Dennis Magnusen's Words & Thoughts

Your Teacher Mr. Magnusen is Still ALIVE!

2009-07-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

I was recently contacted by an old student of mine, she thought I had died. For any of my students trying to find me? I am still alive and would love to hear from you. You can contact me through this site, I'll get back to you.

~ Mr. Magnusen

New Song, "Shallow Grave"

2008-09-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

----------------
New Song:
----------------

"Shallow Grave"

1. Bury my rifle
in a shallow grave
covered with dust in a hideaway
up in the hills it was paradise
down below tears fill my eyes

2. Bodies lined up
on a chopper pad
flown in by birds of prey
forty years doesn't change a thing
I wish I could just walk away

3. I cover my songs
in layers of blood
it's just too hard to see
memories that fade return in the night
they won't let go of me.

4. Don't need your words
of sympathy
it doesn't work that way
you can't understand what you've never seen
if you've never been blown away.

Break:

Changes, changes
I've never needed you more
the view from the top
isn't quite the same
when you're soaked in blood on the floor
you can't stand up
you just can't open the door
no way to find that door.

5. Crossing the night
my chariots on fire
to the depths of Mauna Kea
into the sea this ball of flame
like the path of Kilauea.

6. Wrapped in a shroud
of my babies dreams
covered with snow and ice
boots marching through the night
while up in the hills it's still paradise.

7. Two hundred and twenty volts
running through my veins
I'm pinned against the wall
take me now to the dead of night
let mercy break my fall.

Dennis G Magnusen
23 August 2008
copyright 2008

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"Mag's Blues"

2006-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

a song:

I feel the pressures on my mind
Like society it tears me down
To never cease but build with time
'Til I feel I belong no more

Within myself I step aside
Turn around and close the door
For inside here I can hope
And not be hurt by you out there

The door is locked the key is lost
Within the passage ways of my mind
The light once on is now turned off
Never more to return to me

I have not completely disappeared
I have this window pane to view
The outside world but not to hear
It's endless lies I once held as truth

April 1986
West Covina

"Free At Last"

2006-02-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

Farewell Mrs. King
Free at last, free at last.
Thank you.

"Day By Day"

2006-02-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

a song:

Day by day nothing better, nothing better to do
Just cutting time, just trying to get through
and if it weren't for you I'd merely be moving along
If it weren't for you I'd be gone

Every dream needs a dreamer to see it through
Every hope needs a wish to make it true
and if it weren't for you I's merely be moving along
If it weren't for you I'd be gone

chorus:
Some speak with a flame
They only burn themselves
Some still look for blame
They only fool themselves

Day by Day nothing better, nothing better to do
Sitting back doing my songs for you
For if it weren't for you I'd merely be moving along
If it weren't for you I'd be gone

1979 Fountain Valley

Phd. Martin

2006-01-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

I wrote this song in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King

song:
1)
Phd. Martin I write you this song
I see some things I think you'd say going wrong
The sun is out, the sky is blue
But there's some things we've got to change to make it through.

2)
The people, they still gather 'round for a fight
They don't care whose blood, they don't care whose right.
They just want to see the young boy die.
They don't care the reason, they never ask why.

Chorus:
Where's that dream you had?
Everyone was talking 'bout.
Where's that dream you had,
it sounded just like mine.

3)
Phd. Martin my heart goes out to you.
There's so much we've got left to do.
The world ain't right and it's hard to see.
Phd. Martin light a torch for me.

"Don't Say Nothing"

2006-01-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

a song:

chorus:
Don't say nothing about the blues to me
I don't know just where I belong
Don't say nothing about the blues
Just let me sing my song

1)
But my head hurts so bad sometimes
I nearly fall to the floor
And I wake up at night sometimes
Crying for more, there's got to be more

Chrous

2)
But I'd like to talk to the man
Who says there's always a way
'Cause I wake up sometimes
Feeling this is the day, this is the day

Chorus

3)
'Cause the stars at night sometimes
They whisper my name
And I know the time is near
For the big change, it's got to change

Chorus

24 November 1978
Fountain Valley

"Once In Jail"

2006-01-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)
Once in jail had no bail
Had to eat what they served in a pail
I had walls all around me just to keep me down
Now I'm a free walker, walking right on out of this town.

2)
Once I was tied to a stake
Left for dead purely by mistake
I ran into the mountains just to clear my mind
Now I'm a free walker, walking right on down the line.

