The Same Things that Humans Do
This man was sure that the end wasn’t coming but
still he’d take a look.
He knew the ways of the men and their holidays
things read in a book
Opened his door and he stood on the precipice
gazing at the sky.
He saw the clouds they were shaped like the animals
things that had to die.
Say goodbye. No.
You will cry, even so.
We only wanted the same things that humans do
We only wanted the same things that humans do, now.
All of the clouds and the sun and the scenery
things that once seemed real.
All of the love and the words and the promises
things that people feel.
Shadows of animals seen on the wallpaper
things that once had light.
Sounds of the people who don’t each other well
fucking through the night.
Say goodbye. No.
You will cry, even so.
We only wanted the same things that humans do.
We only wanted the same things that humans do, now.
This man he knew that he couldn’t communicate
knowledge he had gained.
He carved a picture into a black walnut tree
fallen by the rain.
He said goodbye to the clouds and the scenery-
You, my friends, were right.
He hung himself on the branch of a walnut tree
Hidden by the night.
Say goodbye. No.
You will cry, even so.
We only wanted the same things that humans do
He only wanted the same things that humans do, now.
Copper baby lying in the sweet sun-speckled hay.
Copper lady watching, then she turns and walks away
Through the fields, through the woods, where there’s babies of her own.
Through the fields, through the woods, where she meets you, Sandalphone.
Sandalphone, Sandalphone, there’s another baby for you now, Sandalphone.
All the days I’ve waited, if you layed them side by side
Could flow like a river between your legs to where the winter white rabbits hide.
To where they shimmy and shake in the way that rabbits do,
Where they scream and they cry every time they think of you.
Sandalphone, Sandalphone, there’s another baby for you now, Sandalphone.
Droll hearted man and he won’t take a stand, but I can’t kick him out of the door.
Tax collector and the toll booth inspector, but I can’t pay nobody no more.
All the games your daddy taught you to play,
Little girl, you better play them today,
Cause even if you shake and you cry, they’re gonna snuff you out anyway.
Sandalphone, I’ve watched you till my eyes have turned to blue,
Doling out the meters in the way that daddies do,
Knowing if I lose my self tonight
I’ll be lying in your arms that self same night.
Sandalphone, Sandalphone, there’s another baby for you now, Sandalphone.
Tentatively, he walks the shore
a donut in his hand.
The clouds have come to fill the air
with words he won’t understand.
Saucer eyes, is it wrong that he just doesn’t care?
Hypnotized by a flag waving up in the air.
Who built the fire,
and who drew the water,
and who tied his hands behind his back?
Who watched his red back shine
beneath the water and smiled when it started to crack?
He curls beneath the bridge and licks
a donut that he found.
His finger strokes the sand to watch
another sun go down.
And he dreams of a boat pushing off from the shore,
Where he stands, hand and hand with his friends, in their pointy white hats
with their wooden oars.
Who built the fire
and who drew the water
and who tied his hands behind his back?
Who watched his red back shine
beneath the water and smiled when it started to crack?
They said his flag was a symbol of hate-
Saucer Eyes didn’t care.
They looked at him and saw the bad;
he just saw it everywhere
His t-shirt hangs below his knees,
alone beneath the overpass.
They circle him; his eyes grow wide-
could his friends be here at last?
All in all, when he cried it was the voice of a child.
All in all, when he died it was the flight from a broken cage
of a creature so wild.
Who built the fire
and who drew the water
and who tied his hands behind his back?
Who watched his red back shine
beneath the water and smiled when it started to crack?
Second in the Line
To adore me you must
Go before me
Build a path for me.
Laying stones down you
Must prepare the ground
Build a home for me.
Remember when you fall so far
Remember I was there for you to give you something more
Softly touch me we’re noplace now- this is just a dream.
Fingers through your skin- you were never just a friend.
We are family.
Looking your eyes
All the lies
Beautiful to me.
You say you won’t hurt me no more
Well what else are friends for?
Someone to believe.
Remember when you fall so hard
Remember I was there for you, always safe and warm.
Softly touch me we’re no place now- this is just a dream.
Fingers through your skin- you were never just a friend.
We are family.
Closing my eyes, I
See it all unfurl
I know how it ends.
Dark things fly towards me
Still you walk before me
Vanish round the bend.
