mr. work stubborn

now i know why no one took it all apart
to see how it works
see the pieces
i know mr. work stubborn
is full of pride
for a long time
learned it early
he could lift a rock 12 times his size
lift it work
you can do it
he would wake up every single day
can he find love?
can it find him?
it's over there
i can see it clearly
now i don't dare
go near out of fear
that fear needs me
to see things clear
clear has it's comforts
but comfort doesn't see clearly
causing every conflict
on the block
paranoia seeing one last way
sneaking up from behind
cooperation killed conflict

sexy drummer

unjustifiably the only good thing
i've ever done
there's more to this
then what you think is
life come undone
all my insides never got you anywhere
and it inspires instant silence
ohhhhhh
so they'll go
back down to the other side
crime crime crime
say it again
all my insides
never got you anywhere
with 52 violins
at your disposal
you shrugged them off
and the tune broke
made shadows jump
jump sleeping sheep
to kill a wolf
with hungry mouths
that speak in rhymes
joined parades of loss
and all this time
knowledge knew
or just parade around
with plans to kill
a need for it
they'll know the score
ah come on now
you're only 17, 26, 48, 64
and that's all i need
they'll know the bore
of a life when you've seen it all before
should have never got up
and opened the side door
to let them in cause they'll only ask for more
i dunno

let's get in a fight

let's get in a fight
come on it'll feel good
let's throw shit around
let's throw shit around
let's all be up tight


the invisible gem

when there's work to be done
and everything is said and done
you know there'll be time
for some fun
you'll see
when you make everything
so damn hard
you know there'll be time
for some fun
you'll see
let's wake up with the day
and the dirty sheets
clock's gonna stop
unplug the phone
we'll make this place home
when there's work to be done
and everything is said and done
you know there'll be time
for some fun
you'll see


trust

We're gonna like it here
We're gonna do what we can
What's the matter with you?
My dear you're cool
Could never see what you
Could ever see in these
Stormy balcony views
Aren't cool
It's true
And we'll scream
Cause it's what they want to hear
What we'll scream:
Screen teens!
Could never drink as much gasoline
And eat machine guns they've seen
Not like you could

If i get fed up
I'll shame reality
For doubting you
You can't doubt what you do
Or the birds break up
Formation-less
Conforms you to the rest
Crashed cars and broken chests
Won't open up
And see the charm in you
An empty cup
And all i want is you
To trust me
If it's all you really own
Then it's all you own
But what you've got to show
Is more than you'll ever know
Heads held high
Even if you didn't have an audience
Oh no Lacking confidence
Oh no audience turbulence

jigsaw muzzle

i don't wanna go to school
i just wanna stay at home
with mel torme
i don't wanna be a fool
about the things i could have said
on any given day
how do you get from there to here?
it's quite remarkable
a bike without a chain
with enough practice
you'll rocket halfway around the world
gonna rocket round the world
on an all time high of selfishness
you don't wanna be a fool
or let it slip
as to what you might confess
come on and give it straight to me
with enough practice
you'll rocket halfway around the world
been a long time gone
gone angels be gone
come devils sing songs
my head is long

not a word

you've taken it all
away from me
now give it back
when all i want
is this sweet melody
give it back
it's sunk in so many times today
can't keep track
can't rise above everything i see
while keeping track
good timing fine dining
it's nothing to laugh about
keep the pharmacy thriving
no one knows yer there
and it's just not fair
i'm the only one not laughing
not a word

not yalk's requiem

watch us get old
watch me undecided
uncommitted?
shocking me when my mother
turned the tables
i'm not stupid just naive
but only if you think so
just naive if i believe
then that would make us different
even nothing
incoherent
see that would make us different
i can't do it
can't stand the silence
can't take the noise
watch us get old
watch me undecided
won't get mad about what's dead
and ya couldn't get me started
never blamed for a history
i never knew existed
don't know what he said to you
about my visit unexpected
never blamed for a history
i never knew existed
not a history...
i knew 'bout that
but not about what followed
can you see it?
that's not all

