W r i t i n g s - S o n g L y r i c s
About Bridges & Change - Take 2
This album was recorded in 2010 from songs I had written a few years before. Once I started writing songs I realised their power lay in their focussed nature: take a core insight and stick to it, using rhyme and rhythm.
The writer then hopes that what starts as a personal point will resonate with others.
To hear samples of the album and to buy a copy, go to: www.rockstone-recordings.co.uk
Here are the lyrics to the ten songs.
1 Someone
I want someone to knock on my door, burst in barefoot and walk on my floor. Look me in the eye, there'd be no surprise
and we wouldn't say a word when we wanted more.
I want someone to mirror my soul, take me as I take life on a roll. We'll laugh when we're glad, smile at the bad
and know that we're not apart, we're a part of the whole.
It could be you, you, you or you, I've been running round,
but now the certainty of change and constant stillness, is the faith I've found.
I want someone to pick all the locks, lift all the lids and open her box. Take me deep inside, down the upward slide,
and trust in the ultimate truth of paradox.
I want someone to turn on the light, show us all who's wielding their might; President Bush rose, think emperor's clothes,
the conspiracy appears in plane sight.
We need someone to burst from their pod, stand in the doorway and give us the nod; there's only me and you, what'll we do?
We'll talk to each other like a conversation with God.
It could be you, you, you and you, I've been running round,
but now the certainty of change and constant stillness, is the faith I've found.
I want someone to knock on my door.
2 Point of creation
One day the sun will shine high in the sky – the next day it may pour. Just like life needs the sun and the rain –
I need to win and lose for sure.
Watching the wave – as it beaches itself on the shore - I’m going to wave goodbye to the life we can't lead anymore.
Choices, choices – choices: we can make them habitually or by divine inspiration.
The choice is at the point of creation - it’s the point of Creation.
Every moment, now and now – the future’s made and lost.
We can thank our God and the stars – or quickly count the cost.
Choices, choices – choices: we can make them habitually or by divine inspiration.
The choice is at the point of creation - it’s the point of Creation.
Holding on to each moment that’s sent, holding off judgement, holding in enlightenment,
Holding out - holding out for - holding out for love.
3 Everyman
Get up mostly mornings, slip on your laid out silken socks.
Knowing in your precious heart, you can dash our hopes upon the rocks, stop the ticking of our clocks.
Walking to your chauffeur, there's no earth upon your shoes.
Believing in your cell of faith, everything's for you to use - and there's nothing you won't abuse.
Ah but I'm watching and I can see, what you're trying to do.
I've got my heart, mind and my wide open eyes on you.
Picking up your sometime friend, she's her ticket for the meal.
You're content to pay the price, until she reveals, what you want to conceal.
Sitting back to watch them work, you do it 'cause you can
Banking up the pounds, pouring pennies in their hands, through the fingers of Everyman.
I am watching and I can see, what you're trying to do.
I've got my heart, mind and my wide open eyes on you.
4 Never let you down
I know I've let you down, I know I've done some wrong things,
but when it comes to the real things, I will never let you down.
I'm talking 'bout love and faith, faith in you, in you and me, in our reality; let's leave doubt to fantasy, on these I'll never let you down.
Never let you down, never let you down; when it comes to the real things, I will never let you down.
I know you've let me down, I know you've done some wrong things, so when it comes to the real things, I will never let you down.
Never let you down, never let you down – and yet I get, the feeling you bet, I will let you down.
That night I took the gown and hid it when you wanted it; oh but darling, if you'd needed it, I'd have stopped playing the clown.
When I put on the gown, you said it didn't suit me and as you took it off of me, you said you'd never let me down.
Never let me down, never let me down - and yes, I bet, I won't regret if you should let me down.
Talking 'bout love and faith, faith in love, in love as all, in all as one - together let's answer the call, on these I'll never let you down.
When we look into our eyes, we smile and see that quiet space, know there's nothing that we need to chase, don't talk of truth,
don't hear no lies.
I will never let you down, never let you down - when it comes to upholding I will never let you down.
5 Crying
I've been crying, haven't done that in years. I've been crying, frightened of my fears.
All those memories, the words of my hymn, now just visions of what should have been.
I've been crying, about the emptiness within.
