lyrics and credits from the 2019 CD "DEFYING THE DISTANCES"
1. BED OF ROSES
words and music + vocals and keyboards by Bob Telson; guitars: Jon Herington; percussion: Cyro Baptista; bass: Sergio Brandao
We made love yes we did
In a bed of roses
And all the pleasure we felt
Kept coming on and on
Well we made love yes we did
In a bed of roses
And all the things that we said
Are still in my head
Flower Power yes I feel it coming on
Flower Power in the middle of the afternoon
Flower Power bright colors take me there
By her side is where I belong
Flower Power horizontal samba dance
Flower Power in the morning when it’s time for romance
Flower Power bright colors take me there
By her side is where I belong
Imagine a purple cottage on a mountain lake in Bahia, Brazil
A pink hammock outside to relax in, listening to the birds sing
“Hey baby, let’s go for a swim. I love you, bless your spirit”
And when we get back our canopied bed is covered with flowers
that grow everywhere, arranged in beautiful patterns of tropical colors
We made love yes we did
In a bed of roses
2. DESAFIANDO LAS DISTANCIAS (defying the distances)
words and music + vocals and keyboards by Bob Telson; guitar: Jon Herington
I know baby it’s hard for you
we seem to spend so much time far apart
we live our love in chapters
but there’s too much time in between
and you know baby it’s hard for me
I’d love to have you with me here today
it’s not just the love we make
it’s more than the kiss when we wake
it’s all the little moments between
DESAFIANDO LAS DISTANCIAS
I miss your sweet loving
DESAFIANDO LAS DISTANCIAS
soon we’ll be kissing and hugging
DESAFIANDO LAS DISTANCIAS
desafiando, desafiando
DESAFIANDO LAS DISTANCIAS
baby hold on
I miss our sweet moments of playfulness
but I feel next to you girl in my heart
it’s not just the love we make
it’s more than the kiss when we wake
it’s all the little moments between
DESAFIANDO LAS DISTANCIAS…
3. YES TO ME
words and music, vocals, piano: Bob Telson; trombone: Dan Reagan
I didn’t know you’d be so funny
but i wanted you anyway
i didn’t know you’d look so pretty
till you looked at me that way
my friends say oh she’s so young
but i feel like a kid at play
sending fifty messages in an hour
for the second time today
that first day we spent together
in your bed listening to the rain
what a way to get acquainted
there was nothing to explain
but now that I know you better
from the words you write and say
the way that we are feeling
gets stronger every day
I offered you my arm
You accepted naturally
And ever since that moment
I knew you'd say yes to me
yes, yes, say yes to me
4. COULDN'T HELP SAYING IT
words and music, vocals by Bob Telson; guitars: Marc Shulman; drums: Shawn Pelton; bass: Lincoln Schleifer
it’s been a long time since I looked into somebody’s eyes
and couldn’t help saying i love you (oh girl)
it’s been a long time since I looked into somebody’s eyes
and couldn’t help saying i love you (yes girl)
2 voices inside me
one says
you may feel that way right now
you’ve been next to her
(both out of breath
when the words came tumbling out)
2 voices inside me
one says
you may feel that way right now
you’ve been next to her
(made me feel so real
that I didn’t have a doubt)
another voice saying those are serious words
boy you better be sure
cause there’s no return
once you said it
(Those 3 words are a declaration)
another voice saying those are serious words
boy you better be sure
cause there’s no return
once you said it
Gonna say it again
I’M GONNA LET MYSELF LOVE YOU
Gonna say it again
I’M GONNA LET MYSELF LOVE YOU
5. DAYS OF WAITING
piano, vocals, words, and music by Bob Telson
the thought of going to sleep in your arms
is a powerful motivator
of all the things that i could do
this one I’d like to do sooner than later
the thought of going to sleep in your arms
it brings me happiness and makes me grateful
the thought of going to sleep in your arms
just 9 more days of waitingDAYS OF WAITING
I will sleep with you all night
While the dark earth spins
with the living and with the dead
DAYS OF WAITING
With my arm around your waist
Neither night nor sleep
can separate us*
*(bridge lyrics inspired by Pablo Neruda's "La Noche en La Isla")
6. SONG ABOUT BEGINNINGS
words and music by Bob Telson, keyboards and vocals: Bob Telson; guitars: Marc Shulman and Sam Butler; bass: Lincoln Schleifer; drums: Shawn Pelton
I've written too many songs about the death of love
About the struggle to hold on after it's gone
About the freedom and despair
When there’s nobody there
How to pick up the pieces and move on
But now I’m singing a different way
I met someone the other day
Every time we talk
We have more silly things to say
I’m so glad she’s coming to see me soon
Here’s a song about beginnings
Not about losings and winnings
cause I’m feeling on top of my game
I write a song every day
cause the girl moves me that way
and I like her voice when she’s talking sweet to me
So now I’m singing a different song
I found the arms where I belong
She says she’s crazy about me
We’re both feeling it so strong
I can’t wait till she’s here with me
It’s a song about beginnings
not losings nor winnings…
well everybody wants a love of their own
and everybody wants a heart to call home
But who can project what might happen next
I’m just glad to be beginning to get to know you
7. DESPELOTE
words, music, voice, piano: Bob Telson, guitars: Marcelo Dellamea; percussion: Cyro Baptista
Draw this picture:
a lovely girl in a hot bath,
listening to Sinatra.
