Music

There's nothing new under the sun
Except you under the sun
There's nothing new under the sun
Except you

One upon a time you were luminous stardust
Traveling, a traveler filled with wanderlust
What are the chances, in infinite choices that you'd land here?
Baby you're a singular blip in the spacious
An unrepeatable moment of graciousness
Now you exist in the cradle of my arm, how'd you get here from

90 and 3 million miles away
Four and point five billion years to get you right
Now you're a blinding light
There's nothing new under the sun
Except you under the sun
There's nothing new under the sun
Except you

Astronomical floating rays orbit around the milky way
Waiting, waiting
Syllables uttered into the dark, a descant sung into a spark
Waiting, waiting

Baby you're a singular blip in the spacious
An unrepeatable moment of graciousness
Now you exist in the cradle of my arm, how'd you get here from

90 and 3 million miles away
Four and point five billion years to get you right
Now you're a blinding light
There's nothing new under the sun
Except you under the sun
There's nothing new under the sun
Except you

Burst the silence, damn the dark
You are not alone
Breathe my darling, wash your heart
You were always coming home

Here I am
With seeds for planting
In my hand
Is this life that I’ve been granted
And with all that I’ve forgotten
I am never going home
I am never going home
I am never going home

I was born already running away
With nothing but the invisible lives that we carried
For every one who survived there are thousands with nothing to say
I’ve come this far
To stand on my own
I’ll make a new life
There’s no place like home
I’ll silence the demons and bury regrets
Son, this is how we begin to forget

I was born into a clever disguise
With a weird way of hearing and voice to continue a story
Of wanderers wandering through broken and beautiful lives
It begins just like this
It sounds like a vow
A whispered old tune
I’ll sing for you now
Gather up all of your blessings and sins
Father this is how the remembering begins

Burst the silence, damn the dark
You are not alone
Breathe my darling, and remember
You were always coming home
You were always coming home
You were always coming home
You were always coming home

There’s a pot that sits upon my kitchen floor
I am discovering the sound of my beginning
On black and white linoleum
The staging for this holy drum
You’re cooking something good
I am making music with
A spoon that’s made of wood
And on and on and on we sail into it

I realize I’m still a little kid
Who can’t resist the urge to make a racket
And maybe boys will be boys
But it seems to me a joyful noise
The beauty always rests
In the ear of the beholder
It’ll make more sense to you when you get a little older

I see a ship upon the ocean and clouds up in the sky
In the shape of a beginning and a shadow in your eye
And the color of my song is a long I wonder why
And the question is . . . the question is . . .

Are there stories that you may never tell me
And are they living all the same beneath this silence?
Tucked away inside my ear
Somehow proof that you were here
Things that I must say
Though I don’t have words to speak them
I will say them anyway
Though they may not yet have meaning
I will get a little big
I will grow a little bolder
Will I make more sense to you when I get a little older

There’s a pot that sits upon my kitchen floor
I am discovering the sound . . .

Dear Grandma and dear Grandpa
I am writing you this letter
‘Cause the telephone’s expensive
The connection’s not so good
How are things where you are?
Is it hot there?
And I hope we come to visit really soon
And I miss you very much

I guess you heard we moved again
Now we live in Switzerland
There’s a carousel down by the lake and
Flowers everywhere
And on their independence day
Geneva has a street parade
They wear masks and throw candy
I was scared but now I’m not

Can you hear me now?

Lauren got a brand new bike
Mom and Dad say sometimes
If we’re careful we can ride
To the Old City on our own
Marco! Polo!
We call for one another
Through the walls of the Old City
There are cracks there in the stone

Can you hear me now?

I started school and made a friend
Kids call him weird but I call him Ben
He’s kind of different just like me
And he has this old guitar
That tells stories I’ve never heard before
And I suppose—no—I am sure I’d like it if I tried

I guess you heard we moved again
Now we live in Switzerland
There’s a carousel down by the lake and
Flowers everywhere
And yesterday my Dad came home
With something underneath his arm
I sat down and began to strum
I don’t think I’ll ever stop

Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me now?

You looked up at the stars and said I don't know a single constellation
We lay on our backs, swallowing the nameless night
And though we fall in love with our particular formations
All we'll ever be . . . is dark and light

I wanna be of the earth, I wanna breathe in the sound
And feel my hands reaching deep in the ground
I wanna dance with the trees, not like some tree-hugging boy
Just as a free-loving body embodying joy
I wanna be in the world, I wanna revel in toil
I wanna feel my feet ten thousand feet in the soil
I wanna burst when I'm full, I wanna shine like I'm mad
Not like a pattern of stars, just as the light that I am

You looked up at me and said this must be the strangest conversation
Lobbing our truths back and forth in aimless flight
And though we fall in love with our particular translations
All we'll ever mean is Love . . . and I . . .

Wanna be of the earth, I wanna breathe in the sound
And feel my hands reaching deep in the ground
I wanna dance with the trees, not like some tree-hugging boy
Just as a free-loving body embodying joy
I wanna be in the world, I wanna revel in toil
I wanna feel my feet ten thousand feet in the soil
I wanna burst when I'm full, I wanna shine like I'm mad
Not like a pattern of stars, just as the light that I am

(Instrumental bridge)

I wanna be of the earth, I wanna breathe in the sound
And feel my hands reaching deep in the ground
I wanna dance with the trees, not like some tree-hugging boy
Just as a free-loving body embodying joy
I wanna be in the world, I wanna revel in toil
I wanna feel my feet ten thousand feet in the soil
I wanna burst when I'm full, I wanna shine like I'm mad
Not like a pattern of stars, just as the light that I am
Not like a pattern of stars, just as the light that I am
Not like a pattern of stars, just as the light that I am

There is something in this sound like a miracle
That’s been waiting in the smallest parts
In the darkness of an ocean whispered from a refugee heart

And it’s not that it’s supposed to come easily
We all choke on the simplest truth
But sometimes I can hear them all the hymns that are nearest to You

Chorus
And I don’t know why
I don’t know why
But it sounds like, it sounds like home

And truth is a baby’s cry after midnight
One part faith and one part doubt
Secret lovers on a river burning fires under bridges calling out

And I don’t know why
I don’t know why
But it sounds like, it sounds like home

Churches of trees, whirling dervishes these on the side of a hill
Ecstatic and bursting with holiness thirsting for someone to fill

And I don’t know why
I don’t know why
But it sounds like, it sounds like . . .

And I don’t know why
I don’t know why
But it feels like, it feels like home

And I don’t know why
I don’t know why
But it sounds like, it sounds like home

You’ve got exactly sixty seconds to tell me what you meant by that
One short minute to apologize
You’ve got exactly sixty seconds to tell me what you meant by that
I hear the murder rate is on the rise
I’m in love
But I do not speak the language
I’m in love
But I don’t understand
I’m in love
And I do not speak the language
Though I try to speak the language of this foreign land . . .

You’ve got exactly sixty seconds to kiss me like a European
One short minute to show me how
You’ve got exactly sixty seconds to love me like a spy
I’ve seen those foreign films
Do it—do it now
I’m in love
with a girl who says te amo
I’m in love
She calls me mon petit chou-chou
I’m in love
And I cannot speak the language
So I can’t understand a single word she’s saying . . .

Her heart is Italy
Her kiss is Paris
Her body is Brazilian
My heart is . . . .Oklahoma!

