The Sunflowers, Kids & Family Music

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, bass

Brad Swanson: drums, tambourine

Doug Legacy: steel drums, Hammond organ

Ameenah Kaplan: congas

This song was originally written, recorded and performed

to feel like The Beatles' Taxman -- the opening song on

the Revolver album.  It was Jon Walmsley's idea to give 

the tune a Caribbean flavor.  Thankfully, our friend Doug

Legacy plays steel drums.  How many people know somebody

who can play steel drums?  Just lucky we guess!

The song invites the listener into our world.  We like the lines:

Sunflowers growin' row by row, and who's to know where each row goes? 

Life's an adventure!  You choose a path and follow it, and who knows

where it will take you?

COME ALONG TAKE A WALK WITH ME
IT’S SUCH A LOVELY PLACE TO BE
WHERE WE CAN HEAR THE SUNFLOWERS SING
AND FEEL THE JOY THAT SONG CAN BRING

SUNFLOWERS GROWIN’ ROW BY ROW
     (WALKING IN A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS)
AND WHO’S TO KNOW WHERE EACH ROW GOES
     (WALKING IN A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS)    
IN A FIELD OF IMAGINATION
FILLED WITH ANTICIPATION

     INSTRUMENTAL

A FIELD OF IMAGINATION
FILLED WITH ANTICIPATION
WALKING IN A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS
WALKING IN A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS
WALKING IN A FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: banjo, bass drum

Brad Swanson: snare drum

Rusty Stiers: trumpet

Robert Verdi: clarinet

Art Dragon: trombone

Lee Westy Westenhofer: sousaphone

Don't know where this song idea came from!  Terri sang dixieland

in a nightclub in Pensacola, Florida when she was in college and 

Michael wanted to hear her do that again.

The guys playing the horns on this tune are all bandleaders 

at Disneyland in California.

This is kind of a sister song to the song 'I Love the Ukulele' that is on

our first CD, C'mon an' Swing in My Tree!  It's purpose is to introduce

kids to musical instruments and get the conversation about music started. 

It's our hope that music teachers will use these songs in the classroom.

CRITTERS COME FROM MILES AROUND
TO LISTEN TO THE SWINGIN' SOUND
THAT THE PORCUPINES WILL BE LAYIN’ DOWN
AT THE PORCUPINE PARADE

THERE IS NOTHIN’ MORE SUBLIME
THAN WATCHIN’ MARCHIN’ PORCUPINES
PLAYIN’ DIXIELAND AND STEPPIN’ TO THE TIME
AT THE PORCUPINE PARADE

     OH, TO HEAR THAT BIG BRASS SOUSAPHONE MOAN
     AND TO LISTEN WHILE THE CLARINET
     PLAYS A SWEET DUET
     WITH THE CORNET

I WANNA HEAR THAT BEATIN’ DRUM
AND THE SLIDE TROMBONE AND THE BANJO STRUM
AND IF YOU LIKE THAT TO THEN YOU’VE GOTTA COME
TO THE PORCUPINE PARADE

     IT’LL BE A WOODLAND BALLYHOO, WHAT A HULABALOO!
     PORCUPINES A’MARCHIN’ TWO BY TWO
     WEARIN’ FEATHERED HATS
     FOR THE BIG TO-DO

YOU’VE GOTTA BE THERE IN THAT THRONG
‘CAUSE IF YOU LIKE GOOD MUSIC, YOU BELONG
COME ON AND SWING ALONG TO THE JAZZY SONGS
AT THE PORCUPINE PARADE
WELL, DON’T YOU BE A SQUARE
WE WANNA SEE YOU THERE
AT THE PORCUPINE PARADE

Michael Taylor: vocals

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar

Brad Swanson: drums

Bill Bryson: string bass

Doug Legacy: accordion, rub board

Eric Silver: fiddle

Herb Pedersen: backing vocals

The rabbit and the crawfish were chosen because they are part of the cuisine

in Louisiana, where zydeco music comes from.  The crawfish envies the

rabbit's life, not realizing that the rabbit's life has it's challenges too.  The

rabbit, just like the crawfish, could end up as dinner.  The point of the

story is: be grateful just to be here and be who you are.  Live YOUR life!

