lyrics

The Scarf

Troubled, troubled sleep, wake with heavy, heavy eyes

Dream after dream dye the dark waters, now streaks of light thread eastern skies

Here on the fringe of night and day, so many fears are woven in

To the strands of solid thought, finally consciousness wins

Peaceful morn mind at ease, walk to work through cool clean air

Each familiar tree and corner knit a warm and woolen layer

Yes peace of mind in certainty, guarantees of a safe passage

No crimson wool wound in the weave from birth to death, the sweet hereafter, 

Look at them now, colours are beautiful, so beautiful when you cease to fight

Put on she’s so unusual listen to all through the night

This is how it goes - you weave in you weave out you weave until the pattern shows

This is how it goes – you breath in you breath out you breath until the heartbeat slows

This is how it goes – colour enclosed a picture show

This is what I know – above all else protect the throat

I saw the boy on the stolen bike, he caught my eye then rode away

A hunger for trust hung in the air, no thousand words could convey

Last night I dreamed a yellow field, a man therein with arms wide open

A myriad cardinals circled round, suddenly were gone enter the raven

That dark bird lit on the man’s shoulder, whispered in his ear

A scrap of cloth took from his throat then arose and disappeared

Sing take this scarf and let it hang on an old familiar hook

Then walk away new wool in loom, move into an unwritten book

V (Charlie)

A ‘V’ in the water, a ‘V’ in the air

The cusp it narrows, the past it flares

You and your mason jar, her and her stick

Have settled in lakeside, trigger that figure this

Military helicopters, circle above

Train shoots the trestle, what’s not to love

Rain it whispers, to the generous lake

Take all the pain that falls; be good for goodness sake

And I trust, it’ll fire up this time Charlie

Magneto ‘ll deliver a spark a thrust

And with that, we’ll run on like old times Charlie

Kickin' at the darkness, grinning at the rust

In the ditch a trickling brook, threads the culverts and weeds

Rain drops and runs together, on down to the sea

While over on the east coast, cars they coast up hill

Is it an illusion or a triumph of the will

You climb up to the platform, along side the rails

A place to escape the thunder, a place to set sail

Either way the will boy, gets a thorough shaking out

Will you make for a haven or leave with little in doubt

And I trust, it’ll fire up this time Charlie

Magneto ‘ll deliver a spark a thrust

And with that, we’ll run on like old times Charlie

Kickin' at the darkness, grinning at the rust

You trudge back to the trailhead, she runs on alone

Barks at the sight of the truck, new sun glows orange

And I trust, it’ll fire up this time Charlie

Magneto ‘ll deliver a spark a thrust

And with that, we’ll run on like old times Charlie

Kickin' at the darkness, grinning at the rust

The Will

Burrowed deep in yellowed heirlooms

This retreat the contagion of our times

Comfort drawn from the familiar

Remains of our pioneers’  lives

Rocky set the cup down softly

Spoke to the window then the wall

I’ll have a wife before the winter

I’ll finish up this cabin by the fall

And so it was by the first snowfall

A fire in the stove and in his heart

Proved his vision sound and honest

Born of grace and work in equal parts 

While I’ll blanket you in goodness daughter

I’ll pray your soul will find

Iron in these hills to fashion

A will tempered over time

What of this child who lies beside me

She’ll be a woman 18 years from now

And as she leaves this valley one day

She’ll carry what I’ve given to the ground

That is if what I’ve given she finds useful

When the weather turns and if her spirit wanes

She’ll reach into the folds of memories quiver

For a weapon the wildness to tame

Aside the remote control on my own mantel

A tintype of Rocky and his wife

And slung there above though long gone idle

The adze that brought that cabin once to life