Heart Tundra

Keep Up Somehow (August 2, 2017)

You thought it would last, but you burned out.

But what was a part of the past is still with you now.

Sometimes you think back and laugh about what seems silly to you now.

You never knew life would go so fast. You’ve got to keep up somehow.

You had enough cash, so you headed south.

You called it a beach bash, but there were no friends around.

Before you crashed, we knew you were out,

So now welcome back. We’re so happy you’re around.

You thought it would last, but you burned out.

But what was a part of the past is still with you now.

Sometimes you think back and laugh about what seems silly to you now.

You never knew life would go so fast. You’ve got to keep up somehow.

Crap (February 1, 2018)

This is not my choice.

This is not my rap,

But I’ve still got voice,

And I don’t need this crap.

So I try to stay poised.

I won’t give in to the flap.

I’m tired of all those boys.

And I don’t need this crap.

I’m gonna’ make some noise.

Stomp my feet and clap.

I’m not your boy,

And I don’t need this crap.

So I’ll use my toy,

I’ll get up from my nap.

I’m not trying to be coy

Because I don’t need this crap.

You are you. Let me be me.

Dignify dignity,

humanity, integrity.

Try to defy ego and deceit.

Now I ‘m truth-employed.

I try to stay on its map,

But sometimes I’m annoyed

Because I don’t need this crap.

Don’t want to be a droid.

Don’t want to be on tap.

You’ve got to get off your ‘roid

Because I don’t need this crap.

I don’t need this crap.

Got to Give (September 7, 2018)

I’ve given all I’ve got to give

And now all I have left is the hope to live.

One more day through the dark,

But I won’t give up. The light’s not far.

It’s just around another bend

Or in the words from a friend.

It’s that spot deep in your soul,

The center of you. Don’t let go.

Because you’ve given all you’ve got to give

And now all you have left is the hope to live.

You can see the dusk. Get out of that car

Don’t give up. The light’s not far.

We’ve given all we’ve got to give

And now all we have left is the hope to live.

But we know the way. We’ll follow our star,

So please don’t stray. The light’s not far.

Strength (September 22, 2018)

You try to put us down, but you have no luck

Because the hot air you blow is just the sound you suck.

While you fill with corruption, lust, and greed,

We’ll continue our construction on being all we can be.

We’ve got hope, joy, and faith, courage and belief

With love and trust, and strength in you and me.

We’ve got hope, joy, and faith, courage and belief

With love and trust, and strength in you and me.

Go ahead toil and boil oil and gut your gluttony,

And spoil your last chance to spare your legacy.

While you cut-throat, doing dirty deeds,

We’ll sow our oats. We’re setting them free.

We’ve got hope, joy, and faith, courage and belief

With love and trust, and strength in you and me.

We’ve got hope, joy, and faith, courage and belief

With love and trust, and we’re setting them free.

And when we fall down, we’ll try to get up.

We’ve got scars in places you didn’t know you could get cut.

We don’t need a crown to codify our rut.

There’s so much beauty all around to fill our cups.

We’ve got hope, joy, and faith, courage and belief

With love and trust, and strength in you and me.

And all we create, and all we concede

Is the balance of the fate in the soul of you and me.

Land Sky Water

Want It All

Life is a ball

Big or small.

Write on the wall

Want it all.

Stand or stall.

Be cool on call.

Rise and fall.

Want it all.

So get some gall

And be enthralled.

Run down the hall.

Want it all.

Angel

I remember back when you were an angel.

I remember when you were so good.

And now you’re cavorting with the devil

Because you’re living Hollywood.

Yeah, and I remember that fateful morning

When you fell hard for the spell.

It washed over you with no warning,

So it’s just as well. Give ‘em hell.

Now I wonder where are you tonight?

Are you safe by a cathedral bell?

Or are you aflame in another fight,

So it’s just as well. You give ‘em hell.

And I remember back when you were an angel.

I remember when you were so good.

And now you’re cavorting with the devil,

Because you’re living Hollywood.

Singer and Dancer

If you feel crappy and you’re down in the groove,

I can make it snappy. I’ll help you through.

I’m a singer and dancer, happy or blue.

I’m a singer and dancer here for you.

So if you feel hungry and you’re thirsty, too,

If you’ve got dirty laundry and trouble times two,

I’m a singer and dancer, happy or blue.

