Old Man Dreamin’

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Old Man Dreamin’
John Batdorf

Old Man Dreamin’: With all the fervor of a new artist making his first album, John Batdorf attacks the tracks on his new “Old Man Dreamin'” and succeeds track for track. He has a well-founded pride and joy in these new songs and it translates immediately to the listener. Fans can rejoice in the fact that John has made his best album ever in “Old Man Dreamin’.” — Dean Sciarra, Its About Music


SONGS:

WHAT D’YA GOT?

My girl worries that the worst is comin’
How can we live on next to nothin’?
She’s busy stretchin’ out every dollar
So no more gourmet coffee or bottled water

WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE WELL RUNS DRY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU CAN’T GET BY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE MORTGAGE RISES
UNACCOUNTABLY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE CUPBOARDS’ BARE
WHAT D’YA GOT IN THE FRIGIDAIRE
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THERE’S NOTHIN’ THERE
BABY YOU GOT ME
AIN’T THAT ENOUGH
YOU GOT ME
(that ain’t so tough)

My kids focus too much on pleasure
They think dad’s sittin’ on a buried treasure
I gotta message that might surprise them
When their old man can’t subsidize them

WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE CHECKS ALL BOUNCE
WHAT D’YA GOT, KID, THAT REALLY COUNTS
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THE BANKS ANNOUNCE YOUR A LIABILITY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU’RE OVER DRAWN
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR CREDIT’S GONE
WHAT D’YA GOT THAT KEEPS HANGIN’ ON
YOU GOT ME
AIN’T THAT ENOUGH
YOU GOT ME

Guess I made a promise back when she was twenty-three
That I’d be there to answer every call
Even though I couldn’t see that there’d be times like these
I have learned what to say, it’s been my way to say it all

WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU’RE OVER DRAWN
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR CREDIT’S GONE
WHAT D’YA GOT THAT KEEPS HANGIN’ ON
FOR ETERNITY
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN IT’S ALL A MESS
WHAT D’YA GOT NOW THAT’S NOT WORTH LESS
WHAT D’YA GOT THEY CAN’T REPOSSESS
YOU GOT ME

WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN IT TURNS PITCH BLACK
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN THERE’S NO PROZAC
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOU AIN’T GOT JACK
CAN’T YOU SEE
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR DREAMS GET SQUASHED
WHAT D’YA GOT WHEN YOUR WIRES GET CROSSED
WHAT D’YA GOT NOW THAT WON’T GET LOST
BABY YOU GOT ME
AIN’T THAT ENOUGH
YOU GOT ME

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

Sometimes when I’m messing around on my guitar I stumble upon a riff that surprises and freaks me out a bit at the same time. I’m surprised that it’s still such a trip to find something that makes me laugh because it’s so fun to play… and then I’m scared because I’m afraid I’m simply rewriting some classic that’s buried in my subconscious. Did Bo Diddley write this or was I stealing it from someone else? With the albums’ opening cut, it turns out I wasn’t stealing from anyone (just borrowing a vibe), and while I was playing the riff I heard myself singing WHAT D’YA GOT over and over again. With news of the global economic downturn flooding the airwaves and the pages of the LA Times, I couldn’t help but think about the struggles most all of us would be facing trying to make ends meet, paying the bills, feeding the kids… whatever. And then it became clear to me that all the attention being paid to financial woes was putting the focus on material things and not the stuff that ultimately matters the most: being there for the ones that make our lives worth living. So what started out as my take on the economic challenges of the day turned out becoming a love song to my family. Please feel free to borrow this tune to tell the ones you care about that no matter what, you’ll be there for them.

