James Oliver

Grandpa’s Radio

“Message one…Hello Jim. Ernie Harwell. I just got back from my work on the playoffs. I had a chance to listen to your song. Thanks so much. I enjoyed it and appreciate you sending it to me. Good luck to you. You don’t have to call back as I just wanted to thank you for your thoughtfulness. The best of everything to you. Bye-bye…5:13 p.m. Friday. End of message.”

Gramps would sit on his ol’ back porch,
And tune in the Detroit Tigers,
He heard the play by play from his own grandstand,
Left field tomatoes and in the right field flowers.

The cricket’s chirped and the crowds would cheer,
When Colavito came to bat.
The owls would whooo and the fans would too,
When he hit a home-run just like that,
Gramps sat with George Kell and Ernie Harwell,
Behind home plate in front row,
The best way to watch a baseball game,
Was on my grandpa’s radio.

Gramp’s listened on a Friday night,
With a wood cane in his hand,
Chewing Copenhagen like the players did,
‘Cept he spit in a coffee can.

You know the cricket’s chirped and the crowds would cheer,
When ol’ Al Kaline came to bat.
The owls would whooo and the fans would too,
When he whacked a home-run just like that,
Gramps sat with George Kell and Ernie Harwell,
Behind home plate in front row,
The best way to watch a baseball game,
Was on my grandpa’s radio.

As a boy I’d come outside and sit with the old man,
Not a finer seat in the house for two avid horsehide fans.

Yeah the cricket’s chirped and the crowds would cheer,
When ol’ Norm Cash came to bat.
The owls would whooo and the fans would too,
When he cracked a home-run just like that,
We sat with George Kell and Ernie Harwell,
Behind home plate in front row,
The best way to watch a baseball game,
Was on my grandpa’s radio.

Nothin’ better than a baseball game,
On my grandpa’s radio.

copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

James Leo Oliver
506 E. Mansion
Marshall, MI 49068
269.655.4557
zorozero123@gmail.com
www.songu.com/members/jamesleooliver

Thanks To You

I drove my son to the high school,
On a cold and windy day,
His mind was on the last football game,
He was ever going to play,
His team had lost all season,
But they wouldn’t give up yet,
I said boy watch that knee,
I’m proud of you,
This is a day I won’t soon forget.

The game was tied at halftime,
And I sat worried in the stands,
Wondering what would I tell his teammates,
If I had the chance,
I’d say you guys may not be winning,
But the clock ain’t run out yet,
Keep in mind it’s just a game,
We love you just the same,
And fellas don’t forget.

That thanks to you we’ve poured our hearts out,
Every Friday night,
Your family and friends have prayed and cheered for you,
Yelling fight team fight,
It really doesn’t matter if you win or lose,
What matters most lies beyond the goal post,
We all owe our thanks to you.

My son walked slowly from the lockers,
His eyes were down and his head was bent,
He cried and said I tried dad,
I gave a hundred percent,
I held him tight and whispered in his ear,
Son I know you did your best,
You bring such joy into my life,
Son don’t ever forget.

That thanks to you we’ve poured our hearts out,
Every Friday night,
Your family and friends have prayed and cheered for you,
Yelling fight team fight,
It really doesn’t matter if you win or lose,
What matters most lies beyond the goal post,
We all owe our thanks to you.

What matters most lies beyond the goal post,
We all owe our thanks to you.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

506 E. Mansion
Marshall, MI 49068
(269) 789-2874
zerozero@sbcglobal.net

I Won’t Cry For You

Verse:
They say a photo’s worth a thousand words,
This shot of you and me whisper’s only one,
Within weeks you’d be long gone,
And the two of us were done.

Chorus:
Oh I won’t cry for you,
Crying’s not something I can do,
Anyway you wouldn’t want me to,
No I won’t cry for you,

Verse:
I’ve no real reason why I cannot cry,
There is no deep dark hole brimming with my tears,
Even if smoke got in my eyes,
They’d remain crystal clear.

Chorus: (repeat)

Bridge:
I gave you everything I had,
And did everything I could,
Everything but forgive you,
If I could I would.

Chorus: (repeat)

Adlib:
Anyway you wouldn’t want me to,
So I won’t cry for you,

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

Your Love Lives In Me

Verse:
I have always dreamed of someone,
Who would help me find my way,
You’ve brought me to this moment,
And that dream comes true today,
As you stand beside me,
With this ring I say.

