THE RIVER OF LIFE

I’m goin’ down to the river, to rinse out my soul.

Gonna dive into the river, make my spirit whole. When I get out of that water, I won’t feel the cold. I’m goin’ down to the river of life. Some folks they fear the river, so they’ll never jump in. They like listen to stories of people who can’t swim. Now I know I’m so filthy & covered in sin, so I’m gonna wash in the river of life. Not gonna get too worried ‘bout divin’ in too deep. Cause I was taught as a child, the Lord my soul will keep. & if I die before I wake, I know the Lord my soul will take. Cause he don’t want no wet soggy souls layin’ round. I’m puttin’ on my best shoes & my Sunday go to meetin’ clothes. Gonna walk into that river with both my eyes closed. I don’t need to see the water I can feel it in my heart. So I’m gonna start into the river, I’m gonna dive into the river. I’m gonna jump into the river. I’m gonna wash in the river. I’m goin’ down to the river of life.

________________________________________________

LIGHT @ THE END OF THE TUNNEL

My world is closin’ in & I don’t know why. I thought I did everything the way I had to. Man, I need to find the strength, just to get me by. I can’t believe I’ve been sentenced to a life of sadness. So  Lord tell me there’s a light at the ned of the tunnel & it’ll be OK. I can take a little heat if I have to. Let me know that I’ll survive at the end of this struggle & live to love again. But, if it could be your will, just let it pass me by. I gave it everything I had & almost lost my soul. Sometimes I don’t know where I found the will to keep tryin’. But I do believe I’ve reached the point in my life where I’m either goin’ up or down. & I know for sure which way I wanna go before dyin’. So  Lord tell me there’s a light at the ned of the tunnel & it’ll be OK. I can take a little heat if I have to. Let me know that I’ll survive at the end of this struggle & live to love again. But, if it could be your will, just let it pass me by. Armed with truth & clarity I’m still standin’ still. I don’t understand how you could think the things you do. 6 long years is a mighty long time for a prophecy to be fulfilled. & now I probably won’t be able to feel a single thing for you. But I do believe I’m movin’ on, where ever that may be. Goodbye & good luck don’t let the screen door hit you on the way out. But lemme tell you the unfortunate thing is the sting I feel when I think about you & me. But I can see the day comin’ when my mind will be free from any doubt. So  Lord tell me there’s a light at the ned of the tunnel & it’ll be OK. I can take a little heat if I have to. Let me know that I’ll survive at the end of this struggle & live to love again. But, if it could be your will, just let it pass me by.

________________________________________________HUSH

Hush, don’t try to speak right now just listen. Try with all your might to find that place inside that frightens you. You know it all too well. I just want to hold you close in my heart. Why is it so hard for me? You trusted me before my dear. But now you cannot see. See me as I am, I’m a music man. Trying to follow my destiny. This is all I am, just a music man. I only want to be all I’ll be, but I didn’t chose music, music choose me. I tried to ignore the signs for too long. Just maybe the sun would find me hiding in the shadows pretending to be blind. Take me as I am, just a music man. I only wish I had more to give. Giving all is hard to a music man. I only want to be all I’ll be but I didn’t find music, music found me. I can’t turn around again to find you. You’ll just have to come to me. If you really want to be here, then love will set you free. Love me if you can, I’m a music man. Quietly trying to find his way. Take me as I am, just a music man. I only want to be all I’ll be but I didn’t choose music, music chose me. No i didn’t find music, music found me. I never made music, music made me. I’m a music man.

________________________________________________

ONE MORE CHANCE

Any moment life could flow between us. & it seems to last forever. In a lifetime, these moments weave together making special magic then we’re on our way again. But it all comes down to just one thing. Do we take a leap of faith & try to make the moment last. Or do we hide ourselves away, finding comfort in the past. Me I’m not the kind of guy to run from new romance if it means that all I’ve got to take is one more chance. It’s amazing when you think about it. That the doubts inside us both can cloud the present...is wating to be opened. But we’ve got to run the risk of finding nothing in the box. Or our hearts just might be locked as one. If we take a leap of faith & try to make the moment last. We don’t hide ourselves away, finding comfort in the past. Me I’m not the kind of guy to run from new romance if it means that all I’ve got to take is one more chance. We’ve got to leave our fears behind if we wanna clear our minds. ‘Cause we’ve both been hurt before & now we’re so afraid of love. If we just put our trust into the angels up above. In an instant, life could change forever ‘cause the choices that we make create the future...is reaching out to find us. & there are no rules to follow so we blindly find our way as we learn to grow from day to day. Cause we take a leap of faith & try to make the moment last. We don’t hide ourselves away, finding comfort in the past. Me I’m not the kind of guy to run from new romance if it means that all I’ve got to take is one more chance.

