Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael My hands shake they’re not mine Rain falls, can’t recognize My eyes frozen in time Mirror broken, this home ain’t mine I see my brother’s sweet day In bright daylight it fades Stranger beside me prays I’m lost in falling rain I remember your sweet kiss Your loving arms, …
I Stopped Off at a Cracker Barrel in Zephyrhills
I drove down I-75, for the wedding of my brother’s son Hills rose from the south, ghost called out old sounds of the swamp Yea the air was warm and the road was my own The land I’s born, my ol’ childhood home I stopped off at a Cracker Barrel in Zephyrhills Yea parked the …
Continue reading "I Stopped Off at a Cracker Barrel in Zephyrhills"
Quentin Joss
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael On the southern streets of the Delta May They hum a tune of old, stone-cold eyes through the day, Yea, I'm the Man in Black I sing an old shaman's song Oe'r dust upon glass for the long awaiting dawn. And as fallen rain shines 'neath the quarter noon …
Stuck
Stuck on this road Must be some detour Future cannot be sowed Some oft beaten path, some other avenue to explore Think I'll wait in the calm and hide from the storm -- No need to hide anymore The war is over I heard the cry from the horseback messenger Not long ago Struck me …
Razzmatazz
There's a moon out tonight that gives this old town more light than I can remember As a drunken cripple walks up a flight of stairs Or maybe I'm just seeing things It wouldn't be the first time I'm working a sweat, got too many clothes to wear Down here everything always feels damp And …
Jessica Chastain
your eyes like sapphire sent gleaming in the night your hair like fire temptress, I'm dreaming in your light as you croon young woman you make me shake as you speak soft and true for me, your desert snake your tears are cold, I see your hand to hold No, I do not dare, your …
I Shall Be Free
Music and Lyrics by Ren Michael From the steelyards of this crimson station I had a dream that I dove into the sea And I swam a million miles out to the promised land Saying 'Lord, I shall be free.' Yea, they can chain me all day, say I'm a sinner Bolt my hands, say …
For Charlie Parker
Late in the night tonight, just some minutes ago I wrote a piece for Charlie Parker, after a watching a documentary on him earlier tonight. The influence he had on me creatively, in those early years that I moved out here, and the influence he continues to have on me cannot be overstated and he …
The Angel and the Ghost
You are the angel And I am the ghost You are the dream, near and in the trees And I am the creature lost in eternal dry-spun hope I am like the goblin caught in his own fire I come out again, with a grin Your beauty, inspired And on this rise we've been since …
Oh America!
In the cold, narrow streets of old Santa Fe a secluded, warm cafe I contemplate America how as a boy I never thought once of the name until I saw the desert gazed at the sun rising slow outside Roswell a state road, no other cars drove, I am there, I am here I saw …
An Elderly Man Dreams of Spain
He's broken down, exhausted, his back in great pain But his heart is resolved, inside's thunder and rain. And though his feet can't carry the weight of his motion He looks east and is merry for the promise 'cross the ocean. He dreams of Madrid and Seville, and the running of the Bulls Pamplona, Barcelona, …
Song to the Young Pilgrim
Fear not youngblood, lying neath the sun, for I crave only adventure. Embrace this day, for there is no way to sit and predict the future. Yes I see you, young and warm and resting by fire And I know, for I am old, of all the things you desire; But you haven’t seen the …
You’re There
In every night In every star, you're there In every tree and every song, you're there And I hear your voice echo 'cross every pine needle fallen, Your name so sweet and fair, you're there. I remember the touch of your skin The glow of your youthful smile Your laugh like soft music to me …
Song for Billie
You sang summertime so sweet, darling Bille Your voice, rich like syrup, delicate lily and they call you Lady Day But to me your just...Billie Angel, your tired eyes, wise magnificent skin, lips like a rose in the state you're in, no I can't approach you I can't touch you for you are holy But …
Orange Rose and Eyes Almighty
Orange rose neglect & folly hanging off the balcony from the vine of recycled dreams, summer's child through countless seasons past strung out, cast off, living in the shadows of desire, Beautiful, unaware tending the earthly fire. Unassuming in sanctity, universal importance it remains intact, till the sun at long last rises over eastern trees …
Goodbye Rose
When beauty beckons it sings, And makes you feel worth a thousand times more, But I know the price. Today I see the calm before the storm, So I'll return to darkness but oh, this house is warm Goodbye, sweet Rose. Goodbye, sweet Rose I must leave you Though your smile's lovely, and Your eyes …
Highway Candles
Halloween lighter candles Sing soft of the night. Under the eyes of graceful angels They illuminate the highway In the cafes of Montclair Patrons gather round the fire. And they raise a toast to one another Quiet faith, human beauty inspired. And to the mountain, watching, looming And to the stars of its divine crown, …
The Magic Tea House and the Blue Tiger
I caught the tale gleam deep in your eyes That showed the trail of the elusive Blue Tiger, Who slinks and prowls from the light of the moon And leads those chosen, marked in primordial fire I've got a sword that I forged once in a dream, That lies at my side in the still …
The Priest and the Young Showman
the actor waits in the airport terminal flight comes in at night people pass laugh and stare together and bless the night Enter the preacher against the sinking sun breathing deep he's dressed in black Says he's from the church of St. James with a thick gold chain and a Stetson hat Preacher says I …
A Friend in the Dungeons of Babylon
When I saw the eyes of a faithful friend Welcoming over the fire, I saw the warmth of human heaven Arrive to me, long desired. And it was through treacherous rain and deep ravines that I clung true to the sight; When I slept amongst wolves and fiends, My lost friends, these children of the …
Ren Michael 