A song sampler:

ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS
LOOK OUT THE WINDOW
SO MANY EYES
CHANGE THE MUSIC
FUNKY TRUCKERS
GOOD FOR THE NIGHT
INDIAN SUMMER
SIN QUERER
SALUD, AMOR Y DINERO
FIJI ISSALAY (FIJI FAREWELL)
MA FOLIE
FORGETTING YOU
MARS AND VENUS
TRADE WINDS

SONGS FOR CHILDREN

ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS

It’s just one of those situations
when more things go wrong than go right
no matter how hard we’re trying
goodbye shuts the door on goodnight
 
It’s one of those situations
we play along to get along
but no matter how hard we’re trying
it’s always the same old song

Refrain:
Who do you say hello to after you say goodbye (repeat) 
 
It’s one of those situations
you just can’t seem to let go
after so much daylight and darkness
it hurts so to know what we know

It’s one of those situations
the right thing’s to admit what’s wrong
after so much dancing around it
it’s back to the same old song

Refrain:
Who do you say hello to after you say goodbye (repeat)  

It’s one of those situations
so trite but still so true
high flying hopes crash and burn
not much more we can do

It’s one of those situations
you play along to to get along
but no matter how hard you’re trying
it’s always the same old song

Refrain:
Who do you say hello to after you say goodbye (repeat) 


****

LOOK OUT THE WINDOW

Though we’re orphans of the sunset
and kick dust on the moon
though our days are paper planes
thrown out of every school
though we’ve gone to all the movies
to see just where we star

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

Though we’re children of the river
where old bridges burn too fast
though we’ve tried on many faces
and defaced the past
though we’ve seen innocence of snow
run over by a car

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

Though sometimes we’re born losers
and winners of the blues
though we’re swingers in the desert
where plastic flowers bloom
though we want more from morning
than the early radio news

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

Though we’re orphans of the evening
when there’s so much left to do
though we’ve looked in stained glass windows
watching angels fly right through
though we’ve done Einstein’s homework
and sent our ships to Mars

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

Though we’re orphans of blue forests
where children break their crowns
though we’re all London bridges
watching kids fall down
though we’re orphans of a thousand songs
of love and video

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

Though we’re orphans of the rainbows
that burned out much too soon
though we’re stranded by a jingle
and left high on a tune
though we’re victims of the latest fad
to come on big and bad

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

Though we’re high on our own voices
and guide misguided views
though we’re hitting all the high notes
we come out with the blues
though we’ve made love and money
and paid up all our dues

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

Though we’ve traveled different highways
and shelled out at the tolls
though we had the right directions
we somehow missed the goals
though we’ve taken on a thousand scenes
we’re back to this old show

you’ve got to wait until tomorrow
and look out the window

****

SO MANY EYES

So many eyes have seen us pass
wandering to and fro
We light the fires
for our stars
to guide the ways we go

So many mornings have seen us rise
in and out of seasons
We are the changes
in the green
the reasons for the reasons

So many lives we’ve lived before
and each has left a light
We are the candles
in the dawn
the difference in the night

We are the sons of endless sons
the daughters of dark daughters
We are the strangers
on strange ships
the walkers on the waters

So many lips have launched our ships
but few have been true sailors
We are the wings
above the waves
the tinkers and the tailors

So many dreams have comes our way
but few have stirred our fires
We are the faces
in the flame
sinners and messiahs

So many eyes have seen us pass
trying ageless answers
We are the flowers
of the field--
the dance is for the dancers

****

When the mode of the music changes
the walls of the city will shake.
                                      --Plato

CHANGE THE MUSIC            

Change the rhythm
and the walls will shake
change the beat
and the walls will quake
change the music
and you’ll change the town

All the walls come a tumblin’ down

Change the rhythm
and you can move stones
change the action
and you’ll shake some bones
change your music
and you’ll change your state
change your tune
and you’ll change your fate

Change your changes
and you’ll change the time
change the beat
and you’ll change the rhyme
change yor music
and you’ll change your line
change your choices
and you’ll change your mind

Change the rhythm
and the walls will shake
change the beat
and the walls will quake
change the music
and you’ll change the town
 
All the walls come a tumblin’ down
                                       
 ***                                                         

FUNKY TRUCKERS

Yes, we’re poets and we’re artists
and we’re writers and philosophers
and we’re movers, heavy movers,
and we’re moving keep on moving
and we’re dragging and we’re hauling
and we pick up and deliver in the van

WE’RE THE VAN GUARD OF AVANT GUARD IN THE VAN

Yeah, we’re wheeling and we’re dealing
and we’re shovin’ and we’re pushin’
and we’re groovin’ really movin’
yes,we’re rollers, holy rollers,
and we’re loadin’ and unloading
and we’re truckin’ and we’re haulin’

