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Singles

by Bill Milford

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janrostov
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janrostov The poetry, the guitar music and Bill's soothing voice are mostly what I love. And beyond that there is a loving vibration and harmony in all Bill's songs. I could listen to them forever.... and I plan to.
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1.
Welcome Home 03:41
Welcome Home G D It’s just like when somebody knows you, G D It’s the feeling when they call out your name, G D It’s the heart and soul of all that you know, Esus4 E Em A Together, forever, the same. It’s the feeling that all is familiar, It’s the sense that you never left home, It’s the peace late at night, That beyond wrong and right, You’re okay and you’re never alone. Chorus G D Welcome home, This is the place, Em A Anywhere that you go, D Where your heart fills your space, G D Welcome home, It’s hard to believe, Esus4 E Anywhere that you go, Em A That you never can leave, D Welcome home. Sometimes it feels like a journey, Up and down the yellow brick road, You never know what trash can, Will become a tin man, To help you shoulder the load, I’ve got to find me that good witch Glinda, Her big hair, her big dress, her appeal, Is it to true you can go, Quickly back to your home, Just by wishing and clicking your heels, Chorus G D Impatience and misunderstanding, Gm D And fear keep you at bay, G D Even when all seems so familiar, Gm D You feel far away. G D And the distance to the closest place, Gm D Where you think you should be, G D Is closer than you’ll ever know, Esus4 E A Click those ruby slippers and see. Chorus G D Welcome home, This is the place, Em A Anywhere that you go, D Where your heart fills your space, G D Welcome home, It’s hard to believe, Esus4 E Anywhere that you go, Em A That you never can leave, G D Welcome home, Now is the time, Em A Take a load off your feet, D Rest your heart and your mind, G D Welcome home, It’s hard to believe, Em D G D Em DGD Anywhere that you go,Is a place that you know, Em D In your heart you can see, G A It’s the place you should be, D Welcome home.
2.
Healing Heart I give thanks for this healing heart, I give thanks for this healing part of me, I give thanks for this healing heart, This healing heart that brings me love. I give thanks for this gentle touch, I give thanks for this gentle part of me, I give thanks for this gentle touch, This gentleness that brings me love. Bridge: There’s so much in life that we may never know, There’s so much to be found in the journey, There’s a calm I’ve found that wherever I go, Your presence is here running through me… I give thanks for this peaceful day, I give thanks for this peaceful part of me, I give thanks for this peaceful day, This peacefulness that brings me love. Instrumental Bridge: There’s so much in life we may never know, There’s so much to be found in the journey, There’s a calm I’ve found that wherever I go, Your presence is here running through me… I give thanks for your love in my life, I give thanks that your love is a part of me, I give thanks for your love in my life, For your love that fills this healing heart. Your love that fills this healing heart. I give thanks for this healing heart. 6/28/2012 – Bill Milford
3.
Blessings of Love Let us live for this moment of presence , To be loved in the sight of your gaze , We pray an instance of grace, to be born of this place , That will grow with us throughout our days , The heart of love is devotion , The heart of devotion is love , And love’s the devotion of your heart , To all life born of heaven above , Chorus: (And so…) May blessings of love…. surround you . Blessings of love…. In your life . Blessings of love…. surround you . May our lives be blessings of love . Parts of life can be hard and uncertain , Parts of peace can be unsettlingly truth , Parts of change are a mysterious challenge , I feel strengthen to face these with you . For our hearts were meant to be open , And our souls were meant to be shared, For inside of each one, lives a much larger Love , That springs boundless compassion to care … May the peace that surpasses understanding thrive , In this blessing of love that’s with us through our lives , My prayer is one of commitment , To your heart and all the hearts that we know , To seek you in each, and by example teach , These seeds we have nurtured and grown , Bill Milford 6/13/2014
4.
Nothing But Love There’s a little bit of me in each and everyone, a little bit of you in me, A little bit of hope and a little bit of struggle and a whole lot of God’s blessings, There’s a little bit of faith and a little bit of burden and a little bit of change of heart, A little bit of loss in everything we gain and a little bit of end at the start. Chorus: And oh, nothing stays the same, And oh, everything must change, And after all is said and done there’s nothing that remains, Nothing but love. Nothing but love. We’re a little Superman, if we really think we can, and Wonderwoman when we’re put to the test, We got a little bit of classy, a little bit of trashy, and some Lassie when we’re at our best, We got a little bit of Bush and a little bit of Nixon, as much as we don’t want to admit, A little Thich Nhat Hanh, a little Chaka Kahn, and Henry Aaron when we make a big hit. Chorus: And oh, no one stays the same, And oh, everyone must change, And after all is said and done there’s nothing that remains, Nothing but love. Nothing but love. Bridge: Step by step we make our way through rough and shaky ground, And blind our eyes to the darker side that always is around, And bit by bit we stumble onto life, rich and profound, And find that it’s nothing but love, nothing but love. There’s a little bit of tears in a parcel of laughter and joy in a real, nice cry, A little bit of loss in the birth of baby and freedom whenever we die, There’s a little bit of fear in the start of a journey so we wonder if we’ll ever get through, A little despair to make us think we won’t make it and enough friends to make sure we do. Chorus: And oh, nothing stays the same, And oh, everything must change, And after all is said and done there’s nothing that remains, Nothing but love. Nothing but love. Nothing but nothing and love. November 2, 2001
5.
A Grateful Heart G Em C G When I am worried, When I am down, G Em A7 Am D7 G Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart, G Em C G When I feel blessed, And on holy ground, G Em A7 Am D7 G Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart, Em A7 D7 Bm Help me to live just one day at time, C Am D7 Keep in my heart, in my soul and my mind, G B7 Em Cm That the beauty of life’s in each moment of time, C G A7 Am D7 G Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart. Give me strength , Give me courage, To deal with fright, Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart, Help me to find peace within restless nights, Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart, Help me to know that in time all will pass, Help me live with a vision of love that will last, Let my heart sail with hope, And let faith be my mast, Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart, In my time of worry, When I’m feeling small, Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart, When I feel strong, And on top of it all, Oh, Help me live life with a grateful heart, Give me the strength and the faith to let go, Give me courage to face what I already know, With love in my heart, I am never alone, Oh, Help me live life, Help me to give life, Oh, Help me know life through a grateful heart. - William F. Milford, December, 1999
