Story behind this song:
I was trying to write my first children’s song, but the lyrics kept coming out pretty dark. Finally I gave up on trying to make it appropriate for kids and decided to go with the whole ‘vaguely creepy’ atmosphere. I gave it to Allison to finish, and she came up with the chorus. — Debbie

Am G F G
Six o’clock, and the lights go off around me
Shadows drift across the floor
Rows of books line the shelves from floor to ceiling
Voices I cannot ignore

Every night, I choose a new adventure
Turn the pages one by one
Hours go by, before I know it
Another story has begun

CHORUS:
Dm F G
I’m the whimsy of children, the music of dreamers
Am
The longing of the soul
F Am
All traditions of the ages, and hope for tomorrow
G
The glamour and the horror
Am
I’m every tale ever told.

Now and then, I try to remember
How it was I came to be
A gift of words, a shapeless hunger
Is this my dream or memory?

(Counterpoint)
Something in the darkness sighs
seeking a friend
Come out and play, stay with me…please?
How will it end?

(Counterpoint over verse)
Every night, I choose a new adventure
Turn the pages one by one
Hours go by, before I know it
Another story has begun

INSTRUMENTAL:

CHORUS:
I’m the whisper of wonder, the heartsong of freedom
The writing on the wall
All of love’s pain and passion, a cry of revolution
the mystery and silence
I’m every tale every told.

Story behind the song:
I very rarely write “serious” songs, mainly because they take much more emotional energy than my other songs; I almost always tend to weave a little piece of myself into the lyrics/music of my non-funny songs, and that makes me feel vulnerable. Homecoming is no exception. The song is about love, loss and regret. When I first read Ray Bradbury’s short story, I was very young but still appreciated the sad irony. Many years later, I read the song with the experience of having lost family members who were (and always remain) very dear to me. — Debbie

Intro: D Cadd9 G/B A7sus

D/F# Cadd9
My mother looks into the sky, I think she hears him coming
D/F# Cadd9
but the stars are blinding her so she cannot see
G/B A7sus
“Help me keep him home this time,” she says to me.
D Cadd9 G/B A7sus
“He’s coming home.”

My father walks into the house, we laugh in his embrace
The scent of fire and stardust cling to his hands and face
Already we are waiting for a sign
Will he stay this time?

CHORUS (strummed):
D Cadd9 G/B A7sus A7
I hear the stars, they are calling tonight
C G/B
Listen, can’t you hear them?
D Cadd9 G/B A7sus A7
I hear the stars, they are calling tonight
Cadd9
Calling me home
D Cadd9 G/B A7sus
Calling me home.

He takes us to the carnival and swimming in the ocean
We picnic in the mountains, our faces to the sun
Each moment is a gift I take with me
A memory.

My father sits beside me, his laughter ringing true
“What’s it like in space?” I ask as I always do
His eyes grow distant and he smiles, but mom…
she looks away.

BRIDGE:
Em A Cadd9
Before my father leaves, he takes me aside
D Cadd9 G/B A
He says, “The next I come back, I won’t be leaving
D Cadd9 G/B A
Tell your mother that I love you both and I am
D Cadd9 G/B A7sus
coming home.”

CHORUS

In the fading sunset, the message comes next day
His ship fell into the sun, a blaze of gold and gray
I try to tell Mom but she turns away…
D Cadd9 G/B A7sus D Cadd9 G/B A7sus
and goes inside.

My mother looks into the sky, I think she hears him coming
but the stars are blinding her so she cannot see
The winds are cold, I hear them whisper to me
“He’s coming home.”

CHORUS (twice)

LIBRARY BOY
By Debbie Ridpath Ohi
(Performed for our friend Rand Bellavia of Ookla the Mok
as a birthday surprise from Allison, Jodi and Debbie)
April/2002
You can download this song from the FilkArchive or a streaming versions:

More info:

C F G
I am a civilized girl, I comb my hair, I love my family
C
but I confess my very favourite refuge is my local
F G
library.
F G
The musty bookshelves are so picturesque
F G C C
But most of all I like the guy behind the desk.

CHORUS:
F C
Hey, Mr. Library Boy, please wontcha
F C
show me a little Heinlein or some Leo Tolstoy
F C
You don’t know I exist but you have my heart
G
Wontcha stamp my card?

C C

C F G
The way you put away books, the way you always articulate
C
The way you gimme a look when I talk too loud, it makes my poor heart
F G
palpitate
F G
When I go home, the world loses its zest
F G C C
Can’t wait ’til I get back to the guy behind the desk.

