Always quick with the question
As you search for answers to life
With every step being a lesson
Around every corner something to find

It's not always as easy as it seems
And it doesn't work out every time
But you'll never know if you don't go
And at least give it a try

Life is always open for business
Everywhere you look there's a sign
Right here with God as my witness
You can go all the way up to closing time

It's really up to you in how you do
Shorts, Sweats, or Suit and a Tie
Whatever comfort works for you
At least give it a try

You've got to reel this life in from beginning to end
Opportunity is always tugging the line
So grab hold of the net as you're not done yet
All it takes is the will and the might

You never will be fulfilled
When the time comes to say bye, bye
If you don't jump at the chance at every chance that you can
And at least give it a try

Just when you think it's over
Not sure it's going to last
Look forward to things that matter
Forget about the past

What's done my son is done
Don't let trouble have its way
For there's always tomorrow
Give it one more day

Don't let a bout of doubt
Put it's thumb on you
Drowned out all the sounds
That pull you from the truth

Things often get better
With or without you in the way
Down to the very letter
Give it one more day

You might think this is the ending
With no hope in sight
But it's just the beginning
The first day of the rest of your life

If there's anything worth having
Well, you know what they say
The joy of life is worth saving
Give it one more day

You look at me I look at you
Seeing very different views
Gripping tight to not let loose
On what we both feel is the truth

With bloodshot eyes open wide
Opposites on either side
In our lives we wonder why
Differences as day and night

We fuss and cuss in our righteousness
Throwing hands up in disgust
I wonder what is wrong with us
And where went brotherly love

In values face we generate
What has become so much hate
We need to learn how to relate
Bring that love back into play

One of us has misconstrued
You're thinking me, I'm thinking you
Delirious in our own views
Of what we both think is the truth

I see this going nowhere fast
Without a chance to even guess
With the little in common we have left
We need to give that love a chance

chew on my thoughts
swallow my pride
desires and wants
i must deny

the bitter taste
inside of me
i must face and erase
to set myself free

stir up my thoughts
give them to God
not just a taste
but the entire lot

take all i have
take it to heart
now is the time
to give it to God

More often than not
I've had enough of love
Underpaid and over spent
Giving out on giving in

Like a clock with no hands
A nail twice over bent
Tattered and torn
Useless and worn

Like a car with no brakes
Too late for mistakes
No room to breathe  
Through the wants and needs

Like building on a fault line
An eradicate moth in flight
Shaky at best
No place to rest

With lost hope in hand
All that is left
Underpaid  and over spent
Giving out on giving in

I just happened to find this Gizmo
In my bottom left hand drawer
Now I take it with me
Everywhere I go

I take it out to play
I take it into work
I spend time with my Gizmo
For all that Gizmo's worth

It changes color often
Like a woman changes moods
So I can wear it with any outfit
On any day I choose

It also hums Broadway tunes
If ever we get bored
He and me tap our feet to disco beats
When dancing is in store

I hear that no two Gizmos
Excatly are the same
If you care to show me yours
I promise to show you mine

Life for me has not been the same
That I can guarantee for sure
Every since I found that Gizmo
In my bottom left hand drawer

I once had a glockenspiel
One I wish that I had still
Nothing to me is more real
Than the sound of a glockenspiel

I would take it to the streets
Where crowds would gather around me
Tapping toes and keeping beat
To the sounds of oh so sweet
I never charged a listening fee
Bringing pleasure to them and me
One thing we all lack yet need
In this world of Make-Believe
For a moment all too brief
At this point in history
There was comfort bathed in peace
Before I had to take my leave

I once had a glockenspiel
One I wish that I had still
Nothing to me is more real
Than the sound of a glockenspiel

Glory,
the name they gave their daughter
the moment that they saw her
on the day she came to be

Glory,
words used to describe her
there ain't nothing like her
this side of Tennessee

Glory,
greets the new day dawning
smiles brightly at the morning
as she whispers to the breeze

Glory,
gives away all she's given
it's how she makes her living
and how she stays so free