Again, it's great to have a buddy like Doug Legacy around when we

feel the need to be musically adventurous.  He rocks it on the accordion.  

This song also features one of Nashville's great fiddle players, 

Eric Silver.

OH, RABBIT, OH RABBIT
SAFE IN YOUR RABBIT HOLE
I COULD SOON BE HANGIN’ FROM A LINE
AT THE END OF A FISHIN’ POLE
I’M A LOWLY CRAWDADDY
MUDDY WATER IS MY HOME
HOW I WISH I WERE A RABBIT
RUNNIN’ O’ER THE GRAND BAYOU

OH, RABBIT, OH RABBIT
OH, RABBIT WOULD I RUN
I’D SHED MY SHELL AN’ BLAZE A TRAIL
IN THE BLAZIN’ YELLOW SUN
MUDDY WATER BEHIND ME
LEFT BEHIND ME OH SO FAR
OH DO YOU KNOW DEAR RABBIT
JUST HOW FORTUNATE YOU ARE?
OH RABBIT HAVE YOU NO IDEA
HOW FORTUNATE YOU ARE?

    INSTRUMENTAL

CRAWDADDY, CRAWDADDY
LIVIN’ ON THE RIVER BED
WOULD A CRAWFISH WISH A RABBIT'S PLACE
IN THE BUTCHER SHOP INSTEAD?
DON’T YOU KNOW THERE’S A REASON
THE LORD MADE US RABBITS FAST
IF I CAN’T OUTRUN THE HUNTER
ANY DAY COULD BE MY LAST

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF FEELIN’
KIND OF SORRY FOR YOURSELF
AN’ YOU’RE THINKIN’ YOU’D BE BETTER OFF
IF YOU WERE SOMEONE ELSE
LISTEN WELL OL’ CRAWDADDY
DON’T YOU WISH YOUR LIFE AWAY
BE THANKFUL JUST TO BE YOURSELF
AN’ LIVIN’ FOR TODAY
JUST THANK THE LORD TO BE YOURSELF
AN’ LIVIN’ FOR TODAY

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: electric guitar

Brad Swanson: drums

Bill Bryson: string bass

Rusty Stiers: trumpet

Ameenah Kaplan: bongos, finger snaps

The trumpet part played by Rusty Stiers was originally written to be played on

guitar, but when the guitarist, not Jon, couldn't make the session, Michael asked  

Rusty to play it.  Lucky break.  That buzzy trumpet sound makes the tune!  

Note of interest: Percussionist Ameenah Kaplan trains The Blue Man Group.

Note from Michael:  My son likes to remind me that worker bees are female,

not male.  I think Bee Bop is a boy, however, because I was thinking of my son

as I wrote this song.  Bee Bop works very hard at something he really enjoys

doing.  As a result, he's happy, and what he produces makes others happy too.

BEE BOP, THE BUSY, BUZZY HONEY BEE
LIVES  IN A HIVE IN A CINNAMIN TREE
WHEN BEE BOP IS BUZZIN’ ‘ROUND UP IN THE AIR
HE’S AN AVIATOR EXTRODINAIRE

BEE BOP, THE BUZZ HE DOES FROM FLOWER TO FLOWER
NECTURE FROM EACH FLOWER HE DOES DEVOUR
BEE BOP IS DOIN’ WHAT HE OUGHTA BE
MAKIN’ HONEY FOR YOU,  AN’ SWEET HONEY FOR ME!

     A HONEY BEE DOES WORK ALL DAY
     SO THERE WON’T BE MUCH TIME TO PLAY
          BUT THAT’S OKAY….

BEE BOP THE BUSY, BUSY HONEY BEE
DOES THE BUZZ BECAUSE IT MAKES HIM HAPPY
AND BEE BOP IS BEIN’ WHAT HE WANTS TO BE
MAKIN’ HONEY FOR YOU, AN’ SWEET HONEY FOR ME!  

