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NANNA'S WALTZ
Nanna’s Waltz
(music and lyrics by Dan O'Brien,© Jan. 27,2010)
Vs 1
Nanna sits in her parlour, her mind far away
In memories of so long ago
Of mayflowers in springtime and warm summer days
Of sleigh rides in new fallen snow,
She dreams of her young man, so graceful and smooth
As he whirls her around the dance hall,
The prettiest girl with the one that she loves
As they waltz at the Harvest-Time Ball.
Vs 2
A tear escapes slowly and lands on her dress
As she pictures her life flashing by,
And in every picture right there by her side,
Her lover, her tall handsome guy,
She knows that he sees her and waits patiently,
Somewhere beyond the blue sky,
With a gleam in his eye as he waits for his girl,
Where they’ll dance in the sweet bye and bye.
Bridge
A lifetime of memories stored safe in her heart
Where only her lover can go,
A bridge across time zones that keep them apart,
She’ll cross soon to the one she loves so
Vs 3
She’ll be safe in his arms when he holds her so tight
As the beautiful music plays on,
They’ll dance thru the evening, they’ll dance thru the night,
They’ll dance every morning at dawn,
Someday she’ll be there again by his side
Her young man so graceful and tall
Then the prettiest girl with the one that she loves
Will waltz at the Heavenly Ball.
Ending
Yes the prettiest girl and the one that she loves
Will waltz at the Heavenly Ball
--- END ---
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CLARENCE ALBERT
Clarence – Albert
(©April 14, 2020, music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien)
Vs 1
A few years before the First World War, in a Nova Scotia town,
A little boy was born one day, who would turn my world around,
He was born left-handed and was always full of fun,
His name was Clarence-Albert, my Grandma’s oldest son.
Vs 2
He didn’t go too far in school, those war years they were rough,
And being born a south-paw, that just made things extra tough,
In time he left and went to work to earn a little pay,
And try to make his way in life, in the war years of that day.
Ch 1
He would learn he had a love for music deep within his soul,
And longed to own a real guitar, like he heard on the radio,
At Eaton’s big department store, one bright and sunny day,
He bought a Spanish Dobro, and taught himself to play.
Vs 3
One day he met a nice young girl, at a picnic with some friends,
He sang and played some music there, and planned to see that girl again,
In time, they started going out, and soon they fell in love,
They were wed in 1940, with many blessings from above.
Vs 4
His music ran along the lines of Jimmie, Wilf, and Hank,
But he always played just for the fun, not for money in the bank,
He played mainly at church concerts, and folks’d come from near and far,
To hear Clary, the south-paw picker sing, while playing his guitar.
Ch 2
The wisest man I’ve ever known, with a heart of purest gold,
He always had a friendly word, and was loved by young and old,
He was born left-handed, and was always full of fun,
His name was Clarence-Albert, and I’m proud to be his son,
Ending
His name was Clarence-Albert, I’m so proud to be his son.
--- END ---
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FRIENDS
FRIENDS
( A Song For Jeffie )
(music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien – (c) Aug 31, 2012)
1)
In the wondrous way of nature,
Splendid friendships sometimes grow
Between animals of different pedigree,
In the woodlands of New Scotland,
You might one day come to know
The strangest couple that you’ll likely ever see.
2)
One friend is fairly small
And weighs in at a couple pounds,
She stands maybe fifteen centimeters high,
The other one’s enormous,
Weighing a quarter ton or more
And he towers o’er the likes of you and I.
Refrain
They tramp around together
Thru the wetlands and the bogs,
That lie among the fir and alders, and the spruce,
Friends of different natures
Travelling on the same life path,
Begins the story of the turtle and the moose.
3)
A certain young biologist
Who knew the turtle well,
Asked for a special meeting with the moose,
Now you’ll often find the three of them
Together in the bogs
Right among the fir and alders, and the spruce.
4)
The bears who come to watch them meet
Might bring along some friends,
Perhaps a squirrel and skunk, or a rabbit, and a goose,
The crows watch from their treetops
While the conference goes on
Between the human, and the turtle, and the moose.
