Son, you need a purpose,
A calling for a task.
You need a list of questions
Only you can ask.

[chorus:]
Dream, child, dream,
For yourself, and for me.
With time and toil passing,
Dreaming is harder, it seems.
So, dream, child, dream,
While dreams come easily.

When you’re innocent and young, you see,
The world is yours to take, unlike me,
Cause dreams don’t take without a plan.
You could be anything,
Even simple, like I am.

Life can be good to you still.

Son, you need the money.
Son, you need food.
You'll need some kind of shelter
For your family, too.

Most reluctantly, I see you’ve reached
The place where dreams are crowded by our utility.
We can find some purpose here, at least.
This is the work of an ordinary man, you see.

Choose your task, the bills are coming.
No pressure, time is money.

This task could be your toil.
This plow may never leave your hand.
You should choose carefully,
But choose now, you understand?

And tell your children...

[chorus]

While Dreams Come Easily (rough cut 2)

Scents of springtime blossoms
Blow through the air again
The sun stays out a little longer
To keep us from staying in.

The perfect glass is brewing --
Boiling till it screams.
There's nothing like the springtime
To let out a little steam.

Work the soil saturday,
Backyard BBQ, ice cold tea;
Color on my skin,
And a cool, easy breeze.

Kids playing in the yard,
Windows down on the passing cars;
It's a little like heaven
Right where we are.

Mhm...springtime.

Buzzing bugs and chirping birds
Newborn calves are beginning to nurse;
Chicks cracking through their shells.
All at once, all is well.

Toasting marshmallows 'round the fire,
Watching the smoke drift higher and higher,
And the sparks, like shooting stars.
It's good. It's good for the heart.

Mhm...springtime.

Springtime (rough cut 1)


I try to welcome the wilderness,
Thrive, or at least survive,
But my eyes
Are heavy...
So heavy.

So this is the new age,
Waking from the bed i made,
Dodging cracks as my foundation quakes?
For heaven's sake...

I was already broken.
How can I keep on breaking?

I have a shattered hourglass,
And temperamental ingredients.
I haven't the faith for constant assurance.
It doesn't settle the balance
To close my eyes and pray,
Or wrestle invisible demons.
There's still a price to pay.

This burden is heavy --
Meeting day break on empty,
Cursing a shadow,
Forcing affirmations...
Listening for an echo.
At times my blood is sludge,
But my veins feel hollow.

Staring at the wall for hours,
Clamoring for stillness in my thoughts,
I'm caught in the habit of paralysis.
The worst part is,
I know it's a matter of mind,
But I just keep thinking:

I was already broken.
How can I keep on breaking?

For heaven's sake,
I was already broken...

Broken (rough cut 1)

Wrote this special for my ex-wife.

Girl, you're the real deal.
Line 'em up for the cold kill.
Empty a glass for your refill.
Blame another for your own spill.

The genuine article...
You’re a crime, not a heart of gold.
I passed through your line.
Now, I don't mind, 'cause, truth be told,
You saved me from yourself.

Yeah, I've got problems,
Now, you're not one of them.
Thanks for the pass....
Bitch called me an ass.

Look at me now!
Look at me now!
Freeing what you held down.

[verse 1]

Real Deal (rough cut 1)

This song has been coming together over the last week. I have been fortunate enough to not loose anyone close to me at a young age. My dad posted today (5/10) about loosing his brother on a scouting trip 41 years ago at the age of 17. I didn't know that was today, but I know it's a loss that never leaves. As I've been wanting to post this song, it seems appropriate to dedicate it to Uncle Tommy, whom I never met. I hope it's comforting in some way to my dad, his siblings, my memaw, and anyone who's lost a loved one.
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Even snowflakes fall,
Sparkling through the light;
Each unlike the others,
No shape wrong or right.

Where do they go
When they melt into the earth?
Somewhere safe, I’m sure.

Even lightning crashes
As it darts through the sky.
Brightly, it flashes,
In the dark of night.

Where does it go
After its thunder is heard?
Somewhere safe, I'm sure.

Even the sun sets
As it completes the day.
Silently, it rests
For the moon to relay.

Where does it go
As our world overturns?
Somewhere safe, I'm sure.

All things
Pass into pieces,
And, as for our concern,
They're somewhere safe, I'm sure.

Somewhere Safe (rough cut 1)

Drag out all those skeletons.
I brought mine, let's count the bones again.
Hear my sins and see my soul.
Touch my skin before I turn to stone.

Let’s both show
The cards close to our chest.
Tell how we know
Love hurts the best.
Give me your heart,
And I will give you no less.
Let's melt the gold
So we can burn the rest.

It was an August night,
And I remember it well.
You shined a light
Into my shell.
You felt my pain,
And I felt yours too.
God only knows
How much I needed you.

Melt The Gold (acoustic rough cut 1)

Standing on
Asheville’s streets,
Shoulder-to-shoulder
Stained with ink;
This city drips art
And food so fresh;
Hearts on tattooed sleeves
And murals still wet.
There’s love in my hand,
And life in our steps.

Listen to the bricks
Loose beneath our feet.
The sound speaks of travelers
Like my love and me.

Pay the poet
For a joyful tear, my dear,
And his words will come alive
As he reads into the atmosphere.

The teacher says,
"People must belong."
And the musician says,
"She isn’t wrong."
And love, we could belong here.
Love, we could belong here.

We Could Belong Here (rough cut 1)

Baby, be my rock.
I'll be in quicksand today.
I'm feeling lost,
With my world at stake.

Be my constant
In this sea of unknowns.
In the thick of the thorns,
Be my white rose.

Tell me I'm able.
Tell me I'm strong.
Tell me the tables
Will turn before long.

When the waves tried to chase me
Back to the dunes,
I found your note in the sand,
“I’m always with you.

After the storm,
I’ll be your calm.
I’ll pull out the thorns,
And put a rose in your palm."

Tell me I'm able.
Tell me I'm strong.
Tell me the tables
Will turn before long.

Sunrise Wake