The Songs

(Note: Each of the songs below can be heard by clicking on the Listen button. All the songs are in mp3 format and thus require an mp3 player. If you do not have an mp3 player, you may download a free one from WinAmp.com. After downloading and installing the mp3 player, you should be able to click on the Listen button and hear the song. If, after downloading and installing an mp3 player, you still cannot get a song to play, you can save the file to your hard drive and then open and play the song from there using your mp3 player.)

Taylorsville Angel (JSC)

The primary character of this song is a single mother that lost her husband in a traffic accident. Being a single parent and a widow, she is experiencing the difficulties of raising two little boys and waiting tables at a truck stop. An angel walks in and the rest is history. (There will be more adventures in Taylorsville on the next album.)

Maggie works the first shift down at the Taylorsville Truckstop. Serving breakfast food and hot coffee, she’s a waitress with a smile. At home she’s got two little boys, one’s nine and one’s thirteen. To Maggie, they're the prettiest boys that her eyes have ever seen.

Monthly bills are just around the corner. Tips are at an all time low.

What’s the matter with Maggie? Maggie never acts this way. And if you stand there and talk about the weather, she’s a million miles away. What’s the matter with Maggie? Maggie never acts this way. I asked her how the boys had been doing and she didn't have much to say.

Six years ago they called her and they told her the news. An accident had stolen her husband down in Baton Rouge. But time has been a friend to her, she still has that pretty style. But when Taylorsville is sleeping alone at night she’ll cry.

They say that is gets darkest just before the dawn. But Bobby's gone, the money's low, and I need you to carry on.

What’s the matter with Maggie? Maggie never acts this way. And if you stand there and talk about the weather, she’s a million miles away. What’s the matter with Maggie? Maggie never acts this way. I asked her how the boys had been doing and she didn't have much to say.

The next day a man walked in while Maggie was waiting tables. She asked him what he wanted. He said ‘coffee if your able.’ When she turned around, the man was gone. But underneath the change was a letter to Maggie, and this is what it said:

‘Dear Maggie, I know that times are tough. But you’re a wonderful mother, and don't you ever give up. Don't lose faith and there's some money here for you that should make you stable. Bobby said to say hello. Love, your special angel.’

What’s the matter with Maggie? Maggie never acts this way. And if you stand there and talk about the weather, she’s a million miles away. What’s the matter with Maggie? Maggie never acts this way. Have you seen her eyes? Have you seen that smile today? It'll blow you away.
 

Glimpse of the Light (JSC & Frank Russell)

This is a song about a woman that comes to the realization that material items won’t get you through the night and a life without the most traditional values is no life at all. The fast lane ends at the alter...

She caught a glimpse of the light one August night looking through the window of a champagne flight. Thinking about what the whole thing really means.

Fifteen years ago he seemed so debonair, a southern boy from Georgia, self-made millionaire. Down the road she found out that things ain’t as they seem.

Now attorneys are calling and the tears are falling. A marriage is broken and the clock is crawling through a day that seems like it has no end.

She got into town at a little past seven her daddy didn’t expect her till around eleven. So she went to the church, and it seemed like a long lost friend.

Well she got down on her knees and she started to cry. She screamed at the Lord for passing her by. She was so surprised when conviction just filled her heart.

Wasn't it her that at a much younger age, she chose a high style of living and then she turned the page on a small town, on a family, and on Jesus.

Now that she's going back, there’s questions she'll have to ask. Did her needful pride get carried away?

So as she gathers her things and she gathers her thoughts, the beams from the headlights flashed on the cross. And just for a moment she felt like she was not alone.

And she wasn't too sure what the future would bring. But with the spirit beside her she could do anything. So she drove to her daddy's and she said ‘you know I’m going home.’

Because too many times things just got out of hand. It’s just like I’m blind, and I don’t know where I stand. You know I get lost sometimes, but other times I see clear. I’m gonna hold to my Savior gonna turn to my God and take me to a place away from here. Somebody take me away from here.

She caught a glimpse of the light one August night looking through the window of a L.A. flight. Thinking about what the whole thing really means.
 

