My Work Here Ain’t Yet Done
Produced by Steve Carr & Georgie Jessup recorded at Hit and Run Recording between 2017 & 2020
Engineered and Mastered by Steve Carr
Cover design Steve Carr
Cover concept Georgie Jessup and Steve Carr
Cover photos © Bonnie J. Schupp, https://www.bonnieschupp.com/
Dedicated to the memory of Keith “Mac” McNamee Jan. 1, 1952 – Sept. 25, 2020 one of the best human beings I’ve ever known!
And Phil Boyd, the last of the Philosopher Dogs – gone too soon.
Georgie’s previous albums featured electrified instruments and drums, but My Work Here Ain’t Yet
Done utilizes more acoustic instruments like banjo, mandolin, and dobro. She and producer/engineer, Steve Carr, masterfully crafts the scenes behind her vocals and she stays true to her Americana music brand whether it’s a work or protest song, getting back to nature/environmental consciousness, a tribute to hero and family, traveling (either walking life’s road or riding a pony), fighting or not fighting, and hard work – they’re are all in there. Georgie is supported beautifully and skillfully by an all-star cast of vocalists and instrumentalists. My Work Here Ain’t Yet Done is like looking at a wide screen canvas painted with colorful sound placed in perfect balance. Akira Otsuka – musician, producer (Smithsonian/Folkways label)
In this recording Georgie welcomes you into her world, a world of childhood memories such as the story of a beloved prison warden aunt who brought humanity to the women in her charge, and of a close family friend who inspired Georgie’s love of horses and jousting. She sings of deep environmental and political concerns and her knowledge of Native American culture shines through as she tells the story of a captain who orders his platoon to run interference in an attempt to prevent the slaughter of Cheyanne and Arapaho families. Dede Wyland (Patuxent Records)
Special thanks to Mary “Sunshine” Mauler the best Mom anyone could wish for. Special thanks to Byron Strom, the descendant of Silas Soule, for all of his input and help. And Special thanks to Erich P. Erdoes for coordinating with his family to give me the use of copyrighted material from the book, Lame Deer Seeker of Visions, his father wrote with Lame Deer (used in the chorus of Crazy Horse Mountain).
Lyrics
My Work Here Ain’t yet Done
After the 2016 election results I feel like I am living in a bad episode of the Twilight Zone. It’s pretty scary. I wrote a lot of songs that predicted the situation we find ourselves in today. We’ve got a lot of work to do and I hope to be around to see this mess end!
I wanted to write a song with an old-time Americana feel. This song just wrote itself.
Lyrics
Chorus:
Oh my Lord – Please don’t take me
Oh my Lord – Please don’t take me
Oh my Lord, Lord, Lord, my work here ain’t yet done
Verse:
I see that I been sleeping – oh I see I been sleeping too long
Yes I see that I been sleeping, please wake me before I die
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
Little sister’s got a baby – Little sister’s got a baby son
Little sister’s got a baby – her work here can’t be done
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
Tell my mother I’ll be coming – tell my father I put away his gun
I’m sorry to keep ya’ll waiting – but my work down here ain’t done
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead and harmony vocals, guitar, banjatar
Sahffi Lynne – harmony vocals and adlibs
Ira Gitlin – bass, guitar, banjo
Jocelyn Haversat – washboard
M.W. Hayd – mystery banjo
How Do You Fight Fire?
One of my favorite songwriters bar-none, is Dirk Hamilton. I first heard his music when I found his Meet Me At The Crux album at a used record store while living in L.A. from 1977 until 1979. This is a song I always wanted to cover.
I finally crossed paths with Dirk in 2004 and we became close friends over the years. I once asked him why he did not do many of the songs from …Crux anymore. He told me he got tired of screaming. I’ve opened for Dirk several times over the years since and I have covered many of the songs on that album in my own way. This is my take on Dirk’s Rock and Roll classic. I tried to give it a bluegrassy feel.
Lyrics
Verse:
Flies fly Slow
In an early April
I lie low
And I dream of green
One righteous man could save the city
I lie low
Hear the powder blow
Chorus:
How do you fight fire?
