JL Leonard

NOW I LISTEN TO THE BLUES
J. L. Leonard

Used to dance around the kitchen
to the sound of rock and roll
And it kept my body moving
And it touched down to my soul
But the years have piled upon me
And I learned to pay my dues
My attitude’s been adjusted
Now I listen to the blues

CHORUS:

Almost lost my life a time or two
Dancing fast to rock and roll
And the devil knocked upon my door
And I almost lost my soul
Used to move so quickly
That it just confused my views
Now I take things a little slower
I just listen to the blues
Life handed me some lessons
Wisdom I could use
Time to get busy living
Now I listen to the blues

The rhythm goes from low down
Like a roller coaster ride
Then it turns and lifts me upward
While luck dances on my side

(Chorus)

There are times the words can mend me
Speak of sadness that’s inside
Other times they seem to free me
Like a door that’s open wide

In those old days I’d get riled up
Some small things would light my fuse
But time has got me straight
And now I listen to the blues

(Chorus)

Falling Into You
J. L. Leonard

Was not prepared for this thing
Had planned on going my own way
Was just going through the motions
Of getting through each day

Chorus:
Something’s going on here
Something I’m just not used to
It’s a feeling unfamiliar
I just fall right into you
No need to fight this bonding
It’s what we’re meant to do
I’ll just wrap up in this feeling
As I’m falling into you

Thought I didn’t really mind
A life ahead alone
That being without another
Only proved how I had grown

(Chorus)

For once there is no question
Sometimes two are meant as one
Resistance seems to slide away
When all is said and done

(Chorus)

This thing has brought me places
Where the feeling just bursts through
Now I just surrender
And fall right into you

Dark Days Are Gone
J L Leonard
(Male)
I been pressed against a wall
In the hallway of emotion
Going insane (Female) Going insane
With the absence of devotion

Chorus: (Male and Female)
Dark days are gone
I was only meant to find you
I see it all now
It was time we had to pass through
Well worth the wait
Now those dark days are gone
And our love rises up
Like the sun at day’s dawn

(Female)
I was flying so blind
In the darkness of life’s cavern
So lonely and tired (Male) So lonely and tired
Feeling like it’s never my turn

(Chorus)

(Male)
Just about to give up
Alone with no connection
So hard to hang on (Female) So hard to hang on
Overdosed with introspection

(Female)
Then you appeared
Like a light out of nowhere
Gentle but strong (Male) Gentle but strong
Healing like a breath of fresh air

(Chorus)

(Female)
I open up
Like a flower in the sunshine
No longer afraid (Male) No longer afraid
Like my soul caught a lifeline

(Male)
I feel your warmth
Like a rock soaking up sunlight
Your love covers me (Female) Your love covers me
Knowing this is so right

Just Walk Right Out The Door
J. L. Leonard
Life’s too short a journey
To have tenderness pass by
And love can’t fill your heart
When the life you live’s a lie
So don’t be set in heartache
Don’t be lost in blue
Get your life in order
Make it count for you

Pre Chorus:
If he gives you heartache
Just walk yourself away
Cause feeling obligated
Is no reason you should stay

Chorus:
You just walk right out that door
Cause you don’t need this anymore
Yes, just walk right out the door
There’s a free self to explore
You just walk right out the door
Feel your true self start to soar
You deserve a whole lot more

It’s one time ‘round this racetrack
One time ‘round this bend
You’ve only got this one life
To make yourself your friend
So, take yourself to freedom
Give yourself a chance
Throw away that heartache
Take an upward stance

Pre Chorus
(Chorus)

Tell him you got wisdom
Say you’ve seen the light
You know that it’s salvation, girl
Something worth the fight
Just get yourself together
And walk right out that door
Cause you’re too good a woman
To take it anymore

An Old Bald-Headed Cowboy
J. L. Leonard
He’s an old bald-headed cowboy
Doesn’t ride fast anymore
Cause his waist’s no longer visible
And his back’s a little sore

Chorus:
An old bald-headed cowboy
Can’t tell a lie
Wouldn’t even try
Cut and dry
An old bald-headed cowboy
Leathered skin
Big, wide grin
So tuned-in
Just a bald-headed cowboy
Heart of gold
Getting old
And his stories still unfold

Well, his hat’s a little tattered
But it’s the thing he won’t forget
Since that time the Texas sunshine
Left his head red with regret
His sway-back horse named Ruby
Can barely hold a trot
And he’s given up his bullets
For a bag of pure buckshot

(Chorus)

He’s been up and down this country
No place he hasn’t been
And he’ll never claim
His life has been
Without a little sin
Yes, that ole bald-headed cowboy
Has some tales to tell
‘Bout days he’s been to heaven
And days he’s been to hell
And folks will come from far away
To sit around his fire
Cause this old bald-headed cowboy
Is a man they can admire

Ole Man Timing
J. L. Leonard
It just don’t matter
There ain’t no plan
It’s just a bit of circumstance
That leads you where it can
There ain’t no magic, no force or flow
It’s just a thing called Timing
That leads you where you go

Could be oh so different by just a second more
If that ole Mister Timing hadn’t opened up that door
Chorus:
Go or turn, it’s up to you
Chance is waiting if you go through
Ole man Timing, he’s a tricky one
Can get you started or make you done
Trouble is, you never know
Can’t see ahead to where you’ll go
Could be heaven or could be hell
But Ole man Timing, he won’t tell

(Chorus)

You hope that he will be kind
Not lead you to go astray
But ole Timing might just hand you
Some heartache along the way

Could be oh so different by just a second more
If that ole Mister Timing hadn’t opened up that door
(Chorus)

You can never see him
He hides up around the bend
Sometimes he’s a villain
And sometimes he’s a friend

I Remember When
J. L. Leonard
She had been a raving beauty some sixty years ago
Now her body’s close to failing, and her hair is white as snow
And he used to be so handsome, and his body was so strong
But now he needs a walker just to stand for very long
They’ve been envied by so many for the deep love they have shared
Now their hearing is diminished, and their vision is impaired

Chorus:
He can barely reach to touch her
She can hardly hold his face
But their love for one another
Is something time cannot erase
Even though they’re in their eighties
When the lights are way down dim
He leans to whisper in her ear
She hears this come from him…
I remember when
What we had back then
Passion like a fire
Burning deep desire
Yes, I remember when
We held each other tight
Deep into the night
I remember when

The things they can’t remember are the days before they met
And the fact they’ve loved no other isn’t something they regret
The love they found decades ago has just deepened ever since
It’s as though they’ve left the place where one ends and one begins
And others still can feel it when they see them sitting close
Those quiet deep thoughts one is feeling, the other clearly knows

(Chorus)

And still now when he touches her with his trembling hands
She feels that sweet rush of a young girl, discovering romance
And still when he sits beside her and looks into her eyes
He sees that raving beauty people used to idolize
They know the end is nearing now, but they don’t really mind
Because the other will be following and won’t be far behind.



J. L. Leonard