Here's to the babies in a brand new world
Here's to the beauty of the stars
Here's to the travellers on the open road
Here's to the dreamers in the bars
Here's to the teachers in the crowded rooms
Here's to the workers in the fields
Here's to the preachers of the sacred words
Here's to the drivers at the wheel
Here's to you my little loves
With blessings from above
Now let the day begin
Here's to you my little loves
With blessings from above
Now let the day begin,let the day begin
Here's to the winners of the human race
Here's to the losers inthe game
Here's to the soldiers of the bitter war
Here's to the wall that bears their name
Here's to you my little loves
With blessings from above
Now let the day begin
Here's to you my little loves
With blessings from above
Now let the day begin,Let the day begin,Let the day start.
Here's to the doctors and their healing work
Here's to the loved ones in their care
Here's to the strangers on the street tonight
Here's to the lonely everywhere
Here's to the widom from the mouths of babes
Here's to the lions in the cage
Here's to the struggles of the silent poor
Here's to the closing of the age
Here's to you my little loves
With blessings from above
Now let the day begin
Here's to you my little loves
With blessings from above
Now let the day begin
Let the day begin
Let the day start
from Let The Day Begin
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
The Call: Into The Woods- THE LYRICS
Produced by Michael Been and The Call and Don Smith
all songs written by Michael Been and published by Neeg/Tarka Music
except:
copyright - 1989, all rights reserved
Engineered by Don Smith
Recorded at: A&M Studios, One on One, & Rumbo & Conway Studios
Scott Musick - drums, vocals
Tom Ferrier - guitar, vocals
Jim Goodwin - keyboards, vocals
Michael Been - bass, vocals, guitar
"In The River" - Michael Been & Scott Musick (Neeb/Tarka Music)
"The Woods" - Michael Deen & Jim Goodwin (Neeb/Tarka Music/Tileface
Music)
"Day Or Night" - Michael Been & Tom Ferrier (Neeb/Tarka Music)
I DON'T WANNA
I ain't here to hold you when you cry
I ain't here to hold your shaky hand
I ain't here to look you in the eye
Or beg for you to understand
I ain't gonna walk you thru your dreams
Walk you thru this life that we all know
I ain't here to listen while you speak
I ain't here to heal your broken soul
Am I here at all?
I ain't here to tell you what you need
I ain't gonna take a noble stand
I ain't here to look you in the eye
Or beg for you tjo understand
I can only tell you what I've seen
I can only tell you how it felt
While my heart was crushed to bad inside
Till I felt the hatred slowly melt
I don't wanna
I ain't gonna watch your every move
I ain't gonna dog your every step
I ain't here to shape your every mood
I ain't here to keep your secrets kept
Oh, but if I held you in my arms
If I could squeeze you till we cry
I don't wanna lose this love I feel
I don't wanna lose this fight tonite
I ain't gonna
I ain't here to hold you when you cry
I ain't here to hold your shaky hand
I ain't here to look you in the eye
I don't want you under my command
I can only hope you feel your tears
I can only wish you'd feel the hope
I can only hope that I can see
out beyond this skin that covers me
Oh, how I wish that you were here
If I could hold you in my arms
Oh, how I wish that you were mine
I don't wanna beg for you no more
I ain't gonna tell you how I feel
I ain't gonna tell you how I feel
I ain't gonna pray for you to love me
I just know it!
