The Sunflowers, Kids & Family Music

NOTE: The 'C'mon an' Swing in My Tree!" CD is enclosed in a colorful board book illustrated by top kid's artist Giselle Potter.  Go to 'Photo Gallery' to see Giselle's wonderful illustrations for this book.  THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF BOOKS LEFT, AND IT WILL NEVER BE OFFERED WITH THIS CD AGAIN!  Click on "C'mon an' Swing in My Tree! / Buy CD/Board Book" to get your copy today!!

Now, It's time for the music...

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals, acoustic guitar, tambourine

Jon Walmsley: electric guitar, bass, organ

Brad Swanson: drums, cowbell

ANYTIME THE SKY IS GREY

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

A FLOWER TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

ANYTIME THAT YOU NEED A FRIEND

THAT YOU CAN TELL YOUR TROUBLES TO

YOU KNOW THAT I’LL BE HERE FOR YOU

AND I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

I WILL STAY ‘TIL SKIES ARE BLUE

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

UNTIL THE SUN COMES SHINING THROUGH

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

ANYTIME THAT I NEED A FRIEND

THAT I CAN TELL MY TROUBLES TO

I KNOW THAT I CAN COUNT ON YOU

AND YOU WILL BE MY SUNFLOWER

AND I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

INSTRUMENTAL

ANYTIME THAT YOU NEED A FRIEND

THAT YOU CAN TELL YOUR TROUBLES TO

YOU KNOW THAT I’LL BE HERE FOR YOU

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

I WILL BE YOUR SUNFLOWER

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass, banjo, harmonica, brushes, tambourine

WHEN YOU SWING AND YOU MISS BY A MILE

THERE IS NOTHIN’ YOU CAN DO BUT SMILE

DON’T YOU BE SAD FOR LONG

YOU’LL BE HAPPY IN A LITTLE WHILE

IF YOU JUST SMILE

YOU’VE GOTTA SMILE

IF YOU’RE TAKIN’ IT ON THE CHIN, THEN GRIN

WHEN YOU’RE THINKIN’ YOU JUST CAN’T WIN, THEN GRIN

IF YOU WANNA FEEL BETTER

BUT YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN

OH, MY FRIEND

YOU’VE GOTTA GRIN

     ‘CAUSE THERE’S NO FUN IN FEELIN’ DOWN

     SO YOU JUST TELL YOURSELF

     TO TURN THAT FROWN…

          UPSIDE DOWN

AND THE WORLD WILL BE BRIGHTER WHEN YOU SMILE

THE WHOLE WORLD LOVES YOU WHEN YOU SMILE

SO DON’T YOU BE SAD FOR LONG

YOU’LL BE HAPPY IN A LITTLE WHILE

IF YOU JUST SMILE

YOU’VE GOTTA SMILE

LET ME SEE YOU SMILE

YOU’VE GOTTA SMILE

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals, character voices

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass, banjo

Brad Swanson: djembe, sticks

THERE’S A MONKEY SWINGIN’ HIGH UP IN A TREE

AND I SEE THAT MONKEY STARING RIGHT AT ME

WITH A WORRIED LOOK, WHAT EVER COULD IT BE

THAT THE MONKEY WOULD BE THINKIN’ AS HE LOOKS AT ME?

AT MY FEET I SPY A GATOR STROLLIN’ BY

WITH A HUNGRY LOOK IN HIS ALLIGATOR EYES

AND THE MONKEY CRIES, “HEY, YOU’VE GOTTA GET AWAY

OR YOU’RE GONNA BE AN ALLIGATOR’S LUNCH TODAY

     C’MON AN’ SWING IN MY TREE!

     GRAB A BRANCH AND SWING WITH ME

     IT’S MONKEY DO AS MONKEY SEE

     YOU CAN SPLIT MY BANANA SPLIT WITH ME

     IN MY BANANA TREE

     C’MON AN’ SWING IN MY TREE!

SO, I CLIMB UP HIGH WITH THE MONKEY IN THE TREE

AND THE GATOR SIGHS, “GUYS, DON’T BE SCARED OF ME

BUT, I WONDER, MR. MONKEY, COULD IT BE

YOU WOULD SPLIT A BIT OF YOUR BANANA SPLIT WITH ME?”

     C’MON AN’ SWING IN MY TREE!

     GRAB A BRANCH AND SWING WITH ME

     IT’S MONKEY DO AS MONKEY SEE

     YOU CAN SPLIT MY BANANA SPLIT WITH ME

     IN MY BANANA TREE

     C’MON AN’ SWING IN MY TREE!

SO, THE ALLIGATOR’S JUMPIN’ UP AND DOWN

CLIMBIN’ UP THE TREE AND SWINGIN’ ALL AROUND

SAYS THE MONKEY, MOST ENTHUSIASTICALLY,

“I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN ALLIGATOR IN A TREE!”

