​DAVID
BRADSTREET

DAVID BRADSTREET - ALL RECORDED LYRICS

(sorted by Album)

 

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INTRO 

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

It's late in the evening

Sun has gone down

I find myself dreaming

Love's not around

 So I go to the mirror

A stranger I see

Some heartbroken lover

Staring at me

  Saying, "How did I get here?

What did I lose?

How can I paint rainbows

With only these blues?

How can I paint rainbows

With only these blues?"

 

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ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

Wake up sweet Maggie, and open your eyes

The new daylight promise is a sunlight surprise

Open your heart and hold out your hand

You're a whole world wonder I understand

    And the panorama stretches out from here

    And the future road rolls on crystal clear

    And then I hear your anthem ringing right in my ear

    One way or another I'm staying here

    One way or another Maggie, I'm staying here

So keep dancing sweet magician, sparkle on by

You move like sea-sunlight charming my eye

And to think of you moving is a whole picture show

I'm a kid in the front seat

And I'm never ever ever going to go

I'm a kid in the front seat

And I'm never going to go

    I used to think it easy to be loved by you

    And then the crunch came it came too soon

    And left us angry in this empty room

    One way or another we'll pull through

    One way or another Maggie we'll pull through

 

 ———————-

RENAISSANCE 

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

I like the way that your hair falls away

When the night brings a candle to you

And I like to stare as you come down the stair

As the light from the landing shines through

    And how many fallen leaves does it take to believe that

    Autumn has finally come

    The sun has gone colder and we've both grown older

    It's hard to believe we're still one.

  So let's dance that old dance once more

  We can still move as smooth on the old ballroom floor

  I'll wear my Sunday best, you wear your favourite dress

  Lock up the door and let's dance that old dance once more.

    You helped me 'round, put my feet on the ground

    When I acted as proud as a fool

    Our children have grown with kids of their own

    To raise without aid from our old Golden Rule

But somehow it seems that some of our dreams

Were discarded somewhere on the road

When all that was true could be found in the blue

Of your eyes that still sparkle and glow.

    The frost king has come and with a flick of his thumb

    Turned our windows to Renaissance art

    And now by the fire no need to inquire

    About the ways of the soul and the heart

'Cause the years have gone by like a soft whispered sigh

Not noticing youth as it flew

It's easy to tell that you wear your age well

Not trying to prove you're still you.

 

———————-

DISTANT FIELDS

David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN

 

So here we are again my friend

Been to the edge and back again

We had our backs against the wall

Victims of blind fear that's all

    But now the demons are gone

    And the whole world's a song

We travelled smooth in brand new cars

And lost our minds in all-night bars

And money went drinking to the night

So we travelled free and we travelled light

    But now the demons are gone

    And the whole world's a song

Someday when we hear the golden trumpet blowing

Calling the final hand to win with the cards left showing

    So here we are again my friend

    Been to the edge and back again

    We've seen the worst and had the best

    Slow down, relax, and have a rest

    Because the demons are gone

    And the whole world's a song

    I said the demons are gone

    And the whole world's a song

 

———————- 

MAIN STREET SOLILOQUY

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

Seems like the street is all empty and bare

Except one old traveller alone on a stair

The bankers have gone to their fireside homes

And I sit here alone

    But I don't mind the silence, he's like an old friend

    We travelled together since God-knows-when

    The train sings her blues to the trees in the park

    And I sit here in the dark

Many times I cry for the people I meet

And many times I laugh at myself

I barely remember your face anymore

But I love you... I still love you

    And the old man still sits in the warmth of his wine

    Thinking 'bout railroading in the good old times

    Yesterday's newspaper comforts his bones

    I sit here alone

 

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LONG LONG ROAD

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

Lend me some breathing air

Let us begin from there

    'Cause it's a long road to get you to where you're going

    It takes a long long long time to see how you've been growing

Woman I know I love you true

I have someone to turn for you

Ever since we knocked each other over

I've found someone I knew somehow

    And it's a long, long long road to get you to where you're going

    It takes a long, long long time to see how you've been growing

Roses are fine but the seed is taking over

Moses was kind he turned seaweed into clover

    And it's a long, long long road to get you to where you're going

    It takes a long, long long time to see how you've been growing

    And it's a long, long long road to get you to where you're going

    It takes a long, long long time to see how you've been growing

 

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WAITING THIS LONG 

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

Waiting this long has made me think too deep

Something is wrong I'm tired but can't get to sleep

With all this time I could be learning to fly

Way up high and never coming back down

Way up high but here I am stuck on the ground

    Waiting for Golden Fortune to drop from the sky

    You say that it's useless wasted effort to try

    Without wings you will never get over the things

    That keep dragging you down without wings

    You will always be stuck on the ground

      And wishing on your special star

      To come and show you who you are

      And sell you sweet lies in your sleep

Reaching too far and catching handfuls of air

And end up with nothing when truth was already there

Under my feet this true quiet world still asleep

I've never noticed before but I keep

My vision right here on the ground

And I don't fear the coming down

Truth and beauty all around

Let's open our eyes and drink deep

Open our eyes and drink deep

 

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WHEN THE SUN ARRIVES 

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

Well I've searched all through these mountains

Discovered the sky

But I still couldn't find you and I don't know why

Well I've searched all through these papers

Discovered a dream

But still when I'm alone at night

I don't know what it means

    Sing what you like use some insight

    And give a little heart away

    How many times have you been searching for the light

    But when the sun arrives

    Oh when the sun arrives

    When the sun arrives you got the light of day

Well in this dream I'm flying

But when awake I fall

Straight through the memory of everyone I recall

But I know somewhere you're dancing

In your silk so fine

Dancing to this medley I can hear in my mind

    Sing what you like use some insight

    And give a little heart away

    How many times have you been searching for the light

    But when the sun arrives

    Oh when the sun arrives

    When the sun arrives you got the light of day

Sing what you like use some insight

And give a little heart away

How many times have you been searching for the light

But when the sun arrives

Oh when the sun arrives

When the sun arrives you got the light of day

 

———————-

BERESFORD STREET

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

It's eight o'clock on Beresford Street the day is getting dim

People shed their working clothes, children sing their hymns

Now's the time to rest the soul, worries go when dreams unfold

And in the empty twilight street the lamplight looks like gold.

