Daniel left for work, late last night
Past the rusty cars and sports hall clubs where fat Eddie Shaw got his title fight
Walking the streets, lunch box in hand, through the hard metal gates where the gate house sits
Through the entrance of the steel mills land
There’s a furnace over there blasting out smoke but is smoke all its making?
There’s some politician sitting in his executive suite always just taking
Like you give your life and blood to these mills but it’s never really going to be enough
When times are good my god they’re great but when they’re bad they’re awful tough
Tonight I saw the steelers come from the mills like a snake from beneath a rock
Such empty eyes trying to read past the Westminster lies wondering how much more work he’s got
Then they fall through the floodgates with banners in their hand chanting please don’t close our mills
I’ve a wife at home, and some children to keep, I’ve got a mortgage, I’ve got bills
Into the Concast plant where Big max stands with sweat dripping from his hand
There’s something wrong, is there a conspiracy, is our fate already planned ?
And little Tommy McCann on his first school trip was told this mill’s where your grandfather worked
They want to close it down, his legacy will be lost, they want to raise this mill to the earth
Maybe in some office there’s a plan on it’s way
But it’s getting too late, save our children they say
And the workers who worked there working life at these works still pleading something needs to be done
Daniel he walked into the smoke of the four queens, towering over the houses and chimney stacks, have you ever seen them
Into the furnace, he shelters from the rain, looks up to the stars over the steel town that’ll never be the same
And he remembers as a boy he’d sit on the knee of his grandpa below the pipe from his lips as he choked
Grandpa rubbed my back, his lips pressed to my ear and told me one day you’ll taste the furnace smoke
You see in this town there’s nothing else around and my boy it’s a done deal
The tracks the trains roll on and supports that hold up the towers are all built from this towns steel
One day Daniel you’ll take your place in the line like me and my daddy before me
And when you have some kids they too will work the mills and you can tell them all my steelmaking story’s
Like when I was thirteen years old and watched a man go cold after getting covered in molten metal
And the way the furnace roars then settles down, the Devils cry from hell
Back in the cold air, on top of the furnace, a shooting star shot past him and upon it he made a wish
My grandpa died, back in 93
although I miss him I’m pleased he’s gone so he don’t have to see
The closing of the mills and the tears in the eyes of all the desperate men
Telling their wife and kids they can’t pay the bills and can’t pay the rent
Daniels sixty three now, the mills closed a long time ago
Sits his grandchildren on his frail knees and tells them of the town that once blew smoke
And they stare at him, with amazement in their eyes,
Daniel’s getting ready for work back at the convenience store but his heart’s grown weary and tired
Long after I’m gone remember the words I tell about the mighty steel mills
My darling grandson keep safe those stories, promise grandpa that you will
They were a sacred land in the middle of a town and they should never have closed the beautiful place down
And now all that’s left of the mills and where they stood is some open grass field

Deep breath, sit still, you’ll love it, I know you will
That’s when I closed my eyes and nothing was ever the same
It went so deep down to where my demons sleep
Black ink spell your name and nothing’s ever gona be the same
I can tell you all about, the fun we had, the night walks along the beach
I can tell you about the flowers I pulled from the spring fields covered in autumn leaves
But when it’s all over now and I wonder how something so good could end
I look way down onto my side and am reminded of an old friend
It spells out your name in black there’s no going back, I was for keeps you said
Remember the first night we drank and ran through the towns then ended up in my bed
And you told me I’m your king; you can be my queen of a distant country
You just lay there with desperation in your eyes and said come and conquer me
I can’t tell you, how much I loved you; the mark you left upon me is a black scar upon my skin
The first time you saw your name laid out on me so perfectly
Tender at the touch of your silk skin, young love was you and me
Like we were two caged birds just let out ready to rule the world
And the streets could be on fire, the world could fall but that don’t matter cos I’ve got this girl
This girl who told me I’m her king, she’s my queen and, in an empty candle lit ball room we danced
Me with my shirt half opened and your name obscured, never been good at romance
So it must mean this ink etched skin and the name within it mean we’re for keeps
We’re going to get married, have some kids and watch them as they sleep
Where have you gone? Where are you my dear, one moment you’re in my arms now you’re no longer here
Those long cold nights of shouting and screaming; now these fingers stroke your name searching for the meaning
Like a magician one minute you were stood here then the next my angel you disappear
But your name is forever scared on me, reminding me of how beautiful young love can me