Chorus:
Your love lives in me,
My love lives in you,
God touched our hearts,
And made one out of two,
So together we will live and die,
Together we will laugh and cry,
Together we will win and we will lose,
Because your love lives in me,
And my love lives in you.

Verse:
You have always prayed for someone,
Who would make sense of your life,
To be there in your darkness,
And pull you in the light,
Now I stand beside you,
As husband and wife.

Chorus: (repeat)

Chorus/Adlib:
So together we will live and die,
Together we will laugh and cry,
Together we will win and we will lose,
Because your love lives in me,
And my love lives in you.

Adlib:
Because your love lives in me,
And my love lives in you.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

You've Given Me A Hand

Verse:
Morning Dad how’s my main man,
Let me help you load the truck,
Yeah I know that you still can,
But don't you press your luck,
You don’t owe me one darn thing,
It’s the very least I can do,
So put your hard earned cash away,
I’m the one who still owes you,
All my life you’ve given me a hand.

Chorus:
A pat on the back good job son,
Reached right out when times got tough,
A misbehavin' swat on my back end,
You’ve given me a hand.

Verse:
You rigged the line on my first pole,
Dug the worms to bait my hook,
Pointed out the best fishing holes,
Caught the bass you cleaned and cooked,
But my biggest thrill on that fishing trip,
Was when you let me take the oars,
With them hands behind your head,
Snored as I rowed for shore,
All my life you’ve given me a hand.

Chorus:
High five son, a big thumbs up,
Prayed for me when life got rough,
Stood and clapped 'cause you’re my biggest fan,
You've given me a hand.

Bridge:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Chorus:
Pat on the back good job son,
Reached right out when times got tough,
A misbehavin' swat on my back end,
High five son, a big thumbs up,
Prayed for me when life got rough,
Stood and clapped 'cause you’re my biggest fan,
You've given me a hand.

Adlib:
You've given me a hand. (3x)

copyright secured by Jim Oliver, Jeff Hinton & Quint Randle

You Like Apples

Chorus:
God said to Adam,
You like apples,
I give them away free,
You like apples,
Pick a few for Eve,
You like apples,
Eat from any tree except this one,
'Cause you’ll have to leave the orchard,
How ya' like them apples son.

Verse:
I got a Honey Crisp a Granny Smith and an Arkansas Black
I got Macintosh the Jonathan and Northern Spy out back,
Try the Cortland or Gravenstein the Mutsu or Newtown Pippin,
How 'bout a Red Delicious or a Rome the Spartan or a Norfolk Biffin.

Chorus: (repeat)

Verse:
Did I mention our Rhode Island Greening,
The Brown Snout and the Laura Red,
A Tydemans Late Orange, a simple Gala,
Oh there’s a Spitzenburg and the Flower of Kent,
They’re crispy and they’re crunchy,
They satisfy the munchies,
An apple a day keeps the doctor away,
So you better eat a bunchies.

Chorus:
God said to Adam,
You like apples,
You got them all for free,
You like apples,
You picked a few for Eve,
You like apples,
You weren’t supposed to eat from this one,
Now you’ll have to leave the orchard,
How ya' like them apples son.

Adlib:
And if I change my mind,
I'll send someone.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

Walkin' Away From Me

Verse:
I’d barely took my first step,
When I was followin' in yours,
As you worked on the car,
Or in the backyard doin' chores,
I’d say Daddy can I help you,
As we walked side by side,
You’d drop your ol' red tool box,
And pick me up for a ride.

Chorus:
Now Daddy please,
Tell me where are you goin',
Why are you walkin',
Walkin' away,
Away from me.

Verse:
Why won’t you let me hold you,
Can’t we try and fix it please,
Momma’s in the bedroom cryin',
She’s even down on her knees,
Don’t you know how much we love you,
Don’t you know how much we care,
Won’t you wait a minute Daddy,
Set your suitcase down right there.

Chorus: (repeat)

Bridge:
Don't leave Daddy,
Don't walk down the road,
Listen Daddy,
Oh Daddy please don't go.