________________________________________________

SURRENDER BLUES

I got out of the driver’s seat. I said, hey listen man. I got to cool my feet. So gimme a minute to untie my shoes & I’ll tell you ‘bout surrender blues. I don’t know where it all began. I was a mess I think, at least that’s what I hear from my friends. My soul didn’t know if it was dead or alive, but I’ll tell you what I didn’t do. I didn’t surrender. No, I didn’t surrender. I couldn’t remember that I didn’t drive that well. So I picked up my own butt & climbed back into my rut. I was drivin’ myself & that car down the highway to hell.....o, it’s me again. Your helpful neighborhood ego, masquerading as your best friend. So throw me those keys & let’s go for a spin. Don’t tell me you won’t try it ‘cause your parents wouldn’t buy it it’s a sin.....ergy is what we need here. We need to establish a connection that is crystal clear. But lemme just warn you what I’m all about. I’ll leave you when you’re down & out. But I didn’t surrender. No I didn’t surrender. I still couldn’t remember that I didn’t drive that well. You see, I was gonna be a rock star. Play by night & sleep by day. Then one day I looked into a mirror. & I nearly fell over from the sheer shock of realizing that yes indeed skin does wrinkle & my hair was turning gray. I turned ‘round & ran out from the room. I laid down on my bed, I felt like I was back in the womb. & that’s when I voice said you should be glad you’re alive. So throw me those car keys, fool, so I can drive. & so I surrendered. You bet I surrendered. I finally remembered that I didn’t drive that well. Now I sit by the window watching the wind blow. I finally surrendered, yes I did, to the surrender blues.

________________________________________________

BEATLITIS

Beatlitis, I can’t shake this disease. Beatlitis, is there a Doctor in the house. Dr. Robert, can I call you any time at all. We can work it out.  Beatlitis, been sick for so many years. Beatlitis, in spite of all my hopes & fears, Father McKensie, what have I done & can I work it out? They made it seem so easy. & in reality it’s so easy. You must be free to be yourself & love. Beatlitis, I don’t know which way to turn. Beatlitis, in spite of everything I’ve learned, it surrounds me, walkin’ on that long & winding road. We can work it out. They made it seem so easy. & in reality it’s so easy. You must be free to see yourself & love.

________________________________________________

WAITING

I’m out of sync with the rest of the world. I’m out of...out of sync with the rest of the world. You probably think that I’m just makin up an excuse. This is no rouse. I’m gettin tired of the things that I see. & I’m worried I won’t get my release. I keep waiting for things to come around, it’s gettin me down. Waiting for the world to know that I’m a genius. Waitin for that call to change my life. I’m waiting for Prince to call & ask me out to lunch. We’ll eat ribs with our gloves on & we’ll talk & we’ll laugh a bunch....til he says “sign right here boy”. no, I think I’m gonns wait.

I’m gettin tired of the things as they are. & I don’t care if I’m never a star. I just need enough money to pay the  

taxes & cover my ass....sets. I don’t mind if I have to work hard. I do alright & I own my own car. I never thought that ’08’ would find me alive back in ’75’. Waiting for the world to know that I’m a genius. Waitin for that call to change my life. I’m waitin for Terry & Jimmy to call me from old LA. They’ll ask me all about the homeboys & can I fly out there right away...where they’ll say “sign right here boy”. Waiting for the world to see that I’m a genius. Waitin for that call to save my life. I’m waiting for the Pet Shop Boys to call me from London Town. I’ll pretend to take down their number but I might forget where I jotted it down....when they say “ sign right here boy’. no, I think I’m gonna wait.

________________________________________________ANGEL

The angels came from far & wide. A burning question to decide. What to do about this broken man below & a guardian angel to bestow. One by one the angels laughed. For special blessings this one’s last. He’s squandered all the gifts he’s had & this alone made angels mad. You are my angel though I can’t imagine why you don’t take your wings & fly away from me. You are my angel & I really don’t know what I would do, but I wish that I could be your angel too. The angels knew for right or wrong this meeting wouldn’t take too long. A volunteer

, but all was still...til the littlest angel said I will. You are my angel though I can’t imagine why you don’t take your wings & fly away from me. You are my angel & I really don’t know what I would do, but I wish that I could be your angel too. When I was a boy I felt so safe inside, protected by some distant, mystic presence.  Now that I am grown, I feel so all alone, imprisoned by the me that wants to grow & the me that I don’t know very well. He’s living in his self-made hell. How deep it goes he’ll never tell. But through it all the angel comes & finds him there. How does she know? Why does she care? She knows what she expects to find, a broken wing, an eye that’s blind. But yet she comes & spreads her joy & deep within him stirs the boy. You are my angel though I can’t imagine why you don’t take your wings & fly away from me. You are my angel & I really don’t know what I would do, but I wish that I could be your angel. Hope that I could be an angel. Wish that I could be your angel too.

