Richie Monroe's first CD, "Reunion", is now available!
CD's are $15 each plus shipping (plus 6.25% Massachusetts sales tax, if applicable; all U.S. funds).
One of the most eclectic albums by the same group of musicians that you'll ever listen to! Folk, blues, medievally-styled ballads, country, rock - it's all here.
Featuring:
Maureen "Mo" Fleming - vocals
Carolyn Pfeffer Johnston - vocals
Susan Kell - harp & vocals
Richie Monroe - vocals & guitars
David L. Sparr - organ
Bill van Pelt - bass
Jeff Webb - drums & percussion
Audrey White - violin & viola
Christopher Woitach - guitars
CD Program: | ||||
| 1. Sunset Nostalgia | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 2. Requiem | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 3. The Woodsman's Lay | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 4. The Queen of Faerie's Fee | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 5. Goody's Song | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 6. Donahue | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 7. The Soldier's Last Song | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 8. Le Pela Finde | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 9. Summertime | MP3 Clip | |||
| 10. Family | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 11. Po' Cat Blues | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 12. Rock Star | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
| 13. Reunion | Lyrics | MP3 Clip | ||
Lyrics to original songs:
Sunset Nostalgia
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written in 1979; first published in 1985
© 1979 and 2003
As I walked down Sunset Boulevard, a man who played guitar
Asked me if I knew the way to Clancy's Irish Bar.
I only heard him just that once, and I'm still not sure I see,
But I never could forget the song he sang to me.
He said, "I'm just a New York country boy, I grew up on a farm,
And folks there thought old Uncle Sam would keep this land from harm.
So they watched their TV's and prayed to God that they wouldn't drop the bomb,
While my friends and brothers fought and died in sunny Vietnam."
"But now I play my acid rock for you with a psychedelic band,
The final hippie's final song, with bongos in the sand.
So put a nickel in my jar, or hear my song for free,
I'm gonna find Jim Morrison, and keep him company."
"Well the folks that they called hippies then, oh they dressed so flamboyantly.
They wore their hair a bit too long, and loathed authority.
They said they'd never go to war, and they smoked a lot of grass,
But years have gone by, and they became - the upper middle class."
"I don't know, but I play my acid rock for you with a psychedelic band,
The final hippie's final song, with bongos in the sand.
So put a nickel in my jar, or hear my song for free,
I'm gonna find Jim Morrison, and keep him company."
Well I wonder when that ragged beggar sold that old guitar.
Yeah I hear he's playing new wave boogie in some uptown bar.
Yeah I wonder now if we all were fools, if there ever was a doubt,
That in time the gods of yesteryear would finally sell out.
I don't know, but I play my acid rock for you with a psychedelic band,
The final hippie's final song, with bongos in the sand.
So put a nickel in my jar, or hear my song for free,
I'm gonna find Jim Morrison, and keep him company.
Joplin, Owsley, Donovan, the times have brought you low.
Say, brother, can you tell me where did Jimi Hendrix go?
Oh Lennon, Leary, Gracie Slick, William Burroughs, and Mama Cass,
Did you die, or just become - the upper middle class?
I don't know, but I play my acid rock for you with a psychedelic band,
The final hippie's final song, with bongos in the sand.
So put a nickel in my jar, or hear my song for free,
I'm gonna find Jim Morrison, and keep him company.
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Requiem
Words by J. Monroe
Music by Richard C. Monroe
Written in 1974; first published in 1985
© 1974 and 2003
Even sturdy oak must yield
To the wind, and to the rain, and to the salt spray tears.
Martha's waiting, waiting for a tide,
That tears apart the years.
Martha, she dances now in a ghostly hall - silently.
Her slender figure's turning on the wall - quietly.
She does as she pleases, but no one's there to see.
No, no one's there to see, what Martha's come to be.
Empty antiseptic corridors
And starlight filters through the ruptured seams.
Martha's drifting through a heedless sky
That scatters all her dreams.
Martha, she dances now in a ghostly hall - silently.
Her slender figure's turning on the wall - quietly.
She does as she pleases, but no one's there to see.
No, no one cares to see, what Martha's come to be.
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The Woodsman's Lay
(Also known as The Lay of the Woodsman and the Warrior.)
