I Got to Trust My Baby’s Business

I got to her place about quarter to nine

the light were down low so I peeked through the blind

they were laying on the couch, she was whispering to him

he had his one good hand where it shouldn’t have been

now I’m not a jealous man

but I got a sense of pride

I got to trust my baby’s business

when she’s not here by my side

I got to trust my baby’s business  (x4)

when she’s not here by my side

I spied my baby downtown in the backseat of a car

with a man I didn’t recognize from business, church or bar

she was wearing deep red lipstick, just as red as red could be

they were looking at each other like she never looks at me

now I’m not a man to protest

if my woman likes to flirt a tad

I got to trust my baby’s business

love is good and love is bad

I got to trust my baby’s business  (x4)

love is good and love is bad

now I should have taken action right there and right then

but violence makes me crazy, don’t want to end up in the pen

I got a train of worldly worries from engine to caboose

if I can’t trust my baby’s business, I’m gonna have to turn her loose

now I’m not a man to hesitate

when there’s a principle applied

I got to trust my baby’s business

when she’s not here by my side

I got to trust my baby’s business  (x4)

when she’s not here by my side

© ken ward 2008

It’s Hot

The butter is melting in the dish

The pond is evaporating fish by fish

Ladies swooning as their dresses swish

The well’s drying up, wish by wish

(chorus)

It’s hot, it’s hot, it’s so damn hot

Nothing seems to hit the spot

It’s hot, it’s hot, it’s so damn hot

The temperature reached a 100 by nine forty-five

The bees stopped a buzzing in the hives

Old dog’s apanting, he’s barely alive

The radio’s loud but it’s too hot to jive

(chorus)

The clothes on the clothes line burst into fire

Crows falling off  the telephone wire

The brambles are burnin’ in the briar

The refrigerator busted, the situation’s dire

(chorus)

The milk is curdling in the pail

The mailman won’t deliver the mail

No one out searching for their holy grail

The coolest place in town is the county jail

(chorus)

The blisters are burstin’ on grandmas feet

The poker game’s off, it’s too hot to cheat

We sent the band home, they can’t keep the beat

Mama won’t make love in this kind of heat

It’s hot, it’s hot, it’s so damn hot

Nothing seems to hit the spot

It’s hot, it’s hot, it’s so damn hot

© ken ward 2009

And I Remember

 We meet on the street   -   and I remember

Your smile so sweet   -   and I remember

My heart skips a beat   -   and I remember

Why I was so   -   in love   -   with you

Your voice like red wine   -   and I remember

Your birthdate and sign   -   and I remember

Your laugh that made the sun shine   -   and I remember

Why I was so   -   in love   -   with you

(chorus)

I loved your energy  your beauty

your passion and your smile

When the conversation was engaging

we would walk that extra mile

You were the centre of my universe

and every living star

I find it hard to believe

That I met you in a bar

You were a little late   -   and I remember

Our second date   -   and I remember

Love’s sweet twist of fate   -   and I remember

Why I was so   -   in love   -   with you

Your dress of red brocade   -   and I remember

We were never afraid   -   and I remember

The promises we made   -   and I remember

Why I was so   -   in love   -   with you

(chorus)

You gave me a kiss   -   and I remember

The things I miss   -   and I remember

Our lives so blessed   -   and I remember

Why I was so   -   in love   -   with you

© ken ward 2009

First It Rains

first it rains

then it stops

then it rains and it rains and it rains

first we’re lovers

then we’re not

then it rains and it rains and it rains

rain cold as ice

rain hard as steel

then it rains and it rains and it rains

rain falling in torrents

drowning out all dreams

then it rains and it rains and it rains

first it rains

and then it stops

then it rains and it rains and it rains

first we’re lovers

then we’re not

then it rains and it rains and it rains

rain drenched with mercy

rain hot with lightening

then it rains and it rains and it rains

rain deafening thunder

rain pounding down on all hope

then it rains and it rains and it rains

first it rains

then it stops

then it rains and it rains and it rains

first we’re lovers

then we’re not

then it rains and it rains and it rains

© ken ward 2008

The One-Eyed Bear

my baby’s in love

with a one-eyed bear

she says she’s attracted

to his long brown hair

he’s very polite

in a bearish kind of way

he keeps his thoughts to himself

if he has nothing much to say

she loves his voice

the deepest growl she's ever heard

he reciprocates

says she sings just like a bird

he’s awfully strong

can lift a small oak tree

he loves to slumber

never busy as a bee

she’s had it with men

to talk about it is a bore

that one-eyed bear

never makes her sore

he’s got a natural cure

for all her aches and pains

he loves to take her walking

when it rains and rains and rains

that one-eyed bear

is gentle beyond belief

though he’s occasionally surly

it’s always very brief

he loves good honey

berries and peppermints

of marriage, he’s given

a half-a-dozen hints

she’s a very happy woman

wrapped up in his rug

they talk for hours and hours

he never leaves without a hug

they're comfortable with each other

so cozy in his den

he loves her adventurous nature

she thinks that he's a ten

my baby’s in love

with a one-eyed bear

she says that he’s so handsome

people often stop and stare

she loves him for his laughter

he loves her for her jokes

she says she wants to meet his friends

and all his favourite folks

that one-eyed bear

has ruined my happy life

he’s gone and made my girlfriend

his sweetheart and his wife

they’re visiting the Black Forest

on their honeymoon

I’ve got a hunch they may stay awhile

they won’t be home too soon

that one-eyed bear

has ruined my happy life

© ken ward 2006

Everybody Thinks We’re Crazy

everybody thinks you’re crazy

to fall in love

with a man like me   (x3)

but I think you’re wise

not the kind of woman

to compromise

I think you’re smart

to trust your heart

everybody thinks I’m crazy

to fall in love

with a woman like you   (x3)

