Story Behind The Song

beginning with a basic musical sketch (chord progression) which came to me in March of 2013, i asked my wife what she thought of when she heard the music to this song. she said 'places i have been'. so i thought, 'why not' and from that basic premise, i began to write this sentimental, rootsy ballad which i just realized today should be called 'ANGEL SHOES FOR MAMA'S FEET'

Song Description

at my age, under pressure from financial worries, health, et al...you start giving more thought to where you came from, your 'roots' as it were. mine was a very nurturing, caring family and i will always remember the great love which emanated from my southern Illinois home. beyond childhood, mom and dad were always very supportive of my life choices no matter how unwise and defiant they might have seemed. this is a song of gratitude and deep affection for my parental progenitors, those who loved, nurtured, and brought me into this world.

Lyrics

ON EVERY HIGHWAY YOU TRAVEL,
EVERY PASSAGE AT SEA,
LIFE TEACHES A LESSON OR TWO,
I'M SURE YOU WOULD AGREE.

LIKE, WHAT IS LAUGHTER WITHOUT TROUBLE
MIXED IN WITH THE JOY?
AND IT'S NOT TOUGH, IT'S AN EASY LITTLE JUMP,
THINKING BACK TO WHEN I WAS A BOY

WHERE SUMMERTIMES SMELLED LIKE HEAVEN
BAKED UP FOR KIDS TO EAT
AND MOM, SHE PRACTICED HARD TO BE A SAINT
ANGEL SHOES STRAPPED TO HER FEET

ANGEL SHOES FOR MAMA'S FEET
ANGEL SHOES FOR MAMA'S FEET

I REMEMBER ME AND GRANDPA WENT FISHING
GOT A LINE HUNG UP IN THE DITCH,
WELL, RATHER THAN LOSE MY HOOK AND SINKER,
HE STRIPPED DOWN TO HIS LAST STITCH.

MY DAD, HE WAS ALWAYS SMILING
AS THE FIRST MATE ON OUR SHIP,
HE KNEW WHEN TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT
NEVER GAVE MOM ANY LIP

CHUMMY AND PAL WERE GOOD DOGS
THEY KEPT THE VARMINTS THINNED
PAL WORKED OVER THE POLECATS
WHILE LITTLE SISTER DID THE BIG RATS IN

WRESTLING WITH THOSE CATFISH,
HOOTING WITH THE OWLS,
WORKING REAL HARD IN THE SUMMERTIME
NEVER HURT NO ONE NO HOW

WITH POPCORN IN THE EVENINGS
AND ICE CREAM ON THE LAWN
DAD'S COOKING UP SOME T-BONES
MOM'S GOT HER HOT BISQUITS ON

WHEN THE ICE FROZE COMMUNICATIONS
YOU HAD TO GO SLOW OR SKID
THAT'S ONE THING PEOPLE LEARNED REAL GOOD
HOW TO DRIVE THEIR FROZEN KIDS

AND MOM WAS LIKE THE CAPTAIN
SHE GUIDED OUR SHIP WITH FLAIR
SHE WENT TO CHURCH AND SHE PRAYED REAL HARD
I GUESS THAT'S WHY I'M STILL HERE

AS A YOUNG MAN, I SAILED THE OCEANS
GOT PAID TO GO SEE THE WORLD
SEEMED A LOT BETTER ALTERNATIVE
TO GETTIN' DRAFTED AND CALLED UP EARL-Y

ANGEL SHOES FOR MAMA'S FEET
ANGEL SHOES FOR MAMA'S FEET

HONEYSUCKLE... POLLENATING THE AIR
PLAYIN' THIS MUSIC... TAKES ME THERE
CAN YOU SMELL IT TOO, A PLACE CALLED HOME?
APPLE PIES IN HEAVEN AND A HOT BEEF ROAST

RPT:
HONEYSUCKLE...POLLENATING THE AIR
PLAYIN' THIS MUSIC....TAKES ME THERE
CANYOU SMELL IT TOO, A PLACE CALLED HOME?
APPLE PIES IN HEAVEN AND A HOT POT ROAST