- Swamp poet
- Songwriter
- Singer
Lyrics
(Click song title for lyrics)
Florida Happens!--Released summer 2009
1. Florida Happens 2. Beach Road Ramble
3. City of Jacksonville 4. Drink the River Dry
5. The Older I Get 6. Screamin' Up the River
7. Just the Way I am 8. Nothing Ever Changes
9. Where the Ocean Meets the Sand 10. Thunderstorm Blues
11. Sinsemilla 12. Safe
What Was Florida
1. Nighttime On Lake Monroe 2. Things We Can't Talk About
3. Square Grouper 4. (You Can Still See) Florida
5. Rotten Day In Paradise 6. She's Gone (But That's Good)
7. Fast Food Nation 8. In Case of Rapture (Can I Have Your Car?)
9. St. Johns Lullaby 10. Developer's Stomp
11. My Coleen
"Florida Happens"
Livin' in the sunshine state
ain't like other places
about a week down here, you'll forget how normal felt.
It's truly an acquired taste
just like outer-space is
it's a melting pot where nothing ever melts.
Chorus: Florida happens!
We take the pleasure with the pain
sometimes she seems to take more thank she gives.
Florida happens!
And it's borderline insane
but there ain't no other place I'd rather live
Headin' for the beach today
I've got to get an early start
cause the sun goes behind the condos around two.
If the rip tide don't suck me away
I'll dodge them jellyfish and sharks
And if I survive, I'll come back home to you.
Chorus
Ridin' down the interstate
who the hell's in that next car?
Is that a killer or just some guy with a timeshare scam?
I just passed a child molestor
who's posing as a tax protester and
that guy hitchhiking might be a prisoner on the lam.
Chorus
Until the hurricanes blow us away
or a sinkhole eats our houses
or we're abducted by an alien.
Where the real estate developers
treat the lawmakers like spouses;
Son, that's just the way it's always been.
Chorus Back to top
"Beach Road Ramble"
A1A, I'm back your way again
this old beach highway feels like a long lost friend.
My seat's kicked back, my elbow's out the side
it makes me high.
Holding the wheel, watching the world roll by.
This road was the station wagon promised land,
when they were wrestlin' alligators over at the souvenir stand.
Get your picture with the clamshell or a can of sunshine
shipped in from Shanghai.
Holding the wheel, watching the world roll by.
Bridge 1: Yes it's a long strange trip down ole highway number 1,
it's always dead this time of year.
As I drive down these abandoned old main roads
I see old Florida dying in the rearview mirror.
Space Coast, Ft. Pierce, West Palm float on by.
Make a stop a Calle Ocho for some coffee and key lime pie.
Then the overseas highway, top down my oh my
a big Key West sigh.
Holding the wheel, watching the world roll by.
Bridge 2: This old road has earned its place in Florida history
with lots of stories, that go good with beer.
As I drive down these abandoned old main roads,
I see old Florida dying in the rearview mirror.
Repeat 3X: I'm just holding the wheel, watching the world roll by.
"City of Jacksonville"
In the fall of '63
I left that girl in Tennessee
and I headed south, for the Florida skies.
Got work on a paddle wheel
sailing out of Jacksonville
on the St. Johns run down to Enterprise.
Chorus: I won't forget this river in the moonlight
I'll never got the sounds out of my ears.
I'll take a piece of St. Johns River with me, through the years.
And I know that I'll stop thinkin' about her someday
when this Florida sun finally gets my memories killed.
Till then, I'll be on board Tuesday through Sunday,
on the City of Jacksonville.
Folks come from around the globe
in cowboy hats or fancy robes,
we show the a world they never dreamed before.
At night they'll hear the panther's howl
and we'll shoot gator from the bow and
watch the wildlife teeming on the shore.
Chorus 2: They won't forget this river in the moonlight,
they'll never get the sounds out of their ears.
They'll take a piece of St. Johns River with them, through the years.
And I know that I'll stop thinkin' about her someday
when this Florida sun finally gets my memories killed.
Till then, I'll be on board Tuesday through Sunday,
on the City of Jacksonville.
Bridge: In the summertime, the fishin's fine,
I while away the day.
And in the winter, warm wet breezes blow her memory away.
Now the railroad's comin' through,
passengers are gettin' few
and all that's left is the mystery.
Steamboat's headin' for decline
and the DeBary and Baya line
will join the dusty ranks of history.
Repeat chorus 1
Repeat: On the City of Jacksonville 1X
Cool, cool water it won't be missed,
until the wells run dry.
(Then there'll be) lotsa screaming and shaking fists
staring at the sky.
