(lyrics included below) "Sorrow shared is halfed, joy shared is doubled." unknown author. There's a song somewhere. The holy grail of songwriters, trying to double joys and half sorrows. This is a copy of my first album released in December, 1998. These songs were the most important to me at the time. If I had to do it all over, I'd mix it differently, change the order of the songs with the strongest ones up front. But at the time, I didn't know which ones would be well received and which ones forgotten. For instance, the one titled "If You Knew" has been performed, recorded and released by other artists and was nominated as The Song Of The Year by the Western Music Association, and got me my very first royalty check. The songs "They...Isaiah 40 was played at my friend's father's funeral, because it was his favorite song. "Catron County" was played over and over at a radio station in New Mexico during a public dispute with the U.S. Forest Service. I walked into a folk show here in Albuquerque and heard a guy singing "In My Room". How could anyone have known the result of a few songs recorded on a reel to reel in my living room? Thanks to Susan Clark, Bill Warren, David Redwine, Aaron Redwine, and especially Dale Morris for added beautiful parts. Thanks also go to Tim, Claudia, and Christy Fahrenthold, Randy Walk, Eric Larson, Stan Anglen, and my lovely wife, Linda. All Songs: words and music by Roger Dale © 1998-2010 by Roger Dale Coble ASCAP There’s A River (John 3:5-8) (Being raised by the Missouri "Mighty Mo" makes you appreciate rivers) There’s a river... running through here Bringing life to all it touches, to all its near. There’s a river... running through this land. Just try to go around any day you want , if you think you can. CHORUS: There’s wind on the water, and water in the river And the river running through here. There’s wind on the water, and water in the river And the river running through here... Running through here. There’s a river... you say it will never change. Everyday you look at it, you swear it’s still the same. There’s a river... every day its brand new. New water flowing down from the source of the river thats coming through. CHORUS: There’s wind on the water, and water in the river And the river running through here. There’s wind on the water, and water in the river And the river running through here... Running through here. There’s a river... blown by the wind. When the wind blows, you don’t know where it goes, or where it’s been. There’s a river... flowing through me. You feel the water and feel the Spirit, it’ll set you free. CHORUS: There’s wind on the water and there’s water and the Spirit. And the Spirit running through here. There’s wind on the water and there’s water and the Spirit. And the Spirit running through here... Running through here. In My Room (Sometimes, dreams come true) In my room, I can be a rock and roll star, Make a million dollars, buy me a race car. Drive in the Indy 500 on Memorial Day. In my room , I’ll be in a movie, Meet Jay Leno, tell him all about me, Peope will tune in just to hear what I’ve got to say. Chorus: In my room, there’s a place for you and me. In my room, we’ll carve a space for us to be. And the wind won’t blow, the snow won’t snow, and the bad guys go away. So, Here’s my heart... Here’s my room. Here’s my heart... Here’s my room. In my room, we could skate in pairs Dance like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Glide around together and sing those Broadway songs. In my room, we could write a book, Tell them how we met, and tell them what it took To keep a love alive a lifetime long. Repeat Chorus: In my room, that is where I keep Everything that matters most to me And nobody can get in unless I want them to. In my room, that is where I dream About having you right here with me And every once in a while, dreams do come true. Repeat Chorus and End You Shall Find The Peace (Written at 2:00 am the day before I sang it. An Easter gift) Was it windy, or was it calm? Was it cloudy, or did the sun shine on that dawn? Three days since three died on that tree. And they were looking for the Prince of Peace. Did the birds sing, or did they sit still? Were there flowers blooming in every field? When the angel said, “His body is free, Why do you look here for the Prince of Peace?” Chorus: The Peace began that morning The Peace began for me. Take His hand, touch Him and see... And you shall find the peace”. Was it rocky on that road into town? Did they wonder about the man they had found? When He opened their eyes and started to speak, Did they know they’d found the Prince of Peace? Was it wondrous to hear him speak? Did they ask him about Calvary? Was it ugly to see his hands and his feet? When they doubted he was the Prince of Peace? Repeat Chorus: Do I listen when he talks to me? Or do I seek him where he cannot be? Do I look to him when blessings I seek? Do I look towards the Prince of Peace? Repeat Chorus and End. Coming Home To You (An experiment, I had read a lot of Hemmingway and was trying write like him, mostly nouns and as few verbs as possible) Last Night...Last Call... Last Song... Phone Call... Suitcase... Gasoline... Parking Place... Window Clean... Highway... Headlight... Freeway... Turnpike... Chorus: I’m coming home to you.... I’m coming home to you. Skyline... Rearview... White lines... Emmy Lou... Tape Deck... Radio.. Traffic... Talk Show... Moonlight... Bob Wills... Brakelights... Steering Wheel... Repeat Chorus Truck Stop... Fill Up... Rest Stop... Coffee cup... Eyelids... Window Down... Big Rigs... Small Towns... Gear Shift... Passing Lane... Bar Ditch... Freight Train... Repeat Chorus Sunrise... Dawning... Oversized... Yawning... Caffeine... Styrofoam... Memories... Motor Homes... Cornfield... Silo... Windshield... Telephone Pole... Repeat Chorus Nighttime... Heartbeat... Lightning... Static... Raindrops... Red Eyes... County Cop...Ninety Five... Flashing Lights... Dotted lines... Knuckles White... Overdrive... Hometown... Street Lights... Street signs... Stoplights... Ashtray... Door Lock... Driveway... Sidewalk... Front Porch... Front Door... Open Arms... Finally Home... Repeat Chorus The Reunion. (Inspired by a line from "The Horse Whisperer". A semi-true story about growing up and leaving things behind) Hometown’s smaller then when I was living here, and I seeing people that I ain’t seen in years. I was laughing with some friends, when I saw her walk in. And for a minute, I was a kid inside once again. I was glad to see she still remembered me. It had been twenty five years, hard to believe. We were fourteen, way back then, not old enought to drive, The summer must have been the best one of my life. Chorus In ways we always change, in ways we’re still the same. We gain things, we leave things behind. While we cannot choose the parts of us we have to lose. It’s a shame I’ll never feel that same way again. So we sat down and we talked for a little while, I declare she could still light the sky up with her smile. We laughed how that she would call just to listen to me breath. Or how we carved our names on the bench where we used to meet. That summer I’d think of her all day every day, I’d see her face with every song the radio played. And I wondered if she was listening and thinking of me. That’s all matters most when you’re young, and dumb, and free. She said lets walk around a bit, would you mind, She said the last few years have not been kind. While this world might be real mean, the saddest thing I’ve seen Is I don’t believe I remember how it feels to dream. Then we wound up walking down our street There’s that park bench where we used to meet. And, yes, we looked and found our names, over the years they became, scared,older, worn, and tired but still there just the same. Now I am driving home to reality, where the best thing I’ve ever found waits for me. What do I miss, its hard to say, is it a love of yesterday? or do I miss that kid inside that I lost along the way. If You Knew (Would You Be A Cowboy Again?) (Being raised on a ranch, I got to experience this many times. Dedicated to the old-school, real cowboys.) Daylight caught me riding, be dark before our day is through But Bob and me, we got cows to feed, We’ve got our jobs to do. I’m tired and I’m dirty, and just now it’s beginning to rain Bob gives a grin as the wind kicks in, And this is what he says, Chorus: If you knew the days would be so long, If you knew the wind could blow so strong, If you knew you’d trust your horse more than you’d trust your closest friend, If you knew then what you know now, Would you be a cowboy again? I said, “My pocket book is empty, this saddle sure getting old. My back still creaks since Red throwed me, not quite a year ago. Everyday seems longer than the day that came before. Fences tear me, women scare me, and Bob is asking me what for? Repeat chorus: I see the Lord in every sunrise, I know the pride of a job well done, Look any guy right in the eye And my handshake is my bond. I see life start all over with every calf that’s born in the spring. Through all this mess, I’ve sure been blessed, I wouldn’t change a thing. Chorus: Yes, it’s true, the days can be real long, Yes, it’s true, the wind still blows real strong, It’s true you trust your horse more than you trust your