With These Roots

Inspired by the uplifting testimony of Denise Jackson

Vs1
When I’m in need of inspiration
I know just where to go
Find that old oak tree still standin’
Planted centuries ago
A reminder of my parent’s love
And the strength of family
That old tree recalls fond memories of
The roots they’ve given me

Chorus
And with these roots no storm can break me
I can rise and face each day
With these roots no wind can shake me
I stand tall and unafraid
With these roots I never face alone
Life’s sorrow and despair
With these roots I’m never far from home
And the love that I found there

Vs2
When I’m in need of consolation
Feelin’ lonely, feelin’ low
I find that old oak tree still standin’
Planted centuries ago
A reminder of my parent’s faith
And the comfort of family
Lifts my spirits as I pause to pray
These roots they’ve given me

Chorus
And with these roots no storm can break me
I can rise and face each day
With these roots no wind can shake me
I stand tall and unafraid
With these roots I never face alone
Life’s sorrow and despair
With these roots I’m never far from home
And the love that I found there

©bobby watts/cheryl clawson 2008

The Gift that Just Keeps on Giving

Vs1

I’ve been blessed in my life with a wonderful wife

And if you ask me what gives my life meaning

It’s the home that we share and the love I find there

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

Refrain

Out lives haven’t turned out the way that we planned

Sometimes we’ve been dealt a pretty tough hand

We’ve shared good times and bad and memories joyful and sad

And you’ve been my best friend from beginning to end

So if you ask me what makes life worth living

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

Vs2

I’ve made my share of mistakes—caused you pain and heartache

Countless times I have needed forgiving

Each time you’ve opened your heart and gave our love a fresh start

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

Refrain

Out lives haven’t turned out the way that we planned

Sometimes we’ve been dealt a pretty tough hand

We’ve shared good times and bad and memories joyful and sad

And you’ve been my best friend from beginning to end

So if you ask me what makes life worth living

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

You’re the gift that just keeps on giving

Bridge

Sadly I haven’t said often enough

How much I treasure the gift of your love

And as I searched for a way to share my gratitude

I wrote down the words of this song just for you

©bobby watts 2008

First In and the Last to Leave

Dedicated to America’s everyday heroes—Sparky and all of our first responders and their bravery and dedication to our safety

1^st verse

Did you see our friends and neighbors bravely lead the way

As we saw those towers fall that black September day

While others ran for shelter

Our heroes joined the fight

No time for fear—their mission clear

To save another life

They live their lives by a simple creed

Be the first in and the last to leave

2^nd verse

Did you see our sons and daughters bravely heed the call

As Katrina’s mighty storm surge breached the levee walls

On the rooftops people clung in shock

As our heroes filled the skies

No time for fear—their mission clear

To save another life

They live their lives by a simple creed

Be the first in and the last to leave

Refrain

Did you know that heroes walk our streets

Young and old—every nationality

And when we face a desperate time

They always put it on the line

Unafraid to pay the price

Ever ready to sacrifice

Living their lives by a simple creed

Be the first in and the last to leave

Bridge

With heads bowed we pay them homage

For the sacrifices made

We salute them for their courage

And the lives that they have saved

©bobby watts/cheryl clawson 2008

Lone Star State of Mind

Vs1

Rockin’ to  some Willie on a warm summer night

Dancin' with my honey holdin' her real tight

Resin up the bow and turn the lights down low

Play me a Strait tune nice and slow

Nothin’ quite so fine

As spendin’ time

In that Lone Star state of mind

Chorus

Take me straight to that Lone Star state of mind

No better place than that Lone Star state of mind

You don't need no sign

Never hard to find

That Lone Star state of mind

Vs2

You know it’s heaven for a Texan spend a night two-steppin'

