Dave's Songs

Dave's Marker

2006-09-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC to see his new grave marker. Above is a picture of it. The phrase "Forever in Paradise" is to show Dave's Jehovah Witness belief that he will be forever in Paradise. His remains will be forever in Spring Lake. May he rest in peace until his afterlife begins.

DON'T EVER SAY NO TO LOVE

2006-09-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Don't Ever Say No To Love
by Dave Burkhart
and
Don McHan

Don't ever say "no" to love
It's a kinship with your fellowman
And then there's the love of God up above
That's deeper than we understand.

Don't ever say "no" to love
Success all depends on you
Just give and receive; just try and achieve
And believe in all that you do.

Love is the key that opens the doors
Life can be sweet; joy can be yours
All things may come; that you're dreaming of
Don't ever say "no" to love

Don't ever say "no" to love
And return it everytime you can
Meditate close with God and your memory prod
Of your innermost dealings with man.

122983-1805-1-BMI

DON'T CRY FALLEN ANGEL

2006-09-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

Don't Cry Fallen Angel
by Dave Burkhart

Don't cry fallen angel, I love you,
I know you must have come from above;
Don't cry fallen angel, I love you,
You're the only object of my love.

Don't cry fallen angel, I love you,
I know you haunt the bars every night;
Don't cry fallen angel, I love you,
To me you're an angel of light.

Chorus

Fallen angel, fallen angel,
I want to hold on to you;
Fallen angel, fallen angel,
I know your love can be true.

Don't cry fallen angel, I love you,
Don't leave me for even one day;
Don't cry fallen angel, I love you,
Stay with me, I'll show you the way.

THE DEVIL AND THE PREACHER

2006-08-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

The Devil and the Preacher

by
Dave Burkhart

The devil and the preacher
Were walking side by side
The devil saw a wagon
He said "Lets get on and ride"

The devil told the preacher
"I'm carryin' a heavy load
Take my words in your mouth
And go on down the road

The devil told the preacher
Tell people they'll go to hell
If they don't put money in the plate
Don't forget to ring the bell

Along came Jehovah's Witnesses
And exposed the scheme so well
We never worry about the preacher
"Cause there ain't no burnin' hell

Now everything looks peaceful
Ain't it all so very nice?
I think we must be headed
For an earthly paradise

(c) Dave Burkhart

THE BURNING DON'T BURN ANYMORE

2006-08-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

The Burning Don't Burn Anymore
(For Female)
by David Burkhart

Last night you had me burning
You almost got what you wanted
You came on, said your thought was pure
But now the burning don't burn anymore
I met someone in the ladies lounge
And she told me all about you
She said you left her heart so sore
Now the burning don't burn anymore

The burning don't burn anymore
I found you out and saw your game
You tried to get what you wanted
But you'll never ruin my name

I guess I've been kinda lucky
No man's ever ruined my mind
I've still got what all men deplore
And the burning don't burn anymore
Yes, I've still got all of my pride
So far I've been too smart for men
Yes, pride in a girl they deplore
And my burning don't burn anymore

(c) 1986 Dave Burkhart

BUILDING NEW LIFE

2006-08-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Building New Life
by David Burkhart
& Joe Terry

Come sit down in this chair
We'll take a load off our minds
We'll share each others pain
Loosen the chains of hurt that binds

Two broken hearts that need to cry
Don't ever need to cry alone
So why don't we cry together
We have two shoulders we can cry on

CHORUS
Building new life is never easy
Starting over is hard to do
Building new life is a long road
But we can start with me and you

I need the warmth of a friend
A hand to hold and to feel
I believe you need one too
Because we face the same ordeal

Lets be friends until our hearts
Have the time they need to mend
And who knows we might just be
More than friends in the end

2006-08-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Dave was buried this week. His remains are at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake. He didn't have any funeral arrangements when he died. It appears that he had no money either. Fortunately he had served in the military for over six months during World War II and was honorably discharged. This made him eligible for a free burial in a veterans cemetery. I was able to gather enough documentation to make this possible. Above is a picture of the temporary marker. A granite one is on order and will replace this one soon. It will say: "Forever in Paradise." He is buried next to another Jehovah's Witness.

BREAKDOWN IN LOVE

2006-07-30T16:46:00.000-07:00

Breakdown in Love
by David Burkhart

There are all kinds of hoedowns and breakdowns,
But there's one breakdown that I'm scared of;
And this is the worst kind of breakdown,
I'm scared of a breakdown in our love.

You said that you'd always keep loving me
Till all the fires froze over in hell;
But there's something I've noticed about you
Here lately -- your love's not doing too well.

Let's go back to when we first married
And the love you showed to me then,
Like a fire in the night you used to warm me;
Let's just start over and let our love mend.

A breakdown in love is like a cancer
That gnaws away right at your soul;
Let's not let worry and fear overtake us;
A breakdown in our love would hurt us so.

Obituary - David Harrison Burkhart

2006-07-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

David Harrison Burkhart

Raleigh - David Harrison Burkhart died June 30, 2006 at the Raleigh Rehabilitation Center.

