All lyrics by Nate Borofsky.
I think I’ve gotten all these lyrics right (although I might have inadvertently used an older version of a song). If you see any mistakes (or have any better lyrical suggestions), let me know.
Any Day
So how does it feel?
That’s all that I ask – a word or two
Sometimes I get lost
Sometimes I lose track of what to do
Circle round, I’m lost and found
I have nothing to say
Anyone, any way
I’ll come home any day
It’s lost and it’s real
And still full of hope – now and then
But keep me informed
I’m out on the ropes – it’s half past ten
And here we are, we’ve come so far
And still so much to say
Anyone, any way
I’ll come home any day
So that’s how it goes
A one and a two – just count it off
My mother once said
“You’re staying in bed to lose that cough.”
So I’ll rest up, I’ll try my luck
I’ll feel the warmth of May
Anyone, any way
I’ll come home any day
Rule Number One
I’ve wandered these hills
so long I could cry
I wanted to leave
I wanted to die
but everything’s changed
Don’t know what to do
Don’t even know who I am
When I get to this place
I got nothing to say
I want to get up
and just walk away
but everything’s changed
Don’t know what to do
Don’t even know who I am
I thought I knew my name
at least that would stay the same
Forgetting that rule number one
is change
So goodbye to you
daddy’s little girl
I’ll cry for you now
I’ll wish you the world
but everything’s changed
Don’t know what to do
Don’t even know who I am
I thought I knew my name
at least that would stay the same
Forgetting that rule number one
is change
Memories in a Glass
It burns like a taste against your lips
Of hundred-proof brandy with rose hips
Of hundred-proof gin taken straight up
Of whiskey just poured right in the cup
It hits you before you know it’s there
A forgotten thought you thought somewhere
A forgotten drink that you once had
It fills up your heart and leaves you sad
Like all the memories
Of the past – in a glass
I never bet much on the odds
On the hopes of the mortals or the gods
The hopes of the millions that have gone
Now they just fertilize the lawn
Now they can be who they’ve become
More than the place that they came from
More than words can quite contain
Drink it all down and ease the pain
Like all the memories
Of the past – in a glass
I guess it’s just another ride
One of a thousand that you’ve tried
One of a thousand points of light
For everything that you got right
And everything just feels so small
Like falling in love with nothing at all
Like falling out of the darkest sky
It fills up your heart and makes you cry
Like all the memories
Of the past – in a glass
Let it Go
The winding maze goes on for days
It circles round and round
Sometimes the sun it shines so bright
Sometimes the rain comes down
It’s all a lie, don’t even try
It wants to kill you slow
Give it all a rest
Relax and let it go
With you, with me – it’s all I see
It’s all I’ve ever known
But there’s still time – what’s yours is mine
There’s nothing left to own
And all of us can feel it, too
Like somehow we all know
Give it all a rest
Relax and let it go
If you believe
Then you will see
You’d like to think the world was ink
Or somehow etched in stone
But row your boat, it’s just a dream
Where you are all alone
It’s not a rush, there is no time
There is no fast or slow
Give it all a rest
Relax and let it go
Dream House
The trees have lost their leaves by now
I still see your face somehow
in between the lines
between you and my mind
I’ve looked around the clouds for you
Still the sunshine feels so new
like a dream I had
there was a time I felt so sad
I was writing a story
Making up a tale
I was putting our dream house up for sale
I’ve looked in the mirror – I don’t understand
‘Cause this is the place where the ship sighted land
And we all gave thanks to God
that the seas had spared the rod
I was writing a story
Making up a tale
I was putting our dream house up for sale
You can’t sit still on a moving train
the world don’t care we’re all insane
And you know I love you still
There’re some things time just won’t kill
I was writing a story
Making up a tale
I was putting our dream house up for sale
Break the Dam
The movie’s done and over. The message has been sent
The public dream is gone it seems – but who knows where it went?
