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Music and Lyrics:
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Use the iPod to listen to the tracks from "Connected"
Use the arrows to navigate from track to track, or the wheel to get more song information. Enjoy!
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Want to hear some of the tracks from "Connected"? Ironically, you'll have to manipulate the iPod to do so, and you'll need to listen to the song "Connected" to find out the irony!
Click here to see how my friend Aaron responded with the following male-perspective to my "Gravity" song.
Please note that the quality of these mp3's is less than you can find on the CD. You can find Connected" at the following locations:
- Borders Bookstore at Broadmoor Towne Center
- Barnes and Noble, Citadel, both in Colorado Springs
- Business of Art Center (Venue 515), Manitou Springs
- cdbaby.com for hard copies or downloads
- iTunes for downloads of the album or individual songs.
1. Standing Tall
2. Gravity's Bringing Me Down
3. Never Too Late
4. Bike Ride
5. Connected
6. SuperMan
7. I Wish For You Light
8. Bell to Bell Blues
9. Star
10. Whistle
11. Sands of Time
12. Another Turn, Turn, Turn
13. Peace Piece
1. Standing Tall
You find yourself in the thick of your book
Spine’s unbroken so you take a second look
Sure enough, as the pages unfold
It’s a mystery yet, since the story’s untold…
But I see you standing tall, reaching high
Standing tall with your heart up to the sky
Standing tall on the mountainside
(with) Your spirit open wide.
The void’s not a vacuum as you scrutinize
Territory’s charted out through your mind’s eye
Destiny is written as you choose to believe
Create existence as you wish it to be
So you’ll see you standing tall, reaching high
Standing tall with your heart up to the sky
Standing tall on the mountainside
Your spirit open wide.
Conquer any issue, use mental tai chi
Regrets turn back by your energy
As you vanquish any demons may you come to see
That your strength lies within your vulnerability
The past has left its scars but onward you go
Must have been lessons that you needed to know
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, they say
How invincible you must feel as you start everyday
And I see you standing tall, reaching high
Standing tall with your heart up to the sky
Standing tall on the mountainside
Your spirit—let your spirit, may your spirit—open wide.
Written for Barb-Bob and inspired by a yoga pose
November, 2000
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2. Gravity's Bringing Me Down
Today I looked in the mirror and what did I see?
Some middle-aged woman lookin’ back at me
I did a double take ‘cause what’s she doing there?
With some resemblance to me, but salt & pepper for hair?
So familiar was the countenance, I had to see more
But I had to get my glasses so that I could explore
The creepy image staring at me from the glass on the wall
With her beady brown eyes and her apparent gall.
And upon further inspection I was mortified
To discover the invader whom I’d vilified
Was none other than the one you’re hearing now in this space
But she was graying, she was wrinkling--she was wearing my face!
Gravity’s bringing me down.
(Bridge:) My once acceptable appearance now has thrown me a curve
Morning aches are telling me I need to conserve
Body parts are droopy from my feet to my crown
‘Cause I just can’t avoid the simple fact:
Gravity’s bringing me down.
You know I find it so strange this happened overnight
Just yesterday my muscle tone was really all right,
But since my 30-something image now has slipped down the drain
A scientific fact is what I need to help me explain:
Gravity’s bringing me down, (repeat 2x….) (How LOW can you go???)..,
It’s true…and I know you may be skeptical, but I used to be six-two.
…and furthermore, I have a theory that I postulate will be accepted as scientifically sound once the neurological research has been conducted. You see, when gravity exerts its force on the hippocampus, brain cells, under tremendous pressure, compress and lose their capacity to complete synapses, therefore contributing to memory loss--maybe minor; perhaps profound. In the extreme, ideas, once perceived as absolute knowledge—black and white concepts—deteriorate (as one ages) into thoughts, which register only in shades of gray. Gray—gray matter. You know what I’m saying? Hmmm….What WAS I saying?? Oh--matter…What’s the matter?? Gravity’s bringing me down. (repeat 3x)… (How LOW can you go???)
October 3, 2006
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3. Never Too Late
The two had lived separate lives
To one another unknown
When loss of their loves
Left them each on their own.
Tormented by grief,
Heartache and void
Their worlds that they’d known
Had been completely destroyed.
But it’s never too late for love
You know there’s still time
To be thought the world of
It’s never too late for love
No, it’s never too late for love.
Brought together by loss
Was it fate? Was it chance?
