1. |
Fences
03:42
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hey … bring ‘em in, bring ‘em in …
The man who owned the world, thought the world of himself
He appeared in all his papers, so he could read about himself
His networks all ran stories, so he could watch about himself
And the man who owned the world, wanted more for himself
He put fences around everything, to keep his profits in
With gates to let in customers, to bring his profits in
With guards to keep out bad guys, so he could keep his profits in
And the man who owned the world, wanted more profits in bring ‘em in, bring ‘em in
“Fences make good customers,” said the man who owned the world
“So I want to build more fences,” thought the man who owned the world
“And fences keep in merchandise,” said the man who owned the world
“So I want to build more fences,” thought the man who owned the world. Hey
But the world was full of fences, saw the man who owned the world
“So I’ll have to build them elsewhere,” thought the man who owned the world
“I’ll put fences in the oceans,” said the man who owned the world
“And I’ll build fences in the sky,” said the man who owned the world.
He built fences in the oceans, and he called the oceans “mine”
He fenced up all the fishes, and he call the fishes “mine”
He fenced up all the rivers, and he called the rivers “mine”
And he fenced up all the lakes, and he called the lakes “mine” bring ‘em in, bring ‘em in
He built fences in the sky, and he kept the clouds in
And he fenced up all the birds, and kept the stars and moon in
And he fenced up all the rain, and kept the snow and fog in
And he fenced up the sun, and he kept his profits in Hey
“Now all who want to dream will have to pay a fee
for looking at my clouds, ‘cause my clouds ain’t for free
And all who want to breathe will have to pay a fee
if they want to breathe my air, ‘cause my air ain’t for free.”
And the man who owned the world, kept his profits in
And the people of the world, didn’t say a thing
‘Cause the man who owned the world put fences on the speech
And said “my speech ain’t free, and my words ain’t cheap.”
Bring ‘em in, bring ‘em in. Hey. Bring ‘em in, bring ‘em in.
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2. |
Big Blue Ball
04:37
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We’re floating in space on a Big Blue Ball with no lifeboats aboard
It’s a beautiful place, this Big Blue Ball, as we’re drifting along, along
It’s slow, slow motion, watch the stars crawl ‘cross the sky
And old emotion when the sun starts to rise —let the new day begin …
… on this Big Blue Ball.
We’re living our lives on a Big Blue Ball there’s no place to escape
It’s all we have, this Big Blue Ball, can’t we get along, along
It’s slow, slow motion, watch us crawl out of the dirt
And old emotion, when we cause each other hurt—let us put it aside …
… on this Big Blue Ball.
I flew a kite in the park the other day.
The wind came up and carried it away.
A child came over and asked if I would play … their game of tag.
It’s a wonderful life on this Big Blue Ball, let’s enjoy the view.
And when the moon comes up on our Big Blue Ball, got romance in our minds and hearts.
It’s slow, slow motion as we find our way back home.
And old emotion when we watch our family grow—let’s have peace in our time … … on our Big Blue Ball.
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3. |
My Omission
04:54
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Feeling breezy on a Saturday night, I call my baby on the phone
Say Hey, Darling, how you feeling tonight? [you know what I mean], but all I get is dial tone
Say Hey Baby—what did I do? That’s got you hung up—and leaves me blue?
You know I love you, what can I say? I think I told you jus’ the other day…
Why should it matter, three little words. I can’t believe that you’d be so disturbed,
... at my omission…
Home alone on a Saturday night. How did I get to this place?
I hop into my car and drive to her, let her tell me face to face [and you know
I’m just waiting on the world to change
Your one-track mind driving me insane
Yeah, I’m just waiting on the world to change, Boy ..
I’m just waiting on you.
A week goes by, another Saturday night. I give the flower shop a call
A dozen roses ought to make things right, I prepare to have a ball
Say Hey Baby, these stems for you, so let me come inside, and stay a few
What you mean I don’t get it? I do so got a clue! I brought you flowers, what more should I do? Now don’t go crying, don’t have a fit, I can’t believe that you’d get so upset,
… at my commission
Home alone, another Saturday night. Why won’t my baby pay to play?
