leaf flying…
Deedle deedle dumpling, my son John
One foot off the train and one foot on
How can I leave with my heart holding on?
How can I stay when I’m already gone?
II have to leave
It’s gonna be so hard
4. Previously Enjoyed
Once upon a time, we called a spade a spade
But now we bend the truth and soften things a shade
Advertisers designate what’s used merely “pre-owned”
And aren’t satisfied leaving such vague half-truths alone
Now “pre-owned”’s the term Madison Avenue avoids
Instead, they celebrate what’s been “previously enjoyed”…
Even though you left me
Don’t call mine a used love
A worn out or abused love
I’m more than that…
Yes, my heart was broken
But I’m stronger than before love
Healing taught me more, love
I’m still worth lookin’ at
The Classifieds won’t find me
Listed under “Bruised Love”
“Left-over”, “Paid-Their-Dues-Love”
No, you’ll find me at:
“Previous-ly Enjoyed”
“Previous-ly enjoyed”
“Used” is old news. “pre-owned” is passé
No one wants a love like that these days
But all of us have history - In this life, and the mystery
Of former lives and lovers lost - no one can avoid
The fact we’ve all been previously enjoyed
I know when remembering
The shivers I once stirred, love
And the way you sighed and purred, love
I know I’ve been
“Previous-ly Enjoyed”
“Previous-ly enjoyed”
You loved me once, you loved me twice
You loved me three times, four
Now you’re saying you don’t wanna love me anymore
You loved me here, you loved me there
You loved me everywhere
Now you’re acting like you never even really cared
5. Kenny's Song
Outside my door the chimes are ringing
A gift you gave me lobng ago so I might be
Reminded when the winds come singing
You’re here with me
I’ve always known the miles between us
Were greater than the distances vould ever be
And when my need is at the keenest
You’re here with me
Someone said we’re lucky if we find
One good friend to count on in this lifetime
So I thank the stars above
We’ve been side by side through the years
Laughter, memories, and tears
Time is a highway, love’s a ladder
Over each wall and baricade it sees us through
And when a friend’s what really matters
I’m there with you
6. Newton's Red Guitar
I think I’m going downtown
To the old Moondog Café
A mist is on the vorner
You can hear the blue notes play
Wafting down the street now
You know it can’t be far
People cheer ‘til they can’t hear the blues
On Newton’s red guitar
Newton’s got some new shades
And a switchblade in his hand
They say he used to be
The only white guy in the band
Nowadays he’s got
The only black heart in the bar
And people cheer ‘til they can’t hear the blues
On Newton’s red guitar
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Adios, I’m on my way
To hear the blues on red guitar
At the old Moondog Café
7. Jack Daniels & Beer
Mama told me Daddy drowned
In the bottle where he found
Escape from the misery
He left to Ma and me
Daddy died of Jack Daniels and beer
If it wasn’t for the whisky he’d still be here
But a six-pack of pallbearers carried him home
Daddy droned in a river of foam
8. Fart In Colors
Here’s a thought that you may think a silly waste of time
But lately it’s been lingering in the back end of my mind
To think how easily a guy could make a million dollars
Selling people magic pills that made ‘em fart in colors!
Pills like these could soon become a national sensation
Especially for people’s Fourth of July celebrations
No more costly fireworks with their inherent dangers
And what a way to break the patriotic ice with strangers!
You put ‘em in your ice cream, lick the spoon
You know fireworks are comin’ soon
Hot dog! Some apple pie! Oh, glory –
Let your colors fly! Let your colors fly!
Fueled by your pork and beans and swelling up with pride
You’ll display your love of country far and wide
Never turning red-faced anymore, ‘cause when you fart
They’ll be blown away taking in your art!
Of course, we’ll print instructions on every package label
Recommending dosages so everybody’s able
To simulate a black snake or a blazing roman candle
And warn enthusiasts to take no more than they can handle
You put ‘em in your ice cream, lick the spoon
You know fireworks are comin’ soon
Hot dog! Some apple pie! Oh, glory –
Let your colors fly! Let your colors fly!