Glory,
a child of will and wonder
won't let today's tide pull her under
the guardian of her keep

in my glove compartment
i keep things in mind
i feel i might need at times
important in my life

as i travel
from over here to over there
hoping against hope to get somewhere
with this grinding of the gears

randomly out of order
my life i propose
a long time ago
along life's bumpy road

every now and then
i struggle in the cleaning out
what that's all about
removing of all doubt

in my glove compartment
where all this comes to mind
no telling what i'll find
collected over time

We promise this and give you that
The rest of it we keep
While deep inside we belly laugh
At a people so naive  

We say we care, what's fair is fair
Without skipping a beat
To tell the truth, we'll cook your goose
Then take away the meat

Behind your backs we hide that
Facts are rarely given
Fill your needs and say it's free
God bless socialism  

Never you mind the long lines
Just for toilet paper
We'll pat your hand say we understand
As we give your stuff to the neighbors

For safety's sake your guns we'll take
To cut down on surprises
Just in case you don't like the way
We deal with this crisis

So sit back relax, we've got this
We've made it our life mission
Problem solved, bend over and cough
God bless socialism

From the very moment that all of this started
The skies opened up the Red sea it parted
God took a rib from out of the man
And that is when all of the fun began

God don't make ugly girls
From beauty without to beauty within
God don't make ugly girls
And it's been that way from the beginning

He certainly had it right with Cleopatra
A beauty Queen, Royalty flattered
As men were fighting to win over her love
God in His wisdom from up above

Knows that he don't make ugly girls
From beauty within to beauty without
God don't make ugly girls
With that there is never a doubt

Mother Teresa in all of her glory
Did what was asked of the Father in her selfless story
Shinning a light for all to see
Giving her all for downtrodden humanity

Cause God don't make ugly girls
Never even tried it out cause he doesn't know how
God don't make ugly girls
From their beauty within to their beauty without

Showing throughout history
The beauty of woman is here to please
Truly a beauty to behold
From the glamour of young to the wrinkle of old

God don't make ugly girls
The beauty within you can't do without
God don't make ugly girls
And that my friend is what I'm talking about

From the very moment that all of this started
The skies opened up the Red sea it parted
God took a rib from out of the man
And that is when all of the fun began

God don't make ugly girls
From beauty without to beauty within
God don't make ugly girls
And it's been that way from the beginning

He certainly had it right with Cleopatra
A beauty Queen, Royalty flattered
As men were fighting to win over her love
God in His wisdom from up above

Knows that he don't make ugly girls
From beauty within to beauty without
God don't make ugly girls
With that there is never a doubt

Mother Teresa in all of her glory
Did what was asked of the Father in her selfless story
Shinning a light for all to see
Giving her all for downtrodden humanity

Cause God don't make ugly girls
Never even tried it out cause he doesn't know how
God don't make ugly girls
From their beauty within to their beauty without

Showing throughout history
The beauty of woman is here to please
Truly a beauty to behold
From the glamour of young to the wrinkle of old

God don't make ugly girls
The beauty within you can't do without
God don't make ugly girls
And that my friend is what I'm talking about

There's a guy that is waving a sign
Spewing hatred along with his lies
Saying God hates the ones that aren't doing right
But God loves all of mankind

There's a street walker that is selling her soul
Would she have chosen this life if she had known
That the drink and the drugs would take total control
God still loves you no matter how low

There's a couple caught up in a lie
Neither married but soon to be with child
Contemplating the easy way out
As the tears of God are raining down

There's a evil that has been let loose
Blinding mankind from the lasting truth
That no matter what it is that you do
God in Heaven he still loves you

God loves the born and unborn
When sin entered in the true fabric was torn
Which left us all feeling alone
God still loves you more than you'll ever know

He just doesn't like the spot that your in
When you both bathe and dry off in your sin
He knows that is no way to live
Sent his Son so we could all start over again

So place all you have into His hands
Go in peace and don't sin again
Fall on your knees pray for healing the land
Place your life into God's hand

