At What Cost Freedom?

From the album In Dog's Country
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2007 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

In Dog's Country is a musical about two dogs, a cat, a squirrel, and The Man. This song is a conversation between the younger, more innocent dog, and the wiser, more worldly squirrel. The squirrel part is sung by Rose Thomson, who's also playing the piano.

This song actually has a written leadsheet.

Squirrel:
We’ve all got desires
Of our own (rings of fire)
Some leap to reach the heights
Some fight all night to be top dog
If we scratch that itch tonight
Would it seem rash in the morning light?

Squirrel and Dog:
At what cost freedom
If in the end, Love is lost?

Dog:
I loved the man
Now I hate the man
I was free to love
To be a slave

Squirrel:
Love saves; it chases the hate away

Dog:
What do you have to say
About the ring and chain?

Squirrel:
What of lost freedom
Would a true friend say
That’s what love costs?

Squirrel and Dog:
At what cost freedom
If in the end, love is lost?

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As Is

From the album Post
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2006 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

This is one of my more abstract songs...

Warm as to cold
Is
Cool as to hot

Dark as to warm
Is
Bright as to dim

Play as to win
Is
Try so to do

As

Is was to as
Is
Shall was to will

Eyes as to hide
Is
See as to shade

Deep as to wide
Is
Wise is to dive

Play as to win
Is
Try so to do

As

Is was to as
Is
Shall was to will

Amaj7 Abm Ab/C Amaj7 Abm Ab/C Fm7 G Bm
C9 Fm7 C9 Fm7...

Applesauce (Always Hungry)

From the album Down
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2018 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

No one can't eat applesauce
We stop when it's gone
I want as much when I'm done
As when I started

So I never eat applesauce
Stopped before it's begun
I want as much when I'm done
As when I started

Always hungry...

Had a little extra cash
Thought I might stack my stash
It wasn't wrong, it wasn't right
I just decided

When fastened to the block
Lock eyes with the cop
Your only voice, only choice
Unless you're hiding

Always hungry...

When the locks start dropping, stop
We got to slow the flow
I'll do my best until I rest
Don't rush the ending

When life gets spot on mine
I try my best to shine
Until I drop, I'll be on top
As when I started

Always hungry...

Chords
Verse: | E | % | A | E | E | B A | E | % |
Chorus: | E | % | B | E | E | B | E | % |

Angus (Great Straight Fate)

From the album World Famous in Chapel Hill
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2000 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

Angus was always ready for action
He’d pick up your pieces if you fell to the floor
Always on top, he was ready to stop
To help any stranger recover
What’s more, he’d open the door

Angus was only one man in millions
But ever the trooper he made an impression
Dressed in a robe, he knew what to know
By the worth of the earth he fashioned the future
What’s more, he opened the door
Yeah yeah yeah

Great straight fate
Never made a mistake
Breaking any fake for the sake of the globe
Great straight fate

Angus was always adhering to doctrine
Noone would cross him or challenge his faith
Armed to the hilt, was ready to kill
A fool who stepped from the narrow or straight
What’s more, he’d preach like a bore
Yeah yeah yeah...

The chords:
Verse:
A Bm F#m Em
A Bm A G G
C C F#7 F#7

Chorus:
D G D G
A G (D G)

Bridge:
B E B E F# E B E
(A D A D A G G A)

Billy's Books 101: Destination Casablanca

Destination Casablanca, by Meredith Hindley, is another history book about World War II. This one focuses on what was happening in Casablanca. Yes, like the movie, but not exactly...

Thanks to the Saint Louis Public Library. Support your local library!

Sea Video clip by Mario_Krimer from Pixabay

Billy's Books 100: The Old Man And The Sea

Here's a nice short review of a nice short book. Novella, really. 

I like The Old Man And The Sea. Unlike many Hemingway classics, this one has no womanizing or men punching each other. Just an old man in a fishing boat, dealing with a very big fish.

Thanks to the Saint Louis Public Library. Support your local library!

Sea Video clip by Mario_Krimer from Pixabay