| 10,000 Maniacs Lyrics |
| What's The Matter Here? Hey Jack Kerouac Like The Weather Cherry Tree The Painted Desert Don't Talk Peace Train Gun Shy My Sister Rose A Campfire Song City Of Angels Verdi Cries Eat For Two Please Forgive Us The Big Parade Trouble Me You Happy Puppet Headstrong Poison In The Well Dust Bowl The Lion's Share Hateful Hate Jubilee Noah's Dove These Are Days Eden Few And Far Between Stockton Gala Days Gold Rush Brides Jezebel How You've Grown Candy Everybody Wants Tolerance Circle Dream If You Intend I'm Not The Man Because The Night More Than This Rainy Day Love Among The Ruins Girl On A Train Green Children You Won't Find Me There Across The Fields |
| What's The Matter Here? (Buck/Merchant) That young boy without a name, anywhere I'd know his face. In this city the kid's my favorite. I've seen him. I see him every day. Seen him run outside looking for a place to hide from his father, the kid half naked and said to myself "Oh, what's the matter here?" I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's their kid I stay out of it, but who gave you the right to do this? We live on Morgan Street, just ten feet between. And his mother, I never see her, but her screams and cussing, I hear them every day. Threats like: "If you don't mind I will beat on your behind, slap you, slap you silly" made me say, "Oh, what's the matter here?" I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's your kid, do as you see fit, but get this through that I don't approve of what you did to you own flesh and blood. "If you don't sit on your chair straight, I'll take this belt from around my waist and don't think that I won't use it!" Answer me and take your time, what could be the awful crime he could do at such young an age? If I'm the only witness to your madness, offer me some words to balance out what I see and what I hear. All these cold and lonely things that you do, I suppose you do because he belongs to you. And instead of love, the feel of warmth, you've given him these cuts and sores won't heal with time or age. And I want to say, I want to say, "what's the matter here?" But I don't dare say "what's the matter here?" But I don't dare say. Hey Jack Kerouac (Buck/Merchant) Hey Jack Kerouac, I think of your mother and the tears she cried, she cried for none other than her little boy lost in our little world that hated and that dared to drag him down, her little boy courageous who chose his words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood. Hip flask slinging madman, steaming cafe' flirts, they all spoke through you. Hey Jack, now for the tricky part, when you were the brightest star, who were the shadows? Of the San Francisco beat boys you were the favorite. Now they sit and rattle their bones and think of their blood stoned days. You chose your words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood. The hip flask slinging madman, steaming cafe' flirts, nights in Chinatown howling at night. Allen baby, why so jaded? Have the boys all grown up and their beauty faded? Billy, what a saint they've made you, just like Mary down in Mexico on All Souls' Day. You chose your words from mouths of babes got lost in the wood. Cool junk booting madmen, street minded girls in Harlem howling at night. What a tear-stained shock of the world, you've gone away without saying goodbye. Like The Weather (Merchant) The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey. Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again. Shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather. A quiver in my lips as if I might cry. Well, by the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe. Lately it seems this big bed is where I never leave. Shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather. Quiver in my voice as I cry, "What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?" I hear the sound of a noon bell chime, now I'm far behind. You've put in about half a day while here I lie with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather. A quiver in my lip as if I might cry, "What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?" Do I need someone here to scold me or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four poster, dull torpor pulling downward. For it is such a long time since my better days. I say my prayers nightly this will pass away. The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds. Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather. A quiver in my voice as I cry, "What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?" A cold and a rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away? A cold and a rainy day. I shiver, quiver, and try to wake. Cherry Tree (Buck/Merchant) Over your shoulder, please don't mind me if my eyes have fallen onto your magazine. Oh, I've been watching and wondering why your face is changing with every line you read. All those lines and circles, to me, a mystery. Eve, pull down the apple and give taste to me. If she would be wonderful, but my pride is in the way. I cannot read to save my life, I'm so ashamed to say. I live in silence, afraid to speak of my life of darkness because I cannot read. For all those lines and circles, to me, a mystery. Eve, pull down the apple and give taste to me. If she could it would be wonderful. Then I wouldn't need someone else's eyes to see what's in front of me. No one guiding me. It makes me humble to be so green at what every kid can do when he learns A to Z. But all those lines and circles just frighten me and I fear that I'll be trampled if you don't reach for me. Before I run I'll have to take a fall. And then pick myself up, so slowly I'll devour every one of those books in the Tower of Knowledge. The Painted Desert (Augustyniak/Merchant) The Painted Desert can wait till summer. We've played this game of just imagine long enough. Wait till summer? When I'm sure the rains have ended, the blooms have gone, every one killed by the morning frost. Is a cactus blooming there in every roadside stand where the big deal is cowboy gear sewn in Japan? The Painted Desert can wait till summer. We've played this game of just imagine long enough. Wait till summer? When I'm sure the rains have ended and the blooms have gone, every one killed by the morning frost. Is a cactus blooming there upon the Northern rim or in the ruins of the Hopi mesa dens? You met a new