Author: Joel D Canfield

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

The Wild Sea

Posted on by Joel D Canfield
Spent all day getting nothing done
Spinning my wheels and singed by the sun
Walked into the pond out to where it was deep
It cooled me and healed me so I could sleep

Wind blasting my face was dry
Thirsty so long I needed to die
Walked into the rain out to where it was black
Took it all away and brought me back

Bb C F G Bb C D5
Flow like water It flows like water

D5 C F G
Wandering lost, no reason no rhyme
D5 C F Bb
Sweat streaked dust, caked in grime
D5 C F G
I walked into the river out to where it was fast
F C G D5
It was clear and it was pure and I was clean at last

I felt like nothing looking up into black
Watching millions of stars from flat on my back
I walked into the sea out to where it was wild
And we held each other like mother and child

chorus, then
Bb C F G Bb C D D
The sea, the sea, the wide, wild sea, The sea, the wild sea

A pond when I’m weary, thirsty for rain
River wide to purge the stain
Flooding all my memory
The sea, the sea, the wide, wild sea

chorus x 2

The Wild Sea

D E F G
Spent all day getting nothing done
D E F D
Spinning my wheels and singed by the sun
D E F G
Walked into the pond out to where it was deep
F E G D
It cooled me and healed me so I could sleep

D E F G
Wind blasting my face was dry
D E F D
Thirsty so long I needed to die
D E F G
Walked into the rain out to where it was black
F E G D
Took it all away and brought me back

D C F G D C D D
Flow like water It flows like water

D E F G
Wandering lost, no reason no rhyme
D E F D
Sweat streaked dust, caked in grime
D E F G
I walked into the river out to where it was fast
F E G D
It was clear and it was pure and I was clean at last

D E F G
I felt like nothing looking up into black
D E F D
Watching millions of stars from flat on my back
D E F G
I walked into the sea out to where it was wild
F E G D D
And we held each other like mother and child

D C F G D C D
Flow like water It flows like water

Bb C F G
The sea, the sea, the wide, wild sea
Bb C D D
The sea, the wild sea

D E F G
A pond when I’m weary, thirsty for rain
D E F D
River wide to purge the stain
D E F G
Flooding all my memory
F E G D
The sea, the sea, the wide, wild sea

D C F G D C D
Flow like water It flows like water

D C F G D C [stop] D D
Flow like water It flows like water

Long Long Ride

Posted on by Joel D Canfield


bass hats boom chuck
I’ve got a long long ride
And it’s a dark dark night
With nothing but the stars to light my way
I’ve got some big big dreams
And some good good friends
And I know I’m gonna make it back someday

I left my small small town
For the bright bright city
I knew that I could make it if I tried
I had a true true heart
And a deep deep love
For a dream I had that would not be denied

chorus

There were some rich rich people
Heard my hot hot music
Heard a gravy train a-comin’ from afar
Now they were sharp sharp thinkers
Had some fat fat bankrolls
And they spent it so that I could be a star

chorus

I know you’ve heard this story two too many times
Mean city breaks a country boy’s heart
I’m telling you right now that’s not how it was
I made a name And got my fame
I had it good As one man could
But missing home was tearing me apart

chorus
And I know I’m gonna make it home today

Back Side of the Ridge

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

There’s a place I hate go
On the back side of the ridge
And as a result it can suffer some neglect
But now and then I remind myself
It’s better to make the ride
Than to wait until the whole thing’s wrecked

I saddle up right early
’cause I pack the night before
C
El Aguila picks his way
Through the starless Bible black
And the sun will be rising by the time we’re there

A man’s gotta know
Where his boundaries are
If he don’t, it’ll end in crying
That side’s yours
And this side’s not
Once in a while we all cross the line

El Aguila hates this ride
Almost as much as me
But he knows when there’s a job, you gotta get it done
His temperament is different
Every time we climb this hill
He knows his usual tricks won’t help him n

A man’s gotta know
Where his boundaries are
If he don’t, it’ll end in crying
That side’s yours
And this side’s not
Once in a while we all cross the line
Bridge:
I’ll be working on this ridge ‘til sunset
Thinking about just what this thing is for
Who does it keep out?
What does it keep in?
And why does it have to be such a miserable chore?

