Down The Road (MJCH)

J.A.Stewart

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Description

I'm working on some songs to pass on a little advice and wisdom to my grandchildren... WHENEVER they may be. My son recently got engaged to a terrific young lady, so it may not be too far... Down The Road. ;)

I thought as I began working on this one that a bare-bones version might fit into the coffeehouse.

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Lyrics

Down The Road
Music and Lyrics © 2008 By J.A. Stewart
— ALL RIGHTS RESERVED —

Take any road that you want to — follow your dreams where they may lead

Explore the highways and the byways ‘round the bend
Take time along the way to find a long-lost friend
It’s not a race, so set a pace for journey’s end...
Down The Road, Down The Road

Make any plans that you want to — It’s always good to have some goals

Work hard to get there, but remember what I say
There’s always detours and dead-ends along the way
Don’t get discouraged, you must play them as they lay...
On The Road, Down The Road

(Instrumental Break)

Take all the time you feel you need to — Give it your all and do your best

Find something that you love and give it all you’ve got
You’ll find in giving you get more back than you thought
With any luck at all, you’ll learn you’ve gained a lot...
From The Road, Down The Road

Make all the time that you can then — To share with those you hold most dear

Find true love you can trust and give your heart away
Treat them as treasure, each and every single day
If you can do that, then I know you’ll be okay...
Down The Road, Down The Road

Song Stats

Hits: 1539
Comments: 54
Fans: 27
Plays: 240
Downloads: 75
Votes: 5
Uploaded: Jun 29, 2008 - 08:57:22 PM
Last Updated: Jun 29, 2008 - 08:57:22 PM Last Played: Nov 06, 2009 - 12:10:36 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Comments

Feter	Feter said 497 days ago (June 29th, 2008)
	Down The Road ( its rich enough to be filled ...very passionate and true my friend ...great singin lyircs ..way to go thnx alot for sharin this gem !!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: Down The Road... Thank you, Feter. I'm happy you enjoyed it. I know both you and Yeman have been down more than a few roads yourselves. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

	said 497 days ago (June 29th, 2008)
	Joe.... and I am not talking coffee. Joe, I played this song now so my wife could listen. We both love this...sweet wisdom for the long view for the little ones that have (or will have) their whole lives ahead of them. Great coffee house song. You got the goods in so many ways. cheers

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: Joe... Thank you, Jack. I really appreciate your kind comments and pleased that you and your wife like my song. Whatever goods I have were picked up during my long journey down This Road. I've learned to enjoy the ride. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

sloparts	sloparts said 497 days ago (June 29th, 2008)
	Fantastic Lyrics Joe and your vocal is as rich as the song is my friend. Great playing, great singing, and a wonderful message in the song. Doesn't get any better than this. Has that old time 60s coffee house feel to the whole song Joe. Excellent work. Thanks for sharing it with us, Ed Check out my latest song called Just a little Something

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: Fantastic Lyrics... Thanks, Ed. Us old-timers, who actually played and listened in those shabby little coffeehouses got to hear a lot of great material in an intimate setting. This performance is a little shaky, since I just started working on singing the melody, but perhaps that gives it a more honest, coffeehouse feel. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

kassia	kassia said 497 days ago (June 29th, 2008)
	The Road Sweet tune. I like this a lot. Very nice acoustic sound, lovely guitar and vocals. A wonderful message and a beautiful gift for those you love. Thank you for sharing this! Check out my latest song called World of Wonders

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: The Road... I'm very glad you stopped in for an espresso and left with a cup o' Joe, Shay. Thank you for listening and commenting. I'm happy you enjoyed it. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

	said 497 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	10s An amazing piece for the MJ Coffeehouse. Excellent on all levels, such a warm rich vocals and such a great country/folk fingerpickin'. This is a great track to add to the MJ Coffeehouse collection, you deserve the 10s here! Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: 10s... You're a sharp listener, Yeman... you picked up on the little country/crossover feel in the tune. Back in the day, when folk music was transitioning into folk-rock, there were a lot of country influences. I guess some of them sunk in. Thanks for the listen and the comments, my young friend. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

caroline	caroline said 497 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	my first song of the day... and very enjoyable it was too - i looove that deep voice and the clean guitar - thank you xoxo Check out my latest song called clink that link mjrf

