The Devil Played by Ali Hammond cover: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2026-09-22 | The Devil Played by Ali Hammond cover: michael hermiston
Raging River by Bruce Rutherford / cover: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-10-01 | heard Bruce do this song a couple of months ago and immediately wanted to cover it, thanks Bruce.. youtube.com/watch?v=_LajWqa251MJanet's version: youtube.com/watch?v=dFFiJkDsESMm.h: vocals, trumpet, one had piano, faux-bass, organ Mark reminded me of doing the Rosenthal tune, also about a flooded river...i had access to banjo and clarinet then... youtube.com/watch?v=fFFX45iu2gAand of course, my cover of "Louisiana 1927" by Randy Newman youtube.com/watch?v=VHauh4mMHkAlyrics:Raging River done took her alright done took her alrightSwept her away in the dead of night the dead of nightSwept her away in the dead of nightThe night that went so wrongRaging River runs miles and miles miles and milesShe's still here and she still smiles she still smilesShe's still here and she still smilesAll day longRaging River I do not fear I do not fearShe still whispers in my ear in my earShe still whispers in my earHer own special songOne thing I don't understand don't understandWhen we're walking she holds my hand she holds my handShe smiles and whispers and holds my handShe hold it oh so strong
a counterfeit of worth by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-09-25 | today's workm.h: vocals, one hand piano, faux-bass, strings, choirlyrics:a crooked tree is plantedstraight but crooked tooroots of rot, un-nurturedbranches never mendgasping for air,nothing there.he rides a painted horse,that circles without thought,a child in his cagean echoing sound of fameshouts again,empty then.false embrace,fragile place.he builds with glass and steeltowers and mirrors to hidea counterfeit of worthof dust dressed up with suitalways more,always more.loud applauseempty causeshining facehollow placebut storms undo the crown,the tide erases all,no wisdom without a stinghubris, pride, and a shrugtruth is near,never here.painted stagepaper cageburning widenothing insidesilent skyasking why.
Vonnegut and me - music: michael hermiston / quotes: Kurt Vonnegut michael hermiston 2025-09-16 | a spontaneous autumn offering 🍂🍁😊videos by pexels
Lies 🥵 by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-09-04 | written a while ago, but, seems timely m.h: vocals, guitar, faux-bass and organ added in 2025 lyrics:how can you rise from your bed every mornand tell lie after lie after lie how can you look your kids and your friends in their eyestelling lie after lie after liewhen you put your socks onor when you brush your hairwhen you see your eyes in the mirrordoesn't your heart hurt from that guilty stare or have you lost your sense of truth somewhereLies liesLies oh Lieshave you convinced yourself power and might makes all discussion uncouthhow have you let your ideas dispense with compassion and a search for the truthi wonder at your childhood were you taught that liesare what you need to find your selfworthdid you succeed and win without a glimpsebeyond your ego's wounded needs since your birthnow you have found yourself surrounded by fawnsand sheep who accept what's not rightbuilding a castle with blocks that are falselead these times and this land to such a blightproduct of a system corrupt and injustat it's core: exploitation where it canit pats the liars on the back fills their pockets ignores the cracksteaches compassion's not part of the plan
chiaroscuro in the moonlight by Heusen/hermiston / vocals: Pierre Bastien Lenoir michael hermiston 2025-08-27 | this is the third version with Pierre's deep, lush voice... again my alternative lyrics for the tune polka dots and moonbeamsPierre's channel: youtube.com/@UCaPt8XDPHRvO4oRsOcWD4ww m.h: one hand piano, trumpet, faux-bass, stringshere's the version with elisa singing vocals: youtube.com/watch?v=dee2htWfMT4lyrics:Fmaj7 Dm7 Bb6 C7my heart at midnight in a garden of gloomFmaj7 Dm7 Gm7 Em7b5 A7in daylight the flowers are glorious in bloomDm7 A#m6dancing in the night breezeFmaj7/C C6 B6alabaster shadow dreamsGm6 C7 Am7 Dm7 Gm7 C7hues wait for light of the dawn [Verse]Fmaj7 Dm7 A#6 C7i heed their summons, approach with concernFmaj7 Dm7 Gm7 Em7b5 A7their whispers of love, a seductive nocturneDm7 A#m6passions at night Fmaj7/C C6 B6chiaroscuro in the moonlightA#6 C7 Fa crepuscular mystery of my heart [Bridge] Amaj7 Bbdim Bm7 E7the azure blue of midday's heightAmaj7 Gbm7 D6 E7sun golden warmth over green delight Amaj7 Bbdim Bm7 E7a symphony of colours, red, bold and brightA7 D7 Gm7 C 7to cherish with my open'd eyes [Verse]Fmaj7 Dm7 A#6 C7but still i await that magical nightfallFmaj7 Dm7 Gm7 Em7b5 A7intense, subdued, i shiver, at an owl's callDm7 A#m6i wrap the sweater tightlyFmaj7/C C6 B6and huddle with the ghostsA#6 C7 Fwhispering silent embraces of love
Caged Bird by Maya Angelou / music: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-08-18 | a quick musical version of this beautiful poem by Ms Angelou, with images of Gaza m.h: vocals, one hand piano, faux-bassC9A free bird leapsC,9,11on the back of the wind G7and floats downstream C9till the current endsAm9and dips his wingDm9in the orange sun raysG7 and dares to claim the sky.Am9But a bird that stalksEmdown his narrow cageF9can seldom see throughAm9his bars of rageDmhis wings are clipped and Am9his feet are tiedF Gso he opens his throat to sing.Em7The caged bird sings F9with a fearful trill Em7of things unknown FM7but longed for still Em7and his tune is heard FM7on the distant hill G7,9,11,13,15for the caged bird sings of freedom. The free bird thinks of another breezeand the trade winds soft through the sighing treesand the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawnand he names the sky his own.But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.