Chorus:
Free walk, walk along
Walk along sing any old song
I'm a free walker, free walker today
There ain't nobody going to change my free walking today

3)
Once I was blinded by the rain
Couldn't see thru all the pain
Now I'm a free walker, free walker today
Let the sun come and shine all over my special day

Chorus

4 November 1978
Fountain Valley

"Birds That Sing"

2005-12-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

a song:

Birds that sing sound pretty damn good
When you're locked in a hole underground
and when the wind blows the dust from my cell
I feel good like a cat with his bell
I feel good 'cause it's no worse than hell

Chorus:
Oh, look around you and see
all those people who try to be free
They're just a wastin' away
just a slaving and wastin' away

Birds that sing sound pretty damn good
When you're locked in a hole underground
and when teh wind blows the dust from my cell
I feel good like a cat with his bell
I feel good 'cause it's no worse than hell
I feel good 'cause it's no worse than hell

June 1978
Fountain Valley

"My Love For You Is True"

2005-11-19T14:02:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)
Well you know my love, my love for you is true.
It's so damn good nothing else will do.
When you ride my train you always get us thru.
Well my whiskey don't go far, but my love for you
is true.

2)
Well you're far away and my heart is blue,
'cause you know nothing but your love will do.
I'd like to come right over and sleep with you,
'cause my love for you is hard and true.

chorus:
Oh I feel about as bad as a man could be.
Without ou near nothing stirs inside of me.
Oh she feeds me tea spiked with love and joy,
Oh there's nobody like her,
Oh there's nobody like her,
There's nobody like her.

21 June 1978
Fountain Valley

"William Liked Mary"

2005-11-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)
William liked Mary but she wouldn't try,
wouldn't go with William to the other side of the gym,
where everyone gets real close.

2)
William wants to know a little more about life,
mainly 'bout life on the other side of the gym,
where everyone gets real close.

chorus:
You see William wants to be a man,
walk real tall, spit in a can,
make the ladies moan and groan,
get what he wants before he takes them home.

3)
William looked around and saw Peggy McGee,
Just about as loose as any woman could be,
she took William to the other side of the gym.

4)
Now William wears his pants real tight,
Pendleton shirts he stays out all night,
knows just about everything a boy ought to know.

chorus

5)
But William played his hand just a little to far,
Peggy's pushing a stroller, William sold his car,
poor William on the other side of the gym,
poor William on the other side of the gym.

June 1978
Fountain Valley

please note: I will update my blog weekly from now on instead of daily.

"Yankee Doodle"

2005-11-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

This song has been posted before but it feels fitting to post it again on this day.

a song:

1)
Yankee Doodle take a stand.
Play your song through to the end.
Words that may be hard to hear,
Yankee Doodle boy.

2)
Miles of timber cut today.
Coal mines strip your soil away.
Scars that may not ever heal,
Yankee Doodle boy.

Chorus:
White man, black man, yellow, brown,
trying to find some common ground.
Need a place to settle down,
Yankee Doodle boy.

3)
Yankee Doodle on the run.
Too many children carry guns.
Need more time to understand,
Yankee Doodle boy.

"Lonesome River"

2005-11-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

a song:

Chorus:
Lonesome river don't you call me
I've been there before.
Lonesome river just ignore me
standing on your shore.

1)
I've been traveling, still unraveling
trying to find out more.
I'm still a rambler, sometimes a gambler
now I'm back for more.

2)
I've been thinking about all this drinking
makes a man go blind
but in my decision, that double vision
helps me get on by.

April 1978
Fountain Valley

"You Wait Sometimes"

2005-11-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)
You wait sometimes you try so hard
the nights are long and oh so dark
your man's not back once again.

Chorus:
You've waited 'til the sun, it shines
into your room it nearly blinds
the truth about your man again.

2)
Some men wander by mistake
into a life that only takes
from those so near and yet so far away.

3)
He never seemed to settle down
he nver really looked around
he just got bored and then he ran away.

30 December 1977
Fountain Valley

Award Winner

2005-11-05T13:52:00.000-08:00

Congratulations!

Last night my wife, Kathy Ostman-Magnusen won a "Juror's Choice Award" for her 48x36 oil on canvas painting of me, titled, "Denny" at "The All Hawaii Juried Fall Exhibition 2005" presented by the East Hawaii Cultural Council in Hilo, juried by Carol Yotsuda.