David was born June 16, 1924 in Lexington, NC to the late David A. Burkhart and Savilla Shelton. He grew up in Altavista and Norfolk, VA and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. David attended the College of William & Mary and became a construction contractor. He was also an inventor and a songwriter. Active in Jehovah's Witnesses most of his adult life, David was affiliated with the Raleigh and Youngsville NC Kingdom Halls. He left no descendents.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, July 6, 2006 at the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall, 6320 Fox Road, Raleigh, NC. He was cremated at the L. Harold Poole Crematory on July 11, 2006. David will be buried at 10 am August 3, 2006 at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC.

BOTTOM SIDE OF YOU

2006-07-24T03:46:00.000-07:00

Bottom Side of You
by Dave Burkhart

Here you come struttin' by in your bluejeans
They are molded to you like a shoe
Its plain to see where my affection lies
I love the bottom side of you

Blue jeans are the makin' of a lady
And of ladies I've had quite a few
You are welcome in my house pretty baby
'Cause I love he bottom side of you

You've just strained my imagination
With your bluejeans and white tennis shoes
If you just knew what's goin' on in my mind
You'd not advertise the bottom side of you

Its dangerous to get too close to me
'Cause I'm boilin' and right in a stew
I don't know if I can maintain the pressure
When I see the bottom side of you

You're out of my sight now, my blood pressure's droppin'
But it'll take all night to cool off
I'm a fool for bluejeans and temptation
A month will pass 'fore I get back to my golf
Your bluejeans and your white canvas shoes
Makes me love the bottom side of you

(c) 1985 Dave Burkhart

THE BITTER IN LOVE

2006-07-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

The Bitter in Love
by David Burkhart

When the honeymoon is over,
At each other you start to shove;
When she refuses to believe your story,
Then that's called the bitter in love.

When you take her out to a nightclub
And on the floor you start to move,
And you see her watchin' another,
Then that's called the bitter in love.

The bitter in love comes to all folks
Who pay the preacher and then make a vow;
For the bitter in love is impartial
And you realize you've had it now.

If you stick it out, you'll be happy;
True love's like the stars up above,
But if somehow she leaves you,
Then that's called the bitter in love.

BEN

2006-07-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

Ben
by
David Burkhart

Ben told the chaplain
My name is Ben
I just shot a nazi
Should I kill again?

Ben a young soldier
In the war of '44
Just killed his first man
Wanted it no more

The chaplain asked Ben
Did he suffer much?
Ben said "I don't think so
The trigger I just touched"

The chaplain made a statement
He said, "Listen to me Ben
You know we're at war
You've got to kill again"

What about the Commandment
Son you must not kill?
Ben, we're at war now
You were doing God's will

Ben, you'll go to Heaven
The chaplain said with a look
And he convinced Ben
But didn't prove it by the Book

(c) 1986 Dave Burkhart

Note: David Burkhart was in the U.S. Army for 7 months in 1943 and 1944. After the war, he spent the rest of his life as a Jehovah's Witness.

BALD EAGLE

2006-07-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

Bald Eagle
by David Burkhart

Bald eagle, bald eagle
Where did you go?
With your claws of steel
And head white as snow.

Bald eagle, bald eagle
Commanded the sky,
Nest on a rock cliff
Away up so high.

The Indian caught you
For your feathers supreme
Oh, how we miss you
How we miss your scream.

Your eyes scanned the distance,
You sensed the prey,
Your young ones demanded
Their food for the day.

Aeroplane Hunters
Chem-i-cals too,
They thinned you out
Now there's just a few.

Bald eagle, bald eagle,
Where did you go?
Talons of steel
And head white as snow.

BACKSLIDIN' PREACHER

2006-07-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

Backslidin' Preacher
by David Burkhart

I guess I'm just a backslidin' preacher
'Cause I learned to write a country song;
I've been writin' about cheatin' and drinkin'
And the Good Book tells me that I'm wrong.

Although I'm a backslidin' preacher,
I still keep in touch with the Lord;
When I'm not writin' of cheatin' and drinkin',
You'll find me studyin' His word.

I don't know what's gonna happen to me
Or if someday I'll wind up in Hell;
Oh, yes, I'm a backslidin' preacher;
I write of cheatin' and drinkin' so well.

And though I'm a backslidin' preacher,
I still pray for forgiveness for sin;
And someday if the Lord confines me to Hell,
I hope that they won't let me move in.

BACKSLIDIN', OVEREATING AND HEAVY DRINKIN'

2006-07-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Backslidin', Overeating and Heavy Drinkin'
by David Burkhart

I've been backslidin', overeating and heavy drinkin';
Oh preacher, please don't tell God on me;
For I'm tired, heartsick, weary, and stinkin',

I've been backslidin', overeating and heavy drinkin';
Ain't got nothin' left but my heart,
And all night I've been settin' here a thinkin'
That I just ain't been doin' my part.

But let me have one more night on the town
To the bar my money I'll be bringin';
Let me relax one more time when I lay down,
Can't stop backslidin', overeating and heavy drinkin'.

But there's another side to my story;
I gave the preacher a twenty dollar bill
And I promised him that I'd stop my whorin'
But I'm backsidin' and heavy drinkin' still.