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written for Susan in Nov. 1989, first published in 1992
© 1989 and 2003
Come sit beside me wayfarer, and charge my cup with ale
And for this company withal, I'll sing to thee a tale
Of how the greatest knight of all was stricken and laid low
By a single peasant *armed only with a bow* (repeat * -->* )
On Beltane eve he hied him on, the sun was sinking low
To Kent he rode upon such whims as ye may never know
The finest mail upon his back, a seasoned fighting man
He chanced upon a stream there crossed *by a narrow span*
Upon that bridge there stood a boy who blocked the great knight's way
In wonderment this errant knight heard what this lad did say
"Go back Sir knight, seek other ways, wherever they may lie
You may not pass, and if you try me,*thou wilt surely die"*
"Oh churlish knave," the knight replied, "thy life I would not have
And I will spare thee, foolish boy, for thou art passing brave
A squire I would make of thee, to take up sword and shield
But an thou will not, say thy prayers, for *you must die or yield*"
"I serve no man," the rogue called back, "I am and will stay free
But know, good knight, that ne'er a soul has had the best o' me
To serve the lady of this wood is my thought and deed
This stout long bow and but one shaft is *all that I shall need*"
"Then arm thyself," the horseman cried, "but sure to no avail
For shaft or bolt was never made that will pierce this mail"
He brandished sword and spurred his steed his shield battle dressed
The knave let fly and found his mark, *full upon the breast*
Upon that bridge in dark of night, awakened with a start
The knight reached down where goose fletched shaft had pierced him to the heart
His mail was rent, and yet no wound appeared upon his breast
But eldritch scar remained there and *bespoke the woodsman's jest*
The knave was gone but not his shaft, that he had left behind
And yet his parting words remained still in the good knight's mind
"I have bested thee, Sir knight, and killed thee right and clean
Remember, when thou cast thine eyes *upon King Arthur's queen"*
No other knight in all the land could match him on the field
No stronger arm throughout the realm a great broadsword did wield
Against a stripling's clothyard shaft, his arms availed him not
An arrow loosed from Eros' bow *had felled Sir Lancelot*
So hearken to this tale, me boys, and learn this lesson well
There is no man alive that Cupid's arrow cannot fell
So try not arms with faerie folk, clothed in mortal guise
And beware the shafts of Eros' bow, *within a woman's eyes*
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The Queen of Faerie's Fee
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written for Cynthia in 1985; first published in 1985
© 1985 and 2003
A ragged vagabond he was, a lady fine was she
They walked along the leeward shore on a footpath through the trees
They plied their troth to the wind and the stars but a mile from the town
Though promised to a lord she was, yet still he laid her down
Upon the bracken and the boughs, they made their forest bed
And she let down her flaxen hair, and these were the words she said:
Lay me down, you wanderer, love me well tonight
I'll be leaving with the cock's crow, before the morning light
Lay me down in this forest, come and lay here by my side
For I'll be gone at daybreak, to be a noble's bride
Though untied to the land you are, I'll love you well, quoth she
But my lord must never know, for a jealous lord is he
They made their tryst, but not alone, for their meeting had been seen
Too full of love were they to hear the laugh of the faerie queen
She saw these lovers lying so, and an angry queen was she
For woodland night is faerie's realm, and love is never free
Lay me down, you wanderer, love me well tonight
But be sure you know the payment that must come with the morning light
Lay me down in this forest, come and give your love to me
But know that you will have to pay the queen of faerie's fee
To trespass on my land, she spoke, a pledge you will give me
You'll never give your own true love to any man save he
And you, a footpad though you are, a man without a home
You'll never leave this lass again, no more will your feet roam
Their passion burned like the faerie's fire, the queen she laughed with glee
But they cared not, for the light of love was all that they could see
So lay me down, oh wanderer, love me well tonight
But be sure you know the payment that will come with the morning light
Lay me down in this forest come and give your love to me
But know that we will have to pay the queen of faerie's fee
The queen came forth, her eyes afire, enraptured both were they
She kissed them both upon the brow, just e're the break o' day
They did not stir when daylight came, touched by the morning dew
For she was a weeping willow, and he a stately yew
And these two trees can still be seen, with their limbs entwining so
And this song can still be heard at the point of Tupelo
So lay me down, oh wanderer, love me well tonight
I'll be leaving with the cock's crow, before the morning light
Lay me down in this forest, come and lay here by my side
For I'll be gone at daybreak, to be a noble's bride
So lay me down, oh wanderer, love me for tonight
But be sure you know the payment that must come with the morning light
Lay me down in this forest, come and give your love to me
But know that we will have to pay the queen of Faerie's fee
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Goody's Song
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written for Ellen in 1975; first published in 1985
© 1975 and 2003
When you hear this song, you'll know it's over
All those times I had with you
You can't know the whole song 'til it's ended
It's so long, baby, I wrote this one for you.