6.
A Life Full of Time Verse 1 In the measure of a moment. A world can disappear, What once was all the here and now, Is neither now or here. In the breath of instant, Just after the fall, The common place we knew so well, Isn’t there at all…. Chorus And the TV’s on, All night long, So someone’s talking all the time. And she writes things down, On papers all around, To keep track of what is on her mind. And if each day is the same, Well, that’s just okay, For it’s all about the pleasant passing of time, It’s about life, (It’s about life) It’s about life, (It’s about life) It’s about a life full of time. Verse 2 Once the shock is over, Once the pain has dulled, Once the sleepless nights have ceased, Once the tears have lulled, There’s a careful moment of reckoning, In a silent time of call, (That questions) Whether moving forward, Is really moving at all, CHORUS Bridge For the hole’s so wide, And the fall’s so deep, The journey out to daylight, Seems too far and steep, And the prayer’s too hard, Just to speak his name, As each morning dawns the aching thought, Life is not the same… Instrumental Verse 3 What a blessing are friends and children, What a blessing is my life, What a blessing I have lived to know, This man to be his wife, And a blessing is how I’ll live these days, Until my days are through, When at last the daylight comes to me, And then I’ll come to you. Final Chorus Till then the TV’s on, All night long, As if you are talking all the time. And I’ll write things down, On papers all around, To keep you forever on my mind. And if each day is the same, Well, that’s just okay, For it’s all about the pleasant passing of time, It’s about life, (It’s about life) It’s about life, (It’s about life) It’s about a life full of time. It’s about life, (It’s about life) It’s about life. It’s about a life full of time. July 3, 2010
7.
Mend These Bones Mend these bones, Heal this heart, Give the patience for each day to come together and apart, Mend these bones, Give it time, When it all falls to pieces, help me find some peace of mind. Mend these bones –Mend these bones – Mend these bones. Help me stand, Keep me strong, Give me courage to find balance, And wisdom for how long, Help me stand, On my two feet, Brave enough to make some promises, And the faith in ones to keep, Help me stand- Help me stand- Help me stand. Let the peace in this life flow around me, Let me gather up my breath till I let go, Let me welcome the journey of the mystery, Let it be alright that I don’t know… Help me walk, Day by day, Sure and steady and keep my head up to help me find my way, Help me walk. With steps so small, That I mindfully move forward without the fear to fall, Help me walk, help me walk, help me walk. Instrumental Let the peace in this life flow around me, Let me gather up my breath till I let go, Let me welcome the journey of the mystery, Let it be alright that I don’t know… Let me be, Where I am, Strong enough to care about it, Strong enough not to give a damn, Let me be. On my own. In the gift of the moment, Together or alone. Let me be, let me be, let me be.... Mend these bones- mend these bones – mend these bones. 7/15/09
8.
Warrior 04:26
Warrior D Em G A My mother is a warrior inside an aging shell, D Em A I know she is a warrior because I know that fight so well, Bm She does not stop or surrender, E7 And got up each time she fell, Em G Em A D My mother is a warrior inside an aging shell, My mother is a stubborn mule inside an aging shell, I know she is a stubborn mule because I know that resistance well, She does what she does in her own good time, And if not, politely gives you hell, My mother is a stubborn mule inside an aging shell, My mother is a motherless child inside an aging shell, She knows she had a mother but did not know her well, She is kind in all her outreach, And casts a caring spell, My mother is a motherless child inside an aging shell, Bridge C G Sometimes I lie awake at night, Gm D And wonder how she is, Em G A D And imagine that she’s lying awake, too. C G And I bet we’re thinking the same thing, Gm D Longing for my dad, Em G A And wondering if he’s proud of how we’re doing. My mother is a mystery inside an aging shell, A mystery of power, and where it comes from, I can’t tell. A fountain of strength, a fountain of fear, And a fountain of love as well, My mother is a mystery inside an aging shell. 7/25/2014
9.
Dust Outside The Sun Dust to dust, From shine to rust, Seems we’re here today and gone tomorrow, And the miracle we hold… fades until we’re told, That all the time we have, Is time that’s borrowed, Chorus: And oh, the pain… To lose all that we gain, From all we’ve loved and all we’ve done, But there is no defeat, For again, someday, we’ll meet, As particles in dust outside the sun. Some say that heaven’s here, Though clouded by our fear, That things should be all different than the way they are, It’s hard to accept, This life without regret, As we overlook what’s near, For what is far. Sometimes it feels a curse, To be this dot in the universe, A spot of blue in a vista of light and dark. Once awake enough to know, Then it’s time for us to go. Tethered to this world by our beating heart. 5/10/2015
10.
In the Bleak Mid-Winter D Bm Em A In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, D Bm Em A D Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; G F#m Bm Em A Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, D Bm Em A D In the bleak midwinter, today and long ago. In the bleak midwinter, will you take me in? Troubles all around me – where do I begin? Worries weigh upon my heart, Woe on woe on woe, In this bleak midwinter, today and long ago. What have I to offer, to give your burden ease? Comfort for the moment, a space to find your peace, A place to share the fire, warmth for you to know, That in this bleak mid-winter, here you have a home. In the bleak mid-winter, love can give us heart, Kindness for our journey, Strength to help us start, Passion when we’re weary, Faith for us to know, In this bleak mid-winter, hold on, don’t let go. Hold on, don’t let go. Hold on, don’t let go.
11.
