Duckin' stones, a Protest song

I live my life duckin’ so many stones.
My hands are free, but I feel alone.
Both sides take aim at the weary bill.
Both exclaim there is a poison pill.
I suppose I should stop and listen.
Decipher which is God’s position.
I do expect that answer is neither
Jesus wouldn’t even need a breather.
He’d remind us of the question that stands,
When he needed help, “Did you lend a hand?”

I walk thru life duckin’ so many stones.
My way is clear and I don’t go alone.
I walk with the sons of Abraham,
Yes, Christian, Jew and Muslim
Side by side, homeless, poor and gay
Ducking the stones and words they say
Lest we forget the word cast in stone
Don’t idolize words from a radio throne
But let the words of Jesus help
Go out loving one another as yourself.

Go out and shout
Drop the stones, drop the stones.
But do not doubt, you’ll be
Duckin’ stones, duckin’ stones.

© 2009 Dave Schipper Rose Riversongs


Now this song is more finished but likely needs a third verse.... and it's my weird version of a 60's activist protest song but who am I protesting? The Right who knows their never wrong, the left who most times forgets the real reason. I'm lucky to be blessed with health care but I fret so about those who make the wrong calls because they can't afford to go the the hospital, and I'm disgusted with my health care bills being pumped up by the margins of the insurance & drug companies who are paying to fight any reform. Don't forget I'm a business person with a compassionate heart, I know what they are up to.... and our health bill is seeing the rewards. And if they aren't bad enough.. you know about the bad debt and write off expense in a hospital for all the goodwill medical work they have done for poor people.. HA you don't want public insurance... YOU ARE PAYING for it anyway... they make money and have to pass it on somewhere.

The answer... hey this blog is to be about songwriting, so it's probably Blowin in the Wind... so go and write your own protest song.

Dave

Talkin' Differences in Sexes

So while I have been busy writing, I had nothing significant I wanted to share within this site for a while... tonight is finally here. In the great tradition of Woody Guthrie, I finally wrote a talkin' song.... now most who know my voice are probably saying, "Thank God"... but really this again like anything takes inspiration. Mine came from a simple thing like the differences in women's hair, and how some women at work will change the way come to work every other day. Up, down, curly, straight, wet or dry... and gracious sometimes that's the same person. It got me thinking about the differences between men and women... so after great research, I throw this piece into the mix. 

 Now it does use current cultural references which date it, and I don't recommend that for a song like this; of course I think that Rush and McCain's crazy "The Google" will live in cultural literacy for awhile. Some day I will record a YouTube of this... until then enjoy. 

 Ok folks, it’s plain to see, that I’m talkin’ differences ‘tween you and me. 

Or should I say them and us, you know vagina versus the old penis. 

I’ve been around a time or two, enough to see a closet full of shoes

 But when I went to write ‘em down, I was worried to be shipped out of town. 

You know Rush Limbaugh style, angry, confused, blabbering all the while. 

 Now this shouldn’t be an editorial bit, so I used THE google and McCained it. 

You know in this digital age, you just search and copy some body else’s page. 

So armed with a laptop and coffee, I got my windows to look at me. 

Point and click info by the ton, ohhhh better put the adult filters on. 

Just incase you try this at home, don’t try that with thing with foam. 

 Back to work and just like I thought, lists and lists of haves and have nots. 

Some pretty scientific stuff, when I thought camo versus pink fluff. 

There’s left brain / right brain, and why women explain and explain 

There’s x y, mars and venus, and oh yeah then right back to the penis 

So who here before the age nine, played you show me your I’ll show you mine? 

 Mumble… after age nine… hmmm look me up sometime…. 

 Hair style is difference I relate, hell mine been the same since 8. 

Yes all that time to get ready, and you just better notice Freddy. 

She’s worked hard at getting it just right, even if it’s a bun pulled tight. 

Darlin you look good tonight, no, no really I meant outta sight. 

Sure the game is on, but I looked at you really, really, really.. hey he’s gone. 

So if I make it through this song, and married to my favorite one. 

It just means that difference attract, and then find a way to react. 

Most women are saints you know, and successful guys will surely show 

Their pride and joy that brings them dinner, after they said she looks thinner 

Yes indeed, I meant every word, thanks for the dinner hun. 

 By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs Many thanks to Woody Guthrie and Charlie Maguire for inspiration. Funny I went back to this song recently and thought it was too wordy and needed to update some references. I'm planning on sharing this song at an upcoming Songwriter Swap that is going to be on funny songs. 

 Talkin’ Sexes 

Ok folks, it’s plain to see, that I’m talkin’ differences ‘tween you and me. 

Or should I say them and us, you know vagina versus the old penis. 

