JOE BONAMASSA: Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 (2023)

 

1. Twenty-Four Hour Blues
2. It's Hard But It's Fair
3. Well, I Done Got Over It
4. I Want to Shout About It
5. Win-O
6. Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again)
7. Lazy Poker Blues
8. You Sure Drive a Hard Bargain
9. The Truth Hurts
10. Is It Safe to Go Home

TWENTY-FOUR HOUR BLUES

Every morning when I wake up

Lord, I cry a pool of tears

Seven days now, since you left me

Well, it seems like seven years

Loneliness keeps hanging around my door

An unwanted friend I can't lose

Every day the same dog-gone thing

Twenty-four hour blues

Lonely minutes turn into hours

I keep waiting by the telephone

But you don't call me, I guess I'll be

Spending another sleepless night alone

I can't seem to get myself together

Without you it's all bad news

Every day the same dog-gone thing

Twenty-four hour blues

If you don't hurry on back to me

Then I have nothing left to lose

Just these four gray walls

Twenty-four hour blues

Yeah!

Every day the same dog-gone thing

Twenty-four hour blues

IT'S HARD BUT IT'S FAIR

Gonna tell ya, it's hard but it's fair

You had a good home, but you wouldn't stay there

I swear

I'll tell it anywhere

It's hard but it's fair

It's hard but it's fair

When a man loves you, woman, and you don't even care

I swear

Tell it everywhere

It's hard but it's fair

So hard to love someone when they don't love you

Ask somebody quick, what am I to do?

Play the blues

Play the blues

It's hard but it's fair

Can't find no one to love, I've been lookin' everywhere

I swear

Tell it anywhere

It's hard but it's fair

Tellin' еverybody anywhere

I'm tеllin' anybody over there

Tellin' everybody I don't care

I'm tellin' everybody

I'm gonna play the blues

(It's hard but it's fair)

Play the blues

(It's hard but it's fair)

I'm gonna play the blues

(It's hard but it's fair)

WELL, I DONE GOT OVER IT

Well, I done got over it

Well, I done got over it

Yeah, I done got over it

Well, I done got over it

Yeah, I done got over it

I done got over at last

Now the day that I first met you

You seemed like a sweet little thing

But after a while you got so bad

You know it was a cryin' shame

But I done got over it

Lord, I done got over it

Yeah, I done got over it

I done got over at last

I was so in love I was miserable

I know my love was in vain

'Cause every time I turned my back

You was out with another man

But I done got over it

Lord, I done got over it

Yeah, I done got over it

I done got over at last

Yeah, I didn't want you to be no angel

Neither no gal that's jive

'Cause all I wanted was some good woman

To keep me satisfied

But I done got over it

Ooh, got over it

I done got over it

I done got over at last

I WANT TO SHOUT ABOUT IT

Well, she's strong enough to hold me

Strong enough to turn me loose

Let me sing my song

And do the best that I can do

I want to shout about it

She's so good for me

When I'm miles from home

And it's week 'til we kiss again

One thought of her

And I burst out in a grin

I wanna shout about it

She's so good for me

Oh yeah

I come up short

She slips me a ten

When I need good lovin'

I just say when

She takes me for who I am

I know, I'm a lucky man

Yeah, I'm a lucky man

You know that I'm a lucky man

Yeah, I'm a lucky man

When I'm draggin' on home

Throw my bags on the floor

Like I never left

She loves me long, long and slow

I want to shout about it

She's so good to me

I want to shout about it

She's so good to me

I want to shout about it

Oh, tell the whole world about it

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Shout!

Shout about it

Shout

Shout

Shout about it

Shout

Shout about it

Shout

Shout about it

WIN-O

I'm a win-o

As high as I can be

I'm a win-o

As high as I can be

I've got an office in the White House

All the laws are made by me

I don't drink no good whiskey

Lord knows I can't stand beer or gin

I don't drink no good whiskey

I can't stand no beer or gin

When I drink my whiskey down

Wow, I drink to the bitter end

I say I'm a great politician

And I make all the laws

I say I'm a great politician

And I, ooh, I make all the laws

You know I got a seat in Congress

Right next to Santa Claus

Oh, look out!

HOPE YOU REALIZE IT (GOODBYE AGAIN)

Left you a letter in a combo box

Saw a live feed when the truck pulled up

You were running hot, I couldn't sit still

I was busy pushing rocks up that hill

I ain't been in love in a long time

And I'm not the one who gets cast aside

All my hopes, all your sins

Hope you realize it's goodbye again

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Goodbye again, babe

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Listen!

I'm a wanted man from Wichita

Snakeskin boots running from the law

Made a wrong left at the Oklahoma line

Roadblock ahead, guess I'm out of time

Leavenworth Prison here I come

Ain't no mercy for what I done

Judge looked at me with a Tulsa grin

Said, "I hope you realize it's goodbye again"

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

No place lower than down and out

I had to move back to my momma's house

Two drink drunk, one night stand

Momma said, "Son, it's goodbye again"

What'd my momma say?