    Down a block a sound is heard, the old folks turn their heads

    Stories stop before they end, kids wake up in their beds

    Out on the road they stand and wait

    and whisper to themselves, "He's late"

    For they've all been waiting for the Concertina Man

And when they danced along beside him in the moonlight

They were all right, was a good night

For his concertina laughed away the bad times

gave them glad times, forgot the sad times.

    They see him now his head held high, his squeeze-box plays a tune

    Stepping to the rhythm, beneath the rising moon

    The happiness with which he plays takes them from their worried ways

    They follow in his harmony and dance along with him

Well no one knows where the song man lives or

how he spends his days

No one stops to question him about his gypsy ways

He lives his life without a care, hoping only to be there

to spend a little time to share his song with everyone

    Now he's gone into the night, the lamppost stands alone

    Dogs and cats are quiet now, the children have gone home

    But in their dreams they hear him sing reminding them of everything

    that they love and wish to bring them each a little closer

 

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FROM HERE I SEE

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

Keep close watch over the harbour now

And pretty soon the lights will come

Sailing through the fog and through the storm

Keep the fire burning keep this old world turning

    Many times they've gathered here before

    And many times they'll come again

    Bringing treasures far from foreign shores

    To lay beneath the mountain, serve the burning fountain

Flames cut short their journey to the sky

Dreams flow forth from the centre of the eye

And from here I see the world stretched wide

Here I can be safely aside

    And from the caves they came down to the shore

    To help them with their heavy load

    Once again the victors from the war

    Have sacrificed the mountain ignored the burning fountain

Flames cut short their journey to the sky

Dreams flow forth from the centre of the eye

And from here I see the world stretched wide

Here I can be safely aside

    High on a hilltop, fast river below

    Here's where the world stops

    Here where we know

    So much in learning so much we're told

    But it's here where the world stops

    Yes it's here where we know

So keep close watch over the harbour now

And pretty soon the lights will come

Sailing through the fog and through the storm

Keep the fires burning keep this old world turning

 

———————-

CAN YOU FEEL THE EARTH

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

Can you feel the earth turning so late in the season

The remnants of summer lie still on the ground

I come here in good faith to help clear the grey sky

And feel the good warm sun come shining on down

    The first time I stared at this ocean in wonder

    I felt all the power lying still and so calm

    As a child I ran from the lightning and thunder

    But now in the stillness the nightmare is gone

Oh give me peace and give me freedom

Give me life on the rolling sea

Give me a boat and good friends to sail her

I'll follow my course to the depths of my dreams

    So taking this moment to stand here and listen

    To music once heard by all heroes and kings

    Who were fooled into thinking the song was of glory

    Instead of a lullaby for all living things

Oh give me peace and give me freedom

Give me life on the rolling sea

Give me a boat and good friends to sail her

I'll follow my course to the depths of my dreams

 

———————-

COVER TO COVER

- David Bradstreet - A&M SP9026 /  ©Irving Almo 1977 / SOCAN 

 

So light you're right

I can hardly hear the pages turn

Tonight you might expect the rest to learn

    One by one your petals tumble on my street

    And I discover that I'm on my feet again

    And happy once more here inside your door

    You're the cover to cover home

So you see I find it hard to realize

That once again the morning's searching for our eyes

To start once more here inside your door

You're the cover to cover home

You're the cover to cover home

 

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THIRTY YEARS 

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

Sitting here waiting for my name to be called

Trying to get you out of my mind

I've been sitting here for hours in the early sun

At this retirement home paradise

    And it's been thirty years

    Since I've seen your face

    Sitting here waiting for my name to be called

    Trying to get you out of my mind

I remember the year we took to the road

Leaving our depression behind

We returned all our empties, cashed in our chips

Gave both our places on that long soup line

    And it's been thirty years

    Since I've seen your face

    Sitting here waiting for my name to be called

    Trying to get you out of my mind

We had some doubts about raising some kids

I guess it wasn't quite the best of times

But we made them out of lovin' on the boat to home

Watched them and loved them finding their own minds

    And I would do it all again

    Hopefully with you my friend

    But for now I'm hangin' in

Sitting here waiting for my name to be called

Trying to get you out of my mind

I've been sitting here for hours in the early sun

At this retirement home paradise...

    It's been thirty years

    Since I've seen your face

    Sitting here waiting for my name to be called

    Trying to get you out of my mind

    I've been sitting here for hours in the early sun

    At this retirement home paradise

    Trying to get you out of my mind

    Trying to get you out of my mind

 

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STICKS & STONES

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

Well I can tell you a story or two

Of how it took so long to arrive

Once the map had been chosen for you

How you stayed on the path to arrive alive

    Temptations flanked the road you chose

    Out beyond the town

    And they all jeered loudly with sparkling eyes

    Calling you names from the side of their mouths

Sticks and stones may break you over

Or build you a castle fine

It just depends on the way that you gather them darlin'

If they give you or take your time...

