1. |
Batten Down the Hatches
03:06
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Batten Down the Hatches
Written by Chris Pierce
Another day, another year
We keep the faith, we chase the fear
Can’t run, walk, crawl, or dream it away
All the worship, all the war
Been up and down this road before
Pick up the pieces of this house we all made.
We’re tearin’ down the sails, stranded in the water
On this sea with no sight of the shore
Gon’ need more than a prayer, tryin ’a batten down the hatches.
Ain’t no hatches to batten no more.
Another dollar another sign
Mother nature knows we lyin’
No way out of this kettle of fish.
What is sacred anyway
When you can swipe it all away
And a perfect picture is your’ dying wish
We’re tearin’ down the sails, stranded in the water
On this sea with no sight of the shore
Gon’ need more than a prayer, tryin ’a batten down the hatches.
Ain’t no hatches to batten no more.
It’s never been great,
So stop fooling yourself
While you’re at it, start making it better.
Don’t know where to start
Don’t know what to do
Just sit down and start writing a letter.
Address it to all the people
Who are different than you.
Different colors, different journeys, different choices.
Say that you’re willing right now
To go ‘head and take a leap
And stop your tryin’ to make us voiceless.
We’re tearin’ down the sails, stranded in the water
On this sea with no sight of the shore
Gon’ need more than a prayer, tryin ’a batten down the hatches.
Ain’t no hatches to batten no more.
When will we learn?
That peace in our hearts
Can’t be purchased or bartered or sold.
What’s it gonna take
On this mountain of mistakes
To rise together and break down the mold.
We’re tearin’ down the sails, stranded in the water
On this sea with no sight of the shore
Gon’ need more than a prayer, tryin ’a batten down the hatches.
Ain’t no hatches to batten no more.
Gon’ need more than a prayer, tryin ’a batten down the hatches.
Ain’t no hatches to batten no more.
Ain’t no hatches to batten no more!
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2. |
45 Jukebox
03:22
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CHRIS PIERCE
45 Jukebox
Written by Chris Pierce & Sam Hollander
Writin’ in the base of the well.
Fingers gettin’ ready to climb.
Gonna put that pencil to paper.
Layin all the truth on the line.
Lyrics in the dead of the darkness.
Spinnin for a twist of the light.
Gon’ try try, free my mind.
Flowin’ like smoke so high.
Yeah the words gonna fly.
Spirit like a 45 Jukebox.
Waitin’ on the drop of a dime.
Records are my road to freedom.
Been waitin’ this whole damn life for my song to arrive.
Been chasin’ ghosts in Memphis.
Feel’um stackin’ like a church full of hymns.
Gettin with the blues and the blessing.
Leave my essence at the edge of the bridge.
Lyrics in the dead of the darkness.
Searching’ for a twist of the light.
Every note flow, like a river made of gold
Skippin’ on the water like a stone.
Yeah the beat gonna ride.
Spirit like a 45 Jukebox.
Waitin’ on the drop of a dime.
Records are my road to freedom.
Been waitin’ this whole damn life for my song to arrive.
Like a 45 Jukebox. (Repeats)
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3. |
Overdue
04:29
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Overdue
Written by Chris Pierce & Sam Hollander
When we gonna finally un-divide?
Shadows marchin’ on the street tonight.
Lift your voice and shout it out.
They only gonna hear us when we loud.
Something’s got to give - can’t take more.
400 years of we’ve been here before.
Check your clock - hold the line.
Push on through til we see the light.
Overdue. Step by step there’s nothin’ left left to lose. We overdue.
Overdue. Ain’t gonna hold us back, we on the move. We overdue.
They fool you once they fool you twice again.
The truth that lies, man you know how it ends.
One foot out and one foot in.
The bridge is over. Time to sink or swim.
Overdue. Step by step there’s nothin’ left left to lose. We overdue.
Overdue. Ain’t gonna hold us back, we on the move. We overdue.
Sing it loud - to your children - what ya gonna do?
AlI the pain that you’re feeling, I’m feelin’ too
When we gonna finally see the light?
Shadows marchin’ on the street tonight.