"Summer Hill"

2005-11-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)
Though it's raining on Summer Hill
I can't feel it and never will.
There's always the blue sky right over me
it keeps us happy, it keeps us free.

chorus:

Everybodies got a rainbow,
everybodies got a dream,
mind just happens to be right here on Summer Hill.

2)
Though the rain's been falling for three days straight,
my boots are dry and the wood burns great.
The cat on the chair seems to sleep so fine,
through the thunder an' storm we drink hot wine.

chorus

28 December 1977
Fountain Valley

"She's A Dancer"

2005-11-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)
She's a dancer, loves to tap her feet upon the floor.
She love it when the people ask for more,she's not as young,
as she bows her in the light then gives them more,she's not as young,
but she always gives them more.

2)
Some are prisoners, locked into a world of social grace,
limited in waht they see within their daily space.
The only men reflecting what they see
inside a world held together by their dreams.

3)
Some are children frightened by a fear of letting go,
never realizing that their love was meant to grow,
that they have to give to ever really know,
you have to dance before you steal the show.

repeat verse #1

18 August 1977
Fountain Valley

"Don't You Run"

2005-11-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

a song:
1)
Don't you run, don't you hide,
don't you think that you'd rather die,

don't you feel like you'd rather fly
thru the night.

2)
Don't you wish for that star
to burn bright 'cause you feel so far,
and you'd like to see who you are
in the light.

3)
make that wish on a star,
see how perfect you really are,
sending light as every star
in the night.

4)
repeat verse #1

30 March 1977
Fountain Valley

"It's Just Crazy"

2005-11-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)

Doesn't matter if you're lying to me now,
you're so far into my heart.
Doesn't matter if you want to run,
well you had me from the start.
It's just a simple thing I just forgot about,
well it's just crazy.

Chorus:

You know, I never thought of love this way.
You know, I never played that part,
it was just a line I said.
I never thought of love,
that way.

2)

In the middle of the night I want to run,
but then I see you lying there,
hard to say just what I want,
but I think she's lying there,
just a breath away,a gentle touch, a moment,
well it's just crazy.

chorus

05 May 2004
Kauai

"Silver Bird"

2005-10-31T11:42:00.000-08:00

a song:

1)
Move on Silver Bird, move on don't you cry.
The world's been filled for years it seems
of tears and questions why,
and it's always been the gentle ones
that never cease to try,
but then shed their tears of painful years
thinking they could fly.

2)
If you had to say, that's if you have to know,
just watch the rain return again
and each time letting go.
Yes, seasons come and seasons go
and man he lives and dies,
and some shed tears of painful years
thinking they could fly.

3)
repeat #1

27 January 1977
Fountain Valley

"I Met A Lady"

2005-10-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

I met a lady she was on the run.
I met a lady she said
don't you come any closer to me,
it's best that I remain free for awhile.

I met a lady and she caught my eye.
I met her when she caught me by surprise.
Oh, it seemed to me
that I would never be quite the same.

I met a lady she said she'd take me in.
I like to feel complete now and then,
but don't you fall too soon
or stare into the moon,
I'll be gone.

13 January 1977
Fountain Valley

"No Longer"

2005-10-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
I can no longer write a song of love
feeling the way I do.
I can no longer sing of my love to you
thinking the way I do.

chorus:
If you had to say just what's on my mind
I think I'd just walk away.
You see it's not easy, you see that it pains me
I'd rather just walk away.

2)
I no longer reflect on the sun as it sets
softly, from my view.
I no longer expect dreams to come true
thinking now of you.

chorus

25 December 1976
Seal Beach

"Into Castles"

2005-10-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

a song:

Chorus:
Into castles and into streams,
some will hid and others dream.
Some will search for the flame of life.
Some will live and some will die.

1)
As a child, now a man,
some would always have a plan.
Some would go thru every stage, while
some would only rearrange.

chorus

2)
To your master as a slave,
will his fortune be your grave?
Will you fight up to the end
or like a tree begin to bend?

chorus

3)
As a child, now a man,
some would walk while others ran.
Some would climb and others fall,
some would never climb at all.

chorus

4)
To the masters and the fools,
and to those who make the rules.
There will always be the one,
that will do what's never been done.

chorus

5)To those people passing by,
some will love and others lie.
Some will find a place to stay,
some will always drift away.

chorus

5)
Into harbors of the night,
one must travel by the light.
Some will open up their eyes,
some will live and some will die.
Some will live and some will die.
Some will live and some will die.
Some will live.