I’m a singer and dancer here for you.

So if you need lovin,’ if you need to be soothed,

If you’re stuck in the mud, I’ll help you move.

I’m a singer and dancer, happy or blue.

I’m a singer and dancer here for you.

Fool

I am dumb, and I’m smart

‘Cause my heart and my mind

Will eternally duel and even if I try

to follow your rule,

I’m a fool.

Sometimes I’m a misfit.

Some call me a tool.

It’s like I’m pre-scripted

To not be cool

So I wait each and every day,

But no matter if I’m disciplined

And tough as a mule

I’ll make a slip again in the middle of the pool.

I’m a fool.

So I hope and I pray

That I might someday have the courage to not be afraid,

And get off the floor and find the jewel to unlock the door,

But I stay on my stool.

I’m a fool.

Sound Out Your Soul

You used to get high so high,

And now you get low solo.

You used to leap and fly the sky,

And now you like staying at home.

Now you often say good-bye.

You used to always say hello,

I know you’re realigning your life.

Just trying to sound out your soul.

‘Cause you used to keep your eyes on the prize,

And now you’re calm as you cope.

You used to rise to new heights,

And now you bask in dark alone.

You used to enlighten the night,

And now you just hold on to hope,

But I know you’re realigning your life.

Just trying to sound out your soul.

You used always fight and lie,

And now you’re wise and in control.

You used to like to gripe and cry,

And now you get out of that hole.

You used to think that might is right,

And now you know there’s more than one pole.

And so you’re realigning your life.

Just trying to sound out your soul.

Yeah, you’re realigning your life.

Just trying to sound out your soul.

Love One Another

All day long we make fun of one another.

I wish we could learn to love one another.

It’s like a nightmare. This is no dream.

Everywhere everyone is so mean.

Text, email, and/or social media post

From some avatar, some kind of pseudo ghost,

Spewed with so much hate, vitriol, and lies.

I long for the days when we looked in each other’s eyes.

Because all day long we make fun of one another.

I wish we could learn to love one another.

It’s like a nightmare. This is no dream.

Everywhere everyone is so mean.

I’ve got my friends. I’ve got my family,

But sometimes I can’t find the time for you and me.

How can I ever love anyone else

If I can’t even learn to love myself?

So I put it in a letter. Yeah, I wrote it all down.

How I can feel better. How to not wear a frown.

Because I want to live my life and I want to feel glad.

I don’t want to spread strife and make others feel bad

Because all day long we make fun of one another.

I wish we could learn to love one another.

It’s like a nightmare. This is no dream.

Everywhere everyone is so mean.

Blah Blah Blah

From dusk to dawn everyday

You always talk,

But I don’t care what you say

When you move your jaw.

You blah, blah, blah,

Blah, blah, blah.

Your mouth is always in play.

You’ve got a lot in your craw

Like the bloodhound that has its bay,

And the crow its caw.

You blah, blah, blah,

Blah, blah, blah.

You blah, blah, blah,

Blah, blah, blah.

Now I’m grown up and on my way,

But I’ve got more than one flaw.

Sometimes my ego is astray

Just like my ma and pa

I blah, blah, blah,

Blah, blah, blah.

I blah, blah, blah,

Blah, blah, blah.

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You won’t take what they spray.

You’re livin’ post-cable.

You’ll make mistakes. That’s okay.

You’ll brush them under the table.

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So you narrate what to say.

You create your fable.

You write the script. You press play.

You don’t need a label.

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Everywhere everyone

is so mean in the name of fun.

I wish we would stop and change our ways,

And remember love. Enlighten the day.

But we want money and we want fame.

To get ahead we curse anyone’s name.

But twenty-first century joy and pain

Won’t extinguish the heart of your flame.

So they can live by what they take.

You’ll give what you’re able.

They can slip and they can fake.

You’ll step true and stable.

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Roads Less Paved

We’ve been driving this highway all of our lives.

We’ve taken all of the byways on the side,

The boulevards, back alleyways,

The paths less traveled, the roads less paved.

And we’ll walk on the dirt, dig in the sand.

Feel the earth, sea, air, and land.

We’ll lead by love, heart, and soul.

We’ll hold onto hope. We won’t let go.

We’ve been driving this highway all of our lives.

