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Diamonds in the Highway Tar

by Quinton Patterson Briggs

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1.
She Lives in My Guitar 03:38
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SHE LIVES IN MY GUITAR The song I have been wanting to write for a long time...a sort of sequel to “The Jesus Girl.” I am really happy with how it came together. On some occasions, the song seems perfect and I would never change anything about it. This song and “The Jesus Girl” are two tunes that make me feel this way, and I feel so blessed to have been able to have written them. Her thread-bare rags and hand-me-downs Were Snow White, Cinderella gowns Clouds to her were candy creams In Sleeping Beauty dreams Her silken tresses, golden brown Like Esmeralda's gypsy crown Tumbled down around her face Cascading waves of grace She is my lucky star My beacon near and far A diamond in the highway tar That lives in my guitar If you believe the fairy tale Of ever after all is well I'll show you Paradise regained In the Jesus Girl unchained She is my lucky star My beacon near and far A diamond in the highway tar That lives in my guitar She lives in my guitar Her thread-bare rags and hand-me-downs Were Snow White, Cinderella gowns Clouds to her were candy creams In Sleeping Beauty dreams She is my lucky star My beacon near and far A diamond in the highway tar That lives in my guitar A diamond in the highway tar She lives in my guitar I knew her as the Jesus Girl Quinton Patterson Briggs 04-10-2014
2.
Her Eyes Said Yes (But Her Heart Said No) 04:45
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HER EYES SAID YES (But Her Heart Said No) She might have gone to Colorado She might have gone to Mexico She might have gone to New York City Her eyes said “yes,” but her heart said “no” She might have made her way to Graceland To salute the King in blue suede shoes She might have made it to Chicago To feel the wind and sing the blues The summer breezes tease her hair I can see the secret longing there In her eyes But her heart says “no” She might have lost herself in Kansas Dancing barefoot in the rain White linen wet against her body In a pirouette words can't explain The summer breezes tease her hair I can see the secret longing there In her eyes But her heart says “no” Summer breezes tease her hair I can see the secret longing there In her eyes But her heart says “no” When you know that you're the reason That made her change her mind and stay Dreams can disappear forever It's a chilly wind to blow that way She might have gone to Colorado Or California, don't you know Chased her dreams to New York City Her eyes said “yes,” but her heart said “no” The summer breezes tease her hair I see the secret longing there... The summer breezes tease her hair I see the secret longing there... The summer breezes tease her hair I see the secret longing there... In her eyes But her heart says“no” But her heart says “no” Her heart said “no” Quinton Patterson Briggs 05-16-2014
3.
Tom Doniphon (The Cactus Rose) 05:55
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TOM DONIPHON (The Cactus Rose) He bought a bottle and he raised his gun He let his ponies run He kept a green-horn lawyer safe from harm And then he burned the farm He shot the outlaw killer down that day Then he turned and walked away He held that secret sorrow safe inside Secure until the day he died Dreams get twisted when the wild wind blows Tender hearts can turn to stone Love is like a lonely cactus rose Heroes always walk alone He gave the lady that he loved a life As someone else’s wife His courage brought him to a lonely place He disappeared without a trace Dreams get twisted when the wild wind blows Drowning in the driving rain Love is like a lonely cactus rose Heroes always feel the pain Dreams get twisted when the wild wind blows Tender hearts can turn to stone Love is like a lonely cactus rose Heroes always walk alone He bought a bottle and he raised his gun He let his ponies run He kept a green-horn lawyer safe from harm And then he burned the farm Dreams get twisted when the wild wind blows Tender hearts can turn to stone Love is like a lonely cactus rose Heroes always walk alone Dreams get twisted when the wild wind blows Drowning in the driving rain Love is like a lonely cactus rose Heroes always feel the pain He bought a bottle and he raised his gun... Quinton Patterson Briggs 01-27-2010
4.
Dog Man 03:34