Christmas Eve Reflection So there we were on Christmas Eve, Sittin and talking bout the birth of baby Jesus, Wonderin if we been deceived, Cause some scientist had said he'd been born in August, Cause the light that shone, Couldn't done in it so in December, But I guess some folk figured we couldn't remember, Bout the birth of Jesus in baseball season, Cause the birth ain't just a good enough reason, To stop and think, And think a little more, About love. So there I was on Christmas eve, Singing little songs bout the birth of baby Jesus, Lots of tunes about shepards and sheep, People travelin lots of miles just to go see him, As if he had something to say, But he was only a babe in stinking little manager, Cause the inn had turned him away, As if Mary and Joe were strangers, But he didn't care cause he was just a kid, But it makes me think about kids, Makes me think about love. So if you say Jesus wasn't about love, Well then I say he could of been, And if he wasn't than I think there's enough, To say he should have been. Cause the Bible is book that gets bolder and bolder, Especially when the bold is in the eyes of the beholder, So I will chose to believe, The only sight I that I see, That the people who I think are like Jesus, Are all about love. So here I am on Christmas eve, Thinking about K-mart and the birth of baby Jesus, Wondering if he grants reprieves, To all the guilty sinners who feel bad about sinning, Cause we didn't figure out he was not about sinners, Or the victory of the meek cause in the end they'd be winners, It was the day to day romance, And courting if we'd give it a chance, Just letting loose as if it was in the plans, Being all about love. So if you say Jesus wasn't about love, Well then I say he could of been, And if he wasn't than I think there's enough, To say he should have been. Cause I get caught up in health and wealth and possession, That I forget that faith is chosen profession, So I will chose to believe, The only sight I that I see, That the people who I think are like Jesus, Are all about love. Bill Milford (ASCAP) C1991
12.
Joy In This Quiet Time Chorus: There is joy in this quiet time, I have Peace Like A River, Flowing in my mind, My soul is singing now, Hallelujah Anyhow, And there is joy in this quiet time. Beloved friends, Gathered here today, Let our hearts be lifted, By this life that's come our way, Let us lean on one another, And share that love with others, For there is joy in this quiet time. Chorus: Broken hearts, May you all be mended, May your tears make dull your pain, Let us honor all we knew, By who we are, And what we do, For there is joy in this quiet time. Chorus: Bridge: Let us lift our voice in song, To this love that makes us strong! (Key Change) Now let us make, Our time of healing, Let our hearts be weaved as one, Let us re-create this day, In laughter, dance, and play, For there is joy in this quiet time. (1/10/11 Bill Milford – A Call To Worship for Dotti Siftar’s Celebration)
13.
Fireflies 04:04
Fireflies… Chorus:* C D G Oooooooooooo, C D Em Oooooooooooo, C G D G Oooooooooooo, (G) G C G What a delight are fireflies, G C G Lighting before my eyes, (G) G C G/D As I sit by this water , Em/C# D Letting loose of this day, G C G They remind me of how briefly, (G) G C Their light shines then darkens G quickly, G C G Em And I wonder if that’s how we are, Em/C# D G If we affect each other that way. Chorus: What a fine time ruminating, By myself, I sit debating, The nature of the firefly, And the nature of my life, For I am not in hurry, To return my mind to worry, I would rather ponder endlessly, This moment flickering in time. Chorus: If we are all fireflies, A-Lighting each other’s lives, To whom, are we the glimpses, And to whom, an endless flame, And if only for a moment, Our life shines as if we’re glowing To whom, are we like the firefly, That delighted me today. Chorus: This brief moment of contemplation, Was sponsored by liberal arts education, And a major in psychology, That in my mind went askew, But if this image sinks in, I’ve successfully made you think then, To whom are you a firefly, And who’s a firefly to you…. CHORUS with tag ending Bill Milford 7/7/17 Canada Lake
14.
23rd Psalm and Interpretation The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides still waters, He restores my soul, And leads me in the paths of righteousness, For his name’s sake, And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For you are with me, Your rod and staff comfort me, You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil, My cup runneth over, Surely goodness and mercy, Will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell house of the Lord forever.   I follow a great teacher, Who gives me all I need, You help me to slow down and live a full life, So even in the hardest times, I feel alright. When I give up, you give me hope, When I make mistakes , you guide me gently, For that is the true purpose of love, Love gives us strength to do the hard things in life, Even when we have no control, For we are never alone, And with your guidance, we’ll never stray. Let grace and mercy fill my heart, As I feel I have been blessed with your love, A love I discover more and more each day, So I do believe, That my heart will know peace, When I think of you, When I pray for you, When I am here with you, Forever.  
15.
Moment of Time I was drinking some coffee, I was sitting at home, I was talking bout life, With a friend on the phone, We spoke how you never know, What alters your mind, And how quickly it all changes, In a moment of time. Then another friend called and said, Turn on the TV, You won’t believe, What your eyes will see, Two towers burning. In our old stomping ground, And I watched all morning, As they both came down. CHORUS And it’s hard to believe, That life can change so fast, As we breathe each moment away, And it’s hard to imagine, How things could have been, Had it been some other way. And all the hard lessons, And morals we learn, Seem to have the same meaning in mind, Love with all your might, Hug your loved ones tight, If just for a moment of time. I heard “I never said goodbye, When my wife went away. I never let her know, How much she meant that day, I wish that I could live that day, Over again, I’d hug her and I’d thank her, Just for being my friend.” CHORUS BRIDGE In the heart of confusion, Is the feeling you might, Never have known what was real, But the heart of survival, Is the faith in what’s right, And taking time to heal. So we get back on the horse, And keep a mighty tight grasp, For in the space of a moment, We’re now on a new path, And we mourn and we stumble, And we take time to cry, And we celebrate love, Like it’s the 4th of July.
16.
Comfort Into My Life E Esus4 There is something about the way that you know me, E A That brings comfort into my life, A G#m It's the ease and grace, And the smile on your face, F#m B7 And the patience worn against time, E F#m There is something about the way that you see me, E G#m There's a calm that I know in your eyes, A G#m Once unfamiliar and quietly spoken, A B7 E You grew in delight and surprise, Chorus C I don't need a dozen roses, E To bring me joy in my life, C All I need is your touch of closeness, Am B7 That promises love over time.... There is something about the way that you hear me, That you hear all my heart has to say, Word after word, Profound and absurd, Day after day after day, There is something about the way that you touch me, That reaches a part of my soul, As each day unfolds, I feel more and more known, Like a story that loves to be told. Chorus I don't need a dozen reasons, To know that your heart is my own, I've known the love of a hundred seasons, Always changing but never alone... There is something about the way that you're with me, Familiar and unafraid,. Just the thought of you near, Quells the doubts and the fears, And carries me through my day, There is something about the way that you love me, That I feel grateful in heart all the time, That a friend and a lover's so easily discovered, How to bring comfort into my life, Bill Milford 9/27/97
17.