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

Hope you realize it's goodbye again, hope you realize it

LAZY POKER BLUES

Yeah, me and my baby don't do nothing

But lay around all day long

Me and my baby don’t do nothing

But lay around all day long

Yeah, when I'm with my baby

Lazy poker goin' on

She puts some coal on the fire

So I can keep my poker hot

She puts some coal on the fire

So I can keep my poker hot

Well, we stoke around all day long

Nighttime we stoke some more

Oh, me and my baby don’t do nothing

But lay around all day long

Oh, me and my baby don't do nothing

But lay around all day long

When I'm with my baby

There's some lazy poker goin' on

YOU SURE DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN

I walked into your store

Just to have a look around

Asked if you could help me

With the bargain that I found

Tried to explain to you, darling

I was just a working man

You came up with some term, little girl

I just couldn't understand

Little lady, little lady

You sure drive a hard bargain

The price you're asking, mama

Is too much for me to pay

Now you're trying to tell me

I can't have it layaway

I know your merchandise is good

Your sample proved it so

If it was to kill me, little girl

What a good way to go

Little lady, little lady

You sure drive a hard bargain

I'm just a guy in town

And it's plain for me to see

If I come into your store

You're gonna make a stock boy out of me

Little lady, little lady

You sure drive a hard bargain

Drive a hard bargain

Little lady

You sure drive a hard bargain

THE TRUTH HURTS

The truth hurts

You wanna tell her, but you can't

The truth hurts, baby

You wanna tell her, but you can't

When you can't tell it like it is

You gotta tell it like it ain't

Tell it like it ain't, Kirk

Some say it's wrong

Some say it's right

But who am I to judge someone else's life

The truth hurts

No one claimed to be a saint

When you can't tell it like it is

You gotta tell it like it ain't

Yeah, tell 'em about it, Joe

Well, some have patience

Some can't wait

Some come homе early

Some stay out late

Thе truth hurts, baby

You wanna tell her, but you can't

When you can't tell it like it is

You gotta tell it like it ain't

Come on, Josh

…

The truth hurts

No one claimed to be a saint

When you can't tell it like it is

You gotta tell it like it ain't

Come on, fellas

…

Alright

IS IT SAFE TO GO HOME

Every now and then I get a feeling

And it chills me to my bones

When the lights go down and I'm all alone

Is it safe to go home?

In my own world every night

While the world passes me by

When the fog is lifted and I just don't know

Is it safe to go home?

It's a lonely life for anyone

How can anything change

I pushed you away for fortune and fame

How could I be so wrong

When it all comes down and I'm left all alone

Is it safe to go home?

Is it safe to go home?

Is it safe to go home?

When it all comes down and I'm left all alonе

Is it safe to go home?

GOV'T MULE: Peace...Like a River (2023)

 

1. Same As It Ever Was
2. Shake Our Way Out
3. Made My Peace
4. Peace I Need
5. Your Only Friend
6. Dreaming Out Loud
7. Head Full Of Thunder
8. The River Only Flows One way
9. After The Storm
10. Just Across The River
11. Long Time Coming
12. Gone Too Long

SAME AS IT EVER WAS

Now is the time

Was there ever any other?

Looking back at all we've wasted

One good thing that we've discovered

It's time to make up for all you've lost

Years and friends that you can't get back

These things are gone forever

But memories never die

There's nothing stopping you now

There probably never was

You just had to get around

Some things, same as it ever was

Takes all the strength inside you

Just to make it through some days

You've got to own your scars

Turn them into wings

Sing what you have to say

Sing it like you have no choice

Play what you want to play

Play it loud with your own voice

From the top of the mountain that you climbed

Let your song and your spirit fly

Like eagles and angels and ancient melodies

Let it sanctify your soul like the first time that you heard rock and roll

Sing what you have to say

Sing it like you have no choice

Play what you want to play

Play it loud with your own voice

There's nothing stopping you now

There probably never was

You still have to get around

Some things, same as it ever was

Same as it ever was

Same as it ever was

Same as it ever was

SHAKE OUR WAY OUT

Fancy meeting you here

Guess I came to the right place

Is that your real name?

Don't make no never mind anyway

Just keep on dancing

While I pay the tab

And don't stop, don't stop

Just lemme hail a cab

Got to keep shaking

Shake our way out of this mess

Step on the gas, baby

I got somewhere to be in a little while

And take off that mask, baby

Let me see that wicked smile

Got my temperature rising

And that ain't all

And don't stop, don't stop

Another mule is kicking in your stall

Got to keep shaking

Shake our way out of this mess

Got to keep shaking

Shake our way out of this mess

Been a long time

Since I spent the night on the Upper West Side

Maybe it'll change our luck

Oh, let's roll the dice

And the storm will break

And the sun will shine

We got to keep moving

I know the hour's late

But we're right on time

We got to keep moving

Got to keep shaking

Shake our way out of this mess

Got to keep shaking

Shake our way out of this mess

Got to keep shaking

Shake our way out of this mess

MADE MY PEACE

For many a year I've wandered this road

Never once paying the debts that I owed

But there's no place to hide when the day finally comes

A reckoning waits for us all

For us all

Hey look at me I'm the prodigal son

Coming back home after years on the run

Ready to reveal to you all that I'm finally whole

And that I've made my peace

I watched them all die as they struggled with honor

Defending their anger as if it were truth

Lusting for fame as they fell through the air

But nobody's there when you fall

Hey look at me I'm the prodigal son

Coming back home after years on the run

Ready to reveal to you all that I'm finally whole

And that I've made my peace

I squandered my love just to lay down in darkness

Sold my soul for wine and a song

Traded my gold for a morning of glory

Now I know my time ain’t long

Listen to me, my tale is a tragic one

Come feast your eyes on the damage I've done

But it's not too late to reap what you sow

'Cause nobody's there when you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