Lift your voice and shout it out.
They only gonna hear us when we loud.
Overdue. Step by step there’s nothin’ left left to lose. We Overdue.
Overdue. Ain’t gonna hold us back, we on the move. We overdue.
Overdue. Step by step there’s nothin’ left left to lose. It’s overdue.
Overdue. Ain’t gonna hold us back - we on the move. We overdue
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4. |
Meet Me at the Bottom
03:03
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Meet Me at the Bottom
Written by Chris Pierce & Sam Hollander
Walked through hell in a raincoat.
Seen too many storms.
Everyday it rains on me.
Can’t take anymore.
And I know you been struggling'.
Like I been struggling’ too.
You can meet me.
Meet me at the bottom.
We born into bad luck.
No angels around.
But we can build it together.
Up the hill higher ground.
If a change is really comin'.
It’s gonna take me and you.
You can meet me.
Meet me at the bottom.
And we’re gonna rise.
High as the sky
Yeah we’re gonna rise.
High as the sky.
We’ll never know, what we’ll find.
Hold the rope, as we climb.
Just believe me.
You can meet me, at the bottom.
And I know you’ve been struggling,
like I've been struggling too.
Just believe me.
You can meet me,
At the bottom.
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5. |
Tulsa Town
05:11
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Tulsa Town
Written by Chris Pierce & Mark Malone
They came from just a mile away,
From just across the town today,
And look at what they’ve got to say,
Here in Tulsa Town.
Well, they’re burning down the mercantile
Houses falling in a pile
I guess I’ll just watch a while,
Here in Tulsa town.
Well, Tulsa town is burnin’ down,
Ashes falling on the ground.
If you build it up, they’ll break it down.
Here in Tulsa Town.
Yesterday we’d both agree
“What’s this got to do with me?”
If they’d just, sweet lord, let me be
Here in Tulsa Town.
But they never listened to my plea
And tied me to this hanging tree
But that’s the way it goes you see
When they’re burning Tulsa DOWN
Well, Tulsa town is burnin’ down,
Ashes falling on the ground.
If you build it up, they’ll break it down.
Here in Tulsa Town.
What the hell’d I do to you?
That made you do the things you do?
What question’s this the answer to?
Here in Tulsa town.
And what a view I have today,
Watching as the willows sway,
Cinders falling black and grey
Here in Tulsa Town.
Well, Tulsa town is burnin’ down,
Ashes falling on the ground.
If you build it up, they’ll break it down.
Here in Tulsa Town.
Now the story’s going round
That I brought these men to Tulsa Town
That I caused all this burning down
Here in Tulsa Town.
But not a word of that is true
But what am I supposed to do
Hanging from this point of view?
Here in Tulsa Town.
Well, Tulsa town is burnin’ down,
Ashes falling on the ground.
If you build it up, they’ll break it down.
Here in Tulsa Town.
But the fire grew wider than they meant it to
And burned their houses through and through
That’s what fires will tend to do.
Here in Tulsa Town.
And all the ashes look the same.
Falling through the smoke and rain…
Swirling down the city drain…
Here in Tulsa Town.
Well, Tulsa town is burnin’ down,
Ashes falling on the ground.
If you build it up, they’ll break it down.
Here in Tulsa Town!
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6. |
Mr. McMartin
03:59
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Mr. Mc.Martin
Written by Chris Pierce & Mark Malone
Mr. McMartin climbs from his bed.
A sleepy yawn, has coffee at dawn.
Looks from his window, as minutes pass,
at smoking streets and broken glass.
Now, down below, he lifts his broom,
- and starts his hours to sweep,
The ashes and the trashy heap,
from all the noise - the night before.
Forty years of sweeping up,
and all the dust is all the same.
Just another coffee cup,
full of fury, full of shame.
A marching band, a party nation.
Other days a demonstration.
It really, really doesn’t matter
,
the same old broom will sweep up after.
Miles of sidewalk, day on day.
He wonders of another way.
But human hearts are slow to change,
the things that rages rearrange...
Forty years of sweeping up,
and all the dust is all the same.
