This song was written for Mr Bill Porter, a lifelong and most excellent friend, a true human being in the very best sense of the phrase.
Lyrics
The Ballad of Billy Porter (Mr Billy’s Comin’ Home) ...words and music by John Jump
(turn it up!)
The fog has lifted, the clouds have blown away,
Life is gentle on your mind down Fairdale Street.
The young men in the tree laugh at the dancing leaves,
Captain Jerry strums a grateful beat.
Our memories will ripple like waves upon the sea,
While Maryjane whispers “Shalom”. (Peace)
Tonight we will have music like we’ve never known,
Mr Billy’s comin’ home.
Have no fear, shed no tear,
Life gives us no guarantee.
Now is the time, this is the place,
Take your instrument from its case.
We’ll have music like was never heard,
Mr Billy’s comin’ home.
Tell me what you see from the bluffs upon the sea,
Do you recognize your future and your past?
Who’s that waving back across the Oak Creek Ravine?
It’s someone whose memory truly lasts?
Our memories will ripple like waves upon the sea,
While Maryjane whispers “Shalom”. (Peace)
Tonight we will have music like we’ve never known,
Mr Billy’s comin’ back home.
Have no fear, shed no tear,
Life gives us no guarantee.
Now is the time, it’s the place,
Take your instrument from its case.
We’ll have music like we’ve never known,
Mr Billy’s come on home.
Hitch hike for the Boston tea,
Ride in the Desoto so free,
Or climb to the roof of Webster G.
If you plan all your tomorrows
Or you live just for today,
You can be a pyrotechnic display.
Our memories will ripple like waves upon the sea,
Sweet Maryjane whispers “Shalom”. (Peace)
Tonight we’ll have music like we’ve never known,
Mr Billy’s comin’ home.
Have no fear, shed no tear,
Life gives us no guarantee.
Now is the time, this is the place,
Take your instrument from its case.
We’ll have music like we’ve never heard,
Mr Billy, Mr Billy, come on back home.
The fog has lifted, the clouds have blown away,
Life is gentle on your mind down Fairdale Street.
The young men in the tree laugh at the dancing leaves
Captain Jerry strums a grateful beat.
C’mon and dance!