Wanna Be Loved

I've been afraid, and I've been alone
Sometimes I need someone to pick up the phone
I'm tired of the leavin'
I need a home

I just wanna be loved
Can you tell me I'm worthy or important
Am I workin' hard enough?
I just wanna be loved

And I want someone to want me
I want somebody there
And I need someone to need me
I need someone who cares

-- Brandon Coleman (Red Clay Strays) 2024

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Stars shining bright above you

Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"

Birds singin' in the sycamore tree

Dream a little dream of me

Say "nighty-night" and kiss me

Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me

While I'm alone and blue as can be

Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading, but I linger on, dear

Still craving your kiss

I'm longing to linger 'til dawn, dear

Just saying this

Sweet dreams 'til sunbeams find you

Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you

But in your dreams, whatever they be

Dream a little dream of me

-- Gus Kahn (1931)

Ship of Fools

We're setting sail to the place on the map
from which no one has ever returned.
Drawn by the promise of the joker and the fool,
By the light of the crosses that burned.
Drawn by the promise of the women and the lace
and the gold and the cotton and pearls.
It's the place where they keep all the darkness you need.
You sail away from the light of the world on this trip.

You will pay tomorrow

Avarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea.
They will leave you drifting in the shallows
or drowning in the oceans of history.
Traveling the world, you're in search of no good.
But I'm sure you'll build your Sodom like you knew you would.
Using all the good people for your galley slaves
as your little boat struggles through the warning waves.
But you don't pay...

You will pay tomorrow

Save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this ship of fools

-- Karl Wallinger (World Party) 1986

Is It Like Today?

Many years ago, he looked out through a glassless window.
All that he could see was Babylon -- 
Beautiful green fields and dreams
and learned to measure the stars.
But there was a worry in his heart.  He said:
How could it come to this?
I'm really worried about living.
How could it come to this?
I really want to know about this.

Then there came a day -- moved out across the Mediterranean
came to rest on isles and the Greek young men.
And with their silver beards, they laughed
at the unknown of the universe.
They could just sit and guess God's name. But they said:
How could it come to this?
We're really worried about living.
How could it come to this?
Yeah, we really want to know about this.

Then there followed days of kings, empires, and revolution.
Blood just looks the same when you open the veins.
And sometimes it was faith, power, or reason as the cornerstone.
But the furrowed brow has never left his face. He said:
How could it come to this?
We're really living in a landslide.
How could it come to this?
Yeah, we really want to know about this.

Then there came a day... man packed up, flew off from the planet.
He went to the moon.
Now he's out in space, fixing all the problems.
He comes face to face with God.  He says:
How could it come to this?
I'm really worried about my creation.
How did it come to this?
You're really killing me, you know.

-- Karl Wallinger (World Party) 1993

Factotum

I'm no preacher, but I can tell you this -- the lives that people lead are driving them crazy, and their insanity comes out in the way they drive.

-- Charles Bukowski (1975)

After Forever

Have you ever thought about your soul - can it be saved?
Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave.
Is God just a thought within your head, or is he a part of you?
Is Christ just a name that you read in a book when you were in school?

When you think about death, do you lose your breath or do you keep your cool?
Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope - do you think he's a fool?
Well I have seen the truth; yes I've seen the light, and I've changed my ways.
And I'll be prepared when you're lonely and scared at the end of our days.

Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say if they knew you believe in God above?
They should realize before they criticize that God is the only way to love.

Is your mind so small that you have to fall in with the pack wherever they run?
Will you still sneer when death is near and say they may as well worship the sun?

I think it was true it was people like you that crucified Christ.
I think it is sad the opinion you had was the only one voiced.
Will you be so sure when your day is near - say you don't believe?
You had the chance but you turned it down; now you can't retrieve.

Perhaps you'll think before you say that God is dead and gone.
Open your eyes, just realize that he's the one.
The only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate.
Or will you still jeer at all you hear? Yes, I think it's too late.

-- Tony Iommi / Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) 1971

Again a Game... Again

Take my hand
Colors seem so black inside your head
Does everything reflect the time you spend?

So tired of thinking
You hide your face
Don't ask me to excuse

...

Save your words
They're never there for those who try
A stranger in a world, no longer mine

Sometimes I'm feeling used
I'll change my place
I'd sooner be excused

...

There are times, I confess, I'm not easy to accept
So come find, I'll react
I'm a reason to be there

I'm only laughing...

-- Mark Hollis (Talk Talk) 1984