    C’MON AN’ SWING IN MY TREE!

     GRAB A BRANCH AND SWING WITH ME

     IT’S MONKEY DO AS MONKEY SEE

     YOU CAN SPLIT MY BANANA SPLIT WITH ME

     IN MY BANANA TREE

     C’MON AN’ SWING IN MY TREE!

     OH, WHAT FUN IT WILL BE

     C’MON AN’ SWING IN MY TREE!

While writing the songs for this CD, I was thinking one day that Jon Walmsley played so many instruments so very well.  So, I called Jon and I asked what instruments he felt he played proficiently and made a mental note of that conversation.  That night, Terri and I went to see the film of the musical Chicago. I woke up the next morning with this song in my head, and completed the lyrics within an hour or two. The tune was so influenced by the music in Chicago, that I had to check to make certain I hadn't swiped the melody! 

This is one of a few songs we've recorded hoping that teachers could use them to teach the instruments in the classroom.

Terri Taylor: vocal

Michael Taylor: kazoo

Jon Walmsley: ukulele, piano, snare drum, bass, harmonica, violin, banjo,

acoustic guitar, mandolin

MAYBE YOU KNOW

HOW SOME PEOPLE GO

FOR  HONKY TONK  PIANO

AND IT’S EXCITIN’ FOR SOME

HEARIN'  THE  DRUMS

BEATIN’ WITH THE BAND

IT MIGHT BE YOUR TASTE

TO HEAR THE BASS

LAYIN’ DOWN A LINE, OH SO LOW

BUT AS FOR ME

I LOVE THE UKULELE

‘COULD BE YOU CHOOSE

THE SOUND OF THE BLUES

HARMONICA PLAYIN’

AND WHEN THEY HEAR VIOLIN

SOME FOLKS BEGIN

GRINNIN’ EAR TO EAR

AND ‘CAUSE PLAYIN’ KAZOO

IS EASY TO DO

YOU LIKE TO ROOTY-TOOT-TA-TOOT-TOOT TOO

BUT AS FOR ME

I LOVE THE UKULELE

     ‘CAUSE IT TAKES ME AWAY

     WHEN I HEAR SOMEONE PLAY UKULELE

     TO WHERE I WANNA BE

     WHERE THE SAND GREETS THE SEA IN HAWAII…

          I’M TALKIN’ WAIKIKI

I SEE HOW YOUR THING

COULD BE A FIVE STRING

BANJO PLAYER PICKIN’

AND HOW YOU MIGHT THINK IT’S TOPS

TO HEAR A FLAT TOP

GUITAR PICKER TOO

OH, HOW A MANDOLIN FILL

CAN GIVE YOU A THRILL

MAKE YOU SING YODEL-ODELAY-HEE-HOO

BUT AS FOR ME

I LOVE THE UKULELE

BUT AS FOR ME

I LOVE THE UKULELE

This song is about Pensacola Beach in Florida, where Terri grew up.  It's also about going back to visit that beach along with our children, and Terri seeing this special place again with new eyes.

Terri Taylor: vocal

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass, shaker

JayDee Maness: pedal steel

SHINING SAILS UPON THE SEA

FILL WITH GENTLE OCEAN BREEZE 

THE BRIGHT COLORS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL

WHEN I SEE IT THROUGH YOUR EYES 

THE WORLD IS FULL OF SURPRISE

AND SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME

LISTEN TO THE OCEAN ROAR

INSIDE A SHELL FOUND ON THE SHORE

THE SOUND HAS NEVER BEEN SO BEAUTIFUL

IT'S JUST A SILLY THING TO DO

BUT WHEN I DO IT WITH YOU

IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME

     WE PLAY PIRATES, WE PLUNDER

     WHAT TREASURES WE HOLD

     BEHIND A FORTRESS MADE OF SAND

     WE'LL DIG A HOLE STRAIGHT TO CHINA

     FOR WE HAVE BEEN TOLD

     DRAGONS ROAM THAT DISTANT LAND

WALKING BAREFOOT ON THE SAND

I REACH FOR YOU, YOU TAKE MY HAND

AND LEAD ME TO A PLACE SO BEAUTIFUL

WHEN I SEE IT THROUGH YOUR EYES

THE WORLD IS FULL OF SURPRISE

AND MORE BEAUTIFUL TO ME

WHEN I SEE IT THROUGH YOUR EYES

THE WORLD IS FULL OF SURPRISE

AND MORE BEAUTIFUL TO ME

This song was highly influenced by the music of what I'm certain we can all agree was one of the finest vocal groups of all time.  Yes, I'm talking about The Brady Bunch.  The lyrics are, again, about a place we love and loved experiencing with our kids -- Monterey, California.  If you've never seen it, you must!  The drive up the Pacific Coast from Morro Bay to Monterey is one of the most spectacular things you can experience on this planet!  At least, that's how we feel about it.   

