Tammy Vice

This song was written as a thank you to the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee, and all those who support families living in the spectrum.

Hanging on by a string

Seems we’ve tried everything

Then I look in her eyes

And I know that there’s so much inside

And it helps me find my strength

Then again I go

Picking up pieces of hope

Some say we’re grabbing at straws

But there’s no counting the costs

When I look at her face

And it cries countless lives at stake

And we can’t afford the loss

So on I go

Picking up pieces of hope

Just like tiny bits of twine

Twisted together with patience, love, and time

They’ll build a strong rope

It’s been an uphill climb

One careful step at a time

But I wouldn’t trade

What she’s taught me.  She’s brought me this way

And I’m living a much better life

‘Cause of her I go

Giving out pieces of hope

Just like tiny bits of twine

Twisted together with patience, love, and time

They’ll build a strong rope

You know its people like you

The ones that prayers are answered through

When you’re so willing

To care and to share of yourselves

Without you, what would we do?

With the love you show

You give us pieces of hope

J Rees Music BMI

615-297-3018

Richard was telling me his church hosted a meal for the homeless on Wednesday nights.  We started talking about what really makes a person feel welcome.  We knew it wasn't the carpet on the floors, or anything fancy.  It was just genuine hospitality served up simply.  Richard runs a little cafe in White's Creek now called Ri'chard's Lousiana Cafe.  Stop by and visit sometime for some great food, hospitality, and original tunes. 

Paper Cup                                                                               Richard Trest / Tammy Vice

 He handed me a paper cup, a little white haired lady filled it up

 With sweet tea, then she smiled at me

 We held hands and said a prayer for Billy’s cousin and Sue’s Aunt Claire

 And then we asked the Lord to bless this meal

      I ain’t  been to Church for years, But somehow I felt like I belonged right here

 At a pot luck dinner fit for the King

 Styrofoam plates and chicken wings

 Miss Judy says that it ain’t much, but it sure does fill me up

 As we share God’s love, in a paper cup

 We opened up our bibles to Luke 16, I felt those words were written right to me

 I’d been serving myself, and no one else

 I’ve been busy chasing fortune and fame, everybody knows me as a self made man (woman)

 Who turned away, like a Pharisee

 LIFT AND CHORUS

Second line (With cornbread, country ham and turnip greens )

 I signed up to bring a salad next time

think I’m gonna bring along a friend of mine

 LIFT AND CHORUS

Second Line ( With pecan pie and a jello ring)

J Rees Music BMI

John Rees Music ASCAP

Copyright 2005

Dedicated to my daughter, Allison.  She graduated from college this year.  And we want so much more for her than "just getting by".  This was written with some of my Mobile songwriting family, which makes it even sweeter to me. 

Just Getting By

We roll along in our little tin cans,

Lock up in our boxes at night

And the grass keeps growing, and the wind keeps blowing

Through the gain and the loss in our lives

But we all live under the same warm sun

Look up at the same blue sky

Come in and out of this world through the same hard door

And I want more than just getting by

Yeah I want more than just getting by

Well the preacher & the pauper & the millionaire man

All struggle with the worries of life

And their wheels keep turning while the fires keep burning

Through the riches & the rags & the pride

But we all live under the same warm sun

Look up at the same blue sky

Come in and out of this world through the same hard door

And I want more than just getting by

Yeah I want more than just getting by

Why not give it the best that we can

And do more than just survive

Cause we all live under the same warm sun

Look up at the same blue sky

Come in and out of this world through the same hard door

And I want more than just getting by

Don’t you want more than just getting by

We need more than just getting by

By: Bert Summersell, Margaret Summersell, Tammy Vice

J Rees Music BMI 2009

One of my favorite memories of my grandmother was listening to her whistle old hymns while she did her chores, and the smell of her biscuits baking in a cast iron skillet.  She kept a big old Family Bible on her kitchen table and she'd sit down from time to time to grab a nugget before moving on to the next chore.  As a child, I loved looking at the pictures.  My mom still has the old Bible.  I enjoy thumbing through it, looking at little prayers, pictures, and notes she tucked in the pages. Sweet memories.

Grandma Edmond’s Daily Bread

Layin’ open on the table

Was Grandma Edmond’s family Bible

Filled with pictures in pastel

Of Jesus and the angels

While my supper waited

I would thumb through the pages

And I could hear her in the kitchen

Whistlin’ Rock of Ages

And I’d say:

God is Great, God is good

Let us thank Him for our food

By His hands we all are fed

And I thank God for Grandma Edmond’s daily bread

That was a simple place and time

That I have long since left behind

But I keep close here beside me

A gentle spirit that guides me

To where I smell the biscuits bakin’

And I can taste tomato gravy

I close my eyes to say the blessing

I can feel the love that saved me

And I say:

God is Great, God is good

Let us thank Him for our food

By His hands we all are fed

And I thank God for Grandma Edmond’s daily bread

(come on, sing it with me)

God is Great, God is good

Let us thank Him for our food

By His hands we all are fed

And I thank God for Grandma Edmond’s daily bread

Yeah I thank God for Grandma Edmond’s----daily bread.

Tammy Vice Copyright 1998

J Rees Music BMI