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, bass, percussion and vocals
Kevin Dukes: Electric Guitars
Luke Halpin: Mandolin
Gary Falcone: Background vocals


LOVE: ALL I REALLY KNOW ABOUT IT

I see the light
That eluded me for all these empty years
I lost the fight
When I finally faced the truth about my fears
I tried justifying my
Fierce independence that has led to this goodbye

LOVE… ALL I REALLY KNOW ABOUT IT
I CAN SAY IN ONE SIMPLE LINE
LIFE… ISN’T WORTH A DAMN WITHOUT IT
BABY THAT’S THE TRUTH, AND IF YOU NEED MORE PROOF JUST LOOK AT MINE

I had it all
And I thought that love was something I could own
After the fall
I discovered something I had never known
Love is such a mystery
And you won’t get it till it’s given and received

LOVE… ALL I REALLY KNOW ABOUT IT
I CAN SAY IN ONE SIMPLE LINE
LIFE… ISN’T WORTH A DAMN WITHOUT IT
THAT’S WHAT I BELIEVE, AND IF YOU THINK I’M LYING LOOK AT MINE

And I do miss you
And need a chance to make you see
That I do wish to
Give you more of me

I see the light
That eluded me for all these empty years
I tried justifying my
Unconscious selfishness that led to this goodbye

LOVE… ALL I REALLY KNOW ABOUT IT
I CAN SAY IN ONE SIMPLE LINE
LIFE…. ISN’T WORTH A DAMN WITHOUT IT
THAT’S WHAT I BELIEVE, AND IF YOU THINK I’M LYING LOOK AT MINE
LOOK AT MINE
Now I see the light
That eluded me for all these empty years

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

As a rule I try to avoid songs where the chords on the verse are the same on the chorus, but this song ambushed me… took me hostage and pulled out of me (against my will at first) two different melodies to the same basic pattern on the guitar. After my initial resistance, I fell in love with this song about love and enjoyed exploring the story of a guy who’s unable to experience love because he’s incapable of giving (and receiving it) unconditionally. Although I would never wish a life without love on anyone, I think the one truth about love most everyone can agree on is this: life really ain’t worth a damn without it. It sort of cracks me up that my friend and writing partner, who really isn’t a four letter word kind of guy, would come up with such a lyric. Street cred??

Performer Credit:
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, bass and vocals
Dan Navarro: Background vocals
Luke Halpin: Mandolin
Fred Sokolo: Banjo
Tom Walsh: Drums and percussion


THAT DON’T SEEM RIGHT TO ME

Work two jobs just to buy gas to get to one
Takes three cars just to guarantee that one will run
I bought their lousy cars and yet
I’m payin’ off their corporate debt
It ain’t my debt

Folks work harder every year for less and less
Payin’ more in taxes but it’s still the same old mess
Everybody’s goin’ bust
To fix it who you gonna trust?

I’m not sayin’ I know what to do
But every day I’m findin’ something new
One more thing in this crazy world that I can see
That don’t seem right to me

A hundred bucks buys a torn up pair jeans
Twice that much if you saw ’em in the magazines
With clever ads, sales are strong
Sellin’ girls with barely nothin’ on

I’m not sayin’ I know what to do
But every day I’m findin’ something new
One more thing in this crazy world that I can see
That don’t seem right to me

If you see what I see
Maybe we can all agree

I’m not sayin’ I know what to do
But everyday I’m findin’ something new
One more thing in this crazy world that I can see
That don’t seem right to me

I’m not sayin’ I know what to do
But everyday I’m findin’ something new
One more thing in this crazy world that I can see
That don’t seem right to me

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

When this song was born, child of a bluesy lick that attached itself surgically to my musical brain, I was thinking about ALL the things in this world that just “don’t seem right to me”. While collaborating on this tune with Michael, we came up with enough thoughts to fill a twenty minute song… but we didn’t actually know how to fix all the things that were bugging us. Please feel free to add your own pet peeves to the version of this song you sing when you’re in the shower… and trust me. Once this one captures you, you’ll be singing it EVERYWHERE. Sorry.