And all the stars that beg for you
To sparkle in your time.
Remember I was there for you
Second in the line.
Softly touch me we’re noplace now- this is just a dream.
Fingers through your skin, you were never just a friend.
We are family.
thick and gray, blobby and wet
turn your eyes away, don’t ruin this precious day– shame, shame
sky of blue, tree of green
can’t you find happiness in the simple things– shame, shame
you know you’re fat, you know you’re soft
it hurts to move, it hurts to walk
you feel your pus, you feel your slime
when they recoil from you, you know the reason why– shame
people smile what good does it do
when you reach out your hand and they recoil from you– shame
they don’t want to touch, they don’t want to play
you must find happiness in another way– shame, shame
everyone smiles, everyone’s a saint
they all pay taxes, they all control their weight
you lurk around in the corners of your mind
dark friends are the only ones you can find- shame
slip and slide, it’s dark inside
everything is too wet, reach for a cigarette– shame, shame
maybe some fun could chase it away
but you’re too tired to run, reach for a honey bun– shame, shame
stick out your hand, when noone is around
plugging your fingers into the silent sounds
you know that evil could throw you a line
clear the cobwebs out of your mind– shame
you know you’ve failed, you know you won’t try again
you know you won’t be happy when the others win– shame, shame
a star of black, a pearl of gray
your ears are open to learn about another way– shame, shame
evil shines, evil frees
it’s the only friend you have when you’re down on your knees
evil flies, as thin as a bone
never overlooked, never left all alone– shame
thin and stern, cloaked in gray
turn your eyes away, don’t waste this precious day– shame, shame
cloaked in gray, cold and lean
now you find happiness in the simple things– shame, shame
Red light green light this will not continue
Red light green light this will not go on
Shanghai trio approaches,
bounding through the streets with feet like bells.
Wearing red suits; crossed in white
and their hearts are clanging like bells.
Do you remember friend,
the lanterns dangling limp like broken bells
like the fingers of a dead man
with fingers that can only touch himself.
Would you like to see
those lanterns rocking wild in the mountain winds?
My mind is worn like a puff of grey
like a lonely child who longs to dream again.
Red light green light this cannot continue.
Red light green light this cannot go on.
Throw your tea cup down
there is no time for fingering around
Lift my overcoat
Drink from the silver flask beneath my belt.
Time has curled like a baby
in a blue room where a naked lady lies.
Where she waits for nimble fingers.
To peer & pry the christian silk from her eyes.
Poised to tumbled backwards
Her arms are tied like bluebirds to the floor
She will recognize the scuffle
of your shiny shoes as they scuffle to her door.
Red light green light, nothing will remain of this.
Red light green light only three continue on.
The Shanghai Trio shakes the streets
in the autumn dusk when the sun is tired & grey.
Their blue eyes shine they’ve been washed clean
from the dust & gravel of remembering.
Look at the man with the gold drum
Which he presses like a bandage to his heart.
Look at the soldiers making love
How they leap to love & leap to pull apart.
For the children have drained from the future.
They’ve been trampled down by time like cobblestone.
But still we save our tears for the shimmered day
when the earth grows dry as a bone.
Red light green light, the night is now approaching.
Red light green light, we have no need to hide.
But you may hide in the blue room.
Press your shaking lips against her thighs.
Duck your head beneath her blue skirts.
Until the christian space has filled your eyes.
I’m gonna come in the blue room.
Knock the lonely woman on the floor.
Press her blood into the thirsty earth
And give to you, the blue she died for.
Click my heels on her body
Like victories clicked upon the wind.
Then I’ll be gone from you
& the Shanghai Trio will dance these streets again!
Red light green light what of this will continue
Red light green light, what goes on & on?
God rest ye, merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay!
I come here bearing roses that I now must give away,
Hoping one or two of you might shed some blood today-
Oh Oh! Shed some blood for me.
All my many brothers now you wear the same disguise,
Same white face of pharisees and grey mistrusting eyes,
You know the blood that never spills is blood that never rise-
Oh Oh! Shed some blood for me.
Standing in your satin pants you think that I don’t see
Name of my sweet ancestor embroidered on your knee.
You, you wear a ring to torture me, it’s like a globe.
Oh.
