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1. |
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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...
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2. |
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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
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3. |
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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
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4. |
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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...
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5. |
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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
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6. |
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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
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7. |
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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?
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8. |
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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
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9. |
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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
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10. |
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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
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11. |
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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
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12. |
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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
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13. |
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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
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14. |
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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?
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15. |
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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
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16. |
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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
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17. |
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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.
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18. |
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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
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19. |
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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
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20. |
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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
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21. |
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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
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22. |
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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
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“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'.
released March 17, 2014