turbulence and calm by michael hermiston © (original) with Roland michael hermiston 2025-08-07 | one of my favourite tunes, a new mix with bass added, inspired by a piece on CBC radio on Viktor Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning) ......(earphones recommended)vocals, guitar, piano synth-strings, bass: michael hermiston synth vocals: Roland Keuningslyrics:Gwhere do you find comfortin this big old worldCwatching waves by the seashoreGor in the arms of a boy or girland does that comfort have meaningas you gaze at your navel or the skiesso many souls, jostling, careeningstruggling to make sense of the “why'sBm7sus Cfascination, as you try to understandBm7sus Cthere’s such magic in surpriseG D/F#bass Emfaith that a flower will open Am7 D47and patience for some laughter again, after your child criescan there be comfort, we’ll never know from whence comes lifebut there’s so much meaning, in holding a handalleviate some pain, hardship in this world so rifefascination as your life flowsfeel the turbulence and the calmfaith that we all will go to the seaand patience that right can flow from wrongand, is there comfort,if you only struggle to be right in others’ eyesthe dance of self-examinationthat laugh as you erred and watch your ego vaporizestill fascination with sun and starsdistances beyond our kenyour feet, find their way on this earthdown serene valley paths , up rough wild mountain and self-awarenessmore than mirror, and vanity’s facethe gift with it’s possibilitycompassion, love and grace Bm7 C gratitude as we flow to the seaG D/F#bass Emkindness, compassion and celebration (repeat)
Bird on a Wire by Leonard Cohen / cover: m hermiston with elisa louise and Jan Hermiston michael hermiston 2025-07-28 | i've wanted to cover this classic for a while..... big thanks the elisa and my sister Janmichael hermiston: vocals, one hand piano, faux-bass, vibeselisa louise: harmony vocals youtube.com/@UCBp3siaBWXsZf7ghpKU2kwQ Jan Hermiston: violin
At Seventeen by Janis Ian / cover: elisa louise with michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-07-22 | elisa recorded and posted this classic cover in 2020 .... i never did post....until now ... alors, la voila !!elisa: vocals, guitar / youtube.com/@elisalouise2678yours truly: trumpet, electric piano, piano, faux-bass
given to decide by mchael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-07-18 | sometimes one has a gift from the muse or the universe or the moment...i just was plunking away with my one good hand on the piano and came up with this unremarkable sequence, and then put words to it that seemed to be a bit random and they grew into a real tune m.h: vocals, one hand piano, faux-bassimages from my camera and pexelslyrics:cold is your stare of indifferenceno gaze of sun no heat of breathno will of gentle heartfelt caringconsumed with eternityconsumed with death light sparkling on the watergleaming brightness on the dewy grassglistening eyes with tears of joyembracing armsa dance so vastchorus let it growgrow with lovegrow with careand introspectiongive it breathgive it peacelet it bethis precious momentthe stars do not count what’s wastednor hearts withhold in fear or pride its silent voice begins to whispernow is allwe’re given to decideno need to conquer distant mountainsno crown to wear, no race to winjust footsteps soft on earth that welcomesand love that flowsfrom deep within
celebrations and declarations by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-07-11 | an old recording of the guitar part for Laurie youtube.com/watch?v=vIWzX_ojHYw, i've sung it anew and added some piano and faux strings and basslyrics: G(on5)i won't see you, i don't need toCM(on5)dream of worlds you'd Em7 (on5)lead me pleased throughD7,13 (on4)graceful worlds true, sparkling brand newEm(on2)hope and inspiration grewD6too faded strangled as you flew throughAm7 Em7/Bbassleave me tangled thoughts of just youAm7 Em7/Bbasstaunt those lonely memories i knewAm7 Em7/Bbasshaunt me with needs now you eschewAm7 Em7/Bbasshaunt me now as once i needed youD/F#bassi needed youG(on5)find a space, within your gazeCM(on5)that glows with a light Em7(on5)that will amazeD7,13 (on4)offer glimpses in a phrase Em(on2) D6but let your ego not be praised Am7and journey toward those simple ways Em7/Bbasslearn to reach through darks and greysand pull yourself up Am7 Em7/Bbassclimb and raise your sights, your heart your heart it staysAm7 Em7/Bbassyour heart is smart , it know your waysD/F#bassit knows your waysG(on5)as it hangs, within your graspCM(on5)you reach with hope Em7(on5)that doesn't lastD7,13 (on4)you reach with faith as in your pastEm(on2)forgetful consciousness you claspD6and fall asunder met by blasts Am7of cold indifference and thatEm7/Bbass Am7nastiness of futile celebrations of the past Em7/Bbassdeclarations …. innocence it was a maskD/F#bassit was a maskG(on5)empty towns, and empty roomsCM(on5)like empty sounds Em7(on5)of phoney tunesD7,13(on4) stirring calls of lonely loonsEm D6across the lake lit by moon Am7your fall from grace it came to soonEm7/Bbassand so you found yourself in ruin Am7 Em7/Bbassyour pieces scattered, visions prunedAm7 Em7/Bbassscoop some gems in all that has been strewn Am7 Em7/Bbassrecoup and then you hum the same old tune D/F#bassthe same old tuneG(on5)i won't see you, i don't need toCM(on5)dream of worlds you'd Em7 (on5)lead me pleased throughD7,13 (on4)graceful worlds truesparkling brand newEm(on2)hope and inspiration grewD6too faded strangled as you flew throughAm7 Em7/Bbassleave me tangled thoughts of just youAm7 Em7/Bbasstaunt those lonely memories i knewAm7 Em7/Bbasshaunt me with my needs now you renewAm7 Em7/Bbasshaunt me as i need you , yes i do D/F#bassyes i do
When Sunny Gets Blue by M Fisher / piano, trumpet: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-07-05 | i found an old recording of me playing this classic on piano, from the 1990's (before the stroke, playing with both hands), and accompanied myself today on trumpet for the second half of the tune.
