We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Songbook

by Allison Crowe

/
1.
Crayon and Ink Composed by Allison Crowe The Arctic surrounded my cold wooden room I don't think I've ever felt so warm these waters brought back to me what I reluctantly believed and I watched as the 4 corners gave way to the ice and the life and the death and the warmth and they were all joined together In that one instant I could feel you crushing me but I didn't want to remember what it felt like to be alive and still feel so cold in crayon and ink what I understood the least were these words not spoken out of fear of the law or self sacrifice and I never thought that confirmation would come in to play and these words were never going to be on the tip of your tongue and I was locked in a place that I'd never seen before without windows but with curtains hanging on the walls and I was forced to believe all I had I had to self-deprivate and I was proved wrong when you came back in a room filled with nothing this table looked away from me a kick to your foot and a twist of your head and I saw that you were afraid but if you think that I was just being cold you don't know how scared I was in crayon and ink what I understood the least were these words not spoken out of fear of the law or self sacrifice and I never thought that confirmation would come in to play and these words were never going to be on the tip of your...
2.
When I'm Gone Words & Music by Phil Ochs As performed by Allison Crowe There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone And you won't find me singin' on this song when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't feel the flowing of the time when I'm gone All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone My pen won't pour out a lyric line when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't breathe the bracing air when I'm gone And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't be running from the rain when I'm gone And I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone Can't say who's to praise and who's to blame when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here Won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I'm gone Can't be singing louder than the guns when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
3.
Arthur 03:34 video
Arthur Words & Music by Allison Crowe And the weight of this war We are fighting Is a door that is opening And sighing You say come back inside It is warm here You have seen it out there And you ran away If you lift without strength Can you move it Or the sword in this stone Would you lose it Are you Arthur Or only pretending And this hope you have burned Are you sending away Away, away… Would you hold me If I disappeared now And if I didn’t know Who I was Would you stay with me While I was losing Or lay down your sword And run away Would you still love me If I forgot you If my heart held to Only a thread In the flicker of eyes I would see you Would you carry me back from my dread away Away, 'way, away away, away
4.
Lisa's Song Words and Music by Allison Crowe I want to be the one To say that I found you safe And held you in my arms I want anyone else in the world To tell me That they did too And took you home Across the field and to your door And said, hey baby it’s cool, There’s no reason to be scared anymore. Took you home And held you in, held you in, held you in. Just stay home Don’t come outside to play Circumstance beyond control I feel so helpless Mind is racing and breaking Me into a million pieces Because I can’t Take you home Across the river and to your door Take you home and Cut through the darkness You don’t have to cry anymore Take you home And hold you in, hold you in, hold you in. Take you home Across the sea and to your door Take you home But I’m so scared That home isn’t here anymore Take you home And hold you in Through the nightshade and under the stars And hold you in...
5.
Skeletons and Spirits Words & Music by Allison Crowe Take your sympathy and shove it as for the pain, well, I love it I'll eat your words I'll devour your soul I will laugh like a lemur as you crawl back into your hole I won't deny you, but I'll pay you no heed And, if you keep stabbing me, I will probably bleed But, I'll pretend I'm a cloud and my rain will surround you And if you keep hurting me I'll eventually drown you And, yes I know I'm a little bit off But, you, you can't leave, you can't open the door you think you're unique but I've seen you before so run, run away from the fires that burn you will do this again and again but you will never learn So keep looking down as you crush me keep smiling 'cause I will get up and there's no denying that I am one of your punching clowns you can keep on striking but you can't keep me down You always think that you are fearless and right but I think that you are afraid in the night of the ghosts, of the spirits that crawl into your head of the skeletons that'll haunt you until you're dead but, now, you can't leave, you can't open the door you think you're unique but I've seen you before so run, run away from the fires that burn you will do this again and again and again and again but, now, you can't leave, you can't open the door you think you're unique but I've seen it all before so run, run away from the fires that burn but you will never learn you will never learn you will never learn
6.
Why (v2) 04:42 video
Why Composed by Annie Lennox As Performed by Allison Crowe How many times do I have to try to tell you That I'm sorry for the things I've done But every time I go to tell you That's when you have to tell me Hey, this kind of trouble's only just begun I told myself too many times Why don't you learn to keep your big mouth shut That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words That keep on falling from your mouth Falling from your mouth Falling from your mouth Tell me Why Tell me, why I may be mad I may be blind I may be viciously unkind But I can still read what you're thinking And I've heard it said too many times That you'd be better off Besides Why can't you see that this boat is sinking this boat is sinking, this boat is sinking Let's go down to the water's edge And we can cast away your doubts Some things are better left unsaid But they still turn me inside out Turning inside out, turning inside out Tell me Why Tell me Why This is the book I never read And these are the words I never said And this is the path I'll never tread And these are the dreams I'll dream instead And this is the joy that's seldom spread And these are the tears, The tears we’ve shed This is the fear And this is the dread And these are the contents of my head These are the years that we have spent And this is what they represent This is how I feel Do you know how I feel? I don't think you know how I, why I, feel