10 September 1976
Seal Beach

"Sail Away"

2005-10-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Sail away, into your golden sunset lady,
you still wake every morning alone.
You're still lighting candles for the strangers
passing thru
in search of one that could love you.

2)
Sail away, your dreams are out on the horizon,
there's nothing now to hold you away.
For the longer ou wait
only really seems
to slow you down, to fade your dreams.

chorus:
Sail Away, sail away,
your dream's on the horizon,
sail away, sail away.

August 1976
Seal Beach

"Leave Your Seashells"

2005-10-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Leave your seashells on the sand.
Lady I'd like to be your man.
I'd like to be with you, don't let the moment pass.

2)
Finer silks would suit you fine.
Lady oh won't, oh won't you be mine?
I'd like to be with you, don't let the moment pass.

chorus:
You know sometimes this life of yours just gets you down.
You know sometimes you're always bored, but lady, don't you slow down.

3)
lay your seashells back on the sand.
Lady I'd like to hold your hand.
I's like to be with you, don't let the moment pass.

5 August 1976
Seal Beach

"Here She Comes"

2005-10-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Here she comes walking so straight,
looking for another sunny day.
Close behind is Mister Blue
trying to get his hold on you.

chorus:
Well just sing this song and don't you be late
you told your man that you'd be back by eight.
Just sing this song while you're stepping thru
the shadows of ol' Mister Blue.

2)
Step it high, step it fast
don't you ever get caught dead last.
If you do, ol' Mister Blue
going to get his hold on you.

chorus twice

June 1976
Seal Beach

"If You Cry Like A Lady"

2005-10-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

a song:

If you cry like a lady do you hope to find
a man who will wait for you most of the time?

And if dreams are your pleasure I hope you will see
that waitin's worth waiting for waiting for me.

Chorus:
But I know sometimes it's unreal
the way I feel doesn't always make sense,
but if you think that you really can
put down your plans, put down your plans.

If you cry like a lady you surely will find
a man who will wait for you most of the time.

7 May 1976
Seal Beach

"If You Call Me Jesus"

2005-10-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
If you come to call me Jesus should I let you wash my feet?
Or do you want just blessings to make your life complete?
Or do you only come to turn your water into wine,
to drink away your misery, to drink away your time?

Chorus:
So If you call me Jesus I'd really like to know
which way you're really heading for and now you'd like to go.
If it's me you really want or should I let you go?

2)
Now is you call me Jesus will you help me with my load?
You know this cross it heavy as I stumble down this road,
and sometimes I get weary and I'd really like to have
a lady lying next to me content with just a man.

8 February 1976
Seal Beach

"Passing Doorways"

2005-10-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Passing doorways hear some music.
Passing doorways hear somebody cry.
Passing doorways on my way to town.

2)
People talking about their business.
People talking hear somebody say,
Life is good sometimes on my way to town.

Chorus:
Rainbows come but they're not for free.
There's always some good in your misery.
Just make the best of your plans and see,
that your life is sweetened continually.

3)
Feel the coblestones beneath me.
Got to sometimes wonder why.
Passing strangers mostly just pass by.

Chorus

repeat verse one.

13 October 1975
Seal Beach

"If You Wait Too Long"

2005-10-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
If you wait too long by the waterside
you may wait for years to go by.
thos you seem to be a child running free
you are steadily passing it by.

chorus:
Don't you remember your nights alone?
Don't you rememver the tears?
Does this cheap talking wine really ease the time
that you spent by the river in fear?

2)
If you wait too long by the waterside
you will wait as the years pass you by.
Tho you seem to be like a child running free
you are steadily passing it by.

August 1975
Seal Beach

"Can't You Feel?"

2005-10-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

a song:

Can't you feel the sun shine down on you?
Can't you feel the sun shine down on you?
Or do you move so quickly
that you can't hear a sound?
There's people reaching out to you
There's friends all around, friends all around.

chorus:
Ah, you move too quickly, won't you slow down?
You move to quickly put your feet back on the ground.
Just lie down on the desert with your head on the sand.
Feel the ground breathing, just feel what you can.
Feel what you can.

2)
Can't you feel the sun shine down on you?
Can't you touch the moments close to you?
You don't have to hurry there's no where to go.
This is no problem, just work on your soul.
Work on your soul.