Moon Nocturne by Abraham Mulder / piano: Cristina S, tpt: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-07-03 | i added some trumpet to Cristina's wonderful performance of Abraham's haunting composition, (earphones recommended)Cristina's channel: youtube.com/@CristinaS/videosAbraham's channel: youtube.com/channel/UC1U55raERucHnsPh1yB_n4Q
Hamlets Mist by michael hermiston © (original) michael hermiston 2025-06-27 | i've been thinking about the essence of being: flesh vs soul and came up with this tunem.h: vocals, trumpet, one hand piano, faux-bass, choirlyrics:what is flesh but trembling mist,a wave that thinks and hopes and fearsa self, a breath, a walking gaspa ghost that loves with laughs and tearsa vanishing vapour into lightwe grasp at stone, but flow like stream, cling to that which won’t stay truesearching for freedom found in dreamoh, that this too solid flesh would fade,echoing between centuries, fade to sky, dissolve againsearch for silence to the enda shifting world with hardened liessuffering weight, climbing hills of trutha shadow, a sun cloaked smilepeace and love infusèd dewif i am mist, then let me drift,with veils of dawn or hymn of dusk lost, and home, sky and eartha choice... in each moment's birth
Across the Great Divide by Kate Wolf / cover: Mark, Jan, michael michael hermiston 2025-06-24 | happy to share a tune with Mark again, this time with my sister Jan playing violinMark's channel: youtube.com/channel/UCrANrilmYA_EdcPpBfMH6EQimages by pexels
Summertime by Gershwin/Heyward cover: Manrique/hermiston michael hermiston 2025-06-20 | Mark and i recorded this last year but i forgot to post it...alway fun to join this sweet guy from MichiganMark: vocals, guitar: youtube.com/@manriq47 yours truly: trumpet, organ, faux-bass, keyboard
Lazy Summer Afternoon by Jim Horne / cover: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-06-12 | i listened to Jim's original almost a year ago, 'tis a kind of "song poem" a requiem, and was drawn to sing a cover rendition...which i did... but didn't get an OK from Jim (email gitch i guess), so i forgot about it; but today, i did and having forgotten about the one i did, recorded anotherJim's original: youtube.com/watch?v=hFK0IF26DR0lyrics:lazy summer afternoonsitting by the old town hallwondering where it all went wronglistening to the same old songlazy summer afternoonleft school years agonever ever found a jobthat paid more I could roblazy summer afternoonlooks it `s gonna rainsoon be soaked to the skinbetter get the washing indoo doo etc.....lazy summer afternoonhad a baby at sweet sixteenalways had a dreamof strawberries and ice creamlazy summer afternoonpassing by the food bank queuecomfy in the old police carhit the bottle a bit too hardlazy summer afternoonsitting by the old town jailwondering where it all went wronglistening to the same old song
chiaroscuro in the moonlight 🌛 by Heusen/hermiston with elisa louise michael hermiston 2025-06-07 | i love this classic melody and wrote original lyrics to it...i posted a version with yours truly singing, but i pitched it too low, i was happy with the lyrics and playing, but not my singing.... here i played another version in a higher key and elisa sang it so sweetly. video clips from pexels.m.h: one hand piano, trumpet, faux-bass, vibeselisa louise: vocals youtube.com/@UCBp3siaBWXsZf7ghpKU2kwQ lyrics:Fmaj7 Dm7 Bb6 C7my heart at midnight in a garden of gloomFmaj7 Dm7 Gm7 Em7b5 A7in daylight the flowers are glorious in bloomDm7 A#m6dancing in the night breezeFmaj7/C C6 B6alabaster shadow dreamsGm6 C7 Am7 Dm7 Gm7 C7hues wait for light of the dawn [Verse]Fmaj7 Dm7 A#6 C7i heed their summons, approach with concernFmaj7 Dm7 Gm7 Em7b5 A7their whispers of love, a seductive nocturneDm7 A#m6passions at night Fmaj7/C C6 B6chiaroscuro in the moonlightA#6 C7 Fa crepuscular mystery of my heart [Bridge] Amaj7 Bbdim Bm7 E7the azure blue of midday's heightAmaj7 Gbm7 D6 E7sun golden warmth over green delight Amaj7 Bbdim Bm7 E7a symphony of colours, red, bold and brightA7 D7 Gm7 C 7to cherish with my open'd eyes [Verse]Fmaj7 Dm7 A#6 C7but still i await that magical nightfallFmaj7 Dm7 Gm7 Em7b5 A7intense, subdued, i shiver, at an owl's callDm7 A#m6i wrap the sweater tightlyFmaj7/C C6 B6and huddle with the ghostsA#6 C7 Fwhispering silent embraces of love
breath and dust by michael hermiston ©️(original) michael hermiston 2025-05-31 | i was gonna take a break, but of course that meant i started thinking about life and death and reason and existence and meaning which led to a song.m.h: vocal, trumpet, one hand piano, faux-bass, vibeslyrics:a continuous smile, that silence iswe walk on ash from ancient sunsno prize awaits when day is doneno hand above, no map to guidejust breath and dust, and what we growif time forgets the songs we singstill let them echo as they ringwe are the warmth we give awaya flicker in a dying daywe vanish soon, but while we're herecarry light for those we’re nearwe carve no monument in spacebut moments shared, like seed to sprouta gesture small, a word with gracethese weigh most, a timeless tracedon’t reach for halos in the heavens,they are sacred lives, those asking “why?”and though the end is always near,the choice remains to hold what's dear.