‘CAUSE WE’RE MOTHERS AND WE’RE TRUCKERS IN THE VAN

Yeah, we’re drummers and we’re dreamers
and we’re playwrights and we’re acrobats
(and we’re actors and musicians
and we’re psychics and magicians
and we’re dancers and we’re jugglers)
yes, we’re aesthetic real athletic
table breakers mirror busters
and we’re crushing and we’re crunching
and we’re squeezing and we’re jammin’ in the van

WE’RE THE GREATEST FUNKY TRUCKERS IN THE LAND

Yes, we’re loaded not out moded
yeah we’re rolling and free loadin’
and  we’re movin what’s it provin’
we’re not fighters cause we’re lovers
we’re not brawlers we’re just haulers
we’re just shippin’ and conveyin’

WE’RE THE VAN GUARD OF AVANT GARDE IN THE  LAND
AND WE TRUCK FOR A BUCK IN THE VAN

****

 GOOD FOR THE NIGHT

It’s not often you meet someone
you instantly understand.
It’s not often you hit it off
with a woman or a man.

Yes, it seems we’ve known each other
for a thousand years or so.
It seems we’re on the same wavelength--
no fine tuning for this show.

Too bad too bad too bad
it’s so good good good good
for a moonlighting lady
and a no good man
just good good good
for the night

It’s not often you meet someone
so bad they’re really good.
It’s not often you meet someone
so easily understood.

It’s not often someone will click
and no other night will do.
It seems we must be true soul mates
so good at being untrue.   

Too bad too bad too bad
it’s so good good good good
for a moonlighting lady
and a no good man
just good good good
for the night

So good good good
being up to no good
so good good good
for the night.


****

INDIAN SUMMER

Follow those seagulls
see where they’re going
gliding in circles
and free to go roaming

Oh it’s October and my heart isn’t in it
Oh it’s October and the falling leaves
go spinning round and round to meet it

The North wind is blowing
the suns’s quickly setting 
follow the white clouds
where are they heading

Oh it’s October and summer’s long over
Oh it’s October and though it’s back to the grind
she’ll always be on my mind
in Indian summer

Oh it’s October
Oh it’s October

Gather those dry leaves
they’re good for the burning
the summer’s still with me
though season’s keep turning

Oh it’s October and our summer’s long over
Oh it’s October and though it’s back to school
I’ll always be a fool
for Indian summer

Oh it’s October 
Oh it’s October

What did we discover
there was so much to learn
the wild geese go flying
now where do we turn

Oh it’s October and my heart isn’t in it
Oh it’s October and the falling leaves
go spinning round and round to meet it

Oh it’s October
Oh it’s October

And though it’s back to the grind
she’ll always be on my mind
in Indian summer

****

SIN QUERER
 
David Gershator after Rubén Darío


Guitarra de medianoche
palabras de confesión
lo que canto es sin remedio
y ya no hay más ilusión

Juventud divino tesoro
ya te vas para no volver
cuando quiero llorar no lloro
y a veces lloro sin querer

Refrain:
¡ay! sin querer sin querer
sin querer sin querer
cuando quiero llorar no lloro
y a veces lloro sin querer

ojos negros de mi alma
por favor no llores por mí
pues lo que pasa es la vida
y la vida enloquece así

poesía de mi alma
a dónde fuiste para no volver
cuando quiero llorar no lloro
y a veces lloro sin querer

Refrain:
¡ay! sin querer sin querer
pobre de mí pobre de tí
cuando quiero reírme del mundo
el  mundo se ríe de mí

palabras de medianoche
palabras de confesión
lo que canto es sin remedio
y ya no hay más ilusión

mujercita de mi alma
ya te fuiste para no volver
cuando quiero llorar no lloro
y a veces lloro sin querer

Refrain:
¡ay! sin querer sin querer
sin querer sin querer
cuando quiero llorar no lloro
y a veces lloro sin querer

****

SALUD, AMOR Y DINERO

Well, I used to be a dancer and in love forever
with all kinds of dances I’d never say never
but one day I looked around at the downtown scene
asked a silly question like what does this mean?