friend in the Canyon, or so you wrote. On a blanket in the cooling sand you and your friend agreed that the stars were so many there they seemed to overlap. The Painted Desert can wait till summer. We've played this game of just imagine long enough. Wait till summer? When I am sure the rain has ended, the blooms have gone, every one killed by the morning frost. Was a cactus blooming there as you watched the Native boy? In a Flagstaff trailer court, you wrote the line: "He kicked a tumbleweed and his mother called him home where the Arizona moon met the Arizona sun." I wanted to be there by May at the latest time. Isn't that the plan we had or have you changed your mind? I haven't read a word from you since Phoenix or Tucson. April is over will you tell me how long before I can be there? Don't Talk (Drew/Merchant) Don't talk, I will listen. Don't talk, you keep your distance for I'd rather hear some truth tonight than entertain your lies, so take you poison silently, let me be. Let me close my eyes. Don't talk, I'll believe it. Don't talk, listen to me instead, I know that if you think of it, both long enough and hard, the drink you drown your troubles in is the trouble you're in now. Talk, talk, talk about it, you talk as if you care. But when your talk is over tilt that bottle in the air, tossing back more than your share. Don't talk, I can guess it. Don't talk, but now you're restless and you need somewhere to put the blame for how you feel inside. You'll look for a close and easy mark and you'll see me as fair game. Talk, talk, talk about it, you talk as if you care. But when your talk is over tilt that bottle in the air, tossing back more than your share. You talk, talk, talk about it, you talk as if you care. I'm marking every word and I can tell this time for sure, your talk is the finest I have heard. So don't talk, let me go on dreaming. How your eyes they glow so fiercely, I can tell your inspired by the name you chose for me. Now what was it? Oh, never mind it. We will talk, talk, talk about this when your head is clear. I'll discuss this in the morning, but until then you may talk but I won't hear. Peace Train (Stevens) Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come. And I believe it could be, something good has begun. Oh, I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one. And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come. Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train. Oh, peace train take this country, come take me home again. Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come. And I believe it could be, something good has begun. Peace train sounding louder, ride on the peace train. Ooh-ah-ee-ah-oh-ah, come on the peace train. Yes, peace train, holy roller everyone jump on the peace train. Ooh-ah-ee-ah-oh-ah, come on the peace train. Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too. Cause it's getting nearer, soon it will be with you. Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you. And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true. Peace train sounding louder, ride on the peace train. Ooh-ah-ee-ah-oh-ah, come on the peace train. Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is. Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss? Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train. Oh, peace train take this country, come take me home again. Peace train sounding louder, ride on the peace train. Ooh-ah-ee-ah-oh-ah, come on the peace train. Yes, peace train, holy roller everyone jump on the peace train. Ooh-ah-ee-ah-oh-ah, come on, come on, come on, yes, come on peace train... Gun Shy (Merchant) I always knew that you would take yourself far from home as soon as, as far as you could go. By the quarter-inch cut of your hair and the Army issue green, for the past eight weeks I can tell where you've been. For I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me, there was soldier's blue blood streaming inside your veins. There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it, promise me you won't meet it with your gun. So now you are one of the brave few, it's awful sad we need boys like you. I hope the day never comes for "Here's your live round son. Stock and barrel, safety, trigger, here's your gun." For I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me, there was soldier's blue blood streaming inside your veins. There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it, promise me you won't meet it with your gun taking aim. For I don't mean to argue, they've made a decent boy of you and I don't mean to spoil your home coming, but baby brother, you should expect me to. "Stock and barrel, safety, trigger, here's your gun." So now does your heart pitter pat with a patriotic song when you see the stripes of Old Glory waving? Well I knew, I could see, it was all cut and dried to me there was soldier's blue blood streaming inside your veins. There is a world outside of this room and when you meet it, promise me you won't meet it with your gun taking aim. For I don't mean to argue, they've made a decent boy of you. And I don't mean to spoil your home coming, but baby brother, Jude, well, I don't mean to hurt you by saying this again, they're so good at making soldiers but they're not so good at making men. My Sister Rose (Augustyniak/Merchant) Big, big plans are being made for my sisters wedding day. We'll have a ball at the Sons of Roma Hall. Family, friends come one and all. First the best man makes a toast to Rocky and my sister Rose, "A life of years free of tears. Bottoms up and lots of luck!" Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone. Frankie Rizzo and his Combo play on. Single girls all hear the call from a crowd at the back wall and when the bouquet flies each one tries to be the best catch and next years bride. Uncle Sam and Uncle Joe take their places in the row. They're standing by side to side for dollar dances with the bride. Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo, Rose and Rock alone. "He's a banker, she'll be well off now." Sister Rose, take your mother's place. Trade your home and your maiden name. For a list of vows and a veil of lace made a wife of you today. Now they cut the five-tier cake. That Callucci, he can bake a frosted tower of sugar and flour for the couple of the hour. Polka, tango everyone, cha-cha, mambo Rose and Rock alone. She was born to wear that gown. Sister Rose, take your mother's place. Trade your home and your maiden name. For a list of vows and a veil of lace made a wife of you today, but you're my sister Rose, the same. A Campfire Song (Merchant) A lie to say, "Oh my mountain has coal veins and beds to dig. 500 men with axes and they all dig for me." A lie to say, "Oh my river where many fish do swim, half of the catch is mine when you haul your nets in." No, never will he believe that his greed is a blinding ray. No devil or redeemer will cheat him. He'll take his gold to where he's lying cold. A lie to say, "Oh my mine gave a diamond as big as a fist." But with every gem in his pocket, the jewels he has missed. A lie to say, "Oh my garden is growing taller by the day." He only eats the best and tosses the rest away. No, never will he be believe that his greed is a blinding ray. No devil or redeemer can cheat him. He'll take his gold to where he's lying cold, six deep in the grave. Something is out of reach, something he wanted. Something is out of reach, he's being taunted. Something is out of reach that he can't beg or steal nor can he buy. His oldest pain and fear in life- there'll not be time. His oldest pain and fear in life- there'll not be time. A lie to say "Oh my forest has trees that block the sun and when I cut them down I don't answer to anyone." No, no, never will he believe that his greed is a blinding ray. No devil or redeemer can cheat him. He'll take his gold where he's lying cold. Lonely, lonely, lonely man. City Of Angels (Buck/Merchant) Heaven, is this heaven? Heaven, is this heaven? Heaven, is this heaven where we are? See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking. Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven. Where is the blessed table to feed all who hunger on earth? Welcomed and seated, each one is joyfully served. See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking. Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven. Where is the halo that should glow from your face, and where are the wings that should grow from your shoulders? Please show them to me. Sobering sights I've seen in the City of Angels have all been one rude awakening that was due to me in heaven. There would have been heavenly music, I was convinced before. A host of the dearly to meet me with Hosannas sung at the door, but these are sobering sights I've seen in the City of Angels have all been one rude awakening that was due to me in this city of fallen angels. Verdi Cries (Merchant) The man in 119 takes his tea alone. Mornings we all rise to wireless Verdi cries. I'm hearing opera through the door. The souls of men and women, impassioned all. Their voices climb and fall, battle trumpets call. I fill the bath and climb inside, singing. He will not touch their pastry but every day they bring him more. Gold from the breakfast tray, I steal them all away and then go and eat them on the shore. I draw a jackal-headed woman in the sand, sing of a lover's fate sealed by jealous hate then wash my hands in the sea. With just three days more I'd have just about learned the entire score to Aida. Holidays must end as you know. All is memory taken home with me: the opera, the stolen tea, the sand drawing, the verging sea, all years ago. Eat For Two (Merchant) Oh, Baby blankets and baby shoes, baby slippers, baby spoons, walls of baby blue. A dream child in my head is a nightmare born in a borrowed bed. Now I know lightning strikes again. It struck me once, then struck me dead. My folly grows inside of me. I eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now. Eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now. Well, the egg man fell down off his shelf. All the good king's men with all their help struggled till the end for a shell they couldn't mend. You know where this will lead, to hush-a-bye in the nursery for the kicking one inside of me. I eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now. Eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now. When the boy was a boy, the girl was a girl, they found each other in a wicked world. Strong in some respects, but she couldn't stand for the way he begged and gave in. Pride is for men, young girls should run and hide instead. Risk the game by taking dares with "yes." Eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now. Eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now. Walk for two? I'm stumbling. Walk for two? I'm stumbling. Breathe for two? I can't breathe. I can't breathe. Five months, how it grows. Five months now, I begin to show. Please Forgive Us (Buck/Merchant) "Mercy, mercy," why didn't we hear it? "Mercy, mercy," why did we read it buried on the last page of our morning papers? The plan was drafted, drafted in secret. Gunboats met the red tide, driven to the rum trade for the army that they created. But the bullets were bought by us, it was dollars that paid them. Please forgive us, we don't know what was done Please forgive us, we don't know what was done in our name. There'll be more trials like this in mercenary heydays. When they're so apt to wrap themselves up in the stripes and stars and find that they are able to call themselves heroes and to justify murder by their fighters for freedom. Please forgive us, we don't know what was done. Please forgive us, we didn't know. Could you ever forgive us? I don't know how you could. I know this is no consolation. Please forgive us, we didn't know. Could you ever believe that we didn't know? Please forgive us, we didn't know. I wouldn't blame you if you never could, and you never will. The Big Parade (Augustyniak/Merchant) Detroit to D.C. night train, Capitol, parts East. Lone young man takes a seat. And by the rhythm of the rails, reading all his mother's mail from a city boy in a jungle town postmarked Saigon. He'll go live his mother's dream, join the slowest parade he'll ever see. Her weight of sorrows carried long and carried far. "Take these, Tommy, to The Wall." Metro line to the Mall site with a tour of Japanese. He's wandering and lost until a vet in worn fatigues takes him down to where they belong. Near a soldier, an ex-Marine with a tattooed dagger and eagle trembling, he bites his lip beside a widow breaking down. She takes her Purple Heart, makes a fist, strikes The Wall. All come to live a dream, to join the slowest parade they'll ever see. Their weight of