It Could Have Been Me
It could have been me
Living in that house
With all those rooms
With all that power
And powerful friends
It could have been me
It could have been me
It could have been me
Living on that street
Out in the cold
Nothing to eat
Dream of a home
Dream of a bride
A life alone
It could have been me
It could have been me
It could have been me
Lying in that jungle
Out in that heat
Fighting of my life
Dying for nothin'
Feeling a bullet enter my soul
It could have been me
It could have been me
It could have been me
Living in that prison
Locked in a cage
Damning the walls
Damn the division
Wondering why it had to be me
Well, it cold have been you
It could have been me
It could have been me
The Woods
I can see night in the day time
Into the woods I quietly go
It takes all the strength I have in me
These are the woods
The night of the soul
Painful to see
Love without action
Painful to see years of neglect
Achin' to see all that they see
Still telling lies to the remains of respect
Creatures we are worth defending
It takes the right word said from the heart
Given to you without ending
Given to you, the purpose of art
Thousands of plans, I've made many
I wonder just how many plans I have made
Feelin' this mood overtake me
Finally to see the truth as it fades
Out of these woods will you take me
Out of these woods, out of the strom
Sinless child can you save me
Guilty man, freedom is yours
In The River
When I was quite young
I had learned to fear
I was taought to listen
But not to hear
From my mother's arms
I was cruelly torn
And they whipped my ass
On the day I was born
Little brother died
At the age of five
They said, "He lost his soul, he was not
baptized"
But the river flows
And the heavens cry
And we'll all be drowned
In the river, In the river
In the river, In the river
I remember my sister
On her saddest day
When the boy she loved
Had been called away
Seems he gave his life
In a foreign land
Still my sister cries
She never understands
Now the world is hard
And the cowards lie
And the fool loves war
And the gentle die
But the river flows
And the heavens cry
And we'll all be drowned
In the river, In the river
In the river, In the river
Well, we built a dam
When the first rains fell
We built it high
And we built it well
But the waters rose
Like a beast from hell
Now my house is gone
And the town as well
So we gather here
For a silent prayer
For the lives we lost
And the love we shared
Still the river flows
And the heavens cry
And we'll all be found
In the river, In the river
In the river, In the river
Day or Night
Somewhere between pain and pleasure
The day goes by
Somewhere between word and action
The day goes by
You can try me without witness
You can tie me to the stake
I may burn, but I'll still be with you
Day or night, night or day
Don't you see you're the last to know
Your mind is dead, your heart won't grow
Nice and steady, then weeks behind
I've seen you there, I've seen you hide
I wanna know your mind's on me
Look at me now, face towards me
If you want me, you can find me
Day or night, night or day
The hours slipping slowly by
I look inside again
I see the emptiness exposing
All I have, all I am
I love the whispers in your eyes
I look to stay alive
Don't you want me, you can have me
Day or night, night or day
Somewhere between pain and pleasure
Somewhere between heel and toe
Someone walks the straight and narrow
Another lets the demons go
How can I lie here without feeling
You lift me up, you make me whole
I can trust you, will you look for me
Day or night, night or day
Too Many Tears
Now as you know
It's your time on this earth
From a rock in the cradle
To a ride in the hearse
We keep moving upward
Toward everything free
Kindly look downward
The more you'll see me
I've had six years of luck
I've had six on the line
And I've poured myself out
Like an old bitter wine
I've seen much of nothin'
And nothin's the gain
Thrown on my backside
I don't know my name
There's too many tears
Too many tears
Too many people
In too many years
Some tears of laughter
Some tears of pain
Break like a fever
And fall like the rain
Points on the map, tears line the way
I've seen all your pretty things
And it won't stop the pain
There's been much confusion
With too many hurt
I feel my words dyin'
Down in the dirt
I've had lies in my head
There been lies in my heart
I've been tortured by this riddle
And I don't know how to stop
With a lightning flash and thunder, boys
And my mind starts to click
So do what you must do
And you best do it quick
Doctor, Oh Doctor
My world's in you hands
I feel like I'm dyin'
And boy I need a plan
Sister, sweet sister
There's blood on my lips
Why does it feel like
This room's doing flips
The rains come on time
It's clear I can tell
I've seen your work everywhere
And there's mercy in hell
With a lightning flash and thunder, boys
And again it all comes down
Do you see your life merging
With these poor souls on the ground
Expecting
All at once it happens
You find yourself involved
No escape can hide you
Sleep provides no rest at all
Can't go on like this much longer
Meet me in this lonely place
Can't go on like this much longer
Lift the veil and let it fall
Caught beneath the surface
Worlds lie in between
You know the search will tae you
Out beyond the world of things
What am I to say here?
