Track list:
1. A Song for the Road
2. Lover's Triumph
3. Eyes Like Horizons
4. To Mecca
5. A Little Sting
6. Hit and Run
7. In Your Footsteps
8. The Prince
9. Memories of My Devotion
10. She's Loving Me
11. A Song for the Road (Reprise)
2. Lover's Triumph
3. Eyes Like Horizons
4. To Mecca
5. A Little Sting
6. Hit and Run
7. In Your Footsteps
8. The Prince
9. Memories of My Devotion
10. She's Loving Me
11. A Song for the Road (Reprise)
1. A Song for the RoadI like to take off on the road,
See the sights I've seen before Like the creek down by the railroad tracks Enjoy the great outdoors I like to take off in my brown straw hat and leather boots tied down below But before I can get my feet to go I need a song for the road a melody to follow me on my way I need a song for the road a lullaby to get me through the day I need a song for my heart a music that will never pass me by The bluebirds and the robins know just why La la la For many days now have I strolled about the town, from end to end And every crossroads that I face is a chance to start again And every start is like an open book I've got to sing between the lines It's a sure, steady way to keep the time I need a song for the road a melody to follow me on my way I need a song for the road a lullaby to get me through the day I need a song to believe a song that I can trust to hold my smile A sing-along to last me all the while La la la I need a song for my heart a song that I can sing out oh so loud a song to cheer the faces of the crowd La la la I need a song for the road a melody to follow me on my way I need a song for the road a lullaby to get me through the day And as I walk through the park come join me as I sing my merry tune So here's a song I'll share with you A song for the road |
About this song: The chorus for this song came to me instantly one morning before heading to work at Dux Bistro (I was a barista there for 2 years!) I was about to leave, when I asked myself, "Do I have my hat? Yes. Do I have my name tag? Yes. What else do I need?" And then it hit me--I need a song for the road! So I started whistling as I went to work, and when I got home that day, the rest became musical history.
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2. Lover's TriumphIn my lover's eyes I see the glow
Shining, shining on and on, I know that it's all true and love is there in everything we do Quite enough dishonest men will break eternal oaths And while I keep my promises I must appreciate the journey as it goes Yesterday was a lover's triumph The sun was shining, not one deception was said Yesterday was eternal solace Every lover was still in love in his head In my lover's eyes I see the light Cast upon an undisturbed delight And it's all real That love is there in everything we feel To the victor go the spoils So love begets the songs And while I keep my open heart I must appreciate the goodness as it comes Yesterday was a lover's triumph The sun was shining, not one deception was said Yesterday was eternal solace Every lover was still in love in his head No matter how far Love is there in everything we are Yesterday was a lover's triumph The sun was shining, not one deception was said Yesterday was eternal solace Every lover was still in love in his head |
About this song: Love makes the road bearable and even brings feelings of triumph. However, why the line "in his head?" Why do we sing about yesterday's triumph instead of today's? You may have your own answers. I think some of it has to do with the feeling that our memories can be so alive and powerful that we rely upon them as the "eternal solace" that gives us the inner strength to move forward.
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3. Eyes Like HorizonsI have always loved admiring
seaside waves, Shores of endless boundary, Oh, do they make my day! Likewise, I could gaze forever into your eyes Silenced by the vista Darling, I'm hypnotized By eyes like horizons You smile like the sea I'm carried away There's nothing to say When you give those looks to me With eyes like horizons You smile like the sky You're as picturesque to me as the vanishing line Last time you and I took a stroll through the coastal lands We were cast away in a world between seas and sands The beaches and the bayous knew it immediately How you tend to glisten facing the sky and sea With eyes like horizons You smile like the sea I'm carried away There's nothing to say When you give those looks to me With eyes like horizons You smile like the sky You're as picturesque to me as the vanishing line Rising like the sun you're the angel aurora And as you set to sea you're the orb of my eye You're the goddess of twilight And your love is my nightlight And so I'll pay my dues of a thousand words Never could the pictures rival the waves I've heard It's just a rhythm that you must see to know I'll keep on admiring you and your eyes aglow |
About this song: I wrote the music for the piano parts and the "Rising like the sun" melody in this song in June 2002, thinking I could use it in a musical I wanted to write. But I did not manage to come up with any words that I felt would go with it at the time. Nevertheless, this song was so catchy that in the fall of 2007, I was still playing around with it and eventually came up with a melody ("Eyes like horizons...") that could be placed on top of the syncopated piano part and work as an album song.
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4. To MeccaLeave it to me
to promise the world to all I cannot imagine the pains they know I shouldn't give in to the storms that impinge on my duty Was it the day that we stood at the top of the mountain and leaned off the edge? Do you remember the fears we knew then? I don't know where to run to, I'll fall I don't know where to run to at all To Mecca the roads are Allah Leave it to me to herald the change for right The difference is clearly a point of view No reason to keep to destructive paths of confusion Was it the day that you sent me a vision to prophesy all that went wrong? Do you remember those ten-thousand songs? I don't know where to run to, I'll fall I don't know where to run to at all To Mecca the roads are Allah Where are you going? Here we are, on the road to revelation Through recitation, meditation While we're learning all the ways of God The inner light, the formless Tao He has always been the source of life And my islam is one right now I don't know where to run to, I'll fall I don't know where to run to at all To Mecca the roads are Allah |
About this song: In my study of world religions, I try to learn and experience God in a variety of ways. This song expresses the part of me that identifies with the intensity of the inner struggle that is central to Islam. It is the constant asking of oneself, "Where am I going?" and the realization that the answer begins with "submission to the will of God" (which is actually the literal meaning of the word islam, and which I alluded to in the line "my islam is one right now"). The slow part in the middle represents the turning of one's spiritual attention inward in order to ask this question.