Instrumental   

     A HONEY BEE DOES WORK ALL DAY
     SO THERE WON’T BE MUCH TIME TO PLAY
          BUT THAT’S OKAY….

‘CAUSE BEE BOP THE BUSY, BUSY HONEY BEE
DOES THE BUZZ BECAUSE IT MAKES HIM HAPPY
AND BEE BOP IS BEIN’ WHAT HE WANTS TO BE
MAKIN’ HONEY FOR YOU, AN’ SWEET HONEY FOR ME!  
HE‘S A HONEY BEE
SWEET HONEY BEE
BEE BOP THE HONEY BEE

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: nylon string guitar

Brad Swanson: acoustic guitar, piano, glockenspiel, vocals, brushes

Chad Watson: bass

Ameenah Kaplan: bongos

This song was written to the memory of our children as children,

but it was also written to say 'I love you' today.  Everything about

this song, even the mix, was inspired by The Beatles' 'And I Love Her'.

WHENEVER YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES
I WILL SING YOU LULLABIES
AND BUTTERFLY KISSES
I’LL GIVE YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY
SO YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU

I’M GONNA MAKE YOU SEE
YOU’RE SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME
DARLIN’ DON’T DOUBT IT
I’LL TELL YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY
SO YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU

    IF YOU SHOULD FALL
    THEN I WILL DRY YOUR TEARS AWAY
    AND I WILL LIFT YOU UP
    I WON’T LET YOU DOWN, WON’T LET YOU DOWN

BUTTERFLY KISSES
I’LL GIVE YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY
SO YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW…
    I LOVE YOU

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: ukulele

Brad Swanson: drums, bougarabou, tambourine

Bill Bryson: string bass

Doug Legacy: steel drums, whistler

Ameenah Kaplan: congas

Rusty Stiers: trumpet

Robert Verdi: saxophone

Art Dragon: trombone

Healthy self esteem is the result of the work we do to accomplish 

things in our lives, and these accomplishments don't have to be huge!  

For kids, they can be a series of small accomplishments like tying 

shoes and brushing teeth and making a bed...  

"…Things that once seemed big seem smaller!"

Bill and Brad found the groove on this one.  It all started with bass and drums.

The little whistling on the beach scene at the end of the tune came about because

Doug Legacy, an excellent whistler and a guy who likes to try everything musically,

recorded a whistling part that just seemed to be one too many things when we put

it in the song.  But, not wanting to let a great part go to waste, Michael added 

Caribbean waves and Doug's steel drums and placed it at the end.

LOOK AT ME, COUNTIN' ONE, TWO, THREE

AN' CAN YOU SEE, I KNOW MY A-B-Cs?

I PUT MY TOYS BACK ON THE SHELF

I CLEAN MY ROOM ALL BY MYSELF

THESE THINGS MAKE ME HAPPY

     (FEELIN' LIKE THE WORLD IS MINE)

I'M GETTIN' BIGGER ALL THE TIME

     I'M FEELIN' GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

     I AM HAPPY AND EVERYTHING FEELS FINE

          (HAPPY ALL THE TIME)

     I'M FEELIN' GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

     I AM HAPPY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I'M

          GETTIN' BIGGER ALL THE TIME

I BRUSH MY TEETH AND COMB MY HAIR

I PLAY WITH FRIENDS AND I SHARE

THESE THINGS MAKE ME HAPPY

     (FEELIN' LIKE THE WORLD IS MINE)

I'M GETTIN' BIGGER ALL THE TIME

     I'M FEELIN' GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

     I AM HAPPY AND EVERYTHING FEELS FINE

          (HAPPY ALL THE TIME)

     I'M FEELIN' GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

     I AM HAPPY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I'M

          GETTIN' BIGGER ALL THE TIME

          GETTIN' STRONGER, GETTIN' TALLER

          GETTIN' SMARTER EVERY DAY

          THINGS THAT ONCE SEEMED BIG SEEM SMALLER

          SO MUCH SMALLER, SO I SAY...

