Firm

FIRM (E A D G B E)

You were right there. I was waiting. I couldn’t see you.

But then I felt you. Only slightly. Just enough to propel me.

 

And you left a trail; just subtle. Leading in and out from my chest. And I will do my best to follow.

 

And keeping firm in my heart. Like an apple in a tree. When I fall I will land in your lap.

In resolve, in thought. In time I will see. Like an apple in a tree.

 

And I hope I feel every bump, every bruise, every scratch, every moment I tumble through.

And I hope I’m strong enough. Because I think I can be.

I can be (firm).

Today I was just not sick enough

TODAY I WAS JUST NOT SICK ENOUGH (E A D G B E)

Today I was just not sick enough. The morning was just not dark enough. The smokescreen was just not thick enough.

But right now my head is filling up with all of this sticky heavy stuff. And my gut is just twisted enough.

And I drive an hour from the sea. But two times is too many times a week. Arrive and I’m just strong enough. But today is just not long enough.

 

And tonight I’ll sit down in the dark. And write a sad song on my guitar about how my life is so hard.

Poor me, I’m just not sad enough. My patience is like a garbage truck. Tip it out and fill it back up. Tip me out and fill me back up.

And I drive down the expressway doing 132 in the right lane. I’m fine but I’ll still sigh and huff because today I was just not sick enough.

LNIDIWF

LNIDIWF (E A D G B E)

Good morning. Last night I dreamt I was falling. But you came with me and now the sun shines brightly. And the road’s still wet but it doesn’t take long to forget the rain.

Good morning. Last night I dreamt I was leaving. But you came with me.

Now the sun pours through the window. And you let it do its work. Close your eyes and try to let go. Let yourself be undisturbed.

Good morning. Last night I dreamt of this moment.

Now we’re floating on the ocean. And we’re counting down from ten. There’s a darkness beneath us. Hold your breath. Hold your breath. I’ve been dreaming of this moment.

Growing old

GROWING OLD (E A D G B E)

All of my friends are growing old. I’m breathing in. I’m letting go.

This road I walk flows like the sea. It’s everywhere. It’s only me.

 

I’m growing out. I’m looking in. Everyone else gets smaller and smaller.

I’m going home. You’re growing old. You’re growing old. I’m growing old.

All my ghosts

ALL MY GHOSTS (E A D G B E)

All my ghosts; they follow me home. We wade through the cold.

The light of the moon. The sorrow we know. Following the gloom.

You know where you are. You know where you are.

 

All my songs; they ring like a bell and soar like a dove.

We follow the trail. We somehow know how to get home.

You’ll know when you do. You’ll know when you do. You’ll know when you do.

Make it less

MAKE IT LESS (D A D F G E, capo 4)

Make it less. Make it more. Make it blow up like a ball. Let it fall. Let it pop. Let the whole world stop. And go on. And go on.

 

Give it space. Hold it close. Let it know you care the most. Like a ghost in the house. Open windows. Let it out. Let it sing. Let it rest. Let it fail every test. Be the worst. Be the best. Make it beautiful. Make it less.

 

Take time. Make haste. Let your worry go to waste. Make it strong. Make it soft. Put it on and take it off. Take it home. Let it go. Don’t let anybody know. Be cursed. Be blessed. Make it less. Make it less. Make it less.

Only what I think I'll need

ONLY WHAT I THINK I’LL NEED (D A D F G E, capo 4)

Ears ringing. I still hear the angels singing. I wonder how they find me in the dark.

I’m bringing only what I think I’ll need. Sounds easy but letting go is hard to do.

And no one else can tell you. Don’t let no one tell you. Don’t let me tell you.    

What happens after

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER (D A D F G E)

Everything is messy today. I’ll just sit and let it be that way. Watch the world unfurl. Out of my reach.

Everyone is telling me how to find myself in the middle of a crowd. But I see every face.

Fill me up so I can shut my mouth. Close your doors so I never come around.

 

All she said was Ima keep speeding.

All me of was torn apart but all I said was I thought you were already leaving.

 

But everyone is loopy today. This time of year makes us act a little strange. Just try to leave some space.

The wind blew strong and she cackled with laughter. She turned her back and I never got to ask her: What happens after? What happens after? What happens after?

Sit down to stay down

SIT DOWN TO STAY DOWN (E A D G B E, capo 1)

Sit down to stay down. Make sure you’re warm enough. Pour yourself a hot drink.

Sit down to stay down. You’re not going anywhere because you’ve got nowhere to be.

Sit down to stay down. Watch your shadow crawl from one wall to the other.

Sit down to stay down. Until you’re sure enough. But have you ever been?

 

Sit down to stay down. Make sure I’m warm enough. Pour me a hot drink.

Sit down to stay down. I’m not going anywhere because I’ve got nowhere to be.

I’ve got nowhere to be.

 

Sit down to stay down. Until I’m sure enough. But have I never been?

Have I ever been? Have I ever been?

I'm dont want to grow into that

I DON’T WANT TO GROW INTO THAT (D# G# D G C D)

I don’t want to grow into that. I don’t want to make way for the horror. I’m not going to hold on just to save you. I don’t want to grow into that.

 

I don’t want to drive round and round the same block all day. I know these faces. I know this grief well.

 

Before the sun melts me to death. Before the waves turn me to sand. Before the wind swings round and we can’t go back. I’m not going to grow into that.

 

I don’t want to visit you in jail. I don’t want to scrape you off the footpath. I’m not going to let go just to fall with you.

 

Because I don’t want to grow into that. I decided a long time ago. So, you can squirm and you can suffer but I’m not going to grow into that.

 

Before the night cuts me in half. Before the footpath takes me whole. Before the birds turn round at the sight of my face.

 

Before the sun melts me to death. Before the waves turn me to sand. Before the wind swings round and I can’t turn back. I’m not going to grow into that. I’m not going to grow into that.