CHORUS:
F C
Hey, Mr. Library Boy, please wontcha
F C
show me a little Heinlein or some Leo Tolstoy
F C
You don’t know I exist but you have my heart
G
Wontcha stamp my card?

C F G
I’ve got a tendency to keep books ’til they’re way overdue
C
I get the notices but it’s been six years, where’s my special
F G
visit from you?
F G
You smile at me and I can’t help but obsess
F G C C
how I’d like to catalog the guy behind the desk.

CHORUS:
F C
Hey, Mr. Library Boy, please wontcha
F C
show me a little Heinlein or some Leo Tolstoy
F C
You don’t know I exist but you have my heart
G
Wontcha stamp my card?

BRIDGE/END:
C F C C
Oh Mr. Library Boy, by now you surely know I’m not a newcomer
C F
So baby, let’s not be coy, I’d like to get your
C C
Dewey Decimal Number
F G
I try but nothing I do will make me forget
F G C ——-
My passion for that special guy behind the desk.

(Jodi: Mr. Library Boy, lemme show ya some
bibliophile joy)

Background behind this song:
I wanted to challenge myself by writing a song that wasn’t in my normal style, so decided to try a Spanish-type accompaniment (easy for me to say since I wasn’t playing guitar), and I wanted to write a food song. I wrote this with Jodi in mind for singing lead; her voice is made for torch songs, after all. — Debbie

Am G
My life used to be one of taste ennui
Dm7 E
Each meal was an unbearable bore
Am G
The boil-everything game was always the same
Dm7 E
Until a stranger moved in next door.

G F
He invited me over for dinner
G F
I brought wine: Chardonnay ’91
E F
I was amazed at the size of his…kitchen
G F
But the evening had not yet begun.

G F
I watched him juggle his spices
G F
With a sure and expert ease
E F
“You’ve done this before”, I murmured -
G F
Melting weak at the knees.

G F
His gaze burned into mine, as he
G F
chopped chilies into the pot
E F
He said, “I’m going to cook you your food now
G E
and I hope you like it…HOT.”

CHORUS:
Am G
How he caressed, undressed, the onions,
Dm E
The way he used, abused, kim chee.
Am E
His jalapeño peppers were the best I’ve ever seen
Am
How he changed the world of dining, for me.

F E
I was nervous when we sat down at the table
F E
And I trembled as he put things on my plate
F E
But he calmed me down as well as he was able
F E
‘Till I smelled the food and began to salivate.

The first mouthful seared the lining of my throat
And it felt as though a fork was in my lung.
“It always hurts a bit in the beginning,”
he said, “And I see, you have a virgin tongue.”

REPEAT CHORUS:

By the second course my tongue had acclimated
I cried out for more and he happily complied
It was hours before the two of us were sated
I never felt so full, so satisfied!

It took me seven weeks to fully recover
And though he’s gone, I still feel a desire
For my luscious jalapeño lover
For none can match his culinary fire.

CHORUS: (same as before)
How he caressed, undressed, the onions
The way he used, abused, kim chee.
His jalapeño peppers were the best I’ve ever seen,
How he changed the world of dining,
……For me!

Music/lyrics: Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Dec/97
Where to buy this song: Sushi and High Tea on CDBaby
Where to hear this song:

Background to this song:

I always like pushing myself as a songwriter, so I decided to try an a capella song for the group with a more complex arrangement. I took Harmony & Counterpoint courses many years ago when I was working toward my ARCT diploma at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, but the theory is so much more interesting when you can apply it in real life. I feel extremely lucky that I have music partners who can learn arrangements so quickly; as a songwriter, I love the challenge of writing songs and arrangements that are interesting to sing and fun to listen to. But enough rambling on about songwriting — the following sets of lyrics are meant to be sung at the same time.

Here are my songwriting notes:

*** indicates this line sometimes changes, depending on where/when we are performing.

JODI’S PART:

I am your friend, I will not leave you, even if you want me to
I’ll go anywhere
But like reruns of Classic Star Trek or the Partridge Family
I will always be there.

Even if you steal my boyfriend, even if you
run over my chihuahua with your station wagon,
I’ll always be your friend.

I am your friend, if you are hungry
I will feed you chocolate, cake and ginger tea
And when you’re tired, I’ll fluff your pillow
and sing you a lullaby, you can count on me.

