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CHERRY LAUREL 081511 A STRICKEN

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CHERRY LAUREL - James Michael Taylor - 081111

Dm C B A
There’s nothing quite so slow to grow as a cherry laurel tree
A fingerling beneath an old oak canopy
Presented as a volunteer, that creek bank west of town
One hundred yards from our back door, water hole I hung around
D# Dm
I’d lie and stare up at the noose that dangled from the oak
C Bb A Dm
When all I wanted without you was a casket and a rose

When Joseph died my parents broke. It left them without strength
I couldn’t bear to let them down another fatal length
So I put my destiny on hold, a sober son I’d be
And watch the cherry laurel grow into a cherry tree
And who could know my mother, cold, crippled, pained and gray
Would live on to be ninety one and then a few more days?

D#
Bruise the bark and you can tell
Dm
The cherry laurel got it’s name
C Bb A Dm
without the fruit but it still smells the same…

And father, fit as fiddle, a solid 92
Leaves me here these twenty years in sadness without you
I dreamed again this morning, you, naked on our bed
The one that’s not been slept on since you left me unwed
I lie and stare up at the noose that dangles from the oak
When all I wanted without you was a casket and a rose

And in the stories others told me you were gone for good
And I’m wondered how could they know unless they have bruised the wood
For who can know a lover’s heart, it’s fabric and it’s woof
And think the moon just an orb that tumbled off the roof
I lie and stare up at the noose that dangles from the oak
When all I want here without you is a casket and a rose
I lie and stare up at the noose that dangles from the oak
When all I want here without you is a casket and a rose…

Bruise the bark and you can tell
The cherry laurel got it’s name
without the fruit but it still smells the same…
(C) 2011 Royal T Music

Endicott Road's avatar
Endicott Road said

I like this song very much. IMHO it's your best song from this album. Well done. ER

Robert Palomo's avatar
Robert Palomo said

Something of Neil Young for sure, some essence of David Crosby. And that refrain does sound spookily like you got Graham Nash in the studio with you. Nice.

Jon Lastovica's avatar
Jon Lastovica said

Totally dig it... you sing it like the only song that need be sung as the candle wax shrinks and the the flame no more illuminates. Very Neil-esque

Guest said

This drew me in from the first few bars and held me to the end

Johnny Stone's avatar
Johnny Stone said

Absolutely brilliant mate really dig this.

Guest said

This is great. Wonderful guitar work, love the tempo, most touching lyrics. Great stuff!

Wildgeas Music's avatar
Wildgeas Music said

Awesome storytelling young fella. Super harmonies.

kavin.'s avatar
kavin. said

My...how did you get Crosby/Nash to sing bg vocals? Brighter days, JMT.

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