sweet 9th 🦋 by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-05-27 | just some trumpet with random paintings i've collected from the net, the name refers to a kind of melodic focus on the 9th note of the scalem.h: trumpet, one hand piano, faux-bass, vibes
worn shoes and friends by michael hermiston ©️ with LaurieLeeC (original) 25 michael hermiston 2025-05-21 | this is an existential protest tune i'd completely forgotten about, Gary posted a tune with a similar title that reminded me of it...here i've remixed with a new videovocals, guitar, piano, keyboard strings: michael hermistonvocals: LaurieLeeC - youtube.com/@cinderellalifestylea solo guitar version from 2014 youtube.com/watch?v=WrA2FzCPG1UGary's tune: "Worn Out Shoes" youtube.com/watch?v=08HTjYpzAqElyrics:i see faces in the leavesi hear voices in the winda cold touch of empty as i stare up into spacethe night sky reaching down to kiss my lips, make me grini hear voices from the earthand i see the cracks growing widei slip and slide inside and peer into the dark i can't recall that voice of love tho' i triedwalking the road of lonelyyour shoes and your friends are wornthe blurr of time a passin'each moment dies as it's bornyou enter a darkened doorway the music inside is loudyou figure, smoke and drink will cleanse your woundsbut you find yourself more damaged by the crowdangry faces in the leaveslonely voices in the windsa mocking touch of pity as i stare up into spacenight sky showers chuckles then a nasty laugh beginsi feel judgment from the eartha call to relinquish seven liesi choose to peer inside into the darkand still i can't recall that voice of love tho' i triedas i saunter my thoughts roam wildlymany worn notions tired and oldany comfort offered over long years now weights me down like fool's embedded goldanother darkness with air so danksomething fresh about the coolechos of a grief so hushed but still ringingi abandon all my choices as a rulepeaceful faces in the leavessoothing voices in the windsawe.... i stare up into spacesilence from the vast feels like a gracei hear voices from that childand feel the cracks growing widei slip and slide inside and peer into the past i see that flow of love around and insidewalking the road of lonelyyour shoes and your friends are wornthe blurr of time a passin'each moment dies as it's bornwalking the road of lonelyyour shoes and your friends are wornthe blurr of time a passin'each moment dies as it's born
i love E minor by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-05-15 | this is a repost from 8 years ago, i'm not feeling very inspired to do music lately, but i thought i'd keep my fingers stirring the YT pot ...and i did laugh at the ending"this tune was inspired by comments of Laurie and Paul at a music jam several years ago, had bit of time for music today and did a quick re-singing of this older tune with some harmonies"vocals, guitar: michael hermistonoriginal version:youtube.com/watch?v=4fyp6tSHD6c
own way of doing things by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-05-06 | a new one hand piano version of this old tune, 'twas a challenge to sing it at such a fast tempo; since the stroke my mouth has difficulty articulating words at this speed without sounding drunk 🤣🤪lyrics:Ameverybody's got there own way of doin' things F everybody's got their own way of seeing the dayG everybody's got their own way o' baking breadG#dimeverybody's got their own way of seeing redAm F everybody's got their own way of hittin' the road G Eand waving goodbyeeverybody's got their own way to live in the darkeverybody's got their own way of of lighting the lampeverybody's got their own way of feeling shovedeverybody's got their own way of finding loveeverybodys' got their own way of being at peaceand passing it on Dmand who am i Amand who are youGthe truths in our livesCillusions that grewDmthe breadth of our minds and Amthe depth in our heartGthe only truth isG#dimeach moment's a new starteverybody's got their own way of walking the roadeverybody's got their own way of giving a handeverybody's got their own way of sweeping the flooreverybody's got their own way of closing a dooreverybody's got their own way of locking it tightthrowing out that keyand everybody's got their own special light in their eyeseverybody's got their own beat of love in their hearteverybody's got a song in their souleverybody's gotta tumble and rolleverybody's got their own way of loving the day through the sun and rain choruseverybody's got their own way of sittin' stilleverybody's got their own way of making their bedeverybody's got their own thanks to mom and dadeverybody's got some happy and sadeverybody's got gifts for the worldthat's what love iseverybody wonder's what comes nexteverybody's got their own way to answereverybody's got their own way to smileeverybody's got their life for a whileeverybody finds a way to be freelet me hold your hand
My November Guest by Robert Frost /music: michael hermiston with elisa louise michael hermiston 2025-04-27 | i found this gorgeous Frost poem and elisa added some very lovely harmonies to my melody, i closed it off with a bit of melancholy trumpetm.h: vocals, one hand piano, trumpet, faux-basselisa's channel youtube.com/channel/UCBp3siaBWXsZf7ghpKU2kwQ vocal harmoniesMy sorrow, when she’s here with me, Thinks these dark days of autumn rainAre beautiful as days can be;She loves the bare, the withered tree; She walks the sodden pasture lane. Her pleasure will not let me stay.She talks and I am fain to list:She’s glad the birds have gone away,She’s glad her simple worsted grey Is silver now with clinging mist.The desolate, deserted trees, The faded earth, the heavy sky,The beauties she so truly sees,She thinks I have no eye for these,And vexes me for reason why.Not yesterday I learned to know The love of bare November daysBefore the coming of the snow,But it were vain to tell her so, And they are better for her praise.
A Long Black Veil by Dill & Wilkin / cover: Manrique & hermiston michael hermiston 2025-04-23 | as always, a great pleasure to work on a tune with Mark; this rendition has a different video, and a slightly different ending than on Mark's channelMark's channel: @manriq47 vocals, guitar: Mark Manriquetrumpet, organ, faux-strings, bass: m.h.
walking with light by michael hermiston / vocals: Jean-Claude Dewulf michael hermiston 2025-04-20 | a tune for our times; about keeping one's moral core strong, with powerful emotional vocals by Jean-Claude who also made the videoJean-Claude's channel: youtube.com/@Jean-Claude.Dewulfm.h: one hand piano, trumpet, faux-bassoriginal version: youtube.com/watch?v=vnRYNr46sN4lyrics:walking with ease through flowers and forestwhile thinking of rubble and lives torn apartbirdsong and rustling leaves fill my earsscreams, sobs and bombs blasting my heart may i walk so trueand for all othersand hold the lightfor sisters and brothersmay i be so trueand speak what's right for sisters and brothersthrough the nighti sit on a rock in peaceful resta dubious gratitude floods my mindmy moral core wishing for strength and lightregimes so corrupt and wilfully blindrise up filled with anger or hoperage at cruelty, resist that staintrust it will pass, a fleeting hateshow compassion for our inescapable pain( copyright free video clips) Commons Zero (CC0), AntoMes, Sephelonor, BluBonRelaXon, Matias_Luge, kadumagoVimeo-Free-Videos, Amorn_mimi, AiVreaSaStii, Yasir_Javaid, adege, redzy, iwskyEngin_Akyurt, effjacobs1990, Jacques_Barrette, ZAIDoopro, caelan, Matthias_GroeneveldMatias_Luge, ammarvid, Kmeel_com, JoshuaWoroniecki, magmelodies
If I Must Die by Refaat Alareer / music: 🎺 michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-04-14 | "a letter to Dr Refaat Alareer" by Chris Hedges, youtube.com/watch?v=ScmVlnNKD_om.h: voice, one hand piano, trumpet, faux-stringsIf I must die,you must liveto tell my storyto sell my things to buy a piece of cloth and some strings,(make it white with a long tail)so that a child, somewhere in Gazawhile looking heaven in the eyeawaiting his dad who left in a blaze —and bid no one farewellnot even to his fleshnot even to himself —sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above,and thinks for a moment an angel is therebringing back love.If I must dielet it bring hope,let it be a story.