I call her up and she picks up the phone, and this is what she has to say
I’m just waiting on the world to change
Cro-Magnon culture driving me insane
Yeah, I’m just waiting on the world to change, Boy
Now I’m just waiting on you.
Feeling thoughtful on a Thursday night, I call my baby on the phone
Say Hey Darling, how you doing tonight? She starts to talking up a storm.
Hear ‘bout Jessie, hear ‘bout Ray, hear about her boss at work, and her crappy day.
You know I love you? What did I say? I thought I was listening … oh, so that’s okay?
I think I get it … you think so, too? Yeah, Baby, c’mon over, and stay a few
… It’s my new mission
She’s been waiting on the world to change,
Somebody heard her and he called her name
Yeah, but she’s still waiting on the world to change, Boy
… Yeah, she’s just waiting on you
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4. |
Signs and Wonders
03:26
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Point me towards the sea
Let it wash all over me
Freedom calls, I shadow walk its halls
Signs and wonders carry me
Signs and wonders carry me.
Faith comes at a cost
Hits its peak when all is lost
Freedom calls, I shadow walk its halls
Signs and wonders carry me
Signs and wonders carry me.
We find our way by night
By fixing on that light
Freedom calls, I shadow walk its halls
Signs and wonders carry me
Signs and wonders carry me
Signs and wonders carry me
Signs and wonders carry me.
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5. |
Go Figure It Out
03:52
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When the sun beat down, it don’t look around
Don’t signify no soul
You go on the street, you feel the heat,
It’s how this business goes
But you’ll feel the pain in the sugar cane
With your back bent to the ground
Or you’ll enjoy the breeze, and the life of ease,
While your workers all turn brown.
It’s the same, same sun
Shines hot, the light of day
It’s the same, same sun
When you work, and when you play
It’s the same, same sun
When you’re rich, and when you’re poor
It’s the same, same sun,
Just some of us get more—go figure it out. Go figure it out.
When the rain come down, such a lovely sound
‘s for everyone to hear
Look to the skies and close your eyes,
Blink away the tears.
But you’ll feel the cold to your bitter soul
If you’re sleeping on a grate
Or you’ll enjoy the sense of eminence,
As you close and lock the gate
Some got looks, some got money
Some got brains, some got funny
Some got luck, some got time
Some got rhythm, some got rhyme
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6. |
Horses
04:25
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She dreamed of horses, little girl in braids
Locked up in a big cold world, indifferent, afraid
She dreamed of horses, sorrel and grey,
Black and flowing, feel it growing, to steal away
‘Cross fields of green,
And broken life, to what could be.
‘Cross open time,
See the world’s possibility.
To skip and fly like a lullaby—she dreamed of horses.
She talked of ashes, and apples on the tree
Of pushing to your limits, and living fearlessly.
She loved with passion, and God!, it was for me,
Feel it growing, overflowing, beautiful and free.
‘Cross fields of green,
And growing life to what could be.
‘Cross open time,
And open arms, lovingly.
To skip and fly like a lullaby—she dreamed of horses.
She made the world, she laughed it into place
Beauteous Bee and Mighty Twig are products of her grace.
She chased the demon, it’s gone without a trace
And I love to be where I can see the smile on her face.
‘Cross fields of green,
And making life, and living the dream.
‘Cross open time,
Dogs and pictures and family.
You skip and fly like a lullaby—she dreamed of horses.