Chorus

10 October 1975
Seal Beach

"Big Night Out"

2005-10-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

a song:

It's your big night out at the theater alone
as you look for yourself on the screen
and you sometimes remember just where you've been
and where you'd like to be
And you find in a scene a moment to share
a moment you can call your own
for the star of the show has just packed her bags
and once more is living alone

It's your big night out as you sit there alone
pretending no one can see
that you sometimes remember just where you've been
and where you'd like to be

12 August 1975
Seal Beach

"I Was Standing So Fine"

2005-10-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

a song:

I was standing so fine looking good in your eyes,
and I never once had to explain for
the stars at night, that call me by name,
with whispers of pleasure and pain.
But now I'm standing alone at the edge of my world
and I'd like to know which way to go.
For I'm like a child sometimes brave, sometimes wild,
but now stranded and feeling alone.

I was into my writing I had songs then to sing.
I was master of each sliding moment.
But between the confusion of memories game
I hear whispers of pleasure and pain.
Now I'm standing alone at the edge of my world,
and I'd like to know which way to go.
For I'm like a child, sometimes brave, sometimes wild,
but now stranded and feeling alone.

31 July 1975
Seal Beach

"I'd Like To Be A Frog"

2005-10-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
I'd like to be a frog and sit on a log
and everytime that a fly flew on by
I'd invite him of tea.

2)
How happy I'd be if you were with me
sittin' on my log as a frog
invitin' flies for tea
how happy we'd be having flies with tea.

chorus:
And if you really cared about froggin'
well we just might really dare
to have some little frogs of our own on our log
they could call you ma and me pa

3)
Would you like to be here, let me make it quite clear
that I mean for evermore, I want you here
with me most eterally
havin' flies with tea.

13 June 1980
Fountain Valley

"Cry Like a Lady"

2005-10-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
If you cry like a lady
do you hope to find
a man who will wait for you
most of the time
and if dreams are your pleasure
I hope that you see
the waiting's worth waiting for
waiting for me

2)
But I know sometimes it's unreal
the way I feel doesn't always make sense
but if you think that you really can
put down your plans
put down your plans

3)
If you cry like a lady
you surely will find
a man who will wait for you
most of the time...

"Little Girls"

2005-10-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Little girls
like a dream that has come then has gone
their beauty still lingers on
like a song that's been sung on and on.

2)
For little girls
whisper words that can only reply
thoughts of love, thoughts of joy, reasons why
little girls, little girls never die.

chorus:
They just go on and on
take you in with their charms
tell you every-thing's just fine
pay no mind to the time.

3)
Little girls
steal your love, steal your heart, ain't it so?
As they dance
they soon steal the show...
little girls

"Lady In Black"

2005-10-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Feel the sun today,
catch a morning ray in your hand.
Walk along the shore,
do the things that seem to mean much more.

Chorus:

What would your master say
about feeling this way?
Does he realize
the changes you feel today?

2)
Let the warm sea breeze,
fill you hair to fall so easily.
Lay upon the sand,
feel the warmth you have at your command.

3)
Fall into your dreams,
with your scenes of gold and ivory.
Sip the finer wines,
take the time to feel like a lady.

"Glad That You're Here"

2005-10-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
I'm glad that you're here,
I guess it's alright.
Last night when you called,
I wouldn't put up a fight

2)
It's been a long time,
far too many years
You look so beautiful,
I'm glad that you're here

Chorus:

I haven't felt like a man in a long time,
and I'm glad that you like what you see
Would you mind if we talked a little longer?
would you mind taking your time with me?

3)
I heard someone say,
you'd gone far away'
I never thought,
we'd meet again this way.

4)
I'm glad taht you're here,
I know it's alright,
could I please ask you now,
to stay for the night?

Chorus

"She Waits"

2005-10-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
She waits by the window tonight
Far away look fills her eyes
She dreams a dream long over due
She dreams her dreams are coming true

2)
She waits by the window tonight
Far away look fills her eyes
Into the night she sends her prayer
Hoping that somewhere someone will care

3)
Then he'll take her and hold her in his arms tonight
Hold her tight and never let her go
Say the words she needs to hear
Gentle love is so sincere
Hold her tight and never let her go

Gentle Love is so sincere
Hold her tight and never let her go

"Don't Cry"

2005-10-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Don't you cry in the morning.
Don't you sing your sad song.
Don't you think that you're lonely
and all that is wrong (in your life).
Don't cry, don't cry.

2)
Don't you reach for that bottle,
just to set yourself free.
From all of those memories
and your misery in your life
(you've tried so hard to leave)
Don't cry, don't cry.

