Was I cast aside so easily? 
Or was I just left in your 
passive aggressive bullshit 
you force fed me? 

I'm inclined to believe the latter of the two 

Was I cast aside so easily? 
Or was I just left in your 
passive aggressive bullshit 
you force fed me? 

Seven years lost in the one 
I spent without you 
Seven years lost all gone 
I'm not your privileged friend 
I'm not your privileged friend 
I'm not your privilege 
I'm not 



Written bitterly for Jeff. I've never hurt anyone worse in my life. I still love you as much as I ever have.

I'm Not Your Friend

Instrumental 

First Great Strength song ever recorded. Performed with my first guitar, a Yamaha bought for me when I was eight years old. That guitar, along with my car, was stolen in Sacramento, CA. in 2008. Got my Honda back, yet sadly nothing was left inside.

Sunshine

Instrumental 

Originally titled "Who Is Them?" in reference to the band name Find Me Fighting Them. Initially released on the FMFT ep "It's a Big Bad World and I've No Guns to Fight With."

FMFT

I think I have to go 
It's not like I want to 
I just can't stay 
I would if I could 

I'd plant my roots 
Like my blood refuses to do 

I just can't stay 

Don't waste my time 
Don't waste my time 

We're all just these fractured people 
Waiting for the ones we love to let us in 

I just can't stay 

You should have told me 

Don't waste my time 
Don't waste my time 
And if you can't save me 
Don't waste my goddamn time 



Written after a conversation with my cousin Kit Clark. This song is for him and for those who wander with no home in their heart.

Bruised & Bloody

Can't stop thinking 
Heartbeat racing 
Instincts fading 

Will I 
Get the knife? 
Will I 
Twist mine? 

Can't stop thinking 
Heartbeat racing 
Instincts fading 

Try me 
Try me 

I can see you lying through your teeth 
Seething Hatred 
I can see you lying under sheets 
Waiting naked

Sheets

Instrumental 

Recorded during the same session as 'Sunshine' in The Lions Den Studio.

Lost in the Rain

It's getting harder 
To remember myself 
I'm getting weaker 
Not of strength but of mind 

You can 
Try and stop me 
But there ain't no keeping me 
from my vice 

It's getting impossible 
To resist the taste 
I'm getting weaker 
Both of strength and of mind 

You can 
Try and stop me 
But there ain't no keeping me 
from my vice 

The man I was 
Is sinking faster 
than anyone could 
poor my drinks

Burning Gold

You wanted 
And I gave 
You wanted 
And I gave 

Enough is never quite enough 
I live all alone 
in the house I grew up in 
It's just as abandoned as the trust 
that I learned not to bank on 
When I was younger 

You wanted 
And I gave 
You wanted 
And I gave 

I think that anger is knocking on my door 

I think that anger is breaking down my door 

You wanted 
And I gave 
You wanted 
And I gave 



Written for my father and for myself. Live for yourself. Love yourself.

Walking Home

Little man, was it worth it? 
Your daughter held your hand 
in the same place 
your grandchildren were born 

You left this world 
just a little too soon 
I wish that I 
That I knew you 

They said It spread 
all over your body 
you can no longer 
breathe on your own 

I know your sad 
but please don't leave yet 
I wish that I 
That I knew you 

I wish that I 
That I knew you 
I wish that I 
That I knew you 

Little man, I hope you'e made your peace 
Little man, I hope you've strayed from pain 
Little man, I forgive you 



Written for my grandfather Nano Chavoya. You were loved and forgiven.

Little Man

This will all be over soon 
the ships will set sail 
The salt of the earth 
will flood my veins 

I promise I'm not being myself 
And you won't see me again 

I'll be buried in a hole 
deep beneath the ground 
where I won't have to worry 
And I won't have to think 

So you can pray 
For all of us 

For all of us 

I'll be buried in a hole 
deep beneath the ground 
where I won't have to worry 
And I won't have to think 



For Nicole.

Bitter

Great Strength is singer/songwriter Matthew Nielsen & friends.
Collective is a compilation of songs from the last decade. Love yourself.