STICKS AND STONES
(It) seems the world is falling apart
Up in flames, splinters and shards.
Only love can show us the way
High above where hate does not reign.
No more walls, prisons or games
A war of love we'll wage in exchange
For the hope our children refrain
From sticks and stones
Sticks and stones
No more fists, missiles or blades
Open your arms, your enemies embrace.
Have a drink, a laugh and a smile
Step from the brink and sing with me a while.
The breeze of peace blows smoke from the fray
The winds of war disspiate
The time is now, it's not too late
Never forget
Never forget
Sticks and stones
It's up to us if tomorrow will come
Holding hands
Brothers, sisters (as) one
As we stroll up around the bend
Broken hearts on the mend.
Sticks and stones
LOVE LAYS LYING
Love...lies beneath me
so discretely we slip into this life
Love...don’t come too quickly
Sometimes the missing is all you need to find.
Each time you think it may be the last time
Hoping you found the Golden Key
At night you drift off and wonder, “Can it be?”
Love...the equation
Without reason, logic or design
Love...the perfection
Of your reflection in your Mother’s eyes.
Each time you think it may be the last time
Hoping you found the Golden Key
At night you drift off and wonder, “Is it me?”
That comes a-waltzin’
Perfect ¾ time.
APRIL
I never met a woman that
I turned away at the door
Hopin' for more.
Somehow I knew as we drove on through
That gentle, winter storm
I was reborn.
"Call me in April," she said,
"As long as you're able
To show me all of you."
Upon first sight,
She held the light
I know that starin' is rude
My eyes were glued.
(Her) sparklin' eyes
Took me by surpise
Can you feel it coming though
From me to you?
"Call me in April," she said,
"As long as you're able
To show me all of you."
Stop waitin' for the shoe to drop
Life's so amazin', don't let it pass by
Ain't no debatin', if she makes you smile
Don't let her smile pass on by
Hold it for a second
And then let it go
Feel it forever.
Let it pass on by...
She twirls her hair without a care
She's a living déjà vu, come true
I've loved and lost with all the costs
But my spirit's coming through from me to you.
"Call me in April," she said,
"As long as you're able
To show me all of you."
It must be April
Because I'm able
To show you all of me.
MA PETITE
I asked her, "How long should I stay?"
She said, "However long it takes."
Gladness comes to those who wait
Sadness comes to those who won't hesitate.
All the pain within you
Has laid down and died on the tide.
She said, "Come with me. It's okay."
"I'd like to teach you a couple of things."
Gladness makes your face shine
Sadness takes away all that is kind.
She said, "Give me meaning or give me death.
Life's not a screaming wasted breath."
Good night, my love. I know it's late
See you in the morning, precious Kate.
Chasing empty spaces in my mind
I'd like to fill some with your precious time.
Ma petite amour...
FEET TO THE FIRE
Wheels fell off in Redding
Realized I couldn't fly
Somehow I keep forgettin'
What it's like to be by my side.
I love you more than I have shown
Like a bird with a broken wing...keeps on tryin'.
She tried so hard to love me
Only to be denied
I held her high above me
We were swallowed by the tide.
I love you more than I have shown
Like a bird with a broken wing...keeps on tryin'.
In thirteen years I hope to see you smile
Free by my side, future open wide
Feet to the fire
From the ashes the wings are splayed
Fly, fly away
Untether yesterday.
Somewhere above the Sunset
Her heart in smithereens
Finally found the reason
Why I must be free.
I love you more than I have shown
Like a bird with a broken wing...keeps on tryin'.
It's a slow upward climb
You're free to leave at any time
And if you stay
I'll keep you warm.
ISTANBUL
Istanbul
Inbox full of messages from you.
Plane touched down
Curly brown locks of innocence
Shining through.
Nuclear woman
Saving grace
Two satellites
Analog embrace
Comin' round
To the sound of laughter in your eyes
(That) seems to say
That's okay, boy,
Just recognize.
