All Lyrics copyright Sherwood Gainer  © all rights reserved  , Lyrics for all songs (alphabetical order)


Bad Timing                                                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
Blue Words                                                (Mindful Second)        
Busy Bones                                               (Mindful Second)
Circus Parade                                           (Bubble Burst Mode)
Choices (Also, So Many Choices)        Choices (and More of the Different
Commercial                                               (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
Cross Town                                                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
Dance With No Name                              (Bubble Burst Mode)
Darkest Days                                             (Mindful Second) 
Dawn                                                            (Thinking Cap Starter Pack, and Bubble Burst Mode- remix)
Dreams                                                       (Mindful Second) 
Eleven Shades of Black                          (Bubble Burst Mode)
Figure You Out                                           More of the Different
For A New Moon                                         (Thinking Cap Starter Pack, and Bubble Burst Mode- remix)
Hey                                                               (Bubble Burst Mode)
I Wanna Be (feat. Stephanie Ly)             Bubble Burst Mode)
In Motion                       (Mindful Second)
In My Movie                    More of the Different
Into Your Mind                      (Mindful Second)
Let Your Hair Down                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack, and Bubble Burst Mode- undead mix)
Let Your Love Out                (Bubble Burst Mode)
Made It This Far                   (Mindful Second)
Off and On and On               (Mindful Second) 
Old School                    (Bubble Burst Mode)
Open Book                      (Bubble Burst Mode)
Repeat                         (Mindful Second)     
Rhythm and You                   (Mindful Second)   
The Share                    (Bubble Burst Mode)
Small Talk                    (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
The Solipsism Twist                More of the Different
So Many Choices (see Choices         (Thinking Cap Starter Pack, and More of The Different)
Somehow                    (Thinking Cap Starter Pack, and Bubble Burst Mode- remix)
Spark                       (Mindful Second)   
Speaking Human                So Many Choices)
Starting Block                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack) and More of the Different
Strong Coffee                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack, and More of the Different- remix)
Super Powers                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
Thanksgiving                    (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
These Sore Eyes                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
Too Fast                     (Bubble Burst Mode)
Two Sides of Mrs. T.                (Thinking Cap Starter Pack)
Ugly Truth                    (Bubble Burst Mode)
Vanishing Highway                 (Mindful Second)
You Are The Holiday)            More Of The Different
Walk With Me                    (Thinking Cap Starter PacLyrics for all songs (alphabetical order)
Who's That Girl?                (Bubble Burst Mode)

 
               
All of the People (All of the Time)

….

Almost Being
….


Bad Timing

finally got my act together but I’m feeling like a clown
the theaters gone dark the show’s left for another town - bad timing
 
both my watch and warrantee expired yesterday
now they recommend I check the time no more than twice a day - bad timing
 
I think of all the ways time hasn't been a friend
but looking on the bright side I haven't reached the end
even bad bad timing beats none at all
 
killing time is an example of a crime that doesn’t pay
wish I could bring those hours back I sure could use a few today - bad timing
 
some say daylight savings is just stealing from the night
I get up an hour early just to fight the same old fight - bad timing
 
from the international dateline my landlord called to say:
your rent is overdue because tomorrow is today - bad timing


Blue Words

Well it ain't exactly fun
when you're underneath the gun,
and told you’ve only just begun
to pay your dues

still, one  thing I know for sure –
I hope they never find a cure
for that sacred tawdry pure thing
called the blues

I'm sure I wouldn’t know ma’am
(if it) should be called it slow jam
or a 12-step self-help program
you can use

for relationships that fall apart
or other matters of the heart,
there’s no advice I can I'm part—
I must recuse.

(but) don’t be overly concerned about 
how everything will turnout
You’ll end up losing sleep ‘n burnout
like a fuse

For these or anything that boarders
upon ailments or disorders
repeat the eight and 40 quarters --
watch  the cues

it’s the cure and its depression,
its expression and confession
just fall back on the progression
it’s no ruse  

it’s like a special kind of gift --
the way the root, the 4th and 5th
can always give morale a lift,
it just cant lose  

yup, one thing I know for sure
I hope they never find a cure
for that sacred tawdry pure thing
called the blues

Busy Bones (Too Much Work)

you can rest,
when you’re dead
that is what
they always said

but there’s too much work
no time to spare
too much work
more than I can bear
too much work
but find someone who cares
no one ever said that the afterlife is fair