BABY BOOMERS DAUGHTER

2006-07-16T05:25:00.000-07:00

Baby Boomer's Daughter
by Dave Burkhart

I am eighteen years old
I'd rather have beer than water
My daddy taught me how to drink
I'm a baby boomer's daughter

I'm not the best kind of girl
Sometimes I do what I hadn't oughta
I learned that from my mama
I'm a baby boomer's daughter

Baby boomers are kids of 40's vets
Their daughters, like me, don't like strict order
We just like to be free to decide
I'm a baby boomers daughter

I don't want to hurt anyone
But I don't give or take no quarter
I can tell when things are right
I'm a baby boomer's daughter

(c) 1991 Dave Burkhart

ALL-TIME CHAMPION LOVE

2006-07-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

All-Time Champion Love,
by Dave Burkhart

There are sports stars who are champions,
Some people champion the stars above;
But there is one I like most of all,
It's that all-time champion Love.

It's proved to be champ in all tests,
If it hits you, your heart it will move;
Makes you sacrifice and pray and other things,
This is the all-time champion Love.

All-time champion Love can keep you
From permanent danger and despair;
Makes you return to your lover,
Ain't this great and ain't this fair?

One thing will never fail you this I say
And I'm sure it comes from what you choose,
Are you following my thoughts
To that all-time champion Love?

Jehovah, The Great God Of Love

2006-07-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Jehovah, The Great God Of Love

He is Jehovah, the true God above
The God of Christ Jesus, the great God of love
In the Bible He tells us He's always nigh
And His throne's in the heavens Way up high

He sits in the heavens above the circle of Earth
And considers all people to be of great worth
He doesn't judge men by their deeds of the past
But He watches everyone and sometimes laughs

At the antics of men as they struggle and fight
To resist His spirit and not do what's right
Will His patience run out at some future time
And make all willful sinners come pay their fines?

What do you think of Jehovah who provided the price
To relieve you of sin by His Son's sacrafice?
How could you help from loving the true God above
The God of Christ Jesus, the great God of love

(c) 1986 Dave Burkhart

This poem won an Award of Merit Certificate on January 15, 1988 Honorable Mention Rank in the category of New Poems from World of Poetry, 2431 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA.

Horses Aren't Allowed in a Saloon

2006-07-04T03:25:00.000-07:00

Horses Aren't Allowed in a Saloon

Now they don't allow horses in saloons,
You never see a pony at the bar;
But that just doesn't hold true about asses,
I don't think that's takin' it too far.

Someone will loose a cussword on the air,
And then a fight is brewin' pretty soon;
Some ass will say "I ain't gonna take that,"
But horses aren't allowed in a saloon.

No, horses aren't allowed in a saloon,
But an ass is always welcome there;
And all the barmaids know he is trouble,
Yes, he's always an ass everywhere.

A Horse is not allowed in a saloon,
No room for him on the crowded floor;
Even though a horse can get along with asses,
Of either of them I want no more.

(c) 1986 Dave Burkhart

All Ballplayers Like to Play with Their Balls

2006-07-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

All Ballplayers Like to Play with Their Balls

All Ballplayers like to play with their balls
Are you aware of this at all?
And what I like most of all is basketball
'Cause their balls are bigger balls

They pass them around and handle their balls
Everyone gets his hand on his ball
Flip them up and jump and bunt
Shoot their balls instead of punt

What a strange, peculiar way to behave
If you go to a basketball game be brave
Holler your head off and shout, "shoot your ball"
Laugh if you want to when they fall
We know the whole thing's all in fun
Noisy, noisy, noisy as they play and run

Balls, balls, balls, balls
Shoot your balls, play with your balls
Balls, balls, balls, balls

(c) 1985 Dave Burkhart

Old Dave

2006-07-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

You can read about my friend David Burkhart who died June 20 2006 in my Livejournal. What I didn't mention was that Dave was a prolific songwriter from 1984 to 1992 when illness cut short his career. I don't know if he ever got any published or if anyone ever sang any of them. I have a collection of them that I saved from the Social Worker who cleaned out his apartment when he got sick in 1992. They are just the lyrics. Dave didn't write music. I don't know if he ever got anyone to write tunes for his songs.

Anyway I have set up this blog as a memorial to Dave. What better way to honor him than with his own words. These songs or poems have sat in a black trash bag in my cellar for over 10 years just the way the Social Worker left them for the garbage. I wasn't able to save all of Dave's stuff but this one bag seemed too important at the time to end up in a landfill.

Old Dave

CHORUS
Old Dave, he don't work for nothing
And nothin' don't work for Old Dave.
He's tired and his body is weary;
The rat race has made him a slave.

VERSE 1
Old Dave, he married a woman
And Old Dave thought he had it made,
But his woman took off for California
Leaving big bills for Old Dave to pay.

VERSE 2
Dave decided to become a contractor;
He lasted one year at his trade.
Old Dave, he found out the hard way.
Makin' money isn't easy these days.

VERSE 3
Dave decided to take up the guitar
He learned three chords then he quit.
His fingers were sore to the elbow;
He just got disgusted with it.

(c) 1988 David Burkhart, Ray Sanders