I’ve been around a time or two, enough to see a closet full of shoes 

But when I went to write ‘em down, I was worried to be shipped out of town. 

You know all Fox News style, angry, confused, blabbering all the while. 

Now this shouldn’t be an editorial bit, so I used THE google and researched it. 

You know in this digital age, you just copy some body else’s page. 

So armed with a laptop and coffee, I got my windows to look at me. 

Point and click info by the ton, ohhhh better put the adult filters on. 

Just incase you try this at home, don’t try that with thing with foam. 

Now just like I thought, lists and lists of haves and have nots. 

Some pretty scientific stuff, just when I thought camo to pink stuff. 

There’s left brain / right brain, and why women explain and explain 

There’s x y, mars and venus, and oh yeah then right back to the penis 

So who here before the age nine, played you show me yours I’ll show you mine? 

Mumble… after age 18… hmmm look me up sometime…. 

Hair style is one I can relate, hell mine been the same since 8. 

All that time to get ready, and you just better notice Freddy. 

She’s worked hard at getting it just right, even if it’s a bun pulled tight. 

Darlin you look good tonight, no, no really I meant outta sight. 

Sure the game is on, but I looked at you really, really, really.. hey he’s gone.??? 

So if I make it through this song, and married to my favorite one. 

It just means that difference attract, and then find a way to react. 

Women are saints you know, and smart guys will surely show 

That smile when she brings them dinner, after he said she looks thinner 

Yes indeed, I meant every word, I swear on this cheese curd. 

 By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs, Updated 2023 Many thanks to Woody Guthrie and Charlie Maguire for inspiration.

Love is free at last

Oh the journey of a songwriter... you few folks that had the blessing or curse to see the first taping of this song will like the journey. I am one that writes and song and lets it breathe a few days before going back at it. This time I made many of the lines easier to sing while keeping the rhymes and the meaning of each line. I truly am grateful for the day I saw Samantha Farrell's picture of her in a field with her guitar barefoot. She put the caption... Barefoot running through the daisy's and poof inspiration.

The song speaks Dylanesque to the passing of faith, to the promise of resurrection, to the plight of the hungry, and to the hope of the youth when they are blessed with a positive outlook.

The last verse was added to tie into the fourth part of the chorus, No Fears No Regrets... it has many many embedded Samantha Farrell song referenced. AND this recording of the song makes much more sense. I do think it'll hang with me and be on my next CD.

Love is Free at Last by Dave Schipper (c) 2009 Rose Riversongs

The field was filled with bare foot girls
The church doors opened wide
The laughter of the children filled
The spirit of these sullen eyes

Solid stone over 100 years old
Means nothing to the little ones
But a spirit binds a new foothold
One to last to their father’s sons

Hallelujah The spirit is passed
Hallelujah Love is free at last
Hallelujah The table is set
Hallelujah No fears, no regrets

A rich patchwork of sizes and colors
A human ebb that flows in waves
Precious fabric of his earth he covers
With the souls he pledges to save.

‘tween the toes are daisy petals
He loves me and he loves me more
He plants the seed and wins the medals
But he weeps at the wages of war Chorus

The field was filled with bare foot girls
The store doors opened wide
The hunger of the people filled
The spirit of these sullen eyes

A rich harvest is bountiful
Grown and watched to maturity
Tastes and words purposeful
Bear love of holy purity. Chorus

Driven to avoid the lamenting
Though streets were really torn apart
She kept her small frame moving
The chaos couldn’t shake her heart

Music played in this City of Dreams
She played the muse with luck
Won the prize, strawberry cream
She left as the melody stuck Chorus

Forever Nineteen for a friend

Just a pretty face in a busy place
I soon would melt in your hands
And you became regular in my plans.

Forever nineteen, so frozen in time
Twenty years passed so fast
But you are built to last.
Forever nineteen, so frozen in time

The months layered on in this bright salon
A rich text of news and playfulness
Left me wanting more, I confess.

Now suddenly everything’s casually
A spring and surprise to an old friend
Sure funny to look back how it began.

Forever nineteen, frozen in time to me
Twenty years passed by just today
And you still sweep me away.
Forever nineteen, so frozen in time

Still a Metallic Fan livin’ with the postman
A soccer mom queen and forever nineteen.
Forever nineteen, so frozen in time
Forever nineteen, such light shine, frozen in time.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

I am as loyal as a coon dog in many ways. I've worked in only really 3 places in my 32 years since high school... married for 27+ years... and I've gone to the same woman to get my haircut for 23 years. Natalie was just a beautiful teenager when I first met her and now I consider her and her husband Greg friends. When they came to see Rose River last week and I got a picture with this angel, there had to be song in it... and here it is... I do love the line "you still sweep me away"... all that hair each month.. it's just a little more grey the last few years.