You fight fire with fire
Verse:
In the land of the lizard
Under the bubblin’ mud
I lie low
And I dream of green
One righteous man could save the city
I lie low
Hear the blastin’ caps blow
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
Purifier, purifier
Makin’ an ash of trances
I lie low
While Flies fly slow
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Dirk Hamilton © 1978 Rabbit Songs BMI
Georgie Jessup – lead and harmony vocals – rhythm banjatar
Sahffi Lynn – harmony vocals
Pete Miller – bass
Kyle Windbeck – guitar, mandolin
Mark Delaney – banjo
Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
I wrote this song when my little town of Jessup, MD was trying to stop Arundel Mills Mall from being built. I knew in the end they’d get their way. The politicians on both sides wanted it. The media wanted it and some of the greedy land owners in Jessup wanted it because they knew it would bring up the value of their property.
My brother and I and the Jessup Improvement Association told the politicians what the result would be – over-crowding, major traffic problems, increased pollution, animals displaced and on and on. We have been proven correct all the way around.
The reference to “bury my heart at Wounded Knee” was to say I stand with traditional cultures who believe that we should live in harmony with the rest of creation. We all have to fight the good fight! We need to teach the next generations to resist selling out to those who work against the Earth…like frankly, most of my generation did. We dropped the ball!
Lyrics
Verse:
I have walked the white man’s highway.
I have seen his urban sprawl.
Take another piece of heaven,
just to build a shopping mall.
Chorus:
Leave my bones up on the mountain.
Send my spirit out to sea.
Let my people know my journey
and bury my heart at Wounded Knee.
Verse:
I have seen great mountains crumble
to the shovels filled with coal.
Polluted rivers, stagnant waters,
as we sell away our soul.
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
Let us always fight the good fight
even when our heroes fall.
Teach the children they are warriors
and let them stand when justice calls
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead and harmony vocals
Ira Gitlin – guitar, bass, banjo
John Heinrich – dobro
The Ballad of Silas Soule
Some friggin’ songs you just fight with, give up, fight with, give up, or take a break, and let it sit. The Ballad of Silas Soule has been like that.
Originally the song was called Tears In the Sand after a documentary film about the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. Then it became Ballad of Silas Soule – Tears In the Sand, to its final conception, The Ballad of Silas Soule.
I think I changed the key of the song at least three times and I have written the lyrics, and then re-written, over more than a couple of years.
One of the breakthroughs for me was changing the song from first person to singing as storyteller. It was kind of stupid for me to sing “my name is Silas Soule”, I mean, it’s not, and I should have realized that from the beginning. Once I settled on being the storyteller I still did at least four re-writes on the lyrics. Now I feel like I can sing this song in front of any audience and believe in what I am singing and what is happening musically.
To a songwriter, our songs are like our children. Sometimes, it really does take a village.
Some of the following friends made valued suggestions. Most of them I took to heart and used those suggestions to make changes. Sometimes these folks actually suggested words or entire lines. Or they were instrumental in leading me to the right words.
At times I felt like Bloody Chivington, whose command led to the massacre, was running interference on my creative process to keep the song from ever being ready for public consumption. Silas refused to obey Chivington’s command and would not charge the soldiers in his platoon. Silas was a Captain. One story I read was that he even formed a defensive line so that Cheyenne and Arapaho families could escape to safety. The descendants of those families hold an honoring ceremony every year in Silas’ memory.
Besides this brave act of refusing to charge his troops Silas went on to testify to the horrors committed by Chivington’s comman
d. Babies were cut from mother’s bodies and then their heads were smashed against rocks or beat in with the butt of a rifle. All kinds of body parts were cut off and kept as trophies for the big Denver victory parade. This song is not for the weak of heart but as it says in the first line it is, “a story that must be told!”
Thank you to Dirk Hamilton who pushed me to go deeper so the story could be understood by folks who knew nothing about Silas. Being the great songwriter that he is, a lot of credit goes to him to make me work harder. My fellow duo partner and bandmate in The Cosmic Cowgirls, Christina Van Norman also made some great suggestions that got me over the hump when I was ready to just let the song go. Faith Miller made some very important suggestions and was a wonderful sounding board. Billy and Edie Shannon, Meagan Garrison and many others gave me valued feedback along the way. Even my Mom (Mary Sunshine) offered some key suggestions and acted as a sounding board.