Verse:
You don't want to take my hand,
It’s like it’s hard for you to see,
Daddy are you cryin',
Daddy what do you need,
Daddy what about my Momma,
Daddy you can’t leave,
I'm your little man now,
But I won't always be,

Chorus: (repeat)

Adlib:
Oh Daddy please,
Why are you walkin',
Walkin' away,
Away from me.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

We've Got It All

Verse:
Blue skies that go on and on,
In every kind of weather,
Ocean breeze and mountain views,
Birds of every feather,
We have come from the four corners,
And found a land of liberty,
To live and love just as we choose,
In the home of the free.

Chorus:
We've got it all,
Oh we’ve got it all,
When we hear the Star Spangled Banner,
We are proud and we stand tall,
Then Taps reminds us,
With a single bugle call,
To give thanks to those who gave their lives,
They’re why we’ve got it all.

Verse:
So grow up and live your dreams,
Work hard just like your father,
Ask your mom what you should do,
To help take you farther,
We all have the same chances,
And the same opportunity,
To open doors and take a step,
To be what we will be.

Chorus: (repeat)

Bridge:
Take a moment and bow your head,
It all comes to nothin’ unless a prayer is said.

Chorus: (repeat)

Adlib:
Yeah we've got it all. (x2)

Copyright secured by Caroline Holder & James Leo Oliver

True Love

Verse:
There is one thing I know,
I’ll never love another woman,
I’ve loved you deeply from my soul,
And I will never love again,
I’ve loved you in laughter,
And loved you in tears,
I’ve loved you for so many years.

Chorus:
There has never been a true love,
This ol’ world has ever knew of,
As true as ours,
Love as true as wedding rings,
When we’re lost it’s circling,
Round and round until we’ve found our way,
True love doesn’t happen every day.

Verse:
That is why ‘til I die,
You are the woman who has my hand,
When we kiss I close my eyes,
And thank God for his perfect plan,
Baby as I hold you,
Tightly in my arms,
I promise to keep you from all harm.

Chorus: (Repeat)

Bridge:
When I take my last breath and my life is through,
There still will be a part of me in love with you.

Chorus: (Repeat)
Round and round until we find our way…

Adlib:
True love,
True love,
True love doesn’t happen every day.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver, Tom Haupt & Katie Wolfe

Only One

1st Movement

Verse: There’s only one way off this ol’ highway,
We gotta’ walk along hand in hand,
We can’t do it ourselves ‘cause God’s the only one who can.

Verse: There’s only one light in that ol’ dark night,
But our eyes are shut so completely,
We just stumble along because God’s the only one who sees.

Verse: There’s only one voice that gives us free choice,
We’ve got to listen without making a sound,
We will find in the void that God’s the only one around.

Verse: There’s only one wind and it keeps blowin’
Across the mountain, valleys, rivers and hills,
We find most of us won’t and God’s the only one who will.

Verse: There’s only one love it comes from above,
We simply have to do it his way,
We have run out of time and God’s the only one who saves.

Verse: There’s only one touch that heals us so much,
We’ve gotta’ reach out towards the sun,
We give up so easily and God’s the only, only one.
Only one, yeah.
Only one.

2nd Movement

Verse: Who are chosen, who are lost,
How do we keep score,
O-o-o, there’s only one who knows for sure.

Verse: Who are the healers, who are the lame,
When death is at the door,
O-o-o, there’s only one who knows for sure.

Verse: Who are the losers, who has won,
What’s the fighting for,
O-o-o, there’s only one who knows for sure.

Verse: Who is hungry, who is fed,
When it’s rotten to the core,
O-o-o, there’s only one who knows for sure.

Verse: Who has money, who has none,
Why can’t the rich be poor,
O-o-o, there’s only one who knows for sure.

Verse: Who are mighty, who are meek,
What cleans the leper’s sore,
O-o-o, there’s only one who knows for sure.

3rd Movement

Verse: Many colors, many hues,
Oh, there’s only one,
Many voices, many views,
Oh, there’s only one,
Only one.

Verse: Many races, many skins,
Oh, there’s only one,
Many family, many kin,
Oh, there’s only one,
Only one.

Verse: Many nations, many tribes,
Oh, there’s only one,
Many boundaries, many lines,
Oh, there’s only one,
Only one.

Verse: Many cities, many towns,
Oh, there’s only one,
Many people, many tongues,
Oh, there’s only one,
Only one.

Verse: Many countries, many creeds,
Oh, there’s only one,
Many enslaved, many freed,
Oh, there’s only one,
Only one.

Verse: Many falsehoods, many faiths,
Oh, there’s only one,
Many idols, many praised,
Oh, there’s only one,
Only…
Yes, there’s only one,
Only one.