I'd been gazing into your eyes so blue; seeing the sky and me and you.
You were casually unkind, looked away, didn't seem to mind, it started me crying, a bird just flew.
I've been dreaming, of where you come through and you notice, one and one make two.
The young girl you remember would see right through that blind you thought you drew,
I've been crying, my tears are not seen by you.
I've been looking at what those you can, do. Staring in disbelief and anger too.
Now I know that all I hold as true, is shared by less than a few, I've been crying, can't even rely on you.
6 Perfect woman
You ask me if I love you just as I’m walking out the door, talk for what seems like hours,
though my eyes are staring blindly down at the floor.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
You phone me from a friend’s house, I can hear the smile upon your face, call again, you're alone,
can’t you hear the way you talk to me, that’s a disgrace.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
You tell me to do things, you don’t trust my point of view, I decline, you don’t need to listen: I’m not right in the same way as you.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
I dream of leaving you to get to love’s pure simplicity. I see love revealed through you in all its glorious complexity.
Anyway we’ve got the one thing on which we agree: you are the perfect woman.
You were a lover, a mother, now I need a friend to hold open the door,
someone to do much more than those things that only you can do for sure.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
I come home, through the door, I've got a smile just for you; you forget, each time we meet, our love can start anew.
Nothing’s won the fight, something somewhere’s right; this discontinuity’s got right through to me.
I dream of leaving you to get to love’s pure simplicity. I see love revealed through you in all its glorious complexity.
Anyway we’ve got the one thing on which we agree: you are the perfect woman…the perfect woman, for me.
7 Every day
We walked down the aisle today. Thank you for walking with me, I know what some say.
Oh, today’s been the day, I looked at you and I knew, I will want to walk you down the aisle every day;
you looked so wonderful today - I will want to walk you down the aisle every day.
Every day, every day, every day - Oh, I will wanna walk you down the aisle every day.
I will walk down our path every day. Most times I see you with me, I hope sometimes you’ll lead me astray.
Oh, today’s been the day, I looked at you and I knew, I will want to walk you down the aisle every day;
you looked so wonderful today - I will want to walk you down the aisle every day.
Every day, every day, every day - Oh, I will wanna walk you down the aisle every day.
Every day, every day, every day - you looked so wonderful today -
I will want to walk you down the aisle every day.
8 Without you
Without you, I'd be out of time. Would never have climbed so high, been those birds wheeling in the sky.
Without you, I'd be moving in mime, without you I'd have been here and there, now and then and missed the signs of the sublime.
Without you, I'd be in the wrong place. Got no mention in this dimension, kept myself locked in detention.
Without you, I'd be a rat in the race, without you I'd be left holding on to my only notion: to quicken the pace of the chase.
Without you, I'd have got it all wrong. Blind to the beginning at every ending, not taking love's sometimes demanding.
Without you, I'd never have got to this song, without you, there'd have been no eyes, shining back to show me it's not wrong to be so strong.
Without you, I'd never have heard my call. North, South, West & East, even where the butcher's a priest.
Without you, it'd be me against them all. Without you I'd have never had the courage to build up my beliefs and then let 'em all fall.
9 In my name
The world is turning, sky holds to the ground. People watch the TV, they once were glory bound.
Someone broke the links, we know they won't be found.
The world is coming, plane crash off the ground. People watch the TV, don't make their sound.
Someone put the news on, keeps us going round.
The world has changed and now war will resound. We hear it on the TV, it's so peace can abound.
Someone spun the words round, we know they could be found.
Not in my name, in my name. Not in my name, in my name.
You say it's a just war, I say it's just your game.
The world's the same you can buy it for a dollar or a pound. People watch the TV, they're on solid ground.
Someone made the guns and bombs, our heads all stay down.
Not in my name, in my name. Not in my name, in my name.
You say it's a just war, I say it's just your gain.
I saw you looking in the eye of another man. Don't know if I can take, I just don't know if I can.
Ah – it's your life you lead, I'll try to understand.
Put this in my name, in my name. Put this in my name, in my name:
I feel the fire of one soul, let's fan the flame;
I feel the fire of one soul, let's fan the flame.