Pushing her soft hands through long jet-black hair
Sees her own reflection, into darkness she stares
Running her finger across the rim of her glass
Begging to be set free from decisions past
Over and over from the bar stool she stares at me
temptation burns me inside
Straight through the bottom of a half empty whisky glass
I see the pain that she hides

I’m just a man with a place down the road
You look real beautiful sat all alone
That ring on your finger doesn’t shine much no more
All faded like the smile you once had too
Take my hand and walk out this room
Let me strip you bare and carry your pain
A passionate embrace you can never explain

Somewhere in the city, was a husband
His wife was pretty, said he loved her
They had a daughter, and lots of money to buy nice things
She wasn’t at home, he was alone
Photographs of their wedding day
line the hallway
And on the coat hook one peg was empty
That wife was with me, money can buy you nice things
But can’t place love inside of that ring

He sits and he wonders where it all went wrong
That beautiful maiden asleep in my arms
Twisting his wedding ring round and around
Her shallow breath in my ears the only sound

Fly away, fly away it shouldn’t be this way you can live here in my arms
You only have one life you shouldn’t be his wife, set yourself free if you want

You wake in the morning and put on your ring
The smell of the autumn and songbirds of spring
You open the door only leaving your scent
In the hollow of the pillow where your body laid

Back home as she walks through the door, her head bows down
Her eyes meet the floor
One night of passion won’t fill that deep void
Of lack of affection from one that you loved
And the truth will come out in those words that aren’t spoken
And the guilt that you carry leaves you void of emotion

Now I walk these bars every night
Hoping that lovers will end up in a fight
And there will be a mark on her finger where a ring one did sit
And a place in her heart where mine will just fit
Fly away, fly away it shouldn’t be this way, she should be here in my arms
You only have one life, you shouldn’t be his wife just set yourself free if you want

There's this tiny little place in a big old town
Where chimneys watch over men as they work
Many years ago they were just ten thousand bricks
But soon they rose above us like ghosts from the earth
Some say eight hundred men now walk these roads
Some at night, some come at day
Some don't even sleep they just close their eyes
And some are half dead that's what the folk say
If you're lucky enough when your hands are sore
And you feel you can't give any more
You'll feel sweat kiss your eyes then you'll look up and smile because you've seen the angel of the works
Some people say she ain't real and other men say she's made from their dreams
Listen carefully to the town folk talk they say she's haunted them since twenty thirteen
So many men, they fall down again when they pull themselves up from the floor
As soon as her long blonde hair and her bright blue eyes glide past the workshop door
It could be a hot summers day, there could be bullets of rain, January or even September
But I promise you this when your driving along and you see that blonde hair you'll always remember
She's as rare as an albino blackbird, as beautiful as a velvet black Swan
Whenever I'm feeling down I just keep driving around wondering where has my angel gone.

I sit down; take a long look at the man staring at me
That man in the mirror, crooked nose, eyes full of hope
In their reflections I see the ghost, of a man haunted by his past
The lines on my face, I didn’t make them
They just appeared, now I don’t have a name
I’m just a man in the mirror
Lavinia turns the gas stove on, My boy with his guitar playing me a song reminding me of when I was young
My bones ache, how can that be ? I thought I was only twenty three, I’m a champion boxer, yeah that’s me but look at my fingers, there all crooked
Photographs line the wall, an old trophy gathers dust in the hall
I hear the guitar playing and Lavinia’s call, you’ll always be a champion to me
What she doesn’t know, is when she’s away I put on a show, reach for my glove, dim down the light, getting ready for the big fight
But the hand doesn’t really fit that glove no more, and those shorts are kind of small, you could even say they were a little tight, I stand beneath the light
I’m ready now, sip some whisky and ponder round, waiting for the champ to come out, this one will be over by the fourth
Go back to the mirror in the hall, who’s this ******* guy standing in my shorts, wearing my gloves that are gathering dust, with 2 front teeth missing
A body too big for his clothes, and that ridiculous crooked nose, gray hair like it’s been gathering the dust too,
Suddenly the light comes on, **** Lavinia’s home, catches me standing all alone a sight for sore eyes
She takes me by the hand, sits me down, covers my pasty body with my old boxing gown, my vacant eyes looking around
She whispers “you’ll always be a champion to me”