And of course Steve Carr, we spent hours and days bouncing lyric ideas back and forth, as well as musical production. He also contributed some keywords that kept me on the right track.
The pictures below were provided by Silas Soule’s great nephew Byron Strom. Byron’s great grandfather was Silas Soule’s brother. I especially thank Byron for the conversations we had over the process of writing this song and the valuable feedback and perspective he gave me about Silas! I hope I did this important story the justice it deserves.
Lyrics
His name was Silas Soule. A story that must be told.
In eighteen sixty -four, on a cold November morn
As troops prepared for battle dark clouds rolled over the sun.
Silas knew the Native People there. Treaties insured that all was fair
Tipis stood in peace while rifles stared.
Silas would not charge his command.
They’ll be no blood on his hands.
Chivington ‘s troops were told. By captain Silas Soule
The Indians fly the Stars and Stripes and the white flag of truce
Silas heard a woman scream, “Save the children turn the ponies loose”
Chivington and his men charged on and showed no mercy in the bloody dawn
Babies died that day at the Colonel’s hands. Silas did not obey his command.
There is no blood on his hands.
And everything he believed in and everything he knew,
Would come to light, in a Denver courtroom.
With the Bible at his side, Silas testified.
About the massacre at Sand Creek Silas would not lie.
An assassin’s shot took his life ’cause he brought the truth to light,
And he died for what was right.
His name was Silas Soule. The Truth is what he told.
An honest man he took a stand, he did not charge his command.
No blood upon his hands.
His name was Silas Soule
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead vocals, guitar, scratch piano
Fred Leader – Cellos
Kyle Windbeck – Guitar & Mandolin
Crazy Horse Mountain
One of my favorite books is Lame Deer Seeker of Visions by John Fire Lame Deer and Richard Erdoes. That book spoke to me with every chapter and in so many ways. It was uncanny. It was the first Native American book I read that had anything at all about the Lakota “winkte” (wingk-tay) tradition. This book also led me to the Pine Ridge Reservation where, in 1983, I met Frank Fools Crow who saved my life! The chorus of the song is taken from a chapter called “Sitting On Top Of Roosevelt’s Head”. It is attributed to the sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, who was doing Crazy Horse Mountain in South Dakota. I tried to contact his family to get permission but l
ater found out it was the creation of John Fire Lame Deer and Richard Erdoes. Richard has crossed over, but his family gave me permission to use the lines from the book as they now own the copyright.
This song just happened all at once. It’s the true history of America’s interaction with traditional Native culture.
Lyrics
Verse:
Washington sent George Custer
they needed to pay some bills
The headlines read go west young man!
There’s gold in them there hills
So they packed up their mules and wagons,
headed for our holy land
But our young men said it’s a good day to die
last stand for old Custer’s Clan
Chorus:
If I had the balls of a bison and the prick of a bull buffalo
I’d stand on top of Crazy Horse Mountain and piss on the bastards below.
Verse:
Crazy Horse took exception
to the sounds of shovels and picks
Gold diggers ran, with gold in their pans,
their bones in the river now sit
And sitting on top of Roosevelt’s head
the old man and me drinking wine
He said, “this mountain’s changed, four Presidents came,
and put up that new tourist sign.”
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
So now, many years later
they’ve traded our gold for crude
Our young men fight for the government’s might
come home with a bad attitude
So we do what we can to enlighten
and that’s why we’re here on Rushmore
Congressmen say they will help us
we don’t believe anymore
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead vocals, guitar, accordion
Christina Van Norman – harmony vocals
Sahffi Lynne – harmony vocals
Pete Miller – bass
Jacob Panic – banjo
Akira Otsuka – mandolin
Kyle Windbeck – mandolin solo
The Hip House Pot Luck Jam Chorus
Chorus singers:
Richard E. Beatty (the Legendary), Steve Benedik, Alexandra Burd, Frank Cassel, David Coe, Meagan Garrison, Lee Haigwood, Elizabeth Hopkins, Craig Hopwood, John Maddox, Dan Manning, Katy Marchese, Christina Van Norman, Royce Van Norman, Rick Sambuco
Baby Wrangling: Lee Haigwood & Katy Marchese
Babies: Evelyn & Luna Burdwood a.k.a. the Bad Baby Band
Puppy Jam Party: Dedicated to Philboyd Mauler [3/11/2016 – 8/15/19]
The Outlaw Josie Tails, Honey Boy Daxx, Maya (her highness), Woodrow, Gabriel (the Elder), Bugleboy (in waiting – jammer)
This Old Body (has carried me)
Alice Marie Blum was born in 1916. She got her masters at Catholic U. and went on to become the warden at the Maryland House of Correction for Women in Jessup, MD. My mother and father lived with her in the warden’s house on the grounds of the prison until their home was finished about a mile away. I was conceived in that house.