If These Walls Could Talk If these walls could talk to me, They’d tell the tale of family They’d shout the pain and sing the joy, Of a song that must be sung, If these walls could feel they would tell, Of the warm spring sunsets they have felt, The winter breath and the autumn breeze, And a family of love. Chorus: A house is a place, A family makes a home, Memories can fill the space, So you never are alone. If this walls could speak the smell, Of the life this house has known so well, It would speak of meals and wisteria, And the delight of a thousand meals. If these walls could hear they’d say, Of songs sung sweetly through the day, Of lullabies and tunes of joy, And of tender songs that heal. Chorus: A house is a place, A family makes a home, Memories can fill the space, So you never are alone. If these walls could say what they’ve seen, They’d speak of times of joy and times of grief, And of these rooms which hatched a million dreams And of hands held closely in love. If these walls could only say, Of the hands that opened doors each day, They may change but they never stray, Hearts always come back home. Chorus: A house is a place, A family makes a home, Memories can fill the space, So you never are alone. Barb Siftar Adapted by Bill Milford May 2006
18.
My friend, I pray for you. Peace, love, and healing, My friend, I pray for you, Healing, love and peace. Breathe in, Breathe out, Peace, love, and healing, Breathe in, breathe out, Healing, love, and peace. Step by step, We move in love toward healing, Step by step, Our healing brings us peace.
19.
Every Heart You Touch There are those who speak of vision, Who look for life that's new, Who seek uncharted mountain tops, For the insight and the view, And there are those who seek the common place, For they know the heart that's true, Has the challenge of a lifetime, In the peace of passing through... And then its... Welcome to your mansion, Welcome to your room, Welcome to your family, And the seeds that quickly bloom, And its welcome to slippery rocks, That will take all you can do, To keep your step and not get wet, In the peace of passing through... And when our life is chaos there's a constant in the storm, And when our lives seek comfort, there's a place that's safe and warm, And even in our darkest hour, when we feel most alone, You show every heart you touch becomes a home. Breathe through each step of the journey, To make a thousand miles, And build brick by brick with mortar thick, To make a house worthwhile, Then go face by face with joy and grace, And touch each with faith renewed, And then rest at night to find the might, In the peace of passing through... And then its one last glance for saving, And a momento from the earth, One last goodbye and tearful eye, To celebrate the birth, Of the faith that can't be shaken, Of the love that's always new, Of the courageous heart that must depart, In the peace of passing through... And when our life is chaos there's a constant in the storm, And when our lives seek comfort, there's a place that's safe and warm, And even in our darkest hour, when we feel most alone, You show every heart you touch becomes a home. You show every heart we touch becomes a home. Bill Milford, 2/16/98 Tallahassee, FL
20.
Scars 04:08
Scars Am Am/G Sometimes a thought occurs to me, Fmaj7 Esus4 E How much more compassionate this world would be, Am Am/G If each of us could know and see, Dm7 E Am The stories behind all our scars. The pain and strength, the hope and fear, The journey of faith that we all could hear, Of a hurt so deep that it’s always near, The stories behind all our scars. Dm G C Emily and Jesus Christ, Dm G Both have scars, G C That speak of their life, Dm7 G C Tears in flesh, fractured bones and broken hearts. Dm7 Dm7/C Are the stories that bring us together, Esus4 E After we’re torn apart. Sometimes it feels like we need to hide, The pain we’ve known that we keep inside, But once revealed we can come alive, With the stories behind all our scars. Instrumental Break A labor of anguish, then born to pain, How is it this birth becomes one of shame? As each nurtured heart begins to thrive, The indignity of survival, Becomes the joy of being alive! Sometimes it feels like we need to hide, The pain we’ve known that we keep inside, But once revealed we can come alive, With the stories behind all our scars.
21.
Season Song 06:05
Season Song Cmaj7m6 Dm7 G This will be my summer song, Cmaj7m6 That you sit with me by the water, Am G F Em F Fdim And we let the waves wash down upon our feet, C E7 Am Gm7 C7 And we watch the sun go down, Am G F Fm Watch the sun go down, C Am Dm7 G Watch the sun go down, F C And breathe. This will be my autumn song, That you walk with me through the colors, And we listen to the change the season sings, As we drink the cool, crisp air, Drink the cool, crisp air, Drink the cool, crisp air, And breathe. This will be my winter song, That you sit with me by the fire, As we watch the snow paint a portrait all in white, And we warm our weary souls, Warm our weary souls, Warm our weary souls, And breathe. This will be my springtime song, That you walk with me in the garden, As we notice the little changes that life brings, And we smile about our lives, Smile about our lives, Smile about our lives, And breathe. You will always be my season song...
22.
Most of All 07:16
I Love You Most Written for the occasion of Mary Dekle and Bill Jones’ 25th Wedding Anniversary Introduction: When the night gets cold, A story’s often told, How love can warm a heart, That’s worn and tired, It’s the story of romance, That’s rarely born of chance, For love is love, When love has been… inspired. Verse 1 I love you most in the morning, When sunlight glistens off the dew, I love you most in the afternoon, When the rain storm breezes through, I love you most in the evening when, The night shadows start to fall, But it’s plain to see, When you’re next to me, I love you most of all. Verse 2 I love you most in the mountains, As we drink in the view, I love you most by the ocean, As the waves rush on through, I love you most ‘neath the city lights, Where the neon shadows fall, But when you’re near, That’s when its clear, I love you most of all. Bridge And day after day, In each and every way, There’s something that keeps love a new, And baby there’s no tellin’, As we’re jammin’ or we’re jellin’, We’re canning a concoction that is true… Verse 3 I loved you most in the beginning, When we first said our “I do” s, I loved you most as we settled in, And lived our story through, I loved you most when you said to me, More and more each day I fall, From dusk to dawn, And from this moment on, I love you most of all. Instrumental Bridge And day after day, In each and every way, There’s something that keeps love a new, And baby there’s no tellin’, As we’re jammin’ or we’re jellin’, We’re canning a concoction that is true… Verse 4 I love you most for your kindness, And the way you show you care, I love you most for your passion, That gives you strength to dare, I love you most for those moments when, You rise to meet another’s call, But when I find, You back by my side, I love you most of all. Bill Milford (2009)
23.