Two strands of barbed
Let the little stuff pass
Just keeps the bigger critters getting through
Some little kid
Wants to fish down in my stream
I’m pretty sure I’ll never miss a fish or two

A man’s gotta know
Where his boundaries are
If he don’t, it’ll end in crying
That side’s yours
And this side’s not
Once in a while we all cross the line

There’s a place I hate go
On the back side of the ridge
And as a result it can suffer some neglect

Like Old Times

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

C Em7 FM7 Fm7
Bowling alley’s having disco nights
Mirror ball, flashing lights
C Fm7 Em7 C G
They play Donna Summer and you get your shoes for free
C Em7 FM7 Fm7
Get some nachos, cold drink
Bowl a few games, whatcha think?
C Fm7 Em7 C
Be like old times, you and me

Sit on the dock, drop a line
Go for a dip, water’s fine
Our swinging rope’s still tied to that big oak tree
You scare the fish off with your smelly feet
Lona’s diner’s got all we can eat
Be like old times, you and me

FM7 Fm7 C
I know you’ve got a lot to do
Folks in the city all depending on you
FM7 Fm7 C G
Come when you can, just for the day
Be like old times, even if you can’t stay

Fair’s next month, a whole week
Setting up in the meadow on Bear Creek
[man’s name] says it might be muddy, have to wait and see
We’ll hit the dime toss, win it all
Break [woman’s name] record for Skeeball
Be like old times, you and me
chorus, then bridge
F Em7 x3
It’s getting old;
Nothing to do since you moved away
I know you miss it too;
Fm7 Em7 Ebm7 Dm7
We both know you been gone too long

Go by the Dew Drop, have a beer
Gimme cap at the John Deere
Seem like every time we go they got something for free
Get muddy in my old Ford
Go see Leroy, get our ears lowered
C Fm7 Em7 C F [0230 0233]
Be like old times, you and me
C Fm7 Em7 C F [0230 0233]
Be like old times, you and me
C Fm7 Em7 C
Be like old times, you and me

bass
verse
C E F Eb
C F E C G
C E F Eb
C F E C

chorus
F Eb C
F Eb C G

bridge
F E x3
F E Eb D

ending
C F E C F A F
C F E C F Ab F
C F E C

Givers

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

notes

R brush 1 L stick click

F D5 B♭ C
She couldn’t get it started so she called for a ride
And talking about she tried not to But she cried
One took her out to lunch while another stayed behind
And by the time she got back home her car was running fine

He heard we’d lost some work though we don’t know him that well
He didn’t seem the type but with some folks you can’t tell
You never know who’ll help or how they will
He shook my hand and left behind a twenty dollar bill

B♭ F D5 C
Givers gotta give, sharers sure do share
Lovers learn to love and carers care
B♭ D5 B♭ C F
Doing for others is the only way to live
Carers care and givers, givers gotta give

We knew the trip was long and we’d need a place to stay
Old friends called us up and said we’re right on the way
They lined up to hug us, ate so much I thought I’d die
I know that when we leave on Monday I’m gonna cry
chorus

B♭ F B♭ F
It’s not just being friendly or kind
Makes even strangers glad to go that far
B♭ D5 B♭ D5
Doesn’t just come naturally, it’s part of who they choose to be
B♭ C
Identifying mark of who they are

Out of coffee, almost out of tea
Did the brave thing and let someone see
It’s hard to ask for help, the struggle is real
Till the look on their face reminds you how givers feel
chorus

Destination Irrelevant

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

‘Home’ Fiona was timid, cautious, did not try new things. ‘Travel’ Fiona was fearless, adventurous, eager for new experiences. ‘Travel’ Fiona shows up the most these days.



a million stars are shining imaginary dawn
dark and light together before the stars move on
head against the pillow, pillow on the door
snuggle in the back seat, fall asleep once more
we love to go, away we went on a drive to the next surprise
destination irrelevant follow stars to a grey sunrise

gas station’s quiet fill up the car
get juice and sandwiches before we get too far
but still we’re on the way before the sky is light
imaginary dawn spilling from the night
chorus

who are all these people up before it’s day?
where are they all going slipping through the grey?
do they love to travel always moving on?
we won’t ever tire of it imaginary dawn
chorus

welcome rest stop barn, exhibits and a snack
always something new to see whenever we come back
birds and bugs and meadows, historic marker plaques
run across the grass read the nature facts
chorus

Tea HQ and Tucson, best waffle you ever ate
Yellowstone and forests nearly every state
will you travel all your life alone or with a friend?
the imaginary dawn is a journey with no end
chorus

We’ve traveled a lot, and Fiona loves waking up before it’s light, piling in the back seat, and watching the stars as she falls back to sleep. These are her memories of all the trips we’ve taken, all the places we’ve been, and the things she loves about traveling.