And we jump in that line when it’s boot-scootin’ time

Can’t think of  nothin’ better than a southern get-together

All night party with these outlaw friends of mine

Nothin’ quite so fine

As spendin’ time

In that Lone Star state of mind

Bridge

Shake off all my worries leave that job behind

No more need to hurry, no more daily grind

Let my hair down, kick back, take my own sweet time

Make my way back to that Lone Star state of mind

Key change-last chorus

©bobby watts 2008

Your Love Is A Healing Place

Vs1
Remembering the call I made that cold and rainy day
A friendship lost I always thought would be there come what may
You said I’ll be right there, an answer to my prayers
And I felt my spirits raise
When I need a friend, when I need to mend
Your love is a healing place

Refrain
Your love (your love) is a healing place
Where I go to free my soul from the pain I can’t let go
Your love (your love) is a healing place
In your strong yet gentle arms I find shelter from life’s storms
Lost in your embrace I find amazing grace
Your love is a healing place
Your love is a healing place

Vs2
A letter from a dear friend’s mom bearing tragic news
He had lost his life in a desert fight
Left a wife and child he never knew
Thank God you were there to quietly share
The grief I felt those days
When I need a friend, when I need to mend
Your love is a healing place

Repeat refrain

Bridge
Every time life leaves me hurtin’
When I feel like givin’ up
I know one thing for certain
I can count on is your love

Key change and repeat refrain
Your love (your love) is a healing place
Where I go to free my soul from the pain I can’t let go
Your love (your love) is a healing place
In your strong yet gentle arms I find shelter from life’s storms
Lost in your embrace I find amazing grace
Your love is a healing place
Your love is a healing place
………
Lost in your embrace I find amazing grace
Your love is a healing place
Your love is a healing place

©bobby watts 2008

I Could Always Count On You

I regret the times I didn’t make you proud
Choosing to run with a fast, loose crowd
And it saddens me to know I caused you heartache
With my prideful arrogance and bad choices made
I thank God always for you being there
And for the assurance that you really cared
And the one thing that I knew was always true
I could always count on you

No matter what tough hand I’ve been dealt
And no matter how alone I sometimes felt
Through the joyful times and the sad
You were always there for me, Dad
And the one thing I always knew
I could always count on you

As I reflect this Father’s Day on all you mean to me
I know that words can’t express or fully let you see
You’re the strength at my core and so much more
And your heart’s always been an open door
Your example a compass to point the way
To the best man I can strive to be each day
And I thank God always for this simple truth
I could always count on you

No matter what tough hand I’ve been dealt
And no matter how alone I sometimes felt
Through the joyful times and the sad
You were always there for me, Dad
And the one thing I always knew
I could always count on you

And no matter what the future holds
I’ll bear witness to this simple truth
You’ll be always there in my heart and soul
And I’ll just keep counting on you

No matter what tough hand I’ve been dealt
And no matter how alone I sometimes felt
Through the joyful times and the sad
You were always there for me, Dad
And the one thing I always knew
I could always count on you

Father's Day 2009
©bobby watts 2009

Who Was This Man

Who was this man that Mary called her son
Who was this man that Peter called his friend
A patient teacher wise beyond his years
A gentle healer who soothed away their tears

His name was Jesus a maverick in his day
A Nazarean who followed a new way
God became man and shattered history
He took on flesh to show us what we could be

He gathered round him a band of gentle men
And welcomed all no matter what their sin
He lived and taught a truth they’d never heard
The spirit of the law embodied in God’s word

His journey took him to a cruel cross
His friends forsook him thinking everything was lost
But on that fateful day on a hill called Calvary
He did His Father’s will and won the victory

Who was this man that Mary called her son
Who was this man that Peter called his friend
A patient teacher wise beyond his years
A gentle healer who soothed away their tears


©bobby watts 2008

One Candle’s Light

With faith and hope we pledge our love
Reflected in one candle’s light
Rings exchanged … a symbol of
A commitment made for life

No longer shall I walk alone
There’s someone at my side
A lifelong friend I can count on
On whose love I can rely

The good times will be richer
The sad times we will bear
For now we have each other
To listen and to share

Lord, sanctify this marriage
Let it be a witness to
The love we have for each other
And the love we have for you

Let our marriage be a witness to
The love we share in you.


