Keep that head up high

Written and Produced by Tyler Davis 2023
Lyrics:

I was born where the antelope roam, and the lions roar but they’re nice to you.

You’re at grandpa’s home, where the snakes cause no harm. Where the eagles land on your arm and they sing to you.

You can lay down your weary head, in the pouch of a kangaroo.

What does a sheep say? Bah bah
Listen to what the cow say. Moo moo

You’ll feel right at home watching a monkey sleeping, while the elephants are eating and share their lunch with you.

You can lay down your sleepy head and dream until you hear cock-a-doodle-doo.

What does a dog say? Ruff-Ruff
Listen to what horses say. Neigh
What does a gorilla say? Ooo. Ooo
Listen to what grandpas say.  I love you.

They’ll welcome you home with hugs and laughter, because all my friends are nice.
There’s a place you can come for all the years, it’ll wipe all your tears away.

So clean off those dirty hands with a friendly tiger, licking you.

What does a duck say? Quack quack.
Listen to what bears say. Roar roar.
What do the goats say? Maaa maaa
Listen to what grandpas say.  I miss you.

Listen To What Grandpas Say

Narration: 
 In 1968, Foothill High vs rivals, Tustin High, are in the final seconds of the championship football game.  FHS is down by 5 and all-star Running back Zeke Cranston gets tackled and fumbles the ball a few yards short and blows the game.  Tustin Wins.  The home crowd immediately turns on their once beloved home town hero and begins to chant "Zeke- the Geek".  Humiliation takes a back seat to devastation when he realizes his leg is shattered. 
*********************

Lyrics:

I came up dry
Didn’t cross the line
And I fell in front of you
And I’m out of time
Head held high
Wipe those eyes with your hands
Just get through
This won’t last forever

The crowd is yelling at me
I am not the enemy
They curse my name
I lost the game
I’ll take with moderation
It’s a new revelation
The crowd clears away
I can’t move my leg for nothing

I’m breathless gave it all for you
Don’t wanna face it
I feel hopeless, broken into two
Almost out of faith that
I’m so desperately holding to

I should probably let it go
Just get up and let you know
I’ll be fine now, I’ll heal this time around
I could take a vacation
And do some meditation
It’s no fun alone
When you don’t have a home to lay

(Oh, did I fall)
I’m breathless gave it all for you
(I’m sorry for the tragedy that I’ve caused you all)
Don’t wanna face it
I feel hopeless, broken in two
(I play for my serenity)
I’m almost out of faith
That I’m so desperately clinging to
Remember it’s just a game

I can’t get up, no cheering me up
They don’t want me up, never give up
No lifting me up, can’t get up now
Here I lay, do I hobble away
And live my life today
Without the game that I play
Here I go

I’m in the fire, I’m on the coals
It’s a long way down from the light
I’m in the fire, I’m on the coals
It’s a long way down from the light
Don't throw me away
It was only one bad play
What they don’t see
What’s coming next for me - ohhh

(Oh, did I fall)
I’m breathless I gave it all for you
(I’m sorry for the tragedy that I’ve caused you all)
Don’t wanna face it
I feel hopeless, broken in two
(I play for my serenity)
I’m almost out of faith
That I’m so desperately holding  to
Remember it’s just a game

The Game

Narration:     After the game, Zeke gets rushed to the hospital.  His leg is in terrible shape and he receives the devastating blow that he'll never play ball again. The Dr's are faced with the decision on either piecing the leg back together or most likely, an amputation.  Zeke  contemplates his rough past as an orphan, and his current situation with his peers turning on him.  In his anger, he makes his decision to break out of the hospital and hobbles towards the hills of Tustin.