Death benefits,
I confess:
we were wrong
all along
who could know,
after all it was a guess

Circus Parade

Holding down the pavement in front of the apartment,
looking for improvement or maybe entertainment

Theres a circus parade, an endless cavalcade of
humanity displayed  outside my window
politicians and their backers, high society and slackers,
all kinds of animals and crackers… march in limbo

At the top of the pile with a platinum plated smile
is sweet Maxxi Carlisle the existential exile
her license to beguile wont expire for quite a while
and her corragated hair style has its own fbi file


she's got apocalyptic lipstick, an automagic hat trick
an egocentric self-encrypted laser-guided sidekick
with talent and a tactic for cutting through the static--
she keeps all her own statistics in a locker in the attic

Now, elbow past the oboe catch a glimpse of Mr. Lobo--
an emotional tornado with a creditworthy credo.
The tattoo on his libido reads klatu barada nicto
he speaks fluent innuendo and he sleeps in a tuxedo

With a little introspection while producing a production
he arrived at the conclusion that hed rather do direction
and hope someday for induction in a hall of famer function
on a televised tradition thats rebroadcast with permission

leaders and successors students and professors
sinners and confessors… march in limbo

Over there's Thundercloud Lincoln, the penultimate mohican
whose spirit was awoken with a new york subway token.
He has no reservation, making up silly narration
like the fall and the salvation of his cranky pet crustation


He wears a cap like Davy Crockett hes a fan of Mr. Spock
and theoretic pyrotechnics like his new kline bottle rocket.
In the pocket in his jacket a rip in space time fabric
makes him seem surrealistic or at least anachronistic

If youre just going through the motions without passion or emotion
maybe after some reflection youll look for a new direction.
You can sit with me and watch or even kick it up a notch— and join the circus parade..
An endless cavalcade of humanity displayed outside my window

The sellers and the buyers the believers and deniers
the succeeders and the triers… march in limbo


Commercial

a stranger to the system
with no story or tradition
under haircut from the future
independent in decision
holds a bottle of charisma
that you won’t find on the menu
without placement for product
there’s no value in the venue
 
with a cinematic cadence
over eight dilineations
he’s stepping on the catalogs
and catigorization
chasing him with labels
and a demographic shoehorn
madison wont stop
till he’s predictable and shopworn
 
I am watching
the commercial
they are watching
my behavior
I prefer to
keep a distance
they pretend to
be my savior
 
the message will be driven till youre taken as a given
 
you tune in to the talking
and the market maker barking
inching closer to the shopping
with the hope of better parking
 
the investors in the branding
are controlling the demanding
they’re supplying the supply
do we have an understanding?
 
marketing depended
on our disbelief suspended
by the time the movie ended
all our credit was extended
 
with the mining, aggregation
and subliminal gyration
they can engineer our impulse
realtime and on location

your thinking will be driven till youre taken as a given
\\

Cross Town

downtown push to open 1 800
welcomes you overnight alterations
ice cold students free authentic cuisine
supersize imports one hour
do not block New York style 24
Szechuan while you wait fresh brewed
as seen on tv why pay more we deliver
no parking no standing no  stopping


 
quarters only smoke free exhibition
to 6pm for lease ticket holders
buy one new low rates shopping district
get one free farm fresh primates
tee shirts catch the fever impressionists
news 4 now online magazines
souvenirs stadium scenic view
do not merge no turn on red no crossing


Dance With No Name

You can do the shim sham you can do the can-can
You could do the limbo you could do the zydeco
whip waltz twist tap thats not why you came
everybody wants to try the dance with no name

disco, tango, pogo calypso or the mambo
conga cha-cha hula polka salsa samba bamba

YMCA, the breakaway—they’re old and kinda lame
but everybodys wild about the dance with no name

one step two step dub step quick step box step or the robot
bunnyhop frug chicken pony jitterbug or foxtrot
macarana gangnam hand jive
lindy hop electric slide

freddy shimmy peabody timewarp or yahoozie
peewee hokey pokie hoochie-coochie or watusi
to me, they’re all the same
c’mon everybody do the dance with no name

