Last October, I had to say goodbye to this guy, my uncle, Ed Talaga. This guy had been part of my life as long as I can remember. He was always there to help me, guide me and encourage me.

I wrote this song while I was driving into town to catch a plane to Michigan to go to his funeral. It’s hard to say goodbye to someone you love. I’m glad he was a part of my life.

Saying Goodbye by Willy Grigg 11/1/2021 Nemo Rd towards Saginaw Mi
I’m going back home to say goodbye
To say goodbye to someone I’ve always known
And I see where he lies, and I see him pass by
And I’m saying goodbye
And he’s leaving alone

He’s saying goodbye to the sunshine, saying goodbye to the birds
Saying goodbye to the friendly faces he’s known
He’s saying goodbye to the horses, saying goodbye to the clouds
Saying goodbye to the cowboys with their guitars

It was so long ago when we first said hello
And I knew you before, I even knew how to speak
And we worked in the field, Then we worked on your car
And I’d hand you the wrenches, Then we’d get something to eat

And I’m saying goodbye to a good man, Saying goodbye to a friend
Saying goodbye to someone, Who’s always looked out for me
I’m saying to my Uncle, saying goodbye to Ed
Wherever I travel you’ll always be a part of me

Cassandra by Willy Grigg 6/23/21

You [Am] tried to make the [G] science true
You [Am] checked your methods [G] through and through
Yet, you find people treating you
Like Cassandra

You said time will bear you out
And there’ll be floods and heat and drought
But other voices drowned you out
Like Cassandra

No one [G] hears, no one [C]wants to make a change
It might [E7]hurt, It might [F] cause a little [G] pain

Someday, it’s true the blind will see
When this world’s just a memory
And they’ll be cursing you and me
And Cassandra

12/27/2020

I (A)Don’t wanna (D/A)live in the (A) real world, I don’t want to deal with the facts
I don’t want to live in a hurry
Really I just want to relax
And if that’s[E] all right with you
Then it’s [D]all right with me
I ain’t [E]bothering you
Don’t be [D]bothering me

I don’t want to live in the real world
I want to keep all the plans that I’ve made
I want to pretend things are normal
I’ll never admit I’m afraid
And that’s just all right with me if that’s all right with you
You keep on laughing at me, cuz I’m laughing at you

This (F#m)crazy guy, he drove a bus a [A] way up in the mountains
On [F#m] one lane roads with no guard rails he was [A]speeding like a demon
The [D]passengers were [E] trembling
They [D]wanted to relieve him of his [E] job
But he said you don’t have to worry our lives are in the hands of God
And he decides
If we live and if we die
( You have no personal responsibility)

I (D)can’t be(E)lieve there’s danger out there
(D)I won’t (E) live my life that way
God will surely take care of me
Don’t I always kneel down and pray
I have been a faithful servant
Why does this world let me down
Just tell me who to blame, Lord
Tell me who to run out of town

This song was written for Sarah & Zach on the occasion of their marriage August 31, 2019. Sarah is my niece. She stayed with us a couple summers while she was doing an internship in Rapid City. She was and is an absolute joy. Lucia and Gianna adore her!

A couple weeks before the wedding, Sarah asked Jenny if I would write and perform a song at the wedding. Luckily, inspiration came. Here it is.

To Be Happy by Willy Grigg 8/20/19

I don’t care which way you voted
Or if you’re on the winning side
I don’t care which school you went to
I don’t care what car you drive
If you’re happy with you, that’s what matters to me
And you can be rich, or you can live in a ditch
Just be happy

You don’t get too many chances
To be so young and so in love
You’re going into the deep forest
You hope you’re strong enough
To look into the darkness
And face the thing you most fear
And spread out your wings
And risk everything to be happy

The time has come and now you’re standing
You say you’ll be brave, you say you’ll be true
Be true to your spouse and your family
And the little voice inside of you
So go out and get it, nothing stands in your way
It wouldn’t be to extreme
To go and follow your dreams and be happy

Hi Friends,

These are works in progress. These songs all feature the amazing Rod Meyer on drums – Thanks Rod!

Hopefully, there will be more polished versions posted soon. Let me know what you think… any ideas for finishing these?..

You’re Bad!

Monkeys Wearing Clothes

Nature of Things

This song is dedicated to my nephew, Will and my mother in law, Lila. Apparently, whenever Lila says no to Will, he replies with, “You’re bad!”. It is frustrating when people won’t let us have what we want.

I went a little overboard with the recording. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

You’re Bad! by Willy Grigg

I don’t want to take a nap, I’m not tired, let me go
I want to play, don’t make me stop
Don’t you tell me no, no, no

You’re bad, you’re bad, so bad I had to say it twice
You’re bad, you’re bad, and I don’t think you’re very nice

I want that candy, let me have it
Let me have that doughnut hole
I won’t wait ‘til after supper
Don’t you tell me no, no, no

I want to run, I want to jump
I want to dance a do-si-do
I want to yell and punch my brother
Don’t you tell me no, no, no

I wrote the lyrics while sitting in Christ Presbyterian Church near Greenville, NC, October 5, 2014.