1. |
I Know It's Good
03:15
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Your song that stops me cold
I know it's good
the soul you say you sold
I know It's good
I love to hear you yell
from the deepest pit of hell
the story that you tell
I know it's good
I know its good
The darkness in this room
I know it's good
the silence like a tomb
I know it's good
The demon in my dream
naked and extreme
when I wake up a scream
I know it's good
I know it's good
I know it's right
the scene that's set
I'll stay all night
without regret
and when the specter comes again
I'll try and treat it like a friend
and when the specter comes again
I'll try and treat it like a friend
The rush from down below
I know it's good
where it starts from I don't know
I know it's good
This love I never planned
as much as I can stand
so sweet it must be banned
I know it's good
I know it's good
I know it's right
the scene that's set
I'll stay all night
without regret
and when the specter comes again
I'll try and treat it like a friend
and when the specter comes again
I'll try and treat it like a friend
I know it's good
I know it's good
I know it's good
I know it's good
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2. |
Included
03:31
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At the literal crack of dawn
yes there's a crack that dawn slips through
squirrels were busy in the attic
squealing and scolding, the usual racket
scratching and skittering the way they do
I rolled over and I found you
breathing easily, making it clear to me
that I was included too
In an amphitheater of moms and dads
with the sky for a ceiling, so appealing
flannel shirts and denim skirts
concrete seats so sweet it hurts
the 5th grade choir cut all the way through
I leaned over and I found you
breathing easily, making it clear to me
that I was included too
Beneath three-quarters of the moon
with an outline of the missing piece
how'd it grow so full so soon
I watch you watch the light increase
Promenading with the privileged many
pretending it's Paris on a Sunday
we have our choice of Easter candy
soft and hard both come in handy
whichever way we happen to skew
I look over and I find you
breathing easily, making it clear to me
that I am included too
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3. |
Necessary Evil
04:16
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You gotta pay through the nose for garbage removal
it's a necessary evil
the project's on hold for outside approval
it's a necessary evil
the jingle in my pocket's gone
I'm not gonna put you on
we left the debris all over the lawn
it's a necessary evil
The neighbor's amassed a small arsenal
it's a necessary evil
he insists it's nothing personal
it's a necessary evil
the kid feels almost safe in school
metal detectors, police in the hall
make her a little uncomfortable
it's a necessary evil
It was different when you grew up
buy only in degree
werewolves and vampires in the movies
you couldn't wait to see
the shadow knows what evil lurks
it says so on TV
at first it seems so far away
then it all comes back to me
In the driveway there's a truckload of oil
it's a necessary evil
leftovers are rotting in aluminum foil
it's a necessary evil
my finger's so deep in the pie
it didn't help to stick it in my eye
from the inside we'll change things by and by
it's a necessary evil
It was different when you grew up
buy only in degree
werewolves and vampires in the movies
you couldn't wait to see
the shadow knows what evil lurks
it says so on TV
at first it seems so far away
then it all comes back to me
then it all comes back
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4. |
The Poets' Candidate
04:43
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If elected I'll take you poets seriously
I won't tolerate for long
those who disregard your song
which has fed my spirit for so long
for so long
The national foundation is a paltry thing
but we'll build a brand new poets' wing
where you'll be treated like a king
or like a queen if that's your thing
if that's your thing
Everyone will love you
for the national treasure that you are
You'll be able to afford a car
and when you walk into a bar
they'll mob you like a movie star
Need I remind you of this oppressive regime
the discrimination you've endured
for your dedication to word
and your tendency to wax absurd
to wax absurd
Oh but if I have a say in things
your sad and beautiful imaginings
will have a place on the capitol stairs
catching tourists unawares
and converting them in pairs
to your sad poetic ways
the proletariat will pass their days
admiring a turn of phrase
Oh yes you've finally found your champion
he is me and I am him
I won't betray you on a whim
If elected I'll be true
as my favorite poem by you
you'll know your words are getting through
And the streets and alleys will ring with couplets
your books will fill up shopping baskets
and you'll rest easy in your caskets
you'll rest easy in your caskets
If elected I'll take you poets seriously
I won't tolerate for long
those who disregard your song
which has fed my spirit for so long
for so long
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5. |
