This Tattoo’s for You
Words & Music by Neal Klassen

The tattoo said, “I love you,” just above her breast
I asked her who she meant, and she said, I love you best
Another said “Forever,” crossed out a couple of times
And a row of names in little hearts where the sun don’t shine
So, I asked, where’s mine?

She said, Baby I’ve lived a life, you know
And I got the ink to show
Daggers and lace, Jim Morrison’s face
Flowers and stars and electric guitars
Yeah, it’s true, I got a few
But I’ve given up philanderin’ and this one here in Mandarin, 
Oooo, This Tattoo’s for you

She lifted up her shirt and there across her back
Some crazy Chinese writing and a faded Union Jack
She said the flag’s an old one for some Brit I used to shag
But the Mandarin spells your name, and it’s my freshest tag
And then she bragged…
 
Baby I’ve lived a life, you know
And I got the ink to show
Dragons and boats, philosophical quotes
Skulls and bones and the Rollin’ Stones
Yeah, it’s true, I got a few
But I’ve given up philanderin’ and this one here in Mandarin, 
Oooo… this Tattoo’s for you

Took a picture on my phone, showed it to Jimmy Lim
He runs that Chinese takeout next to Lester’s Gym
He said, “This girl don’t love you, I think she’s being cruel
This tat don’t spell your name, it says ‘Bob Marley Rules!’”
Oh no, I’m such a fool…

She said, Baby I’ve lived a life, you know
And I got the ink to show
Daggers and lace, Jim Morrison’s face
Flowers and stars; and electric guitars
Yeah, I got a few, it’s true
But I’ve given up philanderin’ and this one here in Mandarin, 
Oooo… this tattoo’s for you
I think that she is slanderin’ ‘cause that one there in Mandarin, 
It’s not even new

This Tattoo's For You

COSMOS IX

First Contact

Music and Lyrics by the amazingly talented The Corking Crack Band.  https://soundcloud.com/lee_boyes-128832399

I listened for your keys at the door
And I waited for your steps upon the floor
I picked up my drawing of cows and barns
Then ran into your coat and your scarf and your arms

You showed me that fear is forbidden
You told me that pain should be hidden
You smacked me, you struck me when I opened my eyes
You taught me that truth hurts more than lies

Oh I, yes I’m not sad and lonely
You won’t see, you won’t see the tears I cry
Oh I, no I’m not sad and lonely
It’s just the way the rain falls every time that we say goodbye

I hope for a day
A day of diamonds and dreams
I hope you will say
Things are not as they seem
I pray you will take me
Your hand on my cheek
And tell me you love me
And you’re sorry for being so weak
Oh daddy…

I can still smell the green grass you mowed
Every Sunday, cut blades blew across the road
So little was there on show
The roots are still deep and still guide how they grow

Oh I, yes I’m not sad and lonely
You won’t see, you won’t see the tears that I cry
Oh I, no I’m not sad and lonely
It’s just the way the rain falls every time that we say goodbye

The Way the Rain Falls (With The Corking Crack Band)

With the super talents of the The Corking Crack Band. You can hear more of the CCB's work here: https://soundcloud.com/lee_boyes-128832399

People
People coming home

You try to hide
The truth my friend is genocide
But what you trying to say?
Talk over the cries
Cover the truth with your lies
Keep flapping filth until the end of the day
That’s the way

People
People coming home

A boy grew up
A boy taught to hate them
It comes as no surprise
That when you poison the well
And let hatred swell
They don’t see humanity in their eyes
They just despise

I would ask you
What you think you
Stand for if you
Stand for this war

You are not free
Without accountability

It’s not about good and evil
It’s about taking what’s there
It’s not about cutting grass
It’s about warfare

In rubble wrought by rockets fire
Another boy lies dead beside wood and wire
Parents calling for a broken son
And finding hatred of the man stroking the gun

People
People coming home

Let’s be truthful
We are dependent upon our society to feel secure. When we are scared we seek safety in our minds and in our worlds. Danger lies in this search and it is used by mendacious people to further their hunt for their own prosperity. Solutions are not found in blaming the weak but in questioning the strong. Hold power to account or you cannot account for how power will account for you.

You are not free
Without accountability

I would ask you
What you think you
Stand for if you
Stand for this war

It’s not about good and evil
It’s about taking what’s there
It’s not about cutting grass
It’s about warfare

This Tattoo's For You

Neal K

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