And the words my mamacita said
lit up like a lightbulb in my head
and these four words kept me in tune--
believe me they couldn’t have come too soon

Salud, amor y dinero
y tiempo para gozarlo, mamá
y tiempo para gozarlo

Hey, I used to be a hustler and I’d run to compete
in all kinds of weather facing all kinds of heat
but my luck ran out and I looked around
lord what’s the secret to survive this town

Then the words came back of a lady I knew
you gotta simplify the things you do
and these Spanish words kept me in tune--
believe me they couldn’t have come too soon

Salud, amor y dinero
y tiempo para gozarlo, mamá
y tiempo para gozarlo

Well, I traveled the world and with luck and chance
I found some magic in love and romance
I watched my health and made ends meet
though I haven’t yet traveled on easy street

Haven’t yet won the lottery or Pulitzer Prize
but I’ve got my teeth and I’ve got my eyes
and my mama’s words kept me in tune--
believe me they couldn’t have come too soon

Salud, amor y dinero
y tiempo para gozarlo, mamá
y tiempo para gozarlo

There are times when I’m forced to play the fool
but thanks to mamacita and her golden rule
there’s a tried and tested better way
to live twenty four hours of every day

Oh, the tendency of time is to speed along
driving home the message of this song
remember four things to keep in tune--
believe me they can never ever come too soon         

Salud, amor y dinero
y tiempo para gozarlo, mamá
y tiempo para gozarlo

****


FIJI ISSALAY (FIJI FAREWELL)

Islands, it’s time to sail on
though I made you my home for a while,     
but it’s time to go,
the winds tell me so.
Islands, so long, so long

Fiji, I lived in your dreams.
chasing my share of moonbeams,                 
but it’s time to go,
the moon tells me so.
So long, so long, so long

Refrain:
Issalay Issalay issalay issalay
Issalay issalay issalay issalay

Islands, I lived all the moods
of your sunny latitudes,                       
but it’s time to go,
the rains tell me so.
Islands, so long, so long.

Fiji, there’s gold in your hills.
Fiji, there’s gold in your skies.                        
But it’s time to go,
the sun tells me so.
So long, so long, so long.

Refrain:
Issalay Issalay issalay issalay
Issalay issalay issalay issalay

Islands, it’s anchors away.
I’ve overstayed my stay.                               
It’s time to go,
the stars tell me so
Islands, so long, issalay.

Refrain:
Issalay issalay issalay issalay
issalay issalay issalay issalay
issalay issalay


***

MA FOLIE

Vive la raison qui connaît pas la raison
je pense à toi jour et nuit
comme ça m'embête d'être si bête
mais, tiens, je t'aime à la folie

que le diable crève avec la raison
où se trouvent les îles du paradis
comme ça m'embête d'être si bête
et bien je t'aime à la folie

que le diable emporte la raison
je suis poète je chante donc je suis
comme ça m'embête d'être si bête
mais toi, je t'aime à la folie

Vive la raison qui connaît pas la raison
je suis bênit je suis maudit
comme ça m'embête d'être si bête
mais, diable, je t'aime à la folie

tant pis tant pis tant pis pour moi  (2)
pour moi qui t'aime à la folie

****
          
FORGETTING YOU

It’s easy to forget you
once another comes along

that’s the kind of truth
you can run down in a song

just ask the fun house mirror
on the bathroom wall

oh it’s easy to forget you
once another makes a call

and if that’s the morning truth
the night truth is I’m lying

if it’s easy to forget you
then why am I half crying

that’s the kind of truth
you can try for in a song

it’s easy to forget you
until midnight comes along

if I forget you
I’ll forget my bones

if I forget you
I’ll eat my weight in stones

if I forget you
I’ll forget my self

if I forget you
I’ll put my heart up on a shelf


****

MARS AND VENUS

I’m not from Mars and you’re not from Venus.
Let’s dance on the beach with the moonlight between us.
I’m not from Mars and you’re not from Venus.
Let’s dance in the sand where the sea winds will free us.

There’s a song night and day
just a heartbeat away.
There’s a song night and day
just an island away

(2x)
Fly away right away,
come on down to the sun
Look at the planets from here.

I’m not from Mars and you’re not from Venus.
Let’s dance in the shadows where no one can see us.
I’m not from Mars and you’re not from Venus.
Life is too short to put distance between us.

There’s a song night and day
just a short flight away.
Won’t you come down and play,
island hopping my way.

(2x)
Fly away right away,
come on down to the sun.
Look at the planets from here.

I’m not from Venus and you’re not from Mars.
Let’s give it a chance far from people and cars.
I’m not from Venus and you’re not from Mars.
Let’s dance on the beach beneath island stars.

There’s a song night and day,
come on down right away
There’s a song night and day
just an island away

****

TRADE WINDS

You’ll be going back
with some regrets
for clear sailing
and great sunsets

You’ll be going back
with things unsaid
all those islands
in your head

Refrain:
Trade Winds
and the boats are rocking
Trade Winds  filling the sails
Trade Winds

You’ll look back
on the island sun
when the flame’s
on the flamboyant

You’ll look back
on what could have been
sweet trade winds
of the Caribbean

Refrain

Come back soon
if you get a chance
There’s always music
for another dance

Come back soon
for what songs can’t say
There’s got to be
another island day

Refrain:
3 times
ending on “filling the sails”

*********************

All songs: © David Gershator (ASCAP)