Vic Anderson

LYRICS to songs on "I WISH YOU BLUE SKIES" CD.

1. ANOTHER SPRING: 1st Verse:In the morning just past dawn, A Meadowlark sings out its song, It's the music of the springtime at its best.  On the cattails by the Slough, Red Winged Blackbirds trilling too. Singing love songs all dressed up in scarlet vests.  Chorus: Grasses slumbering below, beneath the ice and drifting snow, needing natures call to ring, time for yet another spring.2nd Verse: Calves are lying in the hay at the start of each new day, snuggled down the sun is warm upon their backs. Pitchforks gleaming in the sun, pitching off another ton. One more load of  hay from winters shrinking stacks. CHORUS:  3rd Verse: Hear the creaking and the groan of the bobsled heading home, tug chains jingle and the runners hiss their songs. Loaded for another day, settle back into the hay. Sweating horses know the way back to the barn. CHORUS and out

2. FLY: Whistle intro; 1st verse: When the sun came up in the morning, as the sun peeped over the hill. In the shadows stillness crying alone sat a sad and lonely young Whippoorwill. He never wanted to whistle or sing as the flock winged its way. He never sang or darted about. He'd hear them sing as they played. CHORUS: And they'd sing fly up over the river, fly on over the hill, fly on over the ridges at night, come flying or you never will. Come fly with us in the moonlight and sing as the sun starts our day. Come fly with us in the sky up above, come fly with us as we play. 2nd Verse:  He wanted bad to believe them, that he could fly up so high. He wished that he could play tag in the sky, but his Mom hadn't taught him to fly. She was gone when he got his first feathers and he fell from the nest his first try, so he thought he could never fly like the rest. He thought that he never could fly.CHORUS: 3RD VERSE: One day a rainstorm was passing. The blue sky turned into gray, the wind blew clouds to cover the sun. His friends got safely away. But he was left in the rainstorm, his feathers all soaked to the skin. His friend had flown to shelter somewhere, but there was no shelter for him. CHORUS:  4TH VERSE: Then a shadow landed before him. It was the leader, his friend from the flock. He said "If you can't come flying with us, come along, we'll take us a walk. But try and we'll be there to help you. Try and We'll give you our all. Keep trying to fly and we'll help pick you up in case you just happen to fall." NEW CHORUS: Now he flies up over the river, flies on over the hill. He flies on over the ridges at night with all of his friend Whippoorwills. He flies out into the moonlight and sings as the sun starts their day. He flies with his friends in the sky up above, he flies with his friends and and he plays.  REPEAT THE LAST LINE. 

3. JUST DREAMING:  Start with Vics inside out yodel, Verse 1: I'm sitting here just dreaming of the day that I can be riding down some canyon through Mountain Cedar trees. I hear camp robbers(Grays Jay) scolding me as I ride on alone, as once again my horse and I are nearing summers home (YODEL) Verse 2: A cold North wind is blowing, the drifts of snow pile high, but in my mind I'm riding beneath a summer's sky. The creaking of my saddle sounds like the towering pines creaking in the breezes around this home of mine. I know the cold outside of my door is ten degrees below, but I'm upon a ridge somewhere where warm soft breezes blow. (YODEO) Verse 3: My feet are propped up high to feel the glowing heating stove. With Neatsfoot Oil and leather smells neatly interwove. As I wipe down a bridle rein and polish up a bit, my mind is taking me away as far as I can get. Yes, I'm here just dreaming of the day when I can be riding down some canyon through Mountain Cedar trees. (YODEL out).

4. DAYS END: Verse 1: The day is through, the shadows fall, I'm heading back home. The sunset is pointing the way. The calves lie down, shy deer abound, the mountains aglow. It's the end of a long summers day. And as I go I hear a crow, a loons fading cry.The winds gentle sigh. And on the breeze, out f rom the trees an owl shadows by. The moon, pure gold shows clear my road my campsite is nigh. YODEL.  Verse 2: y horse is slow, his head is low, he's sweated and tired.e longs now for oats and fresh hay. With saddle stripped, he rolls then lifts, then rolls once again. Then shakes off the dust of the day. When suppers gone, I stretch and yawn. The night beckons so. And then I turn to watch the burn of campfires bright glow. Before I sleep in stillness deep, I thank God above for giving me my family and this land that I love.  (Whistle out.)

5. WHEN DID YOU LEAVE HEAVEN: When did you leave Heaven? Why did they let you go? How are things in Heaven? Tell me 'cause I want to know. Why did you leave Heaven for only earthly things? Where did you leave your halo, where did you put your wings.  Do they miss you? Can you get back in?If I should kiss you would it be a sin?I am only human, you are so divine. When did you leave Heaven, Angel Mine.REPEAT