When you fall

Hey look at me I'm the prodigal son

Coming back home after years on the run

Ready to reveal to you all that I'm finally whole

And that I've made my peace

Made my peace

I've made my peace

Made my peace

PEACE I NEED

I wanna testify

Right now here today

I had my eyes closed

But now I've got something to say

Listen to me

I won't steer you wrong

Heed my words

There's more here than a song

Lost in the pages

Written in ancient hand

The quest for peace

Has been abandoned in this land

In this land of illusion

She gives me the peace I need

I'm a man of constant confusion

You give me the peace I need

I need to testify

Don't walk away

You may not wanna hear it

But I've got more to say

Inside we're burning

To fly to the highest star

Can't let your journey

Take you away from who you are

Another crash landing

You need something warm when you hit the ground

Crawling from the wreckage

Another fool that's fallen down

In this land of illusion

She gives me the peace I need

I'm a man of constant confusion

You give me the peace I need

In this greedy world gone crazy

She gives me the peace I need

I don't need you to save me

Just give me the peace I need

Give me the peace I need

In this land of illusion

She gives me the peace I need

I'm a man of constant confusion

You give me the peace I need

In this land of illusion

She gives me the peace I need

I'm a man of constant confusion

You give me the peace I need

In this greedy world gone crazy

She gives me the peace I need

I don't need you to save me

Just give me the peace I need

Give me the peace I need

Give me the peace I need

Give me the peace I need

Give me the peace I need

YOUR ONLY FRIEND

Year after year

I've all watched you fall

And pick yourself up again

And time after time

We've all seen you crawl

2 am 3 sheets in the wind

Back to your only friend

Is it me or is it her tonight?

Will it be somebody else tomorrow?

Is that you? I can't tell anymore

The line between us has narrowed

Will you walk that line again?

Back to your only friend

These days we've all gone a little crazy

But you're way beyond the rest of us

Your shadow shows up long before you do

Covered in ashes and dust

Not a soul that you can trust

Are you lonesome or just confused?

Is it your head or your heart that's broken?

Are you still the victim, is that still your lame excuse?

Why you've closed every door I ever opened

Will they stay closed at the end?

Will you blame it on your only friend?

So many times in my mind I've left you

On the side of some dark road along the way

And so many times I've wept for you

Guess I always knew we'd wind up here someday, someday

So here we are

The moon is bright and full

Shining like a big ol' yesterday

We both know those days were beautiful

But for me they're long ago and far away

And for you they're here to stay

It's time for us to wake up from this dream we shared

A dream that ends two different ways

Don't blame me 'cause I chose to walk away

From the bright lights and the haze

No one else left here now to offend

But on me you could always depend

So don't you dare condescend

Just say goodbye

To your only friend

DREAMING OUT LOUD

World's in trouble and that's no lie

But somewhere in the future we're all gonna fly

So open up your mind, it's been closed for so long

Let your body relax and get lost in the song

We all got to live together

Put our difference aside

Fighting is not the answer

We're living in the great divide

Somebody said, "it's all about truth"

Try to find it today, well, there ain't no use

And somebody said, it's time to rise above

"You only need a heart full of grace a soul generated by love"

Forgive me, I'm dreaming out loud again

I said forgive me, I'm dreaming out loud again

"An eye for an eye leaves everybody blind"

Free your heart and let your spirit unwind

"I'm gonna stick with love", the love we share,

"'Cause hate is too big of a burden to bear"

We all got to live together

Put our difference aside

Silence is not the answer

We're living in the great divide

Somebody said "a lie cannot live

But don't be devoid of the power to forgive"

Time to find out who you are

"Only in the darkness can you see the stars"

Forgive me, I'm dreaming out loud again

I said forgive me, I'm dreaming out loud again

Somebody said that "in the end

We will remember the silence of our friends"

"If we're gonna leave a better world behind us

We've got to get everybody on the bus"

"We may not have chosen the time but the time has chosen us"

"The future is not beyond our control, it's the work of our own hands"