This photo was purchased from old newspaper archives – it dates from around 1958, or sometime in the early 1960s.
While my aunt was warden, there were no fences around the prison. I stopped there often riding my bike or pony to the prison. I would visit with some of the “girls” and we would tease my aunt together as she went about her work day. The “girls” would run me up and down the hallway in my aunt’s office chair when she left to do some other business out of her office. My aunt was in the Who’s Who In American Women, 3rd Edition. She made the prisoners part of the community of Jessup and family’s went there for movies, softball games, holiday parades, talent shows, to volunteer, and to educate, and other activities. One of my first performances was in a talent show (along with the girls) as a folk act with my brother and a couple of friends. In this way the “girls”, who often came from broken homes, learned by example what real family was all about. One of her comments when asked about the “bad girls” while she was being interviewed by a reporter was, “..there are good girls and better girls, but no bad ones”. Her escape attempts were almost zero and today there is double fence and razor wire around the place and, frankly, the “girls” today are treated like shit.
Mary Lou Bartram (my non-blood aunt) and Alice are also responsible for Jousting becoming the State Sport of Maryland in 1962.
My aunt died just days shy of her 101st birthday. However this amazing woman had Alzheimer for the last few years of her life. I often heard her saying, “Why am I still here?” I wrote This Old Body with her in mind. Originally I had “This old Body won’t carry me”. Either Steve Carr or my Mom suggested “…has carried me.” I am glad they spoke up. It made a world of difference!
Lyrics
This old body has carried me
Verse:
I’ve lived and loved and faced my fears
This old body has carried me
I’ve been happy and I’ve shed some tears
This old body has carried me
Chorus:
This old body has carried me
It’s tired and broke and I’m on my knees
Prayin’ to the Lord and the Goddess I love
Let the winds carry me, set my spirit free
This old body has carried me
Verse:
I’ve walked life’s road and I’ve sung my songs
This old body has carried me
And I’ve done more good than I’ve done wrong
This old body has carried me
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
I’ve paid my dues and I worked real hard
This old body has carried me
Kept on going and I’ve played my cards
This old body has carried me
This old body has carried me
It’s tired and broke and I’m on my knees
Prayin’ to the Lord and the Goddess I love
Let the winds carry me, set my spirit free
Let the winds carry me, set my spirit free
Let the winds carry me, set my spirit free
Credits:
Words and music Georgie Jessup Mauler winkte music/ascap copyright 2020
Georgie Jessup – lead vocals
Christina Van Norman – harmony vocals
Kyle Windbeck – guitar
Jacob Panic – banjo
Pete Miller – bass
Gary Backhaus – fiddle
Jocelyn Haversat – washboard
Ride Your Pony
When Mary Lou Bartram “crossed over” to the other side, I had to write this song. There is old 16mm Kodachrome footage of Mary Lou carrying me in her arms atop my aunt’s horse, Boots. I am only an infant and I am so secure in her arms that I am comfortably sound asleep.
For most of my childhood horses were a big part of my life. Like the song says, there is more footage of me getting up on my pony Lic Lic at four years old. Other footage shows Mary Lou teaching me how to unsaddle Lic Lic and put the tack away. I am so small my brother Gary had to carry the saddle for me, but Mary Lou made me carry the saddle blanket. Footage of my first birthday party shows Mary Lou leading Lic Lic to the table to join the party and have an apple instead of cake.
There are three things I remember Mary Lou saying all the time. “If there aren’t any horses in Heaven, then I ain’t going” ( I know that is a saying among horse folks, but she was saying it before there were T-shirts and bumper stickers). Mary Lou taught Gary and I to joust. My brother went on to win two Maryland Jousting Championships and two Tri-State Championships. He tied for First, more than once, in the National Jousting Championship during his riding career. I won my share of tournaments, as well and at one time or another I beat every jouster that had won a State or National title, including Mary Lou and my brother.
