FYC: Best American Roots Song & Performance
ARTIST: Doug James
Uncle Charlie
Chip Orton & Doug James
Sinjin Music, BMI / Doug James Music, BMI
Produced by: Jeff Silverman, Keith Mack and Doug James
Mixed and Mastered by in Stereo and Dolby Atmos / Spatial Audio by: Jeff Silverman at Palette MSP, Nashville TN.
Engineers: Keith Mack, Jeff Silverman & Doug James
Executive Producers: Kenny and Ann Simpler & Will and Bettye James
Debra Silverman, DLS Graphics- Artwork
Lyrics:
Used to have an uncle named Charlie.
He loved his baseball and beer.
The corner saloon was his favorite room,
And he'd toast everyone who came near.
He didn't think much of the future -
He always lived for today.
Didn't like dreamin', nor plannin', nor schemin’,
And if you'd listen, here's what he'd say . . .
Chorus
“May your problems be a drop in the bucket;
If the world's full of woe I don't care;
Let 'em say I never did nobody no harm,
And when it's last call, let me be there.
Give me my corner in Heaven
When I get there with nothin' to confess;
Let the dice always roll number seven,
And may the pretty ones always say yes.
May the pretty ones always say yes.”
Now, some folks said he was lazy -
Didn't have what you'd call 'taste.'
But when it came to boozin', or the brand he was choosin’,
He never let a drop go to waste.
I'm sure he would’ve liked his service;
The preacherman was gentle and kind -
Said, “Uncle Charlie did just what he said he would do,
And he left just these few words behind . . .
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
Now, when I find myself caught up in a world full of strife
And it seems like I can't find my way,
I remember Uncle Charlie - how he led his life -
Sometimes I can still hear him say . . .
Repeat Chorus
