Acoustic Folk Art Songbook - tokentunes.com fileThe Acoustic Folk Art Songbook (v1.32 11-26-17)...

The

Acoustic Folk Art

Songbook (v1.32 11-26-17)

Lyric Sheets with Guitar Chords

© 2017 Lester Chester Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Permission is given to print or copy for individual, non-commercial use

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Permission is granted by the copyright owner to print or make a copy of this songbook or individual pages for personal non-commercial use. All rights

are retained by the copyright owner per applicable law.

The songbook is designed to be printed with the pages back to back and works well when it’s spiral bound with a clear front vinyl cover and a black or solid back cover which can generally be accommodated at your favorite local copy store. 28 or 32 lb

paper is recommended which is a little heavier than standard paper. You can provide them the pdf file and tell them how you want it printed and assembled.

Acoustic Folk Art album art by Rob Hatem (front cover) You can find more of Rob’s work at lovemhatem.virb.com

AcousticFolkArt.com

© 2017 Lester Chester Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 3

Permission is given to print or copy for individual, non-commercial use

The

Acoustic Folk Art

Songbook

Table Of Contents

2035..............................................................................................................................10 Beautiful Mercy ...........................................................................................................11 Better To Ride Horses...................................................................................................12 Cigarettes Dancing .......................................................................................................13 Country Star .................................................................................................................14 Dogwood ......................................................................................................................15 Echoes...........................................................................................................................16 Fire In Your Eye...........................................................................................................17 Fly On My Shoe ...........................................................................................................18 For Every Summer (Wedding Song) .................................................................................19 Horses In The Wind .....................................................................................................20 Human Race .................................................................................................................21 If ..................................................................................................................................22 In Him (Wedding Song) ...................................................................................................23 Kansas City ..................................................................................................................24 Last Night....................................................................................................................25 Life So Far ...................................................................................................................26 Milkweed & Helicopters ..............................................................................................28 Never Could Happens ...................................................................................................30 Not Through Lovin’ You ..............................................................................................32 One Day My Days........................................................................................................34 Ordinary Extraordinary................................................................................................36 Persuaded .....................................................................................................................38 Redbud .........................................................................................................................39 Rivers............................................................................................................................40

…continued next page


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Table Of Contents (continued)

She Likes Blue ..............................................................................................................41 Simple Words................................................................................................................42 Sincerely........................................................................................................................43 Sparkle Lady.................................................................................................................44 Still Be There ................................................................................................................47 Such As These ...............................................................................................................48 The Bomb Song .............................................................................................................51 The Hillside...................................................................................................................52 The Moment .................................................................................................................53 The Ten Commandments ...............................................................................................54 There Is Someone ..........................................................................................................55 Transcendence...............................................................................................................57 Turtle Dreams (An Instrumental Story)........................................................................58 Virtual Retreat .............................................................................................................62 Whatever ......................................................................................................................63 When I Was Younger ...................................................................................................64 When The River Is Long ..............................................................................................65 Wise Men And Warriors ..............................................................................................66 Endnotes - Lester Chester Music ..................................................................................67

Adobe Photoshop Elements was used to provide watercolor and other digital effects for the photographs in this songbook

AcousticFolkArt.com



The Acoustic Folk Art Story

The Acoustic Folk Art album series is a life project - or at least a life in progress project. When I was eleven, I received a guitar for Christmas and started writing songs when I was twelve. I began going through my music, beginning from those early years to the present, and made selections from songs I’ve written over the past forty years or so. The earliest song selected for the series (Echoes) was written in 1977 when I was fifteen and the most recent (One Day My Days) in 2015 when I was fifty-three. These are tunes about life and love, pain and perseverance, faith and forgiveness, admission and inconsistency, mercy and mirth, hope and holding on. On the canvas is smooth folk with brush strokes of country and shades of blues. I purchased some recording equipment and in 2013 began the process of recording the guitar and vocal tracks in our dining room, experimenting with playing the songs in different keys and trying out different things. But, I could never get the songs to sound the way I wanted in the mix. One interesting lesson in life is that you can’t get past the 10,000 hour rule. Someone came up with this idea that 10,000 hours is the length of time to become really good at just about anything and I think it’s mostly true. Diligence alone doesn't guarantee excellence, but a lack of time invested usually delivers a lack of return. Someone may be a great musician, but this doesn’t make that person a great songwriter and vice versa. And, as I learned, having some recording gear doesn’t make you a mix artist. A couple years went by and then in the spring of 2015, through the website SoundBetter, I reached out to J2 Music Productions in Virginia. Josh Woods showed me what my tracks could sound like when someone who knows what they’re doing is handling the mix. These are my words, not his. Josh is a talented gentleman. Josh enlisted the help of intuitive professional musicians who recorded cello, violin, flute and even a little mandolin to overdub with the guitar and vocal tracks that I provided remotely via Dropbox. And Josh, himself, added piano. With the availability of high quality digital sampling, we decided to go with an electronic keyboard for the piano which helped when making adjustments. The remainder of the instruments were recorded live in Josh’s studio.


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At first, the idea was to just add one additional instrument to each song to complement the guitar, but that sounded so good, we kept going! This part of the project lasted around 18 months with Josh handling the heavy lifting and my part primarily collaborating on the decision making and review. The AFA project was eventually released as a four album set in 2017. There are 11 tracks on each of the four albums or 44 tracks in all consisting of 42 songs, one story featuring a tri-modal turtle and one corresponding guitar sonata. Because, let's face it, there's a shortage of guitar sonata's in the world! :-) The story and sonata are found on volume two of the AFA series. Each of the four albums have been carefully balanced from the first song to the last. There's a lot to discover, but the songs themselves aren't that long. Most of the albums are around 35 minutes from start to finish. The musicians who play on these albums are top end and I'm continually in awe and appreciation of their talent each time I listen. In an era of complex music production, these arrangements go another way with clear acoustic excellence. Between being born and dying is the middle. And in the middle is yours and my whatever. And whatever can be hard at times. But a song can be a hoverboard for the soul lifting you and me in the middle a little above our whatever. Rob Hatem, who provided the excellent and fun cover art, once described the folk genre as straightforward simplicity with character. I hope my songs approach that standard. I hope you enjoy them. I hope they help in the middle.

- Mark Lehnhoff

AcousticFolkArt.com



Acoustic Folk Art

Album Credits

Words and music, guitar, harmonica and vocals by Mark Lehnhoff

Cello: Peter Grimes, Ruth Menger (She Likes Blue, The Hillside)

Violin: Alana Carithers, Delaney Turner (Milkweed & Helicopters, The Ten Commandments, Still Be There)

Piano: Josh Woods

Flute: Guilherme Andreas

Mandolin: Peter Grimes

Recorded and mixed by Josh Woods, J2 Music Productions, Louisa, Virginia

Produced by Josh Woods and Mark Lehnhoff

Album Artwork: Rob Hatem (lovemhatem.virb.com)

Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotes used in this songbook are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

AcousticFolkArt.com


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Acoustic Folk Art

Timeline

1977 Echoes 2006 Cigarettes Dancing 1980 Rivers Horses In The Wind 1982 Sparkle Lady When I Was Younger 1983 Human Race 2007 Country Star The Bomb Song Kansas City 1984 In Him 2008 Never Could Happens 1985 The Moment 2009 Better To Ride Horses Wise Men And Warriors There Is Someone 1990 Sincerely 2011 Life So Far 1992 Milkweed & Helicopters Still Be There 2035 2012 Not Through Lovin’ You Persuaded Ordinary Extraordinary 1993 If Whatever Simple Words 2013 Dogwood Virtual Retreat Last Night 1995 Fly On My Shoe Such As These 1998 Redbud The Hillside 2000 For Every Summer The Ten Commandments She Likes Blue 2014 Beautiful Mercy 2001 Fire In Your Eye Turtle Dreams (Story and Sonata) 2005 When The River Is Long 2015 Transcendence One Day My Days

AcousticFolkArt.com



AcousticFolkArt.com


10

2035

AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff

AFA 3, Track 10, 03:33 © 1992 Lester Chester Music, LLC

Em C D Em Ch: What will the world be like in twenty thirty five D C D Will we still be free or even be alive Em C D Em I don’t know what I will do D strum C pluck G Only know I want to spend each day I have with you G D C G What will music be like then I do not know D C D What kind of tunes will play on the radio G D C G Will the president still throw out the game ball D C G Or will she have to hide behind a missile-proof wall (to Ch) G D C G Will we all ride starships somewhere through the sky D C D Spend a weekend on the moon sometime before I die G D C G Will there be a cure for cancer, aids or bigotry D C G Will they find a miracle to make the blind man see (to Ch) Em D C Br: Season through season Em D C

