https://mjblue.com/songs/Labor%20of%20Love.mp3
Songwriters: Michael Johnson, J.D. Martin
Say it isn't so, something deep inside
...
Keep it to yourself, ...
...

Labor of love, you pay your dues in paradise
Even on the darkest night you know
Stars shine above, ...
So remember to treasure the labor of love

He takes it on the chin, sometimes she needs to see him bleed
He hides his heart, she wear it on her sleeve
He smiles and says you're right, softly she says I apologize
...

Labor of love, you pay your dues in paradise
Even on the darkest night you know
Stars shine above, ...
So remember to treasure the labor of love

When your heart is breaking, it's just your soul that's waking to a labor of love
You pay your dues in paradise
Even on the darkest night you know
Stars shine above, ...
So remember to treasure the labor of love

Mark Henley with MJ on guitar and vocals, By Then

https://mjblue.com/songs/By%20Then.mp3

Photo added to Misc page. Artwork for Rooty Toot Toot for the Moon single, 1973. I have the actual promo somewhere, will have to add when I come across it.

part of "Isn't That So" by Jesse Winchester 12/13/1980

https://mjblue.com/songs/isntthatso.mp3

Complete lyrics:

Well, he knew what he was doin'
When he put eyes into my head
If he didn't want me to lookin' at them pretty little women
He'd'a left my ol' eyeballs dead

Isn't that so
Tell me, isn't that so
You got to go when your heart says go
Isn't that so

Well, he knew what he was doin'
When he made that magic vine
His own son got a reputation
For turnin' water into wine

Isn't that so
Tell me, isn't that so
You got to go when your heart says go
Isn't that so

Let that line of least resistance lead me on
Let the line of least resistance lead me on

Well, he know what he was doin'
When he divided the high from the low
You got to bury seed in the womb, my friend
If you want the little seed to grow

Now, isn't that so
Isn't that so
You got to go when your heart says go
Isn't that so

You got to go when your heart says go
Isn't that so
Let that line of least resistance lead me on
Let the line of least resistance lead me on
Let your heart, let your heart, your heart lead you on
Let your heart, let your heart lead you on

https://youtu.be/a7MvYJ4FLMM

Michael Johnson - Farewell to Lorien
Words: J.R.R. Tolkein; Music: Michael Johnson & Mark Henley
Demo courtesy of Michael Johnson
Lyrics:
I sang of leaves, of leaves of gold
And leaves of gold there grew
Of wind I sang
A wind there came
And in the branches blew
Beyond the sun
Beyond the moon

Oh Lorien, the winter comes
The bare and leafless day
The leaves are falling in the stream
The river flows away
Beyond the sun
Beyond the moon

Oh Lorien
Too long I have lived upon this hither shore
And in a fading crown
Have twined the golden elanor
Oh Lorien
Too long I have lived upon this hither shore
And in a fading crown
Have twined the golden elanor

But if of ships I now should sing
What ship would come to me
What ship would bear me ever
Back across so wide a sea
Beyond the sun
Beyond the moon

Beyond the sun
Beyond the moon

Early demo

hi strung guitar

https://youtu.be/F-5GTXOwcOY

Here is an early version of Here Comes the Sun on his hi-strung guitar. Unfortunately the end was cut off.

Here Comes the Sun

https://youtu.be/oWgo745HRiE

Songwriting Demo

https://youtu.be/UttK_X_3xWY

MJ, Mark Henley and Ted Sherman

https://youtu.be/tQ1lMEDDdAc

Courtesy of Brian Junker. Not the best recording but better than my copy (no thanks to my brother   ).