Burning candles and red painted wood, in the corner of the room
That’s where the stolen bar stool stood, that’s where you sit every night
Just playing with your guitar, in your long red gypsy skirt, encased in candle smoke and red painted wood
You invited me back to yours, never told me what for, for that you left my mind guessing
But I see you see the way I look at you; I guess this is my confession
In the kitchen sink, pots are collecting dust; i sort of figured you don’t have much company
On the floor the clothes you wore yesterday, laid out like an epiphany of what’s to be
You’re brown eyes, they saw me looking, then you walked over to me
You could have walked forever; you could have cut straight through me
With each step you take, your clothes slipped off, until all you wore was that red laced thong
Still lingering in the air was your guitar song and my confession
The window partly open, I smelt the pine trees, felt the autumn breeze
My hands wrapped around your waist so hard, you let out a beautiful scream
That never came out, your lips rode across my body, I was your highway, you were a lost passenger trying to find your way home so throughout the night you rode me
My hard hands were scarred, from the years of work and drinking games I’d played, the sun turned out her light, I shut the blinds, my hands ventured to the air between your thighs as on the bed you laid
Her bare breast left nothing much to the imagination, my fingers rolled across them; I’m just a red blooded male here to fill my obligations
She opened herself to me so I let myself in, the sweat poured from my forehead straight to her skin,
I kissed her feet; my tongue stroked her legs, and then ventured back to her bare chest
On the way her mouth opened her sweet neck tipped straight back
Exposing the whiteness beneath her chin and in my hands was her hair, a beautiful jet black
And in that moment, her white skin felt so soft, as we lay and touch each other tenderly
Then she mentioned something about us being forever, I got dressed and took my leave
I’m just a ******* red blooded man trying to fill my boots, not looking for committed relations
I left that woman lying on the bed, remembering all of my confessions
She could be there, a long, long time

The door was open
And from then on I condemned myself
I was lost and I was broken
Inside the store where in the light of day
Pretty women buy new clothes
The lights were out but the locks weren't on even though the sign read closed
I took my chance and lined my pockets with money from the till
And from the window across the pavement watching with tears on her cheeks was stacey, she was still
I raced in the shadows of the bingo halls
Fives flew from my pocket
Landed in a puddle I fell to my knees
Picked one up and then I dropped it

The sirens ran out
They filled the air my blood ran cold this wasn't what I wanted
I used to have a job that paid the bills and filled my rover
Until one winters morning the forman came in and said "sorry guys the work is over"
Then all I had was the clothes on my back and last months money in the bank
Not even enough remained to fill my trusty rovers tank
Things got so bad my wife packed her bags
And headed off down town
Now she dances with the sirens that
Hunt these streets just trying to track me down

In a darkened corner
I lift my blanket over me behind the skip trying to stay warm
Awoken by the screaming and hounds Barking they jumped me like a swarm
I was caught in the glow of the blue lights flashing and hatred in their eyes
They pulled me up and pushed me out onto
the main street and into the sky

And there was stacey
Her long brown hair was still as young as the day we first met
Fifteen years ago I held her in my arms where in the church we were wed
I bowed my head in shame as she asked me to explain
And all I said was

The door was open
And from then on I've condemned myself
I'm lost and I am broken
I'm hungry and confused, it feels like I am over
I used to have a wife, a house I used to have a rover
Until the works shut down and I was left wondering around chasing fivers along the ground
My fingers bleed from scratching he dirt and my skin is cracked and broken
....The door was open