Nuclear woman
Saving grace
Two satellites
Analog embrace
Ain't no time for chasin' dreams that are not mine.
As the train pulls into the station I arrive, mesmerized.
Take my hand for a minute
I've got something for you.
I understand,
Can't explain it.
But you get it, oh, you get it
Nuclear woman
Saving grace
Two satellites
Analog embrace
Two satellites
Analog embrace
TRASH BIN
Trash bin tumbles
Actors collide
Somewhere we subside.
Falling blue light
Red is the night
After-glowing
Ravens fly
Past the point where angels leap.
Is it you and I...?
Is it you and I...?
Indulge me with lies
Bittersweet in rhyme.
Sprawling blue light
Curtain draws nigh.
"Author, author"
Encore"s fly
Past the point where angels leap.
Is it you and I...?
Is it you and I...?
Is it you and I...?
LAZY RIVER
Tell me why the lazy river bides its time to the sea.
After all you've been given, how can you not choose to see?
If all love falls apart, there's always "always."
After all you've been given, how can you not choose to sing?
If all love falls apart, there's always...
Tell me why I've always loved you despite the lies you've conceived.
After all you've been given, how can you not choose to believe?
If all love falls apart, there's always "always."
LOVE SOMEONE
Take the time to love someone
And you will finally see
So much joy to you will come
This I guarantee.
All this love is good
Pass it along
The more that you give
The more you belong.
Trust me when I say
Hope defeats doubt
Loosen all your strings
(And) let it hang out.
And you know the meaning of peace.
Empty your mind
So it can be full
Even when still, a river does flow.
All this love is good
Pass it along
The more that you give
The more you belong.
Trust me when I say
Hope defeats doubt
Loosen all your strings
(And) let it hang out.
Take the time to love someone
And you will finally see
So much joy to you will come
This I guarantee.
GUNSHY
I
know that you're gun-shy.
It's alright,
I feel it too.
The taste
of a new beginning
erases
all these misgivings.
I am alive for the first time
I have arrived (and) so have you.
If not tonight, I don't mind waiting
'Cause the waiting's almost through.
I get myself a little
fifty years
in just one day.
No regrets
well, maybe a couple
motivate
to a better place.
I am alive for the first time
I have arrived (and) so have you.
If not tonight, I don't mind waiting
'Cause the waiting's almost through.
How many wrongs?
How many songs
must I write
to get it right.
How many wrongs?
How many songs
must I write
to get it right.
Paint a picture
of a memory
not yet drawn.
staring back in the mirror
is the only one
you'll ever see.
As you trace
all the lines and fissures
that permeate
all the scenes.
I am alive for the first time
I have arrived (and) so have you.
If not tonight, I don't mind waiting
'Cause the waiting's almost through.
How many wrongs?
How many songs
must I write
to get it right.
How many wrongs?
How many songs
must I write
to get it right.
Paint a picture
of a memory
not yet drawn.
MN WIND
I was taken in by a Minnesota Wind
too dead for broke, too poor for dyin'.
I was left for lost, like a savior on a cross
waitin' for the flock to forgive him.
When you're tired
uninspired
and the rain draws you in
you can hold me
if only desire begins.
No need to be afraid of the choices that you made
it all seems to fade in the evening.
Those who fail to choose live their lives to lose
they find the truth so deceiving.
Maybe I've got to move?
Got nothin' left to prove.
Hey, hey, hey.
Such a lovely time we had.
(I) staggered to the floor like so many nights before.
we all know the score ain't worth repeatin'.
When you quit the fight, in the fadin' light,
mama's sweet lullabies keep me dreamin'.
When you're tired
uninspired
and the rain draws you in
you can hold me
if only desire begins.
Maybe I've got to move?
Got nothin' left to prove.
Hey, hey, hey.
Baby it’s time to move.
Got nothin' left to lose.
Hey, hey, hey.
Such a lovely time we had.
All words and music (c) 2015 Benjamin Beckwith Shaw