We’ve taken all of the byways on the side,

The boulevards, back alleyways,

The paths less traveled, the roads less paved.

And late at night under the moon so cold

We huddle in wonder at the sky’s dome.

And in the day under the sun we roam.

We might seem lost, but we feel at home.

So we won’t stop. We come equipped.

We’ll keep going. No, we won’t quit,

And when we drop, we will rise.

Yes, on the horizon we’ll keep our eyes.

We’ve been driving this highway all of our lives.

We’ve taken all of the byways on the side,

The boulevards, back alleyways,

The paths less traveled, the roads less paved.

Yes, the boulevards, back alleyways,

The paths less traveled, the roads less paved.

In Search of a Soul

We’ve been at this for so many years.

We’ve so much practice accommodating fear

As we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

Yeah, we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

So the world keeps turning and we’re turning, too.

Each day we try to find some sense of true

As we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

Yeah, we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

So we’ll stay ready in our hearts and minds

While we leave our stitch in space and time

And we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

Yeah, we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

So I am you as you are me,

And we are all a wave on the sea

And we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

Yeah, we roll, roll on in search of a soul.

Be Now Later

Believe in Something

Even with a clipped wing

Or if it’s just another fling,

Somewhere out there’s a ping.

Believe in Something.

And if you don’t got that cling

And if you’ve given up on bling

Even the caged bird will sing.

Believe in Something.

Now you don’t need a king

Or a bell with a ring.

It don’t matter how you swing.

Believe in Something.

Validate Me

I want to start over, but don’t know how to begin.

I’m tired of living undercover defined by sins,

So I’ll call my mother, brother, sister, father or friend

And ask for some help around the bend.

You can love or hate me.

Just please validate me.

Hug or shove, but don’t forsake me.

Just please validate me.

One foot then the other walking step by step.

I know where I am, but I don’t know where I’m going yet.

I am a part of everyone whom I have ever met

And every interaction is a chance to reset.

You can love or hate me.

Just please validate me.

Hug or shove, but don’t forsake me.

Just please validate me.

Now I’m up. I’m down. I’m all around, but I try to steer.

And I always keep my heart full and my mind fairly clear.

Sometimes I need assistance if I’m not all there.

I don’t need any direction. I just need to know I’m here.

You can love or hate me.

Just please validate me.

Hug or shove, but don’t forsake me.

Just please validate me.

Broken Up Again

You started outside. You tried to get in.

You thought you’d break on through, but you’re broken up again.

Then you felt so down. You searched for a friend,

But everyone you found was broken up again.

So now politic religion cannot transcend.

You got to help yourself when you’re broken up again.

And all of your prayers and all of your sins

Will not balance your life if you’re broken up again.

Uh-huh, that’s right. Broken up again.

You know it. Broken up again.

Now you try and try, but you cannot comprehend.

Good times, bad times are a part of the blend,

But you won’t lie and won’t pretend

That your straight line is mostly broken up again.

Uh-huh, that’s right. Broken up again.

You know it. It could be you. Broken up again.

Rally

It’s late in the game. You’re tired and torn.

You’ve given all you can. Can you give more?

You’ve got the strength and you can get all growly.

You know how to win and you know how to tally.

So you rally, rally, rally, rally, rally some more.

You won’t stop until you even the score.

So you rally, rally, rally, rally, rally some more.

You’ve been rising since you were born.

So don’t give up. Don’t you quit.

Draw on your gut. Cut your grit.

Stick on your root or go back to Cali.

Whether you’re in a suit or at the back of the alley.

You rally, rally, rally, rally, rally some more.

You won’t stop until you even the score.

So you rally, rally, rally, rally, rally some more.

You’ve been rising since you were born.

Get up.

Now get down.

Now get it out

All around.

Yeah, so get up, get out. Get off the floor.

Believe in yourself. Rely on your core

And rip that band-aid from your owie

And be free and be brave and don’t dilly dally.

And rally, rally, rally, rally, rally some more.

Don’t you stop until you even the score.

So you rally, rally, rally, rally, rally some more.

Keep on rising. Every day you’re reborn.

Uh-huh,

That’s right.

You know you are

And you know you can.

Get Up Again

I’ve been battered and I’ve been bruised.

I’ve been hurt and I’ve been hit.

I’ve been tattered and I’ve been used,

But I won’t stop and I won’t quit.