Chorus:
Just a whisper is all that you need.
Just a reason, just a dream, just a dream.

3)
Don't you wait for tomorrow
it just may never come.
Don't you hide in the darkness.
Don't stay on the run (from your life).
Don't cry.

"Homeless"

2005-10-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
It's hard to sleep, can't trust the street.
The nights are cold and you feel so beat.
Well it's hard to sleep, nothing to eat.
Look at your kids, nothing on thier feet.

chorus:
Now you're homeless, you're homeless
Now you're homeless, you're homeless
My friend you're homeless

2)
Come back from the war feeling so confused.
With all this wealth why so much abuse?
You used to have a good job when you worked uptown
but the man, he says, I sell my company

3)
America she spends on weapons to kill.
She's cold as ice, she forgets you're real.
You're in the street, you're dying tonight.
You're hungry pilgrims, such an ugly sight.

"Lonely Tree"

2005-10-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Lonely tree on a wind swept plain.
Rocks smoothed by the driving rain.
You stand alone in the middle of a raging storm.
Brances form from your side.
Lighting bunrs you through the night.
You stand alone through the raging storm.
Everything is blown away.
Nothing left but this hardpan clay to comfort you.

Chorus:
You stand alone, you stand alone.
You stand alone, you stand alone.
Everything is blown away.
Nothing left but this hardpan clay to comfort you.

2)
Nights are long and the days are cold.
River dried up long ago.
You stand alone reaching for the other side.
Everybody has their price,
but you've paid yours more than twice.
You stand alone on the other side.

Chorus

"Soldier"

2005-10-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Though you are soldiers
you're only men.
Why do you treat us this way?
We're from the same garden
we feel the same sun
but why do you treat us this way?

2)
You cast your shadow
of fear on the land.
You've frightened the children away.
You say that you fight
to help us all
but you've taken our children away.

"Star Across Heaven"

2005-10-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

a song:
1)
Never rode a star across heaven
Never sat upon the moon
Never set the world on fire
I never chased the silver spoon
But I'm fine
Couldn't ask for a better life

2)
Never walked on a river of fire
Never prayed to the Mountain King
Never wanted to be soldier
I never got the golden ring
But I'm fine
Couldn't ask for a better life

chorus:
Like and angel from heaven she found me
Nothing but bones
I owe her everything
In the middle of the night she held me
She pulled me from my darkest dream
She gives me everything
She gives me everything

3)
Never walked through the Garden of Eden
Never found that apple tree
Never saved a fallen angel
Never faced immortality
But I'm fine
Couldn't ask for a better life

"Tell Me Why"

2005-10-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Every time I see you, it turns out this way.
Every time I turn around, you seem to slip away.
There's rain in my heart, tears in my eyes,
questions unanswered that tear me inside.
Tell me why.

2)
Tell me why you never hear just what I say.
Tell me why you always run the other way.
There's rain in my heart, tears in my eyes,
questions unanswered that tear me inside

Chorus:
Why do you run?
Why do you cry?
Why do you come back to me
each time?
Tell me why.
Tell me why.
Tell me why.

"Get Back In Line"

2005-10-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

a song:
1)
Ain't no place to step aside.
Just want to rest awhile and take my time.
People shouting, say, "Get back in line"
Ah they say, "Get back in line".

2)
I go and take a walk today,
people so straight, they just turn away.
They don't want to look at you, they're so much afraid.
But they say, "Get back in line".

3)
The sun comes up in the usual way.
I roll myself over and I roll up a "J'.
Man around the corner says, "Put it away",
and hey, "Get back in line".

"Everynight"

2005-10-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

a song:
1)
I want to walk with you
under the stars tonight.
I want to hold your hand
I want to be your man
I want to be there everynight.

2)
I want to run
right through those pretty dreams.
I want to be the one
riding on the horse.
I want to sweep you off of your feet.
I want to be the one
to sweep you off your feet

Chorus:
Everytime the sun goes down
I send my love to you.
With the voice of so many stars they say
how can you refuse?
I'm standing here in front of you
alone against the night.
I'm down on bended knee
I look into your eyes.
On bended knee
I look into your eyes.

3)
I want to dance with you.
I want to hold you tight.
I want to feel your heart.
I want to touch your breath.
I want to be there everynight.
I want to be the one
to turn out the light.