It's never been my goal in life to make lots of money
It's just, something I learned along the way now honey
I'm just stranded in this big old world trying to make my way through
With no money but pockets full of love to give I try to take care of you
We would sit together in our rags, those evenings when it's no longer sunny
And I'd still laugh at all your silly little jokes even when they ain't that funny
But now I'm laughing, laughing at those things we've done
Because I love you, you know I do but I don't know where we're going
I'm still laughing, laughing back at you, you see
Girl one day I hate you but the next I love you enough to set you free
Those things we talked about, in the evenings
You said you feel trapped girl, so I packed my bags, I'm leaving
But hey that ain't really, really what you want
I say I want to leave you but my heart tells me I can't
What are we doing, to ourselves my pretty girl
All we are is two small dots on the face of this small earth
And now you're laughing .... How I loved our laugh so sweet
I want to walk right over to you, and sweep you off your feet
Smiling at me, why can't we just get along
Every night I dream about you and by the day about you I write songs
I think about you, with every single breath I take
It's a constant struggle with you by my side in this world to make it
Lets laugh .... Laugh together at what we've done
Let me hold your hand when you need a friend or a shoulder to cry on
Together honey, it's pretty clear we ain't that good no more
But I cherish the love we used to have and you know I still adore you
And just maybe, when we both know what we want
We could meet up, then just maybe we could have then what we now can't
Let me kiss you, just one last time kiss me
Then I promise I'll love you just enough to set my baby free

I lay there, the morning sun pushing through the curtains, the air filled with perfume, birdsong breaks the silence, her breath heavy in sleep, her brown hair flows down her back. My head nestled in the feathers of our pillows and I reach across, the softness of her skin against my fingertips is all the salvation I needed, and the ghost of a smile crosses my face. My hand against her back is the most affection she gives to me, but I’m satisfied, or am I?

I stare, she’s still sleeping, and I think how lucky I am, but what is it that makes me lucky? the sleeping hours are the only escape from war. But still, like a lovesick child I yearn for some form of affection, confirmation that what we have is real, living proof that somewhere in that sleeping beauty that hides a beast is the memory of what love is, and could I love her more, that may draw the love out of her.
The reality is that like a drug, the more I loved, the more I needed to love to convince myself that what I had was real, but is it possible that love has been confused with lust?

The reality of loving her, or lusting her was a war in my own head, standing next to her I felt inferior, why is she here? why did she choose me? Despite obvious social differences, it may appear that aesthetics is the most important factor in the relationship. Would you love this person if they didn’t have the beauty, do you love the personality of this person, and does this person make you a better person for being with you? Do they respect you and all you stand for, but still you lie next to them, and smile because it is normal, it is the reality you create, a fool’s happiness at the expense of his own.

You remember the early days, the nights between the stars at 20 years old, the condensed windows of your second-hand car, the way she felt in your arms and the way electricity flowed through your body as she leaned against you, you remember the smell, the sound of her laughter, a photograph of her smile imprinted on your mind, but that memory is all you have of the smile.

The want of telling her what is, how you feel. you remember the pain of losing her because you didn’t tell her your feelings, only to be reunited 3 years later, was it fate? Or were we 2 lost souls sent to help each other in troubled times. The nights when I’d lost myself, and she rescued me, the nights when she’d lost herself, and I rescued her, the first time she fell into my arms, I stood like a rain-sodden child on a stormy night thwarted by lightning, her touch and everything about her infected me.

But slowly, gradually, the draw of 2 people, the winter nights toasting marshmallows over candles, the excitement of the early days, the adventure subsides and reality checks in, and we release our true selves upon each other, it’s the realization that apart from the physical attraction, there’s something missing, but we are so far in it that we can’t pull out now. We jump on the train and keep on going, after 4 weeks pregnant, 2 months engaged, 3 months a house, 1 year and 3 months married, 4 years a mortgage, 5 years pregnant …. What’s left? We’ve done all we can to function as a family unit, the smiles in the photographs mask the reality of life, the evenings spent apart on our phones, the resentment, the emotional distance between us, the same routine, the lust of one not reciprocated, always sending the first text, always buying the nicest cards, always giving the first hug, always initiating intimacy, always the one to place my hand on your knee as we drove, always the one to call to see how you are, always the one to say I love you.

We’d leave your mum’s and you’d hug her, and I’d wonder where you learned to hug like that, I’d walk with you to meet your friend at the pub, you’d leave me and hug her, but where was that hug from, and what did she do for your affection that I didn’t?

The perfect family is just for show, but you never even pretended, Facebook posts from lovestruck women declaring adoration for their man, the great father, their soulmate, their best friend, but I’ll settle for a 'happy birthday Jason x' because that’s an acknowledgment from you, because I don’t know my own self worth in your shadow.