Because I’ve got guts and I’ve got cool

And integrity I defend.

And when I fall down, I make it through.

I rise above the din because I get up again.

I get up again.

So go ahead and give me your best shot

And all your worth, your poison and your sin.

Because if I get popped, I’m ready for rebirth.

Failure I transcend because I get up again.

I get up again.

All your weapons and all your bombs

Can’t shake me. I know I belong.

And I’ll stay true to the tune of this song.

I’ll stand up when I’m wronged.

Now I’ve been at this for so many years

And I’ve been trying to get a little zen,

So I stay aware of my pain and fear.

I’m not broken, but I bend because I get up again.

I get up again.

First to Worst

It’s taken more than two thousand nineteen years

To get us to this place, but are we really here?

We are all children of the universe

And sometimes it’s a blessing. Sometimes it’s a curse

Going first to worst and worst to first

And first to worst again.

We go worst to first and first to worst.

How long until we reach the end?

So we try to move forward, but are we going back?

How can we know what is fiction and what is fact

Because when it feels good, sometimes it really hurts

With our heart on our sleeves we get stains on our shirts

Going first to worst and worst to first

And first to worst again.

And we go worst to first and first to worst.

How long until we begin again?

Give us, give us, give us, give us, give us, give us more.

We want it all. We’ll buy the whole store.

And lettuce let us, let us, let us fall on the floor

Because when we get up, we’ll be better than before.

So in another two thousand and nineteen years

If we all can get along, we might all still be here.

And until then let’s try not to be terse.

Let’s fill out our lives and write another verse.

Going worst to first and first to worst

And worst to first again.

We’ll go worst to first and first to worst.

How long until we all are zen?

Shining Still

I’ve got thunder in my heart.

I’ve got lightning in my soul.

It’s been here since the start.

It’ll be here when I go

And like the moonlight I’m going over the hill

And like the sunlight I’m shining still.

Yeah, but sometimes I stumble.

Sometimes I fall,

But it’s how you rise

And answer the call.

So like the moonlight I’m going over the hill

And like the sunlight I’m shining still.

So breathe you’re alive.

It’s so good to be here.

You will grow and thrive

Year after year

And like the moonlight you’re going over the hill

And like the sunlight you’re shining still.

Shining still

Fight

When we’re all alone in the middle of the night,

We stay strong when we’re uptight

And on the dawn we set our sight.

It won’t be long. We’ll draw on might

And fight, fight, fight.

Fight, fight, fight until we find some light.

So with our hearts and with our minds

Each day we chart brand new lives.

There’s no start nor end to the rhyme.

We know the part. We know the line.

We fight, fight, fight.

Fight, fight, fight until we find some light.

We’ve learned wrong from right

And we have the will to survive so we can make it through the night.

We sing this song each day and each night

And through the throng we will glide.

And as we walk, we’ll fall. We’ll rise.

It’s a marathon until we’re alight.

We fight, fight, fight.

Fight, fight, fight until we find some light.

Until we find some light we will fight.

Street Legal

Our headlights and taillights are all intact.

We’ve got a hood in the front and a trunk in the back.

You can eye us like an eagle.

We’re street legal.

There might be rust in our parts all around

With AM mono speaker sound.

Yeah, we’re far from regal.

We’re street legal.

And we want places that are off the map

Far from the shore and far from the flack,

But in everyone we meet there are traces of the past

And everywhere we go there’s always a way back.

So our doors still open and our doors close.

We can move fast or we can be slow.

We’re strong and feeble.

We’re street legal.

Yeah, we’re all riding that big highway of life

Sometimes thriving other times in strife.

We’re all of the people.

We’re street legal.

Yeah, we are all equal.

We’re street legal.

Old Time Man

I’m an old-time man. Please try to understand

This is who I am until the end.

I’m an old-time man and I will defend

How I walk, how I talk and begin again.

And I try to comprehend these new time ways

And this new kind of haze that seems to darken our days.

It guides who we will be. It’s in the air we breathe

So, everyone, please I just got to be me.

Because I’m an old-time man so please try to understand

This is who I am until the end.

I’m an old-time man and I will defend

How I live, how I give and begin again.

Now I won’t be loud in the crowd or drowned in the din.

I won’t shut you down. You can be my friend.

And I have no doubt I will transcend.

And when you count me out, I will rise again.