Lyrics
-----------
I've been here a while
It's worse than they first projected
Trying to pass the time
As a patiently wait the news
They're trying to decide
It's now or never
Can they piece it together
Or will they amputate
I'm trying to decide
I'm searching whether
I can hold it together, or
Do I make my escape

Don't take it out on you
You just can't have it all
Have to pick from the two
This decision to choose
You just can't have the cake and eat it too

Where do I call home
I've never met my family
I don't see a friendly face
As I lay alone in this room
I may be alone
Don't you feel sorry for me
I can just break out of this place
And start again without you
I may need a moment now
To keep from breaking down
Separate things out
Before the decision comes

I've laid here a while
The thoughts keep leading to anger
It may take some time
To be the man that I once knew

They are trying to decide
It's taking forever, consulting together
To decide my fate
Holding inside
It's now or never
My things are together
And I make my escape

Don't take it out on you
You just can't have it all
Have to pick from the two
This decision to choose
You just can't have your cake and eat it too

Don't take it out on you
You just can't have it all
Have to pick from the two
This decision to choose
You just can't have your cake and eat it too

The Decision

The Sign narration:
The Legend has it that one day a Jr high school student ignored the “no trespassing” signs posted all over the area and climbed the wall to explore. Many days later, the boy was discovered by a jogger hanging from a tree. In the trunk of the tree was a knife holding a note up etched in blood with the words “KEEP OUT” and signed “the GEEK”.  Zeke wonders if the sign he left will keep others from trespassing, or will it provoke a hunt to find him.  Only time will tell.

Lyrics:

Do you hear the crickets singing
Dense fog is in the air
"Keep out" signs are everywhere
And just a normal night
Boy wanders in to do the illogical
And ignores the signs
Then, taking the dare
Climbs up high
Then lowers himself inside
To explore the night
Did you ask yourself this time
Do I put it all on the line
Do I hold, show me a sign
Is this worth risking your life

Your life closes in
The rope from his loneliness
And the knife for his protection
The branches to hang things out to dry
There's a long road down
I've been run out of town
Because I don't fit in
I never fit in
There's a tree along the way
With a sign from me to say
Don't you come in
Don't ever come in

Are you mystified
Are you happy
Happy from the sign
Run for your life and be happy
And leave me here to hide

I was finally feeling free
From the man
You all remember from long ago
The one who dropped the ball
On the 2 yard line
With 10 seconds to go
You all cheered and held up signs
When I was applaudable
And I ignored the lights
The walls that were built
Are to keep you out
Not to cage me all up inside
Please adhere to the signs

Did you ask yourself this time
Do I put it all on the line
Do I hold, show me a sign
Is this worth risking your life

I'm not a man who picks the fight
But I have a feeling inside
This isn't done
Will others come
Only time will tell

Are you mystified
Are you happy
Are you happy from the sign
Run for your life, are you happy
Just leave me here to hide

The Sign

Narration:
Zeke limps towards the hills of Tustin and wanders all night with no idea where he will live.  He walks far past the society that has turned on him.  He is blown away of the beautiful open hills and makes a home and vows to protect it at all costs. He builds walls around and lives in solitude, which has it's downsides.



Lyrics:

I took my flight
I was larger than life
Now I’m lost in these back roads with no place to lay
Straight from the line
I walked from the traction
Chased from the action as I limped away

Escape the life, starting a new slate
Embrace the feeling alone (realization)

I’ve really made it this time
As I look at these hills in front of me
They seem alive, and they’re calling
And I don’t know what to say
This night, with a new realization
I seem to be tied to this place I will stay

Organize, Clear some trees/ start excavation
I’ll take it and build me a home, my new home
Beautify, as far as I see
It’s perfect, I’ll make it my own

Escape the life, starting a new slate
Embrace the feeling alone (my habitation)
Late at night, if they enter my back gates
I’ll always protect my new home (my creation)

Why do I live in The Hills of Tustin
Far from the people, I won’t be trusting
I lost the game. Yeah, you all remember me
Building a place where I can now be free
Now that I live in The Hills of Tustin
Far from the people, I won’t be trusting
I lost the game, Yeah, you all remember me
Building a place where I can now be free
Lend me your hand, it won’t be needed this time
As I hang up the string of lights
And no one will see, won’t show you inside
When it’s decorated

Organize, Clear some trees/start excavation
I’ll take it and build me a home, my new home
Beautify (beautify), as far as I see
It’s perfect, I’ll make it my own

Escape the life, starting a new slate
Embrace the feeling alone (relaxation)
Late at night, if they enter my back gates
I’ll always protect my new home  (my habitation)

The Home

"The Hunt" Narration:
A large party enters the area to hunt for the culprit and bring him to justice.  Some of the party went missing and were never found.  This leads to multiple search parties over the next few years and many more never return. Many reports and eye witnesses of being followed by a man with a limp that would wander the area at night carrying a shovel.  Rumors go rampant and cause a huge stir in the quiet city of Tustin.