7.
How Long 04:01 video
How Long Words & Music by Allison Crowe It took me so long to understand who I needed to be for myself and it took me too long to realize that I didn't need anybody else so now I'm sitting here in silence and all I can feel is regret and it seems to be so easy for you now but its not so easy for me to forget how long do I have to wait here? you leave me standing in the cold how long will it take you to remember while you're still alive and growing old I'm the only one who cares about you so roll me over shut me out if that's what you feel possessed to do whatever helps to get you through the night yeah it may kill me but I'll still love you how long do I have to wait here you leave me standing in the cold how long will it take you to remember while you're still alive and growing old I'm the only one who cares about you I am I am the only one I am I am... how long do I have to wait here you leave me standing in the cold how long will it take you to remember while you're still alive and growing old I'm the only one, I am the only one I am you leave me standing in the cold how long will it take for you to realize that I am gone?
8.
I Don't Know Words & Music by Allison Crowe I don’t know how to deal with this So maybe I’ll just descend into madness Looking out of the corner of my eye Maybe I’ll just run away If I can’t think of anything nice to say, to save my life, before we all fly away And I’d like to think I did something worthwhile And I don’t know what is wrong with everyone I guess, I don’t even know what’s wrong with me And I won’t try to be judgemental I won’t try to be holier than thou But I don’t get this and I am not going to pretend I do I’m tired of watching so many people Systematically destroy themselves Go ahead, this one is on me I think we’re all hiding from an invisible monster Some part of ourselves We don’t want anyone to see I’d like to think this did something worthwhile Besides Killing everyone I know I don’t know what is wrong with everyone I guess, I don’t even know what’s wrong with me And I won’t try to be judgemental I won’t try to be holier than thou I don’t get this And I am not going to pretend I do And I’d like to think this did anything at all But, I think I know better by now I don’t know what is wrong with everyone And I guess, I don’t even know what’s wrong with me And I won’t try to be judgemental I won’t try to be holier than thou But, I don’t get this, I don’t get this I don’t get this I don’t know what is wrong with everyone But, I guess, I don’t even know what’s wrong with me And I won’t try to be judgemental I won’t try to be holier than thou I don’t get this and I am not going to pretend I do 'cause I do... ‘cause maybe I understand too well
9.
Hallelujah Words & Music by Leonard Cohen As performed & Transcribed by Allison Crowe I've heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you? Well, it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you to a kitchen chair She broke your throne, she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, baby, I've been here before. I've seen this room, and I've walked this floor. I used to live alone before I knew you. But I've seen your flag on the marble arch, And love is not a victory march, It's a cold and it is a broken Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, there was a time when you'd let me know What's really going on below, But now you never show that to me, do you? But remember when I moved in you, And the Holy Ghost was moving too, And every breath we drew was Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Well, maybe there is a God above, But all that I've ever learned from love Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you. It's not a cry that you hear at night, And it is not somebody who has seen the light It's a cold and it is a broken Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah
10.
In My Life Words & Music by John Lennon/Paul McCartney As performed by Allison Crowe There are places I remember In my life, though some have changed Some forever not for better Some have gone and some remain All these places had their moments With lovers and friends I still can recall Some are dead and some are living In my life I've loved them all But of all these friends and lovers there is no one compares with you And these memories lose their meaning When I think of love as something new Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I'll love you more Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I'll love you more In my life I'll love you more
11.
Time After Time Words & Music by Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman As performed by Allison Crowe Lying in this bed I hear the clock tick, And think of you Caught up in circles, confusion is nothing new Flashbacks and warm nights almost left behind Suitcase of memory, Time after time Sometimes you picture me walking too far ahead You're talking to me, and I can't hear What you have said You say go slow I fall behind The second hand unwinds If you're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting Time after time After your picture fades darkness has turned to grey Watching through windows you're wondering If I'm ok You say go slow I fall behind The drum beats out of time If you're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting Time after time If you're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you I will be waiting Time after time Time after time Time after time Time after time
12.
Wedding Song Words & Music by Allison Crowe At the turning of another moon comes time to end this day and only so many have to pass as I am gone away So I sing you now this lullaby though it's bittersweet for we have to part when we close our eyes but every morning meet These words fall down upon this page I never do get to sleep but to be so far away from you I lay my head and weep I know this night will be over soon there's another day in sight though darkness falls on empty sheets only you bring in the light No, I will never be the perfect wife I don't even know what that is but I will be here and he'll always know that my heart is his Count down the days and draw the curtains back pour the wine and say that we'll love as much as we both can do until our dying day that we'll love as much as we both can do until our dying day