Well, we tried to make it, but you know we were fated
To come to a parting along the way
We've both got to live our own lives
But why did we have to find it out today?
Well I see your face and I know you're out there
And I know you'll cry when I sing this song
Don't cry baby, nothing we did was wrong.
We were never meant to live together,
So why did we have to fall in love?
When I lie at night and I think about you
I can't help wondering what you are thinking of.
Well I see your face and I know you're out there
And I know you cry when I sing this song
Don't cry baby, nothing we did was wrong.
When you hear my song, you'll know it's over
And when you hear me, you'll know it was true
The song can't be written until the story's ended
So long, baby, I wrote this one for you.
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Donahue
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written in 1992; first published in 1992; revised in 2003
© 1992 and 2003
Well I don't mind a' tellin' you, some folks think I'm strange
And some have even gone so far as to say that I'm deranged.
Well, for the record, it's all true, but I think you ought to know
I don't believe I've lost my mind, and I'll prove that it ain't so.
Well I abuse my wife and children, I'm addicted to a thousand drugs,
I am a white power activist, and a switchblade-toting thug.
Well, you may say I'm crazy, but I'm just as sane as you.
I only did it so I could… appear on Donahue.
Well I guess Geraldo, he's okay, and Morton Downey's deep
I could've got on Oprah, I am an expert creep.
Well, Sally Jesse can't reach me, because my heart is true
And I would stab your mother, just to get on Donahue.
Well I've got a thing for children, I follow them around
I got a sacred pentacle that I hang upside-down.
My parents both molested me, but I paid them to, it's true
I'll even be a victim, just to get on you-know-who.
Well I guess Geraldo, he's okay, and Howard Stern is deep
Could've got on Regis, I am an expert creep.
Well Carnie Wilson can't reach me, because my heart is true
And I would sleep with aardvarks just to get on Donahue.
Well don't you worry, I'm okay, yes I'm in therapy
To overcome my gamblin' urge, and get off LSD.
Oh won't you put me on your show, you need me, can't you see
Because I am an expert… in psychiatry.
Well I guess that Maury, he's okay, and Jenny Jones is deep
Could've got on Montel, I am an expert creep
Well Ricki Lake just can't reach me, because my heart is true
And I'm a self-made wierdo, just to get on Donahue.
Well Phil, I knew they'd bring you back, you always were the best
I watched you each and every day, at least 'til my arrest
So call me up in cell block 5, you know my heart is true
And I would tie-dye kittens, just to get on Donahue.
Well I guess Geraldo, he's okay, and Jerry Springer's deep.
Could've got on Rosie, I am an expert creep.
Their lawyers just won't call me back, so there's just one thing to do,
And I'll be taking hostages, to get on Donahue. Yee-hah!
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The Soldier's Last Song
Words ∓ music by Richard C. Monroe
Written May 24, 1991; first published in 1992
© 1991 and 2003
Oh once I walked out in the sunlight so fair
The cries of the dying filling the air
The battle was finished, my work just begun
For you see, I'm a surgeon, and a surgeon's son
I tend to the wounded, yeoman and knight
But I never did understand what makes them fight
Til' that question I'd asked myself down through the years
Was answered when singing came to my ears
I spied a young man-at-arms, pierced through the side
His face stained with blood and the tears he had cried
He said,"Come hither, surgeon, I won't keep you long
I just need someone to hear my last song."