a train dream by michael hermiston ©️(original) 25 LaurieLeeC: vocals michael hermiston 2025-04-11 | another repost from a decade ago, sung by Laurie, @cinderellalifestyle remixed in 2025vocals, harmony: LaurieLeeCampbellm.h: guitar, trumpets, piano, faux-bass, stringsgreat cover by Dan: youtube.com/watch?v=zforg49PaWUlyrics:Bb Fi had a dream i was riding on a freight across the plainsEb Bbabove the sky was clear and bluei felt the sway and the rumble of the trainbringing me and my heartache home to youup in the engine i could see the engineersome famous damn poet with his beerhe was scrawling nonsense while he leaned against the throttledriving in confusion and didn't know how to steerDm7 Ebthe whistle long and lonely at each crossingDm7 Ebthe slow and gentle rocking through the nightGm Ebyet i know this train is hauling emptinessCm Fdreams like those memories, fading sounds and sightsacross the wide expanse, all the characters i knewthey wave and do their dance then shed their clothesclown costumes left in piles where the buffalo once thunderednow empty fields where nothing ever growsi stand and try to look ahead, those rails that never touchthey draw together just like these thoughtsbut these feelings make me dizzy as i turn and look behindwords of truth string illusions into knotsBm7 Cthe whistle long and lonely at each crossingBm7 Cthe slow and gentle rocking as we rollEm Cyet i know this train is hauling emptinessAm D/F#basshopes scattered far and wide as life takes its tolli see the mountains in the haze, they're far up aheadmy time is growing short and then i'll wakethe sky is now deep ocean blue, the stars always wink hopethe train slows as that poet adds some brakei climb down that rusty ladder, smell the creosote and the steelgusts of coal smoke and oila bridge across the river, as the engine picks up speedi leap and end my mortal coilBm7 Cthe whistle long and lonely at each crossingBm7 Cthe slow and gentle rocking with each breathEm Cyet i know this train is hauling emptinessAm D/F#bassnothing cars to nowhere as we lumber on to death
Harvest Moon by Neil Young cover by Mark Manrique with elisa and michael michael hermiston 2025-03-30 | this is from last year, i forgot to post...duh!! always happy to collaborate with Mark and elisa ......on this classic, we wanted to include the iconic riffs but of course add our own take...Mark sang and played guitar, elisa added harp and vocal harmonies and i played trumpet and added some faux-bass and strings and pianoMark's channel: youtube.com/@manriq47elisa's channel: youtube.com/@elisalouise2678
an embarrassment of riches by michael hermiston ©️(original) 25 michael hermiston 2025-03-28 | another remix with addition of a decade old tune ...this was originally a live recordingm.h: vocals, guitar, faux-bass, stringslyics:Dmsusa gift like a warm December windGm7(on 5) Dmthat stirs a sense of paradox and bewildermentDm/Fbass Bdiman embarrassment of riches, captured in the momentGm7 Anever claimed to offer more than nowBbstill you wipe your browDmstill you close your heartG Astill you mesmerize with your gazeBbi sing with a melodyDmcalls from my memoryG Athe caress of a never ending sighDmsusunbuttoned in your passion for a changeGm7(on 5) Dmeven on the shortest day so greyDm/Fbass Bdiman embarrassment of riches, glowing in the darknessGm7 Athe warm intensity, you feel your beating heartBba sigh and a tearDmyou listen standing hereG Ayour inward gaze falls in it weightBbyou sing with your melodyDmcalls from your memoryG Aopens to the sunlight of your dreamsupbeatDm7 Cgive me lots of time to cryAm Dmgive me lots of time to sit and wonderDm7 Cgive me lots of time to sighAm Dmgive me lots of time to wanderDm7 Cgive me lots of space to tryC Dm give me some space,to stretch my wingsDm7 Ci'll need lots of space to flyAm Dm find my heart as it tumblesDm7susa gift like the snowflake of a dreamGm7(on 5) Dma drop of cold upon your silent tongueDm/Fbass Bdiman embarrassment of riches, the joy in a fewGm7 Aholding the wonder as you let it passBbabove a mitterationDmyou stand in solitudeG Ayour inward gaze falls in it's weightBbaround you a melodyDmcould be a memoryG Athe gift of your longing to be
if i knew by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-03-21 | i find songwriting kind of magical, the lyric images just flow forth upon being given a catalyst ...ye olde Scot songwriter Jim Horne posted a photo of a model Cadillac he has had for a while, and there's the seed... as i age, the greatest gift i can receive, is inspiration, thanks Jim 💜m.h: one hand piano, vocals, trumpet, faux-bass, stringslyrics:Am C/Gbassif i knew that Jim had a Caddy FM Em7and if wonder came of every songDm Amif moonglow enlightened the depths of sorrowF G Ecould it ma ybe right, all that's wrongDm if Willie's hole in Trigger ...doesn't block the Amlight of songs he plays F Emand if the bombs of greed and hatred Dm Gweren't dropped on children everydayC Fi'd greet each morn with a winkC F and shine the sparkle in my eyesEm Amdancing a tango to a sunflower waltz F G Cand when i pass, i''ll improviseleave this worldmove on if i knew the winds were capriciousand laziness rode shotgun with hatewith tears i'd climb up the mountaincarrying hope but resigned to my fatea wisp of a thought can grant meaningwhile waiting for the big one to fallif i held out a hand to emptinessdoes that gesture of love, mean nothing at allwhile walking the road to my end gamei hope to leave more than i knewscraps of smiles and pockets full of tendernessand sprouts of secrets from seeds of youi knew that Jim had a Caddyand wonder does comes of every songsinging of sorrow, singing of joysinging from heart, singing strong