And if you see me, please believe there’s nothing I can say
but if you want the scoop I’ll write an epitaph today
I used to be a dreamer – I always had my way
a thought could be so real to me – the hope and the dismay
but time it seems, has drained those dreams of all the life they had
And sometimes I see Jesus still – he knows that I’m still mad
Everyone has a choice here – everyone but me
‘Cause who I am will break the dam and rush out to the sea
All the lovely faces – they used to look so young
But features all get older – from climbing up the rungs
But here you’ll see’s the point for me – I still can smile at will
and if you trust me, baby, you’ll know I love you still
Everyone has a choice here – everyone but me
‘Cause who I am will break the dam and rush out to the sea
Free and Wide
I’ll walk in place
See it in my face
I know it’s wrong
I’ve known all along
That I let go
Fall up and grow
every time
I hold the line
Well, once upon a time I
Leapt with both hands out swinging free and wide
It’s not a choice
But I have my voice
I’ll sing it loud
As though I’m proud
Well, once upon a time I
Leapt with both hands out swinging free and wide
You know it’s all a wash because I
Seem to always think I know why
Long after it’s gone
Well, once upon a time I
Leapt with both hands out swinging free and wide
Just Stick Around
No one talks about it, no one can be blamed
I was always hoping for you all to feel the same
Mother, father, sister, brother, keep me on the ground
If you want to see me fly, just stick around
All the pretty horses, they’re all sleeping in the barn
All the mother’s nurses knitting sweaters out of yarn
All the children in the world would greet you with a frown
If you want to bless the mess, just stick around
I will walk with Jesus, I will hold his hand
All the streets will shine with light at his oblique command
Cooling down the engine, lest the demons run you down
If the kitchen is too hot, just stick around.
Every Wish
Well the time has run up
And since I was a wee pup
I always thought I would be here with you
And now the time has gone clean
things don’t seem what they mean
And everyone seems to know just what to do
Hey there look in my eye
There are angels on high
who never hit such altitude
and way there up in the skies
you always see through the lies
and every wish you made came true
So the world is corrupt
hemlock poured in your cup
it never seemed like enough of anything
and the moment is gone
like a forgotten song
that as a child, you sat there singing
Hey there look in my eye
There are angels on high
who never hit such altitude
and way there up in the skies
you always see through the lies
and every wish you made came true
I got the news today
that you’re passing away
if you’ve got nothing to say, say something true
like I always felt scared
and I never dared
to stare at myself as someone new
Hey there look in my eye
There are angels on high
who never hit such altitude
and way there up in the skies
you always see through the lies
and every wish you made came true
Coming Thaw
I breathed the world inside my lungs and felt the fires burn
In ages past we walked with wolves but now it’s the wolves turn
breaking down the mother’s crown, we hold ourselves in awe
no one knows it I can see it – feel the coming thaw
Young and old, you jog the boldened memories to life
You cut and smear the thoughts so near like butter on a knife
I’ve lost my faith in time and space, no certainty, no law
Back with baby, mommy, daddy, feel the coming thaw
The summertime was long
Birds joined us as we sang our perfect song
Calloused hands from taking stands, we put faith in our sweat
And years of toil, like boiling oil, have not brought us there yet
I fear the will to just sit still and look at what I saw
no one buys it, I believe it – feel the coming thaw
Figure Out Why
I guess that I knew
It had to be true
I guess I thought someone comes along
Out of the crowd
The noises so loud
And every time I think it’s done
Find a new label
I’ll be able to apply
You’ll probably figure out why
They’re just a mirage
The complaints that I lodge
‘Cause somehow I never noticed when
The hope came through
To me through you
I guess that it’s true it’s always been
Try to hold my hand
So still and grand
At least just try
You’ll probably figure out why
And when I sleep tonight
I’ll see the sunlight fill the sky
You’ll probably figure out why
Skies Will Clear
I heard you calling
It felt like falling
And I was waiting for you
The rains kept coming
The droplets drumming
And I was humming this tune
You will find me there
Where the water meets the air
It’s a long and winding road to here
I hear one day that all the skies will clear
I’ve seen the arches
Across the marches
I know it touches you, too
‘Cause I could hear you
My thoughts are near you
Though some did fear you, I knew
If you will hold my hand
I will be your man
It’s a long and winding road to here
I hear one day that all the skies will clear
Wherever It Takes Me To
Who will I be
When I walk away?
It’ll be plain to see
But just not for today
Here I’ll make my stand
wave with heart in hand
Wherever it takes me to
I’ll wash this day off my face
Put away these rags
There’s an end to this race
But I can’t put away my bags
Here I’ll make my stand
wave with heart in hand
Wherever it takes me to
A well worn path
A dream deferred
If I just give the word
So wherever I go
I’ll be there too
And a dream is a thing
you pack with you
Here I’ll make my stand
wave with heart in hand
Wherever it takes me to
New Ways There
All in all, it was a decent time
And sure enough it all flew by
And floated on to God knows where
And now I feel like I’ve been stranded here
A desert island of my fear
Alone with ghosts I’ve known from prayer
They are untrue, like me and you
With naught to do but forgive
When the world runs out of air
There are always new ways there
In the north and over to the west
Just east of the pacific crest
The ocean, cold but always calm
The seals, they make a go of it today
The orcas turn them into prey
And sing the holiest of psalms
Here I see futility
I can’t help wondering why
When the world runs out of air
There are always new ways there
It was real to me
Like a symphony
A cacophony of sound
And it hit me there
Where no one dares
To try to be found
When the world runs out of air
There are always new ways there