And "those that look only to the past are certain to get passed by" bye bye

Bye bye

Forgive me, I'm dreaming out loud again

I said forgive me, I'm dreaming out loud again

HEAD FULL OF THUNDER

You had me caged like a criminal

Yeah, locked me in like an animal

But I'm busting out baby while I'm still able

Gonna find somebody

To bring life to the party

'Cause I'm feeling naughty naughty

Wanna get down and dirty

Yeah, I'm headed over yonder

With my head full of thunder

And I can't help but wonder, can't help but wonder

Why I ever let you walk all over me

You put my soul in a deep freeze

Yeah, knocked my head down to my knees

But I'm gone, gone

Don't come looking for me

Gonna find somebody

To bring life to the party

'Cause I'm feeling naughty naughty

Wanna get down and dirty

Yeah, I'm headed over yonder

With my head full of thunder

And I can't help but wonder, can't help but wonder

Why I ever let you walk all over me

Sweet lady gonna shake away my blues

Pretty mama gonna make me forget about you

Forget about you

Gonna find somebody

To bring life to the party

'Cause I'm feeling naughty naughty

Wanna get down and dirty

Yeah, I'm headed over yonder

With my head full of thunder

And I can't help but wonder, can't help but wonder

Why I ever let you walk all over me

Bye bye, miss misery

Blow me a kiss, miss misery

THE RIVER ONLY FLOWS ONE WAY

There's communication and compromise

But the river only flows one way

There's looking at things through someone else's eyes

But the river only flows one way

You can build a dam, cut your losses

You can build a bridge to get across it

But at the end of the day

The river only flows one way

Oh, how could you hurt me so?

There's answers here and answers there

But the river only flows one way

So many questions floating in the air

But the river only flows one way

You can change directions, you can change your mind

You can change partners, even change your crimes

You can get down on your knees and pray

But the river only flows one way

Oh, how could you hurt me so?

One shot answers when another shot calls

But the river only flows one way

One fool rises when another fool falls

But the river only flows one way

Jack be naughty, Jack be styling

Jack Ruby was the queen of diamonds

But the king is here to stay

And the river only flows one way

Oh, how could you hurt me so?

