JOE BONAMASSA: Time Clocks (2021)

 

1. Pilgrimage
2. Notches
3. The Heart That Never Waits
4. Time Clocks
5. Questions And Answers
6. Mind's Eye
7 Curtain Call
8 The Loyal Kind
9 Hanging On A Loser
10 Known Unknowns

PILGRIMAGE

(Instrumental)

NOTCHES

I’ve been all the way around the world

There and back a time or two

I’ve been all the way around the world

There and back a time or two

That road leads me home

Bring me back to the blues

I got miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

Miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

Still winking at hard times

Smiling at the pouring rain

I’ve seen a thousand city lights

From Austin to Saskatoon

Seen a thousand city lights

From Austin to Saskatoon

I’ve seen the shouting from the aisles

Howling at the shining moon

I got miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

I got miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

I’m thе kinda man that takes a lump or two

Tilt your world back, now you have a clue

Try to gеt one over, I got news for you

When you poke the bear you’re bound to lose

I got miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

Got some miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

I’m still winking at hard times

Smiling at the pouring rain

Oh, I may be an angel

I’ll sure be the devil for you

May be no angel

I’ll sure be the devil for you

Yeah, that road might not lead me home

Yeah, there’s not a damn thing you can do

I got miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

I got miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

I’m the kinda man that takes a lump or two

Tilt your world back, now you have a clue

Try to get one over, I got news for you

When you poke the bear, you’re bound to lose

I got miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

Miles under my wheels

Notches in my walking cane

I’m still winking at hard times

Smiling at the pouring rain

THE HEART THAT NEVER WAITS

Well I rolled the dice, baby

Now I’m left out all alone

I was lost in a shuffle, babe

Lost and halfway gone

Oh, I know you and that vengeful woman inside

Worn out my welcome, I knew in the stuff inside

Time is the healer that rescued me

The blues led to the bottle

That landed me on the street

When it’s rainin’ down with worry

And you know it’s too late

It’s the train that never comes

And the heart that never waits

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

Used to be perfect, babe

I saw love in your eyes

Put my wild things behind me

I thought I had her right

The gods must have heard

I guess I spoke too soon

They had all the plans

Just not for me and you

Time is the healer that rescued me

The blues led to the bottle

That landed me on the street

When it’s rainin’ down with worry

And you know it’s too late

It’s the train that never comes

And the heart that never waits

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

Look over there, thinking you are all that

Wrapped around my finger, I’ll not be swollowing that

I think of you woman and that sweet masquerade

What do you want from me? all you do is throw me shade

Time is the healer that rescued me

The blues led to the bottle

That landed me on the street

When it’s rainin’ down with worry

And you know it’s too late

It’s the train that never comes

And the heart that never waits

Time is the healer that rescued me

The blues led to the bottle

That landed me on the street

When it’s rainin’ down with worry

And you know it’s too late

It’s the train that never comes

And the heart that never waits

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

I’ll be moving on

(moving on, I’ll be moving on)