the crack by michael hermiston ©️ (original) with elisa louise 25 michael hermiston 2025-03-18 | in dark times, a song of hope, this was written half a dozen years ago, and now has a new mix with marvellous harmonies by elisa @elisalouise2678 lyrics:Ayou're trapped in a box of your making F#min the dark you feel only cold wallsBm7sounds from the world so muffled Eit seems only silence callsdeep in the recess of your heartachefaint memory of hope that you graspwith a strength and a grace in your anguishyou breathe a sigh then you gaspC#m7 Aa glimpse of the beauty of your essenceBm7even in the darkness all aloneC#m7with breath and heart you find your voiceBm7through it all a sound you've never knownAa crack in the silenceBm7the sound from deep withinEa crack in the darknessAlight starts seeping ina crack in the patternBm7a breath of air so trueEa crack in that hopelessnessD/F#bassand through that crackE Ayou glimpse the sky so blueyour box now feels too tinyto hold the love you feel insidewalls once so firm and rigidgrow soft like some hatred has diedthose cracks let in more of the lightmore of the beauty and the soundsthe walls crumble beyond you reasoningtears fall and love resoundsC#m7 Aa glimpse of the beauty of your essenceBm7the love you feel and realize you've grownC#m7the beauty of your voice and your visionBm7you realize you've never been alone
you make a mess by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-03-15 | what else can i say? i hope it gets shared ....lyrics:you come in with a smile, wearing deceit,with rich cronies help, your coup is completewith shameful lies, your cult believesand you're shaking hands, with thugs and thieveswith each bite you take, belly bloated with powerwreck the four pillars of the democratic toweryour cancer of ego, and virus of greedyou let stupidity reign, not what humanity needsyou break it down, and you scatter the shardsdealing a crooked hand, with your dirty deck o' cards'tis your plan, to make a messthen chaos reigns, and then you oppressyou've aged into your hurts that you've never correctedyour childhood wounds are morally infectedethically so weak you are twisted and playedwe suffer from your damage and the misery you've madebut it's not about you, as we scan the sorrowwe resist you and support each other, today and tomorrowour minds and hearts, think and careyou're a bruise in history, that's your legacy, beware
that door you opened by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-03-12 | a protest tune, critical of authorities in power making oppressive decisions without widespread consideration of citizens... basically an anti-fascist tune .. timely 😡 -a repost from ~6 years agolyrics:you tore my heartaway from complacencyyou added layers to my confusionsthat door you openedand in rushed cold clear airwith the fire of conscience ’twas always therethis landwas never minewas never yoursjust a borrowed giftto be rapedor to be reapedto be baredor to be sharedhow can you you justify that greednot be sensible in your needshow can you not be kind and saneand not be humanewere they wallsor a traumaor a slippery slopeof a fearful hillyou took refugethe sadness of that dreadin your fearful oblivion the nightmares you spreadchorusi see the snow falli feel the coldmy words and breatha disappearing cloudseasons changea warming of humanitynever close that heartand open mind of sanity
By The Arno by Oscar Wilde / music: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-03-06 | i stumbled across this delicious poem by Oscar Wilde ...about the transient nature of life, imagination and beautym.h: vocals, trumpet, one hand piano The oleander on the wall Grows crimson in the dawning light, Though the grey shadows of the nightLie yet on Florence like a pall. The dew is bright upon the hill, And bright the blossoms overhead, But ah! the grasshoppers have fled,The little Attic song is still. Only the leaves are gently stirred By the soft breathing of the gale, And in the almond-scented valeThe lonely nightingale is heard. The day will make thee silent soon, O nightingale sing on for love! While yet upon the shadowy groveSplinter the arrows of the moon. Before across the silent lawn In sea-green vest the morning steals, And to love’s frightened eyes revealsThe long white fingers of the dawnFast climbing up the eastern sky To grasp and slay the shuddering night, All careless of my heart’s delight,Or if the nightingale should die.
incandescence by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-03-03 | a kind of ode to art and inspiration and imaginationm.h: vocals, one hand piano, faux-vibes)paintings and artists can be found using google image search except the one of me on a subway wearing a dress...by Nicole Baubergerlyrics:that which isbreathe it in deepchew and swallow itto digest and keepbreak it downtransform its essenceswap body's decay forminds incandescence chorus:walk to the moonsit on the seawrestle with yesterdaysing silence free hard times come marauders who takessteal and pillagedestroy and breaksun rises we watchour essence is strongthis chaos will passwith our resilience prolongedwith those we loveour hearts will growboth pain, and joylife's gifts that glowwatching our thoughtsexperiences pour inimagination flourishesour own inner heavenwalk to the moonsit on the seawrestle with yesterdaysing silence free
Thats How Every Empire Falls by RB Morris / cover: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-02-27 | i heard this song and it spoke to these times, so here's a quick version...apologies, i had to repost as i thought it was a John Prine tune...actually RB Morris wrote it (it's important to me to get the songwriter correct)m.h: vocals, trumpet, one hand pianolyrics:He caught a train from Alexandria, just a broken man in flightRunnin' scared with his devils, sayin' prayers all through the nightBut mercy can not find him, not in the shadows where he callsForsaking all his better angels: That's how every empire falls The bells ring out on Sunday morning like echoes from another timeAll our innocence and yearning and sense of wonder left behindOh gentle hearts remember, What was that story? Is it lost?For when religion loses vision, That's how every empire falls He toasts his wife and all his family, the providence he brought to bearThey raise their glasses in his honor although this union they don't shareA man who lives among them was still a stranger to them allFor when the heart is never open, That's how every empire falls Padlock the door and board the windows, put the people in the street"It's just my job," he says, "I'm sorry," and draws a check, goes home to eatAt night he tells his woman, "I know I hide behind the laws"She says, "You're only taking orders": That's how every empire falls A bitter wind blows through the country, a hard rain falls on the seaIf terror comes without a warning, there must be something we don't seeWhat fire begets this fire, like torches thrown into the straw?If no one asks, then no one answers: That's how every empire falls