Darkest Days

im no stranger to failure
disappointment and me, we go way back
i was heavily involved with unfulfilled potential,
our plans never made it on the track

i used to walk to school five miles uphill
for humiliations writ in chalk
sometimes i’d fall sleep with my clothes still on
between a rock and a hard knock

tragedy lived right next door--
when he wasn’t on the street
unseemly was our landlord
we shared a kitchen with defeat

thinking thoughts of you
always got me through
those darker times and doubts that filled my head
still I guess I always knew
that you were too good to be true
my darkest days are still ahead

never made it high enough to qualify for downfall
never got ahead to be setback
and except for few occasions of misdemeanor violations
never had a record you could track

shared a joint account with insufficient
then did hard time with unmet expectations
once I thumbed a ride to jersey with calamity
hopeless and lost are close relations

the forgotten man pretended that he didn’t even know me;
after all that we’d been through
fear itself looked the other way
and shuffled out of view
Pity saw me approach and turned 
I watched him cross the street
Misfortune couldn’t bring herself look me in the eye
just stared down at her feet


Dawn

the eastern sky is glowing
its almost time for showing
a brand new episode of  planet earth
darkness fades away and people start their day
as a dazzling display -- breaks the horizon
 
Dawn.
 
Time continues flowing
with an energy ongoing
theres no turning back or slowing
-- make it count.
Work on a solution
make a contribution
during one more revolution of the world.
 
The time to seize is ours 
for the few remaining hours
while that massive solar power makes the day. 
I pause for contemplation
of life-cycles and creation 
as we start one more rotation.


Dreams

It used to be that everything I ever wanted
I could have in dreams

You used to be the only one I ever wanted
the only one in my dreams

Now I'm awake I'm wide awake you’re by my side
you’re in my life out of my dreams

And when I sleep theres nothing more that I could want
I’ve no more need for dreams


Eleven Shades of Black

two four six eight ten
eleven shades of black


Hey

Well we number several billion,
And we share the same address
There may be some friction or stress
While we’re learning to be doing more with less.

The point of view that I’m expressing
Is not supposed to be depressing
And disagreement is not an attack
At the end of the day, I’ve got your back

Come out from your hide out
Bring the thoughts you keep inside out
Think of what we might’ve worked out
had we shared like this before

Seek a better understanding
Try to make a gentle landing
Return the train of thought to the track
You know it isn’t good intentions that we lack


In My Movie


I Wanna Be (Feat. Stephanie Ly)

I wanna be as familiar as your favorite chair, a cool wind blowing through your hair.
your helper and your handy man, the sizzle in your frying pan.

The warm front on your weather chart, your favorite piece of modern art,
the path you wander, your wild blue yonder.

I wanna be… with you for a little while
I wanna be…everything that makes you smile

your secret sauce, your santa claus,
your heartfelt laughter, your happily ever after.


In Motion

I’m in motion
I’m the commotion
an old school groove
a new age move
I'm a reaction
I'm an emotion
rhythm is the muse
dance is the devotion -- I'm  in motion

I’m in motion
I’m a notion
I'm constant change no limit to my range
I'm the equation
I'm the promotion
I'm restless every day
my objective is to stay all ways in motion

vibration oscillation activation participation
gyration liberation acceleration sensation
snare attraction, bass allure. Locomotion is the cure
a rhythmic agent provocateur -- I'm  in motion


Into Your Mind

one hundred trillion
neural connections
infinite thoughts
countless perceptions

what is your thinking?
what is thought?
is it inherent?
is it taught?
let’s take a look into the mind

we store and process
in a constant stream
both while we’re conscious
and when we dream

knowledge expanding
with each calculation
all understanding;
every sensation

i want to look into your mind


For A New Moon

Zombies drop the kids at practice for the high school play
Aliens are volunteering for the PTA
Godzilla starts a shopping list with milk and eggs and bread
the Mummy eats a sandwich watching TV from his bed
 
How did our lives get so mundane?
when did the reckless passion wane?
Oooh, did we burn it all too soon?
We’ll stare at the darkness and howl-- for a new moon
 
Frankenstein’s monster folds the laundry and he starts another load
Wolf-man rakes and stacks the leaf bags neatly by the road
Dr. Jeckel cleans the family car and wipes it with a rag
Dracula puts leftovers into a freezer bag
 
the blob will spend a quiet evening curled up with a book
invisible man clears the table in the breakfast nook
leopard-woman updates her day-planner with a sigh
the creature from the black lagoon waits for the cable guy