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: guitars, bass, organ

Brad Swanson: drums, tambourine

IT'S A TOP DOWN DAY

JUST RIGHT FOR GETTIN' AWAY

POP THE TOP ON THE CHEVROLET

'CAUSE IT'S A TOP DOWN DAY

ON THE COAST HIGHWAY

DRIVE UP TO MONTEREY BAY

JUST TO SEE THE SEA OTTERS PLAY

ON A TOP DOWN DAY

     AND IT MAKES ME HAPPY

     MY FAMILY DRIVIN' BY THE BLUE SEA

     IT SEEMS LIKE ANY SUNNY DAY

     IS GONNA MAKE ME FEEL THIS WAY

     IT'S A TOP DOWN DAY

IT'S A TOP DOWN DAY

IN CALIFORN-I-A

WHERE THE SUN WILL SHINE, EVERY DAY

IS A TOP DOWN DAY

     AND IT MAKES ME HAPPY

     MY FAMILY DRIVIN' BY THE BLUE SEA

     IT SEEMS LIKE ANY SUNNY DAY

     IS GONNA MAKE ME FEEL THIS WAY

     IT'S A TOP DOWN DAY

EVERY DAY IS A TOP DOWN DAY

EVERY DAY IS A TOP DOWN DAY

EVERY DAY IS A TOP DOWN DAY

EVERY DAY IS A TOP DOWN DAY

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: guitars, bass, wurlitzer

Brad Swanson: drums, tambourine

THERE IS NO LIMITATION TO MY IMAGINATION

I CAN GO FROM WHERE I AM TO WHERE I WANT TO BE

WHEN IMAGINATION TAKES ME TO MY DESTINATION

I'LL BE RIDIN' ON A RAINBOW IN THE SKY

I CAN FLY

     WHERE THE CLOUDS ARE COTTON CANDY

     WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE SKY

     SOARING HIGH LIKE AN EAGLE

     I CAN FLY, I CAN FLY

THERE IS NO LIMITATION TO MY EXPECTATION

I CAN GO FROM WHERE I AM TO WHERE I WANT TO BE

AND I KNOW THAT I WILL GET THERE WITH DETERMINATION

'CAUSE IF IT TRY THERE IS NO REASON WHY

I CAN'T FLY

     WHERE THE CLOUDS ARE COTTON CANDY

     WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE SKY

     SOARING HIGH LIKE AN EAGLE

     I CAN FLY, I CAN FLY

YOU MIGHT SAY THAT YOU DON'T THINK I CAN

BUT LIKE THE BROTHERS WRIGHT I'VE GOT A PLAN

AND I CAN FLY

     WHERE THE CLOUDS ARE COTTON CANDY

     WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE SKY

     SOARING HIGH LIKE AN EAGLE

     I CAN FLY, I CAN FLY

     I CAN FLY, I CAN FLY

     I CAN FLY

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass, synth, shaker

MY BEAUTIFUL ONE

OPEN YOUR EYES SEE THE SUN

A NEW DAY HAS BEGUN

AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL ONE

FEEL THE BREEZE DRIFTIN' BY

SEE THE COLORFUL WINGED BUTTERFLY

AND LIGHT DANCIN' ON CLOUDS IN THE SKY

MY BEAUTIFUL ONE

     FOR THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR YOU

     TO SHARE THIS DAY THAT GOD HAS MADE

     AND ALL THE BEAUTY THAT YOU SEE

     IS A GIFT OF LOVE

     IS A GIFT OF LOVE

HE MADE EACH GRAIN OF SAND

EVERY CREATURE WAS TOUCHED BY HIS HAND

THERE IS NOTHING HE WON'T UNDERSTAND, BELIEVE

MY BEAUTIFUL ONE

     FOR THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR YOU

     TO SHARE THIS DAY THAT GOD HAS MADE

     AND ALL THE BEAUTY THAT YOU SEE

     IS A GIFT OF LOVE

     IS A GIFT OF LOVE

MY BEAUTIFUL ONE

OPEN YOUR EYES SEE THE SUN

A NEW DAY HAS BEGUN

AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL

MY BEAUTIFUL ONE

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Chloe Taylor Fontaine: vocals