Just another coffee cup,
full of fury, full of shame.
Now old McMartin, climbs his stair,
and sits in his upholstered chair
In his room atop the house,
tame as any weary mouse.
Tomorrow another day will come.
Another fife, another drum.
And Old McMartin with his broom,
sweeping ‘til he’s in his tomb.
Forty years of sweeping up,
and all the dust is all the same.
Just another coffee cup,
full of fury, full of shame.
And when the Lord calls out, “Arise my friend!”
His sweeping days, they still won’t end.
The streets of gold are littered there,
with broken promise, broken prayer.
And all across the golden air
Another angel’s trumpet blare.
And all across the golden air
Another angel’s trumpet blare.
Forty years of sweeping up,
and all the dust is all the same.
Just another coffee cup,
full of fury, full of shame.
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7. |
American Silence
03:15
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American Silence
Written by Chris Pierce
Will you rise up when your comfort is in jeopardy?
Will you resist justifying the complexities?
Is simplicity convenient in your quest to pacify?
When you look in the mirror, can you see your own disguise?
Can we sing a song for you?
Will music move your heart and mind?
Will our song arrest you?
American silence is a crime.
We see music move you as you lay your burden down..
We feel music grip you, as your heart is soaked in sound.
When the song is over, if you decide to clap aloud;
Will your applause mean anything with stitches on your mouth?
Can we sing a song for you?
Will music move your heart and mind?
Will our song arrest you?
American silence is a crime.
We sing for the freedom, and we fight for all it's worth.
We sing for humanity so we all can walk the earth.
We sing with honor to live to sing another song.
We sing through the pain - and we’ll keep on marching on!
Can we sing a song for you?
Will music move your heart and mind?
Will our song arrest you?
American silence,
American silence,
American silence is a crime.
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8. |
Sidney Poitier
05:09
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Sidney Poitier
Written by Chris Pierce & Mark Malone
He went on a winter’s day, As the rolling surf went rolling through
By the pier at Malibu its customary way.
The highway roar, such a pity, barely waned as rainclouds grew,
like a memory of something true, over the desert city.
In hills above the office towers, coyotes hunt through prickly pear.
A distant bell tolled out the hours. As vultures tilt in brilliant air.
By the tracks, by derricks swinging, and sagging tents, and old men singing
They never stopped to hear the ringing. Or the news that it was bringing.
When the word was finally whispered… It struck me like a punch
The nurse in the doorway, Saw he hadn’t eaten lunch…
When his body finally said, “That’s enough. I will relent.”
And all across the city, We are left, less elegant.
They told me Sidney Poitier, with all that brilliance, all that nerve
Has he up and gone away? With all that willingness to serve.
On tennis courts, in restaurants
The jostle of the living
Will not alter, will not rest.
But if we do more than just exist,
In the city of forgetting,
a few will pause amid their setting
And think, what has gone?
Sidney, Los Angeles will miss you
Though it no longer remembers why.
But that’s okay, that’s okay…
You would say beauty is not beauty
If it makes a demand of love.
Your grace was just an invitation
To brace and stir a broken nation.
So, desert mountain, take this guest
Where Portier is laid to rest.
He lies beside our house and hill
Make of that, just what you will.
In the midnight of the desert dark
As all the dogs of Belair bark,
Do not grieve the absent sun,
Just set to work, as work is done.
I walk a trail above the city. As all the L.A. lights go dim.
Are the mountains here more handsome now, for partly being made of him?
Oh, maybe I’ll add a bit, to the way I live today
And for an hour be a little more, like Sidney Portier.
They get to stick around you see. If people just like you and me
Could ever just for once agree. Think of all the souls we’d free.
And on his stone I’d carve these words
For everyone to see:
Justice marchers learn your way. And sing a song that’s true
Stand up for a while today, And do as heroes do.
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9. |
Time Bomb
03:40
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Time Bomb
Written by Chris Pierce & Sunny War
Don’t wanna play just want the end game.
Don’t want the journey just want all the glory.
Keep only speaking from the left brain.
Keep only breathing cause its mandatory.
You operate like you don’t feel pain.
