1. |
Family Portrait
04:06
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Her Father said "just put an add in the paper, find yourself a husband in the now and not the later." She said "Dad, I don't think you understand, there's more to a woman these days than just a man. I've got a good job with the oil trade in Edmonton, and anyways, I'm only 31." And it was then her father sighed and she realized he'll never know that's not how things get done where his daughter's from.
And it was then her mother chimed "how come you're not the kind to stop the world and have a child in your parent's time?" And with a glance the gloves were off and any betting too. Her daughter cried there in the kitchen that Sunday afternoon. "Don't look to me with all your dreams of all the things you're not. You had your chance, and this is what your wishes brought." Her mother bowed her head and lit another cigarette. Her father looked around and saw he hadn't wiped the counter yet.
Strawberries in the bowl, flowers right beside. Family portraits line every wall on every side.
Nothing was spoken every gaze was focussed on the ground. The words were hiding in the room but didn't make a sound. Her mother whispered under breath "look at this girl we've raised; can't hold a man down long enough and still her bed's not made." The words just hung there like from the gallows with a lifeless sway, silence fell upon them like a plague. And with the timing of a sniper the phone began to ring and blew apart this battle ground and made this kitchen a kitchen again.
Strawberries in the bowl, flowers right beside. Family portraits line every wall on every side.
Her father said "just put an ad in the paper. Find yourself a husband in the now and not the later." She said "Dad, I don't think you understand. No, Dad, I don't think you understand. I don't think you understand our family portrait."
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2. |
Porchlight
03:14
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I wonder if this road is longer than I care to walk?
So many times I've roamed alone make it easier to stop.
This weathered heart that beats cannot be advertised as new.
But as this road winds on and on I know it beats for you.
These arms were empty and this hope was tossed.
These hands were filled with the things I'd lost.
This wind rolls down this road like an old friend.
I won't blow away again.
These tired eyes just couldn't see
Searching for the life I so badly wanted to lead
Hoping for a porch light to guide me home.
So when the anchor finally dropped
From the height of a heart which long since had it's beating stop
Leave the light on in case
The search is over for the things I can never replace.
I wonder how these flowers grow along this old roadside?
When all that I can offer is all that I've tried to hide.
These pockets may be poor but these debts have been repaid.
So any chips I might have left are for you now to be played.
These arms are open and these fingers crossed.
This heart won't beat now for what it's lost.
This road now leads me back like an old friend.
I won't blow away again.
These tired eyes just couldn't see
Searching for the life I so badly wanted to lead
Hoping for a porch light to guide me home.
So when the anchor finally dropped
From the height of a heart which long since had it's beating stop
Leave the light on in case
The search is over for the things I can never replace.
I won't blow away.
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3. |
Lunenburg
03:48
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...and we would run past the church, and we'd be still holding hands.
There is a chill on the ground and the candles are burning low.
They're lighting up the road, and tonight it's gonna snow.
The schoolhouse still stands, but it's a duplex by now.
And the graffiti is gone, but it's still the same building where we practiced our first kiss underneath the tree in Lunenburg.
We'd roll in the snow, we were soaked to the bone.
And then we'd wrestle a while until the sun would go down.
The streetlight bulb is blown; the moon would guide us home in Lunenburg.
We were excited for weeks; it was the talk of the school.
So we'd line up for the dance...
and the lights would go down...
and the music would start...
and we'd all stand around.
But we'd run past the church at night...
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4. |
The Snows of Kilimanjaro
03:10
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The beach was cold and bare.
I had travelled through the night.
The trees were old and I wondered if they knew more than I?
The silly age of wood;
It always makes me wonder if it's true you can only tell their age once you've cut them down?
I'm sorry things aren't quite right, but surely who could know?
A best guess is a guess at the best of times and that's just how some things go...
I hear the sand under the sea; silent as a guillotine.
I feel the waves against my legs and I hope the water's clean.
I could stand here forever between the forest and the water.
I'd love for you to be here.
The lighthouse spins and touches the tops of the trees as it were a blessing.
This place sure feels like a church out here; I'd better start confessing.
I could walk out in these waves tonight, Lord knows it's a heavy swell.
It's not so much that I lied...it's just there was no truth to tell.
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5. |
Strings Taught
03:09
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I could be yours, I could really be yours!
But there's so little I can say. So much I want to tell you. May be one day.
I could be yours, I could really be yours!
But my head's too much to move, so I'll just cry to let you know I approve.
There is nothing more I can do but keep the strings taught and tugging on you.
I could be yours, I could really be yours!
And though I'd like to hold your hand, I haven't figured out this simple command.
I could be yours, I could really be yours!
If you kiss me on my cheek and turn the light out may be this time I'll sleep.
There is nothing more I can do but keep the strings taught and tugging on you.
Sometimes I'm confused, sometimes I am petrified.
