1,776

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Just a song about what I hope happens.

If I had my way By Jeff Gilpin


January 29th, 2008




Verse 1


[G]If I had my way [C] the world would be much [G]safer


If I had my way [C] we’d all live free from [D]fear


[G]If I had my way [C] there’d be no people [Em]haters [C]


If I had my [G]way [D] I don’t to[G]day




Verse 2


[G]If I had my way [C] there’d be no more [G]killing


If I had my way [C] everyone could re[D]lax


[G]If I had my way [C] we’d all work [Em]together [C]


If I had my [G]way [D] I don’t to[G]day




Chorus

[C]I know I can’t solve the world’s [G]problems


[C]But it seems we all have too much [D]greed


[C]Most people wanting what they [G]don’t have


I just wish [Em]we could be [C]free


[Em]From this constant [C]need


That [Em]plants the killing [C]seed


And we will some [D]day [C]


If I have my [G]way




Verse 3


[G]If I had my way [C] we’d all be more for[G]giving


If I had my way [C] enemies become [D]friends


[G]If I had my way [C] we’d help keep the world [Em]living [C]


If I had my [G]way [D] I don’t to[G]day




Verse 4


[G]If I had my way [C] we’d look forward to to[G]morrow


If I had my way [C] there’d be better days to [D]come


[G]If I had my way [C] there’d be no need to [Em]borrow [C]



If I had my [G]way [D] I don’t to[G]day




Chorus

[C]I know I can’t solve the world’s [G]problems


[C]But it seems we all have too much [D]greed


[C]Most people wanting what they [G]don’t have


I just wish [Em]we could be [C]free


[Em]From this constant [C]need


That [Em]plants the killing [C]seed


And we will some [D]day [C]


If I have my [G]way




Verse 5


[G]If I had my way [C] we’d start to solve our [G]problems


If I had my way [C] we’d work on every [D]one


[G]If I had my way [C] we’d fix the [Em]worse first [C]


If I had my [G]way [D] I don’t to[G]day




Verse 6


[G]If I had my way [C] we’d have started al[G]ready


If I had my way [C] we’d be already [D]there


[G]If I had my way [C] no eminent [Em]disasters [C]


If I had my [G]way [D] I don’t to[G]day






Chorus

[C]I know we can’t solve all the [G]problems


But it [C]sure seems like the ones we’re working [D]on


[C]Will only help the few not the [G]many


[Em]But if we all [C]try


[Em]Then maybe by and [C]by


Less of [Em]us will have to [C]die


… some [D]day [C]


If I have my [D]way [G]



1,777

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Lena - Thanks. I have a habit of blending in this to most of my work in some form or another. It is so easy to forget just how precious time is until it is no more.

1,778

(0 replies, posted in Songwriting)

My wife is a country girl. That country would be Japan but where she grew up was a little farming village not the cities most people think of when we picture Japan, so still a country girl. This is her story where coincidentally we crossed paths, but I left that part of her life out of this song. Anyway, I hope you all like it. 

Out of the Hills By Jeff Gilpin


January 27th, 2008




Verse 1


[D]She came out of the hills from this island nation


She [A]left because had a strong [D]language inclination


Went to [D]study in the schools where she followed the rules


[E]Learning all the while she was [A]there [A7]




