I'm feelin ready
and you are too
ready to make promises come true
there will be rains
there will be sunshine
there will be rhythms
and rhymes

you hold me right
so I'm ready to try
starting tonight
I'll share my life
I'll share my life
I'll share my life with you
It ain't always easy
life has it's blues
but I'm feelin real and strong with you

there will be rights
there will be wrongs
there will be silence and songs

you hold me right
so I'm ready to fly
starting tonight
I'll share my life
I'll share life
I'll share my life with you

there will be rains
there will be sunshine

Top

(1987)

When Anne ran with wild eyes
my oceans roared
She’d disarm me with her smile
gave all she had
when I’ve never needed more
to give an inch she’d run a mile

Ya, I’m thankful
for the good times we shared
you never know when they’ll come ‘round again
and though we sadly parted
and I laid down and cried
I’d never forget her
I couldn’t try to

I still hear her chatter
feel her thunder
share her laughter
ya, there is life after
sweet Annie May
when I dream tonight
I’ll rejoice with that youth in site
dance in the rain
never feel the pain
with Annie
sweet Annie May

Trying to backtrack
can drive a man insane
all paths lead to nowhere but blues
you can’t be in that place
at that time again
I just had to face that truth

In the Apple in ‘69
howling at the moon
humming big town
made us high
walk the streets
‘till we’d run out of tunes
sleep all day
never ask why

Ya, I’m thankful
for the good times we shared
you never know
when they’ll come ‘round again
and though we sadly parted
and I laid down and cried
I’d never forget her
I wouldn’t try

With those days remembered
youth lasts forever
like that wild September
with sweet Annie May
and when I dream at night
I rejoice with that youth inside
dance in the rain never feel the pain
I’m with Annie
sweet, Annie May

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(1993)

I meet her in the morning on the 5:45
that ride into the city
keeps us alive
we talk politics
and personal pride
she knows what I need
and I feel it

The haze of this fine summer
is easy to take
we lay by the fire
and cook by the lake
livin’ is easy
beside the cool lagoon
when every sundown
she moans her soulful tune

She rocks rhythm
deep into me
she rocks rhythm
hypnotize me with her rhythm
that’s plain to see
she rocks rhythm deep

Oh I love that flower girl
She’s so damn fine
I need to find the words to make her stay
so she’ll never change her mind and roam

Many years will pass
and I’ll still ride this train
I’ll soak in sunshine
and swallow a little rain
many will ask about my girl
and this is what I’ll always say
she’ll rock in me
long past my diein’ day

She rocks rhythm
Deep in me
She rocks rhythm
Hypnotize me with her rhythm
She rocks rhythm deep
Into me

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(song for our mom’s (Eileen) funeral 2003)

Before you leave today
You’ll stop by the garden
and breath in all the yellows and greens
tell us we’re pretty
we brighten the city
the best you’ve ever seen

before you leave today
you’ll ask how we’re doin’
hopin’ we’re ok
and weathering all storms
you’ll have turned down our beds
and found another blanket
that together with your smile
will keep us warm

‘cause that’s just who you are mom
a gently hand that pulls music from guitars mom
a strong heart
to encourage things to be
find simple tunes
and set them free

in the days ahead
when we need to reach out for ya
we won’t pine to some distant star
we’ll look in our gardens
at the yellows, reds and greens
flowers you’ve planted
deep
in who we are
mom

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(song poem to Georgian Bay 2004 - as recorded by Lucille Robitaile)

Here I stand
beside your shore
I need to feel your dreams
I need to ride
the sound of Your waves
and let them wash gently over me
I bow to Your knowledge
and the seasons as they spin by
still I wonder if you feel
one as small as I

I’ve felt the bite
of Your north winds burning
drive for the south
closed my eyes when sun lit sparks
have flown from your mouth
yes I’ve known your furry
Your waves grind granite to sand
still I’m here
at your shore
waiting for your hand

When I thirst you in
and there’s nothin’,
there’s nothin’
left to say
I’ll be here at Your shore
ready to wade in
I’ll let Your ancient dreams
forever wash gently over me.

Top

I remember ruby roses
bouquet of dandelions
driftwood
shaped by waves

And the way we’d sway
in the still of August
aligned with the moon
stars shown
over the water
and we’d listen
to everything

My view is clear tonight
I need us to happen again
been walkin these parts
but alone
I can’t hold you
alone
I can’t talk to you

I still hear
cracks of thunder
and that last gush of rain
drips from my face

My view is clear tonight
I need us to happen again
walking these parts
alone
I can’t hold you
alone
I can’t talk with you

I’ll leave this light on
so you can see that my
door is open
tonight
I’ll say I’m sorry
and kiss your wounds

My view is clear tonight
I need us to happen again
playing both parts
alone
I can’t hold you
alone I can’t talk to you
Come on home
Come on home

Top

She’s on the edge
of no real place
exit one
in her face
running hard,
just keeping pace
here
in border town

Broke down here
in ‘64
facing things
she couldn’t ignore
her have baked mood
calling for more time
in border town

Border town don’t let her drown
Border town let her breath
Border town let her down
easy

It’s had to know
what to do
livin’
greens and blues
waitin’ for the break or two
that will get her out
of here

Sometimes she dreams of heading true north
along with Spring
up the coast to a place she loved
and out of here

but still she wallows
in the grease
slips to nowhere, on her knees
caught in a trap that only releases here
in border town

Boarder town
don’t let her drown
Border town let her breath
Border town let her down
easy

she’s on the edge
she’s on the edge
she’s on the edge
here
in border town

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(song for Alf - 1994)

As cold winds
comb meadows
trees sway in song
children’s laughter
cuts through autumn’s storm
through horror, through cries
through changes of lives
spirit never dies.

