JBCMUSIC - SONG HISTORIES

Song History & Notes

(I Asked for) A Love Song for Debbie

Praise Secular Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Dec-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

A song for a very special lady indeed. I had the song worked up for a couple of weeks, but kept it secret until I pulled it out at the end of the set at South Texas Coffee Company, Dec, 11, 2005. Debbie was teary-eyed before the first verse ended, and by the time I got half-way through the song, there wasn't a dry female eye in the house, some of the guys were trying not to choke up, and I had trouble myself getting through a couple of verses!

A Sower Went Out to Sow

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) 2002 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

The parable of the sower was one of the first scripture passages that the Holy Spirit ever made come truly alive for me and put in a different light than I'd ever seen it, although I'd been taught the story since childhood. After I wrote this note originally for "Root Out the Planting," it got me to thinking of putting the story as I see it, enlightened by the Spirit, into a song.

A Whisper Came

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Feb-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

The words of this song pretty much say how the song came to me. We were praying about changing churches and myself getting more directly involved in the music ministry, and I feel like this song was the Lord's answer to that prayer. I play it at medleyed with "Going Too Far." Introduced at Christian Fellowship of the Northwest in Houston (CFNW).

About Me, About You

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Feb-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

A little ditty from the morning commuting time. Not my best lyrics, but if I ever finish what I started playing with in Garage Band, it may come out OK.

About You Blue

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): May-1997 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I was laying in bed one morning watching the cat on the window sill, and the first verse just popped in my head. Before I knew it, the rest of the song just seemed to follow right along. Except for the cat on the window sill, and the fact I did own a dog that probably really was asleep on the back porch at that moment, though, nothing about the song is autobiographical. This would be the way I would feel if any circumstance ever took my wonderful wife away, though.

All My Hungry Moods

Country Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Oct-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

The lyrics to this song developed over a few months then finally came together, again in my commting time, in October 2007. One of a short list of my songs that definitely needs a country sound, as opposed to folk/blues/light rock/who knows?

And When You Pray

This is one of several commuting songs the Lord has given me while driving to work the last couple of years; also one of several built on the Lord's prayer. We take the Lord's prayer too lightly in our modern world, and we so often think we can do better ourselves. But He said, "When you pray..." Introduced at CFNW.

Armageddon (What is Wrong With Man?)

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) May-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is a song that started out as a chord progression on the keyboard, then the words came along afterwards (It plays better with a "techno" sound on the keyboard than on the piano). It has always amazed me that after the millennial reign of Christ, the devil will be given power to persuade people that they really don't like being ruled over by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. This is just one more reason to make sure you're on the side of Christ now and forever.

As a New Song

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Jan-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is another of the commuting songs I got on the road while driving to work. It would be a good framework to medley 2 or 3 old gospel songs with. Played once at Spring Vineyard.

As We Bow Down

This song is very special to me because it came directly from the Lord, without me having to get myself in the middle of either the words or music. I woke up in bed in the middle of the night, and this song was just simply there, complete, in my head. I was groggy enough that the song had to "play through" a couple of times before I realized that I had never heard it before and that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me in a new song. This is exactly what I mean when I say I'm more of a "song-writer-downer" of the Lord's songs than a "songwriter."" Introduced at CFNW. The female voice at the end is an addition by Patty Hood, whose voice fits this song beautifully.

Banana Boat

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): July-1999 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song just came to me in the car, commuting to work one day. If there's any personal experience in it, it's only the fact that we lived in Galveston for a while, where the banana ships from Central and South America used to dock (I think it's the cruise ship terminal now).

Before the Day is Done

This is another of the simple little songs the Lord has given me while driving to work.

Better Paint Than You

Secualr Copyright (First Draft-Words and Music) Feb-2008 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

One more excursion into the backwaters of my mind during the morning commute. I leave a pretty decent neigborhood every morning and drive through one that most people would consider an even "better" one; at least the houses are bigger, the yards more manicured, and more Mercedes in the drives. What I noticed about those houses this particular morning, though, is that the paint seems to be kept up a lot fresher, cleaner, crisper than some not-quite-as-nice neighborhoods. I guess you could argue whether the houses are really better (also see "You Paid a Price)," but the envelope of paint they live in definitely is. So, anyway, that's the root of the chorus. I'm not too sure myself where the verses came from.