You were just a baby when I was already grown,
Lying limply on the floor when I was leaving home,
And now I’ve come from far away to stand upon my throne-
Oh Oh! Shed some blood for me.
Lying there behind me is a trunk upon a chain;
Wrapped inside it tightly is a purple cloak of twain.
I’d like to lay it on you now beneath your silver mane-
Oh Oh! Shed some blood for me.
Silver haired soldier with the “”V”” upon your brow,
Never needed no one, got no way to feel it now.
You could be a soldier anyhow; it’s just a game.
Crying like a baby, it won’t get you very far;
Better get down on your knees and kiss my silver star.
Lying in the earth maybe you’ll find out who you are-
Oh Oh! Shed some blood for me.
Big city ways
Everyone is gay
Try to find a way to shine
Living in the night
Everything is right
If you keep a spinning mind
Big man brown
Knock me to the ground
No one was around to hear
Furry furry man
Spitting on his hand
The only thing I knew was fear
Slide away
Shiny soldiers follow me
Eyes of gray peering from around the trees
Tiny spines so straight
They watch, they wait
Slide away.
Slime slime boom
Big city room
All the grown ups want to play
Big black night
Dancing in the dim light
Meeting creeps in the alleyway
Big man blue
Swinging with his shoe
No one was around to hear
Big city ways
Wanting to get paid
The only thing I knew was fear
Slide away
Shiny soldiers follow me
Eyes of gray peering from around the trees
Tiny boots, they glow
They see, they know
Slide away.
Gray gay white
Everything is right
Long as we don’t have to know
Plus the truth might lie
And one day we’re gonna die
So we’d better let the good times flow
Big black hole
Sliding down a pole
That was the only world I could hear
Black man bite
Crawling in the moonlight
Watching all the blood appear
Slide away
Shiny soldiers follow me
Eyes of gray peering from behind the trees.
They will dig, record
Then even scores
Slide away.
One thing I know is how true must be our love;
I’ve seen it in my dreams at night-
You’re hovering there up above me in my bed,
Naked and propped up on your arms.
I’ve stared so long in your brown eyes,
I’ve watched them turn into one big brown sea,
But in the light of day you sit so far from me.
Why don’t you ever try to come and talk to me?
I know you talk with other ladies;
You’ve introduced yourself to everyone in town,
But when I pass by you don’t even look around.
I’ve tried to come up with some theories;
Tried to make sense of what you’re doing to my heart.
Darling, what if I just pretend you’re shy?
But you didn’t really seem shy last night in my bed
When I was naked in your arms.
In fact, I woke up and ran over here to see you
So we could make love in the light.
But in my eagerness I tripped and spilled my purse;
I watched it splash down on your feet.
You didn’t even bend to help me pick it up;
Walked off like I was a stranger, or something worse.
That ain’t no way to treat a lover.
That ain’t no way to treat your one true friend.
That ain’t no way to treat a stranger.
And I really ain’t a stranger-
Don’t you remember me drowning in your eyes?
Darling, what if I just pretend you’re shy?
My heart is tired of breaking.
My heart is tired of bouncing like a ball.
We need to talk face to face in the sun,
So I tap you on the shoulder.
You look at me with this blank stare;
You look at me with these walls in your eyes.
You’re not quite sure why I tapped you;
I start to feel like a fool.
You say you don’t even know me.
You say you’re sure we ain’t never met before.
You say I must be mistaken.
But I think maybe you’re lying-
I think that, baby, you’re afraid of your own heart
Darling, what if I just pretend you’re shy?
Talk to me, angels, you know I will do what you say.
But time’s running out and I can’t take the bad things away.
Hooked to his fire hose, I’m pounded by night and by day.
Send me just one star- I promise you I’ll break away.
Palm of my hands is a sign
Stretch my arms out
You’ll place your hands in mine and we’ll fly.
So many stars and they seem to shine every which way.
Head in my hands, I can not understand what they say.
Every time he comes, you know that I kneel down to pray.
I saw you shining the last time that he made me pay
And you saw me
What did you do?
No, not a thing
Did I mean nothing to you?
But a sign, give me a sign.
Every road leads to a new road that seems just the same.
Your hands are silky, they’re gripping an ivory tipped cane.
Stand at the crossroads, you stare past me without a glance,
Angels and stars they abandoned me- now I’ll give you your chance.