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There's always some shadow character
trying to tell me who I am
one moment I'm a predator
then I'm a sacrificial lamb
I'm not wrong about this
it's plainer than the sun
we tap the abyss
then we let it run
tap the abyss and let it run
If there's a hand to deal, deal it
if there's a deal to seal, seal it
if there's a layer to peel, go ahead and peel it
and if there's pain to feel, feel it
Life returns to semi normal
it's never more normal than that
write your dreams in your journal
and keep 'em under your hat
if it's not as effortless as you wish
you'll have to make an effort, son
empty your glass and clean your dish
it's the same for anyone
If there's a hand to deal, deal it
if there's a deal to seal, seal it
if there's a layer to peel, go ahead and peel it
and if there's pain to feel, feel it
How do you learn to relax
trust yourself to see the facts
you're too easily discouraged, love
it's true below and up above
you're on your way so
it's alright to say so
If there's a hand to deal, deal it
if there's a deal to seal, seal it
if there's a layer to peel, go ahead and peel it
and if there's this to feel, feel it
There's always some shadow character
trying to tell you who you are
who'll talk you into a corner
won't let you venture far
I'm not wrong about this
it's plainer than the sun
we tap the abyss
then we let it run
tap the abyss and let it run
tap the abyss and let it run
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6. |
Totally Random Person
04:28
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A totally random person
walked into the club today
we waited with impatience
for what he had to say
he spoke in words that we could see
were designed to shock
the bouncer took him by the collar
and sent him stumbling down the block
A totally random person
with no place of his own to go
is there somewhere he's meant to be
not as far as I know
A totally random person
appeared at closing time
wanted a six-pack of Corona
a little slice of lime
I showed her quickly to the door
which I prepared to lock
she stayed for 20 minutes more
she wanted just to talk
A totally random person
with no place of her own to go
is there somewhere she's meant to be
not as far as I know
I showed up at the celebration
thinking I would know somebody
I left before the band came on
with my nose all bloody
there's no way to respond
when you're a total nobody
there's no way to respond
Totally random people
filling up the city square
as you and I go about our day
as if we didn't know or care
I'm afraid they'll get in trouble
I'm afraid they'll push too far
nobody knows what they're up to
nobody knows who they are
Totally random people
with no place of their own to go
is there somewhere they're meant to be
not as far as I know
not as far as I know
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7. |
Choir Boy
04:02
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Choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is satisfied
choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is free
and in the morning when you rise again
sing your song for me
Who's listening, who's listening
only you, only me
the angels in the atmosphere
as far as the eye can see
little bird, little bird
as it flew along it shed a tear
your song, it isn't hard to hear
all the angels agree
Choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is satisfied
choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is free
and in the morning when you rise again
sing your song for me
You're allowed, you're allowed
float along on a melody
you're allowed, you're allowed
float along on the sea
rise and fall, rise and fall
on the sea and on a melody
as light as we can be
as we can be
Choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is satisfied
choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is free
and in the morning when you rise again
sing your song for me
Take us home, take us home
I know you know the way
time for you, time for me
you and me, to have a say
we were sad, we were sad
now it's a better day
there's a song to take the pain away
take the pain away
Choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is satisfied
choir boy, choir boy
sing until your soul is free
and in the morning when you rise again
sing your song for me
Choir boy, choir boy
sing your song for me
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8. |
Private Explosions
03:32
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Private explosions, who knows where or where
you and your loved one give each other a scare
when the love and the anger are too much to bear
private explosions, filling the air
Nursing unacted desires
fanning your favorite fires
in the midst of your wild rumpus
there appears a moral compass
anger truly inspires
sends a shock along the wires
when the scream comes from your spirit
your flesh and bones are sure to hear it
Private explosions, who knows when or where
you and your loved one whenever you dare
see through the flash, see through the glare
private explosions, filling the air
Temperance has its place
in the quiet look on your face
can you see things just as clear
when the wild things are here
Private explosions, who knows when or where