©bobby watts 2008

Deep In My Heart

(in progress)

Refrain

Deep in my heart in a safe hiding place

I'll carry our love's memoir all of my days

Wherever you are you'll never be far

There will always be a part of you in me

Vs 1

How it hurt me when you said you were leaving

And you told me you couldn't go on make-believing

Girl you left me grieving

Vs2

Your face haunts me in my dreams and reveries

All my life I will cherish the precious memories

And you know you'll always be

vs/bridge

When I met you I knew my life had changed forever

Have I Lost You

hook from line in "The Firm"

(in progress)

vs

Have I lost you

Is that look I see in your eyes

Telling me you've come today to say good-bye

I know I hurt you

Broke a solemn promise made

One moment's lust and I lost your trust

What an awful price to pay

refrain

What can I say, what can I do

To make you believe that I still love you

Don't want to lose you

Breaks my heart to see this end

Don't want to say good-bye to

My lover, my best friend

vs

Have I lost you

Is the sadness I hear in your voice

A sign your heart's no longer mine

You've made your choice

What was I thinking

How could I put our love at risk

And I'm so ashamed as I see the pain

Caused by that stolen kiss

Dare to Chase Your Dreams

(dedicated to the life and testimony of Edna Faye Watts, my mother who I love dearly)

As a little girl I sat and studied my family’s bowed backs

Toiling daily in the heat in another man’s pea patch

Wondering if I dared to hope for more or if this was all my future held in store

And so at an early age I found a special place where I could always go to find God’s grace

I’d just close my eyes, find a favorite scene

Run in a flowered pasture, splash in a cool, clear spring

And as a soft breeze stirred I’d hear the words an angel softly sings

Let joy fill your heart, my child, and dare to chase your dreams

The youngest of twelve in our sharecropper family

A late life surprise when my mom gave birth to me

Sure we had our share of hard times but never more than we could bear

We lived off the land and trusted in God’s plan for why he put us there

And whenever I got to feeling low I had a special place I could always go

I’d just close my eyes, find a favorite scene

Run in a flowered pasture, splash in a cool, clear spring

And as a soft breeze stirred I’d hear the words an angel softly sings

Let joy fill your heart, my child, and dare to chase your dreams

I remember that star-filled state fair night when a tall, handsome fella caught my eye

He’d walk nine miles just to see me smile and I knew I’d found my Mr. Right

We got on a bus with a quarter to our name--never found riches, never looked for fame

But we taught our children what love and family means

And gave them the courage to dare to chase their dreams

And I carry with me always that special place where I can go and find God’s grace

I just close my eyes, find a favorite scene

Run in a flowered pasture, splash in a cool, clear spring

And as a soft breeze stirs I still hear the words my angel softly sings

Let joy fill your heart, my child, and dare to chase your dreams

You see my parents gave us the hope of a better life

If you worked real hard and lived it right

No homestead, no vote-the poll tax saw to that

But they had their faith, a compass sure and they walked a righteous path

They taught me what love and family means

And gave me the courage to dare to chase my dreams

bjw

Mother’s Day 2009

Christmas In Our Hearts

Vs1
We await in anticipation
The coming Yuletide celebration
Counting the days till that joyous season starts
And it defies explanation
Why we don’t use our imagination
And live each day with Christmas in our hearts

Refrain
The spirit of the season and all that it imparts
Is ours when we choose to live with Christmas in our hearts
The gift that keeps on giving
It’s magic never far
Each day that we spend living
With Christmas in our hearts

Vs2
It’s the Christmas choirs singing
The silver bells ringing
And the tale of a wondrous star
Leaves me believing
The reason for the season
Is to plant the seed of Christmas in our hearts

Repeat refrain

Bridge
So no matter what season of the year
We can find the Christmas spirit near
And it can play a special part
Brighten every day we start
When we keep Christmas in our hearts

Refrain
The spirit of the season and all that it imparts
Is ours when we choose to live with Christmas in our hearts
The gift that keeps on giving
It’s magic never far
Each day that we spend living
With Christmas in our hearts

©bobby watts 2008