THE SINGIN' MAN
(Song for Jimmie Huntley)


I know a man who speaks his mind
and I know a man whose right on time
With hair slicked back in his usual way
These are the words he is known to say


He served across the waters for the red, white, and blue
Then he came back home when he was through
Back to Carolina to make his way
And these are the words he is known to say



Raised a little cane along the way
Cause a spirited heart's got something to say
Tellin' Carolina stories and livin' his way
Has made him the man that he is today


Chorus

Won't you stay sweet honey, if you please
Stay sweet mama like a warm mountain breeze
Just stay sweet darlin' if you can
So say the the words of the singin' man
So say the words of the singin' man

"Black Mountain" Woman

Sister dear sister oh where will you be
I'm going to the mountain, my man and me
we're putting our faith in a mountain unseen
with a valley below and waters pristine

Mama dear mama oh where will you be
son, you'll find me on the mountain above
the Swananoa Valley
With sweet mountain water and clean air
to breathe
Lord, I wish you could know and see what
I see

Stress and pollution is a city's great flaw
but if you could see this mountain, you too
would be in awe. I only wish that you knew what
I'd give cause the struggle of the city is a hard
way to live

It's a hard thing to leave my family behind
but there's got to be more than just marking time
gonna find be a new way reach for a new vine
gonna life up my cup and take a taste of new wine

Chorus

A "black mountain" woman's seen all she needs to see
from the hills of Berkeley to the land of the Cherokee
and a "black mountain" woman knows all she needs to know
gonna lay down some roots and gonna let her music flow

Gonna lay down some roots and gonna let her music go
Gonna lay down some roots and gonna let her music grow

c2009 by Florence Mayberry