painting

if you stare at the canvas long enough

you'll discover what you can paint

just because they told you were stupid

just means you are something they ain't

place the paintbrush in your hand

choose the color and the hue

there are no barriers here

everything depends on you

dip the brush in shades of blue

and boldly make a stroke

there are no mistakes here

criticism is a joke

paint a tree

a dog

the sky

the blessed earth below

every line and splash and stain

is something that you know

and you have made a painting

with the brush in your own hand

what you have deep inside you

is yours to understand

celebrate your yearning heart

in all the work you do

you are now discovering

the love inside of you

working

every day you keep on working

and you will until you die

you can search for an answer

but there is no reason why

either it's your stupid job

or one that's still unknown

or even, if you have one,

you'll be working at home

working for your loved ones

working with the trash

working at some stupid job

in exchange for cash

working for your family

working for your friends

Heaven only knows when

all this work will end

          so give yourself a break

          everyday is hard

          it's time to get some rest

          sit in someone's back yard

          and sit a while in silence

          until the setting sun

          and when it's all over

          there'll be more work to be done

working in the morning

working in the afternoon

no matter how you try

it won't be over soon

so live inside your fantasies

daydream all day long

I know it seems worthless

but you've known it all along

          so give yourself a break

          everyday is rough

          no matter how you try

          it never is enough

          sit there in the sunshine

          until the stting sun

          don't worry 'bout tomorrow

          there's always work to be done

dark days of sorrow (rewrite 1)

I'm okay with waiting

if that's what it takes

to overlook the failures

and all the mistakes

it took to get here

where I can be on my own

to look inside my heart

and consider it home

at last

the dark days of sorrow

have passed

I'm okay with hoping

I've done it all my life

still not expecting

anything to go right

I try my best

at least that's what I claim

but I'm always first

when someone's to blame

so I'll move on 

the dark days of sorrow

are gone

I'm okay with leaving

I've done it before

and if I need to

I can do it some more

I know I am strong now

I know where I stand

all that I need

is wherever I am

I know what to do

the dark days of sorrow

are through

the dark days of sorrow

I'm okay with waiting

if that's what it takes

to overlook the failures

and the many mistakes

it took to get here

where I can be on my own

to look inside my heart

and consider it home

at last

the dark days of sorrow

have passed

and I'm okay with hoping

I've done it all my life

and still it won't accept

all the stuff that turns out right

I always do my best

at least that's what I claim

I know I'm always first

when they need someone to blame

I move on and say

the dark days of sorrow

are gone

enough

I don't need you to have money

I don't need you to have fame

I don't need you to be funny

I don't need this to be a game

all I need from you is safety

and the feeling of being love

as long as you're beside me

I know that it's enough

people say I'm crazy

looking for a love that's true

but their reasoning is hazy

I just need to be with you

you know how to calm me

when the going's getting rough

as long as you're beside me

I know that it's enough

          people holler everywhere I turn

          everybody tells me what to do

          through it all, the main thing I have learned

          is that it's right being with you

all my life I've been lonely

wishing on a falling star

I am living for you only

you're perfect just the way you are

I feel strong when I'm with you

I know the road of life is tough

but as long as you're beside me

I know that it's enough

asking questions

what can we do? 

is there a solution?

how do we start

the new revolution?

who will listen?

who, what, how?

the time for asking questions

is now

how did we get here

in this land of the gun?

can anyone help us?

what can be done?

what can we accomplish

what our hearts will allow?

the time for asking questions

is now

          no more keeping quiet

          no more laying low

          our hands must accomplish

          what our heads and hearts know

how long will this go for?

when will this end?

it's happening over

and over again

it's time to start talking

softly or loud

the time for asking questions

is now

one nation under guns (rewrite 1)

we are one nation under guns

it is our right

we are country number one

and we must fight

to take freedom from others

with whom we disagree

no more talk about sisters and brothers

we are the land of the free

we are one nation under guns

our heritage is this:

we must protect what we've become

with an iron fist

pick a target and follow

shoot with no regret

take somebody's tomorrow

watch on your TV set

we are one nation under guns

we do not play by rules

Heaven help us, everyone

at work, at home, at school

we have the right to claim

the guns we all desire

this is America today

ready

aim

fire