1. |
Smoking Pipe
04:05
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Reaper grazed me with his scythe
I tried to tell him I’m not the type.
And everything is gonna be alright.
We’ll all come out of this smoking pipe.
This smoking pipe
This smoking pipe
This smoking pipe
This smoking pipe
Fable lead me to the docks
to test the legend of the Loch.
Now I’m running down the clock,
clinging to this moldy rock.
This moldy rock
This moldy rock
This moldy rock
This moldy rock
Sister wanted to show me round the place
so we got lost at record pace
and at the fair near the air force base,
she spent ten bucks to paint my face.
To paint my face
To paint my face
To paint my face
To paint my face
The river’s turning to red,
flowing toward the thoughts within my head.
They want the cattle to be bled
at this watershed.
At this watershed
This watershed
This watershed
This watershed
I’ll write another song in vain.
It may sound exactly the same
as the song that had no name.
The one that failed to reveal my pain.
To reveal my pain
Reveal my pain
Reveal my pain
Reveal my pain
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2. |
Square One
03:23
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We shared love in a quiet time
It doesn’t mean we had left our world behind.
The day was happy and it’s over now.
It doesn’t mean we have to go back to the world.
I never wanted to lose you, I knew
I couldn’t fuse my soul with you.
I’d take a half a dozen mistakes
all in stride to be with you.
There are times when I thought I might.
Never mind, now I’m living in the light.
Just cause I feel ok,
doesn’t make it a hundred percent right.
Oh, I know it’s hard to see
but I have changed my face to suit this town.
And it’s wrinkled and affected
without you around.
It seems like what was so transcendent
is just over and done.
I fell asleep and when I woke up
I was playing at square one
Playing at square one,
I was playing at square one.
We rehearse in the quiet times
It doesn’t mean we had left our world behind.
Night was happy and it’s over now.
It doesn’t mean we have to go back to the world.
I never wanted to lose you, I knew
I couldn’t fuse my soul with you.
I’d take a half a dozen mistakes
all in stride to be with you.
It seems like what was so transcendent
is just over and done.
I fell asleep and when I woke up
I was playing at square one
Playing at square one,
I was playing at square one
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3. |
Good Luck Town
03:23
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We’re flying out to good luck town
since the good luck’s gone away.
I’m gonna put some money down
on a car and a place to stay.
But why isn’t it possible
to break even on a good luck day?
And I am not invincible
but the good luck is here to stay.
We’re flying out to good luck town
since the good luck’s gone away.
I’m gonna put some money down
on a car and a place to stay.
And high up in the castle
the snakes all live as people waste away.
And I carry a satchel
hoping to fill it up today.
We’re flying out to good luck town
since the good luck’s gone away.
I’m gonna put some money down
on a car and a place to stay.
Here in good luck town
every future’s bright.
And every night’s one more
fantastic night.
Though we’re still living day to day
maybe we’re better off this way.
And do you like it better where I am?
And would you just abandon your own plan
for a chance to be
in good luck just like me?
for a chance to be
in good luck just like me?
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4. |
Corporate Vibes
04:16
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I’ve gotta get back to the inner world.
Do you know how long it’s been?
And how can you take the vibes?
Man, I’m looking to climb back in.
I’ve gotta get back to the natural world.
Do you know how bad I need
to get my midweek freed?
Old man, will you follow my lead?
You live such corporate lives--
how can you take the vibes?
Obstructed on all sides,
how can you take the corporate vibes??
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5. |
Droplets
02:33
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droplets, droplets of grace
can I let them, can I let them
fall down on me?
Cleaning, cleaning the lowest place,
making the ground more and more
muddy with grace,
droplets of grace.
Islands, islands of sound
sending out, sounding out
their waves all ‘round me.
So I have stopped sailing around
the coast now that I’ve found
these islands, islands of sound.
Barrels, barrels of plans.
building up, building up my expectations.
Burdening, burdening my hands.
I spend my time catering to my own demands
and my barrels, barrels of plans.
Castles, castles of doubt
built on the foundation of what I
can do without
Lingering, lingering in space.
I’m constantly building and building around
these castles, castles of doubt.
droplets, droplets of grace
can I let them, can I let them
fall down on me?
reaching, reaching the lowest place,
making my heart and desire resound
with grace, droplets of grace.
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6. |
Master of the Punchbowl
03:22
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Do you have trouble looking into a stranger’s eyes?