TIME CLOCKS

I was never a great puncher of time clocks

I was never the one who had lots

I was only good at one thing, ringing bells, kissing rings

A heart can’t heal once padlocked

I was never meant the one who was tedious

I was always wanted to be the one who leads us

On things that came to mind, never on someone else’s dime

As the hunter explains to the fox

And the rain soaking through my coat

About to capsize my boat

I push it a long way from thе docks

I was never a good puncher of timе clocks

As the rain has chilled me to the bone

I’m flat-out tired and alone

I put it away, now it’s locked

I was never a good puncher of time clocks

I was never a teller of stories

Didn’t need to thrive on the glory

It’s about the life of a man, victim time and time again

Hard as hell to get up in the morning

And the rain soaking through my coat

About to capsize my boat

I push it a long way from the docks

I was never a good puncher of time clocks

As the rain has chilled me to the bone

I’m flat-out tired and alone

I put it away, now it’s locked

I was never a good puncher of time clocks

Regrets to stoke the fires

Clay pigeon and the ignorant liars

The view from my window as the pouring rain seeps

Too scared to look down in the deep

Make no illusions about your forgone conclusions

Time will set you back, will all your wounds

If the darkness sets in, it creeps up on you

Like a man typecast the fool

And the rain soaking through my coat

About to capsize my boat

I push it a long way from the docks

I was never a good puncher of time clocks

As the rain has chilled me to the bone

I’m flat-out tired and alone

I put it away, now it’s locked

I was never a good puncher of time clocks

And the rain soaking through my coat…

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Why do you have to be so mean, woman?

And hurt me so bad

Why do you have to be so mean, woman?

Slam the door so mad

Why do you have to be so cruel?

Had to be someone in your past

It ain’t me and if I didn’t love you

I wouldn’t ask

Was I not nice?

Like diamonds in the ice

Was I not good?

Loved you like I should

Didn’t I hold you

Keep you out the cold?

I kept all your secrets

When you would bare your soul

Why do you have to be so mean, woman?

Hurt me so bad

Why do you have to be so mean, woman?

Slam the door so mad

Why do you have to be so cruel?

Had to be someone in your past

It ain’t me and if I didn’t love you

I wouldn’t ask

Oh, look out

Did you like how

He wouldn’t call you back?

Did you like how

Another card in the stack

Did you like being his woman

His woman on the side?

If that’s the case, baby

Excuse my foolish pride

Why do you have to be so mean, woman?

Hurt me so bad

Why do you have to be so mean, woman?

Slam the door so mad

Why do you have to be so cruel?