The day we met
We dove in deep
Ringing true
With destiny
Now you're my woman
I'm your man
As we both join in
God's master plan

A day set forth
At the dawn of time
On a straight and narrow course
With us in mind
As we both fell in
To loves demand
Being a part of
God's master plan

And then blessed with
Two angel doves
Sent from heaven
Wrapped in love
A promise given
A promise kept
A family living
God's master plan

When our time ends
And we leave this place
We'll both bow down
In saving grace
Where life for us
Will begin again
To never end in
God's master plan

Why do some find God's Word so offensive
When all that it speaks of is love
Something I see this fallen world needs
A place where there is never enough

Why do some take God's Word for granted
With the idea it's alright to sin
Like it's a free pass doing all the wrong that they can
After all God will forgive

Why do some hear God's Word but don't listen
Whether in the pew or out on the streets
They are either chained by Satan or religion
It's only the Word that can set you free

Why do some bring God's word up when confronted
Saying who appointed you as my judge
The only Scripture they know when it comes to blows
Is Matthew 7:1

Why do you find God's Word so offensive
Is it because Satan has a hold of your heart
You might think that you're fine but in truth you're blind
If you don't take God at His Word

I sometimes wonder life out loud
How in the world will this work out
The hectic turns it seems to take
The never learn from past mistakes

Showing up and showing out
Far too many times to count
In this I know I’m not alone
Confused at times to where I’m going

Yet things seem to work out right
On this fact you can bet it life
There is no need to be afraid
God works in mysterious ways

I more often take the winding path
Instead of the one straight ahead
Although it takes me twice as long
God gets me to where I’m going

I move in ways I think are right
Later on is when I find
Things that I try on my own
More often than not turn out wrong

It’s not long before I find out
Life itself turns back around
What more can one sinner say
But that God works in mysterious ways

I'm trying to decide
When the time would be right
To go ahead and freeze myself
So, they can later thaw my hide

Is it when some dreaded disease comes over me
Where they have yet to find the cure
Or long before that musical score
That I step into the Frigidaire

Should I instead freeze dry the head
To make room for others
Better fitting myself, on top shelf
Next to the "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"

Perhaps jumpstart this process
By quickly slurping Slurpee's
Giving myself brain freeze, like you've never seen
To where my mind gives up on working

Then they can do with what they wish
All of the leftovers
Double overlap with Reynolds Wrap
Making sure it evenly covers

And with that said, guess it's a plan
I'm going to freeze myself
Where I'll eventually thaw out into something else
A little more comfortable

I'm going home
Back to where I started
Back to where I come from
Where my mind
Lands on simpler times
In word and deed and love
Before it got complicated
With the seeds I've thrown
With all the pain
That I have known
I feel the need
To now go home

I'm going to go ahead and close my eyes
I've seen enough for one lifetime
And believe you me from what I've seen
I think that it's a crime

And while I'm here I'll also close my ears
With so much said, I don't want to hear
Cause all the sounds seem to do
Is to raise my fears

Like I've said, ain't no secret kept
That this world we're in is one big mess
With a break in the bend, it's bound to end
But when is as good as anybody's guess

Caught up in song barely holding on
Bidding our time on the inevitable
While in the meantime to the signs that are buying
We keep selling our souls

For that simple slice of paradise
All alone in a home up on the hillside
Raining the flood of unstoppable tears
Amidst the mudslide of lies

Like hungry fish, they keep reeling us in
Hook, line, and sinker again and again
No need to heed the warning's too deep
And we're not even listening

Like I've said, ain't no secret kept
That this world we're in is one big mess
With a break in the bend, it's bound to end
But when is as good as anybody's guess

Gone...
Everything I've ever held
Family, friends, and dreams
All that's left I can afford
The dry and empty screams

Because...
All that's left inside me now
Is the numbness of my soul
Of life's held bitter wind of change
In which I have no control

How...
Do I take this latest hit
Another bruise upon my soul

How...
Can I dig my way out of this
Deep and darkened hole

How...
Do I find the strength to climb
When this life has worn me out

How...*
Can I expect an answer
When I'm filled with so much doubt

Yes, Life is a Tragedy
A scream in the middle of being formed
How often have I begged the lonely question
*The reason I was born...