    "Don't listen to a single word they were saying

    We're just the jealous few

    We saw you coming from ten miles back

    And watched you stumble through..."

They couldn't stop you with the plans they made

Or trick you with the traps they laid

Or blind you with the bribes they paid

To lead you astray...

'Cause it's only a picture of madness

When everything's back to front

Like looking at the face in the morning mirror

Jumping right in and finding out

"We saw you coming from ten miles back

And watched you stumble through..."

    Now the gamut is run and you finally won

    It's in your style and your smile

    That you weathered the miles under the burning sun

    Won't you give us a hint a spark for our flint

    So that we can come

    And won't you please stay with me

    When we get to the sea when the journey's done

    Won't you stay with me when the journey's done

    Won't you please stay with me

    When we get to the sea when the journey's done  

 

———————- 

DREAMING IN COLOUR

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

Since we came through

I've been dreaming in colour like you

Lights glow yellow green and blue

With your sweet assistance

I'm losing my resistance - I love you

And I never felt so free with love so new

And it doesn't seem to matter what we do

We come through

    We took a chance

    And picked up this new spirit and danced

    Put on this Hollywood romance

    I saw it when I found

    That warm glow all around you can't you see

    That it wasn't up to you or up to me

    Somebody just finally heard our plea

    And took a chance

    I see your shining eyes

    In every candle shadow

    So I'm signing out and finding out

    I'll be that way tomorrow

So see me through

And help me find this dreaming come true

Lights glow yellow green and blue

With your sweet assistance

I'm losing my resistance - I love you

And I never felt so free with love so new

And it doesn't seem to matter what we do

We come through

 

 ———————-

GOODBYE JASON

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN 

 

And on the other side of the daylight line

We had ventured far to seek and find

Treasures new and new gates to the end

To balance the space in between

All the time that strains at the seams

To be free...

Of the chains that it sings in

Like me...

    And as we wandered through this naked dream

    With the sun pouring through on this endless scene

    Sailors knew the endless scheme of the sea

    With spirit to search for the line

    That reached out beyond their time

    To be free...

    Of the chains that it sings in

    Like me..

And now with hungry eyes

The lonely siren cries

For her discovered lies, forgotten tries

to be free...

For she carries the heart of a high flying bird

Who longs for a nest on the sea

But she sings in her chains

Just like me...

Like me  

 

———————-

MIDNIGHT SONG

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

Then when I awake

And find your face still shining

Your cheeks still flushed

With the love you gave

The night is creeping by

And trucks outside this motel fly

Mountains hold our vision high

Beyond the room we call home

    And this ringing in my ear is calling

    Calling me away

    And the aching in my bones in stalling

    Begging me to stay

    Either way it seems half wrong

    When the morning comes around

    My eye is searching in the sky

    My ear is to the ground...

Why must we feel the purpose lost

To play the song and pay the cost

Of loving only strangers here

And making lonely smiles appear

Still we keep on searching

Though the miles may never end

Following the road to hope

And hoping that it never ends  

 

———————-

LAST CATCH 

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

The morning seems to take forever

To come 'round to my shore

It's like a sailor's song that's never

Never been sung before

    And the pieces of the puzzle

    Lie fallen at my feet

    My eyes are week there's not much light to see

    Oh I might as well be holy

    Might as well be saved from the sea

Big ships appearing on the edge now

Fish fall fathoms deep

The nets are overboard and trapping

Friends in their frenzied sleep

Well if the seasons turn without me this year

I won't have to feel

I've had enough and I've been here too long

Oh those bastards cut my lifeline

And then they stole my song

    Sunlight is falling on the waves now

    It's time to be headed home

    My season's over and I'm old now

    It's time to be headed home again

    And as the earth rises up to meet my keel

    The ocean falls away

    And the sand upon the shore cradles my bow

    Oh I know my catch is meagre

    And won't support my life anyhow

    Yes I know my catch is meagre

    And won't support my life anyhow

 

———————- 

CARDS 

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

I can see it in her cards

She's trying very hard

To be a winner - and it's in her

Take a diamond for a heart

And the hand may fall apart

A loser - I can't lose her

    "Okay, this time you win"

    Flashed a silly grin

    And walked off with the winnings in her hand

    But I could see it in her heart

    There was a very special part left for me

    But I was mumbling like a stumbling fool

So I looked down deep inside

And laid the future wide

New choices from new voices

Getting back to common ground

Not so easy to be found

The promised land here

In the sand here...

    Take a flyer when you can

    Careful where you land

    Or end up with the pieces on the ground...

