Hank and Claire

Going Home isn't easy, no matter how you try;

It's sure a lot of changes are bound to catch your eye.

I found myself in trouble and I found myself alone,

But looking back I always knew I could have had a home.

I was just eighteen when I struck off on my own.

I took off like a bandit half afraid and all alone.

It didn't seem to matter just where I planned to roam,  

But I never thought I'd settle down so far away from home.

Being here isn't easy when I long to be with you;

Remembering the times we had and the things we used to do.

It wasn't so important when I was in my teens, but

Now I'm much older and this life is just a dream.

 CHORUS 

Well it seems like everyplace I go and everything I do,

Someone comes along who reminds me of you.

I never met a single one I thought could take your place,

With the laughter in your heart and the smile upon your face.

 CHORUS

-copyright Hank Payne

When morning comes to the Timberline

Glaciers glow with the new sunshine

Bumblebee hums in the columbine

That’s growing wild at the Timberline

Up on the mountain next to the sky

The whole world shines before your eyes

The panther prowls and the raven glides

They’re roaming wild at Timblerline.

Where the seasons greet the sun

Where the whispering waters run

Where nature turns her back on time

And daylight lingers at Timberline.

I’m growing old before my eyes

I look in the mirror and it tells lies

Where are the days when I could climb

When I was young at Timblerline.

I need to feel the alpine wind

Caressing soft against my skin

My heart keep growing like a mountain pine

I need to go to the Timberline.

 CHORUS

-copyright Laurie Riley

If you asked me for an ocean I’d give you a grain of sand

And tell you how your ocean washed it in my hand

If you said, “A salt sea ocean!” then a tear for you I’d cry

And tell you how your ocean washed that sand grain from my eye

It’s only words that I know

It’s all I have to tell you how I love you so

If you asked about the tide that tugs all at your shore

I’d pull you in my arms and tell you that’s what tides are for

And if you asked about the fishes that swim all in your sea

I’d say that you are silly, love, for there is only me

 CHORUS

If I could wish across the ocean for all the treasure in the sea

If all I had was just one wish, I’d wish you here with me

 CHORUS

-copyright Hank Payne

Blue Water run down to the edge of town

Blue Water run deep while we're fast asleep

Carry us away to a distant shore

Where the pleasure stays and the pain's no more

A young woman got hurt and she left her home. 

She cried all night when she was first alone

She lost her heart on a rainy day

And she gave her love to the ones who paid 

 CHORUS

A man took to drinking, couldn't quit on his own 

He lost his house and he lost his home

He lost the favors of the ones who cared

He could have come back but he never dared

 CHORUS 

Some people get lucky and they find their way

They soon forget there's a price to pay

They wind up thinking they made it on their own

And they're afraid to leave for a world unknown

Some other people get lucky and they find their way

To a life that blooms like a summer day

They face the fears of a world unknown

And they come to find they are not alone.

 CHORUS

-copyright Hank Payne

I was born in West Virginia and when I was a child 

I heard the banjo ringin' and the fiddle playin' wild 

The mountains rolled like waves beneath an ocean full of trees 

And the music and the mountains carried far as you could see 

Why did you leave the mountains and the music behind 

I was just a lad but it still plays on my mind  

Dearest Mamma, Papa I don't mean to be unkind 

But why did you leave the mountains and the music behind?

My parents they both grew up in the hollers and the hills

Wanted better for their children than the coal mines and the mills

They moved to northern cities where buildings block the skies

And the music on the radio was just a distant cry

 CHORUS

My sister she is older but she feels the same as me

Now she pieces quilts to keep alive the memory

Me, I play this old guitar to rest a weary mind 

And dream about the mountains and the music left behind.

 CHORUS

-copyright Hank Payne

Way out in Montana on a road with no name

My car started knocking; I busted the mains.

I had a little change to spare and the friend of a friend

Knew a man who helped put us on the road once again.

He was a shade tree mechanic, a gentle old soul.

He talked of the mountains and panning for gold.

He worked on the railroad and in the deep silver mines,

Now he'll work on your car while he's passing the time.

His knuckles were battered and his nails were all torn.

He had an old banjo that was just as well worn.

He took it down in the evening when we happened to stay

And we all got a chance to hear the tunes that he played.

He played Red River Valley and tunes we all know.

The Cowboys Lament, he played it real slow.

He played Soldiers Joy and some other fast reels

And he got us all to laughing and kicking our heels.

Amazing Grace was the very best song.

He saved it for last and we all sang along.

When he put down his banjo there was little to say

So we just gave our thanks and we called it a day.

In just a few days we were back on the road.

He filled up the tank to help lighten the load, and

When we hit fifty-five I swear you could hear

The frailing of a banjo in the whine of the wheels .

And it sounded like Red River Valley and tunes we all know.

The Cowboys Lament when we were taking it slow.

When we picked up our speed it would play a fast reel

And it kept us all laughing and kicking our heels.

I went back years later to find that old man,

But his house was in shambles he moved off the land.

If he's been taken to heavens reward,

I'll bet he's playing his banjo in the choir of the Lord.

I'll bet he's playing Red River Valley and tunes they all know.

The Cowboys Lament, I bet he's playing it slow.

He's playing Soldier's Joy and some other fast reels

And he's got them all laughing and kicking their heels. 

-copyright Hank Payne

Birds of a feather fly together, Springtime and Fall.

Birds of a feather fly together, Springtime and Fall.

Makes no difference with the wind and the weather when they're traveling far they fly together.

Birds of a feather fly together, Springtime and Fall.

Momma and Papa sitting on the front porch waiting for me.

Momma and Papa sitting on the front porch waiting for me.

Momma's in the swing, papa's in the rocking chair; it’s been a long time since I've been there, 

Momma and Papa sitting on the front porch waiting for me.

Papa plays the fiddle, Momma sings a lullaby, waiting for me.

Papa plays the fiddle, Momma sings a lullaby, waiting for me.

Papa plays the fiddle, Momma sings a lullaby, makes a grown man want to break down and cry,

Papa plays the fiddle, Momma sings a lullaby, waiting for me.

Brothers and sisters sitting on the front lawn, waiting for me.

Brothers and sisters sitting on the front lawn, waiting for me.

Brothers and sisters sitting on the front lawn, it’s been a long time since I've been gone.

Brothers and sisters sitting on the front lawn, waiting for me.

Birds of a feather fly together, Springtime and Fall.

Birds of a feather fly together, Springtime and Fall.

Makes no difference with the wind and the weather when they're traveling far they fly together.

Birds of a feather fly together, Springtime and Fall.

-copyright Hank Payne