The soft kiss of your lips, it felt like I’d been born all over again
You’d never been kissed before; those were the words that you said
And in the shelter of the shadows that were hiding from the sunlight
In the middle of the world, you were always there by my side
Close your eyes and take a breath, feel the electric
Darling I can hold you tight, and promise this kiss you’ll never forget it
We were just two desperate lovers, with youth on our side
Caught up in the moment, so beautiful the street beggar cried
Wishing she was youthful again and remembering the feeling
Of her own first kiss some moons ago beneath the run down school hall ceiling

Time she moved fast, is anything this good really meant to last ?
Your kiss is still mine, and for your sweet love, I still pine
I was besotted by the thought of you and you make me kind of crazy
Tell me I can kiss your lips once more, tell me pretty lady
I aint good enough to be your man and is this just a joke
You were an angel in my wildest dreams emerging from the smoke
And months they passed our silence grew as we ran out of things to say
When all we ever did before was French kissing night and day
The honeymoon periods over, pack up your bags and run
I said I’m sorry Maria, it’s all been kind of fun
But we don’t have that much in common when it’s all said and done
And maybe I was caught in the moment thinking my first kiss was the one
I walk down the same street, past the spot where we first kissed
And now and then I glance over and see our ghosts caught in the bliss
Of an eternal love locked kiss

Daniel raced some ****** in the year of the monkey
For a brand new set of vintage strings
Beat the ****** real easy, took the vintage guitar
And smiled “hey man it’s just one of these things”
Placed the guitar over his shoulder, like a baby he held her
Closed his eyes and played some chords
With the chords came some lyrics, in the darkness he sat
In the center of Jensen Grand Concert Hall
The ghost on the piano, she preformed a haunting solo
Behind him was a phantom band
In front a phantom crowd
In the pre-warm up show, he rocked the empty old concert hall stand
Outside some kids from Coltman,
Drinking some beer and just smoking some crack
He and the phantom band headed home
Past the house of the Pocatello Nymphomaniac
Daniel walked up the stairs, sat on his chair, pulled out his guitar and played
Next door the neighbors sat with their ears to the wall listening to the midnight serenade
The old boy across the road in Jasmine Street opened the window, to hear the guitar crying
Listening to the sound of the junkies strings and the, silent neighbors smiling
In the morning he was still playing, his fingers red, they were getting tired,
The audience next door exhausted on the floor but, still smiling
Now back to the grand concert hall for his first ever gig, and the posters all around the town
Read Daniel and his 6 ****** strings are going to bring the house down
The local poet society, were reciting poetry to me, empty chairs in the hall, I stand on the stage looking for familiarity,on this day I’ve waited for
The first ones through the door were the neighbors who made love to my music
Tears still in their eyes from last night’s show, they took my gift of music and abused it
And the man from down the block he’s here too he shouted “Daniel this world needs more **** musicians like you”
Fat Shane from Mobile Alabama who’s just come out the slammer on day release to just see me
Soon the hall’s filled with 1200 faces all crowded in this space but there’s just 2 empty seats
One is for my mother who’s 3 years passed and told me son always follow your dreams
And the others for the ****** and the Monkey who lost the race and gifted these vintage strings to me