Copyright secured by Gregory Lee Brayton & James Leo Oliver

James Leo Oliver
506 E. Mansion
Marshall, MI 49068
(269) 655-4557

zorozero@sbcglobal.net
www.songu.com/members/jamesleooliver

Instrumental.

One Love

Two rhymes,
Two reasons,
Two minds,
One love.
Two flames,
Two candles,
Two lights,
One love.
Two songs,
Two seasons,
Two hearts,
One love.
Two words,
I do,
One love.

Two rings,
Two people,
Two lives,
One love.
Two thoughts,
Two voices,
Two souls,
One love.
Two friends,
Two families,
Two dreams,
One love.
Two words,
I do,
One love.

Two words,
I do,
One love.

Bathe In God’s Love

Verse: Tommy went to church one day,
Preacher man was heard to say,
Sin’s the devils’ dirt,
Satan spreads it all around,
And rubs our noses in the ground,
Lord, wash away the hurt.

Chorus: Bathe in God’s love,
It’s a deep blue ocean,
It’s a winding stream,
Running straight through your heart,
It’s a rainy night,
And the dew in the morning
It’s a waterfall,
And a pool of clear light.

Verse: Preacher said that dusty smell,
Is Satan slinging clods from hell,
Off a rutted track,
Ol’ dirt road you’re going down,
Leads to him so turn around,
‘Fore it’s too late to come back.

Chorus: (repeat)

Bridge: Preacher said you’re born again,
When baptized at the river’s bend,
We’ll be there this afternoon,
Tommy lay his bible down,
Grabbed his coat without a sound,
He’s headed that way soon.

Chorus: (repeat)

Adlib: It’s a waterfall,
And a pool of clear light.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver & Gregory Lee Brayton

Back To Mexico

Verse:

I remember holding hands in Matamoras late one night,
We listened to mariachi bands and kissed in the morning light,
Now we begin a brand new day with a peck upon the check,
Then off to work to pay the bills and try to get through one more week.

Chorus:

Why don’t we go back to Mexico,
Here’s some lemons where’s the limes,
You want a Cuervo shot Tecate beer or sweet sangria wine,
I want to warm you up inside with salsa and dancin’ slow,
As we go back to Mexico.

Verse:

I’ve really missed you since our trip and I’ve seen you every day,
I get caught up in the real world of house repairs and kids to raise,
That’s why I thought this little jaunt just south of our living room,
Might help remind us of our love I hope to do this again real soon.

Chorus:

Why don’t we go back to Mexico,
Here’s some lemons where’s the limes,
You want a Cuervo shot Tecate beer or sweet sangria wine,
I want to warm you up inside with picante and dancin’ slow,
As we go back to Mexico.

½ Verse:

I don’t know what manana holds but tu cuerpo feels so good,
My little pretty senora I’d hold you la noche if I could.

Chorus:

Why don’t we go back to Mexico,
Here’s some lemons where’s the limes,
You want a Cuervo shot Tecate beer or sweet sangria wine,
I want to warm you up inside pico de giyo and dancin’ slow,
As we go back to Mexico.

Adlib:

Here we go back to Mexico.
Hey let’s go back to Mexico.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

Stay

Verse: At night sometimes,

I have these quiet conversations with the sky

The moon and her familiar light

are painting constellations in my eyes

I know these were the longest years,

but time plays all the tricks on me they say

I’m standing with a flashlight

in my garden here at midnight

And I wonder what it is that makes you stay

But you stay.


Verse: The rain fills droplets into pails

and she never seems to worry about taking up space

I guess I’m free to travel the world,

but I’d rather memorize the roadmap of your face

And you wonder what it is that makes me stay.

But I stay


Bridge: The current won’t come the way you want it to,

It just latches on and takes you with it

Baby, this love is the current

And the steady wind that carries us away

And we wonder what it is that makes it stay

But it stays


Verse: There’s a bird nesting in a dying pear tree

And she doesn’t seem to worry about how long it will take

I guess this world is full of sweetness,

Though the wind could pull our branches down to break

And we wonder what it is that makes us stay

But we stay

copyright secured Sammie Hershock

Elvis The Christmas Elf

Well it’s one for the money two for the show,
Three to get ready now snow man snow,
My name is Elvis the Christmas elf.