Dark of the night
Will you love me?
Could I be yours?
Could we be happy and free?
Like a sign, give me a sign.
You loved me on the water-dock
that loved an ivory moon.
You loved me on the river-glass
on a raft made of bamboo.
You loved me with such gentle hands,
like barnacles I clung to you.
You loved me, loved me, Ideeyaii,
beneath a silver moon.
Press upon my belly first,
then gently touch my womb.
Swirl your fingers in my throat
and let me sing for you.
Put your lucky top hat on,
and let us now resume
to sway upon the promenade,
like flowers on a tomb.
Time is strewn like pebbles;
I dance upon them seeking you.
To love you, love you, Ideeyaii,
beneath a silver moon.
Three flowers wait upon my door-
they must have come from you.
The pink one stands for fairy-luck,
the blue one stands for you.
The red one stands for everyman
whose hand I touch while seeking you.
To love you, love you, Ideeyaii,
beneath a silver moon.
Time is strange and flattened,
a square pressed from a cube.
I’m puzzled by this language,
lost inside this room.
I’m puzzled by these marble-eyes,
in every town I ask for you.
Oh come and love me, Ideeyaii,
beneath a silver moon.
You must have said goodbye to me
as I slept beneath the moon.
You must have left reluctantly,
your ribbons bent with dew.
You must have kissed me tenderly,
as I was sleeping dreaming you.
You must have vanished like a ghost
into a silver moon.
Never saw no yankee curls
curled half as tight as you.
The mountains that surround me now
ain’t half as hard as you.
and I’m waiting on your lady disguise,
waiting for the gleam in your eyes
that could tell me where
the cool vat grey of your bullets lie.
Your fingernails are sharp as knives
that could splice a bullets eye, and
you love to lay your hand on the shirt of a man
till you find out what’s inside,
You sit and spin, you’ll never win, you sit and spin.
You told everyone I was the devil’s son,
but the devil lives down below.
I’ve seen you there with the comb in your hair
when you’re coming back from the glow.
And the time ticks by in your thighs,
the curls hang down in your eyes, and
the string on your ankle drags back to the
chamber where my hot black daddy lies.
Your waist is thin as a fishing pin,
your skirts hang three feet wide,
but all the lace in the human race
it can’t hide what’s inside.
You sit and spin, you’ll never win, you sit and spin.
“UnHOLY Love!” is what my daddy cried,
“There ain’t no shade, no lemonade that
could pull me from the wrong, wrong side.
I’m gonna roll my uniform up in a box,
slide it to me lady’s cave.
Lay my body down in the grave,
I’ll have it made in the shade.”
You told everyone I was the devil’s son,
but the devil lives down below.
I’ve seen you there with the comb in your hair
when you’re coming back from the glow.
You sit and spin, you’ll never win, you sit and spin.
You sit and spin, you’ll never win, you sit and spin.
You came to me just like the sky
Gave me a box and it was filled with only time
Don’t wanna have to say it; don’t wanna feel the pain at all
But you know it was never there at all.
Flowing away- I watch you go
I was prepared- I know the ways that life can go
Don’t wanna have to say it; don’t wanna feel the pain at all
But you know if was never there at all.
Burning me to the ground now
Scatter the dust around now
Into the wind I fly, I feel you there surrounding me.
Enter in the rains to brings me down
Luminous hands from all around
You are the sky- you hold me in, you press me down, you keep me.
Reach for a life within your sky
I know that I’m a bird and I can truly fly
Don’t wanna have to say it; don’t wanna play the game at all
But you know it was never real at all.
Pushing me down upon the stones
Making me strong within the bones
It’s not a dream- I fight the mud, I dig the dirt, this is my home.
Watching all the blood flow on the ground
Luminous red within the brown
It’s not a dream- you are the sky, you press me down, you keep me.
I came to you because of need
I came to you because you’d teach me how to bleed
And I’ll be the one to say it, and I’ll be the one to take the fall
But you know it was never real at all.
The idea was to go south
to where the tropic flowers sprout,
to where we’d live beneath the sunshine
and the pineapple tree.
Oh, but somewhere in the plan,
you grew up to be a man
and now you don’t think that you can
go on with me.
Not with me.
So long. See you. I couldn’t follow you even if I wanted to.
