Tending to things that don't matter that much
wasting my time watching TV and such
spending my money on folly and shame
don't point at me 'cause your doin' the same

Waiting on something that's bigger than this
cleared away cobwebs and cut through the mist
made up my mind that I'm staying alone
I keep to myself for I'm all that I own

but I need someone to tell me
it's gonna be alright
and I want someone to lead me
out through the dark of this night
i do...yeah i do

paying the bills that are up to my chin
Wait for the day when my ship will come in
keep even-keeled in the worst of the gales
but climbing the stairs takes the wind from my sails

We work until five then it's time for a beer
month after month turns to year after year
Thinking that maybe there's some other way
taking a risk could mean falling away

do we all need someone to tell us
it's gonna be alright?
do we all want someone to lead us
out through the dark of this night?
maybe not....but I do

Nothing is really new under the sun
we've taken a look but not turned to the One
why all the bitterness I can not say
pride in our lives chose the ignorant way

and we all need someone to tell us
it's gonna be alright
and we all
need someone to lead us
out through the dark
and the dread of this horrible night
(****, ding, ****)
the dark of this terrible night
We do

My sister sent some money 'cause things had gone to hell
She said, "You don't belong there Honey, a trip home will do you well."
On a three day smelly bus ride away from what had been obscene
turned my nose to New York City where the air was fresh and clean.

Pulled into Central Station, a different kind of highland
was met by my dear sister, a castaway on Gov'nors Isand.
Being broke was half the trouble,and we played it like a game
but the nasty shoe debacle, well it made me take the shame.

I didn't know quite what to do, but I knew I had a job,
a suit of hounds-tooth off 'The Give', and my hair cut in a bob.
The suit was fitting perfectly, for shoes we found some flats
pink with silver circled cut-outs, kind of clownish without spats.

Well I stood there in a laugh-cry, 'cause my job was in the city
I gotta make these babies black or be lookin' 'Hello Kitty'.
So she gets that strange expression, perhaps as from the Lord
In an empty apartment down the hall was some paint for the old baseboard.

We laughed the night we dipped the shoes,laughed until we cried
And early the next morning, it seemed the paint had dried.
You could see that they were shiny and ready for the weather
and from an eyeball's distance they could pass for patent leather.

I was ever careful as I slipped my stockinged toes
into brand new 'hello baseboard' shoes and no-frills tailored clothes.
Mincing along, but gingerly I hopped aboard the ferry
missed the bus to Beekman, in the dark, the walk was scary.

Made it the building not a minute did I lose
I tidied up my hair and then I glanced down at my shoes...
Blasted ****** got 'em muddy, bits of paper grass and sand
I heard my toes scream out, "Hey, buddy, for shoes, tar paint is banned!"

Quickly then I kicked 'em off and tried to wipe 'em clean
but every little thing unstuck took off the tacky sheen.
I did my best to conceal a sob but had to pay my dues
as more than one allergic snob caught sight of battered shoes.

I tried to blacken out the pink, with a big old magic marker
but folks complained about the 'stink', and not a day was darker.
At 5 PM, back on the street, with nowhere else to roam
my misery was made replete, as I tracked some more dirt home

Where is the light in my eyes
has it grown dim
without any source of conviction
was only
a matter of time
and what I have seen, done
led to eviction
of right, wrong
my soul became blinded
and numb
from
what's lurking behind it
hidden away
and nobody's business but mine

but where is the smile in my eyes
too many things
have
stifled the laughter
and nothing I say would
surprise
they're only words
said,
and actions soon after.

the dream
is
only
a memory
I threw it away
thought it meant nothing
they say
hey
let's live for today
cause it's all just a memory
anyway~

and
I know
that evil is oozing and
i know
who stands here accusing
we started perusing
and feeling no shame
taken a bruising
this all seems so lame
but then again
nothing is wrong~

Give me the time
and
tell me the reason
that I cannot feel
and nothing is pleasin'
is there a pulse,
can you feel my heart aching
caught in a web,
it's hurt but not breaking
I hope what You say is
there's still hope today
I've come to the place
and sick of disgrace
can I bathe in the Grace that is Yours?

Here is the light in my eyes
having been dim
i can attest
to the wonders of Him
who
works in mysterious ways
haze
and that which had clouded my days
raised
darkened and dreary
and dead to the Lord
cleaned up and set right
the message I heard
to swim in the spirit
you have to get near it
and nothing to run from
you hardly should fear it
without even trying
i can't keep from crying
the preacher guy said
without God we'd be dying
and that said,
I am truly amazed

They cut down trees to build major cities,
to pave new roads.
What happens to the people?
They cut down trees in our hearts,
pave roads for themselves.
They build cities with their names in lights.
But what happens when they leave?
The cities become abandoned,
the lights begin to flicker.
They've permanently built a city in your heart,
making your blood pump thicker.
People come and go,
but the ones you truly remember,
are those whose lights still flicker,
even after they've been gone forever.

SING the lines sweetly
not harsh or deranged
VERSES put neatly
to music arranged
IN four part harmony
music is kissed
HARMONY'S  angels
sing sevenths in mist...

Distant, my father
yet so close to me
singing his part  
to an old melody
someday we'll see him
for Jesus is there
Barbershop harmony
filling the air

sing with me sweetly
not harsh or deranged
verse written neatly
to music arranged....

There is a loneliness felt with
the snow falling
headlights reveal only
what lies ahead
perhaps winter chose for us
the easiest path

your body shifts
closer to the door
as I catch my breath
at every turn

your hands let go
for just a moment
and home feels
a million breaths away...

Feelings ran amuck the fine china
Overindulgence and sediments of past
A mind vandalized by the iron fists
Now looking for revenge to break free
Shattered pieces of fine china lay scattered