Favourite Things: A Case of You by Joni Mitchell

[“If Shania Twain is devoid of ideas to guarantee private time in her life... I have a few suggestions. She could pencil in downtime at her healthy-sized chunk of real estate in Switzerland... she could go down to the basement and sit in a comfortable chair, slap on some headphones and listen to her favourite Joni Mitchell CD.” G. Harrison, Sept. 2, 2004]

Christmas is coming and I’m busy putting a small book together for friends and family of some of my favourite columns. In my opinion, nothing says Merry Christmas like my story about Shania Twain or another about the high price of eggs or that brilliant piece - you remember, don't you - about one of my thousands of personal opinions.

While organizing the book I listened to Joni Mitchell songs but had to stop typing when ‘A Case of You’ began to play. For the hundredth time the lyrics and orchestral arrangement knocked me off my chair.

“Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid.”

Joni knocks me off my chair.

Below is the album cover for Both Sides Now, one home for ‘A Case of You.’ Joni’s painting skills rival her song-writing and guitar-playing skills and though I’ve looked at the cover many, many times, I only recently noticed the coaster beside her elbow.


“On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice...”

When love goes wrong it can go wrong in crushing ways. When a song goes right it can go right forever.

‘A Case of You’ first appeared in 1970 but it still stings, bleeds and soars at the same time.

And it’s one of my favourite things.

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Please click here for ‘Remembering my father’, my most recent column.

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The Lite News: I was no fool for trying a new CD

Last Thursday, ‘Shed Night’ in my shop was already well underway when neighbours from the adjacent house arrived, beverages in coat pockets.

One also pulled a CD out of his pocket, offered it to me, and it was soon playing on my high-end stereo system, i.e., a $99 Canadian Tire gate crasher special from 1994 that still works even though covered with cedar dust inside and out.

‘no fool for trying’ by Madison Violet (female duo) pleasantly filled in any gaps in conversation between the 9 adults in the small space.


["Git yer feet up. Listen in": photo GH]

I thought, sometimes it’s nice to slip over to the country side of life, hear a few good lyrics and a bit of banjo-pickin’, and say things like “see you agin” (rhymes with kin) when somebody leaves to water the blue spruce.

About the duo:

“Lisa MacIsaac is originally from Cape Breton and Brenley MacEachern from a small Scottish town in Ontario. They began singing and eventually writing together after a chance meeting at an open session in Toronto.”

“Lisa once “performed in a national touring musical tribute to The Mamas and the Papas, playing the part of Michelle Phillips. The revue was directed by John Phillips, an original Papa, who happened to have seen MacIsaac sing and called her out of the blue.” (A few more details)

Hmmm. Didn’t know thet. Do now.

Cheers, y’all.

***

More of The Lite News here.

And here.

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Hit Singles: Your Shadow’s at My Side

Backgrounder: “Marriages and relationships certainly go through hard times, don’t they? Hopefully, bad times are followed by good times and a couple doesn’t reach the kicking stage in verse 3.” gaharrison

Your Shadow’s at My Side

Chorus:

Late at night I think of you.
Late at night I dream of you.
Late at night I yearn for you,
Your shadow’s at my side.


["Sail through troubled waters": photo GH]

1. Hard times from the start,
Hard times broke your heart.
Hard times tore us apart.
You have left my side.

2. Good times will come again,
Good times will ease your pain,
Good times will be our last refrain.
But I need you at my side.

Verse 3 is optional: Depends on the mood around the campfire!

3. Last chance came and went,
Last chance you got to vent,
Last chance you said, “Get bent.”
You kicked me in my side.

gah

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More Hit Singles - click here.

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Hit Single: Lovers Stand On Every Corner

Backgrounder: “I don’t have a recollection of any incident that sparked this song. Maybe my wife didn’t pay for coffees one morning at The Little Red Roaster in Wortley Village and I got all pouty and hurt. Maybe I have an over-active imagination.” gaharrison

Lovers Stand On Every Corner

Verse 1.