Here’s the story as she told it to me:
behind above and under
thinking of you
while bathing to Sinatra
remembering the things you do
gradually a feeling
was growing so strong
instead of just relaxing
I helped it along
Despelote*
que quilombo
el agua en el piso
y se me perdió el mundo
next day while i was working
daydreaming of you
while listening to mozart
Imagining magic flutes
gradually a feeling
was growing so strong
instead of concentrating
I helped it along
despelote
que quilombo
papeles en el piso
y se me perdió el mundo
*(English translation: both "despelote" and "quilombo" are Argentine slang loosely meaning "fantastic disorder/pandemonium." Next: water (agua)/papers (papeles) on the floor and I blacked out (se me perdió el mundo, literally "I lost the world")
8. COME SPEND A WEEK WITH ME
piano, vocals, words and music by Bob Telson; drums: Shawn Pelton; bass: Lincoln Schleifer; guitar: Marc Shulman
Come spend a week with me
so we can get to know each other
Bring your winter clothes
It’s gonna be so cold outside
Yes we can lie in bed
and read each other poetry
protected from the edge of night
in each others’ arms
Let’s take the A train
all the stories that the faces tell
we’ll make up songs about them
as if we could know them well
but the story that I
want to know the most about
is you and me cause when we’re making love
you make me wanna shout
I was lost but now I'm found
Amazing Grace
Is coming to town
Listen to me baby
come spend a week with me
so we can get to know each other
though you’re in Argentina
far from me on Christmas eve
Santa’s bringing me the best surprise
a boy could ask for
2 pillows for me when I get down on my knees
for Grace
Amazing Grace is coming to town
Come Spend a Week With Me
so we can get to know each other
let’s write our own story
Amazing Grace
She’s got a ticket to ride/ in just a few days
she’ll come to Brooklyn/ be by my side
Come Spend a Week With Me
I’m waiting impatiently
for you to be here with me
Amazing Grace
My world was black and white/ a long cold dark night
Now it's technicolor bright
Come Spend a Week With Me
you make me wanna shout
I wanna know all about
Amazing Grace
is coming to town
9. ASTRONAUTAS DE AMOR
keyboards, vocals, music by Bob Telson; lyrics by Grace Corso and Bob Telson; percussion: Roger Squitero
perdidos en algún punto (lost in some point)
entre la luna y el sol (between the moon and the sun)
van danzando nuestros cuerpos (our bodies go dancing)
astronautas de amor (astronauts of love)
ya no existe mas el tiempo (time exists no more)
ni las luces, ni el dolor (nor lights, nor pain)
porque te tengo a mi lado (because I have you by my side)
porque estas conmigo (amor) (because you're with me, love)
Seremos locos cometas (We will be crazy comets)
en busca de su Big Bang (in search of our Big Bang)
danzando entre las estrellas (dancing among the stars)
conquistando la eternidad (conquering eternity)
abrázame con el alma (embrace me with your soul)
siente mi cuerpo palpitar (feel my body palpitate)
exploremos otras galaxias (we'll explore other galaxies)
el infinito y mas allá (infinity and beyond)
Astronautas de amor… (Astronauts of Love...)