6. WHEN YOU'VE HUNG UP THE HARNESS: Poem: Have you ever stopped and listened to the horses chewing hay? When you've hung up all the harness after feeding cows that day? Old Princess turns her head and she nuzzles at your coat and King, his nose is snuffling, searching for that final oat. The cold of every breath you take makes your nose hairs freeze and thaw while you're checking both their shoulders. Keeping watch for p matches raw.A tail lifts, the barn is  filled with a strong, familiar smell. A snort, King shakes and Princess stomps. You know they're feeling well. There is hay out on the bobsled for tomorrow mornings feed. It'll take a bit of work to give the cattle what they need.You have the bobsled runners parked upon a chunk of wood so they won't be frozen down and they'll slide just like they should. Next morning, just at sunup, harness frozen, stiff and cold. When you take it off the tack hook makes you feel a little old, 'cuz your hands are some arthritic and your back just aches away. Until you see a calf a-sucklin' on the feed ground that cold day. Mornings sun has warmed the landscape when you get the bobsled stopped. As the horses blow a steamy breath they cock a hind leg up. You can smell the horses sweat while you're loading on more bales.They shift their weight and shake their bits. Mornings breezes brut their tails. So you load another rack full and you swing the team around and you tie up both the ribbons when you're on the feeding ground. At the river water hole the fog is wispy, getting thinner. Spring is just around the corner. You can smell the end of winter. While the horses make their circle while you're feeding off the hay, the jingling of the tug chains and the bobsleds swing and sway, murmur songs and whisper rhythms that you've known for many years. Muscles warmed, you shed your coat, lift the earflaps off your ears. Then you point that sweating team toward the barnyard when you're done. With a load of hay all ready for tomorrow mornings run. You park the sled, unhitch the team and lead them to their stalls. Then feed 'em hay and once again you check their hides for galls. Take quarter straps, the belly bands, the britches and the hames, sling 'em on the tack hook, 'long with collars, bits and chains. Then you stop... for just a moment. While the horses chew their hay. When you've hung up all the harness after feeding cows that day.

7. RIDE EASY PARD: BRIDGE: Ride easy pard, the trail will take you home. sit easy pard, your shadows growing long. Go softly pard, the day is nearly done. Ride easy pard, ride neath the setting sun.  Before daylight, by campfire bright, while dewdrops glisten all around. As coyotes cry, you leave behind your bedrolls warmth and comfort on the ground.  BRIDGE: Ride easy pard, the trail will take you home. Sit easy pard, your shadows growing long. Go softly pard, the day is nearly done. Ride easy pard, ride 'neath the setting sun.  You knew full well, 'fore nightshade fell, your pony tracks would travel far and wide.  Through canyon deep and mountain steep, the long and perilous, endless miles you'd ride.  REPEAT BRIDGE; While Cedar trees and gentle breeze all leave the scent of mountains in your mind. Your smoke filled eyes and starlit skies recall the many campfires left behind. REPEAT BRIDGE...OUT.

8. THE HOMESTEAD: V.1 The chinking is gone from the cracks 'tween the logs and the windows are broken away, there's a bed made of rags in the corner for dogs and the whitewash has long since turned gray. CHORUS: But sod on the roof keeps the rain from my bed and the walls provide shade from the sun. So I'll sleep here tonight and i'll tip up a drink to the ones who have long gone beyond. Hi De I Oh and a Hi I De Aye and the traces are fading away. V.2 There are stubs of the posts where corral gates were hung. Rocks ring the well where they drank. The path to the outhouse is covered by weeds. There's a hole where the root cellar sank. CHORUS: But sod on the roof keeps the rain from my bed and walls provide shade from the sun. The homesteaders dreamed of the land that abounds. Here's a toast to the ones gone beyond. Hi De I Oh and as Hi I De Aye and th e traces are fading away. V.3 There's a rusty old plow and a twisted up strap from a harness that lies dried and cracked. A shallow old rut where they hand dug a ditch to the place where the garden was scratched. CHORUS: But sod on the roof keeps the rain from my head and the walls provide shade from the sun. The settlers all came from their homes far away. Have a drink to the ones gone beyond. Hi De I Oh and A Hi I Dey Aye and the traces are fading away. V.4 What left of the fence are just sticks and old wire. Grey logs in a square mark the barn. Some bottles and cans in a draw, out of sight, yet the outhouse stands weathered and warn. CHORUS: But sod on the roof keeps the rain from my bed and the walls provide shade from the sun. So I'll sleep here tonight where they finished their quest. Here's a toast to the ones gone beyond. CHORUS: Hi De I Ho and a Hi I De Aye. And the faces have faded away.

9.YESTERDAYS WALTZ: He played love songs on his Spanish guitar and we danced into dawn the next morn. We twirled and we swayed beneath shimmering stars. Then we wept as our new love was born.The songs in the night brought both pain and delight. We both know our love could not last. Though she was betrothed, we danced until dawn. To the music of yesterdays waltz. CHORUS: We danced where the music  took us. Our eyes locked to each other. Where ever lifes fortunes drew us, we'd cherish this night...for ever. V.2 (because) He played love songs on his Spanish guitar. Our hearts and our bodies as one. We moved to the Throb of his Spanish guitar, all through the night until dawn. The songs that he played only delayed our parting that came much to fast. As she turned to go, her eyes held me close. To the music off yesterdays Waltz.

