Many of the songs I'm writing these days have an immediacy that makes the usual route of recording, CD production, etc. antithetical to their purpose. Others are songs that become concert favorites that deserve to be out in peoples' hands sooner than the next release date dictates. So from time to time I'll put up some of my new songs. These are demos only. My hope is that the songs will be useful to you. So learn them, sing them, teach them to others. And then buy the CDs when they come out to help us afford to continue this whole thing.

If you don't have an MP3 player, you can find several here.
To listen, click on the link below to download the music file, then open it in your MP3 player.

Puppies

MP3 Puppies (unreleased). Read the lyrics.
File size: 2,184 KB
Length: 2:09

Minnesota Boogie

MP3 Minnesota Boogie (unreleased). Read the lyrics.
File size: 1,861 KB

Closing the Bookstore Down

For my friends Mike and Jill Williams and for my town

MP3 Closing the Bookstore Down (on Supper's On the Table...). Read the lyrics.
File size: 3,810 KB
Length: 4:07

Hope Dies Last

To the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

MP3 Hope Dies Last (unreleased). Read the lyrics.
File size: 5,796 KB
Length: 4:56

Monkeys

Just when you thought it was safe to retire a song...

MP3 Monkeys (on Hail to the Chief). Read the lyrics.
File size: 3,621 KB
Length: 2:59

Let's Pretend

"Mission Accomplished"? Let's Pretend!

MP3 Let's Pretend (on Stand Up!). Read the lyrics.
File size: 4,240 KB
Length: 3:36

Boys in Green

One of FDR's most lasting accomplishments was creating the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This song is for them.

MP3 Boys in Green (on Stand Up!). Read the lyrics.
File size: 3,901 KB
Length: 3:19

At the Moment

Dedicated to the memory of John's good friend, Freyda Epstein.

MP3 At the Moment (not yet released). Read the lyrics.
File size: 5,158 KB
Length: 4:23

Ashcroft's Army

Operation TIPS? Sign me up! I'm gonna be a spy!

MP3 Ashcroft's Army (on Hail to the Chief). Read the lyrics.
File size: 3,576 KB
Length: 3:02

Our Flag Was Still There

After reading an essay by the same name in Barbara Kingsolver's wonderful new book "Small Wonders" I immediately contacted her and told her of my intention to write a song of the same title. "You can come on board and help or simply let me steal your idea!" I warned. One lazy August evening we sat on her porch and hammered over my initial drafts. It's still a bit of a work in progress but the debut in Kent, OH was a rousing success... Stay tuned.

MP3 Our Flag Was Still There (not yet released). Read the lyrics.
File size: 6,049 KB
Length: 5:09

Laz'rus

Living for so many years in Southern Appalachia, I couldn't help but follow the story of the nine coal miners trapped in a flooded mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania this summer. When they miraculously emerged after three long days the biblical story of Lazarus was the first thing that leapt into my mind.

MP3 Laz'rus (on Stand Up!). Read the lyrics.
File size: 7,720 KB
Length: 4:01

Hail to the Chief

John's collaboration with George W. Bush. President Bush wrote (or at least contributed) all of the lyrics.

MP3 Hail to the Chief (on Hail to the Chief). Read the lyrics.
File size: 2,320 KB
Length: 3:17

9–11–01 and the Future

Following the horrible events of September 11, 2001, John wrote a number of songs. Four of them are available right now: Not in My Name and Follow the Light (now available on John's CD The Greatest Story Never Told), and Talking Pat & Jerry Blues and The List, available for MP3 download: songs of hope, inspiration and commentary.

You can also read John's comments about the bombings here.

Talking Pat & Jerry Blues

MP3 Talking Pat & Jerry Blues (on Hail to the Chief). Read the lyrics.
File size: 1,334 KB
Length: 1:53

The List

MP3 The List (on Hail to the Chief). Read the lyrics.
File size: 2,833 KB
Length: 4:01