1. |
Abney Park
02:45
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I wonder what we’ll find today
On a walk through Abney Park
No birds sing, no children play
As I wander in the dark
Figures glide from stone to stone
And gloom is all around
Listen to the Larches groan
As the winter sun goes down
The winter dregs are desolate
Today in Abney Park
No visitors to populate
The churchyard in the dark
Leaning on a sepulcher
Where graven words proclaim
The name of he who’s lying here
Reminding me again…
Suddenly I’m seized with fear
At this grave in Abney Park
I can’t recall what brought me here
Or why I can’t depart
Something deep inside of me
Says things are not the same…
Am I just an internee
Who can’t go back again?
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2. |
Weathered Faces
03:19
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Lost or stolen does it matter why? Watch the days depleting
Memories fade through these tired eyes.
No one hears me speaking
If time is short then I’m movin’ fast.
And stop questioning the future.
We’re in overtime and the game won’t last.
It’s not tied and I’m the loser.
I look at these weathered faces full of truths and full of lies
Why won’t the world embrace us? The memories are passing by.
What’s your worth? Do you have a price?
Have you paid for your connections?
Deep in the maze of this so-called life.
You were just following directions.
I look at these weathered faces full of truths and full of lies
Why won’t the world embrace us? The memories are passing by
All aboard the train is leaving. It’s likely the last one out tonight.
Friends’ long past leave you grieving
Until the last one is out of sight
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3. |
Hand of Glory
03:43
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The guard is changing and we’re
moving slow
We watch our loved ones come and go
We’re rearranging all the
status quo
For something better, I don't know
Cut down and cancelled in our prime
Broken and battered by the march of time
And when our adversaries choose to boast
About who’s who and who's the most
We'd rather battle than give up the ghost
There’s nothing left to diagnose
Cut down and cancelled in our prime
Broken and battered by the march of time
Just raise the Hand of Glory!
It's still the same old story
And you and I are getting older
Just raise the Hand of Glory
Let’s make it mandatory
'Cause the world is getting colder
Nothing in the world can stay the same
And only time can take away the pain
Who will be judge of what remains?
Not me…not me…
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4. |
Needy
03:40
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It's been a long time coming
It's been a long time gone
You’re just gonna say
That I’m too needy anyway
And anyway you look at it we’re done
I’ve spent a long time crying
And I’m the lonely one
You’re just gonna say
That I’m too needy anyway
And anyway you look at it we’re done
If there were another way
I’d drop down to my knees and pray
I’d level every mountain in my way
And if you’d do a thing or two
To let me sleep the whole night through
I’d keep the awful memories at bay…
So I keep on strumming
Although the truth is numbing
You’re just gonna say
That I’m too needy anyway
And anyway you look at it we’re done
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5. |
No Excuses
02:54
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If you’re given a choice to make.
To steal or take.
Don’t be the last one out.
If I could do it again and start from within.
Just show them and make no
excuses.
Given these circumstances.
Not accepting the blame
I don’t think I like our chances.
It’s a dangerous game.
So let’s try this again.
And forget where you’ve been
And move along.
Your methods amuse me.
The ways that you use me.
Are you feeling the tension?
Are you lost in delusion?
Don’t wait for the prize.
It’s just a disguise
To make you choose
Hiding for cover to keep yourself alive.
No need for others, you seem happy
with your tribe.
Might you have regrets?
Were your choices something less
No excuses you just won the prize
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6. |
Hollow Man
03:13
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Take me Satan, I’ve been waitin’
Take me as I am
I’ve been debatin’ why I’m prayin’
I just don’t give a damn
I’m a hollow man
With my hollow plans
Used to be, I was the master
Of all I surveyed
All my shit was taken care of
All my bills were paid
I’m a hollow man
And I’m doing everything I can
Why bother, nothing seems to fit
Dear Father I’ve made a mess of it
Cold water won’t wake me from this fit
I’m just a sack of useless monkey shit
And so I end up where I started
Awash in PBR
The leader of the broken-hearted
Famous near and far
I’m the master of disaster
Bad Luck’s poster boy
I’m the bastard puppet master
I'm the real McCoy
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7. |
For The Taking
03:45
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Compromised and coming unraveled
Lacking grace, our conscience is saddled
With less truth and lies. Muting cries and grievance.