Some very old notes about recording the demo:

She is still very shy about singing so she recorded this sometime in the wee hours of the morning. I played with some reverb, ducked my vocal behind hers, and love love love the staggered fade ending with just her dreamy little voice echoing at the end.

I love that I have a daughter and step-daughter with amazing voices. (Now if I can only get their mother to sing more, since she’s where they got their voices.)

Here Before

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

capo 2 C G Bb F
intro C G Bb F

Winding through a tiny sliver of West Virginia
It was late and we needed gas in the worst way
Lost in the dark between Ohio and Pennsylvania
Got in after 11, had to leave before the break of day

We’ve been here before, and we got through
maybe because we didn’t know what else to do
it’s a shame, but no one’s to blame
that’s how it’s always been for me and you

So sick I was hallucinating
Tingling all over and sweaty, I was a mess
Desperate for something, I still don’t know what
I called out for you, and then I fell asleep I guess

I’ve been here before and I got through
maybe because I didn’t know what else to do
it’s a shame, but no one’s to blame
that’s how it’s always been for me and you

You’re gone but I’m still here
Alone and empty, lying on the floor
I’m lost in the dark and sick to death
And we both know I’ve been here before

I’ve been here before, I’ll get through
maybe because I don’t know what else to do
it’s a shame no one’s to blame
that’s how it’ll always be for me and you

It was one of the 5 gloomy days of the year here in southern Arizona. They make me gloomy. These pictures came up on their own, images from a hard time in each of my lives which I combined into something that never happened, but it feels like it did.

We Are Water

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Had the idea to steal the Bo Diddley beat and then take the vocal as far away as possible.

I don’t know what this is about. It started out as science, since we are mostly water, then turned into being at one with nature and our fellow humans.

Don’t take it too seriously.

DDD CD
we are water
we belong to the sky
GGG FG
we are water
and I, I know why
AAA
every turn of the tide
AAA GGG
every tear that we’ve cried
DDD CD
we are water

we come from dust
we belong to this place
we come from dust
grains floating in space
like the grass on the plain
like the sun golden grain
we come from dust

we live eternal
this future we trust
we are water
we come from dust
we know what will be
when we’re finally free
we live eternal

we are water
we are water
we are water

This Great Adventure

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

I’m often bemused and occasionally amused by the way some people approach travel and adventure. Growing up in south San Diego when my father worked in Tijuana I got used to other cultures and taking things for what they were instead of what I expected.

Am I’m riding on the back of an elephant
F G Am Please forgive any typos you may note
The video I made is still uploading
You’ll have to be content with reading what I wrote
The drive here from the airport was so short
The Jeep’s heated seats barely got warm
No vegan choices at last night’s big buffet
F G C And our tour guide wouldn’t cancel the rainstorm

F G C Never thought when we bought this great adventure
We’d be subjected to conditions like these
Can’t even get a half-caf low-fat cinnamon soy latte
F G Am Don’t think I’m so very hard to please
How do the locals live each day with such indignities?

Our guided tour of the jungle was a bust
My iPod battery died and I was stuck
Listening to the guide drone on and on
About the okkabeest and wildebuck
I tried the WiFi on our flight over the veldt
It’s free but then of course it’s awfully slow
Can’t recommend the side trip’s extra cost
You’ll see it clearer when they make the tv show
chorus

The entire country is redolent of wildlife
Someone should take steps to hide the smell
I’m sure the concierge would make amends
If only I could reach them on my cell
How can one enjoy the blooming sunset
When it’s purple instead of pink and orange?
And now my phone’s battery is dying
I’m afraid I won’t be finishing—