I wrote my latest song "America" because I feel that sometimes this country isn't appreciated enough, either by people who live outside of it, or by those who live inside its borders. It has its faults, for sure (energy and healthcare must get under control, for instance) but overall, the basic principles upon which America was founded are to be admired, in my belief. We are still a relatively young country, compared to the rest of the world, and we make mistakes like a younger entity can, and does, but there are many, many good, solid people who live here, who work hard and have an open heart towards the rest of the world. We don't have the advantage of a long history....sometimes we come up shortsighted....it might come across as arrogance at times, but it is really a lack of sophistication. Still, America is what she is....a thought born out of courageous minds, who envisioned a "melting pot" where all who needed a fresh start could begin again, through dreams and hard work. May she always hold a torch for those who need her Light.

For those of us who have a spiritual life, being "Born Again" is often a part of our fabric, and I wrote the lyrics of this song, "Milk and Honey," to reflect my deep appreciation for what Christ did for all of mankind.

This is a deeply personal song for me, because it was in asking for forgiveness (we are all sinners) that I "surrendered" to Christ, and therein lies the sweetness....like milk and honey.

I wrote this song for my beloved maternal Grandma, who was able to reach me 3,000 miles away the moment she passed away, via "telepathy", or whatever one wishes to call it. When I was a little girl, everytime I was with her and we would see a monarch butterfly together, she would say to me "Jenny, there'a a free spirit." When she passed, I was walking on a New York City sidewalk, and suddenly felt a pain in my chest....that night my mother informed me that my Grandma had passed away of a heart attack. With the 3 hour time difference, it turned out to be the same time I felt the pain in my chest. Exactly one week later, as I was walking along the same New York City street, this time with a girlfriend, at the same spot where I had stopped in my tracks just a week before, both me and my friend saw a monarch butterfly pass in front of us. Grandma, I said, must be sending me a message that she is now a "free spirit." So in honor of her, and her beautiful garden that she always tended to, I wrote this song, "Paper Garden."



PAPER GARDEN
by Jennifer Avalon & Noel Boland

I remember when Grandma died
It was raining and cold outside
I felt the pain as she closed her eyes
I said goodbye

But then that night she came to my heart
Showed me a picture of her backyard
A field of flowers surrounded by stars
A piece of Heaven painted on a card

PAPER GARDEN, NO MATTER HOW FAR I'VE SEARCHED
I'M CLOSER TO GOD IN HER GARDEN,
THEN ANYWHERE ELSE ON EARTH,
PAPER GARDEN

Magnolia's bloom in the summer wind
Iced tea and apple cake with cinnamon
I see her calling out to me again,
"It's not the end"

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:
Paper Garden, the image is clear
It didn't fade in all these years
A sign, though my world may change
The Garden stays the same

(C):
A field of flowers where a river runs
The path to Heaven when my life is done

Tag:
Paper Garden (she'll always be with me)
Paper Garden (I see her so clearly)

(c) Avalon & Boland

This song is actually based on something that really happened to me when I was around 16. I did fall in love with a fellow, who told me he was going to marry me... but he ran off with a model who was living nearby, and I was crushed. I found out later that their marriage broke up, but in the meantime, it made me somewhat afraid about falling in love again....."Once Bitten, Twice Shy."


ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY

When I was sweet sixteen, the boy next door fit all my dreams
He promised me a wedding ring, but he was gone before the Spring

Maybe you're different from other men, see a sparkle in your smile
I can't afford to get my heart broken, the way I feel, it's been awhile

YOU'RE MOVIN' TO CATCH MY EYE, I WATCH FROM THE SIDE
YOU SEEM LIKE A REAL NICE GUY, ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY

I go inside to meet my friends, and there you are so cool dancin'
You're all alone when they close the floor, I know cause one eye's on the door

Maybe you're different from other men, see a sparkle in your smile

YOU'RE MOVIN' TO CATCH MY EYE, I WATCH FROM THE SIDE
YOU SEEM LIKE A REAL NICE GUY, ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY

Bridge: When it's real you just know, no easy come easy go,
Let's just take it real nice and slow.....whoa

Maybe you're different from other men, the way I feel it's been awhile

YOU'RE MOVIN' TO CATCH MY EYE, I WATCH FROM THE SIDE
YOU SEEM LIKE A REAL NICE GUY, ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY
YOU'RE HAVIN' A REAL GOOD TIME, A PARTY-LOVIN' TYPE GUY
I'D LOVE TO GIVE YOU A TRY BUT, ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY

© Avalon/Boland