Mary Lou won three State Jousting titles and two National titles in a sport that had no divisions for women or age groups. Where you rode was strictly about your skills. Mary Lou went on to become the first woman to be a warden in a men’s prison and she went on to become the first woman to be an assistant Commissioner of Corrections.
The other two things she said and taught me through Jousting was, “One ring at a time. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing, as long as you take one ring at a time no one can beat you”. And she always repeated my aunt’s saying, “Everyone to their own taste said the old lady as she kissed the cow.”
I hope she’s still riding her horse on the other side!
Lyrics
Chorus:
Ride your pony through Heaven tonight
Your horse awaits green grass and blue skies
They say where you’re going all good cowgirls ride
So ride your pony through Heaven this night
Verse:
I recall I was too small to walk
you carried me on that big brown bay
I fell asleep in your loving arms
in your loving arms, I felt safe that day
Verse:
when I was four I was climbing aboard
my very own pony and you taught me to ride
Ride tall in the saddle and know you are love
This life is your journey the horse is your guide
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
Your ride down here is over and done
I’m gonna miss you and the love that you gave
So climb aboard for one glorious ride
On to the trail that the Angels pave
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead and harmony vocals, accordion
Cryin’ Fridays – harmony vocals (Christina Van Norman, Jacque Mawhinney Zoerner, and Leslie M. Wallis)
Ira Gitlin – guitar, banjo
Alan Oresky – mandolin (also part of Cryin’ Fridays)
Pete Miller – bass
Earth And Water Dance
I am a Taurus (an earth sign) and my good friend Peggy Raley-Ward (then Raley) is a Scorpio (a water sign). Peggy now owns and runs Nassau Valley Vineyards in Lewes, Delaware. She and her husband are amazing old school jazz singers and run the annual True Blue Jazz Festival.
Dewey Beach and Rehoboth are like second homes to me as my family has had a beach house in Dewey since 1920. So I would run into Peggy over the years either singing or at various music bars (she sang mostly R&B/Rock back then). After I transitioned we became very good friends. I was traveling with Snow Owl Flood’s family in the powwow circuit and through me Peggy and Snow formed a close friendship. During this period I fell in love with her.
I am a “no BS type” of winkte* so I confessed my love to her and did not know what to expect. She did not feel the same way about me, unfortunately. But I did not want to lose the close friendship we had between us so I wrote is song as a way of moving on from my desire for more than a friendship. We call each other “sisters from another mister” to this day and we are still good friends. The last verse includes my father who passed away not long after I wrote this song.
* winkte – ‘woman would become…’ – Lakota tradition for trans-folk and some claim, gay and lesbians individuals as well.
Lyrics
Verse:
Now if a butterfly were to land on my guitar
I wouldn’t be surprised to see you there
I’d turn into a flower give you all the things you need
And I know you’d do the same for me
Chorus:
Let the winds of heaven dance between us
Let every angel sing a sacred song
And every grain of sand be kissed by the mist of the ocean
Let the earth dance with water
Verse:
Now if a thousand fairies were to dance around my head
I ‘d know it was you who sent them there
We’d fly in through your window and drop dust upon your bed
You’d hear the words we left unsaid
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
Now when my body dies they’ll be no last regrets
Even though I’ve traveled lonesome roads
All this time you’ve been there dancing in my heart
And knowing you has lightened up my load
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead and harmony vocals, six string guitar
Sahffi Lynne – harmony vocals
Pete Miller – bass
Kyle Windbeck – guitar 12 string and six-string and mandolin
Hammer in My Hand
I wrote this for my Pop! These are things he actually said to me at different times in my life. If nothing else, I wrote a great song for my Pop, but I hope you enjoy it too.
He was an amazing man. For anyone who has visited my Listening Space, Edith May’s Paradise, and have seen the old 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s toys that decorate the room, they come from my Pop’s toy store. I use to love to go in with him on Saturdays while he filled orders and I played in the showroom aisles with the toys on the shelves there. Mauler Brothers was his family’s
business going back to 1889 in Baltimore MD. It was a mostly wholesale business so on Saturdays it was just me and Pop, except in the 1960’s when his Uncle Bob still worked there.