you and your loved one give each other a scare
there's more than one way to show that you care
private explosions filling the air
Love is as love does
and love's all the rage
a private explosion and
we're out of the cage
Private explosions, who knows when or where
you and your loved one, whenever you dare
see through the flash, see through the glare
private explosions, filling the air
On the whole, on the whole
we're out of control
by the sea, by the sea
the beautiful sea
a private explosion
between you and me
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9. |
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I'm used to not hearing from a lot of people
but I'm not used to not hearing from you
I'm not so far across the table
is this the best that we can do
Please don't pretend that I'm not here
please don't pretend my dear
you know I need you very near
you know I need you very near
I'm like a tree alive in your backyard
life is good but today is hard
I won't say the fall is unforgiving
but I'm partly dying, partly living
Please don't pretend that I'm not here
please don't pretend my dear
you know I need you very near
you know I need you very near
The weather's strange as it can be
I know you change so change with me
the thought of settling down is soothing
but to settle right, we keep on moving
I'm used to not hearing from a lot of people
but I'm not used to not hearing from you
you can talk about your trouble
I'll still be with you when you're through, but
Please don't pretend that I'm not here
please don't pretend my dear
you know I need you very near
you know I need you very near
you know I need you
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10. |
||||
You gotta be gentle from the inside out
from the inside out, from the inside out
you can rock and roll and twist and shout
you can show us all what it's all about
but you gotta be gentle from the inside out
from the inside out, from the inside out
You gotta be gentle from the outside in
from the outside in, from the outside in
nobody knows what today will bring
what's gonna shut you up, or make you sing
but you gotta be gentle from the outside in
from the outside in, from the outside in
When you see a yield sign, yield the way
you're nothing in the world today
the sky is blue, your eyes are gray
the weather's gonna have its say
You gotta be gentle, through and through
through and through, through and through
with everything you think and say and do
the world needs gentlemen like you
to get to where you're going to
where you're going to, where you're going to
Falling backwards is not a crime
prize fighters do it all the time
the ones who learn to gently land
finally start to understand
You gotta be gentle from the inside out
from the inside out, from the inside out
you can rock and roll and twist and shout
you can show us all what it's all about
buy you gotta be gentle from the inside out
from the inside out, from the inside out
Emergency pleasure wound
to something sweet you are attuned
walk right through the gates of horror
is it joy that's now in store
You gotta be gentle, through and through
through and through, through and through
with everything you think and say and do
the world needs gentle folks like you
to get to where you're going to
where you're going to, where you're going to
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11. |
Screaming Holy Holy
03:35
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Don't even try to think yourself out of it
just let it hurt
you can run around screaming holy holy
and get back home still feeling like dirt
It's human nature, some human says
to bang your head against the wall
is that what it takes, sweet Jesus
to feel human at all
to feel human at all
Don't even try to think yourself out of it
just let it hurt
you can run around screaming holy holy
and get back home still feeling like dirt
Your social circle's imploding now
sinking back into the earth
so you can see the folly of how
you measured your own worth
you measured your own worth
Don't even try to think yourself out of it
you're in it till it's down
at least you've found a explanation
why you're not having fun
Still it makes you shiver
in this life this is the common lot
your job is to deliver
whether you get paid or not
Way up on the diving board
the facts are fairly stark
without a shield, without a sword
you dive into the dark
you dive into the dark
Don't even try to think yourself out of it
there's no way out from under the sun
just run around screaming holy holy
till the day is done
Don't even try to think yourself out of it
there's no way out from under the sun
just run around screaming holy holy
till the day is done
till the day is done
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12. |
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A parade of sugary goodness
passed through my little town
though the window I was witness
to the sweetest sight and sound
There were people dressed in costumes
and people in their regular clothes
I saw that you had left your rooms
and walked the way the river flows
The sidewalk was cinnamon-coated
it was sticky but still pleasin'
with sap the buckets overloaded
for it was maple syrup season