Had to be someone in your past

It ain’t me and if I didn’t love you

I wouldn’t ask

It ain’t me and if I didn’t love you

Oh, I wouldn’t ask

Time to tell the truth

MIND'S EYE

Help

I’m going down

I need someone to slow the spiral down

Help

These are trying times

And I shouldn’t be calling on someone else’s dime

Say,

Say what you really mean

Don’t mince words or hide intentions in between

Listen

Better listen before you talk

I can’t go back through there

After the door is locked

Reach up, dig deeper

You can’t save the ones

Who can’t save themselves

Our whole damn world comеs crashing down around us

I know you’ve found someone еlse

So don’t be so furious

Remember there’s two sides

I’d be curious

If you’d keep a mind’s eye

Wanted

A way to break through

When you’re desperate and lonely

There’s nothing you can do

I’m haunted

By memories you can’t see

A place that’s easy to get to

But hard as hell as to leave

Reach up, dig deeper

You can’t save the ones

Who can’t save themselves

Our whole damn world comes crashing down around us

I know you’ve found someone else

So don’t be so furious

Remember there’s two sides

I’d be curious

If you’d keep a mind’s eye

Reach up, dig deeper

You can’t save the ones

Who can’t save themselves

Our whole damn world comes crashing down around us

I know you’ve found someone else

So don’t be so furious

Remember there’s two sides

I’d be curious

If you’d keep a mind’s eye

Please help

I’m going down

I need someone to slow the spiral down

CURTAIN CALL

Burnt skies and the trees are dead and grey

After a map of a war we never made

My grandfather a railroad man

Not afraid of right and wrong or how to take a stand

Into the fire

Against the wind

Up and down and back again

Under the bridge

Over the coals

This is the march of a broken soul

Step by step

One by one

You’ll be counted on

Lights go up

So don’t be late

For the curtain call

‘Cause I’ve never been the type to seize the moment it’s not too late

Whilе breaking down the old bricks in the wall

Dusty town South of Mandalay

Whеre she still lives to this day

Tears are hot and the trial’s gone cold

Those demons follow me wherever I go

Into the fire

Against the wind

Up and down and back again

Under the bridge

Over the coals

This is the march of a broken soul

Step by step

One by one

You’ll be counted on

Lights go up

So don’t be late

For the curtain call

‘Cause I’ve never been the type to seize the moment it’s not too late

While breaking down the old bricks in the wall

Burnt skies and the trees are dead and grey

After a map of a war we never made

My grandfather a railroad man

Not afraid of right and wrong or how to take a stand

Into the fire

Against the wind

Up and down and back again

Under the bridge

Over the coals

This is the march of a broken soul

Step by step

One by one

You’ll be counted on

Lights go up

So don’t be late

For the curtain call

‘Cause I’ve never been the type to seize the moment t’s not too late

While breaking down the old bricks in the wall

THE LOYAL KIND

These maidens in the shadows

Bring darkness to the light

I know I’ve fallen

I know I’m just not right

I’ve dug myself a hole

With the shovel that I brought

Did you think I was blind

Or you wouldn’t get caught?

With the horses in the stable

And the dinner’s on the table

The wrongs don’t make rights

As it says in the fables

I reached out to you

As I reached out to God

You were drunk on the mountain

Or you’re blinded by the fog

Dark trails of brick and stone

Dark trails in the way you feel alone

I won’t be around next time

I’ve played around with those tumbling dice

Are you gonna spin around and betray me twice?

Oh, I knew it all along and I hate when I’m right

I’m asking, are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

So I took one for the team

We’ll call itself esteem

You took the irons out the sky

And put the irons on me

All the city lights and silhouettes

Did you meet your new boss?

I hope he has your back

When your new money’s lost

Dark trails of brick and stone

Dark trails in the way you feel alone

I won’t be around next time

I’ve played around with those tumbling dice

Are you gonna spin around and betray me twice?

Oh, I knew it all along and I hate when I’m right

I’m asking, are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

Dark trails of brick and stone

Dark trails in the way you feel alone

I won’t be around next time

I’ve played around with those tumbling dice

Are you gonna spin around and betray me twice

Oh, I knew it all along and I hate when I’m right

I’m asking, are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

Are you the loyal kind?

HANGING ON A LOSER

You never smile at me

Complainin’ all the time

You never wanna leave me

You never cross that line

‘Cause I’m so tired of hearin’ about it (Shut up, shut up)

How we’re never meant to be (Shut up, shut up)

Oh, but if everything is so bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

If everything is so bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

On a loser

The trouble in the shuffle

And all you put me through

When you’re throwing dishes at my hеad, baby

I still put up with you

I’m so tired of hearing about it (Shut up, shut up)

Guess wе’re never meant to be (Shut up, shut up)

Oh, but if everything is so bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

If everything is so bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

Hanging on a loser

Love is never easy

It’s hard to see both sides

Yes, it is

When one side is evil

There’s no place to hide

‘Cause I’m so tired of hearing about it (Shut up, shut up)

How we’re never meant to be (Shut up, shut up)

Oh, but if everything is so bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

‘Cause If everything is so bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

Well, if everything is so bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

Oh, if everything is so damn bad

Why you hanging on a loser like me?

On a loser, yes, you are

Gonna have to admit it

KNOWN UNKNOWNS

Baby, we said goodbye today

We tried our best

But it was a little too late

It’s heavy, knowin’ that the fires are gone

But where were they

When it all went wrong?

I use time to heal my sufferin’

My mind brings me back from nothin’

The comeback is a long, dark road

My habits are just another heartbreak

In a love that gives before it takes

All we know is the known unknown

And it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

It’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Waiting for the pain to die

Does it ever get easy?

Does it ever run and hide?