    But I could see it in the cards

    That we tried a bit too hard somehow

    To make our love an ordinary thing  

 

———————- 

KEEP YOUR LUCK ALIVE

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

Everybody loved Lucky Lucy

But she never loved like love in her mind

Soft caresses in satin dresses

She never seemed to find

Buddy watched her dance like the Devil

And it made him move head before feet

Then home alone with his saxophone

Hoping they might meet

    He alone and she alone tried to turn their luck into fun

    But it hadn't been in their hometown since 1961

    Hell you say it's fine that way

    If all you want to do is survive

    But if you want the stars to dance in your yard

    You've got to keep your luck alive

Well they found themselves both at the mercy

Of circles of strangers called friends

Calling bluffs of the dozen loves

They couldn't wait to end

Messages flashed in the alley

Out behind the town hall dance

Glowing embers helped them remember

Some summertime hot romance

    Now Lucy loves to travel

    And Buddy loves to drive

    Writing short stories and long long songs

    Out on Highway 65

    And the stories and songs keep them going and going

    Tapping their fun to survive

    Feeding each other long distance long

    And keeping their luck alive

    So keep your luck alive

    Keep your luck alive

 

 ———————-

ASHES ON THE WATER

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

I've been trying to catch this song on the fly

But the message only comes when the tide is right

Sun is dancing on the harbour

And the moon is waiting for her chance to shine

    And I'm scattering ashes on the water

    For you to find your way back home

    Searching the skies for the Captain's daughter

    I've been sailing alone

But if I had this all to do again

I'd end up on the same side of this line

Looking for you again

Someday to find...

    Now this moonlit beach is showing me a world

    So small in my hand this diamond and pearl

    All this life now lies forgotten

    My fire is dying and I've got nowhere to turn

So I'm scattering ashes on the water

For you to find your way back home

And these bridges that are burning

Look like stars that keep returning

To shine on my island alone

Come on back and make this place home

 

 ———————-

BALLERINAS 

 - Dreaming In Colour - A&M SP9032 /  ©Irving Almo 1978 / SOCAN

 

Stuck here in this little room

With the tricks of my trade

Trying to find where I went wrong

With the best plans laid

    Please don't remind me where I've been

    Or show me pictures I've already seen

    'Cause one by one these treasures loom

    ...like ballerinas

I was hoping you might understand

This 'out of business' sign

And the purpose to which I turn my hand

I hope perhaps to change my mind

With the melody and meaning here

Forever taking shape

Like mist on this morning lake

...like ballerinas

 

———————-

———————- 

BACK TO BASICS

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

So here's another year gone by

Still we're standing on this solid ground

And still we reach each other now and then you and I

And everything is going 'round

In it's own unhurried pace

You're still that constant light

That brings a twinkle to my eye

    I'm counting the lessons of the past

    They're still the same old songs

    That we were singing in the morning

    Of the dawning when we first come along

    Yes I still love you too

    And it grows with passing time

    And now we're back to basics you and I

    Back to basics eye to eye

    Back to basics all over again

    All over again

I guess we've had those doubting times

When nothing was too clear

But we held on to each other

In the face of the fear

Then something comes back to remind

That these are not such different times

It's been better and worse

Through laughter and hurting

But we've come right through the other side

    To count the lessons of the past

    They're still the same old songs

    That we were singing in the morning

    Of the dawning when we first come along

    Yes I still love you too

    And it grows with passing time

    And now we're back to basics you and I

    Back to basics eye to eye

    Back to basics all over again

And now we're back to basics you and I

Back to basics eye to eye

Back to basics all over again

All over again  

 

 ———————-

TORPEDOES IN THE MAINSTREAM

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

In the doorway there's a broken light

Scattered fragments all through the night

It can leave you dark and barely moving

So we take our chance tonight

And blow the top off it serves them right

Can't stay in one tight spot forever

    Torpedoes in the mainstream

    Torpedoes in the mainstream

Day to day the same damned thing

Nine to five when the siren sings

It can leave you screaming in the neon

So we do what young men do

When you push them over what they want you to

And we leave them laughing in the rubble

    Torpedoes in the mainstream

    Torpedoes in the mainstream watch out

    Torpedoes in the mainstream

They're upon us it's four to one

Intent on sending us Kingdom Come

We gotta show them we are not the ones to fool with

Guts burning just to stay alive

Ancestral instincts to survive

Hearts bursting in the final drive to prove it

Torpedoes in the mainstream  

 

 ———————-

SILENT PARTNER

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

Where are you silent partner?

All I see now you're gone

Is the dark side of the room

Come back soon

Silent partner

    Looking through

    The painting you left behind

    Little boy in the window

    Footprints in the snow

    But where do they go?

    When I needed you so?

Well it looks so new

Fresh snow falling

Cold white line

Silent lovers try

But how do they know

To melt all the snow

When frozen tears cry

It's do or die

I'm on the dark side of the room

So come back soon

Silent partner.

 

 ———————-

BLACK & WHITE 

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

I spend most of my time colouring in spaces

Just a shadow in places wasting my nights

Then you gave contrast to me and you helped me to find it

You always design it in black and white

    Black and white

    It's hard to see the simple way

    Black and white

    And you wait as the colour drains away

    Black and white

    And you stand in the failing light

    Shouting in the night

Oh don't let the anger get the best of you

It's black and white, just black and white

But you know I'm holding on a light for you

It's black and white, it's black and white

And we hold on tight 'till the morning light brings us through

It's black and white, black and white

Black and white

    It's not that different you say

    To have a bad morning

    That comes without warning

    To throw off your game

    And the news is not much better today

    Than it was on the weekend

    Continuing cold trend, just more of the same

Black and white

Ah take a good look at what you read

Black and white

It's someone's view of the things you see

Black and white

You've got the final choice to use your only voice

    So don't let the anger get the best of you

    It's black and white, it's black and white

    But you know I'm holding on a light for you

    It's black and white, it's black and white

    And we hold on tight 'till the morning light brings us through

    It's black and white, black and white

    Black and white

Oh don't let the anger get the best of you

It's black and white, yea it's black and white

But you know I'm holding on a light for you

It's black and white, it's black and white

And we hold on tight 'till the morning light brings us through

It's black and white, black and white

Black and white

    Now I spend the rest of my time

    Remembering your faces

    In warm hidden places all through the night

    And you give contrast to me

    And you help to find it

    You always design it in black and white

Black and white
It's hard to see the simple way
Black and white
And you wait as the colour drains away
Black and white
And you stand in the failing light
Shouting in the night
Oh don't let the anger get the best of you
It's black and white, it's black and white
But you know I'm holding on a light for you
It's black and white, it's black and white
And we hold on tight 'till the morning light brings us through It's black and white, black and white 