Saw you walking passed my door,
went to call but then I swore,
we can’t return to where we’ve been,
and life’s too short to open up that wound again.
Saw you at our old café,
couldn’t find the words to say,
like, let’s just have an easy talk and not get close
and open up that wound again.


[Link to painting]

Chorus:

Lovers, stand on every corner,
remind me of what might have been.
Words I’ve never said
have opened up that wound again.
Alone now, my head is on your pillow,
knowing there’s no answer
to things that I’ve done wrong.
Mistakes that I have made
have opened up that wound again.

2. Walked behind you to your street,
inched along on silent feet.
I practiced words, found a few.
But can words help us open up our hearts again?
Shuffled home, went to the phone.
Could one call just bring you home,
and stir our minds to better times?
But can words help us open up our hearts again?

Saw you walking passed my door,
went to call then I swore,
we can’t return to where we’d been,
life’s too short to open up that wound again.
Saw you at our old café, couldn’t find the words to say.

gah

Please click here to read other lyrics and brilliant pieces of prose.

Brilliant? Hey, It could happen.

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Hit Singles: You Got Away

Backgrounder: “This song was written about ten years ago and was inspired only by my imagination. My wife likely wondered at the time why I would ever go to a laundromat because we had a perfectly good washer and dryer in the basement. I think it’s the kind of song Roy Orbison would have enjoyed singing.” gaharrison

You Got Away

Verse 1. I saw you first time at the laundromat,
I was a bit too nervous to start to chat.
But our eyes held while you folded sheets,
My shirt got damp from my body heat.

2. I spoke to you first at the corner store,
You’re arms were full so I held the door.
I asked if you’d like a coffee one day.
You said, it’s hard, then you walked away.


Chorus:

I was trying real hard but you got away,
I’ll try again soon some other day.
It’s so hard to act cool when my hands get hot,
You’re tougher to forget than I ever thought.

3. When I saw you next you were with a guy.
You said, it’s still hard, if I read your eye.
At the laundromat I saw you fold his shirts,
Don’t know why but that still hurts.

4. I can’t help but keep watching you,
You’re everywhere, on my mind it’s true.
I keep rehearsing romantic scenes,
And you’re the main star in my nightly dreams.

gah

Please click here to read other lyrics or see other songs that have nothing to do with laundromats.

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Hit Singles: The Buck Snort Café

Backgrounder: “While driving to a fire fighter college in Texas a number of years ago, in order to visit my oldest son, I spotted a road sign in Kentucky directing traffic to the town of Bucksnort. Shortly after telling my wife we should retire to Bucksnort and open a coffee shop, this song followed.” gaharrison

The Buck Snort Café

Chorus:

I’m going to the Bucksnort Café,
I’ll have my first cup of the day,
I’ll talk to my pals, joke with the gals,
Life is good at the Bucksnort Café.


Verse 1. I’ll get toast and thick marmalade,
The cranberry scones are homemade.
Two packets of sugar, some cream, and a stir,
Life is sweet at the Bucksnort Café.
I’ll pull out my Free Coffee card,
To get eight holes punched ain’t too hard.
First eight there’s a fee, the ninth cup is free,
Get a deal at the Bucksnort Café.

I’m going to the Bucksnort Café,
Their coffee gets me going each day,
I’ll talk to my pals, joke with the gals,
Life is good at the Bucksnort Café.

2. We’ll talk ‘bout the issues at hand,
Solve problems afflicting the land.
If politicians were smart, they’d take us to heart,
And drop in at the Bucksnort Café.
The price of eggs is too high,
But my wife will be rich when I die.
We talk ‘bout this stuff though life ain’t too rough,
Life goes on at the Bucksnort Café.

