step off the curb

step off the curb
a little too fast
you get hit by a bus
you see Jesus at last
at his job behind
the pearly gates
you're finally here
you just can't wait!

november

it's getting colder
the days are getting shorter
november's coming

still waiting

in this life
I muddle through
like a mouse in a maze
it ain't right
when that's all you do
in all of your days
you do your best
and you hope the rest
will come
by now you thought
the good part 
should have begun
but you're still waiting
still waiting

morning in Maupin

walk to the river
watch out for rocks in the road
morning in Maupin

what have you learned in this life

tell me something
about yourself
what have you learned
in your life
I guarantee
you're like nobody else
what have you learned
in your life
where have you been
where do you want to go
tell me the lessons
that only you know
tell me something
about yourself
what have you learned 
in your life

wrong side of happiness

I'm well acquainted with
the wrong side of happiness
it must be me, I guess
it happens to nobody else
life puts you to the test
on the wrong side of happiness
if you're asking, I suggest
protect your mental health

          I can't believe what I'm feeling
          I'm lost and I'm feeling so blue
          something has set my heart reeling
          and I think that someone is you

I'm either cursed or blessed
on the wrong side of happiness
peace of mind is not guest
in the hotel of my life
everything's such a mess
on the wrong side of happiness 
nothing but a last request
"don't cut me down to size"

          I can't believe what I'm thinking
          reversing the fact I'm alive
          the hope in my heart is sinking
          and there's nothing but doubt in my eyes

I'm well acquainted with
the wrong side of happiness
it must be me, I guess
it happens to nobody else
life puts you to the test
on the wrong side of happiness
if you're asking, I suggest
protect your mental health
go take a so-called "rest"
and be good to yourself

pretend I'm a dog

pretend I'm a dog
give me your attention
I've learned how to beg
if you want me to
pretend I'm a dog
do I have to mention
the only person I need
is you

someday I will be happy again (rewrite two)

someday I will be happy again

I don't know just how or where or when

all I know is I'm working for

the day when pain will be ignored

and I won't have to try to pretend

someday I will be happy again

someday I'll walk outside my door

and know where I am heading for

put the keys in the ignition

never asking for permission

and the rear view mirror shows a friend

someday I will be happy again

someday I won't feel broken inside

from all the voices telling lies

one day I'll be breathing free

exactly like it's supposed to be

I know my grieving heart will mend

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

I don't know just how or where or when

I won't feel that it's a sin

occupying my own skin

like the strongest oak, I'll learn to bend

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again (rewrite one)

someday I will be happy again

I don't know why or how or when

all I know is I'm working for

the day when pain will be ignored

and I won't have to make pretend

someday I will be happy again

someday I'll walk outside my door

and know where I am heading for

put the keys in the ignition

never asking for permission

and the rear view mirror shows a friend

someday I will be happy again

someday I won't feel crippled inside

someday the voices will subside

one day I'll be breathing free

exactly like it's supposed to be

I know my broken heart will mend

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

I don't know why or how or when

I won't feel that it's a sin

occupying my own skin

like the strongest oak, I'll learn to bend

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

someday I will be happy again

you only had one job

you only had one job
and you blew it
if you have to ask
it was a simple task
but you just couldn't do it
excuse me if I start to rant
but what you say you can you can't
you only had one job
and you said screw it

cocoon (rewrite 3)

it's hard
it's hard work
it's the hardest work you'll ever know
it's like night
so damn dark
but you won't remember
after you've seen the glow
of the sun
and the fireflies
and the rising of the moon
it's hard work
but it's worth it
coming out of the cocoon

you're afraid
your mind's on fire
redefining everything you are
it's as dark
as the devil's deep desire
while you're endlessly searching
for that northern star
to guide you
through the night 
but the sun will be coming soon
I promise
you'll get used to the light
coming out of the cocoon