Chorus

About the [G]people and the places and the [D]differences she sees


The [G]good and the bad and [E]all the in be[A]tweens


[G]In the end she had more [D]questions needing answers


And there [G]wasn’t any [A]hurry to get back [D]home




Verse 2


[A]The schools that she went to had fairly strict rules


[E]Following their religion that [A]were their teacher’s tools


[A]It was not too difficult but after a while she found


She [B]needed more freedom so she [E]tried another [E7]town




Chorus

New [D]people and new places and the [A]differences she sees


The [D]good and the bad and [B]all the in be[E]tweens


[D]In the end she had more [A]questions needing answers


And there [B]wasn’t any [E]hurry to get back [A]home





Verse 3


Edu[G]cations’ a bit different when you’re not limited


[D]By religious doctrine where [G]some things may be hid


[G]Out there in the real world they have wide open views


Where [A]nothing is held back and [D]can sometimes con[D7]fuse




Chorus

Different [C]people different places many [G]differences she sees


The [C]good and the bad and [A]all the in be[D]tweens


[C]In the end she had more [G]questions needing answers


And there [C]wasn’t any [D]hurry to get back [G]home




Verse 4


[D]Like so many stories her trip came to an end


With a [A]strong hold on the language and [D]many lifetime friends


But [D]she had to go home now though she was not the same


And the [E]island wouldn’t hold the [A]woman she be[A7]came




Chorus

All the [G]people and all the places that [D]she still wants to see


The [G]good and the bad and [E]all the in be[A]tweens


[G]Even today she has more [D]questions needing answers


[G]But it’s okay the [A] whole world is her [G]home [D]



1,779

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey James and Roger - Thanks very much. I'll try and record it soon. It has a nice folky sound to it I think. I still only have the 2 versions of Grey Skies and one of Ayase Lullaby on my page currently but I have 3 in the works right now. Just a little tough getting time to work on it. smile

Take care,

Jeff

1,780

(10 replies, posted in Songwriting)

My wife’s tries to not waste time so she likes to kill more than one bird at a time as she says. She goes somewhere, anywhere, and tries to make it a chance for doing something else, being efficient…like that. I was thinking on that and thought about how precious time is on another level and how all the time we do not use is forever gone.  That’s where the idea came from to use the time you have so you have something to remember, not exactly what my wife does but this makes for a better song I think. I hope you all like it. Disclaimer, no birds were harmed in the writing of this song.

Time By Jeff Gilpin


January 26th, 2008




Verse 1


[Em]Time will [Am]heal your [C]deepest [Em]sorrow


Help you re[Am]flect on [C]what life [D]means


[Em]Time will [Am]help you [C]get to to[Em]morrow


Where it’s not as [Am]bad as it [Em]seems [D]




Verse 2


[Em]Time will [Am]polish your [C]greatest of me[Em]mories


Bring out the [Am]shine you [C]like to look u[D]pon


[Em]Time makes [Am]legends out of [C]little myste[Em]ries


A bit of nos[Am]talgic time long [Em]gone




Chorus

[D]Time won’t [C]stop [Am]when you look [Em]away


While re[D]flecting you may [C]find tomorrow’s [D]gone


[Em]Try to [Am]collect your [C]memories of [Em]today


Near your heart right [Am]where they [Em]belong [D]




Verse 3


[Em]Time is so [Am]precious so [C]try not to [Em]squander


All the [Am]time you [C]have until you’re [D]done


[Em]Use every [Am]second so [C]you’ll live much [Em]longer


Welcome [Am]every rising of the [Em]sun [D]




Verse 4


[Em]Time’s not the [Am]enemy so [C]don’t try to [Em]fight it



Time [Am]will [C]always win in [D]time


[Em]Trying to [Am]fight [C]time you [Em]can let


Your time run out and [Am]that would be a [Em]crime




Chorus

[D]Time won’t [C]stop [Am]when you look [Em]away


While re[D]flecting you may [C]find tomorrow’s [D]gone


[Em]Try to [Am]collect your [C]memories of [Em]today


Near your heart right [Am]where they [Em]belong [D]




Verse 5


[Em]All of your [Am]forgotten [C]minutes are still [Em]out there


Those [Am]minutes you [C]wish you could [D]reuse


[Em]Reach way [Am]back to re[C]trieve them while you [Em]still care


Go get back the [Am]time that you [Em]abused [D]




Verse 6


[Em]Sitting [Am]there [C]in your room re[Em]flecting


On the [Am]time you’ve [C]had and have to [D]kill


[Em]Go and [Am]do some [C]memory col[Em]lecting


Time a wasting [Am]while you're sitting [Em]still




Chrous

[D]Time won’t [C]stop [Am]when you look [Em]away


While re[D]flecting you may [C]find tomorrow’s [D]gone


[Em]Try to [Am]collect your [C]memories of [Em]today


Near your heart right [Am]where they [C]belong [Em]



1,781

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks every one. I'm hoping good things come but after the run we've been having I'm kind of expecting the worst. I will try and keep my chin up.