I’m going to the Bucksnort Café,
Buy me a refill – I’ll stay,
I’ll talk to my pals, joke with the gals,
Life is good at the Bucksnort Café.

gah

Please click here to read other lyrics for hit singles.

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Hit Singles: I am a Lonely Cowboy

Backgrounder: “I camped with the same circle of friends for many years and one fellow always brought a guitar and a new homemade song for the campfire. This is one of my attempts to come up with what I would call a campfire song.” gaharrison

I am a Lonely Cowboy

Verse 1.

I lost my wife early in life raising kids high on this mountain.
Long hours every day I thought life was okay,
But my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

Chorus:

I am a lonely cowboy riding my old gray horse.
I am a lonely cowboy riding my old gray horse.


["I thought life was okay": photo link]

2. I lost my girls, they entered your world, moved away from this mountain.
They both used to write, but they live out of sight,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

3. I lost my sons to jobs needing done, they rode down off this mountain.
They said, “See you again.” So I look down the lane,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

4. I lost my friend, came to his end caught in a storm on this mountain.
Lost in the snow he had no place to go,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

5. I lost it all, there’s no one to call, I’m living alone on this mountain.
This farm is all mine, but we’re both lost in time,
And my heart now feels like it’s aching.
My heart it feels like it’s breaking.

gah.

Please click here to find more hit singles and pieces of brilliant prose.

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Hit Single: Since You Left Me

Backgrounder: “I’ve been married for almost 40 years and can only imagine what it would be like living alone after a breakup. I think it would be pretty tough, even for a day. And that’s all the time considered in this song - one day - from sun up to sundown, from the time coffee was turned on until a pair of dirty boots were kicked off.” gaharrison

Since You Left Me

Verse 1. There’s no one around as the sun’s coming up,
Nobody stirs when I drink my first cup,
Nobody joins me as I’m washing up, since you left me.
There’s no one around since you left me.
There’s no one who asks, is that a smile or a frown?
Nobody asks, can’t you put that job down?
Nobody says, hey, let’s head into town, since you left me.
Not much goes on since you left me.

Chorus:

I’m ready to listen and hear what you say,
Since you headed straight out the door.
And I’m ready to stop having all my own way
since you left me.
It’s one empty house since you left me.


2. There’s no one around while I throw in some hay,
Nobody cooks when I stop at noonday
Nobody hollers, cold drink’s on the way, since you left me.
There’s no one around since you left me.
There’s no one who says, you’ve been working real hard,
Nobody says, I put gas in the car.
Nobody says, you should call your Pa, since you left me.
Not much goes on since you left me.

3. There’s no one around as the sun’s going down,
Nobody turns when I throw my boots down,
Nobody laughs when I act like a clown, since you left me.
There’s no one around since you left me.
There’s no one who asks, how’s it going out there?
Nobody reminds me, put a comb through your hair.
Nobody sighs, don’t you love that fresh air, since you left me.
Not much goes on since you left me.

gah

Click here for more hit singles and prose.

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Hit Singles: Down I Lay Me Down

Backgrounder: “This song was written several years ago in the months before my father passed away. When he learned his cancer had returned he decided against any further operations and treatment. I admired his bravery, his clarity of mind and wrote this in his voice as if he was looking back over his lifetime.” gaharrison

Down I Lay Me Down

Verse 1:

I’m getting old, my hair is gray,
I may not have too many days.
My mind can’t help but turn around
to see my footsteps on the ground.
I’m looking back over all my years,
reaching for what I hold dear,
My arms are full, my family’s near.
Down I lay me down.

Chorus:

‘Down I lay me down to sleep,
pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
take me home, (take me home).
If I should die before I wake,
bless my soul for Jesus’ sake.
Take me home, (take me home).
Down I lay me down.


[G.D. Harrison, circa 1941, Scotland]

2. Storms of life, my wife faced a few,
we had doubts at time, but then we grew
To understand love’s our goal
to work for over time I’m told.
I guess with age we wiser get,
pay our way, leave no debt.
Try to live with no regret.
Down I lay me down.

