Lyrics

The Box

Words and music George Barton

When I was a kid,
I guess we were poor
But we always seemed to have enough to eat
didn’t need games or toys
bought from a store
All I needed was a box, a hill, and a street 

I always liked Christmas
yeah, I guess everybody did
I’d always keep an eye out on what everybody got
wasn’t plannin’ to steal ‘em or nothin’
‘cause those presents were meant  for them
I was lookin’ to see what I could possibly be –  with that box

‘Cause it wasn’t just a box
it was imagination
Might take you to a destination where
You never thought you would go
yeah it wasn’t just a box
it was make believin’
what you perceived
Would free your heart and soul
No, it wasn’t just a box

I could build a city
Tunnels, streets, and all
play through the hours until ‘till I just got too tired
I’d slide those boxes away
under my bed for another day
and dream the dreams of a young boy inspired

Once I was playin’ in the yard
in a cardboard submarine
saw a little bird lyin’ still right where it dropped
I got a shovel from the shed
I buried that thing
like royalty in my best KING EDWARD box

Years passed and I found the one
she was my destiny ya see
she was everything, all that any boy could want
I got down on one knee
and begged her baby if you please
Just say yes, and open this tiny box

‘Cause it isn’t just a box
it’s an invitation
Could take you to a destination
You never thought you could go
yeah it isn’t just a box
it’s just believin’
what you receive
could free your heart and soul
No, it isn’t just a box
No, it isn’t just a box
 

Flycatcher (Instrumental)

Music by George Barton

 

How I Feel Tonight

words and music George Barton

I’ve had the blues before
But not like this 
I’ve felt loss before        
but not like this

Everything seems wrong
Everything seems wrong
Upside down
Gone upside down
I’ve felt hate before
I’ve tried to conquer fear

I’ve known love before
The difference used to seem so clear
ooooh
Everything seems wrong
Nothing little seems right
So I thought I’d write a song
to tell you how I feel…

How I feel tonight
 

Dreamin’ of You

Words and music George Barton

I’ll send you a message every day.
Even though my travels take me far away.
I have the memories that I keep.
I’ll dream of you in restless sleep.

I’ll pick up a phone and give you a call.
Your voice will make the distance
between us seem small.
We’ll talk about all the things
that we both see inside our dreams.

Chorus:

Wherever I go – whatever I do
I’ll be dreamin’ of you!
Whatever I do – wherever I go
I’ll be dreamin’,
I’ll be dreamin’ of you

Every moment we’re apart
puts a strain upon my soul and heart
And every hour I’m away.
They all seem like days
until I’m on my way home
They say this big world is getting small
but now that I’m in love I don’t agree at all
You’re far away, and I’m alone
I think I’m ready to come home

Repeat Chorus
 

You and Rufus

Words and music George Barton

The street is dark and nearly empty
The gate closes and locks behind
She waits there in an interesting car
Inside rides the scent of tobacco and lilac
that triggers distant memories I had

forgotten behind those cinderblocks and bars

“I didn’t recognize you at first”, I said,
“Seems a lifetime wouldn’t you say?
You’re still pretty but his anger sure left its trace.
I was only seventeen then, when
You two walked in that corner store.
Rufus said some cigarettes might tame his rage.”

Chorus:
Outside so big and clear
Unlike those 20 years
I did for you and Rufus
Wonderin’ if you were having fun
knowing what you had become (what you had done)
living a lie at my expense.

“I’m glad you came to get me, Babe.
’cause there’s so much we left unsaid.
We’re not the same and we’re a little worse for wear.
It wasn’t the pain I felt in prison,
I got used to unwelcome attention.
it’s the TIME that was stolen away from me in there.”

Sure, I heard about ole Rufus, 
I wasn’t sorry, that’s no lie
what he got, he knew was comin’, that I truly know
I’d held myself together through 5 or 6 appeals
Till a guy in there – knew a guy out here
Didn’t cost much at all to make you a widow

Repeat Chorus

I don’t know why Rufus shot that boy that day
or why you left me waiting in that worthless carBut you and Rufus, you really hung me out to dry
“Let’s  get a room,  some whiskey and pillow talk about
you owes me that much at least.”
in the mornin’ I’ll decide if a reckoning – is worth life.
 

Come a Long Way

Words and Music Larry Spears

I’ve come a long way and I’ve got a long way to go
I’ve come a long way and I’ve got a long way to go
The more I learn the less I know
I’ve come a long way and I’ve got a long way to go

She ain’t good lookin but she’s sure lookin’ good to me
She ain’t good lookin but she’s sure lookin’ good to me
The more I look the less I see
She ain’t good lookin but she’s sure lookin good to me

I’ve been working pretty hard but I’m hardly workin’ now
I’ve been working pretty hard but I’m hardly workin’ now
The less I do the more I know how
I’ve been working pretty hard but I’m hardly workin’ now

She used to call me her baby now she calls her baby my name
She used to call me her baby now she calls her baby my name
The more things change the more they’re the same
She used to call me her baby now she calls her baby my name

She drove me to drinkin’ and my drinkin’ drove her away
She drove me to drinkin’ and my drinkin’ drove her away
The less I talk the more I say
She drove me to drinkin’ and my drinkin’ drove her away

Repeat first verse
 

Old as I Look

Words and music George Barton

Wasn’t it just the other day?
I wasn’t in the shape I’m in
Had more time than money
And energy enough to sin

Hmm, just the other day
Me and my lover had an appetite
We just eat our salads now
and hope we sleep all night

Back when the happy hour
Could last all night
We would drink enough
To affect our sight

Now I don’t need somethin’
To make my vision blur
I need no alcohol to change
How much I think of her

I could care less what time will take
Or years might steal
I ain’t as old as I look
Or as young as I feel

Some say time is money
Some say God is dead
I hope that heaven’s more
than a place inside my head
But I’m too young to worry
And much too old to care
About what time it is
Just because I’m halfway there

I could care less what time will take
Or years might steal
I ain’t as old as I look
Or as young as I feel
 

The Flood

Words: George Barton with Raymond Red Corn
Music by George Barton

Politicians use soldiers to invade faraway lands.
Where the spoils of war lie deep below the sands.
But if we march and sing and presume to criticize a king
We are warned and told our actions ring of treason.

