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1. |
Baby, I
03:22
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Baby, I
© 1998, Jim Lesses
Baby, I know you are hurting,
You’ve been let down again and again.
But I promise you one thing for certain
Baby, I'm not like those other men.
So Baby, I wrote you a letter,
I thought it would help if you knew,
I wrote down, I love you, I love you,
So please baby, let me get through.
CHORUS
And Baby, I… Baby, I… Baby, I...
Baby, I do what I can.
No matter how you try, I won’t be denied, babe
I want to be your new man.
Baby, I said that I love you,
You said you would find me a cure,
I said, I'll love you forever,
And you said, How can I be sure?
So Baby, I wrote you a love song,
I played every note in my heart.
So why don’t we sing it together,
There’s a harmony right at the start.
[ Chorus ]
Yes Baby, I wrote you a letter,
I thought it would help if you knew,
I wrote down, I love you, I love you, I love you,
Please let me get through.
And baby, I wrote you a love song,
I played every note in my heart,
So why don’t we sing it together,
There’s a harmony right at the start.
So Baby, I… Baby, I… Baby, I...
Baby, I do what I can..
No matter how you try, I won’t be denied, babe
I want to be your new man.
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2. |
Heartache2Heartache
03:11
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Heartache2Heartache
© 2001, Jim Lesses
She sits by herself in the Heartbreak Café,
Stirring her coffee and cream.
She picks at her fingers, dividing the blame,
And knows it’s the end of the dream.
CHORUS
Heartache to Heartache,
they circled each other,
Both of them drowning in fear.
Through Tangos and Foxtrots,
Two-steps and Waltzes,
Afraid to let go the veneer.
He is sitting alone in a bar on the corner,
Swallowing doubles of Rye.
The pain in his eyes, and the weight on his shoulders,
Betrays the shadows inside.
CHORUS
BRIDGE
So here’s to the lovers,
who stand with the others,
Proclaiming their love before all.
And here’s to the losers,
who deal with the bruises,
And rise up despite every fall.
CODA
You’ve got to let go the veneer.
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3. |
Had Me A Dog (Sandy)
02:59
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Had Me a Dog (Sandy)
© 2008. Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
I had me a dog, and I called her Sandy,
She was smart, and she was handy.
Chasing rabbits over Bunker Hill,
Catching salmon by the Franklin Mill.
She was smarter than a ten cent preacher,
Smarter than my high school teacher.
Count to ten – that ain’t no lie,
Jump three feet, and catch a passing fly.
CHORUS
But old Sandy’s dead and gone,
Left me here to sing this song.
Reminding me of lazy days,
And all my rough and rowdy ways.
I had me a dog, and I called her Sandy,
Fed her tales of men and brandy.
Of wild, wild women, and whiskey too,
But I can’t help thinking she always knew.
We’d sit by the fire, and I’d read her stories,
'Call Of The Wild', and dime store glories.
When I sang her favourite song,
You should’ave heard Sandy singing along.
CHORUS
But old Sandy’s dead and gone…
I had me a dog, and I called her Sandy,
I loved to feed her lock-jaw candy.
She’d grin and chew, then grin some more,
And leave me rolling on the kitchen floor.
She wagged her tail at friends and strangers,
Always warned of hidden dangers.
But the night she found that rattler-snake,
Was poor old Sandy’s last mistake.
CHORUS
Now, old Sandy’s dead and gone…
Watch my original recording on the Aegean island, Ikaria, here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN6czbUNMtw
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4. |
I Have To Dance
04:25
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I Have To Dance!
© 2005, Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
I heard a song with a groovy beat,
Made me want to tap my feet.
Hit the floor like a crazy fool,
Like Fred and Ginger; cool man, cool.
So I wrote my own sweet tune,
A bit of swing, and a bit of croon.
A touch of jazz to fill it out,
And then - a final big band shout.
Now my head just won’t keep still,
The doctor said, Son, take this pill.
But I just threw the drugs away,
I want to feel my body sway.
And though I ache from constant swing,
I don’t care, it don’t mean a thing.
Bring me my jacket, press my pants,
I’ve lost control, I have to dance!
I’ve lost control. I have to dance.
