"Old Garden Rose," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:                        

Dressed in your overalls,

A shovel tucked into your jeans.

Gloves up to your elbows,

You have simple dreams,

Of sunshine and flowers.

You get lost for hours.

 

CHORUS:                                

You’re an old garden rose,

Who’s tried and true.

You’re an old garden rose,

Who's never blue.

You’ve weathered the rain.

You’re more beautiful every day.

You’re an old garden rose.

 

VERSE:                        

When everyone else withers,

In the thunder and the storm.

You’re in bloom by the river.

You’re always in rare form.

Your sunhat’s a crown.

Life is good all-around.

 

CHORUS:                                

You’re an old garden rose,

Who’s tried and true.

You’re an old garden rose,

Who's never blue.

You’ve weathered the rain.

You’re more beautiful every day.

You’re an old garden rose.

 

BRIDGE:                                  

Certain things get better with time.

One of them is your smile.

 

CHORUS:                                

You’re an old garden rose,

Who’s tried and true.

You’re an old garden rose,

Who's never blue.

You’ve weathered the rain.

You’re more beautiful every day.

You’re an old garden rose.

 

VAMP:                                     

You’re an old garden rose,

Young as the sunrise.

You’re an old garden rose,

With childlike eyes.

You’re an old, old, old garden rose.

Copyright 2024 Jennifer Waters

Dedicated to my mother, Darlene Waters, who likes to garden. 

"No One Can Take Away Your Dreams" in THE HORSE GATE Broadway musical

Priscilla Trumble and Princess Nia Naneka sing “No One Can Take Away Your Dreams” in THE HORSE GATE original musical, the second story of THE WHIRLWIND CHRONICLES, novel/musical series. 

VERSE:

No one can take away your dreams.

They will mock you and knock you,

But they will never stop you, 

From arriving and receiving,

If you only keep believing. 

So, hold your head high.

Keep reaching for the sky.

Dreaming has a splendor,

That you cannot surrender.

 

REFRAIN:

No one can take away your dreams.

No one can take away your dreams.

 

CHORUS:

No one can take away your dreams.

They will fight you and spite you,

But they want to be like you,

For your courage and your boldness,

Cause they’re used to bitter coldness.

So, sing out your song.

Good music makes you strong.

Singing has a brilliance,

That brings utter resilience.

 

REFRAIN:

No one can take away your dreams.

No one can take away your dreams.

 

BRIDGE:

They might try to tell you lies,

But child please ignore them.

All naysayers are left behind.

Adventures always bore them.

 

VERSE:

No one can take away our dreams.

They will hate you and bait you, 

But they more often take you

So for granted, but be gracious,

And you must be so tenacious.

Oh, don’t you look back.                                       

You’ve got to stay on track.

Living has occasion,

That brings perfect persuasion.

 

TAG:

No one can take away your dreams.

No one can take away your dreams. 

Copyright 2018, 2020 Jennifer Waters

"Thorns," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:           

The roses fearfully on thorns did stand.

Beauty and pain grow on the same hand.

Some of the roses fell among the thorns,

Which grew up and choked them in scorn.     

How sad it is to see the petals fall.

Like tears from heaven after all.

 

REFRAIN:      

Still rejoice because thorns have roses,         

Growing on the same tree.

Still rejoice because thorns have roses. 

One of them is you and me. 

 

VERSE:           

Thorns steal beauty from the beloved.

Their crimson shade runs like blood. 

It’s enough to make your soul drown,

Until the thorns become a brilliant crown.    

What joy to see the dead come to life,

Rising above in the darkest night. 

                        

REFRAIN:      

Still rejoice because thorns have roses,         

Growing on the same tree.

Still rejoice because thorns have roses. 

One of them is you and me. 

 

BRIDGE:        

Smell the scent of roses like perfume.

It abides in the air with flowers in full bloom.

 

REFRAIN:      

Still rejoice because thorns have roses,         

Growing on the same tree.

Still rejoice because thorns have roses. 

One of them is you and me. 

                                                                                                

VAMP:                        

Let the roses grow until the thorns are no more.

Let the roses grow until the thorns are no more.                   

 

Copyright 2024 Jennifer Waters

 

Shakespeare’s Sonnet XCIX (99)

Matthew 13:7

"Come Dance With Me," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:                                   

You’re standing in the corner,

Looking lonely and blue,

While the band is playing,                                          

A marvelous tune.

I can’t bear to see the frown

Anymore on your face.

Please give me a chance,

To make the heartache go away.

 

CHORUS:                               

Come dance with me.

Come dance with me.

Come dance, come dance with me.

And let your heart go free. 

 

VERSE:                                   

Nothing is as bad 

As it seems at the time.

When the rhythm moves your heart,

You’ll forget why you cried.

I’ll hold you so close,

You’ll feel me breathe,

And before you know it,

You’ll be light on your feet.

 

CHORUS:                               

Come dance with me.

Come dance with me.

Come dance, come dance with me.

And let your heart go free. 

 

BRIDGE:                                

When the song ends,

You’ll want to dance again.

You’ll say, “Come dance with me.”