AFTER THE STORM

Wake me in the early hours

Moonlight glowing on your skin

We will always have these memories

Of when the new world began

Come to me like the ocean

Smell of magic in the air

I know the old world will still be there

If we ever return

Save me

Raise me

Pray to the Gods of peace

Mercy is worth fighting for

In the valley where the river flows free

There's a place where we all belong

Save me

Raise me

Save me

Raise me

Everything dies, everything dies

Just to be reborn

We're stronger, we're stronger

After the storm

After the storm

After the storm

After the storm

Thunder from the Heavens above

Brings no darkness, only love

Rain that falls down like gold

Only soothes our souls

And when the morning breaks

The silence is its' own fresh breath

The suffering of our past has been erased

There is no end, there is no death

Save me

Raise me

Save me

Raise me

Dry your eyes, dry your eyes

We're almost there

Wait no longer, no longer

Venture on a dare

Everything dies, everything dies

Just to be reborn

We're stronger, we're stronger

After the storm

After the storm

After the storm

After the storm

After the storm

After the storm

Save me

Raise me

Save me

I said

I said

Save me

JUST ACROSS THE RIVER

Just across the river

A good life waits on the other side

Can't float here forever

You know it's too deep and wide

Just across the river

People are smiling so carefree

I've been told I can redeem my soul

New world waiting for me

All my life I've been shortchanged

Nobody wants to hear a poor boy complain

Work like a slave to stay out of the rain

Then they closed the factory down

Yeah, they closed the factory down

But just across the river

You don't need a job, time is free

Work if you wanna

The sun is warm and the air is sweet

Just across the river

Clouds are calling out your name

All you need is the blood you bleed

Don't need no fortune or fame

Can't you see it getting closer day by day

Golden rainbow is headed your way

No more wandering you're there to stay

You can lay your burden down

You can lay your burden down

Just across the river

They're building a warm fire every night

Just across the river

The wind is calm and the moon is bright

Sweet, sweet music

Ringing through the valley shaking the trees

My clothes are packed and I ain't coming back

Don't come looking for me

Ain't nobody singing no sad songs

Tired of walking you can rest your bones

Your wandering spirit is never again to roam

They're calling you home

Yeah, they're calling you home

Ain't nobody singing no sad songs

Tired of walking you can rest your bones

Your wandering spirit is never again to roam

They're calling you home

Yeah, they're calling you home

Just across the river

LONG TIME COMING

Something's happening

It's different today

Can't you feel it

A new sun is rising

They say this change

Change is here to stay

No looking back

No more compromising

Riding on the rhythm, rhythm of a thousand dreams

Feels like our souls are flying

Time to wake up and smell the world changing

No question, no denying

Long time coming

But we're finally here

Look around the world

Change is in the air

Look to your neighbor

He ain't your enemy

We're in this together

But fighting to be free

Seems a little crazy to me

Something's happening and it sure feels good

Dark clouds have all been swept away

Spirits rising like we knew they could

Moving on up, stamping out the pain of yesterday

Riding on the rhythm, rhythm of a thousand dreams

Feels like our souls are flying

Time to wake up and smell the world changing

No question, no denying

Long time coming

But we're finally here

Look around the world

Change is in the air

Look to your neighbor

He ain't your enemy

We're in this together

But fighting to be free

Seems a little crazy

Seems a little crazy to me

Open up our eyes

We can finally see

Open up our souls

We can breathe again

Can breathe again

Long time coming

But we're finally here

Look around the world

Change is in the air

Look to your neighbor

He ain't your enemy

We're in this together

But fighting to be free

Crazy to me

Crazy to me

Crazy to me

GONE TOO LONG

Dreams mixed with time can take you on a journey

I know I've been too far in flight

Stir in some pain and some known remedies

And the days turn into nights

Gone too long

Home and security never meant much to me

Always chose to go my own way

They say freedom comes and freedom goes

But loneliness is here to stay

Gone too long

Never thought I'd see the world through somebody else's eyes

But finally I can see where I've been

Too many nights without a friend

Hands of time are pushing me along

And I'm growing tired of resisting

Dreaming now still takes me on a journey

I'm closer to the shore but I'm still drifting

There's a light shining on an open door

And a heart that's warm and true

Chasing my shadow has never let me down

Long as it leads me back to you

Gone too long

Never thought I'd see myself through somebody else's eyes

But finally I can see who I am

Finally found someone who gives a damn

I've gotta go now, work's picked up again

God knows I'm dying to play

One more kiss, I'll leave it on my lips

But please don't let me stay

Gone too long

One more kiss, I'll leave it on my lips

But please don't let me stay

Gone too long

But please don't let me stay

Gone too long

One more kiss, I'll leave it on my lips

But please don't let me stay

Gone too long

YES: Mirror to the Sky (2023)

 

1. Cut From the Stars
2. All Connected
3. Luminosity
4. Living Out Their Dream
5. Mirror to the Sky
6. Circles of Time
7. Unknown Place
8. One Second Is Enough
9. Magic Potion

CUT FROM THE STARS

Starlight gaze out

Walkabout

International dark sky park

Desert. twilight

Second sight

International dark sky park

Relate reach out

Fathom what life is all about

Each atom cut from the stars

When I'm in need of some perspective

I find my place in the jewelled collective

Daylight glare blinding me

Only after dark may I clearly see

Look up breathe out

Walkabout

International dark sky park

I wanna be in zero G

International dark sky park

Relate reach out

Fathom what life is all about

Each atom cut from the stars

In the light of pure perfection

Troublеs are so very small

Planetary sanctuary

I touch, I can rеflect it all

Envision

Envision

Ignite the spark

Vision in vision

We have transmission after dark

Andromeda

Dog Star splendor

Horizon lightening, distant thunder

A canvas for creation theory

Now the hunter's in the southern sky

Have you really travelled so many light years to find us

So confused and so careless

In desperate need of awareness

Our pale blue dot

Dangling in the crossfires

Unravelling

(Reeling and reeling)

But what of the healing

In the light of pure perfection

Troubles are so very small

Planetary sanctuary

We touch, retrace

Embrace it all

Envision

Envision

Ignite the spark

Vision in vision

Point of ignition

Envision

Envision

Ignite the spark

Vision in vision

Vision our mission

We have transmission after, after dark

After dark

ALL CONNECTED

Always true pathways

Open doorways

Right of ways for everyone

Tell me how can we break down walls

Any other way

Always true pathways

Upon us equal shines the sun

All for the tragic

Karmachromatic

Static to obscure the very key of life

Our global symphony

Karmachromatic

It’s only static

The key defines the scale we climb

To at last perceive we are

We are contrast in harmony

You're never out of reach

You're never out of mind

So free your mind

This is your time

For thosе who wish to seek

Forgotten and left behind

Wе are connected

Respect it, the Collective

Like satellites ...

(There’s nowhere you can run)

... passing in ...

(There’s nowhere you can hide)

... the timeless night

(Connecting all our lives)

You're never out of reach

You're never out of mind

Free your mind

This is your time

Know together we stand strong

Why take it all to heart

Then for a rain drop you fall apart

Take the ups and downs in stride

Often times just let things ride

There's nowhere you can run

There's nowhere you can hide

We're all connecting

Connecting all our lives

You're never out of reach

You're never out of mind

We're all connecting

Connecting

Connecting all our lives

You're never out of reach

You're never out of mind

And those you wish to seek

Are those you will find

There's nowhere left to run

So many words being thrown round and round

Always true pathways

Open doorways

Right of ways for everyone

Tell me how can we break down walls

Any other way

Always true pathways

Upon us equal shines the sun

All for the tragic

Karmachromatic

Static to obscure the very key of life

Our global symphony

Karmachromatic

It’s only static

The key defines the scale we climb

To at last perceive we are

We are contrast in harmony

Contrast in harmony

LUMINOSITY

Dream the night came calling from forest mist

The light in Man leaves none to resist

Voiced the thunder to hearts of brotherhood

Perceive the arc Man's rising

Gone the dark and selfish way

Like the stars we are luminous

I hear the wind carry upon its breast

The woes of many each heart's unrest

Voiced the thunder to all

A circle of fire

The arc within Man's rising

No hardship could mar

With soul unscarred we are luminous

We are as the stars

Luminous

We all are stardust

If ever there was a sun to dream upon we are as one

We're luminous

Beings luminous

Bright lighthouses on the sea

The ocean of humanity

Gazing up wondering if on some distant world

A lonely soul is gazing back

Longing for contact

To stand face-to-face

Someday not so far away

Come to light dream caller up from the mist

The powers that be lowered their fists

Voiced the thunder to all

A circle of fire

Perceive the arc Man's rising

Passed greed and the power play

Like the stars we are luminous

We are as the stars luminous

We all are stardust

If ever there was a sun to dream upon we are as one

We're luminous

Beings luminous

Bright lighthouses on the sea

The ocean of humanity

Gazing up wondering if on some distant world

A lonely soul is gazing back

Longing for contact

To stand face-to-face

Someday not so far away

Why on earth can't we, lest we become a dying race

Bring to light

Stand in love face-to-face

Someday not so far away

Surely one day

LIVING OUT THEIR DREAM

Spinning your yarn and push each word

The race is on to be absurd

Around a myth everything turns

So all the words go unheard

Romeo loves Juliet so much

It's Hollywood in double Dutch

Married at the steak and seafood place

They've got anger written on their face

Living out their dream

Covered in ice cream

Their convictions don't convince me

Just a mouthful of glee

Don't convince me

Just a mouthful of glee

Things you have don't make you happy

Things that you want don't come your way

Things that you've lost are gone forever

Whilе you're watching the weathеr

Stories we hear tear us apart

What we believe is happening

Words are distorted, you'd never think

Pushing them to the very brink

Living out their dream

Covered in ice cream

Their convictions don't convince me

Just a mouthful of glee

The oval blots of scarlet foam

Illuminate the silver dome

We're no longer descending

Now there's no time for a happy ending

MIRROR TO THE SKY

Dreams of a sky without fire

Dreams of a sky without fire

An occurrence of chance

This fleeting existence

Are we not leaves in a storm

Here tossed and there blown

Dreams of a sky without fire

Dreams of a sky without fire

You are my mirror to the sky

You are my mirror to the sky

You're my mirror to the sky

You're my mirror to the sky

Still I dream of a sky without fire

Still I dream of a sky without fire falling

Still I dream of a sky without fire

What the shadow minds behind the third eye

Spiеs in vain define

The еssence they fail to posses and so resist all

They cannot control

Their forces then despise the very Soul

And Its inseparable ties

To the limitless sacred skies

Voices stir from future Earth

Tikkun olam

Spiritus mundi

Affirm the principal of unity

After all

We are star fall

Pause and reflect the cause and effect

With mindful mind

Sail timeless time

Strange worlds unknown

Where all man soon must go

CIRCLES OF TIME

Time circles

Circles of time

Time circles

Circles of time

Win or lose

That clock on the wall

Like the shadow of a noose

Is a ticking time bomb

Orchestrating and dictating our every move

Not lost on me

How bittersweet the mockery of irony

The sooner I go

The sooner to you I'll arrive at your door

To be by your loving side

I'm caught in a circle of time

Stuck on a spinning wheel of our few hellos and many goodbyes

I'm caught in an endless time circle

Spinning out of mind

Wishing somehow I could get off of this ride

Across the polar night

Thе blue twilight

Time circles

Timе circles

Far and away

I'm off to ride the sun's bending rays

And I'm lost to your sight

On a never-ending flight

Only nearer to one more yesterday

I'm caught in a circle of time

Stuck on a spinning wheel of our few hellos and many goodbyes

I'm caught in an endless time circle

Spinning out of mind

Wishing somehow I could get off of this ride

Across the polar night

The blue twilight

As we fly right through

The midnight sun

As we head into

The midnight sun

The lonely midnight sun

Across the polar night

The blue twilight

As we fly right through

The midnight sun

As we head into

The lonely midnight

The lonely midnight sun

Midnight sun

Midnight sun

Time circles

Circles of time

Ring upon ring, expanding

Time circles

Circles of time

Time circles

Circles of time

Ring upon ring, expanding

Time circles

Circles of time

UNKNOWN PLACE

Reasons to smile, after a while in our own world

Hidden from things, somewhere within no one's disturbed

Move things aside, innocent age trapped in a cage

Each step taken seems to retrace

Ancestor's footsteps to this unknown place

Bring me that sacred song in the dawn

We can belong in our own unknown world

Confined by a thought (confined by a thought),

It dims to a glow (it dims to a glow)