13.
Snow 04:38 video
Snow Words & Music by Allison Crowe Ice blue, silence first snow falls whispers peacefully Floating, reeling you land On everybody Keeping them warm Alive, dancing through the air on the winds Falling, landing fixing on all you have seen Set the air find without formation No lines, barricades just abstract light A different shape for every eye that sees A comfort, a brush through all of our eyes Alive, dancing through the air on the winds Falling, landing leaving your light on all that you have seen So smile and watch As the snow falls around us Leaning on us all, too Never, never one shade, Never, never one shape Always in motion Alive, dancing through the air on the winds Always, landing Fixing your light on all that you have seen Alive, dancing through the air on the winds Always, landing Fixing your light on all you have seen Snow (original poem by Allison Crowe) Ice blue, beautiful silence The first snow falls and whispers peacefully Floating and reeling you land in a snowflake On everybody’s jackets Keeping them company Set about the air and find without formation No lines, no barricades just abstract light A different shape for every eye that sees A comfort, a brush through all of our eyes Lively and dancing through the air in the Winter's night on the winds Falling and landing landing and fixing leaving an imprint on all you have seen and in this ice blue silence this beautiful memory, do not guard jealously no time to despair no pain in this cold Just good, just kindness A blanket of memory Soft in the night So smile and watch As the snow falls around us Landing on us all Leaving peace to remember Never one shade, Never one shape Always in motion And beauty inspired
14.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Composed by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart As performed by Allison Crowe Sweet dreams are made of this Who am I to disagree? I’ve traveled the world and the seven seas Everybody's looking for something Some of them want to use you Some of them want to get used by you Some of them want to abuse you Some of them want to be abused Sweet dreams are made of this Who am I to disagree? I’ve traveled the world and the seven seas Everybody's looking for something Some of them want to use you Some of them want to get used by you Some of them want to abuse you Some of them want to be abused Hold your head up Keep your head up Keep your head up Keep your head up Keep your head up movin' on movin' on Sweet dreams are made of this Who am I to disagree?
15.
Secrets Words & Music by Allison Crowe verse 1 you know I hold these in and I take them for myself I'm covered in guilt but it's not my own there isn't any reason for me to feel like I'm dying I'm done with being afraid I'm done with lying chorus: and I am not an angel I'm more like Mona Lisa there's something hiding in me there's always something behind my smile and I know that I'm not perfect and maybe I am the court jester I'm the life of the party and I know too much about the court... I have these secrets that aren't my own verse 2 so take this how you want to I'm not here to judge you I just want to be in love with you I just want to forget myself i want to just be ignorant please take this pain away from me down to the river and out to the sea down to the river and out to the sea chorus: and I am not an angel I'm more like Mona Lisa there's something hiding in me there's always something behind my smile and I know that I'm not perfect yeah, I am the court jester I'm the life of the party and I know too much about the court... I have these secrets that aren't my own verse 3 it's too far to reach. but I'm too scared to let go. it's too close to ignore but I feel so far away now I'm crawling in the ceiling I'm scratching through the walls I'm trying to scream but my own hand is on my throat chorus: And I am not an angel I'm more like Mona Lisa there's something hiding in me there's always something behind my smile and I want to be like Venus to just bare it all and face the world but I'm tangled in these blankets I'm caught in between the lines I have these secrets that aren't my own
16.
Disease Words & Music by Allison Crowe Stepping on the thoughts of all pain released from this anger is some place I would like to be and when I feel myself defeated I bleed and when I see them twist around dancing in their own wake I rage And I don't want to exist on this plane crashing down to the level of depth of skin flesh and bone all wrapped up in pages flashed in our faces laughing and spiteful Run away Lost again misdirected and folded drowned in bones and thrown away they told me to disappear and slowly dive into the shallow end of the gene pool Try to hold on to what I believe disappeared no longer here as anything but wretched and disfigured so I slash myself again and I drown my hopes again lose myself in this disease Lost again misdirected and folded drowned in bones and thrown away they told me to disappear and slowly dive into the shallow end of the gene pool Cut yourself to the mold Nothing left to rid yourself of but bile and blood torn skin screaming and silenced as we replace marble with plastic Lost again misdirected and folded drowned in bones and thrown away they told me to disappear and slowly dive into the shallow end of the gene pool
17.
There Is 03:25 video
There Is Words & Music by Allison Crowe Open up your door I know we've both been here before But there's a shadow fading here A revolution on its way Open up your mind I know I've drowned in there before But my wings are drying off And I am ready to dive in I am coming back again To you A way There is a way Out of this There is Give me a minute I'll try to explain myself to you I am the girl who is always with you The one who's always watching Give me a break I thought that you understood this already And I'm not trying to deceive you I don't have that much time on my hands And I am not going to leave you alone A way There is a way Out of this There is I see you in the rain and you are more beautiful than I have ever seen And when I walk I want you with me And I see your smile above me and I know, I know there is A way there is a way out of this there is.