Riley’s Lullaby Come my long unexpected child, Close your eyes and sleep, Do you know the miracle you are, With you we have our family, So sleep, sleep, sleep, Close your eyes and sleep. Come my long unexpected child, Close your eyes and sleep, Through our love, I have now become, The mother I have longed to be, Come my long unexpected child, Close your eyes and sleep, Through our love, I have now become, The father I have longed to be Come my long unexpected child, Close your eyes and sleep, Around your heart, the seeds of life are sown, To grow within community.
24.
Blessed Assurance Will you come home tonight, Rest your head on my shoulder, Will you come home tonight, Let me help you know that life’s okay, Just for today. I’ll rub your tired feet and hands, And later we’ll make other plans, For life. Will you come squeeze my hand, Feel my strength inside you, Will you come squeeze my hand, I’ll hold you tight and never let you go, Just so you know. You’re not alone in where you are, We’ve gone through worse and we’ve not that far, To go. Will you come sit with me, Take a sip of this drink and sit by me, Will you come sit with me, Drink the comfort of this love you know, You’re never alone, We’ll take this journey day by day, And never let this love slip away, That we know. Uncertain and majestic, the twists and turns abound, Once we think we have our vision then we learn we’re upside down, Faithful to unknowing, we believe in what we've found, Reaching for the stars we’re finding diamonds on the ground. And so it goes. Will you come lay with me, Hear my breath, hear my heartbeat, Will you come lay with me, Hear the calm I share with you for life, For all of my life, Though life’s not always what it seems, You can count on me to make your dreams, Come true, As long as it’s me, And you.
25.
The Gentle Man From Texas Verse 1: G Now down in Fort Worth way, D7 A young boy would sing and play, D7 G In folk groups and in choirs, G G7 Every chance he could, C C+ He was quite a handsome fellow, G E7 With a voice so calm and mellow, A7 D7 That folks would settle down and say “Yee hah that guy is good…” G So he traveled near and far, D7 To get away from the wrecking yard, D7 B7 But the Lone Star State would call him back home again, C C+ So he started a family, G E7 Back in Texas so he could be… A7 A faithful voice the wind could carry, D7 Right across the Texas prairie,   Chorus: (D7) G D7 He’s the gentle man from Texas, D7 G G7 The gentle man from Goolsby’s Pool, C C+ Instead of fighting, he sings, G E7 His six-shooter is his six strings, A7 And trouble goes a-runnin’, D7 When it hears his guitar strummin’, G D7 Cause he’s the gentle man from Texas, D7 B7 The gentle man from Goolsby’s Pool, C C+ When hard times come along, G E7 He brings comfort in every song, A7 D7 G When the gentle man from Texas says “I love you…”   Verse II G Now he cut a bunch of records, D7 As he grew his family, D7 He taught hundreds of kids to play guitar, G G7 And even ukulele, C C+ And even if the bills were pilin’, G E7 He still’d keep pickin’ and smilin’, A7 For greener fields are never far, D7 G With faithful heart and a Gibson guitar, G So he moved out to the country, D7 With the love-of-his-life to be, D7 B7 Organic song farmers of the purest kind, C C+ Cause even if it’s dry or flooding, G E7 A new song’s always budding, A7 For hard times they will never last, D7 So you should never let a good tune pass,   Chorus: Instrumental of Chorus C7 …..(key change to F) Bridge to the tune of “Yellow Rose of Texas” F Oh, the mellow tones of Texas, F Are the ones from Lindy’s heart, C You can hear it on the highway, F D7 If you’ve an 8-track in your car… (Back to key of G) Verse 2: G So the kids and grandkids gather round, D7 To hear him sing his song, D7 And he tells them of the road and friends, G G7 He’s made the whole year long, C C+ And in his songs he never ceases, G E7 To give credit to the Prince of Peace who has, A7 Given him the foundation of, D7 The way he shares unconditional love… G Now he travels the country wide, D7 (Singing with) The love-of-his-life by his side, D7 B7 As they try to help the world to understand, C C+ That we should live as sisters and brothers, G E7 And that Texas is for Lovers! A7 And life would be more appetizing, D7 If we all did more harmonizing… Chorus 8/6/18 Canada Lake Bill Milford
26.
How to Tell The Truth My skin is skin is getting smoother, My hair is getting thick, My eyesight is much sharper, And my social skills are slick, The only thing that I regret about losing my youth is, I’ve forgotten how to tell the truth. I attractive to all women, I’m the envy of all men, I am a dynamo lover, Again, again, again, again, The only thing that I regret about losing my youth is, I’ve forgotten how to tell the truth. I’m an excellent driver, Quite considerate on the road, People wave hi to me with one finger, Everywhere that I go. I feel limber in the morning, From a long and restful night, I can really hold my liquor, Much to everyone’s delight, The only thing that I regret about losing my youth is, I’ve forgotten how to tell the truth. I’ve got a photographic memory, I always know what I’m doing, I’ve reflected on my life, So I know why yours is in ruins! My physique is finely chiseled, Less than 2 % body fat, Everyone wants to know where I going, Cause where I’m going’s where its at, The only thing that I regret about losing my youth is, I’ve forgotten how to tell the truth. How about you? You’ve forgotten how to tell the truth, Let’s own it everybody, We’ve forgotten how to tell the truth.
27.
She’s My Girl She’s got a smile so bright, That she’s as brilliant as the sunshine at noon, She’s got a heart full of light, And she’s captivating as the full moon, And when the sun goes down and we are in for the night, We’re like two spoons in a drawer that is locked up tight, And when you lean into her love, everything is alright with the world, Because she is my girl… (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (low) (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (falsetto) She’s got a funky little walk, She’s know how to take the world in stride, Your heart listens when she talks, But before you know it, you are in for the ride, When she shows up at your door you feel excitement and fear, Because you don’t what may happen whenever she’s near, And when she sings she may lift you up and right out of this world…. Because she is my girl… (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (low) (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (falsetto) If only, You knew her the way that I do, Then you’d be, Singing her praises, too….. For she is my world…. Because she is my girl…. (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (low) (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (falsetto) She’s got a twinkle in her eye, That lets you know that she is so kind and sweet, But she has strength in her heart, That makes the powerful lay down at her feet, And when she tells me she loves me -I say “I love you more”, Our loving cup runneth over but that is what that cup’s for, To have and to hold and to spill it all over the world, Because she is my girl… (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (low) (Do-do-do….do-do-do) She’s my girl, (falsetto)
28.
I Come Only In Peace Dedicated to Kate Munger and the service of the Threshold Choir ©2015 I come only in peace, I come only with love, I come only to be with you.... Bill Milford