As raging fire warms us
frost paints magic poems
May flowers seeds are feeding
beside dead men bones
through horror, through cries
through changes of lives spirit never dies

It flows through ages
in endless disguise
timeless changes shows no fear
in it’s eyes
spirit never dies

As sun soaks deep
to the root of the tree
Fallen fruit lying dieing
Will set blossoms free
through horror, through cries
through changes of lives
spirit never dies

it flows through ages
in endless disguise
timeless changes shows o fear
in it’s eyes
spirit never dies
spirit never dies.

Top

Annie, where have you gone?
Annie, where have you gone?
something hurts bad
now that it’s gone away again
Annie’ where have you gone?

Annie, where have you gone?
searched my world over
trying to find that song
that we’d sung
Annie, where have you gone?

We roamed fields
so young, so free
you’re still here beside me girl
but it’s so hard to feel you
Annie where have you gone?

If you come back
as I hope you will one day
Annie,
I’ll need you to stay
sit by my fire
and talk awhile
it’s all I ever really wanted
was to be with you

Annie
Annie
Annie

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(written for the National Party of Canada - ’93 federal election)

Hear the soulful drum beat
through the forests
and city streets
that pulse is chiming deep
for Canada

Millions have gone before
built this country
from the iron oar
they gave right to the core
for Canada

Sometimes the waters seemed too deep
rapids too rough
mountains to steep
when all but hope was gone
they just kept on
for Canada

All kinds of explores
strive to open new doors
yes many griped the oars
for Canada

Sometimes the waters will seem too deep
rapids too rough
mountains too steep
when all but hope seems gone
just press on
for Canada

Beat the drum
Row the oars
Shout it through the streets
For Canada

Top

Each morning
as I rise from bed
I pause a while
and bow my head
I ask the sun to shine on me
calm the oceans
part the seas
give me strength
to hold on

And as I
shuffle out the dor
I keep thinking
there is nothing I need more
I need the moon to shine darkness clear
calm the oceans
part the seas
help give strength
to hold on

Hold on
to what you need
hold on
to what frees you
when you’ve found it
hold it close
and never let it get away

Each evening
as I lay down for the night
I look forward
to the morning light
I need the sun to shine
darkness clear
calm the oceans
part the seas
help give strength
to hold on

Hold on
to what you need
Hold on
to what feeds you
and when you’ve found it
never let it go away

Top

I first met Carol
within the walls of high school
She was watching me
staring at her
She sure was pretty

They thought her crazy
Her soul was the bruised by parents
She was needing them
looking for love
She had to leave them

I showed her the way to pleasures
though we never touched all the bases
I really had some thrills

She needed love
but I was young
what did I know?
I made her go
to him

She first met Johnny
behind the wheel of hot rod
He was asking her
and I watched her go
She had to leave me

They sparked a baby
But its life cut short
by the tangle they had tied
She had to leave him

And sometimes I get to feeling guilty
‘cause I could have helped
ease her sorry and her pain
though I knew she needed love
what did I care?
it all seemed fair to me

She works an airline
She knows what lies at the next port of call
She likes them young

She shows them the way to pleasures
they never touch all the bases
but they lay on all the frills

She’s needing love
It helps the day
What does she know?
It seems the way
For her

I last saw Carol
catching rays at high noon
I was watching her
staring at me
She sure was pretty

I was needing love
how could she care?
what did she know?
I had to turn
And go

Pretty Carol
Pretty Carol
Pretty Carol
Pretty Carol

Top

I feel like I’m fallin’

Fallin’ in

I feel like I’m fallin’

Fallin’ in love

Again

Oh oh oh

I feel like I’m fallin’ in love again

Thinkin’ ‘bout time

that’s been scattered along the way

Wonderin’ if I fall this time

will love stay

‘cause I feel like I’m fallin’

Fallin’ in love again

After that last go ‘round

I put myself way up high

No one could ever find me

But now feel the healing touch of you hand

Someone help me

I need a new plan

‘cause I feel like I’m fallin’

Fallin’ in love again

Oh oh oh

I feel like I’m fallin’

in love again.