 

 ———————-

PARALLEL ROADS

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

Hello once again

We used to know each other well back then

So many stars, suns and moons my friend

That shined on our parallel roads

    I've thought about you in the quiet times

    When the world slowed down and my time was mine

    I realized I missed out on a heart that time

    On parallel roads, out there on parallel roads

Oh, when you decide

To push right through and come inside

I find myself inclined

To meet on common ground, resolution found

    And then I felt your thunder as you roared on by

    Catching momentary glances on the fly

    We got so sad but felt so high

    On parallel roads, out there on parallel roads

Oh, eye to eye

Feels so strange to say goodbye

But I trust my heart to try

To meet on common ground, resolution found

Oh, eye to eye

Feels so sad but get so high

But I trust my heart to try

To meet on common ground, resolution found

 

 ———————-

CHILDREN TOGETHER

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

Children together walking hand in hand

In the park tonight

Wondering whether to take a chance

Just once tonight

Sister and brother taking care of each other

As the years roll 'round

How sister and brother can forget one another

When it all comes down

    We were children together and I know you better

    Than you want to believe

    Remembering hopeful hearts huddled on cold stairs

    On Christmas Eve

    Brother and sister lost in the whisper

    Of a rainy night

    Thinking and hoping it can all happen here

    If we wish just right

Children together talking heart to heart

In the dark night

Sharing the secrets with no one else

'Cause no one else listens right

(But you know...)

    Sometimes it scares me to see you so rarely

    As the years roll by

    But I guess time has changed things

    Since two little hearts heard the same cry

 

 ———————-

TAKING THE LONG WAY HOME

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

You and I had stumbled on that great design

Making love in the valley anywhere anytime

And we gave it all freely

Forgot what was yours and mine

    Beneath the cover of darkness we both ran down

    We splashed in the river and we slept on the ground

    Kept our heads in the fire light

    And our secret bodies brown

    And moving like athletes we accidentally found

Two lost lovers in the night

Stepping so light and avoiding the highway

Two lost lovers in the night

Taking the long way home

Taking the long way home

    In and out of trouble always hand in hand

    With the best of both worlds nothing planned

    We understand limits, exceed them when we can

    And bring back the prizes, love life surprises

Two lost lovers in the night

Stepping so light and avoiding the highway

Two lost lovers in the night

Taking the long way home

Taking the long way home  

 

 ———————-

WE DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH

 - Black & White SR001 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1980 / SOCAN

 

Looking in my book and I see your name

I don't quite understand

'Cause looking in your face I feel the same

Just part of a plan

I found you cryin' in the bedroom

You tried to hide your tears from me

But we didn't go far enough my love

For salty eyes to see

    You were dressed in some outrageous outfit

    For all the boys to choose

    You said you got the number off a subway wall

    And there's nothing left to lose

    And you said, "come on, let's go out dancing,

    and raise a little hell on the street"

    Well you shook me by my rock foundation

    And you justified the heat.

Ah, we didn't go far enough

To complete the little boy dream

We've come so close so many times

So close that I could scream

Give a little more and try a little harder

Tighten your grip, loosen up

'Cause tonight we're going to go as far as we can

Hang on this could be rough

Hang on this could be rough

Ah, we didn't go far enough

Yeah, we didn't go far enough

Tonight we'll go far enough

Yeah, tonight we'll go far enough

 

 ———————-

———————-

NO TURNING BACK

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

How you walk so perfect?

And how you move like that?

After all this damage

You grab your coat and hat

You treat me like a tailor

You're measuring me up

It's not how I imagined

I'd fit in this setup

    But now there's no turning back

    no turning back

    Don't turn your back to the wall

    Stand back and jump

    Over the hump

    Out of a slump that's all

    that's all, that's all - that's all

I hear you went to market

And I hear you got your stuff

And left the place in shambles

When they called your bluff

    Now here's talk amongst the jury

    Well they just can't get it right

    How to stop your fury

    When you just can't take the night

And when you get to heaven

And when you ring the bell

You get all that you're given

And then you run like hell.

 

———————-

LANGUAGE LIES

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

Why aren't you saying what I hear?

Why do your soft words hardly reach my ear?

I thought we had the trust

that we could not lose sight of us

No matter how the language lied,

it always seemed to cost some pride to hear.

    Why can't I listen with your ear?

    Why can't I hear the truth from over here?

    In time we'll take those steps

    I guess it hasn't happened yet

    No matter how the language lies,

    we're closer when we truly try to hear.

When the language lies

the meaning dies

and the truth just flies away

When the language lies

as a harsh surprise

we just turn our eyes away.

    I'll try to meet you halfway there

    Take back the hurt that's hanging in the air

    These are only words, I know

    the rest is left for us to show

    That even when the language lies,

    intentions whisper compromise,

    we see right through each other's eyes

    with understanding when we learn to hear.

 

———————- 

THE HANDOUT 

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

You were living in an old hotel

when I was in my teens

You'd already seen the lights

that I could only dream

And by the time I kissed a girl

you'd had your share of scenes

So how come I ran into you on Highway 16?