Lyrics:
Have you lost your way
Or did you just wander in
Are you inside
I can feel you near
I’ll wait- to see
If you’re tracking the steps behind me
I can hear you there
I’ll be waiting  you
Why are you chasing me

I’ve escaped my life from you
You’ve nothing to do
But keep stalking me (I feel you)
I’ve nothing to say
Just run away
You keep stalking me (I feel you near)

Are you here to fight
Why have you come
You wanna take me out
So late at night and you’re not alone
Here to take me away
If you come inside, you pay a price
And you’ll figure out
You weren’t invited to see my home
And you are not gonna stay
I’ll wait to see
If you're tracking the steps behind me?

I’ve escaped my life from you
You’ve nothing to do
But keep stalking me (I hear you)
I’ve nothing to say
Just run away
You keep stalking me (I hear you breath)

I won’t be hiding
I know it inside what must go down
I won’t be hiding
When it turns around
And the hunters are hunted down

I’ll be waiting for you
Why are you chasing me

I’ve escaped my life from you
You’ve nothing to do
But keep stalking me (I feel you)
I’ve nothing to say
Just run away
You keep stalking me (I feel you near)

The Hunt

"The Silence" Narration:
Over the next 20 years, Zeke gets a grip on his temper and decides sometimes it's best to be silent.  They destroy his home, remove the trees and clear the area and the Geek isn't heard of.  Many wonder if he is still there.

Lyrics:
When tensions rise
I got a lot to say
My anger may be a problem
You’ll know when you hit the bottom
When you do
When a storm of rage
Is all around
And enters our conversation
And turns the situation
Upside down
Never mind me
You won’t find me here
Let’s just enjoy the silent air

Sometimes it’s best to be silent
Just pretend I’m not there
I’ll end this fight with no violence
And disappear
Sometimes it’s best to be silent
You may forget that I’m here
I find the inner strength
When it’s quiet, I think more clear
You look beside you
You won’t find me there

I’ll put it behind, I’ll do it quietly
You wiped my home away
Some of the trees are now gone
But I’ll stay
Never really had a patient style
Of communication, while
My anger may be a problem
You’ll know when you hit the bottom
When you do
Never mind me
You won’t find me here
Let’s just enjoy the silent air

Sometimes it’s best to be silent
Just pretend I’m not there
I’ll end this fight with no violence
And disappear
Sometimes it’s best to be silent
You may forget that I’m here
I find the inner strength
When it’s quiet, I think more clear
You look beside you
You won’t find me there

You took it all away
We’ll rebuild another day
What’s devastation now
Won’t last forever

The Silence

"The Visit" Narration:
20 years later, some of my friends from Foothill class of 1990 decide to go on a daring mission to find out once and for all if the legend of The Geek is real.  We climb the walls one night and explore.  We realize we are being followed.  We run in terror as a friend trips and hurts his leg. While others return to seek help,  those that remained get chased by a man with a limp.  Just in time the lights appear from the rescue party. The Geek flees and someone yells "that's right, run away...you're still nothing by a Geek!".  This may have been a big mistake.