So long. See you. I couldn’t follow you even if I wanted to.
Well, the indigo is climbing
through the trees now and it’s shining
as I walk upon the highway
where you once walked with me.
And my dreams are like a tin can
building castles in the white sand
when I haven’t caught the faintest
glimpse of sea.
Not for me.
So long. See you. I couldn’t follow you even if I wanted to.
So long. See you. I couldn’t follow you even if I wanted to.
O but somewhere Fortune waits for me,
behind pineapple gates for me,
with sunny tea and cakes beside
a crystalline sea.
But I know the same is true for you;
she’s probably bought a suit for you,
a big important place where
you can be
Not with me.
So long. See you. I couldn’t follow you even if I wanted to.
So long. See you. I couldn’t follow you even if I wanted to.
Got to get so small to fall inside.
Got to get so tiny that there’s no more need to hide.
Fall, but never feel it
Crawl through where the others seal it.
Watch the people passing through the hall.
So small.
It’s a path of pebbles on the floor.
Trace their frowning faces till they lead you to that so familiar door
Hello Mother, Father
Sink filled with soapy water
Bubbles flash with passing scenes
But I don’t know what nothing means, just
Try to stand up straight against the wall.
So small
Take away my paper and the pen.
You know I want to but I’ve promised I won’t fill that space again!
Just one forgotten story
Two eyes lost in the haze of glory
Three white clouds roam the skies
Mice in the maze of someone’s lies
Rest their weary heads against the wall
So small.
Dark clouds fly through the sky at night
That’s the way they do it
Imperceptible to human sight
Black on black a poison kite.
No one to realize they’re there
It’s just a prickly feeling in the air.
Glance through your window to the sky
It’s just an ordinary night
Your shoulders shudder but you don’t know why
Draw your blinds and lock the door
Feet squeaking on your wooden floor
Just rub your head and go to bed that’s all
So small
I want a body pumped and flushed with blood;
I want a heart that breaks and shines.
I want a man with a quick and eager mind
With a soul that’s part of mine.
But I’m a shy girl; I’m very scared of you.
Don’t want to ask you for too much.
Don’t wanna long for something I ain’t gonna get;
I’m gonna settle for your touch.
Cause there’s a snowball’s chance in hell that you’d love me;
You’re such a lovely, fancy guy.
But the odds are two to three, you’d probably sleep with me.
How bout we just give that a try?
A lady ain’t supposed to sell herself too short;
I try and try to raise my sights.
But my heart turns blue each time I see a guy like you;
Just wish you’d heat me up tonight.
But there’s a snowballs chance in hell that you’d love me;
You being such a lovely guy.
But the odds are two to three you’d probably sleep with me;
Why don’t we just give that a try?
One night of love it shouldn’t take too much from you;
It shouldn’t run you thin and dry.
But one night of love could help me live for years and years,
Years of just remembering, years of just reliving
those few hours that I stared and stared, and fell inside and fell inside,
the deep dark brown, the lovely brown, the darkest warmest, sweetest brown,
that infinite and loving brown, the universe, the universe
that swells inside your eyes.
But there’s a snowballs chance in hell that you’d love me,
You lovely, lovely, lovely guy.
But when the odds are two to three you’d probably sleep with me,
I’d best be givin that a try.
It’s alright, we can just give that a try.
snowdrops rise from the snow
sparkle & shine- they don’t know how to warm me
i know they don’t bloom for me
sun beams fall onto the snow
sparkle & shine- they don’t know how to touch things
they only shine on the crust of things
and that’s the place where you live now
why did you leave me
you didn’t need me
i needed you
men leave tracks on the snow
sparkle & shine- they don’t know where they’re going
luminous and unknowing
a shadow falls on the snow
it’s only me, but they don’t know- they don’t see me
shiver when they are near me
but i shiver too
why did you leave me
you didn’t need me
i needed you
fingers flowing through the air
there’s nothing there, there’s nothing there
i reach for you my fingers flow like hair
place my hand into the snow
to feel the pain- i want to know what the pain is
i thought i heard it whispering
gauzy wings upon my arm
sparkle & shine- there is no harm that can change me
let the cold embrace me
and i will be a light for you
why did you leave me
you didn’t need me
i needed you
Let me be the one who is sober,
Unconcerned, responsible and older.