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, piano and vocals
Bill Batstone and Matt Batdorf: Background vocals
Tom Walsh: Drums
Mark Browne: Bass
James Harrah: Electric guitar


I FALL TO PIECES

I fall to pieces whenever she’s around
When my self assurance is nowhere to be found
Then she returns what I have lost without a sound
When I fall to pieces

I fall to pieces and don’t know where I stand
I know that I’m not as together as I planned
She reconnects me by reaching out her hand
When I fall to pieces

And she knows… how… the pieces need to fit
And she shows… me how… to see what’s counterfeit
She solves the puzzle so I can’t let my heart quit
When I fall to pieces

I fall to pieces imagining the day
I have a chance to tell her what I cannot say
But when she smiles, I finally find a way
When I fall to pieces

And she knows… how… the pieces need to fit
And she shows… me how… to see what’s counterfeit
She solves the puzzle so I can’t let my heart quit
When I fall to pieces

There’s a miracle or somethin’ like it going on
And I can’t explain why she does what she can
Though I always fall to pieces when she comes along
She puts me back together so much better than I am

And she knows… how… the pieces have to fit
And she shows… me how… to see what’s counterfeit
She solves the puzzle so I can’t let my heart quit
When I fall to pieces

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

Okay, okay. Just reading the title of this song (I FALL TO PIECES), you’re probably wondering if it’s a cover of one of the jillions of songs with that line. It’s not. In fact, I only sang the line “I fall to pieces” to give a sense of the meter and pacing of the lyrics that the melody was searching for… And then Michael and I found a fresh take on the line that has been used by so many songs before it. If you’ve been prone to “falling to pieces” when you’re around someone you’re falling in love with, I hope you’re lucky enough to be put back together again by a person like the girl this song is about.

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, bass, percussion and vocals
Harry Stinson: Background vocals
Tom Walsh: Drums
Greg Leisz: Lap Steel
James Harrah: Electric guitar


WILL I LOVE YOU FOREVER

We were the story an audience loves
Violins played when we kissed
We fit the casting of love everlasting
So how has it come down to this
I felt the words we exchanged with the rings
Honestly came from the heart
So how could you do it, you certainly knew it
Would threaten to tear us apart

WILL I LOVE YOU FOREVER?
IT’S A PROMISE I MADE AND WILL NOT BE BETRAYED
THOUGH I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER
IT’S SO HARD TODAY

Everyone told me that there’d come a time
I’d come to question the vow
I can’t forget it and I don’t regret it
But that awkward moment is now

WILL I LOVE YOU FOREVER?
IT’S A PROMISE I MADE AND WILL NOT BE BETRAYED
THOUGH I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER
IT’S SO HARD TODAY

How long does it take,
When someones’ heart breaks, to mend
What sign will I see
So my love can be like it was again

We were the story an audience loves
The ending’s still in our control
And though the crowd’s crying, I vowed to keep trying
Long after the end credits roll

WILL I LOVE YOU FOREVER?
IT’S A PROMISE I MADE AND WILL NOT BE BETRAYED
THOUGH I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER
IT’S SO HARD TODAY
Yes I’ll LOVE YOU FOREVER
IT’S A PROMISE I MADE AND WILL NOT BE BETRAYED
THOUGH I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER, for FOREVER,
IT’S SO HARD TODAY

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

This song was a long time coming; written on the piano with a haunting quality that never let me go… and wouldn’t let me finish it. About a year after I’d done a rough recording of the original idea for this song, I settled on a structure and melody for the tune and even completed a lyric. Mission accomplished. I asked Michael if he had any “little tweaks” that he felt would help polish off the piece. Instead of “little tweaks”, out of the blue I got a completely different lyric and I was floored. It think it’s one of his best yet!

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, piano, percussion, bass, and vocals
Michael McLean : Background vocals
Bill Batstone : Background vocals
Lili Wilson : Background vocals
Gary Falcone : Background vocals
James Lee Stanley : Background vocals
Steve Bauman : Background vocals
Kevin Dukes : Electric guitar


OLD MAN DREAMIN’

My first real taste of heaven / Came to me back in ’67
When I dreamed of making music my world
Headed west for the blue Pacific / Found Atlantic and felt terrific
Made some records and married my best girl

Through the years I made some fans
Then I struck Gold with a Silver Band….(Wham- bam)
Four decades later and
That one big hit I still can’t stand….(Still can’t stand)