     I'M FEELIN' GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

     I AM HAPPY AND EVERYTHING FEELS FINE

          (HAPPY ALL THE TIME)

     I'M FEELIN' GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

     I AM HAPPY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I'M

          GETTIN' BIGGER ALL THE TIME

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar

Brad Swanson: drums

Bill Bryson: string bass

Rusty Stiers: trumpet

Robert Verdi: clarinet

Art Dragon: trombone

What are we waiting for?  God gave us all that we need to lead 

meaningful lives, now all we've got to do is put some work into it, and… 

what you give is what you get.   

A WISE MAN SAID, “LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS
WHILE YOU’RE BUSY MAKIN’ OTHER PLANS”
WELL, GO AHEAD, TAKE A LOOK AROUND YOU
EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS RIGHT AT HAND

     DON’T FORGET
     YOUR LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT
     THERE’LL BE NO REGRET
     WHEN YOU GET YOUR CANCE, TAKE IT
     BUDDY, YOU CAN BET
     WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT YOU GET

SOME MIGHT AGREE, “THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER
WHEN IT’S SEEN IN SOMEONE ELSE’S YARD”
BUT, IF YOU ASK ME, YOU’RE LIKELY TO BE LUCKY
IF YOU’RE NOT AFRAID OF WORKIN’ HARD

     DON’T FORGET
     YOUR LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT
     THERE’LL BE NO REGRET
     WHEN YOU GET YOUR CHANCE, TAKE IT
     BUDDY, YOU CAN BET
     WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT YOU GET

         SO, KEEP ON TRYIN’ EVERYDAY
         WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE IS A WAY

     DON’T FORGET
     YOUR LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT
     THERE’LL BE NO REGRET
     WHEN YOU GET YOUR CHANCE, TAKE IT
     BUDDY, YOU CAN BET
     WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT YOU GET 

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, electric piano

Brad Swanson: drums, tambourine

Doug Legacy: celeste

Rusty Stiers: trumpet

Robert Verdi: saxophone

Art Dragon: trombone

Very few kids get passed by when it comes to being bullied, and

everyone experiences sadness and disappointment sometimes. 

When it happens to you, you may feel so alone.  But, your friends 

and family have been there before, and are there for you now.

The music was inspired by Tony Hatch, who wrote and

produced songs for Petula Clark and many others

back in the '60s.

WHEN A DARK CLOUD’S ON YOUR SHOULDER
THERE ON YOUR SHOULDER
WON’T GO AWAY
ONE THING YOU SHOULD REMEMBER
‘MIGHT TURN THAT DARK CLOUD
INTO SUNNY DAY, HEY-HEY

    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE
    EVERYONE FEELS THAT WAY SOME DAYS
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE, NO-NO
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE

ANYTIME THERE’S STORMY WEATHER
FRIENDS PULL TOGETHER
AN’ EVERYTHING’S OKAY
AND WITH YOUR FRIENDS AROUND YOU
FORTUNE HAS FOUND YOU
IT’S YOUR LUCKY DAY, HEY-HEY

    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE
    EVERYONE FEELS THAT WAY SOME DAYS
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE, NO-NO
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE

        DON’T LET THIS DAY JUST SLIP AWAY
        FIND YOUR SMILE TO SHINE ON…
            SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY
            SHINE ON SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY
            HEY-HEY…

    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE
    EVERYONE FEELS THAT WAY SOME DAYS
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE, NO-NO
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE
    YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE

Michael Taylor: vocals

Terri Taylor: vocals

John Goux: acoustic guitar, mandolin

Bill Bryson: string bass

JayDee Maness: pedal steel

This is a deeply personal song to Michael.  He was exploring the idea that 

time spent making the wrong choices, following the wrong path, in the 

end, may prepare a person to be of even greater service to others at 

another time.  Another person's journey may be difficult for you to 

understand, but "who's to know where each row goes?"  Hold on 

to hope and love, that path just might take them somewhere 

beautiful that you could never have imagined.