Beulah Lynn

Praise Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Apr-2002 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I think this song started out just playing the piano, got a little rowdy and my brain just started pulling together little wispy phrases it found hidden in the corners and cupboards of my mind. Yes, there really is a set of rough sketches and lines I've drawn up for a little 18-foot sailboat, and they really were rolled up in the piano stool for a long time, though I think that now, they're (still) rolled up in the drafting board I got from work. The rest of it the song is pure intention...so far. "That song by ol' Guy Clark" mentioned is "Boats to Build" off his album of the same name (Asylum, 1992).

Big Beer Belly

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

March 2000 was when I came up with verses and wrote this down; the chorus is actually quite old. When I used to work construction in various towns of the Texas Panhandle, I was on the road quite a bit and got very tired coming back home one night, so I started making stupid noises while flapping my lips with my fingers, just to stay awake. Believe it or not, the phrases which eventually became this song's chorus seemed to contribute in some extraordinary way to wakefulness, when used in this manner. I've used the same technique, and same words, on other occasions to help keep awake on long drives. Don't ask me why it works. Don't take the song too seriously, it's meant in fun, not to insult anyone.

Big Old Long Buick

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): May-1997 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

The trigger, though not the actual details, for this song was an old Buick a neighbor had, which sat broken down in the driveway for a pretty good portion of the time they rented the house next door. Like I said, though, just a trigger; the song doesn't really reflect anything going on in these good people's lives. The car was eventually hauled off to a local garage and come back running pretty well, the last I saw of it.

Blinded By the Blues

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): June-2019 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song was inspired by and in honor of the June 2019 protestors in Hong Kong with the courage to stand and "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord" in the face of oppression. An expression of the blues, musically, the blues, as a state of mind, and the solution!

Blues 2/22

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Feb-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I don't know who the person I'm missing in these blues songs is. I love my wife, we have a very close relationship, but these blues songs just come out of nowhere. Like I said a few songs earlier, I guess this is how I'd feel if she were gone. This is another commuting song, just came to me in the car.

Boogers from a Five-Year Old

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2002 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song was inspired(??) by a real sign that used to be on Windfern Road in north Houston. The sign said -BGRS- out front of a nondescript metal shop building of some sort. What would ANY creative person think they sold?

Book of Remembrance

A nice little song I see as wrapping up a church service or small group meeting. It quotes Malachi 3:16 as a reminder to "call me" - God notices our interaction as a church body outside of the church walls. There's a sweet little piano intro and interlude that's one of my favorite bits I've written for the piano. I'll it get recorded for everyone to hear - someday.

Breakthrough

Something I wrote mainly to encourage myself, I think, when I needed - well, a breakthrough. Plays with a heavy string sound on the keyboard - I know, I've got to get it recorded so you'll know what I'm talking about. Used frequently in worship for awhile at Christian Fellowship of the Northwest.

Broken

Praise Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Sept-1999 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Don't remember much about the origins of this one, except that I must have been reading some author or hearing sermons talking about brokenness - a simple statement of a big theological contrast with some of the prosperity/kingdom now preaching you hear.

Can't Get You Out of My Blues

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Dec-2003 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Pretty much the same comments as "Blues 2/22" above; in fact, I've got the two songs in the same key, they've got a similar sound, and I usually play them back-to-back.

Circles and Lines

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Oct-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is another of (11) songs I got in October-December 2005. A jazzy little ditty written like a guy coming to realize a new, budding love, but of course, I actually did have my wife in mind when I wrote the song.

Clap Your Hand and Sing (Jehovah Rises)

One of my earliest songs from the period at Rhema Faith Center in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. A good, upbeat congregational song based on Psalm 93.

Come Close (Believer's Meeting)

Praise Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Apr-1990 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

"Believer's Meetings" were a series of classes taught by Dr. Carol Currier at Rhema Faith Center. The focus was on practicing the walk of the Spirit, something like what grew nationwide into small home groups the following decade. This is a verse the Lord just blessed me with hearing in the spirit during one of those meetings.

Come, Glory, Dwell

During the time I was involved in worship at Christian Fellowship of the Northwest, the Lord would frequently bless me with a song on the morning or afternoon commute. I'd work up the music on the keyboard and present it to Patty Hood, the worship leader, in our Thursday night practice sessions; we'd sometimes work out some changes together, then often we'd be using a brand new song in worship the next Sunday. This is one of those songs we introduced and used occasionally in the worship.

