IN THE NIGHT (A Romany Lament)
In the night when the silvery moon begins to shine,
All the world in solemn stillness sleeps.
That’s when I always have you on my mind,
And my lonely heart begins to weep.
In the night, firelight upon your face I see.
It lights your haunting memory.
Songs of love we sing while the music plays so sweet,
And I’m dancing with you in my dreams.
Beneath the stars I’ll sleep.
My rendezvous with you I’ll keep.
That’s when I always have you on my mind,
And my lonely heart begins to weep.
Copyright 2001 Bob Black Music, BMI
THE CRAGS OF POINT ANN
Beside the Mississippi shore with you I long to be once more,
Where old McGregor sleeps in dreams, and starlight on the water gleams.
We’ll climb the hill just south of town and watch the moonbeams floating down.
Once again, I’ll hold your hand upon the crags of old Point Ann.
And when we reach that point on high, we’ll vow to never say goodbye.
The river flows around the bend. My love for you will never end.
And when we’re in each other’s arms, our love will keep us from all harm.
Once again, I’ll hold your hand upon the crags of old Point Ann.
Copyright 2001 Bob Black Music, BMI
LOST IN THE FLOOD
Lost in the flood, family ties come untied.
Lost in the flood, left along the wayside.
Lost in the flood, washed away by tears cried,
And the best and brightest hopes and dreams
Have all died, lost in the flood.
Lost in the flood, a faded family scrapbook.
Lost in the flood, no time to take a last look.
Lost in the flood, memories of our childhood
Are tossed about by currents wild
Like driftwood, lost in the flood.
No chance now for a second chance
At things that might have been.
The flame is gone that lights the lamp
And the raging waters win.
Lost in the flood, a patchwork quilt of great grandmother’s.
Lost in the flood, it was shared by baby brothers.
Lost in the flood, who once cared for each other.
But common threads have gone like shreds
Of patchwork lost in the flood.
Lost in the flood, the road’s been washed away now.
Lost in the flood, we’re pilgrims gone astray now.
Lost in the flood, no signs to point our way now
And the ties that bind are left behind
To stay now, lost in the flood.
Copyright 2001 Bob Black Music, BMI
NOTHING TO LOSE
Lonesome am I, skies have turned gray.
Wondering why you went away.
Crying all night, crying all day.
Our love has died, sorrow to pay.
Nothing to lose. Nothing to gain.
Thinking of you and calling your name.
Now that we’re through the blues have moved in.
Nothing to lose. Nothing to win.
Nothing is right. Everything’s wrong.
Tears I can’t hide flow on and on.
Nothing inside. Everything’s gone.
Nothing is why I’m singing this song.
Walking the streets daylight till dark,
Hoping we’ll meet and make a new start.
Making believe we’re not apart.
Oh foolish me, oh foolish heart.
Copyright 2001 Bob Black Music, BMI
THE VILLISCA TRAGEDY
The date of death was June the tenth. It was Villisca’s worst event.
The killings happened in the year of nineteen-twelve.
A midnight train from darkness came and left a stranger with no name
Who was a madman and a killer straight from Hell.
The stranger wandered up through town. His evil eyes looked all around.
And then he came upon the house of J. B. Moore.
He picked a single-bladed axe up from the pile of wood out back,
And then he walked into the open kitchen door
Inside, the family members slept. Into their darkened rooms he crept
And with the single-bladed axe he struck them dead.
A man, his wife, and children four were slain upon the upper floor.
Downstairs he found two more; the axe ran red.
Eight victims dead beneath his blade, he locked the doors and pulled the shades.
He gazed upon the things he’d done by lantern light.
The Devil’s work was soon complete: eight victims lay beneath their sheets,
And drenched in red, the killer fled into the night.
Next morning when the sun arose, the house was locked. The shades were closed.
And Mrs. Peckham, next door, felt a sense of dread.
She used her ‘phone to call Ross Moore, who came and opened up the door.
Inside, they saw the gruesome sight: eight victims dead.
A pair of bloodhounds then were found who tracked the killer south of town.
They lost the trail, though, when they reached the Nodaway.
They say he stopped to wash his clothes, then caught a train to where-who knows?
The fiend from Hell had made a perfect getaway.
Some say he hid inside the house and waited, silent as a mouse,
Until the Moores came home from church and went to bed.
Then in the nighttime, as they slept, out of the closet dark he crept
And with the single-bladed axe he struck them dead.
One neighbor spoke with fear and fright of sounds she heard that awful night.
Which may have been a screaming child, she wasn’t sure.
Another heard a dog who barked at something moving in the dark,
But distant thunder caused each sound to be obscure.
A horse was kicking in its stall behind the house of J. B. Moore.
The wind was moaning in the trees where shadows fell.
And in the air there was a chill that night in June of nineteen-twelve
When evil struck and caught the next train back to Hell.
Copyright 2001 Bob Black Music,BMI
HAWK ON A POLE
Red-tailed chicken hawk sittin’ on a pole,
Grey squirrel sittin’ on the ground below.
Squirrel looked up and said, “Bless my soul,
I reckon it’s time for me to go.”
Hawk in the chicken house, lookin’ for a snack,
Woke all the chickens from their afternoon nap.
One less chicken now to feed our friends,
And the rooster, he’s a crowin’ over one less hen.
Hawk on the garden gate, lookin’ all around,
Spied a little garter snake crawlin’ on the ground.
Snatched him up and away he flew,
And the snake saw heaven with a bird’s eye view.
Hawk on a hedge post, lookin’ kinda sly.
Little rabbit hidin’ in the weeds nearby.
Hawk saw the rabbit and he did say,
“You can run little rabbit, but you can’t get away.”
Hawk on a banjo, pickin’ out a tune.
Buzzard on a fiddle, playin’ Georgiana Moon.
Blackbird dancin’, beatin’ on the spoons,
But they all got jealous when the turtle dove crooned.
Copyright 2001 Bob Black Music,BMI
CALL ON JESUS
Need a little lift? Call on Jesus. He can fill you with great joy and sweetness.
He can be the sunshine of your life from day to day.
Need a little smile? He can put it there, in a little while if you just say a little prayer.
He can be your guiding light and comfort all the way.
All the way, with my Jesus. Troubles they don’t come between us.
Jesus is the rock I lean on when I’m feeling low.
And when I pray, He will hear me. He will stay forever near me.
Jesus is a true companion down life’s rugged road.
Need a little light? He can guide you. Through the darkest night He’ll stand beside you.
He can help you find your way to Heaven’s open door.
Need a little grace? You can’t buy it. Love is what it takes and He’ll supply it.
He can fill your heart with heavenly love forevermore.