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: my first song... (In my best Barry White voice): Ohh, baby... you know how much I LOVE to love you, baby. LOL Thanks, dear Caroline. I hope it helped make you feel all pink and fluffy. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Skean	Skean said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	It's so true Oh I love this piece what a beautiful song, it filed my heart with hope. Playing as sung like a king as you was sent by God. Thanks for sharing sure I download it :) Take care & God Bless -- Kenta Check out my latest song called Walking seeking & depressed

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: It's so true... Ah, Kenta... given the detour you've run into recently with your Morning Light on the (bureaucratic) Road, I hope it does give you hope. Here's hoping you soon find yourself back on the superhighway of Love. ;) Thanks, buddy. --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Skean	Skean said 496 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	It sure do Oh yes my friend it sure do give me hope... I've listen on this over and over again and it be just that good my heart need... A real hit one's again thanks for the download. A song I come to listen on many times :) Take care --- Kenta Check out my latest song called Walking seeking & depressed

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Just wonderful in all aspects Mr Stewart!!! Very very nice! Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: Just wonderful... Thank you, Mark. You're really too kind. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 487 days ago (July 9th, 2008)
	This just popped up in my iTunes playlist while I was working away... It is really spectacular. A heartfelt and wonderful song. You sing to amazingly well and I love the guitar work. 5 stars in iTunes for this one!!! Thanks Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 487 days ago (July 9th, 2008)
	Re: This just popped up... Thanks again, Mark. I'm very flattered that you enjoy this song that much. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Roxylee	Roxylee said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Perfect Joe, this is wonderful. I'm downloading it for my daughters, so the grandkids can get to hear it. Great lyrics, playing, and vocals. Check out my latest song called Sweet Grace

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: Perfect... Thanks, Roxylee... I'm flattered you shared this with your family. I think we'd all like to spare our children some of the damage we incurred on the road, but short of that, perhaps a musical road map will help. I certainly hope so. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Jim Bouchard

Jim Bouchard said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)

Nice changes
This is a nice set of changes, which though they are fairly straightforward and in keeping with standard folkie-type progressions, have some little twists in there to keep it interesting throughout. It'd be nice to jam along to this on a second guitar. I would have preferred just one guitar strumming as the rhythm seems a little halting like the double-tracked guitars are not quite in sync, and a little less of a booming sound in general, but I'm sure that's just my personal bias. It reminds me of a Barry Macguire (sp?). I wrote a song called Down The Road, too, so I had to comment on this one. I had it posted on MacJams but deleted it. Maybe I will re-post it sometime and everyone will think I am stealing the title from you!

Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)

Re: Nice changes...
Thanks, Jim. Yeah, it's hard to find a *Road* title that hasn't already been used, so since you had pulled yours, I snatched it up. LOL

Barry McGuire? Was I growling? LOL Actually, when it started coming out, the song reminded me of something Glenn Yarbrough might have done.

I can relate to your observations... this was only my second pass at the tune and I played the two guitar tracks with slightly different feels. Still not sold on either of them. It's probably a tad slower than I'd really like it, too, but as I said... I'd just started working with it the day I posted it. I'm still experimenting while recording acoustic guitar, since it's been decades that I did it last. I like a little bit of the booming sound, but I think I may have tipped the scales a bit at the end.

When I get more comfortable with this song, I'll produce a fuller arrangement and pay more attention to the fine points. This was just an impromptu performance for the coffeehouse. ;)

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

michael2	michael2 said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	nice one this is great. love your philosophy; mine is similar, but I record so that I have something with which to bore my grandchildren to death. This is a great folk tune, good job. everything sounds nice too, nice acoustic sound. Check out my latest song called Stars and Dust (space challenge)

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: nice one... Thank you, Michael. Well, if the grandkids are anything like my son, it will take about 30 years down the road until they realize... "Oh! now I get it. Maybe grandpa wasn't such a moron after all." LOL And I'm quite sure your grandkids won't be bored at all. You do good work. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

davisamerica2	davisamerica2 said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Down the Road Good,smooth flowing lyrics. Nice melody, and sung very well. Guitar was very enjoyable. I like your style. Clearly, a fave. Thanks for this. Terry Check out my latest song called It's Lonely Here

