The Farther Shore  (1996/2007)

Click to hear The Farther Shore melody 

1.  I grew up in a little Cape Cod house, nestled by the sea
On a rocky island, I would play and swim and fish the Lee.
I dreamed of sailing windward to reach the farther shore,
I'd climb upon my rooftop and dream of storms offshore ---- (Hum next phrase then>breakline

(break line)  But that was way back then in ‘64..... 
I was just a little boy and I didn't have a boat.
I was only a little boy and I didn't have a boat.
But that was way back then in ‘64..... //
And I was just a little boy.... who didn’t have a boat.

2.  It was back in '54, that the Hurricanes came ashore---
And Nor’easters would blow,  rain hard against my win-dow.....

But our tiny house stood firm, like a rock upon God's Earth -
And stood the storms and tests of time through battles lost and won.
But I was a baby boy dreaming, I had shelter from the Storm-
(break line)> But that was way back then in ‘54.....
 Chorus:

But I was just a baby boy,
 who had shelter from the storm.
repeat>  And I was just a little boy,
playing by the shore ---
          But I was just a little boy,
          taking shelter from the storm. // 3/2007> just stay in key (Bb major) for this demo

3. It was 1974, I was a young man of twenty-one,
          I looked at all - the years ahead, and all the things to be done.
A road that ran ahead now, westward to the sun.
And all the works I planned then, still seem undone.
And all the songs I sang then, remain forever unsung.
(break line)> Though / I turned / and took a / back -/ ward  glance _____.
 —that was way back then in seven-ty four______.
Chorus>
          I was just a young man,
          and the road ahead was long -
[And I was just a young man, but the road ahead was long]

4. Back in 1984, I was a young man in my prime -
And all the snares of the world couldn't break this will of mine.
I headed north to a cabin, nestled in the Berkshire Hills,
And I’d play my piano to wildflowers, at night to the sound of Whip-poor-wills.
(3 chord descending breakline)
In the Afternoon the breeze would rustle and trees would gently sway,
And out of this a Ballade came, fiery & sweet I’d play.
That then became the defining moment of my life.....
At night I’d light a candle, (alone) playing quietly in my shed-
I’d play a Story under Starlight, while the world was put to bed.
The insects hummed and the full moon rose,
As it climbed I played late and long,
          Just to please myself, no time could stay my song-
                             And so June of 1984 goes.....

5.                I stood before the Truth now,
clutching rainbows in my hand,
As all the dreams of youth were
Now//ground slowly into sand
All the dreams of youth will bow,
before the march of time and (like the ever-breaking waves....)
I’ll stand alone now --- (pause) 
at the breaking of the line.
(break line tune)> I reach out one more stroke from that >

                       "Far--/ ther--/ Shore" (instr.)

Chorus#4> (optional)

6. Back in '92 or 3, and I’m living by the sea--- (again)
          the Gales & Winter storms blew--up, the storm of the century
          Cozy in our new home, aging parents by my side, / 
          We watch'd in awe as the roof shook, / and a tree blew down outside.

(break line)> The years that followed were both // full /and /lean / (and slightly bittersweet)
But that was way back then, in nine - ty - three_____.

Chorus#5>
 And I was just an “older boy” living by the sea....
 [And I was just an “older boy” living by the sea....] (Harmony vocal)

7. Then in '04 and '05, Hurricanes again raged at sea, 
    And came ashore to wash away my private victory... 
          (Breakline #7:  Then all my years flashed before my eyes.......
(Break line melody repeats) And I rowed out– 
    One stroke from that // Farther Shore.......
And I took the Long Row Home - one stroke from that //Farther Shore....
And I took the Long Row Home - one stroke from that //Farther Shore....
     One stroke from that //Farther Shore (fadeout or end on Bb).

Revised arrangement of 3/17/’07 © 1996/2007 Michael A. Guy, all rights reserved for music & lyrics, copyright registered 9/07