My dream is still the same now / But things change, it’s such a shame now
My dream is bittersweet
Cause I’m an old man dreamin’ in a young man’s world

My dream of being heard now / Seemed just a bit absurd now …
‘cos this world was not the same as years past
My dream was my frustration / With music run by corporations
It was time to take a risk at long last

Somewhere in the night I swear,
I felt at home again, out there ………..On that stage
All I needed was time to prepare
To my surprise the fans still cared………..Yeah, they cared

………………..so if it’s true, are
My dream’s too old to make sense
I still dream songs can make a difference
But my dream is bittersweet
Cause I’m an old man dreamin’ in a young man’s world

Forty years and I’m
Finally in my prime
This should be my time
Or Could it be it’s over………No way

My dream is still alive now
My dream just won’t die now
but My dream is bittersweet, My dream
My dream is bittersweet, My dream
My dream is bittersweet
Cause I’m an old man dreaming in a young man’s world

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

This is really an autobiography about my career starting in 1967 when I drove cross-country with a band from Ohio to Los Angeles, California and signed a record deal with Atlantic records in 1970. The song is filled with lots of little inside information musically and lyrically about my journey in the music business, including that infamous slide riff from “Wham Bam Shang-alang.” The second verse uses Batdorf and Rodney song titles. If you weren’t a fan “back in the day” and a lot of these inside jokes don’t make you smile, I hope the “old men” listening to this will identify with the the bittersweet dreams of being an old guy in a young guys’ business.

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, piano, percussion, and vocals
Dan Navarro : Background vocals
Matt Batdorf : Background vocals
James Harrah : Electric guitar
Tom Walsh : Drums
Mark Browne : Bass


I THOUGHT I’D TRY A LOVE SONG

It’s been days since we stopped talkin’
And your door’s still locked but I keep knockin’ so now
Girl I thought I’d try a love song
Letters all come back unopened
But I need to tell you I’m still hopin’ somehow
So I thought I’d try a love song

BABY BABY BABY BABY OOH, IT’S YOU
YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WILL LOVE FOREVER
BABY BABY BABY I LOVE YOU, I DO
CAN’T YOU SEE THAT WE SHOULD BE TOGETHER

It’s been weeks and I’m still tryin’
Since you shut me out I can’t stop cryin’, that’s why
This is a kinda desperate love song
Since I’ve lost the love you’ve given
I don’t know how I can go on livin’ so I
Will sing a kinda desperate love song

BABY BABY BABY I CAN’T BREATHE, YOU SEE
ONLY YOU CAN RESCUE ME, I’M PLEADING, DON’T GO
BABY BABY I’M DOWN ON MY KNEES, OH PLEASE
GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE TO STOP THE BLEEDING

Now It’s a really desperate love song
Yeah it’s a really desperate love song
If you’ll tell me what went wrong
We can change and carry on
But it’s been a couple months now
And you haven’t seen me once now
Could it be your stone cold fronts now
Mean it’s over

I can take a hint already
And you need to know I’m finally ready to write
So here’s my telling you goodbye song
Half a year I’ve tried so nicely
But your silence tells me you don’t like me, all right
So here’s my telling you goodbye song
Yes, It’s true
This is my telling you goodbye song
Oh it’s true
It’s my goodbye I hope you die song

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

Originally called “I’ve Been Waiting Such A Long Time,” Michael told me just the other day that he had written 10 different sets of lyrics with my hook line. I loved the melody and guitars but every lyric seemed wrong and the song (like a couple of others) was bordering on the brink of “not on this album.” Michael called me and asked me to keep an open mind while I looked at the newest, and most likely the last, set of lyrics. When I first read them, although I liked them, I was tempted to call him and suggest it was probably better suited to a McLean album than mine. The lyric was very tongue-in-cheek and hilarious but did I do comedy??? As I began singing the lead vocal, I suddenly got really into it and created this “Eagles-like” background vocals and started cracking up. Without giving away the end of the story, I played it seriously musically and vocally in the spirit of an over-the-top, somewhat lame version of a seventies country rock record. It’s a very fun song and if Leslie Nielson can make the switch, why can’t I?