sorrows carried long and carried far, taken to The Wall. It's 40 paces to the year that he was slain. His hand's slipping down The Wall for it's slick with rain. How would life have ever been the same if this wall had carved in it one less name? But for Christ's sake, he's been dead over 20 years. He leaves the letters asking, "Who caused my mother's tears, was it Washington or the Viet Cong?" Slow deliberate steps are involved. He takes them away from the black granite wall toward the other monuments so white and clean. Oh, Potomac, what you've seen. Abraham had his war too, but an honest war. Or so it's taught in school. Trouble Me (Drew/Merchant) Trouble me, disturb me with all your cares and your worries. Trouble me on the days when you feel spent. Why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden when my back is sturdy and strong? Trouble me. Speak to me, don't mislead me, the calm I feel means a storm is swelling. Speak to me, there's no telling where it starts or how it ends. Speak to me, why are you building this thick brick wall to defend me Speak to me, when your silence is my greatest fear? Why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden when my back is sturdy and strong? Speak to me, let me have a look inside these eyes while I'm learning. Speak to me, please don't hide them just because of tears. Speak to me, let me send you off to sleep with a "There, there, now stop your turning and tossing." Speak to me, let me know where the hurt is and how to heal. Spare, spare me, don't spare me anything troubling. Trouble me, disturb me with all your cares and you worries. Speak to me and let our words build a shelter from the storm. Lastly, let me know what I can mend. There's more, honestly, than my sweet friend, you can see. Trust is what I'm offering if you trouble me. You Happy Puppet (Buck/Merchant) How did they teach you to be just a happy puppet dancing on a string? How did you learn everything that comes along with slavish funnery? Tell me something, if the world is so insane, is it making you sane again to let another man tug at the thread that pulls up your nodding head? How did they teach you to be just a happy puppet dancing on a string? How do you manage to live inside this tiny stage you can't leave? Tell me something, if the world is so insane, is it making you sane again to let another man tug at the thread that pulls up your nodding head? A dullard strung on the wire. When the master's gone you hang there with your eyes and your limbs so lifeless. How did they teach you to be just a happy puppet dancing on a string? How do you manage to speak, your mouth a frozen grin? A dullard strung on the wire. When the master's gone you hang there with your eyes and your limbs so lifeless. Tell me something, if the world is so insane, is it making you sane again to let another man tug at the thread that pulls up your empty wooden head? Your hollow head, your marble eyes, your wooden hands and your metal jaw pins all wait in limbo for the man who knows how to move you this way. Headstrong (Merchant) To your common sense, firm arguments, I won't listen to your voice of reason trying to change my mind. I mind my feelings and not your words. Didn't you notice I'm so headstrong even when I know I'm wrong? Take this to your heart and into your head now. Before you waste your time, call a truce and call a draw. What's the use in mapping your views out in orderly form when it does nothing but confuse and anger me more? I mind my feelings and not your words. Didn't you notice I'm so headstrong? You're talking to a deaf stone wall. Take this to your heart and into your head now. The old wives' tale is true, I'll repeat it. All is fair in love and war, that's how the famous saying goes. Open up your eyes, see me for what I am- cast in iron, I won't break and I won't bend. Take this to your heart and into your head now. The old wives' tale is true, I'll repeat it. All is fair in love and war, that's how the famous saying goes. If I told you we were out to sea in a bottomless boat, you'd try anything to save us, you'd try anything to keep us afloat. And if we were living in a house afire, I don't believe that you could rush out and escape it and not rescue me. Take this to your heart and into your head now. The old wives' tale is true, I'll repeat it. All is fair in love and war, that's how the famous saying goes. Listen, I think they were talking to you. Poison In The Well (Drew/Merchant) Tell me what's gone wrong. I tilt my head there, under the faucet, but when I turn it on- dry as paper. Call the neighbors. Who's to blame for what's going on? In the dark, without a clue I'm just the same as you. Oh, they tell us there's poison in the well, that someone's been a bit untidy and there's been a small spill. Not a lot, no, just a drop. But there you are mistaken, you know you are. I wonder just how long they knew our well was poisoned but they let us just drink on. Oh, they tell us there's poison in the well, that someone's been a bit untidy and there's been a small spill. All that it amounts to is a tear in a salted sea. Someone's been a bit untidy, they'll have it cleaned up in a week. But the week is over and now it's grown into years since I was told that I should be calm, there's nothing to fear here. But I drank that water for years, my wife and my children. So tell me, where to now if your fight for a bearable life can be fought and lost in you backyard? Oh, don't tell us there's poison in the well, that someone's been a bit untidy, that there's been a small spill. All that it amounts to is a tear in a salted sea. Someone's been a bit untidy, they'll have it cleaned up in a week. Dust Bowl (Buck/Merchant) I should know to leave them home. They follow me through the store with these toys I can't afford. "Kids, take them back, you know better than that." Dolls that talk, astronauts, TV games, airplanes, they don't understand and how can I explain? I try and try but I can't save. Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away. I've tried and tried but I can't save. My youngest girl has bad fever, sure. All night with alcohol to cool and rub her down. Ruby, I'm tired, try and get some sleep. I'm adding doctor's fees to remedies with the cost of three day's work lost. I try and try but I can't save. Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away. I've tried and tried but I can't save. The hole in my pocketbook is growing. There's a new wind blowing they say, it's gonna be a cold, cold one. So brace yourselves my darlings, it won't bring anything much our way but more dust bowl days. I played a card in this weeks game. Took the first and the last letters in three of their names. This lottery's been building up for weeks. I could be lucky me with the five million prize, tears of disbelief spilling out of my eyes. I try and try but I can't save. Pennies, nickels, dollars slip away. I've tried and tried but I can't save. The hole in my pocketbook is growing. There's a new wind blowing they say, it's gonna be a cold, cold one. So brace yourselves my darlings, it won't bring anything much our way but more dust bowl days. The Lion's Share (Merchant/Drew) Can I be unhappy? Look at what I see- a beast in furs and crowned in luxury. He's a wealthy man in the poorest land, a self-appointed king, and there's no complaining while he's reigning. The lambs are bare of fleece and cold, the lion has stolen that, I'm told. There must be some creature mighty as you are. The lambs go hungry, not fair, the biggest portion is the lion's share. There must be some creature mighty as you are. Can I be unhappy? Listen and agree, no words can shame him or tame him. The lambs are bare of fleece and cold; the lion has stolen that, I'm told. There must be some creature mighty as you are. The lambs go hungry, not fair, the biggest portion is the lion's share. There must be some creature mighty as you are, as you are. Razor claws in velvet paws, you dunce in your guarded home, till a stronger beast will call on you and pounce upon your throne. Do we pay? Dearly, for the lion takes so greedily and he knows that what he's taken, it is ours. That's how the wealth's divided among the lambs and king of the beasts, it is so one-sided. Until the lamb is king of the beasts we live so one-sided. Hateful Hate (Merchant) In the dark night a giant slumbered untouched for centuries till awakened by a white man's cry: "This is the Eden I was to find." There were lands to be charted and to be claimed for a crown, when a hero was made by the length he could stay in this dangerous land of hateful hate. Curiosity filled the heads of these, there was an upper room they had to see. Curiosity killed the best of these for a hero's hometown welcoming. Still they moved on and on. Who came building missions? Unswerving men of the cloth who gave their lives in numbers untold so that black sheep entered the fold. Captured like human livestock, destined for slavery. Naked, walked to the shore where great ships moored for the hellbound journies. Bought and sold with a hateful hate. Curiosity filled the breasts of these with some strange ecstasy. Curiosity killed the best of these by robbing their lives of dignity. Still they moved on and on. Calling men of adventure for a jungle bush safari. Come conquer the, his claws and teeth. See death in his eyes to know you're alive. European homesteads grew up in the colonies with civilized plans for wild hinterlands, their guns and God willing. Such a hateful hate. Curiosity spilled the blood of these for their spotted skins and ivory. Curiosity filled the heads of these madmen with the lies of destiny. Curiosity spilled the blood of these, then blotted their lives from history. Curiosity filled the heads of these, one man claimed all that he could see. Curiosity still entices these madmen with a lusting and agreed. Their legacy, legacy, legacy... Jubilee (Merchant) He fills the flower vases, trims the candle bases, takes small change from the poor box. Tyler has the key. He takes nail and hammer to tack up the banner of felt scraps glued together reading, "Jesus Lives In Me." Alone in the night he mocks the words of the preacher: "God is feeling your every pain." Repair the Christmas stable, restore the plaster angel. Her lips begin to crumble and her robes begin to peel. For Bible study in the church basement, hear children Gospel citing, Matthew 17:15*. Alone in the night he mocks the arms of the preacher raised to the ceiling, "Tell God your pain." To him the world's defiled. In Lot he sees a likeness there, he swears this Sodom will burn down. Near Sacred Blood there's a dance hall where Tyler Glen saw a black girl and a white boy kissing shamelessly. Black hands on white shoulders, white hands on black shoulders, dancing, and you know what's more. He's God's mad disciple, a righteous title, for the Word he heard, he so misunderstood. Though simple minded, a crippled man, to know this man is to fear this man, to shake when he comes. Wasn't it God that let Puritans in Salem do what they did to the unfaithful? Boys at the Jubilee slowly sink into brown bag whiskey drinking and reeling on their feet. Girls at the Jubilee in low-cut dresses yield to the caresses and the man-handling. Black hands on white shoulders, white hands on black shoulders, dancing, and you know what's more. Through the tall blades of grass he heads for the Jubilee with a bucket in his right hand full of rags soaked in gasoline. He lifts the shingles in the dark and slips the rags there underneath. He strikes a matchstick on the box side and watches the rags ignite. He climbs the bell tower of the Sacred Blood to watch the flames rising higher toward the trees. Sirens wailing now toward the scene. *Matthew 17:15- Lord have mercy on my son for he is a lunatick, and sore vexed: for oftimes he falleth into the fire and oftimes into the water. Noah's Dove (Merchant) You won a prize for that, for telling lies like that so well that I believed it. I never felt cheated. You were the chosen one, the pure eyes of Noah's dove. Choir boys and angles stole your lips and your halo. In your reckless mind, you act as if you've got more lives. In your reckless eyes, you only have time and your love of danger, to it you're no stranger. In that August breeze of those forgotten trees, your time was set for leaving come a colder season. In your reckless eyes, it's never too late for a chance to seize some final breath of freedom. Very, so very wise. Don't reveal it. I'm tired, tired of knowing where it is you're going. In your reckless mind, you act as if you've got more lives. In your reckless eyes, you only have time and your love of danger- to it you're no stranger. In your reckless mind, you act as if you've got more lives. In