1,782

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I get a little frustrated during our election time. Anyway this is just a song; one that I do not expect to happen but it sure would be nice for a change. I tried to wrap my in-a-perfect-world ideas into this song me being the eternal optimist again. I hope you all like it.   

No More Lies By Jeff Gilpin


January 21st, 2008




Verse 1


Once u[Dm]pon a time


In this [Dm]land that I live


A [Am]man said to his people


To ask [G]what you can [Dm]give


Now [Dm]many years later


We [Dm]don’t know who to trust


They [Am]say they’ll make it better


As the [G]bank’s about to [Dm]bust




Chorus

I [G]do want to believe


But it’s [Dm]just a little hard


When [Am]truth is the exception


And they’re [G]holding all the [Dm]cards


How does [G]every single candidate


Still [Dm]look you in the eye


When they [Am]swear they’ll make it [G]better


Telling [Dm]lies




Verse 2


[Dm]I want to find someone


Who [Dm]doesn’t need this job


Yet [Am]still they want to do it


And do [G]not intending to [Dm]rob


[Dm]I’m not talking about


Those [Dm]power hungry throngs


Who’ve [Am]sold their souls for power


Weake[G]ning what once was [Dm]strong




Chorus

I [G]do want to believe


But it’s [Dm]just a little hard


When [Am]truth is the exception


And they’re [G]holding all the [Dm]cards


How can [G]every single candidate


Still [Dm]look you in the eye


When they [Am]swear they’ll make it [G]better


Telling [Dm]lies





Verse 3


Re[Dm]publican or democrat


It [Dm]really doesn’t matter


[Am]One will steal your wallet


While the [G]other’s getting [Dm]fatter


[Dm]What will it take to help


This [Dm]country that I love


[Am]Finally have a government


That [G]somehow climbs a[Dm]bove




Chorus

I [G]do want to believe


But it’s [Dm]just a little hard


When [Am]truth is the exception


And they’re [G]holding all the [Dm]cards


How can [G]every single candidate


Still [Dm]look you in the eye


When they [Am]swear they’ll make it [G]better


Telling [Dm]lies




Verse 4


[Dm]All this petty bickering


Tribu[Dm]lations and trials


Have [Am]gotten oh so tiring


Accu[G]sations and de[Dm]nials


When [Dm]will we learn our lessons


How di[Dm]vided we fall down


But to[Am]gether restore power


To this [G]battle weary [Dm]town




Ending Chorus

[G]Please help to me believe them


It [Dm]has been oh so hard


Help them [Am]Learn to speak in truths


Forti[G]fy this house of [Dm]cards


I pray [G]every single candidate


Can [Dm]look us in the eye


And tell the [Am]truth make us [G]better


No more [Dm]lies



1,783

(4 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Zurf - Nice song and I'm sure you and your daughter had fun with it. My first song writing was cheering up my son back when he had the chickenpox when he was in 2nd grade. Well done.

1,784

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks Roger - It's tough sometimes trying new things and translating from brain to the actual sound to a cord that makes sense. After that, seeing that it is in written from only, someone else has to understand it. I guess I do need to record a video of one of my songs one of these days.

1,785

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Roger, thanks - I have the same trouble with so many songs on here lately.

1,786

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

This is just a song about dreams, memories, friends, family, ending up where you end up and figuring out where you are is where you want to be, at least in my case. I hope you all like it.

Not Far By Jeff Gilpin


January 20th, 2008




Verse 1


[D]I had a friend


Who always wanted to be somebo[A7]dy


He [D]told me all his dreams


And how he’d get to where he’d want to [A7]be


[G]Said one day he would be a [A]big famous movie [D]star [G]


He said It’s like I already see it [A] and it’s not [D]far [A]




Verse 2


[D]Traveling across the country


Traveling so far west I ended up [A7]east


[D]Roadblocks and distractions


Made the road I traveled quite a [A7]beast


[G]Waiting for a ride in an [A]airport I wished upon a [D]star [G]


I [G]caught another plane traveling a[A]gain but not [D]far [D7]




Chorus

So [G]choose your destination


But [A]make sure you’re not where you want to [D]be [D7]


[G]Think about what you want in the end


Not all you want to [A7]see.