How the politicians at their picnics and fundraisers
Will relish having light-shows bright as lasers
Punctuating every patriotic point of view
And proving, inside-out, they are red, white and blue!
If you’ve got some capital to sink into this venture
In no time we’ll make millions from our multi-colored stencher
With colorful retorts for anyone who calls us crass:
We’ll just tell them, “Pop a pill and blow it out your –
Ask not what your fireworks display can do for you
Ask what you can do for your fireworks display!
These colors don’t run… I hope!”
9. For Who I Am
The things I do aren't always right...
But you love me for who I am
I dance between the dark and the light...
But you love me for who I am
You love me---You love me for who I am
And you love me---You love me for who I am
I may be different than the rest...
But you love me for who I am
Even when my choices aren't the best...
You still love me for who I am
And you love me---You love me for who I am
And you love me---You love me for who I am
Even when I make mistakes, you always stand behind me
Any wrong turn that I take, you forgive me
So I know every day that breaks, you're gonna love me as I am, for who I am
I feel free to grow and change...
'Cause you love me for who I am
Even when the song I sing is strange...
You still love me for who I am
And you love me---You love me for who I am
And you love me---You love me for who I am
10. Good Luck Charm
If Friday falls on the thirteenth day
No bad luck’s gonna come my way
‘Cause love will keep me safe from harm
Darlin’ you’re my good luck charm
Should a black cat cross my path
I’ll throw back my head and laugh
‘Cause love will keep me safe from harm
Darlin’ you’re my good luck charm
A little luck is all I need
To see me through my day
A little luck and a little love
The kind you send my way
Step on cracks, break the mirror
Walk under ladders without fear
‘Cause love will keep me safe from harm
Darlin’ you’re my good luck charm
My good luck charm... my good luck charm
11. Mr. Minstrel / Old Banjo
When I wake up in the morning
And I look on down the track
It can’t take me back to where I’ve been
‘Cause the ties that bind the rails
Don’t bind the hours that slip on by
When time goes by you can’t go back again
And when I die
There’s an angel above me
Singin’ softly, sweet and low
You’ll hear him cry, ‘cause nobody loves me
Mister Minstrel, Old Banjo
Oh, the train yard and the bone yard, babe
It’s all the same to me
A lock without a key that keeps me nowhere
I could hop a freight and not be late
To where I’m bound for next
The road’s my bible text, the rail my creed
And when I die
There’s an angel above me
Singin’ softly, sweet and low
You’ll hear him cry, ‘cause nobody loves me
Mister Minstrel, Old Banjo
And if dreams are not forgotten
When I leave this world behind
If one child hears a tale I used to tell
Then my bones will rest so easy
When I leave this world behind
Knowing that I did my life’s work well
And when I die
There’s an angel above me
Singin’ softly, sweet and low
You’ll hear him cry, ‘cause nobody loves me
Mister Minstrel, Old Banjo
All songs © KEN LONNQUIST 2021
disc 1
I’ve written you more than a few
Love songs, ‘til you might grow jaded
Thinking the heart that sang at the start
Now echoes melodies faded
It isn’t true. Each song for you
Bubbles up newly created
From the heart-spring
That’s long made me sing
Songs of love rededicated
Go where you go, love songs follow
Your every step serenaded
I love you still
And I always will
With songs of love rededicated
2 Desire
Biding my time, smoking what’s mine
Listening to the whistle blow
Train leaving town, wish I was bound for to go
It’s a train called Desire
Where they stoke the coals to set your heart afire
It ain’t for thieves, fools or liars
No, you must be true, for love to come to you
I’ve been alone, far from my home
Far from anything called love
But there’s still hope, stars rung with smoke up above
From a train called Desire
Where they stoke the coals to set your heart afire
It ain’t for thieves, fools or liars
No, you must be true, for love to come to you
All I want… all I need…
All I ever wanted was a love for me
Here I am… set me free…
All I ever wanted was a love for me
Roll out the track, no turning back
Let the starlit fields unfurl
I’ve seen my dreams
Drift through the steam clouds that swirl
From a train called Desire
Where they stoke the coals to set your heart afire
It ain’t for thieves, fools or liars
No, you must be true, for love to come to you
All I want… all I need…
All I ever wanted was a love for me
Here I am… set me free…
All I ever wanted was a love for me
3 Moonshine Still
Back in prohibition days
That was when crime really paid
Folks would spend the grocery bill
To drown their sorrows in the moonshine still
As the twilight took the day
Thirsty folks would slip away
Like moths in the darkness drawn to flame
To the moonshine still they came
Like old times again
Sun goes down and the trucks roll in
Deep in the valley, high in the hills
They drown their sorrows in the moonshine still
Cousin Jimmy knew the power of corn
Mashed into moonshine ready for pourin’
Sip juist a little and your chest’ll grow hair
Sip a little more, you’ll see dancin’ bears!