Your hand with mine Em D C G I look at you, everything’s fine, everything is fine G D C G Times they keep on changing, I know you’ve heard it told D C D Our values rearranging if not just outright sold G D C G But people stay the same at least it seems they do to me D C G We all need love, we all want security (to Ch) Order: Ch, V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Bridge, V3, Ch

Key of Bb

(Capo 3, play in G)

= 82

D

Em

G

C



Beautiful Mercy



D D2 D D2 G Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone Bm Em A That’s what the Bible says in 1st Peter three D D2 D D2 G If you can spare the time, I’ll share my peace of mind Bm Em D D2 D How I was saved by beautiful mercy D D2 D D2 Ch: I confess I am a mess G D

But Jesus’ righteousness Bm G Took my id and took my odd Em A Asus A And turned them into good for God G D I believe in the Father Bm G

I believe in the Son D G I believe in the Spirit Em A Asus A

The Holy Three In One G D I am sure of my salvation Bm G

As sure as one can be D G For I’m only saved by grace Em D D2 D

Through His beautiful mercy D D2 D D2 G D He’s been called a Man of Sorrows, acquainted much with grief Bm G Em A But He opened my tomorrows, His pardon my relief G D Bm G I’m a pilgrim making progress on the road from day to day Bm G Em A Asus A Sometimes crawling, sometimes falling, often on my knees to pray (to Ch)

= 94

A Asus

Em

G Bm

D D2

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch,

Repeat last two lines of Ch to end

Key of D


12

Better To Ride Horses AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff


D A Bm G A Asus A My engine made a noise, I knew that it was bad Bm G Em7 A Asus A And when she started slowing down I figured I’d been had D D2 Bm G A Pulled off on the side of the road, I tried to make a call Bm pluck G Em7 pluck A Asus A The coverage wasn’t good out there, it would not work at all Bm pluck G A D strum & pause Then a man dressed plain in a buggy came, pulled up at my side Bm G Em7 A Asus A I asked him for a lift to town; he quietly replied

D D2 D D2 Bm Ch: It’s better to ride horses, they run year after year Em G A Asus A It’s better to ride horses, that’s why God brought them here D D2 D D2 Bm It’s better to ride horses, they are honest to the end Em pluck G pluck They don’t ask much for all they give A Asus A Bm G A D A true and faithful friend, a true and faithful friend

D A Bm G A Asus A We talked for the next hour about land and family Bm G Em7 A Asus A Working with your hands and living life simply D D2 Bm G D There was a peace about him, a quiet joy in his eye Bm pluck G Em7 pluck A Asus A No amount of money could ever hope to buy Bm pluck G A D strum & pause I thought about my own life and the madness in each day Bm G Em7 A Asus A As we listened to the hoof beats of the horse who led our way (to Ch)

Bm A Asus A G D D2 Br: Oh, there she goes now running for no reason D A G Kicking up her heels in the air Bm A Asus A G D Oh, there she goes now just because it’s pleasin’ A G To feel the wind roll through her hair Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Bridge, Ch

= 76

A Asus

Em Em7

G Bm

D D2

Key of D



Cigarettes Dancing


AFA 1, Track 7, 02:55 © 2006 Lester Chester Music, LLC E B A E Made the last shot at the buzzer twice A F#m E B Pictures in the paper well they sure were nice E B F#m A On the cover of a magazine that year E B A E Now could you just give me a job please sir E B A E Ch: For we are cigarettes dancing on the highway A F#m E B Sparks hit the ground and then they fly away E B F#m A Moments of glory here then gone away E B A E We are cigarettes dancing on the highway E B A E Put your faith in cash and stocks and bonds A F#m E B Funny how the money is so quickly gone E B F#m A Climbed the ladder many call success E B A E Found the hard way it was made of glass (to Ch) E B A E Wonder if there’s more to life than this A F#m E B Wonder if there’s something that I might just have missed E B F#m A Could it be that old trade deficit E B A E Has more to do with what I give than what I get (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, harmonica break, v3, Ch x2

= 90

A B

E F#m

Key of E


14

Country Star


AFA 4, Track 7, 04:04 © 2007 Lester Chester Music, LLC C F C I approached him carefully; they said that he was smart F C G strum An expert in his field who knew how to play the part F C G C strum Sir, someday I’d like to be a country music star F C F G C He looked me in the eye and said, son, who do you think you are? F C G C Well, sir, I’ve been married more than twenty years F C strum G He took a step back shocked and brushed away a tear F C F C pluck But there were times we sat for hours underneath the stars F C F G C And once or twice I kissed her in the front seat of my car F G C Ch: And he said, you can be a country music star F C G C You don’t have to drive a truck (necessarily), you don’t have to own a horse (but it helps) F C G You don’t have to have three marriages that ended in divorce (for sure) F C G C But if someday you think you’d like to be a country star F C F G C It would help significantly if you’d learn to play guitar C F C Sir, there’s more you need to know, I’ll tell it to you plain F C G strum There’s numbers, words and algorithms running through my brain F C G C strum You see I went to college and studied many years F C strum G He took a step back shocked and brushed away a tear F C F C pluck But there were times I drove for hours underneath the stars F C F G Just to listen to the whip-poor-will out the window of my car (to Ch, then guitar break) C F C Well I thought about those words he spoke to me years ago F C G strum Then I called to my dog, Gabe, and said, boy, it’s time to go F C G C strum There’s some fence that still needs mendin’ and some feedin’ yet to do F C strum F G C And I still need to practice for an hour or maybe two, then my dog said… (into Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, guitar tribute run, V3, Ch x2, guitar tribute run

= 100

C

G

F

Key of C



Dogwood

AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff AFA 1, Track 2, 04:39 © 2013 Lester Chester Music, LLC C I can look into your eyes and still not understand Am What it is you’re thinking about F G C That’s ok, ‘cause I don’t really need to know C I can look into the skies and still not understand Am Why the God of heaven calls us out F G C That’s ok, ‘cause I don’t really need to know F Am Ch: Breathe in F Am

As the daylight goes F Am Breathe in Dm strum G

As the dogwood grows C I have heard it said that you cannot change the world Am But I hope you don’t mind if I disagree F G C For you have already changed me C Somewhere near or distant life changes in an instant Am When one person takes the opportunity F G C Just to listen and share amazing grace, so (to Ch) C Can you save a life just by giving up a smile Am Break the darkness with a glance F G C Every room has a place where light can come in C Changing our existence to princesses and princes Am Gathered for the dance F G C Will you join me in this circumstance, and we can (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, V3, Ch x4, V1

= 102

C

G F

Am

Dm

Key of C


16

Echoes



D Bm Looking out my window as the daylight turns to dusk Em G A Asus A Thinking of the future and thinking about the past D Bm strum Thinking of the times I’ve had, the days that are no more Em G A Wondering what’s ahead, what the future holds in store Bm D Dsus D Ch: Echoes of the memories Em D Em Thinking of the good times I have had Bm D Dsus D Echoes, echoes of the memories Em pluck G strum D

Make my spirit feel glad (end song D, Em, G, D) D Bm Another day is done, what will tomorrow bring Em G A Asus A Will the sun come up and will the bluebird sing D Bm strum Seems like the years are simply going by too fast Em strum G A If you put a rose into a vase, tell me how long will it last D Dsus Will it last (to Ch) G Br: Have you come to the realization D

Thinking about God’s great creation G

Watching the stars come out at night D A

Fade away in the morning light (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Bridge, Ch

Dsus

= 80

G

D

A

Em

Bm

Asus

Key of D



Fire In Your Eye



Dm C Bb C Ch: I can see the fire in your eye when you try Dm C Bb C I can hear the tears in your heart before they start Dm C Bb C I can feel the sunlight from your smile for a country mile Dm C Bb (end song on Dm) I can see the fire in your eye Dm C Bb Holding you in my arms some ten years ago Dm C Bb C Looked into your tiny face, tears started to flow Dm C Bb strum Felt the love of heaven like I thought I’d never know Dm C Bb Some ten years ago (to Ch) Dm C Bb C Watching you grow every year brings blessing Dm C Bb C Where you step or sleep my love will always go Dm C Bb strum Whatever comes your way, may you always know Dm C Bb Where you are my love will go (to Ch)