I want to find sweet romance.
Like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire,
I have to dance, and I don’t care where.
I want to spin across the stage,
Ignore my aches, forget my age.
So, take me back where I belong,
Right inside that swinging song…
And go, cat, go!
Completed Sunday, July 3, 2005
Here's the video I created for it: https://youtu.be/F0g2_4rHiQk
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5. |
Carry Me Over
03:21
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Carry Me Over
© 2006; Words: Deirdre Anna Mills & Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
© 2006; Music: Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
Build me a boat that will carry me over,
Far from the trials of mortar and pen,
Shelter my spirit from life’s tribulations,
Bathe me in stillness and joy once again.
CHORUS
Carry me over these uncharted waters,
Away from the troubles of heart and of mind.
Lead me on gently to that peaceful haven,
Where all of my burdens are left far behind.
Set free the anger that adds to my torment,
Comfort this body that weathered the storms.
Cure my afflictions, and cast out the demons,
Immerse me in waters, that leave me reborn.
CHORUS
Grant me a blessing to lighten the journey,
Bid me farewell as I travel back home.
Join in the dance; there will be celebrating.
Sing me a song, and I won’t walk alone.
CHORUS
CODA
All of my burdens are left far behind.
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6. |
The Bitter Heart
03:21
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The Bitter Heart
© 2006, Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
The bitter heart can not be seen,
By hidden lens or TV screen.
Nor can the bitter heart be bought,
By liars in a bankrupt court.
The bitter heart won’t feel the touch,
Of reason as it seeks to clutch,
At every little hurt and blame,
That helps to feed the burning flame.
The bitter heart may lose its soul,
When men feel they have no control.
And so they seek a martyr's fate,
Forever breeding fear and hate.
The bitter heart may join the cause,
That drag the faithful into wars.
And trap the faithless deep in mud.
And soak them in their tears and blood.
BRIDGE
The bitter heart may turn to ash,
When flesh explodes and hatreds clash.
But even though the flesh is gone,
The bitterness will linger on.
The bitter heart will start to mend,
Where ignorance and fear both end.
Where power and the laws reflect,
A world where all live with respect.
Where love and peace, and trust abound,
Where hope, and future dreams are found.
It’s not too late to make a start –
To seek to heal the bitter heart.
CODA:
It’s not too late to make a start –
Reach out and heal the bitter heart.
Here's the video of made for this song. Note that it has a warning for some graphic content, requiring viewers to be 18 years plus in order to watch it: https://youtu.be/eMlROQbC0_0
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7. |
Some People
03:31
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Some People
© 2007, Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
Some people want to remember,
Some people want to forget.
Everyone wants to be happy they say,
But we’re not even close to that yet.
Some people just want to listen
Some people just want to sin.
The man at the front wants, ‘American Pie’,
And he’s getting under my skin.
CHORUS
Some people think it is easy,
To stand on a stage under lights,
Trying to break through the boredom,
Turning the day into night.
Trying to make a connection,
Following every sign,
Hoping the songs they remember tonight,
The moment I finish are mine.
Some people think they are better,
Some people know they are worse.
But that won’t stop them singing off key,
Or singing the wrong bloody verse.
Some people say, Let’s go home, for God’s sake!
Some people say, Let’s join in.
The man at the front shouts, ‘American Pie’,
And I’m getting tired of him.
CHORUS
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8. |
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Love Drags (Like a Ball and Chain)
© 2008, Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
CHORUS
Sometimes we forget what loving is,
You know it’s a crying shame.
When two hearts lie torn and shattered, then
Love drags like a ball and chain,
Love drags like a ball and chain.
Our love took off like a rocket that
Reached out to the highest stars
Now all I have is a locket and
These late night whiskey bars.
CHORUS
Our love would last forever, well
At least that’s what we thought.
Until the end of never, girl
But we both sold love short.
CHORUS
BRIDGE
If love is made in heaven, then
How come this living hell.
Our sins may be forgiven, when
Our broken hearts do heal.
Our love would last forever, well
At least that’s what we thought.
Until the end of never, girl
But we both sold love short.