    You looked at me and said out loud

    "you got all that you need,

    I don't suppose you could spare a lift

    up Highway 16?"

    I looked at you and said out loud

    "it's not quite what it seems,

    I owe most of what you see

    you own the things you need"

Take all the human pride of all who live outside

Make room to let them hide for one night

Let judgment fall away, hear all they have to say

Show that you care for one bright moment

    I saw you next on opening night

    on a vent that blows warm air

    I saw your eyes were fading

    asking crowds that couldn't care

    I looked to you like I had it all

    - the clothes, the savoir faire

    Truth was I was counting change

    to make up subway fare

I need to get the car washed soon

I need to pay some bills

I need to put the kids through school

I can do without the frills

But I wonder what you're doing now

and if you're staying clean

I guess I could have helped some more

on Highway 16.

 

———————-

TWO MINDS 

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

If I could say how I feel

you could hear what I say

It could be so real

If they would just go away

If I could see what you see

and you could say what you hear

Would they just let us be

and get away from here?

    Two minds thinking the same thought

    Wishing it all would go our way

    'Cause sometimes it's seems so clear

    when the real world disappears

    But I can hardly choose between

    the endless sky and this down to earth dream

If we could start out clean

we could make new rules

If we could just be seen

as men not fools

If we can hear the voices

we could feel what they say

If we could make the choices

we might just break away

    Two minds thinking the same thought

    Wishing it all would go our way

    'Cause sometimes it's seems so clear

    when the real world disappears

    But I can hardly choose between

    the endless sky and this down to earth dream.

 

———————-

HIGH GROUND 

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

Take a chance, just one dance

the song was meant to last

Run or fight, the darkened night

the river running fast

    The time is right for our true flight

    no one can show us how

    One short run, despite the guns

    Whose God will help us now?

What does it take to make it right?

One deciding fight

to let us gain the high ground

Just get us through this night

to see the morning light

Up there on the high ground

    I see free land beyond the light

    that separates our dreams

    The family fight, the final blight

    the tearing at the seams

    It's not that we were sinners there

    just lovers running through

    No justice in this bloody scare

    for two hearts bound and true

A frozen tear, why can't we hear?

how can we feel so old?

Forget the fear, and hold me near

Why does it feel so cold?

Forbidden love, the stars above

shine down on one and all

With hope and pride and trust and love

they heard the final call

 

———————-

I JUST WALK AWAY

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

I see your face, I know your eyes

I talk to you, I improvise

I get lost in longing

Wanting belonging to you

for one long night

But when you look my way

I just walk away

    If you could see the way I feel

    If I could show but not reveal

    my need to be beside you

    I'd show you my heart, but then you'd run

    so far from me

    So when you look my way

    I just walk away

Whenever I call you, you're not there

Wherever I need you, you're not there

So I keep it to myself

and never let it out

That I would give it all

But then my heart goes numb

Walking next to you

Knowing that the truth

could never make you stay

So I'll just walk away

    Dreaming here I see your eyes

    Searching ways to compromise

    this act of being human

    Why can't I choose and cut right to

    this heart of mine

    But when you look my way

    I just walk away

 

———————-

ANOTHER HUMAN FAILING

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

Light a smoke, tell a joke

Leave your hat at the door

By the time you're leaving

you might be believing

that we just can't take no more.

    Out to dine, pour that wine

    then casually ignore last call

    They say it stops the shaking

    You face the morning aching

    but it's really not a problem at all.

'Cause it's so hard to quit

when we get used to it

We keep on falling

when the buzz comes calling

Another human failing

Another human failing

We keep on trying

but we keep on buying

We just can't let it go

Another human failing

A human failing

    Roll the dice, smile nice

    and leave your soul at the door

    You can bet your money

    on a low-cut honey

    Then she'll take you one time more

Watch the tube, sucker rube

and leave your mind at the door

They'll sell you vegematics

and confuse your mathematics

'til it don't add up anymore.

 

———————-

WE WALK THESE STREETS

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

We walk these streets in the morning

We walk these streets all night

We walk these streets right through the day

and we pray we won't lose sight

Kick a rock down through the alleyway

Keep an eye out through the wreck

Baby shoe lost in the tumblebrick

Just our daily city trek

    You might say it's the hardest way

    but you couldn't handle here

    We get through the hardest day

    but you don't wake up round here

    And we ourselves keep searching for

    a clue to wrong and right

    And working for the chance to see

    a quiet normal night

In all this mess we do our best

to sing the song we care

It's been so long since normal time

rang church bells in the air

And you might say the only way

is ringing the alarm

It's only fear that we know here

that keeps our home from harm

    And you may think we're horrified

    living here with daily grief

    But you can't see through our hardened eye

    and you can't give no relief

And we keep hopes high when the sun comes up

and we pray we won't lose sight.

 

———————-

THE NEXT BOAT TRAIN

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

Life unclear over home back there

soft goodbyes gone to God-knows-where

Even for the malcontent

Can't stay put with the money spent

- with the money spent

    I see your face there through the glass

    but rain keeps falling down clouding my heart

    You in the mist and me on the train

    I can still hear your voice,

    I can still hear my name

    but the memory fades- ah the memory fades

Standing in your hat and your Harris Tweed

Your watch-chain pocket and your coat to your knee

Don't think I'll ever see your craft again

Thoughts of a boy in a world back then

- in a world back then

    Two days from port my sea legs fail

    Count the white caps, grip the rail

    Seasoned sailors green with the swell

    But me and my dollar friend running like hell

    'Till someone shouts, "I see New Land!"

