My Copper Country Song

I heard James Taylor's "Carolina In My Mind" on the speakers at work today and I could not get it out of my head.  He sings about being homesick for his North Carolina home.  If you are not familiar with it, here is a link to a video of a recent version.  It made me sort of homesick for the Copper Country/Keweenaw Peninsula where we still own our house.

It occurred to me that "Copper Country" and "Carolina" are similar syllable-wise, etc.  So I wondered if I could write Copper Country themed lyrics based on J.T.'s work.  I've never written lyrics before, but hey, I never Tweeted before a few weeks ago either.  So, why not?

My apologies to Mr. Taylor and I hope I have not violated some copyright law or something.  I don't at this time intend to make any money on this and would pursue getting permission if I did.  Technically this whole blog site is a school project, so maybe I won't have storm troopers busting down my door tomorrow morning.

Let me know what you think and if you have any change suggestions.  If you are a singer and want to do a cover of this I would really like to hear it.  You *really* don't want *me* to sing it.

Anyway, here it is:

Copper Country In My Mind

Lyrics by Jim Curtis

Based on “Carolina In My Mind” by James Taylor

In my mind I’m gone to Copper Country
Can’t you see the sunshine?
Can’t you just feel the moonshine?
That Keweenaw’s a friend of mine
Her voice is wild and kind
Oh I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

Quincy she’s a copper mine
The sun comes out and watch her shine
Watch her watch the towns below
A silver tear appearing now I’m crying ain’t I?
I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

There ain’t no doubt in no-one’s mind
That land’s the finest land around
Whispering wind in the pines
Northern Lights the sky’s on fire and I’m dying, ain’t I?
I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

In my mind I’m gone to Copper Country
Can’t you see the Big Lake?
Can’t you just feel your toes ache?
The white water waves break
Rock art left behind
And I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

Dark and silent late last night
Think I might have heard the owls a’calling
Geese that honk and hawks in flight.
And signs that might be omens say I’m goin’, I’m goin’
I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

Now with crowds of people bustlin’ all around me
Feelin’ stuck on the dark side of the moon
And it looks like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me

If I’m up and gone to Copper Country in my mind

In my mind I’m gone to Copper Country
Can’t you see the snow fall?
Can’t you just feel the wind howl?
And ain’t the drifts ten feet tall?
You gaze until you’re blind
Oh I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

Oh I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

I’m already gone

I’m gone

Say nice things about me

I’m gone

You’ll have to carry on without me

I’m gone
Oh I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind

I’m gone

Yes, I’m gone to Copper Country in my mind.