Goldilocks had a sip or tow
Saw a mama and a papa and a baby bear, too
If she’d have slugged a whole jug by chance
She’d have seen every bear on the mountain dance!
Way up high in the hills
Old Cousin Jimmy got a moonshine still
Just one jug of juice for a dollar
And you’ll see bears dancin’ down in the holler
Two step and a dosie doh
Bears are dancing row by row
Aleman left and Aleman right
Hair of the bear that bit ya in the moonlight!
A grizzly fiddler tickles a tune
Jug band playin’ by the light of the moon
Strummin' on a banjo clawhammer style
Breakdown makin’ the crowd go wild
Like old times again
Sun goes down and the trucks roll in
Deep in the valley, high in the hills
They drown their sorrows in the moonshine still
Way up high in the hills
Old Cousin Jimmy got a moonshine still
Just one jug of juice for a dollar
And you’ll see bears dancin’ down in the holler
Cup your hands---sip just a little
Listen to a tune from a Grizzly fiddle
The Man In The Moon singin' hey-diddle-diddle
Hiccup, kick up your feet just a little!
4 Preacher Man
Kickin’ up a dustcload, rollin’ with a clip clop
Down a road at midnight. Which’ll be the next stop?
Underneath his collar hides the coin and dollar
Pilfered by the Preacher man.
The moon is cold above him. Hell is hot below him.
Lookin’ for a town where nobody’ll know him.
Offering salvation for a small donation
Given to the Preacher man.
Preacher man, where do you come from?
Raise the roof, bow your head low
Jesus turned water to wine,
But he never turned a profit like the Preacher man
And his traveling show
Blessed are the profits, blind are the believers
Foolishly they cough it up to the deceiver
“Buy it!” cries the trickster. “Heven’s own elixer!
Only from the Preacher man.”
“Pay and you’ll be pardoned!” Yes, he’s got the power.
Have the pretty blind girl meet him in an hour.
Laying on his hands, she doesn’t understand
But blindly trusts the Preacher man.
Preacher man, where do you come from?
Raise the roof, bow your head low
Jesus turned water to wine,
But he never turned a profit like the Preacher man
And his traveling show
When the money’s taken, when suspicion’s growing
He’ll be out of town before the rooster’s crowing.
Through the dark a vision comes --- she sees religion
Evil as the Preacher man
Preacher man, where do you come from?
Raise the roof, bow your head low
Jesus turned water to wine,
But he never turned a profit like the Preacher man
And his traveling show
5 Little Lady Luck
Get a little bit closer. You’re a little too far.
Get a little bit closer than you are.
Get a little bit warmer. You’re a little too cold.
All you need is somebody you can hold.
Little lady luck is on your side tonight
Lady luck is watchin’ o’er your shoulder
Little lady luck is sayin’ the time is right
Don’t you miss this chance, or you’ll never hold her
Be a little bit bolder. You’re a little too shy.
You could be a bit bolder if you’d try.
Be a little bit braver. You’re a little too scared.
You’re a little like people everywhere.
Little lady luck is on your side tonight
Lady luck is watchin’ o’er your shoulder
Little lady luck is sayin’ the time is right
Don’t you miss this chance, or you’ll never hold her
Be a little more open. You’re a little too closed.
Be a little more open so she knows.
Be a little more honest. You’re a little too dark.
