RIPPLE LINE - Shelton Bradshaw live from Balboa Pier

I wanted to celebrate Joyce Meyer’s insights on God, life, love, etc. But in doing so I found myself afraid I’d ripped off the melody from the Grateful Dead song “Ripple,”—ironically not one of my favs. While researching my feared plagiarism, I was happy to see I hadn’t, and in doing so found myself eager to also honor my other hero, “Granpa” Jerry. As I reflected on Jerry’s influence on me as well, it was clear I had to include him in the song. Though seemingly disparate characters, the voices of Joyce and Jerry take me to the very same refuge of spiritual clarity and artistic inspiration.

RIPPLE LINE
No quit, no fail.
No truth, no sell.
No brave, no save.
No lies, no grave.

Are we still trying to find you?
Aren’t you tired of running?
Is your best behind you?
Ain’t beginning more fun?

All piercing rain, Aunt Joyce warned.
Most pain’s so so self torn.
Hope hopeless trial, make another smile.
Fear disappears, we all cosign.

That we may just have to rip off a ripple line
Yea we may just have to rip off a ripple line.

YEs laugh, make a gaffe.
Yes love, no doubt.
Less stuff, more tough.
Self sorrow, enough.

Must I be the one to remind you.
You’re so sick of scarin’
I guess the rest is inside you.
Damn be more daring.

Aunt Joyce claimed we’re all the same.
Love love the melted mix ever ever ever fix.
Make other’s grin. Love another’s win.
Pay pay member’s fee, We all agree, sometimes

That we may just have to rip off a ripple line
We may just have to rip off a ripple line.
Then we may just make Grandpa Jerry smile.