Refrain
They tramp around together
Thru the wetlands and the bogs,
That lie among the fir and alders, and the spruce,
Friends of different natures
Travelling on the same life path,
That’s the human, and the turtle, and the moose.
5)
One day they sent an “Action Plan”
Up to the government,
It was titled, “Look There’s Really No Excuse!”
So the Minister signed their document,
Then named a brand new park,
For the human, and the turtle, and the moose.
Refrain
They tramp around together
Thru the wetlands and the bogs,
That lie among the fir and alders, and the spruce,
Friends of different natures
Travelling on the same life path,
That’s the human, and the turtle, and the moose.
Ending
Oh yes, the human, and the turtle, and the moose.
--- END ---
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I'M SAYING A PRAYER FOR YOU DADDY
I’M SAYING A PRAYER FOR YOU DADDY
music and lyrics by Clarence A. O’Brien/Dan O’Brien © 1945,1998,2022
Vs 1
I’m sayin’ a prayer for you Daddy
Wherever you happen to be
And asking the angels in heaven
To watch over you just for me,
For someday this war will be ended,
And you’ll come sailing too
Back home with the rest of the heroes
To the son who is waiting for you.
Bridge
I promised to be a brave soldier
That day when you sailed far away
And no one knows just how I miss you
May God please protect you I pray
Vs 2
I’m sayin’ a prayer for you Daddy
Wherever you happen to be
And asking the angels in heaven
To watch over you just for me
And now that the battle is over
Then you’ll come sailing too
Back home with the rest of the heroes
To the son who is waiting for you.
--- END ---
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NOEL D'AMOUR
NOEL d'AMOUR
(music and lyrics by Dan O'Brien – © Dec. 22, 2014)
1)
May your heart be filled with joy on Christmas,
That special time of year,
As you give your gifts of love this Christmas
To all who you hold dear,
For it happened long ago, one Christmas
When Mary's Baby Boy was born,
And the perfect Gift of Love
Came to us from up above
On that first, blessed Christmas morn.
2)
A radiant star shone oh so bright that Christmas,
To guide shepherds on their way,
To a stable in the town of Bethlehem,
Where the Infant Jesus lay,
Choirs of angels sang sweet melodies,
And kings travelled from afar,
Bringing precious gifts to the newborn Babe,
As they followed the wondrous star.
Chorus
If you find yourself this Christmas
Wondering what it's all about,
Let the smiles of joy on little children
Banish all your doubt,
For love's the very soul of Christmas,
It's why the carolers sing,
And presents are placed around the tree,
It's the Birthday of a King.
3)
Instrumental vs
Chorus/ending
--- END ---
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HEAVEN'S SWEET SHORE
Heaven’s Sweet Shore
Songwriter: Dan O’Brien, © Feb. 24, 2013
Vs 1
They sailed her out past Cape Sable one winter evening so fair,
They didn’t know it would be the last time,
For the cold North Atlantic would claim them out there
In a gale of the very worst kind.
Vs 2
Friends and companions since childhood days
They’d leave family and loved ones behind,
When a rogue wave from hell flipped their boat upside down,
They knew they’d come to the end of the line.
Ch 1
Five gallant young fishermen, lost out at sea,
They’ll be seen in Woods Harbour no more,
For the Lord called them home on that cold, windy day,
The day they sailed The Miss Ally to heaven’s sweet shore.
Vs 3
In the midst of the maelstrom a figure appeared,
On the waves, bathed in shining white light,
He said, “Don’t be afraid boys, please come here to Me,
You’ll all be with Me in heaven tonight.
Vs 4
The young captain said, “Yes Lord we’ll do as You ask
But what of our families back home?”
He said, “My son don’t you worry, for they’ll know you’re with Me
And that I won’t leave you out here alone.”
Ch 2
Five gallant young fishermen, lost out at sea,
They’ll be seen in Woods Harbour no more,
For the Lord called them home on that cold, windy day,
The day they sailed The Miss Ally to heaven’s sweet shore.