County Line Grocery

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Dec-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

A country waltz, one of some (11) songs I got in October-December 2005. County Line Grocery is the name of a real place between I-45 and Lake Livingston, though I've never stopped there and there's no truth to this story (that I know of). Ok, I'll confess - the trigger for the song was a gal with a cute rear end climbing down from a pickup as I drove past, coming back from the lake. I could only imagine the local boys thinking of her something along these lines.

Cry Like an Angel

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) July-1994 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is one of the few songs I got during a long dry spell, when we were moving about the country and felt kind of abandoned to some extent by the Lord. This is from a brief period renting the Nithman's farm house outside Yukon, Oklahoma. The intent for the intro is to sound like a 1950's piano ballad, which seemed to fit living within a few blocks of the old Route 66.

Cry Unto Me

Original Draft: ;
Praise ©1990 Jeffrey Brent Clifton ( First Draft - Words and MusicJun-1990)

I had the chorus for this song in my head for several months, I think since the first time I read Hosea 2 in the Amplified Bible. I was sitting in church one Wednesday evening and the Holy Spirit just simply cut my thoughts off from the preaching and everything else around me and pulled the rest of the song together, from beginning to end, as I scribbled the words as fast as I could write. The version published here lengthens the piano intro and is polished up quite a bit from the original handwritten copyright submission. Soloed at CFNW.

Deb's Song (Poem for My Girl)

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Easy to remember the date of this song, it's our anniversary (19th). I was looking for a card and realized I had never (at that time) written a song specifically for my wife, so I stopped right where I was and just came out and asked the Lord for one. By the time I pulled in the driveway, I had all the words in my head and was able to write it out, as a poem, in the card I had picked out. Cool, huh?, the way God answers simple prayers. The music came along a couple of days later.

Designated Driver

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Aug-2008 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I was driving along, thinking how so many country songs just pick a popular phrase and build the song around that, and for no particular reason, "designated driver" was the phrase that popped into my head. I didn't know of a song built around that phrase, so I made one up. By the time I got a chord sheet made up, it's not quite as country sounding as I intended, but it could probably be arranged more that way.

Dog Go Howl

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Apr-2001 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song commemorates the writing of Fred Gipson, one of my favorite writers growing up. I pulled his book "Hound Dog Man" off the shelf and re-read it, then gave it to my son to read. I was afraid he'd be too urban and modern to appreciate it, but the verdict came back in complete agreement with me -- "Hound-dog Man is awesome." If you've never been in the West-central Texas hills Fred Gipson writes about, you've missed a special piece of God's green earth.

Fast Loading Gun

Praise Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Jan-2006 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I had recorded this at some point, maybe driving to the lake one day, on the tape recorder I keep in the truck, otherwise I forget song ideas if I don't get the words written down. I had forgotten this one, then found it going through the tape months later. Haven't done much with the music; folksy, country (maybe just corny?).

Fat Cattle

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Sep-2001 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

What kicked this song off in my head was the Houston "Cow parade," where they're putting artistically decorated fiberglass cows around the city in various spots. I just feel that God is about to bring greater things to myself, personally, and my family, even though He's already been bringing blessings to me through the last couple of months. I also had a couple of other people specifically in mind when I wrote the song down, plus the nation in general after the terrible events of September 11 (a couple of weeks ago), and pray this song goes up as a prayer for us all.

Foundation Stone

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Dec-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

One more from an incredible period Oct-Dec 2005 when the Lord was just continually blessing me with new song ideas. This one came a little after the Dec. 11 live performance, though. My version of mourning but trying to give hope for the people in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast that terrible hurricane season. It plays pretty soulful in E-flat major, like an old-style hymn.

Goin to the Beach

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Nov-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is just a fun little ditty, one of a spate of (11) songs I got in October- December 2005. We had spent about a week in Port Aransas in September; didn't really hang out on the beach that much, but I guess it triggered memories that showed up a couple of months later.

Good Old Talk With God

Secular One of several commuting-to-work ditties I wrote originally in the Snippets file, then eventually fleshed out into a full song. It's coming.

Grace, the Grace

Original Draft: Jan-1993;
Praise Registered Copyright (Words and Music) ©Sep-1998 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song is probably closest to an old-style hymn than any I've written. One of my personal favorites. What else is there but His grace? Introduced at CFNW.

