Driftwood (Demo)
“Driftwood”
I’ve been stupid I’ve been so ungrateful
to the dreams fed at my mother’s table
masqueraded on paper wings
tomorrow’s songs now another’s to sing
we were dolled up we were porcelain faces
vowed nostalgia to youth’s disgraces
we danced barefoot under bequeathed chandeliers
waiting in the wings were those reduction years
I have know right now
because all these years of wonder only led to wonder
we had nothing owed and how
then the sun broke up a different town
there were boys for centuries
who saw their future in the myth of the sea
they left their home they left their girl
for just a breath in the brave new world
but you and me, boy, we kept close
we kept known to ourselves
our adventures leather-bound
kept us safe kept us found
I have to know right now
all these years of wonder only led to wonder
if we are all that we owe now
let’s watch the sun slink past the aging town
I’ve been stupid I’ve been so ungrateful
to the dreams fed at my mother’s table
oh but now, my, how I know that now
but in the years between
who I am and what we dream
there is love
there is a love I could not foresee
there is mercy in the things we need
“Keychains”
go on your way now
recede down that unlit walk
there ain’t nothing more to say now
all your revelations lay on the last block
and yes it is raining
but it’s just that richmond mist cleaning stones
so tonight marks the first night, Maria, you walk home alone
you’ve got nothing more to fear now
nothing lies in wait behind your bleeding heart
St. Thomas got his thumb out waiting for his way to the next end’s start
but should you pass a stranger, go on Maria and say hello
when you pass by tonight, Maria, you pass by alone
I stood witness as your keychain grew lighter
but I did not hear a word that you said
I just remember zipping you in that blue blue dress
on the morning of your sister’s wedding day
I stood witness as your keychain grew lighter
but I did not hear a word that you said
I was lost in that kiss
in that blue blue dress
we were such a hot mess that day
so go on your way now
let the radio silence commence
and I don’t want to think about what you see here
at this great distance from recompense
and yes it is raining but it’s just that richmond mist cleaning stones
and a foghorn blows
ain’t that the cliche that we are owed
“Stands Still”
oh my Samuel
don’t you dare lead me on today
too much at stake
let it go
but I just can’t let you go
every body come in
no body gonna to stay
every body promise
a bumper sticker promise
don’t matter what you say just say it with grace
oh my good old days
so romantic when we recreate
let it go
but I just can’t let it go
oh my love will drown you
oh my love will kill
oh my devotion will confound you
oh my love stands still
“The Hunter”
clean streets what I need
Monday is no place for glass at your feet
white walls what I seek
keep me far from this love in need
you don’t feel much like talking today
okay
this ain’t going away
you don’t feel much like talking today
oh brother, even blood
even blood fades
we are the hunters stalking a history
to mount in our mansions over families
we got excuses rabbit-eared and torn
held just like bibles under nervous arms
you don’t feel much like talking today
okay
but this ain’t going away
you don’t feel much like talking today
oh brother, even blood
even blood fades
how many times I’ve run away
this time I should have stayed
clean streets what I need
Monday is no place for glass at your feet
old days what we dream
but old days ain’t what we need
“Yosemite”
I awoke to snow falling on the river
you a hundred miles down the road
I was undelivered
oh Louise, this goddamn need
it still rides along with me
oh Louise, you should’ve seen
all the wonder lost on me
(Chorus)
I cannot quit
tracking down my youth like a capsule in the wilderness
I cannot quit
searching for your legs somewhere sun kissed in the wilderness
we were young but now that’s done
and I’m still on the line
the chains had broke but I’d been busted long before
the switchbacks goddamn they kick back
but I need to see so much more
than all of this
all these things I’ve missed
they fall down
toy soldiers on the ground
oh Louise, you should’ve seen
Yosemite lost on me
(Chorus)
now I know who I was
now I know who I’m not
all I am are these questions, my friends
and they keep me from the love I want
and I can’t keep from looking back
as I fall for the same old traps
all these questions, all these questions my friends
and the answers I’m afraid I’ve got
no more so it goes
so it goes
well it leaves me all alone