A parade of sugary goodness
passed through my little town
though the window I was witness
to the sweetest sight and sound
The hint of spring was like a secret
nobody cared to keep
I felt the dollar in my pocket
my only choice was something cheap
I made my way to an ice cream cart
and asked for a scoop in a bowl
you offered to pay for half my part
and together we ate it whole
At the parade of sugary goodness
everything slowly came true
we understood the parade was us
and I walked along with you
We understood the parade was us
and I walked along with you
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13. |
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I've got something to do for the rest of my life
turning everything into love
I won't torture myself, my kids or my wife
I'm turning everything into love
nobody knows me like you do
nobody sees me clear through
nobody's better than you
at turning the same old me
into something new
I've got something to do till the end of my days
turning everything into love
forever we will be counting the ways
of turning everything into love
There's no magic sword stuck in a stone
if we're lucky the world will leave us alone
take your fingers off the phone
we're blissfully, blissfully on our own
We've got something to do in the next ten minutes
turning everything into love
we'll start up again as soon as we're finished
turning everything into love
Whoever comes through here
all soaked in fear
We'll treat her as our near and dear
She'll come to know her very nature
She'll see herself a perfect creature
Somebody pinch me but not too hard
somebody turn over another card
and tell me how it has to be
somebody listen this time to me
I've got something to do as I live and breathe
I'm turning everything into love
it'll keep on turning after I leave
turning everything into love
We've got something to do till the end of our days
forever we will be counting the ways
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14. |
All of My Debts
05:14
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May all of my debts die with me
may my debtors all have mercy
on what's left of my poor family
I should always have a pencil with me
I never get around to writing my will
and you never know when the end will be
May all of my debts die with me
don't wanna burden my baby
she deserves her share of the gravy
I should always have a pencil with me
I'm writing my will from now till next Tuesday
everything I think and do and say
I'll thank my so-called secretary
who works for free to write it all down
so I don't have to trust my memory
My attempts to live responsibly
may not be chosen as an example
of what works for everybody
In my wake the waves will churn
with all that I have left to learn
will I know better when I return
I should always have a pencil with me
I'm writing my will from now till next Tuesday
everything I think and do and say
I'll thank my so-called secretary
who works for free to write it all down
so I don't have to trust my memory
My attempts to live responsibly
may not be chosen as an example
of what works for everybody
My will and testament won't be through
until there's nothing left to say or do
anyway I'm leaving it all to you
I'm leaving it all to you
May all of my debts die with me
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15. |
Over My Dead Body
03:30
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Over my dead body
Over my dead body
Enjoy yourself a cup of tea
balance a biscuit on my knee
what a privileged place for you to be
Over my dead body
Over my dead body
My apartment's only two doors down
you can ring my wife she'll come around
to the situation that you've found
Over my dead body
Over my dead body
There's a birthday candle lit
in a cupcake on the window sill
a notebook you're reading bit by bit
that puzzles you and shocks you still
it seems I either had a fit
or I just had my fill
my secret's safe with it
do whatever you will
Over my dead body
Over my dead body
The phone is right there in the hall
still you've yet to make the call
it's your prerogative to stall
Over my dead body
Over my dead body
The note was serious as can be
it didn't sound that much like me
on that at least we can agree
Over my dead body
Over my dead body
There's a glowing little lamp
shining on a book that's open to a page
mysteriously damp
its corners brown with age
instead of reading what's underlined
you dial 9-1-1
the secret that was yours and mine
now belongs to everyone
Over my dead body
Over my dead body
Is that my spirit or just a little steam
hanging there like someone else's dream
ask the other members of the team
Over my dead body
Over my dead body
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Mark Donato West Shokan, New York
Mark Donato lives near Woodstock, NY, famous for being the place where the 1969 Woodstock Festival didn't happen. He's made 6 full-length records and has played with John Linnell of They Might Be Giants, Flat Old World, The Oswalds, Rosine, and Amy Allison. He has lots and lots of songs, and brilliant musical friends who dress them up in ways that will charm and startle you. ... more
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