Halle-Hallelujah!

Original Draft: May-1988;
Praise Registered Copyright (Words and Music) ©Feb-1999 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song was introduced at Rhema Faith Center, Tyson's Corner, VA., and used frequently in the worship there from chord sheets, although I didn't actually write the music down until years later. The version published here adds an intro and may have other minor changes from the handwritten copyright submission. Also introduced at CFNW.

Headline in Heaven

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Jan-2008 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is one more commuting song, pretty simple, 3-chord standard Gospel-style tune, feeling, and message.

How Much More (My Lord Walked on the Sea)

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Nov-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I think this is another commuting song, or it may have started with the piano part. Love playing this one on a good-sounding acoustic piano. Introduced at CFNW.

I Don't Need to Be So Tired

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Jan-2006 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

The first verse pretty well says it all, as far as my thoughts when I wrote the song. Yeah, Monday.

I Know His Grace

Original Draft: Jun-1990;
Praise Registered Copyright (Words and Music) ©Sep-1998 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song started with the piano part, then the words came to me as I played. No, the ending's still not written right. I used to be able to play it right, but lost it somewhere. Now, I have trouble playing it like the original consistently, and when I do play it right, it all goes by too fast to catch exactly which notes I'm playing. Maybe if I can play I right once with the keyboard hooked up to the computer, I'll get the ending written like I want it. I went ahead with something close just to get the copyright submitted. The point is, what I wrote down for an ending is really only a suggestion that you can ad lib however you want.

I Know You (You Are the One Who Made Me)

Praise Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I had started re-reading the New Testament epistles, and the first chapter of Romans always seems to stir up my spirit. So once again, on the morning commute, I was singing some jazzy little nonsense riff as I often do, and wondered, gee, would some idea out of Romans 1 fit this? And it did.

I'll Sing My Silly Song to You

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Aug-2001 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I'd sung the chorus to myself for a couple of years in different variations, and other silly verses I didn't bother remembering, and just decided it was time to put some verses with it commuting to work one day. This is what came out.

In the Presence of God

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Oct-2003 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I had been asked to play one of my original songs during worship for Pastor Appreciation Month (October), and was thrilled to do so, but was having a bit of a struggle picking which song. I kept choosing one then another that I sound half-decent on and like playing, but kept saying, "Yea, but what does the song have to do with appreciating the pastor(s)?" But God is good, all the time. About 7:30 the Sunday morning I was to play, He started waking me up with the stirrings of this song in my head. By about 8:45, I had the words written down, chords worked out, and had been through it a few times on the keyboard. So when my time came to play during the offering, I took my seat at the piano and...froze. After singing other songs during worship, the tune and rhythm of the new song were just simply gone, out of my head. I tried to start with the chords I had written down, but quickly realized that I was playing a different song. So I stopped, profusely apologized from the piano to the whole congregation, and thought I was going to have to quit or switch to my backup song. But God is good, all the time. By this time, I was beginning to remember the chorus at least, so I started there on the piano, and by the time I got through the chorus, I was able to start the verse and do the whole song through twice. Whew! What an introduction to a new congregation I'd never played for before! The song was well received in the end, though, so I guess the embarrassment was worth it.

Jesus Will Speak of Me

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Sep-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is a song that started with the piano part, then I tried to focus on Him as I played, and the words just seemed to flow right into the music. Soloed at CFNW.

Let Your Name Be Set Apart

Original Draft: Mar-1991;
Praise Registered Copyright (Musical Composition) ©Jun-1992 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Like most people who grew up in church, I found myself repeating the Lord's Prayer without ever giving a thought what the words actually meant, especially that hallow-ed part. This song expresses the meaning of praying, "Hallowed be Thy name." Introduced at CFNW.

Lonely Songs

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Feb-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Developed over a few days on the drive to and from work. Nothing really to do with my life at the moment, but loneliness is always a good sentiment for a song, isn't it? Have played it with or without a canned drum groove on the Yamaha S90 with a slightly different feel each way, but either way, it can be a pretty song.

Lord, Bring Your Mercy

Praise Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2006 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

A song from one of my kinder, gentler morning drives. I just sensed that a corner newspaper vendor I pass nearly every day -"this man I see," needed an extra blessing for that particular day, then extended the prayer for the woman in the car in front of me, etc., although the song could just as easily apply looking around church during worship. Upbeat, maybe for the early part of congregational praise.