This may sound a tad bit strange
But I can promise you it's true
It all took place in the fishing town
Of Pleasant Valley one sunny afternoon

All of the sudden fishing line started popping
Out of the lake onto the shore
Not one or two lines, expect as you might
But lines tossed out by the score

Each and everyone had items attached
Some candy bars while others had cans of beer
There were even a few diamond rings
The kind the ladies love to wear

People in surrounding towns soon heard about
All the hub bub down at Pleasant Valley Lake
They all jumped in their cars and like shooting stars
Shot out across the state

They arrived there in time to each grab a line
And give that line a slight tug
Realizing to late, dragged into the lake
Rub a Dub Dub straight into the tub

Just as quick as this whale of a tale got started
All the fishing lines were drawn away
The only ones left were the few who got tossed back
Because the fish had reached their limit that day

down south we love our goobers
salt em up and set to roast
eat em by the dozens
drink em in our cokes

fix em fancy in deserts
peanut butter pie
big and small all size and sorts
eat em till the day we die

granny loves to cook em
goobers in green beans
adds a bit of crunchiness
to the down home sunday dinner scene

with newspapers set out on the floor
in front of  television sets
cracking shells like walker texas ranger
does good for nothing yankee heads

buy em hot and buy em boiled
along the roadside stand
spilling goober juices
all over the cars naugahyde rotan

finger licking greasy
from out a planters can
down south we love our goobers
like you done heard me said

everybody says goodbye
while some may smile
others cry
some may win
some may lose
with or without
a single clue
some don't know
just what to do
on this moral
side of life
some with tears
in their eyes
others are
completely dry
under the sun
there's nothing new
skies of gray
or skies of blue
none of us
get to choose
when we say goodbye

Life is a must
But who can you trust
Before we turn back
Dust into dust

These days being more
Than wish upon a star
In this nightmarish scene
We've become who we are

I used to laugh at the circumstance
Now wonder what's up with that
Packed its bags then up and left
Making brotherly love a thing of the past

When arguments
Are no more than screaming fits
Which makes it hard
To try and convince

This is not just a slice
Of American pie
This tasteless desert
Is served up world wide

I used to laugh at the circumstance
Now wonder what's up with that
Packed its bags then up and left
Making brotherly love a thing of the past

Seems there are only two sides
One on the left, one on the right
Where the ground in the middle
Is used for the fight

We're quickly to choose
Without a moment to think
Where all that we do
Is stand there and scream

I used to laugh at the circumstance
Now wonder what's up with that
Packed its bags then up and left
Making brotherly love a thing of the past

Being the worlds chief of police
Is so overrated
With all that we do
And they all still hate us

We're only here
To keep up the peace
Spread our name brand
Of Democracy

If you don't love us
Then kindly leave us
If you don't trust us
Won't hurt our feelings believe us

We'll bring it to order
One way or another
Kick out the leaches
Close down the borders

Once that is done
And they're out on their bums
We'll build us a wall
From the North to South run

The only thing Canadian
That we will let in
Is Celine Dion
And their cheap medicine

And that little Chihuahua
From down below
Cause we love Taco Bell's
Mex food to go

As far as the Middle east
They can do as they please
We won't be around
To kick sand in our face

We'll pull out of there
Our American troops
Not just a few of the lucky
But one hundred proof

They can fight it all out
Amongst themselves
If they stick with the program
There'll be nobody left

They can have all our nukes
We won't need them no more
As we won't be playing
In their silly wars

We will be by ourselves
Closed off from it all
Unplug the phone
If they try to call

Live in our bubble
Stay out of trouble
No longer hang out
With that bunch of numskulls

So lock up the door
Turn out the light
Toss out the key
As we say goodbye...