"White Sands"

2005-10-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
White sand, black nights
everytime I see you passing by
I cry tonight.
Red skies, blue hearts
everytime, there's a life I want to see
not for tonight.

Chorus:
Everytime I see you pass by, I want to cry
doesn't matter where we are.
Black nights, satisfied, I want to cry
I want to cry my way tonight.

2)
Sunset, sunset
just a space in time I try to put behind
to forget.
Star light, star light
let the moon be mine tonight I'm shadowed from
far from the night.

"Yankee Doodle"

2005-10-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

(sculpture of Dennis Magnusen by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen)

a song:

1)
Yankee Doodle take a stand.
Play your song through to the end.
Words that may be hard to hear,
Yankee Doodle boy.

2)
Miles of timber cut today.
Coal mines strip your soil away.
Scars that may not ever heal,
Yankee Doodle boy.

Chorus:
White man, black man, yellow, brown,
trying to find some common ground.
Need a place to settle down,
Yankee Doodle boy.

3)
Yankee Doodle on the run.
Too many children carry guns.
Need more time to understand,
Yankee Doodle boy.

"Beneath The Sun"

2005-09-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

a song:

1)
Lift your face up to the sun.
feel the warmth it makes.
The shadows cold and hard to bare,
leaving nothing to compare.
Like a mother's son who cries,
reaching out for love and getting lies

2)
Cast your stone into the pond.
Watch the ripples flow
into the sea to become as one
with a soldier and his gun.
You're far removed you cry to me
it's not your fault, it's the way it'll always be

3)
Stand upon the mountain top.
Feel the breezes blow.
But donw below a man's in pain,
not knowing really who to blame.
Like a hobo on the run,
he hasn't found his place beneath the sun.

"Let It Rain"

2005-09-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

(Sculpture of Dennis Magnusen by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen)

a song:

1)
Listen, listen to the rain
Trying to wash away the blood
Don't worry about a thing tonight
Don't worry about a thing tonight
Done worry about a thing
Drink enough, feel alright
Everybody wants to take you down
Why's your brother left behind?
Twenty years and you can't forget
Let it rain tonight
All through the night

Chorus:
Let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain, let it rain

Let it rain on you
Let it rain on me

Let it rain, let it rain

2)
Vietnam is just a fucking wall
No one really wants to talk
So hard to leave behind
I just can't get it off my mind
Can't drink enough
Blood and tears, best of friends
Left behind
there is no end
to the rain

"Landslide"

2005-09-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

1)
Well it's cold as hell
I want to be left alone
I want to turn down this alley
I want to go home

2)
But it's cold as hell
The house is empty still
the nights get longer
and they always will

3)
Taken by the wind
whatever the night has left
whatever dreams are left
whatever remains

4)
Laid upon this rock
where eagles love to nest
caught in a landslide
from a recent fall

Chorus:
Caught in a landslide
I never wanted to go down
Caught in a landslide
I never wanted to go down
Caught in a landslide

5)
Well it's cold as hell
I don't want to play the part
I don't want to look the same
I don't want to be here

6)
Well it's cold as hell
I want to be left alone
I want to turn down this alley
I want to go home

Chorus

"It's Not The Same"

2005-09-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

1)
When the night falls down before your eyes
you cannot find that alibi
you stand before
the one you say you love.

2)
You stumble back against the wall
into the light where shadows fall
you've cried before
but that's behind us now

Chorus:
Now when you say goodnight
it's not the same
There's something missing now
It's not the same

3)
There's a place you go when nothing's right
pressed between the darkest night
Silhouettes
from shadows on the wall

"Desert Winds"

2005-09-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

1)
If you want to say goodnight
If you want to leave me now
If you ever pass this way
or find yourself in loneliness

2)
When you look into the sky
one bird passing by is all you'll see
the other having fallen on her way
has left a trail of loneliness

Chorus:

Desert wind blows colder in the morning
Desert wind goes straight to your bone
Desert wind can take you and hold you
when you find yourself all alone

"Children's Faces"

2005-09-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

1)Children's faces
that reach out in pain
outstretched arms
tears that never fall
dreams that never come
just lie down in the night
say your prayers, hold on tight
Saigon children try to live another day
Saigon children try to live another day

Chorus:
But the bombs at night
that light up the sky
and rockets fly over your head
they ccrack thru the night
with a terrible sound
that never quite leaves your head