10. DIAS PARA VERTE
Bob Telson: piano, vocals, music, and original lyrics for "Days of Waiting" (Spanish adaptation by Grace Corso)
Pensar que dormiré, en tus brazos
me motiva intensamente
De todo lo que quiero compartir con vos,
estar en tus brazos es, lo que anhelo
Pensar que dormiré, en tus brazos
Me hace feliz y bendecido.
Pensar que dormiré, en tus brazos
Faltan solo dias para verte
Días Para Verte
Abrazados en la noche
Mientras gira el mundo
Y los otros duermen
(Días Para Verte)
Con mi mano en tu cintura
Ni la noche, ni el sueño
pueden separarnos*
*(la letra del puente adaptada de "La Noche en La Isla" de Pablo Neruda)
Produced, recorded, and mixed by Bob Telson; mastered by Jon Gordon; CD design by Alex Majewski; front photo by Grace Corso; back photo by Charles Dennis
LYRICS AND CREDITS from the 2016 CD "AMERICAN DREAMERS"
1) CALLING YOU (words and music by Bob Telson) written for the film “Bagdad Café”
A DESERT ROAD FROM VEGAS TO NOWHERE
IT’S SOMEPLACE BETTER THAN WHERE YOU'VE BEEN
A COFFEE MACHINE THAT NEEDS SOME FIXING
IN A LITTLE CAFE JUST AROUND THE BEND
I AM CALLING YOU - CAN'T YOU HEAR ME
I AM CALLING YOU
A HOT DRY WIND BLOWS RIGHT THRU ME
THE BABY'S CRYING AND I CAN'T SLEEP
BUT I CAN FEEL A CHANGE IS COMING
COMING CLOSER SWEET RELEASE
I AM CALLING YOU - I KNOW YOU HEAR ME
I AM CALLING YOU
I'M GONNA WALK THROUGH THE DESERT TO FIND YOU
GONNA LEAVE BEHIND THE ONLY LIFE I KNOW
CAUSE THERE'S A PLACE FOR HEARTS THAT NEED FIXING
A LITTLE CAFE WITH A MAGIC SHOW
2) AMERICAN DREAMERS (words and music by Bob Telson)
I wrote this to sing at my Harvard ’70 45th reunion
45 YEARS
AND HERE WE SIT TONIGHT
LET'S STAND UP AND CHEER
THOSE GREAT DAYS WHEN WE WERE UNITED
I HEARD SOMEBODY LAUGHING
(SAYIN') "TIME'S BEEN GOOD TO US"
WELL, EVERYBODY KNOWS
THAT THROUGH HIGH TIMES AND LOWS
WE'LL GET TOGETHER HERE
EVERY 5 YEARS
45 YEARS
IT'S STILL THE SAME OLD STORY
A CHILD IS BORN
TO TEARS AND DREAMS OF GLORY
WILL SHE REMEMBER ALL THE LOVE WE GAVE
LET'S RAISE OUR DRINKS IN THE AIR
AND LET 'EM KNOW WE STILL CARE (about)
WHAT HAPPENED 45 YEARS AGO
DREAMERS, WE MUST HAVE BEEN DREAMERS
IMAGINING A WORLD SO UNLIKE OUR OWN
(WE WERE) DREAMERS, AMERICAN DREAMERS
AND WHEN I ROLLED OVER I AWOKE ALONE
45 YEARS
AND HERE WE SIT TONIGHT
LET'S STAND UP AND CHEER
THOSE GREAT DAYS WHEN WE WERE UNITED
I HEARD SOMEBODY LAUGHING
(SAYIN') "TIME'S BEEN GOOD TO US"
LET'S RAISE OUR FISTS IN THE AIR
AND LET 'EM KNOW WE STILL CARE (about)
WHAT HAPPENED 45 YEARS AGO
3) I LIKED YOUR PHOTOS (words and music by Bob Telson)