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 496 days ago (June 30th, 2008)
	Re: Down the Road... Thank you, Terry... for listening and for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

8piscean8	8piscean8 said 496 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	I like bare-bones Great acoustic sound and playing. The vocals and guitar sound like they are occupying different spaces sonically, but that's just a small nit-pick on this otherwise great piece of performance and lyricism! Thanks for sharing! Check out my latest song called The End

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)

Re: I like bare-bones...
Thanks, Adam. While many coffeehouse participants went to great lengths to imaginatively recreate the coffeehouse ambiance (and some were very good, indeed), the lyrics of this song were my main concern. So I mixed it with that in mind. But I will point out that the mix is not dissimilar to the one we used to have for an acoustic/electric group I performed with many years ago. We were a strong harmony-oriented group and preferred to strongly isolate our vocals in the middle. ;)

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

guitapick	guitapick said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	~ Nice tune, Joe...really fine tune Check out my latest song called Outside the Corral

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	Re: - -... Thanks, Bob. I'm glad you liked it. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Moviz	Moviz said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	excellent Philosophical lyrics and a nice melody to accompany them. Your voice always sounds so good .. warm and round... and you play a mean guitar too, much enjoyed, cheers M Check out my latest song called A Soldiers Dream (Remix/record)

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	Re: excellent... Thank you, Maurice. I try my best to coax what I can out of these old pipes and I'm rather enjoying the challenge of playing the less-forgiving acoustic guitar after decades away from it. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

FEEL	FEEL said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	Fine Lyrics A good story to tell too more than just your children, other children as well. Like mine for instance, they won't listen to me, maybe they''ll listen to you. Thanks for sharing. Very special. Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	Re: Fine Lyrics... Haha... I hear you, John. As I've told younger couples raising kids: : "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink... and you can lead kids to the truth, but you can't make them think." Thank you for your comments, John and... good luck with your kids. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

	said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	Down The Road Simply gorgous music and your singing is really nice. great lyrics as well. Love the guitar You Rock. Peace Dee.

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 495 days ago (July 1st, 2008)
	Re: Down The Road... Thank you, Dee. I'm glad you enjoyed it. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

stacey

stacey said 495 days ago (July 2nd, 2008)

Ah!
I am so glad that I am aware of your musical creations, Joe. Your music always makes me smile. It's great to bask in an artisan's craft.

I love the lyrics to this, because I am one of those fatalists kinda preoccupied with the universal "why are we here?" bullshit, and it makes my head spin. And of course, this song answers it so simply, and beautifully. We are here to see what comes next, "Down The Road."

Thanks man!

Stacey

Check out my latest song called tick tock

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 494 days ago (July 2nd, 2008)

Re: Ah!...
Thanks, Stacey. I love to make people smile... laugh... and even think sometimes. What I have discovered as I've made my way "down the road," is that the greatest profundity is to be found in the simplest things. There is grand eloquence --- and delicious irony --- within that metaphysical scheme.

"Why are we here?" is largely up to us to decide. What we do with this opportunity *while* we are here is what defines us as individuals... and what answers the original question.

Best of luck with your film nomination... you are one very talented lady. ;)

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

SlimGirlFat	SlimGirlFat said 495 days ago (July 2nd, 2008)
	Love your voice! Been doing a little catching up on MJs and was lovely to hear one of your songs.. This has such a warm quality to the whole song.. Love it! Great lyrics too.. Slimmie Check out my latest song called Not Enough

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 494 days ago (July 2nd, 2008)
	Re: Love your voice!... 'Elllo, Slimmie Dear... I'm so glad you happened to catch up with me, while you're in the catch-up mode. Thanks for the compliments... and for always being such a dear person. I wish you nothing but the best. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

gail60	gail60 said 494 days ago (July 2nd, 2008)
	wonderful song Love your singing and performance here. Great lyrics and just a perfect song throughout Joe. What a wonderful gift for your family and friends to be able to share for years and years to come from a terrific, talented man with much wisdom to share. Thank you so much for sharing with us!! Check out my latest song called Sweet September

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 493 days ago (July 3rd, 2008)

Re: wonderful song...
Thank you for your generous comments, Gail.