Save me, go on, but save yourself first

You lost me when you showed me

I’d be better for bein’ worse

I use time to heal my sufferin’

My mind brings me back from nothin’

The comeback is a long dark road

My habits are just another heartbreak

In a love that gives before it takes

All we know is the known unknown

And it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Yeah, it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Yeah, it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Yeah, it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

I use time to heal my sufferin’

My mind brings me back from nothin’

The comeback is a long, dark road

My habits are just another heartbreak

In a love that gives before it takes

All we know is the known unknown

And it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Yeah, it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Come on, baby

Yeah, it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Yeah, it’s hard to let it go (Hard to let it go)

Yeah

YES: The Quest (2021)

 

1.The Ice Bridge

2. Dare To Know

3. Minus The Man

4. Leave Well Alone

5. The Western Edge

6. Future Memories

7. Music To My Ears

8. A Living Island

9. Sister Sleeping Soul

10. Mystery Tour

11. Damaged World

THE ICE BRIDGE

Those that have lived before
They breathe and walk through us
A course relayed
Round our sacred fires
That light up these hillsides
At dawn we shall begin
 
With fear of extinction
We’re pushed to the edge of the ice
Instinctive direction
X2a drive to survive
 
All eyes to the east
All eyes to the east
In a vision
Snowflower Elder crossed
He has seen
Snowflower Elder
He has walked forest green
All eyes to the east
 
Stand tribe to tribe
For we are the lords of the future
True pillars of life
And if we’re to arrive
Through such desperate times
We must stand unified
 
Traces of ancestral faces
Project on a blizzard torn sky
In a game of do or die
Fly clear with the falcon
Perceive through the eagle’s eye
This is exponential ancient overdrive
 
No turning back
We must cross the Ice Bridge
Onward to sunrise
In a race against time
 
All eyes to the east
In a vision
Snowflower Elder crossed
 
All eyes to the east
In a vision
Snowflower Elder walked
Lands of green
 
Eyes to the east
Snowflower Elder crossed
 
Eyes to the east
In a vision
Snowflower Elder walked

DARE TO KNOW

I’ve got an idea, been on my mind

I’ll share it with you and see what we find

As a matter of fact, things keep on changing

They’re stirring up patterns that keep on rearranging, rearranging

 

Beauty performs shaped by the wind

Sunsets align with discipline

Feeling a sense of urgency

We live with so much uncertainty

 

We rest on a breath, hang by a limb

Balancing hope to only win

 

Rituals to celebrate, words to chant await

Things start to happen, they form in a pattern

Seeing their rays of hope, to really help them cope

They mustn’t be ignored, search the lost chord

MINUS THE MAN

Evolution's tunnel from which there’s no end

Mirror upon mirror, twist, turn and bend

Down the endless hallway of so many doors

Countless lives to choose and explore

 

Is the key to our survival post-human technology

Do we trust full immersion virtual reality

Vinge's 2030

The 6th Paradigm

When circuitry augments the mind

It's a double-edged sword

The Grand Singularity and A.l. autonomy

Building the superman

Building the superman

 

Minus the man

Minus the man

At any cost perpetuate the post-human lifespan

 

Down the endless hallway of so many mirrors

Rеflecting no years, redirеcting the tears

Through every door a new road upon which to dream

To master each pathway

All, eventually

 

Oh, will this bring us closer to destiny

Or are we withdrawing further into fantasy

 

Is the key to our survival post-human technology

Do we trust full immersion virtual reality

Vinge’s 2030

The 6th Paradigm

When circuitry augments the mind

It's a double-edged sword

The Grand Singularity and A.I. autonomy

Building the superman

Building the superman

 

Minus the man

Minus the man

Will the survival equation command that it minus the man

 