Whatever it was,
It was more than happenstance.
And as the months passed
Came a flicker of light
Then passion ignited
And the flame burned bright
So never give up on love
Hang on to hope
You’ll find the fit like a glove
Never give up on love
No, never give up on love.
When you’re thinking you’re lost
And alone in the world
And you’ve got no one holding you dear
Just keep your heart open, your spirit alive
Once you’re in the right space
Your new love will appear
Never give up on love
Though you think you might need
A little help from above
Never give up on love
Don’t you ever give up on love.
It’s never too late for love
You know there’s still hope
To find that fit like a glove
It’s never too late for love
No, it’s never too late
So never give up,
No it’s never too late for love.
For Herb and Myra
August 19, 2002
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4. Bike Ride
The drone of the bass string might help you imagine the cadence of pedaling
2005-6
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5. Connected
Billy’s really on the pulse, he’s in-sync in every way
Heading downtown in his Audi to his favorite net café
He’s dialed-in to his broker through the Treo on his dash
Then twirls through an ATM where he extracts his wad of cash
Plugged in to his laptop, he checks email, writes a blog
Seamlessly connected, like a greasy wheel and cog
Pays his bills on-line and sips a tall café au lait
Googles through some sites then he goes shopping on E-Bay
(Chorus): Billy’s got to be connected
Every minute on the clock
Keep the techno gadgets charged-up,
The iPod in its dock
Gotta always stay connected
Can’t miss a nano-sec
The cell phone’s in its holster
To be drawn and send a text
Billy thought he needed vacation so he bid on an RV
The microwave came standard, as did satellite TV
A flat screen blares a program as he sails on down the road
Wouldn’t want to miss a moment of the new Scrubs episode
(Chorus): Billy’s got to be connected
Every minute on the clock
Keep the techno gadgets charged-up,
The iPod in its dock
Ever since he was “E-infected”
Billy’s had to have it all
The cell phone’s in its holster
To be drawn and catch a call
Bridge: But later on that night, he parked way off the grid
The generator stalled, his cell phone signal quit
The TV screen turned dark, Play Station Three went dead
The stillness settled round and he was filled with dread
…What if he wasn’t connected?
Was he out of touch or had he been freed?
Alone and in the middle of nowhere
No more virtual reality…
But it seems that everybody’s connected
Every minute on the clock
But if there were-n’t any gadget distractions
What else would they do?…what?…talk?
This song was built around a chord progression and drum groove that Rick Greene and Derek Baughman put together, actually for someone else, and I took it and ran with it!
January 14, 2007
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6. SuperMan
Faster than a speeding bullet, it flew
Just what was that up in the sky?
A bird? A plane? No, it was Superman--
Leaping buildings stories high.
The power of a locomotive proved no match
For the man behind the “S”
His solo force could turn the tide in every contest
While bouncing bullets from his chest.
Chorus: And he flew across our spacious skies
For truth and the American way;
Fighting all the forces of evil,
And for their crimes, perpetrators would pay.
With nerves of steel he entered any altercation
And saved the victims from distress.
Truth and justice would prevail across the land;
Then Metropolis could rest. (Repeat chorus)
Bridge: But in real life we heard of your accident; the tragedy of the fall
How on earth could it happen to the invincible image for all?
Chris lay in the hospital, technology aiding each breath.
What kind of existence…? Could it be any better than death?
Then entered his family; caring children and wife
And in an instant he made his decision—it was clear—and he chose life.
And again he flew across the spacious skies;
Not for truth or the American way,
Nor to thwart the forces of evil,
But for love and for life and for today.
Yes, flew across our spacious skies;
Not for truth or the American way,
Nor to thwart the forces of evil,
But for love and for life and for today.
Yes, he flew; how he flew;
Oh he flew, he flew anew
And on the tails of your cape others will, too
‘Cause the real SuperMan was you.
For Christopher Reeve, what an incredible man
March 3, 1996 (originally recorded at that time, but re-recorded 2006/7)
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7. I Wish For You Light
We skipped the small talk, cocktails and wine
Bypassed the customary “How are you?” “Fine.”
Straight to the heartache, love and the loss;
Emotional mine fields we’ve all had to cross; we’ve all had to cross.
A sepia photo of one handsome lad,
Heart ring in diamonds shows passion you had;
A trusty ol’ knife that he kept in his robe,
Ties to the past, but symbols of hope, symbols of hope.