Say a prayer to St. Augustine,
Lord help us keep the golf course green.
While we drink the river dry.
Inch by inch and mile by mile
as long as there's a dollar to be made.
It's enough to make a banker smile
next stop Everglades.
Look on the bright side of this new hell,
we'll gain a bunch of new lots to sell.
When we drink the river dry.
How much more could a good man take?
Swear they had my back against the wall.
A desperate man'll make a bad mistake,
but someone had to fall.
If they ever let me out of jail,
I'll take you hiking up the St. Johns trail.
When we drink the river dry.
When we drink the river dry, dry, dry.
Thinking bout it lately, it occurred to me,
I'm old enough to be a real authority.
So sit yourself down, I'll give you my advice
if you don't listen, I will tell you twice.
Chorus: The past is past
yesterday's gone and
life is just a memory.
In my mind,
the older I get,
the better I used to be.
Child before you give away your innocence,
I'll let you benefit from my experience.
Get yourself a partner who can make you laugh,
don't spend a minute on your epitaph.
Chorus
If you squandered youth singing silly songs,
you can make it up as you go along.
None knows just what your moral fitness is,
just don't lie in front of witnesses.
Chorus
Running for the water
gonna meet up with my friends at the park.
We'll put the boat in water
and go easing out into the dark.
We got 200 horsepower, that think will stand and deliver.
Tonight-----we might take flight
screamin' up the river.
Laughin' like a maniac,
the wind is blowing back my hair.
Janie pulls her shirt off and throws it up in the air.
Moonlight on the water
down my backbone runs a shiver.
Tonight-----it feels alright,
screamin' up the river.
The shore is just a blur
but the memorys' becoming too clear.
I make my way to the bow and knock it back with more beer.
I've been a bad, bad man, I got to punish my liver.
Tonight-----is outta sight,
screamin' up the river.
If you saw me walking down the street
you wouldn't be inclined to follow me.
But, I can smile at anyone I meet
cause I've got riches you can't see.
Chorus: I ain't done much in this town, that I can brag about,
Lord knows I'm always in a jam.
But I've got one jewel in my crown; it's what it's all about.
I've got someone who love me just the way I am.
I wouldn't trade the world for what she gives me,
even if you wrapped it up in gold.
And there's no other place that I would rather be
than standing by her side as we grow old.
Chorus: And I would love to buy her diamonds, like in a TV show
but she knows I ain't no business whiz.
I can only give her rhymes and hope she always knows,
she's got someone who loves her just the way she is.
Bridge: I don't know just what she sees in me,
or why she's put up with it all.
I only know she's always standing by
to catch me when I fall-----(draw out fall)
Chorus: I ain't done much in my life that I can brag about,
Lord knows I'm always in a jam.
But when I look at my wife, I know without a doubt,
I've got someone who loves me just the way I am.
So now you're out there on your own.
Tryin" to make your sacrifice,
but if you get to feeling like you're all alone,
buddy, take this fools advice.
If you're always chasing money, you'll always be behind,
you'll never make enough to buy your star.
If you wanna feel successful son, see if you can find
someone who loves you just the way you are.
Repeat: Someone who loves you just the way you are.
He worked hard and sacrificed,
he thought that he'd found paradise.
so he built him a little stilt house, down in the cypress dome.
He lived a quiet and peaceful life
far from the city's stress and strife,
until that fateful day when progress hit a little close to home.
A line of trucks pulled up next door
he heard the dozer's mighty roar.
They cleared 500 acres and put up some iron gates.
They knocked all the oak trees down
left a bare, sad patch of ground.
Then they put a bit 'ol welcome sign to Oak Tree Estates.
He'd seen his first panther there,
he'd seen his first wild eagle,
but now the only thing he saw was red.
When it was explained to him
it was all completely legal
he remembered the words his daddy always said.
Chorus: You've got o fight for what you believe in
don't let them knock you off the track.
You can tell a pioneer
by the arrows in his back.
Action must be taken even if it's not well planned,
nothing ever changes, till somebody takes a stand.
He took all his new found wisdom,
and tried to work within the system
to point out all the causes and effects.
He went up where they make the laws
just wanted to expose some flaws,
but the only words that mattered there, were written on campaign checks.
He done everything he could
to try to find an answer
to stop the madness before it was too late.
What the politicians call "smart growth"
looks a lot like cancer.
We've got to stand up now, to save the Sunshine state.
Chorus
He sat up nights sitting, thinking.
He did a little heavy drinking.
(He said) I'll send a message they can understand.
He vowed to do whatever it takes,
he started stealing survey stakes
and mixing crankcase oil with some of that sweet Myakka sand.