Order: Ch, V1, Ch, V2, harmonica break (F harp), Ch

= 118

Dm

Bb

C

Key of D minor


18

Fly On My Shoe



D2 G There’s a fly on my shoe, on my shoe, on my shoe D2 A Asus A There’s a fly on my shoe, I can see it, I do D2 G But my daughter, my daughter with eyes summer blue D2 A D2 She shooed off that fly that was there on my shoe D2 G There’s a fly on my knee, on my knee, on my knee D2 A Asus A There’s a fly on my knee, I can easily see D2 G But my daughter, my daughter, my daughter named Brie D2 A D2 She waved off that fly that was there on my knee D2 G There’s a fly on my back, on my back, on my back D2 A Asus A There’s a fly on my back, where my shoulder blades tack D2 G But my daughter, my daughter with one solid whack D2 A D2 Disturbed that poor fly that was there on my back D2 G There’s a fly on my nose, on my nose, on my nose D2 A Asus A There’s a fly on my nose just above the two holes D2 G But my daughter, my daughter took our water hose D2 A D2 And she soaked that poor fly that was there on my nose (repeat 1st verse)

Order: V1, V2, V3, V4, V1

= 150 (6/8 time)

G

D2

Asus

A

Key of D



For Every Summer



G(Add 5) C2 I looked at you G(Add 5) C2 And it made me wonder G(Add 5) C2 Would you be the one Em D D2 C Ch: For every summer, fall and winter D D2 C And in the springtime I’ll thank God that you’re mine D D2 C Morning and evening, every breath that I’m breathing

G(Add 5) C2 You held my hand G(Add 5) C2 And it made me wonder G(Add 5) C2 Would we walk like this (to Ch)

G D D2 C D Br: Through every passageway that life may bring G D D2 C D Dsus D

For every night and day I will wear your ring C

I’ll wear your ring

G(Add 5) C2 I touched your face G(Add 5) C2 And it made me wonder G(Add 5) C2 Would I see your smile (to Ch)

G(Add 5) C2 I looked at you

G(Add 5) C2 And it made me wonder Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Bridge, V3, Ch, V4 G(Add 5) C2 Em D D2 Would you be the one for every summer

= 98

D D2

G Em

C

G(add 5) C2

Dsus

Key of G


20

Horses In The Wind



C Am C Am Light came through my window, opened up my eye C Am C Am Fell across your cheekbone, made my spirit sigh F C F C I wonder if you know how much I love you F C F G I wonder if you’ve wondered if my love is true F C F C Ch: Your breathing makes me tremble there next to my side F C F G Your smile makes me think that I could surely fly Am strum F C G And when you call I’m runnin’ like horses in the wind Am strum F C G You are my spring and autumn, my beginning and my end C Am C Am Time stood like a picture across eternity C Am C Am The moment that I met you, I hoped that you might be F C F C The one to share my dreams with, go swimmin’ in your eyes F C F G Still I sometimes wonder if you realize (to Ch) C Am C Am Light came through my window, opened up my eye C Am C Am Fell across your cheekbone, made my spirit sigh F C F C I wonder if you know, I wonder if you know F C F C F I wonder if you know how much I love you C How much I love you

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, V3

= 98

C

F

G

Am

Key of C



Human Race



D A Em Bm People running crazy all around from place to place G Bm Em A There’s no doubt that we are living in the human race D A Em Bm If you sometimes feel like you’re running in last place G Bm Em A Asus A Remember that the day is coming when the last will be first D A Em Bm Ch: Racing to attain treasures built on sand G D Em A Asus A Crumbling beneath us, try to save them if you can D A Em Bm Thinking of tomorrow we formulate a plan G D Em A D But a house that’s built upon the rock alone will stand D A Em Bm When this world starts to pass you by, don’t you run with them, don’t you even try G Bm Em A There’s no use in running when you don’t know where you’re going to D A Em Bm When they mock and laugh at you, don’t deny Him, don’t run by Him G Bm Em A Asus A Remember that the day is coming when the last will be first Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch

= 100

D Em A Bm

Key of E

(Capo 2, play in D)

G Asus


22

If



D D2 D D2 If tomorrow comes and is today G Today will then be yesterday D D2 Bm And yesterday a distant dream Em A A7 Of promises and gallant schemes D D2 D D2 If tomorrow never makes it here G For you or me or someone dear D D2 Bm Then only will there be today Em A A7 To laugh and love, to hope and pray D D2 D D2 If tomorrow never makes it here G There is nothing left to fear D D2 Bm The troubles of today will be Em G A D Enough for all eternity

Order: V1, V2, V3

= 100

G

D

A

Em

Bm

D2

A7

Key of D



In Him



Em C G A Looking back at where we’ve been and what God’s brought us through Em C G A I can see it is by Him that we stand where we do Em C D Many times we have prayed together wondering could this last forever C D strum Em Ch: I would like to share my life with you C D Em

Would you like to share your life with me C D

We don’t know where God may lead us C D strum Em

Still we know that we can trust in Him Em C G A Tender tears and gentle spirit, a smile that sets my heart to flight Em C G A In your eyes I can see His presence, overwhelmed by the holy light Em C D Love you give so kind and patient, always trusting, always hoping (to Ch) Em C G A There’ve been times when I have wondered, there’ve been times we both were scared Em C G A Now I find no room for fear, His perfect love alone is what we share Em C D We can be certain this is the right time, His assurance for a lifetime (to Ch) C D We don’t know where God may lead us C D strum Em Still we know that we can trust in Him D C In Him, we can trust in Him Em C A Asus A I would like to share my life with you

= 106

D

A

G

Em C

Asus

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Instrumental Bridge (C, D Em), V3, Ch, Ending

Key of F# minor (Capo 2, play in E minor)


24

Kansas City



E Remember our two bedroom flat at 41st and Clark D Doing laundry down on 39th street sometimes until dark A A booth down at Lucille’s where we let the music play E Before she burned Rode my bike to school through the snow and in the rain D You’d drive off to work and never did complain A E Your face on my mind every second every hour of every day E Ch: Flowers that bloom in the spring cannot compare D A slide E With your eyes sapphire blue Blessed be the place your love found me there D A hard stop E Kansas City led me to you D A hard stop E Kansas City brought me home to you E Moved on out to Raytown and we were living well D With a washer and a dryer, barbecue on the grill A Walking ‘round the Ray South track, baby in a pack E And another who soon was on her way Time and places come and go like leaves in the fall D This one truth remains the same forever through it all A E Your face on my mind every second every hour of every day

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Guitar Break, Ch

= 94

Guitar Break: E G bar, A bar, G bar, A bar E, G bar, A bar Slide to 9th fret Slide to 6th fret Slide to 4th fret E G bar, A bar, G bar, A bar E, G bar, A bar

Slide 2nd string C# note down to 9th fret and back

E D

A

G bar A bar

A slide

Key of E



Last Night



D Dsus D G Thank you for dreaming with me last night, God heard our prayers I know He did A Asus A D We’ve been married a few years now - cats, hamsters, dogs and grown up kids Dsus D G Thank you for making dreams come true, beginning when I first laid eyes on you A Asus A D Your eyes deeper than the sea, each year more beautiful to me Em Ch: When I wake up in the morning A D And find you there beside my shoulder Em I thank God for another day A D Together as we both grow older Em When I wake up in the night A D And hear you breathing next to me Em I think of all our time together A D Of every perfect memory D Dsus D G Thank you for laughing at my jokes, though most of them do not deserve it A Asus A D Thank you for holding close my heart and working so hard to preserve it Dsus D G Thank you for going for this walk, I love the way you hold my hand A Asus A D The way you turn to me and smile, how ‘bout we go another mile (to Ch) D strum Thank you for dreaming with me last night