Let Your Hair Down

Let your hair down
roll on the ground
or join the rhythm section
in jumping all around
 
move your torso
twist it to and fro
swing your arms low
show the mojo in you toes
 
cause you know
soon enough
we go back to the grind
too much work
can be rough
take a load
off your mind
 
so let your hips slide
shake your backside
with a new dance
no ones ever tried
 
let your limbs sway
like they’re on holiday
shake your loose change
to the rhythm that we play


Let Your Love Out

there are moments when life appears unfair
but we’re no better, if we stop showing care
doing the right thing can be the hardest part
it isnt easy, but step up, and show your heart

when you feel timid, afraid, in doubt,  unsure
love can make you stronger, love will reassure
Love is the answer, love is the cure
so let your love out

Love should never be contained
Love works best when unrestrained
Some try keeping love inside but
Love ’s too big to be denied  -- so let it out

Love the loser the winner,the giver,the sinner
The fool and the hater, love now, dont wait for later
Let your love out to your neighbor; love out to a stranger
‘cause living life without love is the real danger -- so let your love out Let Your Love Out


Made It This Far

We listened to our teachers
we learned our lessons well
They filled us up with knowledge
till we were ready to rebel

We can study and inquire
and read books to try to learn
But when it comes to our own fire
we seem to need to feel the burn

Now I wonder how we ever made it this far
yes I wonder how we ever made it this far

While you’re young and green and able
you’ve got to raise a little cain
Maybe dancing on the table
maybe shouting in the rain

Moving fast and with loud voices
showed that we were more alive
Despite no shortage of bad choices
somehow we managed to survive
 
We’ve exceeded expectations
no one thought we’d live this long
Now we try to find redemption
right a couple of the wrongs

We are past our lost and found
and what we gambled in our prime
Against the odds we’re still around
we’re all here on borrowed time

   
Off And On And On

there’s x and x and x and y
for him and her and she and I
i wonder woman if we see
the same differences differently

part united status quota
three point one four a la moda
standing still then once upon
we’re off and on and on and on

the emperor’s new novelty
a tragic strip commodity
shadow and illumination
facts in our Imagination

slowly showing bit by bitter
puzzle piece survival fitter
sooner later now and then
we’re off and on and on again

make a u-turn of events
for reasoning outside the fence
or run away and join the circuit
figure eight bit how to work it

sandwich counter culture lost
the two for t are double crossed
courting jesters play the pawn
the count is off and on and on


Old School

You’re good at what you do--  youve got experience and knowledge
yet theres more you need to learn but it isnt taught in college
anyone will tell you, there is only one solution
there is no substitution for that hallowed institution called the old school

there isnt any campus, its more like a state of mind
a spiritual tradition and history refined
its easy to get in once you commit to a decision:
they accept all applications and no one pays tuition at the old school

when you feel the presence of your maker in a favorite work of art
or universal understanding certain music can impart
that power only comes when its painted, played , or sung by
true masters of their craft, each one of them alumni of the old school


Open Book

she doesnt need to wait for my confession
all i know is already in her possession
private matters are exposed-- things that shouldnt be disclosed

she can learn my secrets with one look
she can read me like an open book

she picks my brain from the inside
knows things ive never stated or implied
dont tell me your secrets there is nothing i can hide
no matter what ive tried.

I’ll escape this awful head game one day
I’ll get out I know there must be some way


Repeat

Lowbrow hijinks
comical depravity,
changing a flat
on the road to calamity


Ask the authority
overcome with apathy,
“what does it mean to err”
oh-oh the humanity

Gilded debt ceiling
paint on the walls peeling
I have an uneasy feeling
about what they are not revealing

Too late for safety first
now that the dam burst
now that the past is worst
see who’s gone and who is cursed

Repeat. It’s a repeat. I’ve seen this before.

Let’s be less than clear
it’ll be a good year
if you fill the bosses ear
with only what he wants to hear

Nearsighted corporate vision
annual report edition
incomplete with new omissions;
and well chosen indecisions

Fire in the trading pit
triggered by a random bit

none want to admit
why only top clients benefit

After the closing bell
after the final yell
inside they traded well
pity that the sky fell

Vote for the fathers and
pray for the motherland
there is a new demand
for lines drawn in the sand

Dreaming up a history
spoiled by the victory
gloss over the misery
with a slippery delivery

Diplomacy was left behind
the leadership are all resigned
to giving up on trying to find
a way to win the hearts and minds

Now those behind the gun--
never got their lessons done,
never finished chapter one--
guarantee a rerun

Far away a head of state
cultivates a new hate
for those with nothing on their plate
blaming those outside the gate

Advertising intermission
haircut reads the news revision
watch the sponsors’ view transition
into fact through repetition

Dis-united nations
translating procrastination
all regret the devastation
one more wasted generation

Following the new tradition
reinvent the definition:
“victory” with some provisions,
just like the opposition.