He knew he's never stop them
but he knew he had to try.
He just couldn't sit and watch it anymore.
The witnesses heard a loud pop.
And as the flames lit up the sky,
he raised his glass and said "welcome to the war."
Chorus
"Where the Ocean Meets the Sand"
I'll meet you down by the seashore baby
we'll get some sand in your shoes.
Nothing like the smell of that ocean breeze
to chase away your blues,
We'll put our toes in the water-while the waves roll in,
then I think you'll understand
there's magic in that little strip of land,
where the ocean meets the sand.
We'll wade in the water while the dolphins play
until your skin turns a little pink.
Then we'll slip inside a little seaside bar
and kick back with some "umbrella drinks";
I'll buy you a hot dog and an ice cream cone
down at the concession stand.
There's magic in that little strip of land,
where the ocean meets the sand.
I love to feel a thunder storm roll in.
It cools my mind and it wash away my sin.
I just love to feel a thunder storm roll in.
I love to hear the raindrops hit the ground.
My world just stops---it's such a haunting sound.
I just love to hear the raindrops hit the ground.
I love to hear the thunder crash and boom.
It gets so loud, it's shakin' like the voice of doom.
I just love to hear the thunder crash and boom, boom, boom, boom.
I love to see the lighting streak the sky.
It's kinda frightening and it makes me wonder why.
I just love to see the lightning streak the sky.
I love to feel a thunder storm roll in.
It cools my mind and it wash away my sin.
I just love to feel a thunder storm roll in.
You ease my mind when trouble swirls around me.
You pick my spirits up when I get blue.
I was troubled, I was lost until you found me.
When you're gone I don't know what I'll do.
Chorus: Sinsemilla, my sinsemilla,
I fell under your spell right from the start.
Sinsemilla, my sinsemilla,
you stole my mind and then you stole my heart.
I first ran in to you way down in Maui,
I chased you down dirt streets in Mexico.
Then I followed you on up to Humboldt county
and left you on a dock in Key Largo.
Chorus
Your legend has been passed down through the ages,
you're often talked about but seldom seen.
To spend my time with you, I gladly trade my wages,
you turned by world from black and white to green.
"Safe"
Life is kinda scary in the 21st century. The world ain't the safe place. that it was before.
We need to give up some rights and get a lot more security.
Keep your family locked tight behind the door.
Chorus: Because we gotta be safe, freedom's too dangerous,
we need protection from the cradle to the grave.
We need to be safe, liberty's rancorous,
if we don't get in line there might be no one left to save.
We need to do everything we can to keep the fear away,
we gotta to make the world safe for the kids.
Sleep with one eye open, cause it's really clear today,
the Constitution's old and the future's up for bids.
Chorus
We've got to close it down, lock it up and throw away the key,
keep your eye on your neighbor, he could be friend or foe.
We can't take no prisoner, there can be no leeway,
you can say whatever you like, just don't offend.
Chorus
If you don't like these changes, why don't you move away,
you'll probably like it better over there.
We need more search and seizure, big brother's here to stay.
If you've got nothing to hide, why should you care?
Chorus
Alternate chorus--We gotta be safe, freedom's too dangerous,
we need protection from the cradle to the grave.
We need to be safe, help protect me from us.
If we don't all get in line there might be no one left to save.
What Was Florida--CD
"(You Can Still See) Florida"
We used to paddle up and down on the Little Econ
you could go and never see another soul all day.
But, now they're paving everything and those days are gone
but I'd go back if I had my way.
Chorus: But you can still see Florida,
in a lifelike state
cause they have reproduced it for yaw.
Just sixty dollars at the gate.
We used to sleep a lot of summer nights on the beach
before those condos sprouted like grain
and I've heard it said only halfway tongue in cheek,
there's folks kinds hopin' for a hurricane.
Chorus---
Bridge---They've got robot gators there,
they got some robot manatee
but I'm just afraid that sooner or later, they're
gonna have a facsimile of me.
From the panhandle springs on down to the southern keys,
native wildlife's under attack
when the panther screams, you can hear it on every breeze
and once they're gone, they're not coming back.
Chorus---
If we don't do something soon it will be too late
The place will be one big Interstate.
Just like you, I’m chasin’ the American dream,
so I mortgaged my house and bought a little shop that sells ice cream.
But since the mega-mart came here the towns folks don’t come around.
Cause they can buy all their crap, a dollar cheaper, at the edge of town.
Chorus---It’s a fast food nation, we’re all tied up in chains.
They’re gonna’ build a warehouse club, on my hometown’s remains.
