Like Phil

LIKE PHIL (E A D G B E)

Like Phil, I took my shirt off in the backyard. I brushed my teeth in the morning sun.

I stood on the grass and watched roots grow from my toes and sink into the earth. We were happy there.

Later at the pub I was glad to have someone to talk to. They shook my hand in the gaps of our conversation. Each time a little sweatier.

 

At home I took my shirt off in the bedroom. It smelled like beer and durries and handshakes.

I didn’t shower but I should have. I turned my phone off and I slept in.

And when I woke up I had deja vu. I brushed my teeth in the backyard and waited for something, something, something to happen.

 

I brushed my teeth in the backyard and waited for something to happen.

I brushed my teeth in the backyard and waited for something to happen.

I brushed my teeth in the backyard and waited for something to happen.

I brushed my teeth in the backyard and waited for something to happen.

Implications

IMPLICATIONS (D A D G B E)

We were silent for a moment. I didn’t know why. It’s been a minute and it takes me back. I remember when we used to stand up for so long two or three people would always faint.

 

Tell me; what’s the difference between hearing and listening? Because I’ve heard so many times I should enjoy it but it only just sunk in.

 

And if you step too far you’ll be double-weighted. It’s funny to think how that would be a bad thing. I’m still trying to work out the implications.

I’m still trying to work out the implications.

 

So tell me; what’s the difference between being silent for a moment and being silent for minute? I guess it’s just a sign of the times. And I had to google because I didn’t know why.

Not scared of not coming back

NOT SCARED OF NOT COMING BACK (D A D G B E, capo 1)

 

Not scared of not coming back. Letting go of all the reasons why and why not.

Not scared of never again. Not returning, we’re looking ahead. Why not?

 

Lay your head on the mat. Close your eyes. Let the world go black.

Lay your heart on the grass. It’s ok to not know where you are.

Because we’re not scared of not coming back.

We’re not scared of not coming back.

Like lavender

LIKE LAVENDER (E G D G B E, capo 2)

Like lavender falling softly. The sky is singing me to sleep. It’s a secret I can’t keep.

Like lavender gently floating. I’m making my way to the brightest star. I’m running as slow as I can.

Like lavender trickling downhill. I don’t need to worry where the stream takes me. I am following patiently.

Like lavender.

You're always on the verge of tears

YOU’RE ALWAYS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS (E A D G B E)

 

You’re always on the verge of tears whenever you come around here.

You’re pulling on the grass again. One day you will crack like an egg.

 

You’re always on the verge of tears. Been struggling at least a year.

I want to say it will get better now. But you’re the only one who knows how.

 

You’re always looking at your feet when you come over unannounced.

You scratch your legs and take a seat. And now you’re crying on the lounge.

 

You’re always on the verge of tears. You’ve heard all that I’ve got to say.

I can’t grant you absolution. I can’t give you what you’ve lost.

 

You’ll never get back what you’ve lost.

You’ll never get back what you’ve lost.

Even when it won't stop

EVEN WHEN IT WON’T STOP (E A D G B E)

A tree told me: no shortcuts. As I sat in its shade.

The morning breeze was soft but steady.

Gently blowing the leaves. Tickling the back of my neck.

 

A tree told me not to fear. As its branches stretched towards the sky.

As a magpie built a nest and I thought: how perfect a place! Like it couldn’t be anywhere else.

 

A tree told me: the world will wait for you, even when it won’t stop.

As its shade dissolved into the night.

Are you leaving?

ARE YOU LEAVING? (E A D G B E)

 

To be here. To understand. To look up and see blue sky.

To be loved and be in love. To look up and know you are.

I know you’ve travelled far. And you must be sick of sitting in your car.

Are you leaving or returning?

Are you leaving or returning? It’s in your heart.

 

Today you sped by as the world stood still. Today you just got through.

And you don’t know what to do because they always told you it’s sad but true.

But it’s fine to be sad. Maybe that’s what they meant.

 

Are you leaving or returning? Are you healing or are you hurting? Are you seeing or are you or are you searching?

 

To be here. To understand. To look up and see blue sky.

Shining better world

SHINING BETTER WORLD (D A D G B E)

 

If the sky can’t make up her mind today I don’t see how I could.

If I wake up grey, a bit of a headache, how far can I expect to go?

Like a whisper through the dark. Put your ear to your pillow. Can you hear my heart? It’s a shining better world!

 

If the trees don’t shake and the wind don’t blow how will I know?

If I take to the streets in boardies and bare feet everyone will know.

Like a shudder through the earth, it rocked to me to the core. I’m not scared anymore.

It’s a shining better world!

It’s a shining better world!

It’s a shining better world!

It feels fair

IT FEELS FAIR (E A D G B E, capo 2)

 

I’m surrounded by books. Their words heavy on my head. I’m not ready to start again.

All I feel are dirty looks. Through the cracks in the back fence. I can’t start again. I’m happy where I am.

 

I’m surrounded by falling leaves. The air heavy on my skin.

I’m not ready; I’m just a kid. And life is a nightmare. Somehow it feels fair.

 

Soon I’ll go out. I don’t know where. I’ll take to the streets as if in a dream.

Soon I’ll go out. I don’t know where. Because I’m just a kid and life is a nightmare.

I’m just a kid; I know that it’s not fair.

Somehow it feels fair.

I'm only sad

I’M ONLY SAD (E A D G B E, capo 2)

 

I’m only sad when I think about what I had. And what I don’t have now.

I’m only sad when I think about my dad. And my mum and my brothers.

 

Don’t worry – it’s not that bad.

Don’t worry – I’m only sad.

 

When I’m not mad or somewhere in between.

 

Don’t worry – it’s not that bad.

Don’t worry – I’m only sad.