From behind the bars of illusion, I saw a stretch of isle
Enfolded in airs so fresh, holding sun above horizon
Imaginations swelling with crossing of valleys
Thriving on smoldering of love so poisonous
From behind the bars of chimera, I saw a silhouetted soul
He walked besides me in a stretch of fantasies
His hand held mine through the summers of life
Bestowing showers of love every morning
Underneath the starry nights I dream of eternal togetherness
From behind the bars of illusion, I saw my being.

Little glass soldiers
and their ranks swell
they fall in lockstep, clacking on the tabletop
and how many, I can't tell

Notes over the air
Loud enough to force a pair
Who want to talk
A little closer together

To be completely forthright
I have this kind of insight
somewhere between seldom
and never

I couldn't say, now, why I came
Except to watch the people dance
but from the corner, a loaded glance
and I forget my name

And I forget my name.

I
I have to look away
and I
Haven't got the faintest notion why I feel this way but I
I
I'll bet I say something wrong and all dutch courage gone and maybe I should stand and go or risk letting my strangeness show and staring at the bartop wood and didn't notice when she stood and heart is ramming through my chest and barely felt her light caress and eyes **** up to catch a dark pair staring back at me and I
I
Forget
There's only her
And she's smiling back.

I don’t want to perpetuate the produce – consume loop
but when I don’t, I feel like such a lazy moocher
Could I play guitar near after dark bars for $23 an hour?
Victor and I did that once, for $11.50 each
Untaxed, that’s better than my dour real job
So, if I really made my place at a street corner, I’d be a smart earner

But then I’d be a fixture, like the accordion man and the bums with PVC buckets
The bar goers would soon hate me for chumping them out of their cash
with three gritty “Heart of Gold” covers
Then soon the mediocre bums would jump me and Riot, my guitar
She’ll smash into the walk under a Irish flag in front of Murphy’s Law,
while drinkers whoop and punch the air
The bucket goes over my head
and the accordion bellows squeeze round my neck

Never again will I say it
Never again will I put myself in bars and chains
Never will I ever let others disappoint me
Never will I completely trust again
*And I just lied to myself again

We were at a gay bar for the first time.
I was reminded of friendship,
while she looked for love.
I have a purse full of memories,
and she looked at her empty hands
in disappointment.
I pointed to show her
in them we made her story.
By pushing the door that spoke to her,
that she once ignored
in a fear she couldn't accept.
I thought of you and smiled in comfort.
The women here are so respectful.
And fun loving.
Singing 90s songs.
That is where her love may be.
And mine is home with you.
Because I've been thinking 'bout you
ooh na na na
I've been thinking 'bout you
I shared her cigarette,
and met a woman with a husband outside.
She is a frequent there-
I can't sing for ****.
But I heard some melodic voices.
I don't know many good karaoke singers.
I'd like to hear you up there.
Do they have Morrissey?
Lady called my name.
Center stage.
I'll think about you ooh na na na
and sing away.

I will go to the worst of bars,
Share a drink with memories
Take shots with anxiety
Pick a fight with clarity
Get kicked out with hangovers.

I've been kicking round here
for nearly twenty years
I'm a singer no one's heard of
I play for smoke and beers
I'm an overnight sensation
I'll make you smile or bring tears
I've been kicking round here
For nearly twenty years

Right now I'm playing at a place
On cinder blocks and wood
It's not the worst stage that I've played
In fact, it is quite good
The crowd is small, the beer is cold
But, it's the best bar in the hood
I'm playing for my beer and smokes
On cinder blocks and wood

The music is my heartbeat
The people are my muse
I play because I love to
****, man...I've paid my dues
I'm an overnight sensation
Playing what you want to hear
I've been playing for the people
For near on twenty years

The crowd looks up, some clap a bit
Most live above the bar
At least if they don't like the show
They don't have to go too far
It's just me up here, alone and bare
Taking tips in an old jar
I play mainly for my beer and smokes
For the folks above the bar

I've never made the big time play
I hit the road but not for long
I write my stuff, but cover most
Because in truth, my life's a song
I sing old stuff more than glammed up tunes
To sell out, to me is wrong
If I'm not here, I won't be far
I hit the road, but not for long

The music is my heartbeat
The people are my muse
I play because I love to
****, man...I've paid my dues
I'm an overnight sensation
Playing what you want to hear
I've been playing for the people
For near on twenty years

I know I am a dinosaur
I sing songs that drip with age
Most bars I play once hosted folks
Who sang these tunes upon their stage
But, now, it's me and empty chairs
Beer and smokes make up my wage
I know I am a dinosaur
Singing songs that drip with age

I sing County Western
Not 'bout beer, and girls in shorts
I sing about the country
Of heartache, not of sports
I show you what's beneath the crust
Without makeup, and with warts
I sing Country Western
Not 'bout beer, and girls in shorts

The music is my heartbeat
The people are my muse
I play because I love to
****, man...I've paid my dues
I'm an overnight sensation
Playing what you want to hear
I've been playing for the people
For near on twenty years

Doors locked windows barred
Words spin, twist and turn
Exits they bombard
For freedom they yearn

Sentences here form
Ideas and thoughts
Seeking to transform
Cages into forts

Bars and locks dissolve
Prison now fortress
Past hurt words absolve
Offering redress