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, bass, percussion and vocals
Kevin Dukes : Electric guitar
Fred Sokolo : Dobro and mandolin


AIN’T NO WAY

It’s been eight long years, now you’re leaving
Your last goodbye I won’t forget
Can’t you hear your words are self-deceiving
Your voice is empty of regret

That ain’t no way to say you’re sorry
Don’t blame the fools that you misled
At least pretend to see why I’m so angry
With my eyes wide open
I’ve been buried left for dead

For so many years I’ve been believing
This land I call my home was blessed
But you broke my heart and left me grieving
And left the damage unaddressed

That ain’t no way to say you’re sorry
Don’t blame the fools that you misled
At least pretend to see why I’m so angry
With my eyes wide open
I’ve been buried left for dead

So much darkness
It may be years before it’s gone
Were you truly heartless
Or simply self-deluded
When you concluded nothing’s wrong

It’s been eight long years, I’m glad you’re leaving
You’ve washed your hands and left a mess
But there’s hope in every breath I’m breathing
Where’d it come from, take a guess

Although you never said you’re sorry
Although you claimed you did your best
Maybe history in time will treat you kindly
But with eyes wide open
I clearly see who failed the test

And if you ever say you’re sorry
In some big book before you die
I hope you’ll know how much I won’t be sorry
‘cos it’s plain to me
That your apology
Is one I know I’ll never buy
Never buy …….Ain’t No Way!

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

Never being much into politics, the last six months of 2008 really opened my eyes to a world that was changing so fast (and clearly NOT for the better) that my head was spinning. I think, like most everyone I knew, I was very concerned about the shape the world was in and waiting for our leader to come out and tell us what was going on and how the country would proceed. But that never came. Things just got worse and worse and when the new leader was sworn in, our outgoing leader didn’t seem to have much remorse about the mess he’d left us in and I thought we all deserved an explanation and an apology. But it never came. This song was the last one written for the record in December.

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars and vocals
Andrea Robinson : Background vocals
Bill Batstone : Background vocals
James Harrah : Electric guitar
Tom Walsh : Drums and percussion
Mark Browne : Bass
Luke Halpin : Fiddle and Mandolin


DON’T TELL ME GOODBYE

Tell me I was wrong
(you can) Look me in the eye
(and) Tell me I’m to blame
(and) how I need to change
(But) don’t tell me goodbye

Tell me how I failed
(And) tell me what to do
Tell me it’s a crime
(And) all the fault is mine
(But) don’t tell me we’re through

You can tell me what we built was broken
Carelessly and it all was me
You can beat me with the words I’ve spoken and I’ll take it willingly

Tell me how you hurt
(And) all the reasons why
Tell me in advance
(I) don’t deserve a chance
But don’t tell me goodbye

Tell me not to speak
That nothing I could say
Could make up or explain
Or ever heal the pain
But don’t say there’s no way

Tell me just how long
I will have to try
To show you I’m sincere
Tell me that it’s years
But don’t tell me goodbye

You can tell me there’s a million reasons
You believe that it’s time to leave
Tell me it could be a million seasons and I’ll hold on patiently

Tell me what you need
Just Tell me and I’ll try
Tell me you’re unsure, my promise will endure
But don’t tell me goodbye

Never loved anybody like you
In my whole life, my whole life
I can see I’ve got so much to do
To make it all right

Tell me I was cruel
And how I made you cry
Say it might be years until I’ve dried those tears
But don’t tell me goodbye
Say you’ll wait and see if there’s a “you & me”
But don’t tell me goodbye
Tell me you’re not sure you love me anymore
But don’t tell me goodbye

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

I needed another song to take the place of one of the songs that wasn’t quite cutting it. I had just spent time at a Folk Alliance conference and heard some great songwriters and heard some great tunings I had never written in. I tuned my guitar to a new tuning and out came this idea. I started on a riff that was the melody and it was so infectious I stayed with it. The background vocals sung by George Merrill are stunningly great!