3. I always felt most at rest
down country roads, they seemed the best
place to watch birds catch the breeze.
They always put my mind at ease.
I traveled down many roads,
from wander-lust, a thirst to roam.
All those roads led back to home.
Down I lay me down.

4. Made a home, my wife and me,
kids a-plenty on each knee.
Lives to share, hands to hold,
they were my help as I grew old.
No worries now, no doom and gloom,
I know I will see you soon,
I’ll just be in the other room.
Down I lay me down.

gah

More Hit Singles - click here.

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Poor Boy with The Poor Boy Blues

The following song came to me while watching the local news last Tuesday night. I must have been suffering a fever because while nursing verses together my wife heard me cry out, where's Kate Young? Where's Kate Young?

Poor Boy with The Poor Boy Blues

I’m tired of buying groceries
from the ninety-nine cent aisle.
I’m tired of buying canned goods
that been dented for awhile.
I’d like to buy some new shoes
that seem to fit my feet.
I’d like the cashier to smile at me
like I’m on Easy Street...

...But I’m a poor boy,
But I’m a poor boy,
But I’m a poor boy,
And I’ve got the poor boy blues.


["The depression has hit my neighbour's roof": photo by GAH]

I’m tired of buying wieners
without a shred of beef.
I’m tired of buying cabbages
with holes in every leaf.
I’d like to buy a cauliflower
that doesn’t smell like cheese.
And I’d like some two-ply tissue
for my nose next time I sneeze...

I’m tired of being first in line
for each recession sale.
Sometimes I feel as useless
as a mop without a pail.
I’d like to drop my low-wage job
get a good one that’s full time.
And then I’d buy a piece of steak
an’ not the Salisbury kind...

I’m tired of drinking cheap sodee pop
to help me quench my thirst.
I’m tired of buying packages
someone else has opened first.
I’d like to buy some brand new jeans
with an expensive label on,
And I’d like to have an extra ten
and a girl to spend it on...

gah

***

More songs with affordable price tags can be found at Hit Singles.

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Fred Eaglesmith

Fred hit a lot of the right notes this afternoon at the London Music Club.

He sang about the following:

Hank Williams, Elvis, Janis Joplin and their last days... on alcohol and pills.

Meeting and loving a significant other on Oxford County Line (not far from my hometown)

Dudley George, from Ipperwash


["Stolen from LMC website"]

His wish to be a freight train, or a long locomotive

Wanting to buy a truck

And he played several hot guitar licks and bickered with a guy who’d had too many beers.

No, not me. I’m a very peaceful, appreciative sort of guy. And when he comes to town again, I’ll be there.

***

Are you a Fredhead? Ever lived near Highway 19 or Oxford County Line?

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Yet Another Hit Single: My Restless Heart

Background: “After I learned a fourth chord on my guitar I branched out, got all fancy., and wrote a few songs a travelling man might sing. With my voice it’s important to know the way outta town.” gaharrison

My Restless Heart

1. I took a job in Kansas City,
I swept some floors and motel halls.
I soon moved on to better times,
I cleaned some basements, painted walls.

Chorus:

But when I earn a million dollars,
My restless heart will take some rest.
Might get it in my mind to come back home,
If I could settle down with you.

2. I took a job in Colorado,
I packed some bags and cut some hair.
I soon moved on to better times,
I sold some brooms and cooking ware.

Click here for more verses, hit singles and prose.

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Another Hit Single: Life in the Great Big City

Backgrounder: “I wrote this one so long ago I can’t recall if there was an incident I was witness to (or involved in) that prompted me to write this brilliant piece. However, after listening to a CBC Radio program yesterday re behaviours that occur on Toronto’s mass transit system I thought I’d dust it off.” gaharrison

Life in the Great Big City

1. My first trip to the city, got off the train,
Two guys said, “Can you spare a dime?”
I bent right down to open my pack,
Woke up next day flat on my back.
A policeman said, “Don’t look for pity!
Welcome to life in the great big city.”