Words so often fail
How am I to wake you?
From your sleep and left the
veil from your eyes
Will I find love with you?
I expect love from you
Will I find love here with you?
All my expectations
Fall upon this frozen ground
Fall upon this holy ground
Did not mean to hurt you
It was envy I suppose
Once that passion takes you
It chills the body and the soul
What am I to do here?
Words so often fail
How am I to wake you?
From you sleep and lift the
veil from your eyes
Will I find love with you?
I expect love from you
Will I find love here with you?
Can't go on like this much longer
Meet me in this lonely place
Can't go on like this much longer
Lift the veil and let it fall
Telling every wish and secret
Saying every word out loud
Can't go on like this much longer
Cannot hide here in this crowd
Why you chose to bear this likeness
Live inside this skin and bone
Wrath becomes the loving kindness
Heals the body and the soul
Waking every sleeping passion
Every single thought restored
Can't go on like this much longer
Lift the veil and let it fall
Memory
In my memory
I can still see that face
In my memory
I can still hear the voice
I remember talkin' with you
The stories I could tell
In my memory, I remember you still
You gave the poet words to speak
you were the sun to warm my days
You put us in each others hands
You gave me love before I asked
In my memory
I can still see that face
In my memory
I can still hear the voice
I remember talkin' with you
The stories I could tell
In my memory, I remember you still
I feel my heart will surely break
I've taken all that I can take
You were the light for me to see
You were the sky that covered me
In my memory
I can still see that face
In my memory
I can still hear the voice
I remember talkin' with you
For hours by the well
In my memory, I remember you still
In my memory I can still see the eyes
In my memory
I can still feel your touch
I remember talkin' with you
The stories I could tell
In my memory, I remember you still
Walk Walk
Help me, Help me
Help me in this hour
Hold me, Hold me
Hold me in your power
Walk, walk, walk with me
And tell me everything you know
Walk, walk, walk with me
Tell me what I need to know
'Cause I'm standing by the ocean
Waiting for my ship to sail
Cool me, cool me
Cool me from the flames
Tell me, tell me
Tell me what's your name
Walk, walk, walk with me
Tell me everything you know
Walk, walk, walk with me
Tell me all I need to know
'Cause I'm standing at the station
Waitin' for the train to roll
Guide me, guide me
Guide me thu this maze
Lead me, lead me
Lead me thru the haze
Walk, walk, walk with me
Tell everything you know
Walk, walk, walk with me
Tell me all I need to know
'Cause I'm stranded on this island
Waitin' for my love to show
Hear me, hear me
Hear me in this hour
Help me, Help me
Help me climb your tower
Walk, walk, walk with me
And tell me everything you know
Walk, walk, walk with me
Tell me all I need to know
'Cause I'm standing at the crossroads
Waitin' for the guide to show
Let's walk ÉÉÉÉ
With or Without Reason
"the song seems to be about the inability of the intellect or
reasoning mind to understand certain basic truths about life" -
Michael Been
How you gonna tell your story
Are you gonna tell it rue
Either with or without reason
Love has paid the price for you
How you gonna cure this feeling
How you gonna right this wrong
Either with or without reason
The weaker do protect the strong
Listen in your hour of pain
Either in or out of season
The hunters still pursue the game
Oh, there's somebody waiting
Oh, there's somebody near
Oh, there's somebody waiting
Oh, there's somebody here
Now lately I've begun to wonder
Just who is talking when you speak
Either with or without reason
The stronger still pursue the weak
The wisest of the fools can tell you
Anything you want to hear
Either with or without reason
These are truths you hold so dear
Oh, there's somebody waiting