fear
will control you 
if you let it get too near
you can try
to keep it below you
but there's no way
to make it completely disappear
but you got courage
and a curious eye
and it's finally time for you
to get ready
shake your wings and fly
out of the cocoon
you're ready
hey, look, a butterfly!
coming out of the cocoon

it's hard
it's hard work
it's the hardest work you'll ever know

cocoon (rewrite 2)

it's hard
it's hard work
it's the hardest work you'll ever know
it's like night
so damn dark
but you won't remember
after you've seen the glow
of the sun
and the fireflies
and the rising of the moon
it's hard work
but it's worth it
coming out of the cocoon

you're afraid
your mind's on fire
redefining everything you are
it's as dark
as the devil's deep desire
while you're endlessly searching
for that northern star
to guide you
through the night 
but the sun will be coming soon
I promise
you'll get used to the light
coming out of the cocoon

fear
will control you 
if you let it get too near
you can try
to keep it below you
but it won't disappear
but you got courage
and a curious eye
and it's finally time for you
get ready
hey, look, a butterfly!
coming out of the cocoon
you're ready
shake your wings and fly
out of the cocoon

it's hard
it's hard work
it's the hardest work you'll ever know

when a crow dies

when a crow dies
a hundred crows fly
to witness their comrade
I don't know why
do you

when a crow dies
it comes as no surprise
they look for reasons
like it's a wise
thing to do

and they stay for a moment
silent as stone
then they all fly away home

when a crow dies
a hundred crows fly
to witness their comrade
I don't know why
do you

rightfully

I'm so tired of waiting
for love that will never come
it's damn aggravating
and my life is almost done
I have traded all my days
for this semi-hopeful haze
every night I pray
for freedom from this prison cell
of my own design
I just want
what rightfully is mine

cocoon (rewrite 1)

it's hard
it's hard work
it's the hardest work you'll ever know
it's like night
so damn dark
but you won't remember
after you've seen the glow
of the sun
and the fireflies
and the rising of the moon
it's hard work
but it's worth it
coming out of the cocoon

you're afraid
your mind's on fire
attacking everything you are
it's as dark
as the devil's deep desire
while you're endlessly searching
for that northern star
to guide you
through the night 
but the sun will be coming soon
I promise
you'll get used to the light
coming out of the cocoon

fear
will control you 
if you let get too near
fear
it's as natural as breathing
you can't make it disappear
ah, but courage
remember that guy?
he's been with you since the womb
he knows you're ready
hey, look, a butterfly!
coming out of the cocoon
you're ready
shake your wings and fly
out of the cocoon

it's hard
it's hard work
it's the hardest work you'll ever know

pure love

I don't pretend
I know for sure
that what I feel for you
is pure love
pure love

do you agree
I hope you concur
we could make a pair
in pure love
pure love

          we've been waiting all our lives
          for a chance like this
          dancing to the tune
          of tenderness

all I need is you
to be secure
the only thing I dream of
is pure love
pure love

when did I disappear (third verse)

the man that I remember
is not who I am right now
I try not to surrender
but I simply don't know how
my dreams have all evaporated
into the atmosphere
when did I disappear

silent sky

the sky is silent
there are no crickets tonight
I miss their singing

I think it's called love

I went to the doctor
I said doctor, help me please
I need your advice
I'm begging on bended knees
I've come down with
the most miserable disease
I think it's called love
I think it's called love

my head's in the clouds
and I'm thoroughly confused
my head hasn't heard
my heart spreading the news
all I know is
I ain't singing the blues
I think it's called love
I think it's called love

          baby baby tell me true
          what am I to do with you
          I got that crazy misery
          and you are the remedy