Sneering at their childish plans,
Disgusted by their sticky hands,
Weighing down their dreams like a boulder.
For in this world never believe that
it’s safe to be terrified or go soft inside
for we’ll take it all
we will all watch you fall.
I used to think a smile would make them love me,
But it only lifted all of them above me.
The wiser man would wear a frown
That drags the other person down,
Cause when they’re down they see the glory of me.
For in this world never believe that
it’s safe to be terrified or go soft inside
for we’ll take it all
we will all watch you fall.
I used to float like a happy bubble in the air;
They smiled at me, they watched me pop without a care.
While the ones who frown are carved in stone,
The ones whose hearts are filled with bone,
They’re the ones we always repair.
For in this world never believe that
it’s safe to be terrified or go soft inside
for we’ll take it all
we will all watch you fall.
People say that happiness is a butterfly
Who abandons you, who flits away when it’s time to cry.
Drive the sluts out from your fold-
Bitterness contains the gold,
Bitterness contains the glue
That binds hearts to you.
When a monk tries to kiss you, of course you say yes,
But next thing you know he want to get you undressed.
And next thing you know he’s like a rabbit in bed,
Humping and pumping and giving you head.
Olive and purple, overflowing and wild,
You spread like a garden, you hide like a child.
You don priestly robes wearing nothing beneath,
There’s something bout you, words, that ain’t what it seems.
You wanted ten thousand, so far you got two.
You wanted the strong ones, but weaklings will do.
You wanted to touch them, but now you’re not sure,
Outside they’re crusty, but inside they’re pure.
How can it be true, how can it be right,
That they can’t lift a log, but they can fuck you all night?
Has nobody required you to say what you mean?
There’s something bout you, men, that ain’t what it seems.
Something inside me is turning around,
It requires me to hide and keep my eyes on the ground,
And it’s shining and shining somewhere deep inside,
Now I’m wearing dark glasses just to keep it inside.
Certainly someday you’re gonna bust out,
Glittery figures will be dancing about,
Shimmering faces, both kindly and mean,
Yeah, there’s something bout you, fire, that ain’t what it seems.
Like a horseman flying his flag
as I stood on the grass and I watched you ride past
on a gold and silver stag.
Like a horseman fighting for me
while I stood on the grass and I watched the men bleed
as you claimed your victory.
Like a horseman, brave but insecure
I thought I had found something pure.
Hands that touch you, hands that lay
Burgundy blood, like a birdie who knows
when it’s time to fly away.
Hands that touch you, hands that in the darkness see
hand on my heart I had always believed
that you only wanted me.
Things that sparkle, things that you adore
I thought I had found something pure.
Hands that can fumble into the floridities and smash things in the dark
hand on my chest, I didn’t mean to suggest that we were falling apart.
Eyes that sparkle, eyes that flame
eyes that reach you through a fire
eyes that reach through shame.
You stand naked, watching me but you don’t move
after all of this time I still have no idea
what you want me to do.
Eyes that know things, eyes that can’t be sure
I thought I had found something pure.
Little girl, can you see
the sky without a moon tonight,
the leaves beneath your feet?
With the sky, like a cape;
the earth is like a basket
and she holds you like an egg.
You’re walking like a statue,
there’s concrete in your feet.
You’re walking on the memories,
you’re walking on the leaves
The leaves are wet and squishy
like you’re walking on a heart.
The world’s drawn like a curtain;
you can’t pull it apart.
Are you blind or can’t you see
that no one walks beside you?
Are you blind or can’t you see
you’re walking all alone?
The voices that you’re hearing,
the vapors from the valley,
they’re the voices of a race that lived
a thousand years ago.
With the stars in your eyes,
would you trade them for a friend if he
could help you out tonight?
Where’s your map? Where’s your faith?
Did you really plan to make it with
a basket and a cape?
And if you reached the mountaintop
how would you recognize it
when the leaves are wet and thickened
and there’s no moon in the sky.
The trees are older brothers
with no sympathy for you.
They frown upon your wandering;
they press the sky on you.
Are you blind or can’t you see
that no one walks beside you?
Are you blind or can’t you see
you’re walking all alone?
The voices that you’re hearing,
the vapors from the valley,
they’re the voices of a race that lived
a thousand years ago.
