That Bitch

I looked down and saw my shoes.
Surely shows I’ve paid my dues.
I thought of you in room downstairs
Naked for all the boy to stare
When life takes form to fit
Wake me up with this bitch.

Colors turn and fade to gray,
Life unravels so they say
Just when I find foothold strong
Some one answers in a song.

So I grabbed my keys and went along
She started shouting I was wrong
I looked down and saw my shoes
They were covered with last night’s news
When life takes form to fit
Send me home from this young bitch.

Last few years, I’ve turned around
Hunkered down in this old town
I know some old ones who care
They don’t look down or stare
When life gives you a chance to fit
They must have sent home that bitch.

© 2009 Dave Zeman Rose Riversongs

Duckin' stones, a Protest song

I live my life duckin’ so many stones.
My hands are free, but I feel alone.
Both sides take aim at the weary bill.
Both exclaim there is a poison pill.
I suppose I should stop and listen.
Decipher which is God’s position.
I do expect that answer is neither
Jesus wouldn’t even need a breather.
He’d remind us of the question that stands,
When he needed help, “Did you lend a hand?”

I walk thru life duckin’ so many stones.
My way is clear and I don’t go alone.
I walk with the sons of Abraham,
Yes, Christian, Jew and Muslim
Side by side, homeless, poor and gay
Ducking the stones and words they say
Lest we forget the word cast in stone
Don’t idolize words from a radio throne
But let the words of Jesus help
Go out loving one another as yourself.

Go out and shout
Drop the stones, drop the stones.
But do not doubt, you’ll be
Duckin’ stones, duckin’ stones.

© 2009 Dave Schipper Rose Riversongs

Talkin' Differences in Sexes

Ok folks, it’s plain to see, that I’m talkin’ differences ‘tween you and me.
Or should I say them and us, you know vagina versus the old penis.
I’ve been around a time or two, enough to see a closet full of shoes
But when I went to write ‘em down, I was worried to be shipped out of town.
You know Rush Limbaugh style, angry, confused, blabbering all the while.

Now this shouldn’t be an editorial bit, so I used THE google and McCained it.
You know in this digital age, you just search and copy some body else’s page.
So armed with a laptop and coffee, I got my windows to look at me.
Point and click info by the ton, ohhhh better put the adult filters on.
Just incase you try this at home, don’t try that with thing with foam.

Back to work and just like I thought, lists and lists of haves and have nots.
Some pretty scientific stuff, when I thought camo versus pink fluff.
There’s left brain / right brain, and why women explain and explain
There’s x y, mars and venus, and oh yeah then right back to the penis
So who here before the age nine, played you show me your I’ll show you mine?

Mumble… after age nine… hmmm look me up sometime….

Hair style is difference I relate, hell mine been the same since 8.
Yes all that time to get ready, and you just better notice Freddy.
She’s worked hard at getting it just right, even if it’s a bun pulled tight.
Darlin you look good tonight, no, no really I meant outta sight.
Sure the game is on, but I looked at you really, really, really.. hey he’s gone.

So if I make it through this song, and married to my favorite one.
It just means that difference attract, and then find a way to react.
Most women are saints you know, and successful guys will surely show
Their pride and joy that brings them dinner, after they said she looks thinner
Yes indeed, I meant every word, thanks for the dinner hun.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs
Many thanks to Woody Guthrie and Charlie Maguire for inspiration.

Ode to Josie

Ring around the rosie
A bouquet of posies
For a girl named Josie.

Ah she smiles as she’s heard
These lines til they’re absurd
Maybe she relishes each word.

Yes indeed we overlook
Each “by hook and by crook”
As simply gobbly gook

But they are threaded in
Yes much to our chagrin
As just part of our skin.

So with a wink and smirk
Josie kept right to work
Ignoring this old jerk.

‘til next time that is… HA.

© Dave Schipper 2009 Rose Riversongs.

Meander..

I meander down these streets
Soaking up the history
This little river town is home
It’s beauty is before me.

There were no building rules then
Do whatever that was up your hat.
Funny, just like God did with us
“Let’s try something like that!”

As I do with the people I meet
I peer deep in the house’s eyes
To find the brilliance or darkness
No facts here, but I editorialize.

The lawn unkempt and broken panes,
I could really restore her.
A tiny bungalow with cool back deck
I absolutely adore her.

A grand old two story brick,
Now this one intimidates me
A garden and fat cat in the window,
I wish there was room for me.

Life is too short to waste
But if meander you way thru
You’ll have a chance to catch life
From a character or two.

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs…
Photo Credit

Ellie Mae.

The first time I saw you, I thought it was a dream
Dancin all around me, just like a Cajun Queen.
You were in my prayers Lord, protect her everyday
What a little darlin, that little Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
Your God’s gift from above, I give my hand in love, Ellie Mae

So now some years have passed, that smile’s still on your face.
Still a little angel, full of love and grace.
All my prayers were answered, your with a boy today.
A strong and lovin’ man, for little Ellie Mae.

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
He’s God’s gift from above, give him your hand in love, Ellie Mae.

The next time I see you, a smile still on your face.
Your Sis on the banjo, new Dad upon the bass.
Harmonies a flowin’ and what a joy to say.
Twin girls ‘round the feet of little Ellie Mae.

Ellie Mae, keep that smile upon your face.
Ellie Mae, dance around the room with grace, Ellie Mae
Their God’s gift from above, give them your hand in love, Ellie Mae.

By Dave Schipper © 2004 Rose Riversongs

Dedicated to the inspiration to the song, Ellie Grace. Photo Credit

This Warehouse Girl

This warehouse girl
In her denim blues and t-shirt
She picks me up
Tapes my cardboard heart together

This warehouse girl
She catches the guys in deep stares
Brown days and nights
Oh she wasn’t handled with care

Punch me in
Pack me right
At shift’s end
Wrap me tight

This warehouse girl
She scanned my heart with dark eyes
And checked me out
Boxed up tightly with her smooth lies

This warehouse girl
Lives a life that others whisper
She ships me out
Down the line to a new lover

By Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

photo credit

Interstate 80

Interstate 80 by Dave Schipper © 2007 Rose Riversongs

The prairie grass is bendin in the wind as we roll by
The sign on the billboard says buddy stop in a mile
Take your shoes off, kick back and rest for a while.
Your on vacation, no questions, just smiles

Interstate 80
What’s your hurry
The sign says 65
Interstate 80
Where’s exit 40?
Fifteen miles after 55.

Used to be more stressful ridin’ shot gun with the lady
Preteens in the back picking fights and acting caddy
Now classic music reminds us of actin’s shaddy
Late nights out in the back and hidin from your daddy.

Interstate 80
What’s your hurry
The sign says 65
Interstate 80
Where’s your 10/40
ARP hell yes I’m 55





We roll into the Cracker Barrel for some cheesy potaoes
Fried okra, chicken fried steak and hot cup of joe.
The waitress calls us hun and asks where we’re from
Down the road a piece, and she has friend in very same town.

Interstate 80
What’s your hurry
The sign says 65
Interstate 80
My eye sites blurry
Motel 6 exit 35.