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I had a high school art teacher whom I idolized. He was so cool, so together and so incredibly talented he truly inspired me to try my best. He seemed disappointed when, senior year, I told him I was going to study engineering, but he said, "Well, maybe my classes will help you in your engineering drawing classes". He wished me well and I walked out of that last art class, never to see him again. I heard he left teaching and went to work for Hallmark Greeting Cards in Kansas City, but that was it for decades. I finally tried to find him again a couple years ago and this song is about how we lost him and he lost himself.

lyrics

DEAR JOHN

Dear John, hope you get this letter
Dear John, hope that you remember

Last time that I saw you I was walking out of art class at the bell
You said ‘good luck in college, you’ll be so successful, give ‘em hell
Well the summers turned to seasons and the seasons turned too fast
You painted the perspective but the color’s fading fast

Dear John, hope you get this letter
Dear John, hope that you remember
Dear John...

When I tried to track you down, Patty said that you had disappeared
For anyone who’d listen they’d say it was getting pretty weird
But I found you in the front yard, just watering the grass
A living Leonardo, and a man without a past

Dear John, hope you get this letter
Dear John, hope that you remember
Dear John...

A steady hand that straightened every crooked line I drew
You may not remember that, but swear to God I do…
Dear John…oh, Dear John

Dear John, hope you get this letter
Dear John, hope that you remember
Dear John...oh, dear John
Dear John...

credits

from Good Water Safe Camp (Remastered), released April 26, 2023
Words & Music: James Dean Cotton
Vocals, Guitars, Organ: James Dean Cotton
Drums programmed in Apple Logic Pro X: James Dean Cotton

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James Dean Cotton Seattle, Washington

James Dean Cotton hails from the Missouri Ozarks where bluegrass and Americana infused an easy, 70's acoustic style. He writes and performs solo and with the acoustic duo, American Sons, in the Seattle area.

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