 

CHORUS:                               

Come dance with me.

Come dance with me.

Come dance, come dance with me.

 

CHORUS:                               

Come dance with me.

Come dance with me.

Come dance, come dance with me.

And let your heart go free. 

TAG:

Nothing is as bad 

As it seems at the time.

When the rhythm moves your heart,

You’ll forget why you cried.

 

Copyright 2008 Jennifer Waters

"Vanity" in KISSES

Fanny Hershey sings about her reaction to Milton Hershey, her son, marrying Catherine "Kitty" Hershey.

VERSE:

Vanity is two-faced, 

It’s pointless indeed. 

Listen, my child,

A warning to heed. 

Flowers and feathers, 

Are distractions and vices. 

Better to be thrifty, 

And display social nices. 

Think about humanity, 

Instead of vanity. 

 

VERSE:

Vanity is prideful, 

It’s blacker than sin. 

I am convinced that,

It’s awful as gin. 

Why not stop joking, 

Say something providential, 

Times are getting harder, 

You must be reverential. 

Don’t think about profanity. 

Who needs vanity? 

 

BRIDGE:          

If you look at yourself in the mirror all day, 

Do you really think that your judgment is clearer in any way?

 

VERSE:

Vanity is foolish, 

A waste of your time. 

Heaven’s awaitin’. 

Don’t mess up your prime. 

Candies and kisses, 

Are a blessing to cherish. 

Chocolate is a wonder, 

But don’t let virtue perish. 

Most people love insanity. 

It comes from vanity. 

 

VERSE:

Vanity is fleeting.

It withers like grass. 

Tongues need a tamin’.

Who wants to have sass?

Sermons and worship, 

Are the wisest selections. 

Piety and penance, 

Bring about reflections.

Think about Christianity, 

Instead of vanity. vanity, vanity.

 

Copyright 2018 Jennifer Waters

"The Reckoning," A GOSPEL SONG

VERSE:

The rich man better enjoy his riches now. 
A day will come when they're gone. 
The goods he gathered during earthly life, 
Will vanish in flames of blazing fire. 
 

CHORUS:                      

The first will be last. 

The last will be first. 

The tables will all be turned, 

At the Reckoning. 

 

VERSE:                         

The scales of justice will find a balance, 

When widows and orphans are crowned. 

Men will be judged by their measure,

And merciful ones inherit heaven. 
 

CHORUS:                      

The first will be last. 

The last will be first. 

The tables will all be turned, 

At the Reckoning. 

 

VERSE:                         

Angels will kneel down before the throne, 

As sheep are separated from goats.

The prophets will receive their rewards. 

The Son of Man will reign in glory.

 

CHORUS:                      

The first will be last. 

The last will be first. 

The tables will all be turned, 

At the Reckoning. 

 

BRIDGE:           

Let the trumpet sound. 
Let the trumpet sound. 
Blessed are those, 
Who wash their robes, 
In the blood of the lamb. 
Blessed are those, 
Who wash their robes, 
In the blood of the lamb. 
Let the trumpet sound.

Let the trumpet sound.

 

VERSE:                         

The old order of things will pass away. 

There will be no more pain or tears. 

The Lord will be the everlasting light. 

In Christ, every soul made alive. 

 

CHORUS:                      

The first will be last. 

The last will be first. 

The tables will all be turned, 

At the Reckoning. 

 

TAG:

The tables will all be turned, 

At the Reckoning. 

 

Copyright 2008 Jennifer Waters

"Me and My Cryin' Violin," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Once there was a love song,

I played in church on Sunday,

For a preacher who said he loved me,

And my simple songs.

But then my love, he left me,

And I could not stop cryin’,

Even though I have been tryin’,

To find my peace of mind.

 

CHORUS:                   

Me and my cryin’ violin,

Have wept on the shores of the Mississippi.

Me and my cryin’ violin,

Have mourned on the banks of the Missouri.

Since we have lost our home,

Through the valley we must roam, 

Me and my cryin’ violin.

                                                

VERSE:                       

I know there is a Savior,

Who heals the broken-hearted,

From their sins and their misfortunes,

And their earthly woes.

But temptation always finds me,

And I can’t put it behind me,

Without a dose of whisky,

And a shot of gin.

 

CHORUS:                   

Me and my cryin’ violin,

Have wept on the shores of the Mississippi.

Me and my cryin’ violin,

Have mourned on the banks of the Missouri.

Since we have lost our home, 

Through the valley we must roam, 

Me and my cryin’ violin.

 

BRIDGE:                    

So, I stick a rose in my hair,

And play my fiddle on the plains of Montana.

While I wait for love to come callin',

I keep fallin' deeper into sorrow and despair.

 

CHORUS:                   

Me and my cryin’ violin,

Have wept on the shores of the Mississippi.

Me and my cryin’ violin,

Have mourned on the banks of the Missouri.

Since we have lost our home, 

Through the valley we must roam,

Me and my cryin’ violin.

Me and my cryin’ violin.

 

TAG:   

Me and my cryin’ violin.

Me and my cryin’ violin.

 

Copyright 2024 Jennifer Waters