    Grab our bags, hand in hand

    We'd never seen a land so free

    Transplanted dreamers from across the sea.

It's not what I thought when I came out here

Feeling lonely, tasting fear

But what can change can be the same

'Cause Grandad's coming on the next boat train

- on the next boat train

 

———————-

HOLDING MY BREATH

- Renaissance SR004 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 1999 / SOCAN

 

Back home, here again

Same old, same old routine end

All we get

is hope and regret

    Can't seem to get ahead

    All caught up in a tangled web

    Is it you?

    Is it me?

    Is it us?

    Is it them?

    Around we go

    then back again

Holding my breath

Holding my breath

I can almost just see it

going my way

All dressed up and

nowhere to play

    What can you say

    when it won't go away

    It's time to explore it

    deplore it, ignore it

Holding my breath

Holding my breath

Holding my breath

- with you.

 

———————-

———————-

LIFELINES 

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN 

                                ©Rob Lamothe / Nettwerk Songs Publishing Ltd. / ASCAP 

 

When there's no sign of wisdom in the big white house

no sign of answers in the wind

The times they are a-changin' but we can't see too clearly

if it turns out any better in the end

    Family, faith in someone

    a soothing voice when you're lost

    It's hard to be coming of age in this time

    These are your lifelines...

No sign of laughter in the dark school yard

no sign of wishing in the street

But a lonely voice of reason shouts out above the boulevard

these times have made the heart obsolete

    Home and hearth, faith in someone

    a soothing voice when you're lost

    It's hard to be coming of age in this time

    These are your lifelines,

    these are your lifelines

And if you find yourself at a crossroads

The future hiding on the blind side

Don't forget the rear view mirror

 'cause these are your lifelines.

 

———————-

TEARS OF A THOUSAND YEARS

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN  

 

Talking to children

they can hardly speak

Their eyes as deep as oceans

their hearts like mountain peaks

Don't ask about the hometown

in the desert here alone

Strange how just a few days

can seem so long ago

    In one mad hell they conquered

    a symbol disappears...

    and on the face of children: tears...

    Tears of a thousand years

Babies as soldiers

they have hardly grown

Trained to fight their brothers

they leave with seeds unsown

Don't ask about the reasons

or call the new recruits

The answer's not in branches

but hidden in the roots

In one mad rush of history

the dust that never clears...

and on the face of children: tears...

Tears of a thousand years

Tears of a thousand years

    Don't ask about the reasons

    or call the new recruits

    The answer's not in branches

    but hidden in the roots

    In one mad rush of history

    the dust that never clears

    and on the face of children: tears...

    Tears of a thousand years

    Tears of a thousand years  

 

———————-

WALK WITH YOU BY & BY

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN  

                                ©Robert Priest / SOCAN

 

When the river is a shiver in the sparkle of your eye

and the heart is a cloud in a big blue sky

When the forest is the chorus of a lullabye

then I'll walk with you by and by

    When the sun is a thunder of colour in the dew

    and the dandelions roar like the real lions do

    When the salmon are swimming in tears you cry

    then I'll walk with you by and by

So here I wait

like a meadow before the gate

like hunger on a plate

like a hook without bait

long after it's too late

await my foolish fate

Like a swallow in the sky

you'll come to me

and I'll come to you by and by

    When the maple is poplar in the apple of your eye

    and the storm is a calm in a little white lie

    When the sun uses dawn as its alibi

    I'll walk with you by and by

    Then I'll walk with you

    Then I'll walk with you by and by

 

———————-

DOMINO'S PIANO

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN 

                               ©Robert Priest / SOCAN

                               ©Jason Fowler / Great Big Music / SOCAN

 

The river ran the wrong way down a one-way street

the water covered walkways by a dozen feet

The levee gave it up here over three weeks ago

but I still haven't found my love

- still haven't found my love

    Went back there to see it standing in the flood

    the doors and windows stained from weeks of Mississippi mud

    The deluge hit the high note - the howl of hurricane

    They still haven't found my love

    - still haven't found my love

Warped by water, whipped by wind

Years of music

brought to an end

This elemental reckoning

rolled right over...

Domino's piano

Domino's piano

    Jazz is all inverted, land becomes the sea

    freedom has a way of turning back to slavery

    Wisdom is an idiot when chaos is the plan

    and they still haven't found my love

    - still haven't found my love

And music is the silence, neglect is the relief

Danger is the safety net when law becomes the thief

The wind is wailing lonely jazz on Blueberry Hill

and I still haven't found my love

- still haven't found my love

    Warped by water, whipped by wind

    Years of music brought to an end

    This elemental reckoning

    rolled right over...

    Domino's piano - Domino's piano - Domino's piano - Domino's piano

Old Man River played it upside down on Domino's piano

Mississippi fingers play the jazz adagio on Domino's piano

Domino's piano  

 

———————-

STORM COMES 

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN 

 

Storm starts easy - the ebb and flow

in a dead calm sea

She's the marriage of the high and low

with dreams of flying free

    All the tension in this world is focussed now this time...

She uses motion to lift her up

it's a gamble she wins

Broken surface, moving air

the renegade winds

    All the tension in this world is focussed now this time...

And on the shore she waits for him

he's sailing alone

Eyes reflecting horizon dim

no sails returning home

Wall of water over me I think I'm going down

Storm comes and blows it all away

Storm comes and blows it all away

Storm comes she blows it all away, it all away, away...