Ain’t no fire can burn without a spark.
Little lady luck is on your side tonight
Lady luck is watchin’ o’er your shoulder
Little lady luck is sayin’ the time is right
Don’t you miss this chance, or you’ll never hold her
6. Make Sweet Love To You
By the fire light
When the moon was bright
And the wind was still...
Did you hear that whippoorwill singin’?
And all its singin’ made me want to do
Was lay right down and make sweet love to you
By the ripplin’ stream,
We were swappin’ dreams
And you smiled at me... d
Did you hear that willow tree sighin’?
And all its sighin’ made me want to do
Was lay right down and make sweet love to you
Darlin’, was it the moonlight?
Or just some magic spell?
Was I dreamin’?
Oh, I still can’t tell...
But the night grew old,
And the fire grew cold
And you fell asleep
On my shoulder warm and deep.
And darlin’, all your dreamin’ made me want to do
Was lay right down and make sweet love to you
7. Blister
I got a blister from your sister
We had a hell of a time
There was a blister on your sister
And now your sister’s blister’s mine
She said she got it from your brother
Before she gave it to me
Your brother got it from your mother
It’s running in the family
Your mother got it from the postman
Special delivery
He was the host but now he’s toast, man
Why does it hurt me when I whee-hee-hee-hee
I got a blister from your sister
We had a hell of a time
We played a little game of Twister
And now your sister’s bliss
And now your sister’s bliss
And now your sister’s blister’s mine
8. Hey, Amigo
(for Cris Plata)
Hey, amigo! If I’ve learned a thing
Standing side by side with you to sing
Hey, amigo! We can’t harmonize
Without listening to the other guy
Hey, amigo! If I miss a note
Or tangled words come tumblin’
from my throat
Hey, amigo! Sing it in my ear
So I can hear our song ring loud and clear
Sing the song and I will follow you
Changing words and changing keys
Listening close to make our song ring true
I know you’ll the same for me
Hey, amigo! The song of life’s been shown
Sweeter sung together than alone
Hey, amigo! Let’s tune up these guitars
And lift another chorus to the stars
9. Borderline
Love has always been a boundary before
I’ve come so close, and never managed crossing over
But life is sweeter now you’re part of mine
Life is sweeter with each tick of time
Life is sweeter and I’m on the borderline
Though I’ve wondered what might lie across the way
Fear has always found a reason I should stay
But life is sweeter now you’re part of mine
Life is sweeter with each tick of time
Life is sweeter and I’m on the borderline
Yes, I’m on the borderline
Yes, I’m on the borderline
If I haven’t crossed already, I will soon
The lines are disappearing between me and you
‘Cause life is sweeter now you’re part of mine
Life is sweeter with each tick of time
Life is sweeter and I’m on the borderline
10. True Love Of All Time
Nobody I know could love me the way you do
It’s always been so since I first laid eyes on you
Nobody with just one look could stop me on a dime
Nobody – except the true love of all time
Nobody I know could spit watermelon seeds
Aiming so low the bullseye is always me
Nobody can look so sweet gnawing on the rind
Nobody – except the true love of all time
You bring all your tender kisses to let me know
Unworthy as I may be, you love me even so
Oh, oh, oh
Nobody I know can see through my bullshit screen
The way that you do – the way that you’ve always seen
Nobody can argue so convincingly that I’m
Nobody – without the true love of all time
11. I Won’t Let That Get Away
I won’t let that get away from me
That little glance you took
I won’t let that get away from me
I’ve memorized the look
I love you
I won’t let that get away from me
The way your eyes looked into mine
I won’t let that get away from me
No matter where the roads may wind
I’ll love you
Yes, I’ll love you
And I always will
Memory’s gonna hold you against the chill
Of the days growin’ old
And I always will
Memory’s gonna hold you still...
I won’t let that get away from me
Your kiss upon my lips
I won’t let that get away from me
No matter where the time may slip
I’ll love you
Yes, I’ll love you
And I always will
Memory’s gonna hold you against the chill
Of the days growin’ old
And I always will
Memory’s gonna hold you still...
Words & Music © Ken Lonnquist