And this could be the fairy-tale,
or this could be the end.
You quiver like a golden thread
that’s kissed upon the wind.
You reach your hand out longingly,
but ain’t nobody there.
You’re reaching out for algebra;
you’re reaching out for air.
Are you blind or can’t you see
that no one walks beside you?
Are you blind or can’t you see
you’re walking all alone?
The voices that you’re hearing,
the vapors from the valley,
they’re the voices of a race that lived
a thousand years ago.
The ice caps of the arctic like a star in the night.
Is he your soul baby, soul baby, oh.
First you were crawling now you’re lying on the floor.
No clothes, no clothes,
Cause that’s the way to know
If he’s your soul baby, soul baby, oh.
The odds are fifty-fifty he won’t call you the next day.
But if he sees you crying then you’ve got to run away
From your soul baby, soul baby, oh.
Walking like a fine white line down the road.
Walking all alone to places lovers should go.
Moonbeams falling on your shoulders in the night
Slide into your stomach where you lock them deep inside.
Walking like a fine white line down the road.
Walking all alone to places lovers should go.
Is he your soul baby, soul baby, oh.
Gaze into a mirror just when no one else’s around.
Wonder if he’s strong enough to pick you from the ground.
Just like a soul baby, soul baby, oh.
If you spend his money will he start to turn you green.
Will he start to turn you onto things that you don’t need.
Just like a soul baby, soul baby, oh.
All alone, all alone deep in the night
Two pink candles have become your only light.
Crying, Crying, crying, crying, down on the floor.
No way to get the love he says he’s got in store.
Hold onto a stone ’cause you can’t hold onto him.
A smooth pink Opal has become your only friend.
Is he your soul baby, soul baby, oh.
Push onto your body and you can’t say “no.”
No clothes, no clothes, cause that’s the way to know,
If he’s your soul baby, soul baby, oh.
Don’t fight, can’t you find something nice to say?
Can’t you find some place inside
Where you can tuck it all away?
All for your soul baby, soul baby, oh.
Black ice, black ice, deep in the sea.
Press into the sandy shore where no one else can see.
Marrying an ice cube deep in the night,
Soon you’ll see him melting with the morning’s pink light.
spirits fly, one two three, come up behind me tonight
shadows shine, brilliantly, burning behind me so fine
spirits talk, they whisper lies, green trees and cloudy skies- someone is high
spirits breathe upon my face; lighter than than lace I comply
people stare, stare at me, I’ll be what they want me to be- I don’t mind
stay inside, lock the door, prisoner of war so refined
spirits fly, four through six, held by the wrist I can’t lie
burning cry, lost in mist, don’t let them see in my mind
secret things on tippy toe, where do they go in the night
introduce, stop and stare, walking on air it’s not right
never known, misunderstood, nobody’s good in the night
cotton falls all over me, how can i see what is right
silver moon, decompose, never expose us tonight
spirit’s fly, seven eight, drip and dilate it’s alright
people stare, stare at me, I’ll be what they want me to be- but they can’t see in the night
spirits fly nine and ten, sun rises up muscles us into the light
brains will fall back into place, hearts wear their double face, running a race to the light
dreams will dry and disappear, cheer will replace getting high
O star in the sky, and the fire,
O flame between my legs leaps higher and higher.
I light your candles everyday, like a priest so patiently,
I light your candles everyday on the altar of me,
Is this what you were thinking of?
Is this what you were thinking of?
O beauty, I invite you to stay,
O child, you can rest here, but I must be on my way.
A thousand roses at my door, but they fade so frequently,
A thousand men die everyday on the altar of me,
Is this what you were thinking of?
Is this what you were thinking of?
Rabbit who will grow so small again,
Rabbit who will take the fall for man again,
Rabbit who will wait so patiently.
O child, who lights the candles every day,
O child, when the roses fade you best be on your way.
There’s a rabbit at your door; he’s waiting so patiently.
He’ll lead you on and on and on, through the altar of me.
Is this what you were thinking of?
Is this what you were thinking of?
Is this what you were thinking of?
Is this what you were thinking of?
Sometimes I feel so lonely, like there’s no one but me in this worl-orld.
