the very walls that kept you safe
as a kid, in the house where you were raised
they'll turn into a cage
keep you locked inside, fearful of the day

there's nothing left but the leaving
can't you see, you're on borrowed time
looking out, tell me what it is you're dreaming
love waits for you on the other side

i know it's hard to know just when
it's time to step outside the lane that you've been running in
though painted lines remain
they'll only help you win at someone else's race
but every season comes to an end

there's nothing left but the leaving
can't you see, you're on borrowed time
looking out, tell me what it is you're dreaming
love waits for you on the other side

oh...
oh...
every season comes to an end

there's nothing left but the leaving
can't you see, you're on borrowed time
looking out, tell me what it is you're dreaming
love waits for you on the other side


Mind The Silverware

On The Other Side

was everything you'd ever be
contained within a single seed?
time exposes everything
that's germinating underneath

how many more who've gone before have tried
to stand the test of time?

the waning wick is flickering 
shadows casting memories
the fog is finally settling
on truth obscuring honesty

how many more who've gone before have tried
to stay the course and never compromise?
how many more who've gone before have tried
to stand the test of time?

everything we are we are because we're told we are
everything we are we are because we're told we are
everything we are we are because we're told we are
everything we are we are because we're told we are

how many more who've gone before have tried
to stay the course and never compromise?
how many more who've gone before have tried
to stand the test of time?

Test of Time

i never knew blindness 
would creep in with the gift of sight
and if you'd permit me to be honest
i've lost some peace
and i've lost almost all my fight
i've grown tired of making claims
on this intangible exchange
so for now, i'll just sit here in the silence
but i must admit i'm still listening for my name
oh... i don't know jesus
oh... and i hope you understand
oh... i don't know jesus
i'm still haunted by a ghost
but i never met the man

amazing grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me
i once was lost, then i was found
then i got lost again for want of mystery
'twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved
oh but now, in this freedom that i've found
i'm starting to fear how far this grace is gonna lead
oh... i don't know jesus
oh... and i hope you'll understand
oh... i don't know jesus
still i'm haunted by a ghost
but i never met the man


Haunted

Blowin' In The Wind (Bob Dylan cover)

mind the silverware
perfect napkin folding display
everything has its place

family gathers round
each one nailing their role to play 
so perfectly fake

but don't speak of any pain
defend your family's name
lest there be hell to pay

sunday morning comes
congregation files into place
painted smiles on their face

bow your head and pray
perfect recitation display 
keeps your questions at bay

but don't speak of any pain
defend your family's name
lest there be hell to pay

lest there be hell to pay
lest there be hell to pay

oh say, can you see?
we live in the land of the free

but don't speak of any pain
defend your family's name
lest there be hell to pay

Claybrook's debut album, On The Inside, earned time on on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts next to heroes such as Foy Vance, Amos Lee and Ben Howard in 2013.

i had a dream i pushed you / one too many times / you said goodbye / over the phone from somewhere / your silence on the line / said your goodbye / and oh, still i cannot cry / oh, and i wonder why? / why? / i've heard it said at harvest / we'll reap what we have sown / and now i know / up from the seeds i'd planted / your apathy has grown / now i'm alone / oh, still i cannot cry / oh, and i wonder why? / oh, locked my heart inside / oh, and i wonder why? / why?

On The Inside

Pushed You

Claybrook's debut album, On The Inside, earned time on on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts next to heroes such as Foy Vance, Amos Lee and Ben Howard in 2013.

fear is a master of disguise / a chameleon / shrouded in lies / answering to many names / deftly playing / deftly plays our religious games / oh... / oh... try not to be / oh... anxious about it / my fear never shows its true face / always wearing the virtue of the day / call it patience, call it contentment / or call it wisdom / i can count the cost forever / oh... / oh... what decides / oh... the truth about a life? / oh... what the observes / oh... or what the heart discerns on the inside? / oh shine your light / into my darkness

Fear

Custom piece for a corporate branding video.

Welcome Home

Emotional, ambient, slow, synthesizer track created to underscore an emotional story on a podcast.

Our Father

Lyrics from Psalm 88, Music by Claybrook

I have always known you
As the God who saves
Day and night I cry out
But you hide your face
I'm overwhelmed with troubles
Drawing near the grave
Your wrath weighs heavy on me
And I can't escape

Lord, why do you reject me?
Will I meet this end?
My eyes are dimmed with grief
Darkness is my closest friend

I cry to you for help
Would you turn your ear?
I'm in the darkest pit
And you've put me here
I have borne your terrors
Suffered in despair
You've taken all my friends
Cut me from your care

Darkness Is My Closest Friend (Psalm 88)

Claybrook is a Heavy Mellow band, the project of singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Stephen Claybrook. Claybrook's songs serve as a melancholy travel diary for the treacherous inward journey through the swamps of the soul and the reemergence into hopeful engagement with fellow travelers. The "heavy mellow" description came from a touring artist who compared Claybrook's live show to a "sad, acoustic Radiohead." Claybrook's EP, On The Inside, broke into the Top 50 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts next to heroes such as Foy Vance, Amos Lee and Ben Howard in 2013. The follow up, Mind The Silverware, was released in 2017 and features collaborations with several notable North Carolina musicians, including Chris Stamey (The dBs), David Wimbish (of The Collection), Ryan Johnson and Whit Wright (of American Aquarium) and Taylor Leonhardt.

Claybrook

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