And rejection no longer comes as a surprise?
Are your default friends all hosts’ cats and dogs?
Rather than shaking hands, you accept their dirty paws?
Then you may be part of this club,
a spoke of the social hub,
just like me and all those holding up the wall.
You’ll spend the better part of the night
away from the limelight,
serving buffet plates, master of the punchbowl.
Are you convinced everyone thinks you’re invisible?
Are you starting to feel like an imbecile?
With no way to express your humanity
other than feigning some vanity?
To feel part of this crew,
just like formless people do,
each gesture pointing toward your cherished goal
of convincing them you’re more
than just a stupid bore,
a desperate soul, master of the punchbowl.
Is that what you really think goes on
inside the heart of you and everyone?
If you think that it’s ok to go on wasting every day,
then go on, go on!
And if you could never last
being an outcast,
then say me nay, say me nay!
And walk away from everything you’ve ever known,
playing dumb and scheming on your own.
Lay down your convictions like a rug,
something everyone could take advantage of.
Only jealous folks will feel
you took the air out of their wheel
and the wicked may think your honest self a troll.
But you know it’s just more fun
to be there for everyone,
than to hold your place, master of the punchbowl.
But you know it’s just more fun
to be there for everyone,
than to hold your place, master of the punchbowl.
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7. |
Patient
01:52
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I want to be more patient.
After all, I’m on vacation,
lookin’ at patient trees,
watchin’ the sailboats freeze
on a wigglin’ ocean-
it’s where I want to be.
And what is that faint murmur,
the rustling I hear?
Patience will make it clear
like a lake on a cloudless day
as the mountain echo clears my doubts away.
And what is the shape behind the fog?
Just a fallen log?
And what can I do before shapes appear?
Will you help me. . . hold back the fear?
Well, the two of us long to be more patient.
We must be part of the same family-
must belong to the same analogy.
I’ll be patient with you, just as you’re patient with me.
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8. |
You Up There
02:09
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You up in your iron bird
like the story of a man that i once heard
while staying in the country
sitting by a fire
getting burned by my one desire
you up in your couch of white
you with your violet kite
in the lap of comfort
rollin in the hay
to destroy or pervert
every word i say
you in your self lighted star
do you even wonder what you are?
do you even look down on your friends
who wonder where your loneliness ends?
you up inside my eyes,
you in the closet of surprise
opening a gift not meant for you
and taping it up back up, broken in two,
you in your harlequin suit
you in your boots of wax and your hat of fruit
you're living just to dance upon the sun,
whether or not you think there isn't one
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9. |
Apple Soup
01:56
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If you only have an apple
throw it in the boiling stew
and thank the Lord--
for apple soup
Apple soup- the humble guest may request.
A stone cold virtue to which everyone can attest.
If you had less than an apple, you can bet he’d ask for less
than apple soup.
If you only have an apple,
throw it high up in the air
and watch the rain fall
down on a million apples there
in the field.
And if you have conviction--
or just a fraction,
you’ll never starve for the result
that your action
will yield.
You’ll live your finest hour on loop,
happy to tour in a trippy troupe,
in bliss simply drinking apple soup.
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10. |
Rad and (Roughly) 22
02:20
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By chance I saw your band,
and you have a wonderful energy.
You made me try my hand
at writing an indelible melody.
So far it’s not so grand,
but still I have this beautiful memory!
The way you walked to the mic stand
let me know you were new to rock.
But you had already made one fan,
and many more would be soon to flock.
Hope you go on to tour Japan,
I hope you never ever stop!
Well you knew not all your jokes were gonna land,
but still you didn’t miss a beat.
And you never showed your hand,
tactful and discreet.
In God’s fantastic plan,
you were the one I’m meant to meet!
The way you jump, snarl, and jibe,
the way you make feel so alive,
I can’t believe we’re both adults!
I can’t believe my own pulse!
The way you shout, scowl, and spit
you really got me into it!
I want to grow up to be like you,
rad and roughly 22.
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11. |
Whiskers In The Web
01:28
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Got my whiskers caught in the web
of the spider on my window
the window looking out
from the safety of my bed
I tried to figure it out
panic was moving in though,
as I reviewed what had been done
and had been said:
I knew she’d built her web there already,
just at the time I went to sleep.