Jon Walmsley, acoustic guitar, banjo

Brad Swanson: drums

          It's raining, it's pouring

          The old man is snoring

          He bumped his head when he went to bed

          And he couldn't get up in the morning

RAINY DAYS DON'T GET ME DOWN

I LOVE TO HEAR THE RAIN BEAT ON MY WINDOW PANE

SO IF THE SUN WON'T SHINE

WELL, I DON'T MIND

LET THE RAIN FALL ALL AROUND

I LOVE A RAIN WASHED STREET, GALOSHES ON MY FEET

THE RAIN CAN'T GET ME DOWN

WHEN THE SUN SHINES IN MY HEART

     RAINY DAYS DON'T GET ME DOWN

     WHEN THE SUN SHINES IN MY HEART

RAINY DAYS DON'T GET ME DOWN

I'LL GO OUTSIDE TO PLAY AND CELEBRATE THE DAY

THE RAIN CAN'T GET ME DOWN

WHEN THE SUN SHINES IN MY HEART

     RAINY DAYS DON'T GET ME DOWN

     WHEN THE SUN SHINES IN MY HEART

     RAINY DAYS DON'T GET ME DOWN

     WHEN THE SUN SHINES IN MY HEART

          IT'S ALL IN THE WAY THAT YOU LOOK AT THINGS, YOU KNOW

          YOU'VE JUST GOTTA LEARN TO LOVE

               THE FEEL OF MUD BETWEEN YOUR TOES

RAINY DAYS DON'T GET ME DOWN

I'LL GO OUTSIDE TO PLAY AND CELEBRATE THE DAY

I'LL CHASE THE CLOUDS AWAY

WITH THE SUNSHINE IN MY HEART...

          JUMPIN' UP AND DOWN

          SPASHIN' ALL AROUND

          THE RAIN KEEPS POURIN' DOWN

          I LOVE THE SOUND AS IT HITS THE GROUND

          PLAYIN' UNDER STORMY SKIES

          MAKIN' MUD PIES

          THERE'S NO NEED TO HIDE

          OR RUN INSIDE, I'M GONNA STAY OUTSIDE

               WHERE I'LL BE JUMPIN'...

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass, banjo, harmonica, drums

YOU'RE MY IMAGINARY, IMAGINARY FRIEND

YOU'LL BE RIGHT BY MY SIDE

THROUGH THICK AND THIN

YOU'RE INVISIBLE FROM HEAD TO TOE

NO MATTER WHERE I GO YOU GO

AND NOBODY KNOWS

YOU'RE MY IMAGINARY FRIEND

YOU'RE EXTRAORDINARY, MY IMAGINARY FRIEND

YOU'RE THE BEST FRIEND I'VE GOT

EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE PRETEND

ANY TIME THAT I'M FEELIN' BLUE

AND NEED A FRIEND THAT I CAN TALK TO

I CAN COUNT ON YOU MY IMAGINARY FRIEND

YOU'RE MY IMAGINARY, IMAGINARY FRIEND

YOU'LL BE RIGHT BY MY SIDE

A FRIEND TO THE END

ANY TROUBLE THAT I GET INTO

WHATEVER MISCHIEF THAT I DO

I CAN BLAME IT ON YOU

'CAUSE YOU'RE IMAGINARY

YOU'RE MY IMAGINARY

MY IMAGINARY FRIEND

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, drums

YOUR GRANDPA BUILT THIS HOUSE WITH HIS OWN HANDS

HE BUILT THIS HOUSE ON STONE NOT ON SAND

HE'D SAY, "BUILD HER RIGHT AND BUILD HER STRONG

AN' SHE'LL STILL BE STANDIN' LONG AFTER I'VE GONE"

LOVE IS BUILT ON A STONE FOUNDATION

YOUR GRANDMA TENDED HER GARDEN OUT IN THE YARD

AND SHE KNEW THAT FLOWERS WON'T GROW WHERE THE SOIL IS HARD

SO SHE TENDED HER GARDEN SO TENDERLY

THE SAME WAY SHE CARED FOR MY BROTHERS AND ME

LOVE IS BUILT ON A STONE FOUNDATION

INSTRUMENTAL

SOMEDAY YOU MAY TRAVEL FROM BANGKOK TO ROME

AND YOU'LL KNOW THAT YOU HAVE LOVE WAITING AT HOME

LOVE IS PATIENT AND LOVE IS KIND

THE WAY THAT I LOVE YOU WILL LAST FOR ALL TIME

LOVE IS BUILT ON A STONE FOUNDATION

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass

PLANT A SEED, SEE IT GROW

GIVE IT LOVE AND BEFORE YOU KNOW

A BEAUTIFUL SUNFLOWER WILL GLOW

WITH ALL THE COLORS OF THE SUN

GENTLE RAIN, MORNIN' DEW

EVERY FLOWER NEEDS SUNSHINE TOO

SO FIND THE LIGHT INSIDE OF YOU

AND LET IT SHINE ON EVERYONE

     WE ARE ALL SUNFLOWERS

     WE SHINE LIKE SUMMER SUN

     WE ARE ALL SUNFLOWERS

     SO SHINE ON EVERYONE

          LIKE THE BRIGHT SUMMER SUN

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