walking with light by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-02-22 | another song for our times, 'tis about keeping one's moral core m.h: vocals, one hand piano, trumpet, faux-strings)lyrics:walking with ease through flowers and forestwhile thinking of rubble and lives torn apartbirdsong and rustling leaves fill my earsscreams, sobs and bombs blasting my heart Dmmay i walk so trueAm/Cbassand for all othersE7/Bbassand hold the lightAmfor sisters and brothersEmmay i be so trueDmand speak what's rightE7/Bbass for sisters and brothersAmthrough the nighti sit on a rock in peaceful resta dubious gratitude floods my mindmy moral core wishing for strength and lightregimes so corrupt and wilfully blindrise up filled with anger or hoperage at cruelty, resist that staintrust it will pass, a fleeting hateshow compassion for our inescapable pain
love and hope by michael hermiston ©️ with elisa (original) michael hermiston 2025-02-18 | my original rendition with beautiful harmonies by elisa and new images by Marc Chagallelisa's channel: youtube.com/@elisalouise2678lyrics:Emare you full of loveB7are you full of fearEmis your world of sun Amare your days of drearEmdo you lie like a rockB7or dance as a childCare your thoughts never changingD or always new and wild Emcan you take the first stepB7or fall back asleepAmin the grey early mornB7so you are bornEmahhhhhhhEmare you full of swayB7and light on your feetEmor stiff from beliefAmdo you break with defeatEmdo you close your eyesB7when the light is brightCand close your eyesD B7in the darkness of nightEmand fall back asleepB7find peace until the endAmin the grey early mornB7so you are bornEmagainAm Em Am B7 Am Em B7 Emla la la la la la la Emare you rich with dreamsB7do they give you laughs of goldEm has hope lost it's appealAmas it mounts your well built scaffoldEmcan you feel the windsB7of hope's final breathC can you see it as a chanceD B7 to take a test of deathEmcan you roll your eyes and grinB7and maybe you'll smileAmor have you convinced yourselfB7that love is not your styleEmagain
here we are by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-02-11 | inspired by these times and a photo of some graffiti posted on FB, "make humans great again"m.h: vocal, trumpet, one hand piano, faux-stringslyrics:Amthis world is big it stretches roundG6deserts, mountains, oceans.... islands foundDmwindy shores and jungles steamingE7desolate moors and icecaps gleamingwe've always wandered to see and learnfor food, adventure, to create we yearn'tis a gift to be born, so much beauty to sharebe content with little, find love everywhereC Gbut life on earth is sometimes toughDm Amfloods and storms and droughts are roughC Gvolcanoes astroids hardship supremeDm E7 Amwretched nightmare and blessed dreambut times appear in the tides of man when a few of them scheme hate filled plansspread greed and fear far and widecause grief and hardship ... i guess compassion diedinstead of knowing that we all belongthey exploit and trample as if they're strongthey do not know or have forgottenthis world's for all, not just the rottennow i s such a time as we greet each morna day as fresh as the day we're bornreminding those who'd take and takein simple giving, a peaceful world we'd make
Song for a Winters Night by Gordon Lightfoot / cover: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-02-08 | couldn't get this tune out of my head...sure wish i could still play guitar for it, but c'est la vie..it is such a beautiful song with many meanings possiblevocals, one hand piano, melodion, faux-strings: michael hermistonpaintings on the net easily found using google searchlyrics:D# A# Cm G#The lamp is burnin' low upon my table top,D# A# D# A#The snow is softly fallingD# A# Cm G#The air is still within the silence of my room,D# A# D#I hear your voice softly calling A# G# A#If I could only have you near,Gm Cm Fm A#To breathe a sigh or two...D# A# Cm G#I would be happy just to hold the hands I love, D# A# D#Upon this winter night with you Eb Bb Ab Fm Bb Eb D# A# Cm G#The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead,D# A# D# A#My glass is almost emptyD# A# Cm G#I read again between the lines upon each page,D# A# D#The words of love you sent me A# G# A#If I could know within my heart,Gm Cm Fm A#That you were lonely too ....D# A# Cm G#I would be happy just to hold the hands I love, D# A# D#Upon this winter night with you D# A# Cm G# D# A# D# A# D# A# Cm G#The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim,D# A# D# A#The shades of night are liftin'D# A# Cm G#The morning light steals across my windowpane,D# A# D#Where webs of snow are driftin' A# G# A#If I could only have you near,Gm Cm Fm A#To breathe a sigh or two....D# A# Cm G#I would be happy just to hold the hands I love, D# A# F7 CmUpon this winter night with you,G# A# D#And to be once again with you
my Rube Goldberg heart by michael hermiston 25 ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-02-01 | i'm uninspired to write new tunes these days, so i'll take elisa's great suggestion and repost this tune from a decade ago ...i've added add some images from pexels and of my son playing from years agolyrics: Gm Cm some hearts . . . are like rivers that flow Gm they carry love to the deep eternal sea Fand some hearts are like diesel locomotivesCm D7roaring through the nights their lonely whistle Eb7 D7 Gmblowing passionately Gm Cmsome hearts like the dunes of sand Gmshaped by the winds of their desire and some hearts like aFdry stick of kindlingCm D7 Eb7 D7 Gmburst into flame and then charred to ash by the firebut my heart's a rube goldberg machineyour smile knocks me sprawling to the floor my head then hits the bottle of wine we just drankwhich rolls right past my passion out the doori dash then to retrieve that noisy metaphoras it clinks and crashes down the stairsthe rose and the vase i knocked over on your lap thorns and pain and blood my heart leaves a big mess everywhereGm Cmsome hearts are like a window pane, Gmbeautiful, fragile and so clear Fand some hearts sing like cello strings Cm D7 Gmtheir dance is of passion, joy and tearsGm Cmand some hearts yearn to leap from a cliff Gmarms and hope spread so wide Fand some hearts are like a crumpled paper bagD7 Eb7 D7 Gmfeel so tossed away when love has died