Please listen carefully do not ignore me.
The life you're living is a time bomb.
The life you’re living is a time bomb.
The life you're living is a time bomb.
Don’t waste a second you can’t spare a minute.
Go head and kill whatever feels wrong.
Re-write the story till you’re happy in it.
You can give in to your temptations.
It won’t offend no one who truly loves you.
Let that left brain take a vacation.
Your inner child's gotta get some sun too.
No need for guilt or hesitation.
Baby go deaf but hear me when I tell you.
The life you’re living is a time bomb.
The life you’re living is a time bomb.
The life you’re living is a time bomb.
Don’t waste a second you can’t spare a minute.
Go head and kill whatever feels wrong.
Re-write the story till you’re happy in it.
The life you’re living is a time bomb.
Don’t waste a second you can’t spare a minute.
Go head and kill whatever feels wrong.
Re-write the story till you’re happy in it.
The life you’re living is a time bomb.
Sink or swim but don’t keep holding your breath.
Have your cake and eat til it’s gone.
Say, say la vie and leave no regrets.
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10. |
Home
02:43
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Home
Written by Chris Pierce & Kaveh Rastegar
Hey now Brother what’s troubling you?
I hear you running day and night, don’t know what to do.
Keep sayin’ your life is near the end.
Did you forget the grace of your family and friends?
(Try to remember)
You can always go home.
You can always go home.
No matter where you comin’ from.
Hey now Sister what you running from?
If you never call for help then the help don’t come.
Tryin’a move them mountains by yourself.
Come a time in life you need someone else.
(Try to remember)
You can always go home.
You can always go home.
No matter where you comin’ from.
Come on in, sit down now.
They’ll be no questions asked.
Leave your trouble at the door.
In here the past is the past is the past.
Hey now people don’t turn your back.
Everybody’s had times when they’ve been off track.
Who made you the jury and judge?
Ain’t nothin no good come from holdin’ a grudge.
(Try to remember)
You can let them come home.
Won’t you let them come home.
No matter where they comin’ from.
(Try to remember)
You can always go home.
You can always go home.
No matter where you comin’ from.
You can always go home.
You can always go home.
Won’t you let them come home.
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11. |
Magic and Light
03:59
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Magic and Light
Written by Chris Pierce and Sam Hollander
You’ll make it through the night.
Find shelter through the storm.
Spark that fire in you always.
It’s deeper than your bones.
Since the day that you were born.
You stand in your sweet grace.
Sometimes you’re lost and you're lonely.
Hard times you can’t find a friend where you are.
You best believe you can call me.
There’s angels all over you.
We’re all magic and light.
Don’t ever hold it in, you better let your colors fly.
So many mountains to climb.
Don’t ever hide ya skin, you gotta rise up baby rise.
Keep shining in the darkness keep shine in your heart.
Even when there’s no sun at all.
We’re all magic and light.
Gonna be alright. Gonna be alright.
And when there’s only clouds.
And raindrops coming down.
Be your own silver lining.
And when life lets you down.
All your hopes and dreams.
(Oh, don’t you stop) keep on striving.
Sometimes you’re lost and you're lonely.
Sometimes you can’t find a friend where you are.
You best believe you can call. At any hour at all.
I’ll be here waiting.
We’re all magic and light.
Don’t ever hold it in, you better let your colors fly.
So many mountains to climb.
Don’t ever hide ya skin, you gotta rise up baby rise
Keep shining in the darkness keep shine in your heart
Even when there’s no sun at all.
We’re all magic and light.
Gonna be alright. Gonna be alright.
The way the glow you're so beautiful.
You’ve got that glow you're so beautiful.
I just want you to know it. I just want you to know it.
We’re all magic and light.
Don’t ever hold it in, go write your name across the sky
So many mountains to climb
Don’t ever hide ya skin, you gotta rise up baby rise
Keep shining the darkness keep shine in your heart
Even when there’s no sun at all.
We’re all magic and light.
We’re all magic and light.
We’re all magic and light.
Gonna be alright. Gonna be alright.
