My Inaugration Prayer

People who believe that they are descendants of Abraham dominate this world; if we agree on that, why can't we agree on more?

In this mixed up world, it's not that we just disagree but there is out right anger even within each other's faith. My hope is that with this new President we start finding peace on our same table, and then we start getting up and talking to people at the other tables. We'll stop acting like middleschoolers; and we'll start acting like adults, and admiring the gifts that God has blessed us with rather that the differences we share.

Somewhere Yahweh will be happy with his children, and stop his weeping. Deserts will be fertile with love, and streets will be filled with common sense.

We will treasure each other gay and anti-gay as an expression of our brutal & realistic human nature. Any misguided anger will be crushed by a hug from a nine year old, or the whisper from a ninety year old.

I dream we will be stronger. Yes, I believe there is hope; and I pray God gives Obama the strength to be pragmatic to offer this poor sinner an opportunity to talk at this precious time.

God bless us, and make us stronger lovers.

Peace. Dave

A rare quote....

"If I don't have red, I use blue"... Pablo Picasso... found in an Anne Lamotte "Grace" book.

Footsteps Everyday

...by Dave Schipper © RoseRiversongs 2005

Me and Dad never talked to much
He pounded nails for a paltry pay
We were just Catholic White Trash
Goin to church but not actin’ that way

Now I’m walkin’ with the ghost of my old man
I live his purgatory today
Refresh his soul from his bigotry
I am walkin’ in his footsteps everyday.
I am walkin’ in his footsteps everyday.

Dad had an eye on pretty girls,
He had sparkle eyes when he flirted
Now over 40 and I do the same
But like Dad, we never cheated

Your craft made wood come to life
Red River Valley was a hymn to you
Now I make the guitar wood sing
And I hasten to bid you adieu

Flannel

… by Dave Schipper © 2005 Rose Riversongs

Trees are molting colors to the ground
Box elders are clinging to the door
Just wonder what going on in town
P.S. you’ll find me on the farm.

Lately the days are rushin by
Kid stuff and meetings abound
Sometimes you have to stop and sigh
Baby, don’t you wonder why?

There’s a patchwork of life
Live it til you die
Grab on the hem, and don’t give at all
In the patchwork of life
Sometimes you’re the stripes
But in the end we’re all flannel

Orange and blue fills the night skies
Children shriek and head to home
What nightly terror filled their eyes
Their chatter breaks the previous calm.

Calm is restored about ten
A glass of wine and music too
Too bad we can’t capture the wind
I’d blow it over to you.

There’s a patchwork of life
Live it til you die
Grab on the hem, and don’t give at all
In the patchwork of life
Sometimes you’re the stripes
But in the end we’re all flannel

This Page is My Page

(parody by Dave Schipper of This Land is Your Land
© 2008 Rose Riversongs

Chorus:
This page is my page, visit me on MySpace
Read my corny blogs, and new pics blander
View my deadwood friends, and my top band pictures
MySpace was made for you and me.

As I was linking a top new friends list
I saw an email coming from a bimbo
I started wondering to add the captcha
MySpace was made for you and me

Chorus

I’ve seached and added and I’ve followed the friend list
To the amazing artists with greatest talents.
And all around me their music singing
MySpace was made for you and me

Chorus

As I was jumpin’ - I saw site there
That site was set for only private viewing
But in another site – it didn’t have that
That site was made for you and me

Nothing

© by dave schipper 2007

Nothing
filled the air quickly.
removing the annoying
chirp of the birds
and that incessant
whoosh of cars

my eyes closed
and in the darkness
I heard a rhapsody
of distant flutes
and gentle waves
lapping on the shores.

Bread

__

Bereft of
Rain;
Each
Anticipates
Drips

From above.
Of hope
Raining down.

The
Hand in
Earnst, from the

World
Of
Reconciliation; the
Land
Demands HELP!

The Veil

By Dave Schipper © 2007 Rose Riversongs

As the veil lifted, he wondered who would be there.
Would it be the pensive eyes,
the pursed lips
the mysterious look that he had stuck in his head?

The world is obsessed to find their slot in life.
But all he can think of is her
A gentle soul
The one that called out, and words were exchanged.

Words, yes words lined with the veil forgiveness
A natural bond to form
Or a viral
Infection to eat at the very core of life and spirit.

The face revealed is as captivating as he thought
Eyes that can melt bones
Lips with no words
A soft embrace in the silence and the heaven’s rejoiced.