Lord, Set My Spirit Free

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Apr-1999 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is another of the commuting songs from the last couple of years. If I think about the Lord on the road, He will often give me a simple song like this. Introduced at CFNW.

Lord, Your Temple

Original Draft: Feb-1988;
Praise Registered Copyright (Words and Music) ©Mar-1997 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This medley has come together over the years from three different songs at three different times. I had the original 1st & last verse for a short while, then added the 2nd verse ("For your goodness..."), then the 3rd verse ("If we turn to you...") quite a few years later.

Me and the Lord

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) July-2001 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is another of the commuting songs from the last couple of years, and quickly became one of my favorites at the piano. Introduced at CFNW.

Mercy Seat

Original Draft: August 1990;
Praise Registered Copyright (Words and Music) ©Jan-1997 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is one of the songs that the Lord simply sang to me in toto to write down, without me ever having to spin a single mental wheel about how either the words or music went. My wife Debra's favorite, and also one of mine. Soloed at CFNW.

Move a Rainbow My Way

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Nov-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is another of the (11) songs I got in October-December 2005. I had decided to turn off talk radio on the daily commute and spend that time praying and singing praises, and the Lord just blessed me with a rush of creativity, though not necessarily praise and worship songs.

My Piano Savior

Praise Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Apr-2002 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I'm still using the piano, Richie! Thank you and Norman so much for the encouragement and blessing that instrument has been over the years! And thanks to Rose Hale for fixing and tuning said piano when it just about looked hopeless! Like so many others here, the song came together on the drive to work.

My Shoes

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Oct-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is one of a spate of (11) songs I got in October-December 2005. I had decided to turn off talk radio on the daily commute and spend that time praying and singing praises, and the Lord just blessed me with a rush of creativity, though not necessarily praise and worship songs. Nothing autobiographical here, at least not recent; maybe the feelings, though not the acts, are memories of college days.

No-Wind Summer

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Oct-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is very much autobiographical. Sailing on Lake Livingston can be terrific in the fall, scary in the spring, cold enough to avoid it most of the winter, and absolutely maddening in the summer. I woke up with the verse in the middle of the night, and the chorus just seemed the natural reply. More than anything, I think it was a prayer for the last race day of the fall, which turned out with a very nice breeze, thank you. May never develop the music that much, just one of those fun little ditties.

O, Precious Moments

Praise Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Jan-1991 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I don't know if he's ever realized it, but this song was written about and for my son, Jeff. No reference intended to the Hallmark "Precious Moments" characters; it's just hard to come up with a more apt phrase for a child's prayer.

Old Kermit Cowboys

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): May-2003 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

In memory of my father, Borden W. Clifton, 1925-2002. The verses are taken from collected thoughts of my mother, sister, brothers, son, and myself, which the minister asked us to write down for the funeral.

Kermit is a little treeless town in far West Texas, where my grandfather ran a grocery store for a while in my Dad's pre-teen and high school days. Mom still has the old 8-mm film, put onto VHS later, of this young freckle-faced kid doing some awesome riding tricks on a paint pony. The stories on the front porch are some vague memory I have of the times we visited with John Haley, who remained my father's close friend throughout life. John and Gene are the progeny of author J. Evetts Haley and were Kermit ranchers for a long, long time; not sure if the family still owns ranch land around Kermit or not. Gene at one time had a firearms museum and a few exotic animals exhibited off I-20.

Old Turner Left

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Oct-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This developed from who-knows-where? on the drive to work one day. Absolutely nothing autobiographical, just started out as a vague word-play in my head (turn-er left, get it?). May never develop the music that much, just a fun little ditty.

Optical Illusion

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Jan-2008 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This song developed on the drive to and from work over several days, starting out as an OK little ditty that developed into something kind of catchy when I thought of adding the "na-na-nahs." Yes, there is a specific group of people the song is sort of aimed at, and I thought of developing more specific lines to make it clear who that was (think global, not personal), but I decided to back off and leave it a pretty generic, general disagreement with...somebody. If nothing else, though, it does fit perfectly the witch! who cut me off in traffic then shot me a hand signal like it was my fault, the Saturday after the song developed. Thanks, lady. You too. It's an optical illusion...