Here I am, stupid American
Here I am
Here I am stupid American
Here I am
Here I am, stupid American
Here I am
Here I am stupid American
Here I am
Here I am
Here I am

This could be nothing
I kinda hope that it is
But it maybe could possibly be
It’s probably nothing
‘Cause what would it mean to give all of myself when all of myself says
You should know better by now
You should know better

After all, I adore
You are gentle, you are kind
Am I willing to sign up for more?
I want more, more than nothing
And this could be something
After all

There was a moment
Just the flick of an eye
Just the trick of your voice in my ear
It was probably nothing
Move along, move along
There’s nothing to see here except all of myself saying
You should know better by now
You should go get her right now

After all, I adore
You are strong, you are tough
But am I brave enough, after all?
I want more, more than nothing
And this could be something . . .

After all of this living has landed me here
Peering over the edge, clinging on to my fear
When to walk through this world arm in arm means both of us letting go

After all, I adore
You are strong, you are kind
People jump all the time
After all, I want more
More than nothing
And this could be something
More than nothing
And this could be something
More than nothing
And this could be something . . .

Said the river to the stone
I am alone, I am alone
So will you accompany
Me in all this rushing in all this running down
And I will carry you
To the blue, to the blue
Where the ocean meets the sky
I am but water, we are all but water

Melting into the sun
Every breath the first and final one
Every heartbeat, now and done
And if this sound has found your sigh
Let it be your lullaby

Said the stone unto the moss
I am lost, I am lost
So will you accompany
Me in all this tumbling, we are all but wandering . . .

. . . Into the sun
Every breath the first and final one
Every heartbeat is now and done
And if this sound has found your sigh
Let it be your lullaby

Said the father to his son
I am gone, gotta run
And you cannot accompany
Me in all this becoming in all this going home
But I will sing to you
In the blue, in the blue
Where the silence meets the sky
That is where I am . . .

Melting into the sun
Every breath, the first and final one
Every heartbeat, now and done
And if this sound has found your sigh
Then we’ll both know why
Let me be your . . . .

You woke up, you looked down
Said a prayer, turned around
Rubbed your eyes full of sleep
Now do you, remember me?
Remember me

There was a time when you were young
Every moment upon your tongue
And it tasted wild and it tasted sweet
Now do you remember me
Remember me . . .

And my cells they are shimmering like Orion
And my feet are six inches off the ground
And pain is just waking up--the one you thought you lost being found

Orange sun, glowing down
India, gauzy crown
Looking out with a soul that sees
You bet your ass
I remember me
I remember me
I remember me
Yeah
I remember me
I remember me
Yeah

I had a dream last night
That everything was beautiful
Everything was a spark in the heart of darkness, of wonder in bloom
I had a dream last night
Everything was already alright
Everybody was a small light in a dark room

And you looked like Chinese lanterns awaying in the wind
And you felt like waves of fireflies, breathing out, breathing in
And you sounded like starlight whispered ear to ear
Billions of small lights
Billions of small lights
Billions of small lights singing, singing . . .

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah
Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu . . .

Take this paper bag and put it in your bigger bag
And off you go and have a good day
And later in Ms. Gingham’s class while turning numbers into math
You’ll turn the number one into an angel on her toes
And I suppose you’ll do just fine
And I’m at home so busy biding my time

Because you’re my favorite person
You’re my favorite person
You’re my favorite person in this world

Later on the blacktop tar while other kids are playing war
And hiding from the enemy and the end-of-recess bell
You’ll be sitting on the walk drawing with the colored chalk
Imagining a dinosaur with flowers in her nose
And I suppose you’ll do just fine
And I’m at home so busy biding my time

Because you’re my favorite person
You’re my favorite person
You’re my favorite person in this world

And I know you feel a little different
The secret is that everybody does
And anyone can see just how beautiful you are
Still somebody oughta tell you
And that somebody will because, because

Because at lunch this afternoon in the multi-purpose room
You’ll seat an olive sandwich that no one wants to share
But if you reach inside your paper bag deep down inside your paper bag
You’ll find a sticky note sticking to your hand and it says

You’re my favorite person
You’re my favorite person
You’re my favorite person in this world
My favorite person
You’re my favorite person
You’re my favorite person in this world

Take this paper bag and put it in your bigger bag
And off you go and have a good day

It’s long about time I got movin’ again
Fourteen degrees and it’s 2 A.M.
Drivin’ through the whispering black
Miles up ahead my guitar in the back seat
I’m writing you now just because I can

I can see acres and acres of dawn
In a house in the mountains the pines are all grown
And two silent hearts sing together alone
And you’ll make the tea with my hands on your hips
No words in my mouth, no words on my lips
But this song I will hum to your grey-green eyes
No need for words when there’s no more goodbyes
No more words and no more goodbyes

I find my way home by your neon signs
Headin’ north ‘cross the Georgia line
Well you’d think that by now I would understand
After all that’s been said in that distant land
But I’m tellin’ you now just because, just because I love you

And I can see acres and acres of dawn
In a house in the mountains the pines are all grown
And two silent hearts sing together alone
And you’ll make the tea with my hands on your hips
No words in my mouth, no words on my lips
But this song I will hum to your grey-green eyes
No need for words when there’s no more goodbyes
No more words and no more goodbyes

That night you said, “we’re starting something”, like you always knew
And it’s just like me to talk about it, it’s just like you to tell the truth

And I can see acres and acres of dawn
In a house in the mountains the pines are all grown
And two silent hearts sing together alone
And you’ll make the tea with my hands on your hips
No words in my mouth, no words on my lips
But this song I will hum to your grey-green eyes
No need for words when there’s no more goodbyes
No more words and no more goodbyes
No more words and no more goodbyes

The sun is high, the time is now
There’ll be no more turning around
My heart is red, my eyes are brown

I used to say serious things
In my oh-so-serious youth
Turns out words and certainty
Are no substitute for truth

If I sing ay-ay-ay-ay
Then maybe you will know who I am
Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay

I know a man with a shining eye who used to know too much
Now he knows so much less, and less is just enough
And I love a girl who wears her heart up above head
And when she smiles upside down she’s right side up instead

Yellow moon, orange sky, streets that swept with rain
Blue balloon, endless sigh, her breath become my name

Ay-ay-ay-ay
Then maybe you will know who I am
Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay
Ay-ay-ay-ay
And baby you will know who I am
Ay-ay-ay-ay

The sun is high, the time is now
There’ll be no more turning around
My heart is red, my eyes are brown

You woke up, you looked down
Said a prayer, turned around
Rubbed your eyes full of sleep
Now do you, remember me?
Remember me

There was a time when you were young
Every moment upon your tongue
And it tasted wild and it tasted sweet
Now do you remember me
Remember me . . .