Blonde Attitude - a woman's perspective

Blonde Attitude by Dave Schipper ©2006 RoseRiver Songs

Call it a week, call it a day
Call it what you like I just want to get paid (or laid)
Tired of my job, Tired of my boss
Time to primp and sharpen the claws.


Chorus
I’m just music with a blonde attitude
You’ll love to hear those words that I use
You keep wishin for some time with me
This blonde attitude’s in perfect key


Here’s your brew, and here’ your life
God just forget that bitch, our exwife.
Grab hold my hand, grab on your heart
Grab on tight you know just where to start


Smile and laugh, smile and relax
Smile to the girls looking from the back
Move to the left, move to the right
Move anyway, just hold me tight.

Been There...

Shhh it's a Xmas gift... Lori never reads these blogs... you see an error let me know.

Angels Like You

by Dave Schipper © 2008 Rose Riversongs
Dedicated to Angela Easterling.

Your eyes are as true blue
as an Applachian sky

Just a walk through the foothills
in the sweet bye and bye

Raised on the good book
You wouldn’t hurt a fly

You sing like an angel
On the fourth of July

Lay me down in the River Jordan
Let it flow thru me like blood
Hear the hum of the accordion
Shout Woo Hoo outloud
Praise the Lord,
For Angels like you.

You were raised on June
And Johnny Cash songs

Now your at home on stage
And you bring them along

You’ve earned your wings
With your heavenly sound

With a smile you sing
And we sing right along.

Lay me down in the River Jordan
Let it flow thru me like blood
Hear the hum of the accordion
Shout Woo Hoo outloud
Praise the Lord,
For Angels like you.

California in my Mind

by Dave Schipper © 2007 Rose Riversongs


Allison offers her breast for my head
I am wrapped up into the song.
Breath whispers, and a heartbeat
A song as old as the ages long.

Chorus:
California in my mind
California in my wine
Too many faces come and go
But California I love you so.

The morning begins right and slow
The gurgling coffee pot starts
Three anxious cats prowl for food
It’s just Saturday the first part.

The guitar hums it’s sad tune
There’s no chance to travel far
You’re just a thought in the afternoon.
But I’m left with this little scar.

Allison brings room service with a smile
I am wrapped up into the song.
A piano plays backgound for the miles
A song as old as the ages long.

Unsaid

Unsaid by Dave Schipper © 2006 Rose Riversongs

Your face, your eyes, you fill up my night dreams

Your words, your lies, take me to brink of screams

One day, you’ll see, there was nothing wrong with me

Til then, just breathe, the air of stupidity


Messages replayed

Chapters reread

Memories downplayed

But words can’t go….. unsaid.


That night dance floor, you said we would never part

Warm kiss drinks poured, held each other thru the dark

Then came that night, I caught you in another’s arms

Nough said, that bites, flip the bird you have such charm


Messages replayed

Chapters reread

Memories downplayed

But words can’t go….. unsaid.


Back off, you witch, did I say you are a whore?

Your loss, I’ll catch, a good woman to adore

Drink up last call, the first night of your regret

You’ll wind up small, wonderin’ where your friends all went


Messages replayed

Chapters reread

Memories downplayed

But words can’t go….. unsaid.

Love is in the Air

A giggle here, a wink there, and the signs are out.
Then that skip across the room screams out loud.
Love is in the air.

Why do their heads tend to tilt when they talk?
Is it that their reasoning brains have gone soft?
Love is in the air.

Words flow seemingly to stretch the time.
Conversations on and on over red wine.
Love is in the air.

From a distance, we look and marvel
Keep going, you’ll never find another travel.
Worth,
Love in the air.

Dave Schipper © Rose Riversongs (2007)
Dedicated to Pam & Jim…..

Julia

Julia by Dave Schipper © 2006 Rose Riversongs.

The tear in the blue jeans was not just a fashion statement.
You been in them for three years as a testament.
The smile you keep showing is amazing through your sadness
It’s your heart so wide that can not be harnessed.

Julia you continue your journey on the back roads
You take the turns slow in your beat-up Saturn
Julia you continue to drive deep in my soul
You make me learn new ways for a heart to burn.

You threw out the yellowed newspaper in the back seat.
The timeless news was old hat to a love incomplete.
The fine print of tears and too much detail was shared
You pick up the pieces and start the damage repairs.