For [G]some folks that as easy as


[A]Driving down the road in their [D]car [G]


For me I’ll be satisfy[A]ied


Staying wherever you [D]are [A]



Verse 3


[D]I’ve thought about it for a while


Longer than I needed to some [A7]nights


[D]When I know I should have been


Asleep in bed tucked in [A7]tight


[G]Looking out the window I [A]see the morning [D]star [G]


Guess I just spent another [A]night not getting very [D]far [A]




Verse 4


[D]Thinking about Coulda, shoulda, wouldas


Only hurt my [A7]head


[D]Could have been much worse



If I would have done something else in[A7]stead


[G]Wondering mostly what my boy will [A]get out of this [D]war [G]


Though he’s across the world in my [A]mind he’s not very [D]far[D7]




Chorus

So [G]choose your destination


But [A]make sure you’re not where you want to [D]be [D7]


[G]Think about what you want in the end


Not all you want to [A7]see.


For [G]some folks that as easy as


[A]Driving down the road in their [D]car [G]


For me I’ll be satisfy[A]ied


Staying wherever you [D]are [A]




Verse 5


[D]Miles and smiles rattle round


The memories I’m sorting in my [A7]mind


The [D]bad ones and the good ones


The pleasant and the ones best left be[A7]hind


A [G]trip with my father just [A]me and him in his [D]car [G]


Asking if we were close and [A]him saying it’s not [D]far [A]




Verse 6


Now my [D]family’s separated


Scattered out there across the [A7]earth


[D]We’re all living so far apart


Like we’ve been traveling since [A7]birth


[G]In my mind I see them and [A]wonder how on earth they [D]are [G]


Always with me in my [A]mind I don’t need to travel [D]far [D7]




Chorus

So [G]choose your destination


But [A]make sure you’re not where you want to [D]be [D7]


[G]Think about what you want in the end


Not all you want to [A7]see.


For [G]some folks that as easy as


[A]Driving down the road in their [D]car [G]


For me I’ll be satisfy[A]ied


Staying wherever you [D]are [A] [G] [D]



1,787

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Roger - I think it's in your nature and also why we all love you here on chordie too. After all look at all the chordian's you've helped too.

smile

1,788

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Roger - Great song. Sorry to hear about Henry. I know it is tough to lose a pet and a friend. Great tribute.

1,789

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks you all.

John - I never really know what to expect when I sit down to write. I have tons of unfinished songs that I want to get back to sometime and others just seem come out easy the first time.

Daddy - I do my best to write at least a song or two a week just to keep my hand in but some weeks are better than others. When I have to stop for a while for whatever reason I've found it very difficult to get those creative juices flowing going again.

Lena - I feel the same way but I never thought about writing until I was over 40. Now that I do write I have a plenty of experiences to draw from.

1,790

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey ken - You can always be honest with me. I was trying to use the chorus to show the dynamic nature of creating where sometimes it flows without pause and other times it seems so easy to fowl it up with only the slightest tinkering. That was the idea anyway. As for the chords. I sometimes like to use D and D# together just because it gives a different flavor to the music if you know what I mean. I thought it fit the lyrics but I wrote the lyrics first this time and most times I usually come up with the music and words together. It is hard to get the idea without hearing the lyrics I know and I really need to get on the video side recording to help. Thanks for your comments ...food for thought.

1,791

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I was just thinking about songs and other things we create from our head and thought I would write about it. It sure seems like I can’t stop ideas sometimes and other time’s it’s like squeezing water from a rock. Aynway, I hope you all like it.