Oh, there's somebody near
Oh, there's somebody waiting
Oh, there's somebody here
I dedicate this inner chamber
I dedicate this harvest toil
Either with or without reason
The language of the heart takes hold
Now don't you see that love offends us
When it rises up against this waste
either with or without reason
Evidence of sin and grace
Oh, there's somebody waiting
Oh, there's somebody near
Oh, there's somebody waiting
Oh, there's somebody here
from Reconciled
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb Music / Tarka Music
Blood Red (America)
Did we ask for trouble
When we asked for breath
A silent witness put to the test
In a frozen moment
An offering made
Foreign rumors live to this day
Do you feel protected
Inside white walls
A world neglected heads for a fall
A fate suspended
Each day is a gift
A world offended - God, wha tis this
He says, "We'll walk in the front door
And proudly raise our heads"
I say man you must be joking
our hands are covered in blood red
You've got a way that's easy
The territory's marked
Hurl us backwards - back to the start
A cool deception
A gifted tongue
Nations falling down, down, down
He says, "We'll walk in the front door
And proudly raise our heads"
I say you must be foolin'
Our hands are covered in blood red
I see you standing
Beneath the tree
Your hands uplifted, on bended knee
In a fateful hour
You hear another voice
I must remember what was my choice
He says, "I am the one
The one for you."
A look in your eyes can tell me
what to do
I feel ecstatic
I feel tranformed
More than conquered down to the bone
He says, "We'll walk in right through heaven's door
And proudly raise our heads"
I say man you must be dreaming
Our hands are covered blood red
from Reconciled
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
I Still Believe (Great Design)
I been in a cave
For forty days
Only a spark
To light my way
I wanna give out
I wanna give in
This is our crime
This is our sin
But I still believe
I still believe
Through the pain
And the grief
Through the lies
Through the storms
Through the cries
And through the wars
Oh, I still believe
Flat on my back
Out a sea
Hopin' these waves
Don't cover me
I'm turned and tossed
Upon the waves
When the darkness comes
I feel the grave
But I still believe
I still believe
Through the cold
And the heat
Through the pain
And through the tears
Through the crowds
And through the cheers
Oh, I still believe
I'll march this road
I'll climb this hill
Down on my knees if I have to
I'll take my place
Up on this stage
I'll wait 'til the end of time
for you like everybody else
I'm out on my own
Walkin' the streets
Look at the faces
That I meet
I feel like I Like I want to go home
What do I feel
What do I know
But I still believe
I still believe
Through the shame
And through the grief
Through the heartache
Through the years
Through the waiting
Through the years
For people like us
In places like this
We need all the hope
That we can get
Oh, I still believe
from Reconciled
written by Michael Been and Jim Goodwin
published by Neeb / Tarka Music / Tileface Music
all rights reserved
The Morning
I am standing at the edge of my mind
If I look in, I might fall in - I sense danger
I'm divided, but I've decided it's my nature
But if I look back I might fall back to yesterday
He was weeping as the morning has just broken
He says, "I'm a young man. I got nothing to say.
I got reasons for my feeling so disheartened
I am shocking to myself everyday".
I am standing at the edge of my mind
I wanna run, I wanna shout, I wanna make thunder
Wanna know what kind of spell I've fallen under
Show me, show me
I wanna live, I wanna breath, I wanna love hard
Wanna give my life to you
Lose me in you
He was standing I this dark, dark corner
He says, "I'm a poor man. I got nothing to show."
He said, "Please, please remember me when you leave here,
Or I just might follow you home."