I won't be leaving any Bill Gates-type money to my son or grandkids, but what assets I do have are theirs. I was lucky enough to have two parents who gave me all their love and who encouraged me to think for myself. Those are gifts that sustain me to this very day.

I can only hope that I can continue that tradition by passing on that treasure to those who follow me. ;)

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

John Stebbe

John Stebbe said 493 days ago (July 3rd, 2008)

How?
How did you do that, J. A., on your artist page, to make one of your songs start playing automatically? Very cool.

And I just now 'got it' -- "I'm due to enter the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame." Because you live down the street, and you're going to 'enter' it! Ha! Funny.

Your guitar work is strong, polished, and very enjoyable. You're not just a strummer, you've got some real substance to your playing.

Your vocals are right in tune, and sound great. Your style reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot.

Best wishes to your son and his fiance. What a blessed time of life, to be young and in love. Good for him (and for you!).

John

Check out my latest song called NECAP Test song

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 493 days ago (July 3rd, 2008)

Re: How?...
I sent you a message on the player, John.

Yes, I've *lobbied* The R&R Hall of Fame & Museum to buy souvenirs for out-of-town friends, but have never actually entered the museum and taken the tour.

I have been lucky enough during my various careers in journalism, music and advertising to meet and talk with some of the most famous people in the world.

Probably because of that, seeing discarded clothing and other paraphernalia of theirs holds no real allure for me. But my lady loves museums and has already taken an abbreviated tour there and wants to see more, so, yes, I will most likely be *entering* the Museum this year. LOL

Thank you for your kind comments about the song and your best wishes. Both are most appreciated. ;)

--- Joe

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

ktb	ktb said 491 days ago (July 5th, 2008)
	sweet Fine songcraft, Joe. Your voice is strong and resonant and the backing guitars are excellent. The whole recording (as yours always do) sounds very pro and polished. Like the lyrics a lot. Check out my latest song called off the deck (w/Z293)

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 491 days ago (July 5th, 2008)
	Re: Sweet... Thanks for your kind comments, ktb. I was somewhat hesitant to post such a naked version of a tune I've just started working on, but I figured it would add some air of authenticity to it as a Coffeehouse performance. The whole thing was very much an impromptu performance. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

guygrooves

guygrooves said 486 days ago (July 10th, 2008)

I don't know how I missed this...
at the coffee house, but I am glad I ultimately found it. Great playing and singin Joe. You have a awesome voice so deep and rich. I am a fan now.

I don't know if anyone has told you that the link you use that says "check out my latest" under your forum posts leads nowhere. This song title is there but when you click on it, it says it can't find the server.

Check out my latest song called Last Day Here

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 486 days ago (July 11th, 2008)
	Re: I don't know how... Thank you, Guy. I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it. I liked your latest song, as well. And thanks to you, I've repaired my "Latest" signature link. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

dajama	dajama said 483 days ago (July 13th, 2008)
	Excellent song Love the sentiment of this, very nicely expressed - wisdom communicated in a sweet, loving way. The melody sounds good to me, and the guitar sounds great. A lovely performance, and a terrific song. I bed the future grandchildren will be boasting about having the coolest grandpa on the block! Nicely done. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 483 days ago (July 13th, 2008)
	Re: Excellent song... Thanks, David. What I'm really looking forward to is the grandkids asking their Dad why he's such an idiot, while Grandad is so smart. If my son has learned anything from me at all, he'll reply, "Because I didn't listen enough to MY father." ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

dajama	dajama said 483 days ago (July 14th, 2008)
	Hee hee Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Mark Twain: "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years" Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

HenriROGERsoloandbands	HenriROGERsoloandbands said 475 days ago (July 21st, 2008)
	Follow your dreams Totaly agree :-) Very good song on all levels . Check out my latest song called HyperKineziK 1/1

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 474 days ago (July 22nd, 2008)
	Re: Follow your dreams... Thank you, Henri, for listening and for the compliment. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: J.A. Stewart

Played in a variety of Folk/Rock, Pop and Rock bands for more than a decade. After collaborating on a musical, I got hooked on songwriting and recording. After years of intense "lobbying," I'm due to "enter" The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. (W... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

Folk-rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music. In the original and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and Canada around the mid-1960s. The sound was epitomized by tight vocal

More songs in Folk-Rock:

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