John Goux, Bill Bryson, and JayDee Maness are three of Michael's favorite

musicians... in the world... ever!  What a thrill to have them in the studio

to record this song!

PRETTY LITTLE BUTTERFLY
WHY IS IT YOU’RE ALWAYS FLYIN’ AGAINST THE WIND
FLYIN’ AGAINST THE WIND?

COULD IT BE YOU DON’T KNOW WHY
BUT YOU WERE ALWAYS MEANT TO FLY AGAINST THE WIND?
IT’S BLOWIN’ YOU ‘ROUND AGAIN

     LIVIN’ IN THIS WAY
     CAN BE SUCH TROUBLE TO YOU NOW
     BUT, YOU MUST KNOW
     YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY SOMEHOW

PRETTY LITTLE BUTTERFLY
DON’T GIVE UP, KNOW THAT I BELIEVE IN YOU
I BELIEVE IN YOU BUTTERFLY

     INSTRUMENTAL

     LIVIN’ IN THIS WAY
     CAN BE SUCH TROUBLE TO YOU NOW
     BUT, YOU MUST KNOW
     YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY SOMEHOW

PRETTY LITTLE BUTTERFLY
DON’T GIVE UP, KNOW THAT I BELIEVE IN YOU
I BELIEVE IN YOU BUTTERFLY
I BELIEVE
I BELIEVE IN YOU
I BELIEVE IN YOU BUTTERFLY

Terri Taylor: vocals

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, tambourine

Brad Swanson: drums

JayDee Maness: pedal steel

When Terri was a little girl, her mother would always buy her the Crayola Crayon box of 24 at the beginning of each school year.  Terri would plead, "Please, can I have the box of 64?"  Her mom just didn't see the need for more than 24 colors, and we're sure she was right.  Terri got along just fine with 24 colors, but 64 would have been so great!  Michael wrote this song for Terri and gave it to her with a box of 64.

JUNGLE GREEN AND AQUAMARINE
AN’ VIVID TANGERINE COLOR MY DREAMS
MIDNIGHT BLUE AND GOLDENROD
YOU KNOW, TICKLE ME PINK HUE
IS THERE IN MY DREAMS TOO

    THERE ARE SIXTY-FOUR COLORS IN A BOX FULL OF DREAMS
    HOW I WISH THAT EVERY COLOR COULD BE MINE
    ‘CAUSE WITH SIXTY-FOUR COLORS IN A BOX FULL OF DREAMS
    I COULD SHOW THE WORLD THE PICTURES IN MY MIND

CRAYON BOX OF YELLOW AND GREEN
FILLED WITH SIXTY-FOUR COLORS JUST FOR ME
MOMMA, PLEASE, CAN I HAVE A BOX OF THESE?
I’LL DO ANYTHING YOU PLEASE
LOOK I’M DOWN ON MY KNEES

    THERE ARE SIXTY-FOUR COLORS IN A BOX FULL OF DREAMS
    HOW I WISH THAT EVERY COLOR COULD BE MINE
    ‘CAUSE WITH SIXTY-FOUR COLORS IN A BOX FULL OF DREAMS
    I COULD SHOW THE WORLD THE PICTURES THAT ARE HERE IN MY MIND
    I COULD SHOW THE WORLD THE PICTURES THAT I SEE IN MY MIND

        I WOULD LOVE YOU EVEN MORE
        IF YOU WOULD TAKE ME TO THE STORE
        ‘CAUSE IT’S THE ONLY THING I LACK
        HEY, MOMMA, THERE’S A SHARPENER ON THE BACK    

    THERE ARE SIXTY-FOUR COLORS IN A BOX FULL OF DREAMS
    I WISH EACH AND EVERY COLOR COULD BE MINE
    ‘CAUSE WITH SIXTY-FOUR COLORS IN A BOX FULL OF DREAMS
    I COULD SHOW THE WORLD THE PICTURES THAT ARE HERE IN MY MIND
    I COULD SHOW THE WORLD THE PICTURES THAT I SEE IN MY MIND

Michael Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, electric guitar

Brad Swanson: drums

Bill Bryson: string bass

JayDee Maness: pedal steel

Herb Pederson: backing vocals

What kid doesn't like trains?  This song started out as a bluegrass number,

then Jon plugged in his guitar and, presto change-o, an homage to Johnny Cash.