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, last line

G D

A Em

Dsus

Asus

Key of E (Capo 2, play in D) = 96


26

Life So Far



D Bm G D When you were two years old I looked at you Bm G A Brown hair blowing over eyes of deep blue D Bm G D Lifted you up, sat you down on my knee Bm G A Asus A And I looked in the eyes that were looking at me, and I said D Bm A D Ch: What do you think about life so far Bm G A Are you doing all right, do you think you’ll go far D Bm G D Is life treating you fine like shade in sunshine Bm A Asus A G D Tell me what do you think about life, about life so far D Bm G D When you were twelve years old I looked at you Bm G A Riding your horse under skies of deep blue D Bm G D You stopped to rest in the shade of a tree Bm G A Asus A And I saw in the distance you waiving to me, I wondered (To Ch) D Bm G Br: Life gives us the chance to choose our own path A Asus A To walk or run free D Bm G Time moves us along, love makes us strong A Asus A And faith helps us see D Bm G D There will be days in your life filled with pain Bm G A God brings the sunshine and God brings the rain D Bm G D Wherever you are close your eyes and you’ll see Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Bridge, V3, Ch Bm G A Asus A Me waiving to you as you’re waiving to me, singing (to Ch)

= 96

G

D

Asus

Bm

A

Key of D

© 2017 Lester Chester Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 27 Permission is given to print or copy for individual, non-commercial use

1976

AcousticFolkArt.com


28

Milkweed & Helicopters



E A2/C# E/G# A Felt you kicking in your mama's womb E A2/C# A B I suppose you may be needing room E A2/C# E/G# A Looking forward to meeting you soon E A B E Milkweed and helicopters flying in the wind E A2/C# E/G# A I'll do the best I can to help you grow E A2/C# A B Try to teach you what you need to know E A2/C# E/G# A Give you all the love that's in my soul E A B E Milkweed and helicopters flying in the wind G#m A Asus A Ch: There's so much I want to say E/G# A B Bsus B

I suppose we still have time

E A2/C# E/G# A I hope one day that you will understand E A2/C# A B Life seldom turns out quite the way we plan E A2/C# E/G# A But God still loves you and he holds your hand E A B E Milkweed and helicopters flying in the wind Continued…

= 92

Key of E



G#m A Asus A Br: There's a lifetime ahead of you E B Though we don't know how long, what you'll go through G#m A Asus A To be loved, to feel the pain E E6 E B To lay in the sunshine and walk through the rain E A2/C# E/G# A The day will come when you will say good-bye

E A2/C# A B For everyone there comes a time to fly E A2/C# E/G# A And you in turn will learn to answer why E A B E Milkweed and helicopters flying in the wind (to Ch)

Order: V1, V2, Ch, V3, Bridge, V4, Ch, V1 and end the song with E, A2/C#, E/G#, A, E

B E/G# A2/C# Bsus G#m

A E E2 Asus A2 E6


30

Never Could Happens



D G D She stood on that stage and recited her lines D G A Others had said that part should be mine G strum D But this was her moment, her night to shine G A D And she made the most of that moment in time G D Ch: There always will be those who only say can’t A D Hearts there are many as small as an ant G D Another I-told-you-so standing there laughin’ A G D There’s always a never-could waiting to happen D G D No one in his family had ever stood there D G A But he knew hard work, they had taught him to care G strum D Come graduation he climbed up that stair G A D His momma’s tears fell like rain through the air (to Ch) D G D Now we have a choice if we choose to believe D G A To shake off the lies and the words that deceive G strum D That moment in time when life gives you a chance G A D You can hold up the wall or step up and dance

(to chx2; second time sing last line of chorus as below) A G D But once every moment a never-could happens

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, harmonica break, Ch x2

= 168 (6/8 time)

G

D

A

Key of D


For our 30th Anniversary, my beautiful bride gave me a small wood box

with engraved wood guitar picks

AcousticFolkArt.com


32

Not Through Lovin’ You



D D2 D D2 G D D2 He didn’t see it coming, he only heard her cry Bm G Em7 A Asus A The sound of brakes and metal out the corner of his eye G A strum Bm strum G He saw her slumping forward before his own eyes closed Em7 A7 D D2 G A7 D Dsus D He woke up in the hospital just as the daylight grows D G A Asus A D D2 Ch1: You’ve got some livin’ left, some doin’ still to do Bm G A Asus A You’ve got some goin’ goin’ on before this life is through D D2 G A Asus A D D2 I need you to hold on, I need you to pull through Bm G Em7 A7 D (Dsus D) x3 & pause You’ve got some livin’ left, I’m not through lovin’ you D D2 D D2 G D D2 His first words were how is she, they bowed their heads and said Bm G Em7 A Asus A We need to keep on prayin’, we will take you to her bed G A strum Bm strum G He held her hand and through the tears he whispered I love you Em7 A7 D D2 G A7 D Dsus D I’m here and I’m not leavin’, I’m not through lovin’ you (to Ch1) G A D D2 D D2 Br: Funny how the moments fly G A Asus A D D2 D D2 Until time has finally run G A D D2 D D2 In amazement we ask why G pluck A pluck D Dsus D pluck As though time had just begun Continued…

= 84

Key of D



D D2 D D2 G D D2 It did not happen all at once, a finger then a hand Bm G Em7 A Asus A Her eyes began to open like seeing light through sand G A strum Bm strum G He held her and touched her hair as gently as he could Em7 A7 D D2 G A7 D Dsus D She said I’ve got some livin left, I’m not through lovin’ you (to Ch2) D G A Asus A D D2 Ch2: I’ve got some livin’ left, some doin’ still to do Bm G A Asus A

I’ve got some goin’ goin’ on before this life is through D D2 G A Asus A D D2

You helped me to hold on, You helped me to pull through Bm G Em7 A7 D

I’ve got some livin’ left, I’m not through lovin’ you G A D Dsus D Dsus D Dsus D2 D I’m not through lovin’ you

Order: V1, Ch1, V2, Ch1, Bridge, V3, Ch2

D D2 Dsus G

A Asus Bm

Em7

A7


34

One Day My Days



D Bm G A D Dsus D One day my days will end, life will still go on D Bm G A D One day my days will end, life will still go on Bm G A D Shucking corn, babies born, life will still go on D Bm G A One day my days will end, it’s ok to cry for me D Bm G A One day my days will end, it’s ok to cry for me D Bm G A Asus A Just as long as you smile, when you sing along with me D Bm G A Asus A Br: Field flowers, weekend hours, winter turns to spring D Bm G A D Dsus D

Dogs and cats, baseball hats, these are happy things D Bm G A Asus A

Spring fed creeks that always run with water in their vein D Bm G A D

Shucking corn, babies born, love will still remain D Bm G A D Dsus D One day my days will end, life will still go on D Bm G A D One day my days will end, life will still go on Bm G A D Dsus D Shucking corn, babies born, life will still go on

Order: v1, v2, Br, v1

Dsus

G

D

A

Bm

Asus

Key of D = 92


2015

AcousticFolkArt.com


36

Ordinary Extraordinary



D D2 D D2 D D2 D He loved to listen to her singing on the radio Bm G A Asus A The voice of an angel with a matching heart of gold D D2 D D2 D D2 D Imagine his surprise when he saw her standing there Bm G A strum In the park of his hometown, as the sun fell on her hair G A pluck Bm G He smiled and he mumbled hi, sort of tucked his head Bm strum A strum She looked at him, smiled back and this is what she said D A Asus A Ch: It’s ok, we can talk G D

Have a seat or take a walk A strum Listen up now, here’s a clue G Bm A D

I’m just an ordinary extraordinary person like you D D2 D D2 D D2 D She loved to watch him play on their college team Bm G A Asus A He could fly through the air like someone in a dream D D2 D D2 D D2 D She walked into the lunch room, scanned her eyes around Bm G A strum Looking for a place to sit, but nothing could be found G A pluck Bm G Then she saw an open chair right in front of him Bm strum A strum He motioned come on over, her head began to spin (to Ch) Continued…

Key of D

= 88


Bm G D Br: Wonder why we place people on a hill Bm G A When the issues in our lives can often match our skill Bm G A D And there’s so much of life we often rarely see Bm G A pluck D We’re just ordinary extraordinary, both you and me D D2 D D2 D D2 D He walked into the classroom as the last hour closed Bm G A Asus A He’d been hired as a tutor, they did not mind his crooked nose D D2 D D2 D D2 D A student walked up to him, asked if he would lend a hand Bm G A strum She said I’ve been working on this problem that I still don’t understand G A pluck Bm G And no matter what I try I don’t seem to get too far Bm strum A strum But they say when it comes to math, you’re a real star (to Ch) G Bm A D Ordinary extraordinary person like you