And my cells they are shimmering like Orion
And my feet are six inches off the ground
And pain is just waking up--the one you thought you lost being found

Orange sun, glowing down
India, gauzy crown
The story of a bright-boned dream
Now do you remember me?
Remember me, remember me

Violet flame, dusty rose
Here I am in the throes
Looking out with a soul that sees
You bet your ass
I remember me
I remember me
I remember me
Yeah
I remember me
I remember me
Yeah

When you call for me I’ll come for you
Be still my heart, be still my heart
When I fall for you it’s on my knees
With my waking heart, with my waking heart
And as the days do fall and rise
I will lay forever

By and by your side
I’m by your side
And it makes no matter which way you are going
Your side
I’m by your side
Over where the yonder’s ever-glowing

In my emptiness I found my love
This quiet light, such quiet light
And I lay my doubting at your feet
With my breaking heart, my breaking heart
And in the ever-changing tide
I will stay forever

By and by your side
I’m by your side
And it makes no matter which way you are going
Your side
I’m by your side
Over where the yonder’s ever-glowing

In my dream I walked into your heart
In my dream I walked into your . . .
And the way I see you now
Is with Ruby flowing

Down and by your side
By your side
And it makes no matter which way you are going
Your side
I’m by your side
Right here where the yonder’s ever-glowing

I love your legs--they make me want to be a better man
I want to make you eggs in the morning
Just because I can
It’s like a hand to a glove, below to above, a head to an empty hat
Baby I love you and it’s just like that.

And I love your brain—the way it helps me understand
I feel the need to explain a bit further
It’s the way you are with the way I am
It’s like time to a clock, toes to a sock, a step through an open door
Baby I love you and that’s what I’m for

If I could whistle, I’d whistle this part for you
Mmmm, Mmmm
‘Couse I know just how you love some whistling in a song
Mmmm, Mmmm

But I love your voice
And when you whisper sing or shout
I really have no choice in the matter
It lights me up from the inside out
It’s like fire to the fly, breath to the sigh, a hand to an open hand
Baby I love you and that’s how I am
Baby I love you and it’s just like that

Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell
Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell

When your heart opens up like a butterfly to a world that’s bigger than this
Spreads your arms up to the sky and surrender to the emptiness
You can think, you can breathe, you can wonder why and get strangled up in choice
But there’s nothing more true than the tenderness of the sound of a single voice

Singin’ glory glory
Hallelujah
Glory glory
Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell

You can go to church you can drink your fill of somebody’s holy water
You can bow your head to the prodigal son or Sarah’s invisible daughter
You can reel from the noise and the chattering you have heard
But if you listen real close you can hear the truth—silence is the only word

Singin’ glory glory
Hallelujah
Glory glory
Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell

There’s a boy in a field with his face to sun and his voice is starting to swell
It’s the song of the nameless mystery and it sounds like ringin’ a bell
And when he’s done he’ll bask in the glory and silence from above
And the only little sound that you can hear is the light and the power of love

Singin’ glory glory
Hallelujah
Glory glory
Hallelujah
Glory glory
Hallelujah
Glory glory
Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell
Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell
Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell
Ring the bell throw down your heart, ring the bell

Let’s play in a house that we made of wood
Leave the windows open to the storm
And the smell of the rain will drift right in
And we’ll dance all night until the morning
We’ll dance all night until the morn

But we really won’t dance, we don’t like to dance
And neither of us really knows how
So we’ll sit singing songs ‘til they don’t make sense
And send our voices to the cloud-line
We’ll send our voices to the clouds

La la la la-la la-la la la
La la la la-la la-la la la
La la la la-la la la-la la la la la

Let’s float on a boat made of paper hats
Even though we’ve only one oar
And we’ll get so dizzy making circles in the lake
And wave hellos unto the shoreline
We’ll wave at the people on the shore

La la la la-la la-la la la
La la la la-la la-la la la
La la la la-la la la-la la la la la

Let’s sit on a hill watching fireflies
And promise not to put ‘em in a jar
Then we’ll call ‘em by names that they recognize
Hank, Carmelita, and Starlight
Hank, Carmelita, and Star

Let’s promise that we’ll always remember this
Even when we’re really, really old

On the long road to Callao
And the way home is fraught with fear 
Within the darkness, there is a kindness
Into this kindness I'll disappear

All the wild flowers in the night hours
Turn their faces to the moon
Said the old man to the orphan
I'll be going home soon
Said the old man to the orphan . . .

So come and sit beside me on the water
Before the morning fades from my memory
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be

There are stories of shameful glory 
I never hurried to hurt anyone
I was a young kid--can't believe what I did
When they handed me a helmet and a gun

Then there's our old Jeep--boy you were so sweet
You were steering, sittin’ on my lap
Then I let go, you flying solo
Son do you remember that?
When I let go, you flying solo

So come and sit beside me on the water
Before the morning fades from my memory
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be

I’m on the long road to Callao
And the way home is fraught with fear 
Within the darkness, there is a kindness
Into your kindness I'll disappear
Within the darkness, there is a kindness . . .

On the long road to Callao
And the way home is fraught with fear 
Within the darkness, there is a kindness
Into this kindness I'll disappear

All the wild flowers in the night hours
Turn their faces to the moon
Said the old man to the orphan
I'll be going home soon
Said the old man to the orphan . . .

So come and sit beside me on the water
Before the morning fades from my memory
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be

There are stories of shameful glory 
I never hurried to hurt anyone
I was a young kid--can't believe what I did
When they handed me a helmet and a gun

Then there's our old Jeep--boy you were so sweet
You were steering, sittin’ on my lap
Then I let go, you flying solo
Son do you remember that?
When I let go, you flying solo

So come and sit beside me on the water
Before the morning fades from my memory
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be
We are evermore becoming the only ones we ever are to be

I’m on the long road to Callao
And the way home is fraught with fear 
Within the darkness, there is a kindness
Into your kindness I'll disappear
Within the darkness, there is a kindness . . .

Well I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee
And I’m gone to Louisiana, my own true love for to see

Well it rained all night the day I left
The weather it was dry
And the sun so hot I froze today
Susannah don’t you cry

Oh Susannah why don’t you cry for me
‘Cause I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee

Well I had a dream the other night, when everything was still
I dreamt I saw my girl Suzanne comin’ ‘round the hill
And a red, red rose was in her mouth
A tear was in her eye
I said I come from way down South
Susannah don’t you cry

Oh Susannah why don’t you cry for me
‘Cause I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee

So when I get to New Orleans I’ll take a look around
And when I spy my sweet Suzanne I’ll fall upon the ground

Oh Susannah why don’t you cry for me
‘Cause I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee
Susannah why don’t you cry for me
‘Cause I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee

Oh my weary traveler upon the fallow ground
All your gazing skyward, your knees are buckled down
Doubt and indecision mapped upon your face
Your chosen soul collision has born you to this place

Singing wake your sacred heart
And open your eyes to who you are

You are home

Oh my weary traveler, there are angels where you walk
They muscle up beside you and speak their angel talk
And the words will come in thunder, the tune like gentle rain
In voices strong and tender, they’re singing out your name

Singing wake your sacred heart
And open your eyes to who you are

You are home

Lift up your eyes, kick off your shoes, upon the fertile ground
Plant your seeds in knowing you were always homeward bound

You are home

Once upon a time, I wished upon a star
And the star sang back to me, I wonder who you are I said who I am is Love
Love I’ll always be
And I sent the star a song across the Galilee

And across the Galilee, underneath the moon
Stood a little girl remembering a tune
And it rattled round her heart as though it always had
And she sang up to the dark just before she went to bed
La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love
La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love