Every morning it seems we choke down a (twitter)bitter pill.
The voice of hate everyday grows louder still.
For when we cannot agree to respect another’s choice of deity
The innocent will die by zealot’s hands.

Chorus:
Scores have waded WASTE deep in the water,
and will tell you they’ve been washed in the blood.
how does one forsake the teachings of their Savior,
and expect to still be safe…   from the flood?

When the Master someday comes to claim the throne,
You think the ones in power will give up all they own?
In the dark of night no one will see, as he’s whisked to the current Calvary.
For the seeds he’d sow would be love, peace and treason.

Some say the free press is the enemy of us all.
Some think it true for the libel tells them so.
Disagreement draws attack, and those that wish us back to the seats in back,
Stare spellbound as our pockets are picked of freedom.

Repeat Chorus

Some cannot see beyond the color of their own skin.
They let their hide decide their friends for them.
Should an accident of nature, define a person’s worth or measure?
Let’s learn from the past and build a more present future.

When those demons of our nature sing in rhyme.
As our nation leaves its heart and soul behind.
They treat every lie as gospel, celebrate the most unlawful
I pray enough will hear the warning bells that are ringing
 

I’m Leavin’ You

Words and music George Barton

I was in the best shape of my life
When I fell into your bed
You wooed me with your body baby
To get inside my head
I was blinded by emotion
Driven by need
I left you a note there baby, I hope you will read

I ain’t leavin’ you for silver,
I ain’t leavin’ you for gold
And someday I hope you’ll see
I ain’t leavin’ you for nobody else
I’m leavin’ you for me

We had some good times
But, Lord we had some bad
We both got some memories baby
Both wish we didn’t have
There’s a time for that
There’s a time for this
Sure there are somethings about you baby
I’ll probably miss…

I tried to leave you before
So, I don’t blame you if you laugh
I’ve walked out that door many times
Turned round and gone back
But this time it’s not the drink
And this time it’s not for show
You can think what you can think
I just wanted you know

I ain’t leavin’ you for silver,
I ain’t leavin’ you for gold
And someday I hope you’ll see
I ain’t leavin’ you for nobody else
I’m leavin’ you for me
 

A Master’s Voice

Words: George Barton with Raymond Red Corn

Music by George Barton

Birds awake to the rain-soaked ground
as flat screens flicker o’r the hypnotized
Sly words worm their way into souls willing to comply
It’s a master’s voice, a master’s wishes                            
FEAR can certainly assuage the monkey mind                                                
and this master promises – them walls and fences                       

Truth gets broken and the truth gets fixed                     
then dumped daily into waiting ears
The beat inside, once was the sound of hearts  
now it’s a march, to this masters voice
They’re not brave enough to care what changes their minds      
They will do as the master wishes, they see no choice   
Chorus:
Hard to feel the sunshine but the rain is coming down all over town.
This jar of moonshine is just begging to be my hangover frown.
I must stop this worrying and get back to living as it were all a dream.

Ahhhh                                     Listen

Listen, love softens the hardest heart
and reveals the truth when they speak in tongues                                                    
The light inside of us is trying its best to shine                  
and show the way, show the way                                          
We’ve heard enough to know who is really lying
This masters voice, is just white noise…       
 

I’m Gonna Love You

words and music George Barton

I want to know you

I want to show you that I want to be your man

I want to show you I’m the one who’ll understand

I want to see you

with the new morning sun shining through your hair

I want to show you I’m the one l always care

I’m going to love you

As long as the starlight shines from the start of time

Our souls will be tethered always – just yours and mine
 

Clowns

words and music George Barton

I have a friend who wrote a song about clowns

and how they scare the hell out of him

But you say:

“Clowns are funny and wouldn’t hurt a fly”

I say Google John Wayne Gacy

Then try to sleep

My Ambien dosed friend finds a dead clown in his trunk
If he’d had a clown car, I say he could’ve fit more than one

I still don’t know if it was a fantasy or dream

I know he sure gets quite excited as he sings

I have a friend who would do anything if peace

Could spread across the world like the dawn

And lighten every heart of that terrifying part
of our childhood imagining clown faces in the dark

There are some who get a kick out their antics

They’ve never been duct taped to a chair in some clown’s attic

While clown friends crazily dance around

To circus songs in sawdust to that calliope sound

only some of this is true and that’s no lie

The most important thing I said in this song

Are the first four words,

Are the first four words…

of the third verse
 

Credits:

Instrumentation, arrangements, engineering, mixing and production by George Barton in Tulsa, OK, except where otherwise noted.
 

Thanks for the Light

George with Linda Barton on vocals and shaker
 

Walkin’ Around with You

George
 

A Box
George with Linda Barton on vocals and shaker
 

Flycatcher

George

George with Linda Barton on vocals
 

Dreaming of You

George
 

You and Rufus

George
 

Come a Long Way

George
 

Old as I Look

George
 

From the Flood

George
 

I’m Leavin’ You

George with Jay Lesikar on Piano
 

The Masters Voice

George
 

I’m Gonna Love You

George
 

Clowns

George