The Creative Process By Jeff Gilpin


January 19th, 2008




Verse 1


[D]Do you ever feel like you [D#]have an idea


[D]Forming inside your [Am7]head


[D]Like a gigantic [D#]nebulous cloud


Hiding [Am7]secrets that [D#]can’t be [D]read




Verse 2


[D]You want to help it [D#] grow


[D]But you’re not sure [Am7]how


A[D]fraid meddling will [D#]only slow


[Am7]What you [D#] want right [D]now




[D#]So goes the creative [D]process


[Am7]So delicate yet so [D]strong


[D#]Where the merest of ad[D]justments


[Am7]Can make it [D#]all so [D]wrong




Verse 3


[D]Not like growing a [D#]flower


[D]Truly far from bota[Am7]ny


More a [D]process where you have the [D#]power


To a[Am7]scend [D#]mediocre[D]ty




Verse 4


But [D]what you can send [D#]skyward


Can [D]also come crashing [Am7]down


[D]Overlook a lack of [D#]logic


[Am7]Ignore a [D#]thought un[D]sound




[D#]So goes the creative [D]process


[Am7]So delicate yet so [D]strong



[D#]Where the merest of ad[D]justments


[Am7]Can make it [D#]all so [D]wrong




Verse 5


Then [D]eureka at last you’ve [D#]got it


As you [D]gaze on you crea[Am7]tion


You [D]wonder who’d have [D#]thought it


[Am7]From your [D#]own imagina[D]tion




Verse 6


[D]Do you put it out for [D#]all to see


Or [D]should you maybe you keep it in[Am7]side


[D]Somethings are just for [D#]you or me


[Am7]Others you [D#]just can’t [D]hide




[D#]So goes the creative [D]process


[Am7]So delicate yet so [D]strong


[D#]Where the merest of ad[D]justments


[Am7]Can make it [D#]all so [D]wrong




[D#]May the creative [D]process


[Am7]Bring forth children to us [D]all


Who will [D#]gaze on and bear [D]witness


To [Am7]ideas that [D#]grow so [D]tall



1,792

(2 replies, posted in Songwriting)

This song comes from another idea I got earlier tonight that I couldn’t figure out words to go with but liked the music. When I finally decided on writing what’s below I couldn’t figure how to work the music I originally thought of into a song about nothing meaningful, deep, thought provoking or life changing, just a song. So to sum it all up: this is a song about writing a song that I couldn't think of words for so I could use a catchy melody that in the end I forgot so I used something else. Get it? Good title huh? smile

The Wow By Jeff Gilpin


January 17th, 2008




Verse 1


[D]This is just a song


That I’m [G]writing just for me


[D]Making up the words because


I [G]like the melo[A]dy


[D]Can’t come up with any


[G]Clever lyrics now


[D]So I’m putting down


[A]Words without the [D]wow




The [G]wow that’s what they call it


Words that [D]kind of make you think


The [G]hmmm wish I’d thought of it


To de[A]bate on over drink [D]




Verse 2


But to[D]night I got nothing


But this [G]catchy melody


I [D]tried for deeper meaning


And a [G]bit more myste[A]ry


But [D]nada, nothing, zippo


I [G]guess I’m all out of words


And [D]still I keep on writing


What will [A]surely be ab[D]surd




The [G]wow that’s what they call it


Words that [D]kind of make you think



The [G]hmmm wish I’d thought of it


To de[A]bate on over drink [D]




Verse 3


[D]It is a pretty melody


And [G]now out of my head


[D]Had to share for all to hear


Even [G]if my words have [A]fled


[D]Though they’re not real cleaver


They pro[G]vide a way for me


To [D]launch a little music


Laced with [A]words used so care[D]free




The [G]wow that’s what they call it


Words that [D]kind of make you think


The [G]hmmm wish I’d thought of it


To de[A]bate on over drink [D]




The [G]wow I know it’s missing


I [D]somehow left it out


Just a [G]song no hidden meaning


Nothing [A]deep to figure out [D]



1,793

(3 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Charile - I bet you have a song in you. Find the song that says how you feel about her or how your she makes you feel. Hear it in your head and try and figure out what chords fit what you hear. Just have a look inside and it'll be there waiting.

