Brown Eyes

words & music by Doug Howell • © 2022 Creative Measures LLC

just a summer night
we were warming up the band
I was on the stage
you were in the stands
but you met me eye to eye
you on that 10-speed bike of yours
with that smile of yours
you melted my defenses
I thought I had outgrown that kind of tenderness
but just one look at you
made it all come back in view

brown eyes
I want to see you smile
won’t you shine it on me
where is
that sparkle in your eyes
that I used to see
oh, the light there used to be
brown eyes
don’t let your heart turn cold
cause tonight my heart is
aching just to think of you
alone

just a simple prayer
when you let love come in
I saw the tears run down
saw new life begin
and he filled you with his fire
can’t you see how cold the world has grown
oh, you must have known
it would grow so old without it
but you say you can’t do anything about it
but if the flame of love’s still burning
then the season’s ripe
for turning

brown eyes
I want to see you smile
come on and shine it on me
where is
that sparkle in your eyes
that I used to see
oh, the light there used to be
brown eyes
don’t let your heart turn cold
cause tonight my heart is
aching just to think of you
alone

Reviews

Ah! Every time I hear you sing I have SO many memories swirling in my head. It’s because you voice literally drips with huge emotion! So thanks for your new songs, and thanks for the memories! ❤️ —Randy T.

It’s always nice to hear the story behind a song…. and sometimes we connect to the saddest ones the most. I just listened to a couple other Doug Favs & absolutely love your covers of All I know & Love Hurts. —Jay E.

Touched my soul,I can relate, peace and love. —Karen R.

This touched me. —Pamela M.

I really like this song, Doug. The way you stretch your voice adds so much… to say nothing of “Wonderknucks” filling in the corners!! —Randy C.

Beautiful!! I’m smiling thru my tears – of joy, of sadness – but most of all – of hope. Awesome song!!! —Sheila C.

2022 Notes

Unquestionably, the hardest part about traveling on the road for me was the leaving part. (To pick up a theme I mentioned a couple songs back.) When I was with Good News Circle, our support team set up sponsoring churches in each town months ahead of time who would join together and sponsor a rally (or, more often, a five-night “crusade”). We sang songs and Bob Laurent, one of the group, would give a message, followed by an invitation. Many people came forward to give their lives to the Lord, maybe for the first time, or perhaps in rededication. We, along with others from the local churches, prayed with those who came forward.

But at the end of the week, we had to leave. And what became of the decisions and dedications we often never knew. The plan of course was that the local churches would provide local support as needed, but inevitably, some people fell through the cracks.

That’s what happened with a young man from a little town in Iowa. We set up in the park, and he hung around, leaning on his 10-speed, obviously interested in what was going on. At the end of the service that night, I ended up praying with him, and was a witness as God reached out to touch his spirit. The tears flowed down, freedom flowed in, and joy was written on his face and in his brown eyes. 

After leaving GNC, I happened to sing in that same town again one night, and he came to hear me. He was older, and he looked as if life had not treated him too kindly. I talked to him afterward, and he told me how the joy had gone out of his life. How the confusion had set in. I prayed with him again, but this time, there was no smile, no tears, no sparkle. 

We each have our own path to walk, and it’s often not an easy one. Brown Eyes, I hope you have found the path (or paths!) God had in mind for you, and that the joy and peace came back in spades. I pray that the smile and sparkle I remember from that night long ago are now blessing everyone around you every single day.

Music Notes

Yet again, I thank Dan “Wonderknucks” Leonhardt for his amazing guitar work. Mahalo nui loa, Dan! He said he wasn’t sure at first what to do on this song, but he waited, and eventually something felt right. I’m glad he waited.