Larry Garrett's Family-Friendly-Music      

You will find the lyrics to some of my songs here, and sometimes a picture of what or who the song is about.  My songs are about living life, growing-up, family, friends, dogs, winners, losers, good times, and bad times.

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My Old Neighborhood by Larry Garrett 6-06-06

(G)I ran these (C)streets, when I was a (G)kid.Old lady (D7)Cartmell, told my folks what I (G)did.  She‘d make kool-aid (C)on hot summer (G)days.I’d sip it in the (D7)shade.  Eat the cookies she (G)made.

It won’t be (C)back. It’s gone for (G)good.All except these (D)ghosts  from my old neighbor(G)hood.

(G)Mr. & Mrs. (C)Drake lived right over (G)there.We played in their (D7)yard. They didn’t (G)care.  He’d wear a ball (C)cap. Get a ball and (G)bat.  And hit grounders to (D7)us.  While we laughed and (G)cussed.

It won’t be (C)back. It’s gone for (G)good.  All except these (D)ghosts  from my old neighbor(G)hood.

Harmonica solo……

(G)This here (C)alley. It runs the whole (G)block.  On hot (D7)evenings folks came out and (G)talked.  Cigarettes (C)glowed. Conversation (G)flowed.  Women talkin’ ‘bout (D7)kitchens.  Men talkin’ ‘bout (G)fishin’.

It won’t be (C)back. It’s gone for (G)good.  All except these (D)ghosts from my old neighbor(G)hood.

(G)That gray (C)house….where I was (G)raised.  Oh my (D7)Lord, those were some “good ol’ days.”  Grandparents next (C)door, and up two doors (G)more.  Wherever I (D7)roamed, I was close to (G)home.

It won’t be (C)back. It’s gone for (G)good.  All except these (D)ghosts from my old neighbor(G)hood.

Harmonica solo……

Guess we should go…before I get depressed.  Yeah, things change….not always for the best.I grew-up, and innocence left.  Oh, life moves-on.  Those days are gone.

It won’t be (C)back. It’s gone for (G)good.All except these (D)ghosts from my old neighbor(G)hood.  It won’t be (C)back. It’s gone for (G)good.

All except these (D)ghosts from my old neighbor(G)hood.

Copyright © Larry Garrett 06-06-06

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It Is What It Is by Larry Garrett

Jim Calley drove trucks for years around the country. Annie rode with him just so he wouldn't be lonely.

If you told Annie "Trucks are a tough life to live,"She'd hug Jim and say, "It is what it is.

Refrain......

We're here for a while. We get and we give. We live and let live. It is what it is.

Iris is a widow and been blind a long while. But even through the dark, she sees her grandson smile.

She don't dwell on the past or on things she might have missed. She lives everyday and says, "It is what it is."

Refrain........

My dad fought in WWII. A brave man, was he. Still he says the toughest thing was helping mom raise me.

He'll tell things to you straight. Won't tolerate prejudice. He'll give you his word, because it is what it is.

Refrain......

I've been with Irene...Good Lord!... thirty-seven years. Trust me, we each asked ourselves, "Why am I still here?"

At night we watch TV. Sip tea from cups marked "her's and "his." We've solved the mystery of life. It is what it is.

Refrain......

Copyright © Larry Garrett 03-07-08

(G)You know, Lord, sometimes late at
 night, I think how life is here than quickly (D7)gone. And forgive me if I seem to be uptight, But I tend to worry about that great be(G)yond.Yes, Lord, I know what you’ve saidAbout redemption and all that holy (D7)stuff,Yet I fear the day when this body’s dead.My spirit weakens whenever times get (G)tough. So, Lord, again I need to ask For your patience and for your chari(D7)ty To help me endure and finish the task That you’ve determined to be the best for (G)me. Please help me to be a better man, A better husband, a father, and a (D7)son. Show me again how to be the best I can. Help me face my fears and never (G)run. And Lord, I admit there are days When I blame all my problems on (D7)you. When I insist on doing things my own way, Then feel deserted when everything falls (G)through. And I’m sure Lord, you remember all the times I’ve cussed and screamed out your (D7)name, While I was the reason my life wouldn’t rhyme. Still, you carried me through the fire and the (G)pain. Lord, just talkin’ to you makes me feel good. Makes me think at least I’ve got a (D7)prayer. And maybe “sometimes” I’ve done the best I could. Ah, with you Lord, I’d go any(G)where. Now I know others are waiting to talk with you, So, I’ll wrap this up and not bore you any(D7)more. And I hope they all feel like I now do As I go through life and row to the other (G)shore.

Instrumental outro--Michael, Row the Boat Ashore.

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Enjoy The Ride  by Larry Garrett

First time Lonnie saw Anna, was over sixty-years ago. It was at The Vista Theater...far as I know.

Now, Lonnie was the son of a railroad man, growing-up strong and lean. And Anna was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen.

They married in the midst of WWII and Lonnie went away. He was gone fourteen months. Anna prayed and prayed.

Finally, the war was over. He came home proud and free. They settled-in together....in '47 they had me.

Chorus........And they sang....ohhhhh the years go by. It don't do a bit of earthly good to sit and cry. So, hang-on to the one you love. Give thanks to God above. Ohhhhh, enjoy the ride. Ohhhh, enjoy the ride.

Slowly time passed and they raised their family. Heartache, joy, lots of love...just the way it's supposed to be.

And things got even better when those grandkids came.....Lonnie and Anna, happy-as-hell. Somethings never change.

Chorus......

Yeah, the first time Lonnie saw Anna, was over sixty-years ago. It was at The Vista Theater...far as I know.

Now, Lonnie's no longer twenty. He's no longer strong and lean. But he still thinks that Anna's the prettiest things he's ever seen.

Copyright (C) Larry Garrett 1996

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Old Dogs by Larry Garrett

I have a friend who is dying.

I’ve known him for twelve years or so.

Twelve years is a fraction of my life,

But it’s a lifetime as a dog’s life goes.

We used to walk in the evening.

We’d walk for a mile, maybe more.

Now we just leave the front porch

And he’s pulling me back to the door.

He used to bark at strange noise

And people that he didn’t know.

Now he just stares into space.

I doubt that he’ll see the next snow.

Chorus……

Yes Lord, old dogs are hard to let go of. They kind of take root in your soul.They grow-up inside of your heart, and then you can’t let them go.

Trips to the vet are more often.

The vet frowns and says, “He’s not good.”

I may have to make a decision.

Lord, I don’t know if I could.

At night I sit on the sofa.

And he rests his head on my knee.

He stares into my face

As if he’s trying to speak to me.

So I look into his eyes.

I hear his jaws squeak when he yawns.

And I know what he’d like to say:

“Who will take care of you when I’m gone?”

Chorus……Yes Lord, old dogs are hard to let go of. They kind of take root in your soul.They grow-up inside of your heart, and then you can’t let them go.

And Lord, there just one more thing, that I think you ought to know.If he’s not up there in heaven, I don’t think I want to go.

Copyright © Larry Garrett 04-29-98

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Irene’s Waltz by Larry Garrett 

Intro….

It’s nice to meet you. Irene’s such a sweet name. Pardon my boldness.... your smile is to blame. It’s worth my while to just sit and talk, but instead, may I have this waltz?

Waltzing with you….one thing leads to another. First we have a daughter and then her brother. It was worth my while to just sit and talk, but instead, you gave me this waltz.

Instrumental……with harmonica.

Just look at our lives!!!! God Bless and Amen!!!!! No matter the cost I’d do it all again. It was worth my while to just sit and talk, but instead, you gave me this waltz.

Outro…..

Copyright © Larry Garrett