your reckless eyes, it's never too late for a chance to seize some final breath of freedom. These Are Days (Buck/Merchant) These are days you'll remember. Never before and never since, I promise, will the whole world be warm as this. And as you feel it, you'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky. It's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you. These are days you'll remember, when May is rushing over you with desire to be part of the miracles you see in every hour. You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky. It's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you. These are days. These are the days you might fill with laughter until you break. These days you might feel a shaft of light make its way across your face. And when you do you'll know how it was meant to be. See the signs and know their meaning. It's true, you'll know how it was meant to be. Hear the signs and know they're speaking to you, to you. Eden (Buck/Drew/Gustafson/Augustyniak/Merchant) We are the roses in the garden, beauty with thorns among our leaves. To pick a rose you ask your hands to bleed. What is the reason for having roses when your blood is shed carelessly? It must be for something more than vanity. Believe me, the truth is we're not honest, not the people that we dream. We're not as close as we could be. Willing to grow but rains are shallow. Barren and wind-scattered seed on stone and dry land, we will be. Waiting for the light arisen to flood inside the prison. And in that time kind words alone will teach us, no bitterness will reach us. Reason will be guided another way. All in time, but the clock is another demon that devours our time in Eden, in our Paradise. Will our eyes see well beneath us, flowers all divine? Is there still time? If we wake and discover in life a precious love, will that waking become more heavenly? Few And Far Between (Merchant) Times are far between, and few I bet, when we can look upon our lives without regret. Of all the things I have done, you think I'm proud of everyone without exception? Until you make your peace with yesterday, you'll never build a future, I swear by what I say. Whatever penance you do, decide what it's worth to you and then respect it. However long it will take to weather your mistakes, why not accept it? My hands, for now, are tied. I'm a body frozen. I'm a will that's paralyzed. When will you ever set aside your pain and misery? No matter how I beg, no matter how I wish or plead, you'll never be more than alive. You'll never do more than survive until you expect it. Do you want to build a world with our lives? You better soon decide or you can forget it. My hands, for now, are tied. I'm a body frozen. I'm a will that's paralyzed. Till you drop that heavy baggage you're dragging behind, there won't be room for us to both go this ride. Stockton Gala Days (Buck/Drew/Gustafson/Augustyniak/Merchant) That summer fields grew high with foxglove stalks and ivy, wild apple blossoms everywhere. Emerald green like none I have seen apart from dreams that escape me. There was no girl as warm as you. How I've learned to please, to doubt myself in need, you'll never, you'll never know. The summer fields grew high. We made garland crowns in hiding, pulled stems of flowers from my hair. Blue in the stream like none I have seen apart from dreams that escape me. There was no girl as bold as you. How I've learned to please, to doubt myself in need, you'll never, you'll never know. You'll never know. Violet serene like none I have set apart from dreams that escape me. There was no girl as warm as you. How I've learned to please, to doubt myself in need. You'll never, you'll never know. You'll never know. That summer fields grow high, we had wildflower fever. We had to lay down where they grow. How I've learned to hide, how I've locked inside, you'd be surprised if shown. But you'll never, you'll never know. You'll never ever know. How I've learned to hide, how I've locked inside, you'd be surprised if shown. But you'll never, you'll never know. You'll never ever know. Gold Rush Brides (Buck/Merchant) Follow the typical signs, the hand-painted lines, down prairie roads. Pass the lone church spire. Pass the talking wire from where to who knows? There's no way to divide the beauty of the sky from the wild western plains. Where a man could drift, in legendary myth, by roaming over spaces. The land was free and the price was right. Dakota on the wall is a white-robed woman, broad yet maidenly. Such power in her hand as she hails the wagon man's family. I see Indians that crawl through this mural that recalls our history. Who were the homestead wives? Who were the gold rush brides? Does anybody know? Do their works survive their yellow fever lives in the pages they wrote? The land was free, yet it cost their lives. In miner's lust for gold. A family's house was bought and sold, piece by piece. A widow staked her claim on a dollar and his name, so painfully. In letters mailed back home her Eastern sisters they would moan as they would read accounts of madness, childbirth, loneliness and grief. Accounts of madness, childbirth, loneliness and grief. Accounts of madness, childbirth, loneliness and grief. Jezebel (Merchant) To think of my task is chilling. To know I was carefully building the mask I was wearing for two years, swearing I'd tear it off. I've sat in the dark explaining to myself that I'm straining too hard for feelings I ought to find easily. Called myself Jezebel. I don't believe. Before I say that the vows we made weigh like a stone in my heart. Family is family, don't let this tear us apart. You lie there, an innocent baby. I feel like the thief who is raiding your home, entering and breaking and taking in every room. I know your feelings are tender and that inside you the embers still glow. But I'm a shadow, I'm only a bed of blackened coal. Call myself Jezebel for wanting to leave. I'm not saying I'm replacing love for some other word to describe the sacred tie that bound me to you. I'm just saying we've mistaken one for thousands of words. And for that mistake, I've caused you such pain that I damn that word. I've no more ways to hide that I'm a desolate and empty, hollow place inside. I'm not saying I'm replacing love for some other word to describe the sacred tie that bound me to you. I'm not saying love's a plaything, no, it's a powerful