Top

(song for Blair Pitt)

Don’t worry ‘bout me

My star is burning brightly

The sun the moon

And the morning light

They’ve come to embrace me

I knocked on heavens door

Ya I knocked on heavens door

Yes I knocked on heavens door

And they let me in

I’ve done my share of hard livin’

Things seemed to be always

Pullin’ pushin’ on me

Those chains are behind me

I’m startin’ new

Briken free

cause I knocked on heavens door

Ya I knocked on heavens door

Yes I knocked on heavens door

And they let me in

Remember me when you dry your eyes

Know that I’m with you now

And always will be

It’s when life plays out sadly

That you’ve got to believe

There’s more than we see

I’ve knocked on heavens door

Ya, I knocked on heavens door

I knocked on heavens door

And they let me in

The sun the moon

And the morning light

They let me in.

Top

This morning

I began to miss you

My lips were warm to kiss you again

Half in a dream

I lay in my bed

I sense the cool spirit of you

But I realize

It’s only a ghost

Of a love that was warm and true

This morning

I began to miss you

My lips were warm to kiss you again

My friend

Half in a dream

I lay in my bed

Burning for love to flow

But I realize

It’s only a spark

From a love that was once a glow

What a thrill

To be near you again

Thoughts of your love

Cloud my mind

But I realize

It’s merely a haze

Of a love that I once knew

This morning

I miss you

Top

I would walk the streets late at night

sometimes dreams can be cold

and lonely

I was lost, but now I'm found

I met you, you know it's true

we'll see it through, me and you

and I think of you I think of you

you know I do, think of you

I would sit by my candles light

that's all I have to warm me

Things were dark, but they turned to light

It's you, I've seen the truth

We'll see it through,

me and you and I think of you, think of you

all through my days

You know I do, think of you

Sometimes I'm troubled

bout how I feel inside

but right now, I couldn't be clearer

maybe its in the stars

the seasons or the time of day

when I get with you

the juices start to flow, when I think of you

I think of you, all through my days

You know I do, think of you

In the morning light, I think of you

When I go to sleep at night, I think of you

I think of you, you know I think of you....

Top

Gonna work another nightshift

as the rent is due tomorrow

and the landlords gotta pay his taxes

Gonna smile at the next guy, guy in line

cause the dues in the tip jar

are mine

And the rent well its due

tomorrow

The waves are high today from

storms across the ocean

Gotta be careful of the riptides

Gotta be

wise if you wanna survive

Living in the cracked generation

Living in the cracked

generation

Upside

the great recession

Gonna work another nightshift

Gonna work another nightshift

Gonna work another nightshift

Gonna work another nightshift tonight

Smile at the next guy

in line

cause the dues in that tip jar are mine

Don't know much about tomorrow

but today its keeping me alive

Gonna work another nightshift

work another nightshift tonight

We got stuff

we're working hard but it

sometimes just ain't enough

And the rent well its due

its due tomorrow

So were gonna slog a few more drinks

serve you your coffee

Croon a few tunes yeah...

we're gonna do it all night

We got the stuff

its just gotta be enough

I'm gonna work another nightshift

cause the rent is due tomorrow

and the landlords gotta pay his taxes

Gonna smile

at the next guy in line

the dues in that tip jar are mine

Gonna work

an... another nightshift

Living in the cracked

generation

Living in

the cracked generation

Upside the great

recession

Top

(a song poem - 1975 - as performed at the York University Theatre)

I’m water
flowing balance
aligned with all in the world
rhythmically turning, oscillation
life giving serum aqua air
guide me please!
I seek and gather warmth from the sun and the moon
ready to expand
now

Did you know?
I was still growing
to nourish young life
takes special knowing
I realize you have others too
yet I stand here
asking help from you
I’m waiting!

Still in the night
fate makes ready for its flight
feather tail and blossom wing
hope is near I hear it sing
armed with the new insight
Spring, burst out
Lovingly
Flower the food
from which I grow

Top

(Tone Poem #2 - 1975)

Each day my earth
Spins around on it’s own
that’s just what it’s meant to do
the sun shed light
and the moon fades
Knowingly
Wisely

Trees seem to know
when it’s time to let go
they shed their leaves knowingly
then comes winters chill
and they patiently wait for spring
Waiting

How do they know?
Have they some guiding force
teaching them
where to go?
what to do?
Do you think this force guides me?
Could that be?

All melodies
tend to rise and to fall
they just flow naturally
There may be surprise
but they quickly regain their repose
Heaven Knows

How to let go.
Can I trust that some great force
will teach me were to go?
What to do?
Do you think this force will guide me?
Could that be?

Top

Liz I Promise

I will be at war with time

When it pulls on you

With the weights of gravity

I will bring levity

I will be at war with time

When it wrinkles crevices deep in your face

With dry desert sun

I will bring water

I will be at war with time

When it bores you

With repetitive black and white themes

I will bring colour

In these small ways

I will help keep your youth

Even as we inevitably grow old,

together.

Top

Design SCDz

Photographer / Composer / Singer / Song Writer

Derek composes original music: Meditative & Yoga Music, Piano Compositions, Produces music productions, Orchestral, Electronic, Children's Songs, including writing Lyrics & Poetry.

Derek also has a broad range of photography styles and has complied an eclectic collection in his photo galleries.

Email Derek