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Bridge, V3, Ch, last line

Asus G D Bm A D2


38

Persuaded



D D2 D2/C G6/B D Couldn’t help but staring at your face last night D2 D2/C G6/B D As you lay there sleeping in the moonlight D2 D2/C G6/B D Couldn’t help but wondering where my life would be D2 D2/C G6/B D Had I never met you, woman of my dreams Bm Em G D Ch: I am persuaded I am in love Bm Em G D I am persuaded I am in love D D2 D2/C G6/B D Couldn’t help but listening to our children in their sleep D2 D2/C G6/B D Stirred by their dreams, visions I could not see D2 D2/C G6/B D Couldn’t help but thinking just how blessed one man can be D2 D2/C G6/B D As I watched you sleeping in the moonlight next to me (to Ch) Em G D Br: Life is a song, here and then gone D2 A Asus A

On strings of time Em G D

Next to my side your gentle breathing D2 A Asus A

Plays the next line (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Bridge, Ch

Key of D

= 104

D D2

G

Asus

Bm Em

G6/B D2/C

A


Redbud



D D2 G There are times in life I have found myself Em A D Staring at the sky D2 G And there are times in life I have felt the rain Em A D Just falling in my eye Bm G Where the earth is dry and barren Em A Asus A Where the heart is cold and hollow Bm G The redbud comes in bloom Em A D Dsus D And the dogwood soon will follow (to Ch) Bm G D Dsus D Ch: All I need is here with me Bm G A Asus A All the faces I can see Bm G D Of the places one could be G A D All I need is here with me D D2 G There are times in life I have found myself Em A D Somewhere I did not expect D2 G And there are times in life I have found myself Em A D Just staring at my regret Bm G You can wrap yourself in sorrow Em A Asus A You can dwell on all that could be Bm G Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch x2, repeating last line of chorus to end Or you can hold on for tomorrow Em A D Dsus D God gives grace abundantly (to Ch)

= 96

D D2

G

Asus

Bm Em

A

Dsus

Key of D


40

Rivers



C G You came along on a sweet summer’s eve F C You were looking for a friend G We talked and we shared and we laughed and we cried F C And I prayed it would never end C F Ch: Who knows where our paths may lead C G But The One who plants the seed F C Within our hearts and makes it grow F G C The rivers of our lives, where will they flow F C F C Only Jesus knows, only Jesus knows C G Doubts and fears and wonderings F C Were tearing you apart G Hopes and dreams and lasting things F C Somewhere in the heart (to Ch) F C Br: Winter goes and spring begins F C Rains come down and the river bends F C F C Where it starts and where it ends only Jesus knows C G So dream your dreams and chase your stars F C Wherever you may go G Answers to your questions F C Some you’ll find and some you’ll never know (to Ch) Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Br, V3, Ch

= 104

C

G

F

Key of C


She Likes Blue



D D2 D D2 She likes blue G A Asus A Like the sapphire on her finger Bm Em Or the mustang I was driving A Asus A When I met her D D2 D D2 She likes sunset G A Asus A More than she likes sunrise Bm Em Hard to open her eyes A Asus A In the morning D D2 D D2 She hears laughter G A Asus A In the voices of her children Bm Em Like the leaves before they say hello A Asus A To winter D D2 D D2 She loves me G A Asus A Though I’ll never understand it Bm Em Oh I never could have planned it A Asus A A life so good D D2 D She likes blue

Order: V1, V2, V3, V4, last line

= 100

G

D

A

Em

Bm

D2

Asus

Key of D


42

Simple Words AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff


E A I hear people say that it’s my right E B Why can’t you see you should think like me E A And we each stand on our own box E B And explain the meaning of being free

E A Ch: Once there was a man who spoke in simple words E B Those who listened to him, this is what they heard E A They heard take care of your children, be still and learn to listen E A B Never underestimate what you have to give E A Love one another, have mercy on each other E B A And may you find the grace to forgive

E A You can read the paper, watch the tv screen E B Engage in discussion, listen to the screams E A Write yourself a song or chase your dreams E B A Looking for what only grace can bring (to Ch)

F#m E F#m E Br: Righteous cleansing by a dirty hand with bitterness for contraband F#m E B A

Gates flew open and the demons ran at the power of the outstretched hands

E A I hear people singing in different voices E B Different colors, different choices E A Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Br, V3, Ch

Nevermore to stand alone E B A Jesus walked past that rolling stone (to Ch, then repeat last 4 lines of Chorus, end on D)

A B

E F#m

Key of E

= 96


Sincerely



A C G D Did not know I was looking for love A C G D Thought I wanted just to find a friend A C G D Em strum D Dsus D How was I to understand all my searching would soon end A C G D Dark brown hair down on your shoulder A C G D Tenderness in your eyes of blue A C G D Em strum D Dsus D And I know that as we grow older, I’ll always love you Em C D Ch: And I'm thinking about you tonight Em C D Wherever you are far away from me Em C D And I'm praying that you're alright Em strum D I love you sincerely A C G D Now you hold our babe in your arms A C G D Giving her life from your own A C G D Em strum D Dsus D And I ask the God who I serve, bring me safely home (Em C G D) x2 Em C G D Br: If you find the Big Dipper, you can find the North Star Em C G D

When you look up in the sky, I’ll know right where you are Em C G D As you watch the sun go down, all the color in the sky Em C G D strum and hold I will find you in my mind by the color in your eye

D

C

G

Key of F

(Capo 3, play in D)

Em

A

Dsus

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Br, Ch

= 86


44

Sparkle Lady AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff


Intro: D(no 3rd), Dm7, BbMaj7, A, Asus, Gm7, Am7, Dm, run1

D(no 3rd) Dm7 BbMaj7 Ch: Sparkle lady you've been moving so, so fast A A7 A A7 And I fear you're burning out Gm7 Am7 Dm And I fear you're losing touch D(no 3rd) Dm7 But I know that in you somewhere BbMaj7 A A7 There's a very special girl Gm7 Am7 Dm And I miss that girl oh so very much

D(no 3rd) Dm7 You've become the kind of person BbMaj7 A A7 Who can say hi and not mean it Gm7 Am7 You've got so much charm but it does so much harm Dm I wonder at how you can't see it D(no 3rd) Dm7 Your smile's a photographic plate BbMaj7 A A7 It’s so easy to duplicate Gm7 Am7 Dm run1 But how the image fades when you’re alone (to Ch)

D(no 3rd) Dm7 Be still and listen to what you find BbMaj7 A A7 In the creases of your mind Gm7 Am7 Dm You may be surprised at what you hear D(no 3rd) Dm7 The very colors we possess BbMaj7 A A7 Coloring our emptiness Gm7 Am7 Dm run1 A stained glass window is hard to see through (to Ch, then Finish) Finish: run1, run2, run3, Dm(10th fret), Dm(5th fret), Dm

Key of D minor

run1 Dm(10th fret)

= 100

run2

A Dm7 BbMaj7 D(no 3rd)

A7 Gm7 Am7

Dm Dm(5th fret)

run3

Order: Intro, Ch, v1, run1, Ch, v2, run1, Ch, Finish



2002

AcousticFolkArt.com


46

Then he told them

many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path,

and the birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched,

and they withered because they had no root.

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up

and choked the plants. Still other seed fell

on good soil, where it produced a crop-

a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:3-9, The Holy Bible, NIV

“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and

everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive

again; he was lost and is found.”