    Upside down boat no-one there

    the quiet water shines

    Below the surface something there

    drifting eyes in time

A world of wonder that could have been

is lost beneath the waves

Storm comes - and blows it all away

storm comes - and blows it all away

storm comes - and blows it all away

Repeat first 2 lines

 

———————-

LOVE IS HERE TO STAY

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN 

 

Most of us start life a little lonely

so we press our face against the warm warm heart

Heaven knows and sometimes heaven's listening

as we each discover how to do our part

    Sometimes you think that life is on a lost road

    and all the decent chances slipped away

    Heaven knows it's not for want of trying

    you do your level best each day

Heaven knows it's not for want of trying

we do our level best each day

And I can't stop marveling that

Love is here to stay

    Sometimes when we feel the heart is wounded

    if the many shades of love turn grey

    Heaven knows it's not for want of loving you

    I watch you moving through your days

And Heaven knows it's not for want of loving you

I watch you moving through your days

and I can't stop marveling that

Love is here to stay, love is here to stay

instr. 

    And now that we are all a little older

    with the quiet ones there to show the way

    Heaven knows it has it's share of angels

    they whisper in this song's communiqué

And Heaven knows it has it's share of angels

they whisper in this song's communiqué

and I can't stop marveling that

Love is here and I

can't stop marveling that

Love is here and I

can't stop marveling that

Love is here to stay

Love is here to stay

Love is here to stay

Love is here to stay

Love is here to stay  

 

———————-

APPARITION 

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN 

 

He walked to the ocean's edge

and caught his reflection in the water

And smiling back at him was his own face,

plus one over his shoulder

    She moved to the shadow shade

    and blocked out the sun to expose her

    He didn't know if he was blinded or

    insane from close exposure

He fought off the trembling shakes

it made him stagger and made him ache

To see her standing in the ocean's wake

"What's your name, for heaven's sake?"

Then he knew her...

the apparition

    He said, "Didn't I see you on the Street of Straight when I fell off my pony

    hovering there in the shining mist like a floating testimony?

    You held my head in your hands I felt so fragile like a grateful child

    Three secrets in a veiled wish from an old, cold fire."

She said, "I've been here only twice before

I showed you vision from an open door

You all thought it was some great mistake

you know I'll be there when you wake."

- and then they knew her too -

the apparition - the apparition

    Many years have gone and all she said has turned out to be worthy

    he still goes back to the ocean's edge but only finds the vision blurry

    The spell on earth that fooled the acolytes turned out only to be Northern Lights

    a cunning trick of some fevered minds

    but all the while they kept hoping that they'd see her again

    the apparition - the apparition - the apparition   

 

———————-

LONG TIME AGO 

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN 

 

By the time I got to this old place,

I was standing by myself,

I'd lost the fortitude of running wild.

And over time I got this face,

the story of my life,

years of solitude, a lonely child

    The windows boarded up it seems,

    the paint has peeled away,

    the gutters filled with years of leaves,

    the shutters cracked and grey.

    And on the faded porch I see

    the chair we sat to learn to read,

    but that was such a long long time ago.

I open up the rusty door

the echo room within,

the patches on the walls the ghosts of art.

The sunlight hidden from the floor

the dusty airless dim,

voices in my head and in my heart.

    I run outside to catch my breath

    the morning glory shines,

    I look across the leaves of grass

    the winding lane defines.

    And then I see your smiling face

    your warming touch, your saving grace

    Was this such a long long time ago?

    Such a long long time ago

    Such a long long time ago

The garden has been left alone

with random overgrowth,

the trees are bent from many seasons change.

We dig down deep into the soil

for treasures we had known,

the days of youth that time has rearranged.

    We knew just where she'd buried it

    our mother's shining pearl,

    it held together through the years

    the hearts of boy and girl.

    And we hold it up into the sun,

    the past, the flash, a childhood bond.

    Was this such a long long time ago?

What's gone is lost to memories past

this lonely world within,

I do remember it this way I know.

I try to see these carefree kids

with dreams beyond the yard,

the fading image just an afterglow.

    I'd love to go beyond this now

    and sail above it all,

    it seems like that for half the time

    these days slowed to a crawl.

    And then I see your smiling face,
   your warming touch, your saving grace.

    Was this such a long long time ago? Such a long long time ago, long ago

    Such a long long time ago
   Such a long long time ago
   Such a long long time ago 

 

———————-

IMAGINE ME HOME

- Lifelines SR005 /  ©David Bradstreet / Subterranean Music 2006 / SOCAN 

                               ©Robert Priest / SOCAN

 

Imagine me home, the moon on our skin

The longing dissolved by this love we're in

Imagine us there in the flickering fire

Of the candle you burn for the one we desire

    Imagine me home, in the heart you have kept

    As silent as stone, in the tears you have wept

    We'll taste once again those lips that we miss

    Oh what could be more forever than this

All our sorrow and elation spinning round in one sensation

One big mist of tears and laughter here right now and here hereafter

And though I am gone like a leaf in the storm

our love will return, tender and warm

We'll stand on the shore, reach across the abyss

and we'll never get more forever than this

    And freedom is rare and sorrows abound

    but love is so fair wherever it's found

    And life is a prayer we weave in the mist

    And it doesn't get more forever than this

All our trials and tribulations whirling round in one sensation

one big mix of tears and sorrow here right now and here tomorrow

All our sorrow and elation spinning round in one sensation

One big mist of tears and laughter here right now and here hereafter

Imagine me home  

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