Rhythm and You

you hear a hard drivin' rhythm,
and you jump out of your chair
you run to the dance floor,
and I'm already there
we’ll work out all our worries,
and shake off all our cares

rhythm and you
rhythm and you
there’s no feelin blue
when I got rhythm and you
thats right I always pull through
when I got rhythm and you

well monday was bad
tuesday was worse
by wednesday I was thinkin’
maybe I was cursed
it felt like all my gears
would only move me in reverse

well thursday came along,
and I began to see the light
just one day to go,
and everything would be alright
I was dreaming of the dancing
we would do on on friday night


The Share

we have a share of the infinite
in the blink of an eye is our benefit
do what you can – make the most of it
there is solace in rhythm… and repetition
comfort in marking the points of division

all that could be,  all that might be,  all we treasure
try to foresee,  with uncertainty,  how do we measure?

take it , mind it,  lose it, find it
what lines have been crossed?
 make it, fill it, waste it,  kill it
how much was the cost?
can you tell me what weve lost?

are you receiving?
are you comprehending?
is there even meaning
in this message im sending?

i imagine transcending
my vision extending
from before our beginning,
to long after our ending


Small Talk
 
hey well hey hey bro hey man hey there hi there ho there hi hello hay yo yo hay yo yo yo dude howdy do greetings and salutations hola aloha how are you howzit goin how ya feelin how've you been hows things hows tricks how ya doin que pasa whats new whats the word whats happenin' wazzup whats the scoop the poop the straight dope whats going on whats the score whats the 411 the lowdown the down low hows life life treatin' ya?
 
yeah you know what do you know ya know you know what they say like they say they always say im just sayin like the saying goes the old saying go with the flow go with it what goes around comes around let it go take it easy take your time take it slow slow ride take each day as it comes one day at a time give it time a stitch in time amok time time heals plen-ty of time nothin but time if you got the time time on your side no time like the present at the present time
 
yes uh huh yeah not just yeah  yup aight fer sure absolutely undoubtedly no doubt iknowright I hear you I hear that I get it count on it im in complete agree-ment I’ll buy that I concurr couldnt agree more you can bank on it you can take that to the bank you aint makin that up you can say that again you got it 10-4 affirmative thats the facts roger that cant argue that thats true the truth true dat damn straight straight up word fer real way
 
aww its good good seein ya good talkin chatting shooting the breeze hangin kickin it chillin chilaxin yappin flappin my jaw connecting keeping contact bonding catching up reminicing relive old times good times remember when way back when backin the day
 
hey gotta go gotta get goin gotta fly gonna fly now gotta take off gotta move move on keep on movin keep on keepin on keep on truckin mosey on down the road hit the road on the road again stay on track keep on schedule keep on time time for me to fly time to part to depart take my leave ride into the sunset got things to do places to go people to see
 
we gotta do this again soon real soon go out stay in hang hang out hang around lets get together lets do it once more one more time dont be a stranger keep in touch stay in touch touch base take care keep it real be good be cool be you be yourself later peace out ciao babe au revoir hasta la vista sionara adieu farewell bye goodbye buhbye till we meet again till then see ya see ya round see ya when I see ya see you in the funny papers see ya soon see ya later later alligator catch ya on the flip side check ya next time


So Many Choices
(See also the slightly updated “Choices 2020”)

I can turn in any of three hundred sixty degrees
So many websites now I think I understand infinity
But the  thousand cable channels- some I'm told that I must see,
make the TV seem alive, and the remote is changing me
 
Choices. So many choices
 
Some are entertained, some folks are enlightened.
But mostly what I see on TV leaves me kind of frightened.
 
They call it surfing even though we sit  almost completely still
We’re nearly comatose and yet we haven't had our fill
More potent and effective than a dozen sleeping pills,
maybe the media has finally broken our collective will.