I THOUGHT IF I JUST WAIT A WHILE
YOU'LL SURELY FIND THE TIME TO DIAL
MY NUMBER BUT NOW I WONDER
IF ALL I THOUGHT WAS MISUNDERSTOOD
AND LIKING YOU I THOUGHT YOU WOULD
BE WAITING NOT HESITATING
I LIKED YOUR PHOTOS BEFORE I SAW YOUR FACE
I LIKED YOUR WORDS BEFORE I HEARD YOUR VOICE
IT WAS EASY YOU WERE MY CHOICE
SO I SENT YOU A CLEVER MESSAGE
YOU LIKE AL GREEN AND SO DO I
WE BOTH HAVE DOGS SO WHY NOT TRY
TO GET TOGETHER SO WE CAN MEASURE
THE WAYS YOUR PROFILE MATCHES MINE
THE WINES WE DRINK, PLACES WE DINE
LONG WALKS ON BEACHES SUMMER VACATIONS
I LIKED YOUR PHOTOS BEFORE I SAW YOUR FACE
I LIKED YOUR WORDS BEFORE I HEARD YOUR VOICE
WE AGREED AND MADE A CHOICE
WHEN AND WHERE TO GET TOGETHER
THE SEVENTH GAME WAS ON TV
BUT BASEBALL DIDN’T BECKON ME
THE THOUGHT OF LOVE DID, I WENT TO MEET YOU
WE TALKED ABOUT THE LIVES WE'VE LIVED
PARENTS MARRIAGES AND KIDS
AND SEPARATION OUR IMPATIENCE
I LIKED YOUR PHOTOS BEFORE I SAW YOUR FACE
I LIKED YOUR WORDS BEFORE I HEARD YOUR VOICE
AND INSIDE I REJOICED
GIRL, SO NICE TO MEETCHA
IT NEVER HAD OCCURRED TO ME
THAT AS WE TALKED YOU MIGHT NOT FEEL
THE SAME CHEMISTRY THE CALL OF DESTINY
I THOUGHT IF I JUST WAIT A WHILE
YOU'LL SURELY FIND THE TIME TO DIAL
MY NUMBER BUT NOW I WONDER
I LIKED YOUR PHOTOS BEFORE I SAW YOUR FACE
I LIKED YOUR WORDS BEFORE I HEARD YOUR VOICE
BUT NOW YOU'VE MADE YOUR CHOICE
NOT NOW, NO NEVER
4) LET IT GO (words and music by Bob Telson)
YOU KNOW BABY IT IS PAINFUL TO ME
BUT I’M JUST GONNA LET IT GO
YOU’RE NOT MINE THAT’S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE
SO GO IF YOU GOTTA GO
YOU CRIED WHEN I WAS SEEING SOMEONE
YOU CALLED TO LET ME KNOW
THOUGH YOU DIDN’T WANT TO BE THE ONE
YOU DIDN’T WANT TO WATCH ME GO
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASY
BUT IT AIN’T SO (IT AIN’T SO)
WHY FIGHT FOR WHAT’S ENDED
SO LONG AGO
NOW BABY YOU’RE SEEING SOMEONE
I HOPE THAT HE CAN DRY YOUR TEARS
AND WHEN SOME JOY STARTS COMING YOUR WAY
I’LL BE THE FIRST TO CHEER
YES BABY I’LL BE ROOTING FOR YOU
YOU WON’T SEE MY TEARS
IT’S TIME TO JUST LET IT GO
AFTER 23 YEARS
5) LIFETIME (music by Bob Telson, words by Lee Breuer and Bob Telson)
guest artist: Romero Lubambo, guitar
DAYS DRIFT INTO WEEKS
I WATCH OUR SUMMER SUN FADE AWAY
FOOTSTEPS WASHED FROM THE SAND
NO ONE WOULD EVER KNOW
THE BITTERSWEET OF LOVING YOU
THEN LETTING GO
OH STAY JUST FOR ONE MORE DAY
JUST FOR ONE MORE HOUR
JUST FOR ONE MORE BEAT OF MY HEART
PLEASE STAY JUST FOR ONE MORE NIGHT
JUST FOR ONE MORE LIFETIME
DREAMS DRIFTING LIKE CLOUDS
TILL SOMEONE SLAMS A DOOR/ WHAT'S THAT SOUND?