18.
Imagine 03:17 video
Imagine Words & Music by John Lennon As performed by Allison Crowe Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky, Imagine all the people living for today... Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too, Imagine all the people living life in peace... Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people Sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, And the world will live as one
19.
Me and Bobby McGee Words & Music by Fred Foster & Kris Kristofferson As performed by Allison Crowe Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for a train An' I's feeling nearly as faded as my jeans Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained I headed all the way to New Orleans I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana I was playing soft while Bobby sang the blues, Lord Windshield wipers slapping time, I was holding Bobby's hand in mine We sang every song the driver knew Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose Ah, nothing, honey if it ain't free, Lord Feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues Feeling good was good enough for me Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee. From the Kentucky coal mines to the California sun Yeah, Bobby shared the secrets of my soul Through all kinds of weather, through everything we done Yeah, Bobby baby kept me from the cold I pulled up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away He's lookin' for that home, and I hope he finds it Well, I'd trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday To be holdin' Bobby's body next to mine Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose Ah, nothing, well that's all that Bobby left me, Lord Feeling good was easy, Lord when he sang the blues Feeling good was good enough for me Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee. La de di, la de di da, la de di de di di da, la di da, la de di da Bobby McGee La da da la da da da, la da la la la da la La da da la la la da da Bobby McGee La da la la la, la da la la la da la La da da la d da hey, hey, I said my Bobby McGee, Lord Lo do da la da da da, lo da la la la da la La da da la la la hey, hey, hey, I said my Bobby McGee, oh yeah I said I called him my lover, called him my man, I said called him my lover do the best I can, yeah, c'mon Bobby, now, c'mon Bobby McGee, Lord, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lord, hey, hey, hey, yeah, I said my Bobby McGee, yeah La da da la da da da, la da la la la da la La da da la la la da da Hey hey I said Bobby McGee Lord Lord lordy, lordy lordy lord oh Lord Hey, hey, hey, I said my Bobby McGee, Lord
20.
Going Home Tonight Words & Music by Allison Crowe I know the night is on us and la lune it moves above just try not to close your eyes The windows float around and the ice flies by our heads and skirts the surface now And you've seen the darker side of me and you still find a light it's not much further now We're going home tonight Le soleil is a reminder that what once was cold can warm the dark can fall behind her it's in your shadow now the winter's at its end and all can fall to blindness of the freezing rain and I see the darker side of me and I still find a light it's not much further now We're going home tonight Forget what you have learned here it doesn't matter now not while the grass is greening L'oiseau is loudly singing and the sun becomes her home and everything is fallen the curtains drop as she takes hold And sees the darker side of me and she still finds a light it's not much further now We're going home tonight And I see the darker side of me and I still find a light it's not much further now We're going home tonight We’re going home Tonight
21.
This Little Bird Words & Music by Allison Crowe As performed by Allison Crowe This little bird has a wander lust Yes, I am going to see everything I'm going to feel I'm going to understand something here something good In a land in a different ocean same idea, but different sea just to have you lying next to me Oh, I'll be dancing in the fire You'll be laughing at the stars We'll be shouting from the buildings We'll be waving at the cars that pass us by as we stand here as time moves around us we are steady in this moment no, time doesn't seem to phase us at all This little bird's flying East for the Winter And you may think that my navigational equipment is out of order but I know exactly what I’m doing and yes I know exactly where I'm going To a corner in the East after travelling so far just to be with you just to be where you are I'll be dancing in the fire You'll be laughing at the stars We'll be shouting from the buildings We'll be waving at the cars that pass us as we stand here as time moves around us we are steady in this moment No, time doesn't seem to move us at all from where we are We are standing in this moment no, time… This little bird’s gonna see the good life has to offer and how you can give your heart and still feel free
22.
Whether I'm Wrong Words & Music by Allison Crowe Don't want to raise my head The world is covered in rage Voices calling out in anger Entering erratically into another age Shadow puppets on the wall I don't know who to believe In the darkness standing tall With a smile upon your face And I have a right to have a voice, have a say Whether I'm wrong, or whether I'm right It doesn't really matter anymore You've put up a wall We've put up a fight and now it seems we've forgotten What all that was for Whether you don't want to Or whether you can't see What is right in front of your face Time is running out And we're already losing ground With the human race I don't want to raise my hand I don't know why I'm scared to say Feel like I want to call out Feel like I want to run away And I don't know why anyone Should have to suffer anymore I don't know a whole lot of anything But I do wonder what all of this is for And you have a right, too To have a voice, have a say Whether I'm wrong Or whether I'm right It doesn't really matter anymore You've put up a wall We've put up a fight And now it seems we've forgotten What all of that was for Whether you don't want to Or whether you can't see What is right in front of your face Time is running out And we're already losing ground With the human race