closest friend, If I knew then what I know now, Yes, I’d be a cowboy again! Catron County (In New Mexico, Catron County's commissioners passed an ordinance requiring that all heads of households in the county must own a firearm) There’s a full moon out to-night in Catron County And the shadows look so deep. Everything I’ve ever known is here in Catron County. But I’m packing it up, moving to the big city and I won’t be taking my heart away with me. Chorus: What cha gonna do when the world keeps turning and you find out every-thing you learned in life don’t matter now. (And there) ain’t enough rain and there ain’t enough light In the day to do what you need to do to get by.... to just get by. And you’re tired of the pain and you’re tired of the fightin’ You’re tired of being told whats wrong and whats right And there will be one less cowboy tonight... in Catron County. The game’s not the same up here in Catron County. The pencil pushers run this range. They say you can go or you can stay in Catron County. But you be sure to keep those cows away. and either way we’ll still get paid the same. Repeat Chorus: One day, they’ll bury me up here in Catron County. They’ll throw dirt down on my face. Someday they’ll say a prayer over me in Catron County. They’ll say I’ve breathed my last, my, ain’t that a shame? But they don’t know I died the day I left this place. Repeat Chorus and end Beep Beep (Inspired by a drive between Corona, NM and Carrizozo, NM. Everyone who has ever driven that road at night has either of two stories, the deer I missed or the deer I hit.) I love my motor, I love my speed, She gives me everything I need. I love my engine, make her whine, Gonna wrap that tach way past the line. I put my foot right through the floor, the speed o meter says give me more more more I crank the knob on my radio, put the pedal to the metal and I go go go. Chorus: Beep Beep, What do you say Beep Beep, Get out of my way Beep Beep, Here I go Look out honey, I’m ready to roll Going to the store for a loaf of bread, Saw a green light that was turning to red. I shifted down and I hit the gas, I heard brakes squealing as I flew past. I waved at everybody as I flew by, you can’t catch me don’t even try. Gotta get there just as quick as I can, gotta go fast I’m an important man. Repeat Chorus: Flying down the road then late one night, Saw a deer jumping up into my headlights I turned the wheel and I hit the brakes and I busted that buck doing ninety-eight. The car did a flip and flop and roll, and the next thing I saw were the Streets of Gold Angels were singing a sad sad song, St. Peter said,” Son, what took you so long?” Repeat Chorus I’m A Fish (Story of Jonah, this has become my most requested song) I’m a fish. I do what fish do. I swam yesterday, I’ll swim tomorrow, and today I’ll swim some, too. The strangest thing happened just last week. Lend me your ears, my friend, I’ll tell you what happened to me. There was a storm. A ship was going down. When into the water comes some funny looking food, and it was just flopping around. It had a nose, two arms, two legs, two feet. He said his name was Jonah, but it sure looked good to eat. Chorus: I’ve been ‘round this pond a time or two and I guess I should have known. That if something looks too good to be true, you’re better off to leave it alone. I keep my gills in my own business, the biggest Pices in the sea. There’s a lot of fish in this ocean, why did it have to happen to me? I swallowed it, tasted like chicken, Kentucky fried. But for three days this thing was shouting and praying, being a big pain in my side. I couldn’t sleep, so I headed for the shore. I spewed it up, laid it on the beach. I hope I never see it no more. Chorus: So, tell me now. What would you have done? If a once-in-a-lifetime meal comes along, would you grab it real quick and run? You better not! You might run out of luck. I never would have gotten myself in trouble I had kept my BIG MOUTH SHUT! Repeat chorus and end. THEY...ISAIAH 40 (A gift while I was hiking in the Sandia Mountains, Susan Clark is singing the 2nd part.) They.... (echo) They who... (echo) Wait on the Lord...(echo) Will have strength anew...(echo) (All) They who wait on the Lord will have strength anew...(repeat) Strength anew (echo).......Strength anew (echo) They.... (echo) They will... (echo) Mount up with wings...(echo) And fly away...(echo) (All) They will mount up with wings and fly away...(repeat) Fly away (echo)......Fly away (echo) They.... (echo) They will... (echo) Run and not be...(echo) Tired nor weary...(echo) (All) They will run and not be tired nor weary...