10 Remember
Remember – when putting on your coat, the reasons for believing, you’ve learned them all by rote;
someone heard the last words you spoke, somebody heard the last words that you spoke.
Remember – as you finally open the door, the laws, the lawlessness, borrowing what is yours;
you’re giving to the rich, you’re one of the poor, you’re giving to the rich, yet you’re one of the poor.
Remember - at the threshold into the hall, breathe deep, the air’s local, that’s all;
everywhere you look, you’re facing a wall, everywhere you look, you’re faced with a wall.
Remember, remember, remember it all, remember, remember – don’t let it fall, too far, too fast.
The next move you make is your foot stepping onto the floor.
Remember, remember, remember it all, remember, remember, the next move you make is your foot stepping onto the floor.
Listen to what you hear, watch out for what you see. Searching for a saviour in the truth of our thoughts, my vote’s for you and me.
Remember – as you give them your name, your number, no-one can split the lightening from the thunder.
You don’t know who they are; your future’s torn asunder; you don’t know who they are, but they’re tearing us all asunder.
Remember – there’s something else at stake; you wake into a dream, repeat the same mistake.
Listen to the lies – they’re real, you buy them as fake, listen to the lies – they’re real, but you buy them as fake.
Remember, remember, remember it well, remember, remember, to kiss and tell, don’t sell, our soul -
only you know where you’ll put the next mark you make.
Remember, remember, remember it well, remember, remember, only you know where you’ll put the next mark you make.
Listen to what you hear, watch out for what you see. Searching for a saviour in the truth of our thoughts, my vote’s for you and me.
Remember – as the paper’s placed in your hand, your heroes, the villains, you knew where they took their stand;
you’ve been double crossed and its writ that you don’t understand, you’ve been double crossed and its writ that you won’t understand.
Remember, remember, remember it now, remember remember, you made a vow, you were in your prime.
The next thing you feel is your heart beating in time.
Remember, remember, remember it now, remember, remember, the next thing you feel is your heart still beating in time.
Listen to what you hear, watch out for what you see. Searching for a saviour in the truth of our thoughts, my vote’s for you and me.
Lyrics © 2009 Duncan McCanlis
from "About Bridges and Change, Take 2"
Available at: www.rockstone-recordings.co.uk
The writer then hopes that what starts as a personal point will resonate with others.
To hear samples of the album and to buy a copy, go to: www.rockstone-recordings.co.uk
Here are the lyrics to the ten songs.
1 Someone
I want someone to knock on my door, burst in barefoot and walk on my floor. Look me in the eye, there'd be no surprise
and we wouldn't say a word when we wanted more.
I want someone to mirror my soul, take me as I take life on a roll. We'll laugh when we're glad, smile at the bad
and know that we're not apart, we're a part of the whole.
It could be you, you, you or you, I've been running round,
but now the certainty of change and constant stillness, is the faith I've found.
I want someone to pick all the locks, lift all the lids and open her box. Take me deep inside, down the upward slide,
and trust in the ultimate truth of paradox.
I want someone to turn on the light, show us all who's wielding their might; President Bush rose, think emperor's clothes,
the conspiracy appears in plane sight.
We need someone to burst from their pod, stand in the doorway and give us the nod; there's only me and you, what'll we do?
We'll talk to each other like a conversation with God.
It could be you, you, you and you, I've been running round,
but now the certainty of change and constant stillness, is the faith I've found.
I want someone to knock on my door.
2 Point of creation
One day the sun will shine high in the sky – the next day it may pour. Just like life needs the sun and the rain –
I need to win and lose for sure.
Watching the wave – as it beaches itself on the shore - I’m going to wave goodbye to the life we can't lead anymore.
Choices, choices – choices: we can make them habitually or by divine inspiration.
The choice is at the point of creation - it’s the point of Creation.
Every moment, now and now – the future’s made and lost.
We can thank our God and the stars – or quickly count the cost.
Choices, choices – choices: we can make them habitually or by divine inspiration.
The choice is at the point of creation - it’s the point of Creation.
Holding on to each moment that’s sent, holding off judgement, holding in enlightenment,
Holding out - holding out for - holding out for love.
3 Everyman
Get up mostly mornings, slip on your laid out silken socks.
Knowing in your precious heart, you can dash our hopes upon the rocks, stop the ticking of our clocks.