AS WE GO RIDIN’ ON A TRAIN
HEAR THAT CLICK-ITY-CLACK
AS THE TRAIN GOES ROLLIN’ DOWN THE TRACK
AS WE GO RIDIN’ ON A TRAIN
IRON WHEELS WILL TAKE US HOME
WE’RE ON OUR WAY BACK HOME

ENGINE, ENGINE NUMBER NINE
MOVIN’ ON DOWN THE RAILROAD LINE
TAKE US TO THE PLACE THAT WE CALL HOME
TURN THAT BIG STEAM ENGINE LOOSE
PULLIN’ EIGHTEEN CARS AND A RED CABOOSE
LET US HEAR YOUR WHISTLE BLOW
HERE WE GO!

AS WE GO RIDIN’ ON A TRAIN
HEAR THAT CLICK-ITY-CLACK
AS THE TRAIN GOES ROLLIN’ DOWN THE TRACK
AS WE GO RIDIN’ ON A TRAIN
IRON WHEELS WILL TAKE US HOME
WE’RE ON OUR WAY BACK HOME

WE WATCH THE CLOUDS UP IN THE SKY
AN’ MOO AT COWS AS WE ROLL BY
WE’RE COUNTIN’ SCARECROWS OUT IN FIELDS OF GRAIN
WITH A CHUG-ITY-CHUG AROUND THE BEND
WE GO UP THE HILL AND DOWN AGAIN
LISTEN TO THAT WHISTLE BLOW
HERE WE GO!

AS WE GO RIDIN’ ON A TRAIN
HEAR THAT CLICK-ITY-CLACK
AS THE TRAIN GOES ROLLIN’ DOWN THE TRACK
AS WE GO RIDIN’ ON A TRAIN
IRON WHEELS WILL TAKE US HOME
WE’RE ON OUR WAY BACK HOME

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar

Bill Bryson: string bass

Eric Silver: fiddle, mandolin

John Goux: dobro

Herb Pederson: backing vocals

This is Michael's favorite Sunflowers song yet.  Even though it sounds like a bunch of cowboys, and a cowgirl, playing and singing around a campfire, none of the parts were actually recorded at the same time.  Bill, John and Herb recorded their parts in Brad's studio, but separately and on different days.  Michael and Terri recorded Terri's vocal at their house, Jon recorded guitar at his house, and Eric recorded the fiddle and mandolin at his house in Nashville, 2,000 miles away from The Sunflowers' home in Los Angeles.

HE’S A SLOWPOKE COWPOKE
OUT ON THE RANGE
ON A TALL APPALOOSA HE RIDES
DRIVIN’ THEM DOGIES
FROM BREAK OF DAY
‘TIL HE LAYS BY THE CAMPFIRE AT NIGHT

COUNTIN’ THEM CATTLE
‘TIL SLUMBER HE FINDS
FOR TO SEE THERE IN SWEET REVERIE
THE DEAR LITTLE COWGIRL
HE LEFT BEHIND
IN EL PASO WILL DANCE IN HIS DREAMS

     AND SHE’LL DANCE
     NEATH THE SHIMMERING STARS
     IN  THE WEST TEXAS SKY
     AND SHE’LL DANCE
     THERE’LL BE GLIMMERING STARS
     IN HER EYES

THERE’S A SLOWPOKE COWPOKE
OUT ON THE RANGE
WHEN THE CATTLE DRIVE’S DONE HE’LL GO HOME
TO THE DEAR LITTLE COWGIRL
WHO WAITS FOR THE DAY
WHEN HER DADDY WILL NO LONGER  ROAM

     AND THEY’LL DANCE
     NEATH THE SHIMMERING STARS
     IN THE WEST TEXAS SKY
     AND THEY’LL DANCE
     THERE’LL BE GLIMMERING STARS
     IN THEIR EYES