who needs what

god it's hard to be yourself
when everyone around you
thinks you're someone else
there's a cupboard full of dishes
and a fridge full of food
hell i wish you need me
as much as i need you
don't back down on me now
don't back down on me now
i need this
she got a call requesting
that she choose her words accordingly
or she'll never stand a chance
with the one that moves her
don't back down on me now
go get drunk on me now
ya need this
shit ya take a chance
shit ya i can dance

shape of things

i wish they'd put up every street for sale
it would be all that hard
i think they'd sell quite well
and change all the plastic into wood
burn all our cash
ya that would be good!
watch out
cause nothing is ever as it seems
to find the bell that always rings
it's in the shape of things
and make the time
to find a world
that i've denied myself for years
and hug my stone
in the graveyard
ahhhhhhh
just take it
fake it left
deke out the guard


where in the world?

where in the world
did he get off thinking
that's it gonna workout?
a workout!
wear in the world
where in the world
is on the phone
it's on the stove
it's on the bookshelf
wear in the world
wear in the world
till all that's keft
is our last guest
and then kick him out
where there in the streets
he can feel the defeat
and then he might start kicking that beat!

repressions waltz

repressed at will
give it time
life was meant for the living
a sign for me
to confess to the hills
moon loving old fashion puddles
back in a time
when my voice
only traveled
as far as i could shout
i delivered my sermon of doubt
sell the streets they're worthless
and everything in them garbage
and if i only could
i'd take a bit out of this town
spit up and pass it around
what now said he
as he spent his last quarter
the longer i live
the time i have left grows shorter
give in to your
undying love for me
i'm in more than i want to be

Evil Thoughts

there's no denying the evil thoughts
there's no denying the dragon's bite
while jousting all about we'll see light
and what's this all about?
are people made of people?
if i were me
i'd follow me heart
and never keep them apart
the evil thoughts
i'll close your eyes
so you can't see
the evil thoughts
that are inside me
moving in along
a love with all i've passed
on my way it's seems
i've lost the righteous path
don't breath save me
i'm living in what seems eternity
and what it will be
isn't all up to me
ya see?
if i did not
care much for thought
the ugliness world
would have been forgot
will they be alright?
it's a tale told in darkness and light

Virtue

when we talk virtue
it doesn't seem all that bad
if i keep talking cool
the future turns out as the past
past the point of making sense
i've got it!
the last virtue i heard
was something about
the song singing birds
or was it something about
bird is the word?
words are all i've heard
no meaning for this now
birds don't know the words
it's a sweet song anyhow
i could sing
what you say all day
we resolve in our own way

3 am

3 am at your house
a mixed tape on
me and you and a mouse
at your house
dry mouth
and could i get by
on who i am?
ya if he can
no good at making the first move
but i guess i did
by telling you
and leaning in
a scared mouse
at your house
somewhere a love is lost
a love is won
know it's far from that
are you having fun?

Turn Musician

an honest farmer once had an ass
that had been a faithful servant
to him many years
but now he was growing old
and everyday more
was unfit to work
therefore his master
thought he'd put him down
it was a nasty thought
that he'd put him down
but the ass knew what was up
he'd seen that look before
and went so slyly off
his journey to the city
would begin where he thought
i may turn musician
on his way he met a troubled dog
troubled cause his master
tried to knock him on the head
alas! said the ass
let's begin
where in the city
we'll turn musician

days i need off

he knew fever
watch out you non-believers
rhythm tempo
hot lick rockshow
fanclub idol
heartthrob suicidal
he got lost in their eyes
days i'll need off when
i understand them if i can
magic come clean
kid full of dreams
days i'll need off when
they understand it's not a trend
forever finding me in you
derails the truth about lies
and spiraling lines
that go on and on
what's wrong?
and on
what's wrong?
even if they only got
a couple metaphors
that'd be cool
they might even like me more
mom what do you think
is eating dad?
something about he lost
a lot of cash
in the couch
now it's on his mind
she didn't know
now it's on her mind
can't sleep at night
counting on 3 grand
may hafta face the fact
that it's never coming back