This may not sound quite right
But I find I've made up my mind
After all of this time
To say goodbye to goodbye

Goodbye only makes me sad
When losing the friends that I have
When it's their turn to come up to bat
When they have no time left

Goodbye is too cruel a word
Goodbye is best if it's left unheard
Being that there is no cure
When goodbye occurs

And that is exactly why
After all of this time I find
I've made up my mind
To say goodbye to goodbye

This time
John Prine
Caught a ride
On a star passing by

He smiled
At the Crowd
Though the crowd
Had tears in their eyes

He said deeply
Don't miss me
I was simply
Along for the ride

This being the beginning
In keeping
With life's meaning
Ending with this endless flight

If you see Miss Liberty
Kiss her bye for me
Tell her I said that it's been fun
But she's had her day in the Sun

She always stood for justice
Until the new millennium
We told that gal to trust us
Then proceeded to do her in

We came, we saw, we conquered
Then left her all alone
When overtime we squandered
The freedom she had shown

We had treated her for all her worth
With love and dignity
At our behest she did her best
In keeping us all free

She started out her mission
For country, God, and man
But either we didn't listen
Or didn't understand

Could we have kept if we had worked at it
After all freedom isn't free
But as it now stands we wave our hands
Goodbye Miss Liberty

Where went the good old days
That crazy once upon a time
When I respected your ways
And you let me live mine

Are we only now just finding out
It’s all about having control
No more you do you the way you want to
While you leave me alone

If what I have to say and do
Has nothing new to do with you
Why do you try your best to
Get me to jump through all the hoops

Like this is some sort of circus act
An attempt at slight of hand
We’ll let these fools make up the rules
Until there’s nothing left

Of the Que Sera Sera
What will be will be
When you did you the way you wanted to
And left the rest up to me

I'm finding it hard these days
To watch loved one's fade
Once strong and vibrant spirits
Looking for a way to escape

Leaving behind the mark
That runs forever deep
It's just a fact when there's little left
All that you have are the memories

I tend to find I'm not far behind
Before long, I'll follow suit
Where it'll be me that's has the need
In bed instead of those I knew

As life goes round in circles
Not caring who it claims
Puts no thought into most it all
Then turns and takes none of the blame

That's why I find it difficult
As we gather by bedsides
Waiting for the last exhale
Being the final attempt at goodbye

See you on the other side...

Who could have known
Or ever proposed
That Kansas farm girl
Would land back in Oz

Who could have guessed
All this no less
From that moment on
Would be such a mess

All because Dorthy
Went High Royalty
Ever since those ruby reds
She's had a need for the bling

Now she likes to buy
Everything in her sight
With Munchkins for servants
Who serve her outright

Then came the day
She ran out of dough
And the Lollipop Guild
Mentioned the road

Where few have been told
And even less know
That the Yellow Brick Road
Is really made out of gold

That's the happiest she's been
Since she arrived
As the shimmer and glimmer
Cha-Chinged in her eyes

She called her three friends
Clueing  them in
The Lion, the Scarecrow
And of course the Tin Man

As a matter of fact
Tin Man bring your ax
I have just the job
For you to get down with that

That's now where we are
I am sad to report
The Yellow Brick Road
Is now nothing but dirt

But sweet Dorthy dear
Has plenty of stuff
Though she still has her eyes
On the emeralds of Oz

Woke up early this morning
The sun shinning in without warning
How's depression to set in
Messing like this with my zen

Birds outside chirping have me worrying
Squirrels playfully hurrying in their scurrying
I have no idea of what to do
With all of these good feeling blues

With the grass green on both sides
There’s no need for a change of tide
I'm about to waste my day away
With this happy plastered all over my face

How can I be sad or even mad
When I'm loving this and liking that
Out here humming Disney Princess tunes
Clinging to these good feeling blues

A slice of pie a piece of cake
A good time vibe to start the day
Just as I have often dread
I woke up on the right side of bed

As it is I'm not into this
Too much happiness and bliss tossed into the mix
What in the world am I supposed to do
Smack dab in all of these good feeling blues