--- END ---
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FOR ALWAYS AND A DAY
FOR ALWAYS AND A DAY
(music and lyrics by Dan O'Brien – © Oct., 2015)
1)
Time has a way of passing by
And leaving dreams undone,
Because of things we let get in the way,
I wish I had you in my life
Back when I was young,
For your love gives my life meaning every day.
Refrain
If I could go way back in time,
I know just what I'd do,
I'd ask The Lord to fix it so -
I could spend each day with you,
From babies in a cradle,
To a rockin' chair for two,
I'll love you dear for always, and a day.
2)
It seems life's greatest blessings
Can hide behind a smile,
The way it was, the day that I met you,
How could I know, that little grin
Would lead me down the aisle
To a brand new life, and a world of love so true
Refrain
If I could go way back in time
I know just what I’d do,
I’d ask the Lord to fix it so -
I could spend each day with you,
From babies in a cradle,
To a rockin’ chair for two,
I’ll love you dear for always and a day
Ending
I’ll love you dear for always, and a day
--- END ---
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WHERE THE WILD ROSES GROW
WHERE THE WILD ROSES GROW
(music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien © July 7, 2013)
1) It was this kind of Sunday
Many summers ago,
The sun shone as brightly,
And a warm breeze did blow,
They walked hand in hand then
And fell in love so,
The day they strolled thru the meadow
Where the wild roses grow.
2) He asked her to wed him
And become his wife,
She said, “ Oh yes my darling,
Why for all of my life
I have waited for someone
Who I could love so,
And today, Love, I’ve found you
Where the wild roses grow”.
(Bridge)
They would stroll thru the meadow
Each summer that came
To see the wild roses in bloom,
But every year as they both became older, it seemed
Those pretty flowers would fade away too soon.
3) One day he stroked her dear face
With a trembling hand
And said, “Today I must leave you,
I know that you’ll understand,
But there’s one thing my darling
That I need you to know,
I’ll wait for you in heaven
Where the wild roses grow”.
4) She laid her head on his heart then
As he drifted away,
And she’d always remember
The words that she heard him say,
Now when she sees their wild roses
In the meadow below,
She knows he waits there in heaven
Where those wild roses grow.
(End)
She’ll find him in heaven
Where the wild roses grow.
--- END ---
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ONE LIFE FOR THE WORLD
ONE LIFE FOR THE WORLD
( music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien © April 3/21)
1)
One Life for the world
Is the gift that He gave us,
A key to the Kingdom, where peace and love reign,
A Man of the people,
Sent down from heaven,
And love never-ending, from the moment He came.
2)
One Life for the world
Living right here amongst us,
Not with riches and grandeur, but in simplicity,
A carpenter’s Helper, a Gift to His mother,
A Teacher, A Healer,
Who would set us all free.
(Bridge)
What will you do now
With this gift that He gave you,
Will you honour His message to proclaim The Good News,
Oh, believe it still matters
In this world we now live in,
And ask for His guidance in the life that you choose.
3)
One Life for the world,
The great gift that He gave us,
Our keys to His Kingdom, for eternity,
Rejoice and be glad then,
For in truth He is risen,
And Jesus Our Saviour, lives for you and for me.
Jesus, Our Saviour,
He lives for you and for me.
--- END ---
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HOME-COMING
HOME-COMING
(music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien © Mar.7, 2012)
(1)
When it’s summer in the Valley
I’ll be on my way back home,
Searching for the love that once we knew.
I hope you’ll find room in your heart to let my love back in
Cause every single day I’m missin’ you.
Refrain:
When apple blossoms bloom this spring beneath that Valley sky,
Remember all the love we shared
Before I made you cry,
When I think about those angry words,
It breaks my heart in two,
Please Darlin’, let me come back home to you.
(2)
There’s never been another one,
It’s always been just you
Even when we’ve been so far apart,
You’re the only one I love, Dear,
And that’s why I’m so blue,
Cause only you can heal my broken heart.
Refrain:
(3)
It’s been so very long now
Since I caused you pain that day,
Or since we held each other, oh so tight.
You’ve no idea how sorry
I am for hurting you that way,
Or how I cry myself to sleep each night.