(repeat ) Nor weary (echo)......nor weary (echo) They who wait on the Lord will have strength anew...(repeat) They will mount up with wings and fly away...(repeat) Fly away (echo)......Fly away (echo) Forty Days, Forty Nights (Noah listened and floated away.) Lord said, “Noah. Tell you what you do. Get them animals two by two. You build you an ark out of gopher wood. Gather up your family, ‘cause they’ve been good. “All the worldly sinners and the trouble that they make I’ve taken all I think I need to take. Get in the ark, then shut it up tight. I’m gonna make it rain forty days and forty nights. Chorus: “Forty Days... Forty Nights Pity those people that’s left outside. I built this world, what was I thinking of? For forty days and nights, there’s gonna be a big flood.” Noah said, “Which animals do I take?” Lord said, “Take them all, except a few snakes.” So Noah took the animals, a bucket and a broom. Waited for the rain that was gonna start soon. The clouds opened up and it began to pour. See the lightning flash, hear the thunder roar. The boat started rocking to the left and to the right. Kept on raining forty days and forty nights. Repeat chorus. Well, the rain quit falling on the forty first day. Then they waited for the water to all go away. Noah opened the ark, let the critters go free. Said, “The heat’s not bad, but that humidity!” Lord said, “Noah, see that rainbow in the sky? I’m gonna send fire, not water next time. Now you better teach your children what’s wrong and what’s right Tell them how it rained for forty days and forty nights” Repeat chorus STANDS A TREE (For Dennis, Sorry it took 20 years to write it, but I wasn't ready.) Never gonna grow up, never fall in love. Doubt he ever had a chance to try. Never gonna be a man, never talk to his friends, no way he can. We never had a chance to say good-bye. Chorus: Stands a tree... that bends in the prairie wind. And underneath... is a ground too cold to leave a friend in. In a hundred years, I’ll be there and the tree’ll be here. Maybe then we can be together again. Everybody makes mistakes, most don’t ever matter. But a few keep on hurting all the time. Phone call late at night, next of kin please identify just a drunk who had to drive across that line. Repeat chorus Bridge: I’ve got stories to tell you. We’ve still got things to do. So hard, since you went away You and me used to help each other through. All his dreams are gone now, other people’s too He’s gone, left us all alone. No matter how hard we cry, prayers we say, we’ll try and try. He ain’t coming back but we keep hangin’ on. Repeat chorus There’s A Song Somewhere (I woke up singing this one morning, so I must have written it in my sleep. I've learned to not mess with moments of inspiration and keep them just as they arrive.) There’s a song inside this guitar that I can’t seem to find. Though I’ve looked inside since I got it back in Nineteen Seventy Five. I guess it’s a song about Jesus, a song about his love. There’s a song inside this guitar, there is a song. CHORUS: The Lord could give the melody and the right words to say. If I could listen close enough, I could start to play. Then maybe someone would have a chance to learn a better way. There’s a song somewhere... Theres a song somewhere. There’s a song somewhere... Somewhere there’s a song. There’s a song inside this heart of mine, and I can’t get it out. It seem’s He’s fighting with the devil himself and I’m just watching now. It’s a song about a good friend, a song about peace. There’s a song inside this heart of mine, there is a song. REPEAT CHORUS There a song inside the world outside that can explain it all. The world hasn’t heard it yet, hasn’t heard its call. It’s a song about happiness if they will only ask. There’s a song inside the world outside, there is a song. REPEAT CHORUS AND END I Don’t Want To Hear (What you hear here is me writing the song, making it up as I went along. I had turned on the recorder and went for it. Raw material that probably should have been re-written and refined... but decided to let a little honesty on the record. See above) I don’t want to hear nobody Singing... I don’t want to hear nobody play. I don’t want to hear about Jesus. I don’t want to hear it... not today. I don’t want to talk about my salvation I don’t want to talk about what’s in store for me. I don’t want to talk about my future. I don’t want to talk about eternity I don’t want you to see me crying I don’t want you to hear me pray I don’t want you to tell me no stories I don’t want you , just go away. I don’t want no more lonliness I don’t want no more doubts and fears. I don’t want no more facing life uncertain I just want what the Lord can give to me.