Inspired by a fictional song about Tom Waits by Louis Armstrong, as if Waits were an inspiration for a Louis Armstrong born after Tom Waits. Tom Waits, a troubadour of midnight's embrace, With gravel and grit in that whiskey-soaked voice, He reaches deep within the soul's sacred space, And in the darkest corners, he finds … Continue reading That Ol’ Tom Balm – – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Loneliness , Whiskey, and Fire – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Inspired by a fictional debate between Tom Waits and Leadbelly on what makes a good Hobo Blues song Well, I sat by that campfire, a bottle in hand, In the heart of the night, in a faraway land, With the stars up above and the wind in the trees, I pondered my life and the … Continue reading Loneliness , Whiskey, and Fire – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
The Travails of Self-doubt – – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Inspired by a fictional debate between Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon on what makes a good Hobo Blues song, then put to music. (Verse 1) In the neon haze of this smoky dive, I'm just a broken man, trying to survive, Whiskey in my glass, and a cigarette in hand, Lost in a … Continue reading The Travails of Self-doubt – – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
The Burning – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Inspired by Midnight Oil’s “Beds are burning”. Reimagined as a punk anthem using Leonard Cohen word-style. (Verse 1) The sands of time, they're slipping fast, Injustice reigns, shadows cast. Our mother weeps, her wounds bleed deep, Yet silence reigns, as we sleep. (Chorus) Lands are burning, the flames ignite, In the dark, we'll rise and … Continue reading The Burning – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Strange Folk – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Inspired by People Are Strange by The Doors and the haunting sounds of a travelling carnival’s weathered calliope. Re-imagined in what I think Tom Waits might have done, had he wrote this song. Well, there's something about folks, don't ya see, They're mighty peculiar, just like you and me. Their faces are masks, hiding secrets … Continue reading Strange Folk – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
This May be The End – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Inspired by The End by The Doors. Re-imagined in what I think Tom Waits might have done, had he wrote this song. We've come to the final act, The fat lady has sung The last curtain was called, The end of the line. The road's run out, and We're stuck here at the edge of … Continue reading This May be The End – Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards
Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards: 57 Songs from the roads taken in my imagination
For decades, I’ve loved cover versions of songs, especially those that deviate from the originals in style and interpretation: jazz versions of hard rock songs, blues versions of alternative or pop songs, and literary works interpreted as lyrics. Along with the sheer laughter brought on by misheard lyrics, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed how we each perceive … Continue reading Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards: 57 Songs from the roads taken in my imagination
The New Renaissance Mindset 