Cuz, I’m an old-time man so please try to understand

This is who I am until the end.

I’m an old-time man and I will defend

I will fight for my right and begin again.

I’m an old-time man.

Railroad Track

Got Low

We got hope and greed,

Happiness, and grief.

We got fast and sometimes slow,

But no matter how high, we all got low.

Yeah, we’ve got the mountain and sometimes the sea.

We jump in the fountain or sun on the beach.

We ride on the side or go with the flow,

But no matter how high, we all got low.

In the dark of the night when you think you’ve had enough,

Please hold on. Don’t give up.

And if you need a little fight and you’ve been cut,

Call. We’ll lend a light. We’ve got love.

We’ve got strength and belief,

Experience with teeth.

We’ve got failure and defeat in tow,

But no matter how high, we all got low.

No matter how high, we all got low.

Three Verse Song

Sing a three-verse song

When you feel blue,

When something is wrong

Or you feel like a fool.

Sing a three-verse song

When you want to smile

And it’s been so long

And laughing is your style.

Sing a three-verse song

When you’re all alone

And you’re too far gone

And you need a home.

Potential for Joy

I hope you can laugh

And I hope you can smile

When you feel like crap

And sadness cramps your style.

Yeah, and I hope you can sing

When you feel annoyed

Because every new day brings

The potential for joy.

I hope you can dance

And I hope you can groove

To the mystery of chance,

And the integrity of truth.

Yeah, I hope you can grow

And live without a decoy

Because in every heart and soul

There’s potential for joy.

Planting a Tree Today

I spent some time out in the sun

Getting old, feeling young.

I spent some time with the birds and bees

Learning about how to breathe.

I’m planting a tree today.

So I’m gonna dig a hole and get some seeds.

Well some water. Clear out the weeds.

And I’ll do a dance and hope for rain.

I believe I can grow through pain.

I’m planting a tree today.

So maybe it’s an apple, a plum or peach.

Maybe a pine that’ll be one thousand feet,

But no matter the kind, for tomorrow’s sake

Here is hoping we line love in our wake.

We’re planting a tree today.

Teeth

When you wish upon a star, you can be a bumper sticker on a car,

But I’m not driving for money nor fame. I want to feel joy and the depth of pain.

And I won’t hide what I believe. I want to live a life with some teeth.

I want to live a life with some teeth.

It ain’t easy being green when you mean what you say and say what you mean,

But every day is a fresh start because I’ve paved the way with mind and heart.

And I align with doing good deeds, but I want to live a life with some teeth.

I want to live a life with some teeth.

All my instincts and all my nerves

Programmed to act in the line of the curve.

I’m in sync with being happy and hurt.

I’ve been cracked, but I’m not scorched Earth.

So I’ll keep trucking space and time. I steer the wheels in between the lines.

I’ll be first and I’ll be last because the truth hurts, but it’s built to last,

And my soul will be unleashed because I want to live a life with some teeth.

I want to live a life with some teeth.

Center of Your Core

I’m driving to the center of your core tonight

By bus, by car or Econoline.

I’ll drive to the center of your core tonight

And I won’t stop until the morning light.

I’ve been battered and bruised and kicked around,

But I’ve used these blues and I’m still around.

So by highway, freeway or gravel on the ground.

I’ll cross county line or the edge of your town.

I’m driving to the center of your core tonight

By bus, by car or Econoline.

I’ll drive to the center of your core tonight

And I won’t stop until the morning light.

I’m running on empty and my tires are split,

But I’ve gone so many miles, I can’t quit.

Over mountains, through valleys, I’ve scarred grit.

And I’m ready for the fight. I’m fully equipped.

So I’m driving to the center of your core tonight

With the wind at my back and the moon at my side.

I’ll drive to the center of your core tonight

I just hope I can make it until the morning light.

I know I’m a misfit. I don’t fit one, tw o, three, four,

But you know I could care less. I can open up any door.

'Cause sometimes I feel fearless, but I still shake in the storm.

Mostly I am peerless. I’ve been alone since I was born,

But I sense a disturbance in the force.

From here the code was torn.

I feel it in my core.

I’ve been here before.

C'mon Up and See Me

You live on top of the mountain. You live all alone.

People risk their lives, love, family, and home

Just to climb your mountain. Repeat history.

They give in to temptation if they hear your plea.