Author: Joel D Canfield

Try

Posted on by Joel D Canfield
F Bb
hardly ever me that’s done the leaving
F C
hardly ever me said goodbye
Am F Am F
but I’m still on my own left here all alone
Bb C F
and it doesn’t even seem to matter why

Bb F
but I can’t take another leaving
Bb F C
I can’t take another useless goodbye
Am F Am F
I know that you can’t promise you won’t ever go away
Bb F
but I can’t take another goodbye
Bb C F
so promise me, at least you’ll try

I thought that you and I would be forever
Thought that you and I would see the end of time
but I fear you’ll hear the call
ticking down the hall
and you’ll fade away like the midnight chime

chorus

I hear you laugh and tell me t
I feel your arms around me every morning, every night
I know I’ve got it far too wrong
far too many times
but I hope that you and I will be alright

chorus
promise me, at least you’ll try

.

Check the Map

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

intro F Eb [0011]

F Eb
by a certain age should have more sense
F Bb C
I’ve seen it all a dozen times, done most of it twice

on the path for fifty years I know where to go
then I lose my mind and lose my way and wander off again

Bb C F
check the map to see where I went wrong
not the first time I’ve had to sing this song
Bb C F Bb
dying of thirst should have checked it first
Bb F
I know I should have known it all along
chorus

Eb Bb F
look around and realize you’re lost
Eb Bb C
look ahead and recognize the cost
C
and know you’re not the only one who’ll pay

I’ve had this map all my life
got it from my father when I was young
I put it in a drawer forgot it for too long
best to keep it handy for when I get off the path
chorus

The Way You Do

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

G tenor capo 1 play in C

C    G    F    G    • F    C    F    G
0230 0023 2333 0023   2333 0230 2333 0023

You know everything I think and everything I do
Every word I speak before it’s spoken
Back when I was small You could see it all
You could see the ways that I was broken

You can see inside me See the things I’m not
See the things I want to try to be
I don’t understand It’s beyond my reach
How it is that you can really see me
F C G F
No matter where I go Up above or down below
Even in the darkest night You’re the brightest light

All the ways you love me All the ways you care
Like trying to count the grains of sand
You know when I’m anxious When I lie awake
I feel the gentle comfort of your hand

You know I mean no harm I try to do what’s right
I slip and fall and hurt myself, and you
But I know you still see How very hard I try
In everything I think and say and do
F C G F
No matter where I go Up above or down below
Even in the darkest night You’re the brightest light

Back when I was small You could see it all
I was broken but you could see right through
You know that I’ll keep trying For as long as I may live
Someday I’ll see myself the way you do

Everything Every Day

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

capo 1 play notes F (on the E string) C (on the A string)
clouds darken the sky
then the rain falls, so that’s okay
soaks the dirt, runs off down the street
work done, the clouds drift away

switch to E chord
and then we get the sun
warm and dry and bright
even days when it’s too hot
always darken to night

A E • B7 E
everything every day comes along and it goes away
good or bad, it’s what you make it
how you think is how you take it
paint the clouds, dance in the rain
not much to lose, whole lot to gain
love it all, find a way everything every day

E A • B7 E
a million years ago when I was young
so many things I wasn’t allowed to do
these days, a million years old
I’d rather not if it’s all the same to you
chorus

it’s my nature to grumble some
even when I know I’ve got it good
but I try to recognize how good I’ve got it
be thankful for it all, like I should
chorus

The Only Other Diner

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

capo 2, intro once through one bar per chord
C Am F G
I don’t believe in destiny, I don’t believe in “has to be”
I don’t believe there’s only one true love for anyone
F G
but since the day I met you I knew that you were right for me

you’re the only other diner in my little restaurant
you may not be the only one there is but you’re the only one I want

menu’s so extensive you blanch and put it down
lettuce sit together and I’ll show you around
grill me all you want about what’s on the fare
I’ll clarify it so you know I really knead you there
chorus

I’ll never mince my words if you promise not to stir
and if you’re in a pickle I’m your restaurateur
I’m fondue your dressing it suits you to a tea
if you want to caper some I’m in hominy
chorus

F C
I’d really stew if someone tried to poach you
When it comes to bussing I can coach you
Am C
We could stay out late, Sharing a blue plate Or going a la carte
G
Your eyes, your lips, my heart [ mush ]

chorus x2 and vamp on C

What Will I Do with These Gifts?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

notes
C sun glowing gold on the tree in the yard in the
F morning when I first wake up
the toast and the tea and the butter and jam
as I have a slice and a cup
↓ guitar starts on C
over the meadow a hawk soars and glides
the sun on his wings as he drifts
splashes of blue in among all the clouds
I watch and I ask myself what will I do with these gifts?