Building the superman

Minus the man

LEAVE WELL ALONE

Provocation of the mystics, revel in the shelter bare

Taste the virtue of nothingness, feel the motions from elsewhere

Gazing from the highest cliffs, don't venture down to the abyss, the abyss

The way ahead is still no distance, just a part of our existence

Heal the pains of this disorder, devise your escape across the border

Loosen up and ease the flow, trust survivors incognito

I heard thе king has lost his golden wing

Leave wеll alone

I heard the queen just couldn't intervene

Leave well alone

I saw the words written in stone

Leave well alone

Not for nothing, but just leave well alone

Leave well alone

Stories? Stories are told to the prisoners who wait there and still remain

Ideas? Ideas of changing the history written just to entertain

Reasons? Reasons give us quite a rush for a while at the start then get lost

Knowing? Knowing that currents still move us around as the seasons dissolve

THE WESTERN EDGE

We are one constellation

The celestial sea, the ocean of humanity

Know that you play a sacred part as deep as your heart can feel

And however far that you may roam you are one step from home

Only one road for us

Turning the corner

Challenging everyone to come together again

What if then through life lessons learned we may return and thus transcend

Watching the new day come

Cry aloud

Calling to everyone

The sky, the sky am I

Head in the heavens yet with feet firmly on the ground

Inspired by the dreams for a new way of living

No longer can we ignore the depths of all we truly are

And however far we may roam we are one step from home

We feel the times, we heed the signs

Link your stars to the grand design

May all our hearts align

Watching the new day come

Where could we ever go where their light would not follow

Along the western edge we go

The art of all inner knowing innate

Cry out to the sky, the sky am I!

We, the celestial sea, the ocean of humanity

Along the western edge

Know that you play a sacred part as deep as your heart can feel

And as high as your dreams might carry you on sing out to the sky

Along the western edge

Through opal flame and starry eye claim all that is your true birthright

Just behind the rainbows bend, beyond the storm clouds end

Know however far you may roam you are

The western edge

FUTURE MEMORIES

In the mirror of the mind projecting

All I want my life reflecting

Mmn

To revere the stars, far and free

Yet keep them near and dear to me

Mmm

All I seek to find through universal mind

Must surely come to pass

Future memories

Future memories

Steal away

There are shadows at play

When the black night is too long to bear

Beware

Beware

From this moment forward

I don't want to make another memory

Without you

From this moment forward

(I don’t want to make another mеmory) I don't want to make another memory

Without you

Without you

Through all of lifе's complexities

I often miss the scenery

Mmm

Mmm-mmn

Reflected in the mirror the longings of the heart

Of many moons ago

All that tomorrow holds

Time encircles time expanding

Ripples on the surface of my mind

Waves of clarity

Waves of clarity

Composing the dream upon the mirror’s canvas screen

Swirling colours call to me as if from a higher century

From a higher century

Future memories

From this moment forward (Shadows at play)

I don't want to make another memory

Without you

From this moment forward, no, no

(I don't want to make another memory) I don't want to make another memory

Without you

I don't want to make another memory

Without you

(I don't want to make another memory) I don't want to make another memory

Another memory

Without you

Without you

Without you

MUSIC TO MY EARS

Move towards your goal

Take back all control

Go to the waters edge now

Sail the oceans and make your pledge

It's music to my ears, music to my ears

Music to my ears, you've found the way

You don't have to ask

Or question every task

There's a strength you've found

Step by step moving around

It's music to my ears, music to my ears

Music to my ears, you found the way

It's music to my ears (It's a blessing in disguise), music to my ears (As the darkness disappears)

Music to my ears, you found the way

Restless to sleep, carefree to wake

Hoping to finish all that's at stake

As thе evening passes so free

It's good to know wе're good company

It's music to my ears, music to my ears

Music to my ears, you found the way

It's music to my ears (It's a blessing in disguise), music to my ears (As the darkness disappears)

Music to my ears, you found the way

A LIVING ISLAND

In the West Atlantic, beyond the Windward Chain

A living coral island where we can start again

A world gone mad, on the last plane out we flew

There's no one with whom l'd rather brave the storm than you

You're my heart, you're my home

(You'll never have to go it alone)

Is this a paradise or a prison

Approaching ships now I espy

Danger or solution

We hope, we pray

(Day to day)

Never knowing where this crazy world's going

I can pick up the pieces so long as you're right beside me

Here with me

United at risk, divided we must stand

This is the current state of the world we're living in

Unfettered by fear, empowered by the science

Let us learn to be the wiser by this time next year

You're my heart, you're my home

(You'll never have to go it alone)

Is this a paradise or a prison

Approaching ships now I espy

We hope, we pray

Never knowing where this crazy world's going

Just you and me beneath the living island sun

Watching from our hill top the whole world come undone

And the voice of the Mother so loud, so clear

Rebirth, now

Earth rebirth, now!