THERE’S A SLOWPOKE COWPOKE
OUT ON THE RANGE
WHEN HIS CATTLE DRIVE’S DONE HE’LL GO HOME
TO THE DEAR LITTLE COWGIRL
WHO WAITS FOR THE DAY
WHEN HER DADDY WILL NO LONGER  ROAM
WHEN THE SLOWPOKE COWPOKE GOES HOME
WHEN THE SLOWPOKE COWPOKE GOES HOME

Michael Taylor: vocals

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar

Bill Bryson: string bass

Patrick Sauber: mandolin

John Goux: dobro

Unlike Slowpoke Cowpoke, this song was recorded in Brad's studio, everyone at once, in one take... except for the backing vocals, which were added the next day at Terri and Michael's house.

WELL, THE ROOSTER CALLS AND ‘CAKES ON THE GRIDDLE
WE ALL RUN DOWNSTAIRS FOR GRANDMA’S VITTLES
LACE UP OUR BOOTS WE GOT A ROW TO HOE
‘GOT A FIELD TO PLOW, ‘GOT A CROP TO SOW

AN’ WE SWEAT AND TOIL IN THE MID DAY SUN
‘TIL SUPPERTIME AN’ OUR WORK IS DONE
BUT WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN AT THE END OF DAY
WE ALL GATHER ‘ROUND THE PORCH TO PLAY

    ME AN’ MY DADDY ON FLAT TOP
    GRANDPA BASS, AN’ BROTHER ON LAPTOP
    MOMMA ON MANDOLIN, SINGIN’ ‘BOUT THE HEARTLAND
    YEAH, WE’RE FRONT PORCH PICKERS IN A FAMILY BAND

LITTLE MOMMA, SHE TAKES A HARMONY
AN’ MY BROTHER JOINS IN AND I MAKE THREE
THERE AIN’T NO SWEETER SOUND TO ME
THEN MY FAMILY SINGIN’ IN HARMONY

    ME AN’ MY DADDY ON FLAT TOP
    GRANDPA BASS, AN’ BROTHER ON LAPTOP
    MOMMA ON MANDOLIN, SINGIN’ ‘BOUT THE HEARTLAND

INSTRUMENTAL

    ME AN’ MY DADDY ON FLAT TOP
    GRANDPA BASS, AN’ BROTHER ON LAPTOP
    MOMMA ON MANDOLIN, SINGIN’ ‘BOUT THE HEARTLAND
    WELL, WE’RE FRONT PORCH PICKERS IN A FAMILY BAND

    ME AN’ MY DADDY ON FLAT TOP
    GRANDPA BASS, AN’ BROTHER ON LAPTOP
    MOMMA ON MANDOLIN, SINGIN’ ‘BOUT THE HEARTLAND
    YEAH, WE’RE FRONT PORCH PICKERS IN A FAMILY BAND
    FRONT PORCH PICKERS IN A FAMILY BAND
    DON’T YOU KNOW WE’RE ALL PICKERS IN A FAMILY BAND

Michael Taylor: vocals, wood blocks, tambourine

Terri Taylor: vocals

Jon Walmsley: acoustic guitar, ukulele, bass

Brad Swanson: djembe, shaker, finger cymbals

We lost Michael's dad and our dear friend Jim (Jimdog) this past year. 

This song was played at Jim's memorial service.  It is a simple truth.

Still, these words could never express all that their friendship meant to us.

Love to all!  --Terri and Michael,  The Sunflowers

HOW CAN I TELL YOU WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME?
YOU AND I,  HAPPILY, WERE MEANT TO BE
IN A CIRCLE
A CIRCLE, A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

TAKE IT FROM ME AND I’LL GIVE IT TO YOU
YOU’LL FIND ANOTHER TO GIVE FRIENDSHIP TO
IN A CIRCLE
A CIRCLE, A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

HOW CAN I TELL YOU WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME?
YOU AND I,  HAPPILY, WERE MEANT TO BE
IN A CIRCLE
A CIRCLE, A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
A CIRCLE, A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS

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