America
Folk
Excuse me lady. Do you mind if I stand here? Cause
my curiousity got the best of my manners. You see that man, that girl? They're
talking about something that I just couldn't keep walking by.
We try to
be so politically correct, but we don't talk about politics. We try to be so
reliqiously erect, we don't talk about our problems.
Excuse me
lady let me tell you who I am. I'm not anybody special, I'm just a son of a
man. But, I have faith that life just keeps on going. And, I believe that I'll
be coming back as me, and Jesus is definitely worth knowing.
In all my
lifetime I've never heard the next line- "I'll take death everyday over
eternal life."
So why do
we live this way, why do we hold on to something when in context it's pretty
much nothing. It makes all the difference. You know that it's right. So stop
biting your lip wondering if it's polite to step in.
Excuse me
lady. Do you mind if I stand here? Cause all that life means to me got the best
of my manners.
We try to
be so religiously correct. We don't talk about grace enough. We try to be so
politically erect. We don't talk about religious stuff.
You've got
to separate the church and the state. But isn't that what makes our country
great- one God, one church, one faith? Maybe that's some other place. Yeah,
the United States.
You know He
might seem invisible to you right now, but He's coming back one day with liberty
and justice for all.
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Love Through a Door
Sometimes it's hard to know when love will start and
where it will go. I'm not quite sure I know how hard to try and when to let
go.
Cause you're
a sweet girl. You're so sweet, but I've got a closed heart disease.
I've cheated
love before. It's me who lost, but not anymore. I will not play again, unless
I know I'm gonna win.
Cause you're
a sweet girl. You're so sweet, but I've got a closed heart disease.
There is a
wall that I can't climb. And there is a door, but no handle on my side. If I
could see yours then I'd know why. Cause it opens either way you try.
Open the door.
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Shooting Star
Jenny wants to be a shooting star. Daddy
said she could. High-price hotels and "I've got money" cars. Looking
good. It all sounds good. And everything's going her way for now. But it's all
gonna change when she leaves the house.
See
Jenny's turning five years old this year, but at her party they're gonna drink
champagne. Strawberry Shortcake sunglasses and Barbie cars- she's got no time
for the middle-clase game. Good looks and a chance is what they bought for her.
But, would she be a star if she was your daughter.
She's
got a heart made of gravel. She's got teeth that sparkle and shine. She's got
so many things that don't matter and she's trying hard to shine. Jenny shine.
Jenny went
to Freeport boarding school- The Refined Place for Exceptional Girls.here
kids are taught that they can make the rules just as long as they're at the
top of their world. And everything's going her way so far. She's gonna be a
shooting star.
Miss
Jenny got married for the thirteenth time this year. How about that for a streak
of bad luck? She burns through men like she's entering the atmosphere, but isn't
that what a shooting star does? She lights up the sky so bright on her way down.
But will she be alive, IF she reaches the ground?
Daddy
didn't know it would hurt you to be like this. Or he never would have prefered
you to his other kids. Sometimes life is more difficult for the privileged few,
cause they think that they've got to be better than you.
Daddy
didn't know you would wind up a shooting star. Burning through your life till
your times up, now here you are. Off in outerspace you were fine, but you felt
so far away. Don't you wish you knew back then what you know today- A shooting
star will never outlast the moon.
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What Became of Us
You look so happy, it seems you never felt sad. I bet
bad day is something you've never had. It's nice to meet you. I'd like it if
you stayed awhile. We could talk about ourselves, or just sit and smile. You're
happy- that's the first thing that I said.
Then you got
lonely. You thought you lost all your friends. You hardly knew me. You went
running back to them. And for a short time you thought that it would be ok.
But something wasn't fitting right, and if I had my way, lonely is one thing
that you'll never be again.
Time made
us lovers, we thought we knew what that was. We loved each other, but then...
everybody does. It seemed like forever was wrapped up in a day. It's not how
the story ends, but if we had our way, we'd still be lovers. That's what became
of us.
Then we grew
distant. We had a lot to sort out. Cause I've got thick skin, but you've got
yourself a mouth. I didn't use mine. I thought that I was saving love, but if
it's got nowhere to go, then it just blows up. Five hundred pieces is a lot
to figure out.