There was a young lady he'd written it for
So she would know why young men go off to war
But you must pay the piper, for no song is free
So mark his words well as I sing them to thee:
"I had no plans to seek great renown when our mighty host sallied forth
I fought for Queen Maurya and the army of the north
I had no thought of silver or gold that I would not live to save
I fought instead for other things I could take into the grave
And these two things, I'll tell you true, I know full well what they mean
The Northern Region Army and the honor of the queen."
"The sky and our orders that day both were clear
A flanking maneuver around Calontir
Our warlord had told us what he had in mind
We'd hit their damned shield wall right from behind."
"We hit them, we hurt them, harried and hounded
We did it so well that we got surrounded
And soon there was nothing but this old spear
Between me and the warriors of Calontir."
"I fought for my life and I struck one man down
But what a surprise, Ooh, when I looked around
At the backs of our foemen, the colors were blue
They were in the same fix... surrounded too."
"The eyes of our enemies faces grew grim
And I knew that my chances of living were slim
But I saw that before I took my last breath
The man that had speared me would go to his death."
"I had no plans to seek great renown when our mighty host sallied forth
I fought for Queen Maurya and the army of the north
I had no thoughts of silver or gold that I will not live to save
I fought instead for other things I can take into the grave
And these two things, I'll tell you true, I know full well what they mean
The Northern Region Army, and the honor of my queen."
His race it was run and his story well told
He reached to his waist for a ribbon of gold
"Give this back to Maurya, it has served me well
I never regretted the day that I fell."
"This token of honor has been dearly bought
To do it true justice is all I have sought
When the bards tell my story they can say that at least
I died for the north and the Queen of the East."
"For I've never married, I've lived all alone
A lady I've never had of my own
So this eve' when the sun sets and they lay me down
Say I fought for Maurya, not for the crown."
He drew his last breath and from all around
I heard this strange music rise from the ground
The wounded men everywhere humming along
The men of the northland were singing this song -
We had no plans to seek great renown when the Eastern host sallied forth
We fought for Queen Maurya and the army of the north
We had no thoughts of silver or gold that we will not live to save
We fought instead for other things we can take into the grave
And these two things, we'll tell you true, we know full well what they mean
The Northern Region Army, and the honor of our queen --- the honor of the queen...
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Le Pela Finde
(in Arkavean - see English translation below)
Words by Robert Enright
Music by Robert Enright & Richard C. Monroe
Written in 1976; first published in 1985
© 1976 and 2003
Te jiriez a le aman
Quenaj le pela findel kan
Te pi jir ela tazel
Quenaj Te ei pen curel
Quenaj le sura ea ma
Quenaj le morcan ea za
Te jiriez a le aman
Ya tela tusan ei kan
Te jiriez, Te jiriez,
Te jiriez, ya miriez
Te miriez ya bor maedreli
Ya keme mata ful ei
Te jiriez a le aman
Quenaj le pela findel kan
Te pi jir ela machel
Quenaj te pea le tepa vachel
Fatak le tzuma ei nich
Fatak le morcan ei bich
Te leselli ya neme lembir
Te achelli, ya neme amir
The Water Song (English translation)
I will go to the place
Where the water sings softly
I am going there to think
Where I will be well
Where the light is greater
Where my enemies are less
I will go to the place
And my thoughts will be quiet
I will go, I will go,
I will go and will see
I will see and then understand
And will always be happier
I will go to the place
Where the water sings softly
I am going there to sit
Where I can find the time
Until love is wrong
Until my enemies are right
I will stay, and never leave
I will live, and never be sorry
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Family
Words & music by Maureen Fleming
© circa 1975 and 2000
I went to a gathering today.
People from my childhood came from far away.
Their smiles filled the hall,
Ain't it strange how sadness called them here today?
Weddings and funerals, the family
All the time you're with the folks you never see
And we eagerly agree that we'll call each other frequently
The family.
The years slip by unnoticed 'til one day you know
Somewhere quietly aging are the ones who helped us grow
We tend to take for granted that they're there
Until it's just too late to show we care.
'Cause we're caught up in the treadmill of our lives
Too busy chasing time around to realize
The next time that we meet, there might be one less there
To whom we should apologize.
Weddings and funerals, the family
All the time you're with the folks you never see
And we eagerly agree, that we'll call each other frequently
The family.