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars, bass, percussion and vocals
George Merrill : Background vocals
James Harrah : Electric guitar
Greg Leisz : Peddle Steel


SIXTEEN

On her way to the appointed place
She says a prayer it won’t show on her face
She’s hiding the fear
So, obediently she conceals
What’s in her heart and what she truly feels
No one will hear

SIXTEEN’S WHAT I WANT TO BE
NOT A WIFE, NOT A MOTHER TO BE
HOW CAN HE TAKE ME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR ME
BUT ALL I SEE IS MISERY
DIRTY SECRETS, DIRTY LIES

She’s been raised to submit her will
Chosen to unselfishly fulfill
A higher call
Then she is tempted to believe
It’s not a sin to want to leave
No sin at all …….Because

SIXTEEN’S WHAT I WANT TO BE
NOT A WIFE, NOT A MOTHER TO BE
HOW CAN HE TAKE ME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR ME
BUT ALL I SEE IS MISERY
DIRTY SECRETS, DIRTY LIES

INSTRUMENTAL

SIXTEEN’S WHAT I WANT TO BE
NOT A WIFE, NOT A MOTHER TO BE
HOW CAN HE TAKE ME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR ME
BUT ALL I SEE IS MISERY
DIRTY SECRETS, DIRTY LIES
SIXTEEN’S WHAT I WANT TO BE
NOT A WIFE, NOT A MOTHER TO BE
HOW CAN HE TAKE ME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR ME
BUT ALL I SEE IS MISERY
DIRTY SECRETS, DIRTY LIES

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

I was watching TV with my wife one night and there was a special about the latest fundamentalist to be in the news. As the story unfolded, I was moved by how much the young teenage girls were so brainwashed into thinking that marrying some fifty-plus-year-old guy and becoming his seventh or eighth wife because it was Gods’ will was somehow a good idea. He may have even been their father for that matter. As I got more and more saddened and angry, a chorus of lyrics came into my head and the chorus was written. The song was written through the perspective of one of the young girls, so Michael helped set the chorus up with two really great verses. “Sixteen” is a powerful subject that I felt compelled to write about.

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars and vocals
Lily Wilson : Background vocals
Mark Browne : Bass
Michael Dowdle : Electric guitars


I WILL RISE

When I was young, I had a plan …..On what it takes to be a man
I’d give it all to be my best…So I’d stand tall against the rest
Never quit, don’t give up..Even though the journey’s rough
To be that man is hard to do..
I will rise ‘cos I met you…….I will rise

If the sun refused to shine…Left the world completely blind
And we could all no longer see all the beauty that can be
I would still know one thing’s true… Without sight I’d still find you
‘Cos I have seen what love can do
I will rise ‘cos I met you…….I will rise

Love is here, love is there
Love surrounds us everywhere
Like a cloud without a care
I will rise….I will rise

Now this journey’s nearly through, and I have spent this life with you
And if I should leave too soon, I’ve felt love felt by so few
But if you are first to leave, I will ache but I won’t grieve
‘Cos you taught me how to believe
I will rise…..I will rise

Writing Credit:
Song by John Batdorf, BatMac Music / BMI
Michael McLean, Shining Star Music / ASCAP
©2009 All Rights Reserved

This song came to me in a dead sleep during an afternoon nap. I woke up in a start and all the lyrics, melody, and chords were clearly formed in my mind. The subject matter was a reflection of my life and marriage to my wife, Melanie. It was so powerful that I was afraid to go back to sleep, so I jumped up and recorded it immediately in fear that this was maybe the last song I would ever write. I later asked Michael to help me with some of the problem areas that needed more clarity, and this is what we came up with. Most of the original lyrics that came to me in that moment are still in the song. It was truly one of the more powerful moments I have ever experienced as a songwriter.

Performer Credit
John Batdorf : Acoustic guitars and vocals
Bill Batstone : Background vocals and bass
Michael Dowdle : Acoustic guitars and mandolin

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