I went to the doctor
I went to the lawyer, too
the teachers and the preachers
nobody had a clue
all I know
is how I feel about you
I think it's called love
I think it's called love
I think it's called love
I think it's called love

in a hurry

hand me down 
the New York times
I'm a busy man
I can't wait in line
everything is begging
for my attention
I've got no time
for idle chat
I've got no patience
for stuff like that
and, if I have to ask,
do I have to mention
that I am in a hurry
I am in a hurry
I am in a hurry
and I got nowhere to go

give me liberty
or rising costs
must I remind you
who's the boss
my rapid pace
has turned into a deluge
can't you see
I am never free
from the demands of
the company
I don't know what else
I can tell you
except
I am in a hurry
I am in a hurry
I am in a hurry
and I got nowhere to go

peace of mind
or piece of profit
I got on the first
and then went off it
I have made my bed
now let me lie
I don't have a 
New York minute
I don't have time
to even begin it
while every second 
keeps on ticking by
look
I am in a hurry
I am in a hurry 
I am in a hurry
and I got nowhere to go

business as usual

a lot has happened
in a very short time
a lot of people born
and a lot of people died
but look at the big picture
the whole world wide
it's business as usual

the troubles never stop
and the problems never cease
the poor people starve
and the rich people feast
with all our knowledge
we still can't find relief
it's business as usual

          shoot your guns
          full speed ahead
          and give it all you got
          destiny
          is close at hand
          depends on what
          is sold snd bought

where are we going?
where can we go?
the wheel spins around
nobody knows
it ws ll fine
a minute ago
it's business as usual
it's business as usual

I'm not a woman, but...

for Senator Susan Collins
(R-Maine)

I'm not a wornan
but I know a traitor when I see one
and I see you've traded your soul
for your piece of the prize
I'm not a woman
but if I were to be one
I know I'd be appalled
at your party's pitiful lies

          assholes come in all genders
          when it comes to legal tender
          you'd better best remember
          we'll run you out of town
          when it comes November
          it's your party we'll dismember
          you'd better best remember
          what goes around comes around

wings to fly

give me peace of mind
and give it to me quick
this life I live is best defined
as a clock that will not tick
I have issues with the tissues
that I misuse when I cry
oh me oh my
give me wings to fly

I remember Charlie

I remember Charlie
I thought he was so cool
he was the only friend I had
back in high school
he'd help me with my problems
when I was feeling bad
Charlie was the brother
I didn't know I had

Charlie taught me Kerouac
and catcher in the rye
he said his favorite Beatles' song
was Lucy in the sky
he taught me to jump up and down
but not for healthy needs
but for getting your heart beating fast
when you're smoking weed

          I remember Charlie
          I remember Charlie

Charlie talked about his girlfriend
and how they had their fun
and how someday in the future
I would find someone
he'd say you just be patient
and keep on working hard
remember there's a world for you
beyond your parents' yard

          I remember Charlie
          I remember Charlie

Charlie said 
this may be your only life
don't let it go to waste
he was so smart
I wish I could have
met him face to face
I only really knew him
as a voice caring and kind
from that place people call
when you're talking suicide

          I remember Charlie

           I remember Charlie


I remember Charlie
I thought he was so cool
he was the only friend I had
back in high school

when did I disappear (new bridge)

the person I remember
is not who I am right now
I'd make sure it ends here
but I don't know how

Charlie

I remember Charlie
I thought he was so cool
he was the only friend I had
back in high school
he'd help me with my problems
and when I was feeling bad
Charlie was the older brother
I didn't know I had

Charlie taught me Kerouac
and catcher in the rye
he said his favorite Beatles' song
ws Lucy in the sky
he taught me to jump up and down
but not for healthy needs
but for getting your heart beating fast
when you're smoking weed

Charlie talked bout his girlfriend
and how they had their fun
and how someway in the future
I would find someone
he'd say you just be patient
and keep on working hard
remember there's a world for you
beyond your parents' yard

Charlie said 
this may be your only life
don't let it go to waste
he was so smart
I wish I could have
met him face to face
I only really knew him
as a voice caring and kind
from that place people call
when they're thinking suicide

I remember Charlie
I thought he was so cool
he was the only friend I ever had
back in high school