Chorus: And I wish for you light
In the times when you wake in the deep of the night
I wish for you light
May it shine on you always
A silk scarf from France in those beautiful hues,
Funny cane decked with the toys and pink shoe,
Cherished mementos of those that we love;
Heartfelt reminders we’ll never let go of, don’t want to let go of.
St. Francis stands watch from his post on the hill,
Pink flamingoes kindle memories still;
The coverless cookbook, well worn and stained;
Treasures of love to lessen the pain, kept to lessen the pain.
Bridge: Your daughter, her husband, their father, his wife;
My mother, her sister, your lover our life;
The mobile’s unbalanced with loss of our kin.
It may be right one day, though it’s hard to say when;
It’s so hard to say when.
The long days unfold into pathways of time
Mountains of “will nots” and “cannots” to climb;
Though shadows dapple the road, which we tread
The sunshine will break through up ahead, the sun’s just ahead.
For the survivors at Pikes Peak Hospice
November 11, 2001
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8. Bell to Bell Blues
You can’t make me
I don’t want to
I ain’t goin’ anymore
With bell to bell instruction
School is nothin’ but a chore
All day long there
We are focused
On the objective on the board
Drill and practice to get to proficient
Take a test and then it’s scored
My CSAP scores aren’t lookin’ like I’ll make my AYP,
Despite the interventions, RTI and LMB.
Doubt that I can manage even one more strategy;
Don’t make me go,
Don’t make me go. (Break)
I said, “Mom, I got a problem…
Seems that I cannot make the grade,
And I’ve been missing my time at recess
Since the principal began this crusade.
And though I’ve been working up to my potential
There are goals there I can’t quite reach.”
She replied, “Honey, you know I’m so sorry,
But you’ve got to go now ‘cause you’ve got to teach!”
My reaction to some major changes happening in the way the system is asking us to teach our children.
October 26, 2006
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9. Star
More than forty years ago, when Peter Pan went flying through the air,
Mary Martin envy made me want to be up there
In tights and turned up slippers, I’d spring from bed to bed
With dreams of Never-Neverland so vivid in my head
Chorus: I was gonna be a star
In my room I knew I’d make it to the far side of far
I’d dance and sing, I’d do it all;
And any day soon I’d get that Hollywood call
Then Julie Andrews twirled herself and made the hills alive
The sound of music filled my heart when I was two times more than five
I’d do my gig in front of mirrors—a new Von Trapp recruit
While dressed up in my Mary-Janes and navy sailor suit (Chorus)
Mary Travers harmonies were the next I’d try to emulate
Singing “If I had a Hammer” every morning, noon or late
Her every part I learned by heart ‘til I was really fine
I was ready if they’d want me, but she never did resign. (Chorus)
So I admit it now—the leotards don’t fit well anymore
And my dancing hit a plateau; two left feet don’t make it on the floor
But I’ll pick on my guitar most any mood I’m in
If you’ll listen, I’ll be there and you just need to tell me when
I guess I’m never gonna be a star
And I will never catch the sights from the far side of far
But in retrospect the view I see is a move in my mind
That shows me that I’m where I’m s’posed to be…
…but maybe I could go for a ride in a stretch limo sometime?
January, 2002
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10. Whistle
Birds singin’—it’s a sunny day;
Leaves are fallin’, but they’re fallin’ my way.
Got nothin’ pressin’ so outside I’ll stay;
I wish I could whistle; I wish I could whistle.
Chilis roastin’ and the grill is aglow,
The grass isn’t growin’ so there’ nothin’ to mow.
The view that’s showin’ could be one for Van Gogh;
I wish I could whistle; I wish I could whistle.
If I could just whistle out a simple melody
My heart would then be filled with the sound.
When I can’t recall any lyrics at all
My whistlin’ would bring ‘em around.
I feel like whistlin’ when I think of you--
Beyond blissful knowin’ you love me, too.
And if I could you know just what I would do
You know I would whistle,
You know I would whistle. (WHISTLE!)
That’s all I can whistle.
I wish I could whistle.
For you I would whistle.