word, inspired by strong desire to bind myself to you. How I wish that we never had tried to be man and his wife, to weave our lives into a blindfold over both our eyes. How You've Grown (Merchant) "My, how you've grown." I remember that phrase from my childhood days too. "Just wait and see." I remember those words and how they chided me, when patient was the hardest thing to be. Because we can't make up for the time that we've lost, I must let these memories provide. No little girl can stop her world to wait for me. I should have known. At your age, in a string of days the year is gone. But in that space of time, it takes so long. Because we can't make up for the time that we've lost, I must let those memories provide. No little girl can stop her world to wait for me. Every time we say goodbye you're frozen in my mind as the child that you never will be, you never will be again. I'll never be more to you than a stranger could be. Every time we say goodbye you're frozen in my mind as the child that you never will be. Every time we say goodbye you're frozen in my mind as the child that you never will be, will be again. Candy Everybody Wants (Drew/Merchant) Hey, hey, give 'em what they want. If lust and hate is the candy, if blood and love tastes so sweet, then we give 'em what they want. Hey, hey, give 'em what they want. So their eyes are growing hazy cause they wanna turn it on, so their minds are soft and lazy. Hey, hey, give 'em what they want. If lust and hate is the candy, if blood and love tastes so sweet, then we give 'em what they want. So their eyes are growing hazy cause they wanna turn it on, so their minds are soft and lazy. Who, who, who do you wanna blame? Hey, hey, give 'em what they want. If lust and hate is the candy, if blood and love tastes so sweet, then we give 'em what they want. So their eyes are growing hazy cause they wanna turn it on, so their minds are soft and lazy. Who, who, who do you wanna blame? Tolerance (Merchant) The still and silence is torn with violence. A loud breaking sound in the night is made. Hear it grow, hear it fade. The sound you're hearing, the sound you're fearing is the hate that parades up and down our streets, coming within bounds and within reach. Now, inside the place we hide away, we hear it near and hope it turns away. Turn away... There's something seething in the air we're breathing. We learn slash and burn is the method to use. Set a flame, burn it new. We're overpowered. We kneel, we cower, we cover our heads. Feel the threat of blows that will come and the damage that will be done in its wake. Now, inside this place we hide away, we hear it near although it's miles away. We hear it near and hope it turns away. Turn away... This house divided, we live inside it. Hate's dwelling place is behind our door in fitful nights. Hear it walk the floor and hear it rave as it moans and drags along its ball and chain, as it moves through this house it can't escape. Now inside this place we hide away. We hear it near and hope it turns away. Turn away.... Circle Dream (Buck/Drew/Gustafson/Augustyniak/Merchant) I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. And in that circle I had made were all the worlds unformed and unborn yet. A volume, a sphere that was the earth, that was the moon, that did revolve around my room. I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. And in that circle was a maze, a terrible spiral to be lost in. Blind in my fear, I was escaping just by feel. But at every turn my way was sealed. I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. And in that circle was a face. Her eyes looked upon me with fondness. Her warmth coming near, calling me "sweetness," calling me "dear." But I whispered, "no, I can't rest here." I can't rest here. I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. I dreamed of a circle, I dreamed of a circle round. If You Intend (Merchant) If you intend to live again, then open your eyes and don't pretend you're feeling there's nothing worth believing. God, if you persist you'll die like this and wither in the midst of your first season, cut down with no reason. How can you be so near and not see everything? If you intend to live again, then take the outstretched hand of the one that needs you. It's been so long, we've missed you. Why do you intend to speed your end? Lie in the dark and let your limbs grow weaker, sinking low then deeper. How can you be so near and not see everything? Feel what might be. See what I see. Again and again and again and again say you don't. Again and again and again and again say you don't. You say you don't, but you will. How can you be so near and not see? I'm Not The Man (Merchant) It crawls on his back, won't ever let him be. Stares at the walls until the cinder blocks can breathe. His eyes have gone away, escaping over time. He rules a crowded nation inside his mind. He knows that night like his hand. He knows every move he made. Late shift, the bell that rang, a time card won't fade. 10:05 his truck pulled home. 10:05 he climbed his stair, about the time he was accused of being there. But I'm not the man. He goes free as I wait on the row for the man to test the rope he'll slip around my throat and silence me. On the day he was tried no witnesses testified. Nothing but evidence, not hard to falsify. His own confession was a prosecutor's prize, made up of fear, of rage and of outright lies. But I'm not the man. He goes free as the candle vigil glows, as they burn my clothes. As the crowd cries, "Hang him slow!" and I feel my blood go cold, he goes free. Call out the KKK, they're wild after me. And with that frenzied look of half-demented zeal, they'd love to serve me up my final meal. Who'll read my final rite and hear my last appeal? Who struck this devil's deal? Because The Night (Springsteen/Smith) Take me now, baby, here as I am. Hold me close, try and understand. Desire is hunger is the fire I breathe. Love is a banquet on which we feed. Come on now, try and understand the way I feel under your command. Take my hand, come under cover. They can't hurt you now, can't hurt you now, can't hurt you now Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to lust. Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to us. Have I doubt, baby, when I'm alone, love is a ring on the telephone. Love is an angel, disguised as lust here in our bed till the morning comes Come on now, try and understand the way I feel under your command. Take my hand, come under cover. They can't hurt you now, can't hurt you now, can't hurt you now Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to lust. Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to us. With love we sleep, with doubt the vicious circle turns, and burns without you, I cannot live, forgive the yearning burning, I believe in love too real to feel, take me now, take me now, take me now. Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to lust. Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to us. Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to lust. Because the night belongs to lovers, because the night belongs to us. More Than This (Ferry) I could feel at the time, there was no way of knowing. Fallen leaves in the night, who can say where they're blowing. As free as the wind and hopefully learning why the sea on the tide has no way of turning more than this, there is nothing more than this. Tell me one thing more than this, there is nothing. It was fun for a while, there was no way of knowing. Like a dream in the night, who can say where we're going. No care in the world, maybe I'm learning why the sea on the tide has no way of turning more than this, there is nothing more than this. Tell me one thing more than this, there is nothing more than this, there is nothing more than this. Tell me one thing more than this, there is nothing. Rainy Day On bended knee, I've looked through every window then. Touched the bottom, the night a sleepless day instead. A day when love came, came easy like what's lost, now found. Beneath a blinding, a blinding light that would surround. We were, we were, we were, we were without, in doubt. We were, we were, we were about saving for a rainy day. I crashed through mirrors, I crashed through floors of laughter then. In a blind scene, no ties would moor us to this room. A day when love came, came easy like what's lost, now found. And you would save me and I held you like you were my child. We were, we were, we were, we were without, in doubt. We were, we were, we were about saving for a rainy day. If I were you, defiant you, alone upon a troubled way. I would send my heart to you to save it for a rainy day. We were, we were, we were, we were without, in doubt. We were, we were, we were about saving for a rainy day. If I were you, defiant you, alone upon a troubled way. I would send my heart to you to save it for a rainy day. Love Among The Ruins The sky was falling, heaven was calling. When danger crashes, rose from the ashes. Like two statues hidden inside ancient rock, we were praying for the secrets to unlock. And when the sun had turned its back on us, in the dark our love kept track of us, Pushed together by the lack of love, oh, love among the ruins. The sky was falling, heaven was calling. When danger crashes, rose from the ashes. We held each other tightly through our hell of dreams. I still hear the never-ending echo of the screams. But it's a life not made for reliving, it's life that makes your soul forgiving. We sealed our bond from the beginning, oh, love among the ruins. Aching affection, vulnerable protection. Falling, captured, crawling, fractured. The sky was falling, heaven was calling... Girl On A Train Waking on a train, dreaming. Charmed alone, they started speaking. Captured in his artist way before the memories fade away. To remember a face, oh, and you're home or want to. Certain they would meet soon, paint a portrait of a family. Single light on, single way, single light away. The night fell. Saw a painting on the stairwell. To mourn the passing of a daughter dear, her soul upon the train so far, so near. To remember a face, oh, and you're home or want to. Single light on, single way, single light away. Just close your eyes and you're home. Green Children An August day in the hills of Spain, a pair of children emerged from a cave. The strangest sight, there alone, they stood with skin of green and words no one had heard. The girl was stronger, the boy was weak, with her new mother she learned to speak and wove a tale of a dying sun, they left the darkness, a dark world come undone. They traveled so far, so far. The men of science, the men of fame, the men of letters tried to explain: Was it parallel worlds or a twist of time to make her think she'd fallen from the sky? They traveled so far, so far, believing they came from a star. She fell through life, through time, through parallel lives. A whirlwind spun them all alone, took them from their twilight home. Believing they came from a star You Won't Find Me There I'd like to know what makes you stay while your eyes still search for escape. You think that I don't feel the cold, baby, but I wait while confessions unfold. You'll never make a living from reading minds or from getting your direction from exit signs. Look into your heart and you won't find me there. You won't find me where you are and that makes us a matter of time. Like trees exposed by fall, baby, time reveals it all. You'll never make a living from reading minds or from getting your direction from exit signs. Look into your heart and you won't find me there. Tell me you want to do everything but you're stuck up to your knees. And I'm less likely pushed forward by ambition than a breeze. But there's a flame that must be fanned, baby, and it appears as a beckoning hand. Don't think cause you're not talking, you're being kind, you've been getting your direction from exit signs. Look into your heart and you won't find me there. You won't find, you won't find, you won't find me there. Across The Fields Well they left then in the morning, a hundred pairs of wings in the light moved together. In the colors of the morning, I looked to the clouds in the cirrus sky and they'd gone. Across the marshes, across the fields below, I fell through the vines and I hoped they would catch me below. If only to take me with them there, tell me the part that shines in your heart on the wind. Across the marshes, across the fields below, I fell through the vines and I hoped they would catch me below. And the reeds blew in the morning. Take me along to the places you've gone when my eyes looked away. Tell me the song that you sing in the trees in the dawning. Tell me the part that shines in your heart and the rays of love forever, please take me there. |