Sucking Cider Through a Straw

By Michael Alumbaugh © 2004, 2014

This silly little ditty was adapted from a folk song by the same name. I had fun with it. (Mental images of this make me laugh.) The title is about the only thing left in tact. All of it is original but that. (Hey! That rhymed!)

The prettiest gal I ever saw

Was sucking cider through a straw.

I asked that gal, as I stood in awe,

How she sucked that cider through that straw?

Then cheek to cheek, and jaw to jaw,

We sucked that cider through our straws.

When all at once the my straw did slip!

I sucked some cider from her lip!

And now I got me a Mother-in-law

From sucking cider through that straw.

Yes, now I got the best Mother-in-law

From sucking cider through that straw.

So if the prettiest gal you ever saw

Is sucking cider through a straw,

You might just get you a Mother-in-law

From sucking cider through a straw.

From sucking cider through . . . a . . . straw!

The Blood & the Wood (It Is Good )

By Michael Alumbaugh © May 17, 2014 

With guitarist and lyricists, or creative musical people in general, melodious themes, or little ditties, run through their heads. Sometimes for years. Some never escape and others can't be held back.

This is one of those that couldn't be held back. It started with a simple minor progression and a bit of maudlin morose melancholy mood and, WHAM, words flowed like water.  

Actually it is a rather joyous story with a haunting minor mood. (And I hear a violin and cello carrying the guitar.) Whatever the accompaniment,  the tale must be told again and again. It is good!

His hands scooped the warm earth,

Good Judean sod.

Gently planting the sapling,

A tree meant for God.

A young man quite humble

He did as he should.

And now He was finished.

Behold, all was good.

All was good.

The years passed before them,

These young carpenter’s hands.

Now off to the temple

To reason with man.

His parents, in wonder,

Had not understood.

But when He had finished

Behold, it was good.

It was good.

In time, He had managed,

This carpenters son,

To gather disciples

Who’d follow the One.

With words and with wonders

He taught as He could.

And when He was finished.

Behold, it was good.

It was good.

------- Bridge -------

His time now was on Him

The soldiers had come

To try and to test Him.

His followers had run.

The tree now was fallen

And hewn for its wood.

And when it was finished

Behold, it was good.

It was good.

He carried the sin of

All Adam’s race.

They mocked and they beat Him.

They spat in His face.

Then cruelly laid Him

Nailed to that wood

And when they had finished

Behold, it was good.

It was good.

They lifted Him upward

Between earth and sky.

Divided His garment.

“Forgive them!” He cried.

His eyes looked to heaven

As He hung on that wood

And cried, “It is finished.”

 Behold, it was good.

It was good.

The grave could not hold Him

Now men must confess.

His blood makes them guilty.

And yet men still jest.

The nails and the timber

The blood and the wood.

His love not diminished.

Behold, it is good.

Very good.

It is good.

Behold, it is good.

Thinking It Over

By Michael L. Alumbaugh, ©1981, 2014

I’d been thinking it over
And I saw what a mess, what a mess
My life was in.
And I’d been thinking it over
And I saw I’d let my priorities
Slip again.

And I feel like a leaf blowing in the wind.
Yes, I feel like a leaf blowing in the wind.

Well, I’d been thinking it over
When I heard about a man, about a man
Who was a true, true friend.
And I’d been thinking it over
When I hear He promised me a Life,
A Life without an end.

And I feel the weight back in my feet again.
Yes, I feel the weight back in my feet again.

Now I don’t have to think it over,
‘Cause I found the Man
Who was a true, true friend. (Jesus is His name!)
And I don’t have to think it over,
‘Cause He's given me a Life,
A Life without an end!

And I don’t feel like a leaf
Blowing in the wind.
No, I don’t feel like a leaf
Blowing in the wind!

Now, you don’t have to think it over.
He's the One, He's the One true friend.
And you don’t have to think it over.
‘Cause He gives new life,
New life without an end.

And you won’t feel like a leaf
Blowing in the wind.

No, you won't feel like a leaf

blowing in the wind.

And you'll have weight in your feet again.

The Feast

By Michael L. Alumbaugh, ©1981, 2014

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. - Matthew 15:8 - 9

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.- 1 John 2: 4 - 5

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.- Revealation 19:7 - 9

They're selling "junk food" down the street.
But it's more filler than it is meat.
But folks don't care.
They eat it 'cause it's cheap.
And, my, my, do they eat!
Oh, that "food" is, oh , so sweet.
But don't you see, they're starving in their sleep.

So their body's, they decay.
And their spirits waste away
As their intellect lies toothless in the wake.
And they're all too weak to stand
As the lion takes the land.
Oh, Wake up, oh sleeper! Wake up for Jesus sake.

For a Feast has been prepared.
Heaven's cupboards have been bared
In preparation for the coming of His Bride.
They're the ones, He paid the cost.
Who ate the meat and not the dross.
And drew their strength from the Lamb who dwells inside.

With their bodies clothed in white,
From the Lamb who is the Light,
To the One who gave His life, sins' power to break,
With voices joined in praise,
T'will resound for endless days.
Oh, Wake up, oh sleeper! Wake up for Jesus sake.


They're selling "junk food" down the street.
But it's more filler than it is meat.
But folks don't care.
They eat it 'cause it's cheap.
But a Feast has been prepared.
Heaven's cupboards have been bared.
Oh, Wake up, oh sleeper! Wake up for Jesus sake.