Trouble

want those leaves untouched
bypass time
shouldn't need a crutch
to hold me
leaves fell
and you're here with me
all things must pass eventually
seems good
and we knew that it would
holding back
cut me loose
here's the axe
it's no trouble
since when was it trouble?
i'm right you'll see
it's all i can think about
if it's trouble you want
could it take my place?
'cause trouble
has more destination
trouble has more fun
and sometimes
it seems my only destination
trouble
want those leaves untouched
lay no roads
don't put those buildings
up around me you'll see
there so damn ugly right?
makes you crazy
steals my gift of symmetry
with trouble

Houndz of love

turn to face you
feel unsteady
free the hounds of love
they're ready
bite who's right?
barking over everything
it's knowing where you are
is that what's slipping through?
a timeless quality
till now unknown to me
how can it be so uncertain?
feels like everything is unsure
feels like we just met
i feel so inar inar inar
inarticulate
had time for one last smoke
while i was having a stroke
while i was having...
stroke my hair
it's calms me

communication

communication
why can't i
understand the stars?
from abc and 123
these thoughts have
taken us far
but it's a long way from 0 to 1
and if an alien said hello
it wouldn't be a language
we could understand
it'd be in cryptic code
on the stereo
why don't you hold me?
is that so bold?
in all me inabilities
from from life's wealth
let's drink to our health
cause we're strangers
to our own true selves

1901

1901 life made him numb
despite the positive people around
it's like i said
couldn't see it any other way
which way is best
could it mean anymore than this?
can't read your look
every glance a book
it's like you said
when you came here the other
day into day
feels good
like empty should
can't read your look
every glance a book
not knowing how
i'll show you
what you shook
work left outside
now every hand
is a hook
right now knees bow
and give to this

problem with solutions

when i tip-toed down to see
the somebody
shocked!
the somebody was me
that’s the silliest thing i’ve
heard

things get wierder every day
but truth it stays
i?ll eat the horse if the
horse eats hay

went out drinking and
had a few
lord only knows what i
said to you
in a smokey bar downtown
people swirling all around
everyone starts to look the
same if you softly whisper
their name
in a smokey bar downtown

the longer the hesitation
the smaller the celebration
a guide to our salvation
the problem with solutions

read a book and thought
of you
thought of all the things
i don't do
doing do- not doing say
sometimes words just sound
like noise
other times noise makes
the prettiest sounds
and noise it gets around
i am lost
i am found

when i tip-toed down to see
the somebody
shocked the somebody
was me
that’s the silliest thing i’ve
heard
things get weirder everyday
but weirder
all truths stay
i’ll eat the horse if the
horse eats hay

all gone

a ringing phone
you can never go
back home
the same goes for you
a drone to call your own
while laying around
thinking of st. henry
that?s where i'd take her
cause one things for sure
a forest needs a fire
like the fire needs the tree
it’s so dear
and personal to me

can you make something
out of nothing

and if i ever get back home
grey autumn blues
whenever the first leaf falls
it falls for you

a sound unknown
can see was isn’t shown
so pluck out your eyes blue
so sight can’t betray you
what offends your ear
to what do you hold dear
whats held has grown
here’s your home

cause a theif needs a
diamond like a diamond
needs a theif
it’s so near
and personal to me

so small

so small
on a porch in montreal
the setting sun
while missy catches flies
for fun
it’s not what i’ve had
to drink
that makes whatever i feel
sink
it’s not all that bad
if you assume
that what you say is your
own doom
with much delight
then flowers bloom in
light just right
tonight

it’s not what they’ve
had to sip
that makes their petals
all sag and dip
grass withers
flowers fall
so small
can you hear the crow
call