Walking to your chauffeur, there's no earth upon your shoes.
Believing in your cell of faith, everything's for you to use - and there's nothing you won't abuse.
Ah but I'm watching and I can see, what you're trying to do.
I've got my heart, mind and my wide open eyes on you.
Picking up your sometime friend, she's her ticket for the meal.
You're content to pay the price, until she reveals, what you want to conceal.
Sitting back to watch them work, you do it 'cause you can
Banking up the pounds, pouring pennies in their hands, through the fingers of Everyman.
I am watching and I can see, what you're trying to do.
I've got my heart, mind and my wide open eyes on you.
4 Never let you down
I know I've let you down, I know I've done some wrong things,
but when it comes to the real things, I will never let you down.
I'm talking 'bout love and faith, faith in you, in you and me, in our reality; let's leave doubt to fantasy, on these I'll never let you down.
Never let you down, never let you down; when it comes to the real things, I will never let you down.
I know you've let me down, I know you've done some wrong things, so when it comes to the real things, I will never let you down.
Never let you down, never let you down – and yet I get, the feeling you bet, I will let you down.
That night I took the gown and hid it when you wanted it; oh but darling, if you'd needed it, I'd have stopped playing the clown.
When I put on the gown, you said it didn't suit me and as you took it off of me, you said you'd never let me down.
Never let me down, never let me down - and yes, I bet, I won't regret if you should let me down.
Talking 'bout love and faith, faith in love, in love as all, in all as one - together let's answer the call, on these I'll never let you down.
When we look into our eyes, we smile and see that quiet space, know there's nothing that we need to chase, don't talk of truth,
don't hear no lies.
I will never let you down, never let you down - when it comes to upholding I will never let you down.
5 Crying
I've been crying, haven't done that in years. I've been crying, frightened of my fears.
All those memories, the words of my hymn, now just visions of what should have been.
I've been crying, about the emptiness within.
I'd been gazing into your eyes so blue; seeing the sky and me and you.
You were casually unkind, looked away, didn't seem to mind, it started me crying, a bird just flew.
I've been dreaming, of where you come through and you notice, one and one make two.
The young girl you remember would see right through that blind you thought you drew,
I've been crying, my tears are not seen by you.
I've been looking at what those you can, do. Staring in disbelief and anger too.
Now I know that all I hold as true, is shared by less than a few, I've been crying, can't even rely on you.
6 Perfect woman
You ask me if I love you just as I’m walking out the door, talk for what seems like hours,
though my eyes are staring blindly down at the floor.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
You phone me from a friend’s house, I can hear the smile upon your face, call again, you're alone,
can’t you hear the way you talk to me, that’s a disgrace.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
You tell me to do things, you don’t trust my point of view, I decline, you don’t need to listen: I’m not right in the same way as you.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
I dream of leaving you to get to love’s pure simplicity. I see love revealed through you in all its glorious complexity.
Anyway we’ve got the one thing on which we agree: you are the perfect woman.
You were a lover, a mother, now I need a friend to hold open the door,
someone to do much more than those things that only you can do for sure.
Something’s not quite right, I’m fighting not to fight; this discontinuity ain’t what it ought to be.
I come home, through the door, I've got a smile just for you; you forget, each time we meet, our love can start anew.
Nothing’s won the fight, something somewhere’s right; this discontinuity’s got right through to me.
I dream of leaving you to get to love’s pure simplicity. I see love revealed through you in all its glorious complexity.
Anyway we’ve got the one thing on which we agree: you are the perfect woman…the perfect woman, for me.
7 Every day
We walked down the aisle today. Thank you for walking with me, I know what some say.
Oh, today’s been the day, I looked at you and I knew, I will want to walk you down the aisle every day;
you looked so wonderful today - I will want to walk you down the aisle every day.
Every day, every day, every day - Oh, I will wanna walk you down the aisle every day.
I will walk down our path every day. Most times I see you with me, I hope sometimes you’ll lead me astray.
Oh, today’s been the day, I looked at you and I knew, I will want to walk you down the aisle every day;
you looked so wonderful today - I will want to walk you down the aisle every day.
Every day, every day, every day - Oh, I will wanna walk you down the aisle every day.