Birds sing the reddening sun to bed
Warbling for all that they’re worth
Then it’s grey in the morning with no hint of blue
Raindrops splatter the earth
But the storm blows away leaving the rainbow
That’s there every time that it lifts
Every color that I’ve ever seen
Within, and I ask myself what will I do with these gifts?

You’re here with me and I look in your eyes
And see them reflecting love
The sun and the storm and the colors and birds
And life are all gifts from above
The more I reflect on the things I’ve been given
The more my attitude shifts
Every day every night every moment
It’s right that I ask myself what will I do with these gifts?

Fancy Tie Knot

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

intro C G G C

thought I was a snappy dresser
then I met you, eyeful of your natural style
nothing I could do
your fancy tie knot sharp lapels
pocket square design • Italia
man you’re looking fine • your fancy tie knot Rolex watch
studded pinky ring • thought I was a snappy dresser but
I don’t know a thing
my double-Windsor silk Garcia
hid inside my coat; your double-breasted mohair suit
really got my goat
your fancy tie knot sharp lapels
pocket square design • Italian loafers razor creases
man you’re looking fine • your fancy tie knot Rolex watch
studded pinky ring • thought I was a snappy dresser but
I don’t know a thing
some tie a fancy bow
or stick it with a pin, when they see your fan
they take it on the chin
your fancy tie knot sharp lapels
pocket square design • Italian loafers razor creases
man you’re looking fine • your fancy tie knot Rolex watch
studded pinky ring • thought I was a snappy dresser but
I don’t know a thing
thought I was a snappy dresser but
I don’t know a thing

Count Our Days

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

see Heb 3:13 and Ps 90:12

intro one instrumental verse
0022 0033 0055 0033
count our days search for wisdom put it in our hearts
sail our ship from star to star following the charts
F C G
as long as we can call it today
as long as we can call it today

count our days search for truth filling up our mind
sail our ship from star to star treasure what we find
chorus

D C
find that precious pearl
treasure in a field
count our days to wisdom          E
patient till the time comes to be healed

instrumental verse

count our days search for wisdom share it as we go
sail our ship from star to star carry seeds to sow
count our days search for truth filling up our mind
sail our ship from star to star treasure what we find
count our days search for wi
sail our ship from star to star following the charts
chorus x2

outro one instrumental verse
end on C (not Csus4)

Sleeping Lie

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

electric guitar 0 2 3 2 0
capo 2 (song is in E)

Dm [2233] C B♭ [2333] A [1222]
shirtsleeve wipe the window grime
your bark weaker all the time
don’t see you but you’re out there I can tell
shaggy coat too far away to smell

back and forth, closer every pass
you think you see me looking through the glass
shadow of coal pacing hot
you think you’re gonna take me but you’re not
B♭ A
hand on the doorknob, I know

I won’t turn my back [x3]
for you today

I don’t pace, I don’t shake, I don’t freak out
once in a while I can’t help but peek out
you’re not close enough to bite
you’re still there prowling my night
I lean against the door, I know
chorus

3 2 0 3 2
B♭
I hit the light your eyes glow red
C
you whimper and cower and duck your head
Dm
thought you’d come to me to get fed
B♭ A
I’ll laugh out loud when I know you’re dead

you used to knock me down, get on my back
work your fangs to hear my spine crack
worry my neck like you were killing a rat
you and I we’re way past that
kick that door open, now I know
chorus

Biochemystery

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

I gave up coffee and chocolate and tea
to see if it might help me get well
10 days of headaches, kitten weak
there wasn’t any difference I could tell

so I had a cup of pricey Irish tea
it tasted like cardboard in a cup
eased my way into a pot of decaf
the icepick in my head wouldn’t give up

you think it’s logical and simple
like tuning up the engine in a car
start messing with the biochemystery
it’s glad to show you just how wrong you are

the cocktail of meds I take each day
warn about mixing them with drinking
the effects, they say, might be amplified
and yes, I know exactly what you’re thinking

make your heart rejoice with half a glass of red
but what really happens isn’t much fun
without overindulgence or waiting till the morning
take my hangover to bed, ’cause I’m done

you think it’s logical and simple
like tuning up the engine in a car
start messing with the biochemystery
it’s glad to show you just how wrong you are

when I was a kid I was skinny as a stick
distance runner, and played baseball
bought my graduation suit from the children’s section
wasn’t long until I outgrew it all

half a century I’ve been trying to eat right
I don’t drink soda; rarely touch red meat
big old salad is my favorite lunch
but biochemistry has me beat

you think it’s logical and simple
like tuning up the engine in a car
start messing with the biochemystery
it’s glad to show you just how wrong you are