My name is Elvis the Christmas elf,
I say thank you very much ‘cause I can’t help myself,
I like red suede shoes and green Cadillacs,
And I always play guitar behind Santa’s back,

My name is Elvis the Christmas elf,
Well now Santa don’t be cruel it’s just December twelfth,
I’ve made stuffed hound dogs and carved wooden hearts,
But my brand new single is shooting up the charts,

It’s called Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me,
Soon it will be number one so Santa just wait and see,
I know I should be building toys,
But I’d rather rock for all the good girls and boys.

My name is Elvis the Christmas elf,
Oh please don’t put my amplifier on the shelf,
I promise I will paint the hot chocolate cups,
And keep the snow globes I make all shook up,

Santa give me a chance to rock the house,
I’ll get everybody stirrin’ even a mouse.
I know I should be building toys,
But I’d rather rock for all the good girls and boys.

Well it’s one for the money two for the show,
Three to get ready now snow man snow,
My name is Elvis the Christmas elf,
My name is Elvis yeah I’m the Christmas elf.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

Christmas In July

On a hot sunny day the Colonel said to the King,
Son I’ve got some Christmas songs for you to sing,
Well the King looked up from his plate of food,
And said Colonel you know I ain’t in the holiday mood,
The Colonel said hey boy so neither am I,
It don’t seem right to have Christmas in July.

Christmas in July my oh my Christmas in July,
Bing Crosby might have to do it but why should I.

But the Colonel said to Elvis what about the fans,
And I’ve got some big contractual demands,
There’s something here you gotta remember,
You sing carols in the summer for folks in December,
The King looked ol' Tom Parker right in the eye and said,
I guess it’s time for Christmas in July.

Christmas in July my oh my Christmas in July,
If Johnny Mathis has to do it so can I,
Get me some red suede shoes and a green Cadillac,
Bake me a ham candied yams call the Jordanaires back,
Let’s have a rockin’ rollin’ Christmas in July.

So ol’ Elvis sang some tinsel tunes for all of you,
About holidays he’d had both white and blue,
Of Santa Claus and of pretty paper,
And of little baby Jesus away in the manger,
As he sang that song he hung his head and cried,
He missed his momma that Christmas in July.

Christmas in July my oh my Christmas in July,
If Jerry Lee Lewis has to do this so can I.
Get me some red suede shoes and a green Cadillac,
Bake me a ham candied yams call the Jordanaires back,
Let’s have a rockin’ rollin’ Christmas in July.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly string up the lights let’s get jolly,
And have a rockin’ rollin’ Christmas in July.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver

Christmas Stockin’ Blues

ust yesterday mornin’ I got the news,
That you left me behind for a seven day cruise,
I got the hung up on the mantle full of coal,
Christmas stockin’ blues.

It’s so cold outside and I’m so confused,
Where did I go wrong I gave up gamblin’ and the booze,
I got the hung up on the mantle full of coal,
Christmas stockin’ blues.

You won’t send me a postcard,
And I’ll still wish you were here,
I’ll be alone on Christmas Eve,
Right up and through the brand new year

Where’s the lights on my tree I must’a blown a fuse,
The fat man skipped my place my mistletoe ain’t been used,
I got the hung up on the mantle full of coal,
Christmas stockin’ blues.

I got the hung up on the mantle full of coal,
Christmas stockin’ blues.

Copyright secured James Leo Oliver & Gregory Lee Brayton

True Love

Verse:
There is one thing I know,
I’ll never love another man,
I’ve loved you deeply from my soul,
And I will never love again,
I’ve loved you in laughter,
And loved you in tears,
I’ve loved you for so many years.

Chorus:
There has never been a true love,
This ol’ world has ever knew of,
As true as ours,
Love as true as wedding rings,
When we’re lost it’s circling,
Round and round until we’ve found our way,
True love doesn’t happen every day.

Verse:
That is why ‘til I die,
You are the man who takes my hand,
When we kiss I close my eyes,
And I thank God for his perfect plan,
Baby when you hold me,
Gently in your arms,
Your heartbeat keeps me from all harm.

Chorus: (Repeat)

Bridge:
When I take my last breath and my life is through,
There still will be a part of me waiting you.

Chorus: (Repeat)
Round and round until we find our way…

Adlib:
True love,
True love,
True love doesn’t happen every day.

Copyright secured by James Leo Oliver, Tom Haupt & Katie Wolfe