I came from a gathering today.
Made a call I meant to since I moved away.
I'd really love to see you, set a date
There's nothin' empty as the words "too late".
Weddings and funerals, the family
All the time you're with the folks you never see
And we eagerly agree, that we'll call each other frequently
The family - family.
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Po' Cat Blues
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written in 2003; first published in 2003
© 2003
My tail is big and bushy, my eyes are keen and bright,
My fur is multicolored, yes Lord I am a sight.
You know I'm on a mission, I plan to grow up big and fat,
But you don't give me tuna, Lord - I hate being your cat.
You know I hate to travel, but you take me to the vet.
Is there anybody out there that needs a brand-new pet?
I don't want crunchies, baby, those old things are stale and flat.
Come on, give me cream and bacon - or find another cat.
This kitty's goin' walkin', so open up that door.
I'll find another human, you don't pet me any more.
You used to give me catnip, now there's no lovin' in your soul,
So give it to me baby - I need a little chicken in my bowl.
It's time for breakfast baby, and you're sleepin' like a log.
I'm rubbin' up against you, but you treat me like a dog.
You know I need my mousie, but all I get's a rat.
I need my sugar daddy and - you're gonna need another cat.
I need some more attention, to get scratched behind the ears,
And all I get from you, babe, is nail clippin' shears.
I guess you just don't want me. I'm leavin' and that's that.
No, don't look for me tomorrow - you're gonna need a brand new cat.
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Rock Star
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written in 1979, first published in 2003
© 1979 and 2003
I looked for a job today
And they turned me down again
So I went home, and I played my guitar
And I missed my old friends.
Well, I suppose I could've been normal
And worked the nine-to-five
But it looks like I'm gonna have to
Rock 'n' roll and stay alive.
So I bought a suit and a new guitar
And I told some pretty lies
And I wear my shades, and I hope nobody
Sees through my disguise.
And now they say I've got an image
I wear hundred dollar ties
And they say I've hit the big time
With my rock 'n' roll disguise.
Can you tell me if it was worth it
To be cut down to size
To make a lot of money
And be - a pack of lies?
Well, I'd rather sell by body
I'll gamble, cheat, and rob
'Cause if that's the life of a rock 'n' roll singer
I'll go out and find a job.
So mister, offer me a position
I'll get married right away
Gonna join the American Legion
And buy a house in San Jose.
I don't want to be a rock 'n' roll star
No, I just want to be me
'Cause you know it ain't good for nothin'
No, you know it ain't good for nothin'
You know it ain't good for nothin'
If it doesn't set you free -
And it doesn't set you free. All right!
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Reunion
Words & music by Richard C. Monroe
Written January 12, 2003; first published in 2003
© 2003
I can't say why it happens that way
The people you love, they just go away
With all that we did, and all that we faced,
How could it be that you just got misplaced?
I should've tried harder a long time before
I gave what I had, but you needed more
So the years have gone by and the time really flew
And my life just took over, I lost track of you.
But today will be different.
It isn't the end,
'Cause I found out today
That I'll see you again!
Whoa - don't ever go away again.
I'll always need you to be my friend.
We may have a few fences to mend, but please -
Don't ever go away again.
So the years have gone by and we followed our dreams.
Our paths weren't that different, or so it seems.
Well, paths can come together when they've been apart,
Like that yellow brick road that can live in your heart.
Well, I know you can never get back all you've lost,
And you can't start right in right where you left off,
So don't look back, baby, it'll just make you blue.
Yeah, we've got this one chance to build something new.
So come on now, baby, yeah come on along,
We're gonna sing our first happy song.
Being your friend has taught me one thing,
Oh it's not only lovers,
It's not only lovers,
No, it's not only lovers
That can make your heart sing.
Whoa - don't ever go away again. No, no, no.
I'm always gonna need you to be my friend.
We may have a few fences to mend, but please -
Don't ever go away again.
But today will be special.
It wasn't the end.
I make you this promise
Yes, I'll see you again.
Whoa - don't ever go away again.
I'm always gonna need you to be my friend.
We may have a few fences to mend, but please -
Don't ever go away again. No, no, no, no.
Ooh - ooh - ooh - ooh.
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