Julia you continue your journey on the back roads
You take the turns slow in your beat-up Saturn
Julia you continue to drive deep in my soul
You make me learn new ways for a heart to burn.

Toss me a line when you hit the mountains
Words can form a lifeline through the ink and pen
I’ll sit in the silence of the music and hear you just breathe
Solitude is my choice, and feelings are void of dearth

Julia you continue your journey on the back roads
You take the turns slow in your beat-up Saturn
Julia you continue to drive deep in my soul
You make me learn new ways for a heart to burn.

....Dedicated to an angel I know named Angie.

Flowers of the Forest

Today we pray for Flowers of the Forest

I heard them laughing, at the sun's setting
Young girls giggling before the dawn of day.
Now they are sobbing on green grass a growing
The flowers of the forest are laying to rest.

Once they had futures, and love a waiting.
Fathers and Mothers, a life to enjoy.
Then came the call, a service to them all.
A noble cause written, they stood tall and proud.

I heard them laughing, at the sun's setting
Young girls giggling before the dawn of day.
Now they are sobbing on green grass a growing
The flowers of the forest are laying to rest.

Midnight songs a playing, shots and beer flowing
Smiles all a plenty, til the night is done.
Xcept for the lady, the moon cold and lonely
Thoughts of her flower, are growing inside.

Justice for the lowly, help for the helpless.
Brothers and sisters, a hand to them all.
Now there is silence, though debate rages loudly
These flowers of the forest, victims to the gall.

I heard them laughing, at the sun's setting
Young girls giggling before the dawn of day.
Now they are sobbing on green grass a growing
The flowers of the forest are laying to rest.

Dave Schipper ©2008 Rose Riversongs


This traditional song was rephrased and rethought back in August because I had rediscovered my love for the song that I originally heard by Joe Hickerson. Well, if you roll back you'll find this is the second time I posted it, but what a wonderful surprise did I get in my email tonight. Nichola Marie O'Donnell surprised me with her voice on my mix. Well of course it wasn't totally a surprise, but after I emailed her the files, I let it go and didn't ever expect it. She is perfect for the song... her voice has the right depth and she sings it like she's heard it before.... or someone in her Irish heritage has... though since it's a Scottish tune... hmmm. ;-)


Ok ... here's my wish ... you go listen to Nichola at FolkAlley.com/openmic where I posted it... and you download it, you join FolkAlley (which is free) and tell them to get Nichola over to their festival.

Dave

Phonograph Blues

PHONOGRAPH BLUES
by Brad Beneke / Dave Schipper


Cigarette ash bridges the gap
From this nicotine stained soul
From the lip to the thought of this…
With a gin and tonic tabled halo

Angels singing somewhere south of heaven
A cancer stick a guitar lick
Hides the lies behind my personal heroin
In time to remind you of where you’ve been

A somber tune, in the key of blue
A phonograph recollection’s score
A verse covered in years of abuse
Like similar hands covered in scars

Angels singing somewhere south of heaven
A cancer stick a guitar lick
Hides the lies behind my personal heroin
In time to remind you of where you’ve been

The Washburn’s a little out of tune
Transcending sin and salvation
Just a gypsy singing right along
A communion of damnation

You never quite see what you mean
Secret thoughts once thought forgot
A man abandoned lost the dream
And the song ends without applause

But you never knew… what you meant
It was over the moment you left
Though the song still plays outloud
Haunt me from beyond your grave

Angels singing somewhere south of heaven
A cancer stick a guitar lick
Hides the lies behind my personal heroin
In time to remind you of where you’ve been
In time to remind you of where you been

A checklist for solace

A checklist for solace in the morning
Rich dark coffee, a warm robe
No priorities, and no whining.

With just traffic for a soundtrack
Minutes click by without words
Gracious time to stop and look back.

Back to life’s journey path
Twists, turns, hills, and valleys.
Moving thru clouds of wrath.

Why can’t this moment pause?
And then live in the pleasure
Do nothing for just because.

D. Schipper © 2007

Opposite Destiny

Opposite Destiny

The story of Romeo and Juliet just ain’t true.
Lies perpetuated to give false hope to a few.
Opposites may be attracted but they aren’t destined.
In fact they are lucky to even get mentioned.

I walk these streets daily and see the races unite
The Goths aren’t the only who choose to isolate
The voice of the crowd mumbles into noisy chaos.
The thoughts of the few independent are crushed.