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DOG MAN I have been a dog I have eaten scraps from off your plate I have licked the hand that others hate I have waited long To feel a pat upon my head I have been a dog When all is said I have been a tear I have made a trail upon your face Mingled with the dust of your disgrace I’ve erased your sorrow With my suffering and pain I have been a tear Like summer rain I have eased your sorrow With my suffering and pain I have been a tear Like summer rain I have been a dog I have placed my head upon your knee I have given love and loyalty I will be a friend to you When others turn to go The greatest gift A man can ever know I have waited long To feel a hand upon my head I am just a dog When all is said I am just a dog When all is said Quinton Patterson Briggs 02-05-2007
5.
Tonight I Dreamed 03:39
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TONIGHT I DREAMED Last night I dreamed I died My heart was free and flying I dreamed I really died My heart went flying high The sky was filled with stars My soul was lost in swaying The sound of sweet guitars Bore my soul away Oh, do not weep...I do not sleep Even though I'm dead and gone I pray the Lord your soul to keep My love for you lives on I dreamed a dream so real Of love and letting go A dream too real to feel That love alone may know Oh, do not weep...I do not sleep Even though I'm dead and gone I pray the Lord your soul to keep My love for you lives on Do not weep...I do not sleep Even though I'm dead and gone I pray the Lord your soul to keep My love for you lives on Tonight I dreamed of love And a girl of four-and-twenty A dream of lasting love A dream of you and me Do not weep...I do not sleep Even though I'm dead and gone I pray the Lord your soul to keep My love for you lives on Oh, do not weep...I do not sleep If I seem dead and gone I pray the Lord your soul to keep My love goes on and on Tonight I dreamed of love A dream of you and me Quinton Patterson Briggs 04-09-2014
6.
Heart Like a Hurricane 04:52
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HEART LIKE A HURRICANE When the rain came down I was standing on the shore Holding out my hand When the rain came down I was reaching out for more You understand My heart was wild Like a hurricane When the west wind blew I was singing some sad song Of yesterday When the west wind blew I was trying to be strong What can I say My heart ran wild Like a hurricane The eye of the storm Won’t keep you warm When your caught in the driving rain I can’t explain Teardrops and pain Or a heart…like a hurricane When love was new I was dancing in a dawn Of misty blue When love was new Love could lead me ever on And dreams came true My heart was wild Like a hurricane The eye of the storm Won’t keep you warm When your caught in the driving rain I can’t explain Teardrops and pain Or a heart…like a hurricane The eye of the storm Won’t keep you warm When your caught in the driving rain I can’t explain Teardrops and pain Or a heart…like a hurricane When the rain came down I was standing on the shore Holding out my hand When the rain came down I was reaching out for more You understand My heart was wild Like a hurricane My heart ran wild Like a hurricane My heart was wild Like a hurricane Quinton Patterson Briggs 02-17-2009
7.
Rear View Mirror 03:31
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REAR VIEW MIRROR Always lookin' for a true love, love song Always lookin' for a dream to chase Always lookin' in the rear view mirror With a shadow there across her face So she swore she would never stumble But her heart was not that strong She could never say “no” to the whiskey Or the Dandy with a heart-break song Hold on... Darlin', don't let go There's a face in the rear view mirror Darlin', you should know He was just another bar room junkie Turning heads with his rock-and-roll Melting hearts with his eyes on fire Burning up his demon soul His reputation as a down-and-outer Legendary...but it served him well “Love,” he said, “is a curse or a blessing... 'Til you fall, well, you just can't tell” Hold on... Honey, don't let go There's a face in the rear view mirror Honey, you should know She was seated at a corner table Every note he played rang true Every line of his lonesome love song Reflected in her eyes of blue The spell he cast was light and shadow A magic potion in a good-luck charm They disappeared when the evening ended Through the stage door arm-in-arm Hold on... Darlin', don't let go There's a face in the rear view mirror Someone you should know Hold on... Honey, don't let go There's a face in the rear view mirror Honey, you should know She swore she would never stumble... He was just another bar room junkie... She was always lookin' for a love song... He was just another down-and-outer... Quinton Patterson Briggs 04-21-2014
8.
Undress Your Heart 05:40