In 1933, my darling Martha and me
Took a ride out past the boat lake
Where the only other things there were trees
We layed out a picnic blanket
She fell to the grass, we both ate it
For desert she said it’s love to be had, but I’ve not yet made it
Together we made love
Alongside the river where frogs and fish come together
The trees were waving at me, how could this be happening to me
I asked for her hand and got down on one knee
I built a house for the two of us
Made a couple of extra rooms for the kids
We’ve got none yet and there’s no rush
We’ve got our lives together, my Martha and me
Then came 1939, you know the date, you know the time
I found myself standing in the enrollment line
Martha said I’d not go, you’re not medically fit you know
She was with child; surely they’d keep me home
Stand up straight said the major, I want your height and your date of birth
Your next of kin and the names of the parents that made you
And if in the muddy fields you should die
Do you have yourself a wife?
We need someone to tell when those ******* take your life
I write down Martha Nathaniel, an unborn baby named Daniel, he'll have the most beautiful laugh, you know it’s kind of sweet
I come from Measham parish, past the coal pits and bad habits; my address sir is 27 Bosworth Street
Down came the red stamp, the moist air, the walls were damp, a line of boys being sent to their death,
You’re medically fit man, the soldier shook my hand I closed my eyes and took one last breath
Went home to Martha and told her, in my arms I held her and said, I’d be back for Christmas day
I found myself flying so high, in the evening sky where the sun was pushing up and guiding us the way
Over to Germany, a photo of Martha and me lie in my wallet next to where my heart beat so with me she will stay
Then I heard a sound, the pilot turned around “we’ve been hit” prepare to escape
I didn’t see nothing but white, a mighty big old light, maybe it was time for my judgment day
A bullet, a bang and some lightning, below us the wounded were lying
The men still fighting I fall from the sky like an angel with no wings
I hit the earth and kept falling, all around me soldiers mourning, “I think that’s Michael, the sergeant major sings”
A knock on the door back home, Martha holds Daniel in her arms and smiles when she see’s the uniform
Then she realizes it ain’t me, she fell to the ground and cried for weeks, they said he was a brave man and died with dignity
There’s a picture of me on the mantel piece, where before my baby goes to sleep
She tells him “that is your daddy” he fought for this country
And although he isn’t here with you and me
He loved you ever so dearly and he lies somewhere in the fields where for him the willows weep, My boy he lives in your blue eyes, but he sleeps forever neath the dust and the skies, where he rests in an eternal sleep.

Mary and Jake holding hands by the lake
His lost soul broken her slender body aches
The weight of the world, turns there heart to stone
Two broken foreheads meet, their heads bowed to the ground
His hands pressed on her cheek, slowly down Jake's hand slides
Capture in his palms those dry tears Mary cried
So come on over Lucile, baby you can join us too
This right here is our therapy, we can make room for you
Over she slipped, the three huddled together out of sight
Jake guides his hand through Lucile's hair, Mary was smiling
Off they came, Mary slipped free from her clothes lay all to bare
Lucile guided her fingers over Mary's skin, like some long forgotten prayer
The moon was watching, dancing to every beat we made
In a world haunted by tragedy, look at the magic we created
The grass was wet, a firm imprint where Lucile lay
Like one of those white chalk lines of some lost soul, that will wash away with the rain
In the morning it was all done, together in some euphoria far, far away
Mary smiles and turns to them "let's do this again some day"
Jake pressed his head against Mary's ear, you'll never create this magic again
Stands in the conquered grasslands beneath the morning sun, buttons up his jeans and walks away

Green leaves sleeping on the trees
The sky is getting dark but still fighting to stay bright
Sun so angry I can feel it putting up a fight
Trying to hold on
The streets were dry, it hadn't rained for seven days
And there was something in the air that Wednesday, back in July
Empty tin cans crushed under my feet
Half drunken bottles discarded in the street
But I can relate, that bottle is me
The paths I've walked a thousand times
The shops round here with no lights on cos it's way past closing time
It's beautifully haunting when you're walking down the road
But your all alone

I was 22 years old, I slipped into a night club
To escape the cold
I see this girl she's smiling from the corner of the room
Her friends crowded around her and they're all laughing too
She looks over at me, my head bows
Humbled by the beauty she possesses
I look back up and she's still looking too but why
That's anyone's guess
Her long black hair turned green then red with the changing of the light
Walked over to me gave me her hand then i sighed
I receive it like a gift of all the riches in the world

Then her hand fell upon my chest

I never asked her name, nor did our lips ever meet
For if I knew your name I'd walk these ancient streets
Searching once again for your hand upon my chest
So maybe not knowing your name is for the best
Then I can still dream of how perfect you are
In that little black dress, matching. Long black hair
And those Crimson lips on pale skin, or your tiny dancing feet
Holding on to this half empty bottle
that just rolls down silent streets

We were young
Funny days
You made me laugh
And when it rained
We would shelter
beneath the covers
Where I could, forever examine you
This new thing that we have
I want to know your every inch
The color your eyes, go in the dark
And the length of your hair

To me that was what those days were all about

And did you know
that i love
The cracks in your skin
That make you who you are
Your fingerprints
now on my heart
look at us, just me and you

When the rain stopped falling
You got up to take your leave
I've never seen in the morning
someone so beautiful to me
Does it come naturally ?