Even if you eat my goldfish, even if you
sing me the Macarena again and again and again,
I’ll always be your friend

I’ll be your…I’ll be your friend
the very…the very end
(A: Even if you)
spit into my food when I’m not looking and you’re rude to my Aunt
Moira and you spill a vat of chili on my dress, then you
say you don’t like chocolate, girl how could you not like chocolate maybe
you should get your head looked at real soon but I digress…

I am your friend, if you are boring
I will teach you lightbulb jokes, no need to despair
Unlike **O.J. and beany babies or a lame Survivor fad**
I will always be there.

Even if you hate my haircut, even if you get
drunk at my birthday party and then throw up all over my rug
I’ll always be your friend.

ALLISON’S PART:

I will not leave you, even if you want me to
I’ll go anywhere
like reruns of Star Trek or the Partridge Family
I will always be there.

Even if you steal my boyfriend, even if you
run over my chihuahua with your station wagon,
I’ll always be your friend.

If you are hungry, I will feel you chocolate
Cake and ginger tea
I’ll fluff your pil-low, and sing you a lullaby
You can count on me.

Even if you eat my goldfish, even if you
sing me the Macarena again and again and again
I’ll always be your friend.

I’ll always be your friend
until the very end
Even if you
spit into my food when I’m not looking and you’re rude to my Aunt
Moira and you spill a vat of chili on my dress, then you
say you don’t like chocolate, girl how could you not like chocolate maybe
you should get your head looked at real soon but I digress…

If you are boring, I will teach you lightbulb jokes
No need to despair
Not like O.J., a Tamagotchi fad,
I will always be there.

Even if you hate my haircut, even if you get
drunk at my birthday party and then throw up all over my rug
I’ll always be your friend.

I’ll always be your friend
Until the very end

DEBBIE’S PART:

Oh I am your friend, never leave you, even if you want me to
I’ll go anywhere
oh like reruns of Classic Star Trek or the Partridge Family
I will always be there.

Even if you steal my boyfriend, even if you
run over my chihuahua with your station wagon,
I’ll always be your friend.

Oh I am your friend, really hungry, I will feed you chocolate
Cake and ginger tea
Oh, i-if you are tired, fluff your pillow and sing you a lullaby
You can count on me.

Even if you eat my goldfish, even if you
sing me the Macarena again and again and again
I’ll always be your friend

I’ll be your friend
the very end
(A: Even if you)
spit into my food when I’m not looking and you’re rude to my Aunt
Moira and you spill a vat of chili on my dress, then you
say you don’t like chocolate, girl how could you not like chocolate maybe
you should get your head looked at real soon but I digress…

Oh, I am your friend, you are boring, I will teach you lightbulb jokes
No need to despair
Oh, like ***O.J. and, beany babies, or a Tomagotchi fad***
I will always be there.

Even if you hate my haircut, even if you get
drunk at my birthday party and then throw up all over my rug
I’ll always be your friend.

I’ll be your friend
the very end

A = Allison
J = Jodi
D = Debbie

A: Sat down and watched Lord of the Rings yesterday
J: The extended version?
A: Of course, what do you take me for?
J: Did you notice Aragorn’s eyes
A: Oh, Aragorn’s eyes, oh yes I did
J & A: & D Uh-huh
J: But y’know I kinda like the elf
A: He’s too young
J: Maybe for you
A: But he sure knows how to wield a bow
J & A & D: Yes, he knows how to wield a bow!

A: Gimli’s kinda cute in a short and hairy way
J: You must be kidding
A: Of course I am or maybe not
J: Did you notice Boromir’s smile
A & D: Oh Boromir’s smile, oh yes we did
J & A & D: Uh huh
A: But y’know that Faramir has the look
J: What look?! He broods too much!
A: He so does NOT
J: Yes he does and you should know!
A&D: what do you know?

A: Wormtongue does annoy J: Well, what about Merry?
A: He’s the sort who’s needy
A: Theodon is too royal! J: Gimli’s hairy
and too short! A: You’re greedy!

A: You must admit that Saruman has bad boy allure
J: What about Frodo Baggins?
A: Too short, angst-ridden, way too pure
J: Did you notice Eomer’s scowl
A & D: Oh Eomer’s scowl, oh yes we did
J & A & D: Uh huh

They all are decent guys, all legendary
But In the end there’s only one we’d marry
(pause)
And of course that’s Sam!
And of course that’s Sam!

Words/music: Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Listen to this song:

Some background info:
Those of you who read my blog already know that I have a love-hate relationship with my neighbourhood squirrels. I decided it was finally time to write a song that would help warn the world of the furry menace. To you singers out there: please! learn this song and warn others!