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12. |
Get Yourself Right
02:58
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Get Yourself Right
Written by Chris Pierce & Sam Hollander
Hey where you been - it’s been too damn long.
Hearing this and that, where you at, who you been with, since you’ve been gone.
I miss you old friend, I’m still waiting here.
Cause I ain’t giving up, matter what - every time - your head disappears.
Make way through the day. Go straight for the night.
Can’t find your way home to get yourself right.
The city’s insane, It’ll eat you alive.
All sinners no saints, you betta pray - get yourself right.
Back in the day, these old dirty streets.
Runnin' down the road, never slow - till we grown-up - young wild and free.
But now things have changed - speeding out of control.
I ain’t tryin’a blast ya, life is moving past ya. Straight through your soul.
Make way through the day. Go straight for the night.
Can’t find your way home to get yourself right.
The cities insane, It’ll eat you alive.
All sinners no saints, you betta pray - get yourself right.
Get yourself back, get yourself back here where you belong.
Get yourself back, it’s always dark before the dawn.
Make way through the day. Go straight for the night.
So hard on your own - to get yourself right.
The cities insane, It’s do or you die.
All sinners no saints, you betta pray - get yourself right.
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13. |
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We Can Always Come Back To This
Written by Chris Pierce & Siddhartha Khosla
Standing at the station, we don’t know what to say.
Looking out the window as you’re rolling away.
If I’m gonna be alone,
Let it be with you.
Mother don’t you cry, we’re gonna be all right.
Open up your suitcase when you get there tonight.
You’re not alone.
I’m always, I’m always, here with you.
No matter where we go from here.
No matter how the cards will fall.
I’ll pick you up, and you’ll hold me too.
So don’t give up on me.
I’ll never give up on you.
Everything’s gonna be alright.
I know you believe it too.
If I’m gonna be alone - let it be with you
If I’m gonna be alone - then let it be with you.
Look up, not down.
It all comes around.
Even when we’re gone.
We can always come back to this.
We can always come back to this. (Repeats)
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14. |
Drive
04:14
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Drive
Written by Ric Ocasek
Who's gonna tell you when, it's too late?
Who's gonna tell you things, aren't so great?
You can't go on , thinking nothing's wrong.
Who's gonna drive you home...tonight?
Who's gonna pick you up, when you fall?
Who's gonna hang it up, when you call?
Who's gonna pay attention, to your dreams?
Yeah, who's gonna plug their ears, when you scream?
You can't go on , thinking nothing's wrong.
Who's gonna drive you home...tonight?
Who's gonna hold you down, hen you shake?
Who's gonna come around, when you break?
You can't go on , thinking nothing's wrong.
Who's gonna drive you home...tonight?
You know you can't go on , thinking nothing's wrong.
Who's gonna drive you home...tonight?
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15. |
Ain't No Better Time
04:45
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Ain’t No Better Time
Written by Chris Pierce & AG
I ain’t a friend of forgiveness,
And no, it ain’t such a good friend of mine.
I could’ve picked up the phone, and admit that I was wrong.
But the time, you know the time kept rolling by.
So many years I was never satisfied.
Thinkin’ life was never gonna change.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, tables can always turn.
Yesterdays gone and tomorrows on it’s way.
So there ain’t no better time than today.
No there ain’t no better time to turn it around.
Oh yeah, you know it’s not too late.
Yeah there ain’t no better time than today.
Every morning that you get, there’s a choice you haven’t met.
Well, here’s some hope you can borrow.
Oh, I’ll tell you something my friend, you can pick yourself up again.
Don’t wait until tomorrow.
So there ain’t no better time than today.
No there ain’t no better time to turn it around.
Oh yeah, you know it’s not too late.
Yeah there ain’t no better time than today.
We can make things better than before.
Trouble it comes and it goes.
You can let go of your sorrow.
Don’t you let up.
Say what you’ve always been wanting to say.
So there ain’t no better time than today.
No there ain’t no better time to turn it around.
Oh yeah, you know it’s not too late.
Yeah there ain’t no better time than today.
Yeah there ain’t no better time than today.
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CHRIS PIERCE Los Angeles, California
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