so small


save it

save it, touch wood and then
feel a breeze on your face
this place is a disgrace all
the time

save it, touch wood and then
feel a breeze on her face
along with things i slash and
trace in spare time

i can see the future now
but only when i blink
please don’t sing
and when i sleep
i see past thoughts
of thoughts and fights
that people didn’t think

waited at the bus stop
for the lame, the gifted
and the damned
when everyone got on
board i knew it was
a scam
cause they’ll sit
and you’ll say
it gets you off
in your own special way
why does tomorrow
have to be better
than today
with all the long
skirts and tappered
pants

it’s funny
he couldn’t understamd
he felt it in his heart
but it wouldn’t come
through his hands

it was risky but he has
a little plan
he’d build himself a ship
with a rusty old paint can
and an osolating fan

had a life affirming talk
with the garbage man today
he said “believe in me. i
take the trash away”
how do you do it


broken chair

where would i find you
truckstop broken chair
it’s so hard to figure out
with all the inventions
powerloom honesty
which one will keep you in your
house

picture me this
picture me this
no one complained
why do you

where did you bite me
truckstop jealousy
got to get up and get out
it won’t break me
truckstop industry
all the workers sing ?hello city?

am i sleeping
in labratories
i’ve seen the lightening
no sense of wonder
heard all their stories
felt all their hunger
i’ve seen the lightening
no sense of wonder
eternal thunder

no one complained
why do you
things won’t be the same
won’t change you
it’s all i can do

time is a force

time is a force
and it will
surely take its course
it will take from all of you
taking with it all the
things you planned to do
and regret is a gift
who could explain how it’s
a gift
one not wrapped
and unreceived
it’s the kind you keep
from yours truly

what’s a must when the
heart beats slow
goodbye until hello
every flame is the same
they look the same

once when i was
dreaming you felt an
impossible feeling
that went from the floor
right down to the ceiling
you gotta slow down
and inbetween
all of the screaming
i couldn't find
anything redeeming
and weren't even there
i just stared at the ceiling
i gotta slow down

have a little day hat
all goes your way
have a little house
all to yourself

in the country

lovers do

choose
you own your blues
like lovers do

once more
that is what hope is for
and all the lovers that came
before

i’ll know

that what i’ll give
is easy to take
like bullets from a gun
like things behind the sun

makes me proud
i won’t have to
hurt so loud
an empty hotel
silent and dark
and then my heart sparks
won’t be a guest and
get undressed
like lovers do

wane
down lover’s lane
make a right on lovers shame

and hold on

cause then a long time comes
and a long time goes
and the night grows

cause what i’ll give
is easy to take
like bullets from a gun
like things behind the sun
like wine from a drunk
like food from bodies shrunk

i’m empty you said
like you were naming
an ocean
shipwrecked soul
causing a commotion
and staring at the seams
with eyes like laser beams
you got up and floated
into the kitchen

the evangelist

are you with me?
cause it’s our last chance
chance disaster
what’s the question?
here’s the answer
get to know you
somebody stop me
i’m as distant
oh lust you’ll always win

oh my dear
couldn’t see it coming
rushing water
bursting dams and breaking
hearts does not hold
water
it asks more questions
while on vacations
which have no answers
down by the water
love sinks

if i asked and you told me
go give it all you got
for a friend that could be
for a life that might be
so come on and hit me
with no questions

are you with me?
cause it’s our last chance
chance disaster
what’s the question?
here’s the answer
quantum physics
in deaths defiance
a love of science
oh time
you’ll always win

oh my dear

you are far (do you exist?)


no matter where you are
you seem twice as far
no matter how tall the tree
i’d climb it if you’d be with me

but there is still one catch
to all of this
do you exist?

if i never hear you call
is it a small world after all?
if i never find a cure
can i leave things as they were?

ignorance is said to be bliss
can i still ask
do you exist?