Talk it over
one time, two times, three. Three of us can fix it all. Lovers- either lonely,
incomplete. Why don't we forget it all.
Now we're
just best friends. We've got three or four kids. Help me! I'm falling. You said,
"we already did". And maybe some day, we'll fall in love again. But
every time it comes around, baby, even then, we'll keep them guessing about
what a lover is.
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Dreamtree
This is a song about a dream that I woke up from just this morning.
It was a dream about a tree that wasn't ready as the storm was coming.
They pulled
its roots up from the ground. They didn't recognize what grew beneath it. They
didn't want it to fall down, and so they held it up with broken pieces.
But the wind
will blow, rain come down. The sun will dry up the ground. The creatures will
make a home. The children will climb. The dirt will move underneath. The bugs
will eat all the leaves. Then the tree will fall down. It's just a matter of
time.
They thought
the roots looked kind of old. So they decided to make some new ones. They made
them from synthetic molds. The kind where all you have to do is glue them on.
They gave
it artificial light. Watered it down till everything got muddy. It didn't matter
who was right, as long as everyone could blame somebody.
And when the
tree did not improve, the neighbors came around and started pushing, and all
the roots they came unglued. So much for trying to improve a good thing.
The tree fell
down yesterday. The children have no place to play. The people have no place
for shade. Don't pull up what's made to stay.
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Justice for a Thief
Out on the
back porch the paint hasn't dried. Look through the window and watch me arrive.
You know the door's open there's money inside. Wait till tomorrow and go for
a ride.
Four to the
carriage and one just to drive. One crossed the border and one turned the tide.
All of them waiting for one that's inside. Bringing them something they'll wish
they didn't find.
Too young
to steal, but they're robbing me blind. Laughing behind the wheel. Clean as
a whistle feels, but the paint hasn't dried.
Down on the
corner, the money exchange. Black market buyers should not know your name. Later
that night to the left of the stage, somebody was looking for someone to blame.
It's hard
to tell liars from friends in the dark. It's hard to tell stories with so many
parts. Betting is tough when you can't see the cards. So they folded like hands
on a dying man's heart.
They've got
red on their guilty hands, but they're all wearing white. The time comes for
every man to face the same way he stands, but the paint hasn't dried.
Grace is a
martyr and justice a clown, when villains are trusted. They will let you down.
You've been spinning your wheels, but they're not on the ground. I'll give you
a week, no, a day, no, how about now!
It's time
to make even the debt that you owe. It's hard to believe that the banks are
all closed. I hope you have friends in high places, not low. You'd better do
something before the last one goes.
Your crime
has been spoken for. Are you still telling lies? Hanging above your door, a
sign that says trust no more, but the paint hasn't dried.
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Books and Bathing Suits
Why can't we go back to the day when bathing suits
were suits? These days they give it all away. There's nothing up to you. I can't
imagine what they pay for the little bit they use.
I met a girl
with denim skin, but much to my surprise, she told me that "The look was
in", but did you mean to buy that size? I can't imagine what it's like
to wear your pants that tight.
As the pants
get tighter, my eyes get wider, until they wrap around my head. But I'm gonna
read a good book instead.
Don't get
me wrong, I like the view, but something don't seem right when what I see, I
see right through. I can't help believe my eyes. You can imagine what I'd do
if we didn't all have rights.
Sorry, I got
carried away. It's the thought that counts, you're right. I know I've got myself
to blame, but you need to see my side. You make it hard to look away when you
leave it all in sight.
I read for
hours at a time to keep these pictures from my mind. But I get tired of staying
inside. Please help me out before I'm blind. Don't take your clothes off, though
I sure could use a blindfold for my eyes.
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I Will Give You All You Need
I looked for you in the morning time, as I walked this
road alone. But you kept yourself hidden from my sight, so I gave you finest
clothes, yes I gave you finest clothes.
And I heard
your cry in the wilderness. "We are dying from this heat, and our stomachs
are filled with emptiness." So I gave you food and drink, yes I gave you
food and drink.
Oh how long
must I wait for your return? My child when will it be? I reach out My hand.
When will you learn? I will give you all you need.
And I heard
your cry for deliverance. Saying "Who will help us stand? And our enemies
show no forgiveness." So I gave you Promised Land, yes I gave you Promised
Land.