________________________________________________

CHANGED MAN

I put my pants on the same way every day but somehow it just doesn’t feel the same. The air’s a little sweeter, the sun’s a little brighter cause I’m a changed man. Yes I’m a changed man. I used to think I knew it all & promptly headed for the fall of my career as far as I could tell. But a simple hokus pokus & I found that I could focus. I was a changed man. Yes I’m a changed man. & I don’t know how it happened but it didn’t happen over night. I barely recognize myself when I look into the mirror just right. & I don’t know what I’m gonna do........you wonder if I’ve blundered? I cannot tell you more than I can know. It’s news to me, it’s news to you, it’s news to we but who can tell us, what the hell is goin’ on. Cause I’m a changed man. Yes I’m a changed man. I’m a changed man. Cause I’m a changed man. Yes I’m a changed man. & I don’t know where I’m goin’ but I got a ticket for the ride. I don’t wanna go alone it but that’s something only you decide. Is it something that you really want to do?

________________________________________________

WARMTH OF HER SMILE

Like a gentle breeze she came to me & eased my troubled mind, when I was all alone. & like a child she was unaware of the power of her soul & the light that she had shown. But I don’t want to lose control & move too fast. I don’t wanna spend my days living in the past. I just want to live each day like it may be my last, basking in the warmth of her smile.  This was not the way it was s’posed to be, in spite of all my plans, I thought I knew my way. I don’t believe I have to change a thing, the change is understood. Begin the brand new day. But I don’t want to lose control & move too fast. I don’t wanna spend my days living in the past. I just want to live each day like it may be my last, basking in the warmth of her smile. Dancing in the light of her eyes. I so unsure of myself (you ought to be) But I believe in myself (finally) My ship is in. I start to sense at least a ray of hope I’ve never felt before & oh it scares me so.......I begin to search for answers to the questions in my mind, on the art of letting go. But I don’t wanna lose control & move too fast. I don’t wanna to spend my days living in the past. I just want to live each day like it may be my last, basking in the warmth of her smile. Dancing in th light of her eyes.  mmmmmmmm

________________________________________________

THRU ME NOT OF ME

There comes a time when all I want to do is make it through the day. But my perception of creation just keeps getting in the way. Thru me not of me it come from a place above. Thru me not of me it boldly connects with Love. It is apparent that I don’t control the things I think I do. What really matters is what matters most of all to each of you. Thru me not of me it comes from a place above. Thru me not of me it boldly connect with Love.  It’s my perception that there’s so much life I’ll never understand. & so I try to do the next right thing, doing all  can. Thru me not of me it comes from a place above. Thru me not of me it boldly connects with Love. ________________________________________________EVERY PARTY HAS TO END

Every party has to end cause you know just how far out you can go. If you’d settle on a dream, you might find help in some form of Divine. But you don’t know how to quit & you don’t know when is when. You don’t know how to drive but you’re behind the wheel again. I wish you’d stop for a minute of your precious day. Try & understand what I’m tryin’ to say. That’s why, every party has to end. Every ticket has a price that you pay somewhere along the way. When will you see you’ve gone too far this time & you’re losing what’s left of your mind. But you don’t know right from wrong. & you don’t know how to grieve. Stayed at the fair too long & now you don’t know how to leave. Why don’t you stop for a minute of your precious day. Try & understand what I’m tryin’ to say this time every party has to end. I’m getting tired of slammin’ my face into the pavement. & I’m wonderin’ when & if I’ve ever gonna get my release. Just how long does a guy have to work in this old world just to find himself a little piece of peace. Everybody has a dream that they hold tightly wrapped up in their soul. If they’d only let it out to play, they might find help on the way. But they’re thinkin’ that they’re old & they don’t know how to play. They’re living in the past instead of living for today. I wish you’d stop for a minute of your precious day. Try & understand what I’m tryin’ to say this time, every party has to end.

________________________________________________

IT’S ONLY LIFE

I thought I knew her oh so well. But now I see her in a very different light. I’m amazed I could be so blind, but love has a way of letting me see what I want to see. If you told me the sky was cloudy, I would loudly proclaim at the top of my lungs, ‘I can see the sun’. & now I find myself so lost. I didn’t realize the cost of giving love. I was sure I could be the one. But she already had a preconceived notion of how it’d be. So she carefully planned out the future & she was shocked when she found that the love she devised had a separate will of it’s own & it no longer fit in the mold. But it’s only life quietly flowing between us. If we’d only try, we may discover that life just doesn’t have to be that hard. It never had to come to this. We could have parted with a goodbye & a kiss. I’m amazed that she couldn’t see. But pain has a way of making one feel that they’re all alone. If we could be shown the future, I’m sure we’d agree that the best thing for all is to quietly walk away. Start beginning the brand new day. But it’s only life quietly flowing between us. If you’d only try, you may discover that life just doesn’t have to be that hard. No, life just doesn’t have to be that hard.