this too shall pass by michael hermiston ©️ with elisa (original) 25 michael hermiston 2025-01-24 | last post for a while ....in these times of hardship, here is a new mix of a decade old tune with elisa's marvellous harmonies added to the choruselisa's channel: youtube.com/@UCBp3siaBWXsZf7ghpKU2kwQ lyrics:C (with g)there’s sun, Fmaj7 ,9 Cand there’s sunlight streaming in through a dirty window Amthere’s nightEm F and there’s the long and growing shadows of my dreamsC (with g)there’s rain Fmaj7 ,9 Cand there’s the shallow puddle drying by the roadside Amthere’s sky Em Fmaj7 Cand there’s my wonder turned so blue and torn at the seamsEm7 Dm7 Em7 Dm7 Bm7 Gthis too shall pass x2 this too shall passthere’s a roseand there’s a tightly stoppered bottle in the cupboardthere’s a stoneand there’s a fallen chip of concrete from my worldthere are starsand there’s a bag of wishes floating to the seathere’s windand there’s a final gasp of breath and then we’re freeThis too shall passthere’s a gazeand there’s a sudden furtive glance with a sighthere’s a tearand there’s a bathtub filled and crimson growing coldthere’s a wordand there’s a space of silence, in brackets of a laughand there’s loveand there’s motivation lost in ego’s wrathThis too shall pass
pour your water 💦 by michael hermiston ©️(original) michael hermiston 2025-01-19 | this tune is a 12 years old, but had a mere 58 views....so i slapped on a new video and tried a new mix....photos/video clips from pexels and free stocka gentle guitar version: youtube.com/watch?v=OtYGV1vOuo0m.h: vocals, trumpet, pianolyrics:Will you dig a hole for meTo bury my broken dreamsCover them gently and water with careFrom your cold clear streamSay some words without some thinkingSing if a melody comesOr let silence settle with the soilLet your heart be the drumOr will you toss my gift away Into a flowing riverWatch it dance and float awayUntil it sinks and it’s gone foreverFeel the scar i gave youAll those many years beforeTurn and dance with the waters Flowing to someone elses shorePour your waters, O'er my woundsDrown the hurt with loveOr sigh and leave And write yourself some happy tunes thatEcho when your ego calls for Rain from the sky, as you shrug and say goodbyeWill you pile some stones for meA cairn to the hope that's goneFind a windy shore so lonelyBut sheltered from the dawnLet your dying memory of me Be a dim and setting lightLeave me quietly and peacefully As you walk to your tomorrow through the nightOr leave those stones as they lieRinsed through the daily tidesLet the song of rushing watersBe the tune indifference hidesAll I can wish forAs your footsteps fade awayIs the seed that we plantedWill sprout for me someday
a morning kiss by michael hermiston ©️ (original) michael hermiston 2025-01-12 | just one of my poems put to musicm.h: vocals, one hand piano, faux stringsimages are from pexels
LOVE by B Kaempfert & M Gabler / cover: elisa louise & michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-01-09 | another sweet tune collaboration with elisa youtube.com/channel/UCBp3siaBWXsZf7ghpKU2kwQ
Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten / cover: Mark Manrique & michael hermiston michael hermiston 2025-01-06 | very happy to add stuff to Mark's rendition of this classicMark's channel: youtube.com/channel/UCrANrilmYA_EdcPpBfMH6EQMark: vocals, guitarm.h: trumpet, organ, faux-bass, vocal harmonyvideo and paintings from google and YT
Skylark by J Mercer, H Carmichael / cover: michael hermiston michael hermiston 2024-12-31 | i found another piano accompaniment i recorded before my stroke, today i played a simple trumpet melody....put with video clips from pexels
Something Stupid by C Carson Parks / cover: elisa louise & michael hermiston michael hermiston 2024-12-27 | elisa played guitar on this fun classic, i added my voice and bass then she added the harmonyelisa's channel: youtube.com/@elisalouise2678
cracks: particle or wave by michael hermiston / vocals: Pierre Bastien Lenoir with elisa louise michael hermiston 2024-12-15 | i am so delighted that Pierre and elisa shared their wonderful voices for this tune, i find the blend of Pierre's deep bass is so well complemented by elisa's delicate ethereal soprano ... thank you both ever so much! 🙏🏾🩷🕊️🧣Pierre's channel: youtube.com/@pierrebastienlenoirelisa's channel: youtube.com/channel/UCBp3siaBWXsZf7ghpKU2kwQlyrics:D Fmaj7you stand on a shore looking out to seaG Bm7suswatching a reflection of your mindD Fmaj7you stand before the mirror, frown at what you seeG Bm7suswield those heavy lines that you findDm Dm/Cbass Dm/Bbassrail at the sky, roll your granite heartC C/Bbass Amclench your fist at those cracksDm Dm/Cbass Dm/Bbassas the pieces fall, tinkling to the floorC Bb6 Astumbling memories sparkle in your tracksD Fmaj7you watch the flakes that fall lit by moonlight through the woodsG Bm7suseach a shard of hope from your youthD Fmaj7finding the beauty, in their painful lossG Bm7suslifetime struggle toward your truthDm Dm/Cbass Dm/Bbassthe cold chill of solitude, the moon’s midwinter glowC C/Bbass Amthe loneliness of beauty never sharedDm Dm/Cbass Dm/Bbassthe darkness of regret brought by clouds of contemplationC Bb6 Aopened fists, wounded palms are baredbreak Fmaj7the light of the morn, shines on the endG Bm7susreflection of those memories, you scatterD Fmaj7fall to the ground , offer weight to the earthG Bm7susthe illusion of your peace begins to shatterDm Dm/Cbass Dm/Bbasssink into the softest soil, of wonder and of faithC C/Bbass Amgrasping the lines you've earned through painDm Dm/Cbass Dm/Bbassvanishing, dissolving, in darkness or in lightC Bb6 Aonly particle or wave shall remain