Are we yet waking up from the nightmare

Are we yet waking up from the nightmare

(How we're ever so shaken up by the nightmare)

A nightmare of fools that pull the levers when the curtain's drawn

And play us as their pawn

Their fear and greed

Undermining every countermeasure

Nation to nation

We're in this together, though together apart in isolation

So here's to you

To the spirit of community

Here's to us

To our humanity

Here's to the frontline saviors

And the everyday heroes unseen

To you with sad spirits

Who mourn dear ones now gone

To their memories

We dedicate this song

And the time will certainly come

Their courageous stories shall be told

As deeply we hold

Hold them in the highest honor

We will remember!

Yes, each courageous story will be told

As deeply we hold

Hold them in the highest honor

In our hearts love

Forevermore

SISTER SLEEPING SOUL

Where have you gone

Your heart full of song

Oh, sister of my soul

Timid and bright

You clung to my side

Through all those teenage magic tragic nights

The hazy crazy daze of our youth

Thinking we were bullet proof

But you went too far

It was then that I lost you

You're burning out, my shooting star

Yeah, you went too far

It was then that I lost you

Sister sleeping soul

Sister sleeping soul

Where are you now

Far across the wide sea

Sleepwalking some city

By your liquid dream you're carried down stream

Spun way out of all control

Caught by the undertow

In your heart was a song

Where have you gone

In my heart you bеlong

Too high, so low

Sister sleeping soul

You went too far

It was then that I lost you

You'rе burning out, my shooting star

Yeah, you went too far

It was then that I lost you

Sister sleeping soul

Sister sleeping soul

Where are you now

You live it all like you're ten feet tall

Hey, can you free your mind

Enough to know you matter

No less than all the stars through time

Hey, can you free your mind

Enough to know you matter

No less than all the stars through time

Brighter than all stars through time

Sister of my soul never refuse to shine

Sister sleeping soul

Sister sleeping soul

Where are you now

You live it all like you're ten feet tall

Gonna crash and burn

When will you ever learn

MYSTERY TOUR

John was a fighter, his fist in a glove

Across the universe, he spoke of love

Paul was a worker but he got the blame

When the party was over, we all felt the same

They let it be like they'd never been born

We heard the silver hammer till the break of dawn

Shining like the moon, the stars and the sun

They knew the revolution had already bеgun

George played guitar likе ringing a bell

Ringo held the beat till the axe fell

Brian was the glue that held it together

Neil and Mal survived the stormy weather

They let it be like they'd never been born

We heard the silver hammer till the break of dawn

Shining like the moon, the stars and the sun

They knew the revolution had already begun

They gave us pins and needles on their Mystery Tour

Through the bathroom window without going out of your door

They came at a time, we'd lost our principles

Never did we sleep, we thought we were invincible

They'd always said you could take yourself higher, higher…

As the muddy waters broke the lions heart

They should have known better but they fell apart

Shining like the moon, the stars and the sun

They knew the revolution had already begun

They gave us pins and needles on their Mystery Tour

Through the bathroom window without going out of your door

DAMAGED WORLD

Come help us save, save this damaged world

Come help us save, save this damaged world

Paint me as a rogue or paint me as a child

The evidence of nature in the wild

In the light of what's been said

Am I the one who's most been misled

Never knowing where to stand

On the stormy sea or the shifting sand

Out across the wind blown shore

The sea so blue, white waves galore

Dreams so clear but almost lost

Over words either dotted or crossed

Not every story can really be told

So often there's more to unfold

About the times that shadows fall

It's now we heed, we heed the call

Come help us save, save this damaged world

Come help us save, save this damaged world

A valiant master of disguise

Runs amok, breaking the ties

Among friends we reunite

Lay to rest all the best to rest

Come and save this damaged world

Come and save this damaged world

Come and save this damaged world...