29.
CONCRETE FOREST There are no knights in shining armor, And there are no dreams come true, But there is faith, hope and honor, And friends who come stand by you. And with faith there's no reason to be speculating, About what it so and what is not so right, I could spend my whole life debating, About what could be justified, For the line is not nearly as grey as they say, Like the moon in the daylight is not the light of day, It just appears that way sometimes. So blessed are those who do not second guess their giving, And live a life that's true to their heart, And though that often means it's breaking, It becomes new with a piece that's apart, And blessed are those who live through their vision, And hear cries without walking away, To witness lives is a decision, And each action a prayer that you make. To know the sounds of city are those of a human chorus, And the buildings are the landscape within the concrete forest, And each life is fragile and porous, a tree alive. Trying to survive. And at times when I'm tired, And need to be inspired, I imagine the fire, Amidst the brick and the pane, And a woman I know, With a strength and a glow, Helping each person know, In Her love. There is no substitute for hard work, In forging a life with the poor, There is no option accepted, Then to face what is at your door, And I can throw away dollars to assuage my spirit, And I can move to a prettier place, But you can't forget the sounds of the city once you hear it, And you can't forget its heart and its face. For amidst the rubble is the soul of another, Who taught that in grace we become sisters and brothers, And what the world needs is lovers, To make the scene, People like Kathleen.
30.
Life Looks Different Today V1 G F# Bm E7 When the apple hit Isaac Newton’s head, Am D7 Bm E7 He first went “ouch” and then he said, Am A+ G E7 “This fruit's got gravity I bet,” Am D7 Then things looked different that day… V2 G F# Bm E7 When Copernicus went and figured out first, Am D7 Bm E7 That we weren’t the center of the universe, Am A+ G E7 The dream of every narcissist was burst, Am D7 G Cause things looked different that day. B1 Dm7 G7 Dm7 G7 When Tom Edison wrapped some wires up tight, Cmaj7 Am Cmaj7 Am Ran some power through it and lit up the night, B7sus4 B7 Em After that day, the future looked bright, A7 D7 Because everything was seen in a different light, V3 G F# Bm E7 And when you think of music and how sound came around, Am D7 Bm E7 It started with pounding sticks on the ground, Am A+ G E7 Then a tune came along and it all was profound, Am D7 G As things sounded different that day. Instrumental break – Lots of little musical phrases from music history B2 Dm7 G7 Dm7 G7 In a garage in California were two computer hacks, Cmaj7 Am Cmaj7 Am One named Jobs, the other Wozniak, B7sus4 B7 Em They started with Lisa but ended up with Mac, They started with an Apple and from that came a Mac, A7 D7 They started thinking different and they never looked back. V4 G F# Bm E7 From relativity to evolution, Am D7 Bm E7 The way you think creates the revolution, Am A+ Bm E7 So never doubt you contain the solution, Am E7 It’s just a thought away…. Am D7 If you need justification, Bm E7 You can thank your education, Am A+ For the prize that you’ve earned, G E7 Is all that you’ve learned, Am D7 When you wake up and look at life…. D7 G A little different today.
31.
I believe Chris is panned left and I am to the right. Regardless, I am the first one to play and then Chris does a quick response and that should get you oriented.
32.
Look At the Love We’re In She’s quite a looker, He’s quite a feller, This is the story of Jack, And the story of Keller, The fell for each other, Now look at the love they're in. They love boat'in They love canoein', They took to the water, To do their "I do'in", They exchanged rings, Now just look at the love they're in. They said on the boat, The vows that that they wrote, As they held each other… and the railing, “So with all of our hearts, Till death do we part, Through rough and smooth sailing,” Today they pledged that, They would share-a, Their lives with Belle, And Shannon and Sarah, They just got married, And look at the love they're in. Now Jack’s proposal, Is one of legend, He planted grass, To pop Keller the question, The grass finally grew, Now look at the love they’re in. Keller’s Grandma, Said of his good deed, “He’s not first guy to propose, After spreading his seed! But at least he grew grass!” Now look at the love they’re in, Keller to Jack then confessed, The answer was “Yes!” And in love, they’d be growing… Jack swallowed hard, Remembered the yard, And said, “damn, I knew it needed mowin’!” Marriage is like grass, Only nicer, It needs love, it needs care, And lots of fertilizer, Hope you got plenty of each, Cause look at the love you’re in! Instrumental Up from the cellar, Come Jack and Keller, And what are you knowin'? It’s 4th of July, The fireworks fly, As passion is growin’ I know it’s tough to, Find the wording, But there’s something about, A woman who goes birding, She’s deeply committed, That’s the kind of love you’re in. I don’t mean to, Be a heckler, But be wary of the woman, In search of a woodpecker, You’re the man for the job, And look at the love you’re in! The cork’s in the pot, See what we’ve got, Pennies on the dollar, Oh what a thing, Pull on the string, Lean back and holler, He calls her “Keller”, She calls him “Honey”, He counts the dough, While she raises the money, She’s nature, He’s nurture, Now look at the love they’re in, He’s the senor, She’s senorita, They’ve a good friend in common, Whose name’s Margarita, So let’s raise a glass, And toast to the love they’re in. To Jack and to Keller, What a gal, What a feller, To Jack and to Keller and to the love they’re in! (Bill Milford-March 3, 2007)
33.
Filling in the Hole C Johnny had a bad day, Thinks he’s been cursed, Tries to cut some corners, C C7 And made it all worse, CHORUS: F Now he’s filling in the hole, C Filling in the hole, G7 Half the time we’re digging it, G7 C Half the time we’re filling in the hole. Danny likes to have himself, A drink or two or three, But he won’t be through, Until the bottle’s empty…. CHORUS There goes Bob, Telling a little white lie, But it’s growing bigger, Every day that goes by. CHORUS BRIDGE: F It would be nice to face our troubles, With a shrug and a grin, C Instead we fight and struggle, And then we start digging in, D7 Seems like we should know, That when we’re walking around, G7 That anywhere we go, That we’re on Hole-y ground. Suzie can’t sleep, She’ll toss and turn every night, She’s wakes cranky in the morning, And ready for a fight… CHORUS INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE: It would be nice to face our troubles, With a shrug and a grin, Instead we fight and struggle, And then we start digging in, Seems like we should know, That when we’re walking around, That anywhere we go, That we’re on Hole-y ground. So grab yourself a shovel, And go and claim your spot, Go and speak your mind, And give it all that you got, Then you’ll be filling in the hole, Filling in the hole, Half the time we’re digging it, Half the time we’re filling in the hole… 2/6/13 (Key of C)
34.
35.