The table is set, but who will join us? We’re a laughing stock.
I say we coin this as the worst of days with better days behind us.
It’s for the taking
It’s up for grabs
My God! What have we woken to?
Don’t speak until you’ve travelled. Are you ready for the battle?
All the back and forth with the broken down and addled.
Could it be around the corner.
Could it be right where you stand
Did you really think this would turn out grand
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8. |
Pardon Me
02:34
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It’s the crime of the century
Burn me in effigy
Place me in penury
And unpopularity
Break me and batter me
Erase all our history
Commend me to charity
Torture excessively
Pardon Me
Wreck me and rattle me
Break bonds and battle me
Then tittle-tattle me
Besmirch my identity
Slap me repeatedly
Complain unappealingly
Ranting continually and
Unapologetically
Pardon me
Pardon me
This could be the moment
When the levee breaks
All the pain and torment
That accumulates
All of this may seem to you
Like water ‘neath the bridge
But turning a blind eye to you
Is simply sacrilege
It’s the crime of the century
So burn me in effigy
Place me in penury
And unpopularity
Break me and batter me
Erase all our history
Commend me to charity
Torture excessively
Pardon Me (three times, end on G)
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9. |
The Besetting Sin
03:02
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It doesn’t have to be impossible. This doesn’t have to end at all
I guess I’ve seen stranger things. I want to run from it all
All the mindless instigation. Another reason for a fight
Does it make you feel better than? You know I understand wrong from
right.
The besetting sin, means you’ll do it all over again
Your instincts take you. The old habits might do you in.
Was it just a win? How’d you fit all those thieves in the den?
Yet it seems so natural, the original besetting sin
My tranquility seems so hard to find
It always has to be the hard way
So much resistance flowing from inside All exposed with nothing left to
hide
I’ll have this wrapped up by tomorrow. Topped with ribbon and a bow
I find it astonishing what you seen and what you know.
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10. |
Boxing Clever
03:21
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So I say I’m suffering
While your response is buffering
The dots of death are darting
‘cross the screen
And if that wasn’t bad enough
I’m on the clock and off the cuff
My boss is looking right at my machine
Jesus Christ!
This should suffice!
I’ve had enough of platitudes
And grand displays of gratitude
Nothing’s neat and nothing’s as it seems
You’re boxing clever they all say
I’m doomed to failure anyway
You’re boxing look at me…
I just see what I want to see
Nothing ‘s worth the effort or the time
Nothing’s worth the price we pay
Because it happens every time…
I’ve had enough of this ‘til when
I see you messaged me again
Just a word from you
I’m born again
I can’t help the way I feel
I’ve been broken on the wheel
You’re sharper than a shiv of solid steel
Sharper than a shiv of solid steel
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11. |
Estranged
03:31
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Did you have a father? Were you ever close?
Did you have a hand to guide you and keep
you safe and close.
Who did you call mother? What weapons did she wield? Did she lock you in her fortress, behind family shield.
Now its full exposure. To things that made you hide.
Tedious relationships are based on doubt and lies.
Would anyone ever notice? Are you holding up the ruse?
Playing it out the best you can exactly as you choose.
Its so clear how they got you here
Now you’re estranged and full of blame my dear
To know why you always tried to hide
Now you’re estranged and full of blame my dear
Can you see how you spent your life
Too itemize and minimize the good times
Now they’re gone, like another finished song
Looking back you know you wouldn’t replace them.
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12. |
In The Margins
02:45
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We’ll be there soon.
As far as I can tell, it won’t take too long.
If we go astray,
A northern star might help us find our way.
Should ever we gather and sort through all the past
We’ll find out what matters and get us back on track
If you’re out of words,
Just read the room and let them conversate
If you’re out of sorts,
Please listen first before you walk away.
There is more than tomorrow.
There is forever and a day.
Give back what you borrow, and we’ll give it all away.