A SHADOW CROSSES THE FLOOR
YOU WHISPER IT'S JUST ME
BUT YOU'RE NOT FREE AND THOUGH I KNOW YOU'LL NEVER BE
6)AMINA IN WHITE FLOWING ROBES
(music by Bob Telson, lyrics by Richard Shindell) commissioned by
Opera America on the occasion of the opening of the National Opera Center
Amina is the heroine in the Bellini opera “La Sonnambulo”
STILL ONLY EMPTY ROOMS
ALL QUIET, ALL WAITING
THE ARCHITECT WALKS THROUGH
AND IMAGINES LIFE
FLOWING THROUGH OPEN DOORS
IN HALLWAYS, IN SIGHT LINES
THE FUNCTION FORM WILL HOST
OH CLIENT-GHOST!
INCARNATE IN THIS EARTHLY HOME
NO MORE TO HAUNT, NO MORE TO ROAM
LEAVE BEHIND YOUR SHIPWRECKED COAST
YOUR VILLAGE GREEN, YOUR ROMAN ROAD
‘CAUSE I’LL MAKE A PLACE WHERE PHANTOMS SING
FIERY ANGELS AND MURDERED KINGS
JEALOUS LOVERS AND
AMINA IN WHITE FLOWING ROBES
YEARS GONE BY: A WINTRY NIGHT
A HUNCHED AND SHIVERING FIGURE
A WINDOW GLOWING LIGHT
AN OPENING DOOR
THE ARCHITECT IS USHERED IN
AMINA'S SINGING “AH, NON GIUNGE”
HE MELTS INTO THE CROWD
AND WARMS HIS BONES
INCARNATE IN THIS EARTHLY HOME
NO MORE TO HAUNT, NO MORE TO ROAM
LEAVE BEHIND YOUR SHIPWRECKED COAST
YOUR VILLAGE GREEN, YOUR ROMAN ROAD
‘CAUSE I’VE MADE A PLACE WHERE PHANTOMS SING
FIERY ANGELS AND MURDERED KINGS
JEALOUS LOVERS AND
AMINA IN WHITE FLOWING ROBES
I CAN HEAR HER SINGING:
DELLA TERRA, IN CUI VIVIAMO
CI FORMIAMO UN CIEL D'AMOR
OF THIS EARTH, THAT WE LIVE IN
WE WILL MAKE HERE A HEAVEN OF LOVE
7) BAREFOOT (music by Bob Telson, lyrics by k.d. lang and Bob Telson)
(written for Percy Adlon’s film “Salmonberries”)
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN HERE
AND DARKNESS FALLS
THE BLANKET OF WINTER
LEAVES NO LIGHT AT ALL
YOU SEARCH FOR SHELTER
TO CALM THE STORM
SHAKING WITH AN INSTINCT
JUST TO STAY WARM
BUT I'D WALK THROUGH THE SNOW BAREFOOT
IF YOU'D OPEN UP YOUR DOOR
I'D WALK THROUGH THE SNOW BAREFOOT
YOU HEAR THE HOWLING
OF DOGS AND WIND
STIRRING UP THE SECRETS
THAT ARE FROZEN WITHIN
THE ICE WILL HAUNT YOU
IT LAYS SO DEEP
LOCKING UP INSIDE YOU
THE DREAMS THAT YOU KEEP
BUT I'D WALK THROUGH THE SNOW BAREFOOT
IF YOU'D OPEN UP YOUR DOOR
I'D WALK THROUGH THE SNOW BAREFOOT
THIS WIND ... THROUGH MY SOUL… BLOWS COLD
Salmonberries took place in an Eskimo village north of Nome.
k.d. lang sang "Barefoot" and starred in the movie
8) GETHSEMANI GOODBYE (music by Bob Telson, words by Richard Shindell,
epilog lyrics by Bob Telson)
Gethsemani is the place in the Bible where Judas betrays Jesus. It is also a Catholic mystic retreat in rural Kentucky where the poet Thomas Merton lived and is buried.