CHORUS
Watch the original recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ42NEE9ENk
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9. |
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Out Along The Midnight Coast
© 2008. Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
Out along the midnight coast, I went walking there,
Looking for a weeping ghost, moonlight in her hair.
Saw her on that barren shore, and to my surprise,
Heard her cry, No More, No More, as tears fell from her eyes.
She said, Old Man, lend an ear, to my tale of woe,
I have wandered many years, through the wind and snow.
Searching for the man I lost, when I was young and fair,
Pledging faith at any cost, before he left me there.
The day my love and I were wed, beneath an August moon,
I found him lying in my bed, and fell down in a swoon.
Saw another in his arms; the love he gave to her,
How he dazzled her with charms; how his voice did purr.
Saw the long blade at his side, saw it rise and fall,
Felt the cold steel cut my side, felt no more at all.
Ever since that fateful day (the ghostly wraith did cry),
I have pledged to find a way to avenge that bitter lie.
+ + +
Out along the midnight coast, I too had a tale,
About a man who used to boast, a man who had to fail.
This man turned his life around, tried to repay his sin,
For that one act became a sound that never stopped within.
This man did an evil act, when he was young and vain,
I won't deny this simple fact, or how it caused you pain.
But if you ever meet this man, I would that you forgive,
You hold the answer in your hand, it's time for you to live.
Out along the midnight coast, alone in all that space,
There before the weeping ghost; we stood face to face.
Saw the long blade at her side, saw it rise and fall,
There was nowhere left to hide, no place left at all.
Standing on that barren shore, no more telling lies,
When she cried, No More, No More, tears were in her eyes.
Saw her spirit taking flight, like dust before a storm,
Disappearing in the night, there to be reborn.
CODA:
Saw her spirit taking flight, like dust before a storm,
Disappearing in the night, there to be reborn.
Watch the video I recorded at the time here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTGj8n1Bmvg
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10. |
The Future Is Yours
02:56
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The Future Is Yours
© Jim Lesses, 1989. All Rights Reserved.
I’ll sing you a song that’ll make you feel happy,
I’ll sing you a song, and it says, “You’re OK”.
Sing you a song that’ll make you feel happy,
So open your hearts and give thanks for the day.
Chorus
You are the ones who belong to the future,
The Future is Yours so hold on to the dream.
Never give up on the search for an answer,
Problems are never as big as they seem.
Don’t listen to cynics, don’t listen to losers,
The prophets of doom are just waiting to call.
They blame one another; blame human nature,
Sneer and sit back, and then wait for your fall.
Chorus
So be a song maker, be a life dancer,
The life that you live is too short to be small.
Give it all that you’ve got, take a shot, be a winner,
Hang on to your dreams there’s enough for us all.
Chorus
And be a love giver; be a peace bringer,
The pleasure you find you know money won’t buy.
Be a health maker; a happiness singer,
Bring joy to the world and it will never die.
Chorus
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11. |
Til The Morning Comes
03:47
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'Til The Morning Comes
© 2006, Jim Lesses. All Rights Reserved.
We’re gonna dance, gonna have some fun,
We’re gonna dance, ‘cos the night is young.
Come on and dance, come and paint the town,
If we don’t dance, gonna burn it down.
REFRAIN
Dance ‘til the morning comes…
Dance ‘til the morning comes…
Don’t need a drug, don’t need anything,
Except a beat to give us the wings,
To help us fly through the starry night,
A natural high will do us alright.
REFRAIN
We’re gonna spin, gonna hit the floor,
We’re gonna sing, gonna dance some more.
And we don’t dare to go off to bed,
We’re gonna dance through the night instead.
REFRAIN
We’re gonna sweat, gonna crash the door,
Come up for air then go back for more.
We’re gonna dance ‘til the walls fall down,
We’re gonna dance to a higher sound.
REFRAIN
[repeat first verse]
Dance ‘til the morning comes…
Dance ‘til the morning comes…
Dance ‘til the morning comes…
Dance… Dance… Dance… Dance…
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Jim Lesses Adelaide, Australia
Late-bloomer, long-time lover of folk and rock music, singer, songwriter, composer, and world traveller. No longer performing, but still composing and creating. Favourite saying: Love The Life You Live - or Change It.
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