about

“Songbook” is an oeuvre-spanning collection of 22 tracks representing each album release from Rubenesque Records’ first decade: Lisa's Song+ 6 Songs (2001-3); Tidings (2003/4); Secrets (2004); Live at Wood Hall (2005); This Little Bird (2006); Little Light (2008); Spiral (2010); Arthur / Up to the Mountain (2011); and Tidings Concert (2012) - plus music not released on any other album in this period.

Richly diverse, it’s a resonant set-list that includes songs of: love that’s candid, "Wedding Song" ("I will never be the perfect wife / I don't even know what that is") and shadowed by age, "Arthur" ("Would you hold me / If I disappeared now / And if I didn’t know / Who I was"); characters defiant, "Skeletons and Spirits" ("Take your sympathy and shove it"); and compassionate, as in "Whether I'm Wrong" featured by the UNESCO-endorsed New Songs for Peace ("Whether I'm wrong, or whether I'm right / It doesn't really matter anymore / You've put up a wall / We've put up a fight / And now it seems we've forgotten / What all that was for"). The epic “Disease” addresses such social issues as anorexia/bulimia, mental health, and celebrity culture ("I don't want to exist on this plane / crashing down to the level of / depth of skin / flesh and bone / all wrapped up in pages / flashed in our faces"). It’s all delivered beautifully by an artist who can be, at once, gorgeously fierce and tender – as reflected in the signature "Secrets (That Aren't My Own)" ("I am not an angel / I'm more like Mona Lisa / there's something hiding in me / there's always something behind my smile").

Alongside her original songwriting, Allison Crowe is supremely renowned for her elemental covers. "One of the best interpreters to come along since Joe Cocker," says Bob Bishop, Editor of Paris Voice. “Songbook” samples her fresh takes on tunes from Phil Ochs, Annie Lennox, The Beatles, Cyndi Lauper and more.

“Allison Crowe is the best thing to happen to ‘Me And Bobby McGee’ since Janis Joplin changed Kristofferson's lyrics," blogs Allan Showalter of "Cohencentric", noted as “arguably the greatest living (Leonard) Cohen expert”. Also here is an hugely-loved cover from her “Tidings” album – about which Semper Ubi Sub Ubi blog says: "Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'... as performed by Allison Crowe, may be one of the most amazing things ever recorded onto magnetic tape."

This collection debuted in June 2013, coincident with the premiere of "Man of Steel", (the new Superman movie in which Allison appears in cameo), and it’s globally released via the world of digital outlets on March 17, 2014.

"Songbook is, basically, a collection of songs, originals, and covers, of mine going all the way back to 2001 up until now! I think it's a great introduction to my music for anyone who has no idea who I am and has never heard of me, and for people who like to kind of have all the songs in one place!" Allison Crowe tells Steve Younis of 'Superman Homepage'.

Cover drawings by Allison Crowe, and design/artwork by Rubenesque's long-time graphics collaborator, Alix Whitmire.

Rubenesque Records - 'Taking the Road Less Traveled since 2001'.

credits

released March 17, 2014

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Allison Crowe Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador

"Why music?" "Why breathing?"

contact / help

Contact Allison Crowe

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Allison Crowe, you may also like: