1. |
Ontario Moon
03:54
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Ontario moon, shine on
Shine on the one I love
Light the way she’s going
Where she is to-and-froing to
Shine your light so she
Will find her way home to me.
Ontario moon above
Up there among the stars
You were heaven-sent to
Guide two lovers meant to be
Bring her to my side
Like the gentle tide brings the sea.
Every night I see you shining
Silvery in the sky
And my lucky stars aligning
For a wedding day that’s drawing nigh
Ontario moon, we know
We can depend on you
Help us find our bliss, or
We might miss a kiss or two
Shine your silv’ry beams
And make all of our dreams come true.
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2. |
Emily
02:40
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Since time immemorial
Lovers corporeal
Gave gifts of jewellery
Costly tomfoolery;
Poets of modest means
Few dollars in their jeans
Show their avidity
With cre-
a-
tivity—
Emily
What if I wrote a song or two
Just for you
Emily
What would I call it? Now let me see—
“Emily”!
Emily
I’ll write some verses
Start the same
With your name
Emily
I’ll only use the best words that rhyme
Every time.
When
I add a chorus
We will sing
Make it swing
Then
Folks will implore us
“Sing some more!
Bravo! Encore!”
Emily
Into the sunset
We will ride
Side by side
Emily
Singing a song that’s for
You by me
“Emily.”
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3. |
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Well, the best song ever written
Is the one that I just wrote
The words bring teardrops to my eyes
And I just love every note
I’m sending it to all my friends
I know that they’ll agree
It’s the best song ever written
By anybody—not just me.
It’s got a catchy melody
With a killer hook and twist
And once it gets inside your head
It’s futile to resist
It’s got a beat that just won’t quit
A groove that’s so much fun
It’s the best song ever written
By me or anyone.
It’s the best song ever written
It cuts through you like a knife
You’ll never see things quite the same
It may just change your life—
It’s a song with everything it needs
To be a mega hit
The hook! The tune! The beat! The vibe!
I wish this song was it—
The hook! The tune! The beat! The vibe!
God knows, this song ain’t it.
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4. |
Credo
02:08
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I don’t believe in God
But I remember when I did
I used to pray to him a lot
When I was just a kid
We were pretty much on speaking terms
So when I went to bed
I’d ask him to protect me
From the things I used to dread—
“Dear God, please God, protect my kin
“Wherever they may be
“Keep them safe from every harm
“Bless them – bless us – bless me.”
I know I’d say the same prayer now
If I could still believe
There was a god –
How comforting
How precious
How naïve
Who sees the little sparrow fall
And holds us in his hand
Salvation’s rock –
A pretty Disney castle
Made of sand.
I don’t believe in God
But when I see Evil vanquish Good –
Or my kid says, “Dad, can I take the car?”
God, I really wish I could.
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5. |
Sugar Bush Breakfast
02:42
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“Sugar Bush Breakfast” read the sign
Upon the maple tree
“Just two kilometres on the right
“Buses Welcome! Children Free!”
They served us maple syrup by the jugful
Maple sugar, taffy too
And all of them were oh, so sweet
But none compares with you—for
You’re my little sugar bush breakfast
Sweet as maple syrup can be
Salty as bacon
While syrup is makin’
Come on, baby, tap my tree
You’re my little sugar shack honey
Sugar candy straight from the tree
Sweet on the stick
Want to give you a lick
Maple taffy sweetie and me.
We’ll go back
To that cute sugar shack
Stir the kettle, just you and me
We’ll have fun
Till the boiling is done
And the sap is thick and syrupy
You’re my little sugar bush breakfast
Stack of pancakes one-two-three
Slice of French toast—
Baby, you are the most
Any time you tap my tree
Sweet as maple syrup to me.
Coffee cup
Eggs sunny side up
Pass the syrup, if you please
Each sweet bite
Amber, medium, or light
Love and kisses from the maple trees
You’re my little sugar bush breakfast
Sweet and smoky delicacy
Sap evaporator—
Babe, I’ll see you later—
Any time you tap my tree
You’re as sweet as maple syrup—
(When the snow is gonna clear up)
You’re as sweet as maple syrup to me.
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6. |
Night Nurse
03:40
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The night nurse comes
And checks you in the night
Puts things in order
When things ain't right
Helps you to the bathroom
Straightens up your sheets
Checks your pressure and your heart rate—
Regularity and beats.
On call in the wee hours
When everyone's asleep
Thank heaven for the night nurse
Count your blessings with your sheep.
In the quiet of the hospital
Footsteps whisper down the hall
The night nurse with meds or water
At some patient's urgent call
Checks tubes and wires
Makes everything okay
Brings comfort in the nighttime
Just a button's press away.
On call in the wee hours
When everyone's asleep
Thank heaven for the night nurse
Count your blessings with your sheep.
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7. |
Back at Bub's
03:12
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Drivin’ into Sunderland, state of Mass.
Past Trader Joe’s and discount gas
Low slung building on your right
That’s Bub’s Bar-B-Que now in sight
Since nineteen-seventy-nine renowned
As the best New England barbecue joint around.
Back at Bub’s
Back at Bub’s
Hickory smoke and spicy rubs
Back at Bub’s.
There’s barbecued spare ribs, baby backs
Kielbasa links, hush puppy snacks
Angus burger and T-bone steak
Catfish raised in a southern lake
Brisket, chicken, fresh pulled pork
Get a load of heaven on your fork.
You get free sides with every order
Fill your platter, you’ll need a porter
Cole slaw, peas, and collard greens
Sweet potatoes and ranch baked beans
Pasta salad and dirty rice
Black-eyed peas, well, ain’t it nice!