Where You Are Em There’s a call across the ocean, C The ships have launched to sea, Em We have gone to light the beacons, C Just to see where you might be. Em Where you are…. We have scattered in the forest, And carefully walked the land, We have called upon our friends to come, To help us search once and again, Where you are… C Where you are, Em Is there no one that can reach you? C Where you are, Em Is it sad to be alone? C Where you are, G D Em Are there no words to be called to touch your heart… B7sus4 B7 Where you are. Where is this child I knew so well, Where is this friend I’ve loved, Where is this brother coming home, Where is this father’s son, Where you are. Where is the mother’s daughter, Always by her side, Where is the kindred sister, Where is the loving wife, Where you are…. Chorus: Instrumental (2 v and chorus) Where is the holy power, I only know deaf ears, Where is the luck of the gambler, I just feel loss and fear, Where you are, Rising from the ash and smoke, Where a house once stood, The frame remains quite sturdy, And we will build again till good, Where you are. Last Chorus (2x) Where you are, Is there no way I can reach you? Where you are, Is it sad to be alone? Where you are, Are there no words I can call to touch your heart… (2nd) I hope find the love to calm and heal your heart, Where you are. Where you are…. 8/28/13
36.
Love Is All Around For Gaia & Andreas Chorus: Kærlighed er hele vejen rundt (Love is all around) L'amore è nell'aria (Love is in the air) Love is all around, Can you feel it? It’s in the earth, It’s in the sky above. It fills our breath, It fills the space between us, The bond that holds us all today, Is love. Chorus: Kærlighed er hele vejen rundt (Love is all around) L'amore è nell'aria (Love is in the air) The heart of every generation, Is with us, It has made this holy day, One filled with grace, Feel their spirits lift, And surround you, Let their gift of love, Shine upon your face. Chorus: Kærlighed er hele vejen rundt (Love is all around) L'amore è nell'aria (Love is in the air) As it is, In all of nature, Let it be as your hearts desire, The love you bring the world, Is healing, Let the love you bring one another, Inspire! From many places, We have come to gather, To celebrate the power, Of two as one, Let this day sustain you, As you adventure, The journey of your lifetime, Has just begun…! Chorus: Kærlighed er hele vejen rundt (Love is all around) L'amore è nell'aria (Love is in the air) Kærlighed er hele vejen rundt (Love is all around) L'amore è nell'aria (Love is in the air) 3x Bill Milford – March, 2011
37.
Joy Inside The Pain Ever since the day that Bobby died, My heart has known this lingering sadness, And the puzzle isn't in figuring why, But coming to understand the gladness, And how my life, which is much the same, Has come to know joy inside the pain, Ever since the day that Bobby died, I much more apt to cry when at the movies, And I think most friends would say, That bye and bye, I'm a bit more sentimental and moody, And I wonder how my life, Which is much the same, Has come to know joy inside the pain, I wonder how my heart has come to know, The way of dancing in the sorrow. And I still believe, That in the stories of our lives, The hero is the same, It's the one who loves with all their might, No matter how long. Ever since the day that Bobby died, I think I live my life a bit more seriously, I tend to take the good times, With a grateful sigh, And face the bad a little bit more fearlessly, And I wonder how my life, Which is much the same, Has come to know joy inside the pain, I wonder how my heart has come to know, A way of living in the sorrow. INSTRUMENTAL And I still believe, That in the stories of our lives, The hero is the same, It's the one who loves with all their might, Yes, I still believe. That ever since the day that Bobby died, I seek to know the sadness that still lingers, And I try to keep my health, And humor flying high, (And not let) Precious moments slip, Right through my fingers, And I wonder how my life, Which is much the same, Has come to know joy inside the pain, I wonder how my heart has come to know, The way of singing in the sorrow. A way of living in the sorrow, A way of dancing in the sorrow. November 27, 1994 _
38.
I’m With You All The Way I’ve known many couples, Couples straight and couples gay, Who look forward to that moment, On that very special day, When they look each other in the eye, And say the words “I do”, And then list off all the stuff, That they do say “I do” to… Chorus: In good times and in bad times, In sickness and health, For better and for worser, In poverty and wealth, To have and to hold, To love and cherish everyday, Until death do us part, I’m with you all the way, Now some people go and take issue, With who is loving who, They need to start a trip to the heart, To think this matter through, I say no matter who the people are, As long as their love is true, It doesn’t matter who you “I do” to, It just matters what you two do. Now some argue a civil union, Isn’t what it ought to be, When two folks love each other, Then word out to be “married”, And I agree on grounds of equality, That we all should be treated the same, But I ask you for a moment, To think what’s in that name…. Cause marriage has got a reputation, Of starting right then going wrong, Cause I know lots of married couples, Who don’t quite get along, They argue and they battle, And then come back for more, It’s less a civil union, And more a civil war, So until that day when both straight and gay, Can marry whom they choose, So my final words I share with you, Is on this issue, be not disparaged, So I toast that your union be civil, Cause it when it’s not, you’ve got a marriage!
39.
The Day God Died The Day God died, Nothing happened, It all came down in my mind. No need to call on a holy icon, No need to listen from above or behind. (It was a) scary moment to be honest and sure, But freeing when I thought and took time, Only bound by myself, Responsible and lonely, That’s what happened on the day God died. Chorus Don’t look away from what is, Don’t look away from what was, Don’t look away from what you know life will be. Leave the God that you hate, Take the God that you love, And get the God that you know that you need. The day God died, I thought about Jesus, And at first became worried and sad, Was he just a figment of human imagination, Or when God died, did he just lose his dad? The real Jesus was a carpenter, A hard working guy, Who preached and did the best that he could, He lived a principled life, By the work he was doing, Cause there’s no cheating in life or in wood. Chorus The day God died, I thought about the Buddha, Sitting down neath that old Lotus Tree, I wondered what he would said, If I had asked him, About the death of my deity. (And I heard) There are some things in life, That you just won’t figure out, And it’s impossible to know if they’re true, If you want to know God, There’s just one way up the mountain, Be in the world and do things God would do. So if God’s the metaphor, Of ineffable beauty, Found in life as it unfolds in our hands, Then I give praise to this moment, And give thanks for its wonder, As I struggle to understand. How to reconcile, All the terrible things, That have been done in God’s name. But now I know what to do, I will name them untrue, For only God and love are the same. 1/4/09

