So, here’s another original recorded many years ago on my trusty Sony reel-to-reel tape recorder. It’s a little rough around the edges, but I think I kind of like it that way. Hope you do as well.

Devils

By Skip Birong

So you see,
There ain’t no helpin’ me.
I can’t even
See the light of day, anymore
Well, you know, if I stayed
You’d keep that road paved
To my devils
And the deep blue sea

Well, I heard of payin’ your dues
I’ve paid so many I can’t even use
I don’t even
Have a dime to lose, anymore
I’ve been here in this old chair
Nothin’ to do but stare
At my devils and the deep blue sea.

So you see,
There ain’t no helpin’ me
I can’t even
See the light of day, anymore
Well, you know, if I stayed
You’d keep that road paved
To my devils
And the deep blue sea.

Well, I’ve sinned, I know I’m wrong
Most times I just ain’t been strong
I can’t help it
I can’t change my ways, anymore
But the Lord can’t know where I’ve been
I’ve confused my rights from my sins
And my devils and the deep blue sea.

So you see, can’t you see
There ain’t no helpin’ me
I can’t even
See the light of day, anymore.
Well, you know, if I stayed
You’d keep that road paved
To my devils
And the deep blue sea.

©1977 by Skip Birong. All rights reserved.

Another oldie redone. The title is a reference to origami, the Japanese art of paper folding.

Paper Toys

By Skip Birontg

Paper toys and fine white linen
Chandeliers with candles in ’em
Fortunes for the children, every one
Hold my hand and walk with me
Through the halls where kings may see
Paper toys and golden visions
One by one.

All you need is what you see
All you get is what you need
Close your eyes and think out loud
Reach your hand and touch a cloud

Paper toys and fine white linen
Chandeliers with candles in ‘m
Fortunes for the children, every one

We’re the ones who hold the key
One for you and one for me
Turns yours left, I’ll turn mine right
See the glory of the light

Paper toys and fine while linen
Chandeliers with candles in ’em
Fortunes for the children, every one.

©1977 by Skip Birong. All rights reserved.

Here’s something a little different: a rocky/bluesy take on some personal introspection. That’s Lewin Barringer on bass and first lead guitar, among other things.

Look at My Life

By Skip Birong

Look at my life, have I found a way
Look at my life, do I need to pray
Touch my heart can you feel the pain
Touch my head do I feel insane

Can I buy a house, made of straw on the sand?
Let roll of the surf, play a song for me
And wake to the nudge of the day’s first dawn
At ease with the earth, the sun and sea

Have the others found the answer
And left me stay here in wonder
Do you struggle to walk on sand?
Only to leave your prints
For others to understand

Do the needs of the day
Take our efforts away
In streams of unborn dreams

Are the stones in my road?
Softer than yours
Have I touched you with my song?
Have I reached you with my love?
Do you think I could be wrong?

Inst.

Look at my life, have I found a way
Look at my life, do I need to pray
Touch my heart, can you feel the pain
Touch my head, do I feel insane

Are the stones in my road?
Softer than yours
Have I touched you with my song?
Have I reached you with my love?
do you think I could be wrong?

Have the others found the answer
And let me stay here in wonder                              
Do you struggle to walk on sand?
Only to leave your prints for others to understand

Do our needs of the day
Take our efforts away
In streams of unborn dreams.

©1974 by Skip Birong. All rights reserved.

Here’s a delightful cover from the archives of Pam Bond, my sister-in-law, singing Lennon and McCartney’s “I Will”. That’s me accompanying her on guitar and bass. I think you’ll like this.

I Will

Who knows how long I’ve loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime
If you want me to, I will

For if I ever saw you
I didn’t catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we’re together
Love you when we’re apart

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
You know I will
I will

John Lennon/Paul McCartney

The following is my cover of an old favorite by Tom Paxton. This was recorded in collaboration with Lewin Barringer of http://garagebandandbeyond.com. That’s Lewin on mandolin and bass and some of the backup vocals among other things. Hope you like it.

The Last Thing on My Mind

It’s a lesson too late for the learnin’
Made of sand, made of sand
In the wink of eye my soul is turnin’
In your hand, in your hand

Chorus

Are you goin’ away with no word of farewell
Will there be not a trace left behind
Well, I could have loved you better
Didn’t mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind

You got reasons a-plenty for goin’
This I know, this I know
For the weeds have been steadily growin’
Please don’t go, please don’t go

(Chorus)

As I lie in my bed in the mornin’
Without you, without you
Each song in my breast dies a-bornin’
Without you, without you

(Chorus)

Tom Paxton