Somehow

She’s positive, I’m negative
She’s a sure thing, I’m tentative
She’s the top ten, and I’m alternative somehow
 
she’s sunshine, I’m overcast
She’s first in line, I’m dead last
She’s the bright future, and I'm the checkered past somehow
 
somehow something made her look my direction
some force of nature somehow made her want to stay
through circumstance or luck or maybe cosmic intervention -- I don't question
we are she and I together now somehow
 
she sees the bright side, I give my eyes a rest
She’s flying colors, I’m not yet done the test
She’s never questioned, I’m always second guessed somehow
 
somehow something made her look my direction
some force of nature somehow made her want to stay
through some miracle or other inexplicable connection -- I don't question
we are she and I together now somehow
 
Spark
working my way through the day;
through the motions like a dream
one hundred three shades of gray
is there more than there would seem
finding my mind so behind
I need to focus like a beam
i know I just need a little spark
to get my motor started

left foot in front of the right
how much farther till we get there
mind working slow kind of low
I don’t know I feel I'm paired
it seems that my beans lack caffeine
it’s a scheme it isnt fair
i know I just need a little spark
to get me back in gear

wow even now I don’t know how
I ever got up in the morning
we all hit a wall and we stall
this is getting old and boring
i need to break the routine, intervene,
change the scene or change the scoring

i know I just need a little spark
to get back in the game


Speaking Human

Super Powers

I never knew I knew how to fly
'til I was walking by your side  
Now I’m swinging from rooftops feeling fine
whenever I hold your hand in mine

My senses are heightened,  my mind is enlightened
whenever you’re with me, I feel like you give me -- super powers

My X-ray eyes see how you feel
I know that the love in you is real
I’ll turn invisible to let you can see
the same emotions inside me.

My racing heart cannot be explained:
faster and stronger than a train
my spirits leap high when you’re around
over tall buildings in one bound  

 
Starting Block

I’m staring at paper. And it stares back
 
I’m trying to think of think of something clever to write
maybe theres meaning in the clean symmetry and familiar scale of the pristine sheet
absent a humans petty blather, devoid of some self important message,
or juvenile emotion
 
Potential

thats it. I’ll frame a blank page and call it potential –
or maybe the label is too easy; I’ll let the unmarred blankness speak for itself
 
what a load of crap
I’m grasping at straws trying to make an artistic statement out of anything
I suppose someone could sell the concept
with some effort and charisma they'll talk about infinite possibilities:
how the empty page is ready to receive poetry, mathematical calculations, or an artists sketch, or a grocery list or note that says be right back… or be made into a paper airplane
 
or maybe they'll promote some comparison of the fibers in the paper
to the tangled and chaotic inter-relatedness of everything
and at the same time claim the uniform clean page
reflects the apparent order and stability of the universe

or perhaps they might drone on about the page being manufactured by man
from materials in nature to be used by man to reflect nature
in abstractions of words or images

Yup, some creative type could come up with an angle
to make a few bucks from a sheet of standard eight and a half by eleven
 
but I am not a salesman. I’m just staring. At paper


Strong Coffee

strong coffee a cup to go
potent java mighty Joe
 
no cream or sugar I’ll take it black
my getup ’n’ go is coming back
 
wide awake on the make
liquid ambition: use it for good for goodness sake   - strong coffee

That place with new age music and overstuffed chairs
I'm sure its very nice but you wont find me there
I got things to do I cant wait
or run late I’ll only hesitate - for strong coffee

Thanksgiving

the nightly news
in images and sound
show the suffering and pain
of lives turned upside down
 
Iv’e had my bumps
but now I realize
how good fortune and good people
cut my troubles down to size
 
so I give thanks
show gratitude
and face all my challenges with a new
positive attitude
 
im grateful
humbled
by those who stopped to move me forward
and helped me when I stumbled
I give thanks, im giving thanks, im truly thankful
 
I’ve got my health
or most of it anyway
a coupla pounds a few aches and pains
but I cant complain
 
I got a job
purpose
a reason for the race
I hope some things I do
help make the world a better place
 
I try to make the most
of both the good times and headaches
being humble in success
and learning from mistakes
 
I got some money
a little bit anyway
enough for rent and the bills
and maybe a rainy day
 
ive got friends
loved ones
family
I get a lump in my throat
when I think of what all of them mean to me
 
I try each day
to do whats right
but im not sure I deserve
this much goodness in my life 