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ABOUT LISTENING

Please note that you should adjust the volume on your computer or phone once the song starts as I think Bandcamp starts every tune at a pretty loud volume which can affect the quality of sound.

Speaking of which, listening to these recordings here (in WAV file format) is the closest you may get to an original recording. Many songs that you hear in an MP3 format are degraded in that the compression of the file size causes a loss in the quality of the sound. I am glad that Bandcamp utilizes this system so you can hear the highest quality online.

My songs are copyrighted however I offer them free for your listening and downloading pleasure.

I encourage you to click individually on each song as that will provide you with the both the story and context behind the song plus the lyrics.

If a song is meaningful for you or you have a question or comment, I would enjoy hearing from you and your response to them. Please feel free to email me at bmilford@thomasu.edu .

ABOUT THIS COLLECTION OF "SINGLES"

Hi everyone and thank you for checking out this collection of songs. These are mostly songs written after the 1980's when I was playing out professionally. At some point I'd like to group them into "albums" but for now I have enjoyed posting them, making comments about each, and for the most part - including the lyrics and sometimes chords for them.

I'd like to point out that I sure would like (and I imagine you would also) to be able to sing better etc. but I sort of am what I am. My friend Barb Siftar, who has a magnificent voice, treats it more like I treat my guitar - practicing and maintaining the muscle and skill. I sing for pleasure, and at one point for a living, however, I have always hoped that the sincerity of my performance overcame any of the vocal flaws that accompanied it. I never really was much of a singer at all until after high school - although I enjoyed performing in choirs and folk groups.

I am glad that I had the confidence to do it and would encourage anyone to share their voice in singing - no matter your self perception and/or fears. It is an intimate and vulnerable act and I believe that is why it can some times be so very moving....

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released February 1, 2019

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Bill Milford Tallahassee, Florida

Bill Milford lives in Tallahassee, FL. He performed professionally during his 20's and still plays out occasionally. He has performed with Barb Siftar, Lindy Hearne, Lynn
Adler, Chris Peters, Gail Nickse, Fred Griffeth, Richie Summa, and many other fine artists. He made dozens of dollars during his folk career so he offers his recordings without charge.
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