I probably would be in the family business today if it were not for all the big box stores that came along. Pop told me there was no future for the small business man. He was often correct about things.
But I also, in my later adult years, enjoyed working with my Pop on the different projects he said needed to be done. Cutting wood with him, talking during breaks, and enjoying the beautiful land where he and Mom lived in the family home, (in Jessup), are some of my fondest memories.
Anyone who knew him will tell you what a great human being he was. He crossed over in 2003. One of the last things I said to him was that 20 lifetimes with him would not be enough!
Lyrics
Chorus:
If I die with a hammer in my hand I’ll die happy.
A little hard work never hurt an honest man.
That’s what my father said.
I wish that I could be a little more like he was.
But he would always say,
Live the life that God gives today and put a hammer in my hand.
Verse:
If a jobs worth doing then do it right.
Stick to a plan and don’t lose sight.
You build it up, on solid ground.
Build it strong so it won’t fall down
If I die with a hammer in my hand I’ll die happy.
Verse:
Hammer a nail it’ll keep good time.
Hold on to your tools you’ll be just fine.
You sing your songs. We work our hands.
You keep the beat. I’ve got the plans.
Repeat Chorus
If I die with a hammer in my hand I’ll die happy.
A little hard work never hurt an honest man.
That’s what my father said.*
*Solo for rest of chorus music
Verse:
When day is done and its time to play
Just save some money for a hard rain day.
Have some fun. Keep your vision strong.
Stay true to your heart. Let your worries be gone!
Repeat Chorus
Outro:
Keep the beat I’ve got the plan
Let your worries be gone
Live the life that God gives
Put a hammer in my hand
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead and harmony vocals
Christina Van Norman – harmony vocals
Ira Gitlin – bass, guitar, banjo
Jocelyn Haversat – washboard
Mary Sunshine
Mary Josephine (Blum) Mauler married Pop in 1949. They were a team. Pop always referred to Mom as his “right arm”. They were in love like not many couple’s ever are. When Pop passed in 2003 they had been married for 54 years. They were together every day with very few exceptions, 24/7 when Mom worked with Pop at the store from September until December 24th during Christmas rush. I never saw either of them walk out in anger or sleep in different rooms. During their free time and as they got older, they would sit together watching the Orioles play baseball and hold hands the whole time!
When Pop passed it was hard to come by the house and see Mom missing Pop, but not complaining (which has never been her way), I started thinking about her and how I hope things will end for Mom when she takes her journey (she is now 100 years young). There is just no way to really say anything that would make it easier for her, but I know this song is one of her favorites and, hell, that’s better than a Grammy.
They did not go to bars or clubs and socialized mostly with their families. Mom and Pop spent a lot of time with Alice (Mom’s sister) and Mary Lou (their adopted sister). BTW, Mary Lou and my aunt Alice lived in the same house, together, for over 65 years.
As we were winding up the recording end of this album, I somehow convinced Mom to take a shot at singing the last verse in her own words. Mom, Steve and I all came up with the new last verse. I am honored to have her singing on this album! She is an amazing woman!
Lyrics
Verse:
She was looking out the window of the last home that they made
The blue-bird was singing as the sun began to fade
She was hoping she could see him peeking through the distant clouds
When the wind started calling her great trees began to bow
She was standing in the kitchen washing off a single plate
With a smile on her lips ‘memberin’ how he use to wait
For the cake that’s in the oven or what’s roasting in the pan
They had such a good life she was proud to take his hand
Chorus:
She heard his voice and it was calling like sweet summer rain
But it was December still she drifted back in time when he sang,
“You are my sunshine my only sunshine And you make me happy all of the time
You’ll never know dear how much I love you. You make me happy all of the time”
Verse:
Now I’m lying in a lonely bed wishing you were here.
Holding me in your loving arms, wiping away my tears.
From all the times I’ve thought of you, and every time I cry.
‘Til the Angels are here to take me to your arms and by your side.
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead and harmony vocals, accordion
Mary “Sunshine” Mauler – lead vocals on last verse
Akira Osuka – mandolin
Fred Lieder – Cello
Ira Gitlin – bass and guitar
Mark Delaney – banjo
John Heinrich – dobro
Green Man
I worked in education for my day job. Working with the kids I often wondered what kind of future we are leaving them with. It is a dysfunctional society we have created. The proof is glaringly clear today, as the environment and human rights issues have suffered, since the 2016 election!