Just before she went to bed, she sent it on its way
Past the Tranquil Mountains, across the Byron Bay
And it settled in the heart of a sleeping little boy
And first thing in the morning he sang it out with joy
And it woke up his old dog, his little brother Ted
It woke up the earth sleeping underneath his bed
And every sleepy soul in his sleepy town
Found themselves awake and gathering around
Singing La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love
La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love

And gathering around there were voices everywhere
And words turned into light and light turned into air
And love became a secret finally undone
And everybody hummed an old familiar hum
And the humming turned to song, the planet sang at once
And all of us were them and all of them were us
You could hear our voices swell in the stars above
Everybody singing singing singing La La Love
La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love
La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love

And gathering around, we sang beautiful and true
And it made its way from us and found its way to you
And it sparkled in your heart for all of us to see
Singing who I am is Love, Love I’ll always be
Who I am is Love, Love I’ll always be
Who I am is Love, Love I’ll always be
Who I am is Love, Love I’ll always be
Who I am is Love, Love I’ll always be
La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love
La La, La La Love, La La, La La Love

Molly was a girl in a new town
The new kid in a new school
A little bit nervous, a little bit shy
While all the other kids were crazy cool
And on the very first day she got up early
And picked out her favorite dress
She was the first one in line when the doors swung open
All the other kids would be impressed

And they said
Look at that! Look at that!
What is she wearing, would you look at that?
Look at that! Look at that!
What is she wearing, would you look at that?
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got
It doesn’t fit right in
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got
It doesn’t fit right in

At lunch Molly sat all by herself
While all the other kids traded snacks
At recess she played all by herself
While kids made fun of her behind her back

And they said
Look at that! Look at that!
What is she wearing, would you look at that?
Look at that! Look at that!
What is she wearing, would you look at that?
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got
It doesn’t fit right in
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got
It doesn’t fit right in

But then Molly climbed to the top of the jungle gym
All the cool kids gathered ‘round
She looked ‘em in the eye, she opened her mouth
And out came a courageous sound
She said, I like to be myself
I can’t be like anybody else
She said, I like to be myself
And here I am

And all the other kids said
Look at that! Look at that!
Would you look at Molly, just look at that?
Look at that! Look at that!
Look at Molly, would you look at that?
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got it
But it fits right in
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got it
But it fits right in
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got it
But it fits right in
It’s a purple-dotted, polka-spotted dress
We don’t know where she got it
But it fits right in

A sixty-foot Jesus rising out of the water
On the side of the interstate, waist-deep in rapture
And I am left thinking with a heart full of love
Why is he swimming when he can walk on that stuff?

And I prayed for a miracle I prayed for a sign
Like a dream in the desert or a voice in the night
And all that I’m left with and all that I know
Is salvation is rising just east of Monroe

Eyes on the mystery, hands reaching out,
Frozen in a glorious moment of doubt
And the radio’s playing some old Teddy Pendergrass
We drive by the Prince made of peace and fiberglass

I prayed for a miracle I prayed for a sign
Like a dream in the desert or a voice in the night
And all that I’m left with and all that I know
Is salvation is rising just east of Monroe

Next door the lights are blinking at the Hustlers of Hollywood
Twenty-one ways to spend your life feeling good
Tender hearts hide behind dollars and drinkin’
Sayin’ I should be rising but it feels like I’m sinkin’

And the sixty-foot Jesus just sits on the interstate
Winks at me sideways--the earth-bound potentate
There’s light where you look for it, there’s light where you need it
But it’s only a miracle if you show up to receive it

And I prayed for a miracle I prayed for a sign
Like a dream in the desert or a voice in the night
And all that I’m left with and all that I know
Is salvation is rising just east of Monroe

Welcome to the desert, she said in perfect English
This place is more like home than you might think
I said I see what you’re saying as I gazed across the distance
Miles and miles of ocean and not a drop to drink

And the lights of Tel Aviv dance across the water
To the music of a siren in the street
And everyone’s a comedian and everyone’s a martyr
Sing me something beautiful and lay me down to sleep
Sing me something beautiful and lay me down to sleep

Believe it or not I left my heart in San Francisco
Of all the silly things I could’ve done
And faces here remind of nothing too familiar
Miles and miles of faces in a desert in the sun

And the lights of Tel Aviv dance across the water
To the music of a siren in the street
And everyone’s a comedian and everyone’s a martyr
Sing me something beautiful and lay me down to sleep
Sing me something beautiful and lay me down to sleep

This life is full of choices—I know joy must have its pain
Just as faith must have its city in the sand
I sing in other voices but I’m whispering a name
In a perfect language only you would understand

And the lights of Tel Aviv dance across the water
To the music of a siren in the street
And everyone’s a comedian and everyone’s a martyr
Sing me something beautiful and lay me down to sleep
Sing me something beautiful and lay me down to sleep

There’s lots of people in the town
And all of them are beautiful
Yes, all of them are beautiful--but not one of them is you

I hear your voice in every song
The ache stays with me all night long
So may souls busy being strong and not one of them is you

Well I believed it wouldn’t hurt a bit
I believe all kinds of shit
The truth is—when you come to it—love finds its own way

Windows fogged with winter air
Skaters circle ‘round in pairs
My god your face is everywhere

And now the world’s a stranger place
I’ll lick a tear from your face
No promises so just in case

Well I believed it wouldn’t hurt a bit
I believe all kinds of shit
The truth is—when you come to it—love finds its own way

There’s lots of people in this town
All of them are beautiful
Yes everyone is beautiful--but not one of them is you

Half a life--I don’t how I got here
The middle ain’t a very good place to start
You and I just sit around handing over shards of our broken hearts

Half the night I think that you’re an angel
Half the night I think I’m the devil after all
Maybe we’re both just good enough to add a little cushion to the fall

And I will ease your pain
And you can ease mine too
All tangled up in hope and shame amid the midnight blue
But love is red and red is not my name
But tonight you can lay down your head and I will ease your pain

I feel like tourist in my own body
I feel like feel like I haven’t been home in years
You and I spend hours trading pieces of our pasts
Just like we’re exchanging souvenirs

And I will ease your pain
And you can ease mine too
All tangled up in hope and shame amid the midnight blue
But love is red and red is not my name
But tonight you can lay down your head and I will ease your pain

Half a life to get to where we’re going
I try too hard to understand
So open up that bottle—it’s a beautiful blue night
And your skin feels so good underneath my hands

And I will ease your pain
And you can ease mine too
All tangled up in hope and shame amid the midnight blue
But love is red and red is not my name
But tonight you can lay down your head and I will ease your pain

If you feel like you’ve been running
But you’re only standing still
If you feel like you’ve been talking, waiting for someone to listen
Oh but nobody will
If you feel like you’ve been dying, just dying to feel alive

Open your hand, love
Take back this moment
Mmmm

If you’re feeling just like home
Is a long, long way from here
If you feel like letting go but you can’t stop holding on
Holding on to your fear
If you feel the world is changing but its changing without you

Open your heart love
Take back this moment
Open your heart love
Take back this moment
Open your heart love
Take back this moment
Mmmmm

When the sulfur summer sun
Turns to rain in the afternoon
When the silent spinning earth shrugs and shudders
To meet up with rising moon
Lift your eyes and lift your heart across the Gulf of Mexico

Open your hand, love
Take back this moment
Open your hand, love
Take back this moment
Open your hand, love
Take back this moment
Mmmm