Put Y'self in a Boat

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Jan-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Not that much original in the music, kind of a standard sailor/drinking ditty, but I think you'll find the chorus rings very true if you've ever owned a boat. As for me, I wouldn't have much of a story repertoire without the sailing stories. Probably more verses to be added, some personal stories if I can fit the music.

Last verse - Collaboration invitation: "Put your yacht club in their boats, And put their stories in this song. You can pass them all to me, And I will pass them all along."

Port City Blues

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Sept-2008 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Nothing directly autobiographical, but the plight of Texas shrimpers has been the subject of several news stories I've run across the last few years. The tune I was getting in the truck with it wasn't that bluesy and probably not that original, but I sat down with it at the piano to fit it into a standard "real blues" chord progression, then played with that until I think it's come out still blues but uniquely mine, and one of the better songs I've written.

(Driving on the) Road to Understand

Praise Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): June-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

My mother had asked for a song for her 80th birthday and described a day she'd had on the road when she had really felt God's presence. The verses weren't quite yet where I thought I wanted them, but we sat down at a piano anyway when we traveled to the family reunion and birthday party, and Mom was very happy with the song, said it expresses just what she felt that day.

Roll Away Your Stone

Started humming a bluesy riff in the truck on the morning commute, and the words just seemed to flow into it. By the time I got it worked out on the piano, the rhythm and feel had changed a bit, though, hopefully better.

Root Out the Planting

See the notes above for A Sower Went Out to Sow. The moral of the story for me, enlightened by the Spirit, is that you're never going to cast the rocks, hard places, and thorns out of your own life. It takes a gardener (his name is Jesus) to prepare the fertile soil.

We had two huge fir trees at our Springfield, Va. house, that were blocking the view pulling out of the driveway and needed to be trimmed up. After trimming off the lower branches, there was a maze of roots from weeds, small trees and brambles that had been growing in the shelter of the big trees. I was cleaning up all those roots with a hoe and the song just came to me.

Shank of a Bone

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Nov-2002 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Don't ask me where this came from - absolutely nothing autobiographical in it. I was sitting in the car waiting for someone and just heard the first choruses in my head. I liked the chorus more because of the sound of the words together than their meaning. A couple of years later, I woke up with the chorus again in my head and the verses just seemed to come along naturally.

Sing Out the Blues

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2006 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

A little tune I got on the drive to work, about the universal tendency toward the blues as a mood, and the universal appeal of the blues as music. I like songs that have a bluesy sound and mood to them, although not many of my "blues" songs are technically the standard blues chord progression. This one started out pretty darned close to a standard blues progression, but I think it's developed over time until it's uniquely mine, the way I play it now.

Singing on the Street in New Orleans

Praise Secular Copyright (Original Draft-Words and Music) Jan-2000 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is another commuting song that came to me in the car over a period of a week or two, for all the verses. Like the song says, if you've been in New Orleans, you probably know the scene, somewhere around Jackson Square or the outer edges of the French Quarter. I've worked up a midi version with the full "street band" (tuba, clarinet, drums), which I -still- need to check over and post as some form of audio on the site ... "real soon now."

Singing With Angels

This is another of a spate of (11) songs I got in October-December 2005. I had decided to turn off talk radio on the daily commute and spend that time praying and singing praises, and the Lord just blessed me with a rush of creativity, not necessarily praise and worship songs, but this is one of the praise songs. Debuted at South Texas Coffee Company Dec. 11, 2005.

Somebody Touch Jesus

A feeling I've wanted to express a few times in worship or small group meetings, but the song came together on a pensive morning drive. Slow and worshipful, for the quiet place in a meeting.

Sonny Boy (I Don't Want You)

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2006 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Not sure where this came from - just developed in my head driving to work, but thankfully, not autobiographical at all. Almost depressing lyrics, but I like the tune, kind of haunting in A minor, that pulls it all together. Debbie heard me playing the piano for it without the words and liked the tune too, so now it's a song, and I think a pretty good one. And yeah, I guess it could sound a bit Irish, coming on St. Patrick's day and all.

Speak Forgiveness

This song grew out of reading the book, "How Now Shall We Live?" by Chuck Colson and Nancy Pearcey (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois, 1999). I had been reading somewhere in the first few chapters and dozed off for awhile when the Holy Spirit woke me up with the chorus to this song. As I sat up and wrote down the words to the chorus, the idea came to me of expressing a short summary of what I had been reading for the verse. The song is what the Lord put together.