Luke 15:31-32, The Holy Bible, NIV


Still Be There AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff


D Bm A G D Well he said how are you and you smiled in reply Em G D A You knew he wasn’t asking, he was only saying hi Bm A G D But you think about the question ‘cause at times you’d like to die Em7 A Bm strum G A D And you wonder why you feel so cold, yeah, you wonder why you feel so cold

Bm A G Ch: You remember when you once had dreams Bm A G You remember when you used to care Bm A G D There was hope in your heart or at least it seems Em7 A Bm And you wonder could you find it there G A D Dsus D Yeah, you wonder could it still be there

D Bm A G D Well they say she drove away and you guess that much is true Em G D A All you know for certain is she’s no longer with you Bm A G D And the pain just keeps on coming every morning like the dew Em7 A Bm strum G A D And you wonder why you feel so cold, yeah, you wonder why you feel so cold (to Ch)

D Bm A G D You tried Jesus for awhile like you try on an old shirt Em G D A It felt good for awhile ‘till you left Him in the dirt Bm A G D Now it’s skin to the wind as the chill begins to hurt Em7 A Bm strum G A D And you wonder why you feel so cold, yeah, you wonder why you feel so cold (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, harmonica break, V3, Ch

= 84

D

G

Bm

A

Em7 Em

Dsus

Key of D


48

Such As These

AcousticFolkArt.com Lyrics & Music by Mark Lehnhoff

AFA 2, Track 7, 01:16 © 2013 Lester Chester Music, LLC D A People brought their kids to Jesus G D Dsus D2 D To receive His blessing G D D2 His disciples tried to stop them G A Asus A Jesus began sharing D A “Let the children come to me” G D Dsus D2 D That’s what Jesus said G D D2 Kids see much others miss G A Asus A They know God’s not dead D D2 D A Asus A “For the kingdom of heaven G D Dsus D2 D Belongs to such as these” G D D2 “Let the children come to me” G A D Dsus D2 D That’s what Jesus said G D D2 “Let the children come to me” G A D Dsus D2 D That’s what Jesus said This song was written for the kids at our church. “Such As These” is primarily based on a passage from the Holy Bible found in Matthew 19:13-15 where people bring their children to Jesus to receive his blessing. The kids in our church have a favorite song which is the treasured old spiritual that goes "God's not dead, No, He is alive!" and I've included a similar reference in this song as well. There are many references to the living God found in the Bible including Leviticus 26:12, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 22:31-33, 2 Corinthians 3:3 and Luke 24:1-8.

= 104

D

G A

D2

Asus

Dsus

Key of D


1985

Illustration by Lori McElrath-Eslick www.EslickArt.com

AcousticFolkArt.com


50

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life

for his friends.

But God commendeth

his love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

For God so loved the world, that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 15:13, Romans 5:8, John 3:16, Romans 10:13, The Holy Bible KJV


The Bomb Song



D Em A D Em G A Hostages, holocaust, bombs that are near, everywhere people are living in fear D Em A D Em G D Terrorist action in every place, everyone wondering if they are safe D Em A D Ch: Plan all your strategy, build up your wall Em G A Strengthen defenses, sound out the call D Em A D While you determine your acceptable loss Em G D I call your attention to The Man On The Cross D Em A D Em G A Experts tell us with a turn of the wrist, all human life might cease to exist D Em A D Em G D How do you plan for a future unknown, I rest in the fact we are never alone (to Ch) D G D Br: Now some are denying and some are distressed D G A Asus A Others are just plain afraid D G strum The Shepherd And Bishop Of Souls A strum Bm A strum ‘Rose from the grave D Em A D Em G A Wars and their rumors, the nations descend, pray for the people in Jerusalem D Em A D Em G D Christians are hated, many turn away, the debt of our sin in the end only Christ can repay (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Br, V3, Ch

Key of F (Capo 3, play in D) = 164 (6/8 time)

D

A

G Em

Bm Asus


52

The Hillside



D D2 C D D2 C Theres a tree on the hillside where I used to read D D2 C G A The sun would go searchin’, but it would not find me D D2 C D D2 C There’s a creek in the valley, in the valley below D D2 C G A And the creek keeps on runnin’ for the springs make it so D D2 C D D2 C There’s a field near the creek where the grass grows up tall D D2 C G A And the field looks likes waves as the summer nears fall D D2 C D D2 C There’s a fence by the field and it climbs up the hill D D2 C G A And it’s weathered and worn, but it’s standing there still D D2 D2/C G6/B D D2 And the fence disappears over the hill D D2 D2/C D D2 D D2 Over there where I cannot see D D2 D2/C G6/B D D2 But I do believe, yes I do believe D D2 D2/C G6/B D I believe it goes on from there D2 Oh the… (repeat last verse)

Order: V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 x2

Key of D

= 102

D

G6/B D2/C

C

A

D2

G


The Moment AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff


G(Add 5) C2 G(Add 5) C2 Yesterday’s a photograph, colors that are fading fast Em C G(Add 5) C2 Memories like watercolor in the rain G(Add 5) C2 G(Add 5) C2 Tomorrow just an empty page, though the best of plans are laid Em C Em They often turn out not to be C G(Add 5) C2 A window darkly stained through which we see

C D G Ch: All that’s left is the moment C D G C

Passing like the morning dew D G All that’s left is the moment C D Can I spend it with you G(Add 5) C2 G(Add 5) C2 Can I spend it with you G(Add 5) C2 G(Add 5) C2 I remember friends who have moved on, tender like a gentle song Em C G(Add 5) C2 Who smiled Jesus’ love to me and squeezed my heart G(Add 5) C2 G(Add 5) C2 Scattered ‘cross the nations, members of the band Em C G(Add 5) C2 Light upon the hilltop, salt upon the land G(Add 5) C2 And I miss them (to Ch)

G(Add 5) C2 G(Add 5) C2 Yellow flowers through the snow, every year you know they grow Em C G(Add 5) C2 Fade and die you see just like you and me G(Add 5) C2 And everything you’ve worked so hard to earn Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, harmonica break, V3, Ch

G(Add 5)) C2 One day all those things are going to burn Em C G(Add 5) C2 G(Add 5) C2 Only what you give away forever will be yours, Forever will be yours (to Ch)

= 94

D G

C

G(add 5) C2

Em

Key of G


54

The Ten Commandments

AcousticFolkArt.com Based on Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5, The Holy Bible

AFA 3, Track 8, 01:42 Lyrics & Music by Mark Lehnhoff © 2013 Lester Chester Music, LLC D G D God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites D A So we would know for certain what is wrong and right D G D So lend and ear and listen to what the Bible says A D As I/we submit to you this humble paraphrase D G One! You shall have no other gods before Me D A Two! Don’t make an idol out of gold or carve it from a tree D G Three! Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God D A Four! Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy D G Five! Honor your father and your mother D A Six! Do not murder your sister or your brother D G Seven! Don’t go lovin’ someone else’s honey D A Eight! Do not steal someone else’s money D G Nine! Do not lie or give false testimony D A D Ten! Do not covet your neighbor’s dog, her bicycle or pony D G D Now if you will remember the words here in this song A G D The Bible says that you’ll live well and your days will be long

Key of D

= 96

D

G

A


There Is Someone



D A Bm Did you ever make a fool of yourself A G Left your principles folded on a shelf Em strum Bm strum Have you ever tried to find what you chose to leave behind Em G A Asus A Did you ever wonder is there something else D A Bm Did you ever hear a whisper telling you A G You’re not good enough for what you need to do Em strum Bm strum Have you ever stood and listened to the life you were missin’ Em G A Asus A Did you ever wonder why each day starts new D A Bm Ch: There is someone who believes in you G Em A There is someone who’s love is always true D A Bm strum & pause There is someone watching over you G A D There is someone who believes in you D A Bm Did you ever hurt somebody that you know A G Said you’d be there, but then you didn’t show Em strum Bm strum Have you ever tried to run from things that you had done Em G A Asus A But you didn’t know the way you should go D A Bm Did you ever laugh so hard it made you cry A G Ever lost someone you loved and asked God why Em strum Bm strum Have you ever stood in wonder at the stars that you stood under Em G A Asus A As they stretched across a dark and endless sky (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch

Key of D

= 84

D G

Asus

Bm Em

A


56

Reflections from Romans

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. - Romans 7:15, The Holy Bible, NIV

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God -

through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:21-25, The Holy Bible, NIV

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! - Romans 6:15, The Holy Bible, NIV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life

in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23, The Holy Bible, NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the

law of sin and death. - Romans 8:1-2, The Holy Bible, NIV

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet

have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:24-25, The Holy Bible, NIV

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.

- Romans 5:5, The Holy Bible, NIV

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor

anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39, The Holy Bible, NIV

As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.1” - Romans 9:33, The Holy Bible, NIV

1Isaiah 8:14, 28:16, The Holy Bible, NIV


Permission is given to print or copy for individual, non-commercial use .