Refrain:
When apple blossoms bloom this spring beneath that Valley sky,
Remember all the love we shared,
Before I made you cry,
When I think about those angry words,
It breaks my heart in two,
Please Darlin’, let me come back home to you
--- END ---
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MIRAMICHI MEMORY
MIRAMICHI MEMORY
(music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien © Sept 29, 2016)
1)
Time goes by so quickly you wonder what happened
To all of the dreams and the people you’ve met,
But sometimes a memory can come back to haunt you
Especially those memories too hard to forget.
2)
Once a young man just travellin’ alone around the country
To see what I could before I became old,
I spent time on the East Coast, and down in New Brunswick
Where I met a young maiden who captured my soul.
Refrain
Sometimes late at night I wonder where she is
And wonder if she ever thinks about me,
For I’ll always remember that night one September
We made love on the banks of the Miramichi.
3)
She was just passing thru on her way to big cities
To find the excitement she’d heard all about,
I asked her to stay then, but she shook her head sadly
And the pain in her eyes brought a lump to my throat.
4)
I wonder how different our lives might have turned out
Had we stayed together since that night long ago.
I guess only the Good Lord could answer that question
And why all these years later I still miss her so.
Refrain
Sometimes late at night I wonder where she is
And wonder if she ever thinks about me,
For I’ll always remember that night one September
We made love on the banks of the Miramichi.
Yes I’ll always remember that night one September
We made love on the banks of the Miramichi.
--- END ---
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NELLIE'S SONG
NELLIE’S SONG
(A song for children – young and old)
Music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien, © July 18, 2012
1)
Way out in the country, born on a farm
You learn how to nurture, and keep things from harm,
Growing up in the country, you learn how to love
All of the creatures we’re sent from above.
2)
The chickens and rooster, the goats and the cow,
The comical donkey, and the heavy old sow,
The horses and cattle that lay down with the sheep,
And seem to enjoy all the company they keep.
(Refrain)
But doggies are special, and pussycats too,
They’re the guardian angels God sends me and you,
Four-legged angels sent from above
To teach us about unconditional love.
3)
My faithful dog, Nellie, curls up close to me,
She’s my constant companion, and my best friend, you see,
She stays by my side thru the night and each day,
And waits by the door whenever I’ve gone away.
(Refrain)
Yes, doggies are special, and pussycats too,
They’re the guardian angels God sends me and you,
Four-legged angels sent from above
To teach us about unconditional love.
--- END ---
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ROUND TUITS
ROUND TUITS
Music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien © Oct.5, 2022
1)
We-ll, Mama said, Son, you better get things done
Cause time is just a-wastin’,
You got to fix that door and sweep that floor,
And put down that beer you’re a-tastin’,
You need to find a job to earn some dough,
Son just go and do it,
I said Mama don’t you worry, I’ll do those things
Just as soon as I get a “round tuit”
Ch
Round tuits are things hard to come by
I’ve known that all a’ my life,
Mama she knows it , and so did Dad,
And so does my poor ex-wife
2)
Next mornin’ I got up and went outside
To see what I could find,
I searched here and there and everywhere
For round tuits of any kind,
Come late in the day, I had to say
“There just ain’t none nowhere”,
So I went to the Pub and had some grub,
Then me and some gals drank beer
Yeah, I went to the Pub, and ate some grub,
Then me and the gals drank beer
--- END ---
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ANALOG MAN
ANALOG MAN
Music and lyrics by Dan O’Brien © 2019
1)
I’m an analog man,
Do you know what that means?
I just don’t know why
I’m on this U Tube screen,
Somebody put me on,
Said, play a little song,
So I just played along
Cause I’m a “Good Old Bean”
2)
I’m an analog man,
I play a little guitar,
Got them wire wound strangs
That make me sound like a star,
And I can count from one to ten
And everything in between,
It’s enough to get me by
Cause I’m a “Good Old Bean”
3)
Well I’m an analog man
But I can grin and bear,
Oh I could curse and swear,
But I won’t do that here,
I’ll just finish this tune
And I’ll be done real soon,
Hope it makes you want to croon
Just like an Analog Man
--- END ---
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