I am standing at the edge of my mind
from Reconciled
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
Even Now
Chased, chased
Out into the woods
Footsteps close behind my back
I never knew how close I stood
Shame has brought me to my knees
Love protects the heart
It is just as you please
Fights, fights
Up and down each shore
We may be outnumbered here
The lions start to roar
Cry, cry for all to hear
Cry, the world goes on
Would you lend me your ear for a moment
I still care even now
Chased, chased
By the angry mob
Trying to steal my heart from me
Steal from me my love for God
Watch as stars fall from the sky
Wait until the oceans dry up
But even then
I still feel loved
Even so, I feel cared for
Even now
So look in my eyes again
Do you recognize my face
One of despair again
Is it gone without a trace
I feel I'm alive again
Rescued from the void
Here I'm alone with you
Here I'm at home with you
Even now
Look, look
they're running close behind
Those you thought your enemies
Are friends now standing
by your side
Fight for every step you take
Shaped by every lie youÕve ever heard
Pain, pain
The pain I've been forced to see
Blame, the blame belongs
to no lone but me
But oh, I still care
Even so, I still feel loved
Even so, even here, even now
from Reconciled
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
OKLAHOMA
We were shaking in our beds that night
There were strangers in the streets that night
Preacher cried out hellÕs been raised
Another hot Oklahoma night
Another hot Oklahoma night
The kind of night where you just sit still
The kind of night where you just donÕt move
We were shaking in our beds that night
We were shaking in our boots that night
Tornado hit and the roof gave way
Tornado hit and all we could do was pray
How was I to know what I was to think
How was I to know what I was to feel
How am I to say what I canÕt feel
How an I to face what I cannot hide
We were looking in our hearts that day
There was movement in our hearts that day
They were talking but we could not hear
They were talking but we could not hear
Fever broke and the dead raised up
The ground broke open and the dead were raised
The kind of night where you just sit spooked
ItÕs a hard life, itÕs a hard life
We were looking in our hearts that day
We were hugging in our beds that night
Storm hit and the roof gave way
When a man cries it ainÕt easy
but he swore duty, body and soul
How was I to know what I was to think
How was I to know what I was to feel
How an I to say what I canÕt describe
How an I to face what I cannot hide
Momma said you know she ainÕt that strong
We were praying in our hearts that day
God, there was movement in our hearts
They were praying but I could not feel
They were praying but I couldnÕt feel
Another hot Oklahoma night
Another Oklahoma night
Fools part as the day breaks wide
HeavenÕs doors were opened wide
I quit, so I said give up
He said I canÕt stop the lights not gone
Once in a blue moon shown against that day
And my heart rips open and all I could do was pray
How was I to know what I was to think
How was I to know what I was to feel
How am I to say what I canÕt describe
How am I to face what I cannot hide
From Reconciled
Written by Michael Been
Used by permission
THE WALLS CAME DOWN
Well they blew the horns
And the walls came down
They'd all been warned
And the walls came down
They juststood there laughing
They're not laughing anymore
The walls came down
Sanctuary fades
congregation splits
Nightly military raids
The congregation splits
It's a song of assassins
Ringin' in your ears
We got terrorist thinking
Playing on fears
Well they blew the horns
And the walls came down
They'd all been warned
But the walls came down
I do't think there are any Russians
And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals
playin' with tanks
from Modern Romans
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
TURN A BLIND EYE
To the desperate young, turn a blind eye
To the old and lonely, turn a blind eye
To our inhumanity
To our death dealing vanity
To the methods of persuasion, turn a blind eye
To the masters of evasion, turn
To the science of control, turn a blind eye
To a world in chains, turn
To the sellers of illusion, turn a blind eye
To masters of confusion, turn a blind eye
To a hollow culture
To the circling vulture
To lovers of power, turn a blind eye
To the resurrection
To a world in chains, turn
I don't want to get involved
It's not my problem
I'll just ignore it
I don't want to feel this
To the starving children, turn a blind eye
To your own redemption, turn
To the horror of extinction
To a world in chains, turn