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UNDRESS YOUR HEART Close your eyes...free your mind Let your cares and woes unwind Make this night...a work of art Let my love undress your heart Don't run from love, my Love Don't hide from love, my Love Let my caress of love, my Love Undress your secret heart Paint your lips...perfume your hair Let my longing reach you there Think of me...think of you And this love we know is true Don't run from love, my Love Don't hide from love, my Love Let my caress of love, my Love Undress your secret heart Let my love undress your heart Close your eyes...free your mind Let your worries fall behind Close your eyes...lift your hair Let my longing find you there Don't run from love, my Love Don't hide from love, my Love Let my caress of love, my Love Undress your secret heart Let love undress your heart My Love, Undress your heart Quinton Patterson Briggs 04-20-2014
9.
Your Best Is Not Enough 04:48
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YOUR BEST IS NOT ENOUGH When your best is not enough To turn her head...to win her love When your best is not enough To fill her eyes with the stars above Your best is not enough You cannot find the song Your best is not enough The words come out all wrong To win her with your love When you cannot find the song To make her spirit sing along The words just disappear Into the wind...too far to hear You cannot find the song You cannot find the song Your best is not enough The words come out all wrong To win her with your love You cannot find your song You cannot find the song Your best is not enough The words come out all wrong To win her with your love When your love is not enough To make her weak...to call her bluff When love is not enough To melt her heart...she plays too rough Your love is not enough When love is not enough... Love is not enough I will search forever here among these stones... (The eyes of sweet Alberta) I will search forever here among these stones... (Diamonds in the road) I will search forever here among these stones... (The eyes of sweet Alberta...diamonds) I will search forever here among these stones...* Quinton Patterson Briggs 04-30-2014 *John Stewart, “The Eyes of Sweet Virginia” from BLONDES (The Complete Blondes), 2003
10.
I Will Work # 1 03:31
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I WILL WORK I will work for money I will work for food I will work for shelter from the storm I will work for water I will work for wood I will work for some place safe and warm I will work for money I will work for food I will work for fire And tender hands made tough From dawn until the night is deep and dark This gun is still for hire I will work for love Any kind of job to make my mark I will work for fire I will work for love I will work for friendship I will work for God From dawn until the night is dark and deep Any kind of job to earn my keep I will work for money I will work for food I will work for shelter from the storm I will work for water I will work for wood I will work for some place safe and warm I will work for money I will work for fire I will work for love I will work for friendship I will work for God I will work for money I will work for food Quinton Patterson Briggs 04-23-2014
11.
Calypso Farewell 04:34
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CALYPSO FAREWELL Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit The men who have served you So long and so well* You swam with the dolphins You sang with the whales Your flew with the eagles Soaring with the wind in your sails You stood on the mountains Danced in the sun Laughed with the children Believing the world could be one The heart of Calypso will ever be strong Never be still…singing his song The heart of Calypso is riding the swell Of a kind-hearted warrior who fell You gave us a vision You showed us the way That love is the master For peace for forever some day The heart of Calypso will ever be strong Never be still…singing his song The heart of Calypso is riding the swell Of a kind-hearted warrior who fell Farewell The heart of Calypso will ever be strong Never be still…singing his song The heart of Calypso is riding the swell Of a kind-hearted warrior who fell So, swim with the dolphins Sing with the whales Fly with the eagles Soaring with the wind in your sails The heart of Calypso will ever be strong Never be still…singing his song The heart of Calypso is riding the swell Of a kind-hearted warrior who fell The heart of Calypso will ever be strong Never be still…singing his song The heart of Calypso is riding the swell Of a kind-hearted warrior who fell This kind-hearted warrior who fell Calypso Farewell Quinton Patterson Briggs 06-02-2006 *John Denver, “Calypso” from WINDSONG, 1975
12.
Honey-Cat Eyes 04:26