Soon another pig has met its fate
Spare rib bones piled on your plate
Now loosen your belt a notch or two
There’s still some great desserts for you
Sweet potato and pecan pies
Deep-fried Twinkies—hoo! family size!
Well, the ribs are gone now, so’s the pie
Time to bid ol’ Bub’s goodbye
Bye-bye ribs and bye-bye brisket
I’d eat more but I can’t risk it
“Farewell, friends” from Bub’s rib shack—
That’s Massachusetts for “Y’all come back!”
Back at Bub’s
Back at Bub’s
Hickory smoke and dry spice rubs
Fat back! Baby back! Back at Bub’s!
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8. |
So Love, Goodbye
03:30
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I still recall
My dear, when all
Our dreams came tumbling down
We parted, friends
All odds and ends
If tears were seas, we’d drown
But still I find
You’re on my mind
No matter what I do
I can’t forget
I love you yet
My heart still longs for you.
You’ll never be
The one for me
I know for sure
The love I need
Is love indeed
That will endure—
So love, goodbye
It’s time to try
To find somebody new
A brand new start
To mend a heart
That wants a heart that’s true
I hope that when
We meet again
We’ll laugh as we recall
The love we had
Now past and sad
But somehow worth it all.
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9. |
Fade to Black
02:54
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As you are—
So was I, once
As I am—so
You shall be
Though the Fates
Decide our ending
Some day you will
Follow me—
Well, you go downhill
All of a sudden
First you’re fine
Then you’re not—
On a one-way
Ride to the bottom
Before you know it
Your life is shot.
Life is good
And then you’re dyin’
Ol’ Grim Reaper
Is at your door
It’s your time
There’s no denyin’
That’s all there is
There ain’t no more.
Well, you may have made
A million dollars
Built a castle
To the sky
Lots of friends and
Lots of lovers
Time to kiss them
All goodbye.
Now, when I die
I’m not expecting
Hell or heaven or
Angel throng
Fade to black
Then it’s over—
Fill in the hole
Sing me a song.
You can tell my friends
They can have my marbles
Tell my broker
To mind the store
Tell my wife
She’s a single woman
Tell my children
There’s no encore.
Life is good
And then you’re dyin’
Ol’ Grim Reaper
Is at your door
It’s your time
There’s no denyin’
That’s all there is
There ain’t no more—
That’s all there is
There ain’t no more—
That’s all there is.
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10. |
Tea Time
03:31
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“Afternoon tea in the Library Bar”
I saw the sign as I stepped from the car
Royal York, four o’clock, right on the dot
Time for a nice cup of tea, strong and hot.
Waitresses serving in aprons and silk
Tea trays with honey, cube sugar, and milk
Jasmine, Darjeeling, Earl Grey Bergamot
Oolong and Assam, each in its own pot.
High tea, low tea, cuppa tea, two
Lemon bars, madeleines, tiramisu
Keemun, Ceylon, chacun à son goût
Come in, it’s tea time—time for a brew.
Oolong from China, green tea from Japan
If you prefer you can have a tisane
Cucumber sandwiches, biscuits, and cake
Croissants and petits fours, nicest they make.
Triple-tier stands are a triple delight
Smoked salmon pinwheels on brown bread and white
Muffins and buns, split and slathered with jam
Pastries and devilled eggs—please pass the ham.
High tea, low tea, cuppa tea, two
Loose tea, bag tea, either will do
Will you be Mother and pour for the crew?
Come in, it’s tea time—time for a brew.
Tea kettles whistle when day’s almost gone
Tea leaves are measured out, water poured on
Red Rose and Tetley steeped never too long
Masala chai, smoky lapsang souchong.
“Do you take milk, dear, or lemon—a slice?
One or two sugars? These tea cakes are nice.”
Bone china cups you can almost see through
Milk first or afterwards—it’s up to you.
High tea, low tea, cuppa tea, two
You’re just in time for our tea rendezvous
Cuppa tea veteran or rank ingénue
Come in, it’s tea time—time for a brew.
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11. |
All Right
02:33
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Darlin’, I have been all right
Since you went away
All I do is cry all night
Then I cry all day—
I find it easy to be strong
And not to think of you
Except each day, the whole day long
And the whole night through.
I laugh and joke and wear a grin
And I don’t feel the pain
Unless of course I’m breathing in
And breathing out again—
I never give myself away
By letting teardrops start
Except each moment of each day
Since you broke my heart.
I never feel my poor heart ache
I don’t break down and weep
Except when I am wide awake
And when I’m not asleep—
You found it easy to forget
The love we had—but still
My heart is true, I love you yet
And I always will.
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12. |
Walking in the Rain
03:05
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Walking in the rain
Gettin’ both the feet wet
Puddle to my left and to my right
Wander down the lane
No one on the street yet
Sun behind a cloud just out of sight.
Rain drops fall
Pitter, pitter, patter
Large or small
Really doesn’t matter
Watching all
Little birdies scatter
As I pass by
I heard the
Weatherman
Call for sun and showers
Here’s my plan
While away the hours
All I can
Watching pretty flowers
Growing to the sky.
Suddenly
Sun is out and shining
I can see
Hidden silver lining
Fine with me
For I am inclining
Nevermore to roam
I found the
Rainbow’s end
Shining pot of gold now
Time to spend
If the truth be told now
Come, my friend
We are on the threshold now
And we are home.
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Shelley Posen Ottawa, Ontario
SHELLEY POSEN is a Canadian songwriter and performer of his own and traditional songs. He writes in many styles and on many subjects. His songs are widely recognized for their wit, craftsmanship, and the profound effect many seem to have on listeners.
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