But I hear you sing to me "Everything's Alright."
I could be yours, I could really be yours!
These blue eyes are just a start. Give me a chance to not stop breaking your heart.
I could be yours, I could really be yours!
In a week I'll learn to smile and in another week we'll walk down the aisle.
Sing that song you so like to sing of golden slumbers and smiles they will bring.
There is nothing more I can do but keep the string taught and tugging on you.
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6. |
Silent Film
02:25
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Too many times I wake up falling out of bed.
Often I find this make-up won't improve my head.
So many cameras.
I'm told I need a body double to be safe.
I can't participate in trouble that I make.
So many cameras; so few things to really say.
I'd like to star in your favourite silent movie.
I'd like to play the piano in a Buster Keaton scene.
I'd say so much more if my life were a silent film.
I can pretend to fly or orchestrate a war.
The script says that I'm drunk well I can slam your kitchen door.
So many cameras; so few things to really say.
I'd like to star in your favourite silent movie.
I'd like to play the piano in a Buster Keaton scene.
I'd say so much more if my life were a silent film.
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7. |
Heart Like Christmas
03:34
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There are Christmas lights that hang in a window of an apartment block down on 10th street. I wonder if it feels like Christmas everyday in there?
May be it's just a decoy to make Christmas feel like less of a chore? May be it's just a reminder we should all give more?
There's tall grass down by the riverside that bows it's body down to the waves, and when the air is still it hides the lovers who cannot behave. The tall grass doesn't want to be cut sure as the young lovers don't want to be caught and I stand by the riverside and remember it all.
You made my heart feel like Christmas, baby. When all of my hope in this world went out with the snow. Leave all the lights around the window, love. 'Cause you made my heart feel like Christmas.
Hands on the wheel, though we don't even know if we're driving.
Where do we go? The Bridgeland burns just as we're arriving.
All of the cranes are standing alone, but it looks as though they'll be tryin' to give it a go again in a year...
There are Christmas lights that hang in a window of an apartment block down on 10th street. May be it's just a reminder we should all give more?
You made my heart feel like Christmas, baby. When all of my hope in this world went out with the snow. Leave all the lights around the window, love. 'Cause you made my heart feel like Christmas.
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8. |
All Yours
03:54
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A shark that wears a mouthguard while it eats
The sheep who breaks it's leg once you're asleep
The climber who cannot climb without a rope
A skate whose blade is petrified of ice
The gangster who forgot about the heist
The runner who bounces clean off of the tape
When I'm trying to hide I'm a telegraph
When I'm trying to guide I can't find the path
I keep loving you more than I think I can
And I hope that you'll stay, but I'd understand...
Your perfect season stopped short by injury
The swinging tire who cannot find a tree
The true story that gets held up in copyright
The driest fuse with soggy dynamite
The limelight but the bulb must be replaced
The home run who trips over first base
The lock that jams in all the open doors
I'm just a man, but I'm all yours
When I'm trying to hide I'm a telegraph
When I'm trying to guide I can't find the path
I keep loving you more than I think I can
And I hope that you'll stay, but I'd understand...
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9. |
Mother
04:06
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I took a picture of my mother today. One day she'll be gone and I want to still hear her say from her new found home on my livingroom wall: "keep on trying boy and you can never really fall."
I feel like a house with it's roof caving in; like an icicle holding on too long into the spring.
I can hear her say through the softest eyes: "don't go to bed angry dear, no one screams a lullabye."
I feel like a house with it's roof caving in; like an icicle holding on too long into the spring.
Will all these young lover grow up to be fools? Sure as every new mother sees her own life renewed. Will all of our beauty continue to shine after we've left our youth so far behind?
I'll fly a kite for you so we may both touch the sky. And I'll let that string run out at speed and watch you fly. I feel like an icicle.
I'm telling you on my knees; Hell, I'm making the church believe:
Sure as there are tearful goodbyes; you cannot scream a lullabye.
Sure as vintage beauty shines; you cannot scream a lullabye.
I'll make your kite fly.
I feel like a house with it's roof caving in; like an icicle holding on too long into the spring.
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10. |
Triglavski Dom
03:44
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We'll bide our time here in the snow.
Looking up. Talking low.
Coming to terms.
What's this pain upon my chest?
I feel much older than time suggests.
Taking hits blow after blow.
Coming to terms with places I'll never go.
Holding out hope for a major revelation!
Holding out hope for no minor complications.
Holding out hope and holding on.
If you can go, give it a try!
I'll dig in here and be your alibi.
I'll dig in here under the snowy sun.
And come to terms with what we've done.
If you can go, I want to watch you go!
I'll come to terms down here below.
Coming to terms with places I'll never go.
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Peter Charles Willis Calgary, Alberta
I, too, am a work in progress.
Thank you for listening.
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