Every day, every day, every day - you looked so wonderful today -
I will want to walk you down the aisle every day.
8 Without you
Without you, I'd be out of time. Would never have climbed so high, been those birds wheeling in the sky.
Without you, I'd be moving in mime, without you I'd have been here and there, now and then and missed the signs of the sublime.
Without you, I'd be in the wrong place. Got no mention in this dimension, kept myself locked in detention.
Without you, I'd be a rat in the race, without you I'd be left holding on to my only notion: to quicken the pace of the chase.
Without you, I'd have got it all wrong. Blind to the beginning at every ending, not taking love's sometimes demanding.
Without you, I'd never have got to this song, without you, there'd have been no eyes, shining back to show me it's not wrong to be so strong.
Without you, I'd never have heard my call. North, South, West & East, even where the butcher's a priest.
Without you, it'd be me against them all. Without you I'd have never had the courage to build up my beliefs and then let 'em all fall.
9 In my name
The world is turning, sky holds to the ground. People watch the TV, they once were glory bound.
Someone broke the links, we know they won't be found.
The world is coming, plane crash off the ground. People watch the TV, don't make their sound.
Someone put the news on, keeps us going round.
The world has changed and now war will resound. We hear it on the TV, it's so peace can abound.
Someone spun the words round, we know they could be found.
Not in my name, in my name. Not in my name, in my name.
You say it's a just war, I say it's just your game.
The world's the same you can buy it for a dollar or a pound. People watch the TV, they're on solid ground.
Someone made the guns and bombs, our heads all stay down.
Not in my name, in my name. Not in my name, in my name.
You say it's a just war, I say it's just your gain.
I saw you looking in the eye of another man. Don't know if I can take, I just don't know if I can.
Ah – it's your life you lead, I'll try to understand.
Put this in my name, in my name. Put this in my name, in my name:
I feel the fire of one soul, let's fan the flame;
I feel the fire of one soul, let's fan the flame.
10 Remember
Remember – when putting on your coat, the reasons for believing, you’ve learned them all by rote;
someone heard the last words you spoke, somebody heard the last words that you spoke.
Remember – as you finally open the door, the laws, the lawlessness, borrowing what is yours;
you’re giving to the rich, you’re one of the poor, you’re giving to the rich, yet you’re one of the poor.
Remember - at the threshold into the hall, breathe deep, the air’s local, that’s all;
everywhere you look, you’re facing a wall, everywhere you look, you’re faced with a wall.
Remember, remember, remember it all, remember, remember – don’t let it fall, too far, too fast.
The next move you make is your foot stepping onto the floor.
Remember, remember, remember it all, remember, remember, the next move you make is your foot stepping onto the floor.
Listen to what you hear, watch out for what you see. Searching for a saviour in the truth of our thoughts, my vote’s for you and me.
Remember – as you give them your name, your number, no-one can split the lightening from the thunder.
You don’t know who they are; your future’s torn asunder; you don’t know who they are, but they’re tearing us all asunder.
Remember – there’s something else at stake; you wake into a dream, repeat the same mistake.
Listen to the lies – they’re real, you buy them as fake, listen to the lies – they’re real, but you buy them as fake.
Remember, remember, remember it well, remember, remember, to kiss and tell, don’t sell, our soul -
only you know where you’ll put the next mark you make.
Remember, remember, remember it well, remember, remember, only you know where you’ll put the next mark you make.
Listen to what you hear, watch out for what you see. Searching for a saviour in the truth of our thoughts, my vote’s for you and me.
Remember – as the paper’s placed in your hand, your heroes, the villains, you knew where they took their stand;
you’ve been double crossed and its writ that you don’t understand, you’ve been double crossed and its writ that you won’t understand.
Remember, remember, remember it now, remember remember, you made a vow, you were in your prime.
The next thing you feel is your heart beating in time.
Remember, remember, remember it now, remember, remember, the next thing you feel is your heart still beating in time.
Listen to what you hear, watch out for what you see. Searching for a saviour in the truth of our thoughts, my vote’s for you and me.
Lyrics © 2009 Duncan McCanlis
from "About Bridges and Change, Take 2"
Available at: www.rockstone-recordings.co.uk