Chorus:

Well, I lost my pants and my underwears,
I got roughed up, thrown down some stairs.
I lost my watch, some hard-earned money,
I’m almost naked, it ain’t even funny.
Policeman said, “Don’t look for pity!
Welcome to life in the great big city.”

Three more verses and more brilliant lyrics at this location.

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Another Hit Single: I Was the Last One To Go

1. You called me last week, said, “Come over at nine.”
And if I had time, call a few friends of mine.
We planned to stay in, maybe watch some TV,
But after my friends left, I said, “Please dance with me.”

Chorus:


I was the last one to go, was the last one to go,
We had the house to ourselves, no more movies to show.
You said, “Sure, we’ll dance when we put things away."
Yes, I was the last one to go, after you had your way.

Click here to find more hit singles.

Hey, anything’s possible!

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Yet Another Hit Single: Fetch the Wild Turkey

My oldest son and his wife are expecting twins at any minute.

Wait! That could be the call right now.

I lied. Another telemarketer.

While thinking about what to serve when our growing family toasts the occasion, I came up with the following wee ditty.

What with twins, I’d better stock up on more than one bottle.

Fetch the Wild Turkey

1. I lived in the city, I owned my own house,
The only thing missing was a wonderful spouse.
You lived in the country, we met at a dance,
After the hoe-down, we both took a chance.
I'll fetch the Wild Turkey, I'll pour you a drink,
It's out in the kitchen, it's under the sink.
Since I first met you my plans are all new,
No one in the country is prettier than you.


2. I sold my possessions, and moved to your farm,
Bought cows for your field, a horse for your barn.
We'd pick the wild lilies and drink from the creek,
We'd talk about babies, stay in bed for a week.
Let's fetch the Wild Turkey, let's pour us a drink,
It's out in the kitchen, it's under the sink.
Since I first met you, been changes in me,
But you're certainly pretty in your red negligee.

More verses at Hit Singles, Lyrics and Prose by G. Harrison.

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No 'congratulations' required.

Send diapers.

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Hit Single: Our Love Will Last a Long, Long Time

I’m just getting started really...

Here’s verse one and the chorus. What do you think?

Our Love Will Last a Long, Long Time

1. My wife said,
Our love has lasted a long, long time.
I said, it seems longer to me.
She fired right back with
You’ve got one more chance
To say something romantic to me.


Chorus:

So I said... my love will last longer
Than green Tupperware
And the curlers you got in your hair.
It will sure out last
All of our frozen food
In the freezer at the foot of the stair.

No really - the only thing that might last longer than our love is the elastic in men’s underwear.

***

Any changes needed so far?

See more hit singles and prose at my other extremely popular blog.

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My Next Hit Single: Come On Over, I'm Over You

Backgrounder: “My wife and I have gone through hard times but never hard enough to end in divorce. Thirty-nines years later I still say, she’s a keeper. Her thoughts on the matter? I’m not exactly sure, but I bet it's half good. This song was written as a bit of fun about an unfunny topic.” gaharrison

Come On Over, I'm Over You

1. I get the pet dog, you get the cat,
I get the pet mouse, you get the rat.
I get the parakeet, you get the cage,
I get the parsley, you get the sage.
I get the whiskey I like to drink,
You get the Tupperware under the sink.
I packed all our stuff, divided by two.
So, come on over, I'm over you.

Chorus:

Come on over, I said we’re through.
Come on over, it’s sad but true.
I'm over you and your cold embrace,
I'm over you and your hard-luck face,
Come on over, see my new place.
And, pick up your boxes, I need the space.

2. I get the car, you get the truck,
I get the chicken, you get the duck.
I get the pots, you get the pans,
I get the blue box, you get the cans.
I get the couch with the pull-out bed,
You get the twelve-speed we kept in the shed.
I packed all our stuff, divided by two.
So, come on over, I'm over you.