Still you
said you wanted a might king who would fight to win your rights. But I came
to you and you killed me, so I won them with My life, yes I won them with My
life.
I still look
for you in the morning time. I still listen for your cry. I still fight for
you against your enemies. I still offer you My life. I still offer you My life.
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Make Your Best Move
Well you've got your funky shoes on and you're ready
to be moved. It's a good thing that you're ready, cause we just found the groove.
When you've got a good thing going, you've got to keep everybody loose. But
it won't last for long, so make your best move.
Well you like
the way she's dancing like some everlasting child. Waiting for your chance until
the music stops. While she is giving sideways glances, she's giving you a smile.
But it won't last for long, so make your best move.
She's got
a rhythm. It's coming from her. You've got a rhythm too, but you're your own
drummer. Well it's time to put your best foot forward. Leave it all out on the
floor. You're never gonna have anything to lose. Make youre best move.
Later on that
evening, you're shining up your shoes. She sits down beside you cause her lace
is coming loose. She's tying them up quick you know the rest is up to you. But
it won't last for long, so make your best move.
She's
got a rhythm. It's coming from her. You've got a rhythm too, but you're your
own drummer. Well it's time to put your best foot forward. Leave it all out
on the floor. You better not give up until you're headed for the door. You know
the minute that you stop you're gonna leave her wanting more and you are never
gonna have anything to lose. Make youre best move.
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Blues
Well here we are again at the same old place. Well
here we are again at the same old place. And we are playing for "the man",
though we have never seen his face.
Well
I work twenty hours a week, that's all that I can stand. Well I work twenty
hours a week, that's all that I can stand. It don't mean that I'm lazy, just
means I've got another plan.
I drive
an economy car. It don't mean that I'm broke. My brother, he drives a family
van. It don't mean that he drives slow. My car's gonna get me where I'm going.
It's gonna leave you in a cloud of smoke.
I've
got a landlord to pay. He tells me my rent is due. Yeah but when my train comes
in, I'm gonna buy me a house or two. And then I'll give em away, cause me, I'm
just passing through.
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Madeline's Song
Daddy can you leave the light on? Have you heard me
count to ten? Where do birds go in the winter? Why can't cats and dogs be friend?
Do I have
to go to bed now? Can you push me on my bike? Can I spend the night at Suzie's?
What is heaven really like?
These are
just a few questions I have. I though you'd know. Tell me Dad.
Do I have
to do my homework? Can I help you drive the car? Can I stay out after midnight?
How do I know what's too far?
Can you walk
me down the aisle? Why can't you and Mom be friends? Would you like to meet
your grandson? Where will I go when life ends?
These
are just a few questions I have. I though you'd know. Tell me Dad.
As
I watch her growing older, there's so much she'll want to know. She's not old
enough for questions. So I'll think of answers now.
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All Praises Be
All praises be to God the Father, and to the Son for
He will reign forever.
For what am
I that He should know me? Made from the dust, there can be none below me.
And yet He
calls me by my name, knows all my steps, and leads me though I stray.
He gave me
life that I might live it, and gave me love, so only shall I give it.
I have no
want of earthly treasure, only to have a life with Him forever.
So brother
how can we be silenced? Sister of mine, this world won't recognize us.
But hope in
this until again- we'll reign with Him forever and Amen.
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Rebel
I was born in New Jersey in 1977. I spent a year there.
I did a lot of growing, but not so much thinking.
Then I move
on to Michigan. I grew up on baseball cards.
The first time that I saw the World Series was the last time the Tigers won....
a game.
Life's about
growing up. It's about getting high. (No it's not, people just want to be part
of something)
Then I move
on to Wisconsin, and that's where I realized what prejudice was. The first thing
they always ask me- "So do you eat a lot of cheese?"
Life's
about growing up. It's about getting high. (No it's not, some people just need
to yell)
Then
I drove back and forth around Lake Michigan for awhile. I was supposed to be
finding myself, but I was doing too much driving.
Life's
about growing up. It's about getting high. (No it's not, some people just need
to fight something. They feel like they've missed the whole rebellion. Well
we can start one right here. Except we'll call it a revival or something)
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