Woke up early this morning
The sun shinning in without warning
How's depression to set in
Messing like this with my zen

Birds outside chirping have me worrying
Squirrels playfully hurrying in their scurrying
I have no idea of what to do
With all of these good feeling blues

With the grass green even on my side
There is no need for a changing of the tide
I'm about to waste my day away
With this happy plastered all over my face

How can I be sad or even mad
When I'm loving this and liking that
Humming to the tune that I am *******
Clinging to these good feeling blues

A slice of pie a piece of cake
A good time vibe to start the day
Just as I have often dread
I woke up on the right side of bed

As it is I'm not into this
Too much happiness and bliss tossed into the mix
What in the world am I supposed to do
Smack dab in all of these good feeling blues

Woke up early this morning
The sun shinning in without warning
How's depression to set in
Messing like this with my zen

Birds outside chirping have me worrying
Squirrels playfully hurrying in their scurrying
I have no idea of what to do
With all of these good feeling blues

With the grass green even on my side
There is no need for a changing of the tide
I'm about to waste my day away
With this happy plastered all over my face

How can I be sad or even mad
When I'm loving this and liking that
Humming to the tune that I am *******
Clinging to these good feeling blues

A slice of pie a piece of cake
A good time vibe to start the day
Just as I have often dread
I woke up on the right side of bed

As it is I'm not into this
Too much happiness and bliss tossed into the mix
What in the world am I supposed to do
Smack dab in all of this good feeling blues

Good fortune and I
have always been
one on one
the best of friends

Skipping through
life hand in hand
giving praise
for all we have

Even in
the times we don't
my good fortune
still comes along

Always here
reminding me
everyday
is a blessing

No matter what
we go through
under the sun
there's nothing new

Likely I've
been here before
as my good fortune
holds the door

One on one
I've always been
the best of friends
with good fortune

Packed tight into this moment
Silent as a lamb
Before his accusers
Stands the Great I Am

Planned from the beginning
Prophesy foretold
Our ever-giving Savior
Brings us back into the fold

All of this goes against
Satan's evil schemes
To draw mankind away from God's side
To try and thwart our destiny

God's purpose was to suffer
For the sin of all mankind
Take the corruption from, a world come undone
Bringing it back into line

A Friday like no other
The Goodness that it grasps
Who else but the Creator
Could love us like Jesus has

You've heard tell the road to hell
Is paved with good intentions
I've been on that crew and so have you
Do I even need to mention

I've held the measuring tape as you paved the way
The blacktop hot with sorrow
As we looked away in our Ray-Ban shades
Saying we'll worry about that tomorrow

Mile after mile pouring doubt
Onto the hardened surface
With our best guess, thinking we've got this
Life down pat with purpose

Not realizing that what our pavement lacks
Is a heart that truly listens
One reason we can't help that the road to hell
Is paved with good intentions

You've heard tell the road to hell
Is paved with good intentions
I've been on that crew and so have you
Do I even need to mention

I've held the measuring tape as you paved the way
The blacktop hot with sorrow
As we looked away in our Ray-Ban shades
Saying we'll worry about that tomorrow

Mile after mile pouring doubt
Onto the hardened surface
With our best guess, thinking we've got this
Life down pat with purpose

Not realizing that what our pavement lacks
Is a heart that truly listens
One reason we can't help that the road to hell
Is paved with good intentions

Not really sure I'm ready
For the day I die
I've never been that steady
When walking along this crooked line

I say that I love Jesus
But how deep is that fact true
Is it just a line I feed upon
When trying in life to make it through

When I get to Heaven
And stand before the pearly gates
With the lip service that I gave him
Will God at the gate hesitate

I have straddled this barbwire fence
More times than I care to count
I just hope through all of this
God does not count me out

If I relied on works alone
To win salvations crown
The only thing that would show
Would be the worship of myself

And if that is all I've got
I'm much worse off than I thought
So, I'll give it all to Jesus
And rely on the grace of God