I CAN REMEMBER HOW WE LOST OUR WAY
HOW WE WENT TOO FAR DOWN BARDSTOWN ROAD
IT’S MORE OR LESS A STRAIGHT SHOT NO MYSTERY
HOW I MISSED THAT TURN WE WILL NEVER KNOW
SO WE DROVE AROUND IN CIRCLES
‘TIL THE MORNING SLIPPED AWAY
THEN HEADED BACK TO LOUISVILLE
AND KISSED GETHSEMANI GOODBYE
ALL THAT YOU NEEDED, TO SEE MERTON’S SHED,
STROLL ‘ROUND THE GARDEN, AND SIT BY HIS GRAVE
THERE’LL BE NO GOING BACK, YOU’LL CALL ME JUDAS
SHAME IS MY BURDEN, MINE AND MINE ALONE
‘CAUSE I REFUSED TO GET DIRECTIONS
JUST KEPT DRIVING LIKE A FOOL
AND WHEN THE INTERSTATE APPEARED
WE KISSED GETHSEMANI GOODBYE
THE FRIEND YOU ALWAYS NEEDED
WOULD HAVE KEPT OUR MORNING PLANS
BUT I WENT BACK TO LOUISVILLE
AND KISSED GETHSEMANI GOODBYE
(epilog)
I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO
I DON’T SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME
I DON’T KNOW WHERE IT WILL END/ BUT I WILL NOT FEAR
9) PRINCESITA (words and music by Bob Telson)
(written for the Argentine film “La Vida Segun Muriel”)
sung in the movie by Caetano Veloso
Muriel is a 9 year old being raised by her single mom
WHEN IS DADDY COMING HOME?
I’VE BEEN LISTENING FOR A KNOCK ON THE DOOR
I CAN’T REMEMBER THE COLOR OF HIS EYES
SMILING AT ME
I HEAR HE PLAYS GUITAR
DOES HE WONDER IF I SING OUT OF TUNE
I CAN IMAGINE ONLY IN MY DREAMS AT NIGHT
HE LOOKS FOR ME/ CALLING
OH PRINCESITA
LUZ DE MI VIDA (light of my life)
OH PRINCESITA
I’M ON MY WAY
WILL HE TEACH ME HOW TO SWIM?
I WANT TO DIVE DEEP UNDER THE SEA
I KEEP THIS PHOTO OF A CABIN ON A HILL
WHERE WE ONCE LIVED
BUT WHEN IS DADDY COMING HOME? MAYBE HE GOT LOST
AND CAN’T FIND HIS WAY/ I CAN IMAGINE/ ON A DARK ROAD
IN THE RAIN HE LOOKS FOR ME/ HE’S CALLING
10) SAME TWO PEOPLE (words and music by Bob Telson)
WE’RE THE SAME TWO PEOPLE
WHO ONCE LOVED SO WELL
AND WHEN I HELD YOU NEAR ME
EVEN THEN I COULD TELL
THAT YOU WERE HOLDING BACK SOMETHING
THAT YOU COULDN'T BEAR TO GIVE AWAY
WE’RE THE SAME TWO PEOPLE TODAY
WE WERE THE SAME TWO PEOPLE
IN A BIG HOUSE WITH A LAWN
WE SPENT SOME TIME IN COUPLE THERAPY
'CAUSE WE COULDN'T SEEM TO GET ALONG
AND THOUGH WE'RE NOT TOGETHER NOW
WE'RE STILL TIED TO THE FAMILY TREE
WE'RE THE SAME TWO PEOPLE STILL THE SAME TWO PEOPLE THE SAME 2 PEOPLE
BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING WE HAD
THAT WE COULDN'T HOLD ONTO
THERE WAS SOMETHING WE LOST
IT'S NEVER COMING BACK
SOME THINGS DON’T CHANGE
AND I WILL ALWAYS CONSIDER YOU MINE
BUT OUR TIME HAS PASSED
11) BED STUY STATE OF MIND (words and music by Bob Telson)
THERE'S A MULTITUDE OF CHANGES IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW
IT'S GONNA BE OH SO DIFFERENT BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW
WHAT WILL I TAKE ALONG WITH ME
WHAT WILL I LEAVE BEHIND
I'M ENTERING A BED STUY STATE OF MIND
I WAS JUST A LITTLE BOY IN BROOKLYN LONG TIME AGO
NEVER THOUGHT I'D COME BACK HERE ONCE I HIT THE ROAD
HAS SOMETHING GOTTEN BETTER
OR IS IT ME THAT'S CHANGED WITH TIME?