Hiding in the margins is hardly safe
I’ll meet you in the middle. I can’t wait
Now that we’re clear. It’s understood nothing is like yesterday.
It’s your moment in time to knock down the wall and say what you want to say
Should ever we gather and sort through all the past
We’ll find out what matters and get us back on track
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13. |
Beat The Clock
03:26
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You work from 8 to 6
Not 9 to 5
You need to reach your quota to survive
You won’t amount to much
No matter what you do
You gotta beat the clock
Before the clock beats you, oh yeah…
You gotta beat the clock
Before the clock beats you
You’ll never be the worker of the year
You drown your pain in football and in beer
You won’t amount to much
No matter what you do…
You gotta beat the clock
Before the clock beats you
You gotta beat the clock
Before the clock beats you
You break you back each day for a pocketful of gold
You know you have to stay until at last you’re old
You want to break away, but when will you be bold?
Enough to break from doing what you’re told?
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14. |
Unaccustomed As I Am
03:02
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The world’s a funeral parlor
With pain and death and squalor
And nothing’s ever getting better
Why bitch and moan like a bedwetter?
Unaccustomed as I am (to being happy)
I’m somehow bright and cheery
In a world that’s dreary
It's something I can’t fully fathom
I must have missed the memorandum
Unaccustomed as I am (to being happy)
Is there a price to pay to be happy
everyday
Is there a number on the wall?
Is there a harmony for every single
melody?
So much for pride before the fall
And when I’ve had my ration
Of suspended animation
I’ll return to gloom and sorrow
At least I will until tomorrow
Unaccustomed as I am
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15. |
Have You Seen Her?
02:18
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Waltzing through the garden – a stop in the garage
I spied you for a moment – an angelic mirage
Rustling through the shelves and papers – trying to surprise
Generations swear see you – with their very eyes
Have you seen her playing in your home?
Have you seen her? Just know you’re not alone
You are welcome to stay with me – until you find your Deity
Stop laughing in my child’s closet – stop rattling her tiny tea set
Seems you like the basement best – is that where you get your rest
It’s clear to me that you died – and I’m not sure where your future lies
It has been some time since you pulled down all the shades
Is there anyone to talk to - since the children aged?
It’s likely that you’ve moved on - was it what you’re looking for?
Just know I heard you slamming the back door.
Did they bury you in that dress – it appears to be your Sunday
best
Do you hear mother crying – as the doctor’s kept on trying
I know you had the last goodbye – peering in your father’s eye
Mourning you he lost his way – if he only knew that stayed
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16. |
Gingerbread Shitshow
03:18
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It’s such a loathsome holiday
Gingerbread Shitshow
I do my best to turn away
Gingerbread Shitshow
T
hey seethe when you refuse to pray
But you’re praying for something
You could never ever really say
And when relations come to call
Gingerbread Shitshow
They drag you to the shopping mall
Gingerbread Shitshow
If you could choose to end your life
By gun or club or butcher’s knife
It surely would suffice
Nattering and chattering
The bile and spit are splattering
You do your very best to turn away
But Uncle Sean is jabbering
The toxic clouds are gathering
It's just another fucking holiday
It's such an awful way to live
Gingerbread Shitshow
You’ve given all that you can give
Gingerbread Shitshow
So have another drink
And vomit in the kitchen sink
And stumble 'round
Like you're the missing link
And so we go our separate ways
Gingerbread shitshow
No more lousy holidays
Gingerbread Shitshow
I’d rather be alone and free
Than hanging in some family tree
I guess this is the end of you and me
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17. |
Morning Cry
02:07
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It’s been long enough. I know this seems abrupt, but its time
Feel the pressure rise. I feel it my eyes, but its time
The mornings come and go. Wondering what the day will show
No matter how I try. This is when the morning cries
The sun goes down, the sun goes down again
Such a mundane ride. Will I go outside again?
The demands are punishing. I feel like vanishing, again
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Vanilla Tacoma, Washington
Melodic indie-pop band from the US Pacific Northwest. Featuring Jayson Jarmon, Sean Gaffney, Mark Simmons, Scott Warfield, James Peterson, Jessica Van Horn and a cast of thousands!
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