This is Leon’s big arrival
This is the hole in Leon’s smile
This is the cash in Leon’s pocket
That buys the love for a little while

This is Leon’s gold from Montreal
This is Leon’s Hollywood look
This is Leon’s middle finger
This is Leon’s big right hook

This is Leon going for crown
This is Leon on the ropes in the second round
Take a picture it’ll last a little longer
This is Leon going down

This is Leon’s pretty girlfriend
These are all his friends from the neighborhood
This is Leon’s other pretty girlfriend
This is Leon lookin’ good

This is Leon going for crown
This is Leon on the ropes in the second round
Take a picture it’ll last a little longer
This is Leon going down

He don’t float like a butterfly
He ain’t a bee that stings
Yeah but if you got it comin’ he’s gonna be the one to serve ya
The pain feels so good like confession in a ring
And somewhere deep in his troubled soul he thinks he deserves it

This is Leon counting one to ten
This is Leon waving goodbye to all his friends
This is Leon sleeping in the rain
This is Leon swallowing his pain
This is Leon breaking without a sound
Ladies and gentlemen Leon’s going down
Leon going down
Leon going down
Leon going down

I have been waiting for signs
You know how long I’ve been waiting
Prayer upon prayer for signs
Now both of my knees they are bleeding

Now for this night for the rest of my life
I am lost I am lost I’m the one who needs saving

Michael the Archangel roll down from heaven
Tell us a story--we’re all of us dying
Sing us a song, whisper one Hallelujah
Michael come quickly there’s somebody crying

Open your eyes slowly
But we are the ones who’ve been dreaming
Seven years and holy
Hand us your light and you’re leaving
My love like a lamb I will give all I am
I will give it away just don’t leave so soon

Michael the Archangel roll down from heaven
Tell us a story--we’re all of us dying
Sing us a song, whisper one Hallelujah
Michael come quickly there’s somebody crying

He is grace he is grace I will cover my face
I will lay down my fear he is grace
I am grace I am grace I will cover my face
I will lay down my fear I am grace

Michael the Archangel roll down from heaven
Tell us a story--we’re all of us dying
Sing us a song, whisper one Hallelujah
Michael come quickly there’s somebody crying

If I lose my sight
I will curl into a nest
In a reckless sleepless night
I will sing until you rest

‘Cause I love you all so well
More than my mouth could ever mean
Look up and you will know me
Evergreen

If I lose my legs
In a war I’ve never seen
I will tumble into space
My heart a trampoline

‘Cause I love you all so well
More than my mouth could ever mean
Look up and you will know me
Evergreen

If I lose my mind
I will climb up on a hill
With this empty head of mine
And a heart that’s full and still

I will love you all so well
More than my mouth could ever mean
Look up and you will know me
Evergreen

You’ve been living on a one-way track better turn your heart around
There’s a steam locomotive and it’s coming back to this unforgiven town
And the truth is I’ve never seen a day
When a woman could lock her heart away
Keep it hidden inside from that distant siren sound
You only hide when you’re desperate to be found

You’ve been living from the outside in better turn it inside out
There’s a tear that’s rolling off of your skin and lump inside of your mouth
And I know that smile--it used to be mine
You can’t fool everyone all of the time
When standing still and running feel the same
And no matter what you do you can’t forget your name

Carolina
Carolina
Carolina

And home is a long dirt road and a patch of Carolina blue
And you swear to god on a lightning rod that they named it after you
And at night you lay in your driveway and you stare up at the stars
And you never have to wonder who you are
No, you never have to wonder who you are

You’ve been living on a one-way track better turn your heart around
There’s a steam locomotive and it’s coming back to this unforgiven town

Carolina
Carolina
Carolina

So I climb up on the rooftop
And I whisper a secret
From my lips to my ears
‘Cause I’m the only who’ll keep it
Besides the man in living room
He’s the gentlest companion
For twenty-seven years now
That’s where he’s been standing

This is a quiet town
And everyone knows almost everything
From the whisper of the moment to the rumor of the hour
And I swear one day I’m gonna climb up on this rooftop
I’m gonna climb up on this rooftop
I’m gonna talk a little louder

Doors are made for locking
Curtains made for windows
Honey don’t you answer
They’ll probably go away soon
But now the cop is looking at me
Says he’s taking a collection
And he’s winking at his partner
He says we’re here for your protection

This is a quiet town
And everyone knows almost everything
From the whisper of the moment to the rumor of the hour
And I swear one day I’m gonna climb up on this rooftop
I’m gonna climb up on this rooftop
I’m gonna talk a little louder

This town is full of fences
Shadowbox and picket
Good for keeping out a stranger
Good for keeping in a secret
Now supper’s on the table
And when we’re done we’ll share another cigarette
We’ll sit out on the back porch
And say it ain’t even summer yet

This is a quiet town
And everyone knows almost everything
From the whisper of the moment to the rumor of the hour
And I swear one day I’m gonna climb up on this rooftop
I’m gonna climb up on this rooftop
I’m gonna talk a little louder

I don’t believe the news anymore
Too many decisions are getting made when I’m not around
I believe in karma—don’t believe in dogma
And when tree falls I think it makes a sound

And I believe in the lines around your smile as you grow older
And I believe in the way you look at me back across your shoulder
‘Cause if it’s worth the distance, then it’s worth the waiting
Though the hour’s getting late
The day ain’t nearly over

I don’t believe in promises—too much pressure
You end up owning things you never meant to keep
And I don’t know if dreams reveal your deepest feelings
I just know I feel tired and then I go to sleep

And I believe in the lines around your smile as you grow older
And I believe in the way you look at me back across your shoulder
‘Cause if it’s worth the distance, then it’s worth the waiting
Though the hour’s getting late
The day ain’t nearly over

Seems like I’ve been polishing my fear like the barrel of a gun
Maybe I’ve been wasting all these years and the fight has just begun

I don’t believe in war—too much destruction
You know pain is pain no matter the name in which it’s done
I don’t believe in numbers--they give too many answers
All I know is you’re the only one

And I believe in the lines around your smile as you grow older
And I believe in the way you look at me back across your shoulder
‘Cause if it’s worth the distance, then it’s worth the waiting
Though the hour’s getting late
The day ain’t nearly over

I don’t like sympathizers, I don’t like stumbling when I fall
Maybe I’m a proselytizing
Singing, strumming, pain-disguising
Bleeding-hearted death defying
Lover of it all

But I do like public kisses, especially when they last a bit too long
And I’ve had some near misses
To tell the truth the whole damn list is
A bunch of ill-begotten wishes
Go on, prove me wrong

Resurrection

In Italy they understand it—every afternoon they go to sleep
Streets are filled with crazy drivers
Football’s still the great uniter
Lazarus was not that tired
And truth is in the centuries you keep

Resurrection
Resurrection

I like long hot showers, I like the sunlight in your hair
Maybe it’s your girlish powers
The way you sing of bending flowers
The way you laugh when time is ours
Slow and unaware

Resurrection
Resurrection
Yeah

She walked in in a pinstripe suit
Took a bite of passion fruit
Said, honey I’m not that kind of girl
It’s a strange and lovely world

She came up from Jacksonville
Said, honey if you won’t, then I will
And in her teeth she held a pearl
It’s a strange and lovely world

I cried out, let me be saved
And the angels all looked away
And I stood there broken and amazed

You showed up and you took my hand
Said, quiet baby I understand
And your soul around my soul did curl
It’s a strange and lovely world

Trees grow, grass grows, all living things must grow
But my little brother goes
No, no, no
I won’t grow, I won’t grow
No, no, no I won’t grow

Mama says, gotta grow
All living things must grow
But my little brother goes
No, no, no
I won’t grow, I won’t grow
No, no, no I won’t grow

Eat your peas and carrots and watermelon
Or you’ll always be a little fella
Eat your broccoli and don’t ever stop
Is there a vegetable called a lollipop?
(yeah!) No!

Trees grow, grass grows, all living things must grow
But my little brother goes
No, no, no
I won’t grow, I won’t grow
No, no, no I won’t grow

Mama says, gotta grow
All living things must grow
But my little brother goes
No, no, no
I won’t grow, I won’t grow
No, no, no I won’t grow

Eat your spinach eat your cauliflower
Lemons and limes are really, really sour
Eat your broccoli no matter who you are
Is there a vegetable called a candy bar?
(yeah!) No!

Trees grow, grass grows, all living things must grow
But my little brother goes
No, no, no
I won’t grow, I won’t grow
No, no, no I won’t grow

Mama says, gotta grow
All living things must grow
But my little brother goes
No, no, no
I won’t grow, I won’t grow
No, no, no I won’t grow

I know a cowboy his name Bob
Got a B on each side and an O in between
He never speaks forward he only speaks backward
So nobody can understand what he means

(Pretty confusing stuff kids. For instance)

Howdy friend, I am Cowboy Bob came out
Ydow dneirf, I ma Yobwac Bob
My beautiful horse is also named Bob
Ym lufituaeb esroh si osla deman Bob

(See what I mean kids? Drives you bananas)

You can imagine the trouble this made
In the things that we said in the games that we played
And no matter what Bob ever said
We all smiled politely and nodded our heads

(Be polite kids. Stay in school. Don’t run with scissors)

The name carved in my saddle is Bob
Eht eman devarc nimy elddas si Bob
My spurs they jingle and jangle all day
Ym srups yeht elgnij dna elgnaj lla yad

(Whew! Tuckers you out somewhat)

So people got tired, didn’t know what to say
Seems speaking frontward just got in the way
So they learned one thing backward, a phrase they all knew
Let’s all sing together now, Bob we love you

Bob ew evol uoy
Bob ew evol uoy
Bob ew evol uoy
Ew evol uoy Bob

A carp is a fish that will eat anything
Just as long as that thing is edible
It will even eat thing such as dirt, mud, and trash
And it thinks that these things are incredible
A carp is a fish that will eat anything
And by now you must know what I mean
If you ever meet a carp and you take him to your house
Make sure that’s he’s really, really clean

There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
And everybody’s dirty
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
So nobody’s taking a bath

Mondays we eat vegetables
Tuesdays we eat meat
Wednesdays we eat chicken soup
It really can’t be beat
Thursdays are for leftovers
That’s Daddy’s favorite dish
Friday nights we bathe after eating all our fish

There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
And everybody’s dirty
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
So nobody’s taking a bath

On Thursday night we ate spaghettios
We rubbed tomato sauce all up and down our clothes
When Mom got mad we all just sat and laughed
‘Cause on Thursday nights nobody takes a bath

There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
And everybody’s dirty
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
So nobody’s taking a bath

Mondays we eat vegetables
Tuesdays we eat meat
Wednesdays we eat chicken soup
It really can’t be beat
Thursdays are for leftovers
That’s Daddy’s favorite dish
Friday nights we bathe after eating all our fish

There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
And everybody’s dirty
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
So nobody’s taking a bath

There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
And everybody’s dirty
There’s a carp in the tub
There’s a carp in the tub
So nobody’s taking a bath

A carp is a fish that will eat anything
Just as long as that thing is edible
It will even eat thing such as dirt, mud, and trash
And it thinks that these things are incredible
A carp is a fish that will eat anything
And by now you must know what I mean
If you ever meet a carp and you take him to your house
Make sure that’s he’s really, really clean

I am Schnoodle the Professor
I live in a little room
I mix things together
And sometimes they go Boom!

They are blue and brown and purple and green
And polka-dot and red
They splatter on my dog and couch and glasses and my head

I am Professor Schnoodle
Won’t you be my guest?
Ignore the polka-dot poodle
The place is such a mess

It is blue and brown and purple and green
And polka-dot and red
It splatters on my dog and couch and glasses and my head

My brother Mr. Schneedle
Is generous and kind
He once sat on a needle
That went ouch on his behind

It was blue and purple and blue and purple
And blue and little bit red
He jumped so high he hit the top of the ceiling with his head

My wife is Mrs. Schnoodle
She likes to cook a lot
She likes to cook the noodles
In red noodle pot

They are blue and brown and purple and green
And polka-dot and red
They are so good I ate too much
I have to go to bed

Sally, can I walk you home?
It’s only three more blocks
Three blocks down and back again
We’ll count ‘em while we walk

Three more blocks, three more blocks
Three and three make six
Three more blocks, three more blocks
We’ll count ‘em just for kicks
Three more blocks, three more blocks
Three and three make six
Three more blocks, three more blocks
We’ll count ‘em just for kicks

Sally, can I walk you home?
It’s only two more blocks
Two blocks down and back again
We’ll count ‘em while we walk

Two more blocks, two more blocks
Two and two make four
Two more blocks, two more blocks
I’ll walk you to the door
Two more blocks, two more blocks
Two and two make four
Two more blocks, two more blocks
I’ll walk you to the door

Sally, can I walk you home?
It’s only one more block
One block down and back again
We’ll count it while we walk

One more block, one more block
One and one make two
One more block, one more block
Two like me and you
One more block, one more block
One and one make two
One more block, one more block
Two like me and you

Sally, can I walk you home?
I think we’re at the end
Sally can I tell you now?
You’re my very best friend

So Sally, will you walk me home?
It’s only three more blocks
Three blocks down and back again
We’ll count ‘em while we walk
Sally will you walk me home?
Sally will you walk me home?
Sally will you walk me home?
Sally will you walk me home?

The best time to make a resolution
Is on New Year’s Eve once a year
Put your hand upon your heart
And make a brand new start
And shout it out so everyone can hear

I promise
And I swear
And this time I really mean it

I will eat more broccoli, I won’t hit my brother
I’ll drink less soda pop and listen to my mother
I’ll be a better kid now I swear, I swear, I swear

The best time to make a resolution
Is on New Year’s Eve once a year
Put your hand upon your heart
And make a brand new start
And shout it out so everyone can hear

I promise
And I swear
And this time I really, really mean it

I will be more patient, I won’t hit my sister
She’s really not that bad, one time I almost kissed her
I won’t put toothpaste in her pajamas
Especially ‘cause that one time it turned out they were Mama’s
I won’t let my action figures swim in the toilet
They really love to do that, I’m gonna have to spoil it
I’ll eat more broccoli, I won’t hit my brother
I’ll drink less soda pop and listen to my mother
I’ll be a better kid now I swear, I swear, I swear

The best time to make a resolution
Is on New Year’s Eve once a year
Put your hand upon your heart
And make a brand new start
And shout it out so everyone can hear

I promise
And I swear
And this time I really, really, really mean it

I will finish all my homework
I’ll even do the math
I’ll stop throwing kitty cat in the bubble bath
I won’t stick peanuts up inside my nose
And blow them out to see just how far each one can go
I won’t lock the baby-sitter out of the house
And climb up on the roof and pretend I’m Mighty Mouse
And I won’t take my hamster, the roof is way too high
I won’t put a cape on him to see if he can fly
I will be more patient, I won’t hit my sister
She’s really not that bad, one time I almost kissed her
I won’t put toothpaste in her pajamas
Especially ‘cause that one time it turned out they were Mama’s
I won’t let my action figures swim in the toilet
They really love to do that, I’m gonna have to spoil it
I’ll eat more broccoli, I won’t hit my brother
I’ll drink less soda pop and listen to my mother
I’ll be a better kid now I swear, I swear, I swear

The best time to make a resolution
Is on New Year’s Eve once a year
Put your hand upon your heart
And make a brand new start
And shout it out so everyone can hear

Let's start at the beginning again
With a brandy and a cigarette
And your conspiracy theories on space travel
Said you just hadn't bought it yet
Said you hadn't bought it all yet

Let's start with your crushed velvet coat
Draped across my bed
All that sexual energy tangled in burgundy
Said until then you hadn't found me yet
Said you hadn't found me just yet

Hey my little little la-de-dai
Hey my little lai-dee
Hey my little little la-de-dai
Hey my little lai-dee

You said you’d had an Irish dream
Said you’d led an Irish life
You saw fourteen stations and reincarnation
Of some Irish poet’s mistress or wife
Of some poet’s mistress or wife

Hey my little little la-de-dai
Hey my little lai-dee
Hey my little little la-de-dai
Hey my little lai-dee

And I believed every word
As only a young girl can
And now that I'm older and many years wiser
I long for a lover I can't understand
I long for that kind of man

Hey my little little la-de-dai
Hey my little lai-dee
Hey my little little la-de-dai
Hey my little lai-dee

And this is what she told me
And this is my story
I was born in Minnesota in 1945
And there were guns in Northern Africa
And guns in central Italy
There were men in the South Pacific
Losing their lives

My mother was a black woman
And my father was a white man
And in the middle of a Midwestern winter
They took cover in the night
And he fumbled with his apartment keys
And she searched for conversation pieces
And they sat down in his living room
And the world disappeared

You are the burlap sack, you are Indian silk
You are the terror and comfort of night
You are white and black, and I am chocolate milk
I am the breadth, and you are the height
You are all of the evil and the kindness I have seen…
And I am the in-between

And they talked about injustice
And they talked about freedom
And they talked about Hitler
And made love to piss him off
And they talked about forgiveness
And they cried for their loneliness
And they talked about belonging
Immigrant lives

You are the burlap sack, you are Indian silk
You are the terror and comfort of night
You are white and black, and I am chocolate milk
I am the breadth, and you are the height
You are all of the evil and the kindness I have seen…
And I am the in-between

And the snow raged past the window
And they held on to each other
And they stared out at Minnesota
And everything looked the same
And this is what she told me
These many years later
I was born in Minnesota in 1945

This is me
Before the war
You can see I don't look much like that anymore
Yes my hands
Are still as small
You understand not all the changes are visible

Sebastian
Bless his heart
Swallowed by pride--a bona fide Bonaparte
He led the men
Up the hill
He was smiling then
And that's how I think of him still

So if you told me that half and half still make a whole
And if you chose me over one and one-half million souls
And if you loved me with abandon I'd run anyhow
And if you asked me, I'd say
That's what I know of love now

We never knew
Who to trust
Soldiers came full of unchecked fear and lust
And I imagined
You were there
Whispering hope with bombs whistling, falling through the air

And if you told me that half and half still make a whole
And if you chose me over one and one-half million souls
And if you loved me with abandon I'd run anyhow
And if you asked me, I'd say
That's what I know of love now

And I remember all the faces of people in my town
That's just one more tragedy
And I have dreams about a heart that opens without a sound
That's how I imagine me

So if you told me that half and half still make a whole
And if you chose me over one and one-half million souls
And if you loved me with abandon I'd run anyhow
And if you asked me, I'd say
That's what I know of love now

This is me
Before the war
You can see I don't look much like that anymore

We went parking in our car
Yeah we never left the driveway
We drank beer out of coffee cups
And it tasted like our twenties

You said this is some kind of romance
I said we do what we have to
You said I love your taste in coffee cups
I said I love you

Can you hear the pounding in my chest
I can feel it in my feet
Maybe you can dance to it
It’s got a back beat
When a soul goes hungry you feed it
You don’t miss something until you need it
A habit looks you in the eye, you kick it
And when life gets broken you fix it

You say we rarely expose ourselves
And that’s a fair interpretation
But now and again we flash such truth
You and I one rain-slicker nation

And as for me I’m doing fine
It’s as if we’ve come through the laughter
And now the beer goes down like wine
And the wine goes down like water

Can you hear the pounding in my chest
I can feel it in my feet
Maybe you can dance to it
It’s got a back beat
When a soul goes hungry you feed it
You don’t miss something until you need it
A habit looks you in the eye, you kick it
And when life gets broken you fix it

We went parking in our car
Just ‘cause we do what we have to
You said there’s a whole lot empty back seat back there
I said I love you

The good news out here on the highway
Is the speed limit’s just a suggestion
But the bad news alone on the highway
Is I’m praying for some two-car congestion

It’s the path of least resistance
I can measure my distance
By a marathon runner’s nightmare
I’ve got two states behind me
I don’t need you to remind me
I’m still not getting anywhere

And there’s a cold wind blowing in Wyoming
‘Cause there’s no one here to tell it otherwise
And free hot coffee for the number six driver
Virginia in my eyes
Virginia in my eyes

There are wires in the middle of an ocean
Making static and electric noises
But I can talk to you across the ocean
Making faraway human voices

But I cannot see the morning
And the vision I am forming
Is of a landlocked, never-ending night
I've got two states behind me
And I'm needing you to find me
And deliver me clean and whole and morning bright

And there’s a cold wind blowing in Wyoming
‘Cause there’s no one here to tell it otherwise
And free hot coffee for the number six driver
Virginia in my eyes
Virginia in my eyes

The good news out here on the highway
Is everything in life is a suggestion
But the bad news alone on the highway
Is each question just begs another question

And there’s a cold wind blowing in Wyoming
‘Cause there’s no one here to tell it otherwise
And free hot coffee for the number six driver
Virginia in my eyes
Virginia in my eyes

She sucks on the bottle, holds it in her hand
Thinks it's shaped like a woman
She's seventeen--not yet a woman
But the beer is cold and it tastes like freedom

And she likes it--it feels good
This is Independence Indiana
And she likes it--it feels good
Life may never be as sweet again in Independence Indiana

If you ask her, she'll tell you high school sucks
And people say she's just like her mother
But she's got a boyfriend, and he's got a car
And they just can't keep their hands off each other

And she likes that--it feels good
Just like Independence Indiana
And she likes that--it feels good
Life may never be as sweet again in Independence Indiana

And all her friends seem hell-bent on getting out of town
They say, I'm moving up and this place just drags me down
And she's about had enough of waving brave goodbyes
The greyhound bus
The sighing brakes
Nothing else makes such a desperate sound