You standing there, your messy hair
Pre-makeup face, just my t-shirt on
I daren't blink incase you are suddenly gone
And i never see that face again
Because i don't know what i'd do with myself
Louise i think, i need your help
Because i don't know what i'd do with myself

To me you're what life's all about
I love that dimple just above your lips
I bet you thought i didn't notice
But there's not one part of you that i've missed
And not loved naturally
Before you stood and took your leave
I gave to you a piece of me
And if you ever find that you have a heart
Then bring it right back to me

In the summer of last year
What about this years too?
I saw you standing in the corner
You saw him, see you in the room
And I knew I was your hero
But I knew he was your king
I could play some beautiful music
But your king he could sing
And when you come on over here
And you hold me tight
I see the tenderness in your eyes
Before you kiss me goodnight
We can make safety in the pillow
Beneath the covers we hide
I could be your star that guides you home
Safely tonight
But I know when you’re with me
You dream of him too
And when you look at me
You can see him in the room
And I know if I slay him
Then the war I win
And as I raise my ****** sword
You lay yourself over him
I could buy you gold jewels and diamonds
He doesn’t have a penny to spare
I place a ring on your finger
But you’re looking over there
I’ll never forget that night when we made love
And you called out his name, not in the words that you’ve spoken
But the look in your eyes as we laid
Now we lay here on the pillow, and it’s been a tough year for me
I would give everything I had, if you would take one from this three
It’s been a wild, wild summer, and I chase you all over the streets
We fight then we make up, and you don’t think that I see
When I hold you tightly, and I say this ain’t over
Your eyes stare in the distance, your chin rests on my shoulder
Somewhere deep in the shadows, baby you see
You’re making up with number two, but you keep searching for three

The wind feels different on my face
The sun shone brighter
You turned this failing poet I said
Into an all out writer
The sound the ocean waves make
I've never noticed before
Finding my voice I serenade you
Pink blankets on the floor

Everything I've ever done
Leading up to now
Was to prepare myself for this new day
But I'm still learning how
To be a man

You smiled, you smiled and I saw it
Spend my days worrying about how to protect you from the world
That's if we don't destroy it
There are wars outside but you don't know
One day I'm afraid you'll see
Every action has a consequence
Even birds dodge bullets, they're not so free

Everything I've ever done
Leading up to now
Was to prepare myself for this new day
But I'm. Still learning how
To be a man

When I was a boy, it was all about the drinking, and women
Now I'm learning how to be a man
who was a kidding
Those nights you rested in my arms
Floating on broken toys and pen marked dolls
Stranded on an island of mess
They were the best

Crayons on the bedroom floor
Tents of blankets, our light a torch
Toy soldiers face off but what for ?
Together we must face the world
And it's ok to be upset
We can retreat back to our den
Whispered secrets no one else knows
Because we're brothers thats how it goes

A photograph rests in a frame
Of me and you from younger days
And if it falls the glass might break
But brothers, will always remain

Autumn leaves dance at our feet
On our first school walk together down tower street
Then the teachers said to me
He's your baby brother, we can see
The same brown hair, our mothers eyes
Distincrive features of the same bloodline
It happened for a reason don't you know
Our house was empty
And then they brought you home

A photograph rests in a frame
Of me and you from younger days
And if it falls the glass might break
But brothers, will always remain

It's kind of strange to watch you grow
18 candles, you left home
And the days i miss the most
Were with Lego bricks and hours lost
Your number saved but you don't call
And so weeks can go until we talk
We've both got kids, own our own home
I'm greying now, where did it go?

A photograph rests in a frame
Of me and you from younger days
And if it falls the glass might break
But brothers, will always remain

Remember on your wedding day
Your brides father gave her away
You turn around and said to me
I'm not gone yet, brothers for keeps
***** music played, a speech was made
To the first dance music our children played
Doing things we used to do
Then it was all over, guests leave the room
And in the middle me and you
And the memories of long ago
Where did all the years go ....

