Dear Henry

For our anniversary, last night Mom and I went out for a nice dinner and then we went to see Todd Snider. He is the guy who wrote "Beer Run." I loved singing that with you and Jack. I always say that is how you guys learned to spell.

Bill and Cristina met us at the show. It was a really nice evening.

I was online today poking around and I noticed that Todd Snider has a song about Cape Henry. That is the place near Virginia Beach that we visited not too long after you died. It has a lighthouse.

For some reason I am not too sure about I like songs that take place during or are about the Civil War. Scott Miller and Steve Earle have songs that tell stories that take place in the Civil War. Now I can add Todd Snider to the list. This one is a little different from the ones he normally does. There is no mention of beer or love or the president or beer.

Speaking of love, he did sing two songs for his wife who I think was sitting in the audience. One of them is below. It was incredibly sweet.

This is the Cape Henry Lighthouse.

Cape Henry
Unreleased

Cape Henry, Cape Henry
Battle field on fire
On water, white water
With them flames climbing higher
We fired our cannons
For at least two hours or more
Cape Henry, Cape Henry
That old Virginia shore

Well I served as a sailor
It was back in '81
I can't say that I'm sorry
I volunteered for what I done
We trained and we waited
But we would not be outdone
Then one day, six battle ships
Came out of the rising sun

So we all manned our stations
yeah we passed a jug of wine
We waited in patience
Waited for a sign
First thunder, then lightning
Then a ringing in my ear
I can still hear that screaming
Even after all these years

Cape Henry, Cape Henry
Battle field on fire
On water, white water
With them flames climbing higher
We fired our cannons
For at least two hours or more
Cape Henry, Cape Henry
That old Virginia shore

Our deck was in tatters
That smoke was think and black
For each shot that they fired
We fired two right back
Then up in my shoulder
Something knocked me down
The last I remember was that water all around

Cape Henry, Cape Henry
Battle field on fire
On water, white water
With them flames climbing higher
We fired our cannons
For at least two hours or more
Cape Henry, Cape Henry
That old Virginia shore

So I woke up in Richmond
With a medal on my chest
I know that I earned it
Cause I know that I done my best
We did lose that battle
But I heard we won the war
So I headed back home to
Recieve my reward

I plow this man's field now
From morning until night
That war took my left arm
I'm working with my right
I guess I fought for the freedom
Of richer men up north
But I still fight for something
This plow goes back and forth

Cape Henry, Cape Henry
Battle field on fire
Hunt water, white water
With them flames climbing higher
We fired our cannons
For at least two hours or more
Cape Henry, Cape Henry
That old Virginia shore

All My Life
From Happy to Be Here

Driving all day we both said nothing
You threw your face in a magazine
I tuned in to the oldies station
Flew away in a time machine

This world is so amazing
The sun is shining and it's raining too
I waited all my life for you

I don't mind sometimes not talking
Sometimes there ain't a thing to say
Anyway I know what you're thinking
And I kinda like it when you think that way

I think I'll just keep on driving
Anywhere will do
I waited all my life for you

All this time I knew you were out there
All this time I knew someday I'd find you somewhere

Some people tell you everything they think of
Say yes I will and then they never do
Sometimes I gotta ask you to speak up
Everything you say is true

Say you'll be mine forever
Never leave me blue
I waited all my life for you
I waited all my life for you