from Modern Romans
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
NOTIFIED
I was dead set against it
Ever going this far
IÕm not that ambitious
Going this far
But you heard my thoughts
You heard my saddest
words
I have been caught
I figured I never would,
never would
You have been told
You have been notified
You have been loved
You have been notified
Strength lies in weakness
When the heart volunteers
To drop all defenses
Am I making it clear
You heard my thoughts
You heard my saddest
words
I came apart
I thought I never would,
never would
You have been told
You have been notified
You have been loved
You have been notified
The branch that has
fallen
Wingless birds strike the
ground
Hear the desperate calling
With a deafening round
You heard my thoughts
You heard my saddest
words
I came apart
I figured I never would,
never could
You have been told
You have been notified
You have been loved
You have been notified
from Modern Romans
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb/Tarka Music
all rights reserved
DOUBT
You doubt if there's a heaven
You doubt if there's a hell
You doubt if you'll remember
All the stories they would tell
It's a terrible feeling
Living and dealing with doubt
You've doubted your existence
You doubt if there's a truth
Your plan starts to crumble
But you cannot stand to lose
You're back where you started from
covering yourself in doubt
You doubted your mother
And you doubted your dad
You doubted your sisters
And any brothers you had
It's a bad situation
Living and loving with doubt
Well, you doubted the beginning
And I'm sure you doubt the end
You doubted your teachers
You doubt all your friends
It's an overwhelming sensation
Confrontation with doubt
I don't know why I started
I don't know if I'll finish
I wonder why I try at all
Sometimes I wonder why I try at all
Doubt can make a strong man
Weaken under stress
And doubt can make a weak man
totally worthless
God, it's a pity
Doubt
You stage your finale
With meticulous care
your view is consistent
And then out of nowhere
Your vision is clouded
You face competition with doubt
from The Call
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
SCENE BEYOND DREAMS
So where to begin
Let's start with a child
And where will it end
Where the perfect guest meets his fate
In a scene beyond dreams
I stand where I stand
Convinced by the sight
We hold in our hands
Darkness and light
where they meet
In a scene beyond dreams
And a mother cries
And she cries
So we watch, And we wait
And we watch, And the hero dies
So where do we fit
Earthbound and chained
Can this be it
Visions of prophets and kings
From a scene beyond dreams
scattered and armed
Fuel to the fire
Compassion, alarm
Images fade into scenes beyond dreams
The awaited appears branded with lies
Calls to is own loved and despised
From a scene beyond dreams
And a mother cries, And she cries
And we watch, And we wait
And we watch, And the hero dies
from Scene Beyond Dreams
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved
TREMBLE
First born, grace begins
More bones, more skin
Veins surround me like a nest
Tie me in, first caress
Home
A womb to grow human in
A world to grow human in
Tremble
First breath, light surrounds
More sight, more sound
Immortal art, hands in wood
Freedom's form born to be rejected
Hopefully we labor on
Endlessly we labor on
Tremble
Last words, life begins
More bones, more skin
Grave clothes are cast away
Love returns faithfully
Home
We mock the world
'Cause we cannot see
We mock the world heartlessly
Cold
The last one to enter
Dearer than the first
the last one to enter
Tremble
Hopefully we labor on
Endlessly we labor on
Tremble
A world t grow human in
A womb to grow human
Tremble
from Scene beyond Dreams
written by Michael Been
Published by Neeb Music / Skyhill Music
HEAVY HAND
I feel the heavy hand of truth upon me
I feel the deadly sin of pride
It separates the highest form the lowly
It separates love from you and I
I hear the taunting voice of sure temptation
I hear the rantings of a child
An inner voice telling me I'm nothing
The voice is mine, subject to the lie
Heavy hand on heart
Healing words to impart
Heavy hand on my throat
This is no dream
This is no dream
I see the haunting glow of pure surrender
A shapeless light reveals the hidden vow
I can see the countless sons of thunder,
With their knowing eyes circling around me
I feel divisions in this crowd
Heavy hand on my heart
Healing word to impart
Heavy hand on my throat
This is no dream
This is no joke
from Scene Beyond Dreams
written by Michael Been
published by Neeb / Tarka Music
all rights reserved