2)
This boy comes to me
asks me what I want
it's all for sale
he cons me like a pro
never misses a beat
but when the night is over
he might have food to eat
Saigon children try to live another day
Saigon children try to live another day

13 October 2003
Kauai

"Back Again"

2005-09-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

1)
The sun in the morning and the window shine
Can't find the whiskey and I can't find another line
Well I can't find the window, can't find the stars
Can't find my soul don't know just where they are
Can't find my place in time, never want to wait in line
I never thought I'd find , you back again

2)
Don't know where the sun will shine
Can't find my love, can't find another dime
Try to find my faith, try to find the door
I look for the window and I look for another score
Can't find my place in time, never want to wait in line
I never thought I'd find, you back again

Chorus:
Doesn't matter what you say
I never call for you to come back again
doesn't matter what you find
I never said I'd wait, I'd wait in line
Never called me by my name
I never thought I'd find, you back again

3)
In the middle of the night, can't find the stairs
Can't find the moon, doesn't matter who or where
Can't see the shadows, can't find the dust
Can't find the needles and I never want to find your trust
Not in a broken lie, not in an empty view
Of promises you never will, come back again

"Phd. Martin"

2005-09-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

Dennis at Whole World Theater, Kauai 2004

song:
1)
Phd. Martin I write you this song
I see some things I think you'd say going wrong
The sun is out, the sky is blue
But there's some things we've got to change to make it through.

2)
The people, they still gather 'round for a fight
They don't care whose blood, they don't care whose right.
They just want to see the young boy die.
They don't care the reason, they never ask why.

Chorus:
Where's that dream you had?
Everyone was talking 'bout.
Where's that dream you had,
it sounded just like mine.

3)
Phd. Martin my heart goes out to you.
There's so much we've got left to do.
The world ain't right and it's hard to see.
Phd. Martin light a torch for me.

"Jasmin"

2005-09-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

Jasmin, Jasmin
I'm lying beside you
won't you open your eyes

Jasmin, Jasmin
I'm in love with you so
don't leave me this way

It's a full moon tonight
I'm walking alone
I can't feel my footsteps
down this road
I don't want to run
there's no where to go
I've been blinded by love
my heart still bleeds me so

Jasmin, Jasmine
don't pretend you're asleep
don't push me away

Jasmin, Jasmin
I can feel the warmth of your breath
just open your eyes

22 March '04
Kauai

"Lonesome Night"

2005-09-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Nothing matters as you walk the street
No one listens when you try to speak
No one's there to keep you warm
No one's there to pull you from the storm
A little whiskey numbs the pain
Too many memories flying thru your brain
No one's there to hold you tight
on this cold and lonesome night

Midnight wind always chills your bone
Every step leaves you so alone
Passing strangers never see
the man inside you always hoped to be
Just a whisper that you thought you heard
but no one's there to listen to your words
A darkened doorway keeps you from the light
On this cold and lonesome night
On this cold and lonesome night

30 April 1998
Vista

In The Side Of The Night

2005-09-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

In the side of the night
love crept through
and in making her rounds
through the black forest trees
she found the shadow
of a friend she once freed

To a flock of lonely
at the edge of the sea
she took my hand
and slept with me
My thoughts are a changing
as changing they must
through the fortress of greed

Through the passions of love
my fears lost their fire
then they flew with the dove
Down stained walls of time
I break, don't ask why
into the silvery moonlit bay

In the side of the night
love crept through
and in making her rounds
through the black forest trees
she found the shadow
of a friend she once freed
of a friend she once freed
of a friend
she once freed

August 1997 Kauai

"I say"

2005-09-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

I say - nothing goes back the way it was
I say - nothing goes back again
Just a thought that passes by
can sometimes slow you down
Headlights from a passing car can blind
Just look away - just look away

I say - nothing is all the time complete
I say - sometimes you have to change
Dreams that tear your soul apart
will never mend the pain
People that you'd like to see sometimes
Just turn away - just turn away

break for 2 lines:
Spread your wings into the night
gently pull away
Guard your passions carefully
Just turn away - just turn away.

20 June 1998
Vista

Morning Dust

2005-09-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Morning dust is blown by the wind
caught an ember trying to find
more than hope, more than dreams, more than dust
more than memories blown thru time
and she waits so long by the window
She waits with a tear in her eye

As the ashes are blown by the wind
their love rises past the flames
and her passion has burned for a long time
and her memories of love linger on, and on

And her passion has burned for a long time
and her memories of love linger on and on

12 January 1997
Kauai