[“Halfa this is yours too. Come on over”: photo link]

3. I get the coffee, you get the tea,
I get the radio, you get the TV.
I get the shoes, you get the clothes,
I get the garden, you get the hose.
I get the dress shirts and all of my pants,
You get the song, you get the dance.
I packed all our stuff, divided by two.
So, come on over, I'm over you.

4. I get some money back, you get your purse,
I get my freedom, you get the curse.
I get the roof tops you get the floor,
I get my leg room you get the door.
I get the high road, a bottle of wine,
You get the low road and half of what's mine.
I packed all our stuff, divided by two.
So, come on over, I'm over you.

Optional -

5. I get the helo pad, you get the yacht,
I get the gold bars, you get the stock.
I get the time-share in Boca Raton,
You get the mansion, the five acre lawn.
I get the Bentley, the cottage in France,
You get the beach house, the long picket fence.
Whatever we dreamed I divided by two.
Now, come on over, I'm over you.

GAH

***

Yeah, like the Bentley is ever going to happen.

Click here to link to other hit singles, prose and lyrics.

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Prose: This one takes me a long way back

In an ongoing effort to put all of my song lyrics, poetry and prose in one place, get discovered and make a million dollars (the price of a decent cup of coffee works for me as well) I dragged ‘backpack canoe’ out of the closet.

If it was in three parts I’d call it a trilogy from North Tea Lake, Algonquin Park, northern Ontario, circa 1993.

But it’s in four parts, and it’s old, so I can only call it dusty.


Here’s part one of backpack canoe, entitled ‘anticipation’:

gotta hit the johnny cash
gotta hit the road

with a heavy nylon backpack -
every pocket full
tightly zippered shut
stashing plastic jars
spices, syrup, porridge,
rice, pop-tarts and pasta
hungry-man size only
a five day supply

gotta hit the johnny cash
gotta hit the road

with a twelve foot canoe of cedar -
both ends snugged down
with yellow nylon lines
honda stuffed front and back
pointing north to Sundridge
five hours to Algonquin
adventure at North Tea awaits

money quick at johnny cash
gotta hit the road

gah

***

two FYIs - years ago, cash machines were called johnny cash machines, and more prose and hit singles can be found at my other blog.

http://hitsinglesbygharrison.blogspot.com/

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Hit Singles and Lyrics: Yup, I write and sing about anything

I write about one that got away.

I sing about one that didn’t.

I sing about a floozie that broke my heart and left me utterly speechless.

I sing about how
‘I won’t get a chance
to have one last dance or hold you.’


["And hard times? I've got them too": photo GAH]

If you’d like to feel the depth of my pain, or not, visit Hit Songs, Lyrics and Prose by G. Harrison.

I’m no Bob Dylan, but I’m tryin’.

Very tryin'.

***

Got a hit single in you? I’d like to hear it.

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Gord's Little Workshop: All I Need Is Birds

The birdhouse triplex below started its life, as far as I’m concerned, at the Dorchester landfill site (fondly known as the dump).

While picking up pieces of scrap lumber here and there my friend Don said, “Do you want this?”


Initially I thought, no.

The piece of lumber Don showed me had metal attached with screws (more work for me), was made of thin strips glue together (I don’t like running glue through my saw blades; call me fussy; don't call me late for supper) and was pretty dirty.


Then I thought, you never know.


And now I do. All I need is birds.

***

‘Twas a busy day. Coffee with a federal member of parliament at 8 a.m., then in front of the computer for five hours, no break.

Next week’s column, however, was finished two minutes before deadline.

I live such an exciting life, eh?

Click here for a look at my latest heart-breaking tune at Hit Songs, Lyrics and Prose. Then wonder what kind of life I must really live!

I hope you’ve had a banner day and are whistling a happy tune.

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