Reedy's Dream (JSC)

If Perretti starts writing songs, they may sound like this one. My Great grandfather Charles Reedy is the main character of this song. He passed away when I was still in my teenage years. I believe a piece of him still flows in my veins to this day and I am finally beginning to live Reedy's Dream. Charlie Daniels played the mandolin and the fiddle on this one and did the background vocals.

Last night I heard just what they were saying. Mandolins, guitars, violins softly playing. Singing songs about the South. Singing songs about the Lord that lives.

Was it just a dream or a window that I looked through? Ain't that the way it seems? So close but yet so far? Me and my Grandpa with his soft gentle smile telling me ‘Son I’m proud of you, and I know that you’ll go far.’

Last night I knew not what I was seeing. With the Mandolins, guitars, violins softly playing.

Like as hazy dreamy memory that somehow slipped away. Charlie Reedy and Rabbit Taylor tuning up to play. Grandpa’s smile just stole the show when he grabbed his Mandolin. Rabbit Taylor playing pass me not, sweet harmonies begin.

Then the angels sang. That’s Reedy's dream. That’s the way he sings. Then the angels sang. That’s Reedy's dream. That’s the way he sings.

Last night I heard just what Grandpa was saying. Through the Mandolins, guitars, violins and angels singing.

Singing songs about the Savior. Singing sings about the cross. Singing songs about sweet victory and praying for the lost. He told me boy don’t you ever give up, and I like to hear you sing. Keep on playing that guitar and living Reedy's Dream.

Then the angels sang. That’s Reedy's dream. That’s the way he sings. Then the angels sang. That’s Reedy's dream. That’s the way he sings.
 

Tell it to the Devil (Toy Caldwell)

I didn’t write this song. It was originally recorded by the great Marshall Tucker Band on the Carolina Dreams album.

I can't stand to see a grown man hit a little kid. And get cussed out for something and not even know what he did. See a man any man mess around with your best friend’s wife. Or sit helpless in a corner and watch a man drink away his life.

I’m gonna clean my soul up Lord. And you don’t owe me no back pay. I’m gonna tell that to the Devil when I see him today.

I walk through the graveyard. May they all rest in peace. I wish they could all go to heaven. And I bet two did at least. Someone who don’t feel sorry for the helpless and the blind, it kinda makes you want to pick up a bible and memorize every single line.

I’m gonna clean my soul up Lord. And you don’t owe me no back pay. I’m gonna tell that to the Devil when I see him today.

See a man walk by a beggar with an empty tin cup. Kind of makes want to grab him by the back of the neck, knock him down, and never let him up.

I’m gonna clean my soul up Lord. And you don’t owe me no back pay. I’m gonna tell that to the Devil when I see him today.

I’m gonna tell that to the devil when I see him today
 

Nowhere to Run (JSC)

During the last moments of his life, Judas remembers his times with Christ.

It amazes me at mistakes I’ve made in a life I no longer live. I look back at the last four years and all the things that He did. I watched him take a little girl from the darkest side of death, and then I watched Him feed the multitudes with one hand full of bread.

With tear filled eyes I watched the silver spill. I looked out at the horizon from a tree up on the hill. Hell’s fire is not enough for the damage I’ve done. In an effort to manipulate the truth you know I turned away from the Son, and there’s nowhere to run. There ain't nowhere for me to run.

I close my eyes and I feel His presence, even now He calls me back. I want to say I’m sorry but I’m too far off the track. If I had to do it over, you know I never would have made the deal. The words I've had could not explain the sorrow that I feel.

With tear filled eyes I watched the silver spill. I looked out at the Horizon from a tree up on the hill. Hell’s fire is not enough for the damage I’ve done. In an effort to manipulate the truth you know I turned away from the Son, and there’s nowhere to run. There ain't nowhere for me to run.

There ain't nowhere for me to run.
There ain't nowhere for me to run.
 

Shotgun (JSC)

This is a song about the return of Jesus. I recorded this song with Charlie Daniels as well. I stole a few chords from Roy Orbison.

Well if you think this old world is gonna last forever. And you figure on cleaning your act up on down the line. Because you think its to soon to put it all together. Let me tell you Jesus Christ is due to come any time.

He's gonna come like a shotgun blast coming out of nowhere. Like a thief in the night He’s gonna come when you least expect. He'll being taking the ones that were faithful on up to heaven. Those that weren’t are gonna stay and face a fiery death.