She sucks on the bottle
holds it up to the light and thinks, beer is so underrated
But she's got a boyfriend, and he's got a car and
Life just ain't that complicated

And she likes it--it feels good
This is Independence Indiana
And she likes it--it feels good
Life may never be as sweet again in Independence Indiana

In this city of peace
I have seen none
And these ancient prophecies
Say we all will be as one
Though the walls will hold the hatred in
Your streets still call my name
Oh, I bid you peace, Jerusalem

These seven hills will be your resting place
Our sons and daughters may never feel the grace
Within the towers, within the halls of this town
This prodigal son has come full circle
One full circle around

In this city of peace
I have seen none
And these ancient prophecies
Say we all will be as one
Though the walls will hold the hatred in
Your streets still call my name
Oh, I bid you peace, Jerusalem

Our children will lay on your hills
Our fathers will find us and comfort us still

Blood of the centuries, you have seen enough
But there is a time for love, there is a time for love
Within the towers, within the halls of this town
This prodigal son has come full circle
One full circle around

In this city of peace
I have seen none
And these ancient prophecies
Say we all will be as one
Though the walls will hold the hatred in
Your streets still call my name
Oh, I bid you peace, Jerusalem

Such a fine boy
What a forward-thinking young man
We should send him to school
Maybe in New England
He'll be the apple of our eye
We'll buy him a new tie
Dress him up and comb his hair

New England, lying on the sofa
Like a loaf of bread
Eyes glazing over
Television—imitation life
He's not wondering, not wondering a thing

But see this is how the thing goes
He should praise his heart instead
He should open up the windows
Dump the newsman on his head
He'll be singin' hallelujah
He'll come beckoning the sky
He'll have learned to make some choices
He'll have fortified the why
And that little small voice, tucked inside the ear
Will be talking up a big noise
Talking up some good cheer
Talking up a big noise
Talking up some good cheer

When he was only days in this world
We started him on Japanese
Don't you know that’s the wave of the future
We played him tapes of Mozart in his sleep
New England, leaves spiral downward
Kamikaze jets--always heading ground-ward
Now it's silence
Leaves pile on
Smothering--smothering the whole world

But see this is how the thing goes
We should praise his heart instead
He should open up the windows
Dump a kamikaze on his head
We'll be singin' hallelujah
We'll come beckoning the sky
We'll have learned to make some choices
We'll have fortified the why
And that little small voice, tucked inside the ear
Will be talking up a big noise
Talking up some good cheer
Talking up a big noise
Talking up some good cheer

I don't mean to wake you,
But I can't sleep again
And honey I've been thinking,  
But the mind does tricks at four a.m.
It's a big dark secret    
Hanging heavy in the air
And you pretend that you don't notice    
Like it isn't even there

In the deep blue night I sleep next to a stranger
Honey open your eyes to the clear and present danger

It tickles like a feather
It is as watchful as a sin
I think we're gonna have some weather
Before the final judgment's in
It's a cold gray moment,  
Moving in and out of form
And it seems as if our whole life
Is just the calm before the storm

In the deep blue night I sleep next to a stranger
Honey open your eyes to the clear and present danger

And honey I do love you
That is one thing that I know
But every person has a face
That they never really show
I could seize this moment
While every demon's making sense
Or I could wait until the morning,
We'll have a laugh at my expense

In the deep blue night I sleep next to a stranger
Honey open your eyes to the clear and present danger

She on the left, he on the right
Sit in their living room
Stare at the fire, sparks up the flue
Escape to the night, bedtime soon

And sure there's plenty to talk about
But there ain't much to say
God's on the mantelpiece
And what's He got to do with all of this anyway
And the silence here is written
It's the holiest you've ever seen
These two just bookends
To the spaces
In between

They say they can talk about anything
Unlike so many others they know
Three out of five end in divorce
That’s a matter of course, they read it was so

She closes her book, he puts out the fire
She turns down the bed, coming dear
They lie in the dark, listening to
Whispering ghosts in the downstairs room

And sure there's plenty to talk about
But there ain't much to say
God's on the mantelpiece
And what's He got to do with all of this anyway
But the silence here is written
It's the holiest you've ever seen
These two just bookends
To the spaces
In between

And you are looking through my house
Young man, that’s a nice tan
An empty room, the lights turned out
I am a careful man
A friendly smile, what do you do
Oh that must be, that must be nice
There’s something in your face, something in your face
I recognize

I know you, I know your name
You say you come from the Holy Land
A man is just a man just the same
You say I’m not who you think I am

We were born on different sides
With the same hearts, the same minds
You use words like occupied
I don’t, but I

Do know you, I know your name
You say you come from the Holy Land
A man is just a man just the same
You say I’m not who you think I am

And now it’s time you go
High time, high time
Within a week I’ll let you know
But we both know this is goodbye

I know you, I know your name
You say you come from the Holy Land
A man is just a man just the same
You say I’m not who you think I am

I know you, I know your name
You said you came from the Holy Land
A man should be a man just the same
But I’m not who you think I am

I'm kind of small for my age
But I've learned to be quiet
Did you know that if you're quiet enough
You become invisible
Indivisible

Ours is a family of three
There's my mom, dad and me
And I'm the only one who's quiet
I wish they'd shut up and try it

So don't underestimate me
I'm seven years tall
And all I need is a cape and a mask
So I can fly out of here
I can fly out of here
I can fly

I'm kind of smart for my age
It's only a gift if you use it
It don't choose you, you must choose it
And I choose ordinary
I'm a very ordinary canary

And my legs don't work too well
When I was two and a half I fell
Now I'm just a slowpoke
Mama says to keep that an inside joke

So don't underestimate me
I'm seven years tall
And all I need is a cape and a mask
So I can fly out of here
I can fly out of here
I can fly

And there's no one in this world
Who can tell I'm undercover
They'll have to tell each other
One day, one day
I knew him when

So don't underestimate me
I'm seven years tall
And all I need is a cape and a mask
So I can fly out of here
I can fly out of here
I can fly

You've got exactly sixty seconds
To tell me what you meant by that
One short minute to apologize
You've got exactly sixty seconds
To tell me what you meant by that
I hear the murder rate is on the rise

I'm in love, but I do not speak the language
I'm in love, but I don't understand
I'm in love, and I do not speak the language
But I try to speak the language of this foreign land

Here I am, stupid American
Here I am
Here I am, stupid American
Here I am

You've got exactly sixty seconds
To take back that stupid question
A baguette doesn't come with a bag (duh)
You've got exactly sixty seconds
To take back that stupid question
It's called a baguette, don't you get it--get it

I'm in love, but I do not speak the language
I'm in love, but I don't understand
I'm in love, and I do not speak the language
When I try to speak the language
It always comes out sounding like

Here I am, stupid American
Here I am
Here I am, stupid American
Here I am

His heart is Italy
Her kiss is Paris
Her body is Brazilian
My heart is...
Oklahoma

You've got exactly sixty seconds
To kiss me like a European
One short minute to show me how
You've got exactly sixty seconds
To love me like a spy
I've seen those foreign films
Do it--do it now

I'm in love, with a girl who says te amo
I'm in love, she calls me "mon petit chou-chou
I'm in love, and I try to speak the language
But I can't understand a single word she's saying

Here I am, stupid American
Here I am
Here I am, stupid American
Here I am