And mom-n-pop don’t you worry if you’ve gotta’ close your doors.
There’s lotsa part time openings, down at the super store.
We like to think we can own private property,
but the lawyers and the courts have made the concept history.
A big contribution makes politicians insane
and they’ll get rid of pesky citizens with Imminent Domain.
Chorus
We know growth pays for itself
and
saving wildlife won’t build wealth.
Chorus---Hey, hey we’re doing the developer’s stomp.
And
my jobs not done till I’ve paved over the last swamp.
Here’s a nice piece of land, the trees are tall,
let’s
knock’em all down and build a strip mall.
Chorus
Bribe an inspector, screw the code,
fill
that swamp and down the road.
Hey, hey we’re doin’ the developers stomp.
Keep
em coming in, we’ll pave more swamp.
Bridge---I just bought an old ranch out by the county line,
you see wetlands, I see dollar signs.
Over there’s a creek with turkey and deer and bear,
it’s
about damn time that we built something there.
Push, push, push; take, take, take,
call
that retention pond a lake.
Chorus
A thousand more people everyday.
It’s my job to pave the way
Chorus---2 X
"She's
Gone, (But That's Good)"
Well my baby went and left me just the other day,
I got down on my knees and I begged her to stay.
But she just turned and walked right out the door.
I thought I’d go crazy when she didn’t come home,
but after ‘bout a week of being on my own.
Well,
the pain just wasn’t as big as it was before.
Chorus---But love don’t always work out like it should.
Now
she’s gone, long gone, but that’s good.
I never thought that I could live without her love,
but sometimes it just takes a big ole’ shove
to see some things the way that they really are.
Now PMS is just letters to me
and what time’s the game come on TV?
I’ve
got to run out and grab some more beer and a box of cigars.
Chorus
Bridge---You can go along to get along for a while.
You can even get used to a roller coaster ride.
Just twist your mouth around till it resembles a smile
and
keep it plastered on your face
while you’re considering suicide.
Now Nascar’s taken ol Oprah’s place
and takeout is my saving grace,
but I’ll get through this doggone pain somehow.
Cause nobody’s bitchin bout the clothes I wear
and nobody’s telling me to comb my hair
and
I don’t stop to think about what she’s doing now.
Chorus
When the world starts to get me down,
there’s a boat ramp near my home town,
where I can leave my troubles on the shore.
After a brief mosquito slaughter,
it’s under the bridge to the open water
and
it’s like God has opened up a door.
Chorus---Nighttime in a boat on Lake Monroe.
When the sun goes down behind the power plant.
It’s the low rent side of paradise I know,
but it makes me feel better, when I can’t.
Let’s pack a cooler full of buds,
we’ll take along some ice cold suds
and I will play my guitar songs for you.
We’ll lock the car door on our cares
even Sanford looks good from out there
and we’ll just do what our hearts tell us to.
Chorus
I’d love to cruise the Caribbean,
but on my pay I won’t been seein’
islands, or the wonders undersea.
But I can keep myself afloat,
just as long as I’ve got some kind of boat
and I can put some water under me, so it’s
Chorus Back to top
Look at that beauty over there walkin' down the street.
I smile and wave, but she just looks away.
I need a friend and mama you’re sure lookin’ sweet.
But, from her expression, it’ll be a cold day.
Chorus---I came here for the warm winter breezes.
The money’s awful, but the weather’s nice.
It’s good to suffer where it never freezes.
Another
rotten day in paradise.
This town is the land of service work,
get paid in sunshine, that’s what they all say.
Look at my paycheck, man I feel like a jerk
but
it’s January and it’s a gorgeous day.
Chorus
Some folks say life’s like a poker game,
the cards they deal you are the ones you play.
But every hand I get, they all look the same.
Tell
me who dealt this mess anyway.
Chorus Back to top
When the weekend comes I get up early and gather up my fishin’ gear,
a pair of binoculars some suntan oil and a cooler packed full of beer.
Well I sit in the sand beneath my umbrella stand and I just stare out at the sea,
hoping
a trophy prize appears to me.
Chorus---But I ain’t out for trout,
I don’t say yahoo for Wahoo.
Ain’t gonna’ jump and shout
about some Bass in the bayou.
Don’t know a thing about Drums,
unless you’re talkin’ Gene Krupa.
The only thing I want to catch
is
a big ol mess of square Grouper.
As the sun is risin’, I scan the horizon, I ain’t worried about no whales.
I know they’ve got problems too, but I got dreams to pursue,I’m busy tryin’ to save some bales.
Well I stay at my post and I cover the coast, until the tide comes rolling in,
the
sun goes down, I head back home again.