Good luck

1,794

(22 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Bone Daddy great song and great topic. Great use of F# by the way. Artists who are dependent on the public for making a living should carefully review public statements prior to making them. I don't think a lot of review went into those statements. When they were made the US was still a little sensitive and easily spun out of control and the media in America and the world for that matter was and still is way out of control trying to publicize anything they consider newsworthy and turning it into something that gets channels changed and newspapers sold.

1,795

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey James - Thanks.

The old Maurice Chevalier song from Gigi, Thank Heaven for Little Girls, sums it up pretty well.

1,796

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Thanks you two...

1,797

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Jase got me thinking about how much of a mystery women are to me. This mystery can be looked upon as bad, good or downright exasperating in some cases. I usually like to think of it as a good mystery at least it is for the woman I’ve lived with for over half my life. So I hope you all like the song.

The Mystery of You By Jeff Gilpin


January 15th, 2008




Verse 1


The [D]greatest


Myste[Daug]ry


In my [Dsus]life


One I [D7]doubt I’ll ever [G]solve


Is the [A]mystery of [D]you [A]




Verse 2


[D]Standing still


Yet spinning [Daug]round


You’re in my [Dsus]head


I [D7]doubt I’ll ever get you [G]out of there


That’s a [A]mystery so [D]true [D7]






[G]Sitting here alone thinking of [D]you


[A]A smile has [G]grown upon my [D]face


[G]You’re set in your ways until the [D]end of days [D7]


And [E]I’ll be with you as long as I can [A]keep on going strong [A7]


Verse 3


Shake my [D]head


At what you [Daug]said


How’d you get [Dsus]that


I [D7]can’t figure this one [G]out


Add more to the [A]mystery to [D]you [A]





Verse 4


Smiling [D]eyes


Tilted [Daug]chin


Can’t look a[Dsus]way


Another [D7]treasured moment fades a[G]way from me


But not the [A]mystery of [D]you [D7]






[G]Sitting here alone thinking of [D]you


[A]A smile has [G]grown upon my [D]face


[G]You’re set in your ways until the [D]end of days [D7]


And [E]I’ll be with you as long as I can [A]keep on going strong [A7]


Verse 5


Close my [D]eyes


I see [Daug]you


Close my [Dsus]ears


I [D7]hear your laughter as I [G]fade to sleep


And dream the [A]mystery that’s [D]you [A]




Verse 6


Then I [D]wake


There you [Daug]are


Still [Dsus]sleeping


While I [D7]count my lucky [G]stars again


For the [A]mystery of [G]you [D]



1,798

(22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Zurf wrote:

Hey, I lost 60 pounds a few years ago (and found thirty of it again).  Will Russell's brother pay for me to go to Vegas?  Will he cover my losses? 

Seriously, though, have a campground near a river in the mid-Atlantic and I will make an effort to be there. 

Jets-60, if you're into fishing, there are a couple of terrific fishing/camping/music weekends I can recommend to you not far from us.  Assuming your definition of "not far" includes West Virginia and Kentucky.  It's closer than Belgium or Ireland or Scotland anyway.  Tough paddle to Scotland.

- Zurf

Hey Zurf - Fishing is okay but my favorite part was the sitting and waiting and drinking a beer or two. My son is more a fisherman than I am but he's out in the dirt for awhile. I do like the feel of Canaan Valley over in WV. Nice pretty area but I like outside of Asheville as well down in western NC. I really don't know where would be best. I'm not a big Vegas guy but if a bunch of Chordian go there I guess I could be convinced.

1,799

(22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

One of these days we all need to have a kind of chordian convention. Like just pick a place go tent city it and hang out and play, pick each others brains and have a grand old time. Maybe sometime when the weather is not so darn cold. I know it might be tough to get the whole crew together but we could start small and have little regional get togethers. Who knows, maybe some day we could all head up Per's way.

1,800

(8 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Hey Lena - Your Home is similiar to where I grew up in western North Carolina but now my home town is in northern Virginia. I visited back where I'm originally from in Asheville, NC but the town is very different from what I remember. Northern Virginia is a great place to live aside from the traffic but I do miss my mountains.

Take care,

Jeff/jets