HEROS..



"I hear it coming", said the boy
as we waited for it to appear
sirens roared above the crowd
as he jumped up and hollered "it's here"
such a sight it was to see
the parade that Memorial Day
with flags and floats & marching bands
in salute to those passed away.
"I'll race you home" the young boy said
as the parade faded from view
"I don't like the graveyard part
they're just hero's that we never knew"

It was fate that found the boy
had grown through years to be
a soldier boy who gave his life
to uphold this land so free.
such a sight it will be
the parade this Memorial Day
with flags and floats & marching bands
in salute to those passed away
"I'll race you home" the young will shout
when the parade fades from their view
but me I like the graveyard part
there's a hero that i once knew.....

1971 VanMatre
also called "Butch's Poem"

"The Junction IGA"

I worked every day since high school
at the Junction IGA
Lord,I watched the ecconamy slowing down
and my friends and neighbors pay
I watched the school kids geting wet
cause the the school can't afford a roof..
I watched our Goverment spend money
in every country on this earth...
There's a flag on my front lawn
it's just a blowing in the wind
Makes me wonder where were heading
makes me think of where we've been...
the factories in ross county
they ain't hired in 3 years
there ain't much work going on round here my friend...

Last night i was sacking groceries
talking to a Jackson twin
when the front door busted open
and a man with a gun came in
Well, i looked down the barrell
of that pistol in his hand
and i saw a fear in his eyes
as he made his demand...

Lord, it was like a nightmare
a nightmare straight from hell
he looked like someone i once knew
but i really couldn't tell.
the factories in Ross county
they ain't hired in 3 years
there ain't much work going on round here my friend...

Today the front page of the paper
shows him laying on the floor
says i took a gun and shot him
as he went for the door...
I swear i can't remember
I can't remember what I done..
but something's in me's lost
something in me's gone.
Lord it was like a nightmare
a nightmare straight from hell
he looked like someone i once knew
but i relly couldn't tell
the factories in ross county
They ain't hired in 3 years
there ain't much work going on round here my friend....

today the story on our news cast
shows the mayor of our fine town
he's standing with a shovel
he's ready to break new ground.
says they're building a new prision
bringing 30 jobs our way
the town folk say it's good news
I say it's time to pray...
behind the mayor there's a flag
it's just blowing in the wind
makes me wonder where were headed
makes me think of where we've been
the factories in ross county
they ain't hired in 3 years
there ain't much work going on round here my friend.
no there ain't much work going on round here my friend...

2004 VanMatre/Soos

UNEMPLOYMENT TIME...

The foreman down at the factory
just laid off Jake he was hired after me
Lord,i'm moving right down that senority line
I ain't good at doing unemployment time

when i ain't workin' she'll work full time
and over time too if she gets the mind.
she'll look at me and lay down the law
the one who ain't workin' has got it all...

and the kids get up at a quarter till six
there's breakfest, lunch and supper to fix
the beds need made and the sweeper needs run
(i ain't real good at gettin things done.)
there's dishes to do -groceries to buy
laundry to wash and laundry to dry
by the time i'll get time to sit down
the kids will be home runnin' around
if i ain't working she'll work me full time
and over time too if she gets the mind
me home alone suits her just fine
i ain't good at doin' unemployment time
there's bills to pay errands to run
cleaning up messes, never gets done
she'll look at me & lay down the law
if i'm not working i got it all...
yes, if i'm out of work, she'll work full time
over time too if she gets the mind.
me home alone will suit her just fine
i ain't good at doin' unemployment time

2004

Back On my feet again.....

Unemplyments running out
I'm so tired of interviews
i come home a rool up pennies
watch the news & get the blues..

I won't let these hard times haunt me
Sir, I'm not a quitting man
this economy is lousy
but i'll do the best i can

cause i got God and family beside me
Lord knows how hard it's been
trust in me baby cause you know I'm gonna be baby
back on my feet again....

now i ask you mr congressman
I ask you senator too
what would you do if you woke up
walking in my shoes?..
could you give up your mansion
give up your mercades benz?
what whould you say if your pay
was what i'm bringing in....

chorus..
I got God and family beside me
Lord knows how hard it's been,
trust in me baby cause you know i'm gonna be baby
back on my feet again..

Mr. i don't need a condo
I Don't need a caravan
all i need is to be right back up
on my feet again...

I won't let these hard times haunt me sir
i'm not a quiting man
this economy is lousy
but i'll do the best i can

cause i got God and family beside me
Lord knows how hard it's been
trust in me baby cause i'm gonna be baby
back on my feet again...
Yes, trust in me baby canuse i'm gonna be baby
back on my feet again

2004

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND WHISPER



"This world is such a mess" she said
as i tucked her into bed
and visions of depression was
inside her tiny head.
so we closed our eyes and whisperd
as we so often do
asking God to color peace
a bold red white and blue.
there's too much talk of war i thought
as i kissed my child goodnight
"don't believe all that you hear"
i said, turning out the light.
then i closed my eyes and whisperd
as one so often will
asking God to mark with stripes
all who shalt no kill.
"She'll be okay" her father said
when i told him of our prayer
"prayers won't change the hearts of men"
he said, "or make them care"
then he closed his eyes and whisperd
as one so often should
asking God to let a star
shine brightly so they could

1995