larryholdermusic.org/carefree.html
Photo courtesy Gwen Goodmanlowe
I wrote this song as a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, first for his album “Gord’s Gold” which was one of the first LP’s I ever owned, as well as to his current “Carefree Highway” tour, celebrating over 50 years of music. As I post this, they are performing in Durham, NC, just a few miles from my old stomping grounds in Chapel Hill.
I’m particularly a fan of Rick Haynes, the bass guitar player, and you can hear at least a couple of bass riffs that I learned from listening to the Lightfoot albums. See how many song titles from Gord’s Gold you can find in the lyrics. Eleven of them, if I counted right.
Words & Music by Larry Holder
(With adapted inclusion of titles from Gord’s Gold)
Gord’s Gold was on the stereo
The LP circled ’round
The ballads and the stories came alive
The songs became a journey
On a new-found, open road
The 12-string and the vocals mesmerized.
‘Twas Cold Upon My Shoulder
In the Early Morning Rain
Until I heard The Minstrel of the Dawn
And basking in the glory of
The Summer Side of Life
The endless Carefree Highway led me on.
And here’s to Rick Haynes on the bass
And Carter on guitar
With Mike on keys, and Barry keepin’ time
Those dedicated troubadors
With Gordon on the stage
Together in the rhythm and the rhyme.
As day gives way to Sundown
Well, If You Could Read My Mind
You’d know I seek the Wherefore and the Why
I’m Not Sayin’ there’s no Bitter Green
But life is Beautiful
As the endless Carefree Highway rolls on by.
[instrumental]
‘Twas Cold Upon My Shoulder
In the Early Morning Rain
Until I heard The Minstrel of the Dawn
And basking in the glory of
The Summer Side of Life
The endless Carefree Highway led me on.
Yes, ’twas Cold Upon My Shoulder
In the Early Morning Rain
Until I heard The Minstrel of the Dawn
And basking in the glory of
The Summer Side of Life
The endless Carefree Highway leads me on.
Yes, the endless Carefree Highway leads me on!
Copyright © 2015 Larry Holder (Larry Holder Music, ASCAP)
three chords and a capo 