Shotgun Blast. Coming like a shotgun blast. Coming like a shotgun blast. Coming like a shotgun blast.

Lift holy hands, give praise unto the Father. The strength of his grace is gonna take us to the finish line. If we’re all covered by the blood and walking to the beat of his drummer, we’ll follow along in perfect heavenly stride.

He's gonna come like a shotgun blast coming out of nowhere. Like a thief in the night He’s gonna come when you least expect. He'll be taking the ones that were faithful on up to heaven. Those that weren’t are gonna stay and face a fiery death.

Shotgun Blast. Coming like a shotgun blast. Coming like a shotgun blast. Coming like a shotgun blast.
 

Like a River (JSC)

If I knew Dan Fogelberg personally, I would ask him if I could give him this song to replace that wedding song of his. "Longer" should be against the law to play at any public gathering. Longer than what?

I can't believe this is happening. I've waited so long for God to send someone like you. I look in your eyes, and I see a future that is true, so true.

And as the years roll by like a river and we watch the seasons change and years from now on the front porch with hair of silver my love will be the same. What I’m really trying to say is that I will not walk away. I’ll stay.

So wear that gold band on your hand, full circle with no end. I promise I’ll be right there for you and I’ll always be your friend. And I know storms will come, but there will be sunshine too. It don’t matter what’s down the road as long as I’m with you.

And as the years roll by like a river and we watch the seasons change and years from now on the front porch with hair of silver my love will be the same. What I’m really trying to say. What I’m really trying to say. I promise that I’ll stay. I will not walk away.
 

No Idols (JSC)

This song examines the position of a society that places nearly everything in front of what is real. Jesus is the one thing that we should hold on to. Carl Story, an Indiana favorite, is singing background with his Dancing Shoes.

Sat down with a piece of paper gonna write some beautiful words. The enemy screaming out my name was the only sound that I heard. Low down and lonely mixed up and confused, I thought I heard Satan laughing at me and I knew that I’d been used.

But it seems to me, I'd better get down on my knees. Plead the blood, glorify the Lamb cause He’s all I really need. I don’t need any idols. Idols just break and fade. I just need Jesus in my life today. I just need Jesus. Not fade away.

Sat the lonely man in his lonely room with nothing but a candle light. A set of scales and a razor blade have all but consumed his life. He doesn’t have any friends anymore because he can’t even trust himself. I tell you we’d best reach out to him or his soul is gonna burn in hell.

Well it seems to me, we better all join hands in prayer. Stop looking in the mirror and start looking at what’s really there. We don’t need any idols. Idols just break and fade. We just need Jesus in our lives today. We just need Jesus. He wont walk away.

Some get caught up in the worldly things. They want a white Cadillac and a diamond ring. Sometimes I guess people just lose sight. I'm falling around trying to stay on track. I take one step forward and ten steps back. Won't you help me, Jesus, because I wanna do right.

Well it seems to me, we better all join hands in prayer. Stop looking in the mirror and start looking at what’s really there. We don’t need any idols. Idols just break and fade. We just need Jesus in our lives today. I just need Jesus. He won’t walk away.

But it seems to me, I'd better get down on my knees. Plead the blood, glorify the Lamb cause He’s all I really need. I don’t need any idols. Idols just break and fade. You just need Jesus in your life today. You just need Jesus. Not fade away.
 

You’re My Light (JSC)

I was near the end of my last semester at college in Minneapolis the night I wrote this song. I truly believe that if we wait on the direction of the Lord, we wouldn’t feel so out of place. He is the Light that gives us direction on how to feel, what to say, and how to find strength during those weak moments.

If I die tomorrow and I see you in the light in a city where the streets are all paved with gold. Because of you there is no night.

A perfect invitation from God’s perfect spotless Lamb to bow down at the feet of Your glory and humble myself before the great I Am.

You’re my light when I’m in darkness. You’re my strength when I am weak. You’re my love when I am angry. You’re the words that I long to speak.

Your eyes shine like fire, a voice like a thousand waterfalls. Your arms are a shield of total protection around me, Jesus. Without a dime I can have it all.

You’re my light when I’m in darkness. You’re my strength when I am weak. You’re my love when I am angry. You’re the words that I long to speak.

You’re the light when I’m in darkness. You’re the words that my soul can keep.