Start it Out Here in Bethlehem

My first Christmas song! - or at least the first one dealing specifically with the nativity (and the rest of Jesus's life). I've had the chorus to this song in my head for 3 or 4 Christmases, just decided to ask the Lord to help pull the verses together this year. Got pieces all week, then it all came together driving to the lake one Saturday. Debuted at South Texas Coffee Company Dec. 11th, 2005.

That's the Way Life Is

Secular One of several commuting-to-work ditties I wrote originally in the Snippets file, then eventually fleshed out into a full song.

The Work of the Cross in Me

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider as loss for the sake of Christ." Soloed at CFNW.

There Lies the Cross

I was driving to work one day, and the Holy Spirit gave me a very clear mental picture of a Roman soldier of the time of Christ. This soldier had apparently, I sensed, been stationed in the Jerusalem area for some time, and had gotten to know something of the Jewish peoples' customs and religion, and in particular had become acquainted with one Prophet that had been spoken of frequently. The man was seated on a rock or low bench in an area just outside Jerusalem called Golgotha, not because he wanted to be there, but just in obedience to orders. The Spirit showed me this very clear picture of this soldier, and this time, instead of giving me the words to the song, he just simply asked, "What's this man thinking?" Introduced at CFNW.

Tropical Breezes

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Nov-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is one of a spate of (11) songs I got in October-December 2005. I had decided to turn off talk radio on the daily commute and spend that time praying and singing praises, and the Lord just blessed me with a rush of creativity, though not necessarily praise and worship songs. This one's a wistful look ahead, maybe? - I see it as an old sailor, setting out on what may be his last voyage.

Walkin' the Dog (Alligator Song)

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): July-1999 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

No true story here either; no dogs were hurt in the making of this song. While staying in an apartment in West Houston before moving the family down, I did take a few walks along Buffalo Bayou, though, so I guess that's where the thought came from a couple of years later.

We'll Take the Boat to the Riverside
(Let the Time Just Slip Away)

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Sept-2001 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

I was listening to the radio on the way to work, and I think it was a Van Morrison song they played that mentioned the time slipping away, so the basic idea here may not be that original (That's why I go through long periods when I hardly listen to other people's music). Deb and I had just bought an Old Town canoe last spring before the days turned steamy and hot. The weather was finally starting to show a hint of getting cooler when I wrote the song, so doing what the song says is a definite plan for the coming weekends.

Well, Well, You Got Burned

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Aug-2006 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

This is another one I had recorded on the tape in the truck, forgot about, and found again going through the tape some time later. Real women, one name faked to fit the song better. Haven't done much with the music, but definitely leans toward country.

What a Story

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2006 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

A pastor I met this week had poked around on the website and emailed me that I had a knack for telling stories in song. He meant it in a good way, but for some reason driving home from work I started thinking of it the other way, how stories can also get you in trouble, and that triggered the song - that's just the way my brain works sometimes. I put it in a minor key (Dm) when I got home, lots of piano between the lyrics with a soul beat on the Yamaha keyboard, and really started liking it the more I worked on it.

What Do You Mean

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Feb-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

Another quick little ditty from the morning commute. Good message but nothing spectacular, musically.

Where Do You Get It (That the Lord Loves Singin'?)

Another praise song from the period Oct-Dec 2005. Debuted at South Texas Coffee Company Dec. 11, 2005.

Won't You Come Drive With Me

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): June-2005 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

My mother had asked for a song for her 80th birthday and described a day she'd had on the road when she had really felt God's presence. That song ended up being "Road to Understand", which I sang to her when we traveled to the family reunion and birthday party. A few days after we got back, I guess I was still in the driving spirit, and this song just came along. We had also finally got the boat going, so I worked our first sail into the last verse.

You Paid a Price (Gettin' All the Things You Want)

Secular Copyright (First Draft - Words and Music): Mar-2007 Jeffrey Brent Clifton

The first of 2007 seemed to be turning out like an incredible period about Oct-Dec 2005 when I was getting a continual blessing of fresh song ideas. I get in this mode, and it's amazing what simple things can trigger a song - like a 30-second view of a woman's face in my rear-view mirror.

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