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HONEY CAT EYES You are the reason I wake each morning You are the reason I rise To see the hint of my own reflection In your heart-break, honey-cat eyes You are the reason God made a woman Look like an angel in disguise I have seen the stars in heaven In your heart-ache, honey-cat eyes Can you feel my love? Is it strong enough... Tender, true, and tough… To melt your honey-cat eyes? You are the reason I love Missouri The Ozark Mountains…hillbilly skies I could lose myself forever In you soul-shake, honey-cat eyes Can you feel my love? Is it strong enough… Tender, true, and tough… To melt your honey-cat eyes? Can you feel my love? Is it strong enough… Tender, true, and tough… To melt your honey-cat eyes? You are the reason I woke this morning You are the reason I rise To see the hint of my own reflection In your heart-break, honey-cat eyes In your heart-ache, honey-cat eyes In your soul-shake, honey-cat eyes Quinton Patterson Briggs 01-28-2010
13.
When I See Raindrops (I Pray) 04:30
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WHEN I SEE RAINDROPS (I Pray) When I see raindrops...nothing but raindrops When I see only the driving rain When I see raindrops...falling like teardrops When I see sorrows I can't explain Then I bow my head and bend my knee I pray to the One who died for me Bow my head and bend my knee I pray...when I see raindrops When I see sunshine...nothing but sunshine The sweet, warm glow of summers days When I see sunshine...amber sunshine And honey-ripe fields under golden rays I bow my head and bend my knee Pray to the One who set me free With humble heart on bended knee I pray...when I see sunshine I bow my head and bend my knee Pray to the One who died for me Bow my head and bend my knee And pray... When I hear music...heavenly music Ethereal songs of an angel choir When I hear music...sweet soul music My heart takes wing with the muse of fire I bow my head and bend my knee I pray to the God of harmony Pray to the Lord of symphony I pray...when I hear music Bow my head and bend my knee Pray to the One who set me free With humble heart on bended knee I pray...when I see sunshine I pray...when I see raindrops I pray...when I hear music I pray...when I feel joy Quinton Patterson Briggs 04-24-2014
14.
Heroes (Daddy & the Duke) 04:23
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HEROES (Daddy and the Duke) We all need a hero To teach us right from wrong To keep us on the straight and narrow Path where we belong Someone there to guide us And put us to the test To be content With nothing but the best “The Man who Shot Liberty Valance” Was a “Quiet Man” indeed A “get the job done” Kind of man you need A Gospel singing, cowboy-sailor Steady as she goes Daddy and the Duke Daddy and the Duke My Daddy and the Duke Became my heroes I think about “The Searchers” “Red River” and “True Grit” I think about “The Cowboys” And “The Shootist” quite a bit I think about my father And the days when I was small I’m bigger now He still stands ten-feet-tall The man who tamed the river wild Was a quiet man indeed A “get the job done” Kind of man you need A Gospel singing, cowboy-sailor Steady as she goes Daddy and the Duke Daddy and the Duke My Daddy and the Duke Became my heroes Someone there to guide us And put us to the test To be content With nothing but the best “The Man who Shot Liberty Valance” Was a “Quiet Man” indeed A “get the job done” Kind of man you need A Gospel singing, cowboy-sailor Steady as she goes Daddy and the Duke Daddy and the Duke My Daddy and the Duke Became my heroes We all need a hero To teach us right from wrong To keep us on the straight and narrow Path where we belong… Nothing's too good for the man who shot Liberty Valance Quinton Patterson Briggs 05-27-2007

about

These songs are the result of 30+ years of writing, performing, and traveling. I hope some of them take you to places where you have never been.

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released January 13, 2015

Words & Music: QPB
Vocals & Guitars: QPB
Licensing: BLUE DOG TUNES for Kitchen Recordings, 2014

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Quinton Patterson Briggs Springfield, Missouri

Quinton Patterson Briggs is a singer/songwriter who has been making music for over forty years. His musical influences include Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, and John Stewart. He also taught literature and writing for thirty-five years. QPB has written over 500 songs, including "The Ballad of the Twin Towers" on display National September 11 Memorial and Museum at "Ground Zero" in NYC. ... more

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