I did worry a little about needing to get this more personal to make it effective as a song more people can relate to... maybe I need a co-writer to the write lines that I'm too cautious to write about a good friend. HA.

For song writers out there... I started with the premise and hook "Forever Nineteen"... my search on the phrase did show that alot of themes wrapped around this was linked to people dying and frozen in time. I hope I captured that but turned it around, Nat is alive and well but when I look in those eyes I still that teenage girl that loves Metallica.

Of course ... you can't let the muse rest when the day has presented an afternoon alone ... so here is the freshest written song to be posted to youtube... it actually doesn't match the blog... watch for the improvements.

Recount history... even if it's ghost stories...

A mere trip to a city I've visited before, but take the ghost tour at night and the doors open to the imagination. I did even up also buy a history book of the ghosts just to make sure my facts were right... and yes what good ghost story isn't done in A minor key?... enjoy... I love the last 5 seconds of the video, if you didn't wait it out... skip ahead.

Ghosts of St. Augustine by Dave Schipper © 2006 Rose Riversongs


The ghosts of St. Augustine are an eerie sight
On rooftops, porches, and trees they come out at night
They walk this ancient ground, while their stories are told
By guides with lanterns, recounting tales of old.

The white gown of the bride
The candle in the night
The widow on the stairs
The renters Miss Faye scares
Ghosts of St. Augustine
Are the sights to be seen
Walk the cobblestone streets
And enjoy whom you meet

Pass the Bishop’s shrine and see the wayward bride
Who terrified those children tenting that night
Woke them with a cold hand brought screams and bone chills
Now she walks alone, mourning a love unfulfilled.

As guest G-Men talked, the innkeeper knew the plan
She gave the smuggler signal with lantern in hand.
Today her lost soul slips past the boarded entry
To the sea, Her hooded figure waves a sentry

Don't throw out those journals

This piece actually has roots back in 1976. It was normal for me to write and write because I was kind of a loner. All that changed with Lori and a real job, but back in 2004 I started back up again. By the next year, I found myself reading my old journals and poems. The first verse was just sitting there waiting for me; lesson for us all, clean up your life, but don't throw away your journals.

The lyric went through a couple of re-writes and it is filled with a bunch of cliches, but isn't sometime real love a cliche?

Today I release this song to the digital world.... here's a taste of it.... Tim is on the piano.



If I could draw
a face dear and warm
With eyes of passion
Smooth lines would form

Paint me in love, As soft as a dove
Sketch out a dream Someone barely seen
Lead me to draw The beauty that I saw
Paint me in love, with light from above

If I could draw
The fine lines of age
There’d be folds of love,
And beauty on a page

Paint me in love, As soft as a dove
Sketch out a dream Someone barely seen
Lead me to draw The beauty that I saw
Paint me in love, with light from above

If I could draw
Sensual curves of shade
Pleading deep dark eyes
and dimples concave

by Dave Schipper © Rose Riversongs 2005

Write for both voices II

Ok... so here's my rocker ...

Blonde Attitude by Dave Schipper © 2005 RoseRiver Songs


Call it a week, call it a day
Call it what you like I just want to get paid (or laid)
Tired of my job, Tired of my boss
Tired of dreamin of the hair that you toss.

Chorus
I need some music with a blonde attitude
I love to hear those words that you use
I keep a wishin for some time with you
I need some music with a blonde attitude.

Toss me a brew, toss me a life
Toss out the bill from my exwife.
Grab hold my hand, grab on your heart
Grab on tight you know just where to start

Smile and laugh, smile and relax
Smile to the gents looking from the back
Move to the left, move to the right
Move anyway, just hold me tight.


Note... Yes it is available on iTunes with Tim and Paula live, but we add the Blondettes of Sue and Lynn and we get just a spontaneous fun song. It can be cleaned up with substituting PAID instead of LAID... sorry I didn't mark the song Explicit... I hope I don't get caught.

I also had fun rearranging the words and pitching it to a woman to sing... no luck yet...

Blonde Attitude by Dave Schipper ©2006 RoseRiver Songs

Call it a week, call it a day
Call it what you like I just want to get paid (or laid)
Tired of my job, Tired of my boss
Time to primp and sharpen the claws.


Chorus
I’m just music with a blonde attitude
You’ll love to hear those words that I use
You keep wishin for some time with me
This blonde attitude’s in perfect key


Here’s your brew, and here’ your life
God just forget that bitch, our exwife.
Grab hold my hand, grab on your heart
Grab on tight you know just where to start


Smile and laugh, smile and relax
Smile to the girls looking from the back
Move to the left, move to the right
Move anyway, just hold me tight.

And now as of July 2009 a live video courtesy of a house alone, and Dustin's electric guitar... HA.