I suppose this is my environmental song. The old Myths and Legends speak of the Green Man who is a symbol of rebirth. Green Man images are frequently found in carvings on both secular and ecclesiastical buildings.
Many scholars speculate that the mythology of the Green Man developed independently in the traditions of separate ancient cultures and evolved into the wide variety of examples found throughout history (according to wikipedia and scholars like Joseph Campbell).
The kids “get it”. I can imagine a future generation finally throwing up their hands and heading for the woods! Great Mystery bless them!
Lyrics
Verse:
When every blade of this green grass has turned a golden brown.
Summer burns forever and no children are around.
They’ve run off to the mountains and left you to wonder why.
Chorus:
They’ll be dancing in the forest soon.
And singing under a sweet full moon.
Calling out to the Green Man’s tune,
“Won’t you be my friend again?”
Verse:
When every day’s a red day, and you’re praying for another blue.
No one’s gonna say, “I told your so”, the thing you already knew.
They’ve run off to the mountains, and left you here to cry.
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
If there ever was a hope. If you ever had a prayer.
Lessons you never cared to learn, have vanished to thin air.
So sing the song of the Green Man, under a cool blue sky
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead vocals
Cryin’ Fridays – harmony vocals (Christina Van Norman, Jacque Mawhinney Zoerner, and Leslie M. Wallis)
Kyle Windbeck – mandolin and guitar
Pete Miller – bass
Fred Leider – cello
No Train Is Fast Enough For Me
Being a musician I still deal with fans who have a crush on me. They think because they like your work that you owe them something. At least, that is how they make you feel. Sometimes you can tell them you are not interested, or you finally tell them str8 up you don’t feel about them as they feel about you. Even then they insist.
As time went on, after writing this song, I tried to imagine the song being sung to Donald tRUMP or those that support him. Yeah, I think that is much kinder and the lyrics still apply.
Lyrics
Verse:
Where I’m goin’ you can’t go.
Where I’ve been you’ll never know.
Just these tears are all I leave behind.
There’s no seed that you can sow
It don’t matter what I say.
You won’t ever go away!
Though I’ve tried to help you understand.
I guess I’m always in your plans.
Chorus:
And there’s no train that’s fast enough for me.
There’s no plane that I can fly.
If I could I would grow some wings.
No train is fast enough for me.
Verse:
Some folks say you’re crazy.
I think your thinking’s a little hazy.
If you’re thinking I’d be better off with you.
Then I think you’re just crazy too.
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead vocals, accordion
Christina Van Norman – harmony vocals
Ira Gitlin – bass, guitar, banjo
Jocelyn Haversat – flat foot board and washboard
Woody Guthrie Blues
Every songwriter should have to pay tribute to Woody in song. I think even Arlo would appreciate my take on his Pop. But keep in mind Dylan, Hank, Elvis and Jimmie Rodgers are in there too.
Lyrics
Chorus:
I got the hard travelin’ Woody Guthrie Blues
I got the Woody Guthrie Hard Travelin’ Blues
I got the I ain’t got no home in this world
Woody Guthrie Blues
Verse:
They say a hard rain, a hard rain’s gonna fall
Yeah a real hard rain, it might kill us all
Ain’t no savior singin’ ever gonna hear my call
Ain’t no savior singin’ ever gonna hear my (to chorus)
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
Hear me boss man and listen to what I say
You’d better hear me boss man every word I say
Poor man gonna rise up, so pay us for our days
Yeah Poor man gonna rise up, so pay us for our (to chorus)
Repeat Chorus
Verse:
I got a feelin’ somethin’s gotta change
I got a real strong feelin’ things are gonna change
So I got to keep on movin’ a rollin’ like that train
Yeah I got to keep on movin’ a rollin’ like that
Repeat Chorus
Credits:
Words and music by Georgie Jessup Mauler ©2020 winkte music/ascap
Georgie Jessup – lead vocals
Christina Van Norman – harmony vocals
Ira Gitlin – bass, guitar, banjo
Ty Ford – Jews Harp