Chorus
Bridge---What’s that I see, my ticket to the promised land.
Nah,
it’s just a damned old pelican.
I remember the time I spotted one, that was back in ’93,
I grabbed my gaff and a ten foot raft and started paddling out furiously.
But, it stayed just out of reach, and I lost sight of the beach and was down to my last brew,
as
I popped that top it disappeared into the deep dark blue.
Chorus---2 X Back to top
Breakfast table stony silence, cause we disagree,
she gets up and gently slams the door.
This kind of thing don’t end in violence but its plain to see,
that
we won’t talk about this anymore.
Chorus---We’re riding down this road again.
It’s the space between, the space within
and love and trust and faith make room for doubt.
Raise our voices, clench our fists
and another topic joins the list,
of things we can’t talk about.
We’re practicing conflict avoidance,
preaching to the choir.
We like to talk about the fun we’ve had.
But sparks fly from a small annoyance,
fans into a fire,
and one word turns a good day into bad.
Chorus
Bridge---Sometimes people just can’t agree,
sometimes it’s best just not to get involved.
Life is about difference you see
and every conflict cannot be resolved.
Chorus---2 X Back to top
“My Coleen”
I’ve got a fine woman, I’ve lover her more than twenty years.
I’ve got me one fine woman and I’ve loved her more than twenty years.
Through the bad times she keeps me smiling through the tears.
Her name’s Coleen, but her friends just call her Coe.
Her name’s Coleen, but her friends just call her Coe,
and she can build you up or she can cut you way down low.
Chorus---Coleen, Coleen, my Coleen.
She’s sweet as honey, but you push her and she’ll get mean.
The most confusin’ and wonderful woman that I’ve ever seen.
She drives me crazy, but sometimes she drives me wild.
She drives me crazy, but sometimes she drives me wild.
With the wisdom of a sage and the innocence of a child.
She can give me sweet love, she can give me attitude.
She can give me sweet love, she can give me attitude.
But I need that woman like a starvin’ man needs food.
Chorus
She like to drink Champagne, she like to eat that caviar too.
She’s a high class lady in a gown and high heeled shoes.
But she’s just as happy out fishin’ and drinking homebrew.
Chorus Back to top
“In Case Of Rapture (Can I Have Your Car)”
Driving home from work last night,
I guess I dallied a little too long at the green light.
I heard a blast on the horn, I heard some shoutin’ too
and as the Cadillac blew by on the right I even think I heard F U.
I read his bumper sticker, as he kicked back sand
and it said in case of Rapture this car is gonna be unmanned.
I thought about that, driving home in my old heap,
it made me pray and pray to the Lord my soul to keep.
But, Mr. Cadillac man, since you’re the certain kind,
could
you pass that car on down to me if I get left behind?
Chorus---In case of Rapture, can I have your car?
I’m not really that sure, I’m gonna make it that far.
If I get left behind, when the judgment day arrives
through
trials and tribulations, at least I’ll finally have a decent car to drive.
Bridge---You won’t be needin’ it, man you’ll be on your way.
So
if the sky’s recedin’, won’t you fling those keys my way.
Chorus---2 times Back to top
Like my dad before me and his dad before him
I pilot a riverboat up the ole’ St. Johns.
We’ve seen lots of changes, I guess that nothing stays the same.
And I mourn the things we had---already gone.
But there’s places on this river wild and green
And I think of all the history that it’s seen.
Chorus---When the sun slowly sinks into the swamp
And the river seems to flow into the sky
When the wind blows through the cypress trees, the nighttime comes alive
with the music of the St. Johns lullaby.
When my family got here, Lake Monroe was called Valdez
A name left over from the Spanish days.
When the Timacuan died off and the Seminoles moved in,
we sent homesteaders to clear the way.
Back then they gave the land away for free—
just run off any Seminole you see.
Chorus---
Taylor founded Enterprise, in the days of the paddlewheel
They built a big resort up on the hill.
Started shipping oranges out and milling Live Oak trees
and haulin’ tourists in from Jacksonville.
They built this place on cattle and orange groves
And the people just keep coming down in droves.
Chorus---
St. Johns ain’t what it used to be. I guess no place is
but it’s still a lovely, peaceful place to be.
From the Timacuan to the I-4 bridge and everything between,
one of the birth places of Florida history.
Someday I’ll meet you down at Thornby Park
We’ll watch the sunset slowly turn to dark
Chorus---When the sun slowly sinks into the swamp
And the river seems to flow into the sky
When the wind blows through the cypress trees, the nighttime comes alive
with the music of the St. Johns lullaby