Transcendence



E D Critics come to criticize through their sunglass darkened eyes A E But truth has never been ethereal D Comics come to cut and slice as though they were someone wise A Asus A E There’s no shortage of material Bm A E Ch: And I will walk on this treadmill one step at a time Bm A E Sometimes standing tall and sometimes falling off the line Bm A E You may say that I’m a sinner who does not believe in fate Bm A E

You may think I’m just a spinner and file your complaint Bm A E

Though I crash and though I climb, by the grace of God I’ll find Bm A Asus A E

Transcendence through the circumstance of time (repeat last line) E D Painters come to paint with colors blue and green A E But art should never be seen as a ritual D Dreamers come to dream of what is yet unseen A Asus A E Hearts that still hunger for the spiritual (to Ch) D A E Br: But hope that is seen is no hope at all D A E

A stone that makes men stumble and a rock that makes them fall 1 (Br x2, to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Br x2, harmonica break, Ch, Br x1

1 Bridge lyrics from Romans 8:24 and 9:33, The Holy Bible, NIV, with minor paraphrase

Key of E

= 94

D

A

Bm

E

Asus


58

Turtle Dreams (An Instrumental Story) AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff

AFA 2, Track 10, 09:32 (Story) © 2014 Lester Chester Music, LLC

AFA 2, Track 11, 05:02 (Sonata)

Sonata and Story Notes: Turtle Dreams in some ways has been in development for many years. When I started college at Mizzou (University of Missouri – Columbia) in 1980, I met a friend (and eventual brother-in-law) named Mark Freter. We ran together, played Frisbee, talked about school, talked about girls and talked about the creation of the world. But mostly we played guitar. Mark showed me guitar chords and chord progressions that I still use to this day. Many of the chords that are used in the movements of Turtle Dreams came from Mark. I’ve also used chords and chord progressions that Mark showed me in other songs including “Persuaded” and “Milkweed & Helicopters.” Chords are to a guitar player what colors are to an illustrator and chord progressions are like colors that go well together. But, like an illustrator, who finds wonderful new colors (maybe a series of dusty blues and grays), you still have to paint the picture. In music, you still have to determine the cadence and series of notes that form the melody or tune. As I played with these chords weaving them together, an instrumental began to form. Below is the text of the story as presented on the Acoustic Folk Art audio track. I should also share that my Dad came up with the name for the turtle – and my wife and daughter helped with the name for the rabbit! Introduction: Turtle Dreams is a guitar sonata. A sonata is three instrumentals separated by a pause between each part. The three parts together make up the whole musical piece. These three parts are called movements. In this sonata, each part or movement tells a story through music about the dreams of an amazing turtle named Roscoe Roundhouse. Now, some may be thinking does the world really need another guitar sonata? The public is largely diversified regarding opinion on this matter. In a recent opinion poll, some listeners, indeed, saw tremendous value while others saw nada.



Current musical etiquette requests the listener to refrain from clapping or other forms of applause until the entire 3-part sonata is finished. You should remain quiet with a somewhat peaceful and enraptured gaze on your face until the end of the third movement. At which time you may of course clap all you want. Unless you’ve fallen asleep. Here then, without further delay, is the short tale of Roscoe Roundhouse. And the remainder of him as well. Part 1: In the first movement, we find the hero of our story looking out over the ocean. Roscoe stands on the edge of the beach where the water comes up to greet your toes. “A good day for a swim” says Roscoe as he wades into the water. And in no time at all – well, it did take some time - Roscoe Roundhouse is soon swimming in the deep blue water with his good friend Wilhelm the whale. Roscoe and Wilhelm spin, do loop-de-loops, and breach the surface like the finest of dolphins and porpoises. “Let me ride on your nose, please?” says Roscoe with a grin. Wilhelm obliges his friend and this goes well until Roscoe’s legs inadvertently become stuck in the whale’s nostrils. Do whales have nostrils? Based on the expressions on their faces, it is difficult to know who is more surprised by this disconcerting circumstance, Wilhelm or Roscoe. The whale sneezes, sending the turtle spinning through the water, breaching the surface and flying through the air above the ocean – like a performer shot from a cannon. At first Roscoe is completely out of control, but soon gathers himself while still in the air and descends in an elegant dive performing a reverse 4 ½ summersaults in the tuck position – which, to this very day - is still considered no small achievement for a creature with a rigid shell. Roscoe rejoins his whale friend and together they cruise through the sea from the surface to the sandy bottoms in a wonderful display of synchronized swimming. But, eventually they do say goodbye. Wilhelm the whale goes on his way and so does our friend, Roscoe.


60

Part 2: In the second movement, Roscoe prepares for takeoff on an airport runway. By bringing his back legs forward and his front legs backward and hooking his paws together, he is able to form a triangle shaped wing on each side of his shell. Do turtles have paws? Roscoe chooses to look over the flat part of his body towards his tail which he is able to spin with great speed forming a propeller. He bounces down the runway increasing in speed - a turtle bouncing along on his back with wings and a propeller - and an aviator’s hat – and takes off into the wonder of the sky.

At first, Roscoe enjoys the tranquility of the wide open spaces. Bouncing along and skimming clouds with the greatest of ease - which is a mandatory cliché for any story involving a flying turtle. Roscoe enjoys looking around at the tiny farms far below. But suddenly - for there must always be a “but suddenly” in every great story - Roscoe is ambushed by a squadron of evil geese who descend out of the sky above him from nowhere! Well, they came from somewhere, but we just don’t know where they came from. A great battle begins as our hero, Roscoe Roundhouse, ducks and weaves in and out against seemingly insurmountable odds. Now, I should confess that Roscoe has never actually met insurmountable odds, but the hero of every great story always seems to be against them, so they must be really bad or at least many seem to think so. Occasionally, we are told, someone will take the time to actually get to know one or two of them and invite them to come over for a glass of iced tea or to play catch or just to visit. This is known as overcoming insurmountable odds. Roscoe studies the formation of the geese and a knowing smile can be seen on his face. He continues to weave in and out as the geese crash into one another, unable to maintain their formation, until only a few are left who wisely decide to fly away. Roscoe defeats the squadron of geese without ever firing a single shot! Our hero continues on his way, once again enjoying the peaceful sky. He lands at the airport and walks to a limousine that is waiting to pick him up - to take him to the famous race.



Part 3: In the third movement, Roscoe dreams of Aesop’s famous fable in which he is to race an arrogant rabbit named Harey Hopkins. As the music of part three begins, we find ourselves at the starting line. Both Roscoe and Harey stretch their legs and prepare for the start of the race. The gun goes off and so does Roscoe, but the arrogant rabbit is so confident in his ability that he stays at the starting line trimming his pawnails and winks at a girl in the crowd - who is not the least impressed. Eventually Harey does take off and, indeed, catches up to Roscoe and runs circles around him to show off his amazing speed. Roscoe Roundhouse pays no attention to this display and continues on the course, steady and sure in his pursuit of the goal. Harey Hopkins decides he’s had enough and takes off well ahead of Roscoe, but eventually he begins to feel tired and sleepy. Since he is so far ahead of Roscoe, he decides there is no harm in taking a nap and so he drifts off into a deep sleep. See if you can hear - now isn’t that an interesting phrase? Where was I? Ah, yes. Now, normally I would say “Oh, yes” which is less pretentious, but there is a certain distinction to this story that must be upheld. Where was I? Ah, yes. See if you can hear where Harey Hopkins falls asleep as you listen to the third movement of Turtle Dreams. Roscoe Roundhouse continues steady and sure and passes Harey napping on the side of the path. Our hero keeps going while the rabbit keeps sleeping. Eventually Harey Hopkins wakes up realizing that he has slept too long. He makes a mad dash after Roscoe, but it’s too late. You must also have a “but it’s too late” in every great story. That’s just the way that great stories are made. If there isn’t both a “but suddenly” and also a “but it’s too late,” then it’s really not a great story. It can be a very good story, but not a great story and that is the difference. And so - it never hurts to have an “and so” now and then either. And so, the arrogant rabbit wakes up and makes a mad dash for the finish line, but it’s too late as our hero, Roscoe Roundhouse, crosses the finish line first, winning the race to great applause and admiration. Epilogue: Roscoe Roundhouse goes on to live a long and mostly happy life. His days are filled with joy, but also sometimes with sadness. And he learns that whether one lives a happy life or whether one lives a sad life doesn’t depend so much on what happens to you, but rather what you happen to.