Sometimes I hide in the curtains and pray that they’ll swallow me up in their furl-urls
Wait! Don’t pack me away- I’m trying to get to the sea
Wait! Give me a second to think- is there somewhere that I’m sposed to be?
Clutching my seashells, I’ll step on your ship as it’s drifting away with the tide-ide
but please, steer far from the island where my starfishy died.
Cobblestone roads and buildings of brick all splattered with salt from the sea-ea
Smiling at people, but inside I wonder, just when do I get to be free-ee?
The ocean it comes right up to the land, there’s no in-between but a ribbon of sand
The ribbon of sand is a public-owned park and you got to make sure that you’re gone before dark
So it’s back to the streets where I wander around, slipping to and fro like the tide
Sloshing, sliding to wash out the memory of the time my starfishy died.
Sailors in bars all drowning their beers as the foam splashes over the sides
Laughing so crazy, not shedding a tear for the moments when people have cried
Wait, there hairy faced man, could you reserve a swig just for me?
Sucking your foam, I’ll be filled with the feeling of just what it means to be free
You hold my scallops, I’ll step on your ship, and we’ll slip out to sea with the tide
Sailing and sliding away from the island where my starfishy died.
The moon on the water, shining like pearls, that bob up and down with the brine-ine
Your hand on my shoulder, holding me down, and anchoring parts of my mind-ind
Wait- those waves on the shore are they crashing a message for me?
Wait- my head in my hands- is there someone that I’m sposed to be?
The stars in the sky they’re shining their light on a moment when somebody cried
Forming an arrow that points to the island where my starfishy died.
The men are big here. They weigh 200 pounds.
They look like stones to me that rage upon the ground.
And their eyes don’t see the same things my eyes see.
They can’t see the fairies that come & talk to me.
It’s no big deal its just I feel so all alone.
My eyes can’t see this world of stone.
I have a friend who lived in the 18th century
When I’m alone at night he comes to talk to me.
I told this to a man when I was I was on a date.
He said he could not believe a single word I say.
He said that I ain’t true he said that I ain’t right
He said he’d believe in me if I’d let him squash me down tonight.
It’s no big deal it’s just i feel so all alone.
My eyes can’t see the world of stone.
Hey there flower, that’s what one man said to me.
Hey there child, that’s what one man said to me.
And I have no idea what they could want with me.
My eyes can’t even see the same things their eyes see.
And when you touch me your hand feels like a stone.
It feels like being crushed beneath a heavy stone.
And when you speak to me your words just feel like stones.
It feels like being crushed beneath a heavy stone.
I’m tired of being crushed; I’d rather be alone.
My heart can’t feel this world of stone.
Hey there flower, that’s what one man said to me.
I do not believe a single thing you see.
But let me talk to you & take you home with me.
Let me press my heavy body on your body.
It’s no big deal it’s just I feel so all alone.
My eyes can’t see this world of stone.
Men, we will stand at the top of this hill;
when we see them approach, we will swoop
down and kill them. Their blood on our
hands, we will lift them up high as
the sparkling sun beams down from the sky.
Yankees they work hard, them Yankees they try,
but November the 1st is the day that they die.
Bless their sweet little hearts; rockaby
in the grave. We will fight for the flame;
and the flame we will save.
We are fire; they are ice-
they will chill us no more.
We will bury their bodies beneath
the dance floor of Stuffington’s Hall.
Please won’t you come, come to the ball?
Now there are two kings-
there can be but one.
He is King of the Ice; I am King of the Sun.
He is sleek and so young; I dumpy and old.
He has made it clear he wants my story to never be told.
From my leather bound books, he would
smudge out the ink with his fingers in gloves
made of synthetic mink. Though his men are alright (and
they’re armed to the gills), we know God is with us-
trapped in the nook of our frills.
So don your gray lace ladies,
don your silk hats.
Twirl round the fruit punch that bubbles in vats.
Tweet, tweet so high-
puffing like cotton upon our blue sky.
We are joy;
they are tears.
We are hopes;
they are fears.
It is us who predates them by hundreds of years.
Old fingers, bold fingers, gold fingers- me!
I am the ruler of all that I see. And I see stars
languishing behind their cold metal bars.
Old fingers, gold fingers, bold fingers- wait!
Til they reach the valley, then don’t hesitate-
swooping down in a wall, and then
join me for a dance in Stuffington’s Hall.