I told myself I would not sit up accidentally
as I sank into the existential deep
where I dreamed about the spider and her pearly
gauzy web and it was oh so quick to snare.
I promised myself I’d wake up early
to check if the web was still there.
Got my whiskers caught in the web
of the spider on my window
the window looking out
from the safety of my bed
I tried to figure it out
panic was moving in though
cause I haven’t got a brain within my head
Oh no--I haven’t got a brain within my head.
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12. |
You Can't Be a Jetson
02:13
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Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
Oh no no, no no no!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
You spend far too much of your time
living in the past.
I’ve seen your progressive stance
It’s gonna never last.
Is it too early to tell
or just too late to ask
if your selection
was only an automated task?
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
Oh no no, no no no!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
So you’re doin’ the dance
Ah, but that’s how the role is cast.
You always thought a future on TV
would be a blast.
But we need you to take off
that stupid Jetson’s mask.
And you’d better give us our future
and give us our future fast!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
Oh no no, no no no!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
Whoa
Oh no, you can’t be a Jetson!
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13. |
April Through March
01:16
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Give me a soft heart
April through March
Give me a soft heart
April through March
Give me a soft heart
April through March
and don’t let me go bitter again
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14. |
Reporter
04:39
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I’m just an old reporter
using copy as a raft
to float over the border
of what is cold and crass.
My eyes were built to look for news
my show was always followed by cues to laugh.
My mind only fit to look for feuds
to follow up on every fumble, bloop, and gaff.
To the extent that these rang true,
my heart was cut in half.
I’m just an old reporter
steeped in my craft.
I’m just an old pretender,
pretending that I strive to feel alive.
If you see me on the corner, help me
break a twenty or give me five.
And walking down the streets I once remembered
though every pub and dive,
and on every bender
I remember I never had to drive.
I’m just an old fruit seller,
waiting with my wares on the cold cobblestone,
just like any other vendor
out here where the trash is thrown.
My heart could never swell with feeling
while making plans here alone,
while doubled down on double dealing
to serve the fool who wants to own.
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15. |
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Stare down deep
Listen for the rising, falling
common tones and leaps.
And play
if you dare!
Johann will see how you fare.
Look deeply in the eyes of Bach.
Study the Goldberg variations around the clock.
And know that he is watching if you fail,
knocking back another pint of ale.
Wade into the mystery.
Anyway that’s what good music wants to be.
and that’s where all good music comes from.
Whether you’re smart enough to know it
or you’re dumb
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16. |
Spirit Chant
02:14
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Stillness-- essence of the air
Swiftness-- there and then not there
the poor wind greets us
then moves on unaware
and briskly frees us
of every petty care
oh
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Listless-- looking at the sun
Aimless-- and apt to wander on
The yearning wakes us
then makes us want to run
and entertains us
until the day is done
oh
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Fail-less and always running free
Painless-- running inside of me
The spirit keeps us
and moves to ecstasy
to then release us
into her energy
oh
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
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17. |
Noise
02:45
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We coulda been lawyers
We coulda been friends
We coulda been chewed up by the noise
and spit back out again
The noise in our countries
The noise in our heads
The noise of pain and luxury
and the sound of beds
It won’t give protection
It won’t take affection
Just ask the angry teenage boys
who run the noise projection
It’s all about what coulda been.
Subsequent evaluation.
Validation of your whims
then save your reputation.
Oh what a heart of tin
oh what an imitation
to throw your heart into the din
and look for compensation.
When you retire
It’s just a junkyard of joys.
We’re walkin’ in the sacrificial fire
of the endless noise.
Worn down and tired
we’re killing all the joys,
burning in the fire
of the endless noise.
burning in the fire
of the endless noise.
burning in the fire
of the endless noise.
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18. |
Certain
04:45
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All your meals have a certain sweetness
All my strengths have a certain weakness
in the light
All the dawns have a certain pale
All the suns have yet to fail
to bring the light
Even when there’s a change of scene,
after the big reveal, you know
there’s bound to be a King or Queen!
All my dreams have a certain longing,
a longing to belong
to the likes of you.
But that pang will surely soften
when I see you in the causeless,
ever-forming new.
Every step has a certain sorrow,
I know you understand,
my friend.
I love you tomorrow,
you love me without end.
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Julian Cartwright New Jersey
Julian Cartwright is a songwriter, instrumentalist, composer and arranger based in the Philadelphia area. Instagram @julian.cartwright.songs
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