Family Tree

Family Tree © Roseriversongs 2005 David Schipper

Take a little walk right back in time
Feel the wind cool the warm sunshine
Grab the hand of the one you love
Feel the love lookin from above

Just a branch in the family tree
They’re just folk like you & me
Sim’lar eyes, ears, hands & weight
We’re all linked to a common faith

Promenade to a dosey do
Family history we ought to know
Cowboy boots and petticoats
Dancin to the old timey notes

Chorus

Bridge:
In a farm house out of town
Friends all meet & gather round
Once a year in mid-July
They all travel far & wide

Sing & dance and have some fun
Exactly why they always come
They all leave with memories
Branches of a family tree


ps.. if you watch until the end you will see a fun outake when my son walked thru the room.

Drift Away

by Dave Schipper © 2006 Rose Riversongs

White roses and a glass of zin
Take me back to where we began
A small café with a deck outdoor
With so many laughs to explore

Don’t you find it easier to drift away?
Let your mind replay a perfect day.
Would the same words be in play?
Free yourself and just drift away

Friends behind the scene wrote the plot
A chance meeting we would think not
We Both remember when we first met
It took two years to get the date set

Don’t you find it easier to drift away?
Let your mind replay a perfect day.
Would the same words be in play?
Free yourself and just drift away

Today the café is Taco Johns
A quick lunch with our little ones.
A few words within wild foray
And maybe a dream to drift away

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.

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

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

Eight is Midnight

Eight Is Midnight by Kolek/Schipper © Roseriversongs 2005


Tim tells his sad tale to some bad scotch

Margaretville, is all Dave’s got

Paula has a 5 O’clock blonde attitude

So crank up the sound and get in the mood

Chorus
Follow the Mississippi moon shadow
Down Little Creek Road for dancing tonight
There’s a keg of the king so get down low
We’ll push back the clock, so eight is midnight


Adeline is fine for sweet cherry wine

But Sue’s on the edge cause it’s quittin time

We’ll drink Lynnie’s Lakewood Blues and be

Back to the keg king and good company


Chorus

Our Ramblin Boy stops by with a friend

With guitar in hand and songs he penned.

So turn down the sound, and grab a chair

He’ll paint you a dream and take you there

Go Listen to it at MySpace.com/RoseRiver

Diamond on Her Shoes

Diamonds on her Shoes by Dave Schipper Rose Riversongs © 2005

She’s got diamonds on her shoes, she’s paid her dues

She’s slick as a cat, and that’s a fact.

Street worn, some bed sheets torn

Call her late, it’s worth the wait

Chorus

The night is filled with souls like her

The devil has his cards laid out

It’s deuces wild, with Jacks better

Tonight the stakes might just be lights out

It’s just a sales trip, the Jack lets slip

Pocket full of cash, and his mind of ash

A night full of tricks, next day full of shit

He called her late, and it spelled his fate.

Back on the street, she does compete

She’s slick as a cat, and known for that

More diamonds on her shoes, she doesn’t lose

Call her late, and test your fate.

Denim & Lace

Denim and Lace

Seems like everythings broke, including me
Ex-wife called for her alimony.
The price of gas just hit record highs
All you can do is stand a sigh

He can’t complain about his day ahead,
his mind is wanderin off to me instead.
Come Friday it’ll be just him and me
Good food, some beer and little TV.


Chorus
Escape from the rat race,
Take a left on Chase street,
They're serving denim and lace,
At Linda's place.
They're serving denim and lace,
At Linda's place.

Linda works at the diner all day
Servin’ those with too much to say
Then it’s hurry home and get the kids fed
do the wash, and off to bed.

I don’t complain ‘bout the routine stuff
There’s more of life to really love
My sites are set to dad’s weekend
and a little time with him to spend.

Chorus

Linda and I someday will tie the knot,
When the kids see just who I am not.
We’ve got a plan to keep this love alive
Pretty nice feeling when your 45.

Love after forty is not a bad thing
Don’t let them tell you that we can’t sing
Timing is something that you can’t control
But when you find the time just grab hold.



Authors note... just a little duet penned on the way to work...live recording with Rose River is at myspace.com/roseriver

Gypsy Soul

Gypsy Soul by Dave Schipper © 2007 Rose Riversongs


My gypsy soul cries out to grab hold
Of the nearest long haired dancing angel
The sweet violin and the melody unfolds
My hand on her back; and we tango.

The moonlight through the window knows
The passion fire in our hearts tonight.
Your eyes shine brighter than a candle glow.
The blue light gaze, keeps me locked into site.

Oh step in time to my gypsy soul
Oh come to me in my gypsy need
Oh drink with me my gypsy wine
Oh say you are my gypsy love.

Your lips smile as we kiss the first time
Oh yes friends can’t help but laugh out loud
Our foreheads knock, our arms do entwine
Passion isn’t smooth when love is vowed.

The last wine is poured gingerly as we lie
The moonlight reflecting your flesh is lush
All the giggles have turned to purrs and sighs
Our eyes close to the sound of the gypsy hush.


Author Notes: This piece was written one night that I was at first blocked for a topic. I grabbed one of the many books that Lori has and just paged through it. I think it was an Ann Rice book... but somewhere in it there was a chapter about Gypsy love.. thus the tie in to my Bohemian background and the song. It will be the feature title track of the cd that I planning on finishing someday and self-publishing through CDBaby.com. If you work thru them, they put your music on iTunes... Yeah BABY... plus as of the day I posted this blog it is on my myspace site to listen to : myspace.com/davezeman

Hey Mr. Tangerine Man

Hey Mr. Tangerine Man (a parody by Dave Schipper © 2006 Rose Riversongs


Chorus:
Hey! Mr. Tangerine Man, place some hair on me,
I'm not sleepy, won’t you walk across my bladder.
Hey! Mr. Tangerine Man, place some hair on me,
In the early mornin’ please yowl a little louder

Though I know your evenin's venture
has returned mouse in mouth
Dropped neatly on the couch,
Left me blindly here to stand at the brink of gagging.
Your weariness amazes me,
You’re sleeping in a heep,
Baked in the sun shine heat
And your little head too dead for dreaming.


Now take this catnip for your
magic swirlin' trip,
Your senses will be slipped, your paws won't feel to grip,
Your tail will attack, daring you to be pouncing
You’re ready to go outside,
Your ready to come in
To go out, to come in, to go out and come in
And then back out again.

Chorus.

Though I see you runnin', spinnin', jumpin'
madly across the room,
It’s not away from anyone, it's just escapin' on the run
But it’s from the invisible foes your facin'.
Yes to dance beneath the human
is not against your pride
When there Kitty treats involved, or chunks of cheese not small
You think, there’s finally a use for him after all.

Chorus.