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7. |
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I can’t find my way out of this grind,
I used to work all week and the weekends were mine
But now the stakes are higher and I’ve lost all control,
Good Lord, is there a reason I can’t spend time at home
Seems I’ve lost my compass, work takes all my time
I need to realize, oh Lord, what’s mine
I need to take some time for myself,
I’m gonna take a little pill for my mental health
I’m gonna spend a weekend in New Orleans with you
Take a stroll down on Frenchman street,
Digging all the freaky people and musicians we meet
And then spend some time hearing trombones play,
And then we’ll go to Bourbon Street, where the crazies stay
Seems I’ve lost my compass, work takes all my time
I need to realize, oh Lord, what’s mine
I need to take some time for myself,
I’m gonna take a little pill for my mental health
I’m gonna spend a weekend in New Orleans with you
There doesn’t ever seem to be much time
To sit on the front porch and listen to wind chimes
But now I’m taking some time to sit here,
and spend time with you
A weekend like that is the tonic I need
But it’d come up short if you weren’t here with me
I’m saying that when we get back we just jump on that grind
And when we run on that treadmill, I will sure lose my mind.
Seems I’ve lost my compass, work takes all my time
I need to realize, oh Lord, what’s mine
I need to take some time for myself,
I’m gonna take a little pill for my mental health
I’m gonna spend a weekend in New Orleans with you
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8. |
Land of Living
03:22
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Push my face into the crowd,
No one see behind the shroud
No one hear the silent scream,
Get your plastic, dream the dream
Cut the ribbon, cut the strings
Dedicate your life to things
Land of free and land of proud,
Living large and living loud
Get the picture? Get the joke?
Something’s wrong, system’s broke
Turn the corner, make it right
It’s getting dark, turn on the light
Pump it up and get it down
Breathe some life into this town
Stop the talking, start the giving
Welcome to The Land of Living.
Start your motors, Gentlemen
Pave your way across the land
Don’t give it a second thought
Buy it once and then it’s bought
Take it with impunity
Death gives you immunity
Generations down the line
Let ‘em suffer, let them whine
Get the picture? Get the joke?
Something’s wrong, system’s broke
Turn the corner, make it right
It’s getting dark, turn on the light
Pump it up and get it down
Breathe some life into this town
Stop the talking, start the giving
Welcome to The Land of Living.
Now little one, he say to me
What’s the point of being free
If being free cost all your time,
Then free ain’t free, you know this line.
What’s the point of life to be
If it ain’t about our dignity?
So look The Man into the eye,
And tell him you don’t wanna buy.
Get the picture? Get the joke?
Something’s wrong, system’s broke
Turn the corner, make it right
It’s getting dark, turn on the light
Pump it up and get it down
Breathe some life into this town
Stop the talking, start the giving
Welcome to The Land of Living.
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9. |
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I done some drinkin’, Lord … more than my share
I done some drinkin’, Lord … more than my share
Been down that road before
Been down that road, before.
I done some lyin’ and cheatin’, lost most of my friends
I done some lyin’ and cheatin’, lost most of my friends
Been down that road before
Been down that road, before.
I try to do the right things, but old habits die hard
I try to walk the right paths, but old habits die hard
Been down that road before
Been down that road, before.
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10. |
John Francis
03:35
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Tankers crash in the ‘Frisco Bay, death comes to the sea
Slick as snot and John Francis thought it’s time to be set free.
Set free of barrels and gallons and futures, and greasy politicians
Set free of CO, CO2, NOx and VOCs emissions.
It’s time to walk, to find your feet and step into what’s real
‘Cause slavery to energy is only gonna kill—set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
He walked for over 20 years, refused to take a ride.
He walked the roads of America, with eyes opened wide.
And for 17 of those walking years he didn’t make a sound
Used his ears, learned to hear, life is all around.
Went to college, earned his BA, MA, PhD
Walk the walk with silent talk, it’s time to be set free—set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
Now the average American has every right to be
Contented with the status quo, “when it ain’t affecting me”
But when something’s wrong, you need some kick to switch around the roles
Open up your heart and mind by laying down your soles—Hey!
A Black man in America in 1970
Couldn’t escape the imposition of race identity
But the sin of skin is paper thin—a fiction of our minds
Black and white and red and brown only makes us blind
Blind to our Mother Earth and life’s fragility
We’ve got to find another way if we’re gonna be set free—set it free, get it free
Set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
Set it free, get it free.
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