62

Virtual Retreat



D D2 D D2 D D2 D D2 Some folks head for the golf course, others head for home G Bm Em A Asus A Sometimes I go to the movies on the back row all alone D D2 D D2 D D2 D D2 Transform my mind into the set, just walk across that line G Bm Em A D Find myself a different soul somewhere else in time D D2 G D D2 Bm G Ch: I’m not asking for much, just a chance to rest my mind D D2 G Em A From the troubles in my world, all the hassles that are mine Asus A G D D2 Bm A G I admit that I carefully premeditate each crime D D2 G Em A D (Dsus D) x3 My cerebral transformation two hours at a time D D2 D D2 D D2 D D2 I ask for your forgiveness, I confess to you this vice G Bm Em A Asus A I hope this explanation somehow will suffice D D2 D D2 D D2 D D2 My feet are firmly grounded in present reality G Bm Em A D I always will return from my virtual retreat (to Ch) D D2 D D2 D D2 D D2 Some folks head for the golf course, others head for home G Bm Em A D Sometimes I go to the movies on the back row all alone

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, Last two lines

= 86

D D2

G

Asus

Bm Em

A

Dsus

Key of D



Whatever

AcousticFolkArt.com Lyrics from Philippians 4:4-8, The Holy Bible with paraphrase

AFA 2, Track 4, 03:01 Arrangement & Music by Mark Lehnhoff © 2012 Lester Chester Music, LLC

C C2 F Rejoice in the Lord always C Am G Gsus G I will say it again, rejoice! C Am F C Let your gentleness be evident to all Am G Gsus G The Lord is near, do not be anxious C Am F C About anything, but in everything Am G Gsus G pluck By prayer and petition with thanksgiving F G C Csus C Csus pluck Present your requests to God

C Am pluck And the peace of God F C Which transcends all understanding Dm F G Gsus G pluck Will guard your hearts and your minds C Csus C Csus pluck In Christ Jesus

C C2 F C Finally, brothers/sisters, whatever is true F C Dm G Whatever is noble, whatever is just F C F C Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely Dm Am G Gsus G pluck Whatever is admirable F C Dm G If anything is excellent or praiseworthy F G C Csus C Think about such things

= 82

G

F

Am

Gsus

Dm

C

Csus

C2

Order: v1, v2, v3 (“Finally, brothers”), v2, v3 (“Finally, sisters”)

Key of C


64

When I Was Younger



E A B A B Can’t say I always used good sense when I was younger E A B A There always seemed to be in me a restless kind of hunger B E A B A B Sometimes wonder that I’m still alive today E A B A B Bet you could say the same in your own way E A B A B Ch1: So, I give thanks for everyday E A B B slide

That I’m blessed to live E A B A B

I will not for granted take E A B A B

What I have to give E A Ch2: Cause I’m a boy from Missouri raised in the hills B A B And you better believe there’s a part of me still E A That’s runnin’ through the woods, laughin’ in the wind B A B Stackin’ up bales as fast as I can E A Weedin’ strawberry’s, splittin’ up wood B A B Grandpa said, ‘Terry, are you feedin’ him good?’ E A B Grandma used to bounce me up and down on her knee E A B A B E A B B slide Yeah, that’s just about all there is to me E A B A B Momma helped me catch fireflies and to look up at the stars E A B A B Dad taught me how to fix things and he bought my first guitar E A B A B More important than anything they taught me how to pray E A B A B To the God who sent His Son to save, gave His life, ‘rose from the grave (to Ch1 and Ch2)

Order: V1, Ch1, Ch2, V2, Ch1, Ch2, harmonica break, Ch1, Ch2

= 100

B A E

B slide: Hold the 1st

finger bar of the B chord over the top 3 strings (E, B and G strings) and slide it from the 7th fret down

to the 12th fret and back

Key of E



When The River Is Long AcousticFolkArt.com Words & Music by Mark Lehnhoff


C Am When I was just a boy, my Momma said to me F C Take this bucket, son, go and pick the beans Am You head down the row and lift every branch F G C Keep your eyes sharp and pick each plant clean Am strum G F strum I said to her, Mom, the thermometer says it must be a hundred and twenty degrees C Am strum G F C She pondered on this and thoughtfully said, well, good, then I know you won’t freeze C F C Ch: When the river is long you better start rowin’ G C The arch wasn’t built in only a weekend F C When the grass gets too tall you better start mowin’ G strum C When the fire is hot at least you’re not freezin’ C Am When I was in high school my coach said to me F C Here’s the route that I want you to run Am You head through these hills up until the last turn F G C Keep a move on and your feet may not burn Am strum G F strum I said to him, coach, the thermometer says it must be a hundred and twenty degrees C Am strum G F C He pondered on this and thoughtfully said, well, good, then I know you won’t freeze (to Ch) C Am Well now I’m a man and I’m working to clear F C A fence row for my daughter’s horses Am There’s hedge tough as nails and wrapped everywhere else F G C Is poison ivy in choruses Am strum G F strum I said to myself, the thermometer says it must be a hundred and twenty degrees C Am strum G F C Then I laughed as I knelt down and started my saw; at least I know I won’t freeze (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, harmonica break, V3, Chx2

= 108

C

G F

Am

Key of C


66

Wise Men And Warriors



D D2 G Our curiosity seems like such blissfulness A Asus A G A We want to know all of this world’s ways Bm G We seek maturity and lose our innocence Em G A D Dsus No more yesterday, no more yesterday D D2 G Ch: Wise men and warriors dying or slain A Asus A G D Half of our heroes seem to be on cocaine D2 G Many messiahs have come and have died A Asus A G D Dsus D Dsus Jesus, you’re the only Savior alive D D2 G When I was younger, I looked to others A Asus A G A For my direction and needs to fulfill Bm G But we hurt each other, I soon discovered Em G D Dsus There was an emptiness inside me still (to Ch) D D2 G Funny how quickly we want to leave home A Asus A G A Strange then how often we feel we’re alone Bm G There is a brother who stands next to you Em G A pause And did what no other hero could do Bm G Broke His own heart under the weight of our sin Em G Gave up His life, but He claimed it D Dsus He claimed it again (to Ch)

Order: V1, Ch, V2, Ch, V3, Ch

= 90

D D2

G

Asus

Bm Em

A

Dsus

Key of D

© 2017 Lester Chester Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 67 Permission is given to print or copy for individual, non-commercial use.

Endnotes - Lester Chester Music

Lester Chester Music is a tribute to my grandparents. You see, Lester was my grandfather and Chester was my other grandfather. But to me, both were known as Grandpa. Both men lived and worked in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Lester supervised in the billing department for the St. Louis Dairy Company which later became Sealtest Foods. Chester worked as a draftsman and tool designer for Wagner Electric in Wellston, Missouri. Both men were musicians for personal enjoyment and for anyone else fortunate enough to hear them. They influenced my early years in music and remain an inspiration. You could say they were instrumental regarding my early interest in music. Lester (1908 – 2002) played the saw. You don’t see that much anymore, but it was fairly common at one time. He would sit in a chair and bend the saw over one leg with the handle wedged between his legs near his knees. Then he’d either strike the metal with a felt hammer or play it with a violin bow along the smooth edge of the saw. By bending the metal blade of the saw in an arc, he would create different pitches by varying the arc of the blade. The sound was lonely, mournful and beautiful. His favorites were songs like Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Beautiful Dreamer, Somewhere Over The Rainbow and hymns like In The Garden and the Old Rugged Cross. He would play the saw while his dear wife, Louise (1906 - 1999), played the piano and often they would both sing as well. Louise played piano beautifully. She was filled with energy, enthusiasm and had a smile that came easily. Chester (1913 – 1995) played an older model small-body Gibson guitar. He was a picker and fond of old cowboy tunes like Red River Valley, The Strawberry Roan, Punchin’ The Dough, Old Dan Tucker, Red Wing, Life’s Railway To Heaven, Wabash Cannonball and hymns like His Eye Is On The Sparrow, Angel Band and Peace In The Valley. He sat in his recliner, often while smoking a pipe and picked out tunes until he grew tired of it and then he would put the guitar away. I’m told he used to sing while playing guitar and on car trips with his family, but he never sang a note that I can remember, though his dear wife, Gladys (1916 – 1994), would sometimes sing along for a line or two. Gladys was a sweetheart and made a marvelous cherry pie with cherries we all picked off the tree in their back yard. She had a gentle spirit and a smile that made you understand you were safe and accepted. You could say her whole life was a song.


68

Lester playing the saw (1992) Louise at the piano (1990)

Chester with his Gibson and his pipe (1964) Gladys with flowers (1993)

© 2017 Lester Chester Music, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 69 Permission is given to print or copy for individual, non-commercial use.

This songbook is dedicated to every person

who sings with the radio or with a music player or in the shower

or in a garden or a field or a forest or with a choir

or sings to your baby or whistles

or hums

or listens

AcousticFolkArt.com


70

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