10. UP FROM TEXAS- written by Jack Overly:  V.1 We started up from Texas with a thousand head of ornery Longhorn cattle. Heading North and East to Kansas, sitting tall and ridin' easy in the saddle. It was 500 miles of eatin' dust along that trail to Abiline and the critters we were drivin' up from Texas. They were wild and they were mean. CHORUS: We were just a bunch of kids, lookin' for excitement way back then. By the time we got those longhorns up to Abiline in Kansas, we were men. V.2 It was in the swollen waters of the Cimmaron we lost my cousin Joe. Though we looked we couldn't find him. The waters they were raging 'round us so. We just said some words about him, words that I remember still. And the memory of it lingers with me so, I guess they always will (chorus if you care to) V.3 one night in Western Kansas, the herd got spooked and it began to run. We heard them through the thunder. When the lighting flashed we could see them come. They tore the camp apart when they came through. We tried to get away. We all made it, 'kept for Billie. Who we didn't find until the break of day. CHORUS:   V.4 When we finally got to Abiline, I'll tell you boys, we had ourselves a time. Drinking and carousing so, we finally ended up without a dime. We made it back to Texas, somewhat wiser from that lonesome cattle drive. And tho' we bragged a lot about it, deep inside we were just glad to be alive.CHORUS: We were just a bunch of kids looking for excitement way back then. By the time we got those long horns up to Abilene in Kansas we were men.  We were men. We were men. By the time we got those longhorns up to Abiline in Kansas, we were men.

11.IN THE EVENING BY THE SPRING: In the evening by the spring, you can hear a Robin sing. The woods a-stir. Gods creatures cease their rest. From the breezes in the trees, Zephyrs whisper hear our pleas, that we may tell of natures treasures blessed. A multi colored rainbow arching boldly to the ground. Directing our attention to Gods treasures all around. The the sunset brings nights shade. Deer are grazing in the glade. Soon the moon and stars will glimmer through the night. (Instrumental break)  Strings of geese beneath the clouds. A gopher whistles, clear and loud. As an Eagle soars above in stately flight. Beaver swimming in the pond. Baby ducklings skim along, behind their Mom who leads them to their nesting site. Then a hush falls on the valley. From my grassy throne I spy a golden path of sunlight, leading homeward to the sky. Then the sunset brings nights shade. Deer are grazing on the glade. Soon the moon and stars will glimmer through the night.

12.

JAN. 22. 2021: My Poem  HAY INSPECTORS was the featured poem in the IWMA magazine "the Western Way. 

For those who might like to read it here is :

HAY INSPECTORS, by Victor T. Anderson  copyright 12/11/18

 They are always in the lead, when you're pushing off the feed, and they never seem to ever take a bite.Whether cattle, horse or sheep, while you're fighting snowbanks deep, starting out the day in early morning light.

 Whether nice or if it's storming, you see babies there, aborning, so you're watching heavies as the team goes by.A few calves are there a bawling', and some cows are there a callin' as their hungry calves come runnin' on the fly.

 First yearling to the feeder, old bent horn is still a leader, tho' once she was a young replacement calf.You almost had to cull her, the boss thought he should sell her. Her frame was right, it's nice getting that last laugh.

 She grew up square and fancy but was always a bit chancy. It seemed like she was always on the prod.But, handled slow and patient, this spring she's nearly ancient and her calves are always long and tall and broad.

 Those two cows right there beside her and seeming to help guide her are the lop eared cow and fat old twenty one.At every bale, fed so nice, they each pause to sniff each slice, then just walk by like breakfast is said and done.

 They are out in front each day, as they pace the feeding sleigh. I tell you boys, it's steady as a clock.Now and then a tongue slides out and licks at their cold snout. They keep their pace at a steady, easy walk.

 Keep on walking, take a sniff, buck and snort at every drift. Those lead cows, I tell ya, never seem to eat.So you watch till all are fed, load more hay on the bobsled bed, head for the barn, mornings feeding is complete.

 While you were stopped, they wandered by, always will, until they die. Check all the hay with a sneer and a jaundiced eye.And it's not because they're picky, nor because the hay is icky, why the three of them will always just walk by.

 Sometimes a slice is musty,  perhaps a little dusty. You can darned sure bet that they are gonna check her.  They are your local, special duty, watchin' lookin', seein' beauties, making' sure it's worth their chewin'

Keepin' watch on what's a brewing', self important, every feeding, barnyard hay inspectors.

             RIDE EASY PARDS.....Vic

  This darned Corona Virus has really messed up the entire United States of America and apparently the rest of the world as well.  Had 13 gigs in March and got to do 1. After that very few gigs. I did 6 at the Slab, an outdoor pub. 6 more for the city of Estes Park, one hour gigs while riding on a wagon pulled by a pickup.  Did some busking at the viewing area where the rock sits alongside Highway 36, welcoming people to Estes Park.

OCT. 1, 2020-The song "FLY," reached #2 on the NumberOneMusic.com chart, this is the song I originally sent to NumberOneMusic.com as WHIPPOORWILL, which went #1 and stayed there for 5 weeks. Since then the 2 versions of the same song have been chasing each other up and down the charts.They have both been as high as #2  since I sent FLY there, at one time or another. Today FLY is #4 and WHIPPOORWILL  is #11 on the Acoustic chart.