It falls well below

Needing the joy that nothingness brings needing that joy

Pure light, pure self feeding your health when nothingness gives

Each step taken seems to rеtrace

Ancestor's footsteps to this unknown placе

I live these four walls, beneath the ceiling and floor

I think the plants and the flowers through an open door

Not ever knowing what's written in stone

Take only what is really your own

Happiness tolling bells resounds

Towards a place where peace gently abounds

ONE SECOND IS ENOUGH

With the ins and outs

And the whereabouts

In-between the scenes

Playing out our dreams

That we think occurred

Take it stage-by-stage

Turning page-by-page

From the open space

There's a warm embrace

Now we've come of age

One second is enough

In a blink of an eye

Happiness comes and goes

But we don't know why

In the afterglow

There's a lot we know

How our lives unfold

In what we behold

Inside ourselves

The glory days were beautiful

So young at heart, did energize

Move on from there to be so strong

Always belong

One second is enough

In a blink of an eye

Happiness comes and goes

But we don't know why

One second is enough

One second

One second

One second is enough

MAGIC POTION

On another night we sung our song

Such simple pleasures they can last so long

We stood our ground on the nights return

In the knowledge of what it is we learn

It's a good day to be had by all

As we're drifting in slow motion

All consumed by the notion

That love is the magic potion

It's the way of things

Conclusions drawn

Justice founded on

Though it's worn and torn

The waves aren't calm

When the words alarm

It's a good day to be had by all

It's a good day to be had by all

As we're drifting in slow motion

All consumed by the notion

That love is the magic potion

JETHRO TULL: RökFlöte (2023)

 

1.Voluspo
2.Ginnungagap
3.Allfather
4.The Feathered Consort
5.Hammer on Hammer
6.Wolf Unchained
7.The Perfect One
8.Trickster (and the Mistletoe)
9.Cornucopia
10.The Navigators
11.Guardian's Watch
12.Ithavoll

VOLUSPO

Ek man jötna ár of borna

Þá er forðum mik fædda höfðu

Níu man ek heima, níu íviðjur

Mjötvið mæran fyr mold neðan

Ár var alda, þar er Ymir byggði

Var-a sandr né sær né svalar unnir

Jörð fannsk æva né upphiminn

Gap var ginnunga, en gras hvergi

I remember yet the giants of Yore

Who gave me bread in the days gone by

Nine worlds I knew, the nine in the tree

With mighty roots beneath the mould

Of old was the age when Ymir lived

Sea nor cool waves nor sand, there were

Earth had not been, nor heaven above

But a yawning gap and grass nowhere

GINNUNGAGAP

This first and elemental flesh

Both man and woman falls awake

From void and darkness, frost and flame

From sleeping Ymir, a world to make

The wordless voice, the scream, the howl

Pure essence fills new Earth and Sky

Ancestral form of myth and legend

Giants, Gods, to glorify

Father, Mother, to them all

The bleak betrayal comes to pass

As daughters, sons, bad families

Are cut from stone to break like glass

I dream of spaces, emptiness

Deserts golden, endless dome

Dome of blue with white clouds scudding

Folded origami home

Home to all creation

Vistas of foreign lands. We conjure ghosts

Of pre-birth state, primal recall

The calm amongst the heavenly hosts

ALLFATHER

Allfather, how can we help you?

How can we bring you wondrous notions?

Allfather, how do we read you?

How do we will you godly emotions?

Eye for a lie, tooth for a truth

Hang from the branches, above the well

Nine days pass in the blink of one eye

One eye in heaven, the other in hell

Allfather, learn from the symbols

Born in these waters, a gift for the giving

To others who fawn at the feet of the master

And bathe in the presence, the dead and the living

The heavy door closed with a thud

The vast and book-lined hallowed halls

Sucks me in with endless breath

With steady heartbeats to install me

At the gate of all there is

And all there was, as best we know

From pen to paper, man to child

The gift of learning's afterglow

Afterglow

Afterglow

Allfather

THE FEATHERED CONSORT

Feathered consort, woven fronds maternal

Silken, shining, light the day

With her whispered promises of passion

Fertile joining, fashioned clay

Like distant Venus, so seductive

Smoothing her scent on boys and men

To make them whole and leave them smiling

Thinking of her now and then

They raise her up to sit at heaven's portal

To suckle babes, ripen anew

While second self, the sultry Frеya

Rides behind her cats, grеy and blue

Wicked diva, cool mug-magnet

The sulky, saucy temptress lights

Another lip-stained cigarette

And turns her face to show the whites

Of eyes like torches, piercing, steely

Thin, grey smoke, a coiling plume

Paris showgirl, headdress cast

Aside in tawdry dressing room

HAMMER ON HAMMER

Was there a time when I was Jupiter

Ringed like Saturn, with sacred belt?

Anvil sweating under blows

Hammer on hammer, cold steel to smelt

Coiled serpent, silently waiting

Takes the bait I place beneath

The darkened deeps so far from shore

Line cut, dagger to sheath

Stage must be set for mortal battle

Völva prophesy fufilled

At Ragnarök, gory conclusion:

Drowning world to raise, rebuild

Vlad, the bad, seethes and schemes

An empire past he must renew

Tough man in waiting, stares at me

At White Nights, 1992

Sabres rattle, pipelines tremble

Wasted opportunity

To build a better motherland

A nobler place in history

The darkened deeps so far from shore

Line cut, dagger to sheath

Stage must be set for mortal battle

Völva prophesy fufilled

At Ragnarök, gory conclusion:

Drowning world to raise, rebuild

Was there a time when I was Jupiter

Ringed like Saturn, with sacred belt?