Lyrics:
Don’t be afraid now
We all stay together tonight
I’m gonna take the lead with the group
Some have seen his shadow
And others looked in his eyes
We’re gonna bring to light the truth

Will he take me, break me
Or is it all a lie
We all just need some answers
That we can take with us tonight

We’ll be the first to see
(why can’t I see)
Is 20 years enough time to let go
(is it time to let go)
Why can’t I see
Will there be a next time
Let me know

Will he take me, break me
Or is it all a lie
We all just need some answers
That we can take with us tonight

The night is young
There’s a chance
To make a memory too
If we fall on our luck
And in his hands
I will protect you

The walls have been climbed now
We search through the night
And stick with the plan
Are we being followed
Until a friend trips and hurts his thigh
Fear strikes, he’s lying on the ground
I will stay with you
Go find, we’re gonna need
All the help you can bring
With the rescue mission
There’s no time for hesitation
With all you can bring
And all who will listen
Lay still, let the night pass
We hear a sound
That’s slowly approaching on
Step drag, step drag
He appears, we look into his eyes
Fear strikes
As we’re lying on the ground
I will carry you
Run hide, as he’s chasing me
All the strength I can bring
We run to the flashes of lights
From the rescue mission
The sirens all ring
We rise from the ashes

It’s all right, keep composure
The visits over
So now bring me closure
Long night, late October
The visits over
Don’t bring me any closer
(Do you hear the sound
It’s slowly approaching
Do you take a step....Take a step drag)

The Visit

"The Belt" Narration:
That night I lay safe in my room. I hear noises outside by my car.  Concerned, I check things out and see tracks in the mud coming from under the car.  I look down and find a belt latched to the frame.  Terror hits as I realize he belted himself to the car and I actually drove The Geek to my home.  He now knows where I live, he has access to my family, he is patient.  Why did I ever make the visit??

Lyrics:
It’s been a really long night
I’m lying alone in my room
Still remember those eyes
I told them all I had to say
No one believes it’s true
Can’t believe we got out alive
We were rescued just in time
Am I just imagining things in my mind
I’m hearing strange sounds
Down below out there by
That old car of mine

Noises on the outside
Safety on the inside
I can hear it from my bedside
These noises from the outside
(oh, did I fall, I’m sorry
For the tragedy that I’ve caused you all
To send for you to rescue me)
Out there by, this old car of mine
(When I so desperately needed you)

I make my way in the dark
It goes silent
I see tracks in the mud from you
Hanging from the car
Underneath it
On the frame, there’s a belt latched to
Hitching a free ride
Attaching on with a belt
Coming home tonight
With someone else
This situation is sinking in
It’s not over now

Will you keep me from drowning
Going under, under
With nothing left to hold
Stop this from falling
Any deeper, deeper
From losing my control
This situation is sinking in
It’s not over now

Will you keep me from drowning
Going under, under
With nothing left to hold
Stop this from falling
Any deeper, deeper
From losing my control

I’ll be waiting
Beautify
Going under, under
We rise from the ashes
Why do I live in the hills of Tustin
This decision to choose
Lying on the ground
I’ve nothing to say, just run away
It’s good to be silent
Are you mystified, are you happy
Do you take a step
Do you take a step, drag
Here I go

Noises on the outside
Safety on the  inside
I can hear it from my bedside
These noises from the outside

The Belt

Lyrics:
Tonight, can I close my eyes and get all that I wish for
It's alright, if I just lay here this night and get all that I wish for
Do you hear the song I sing? Will you still wait for me

I'm hangin in my mind, tonight and it's another cold night in Chile
If only in my mind it's alright, with each other it's all I can wish for

I can just close my eyes and see Santiago skies
We can be far from the ocean or count stars from the coastal vibes
We can ride a bike right under the Andes
Lets share a completa and another for the long road down
Do you hear, me whispering
Will you still wait for me

I'm hangin in my mind tonight and it's another cold night in Chile
If only in my mind, it's alright, with each other it's all I can wish for

We'll be feeling alone when we say goodbye
That time will come, but we'll deal with it after
But we are strong, it's how we survive
When you are so, so far from home
We know where to go, to the southern pines
And play hide and seek through the night
We'll get lost in some Chilean town
I still feel the cold

Just take one day at a time
Just take one day at a time

Another_Cold_Night_WAV

Guitar player/song writer of all different genres from Huntington Beach, CA.

Keep that head up high

Tyler Davis

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