These Sore Eyes

you say you're a mess. A wreck. no makeup, and wearing sweats.
you say the way you look is as bad as it gets
but these sore eyes say you're beautiful
 
you say, "Don't look at me. I'm not ready. I'm a sight to see”
on that last point-- these sore eyes agree

I'm a spokesman for sore eyed guys
fairly elected and duly deputized
now my sworn duty: to make you recognize
the natural beauty that you are
 
you say your wardrobe leaves you mortified
that your shoes  don't match your sweater
 but these sore eyes can testify
you've never ever looked better
 
you say you're a poster child
for broken nails, and hair gone wild
but I’ve been watching for quite a while
and these sore eyes say you’re beautiful


They Laughed


Too Fast

Knuckles white, gripping tight, you fight the wheel;
Engine bruised, gears abused, tires squeal
Gauges in the red, warnings light the dash—
it wont be too long before theres nothing left but ash
dead ahead: heartbreak and disaster--
she turns to whisper, “lets go faster”

disregarding gravity, tires learn to fly;
engine screams for mercy brakes need an alibi;
the speedometer is pinned, and the tach. cant count that high.

too fast; too fast
your road ahead--  is in her past
shes already done with the love you’d just begun—
it couldnt last; shes too fast

police cars lose control
or burn out in the chase
and blurry traffic camera pictures
dont help build a case
the reckless drivers hall of fame is saving her a place



Two Sides Of Mrs. T

the new hire finds her charm and smile disarming
survivors never speak about the loss of life or limb
time reveals a picture more alarming
and options not as simple as a choice to sink or swim
 
corporate likes the numbers that her minions falsify
never asking where the bodies of the victims lie
protests aren't effective and no one wants to try
none who took a stand  are left to testify
 
two sides-- one false and one dark
the contrast and the irony couldn't be more stark
 
her victims show no traces
the lawers have no cases
employees know their places when they see
the two sides-- of mrs t
 
attacking every flaw she sees
and some that she’ll invent
a few careers and rules might end up
broken lost or bent
petty inconveniences
caught in the event
of falling underfoot when she is
making her ascent
 
derailing a career with threats and fear is just a game
memos and the phone are simply tools to shift the blame
termination rumors turn the strong into the meek
casualty dress will be appropriate all week
 
a corporate chart names those in her domain under duress
the overworked rewarded with new deadlines and distress
action items for her twist-ed vision of success
humiliate belittle torment threaten and repress
 

Ugly Truth

I had a dream where I was falling,
lost my phone and missed my calling
My missteps have got me crawling on my knees
If I had learned from each mistake throughout my lifetime,
I'd have myself a couple PhDs


My history seems clearer
when I check the rear-view mirror
though a warning says deception's
closer than it would appear.
Everybody filters out what  they dont want to hear;
beautiful lies, or ugly truth.

Dreamy fabrication, Brutal realization. Truthfully dishonest, broken arts of what was promised; beautiful lies, or ugly truth.


Vanishing Highway

Vanishing highway don’t go astray
keep me between the lines
do not forsake -- help me awake
and see the signs

All that I see all I know
are what the lights reveal
the beams are stark against so much dark,
I can’t be sure what’s real

I'm unafraid as I drift and fade
toward my resting place
where darkness hides and shadows reside
I will leave no trace


Walk With Me

Walk with me
we can pick a direction or wander around
the best views of the world are often made from the ground
we can make our own way or follow the crowd
we don't have to talk, but speak up if you've something to say
 
stand here by my side
we can take it all in stride
if we've two points of view
we can both talk it through
start to bridge the divide
 
there's a time to relax and watch the world go by
but my legs and  my mind need a stretch and its not yet the time for goodbye
we can walk through the woods or over rocky terrain
we can walk in the sand on the street  or barefoot in the rain


Whos That Girl

Whos that girl?
Whos that girl on top of the world ?

High voltage electric charger
you make each day just a little larger than life

Starting fires Without matches
You think you’re flameproof Until she catches your eye.

Rude behavior wont upset her
Even bad weather will never get her down











 

All Lyrics copyright Sherwood Gainer  © all rights reserved

Thinking Cap Starter Pak
     Cross Town             
     Dawn                   
     So Many Choices
     Super Powers
     Bad Timing
     Walk With Me
     These Sore Eyes
     Strong Coffee
     For A New Moon
     Commercial
     Let Your Hair Down
     Starting Block
     Two Sides of Mrs. T.
     Somehow
     Small Talk
     Thanksgiving