but I think it’s cool

you don’t treat me

like a fool

I think it’s an art

to trust your heart

everybody thinks we’re crazy

to fall in love

at first sight   (x3)

but the choice was not ours

it was the middle of a night

filled with meteor showers

we knew right from the start

to trust our hearts

© ken ward 2007

Somebody’s Thinking About You

somebody’s thinking about you

all the sorrows that you’re going through

you think you’re alone but it’s just not true

somebody’s thinking about you

somebody’s thinking about you

somebody cares with all their heart

standing beside you though you’re far apart

their dreams are about you, you’re how their day starts

somebody’s thinking about you

somebody’s thinking about you

you’ll never be alone

always have a home

though the people that you cherish

come and go

you’ll always have our love

here on earth and high above

we’re the patterns of your life

the ebb and flow

somebody’s thinking about you

feeling the same feelings that you’re feeling too

their eyes filled with tears, their hearts cold and blue

somebody’s thinking about you

somebody’s thinking about you

somebody loves you in all your pain

walking the same paths, refreshed by the rain

their voices sing out, your song’s their refrain

somebody’s thinking about you

somebody’s thinking about you

you’ll never be alone

always have a home

with people who love you

always near

you’ll always have our love

soft as any cooing dove

we’ll share in every laugh

and every tear

© ken ward 2008

Mona Kimona

her voice occupies my every thought

memories the only thing I got

I had to get away, travel round the world

cos I’m in love with an eastern girl

mona kimona owns my heart

I’ll be a better man now that we’re apart

well I was living down in new orleans

dealing out those jacks and queens

a creole woman helped me with some charms

to keep me away from mona’s blessed arms

mona kimona owns my heart

I’ll be a stronger man now that we’re apart

I spent sixteen months in tangiers

selling rugs and drinking piss-warm beers

in a souk I had my fortune told

stay away from that woman, she’ll leave you ice cold

mona kimona owns my heart

I’ll be a wiser man now that we’re apart

now I love that woman with all my northern heart

I count the sunsets that we’re apart

but I’m a happier man, here in bombay

playing cricket in the middle of the day

mona kimona owns my heart

I’ll be a happier man now that we’re apart

mona kimona owns my heart

I’ll be a stronger man now that we’re apart

I’ll be a wiser man

I’ll be a better man

I’ll be a happier man now that we’re apart

© ken ward 2005

She Always Leaves Me Wanting More

She always leaves me wanting more

Standing in the shadow of her kitchen door

I so enjoy her company

A short sweet kiss is all I need

She rattles my heart to its core

She always leaves me wanting more

And more and more

I’m like a shipwrecked sailor

Who can’t find the shore

She always leaves me wanting more

She always leaves me wanting more

She makes me laugh til I roll on the floor

I bring her donuts she dips in my tea

Her voice is as enchanting as any voice can be

Never a hint of what’s in store

She always leaves me wanting more

And more and more

In a house of windows

I can’t find the door

She always leaves me wanting more

She always leaves me wanting more

I pray and pray til my knees get sore

Her face is kind and her laugh is bright

I pray to stay for just one night

She makes me leave at a quarter to four

She always leaves me wanting more

And more and more…

© ken ward 2009

You’re a Rude Boy

I said I love to watch you out walking

Your face turned up to the sky

Smiling like mona lisa

It makes me wish that I could fly

(chorus)

She said   you’re rude boy

You’re a rude rude boy

You’re rude boy

You’re a rude rude boy

I said I love your sense of adventure

All your travels up the Amazon

Maybe I could help you catch something wild

Capture the moon just before dawn

(chorus)

I said I love your voice when you whisper

Every word a blessing on your lips

I’d love to take you out dancing

Your arms around me, my hands upon your hips

(chorus)

I said your body echoes with a drumbeat

There’s music in every move you make

I’d love to cover you with chocolate

And eat you like a birthday cake

(chorus)

© ken ward 2012

I Cried and I Cried and I Cried

I cried and I cried and I cried

Then my teardrops dried

And I

Got over you

I dreamt about you for one night

Then you disappeared from sight

And I

Got over you

I got over the looks that hurt for days and days

I got over the bet that never ever pays

I got over shoulders cold as window frost

I got over believing that my soul was lost

(musical break)

I moaned and I moaned and I moaned

Then I called all my friends on the telephone

And I

Got over you

I hurt and I hurt and I hurt

Then I went looking up some other skirt

And I

Got over you

I got over you

Just like that

Traded the records you left behind

For a new straw hat

I got over you

In a wink

Poured the cologne you gave me for Christmas

Down the kitchen sink

I cried and I cried and I cried

Then my teardrops dried

And I

Got over you (repeat)

© ken ward 2014

We Had a Wake for the Cat Last Night

We held a wake for the cat last night

Not a dry eye or handkerchief in sight

The testimonials were florid and indiscrete

Someone suggested such words of worship

should be put to a beat

We held a wake for the cat last night

Everybody agreed no funny business no fuss no fight

The women were all dressed up in black satin and lace

Though the cat was dead we didn’t want him to feel

too out of place

(chorus)

The cat is gone

Long gone

The cat is gone

Nothing left

But this mournful song

The cat is gone

We held a wake for the cat last night

All his friends were there from both the left and the right

We buried him deep beneath the garden shed

Though we’ll miss him, we’re all happy

that he’s dead

We held a wake for the cat last night

He didn’t put up too much of a fight

He was fun for awhile, before he went bad, then he went mad

We toasted his wildness, his comic nature

but we ain’t sad

(chorus)

We held a wake for the cat last night

Got drunk on forgiveness for both his hiss and his bite

Everyone was there that that creature ever bit

As farewells go it was something of a hit

(chorus)

© ken ward 2009