September 28, 2003
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11. Sands of Time
Sands of time slipped softly through the hourglass
A myriad of grains to make a score
Earth’s revolutions must’ve twirled in veil of darkness
And lay the course of history down forevermore
Caught in the whirlwind of life’s everyday occurrences
A tree, but not the forest may a appear
But back away to see the insight in the painter’s way
And the message in the picture becomes clear
It shows the edge of the horizon in the dawn before the blue
And the cusp of sun a-risin’ the gateway to the view
On the pulse you sense it waking; emergence of the spring
And the birds take flight in chorus—it’s the next awakening
Don’t wait—the day is calling you
Don’t hesitate—the path is clear/near
Your new premiere; it’s time for your next debut
In the dusk we pack away the treasured memories
Shared perspectives from the trench that made us smile
And in your wake the strength and spirit that you fostered here
Is destined to endure a long, long while
So don’t wait—the day is calling you
Don’t hesitate—the path is near
Your new premiere; it’s time for your next debut—
But we’ll be missing you
You’re on the edge, before the blue
And on the cusp, into the view
And on the pulse, into the spring
And taking flight; awakening.
For Aileen and everyone who needs to move on…
May, 2006
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12. Another Turn, Turn, Turn
Something tells the wild geese when it’s time to go
Something tells the gardener when it’s time to sow
Maybe it’s the day length; maybe it’s the breeze
An innate sense of rhythm handed down for centuries
A time for every purpose under heaven here on earth
A time to reap the harvest, then await the seeds’ rebirth
To everything’s the season and everything will turn
Toward the light that spurs us onward; to the path on which we’ll learn
A pasque flower plows her way through crust of stubborn snow
While a black bear stumbles into spring; up and moving slow
A time to teach the children, and a time for them to fly
A time to gaze up in the stars with a floating question—“why?”
Or why not seek beyond the well-worn, rutted road?
Climb through the overgrowth to risk the view
Enlightenment’s the next horizon
Something tells a spirit when it’s time to go
In the wind if one’s attuned to it, the telling breeze will blow
And the breeze has blown the candle out; the friendly flame is gone
Yet a flicker in the firelight says it’s right for movin’ on
A time to build the future and a time for looking back
And a time for taking stock of life to fill in what we lack
Something tells the wild geese when it’s time to go
Something tells the gardeners when it’s time to sow
A time for every purpose under heaven here on earth
A time to reap the harvest, then await the seeds’ rebirth
A time to teach the children and a time for them to fly
A time to gaze up in the stars with a floating question—“why?”
Something tells a spirit when it’s time to go
In the wind if one’s attuned to it the telling breeze will blow.
May, 1999…when I was moving on…
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13. Peace Piece
At the end of each day may you feel peace,
And to yourself you have been true.
Find the strength from within, and then release
That which you cannot undo.
May your loved ones bring you comfort,
And through your struggles, soothe your pain;
As an oak, steadfast and strong, despite a storm;
Ever growing, yet unwavering, still remain.
Dona nobis pacem, pacem; dona nobis pacem.
May you find answers to the questions that you seek,
When earthly explanations can’t provide.
Renewed in spirit in the moments you feel weak;
Self-doubts and reservations all subside.
Dona nobis pacem, pacem; dona nobis pacem. (2x)
In our lifetimes may the fighting come to an end,
And hatred caused by differences cease.
May I be always mindful of my part in making amends,
Then at day’s end perhaps we’ll live in peace.
Dona nobis pacem, pacem; dona nobis pacem. (3x)
Dona nobis pacem, pacem—give us peace—Amen;
Give us peace—Amen; Give us peace—Amen.
March 3, 2007
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Gravity's Bringing Me Down (Grumpy & Dirty Ol' Man Version) by Aaron Rosenthal
Today I looked in the mirror and what did I see
Some aging grumpy man looking back at me
I looked and I stared at the reflection I saw
The me that was before is now full of flaws
My old man he told me these changes would take place
I guess I was in denial that it would occur on my face
The rest of my body is just following suit
To restore my youthful appearance would take too much loot
Gravity is bringing me down
The mop of hair that I used to comb
No longer exists on this balding dome
Hair now grows out of my nose and my ears
But my eyesight’s still good enough to look at ladies rears
I now get up from bed at least twice a night
To pee with greater frequency is now my plight
My face is elongated with sagging jowls
I obsess daily on the function of my bowels
Gravity is bringing me down
I used to have constant thoughts about sex
But I’m now less attractive with sagging belly and pecs
It’s significantly more difficult to keep it up real long
I’m the first to admit orgasms aren’t nearly as strong
Getting up in the morning now seems like work
Feeling better than worse appears to be a quirk
One of the few remaining pleasures is to have a good fart
But then I become concerned it may damage my heart
Gravity is bringing me down
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