I go along walking to find a pocket of a chosen few.
Those young gifted talents still play in silence too.
Is this nature’s destiny, a dumbing of the culture?
Are we just dead meat on the block of the butcher?

SHOUT, SCREAM at the top of your lungs you fool.
But you won’t, because you have been schooled.
Act the part of a door knob and be turned again.
You’re where you are, and where you’re destined.

Lyrics by Dave Schipper © 2007 Rose Riversongs
Music by Kim Davidson © 2007
Visit Kim at myspace.com/kimdavidson

Go listen and download the song at: FolkAlley.com/OpenMic

Busking

The story started that day in the park 

She had a guitar in hand. 

It was her first time busking 

Who she was, he was clearly in the dark. 

Strange to hear Dylan from one so young 

He won’t think twice it’s alright 

But that long red hair, reminded him 

Yes her name was on the tip of his tongue. 

He’s stood before artists in the past 

But this time he twitched 

His skin didn’t fit right 

Normally a just buck before he passed. 

This time he wanted to leave his soul 

He wanted to apologize 

He wished she was her 

And he could tell that he lost control. 

Hidden high schools wounds reopened

A twenty in a hat closed it 

A surprised musician looked up 

Having no ideas what just happened. 

Hey thanks, my name is Lauren she yelled 

He kept walking head down 

Suddenly screeching brakes 

But his life kept him self-propelled. 

Well she wish she knew his name, 

This busking is brisk 

And who knows who 

Smiling, she winked and played “Shame” 

 Dave Schipper (c) 2008 Rose Riversongs myspace.com/laurenzettler  Updated in 2022 http://www.laurenzettler.com/

Again?

Abandoned in the
Backyard
Alone
In the
Wind.

Once I was your toy
Countless
Hours of
Endless
Joy.

Oh how you would cry
And cry
When our
Time would
End.

Now I sit, no regrets.
Backyard
Has promise
In the
Wind

Again?

Dave Zeman © 2008

God loves the little people

God loves little people by Dave Schipper © 2007 Rose Riversongs

I’ve got lots of friends in circles, though I’m standin in a line
Hell I even knew Studs Terkel, when I didn’t have a dime.
Kind of feel a little purple, when you see the rich ones shine.
When I’m with you, I’m just Merkel, and remembered for all time.

Just a little brash ‘n clutzy, I just tried to make you mine.
I was wired, you were putzy; shook my head most of the time.
It was at that very second, when I rounded the first base.
Your eyes just seemed to beckon, I was tagged out at home plate.

God loves the little people
He treats them good and kind
He watches from his steeple
So he can laugh inside
God loves the little lovers
He feeds them all the lines
He hopes they will discover
A love that last all of time.

I charged my cell phone just for you, but you didn’t return my call
I texted so much my thumb is blue, boy I really dropped the ball
You were my only that is true, with a word you’d know I’d crawl
I’d even buy you more new shoes, cuz without you I bawl and bawl.

12:48

12:48 and something’s missing.
Sleep can wait until she arrives,
The gentle muse of the evening
She’ll whisper to me all lies

Sounding like sweet sweet truth.
She’ll wrap me in warm words
Rocking me to sleep in her arms.
I breathe to live, but I write to die

Then I reincarnate to a new world.
“Quiet, close your eyes” she says.
And I do and the darkness takes hold.
I do and the passion unfolds.

By Dave Schipper ©2007 Rose Riversongs

Can I?

Can I keep this up?
Could it be with mirrors?
Or do I just write small?

You all will have to come back.
Or you’ll miss something.
Top of the day to you.

Dave

She's yours

Yes

She’s yours
All yours
Just yours
To adore

She picks you up when you fall.
Worries sick when you don’t call
Brims inside when you stand tall
She’s a saint

She stands in line to buy your toy
Shows pictures of her pride & joy
Ignores you when you try to annoy.
She’s a pearl

And she’s

Yours
All yours
Just yours
To adore.

She brings you food when you’re down
Churns out smiles when you frown.
Twinkles bright in her eyes of brown
She’s a charm.

She hugs the stuffings out of you
Drives you home when you had a few
Keeps each day all fresh and new
She’s a joy

And she’s

Yours
All yours
Just yours
To adore.

© 2008 Dave Schipper with a little help from Brett Dennan’s “She’s Mine”