Am G
When we moved in, we loved the neighbourhood
F Am G F
We couldn’t have asked for more
Am G
Though I admit I kinda wondered ’bout the
F G
crucifix on each door.

Am G
We planted roses, revamped the roof, the
F Am G F
future was looking bright, but then we
Am G
started hearing the strangest noises
F G
behind the walls at night…

CHORUS:
C Am
The squirrels are takin’ over, they’ve
C Am
killed my plants and eaten Rover, my
F F
postman used to think they were cute
C
but now he’s gone (gone gone gone)
G F C
They’re coming for me now, I think it won’t be long.

Am G
One morning we saw Mrs. S.
F Am G F
Our next door neighbour, she’s sweet!
Am G
We waved but I guess she didn’t see us
F G
as she ran down the street.

Am G
Suddenly we noticed something weird,
F Am G F
a seething mass of black and brown
Am G
and then the Evil Squirrel Horde took
F G
Mrs. Scuridopolous down.

CHORUS:
C Am
The squirrels are takin’ over, they’ve
C Am
killed my plants and eaten Rover, my
F F
neighbour used to think they were cute
C
but now she’s gone (gone gone gone)
G F C
They’re coming for me now, I think it won’t be long.

F G
We boarded up the windows
C Am
put garlic on the door
F G
Yet every day we found more scratches
F G
and peanut shells on the floor.

F G
“This is stupid,” my boyfriend said, “Squirrels are
C Am
harmless and that’s a fact!
F G
I’m going outside to check things out
F G
Stay here…I’LL BE RIGHT BACK.”

CHORUS:
C Am
The squirrels are takin’ over, they’ve
C Am
killed my plants and eaten Rover, my
F F
boyfriend used to think they were cute
C
but now he’s gone (gone gone gone)
G F C
They’re coming for me now, I think it won’t be long
G F
They’re coming for me now, I think it won’t be –

Words/Music: (c) 2002 Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Dedicated to: the Weta Digital Effects Crew
Where you can buy the song: Sushi and High Tea

Background:
This song is based on my webcomic, Waiting For Frodo, which is about overly avid fans waiting in line for the Lord of the Rings movies. The strip is now finished, but I’ve started up Waiting For Bilbo in anticipation of The Hobbit.

Listen to the song:

C F G
Just another night alone with my cat and my laptop
C F G
Maybe we’ll go out to a movie, or maybe not
F G
Maybe I’ll just stand on my head and then see
C G F
what the evening brings
G C G F F | C G F F
As I wait for Lord of the Rings.

CHORUS:
C F C F
I’m waiting, Waiting For Frodo
C F C F
Waiting, waiting for you.
C F C F
I’m waiting, Waiting For Frodo (I say I’m)
C F C F
Waiting, waiting for you.

C F G C G
Some may think I’m a little bit nutty, friends all hope it won’t last
C F G
I tell ‘em hey it’s not like I grew two heads or misspelled “crevasse”
F G
I think they’re jealous of my Frodo
C G F
goblet from Burger King
G C G F F | C G F F
As we wait for Lord of the Rings.

CHORUS

BRIDGE:

G F G F
Peter Jackson won’t let us down
G F
But how does he expect us to survive this agonizing
G F
countdown?
B C
I’m just a typical avid Tolkien fan, or maybe
B C
not but I was here when everything began, so
G
please, ap-
G
-pease, don’t
G
tease…

C F G
Just another night alone with my cat, life in slow mo
C F G
Sitting here in line for the movie, just…11** months to go!
F G C F
I dream of distant lands, of hobbits, and of kings
G C G F F | C G F F
As I wait for Lord of the Rings.

CHORUS:
C F C F
I’m waiting, Waiting For Frodo
C F C F
Waiting, waiting for you.
C F C F
I’m waiting, Waiting For Frodo (I say I’m)
C F C F
Waiting, waiting for you
C F C F
I’m waiting, Waiting For Frodo
C F C F
Waiting, waiting for you.
C F C F
I’m waiting, Waiting For Frodo (I say I’m)
C F
Waiting, waiting for (pause….)
C F C F
you!

END BIT COUNTERPOINT
(Allison starts, add Debbie, add Jodi,
guitar repeats C F etc. then ends in C)

A: Better get in line now, just ** months to go!

D: Frodo, you’re my hero!

J: I never read the book, but I liked the movie!

**should be replaced by appropriate number of months.