Look at me now, my old friend
You know me better than I knew myself
Look at the way we’ve changed
But we’re still the same
Just like we were at 14 summers old
In the shelter of the ferris wheel, beneath the carousel
Behind the rattling of the penny machines
Or the park we knew so well
We drifted away

Remember that night, you screamed believe me
When I tell you you’re the one
I should have listened maybe things would have been different
I played the judge, the judge was wrong
In your summer dress, your long black hair
And your face hiding behind that makeup you wear
Was there any doubt in your commitment?
Was my commitment ever there
I made a mistake when I was young and I sent you down the road
You never looked back because it hurt too much
I should have kept you for myself
But we drifted away

Look at me now, there’s grey paint in my hair
Or at least that’s the story I tell
I wear a mask, to hide the lines my dear, but you knew me all too well
Time on my side, time against me
The older I get the more I know now
That when I was young, I was hasty and I should have never spoken out loud
The demons that danced around the fire inside
That made me loose myself
The way fate played her hand so I was left to stand near the park bench all alone
The summer was hot, the summer was sweet, the morning rainclouds
Your naked feet, your perfume, left in the park
The lights from under the Ferris wheel, turned to dark
I should have kept you for myself
I should have asked you don’t go, just stay
But we drifted away

Would you like to dance, Louise
The air's warm outside leaves blow down the street
Cars rushing by, vanish into the night
Everybody so busy getting on with their life
Through the steam of the kettle i see across the street
A husband holds his wife
Then there was us ....
I put pen to paper, guitar in my hand ******* up lyrics all over the floor
And you stood silhouetted, framed in the door
Would you like to dance ?

It may sound stupid i thought, but i'd ask you anyway
Put down my guitar, pull you a little closer and together in the empty room we sway
Would you like to dance ?

Now i feel foolish but i loved you from a distance i was granted 1 wish
Blew out birthday candles and now i hold you like this
Together we sway, in this room where no music plays
Sing me a song please, those were the words you said
Rest my chin on your shoulder, get closer to your ear and began to serenade
The music was made

Candle light flickers, curtains are shut but the window was open
Your hair blows in the breeze i can tell your heart has been broken
By the way you hold my hand
You pull back a little, don't think that i'll hurt you because you know i'm not like them
I see tears in your eyes that are yet to be born, my arms are your shelter from the future storms
Would you like to dance ?

It's been a long time coming
Now my guitar joins me, together hear our beat
You just sit on the edge of the bed watching me
And i sing to you ...
"The most beautiful thing about being alive, is you don't know you don't like something until you've tried it" ....

So would you like to dance Louise ?

Seems so long ago, but I could never forget you
I was Marlon Brando, you were my biggest fan
I never knew your name, to me you were beauty
I wanted you so bad, I wanted more than I could have
You told me you were a dreamer, look at the world out there
There’s people with broken hearts, Marlon I’m scared
You told me you were a wondering heart, but you’ve become a little stuck
So I kiss the cross around my neck and whisper, lord wish me luck
If I could tell you tonight, that your world would be fine
All the problems I’d take from your shoulders, and make them all mine

Took me by the hand, I placed a ring on your finger
Girl I can write love songs all night long, but I ain’t no singer
Then you look in my eyes, tell me you’ll never forget me
I am Marlon Brando, you’re my biggest fan
And all those nights we shared, honey like I was the only one
And all those nights we laughed, where have those nights gone
Cigarette smoke lingers, wine stains on the floor
Our arguments still drift through the air, my heads pressed against the door

And when I look at you, I still see
The woman so long ago, that wanted me
Somewhere beneath all the heartbreak, crossed words we said
I’ll hold on to you tightly girl, your heart’s not getting broken yet
I was Marlon Brando, you were my biggest fan
But without you by my side girl, I’m just an ordinary man
You told me you’re just an ordinary girl
I’m your biggest fan

When I was young I was told
At 22 it's over, wasn't that a lie
At 22 I'm not that old
To do new tricks every day
That keep my soul alive
I see sadness, because
It's hard to tell the truth
When you don't know your lying

So lay down your shield my friend
Write love notes with your glitter pen
Unwrap the bandages that bind your legs
and come with me tonight

It's been a long day
But the years gone quick how do I figure that out
Its so easy to hear the screams hidden in that soft sweet voice, that comes from you
You can't fool a fool
It's been a long day, but don't the nights go quick when you're not awake
So, for goodness sake
Close your eyes ... and drift away

Lay down your shield my friend
Write love notes with your glitter pen
Unwrap the bandages that bind your legs
and come with me tonight