WOLF UNCHAINED

From out the marsh with jaws agape

And angry howls, the wolf does run

All set to roam and havoc make

Amongst the nine worlds of the sun

But soft as silk, strong fetters fixed

To calm, restrain the rage awhile

Invite the hand between sharp teeth

To prove good faith, to reconcile

The bond unbroken, trickery

Could not prevent the savage bite

And free at last with jaws against

The ground and sky, the final fight

Curled at my feet in sleep, Tervueren

Malinois or Groenendael

A shepherd's friend, unfеttered loyalty

Sweet devotion natural

Drеaming of a wilder past

A wilder bark, the howl, the growl

Soft limb to tear and bone to grind

The postman corpse to disembowel

THE PERFECT ONE

He smiles, beguiles, and occupies

A perfect placid sacred space

Enthrals all those who gaze, admire

And, fascinated, beg his grace

Bold but blessed with calm resists

Well armoured, turns aside all harm

Directed at his sweet perfection

Bathed in gentle lights to charm

All but one who, seizing

Opportunity, devises dark

And cunning deed to snuff the candle

Put an end to vital spark

Ken and Joe, Joe and Andy

Frank and George, and Joe and Trav

Fatal friends, fatal attraction

To a rough Adonis, havе

A dark, sad commonality

All hero worship, bit of rough

Frail bond to stretch to breaking point

A point distillеd from stronger stuff

TRIKSTER (AND THE MISTLETOE)

What is this spear of mistletoe

That flies like dart from brother's hand?

Seemed innocent, a prank misfired

The great shapeshifter, fire-brand

Two-faced fool, the jester bold

Grasps at opportunities

To turn his coat, self-satisfy

And go wherever he might please

Little giant, skin so thick

Can hold the fate of all his kin

With treachery, duplicity

Behind the wide, engaging grin

The class clown sits in back of class

Throws paper darts, blot paper balls

To bounce off heads of swots like me

Provokе a fight when lunch break calls

His tiresomе japes, the prods and pokes

The never-lasting friendships made

Bring only our feigned approval

Soon resigned to trusts betrayed

CORNUCOPIA

The barley grows and ripened, feeds

The hungry souls who toil and sweat

They gather to give thanks and praise

For wealth and peace, repay the debt

I make for them a bounty

To reward the pains of honest men

Ask only for their loyal faith

In planting seeds to sprout again

My sister joins the happy throng

To dance and sing with all who care

To lie with her in soft repose

Gold diadem in golden hair

Summer sounds of combine wheezing

On the top fields, by the lane

Which winds down rutted tracks to sleepy

Barns, the dryer for thе grain

Farmer eyes fixеd on the headlands

Dazzled by the dipping sun

Which lights the corners of her eyes

The farmer's wife, we lie as one

THE NAVIGATORS

Feet fixed firm on windswept headland

Far above the raging sea

Lord of all the stormy deeps

The wealth of ages at his knee

Protects and nurtures navigators

Raiders bold who loot and plunder

Giving strength to hold at bay

The tallest wave, the savage thunder

Then, to bring them home again

Safe to revel in their fame

With tales of valour, harsh and virile

Treasures taken in Gods' names

Crab pots stacked, fat diesel straining

At the white and foam-flecked wave

Echo sounding, seaman rounding

Dark mull skirts a watery grave

Which calls to lure brave navigators

Who venture far from harbour home

Burning with that lust of feisty

Fisher-folk who live to roam

Feet fixed firm on windswept headland

Far above the raging sea

Lord of all the stormy deeps

The wealth of ages at his knee

Protects and nurtures navigators

Raiders bold who loot and plunder

Giving strength to hold at bay

The tallest wave, the savage thunder

Then, to bring them home again

Safe to revel in their fame

With tales of valour, harsh and virile

Treasures taken in Gods' names

GUARDIAN'S WATCH

The Guardian stands above the plain

Surveys the path to rainbow bridge

Keen-eyed stares t'wards middle world

From high upon that castle ridge

With trumpet drawn to warn of first

Approach of those who might intrude

He hears the sound of grass a-growing

Senses keen, a quiet étude

Before the giants come to call

The rage of final battle locked

With flaming sword and serpent venom

Revelation, Ragnarök

Mae West, helmet, Mk VIII goggles

'Chute at ready on the wing

Young men sprint to action, answer

Jarring scramble bell's harsh ring

Gear up, climbing, Merlin roaring

Bandits one-five, sounds the cry

Chime of destiny sends aloft

Virgin guardians of the sky

ITHAVOLL

Sé ek upp koma öðru sinni

Jörð ór ægi iðjagræna

Falla forsar, flýgr örn yfir

Sá er á fjalli fiska veiðir

Finnask Æsir á Iðavelli

Ok um moldþinur máttkan dæma

Ok minnask þar á megindóma

Ok á Fimbultýs fornar rúnar

Þar munu eptir undrsamligar

Gullnar tö ur í grasi nnask

Þærs í árdaga áttar höfðu

Now do I see the Earth anew

Rise all green from the waves again

The cataracts fall and the eagle flies

And catches fish beneath the cliffs

The gods in Ithavoll meet together

In wondrous beauty once again

Shall golden tables stand mid the grass

Which the gods have owned in the days of old