I'M ENTERING A BED STUY STATE OF MIND
THE BODEGA ON THE CORNER’S OPEN ALL NIGHT LONG
WHICH COULD COME IN HANDY IF I'M STAYING UP LATE TRYING TO WRITE A SONG
A TREE GREW TALL IN BROOKLYN AND SO DID I
NOW I’M GOING BACK WITH BED STUY ON MY MIND
12) WALL OF PAIN (music by Bob Telson, lyrics by Lee Breuer)
LOVERS WRITE THE EDGE OF NIGHT’S
SURROUNDED BY A WALL OF PAIN
LOVERS TEACH THE WALL IS PEACH
COLOR OF THE BLOOD OF ANGELS
WALLS OF PAIN
LIKE OUR HOPES IN VAIN
HOLD US IN PRISONS
PEACH AND FLESHY PRISONS
LOVERS KNOW THAT WINDOWS GLOW
HIGH IN THE PRISON TOWER
JUST LIKE MOONS WHITE AND HOLY
THEY POUR FORTH LIGHT
LOVE’S WHITE BEAMS SHINING DOWN LIKE DREAMS
AND RIGHT IN THE CENTER
IS EACH WINDOW’S DARK GLEAM
ITS NOT EVEN COMMON KNOWLEDGE
BUT A SECRET INTUITION
ONE CAN RISE AND HOVER HIGH
UPON THE WALL OF PAIN
ONE CAN PEER RIGHT THROUGH THE WINDOW
THE WALL OF PAIN’S WHITE WINDOW
LOVE RISES TIL IT SEES THROUGH PAIN
WINDOWS HIGH ARE WEEPING EYES
PEACH FORTRESSES ARE FACES
DARKNESS GLEAMS IN LIGHT BEAMS
AND THEY ILLUMINATE OUR HEARTS
WHEN THEY PLEAD
O LOVER COME TO FEED
COME HITHER DARKNESS IN YOUR DARKEST MOMENT OF NEED
LOVERS WRITE THE EDGE OF NIGHT’S
SURROUNDED BY A WALL
THE EDGE OF NIGHT’S SURROUNDED BY A WALL
13) GOODBYE TO THAT GIRL (words and music by Bob Telson)
I DON’T HAVE A PLAN
BUT I KNOW WHERE TO START
CAUSE THE WAY WE’RE TOGETHER
WE’D BE BETTER OFF APART
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR
NOT MUCH TO FIGHT ABOUT
AND AS I TUCK MYSELF IN
I SAY I’M BETTER OFF WITHOUT
THAT GIRL SHE’S ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME
THAT GIRL I TRIED MY BEST BUT I COULDN’T CHANGE
THAT GIRL I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SAY
GOODBYE TO THAT GIRL
BYE BYE
IF I KNEW WHAT TO DO I WOULDN’T BE HERE NOW
WRITING THIS SONG TO WIN YOU BACK SOMEHOW
I’D RATHER LEAVE IN THE MIDDLE THAN BE LEFT AT THE END
I GUESS I’LL LEARN NOT TO NEED YOU
BUT I’LL ALWAYS MISS MY FRIEND
THAT GIRL SHE ALWAYS HAS A PLAN
THAT GIRL DID SHE EVER NEED A MAN
THAT GIRL I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SAY
GOODBYE TO THAT GIRL
GOODBYE TO THAT GIRL
I DON’T HAVE A PLAN
BUT I KNOW WHERE TO START
Piano and all vocals, Bob Telson
Invited guest: Romero Lubambo, guitar on track 5
Recorded, mixed, and produced by Bob Telson
All songs Boodle Music, BMI except:
6 and 8: Boodle Music, BMI, Amalgamated Balladry, ASCAP
7: Boodle Music, BMI/ Bumstead Publishing SOCAN
9 AND 13: Boodle Music, BMI and Otis Lee Music, ASCAP