Historically, Islam has been one of the religions most tolerant of people of other religions. So in the slow middle part of this song, I didn't see any problem with making a reference to Taoism. It often takes contemplation of multiple paths to God before one can arrive at the choice of which one to take. I am also fond of the islamic idea of making a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. We can't always see where the roads in front of us are leading, but Mecca offers us a powerful metaphor for where we want to arrive at one day. |
5. A Little StingOh, when you're down on luck
and all the world has turned its back on you Afraid you'll turn your back on them too I know it is a sad thing to see you don't belong and you're not the king you thought you were, you thought you were A little sting Oh, it's okay to feel for the little things A little sting Just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings It's painful now but you'll get by somehow That little sting might be for the best Oh, when you're down and everyone is cold, no thing can make you smile Allow yourself to cool for a while I know it is a sad song to see you might have treated somebody wrong, you thought was wrong you thought was wrong A little sting Oh, it's okay to feel for the little things A little sting Just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings It's painful now but you'll get by somehow That little sting might be for the best |
About this song: When I was a teenager, I used to confide in one of my teachers when I faced personal difficulties. Loneliness and the fear of going unrecognized for who I am were among my central struggles. And while he usually honored the seriousness with which I presented my feelings, I remember him one day saying something like, "Why are you letting yourself get so upset over such a little thing? It's as if you have a tiny pebble in your shoe and you're not letting yourself enjoy your life because you only pay attention to that pebble."
This comment had quite an impact on me, and for a while, I tried to avoid feeling the "sting" of the little things, calling them unimportant "pebbles." But eventually, after reading up on Stoicism more carefully, I came to the realization that I shouldn't avoid feeling the "little sting," but rather accept it and let it pass, paying just enough attention to it that it satisfies itself but not too much that it becomes obsessive, like with the pebble. |
6. Hit And RunI've always sought attention
from the best with the best intention I've always cut away from the blade of superstition So no one hears me I've been shouting aloud my information I'll have my thoughts disclosed But I won't stick around for the conflict Hit and run, ooh, There's a time for games and a time to stop Hit and run, ooh, There's a place for every adventure Hit and run, ooh, There's a time for truth and a time to wait Hit and run, ooh, There's a picture of every man hanging in the mind of every plan I've always concentrated when I've felt I could tolerate it I've always broken off from the model of transmission So no one hears me I've been shouting aloud my information I'll have my thoughts disclosed But I won't stick around for the aftermath Hit and run, ooh, There's a time for games and a time to stop Hit and run, ooh, There's a place for every adventure Hit and run, ooh, There's a time for truth and a time to wait Hit and run, ooh, There's a picture of every man hanging in the mind of every plan Pierce through the window trying to pry the reflection from your hands My, what a dark room No light we could ever understand When no one hears me I've been shouting aloud my information I'll have my thoughts disclosed But I won't wait around for revolution Hit and run... |
About this song: I won't tell you what this song means. I'll just sing it and then run...
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7. In Your FootstepsWalk with me and I'll tell you a story
that has turned my heart to warm A journey to the end of legends from the seeds of future born The roads are rife with rightful sorrow and we may wish to transcend But only for life's beauty must we see our journey to its end Oh, carry the weight of this sacred quest As we look up to an endless, flowing stream of light Christ descending to our sight Teacher of eternal law Through his story, leads us all I could walk forever in your footsteps to see the glory of my journey's long-awaited ending Not as far would I have gone Lead the way to wonders on Every step along this road has filled my soul Walk with me and we'll share in the amble of a friendly common time Trust and keep this tempo for it may release you from your mind Hear the voice that rings inside and know the truth that does impel The test of faith will soon reveal the greatest secrets of ourselves Oh, follow the form of the one I Am As he transfigures, the rays of shadows make things clear Earthly echoes disappear Sands of heaven fill the glass with every moment's graceful past I could walk forever in your footsteps to see the glory of my journey's long-awaited ending Not as far would I have gone Lead the way to wonders on Every step along this road has filled my soul I could walk forever... |
About this song: Next, it is Christianity's turn to take the spotlight in my series of spiritual pieces. One of the main ideas is that while the road may be long and arduous (like Moses' forty years in the desert), we understand our personal journey as a sort of "sacred quest" that eventually takes us to Heaven. What exactly compels us to stick with this journey, to follow in our Teacher's footsteps all the way to the very end? It is such a wondrous process: revealing the Christ within us, that inner divinity that both sees all and lights the way.
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8. The PrinceThe Prince inherited an artistry
He was a child of honest Bohemian quality All his life a living musical he built a kingdom out of his innermost auricle The Prince, reputed for his masterpiece It was a minor fantasy colored by major keys Known for his uncertain stateliness The sort of the princely wisdom of Marcus Aurelius Governing the passions that arise within my heart I find the best in what I think I see and I live my art 'Cause I'm in touch with what I feel, and my heart goes out to you You can take me as I'm free I am the Prince and have my rule The Prince had found a sort of gravity to draw the audience closer to witness his symphony His style, the mastery of arithmetic And he could sound a Machiavellian politic Governing the passions that arise within my heart Wading through each breath of ecstasy as I live my art 'Cause I'm in touch with what I feel, and my heart goes out to you You can take me as I'm free I am the Prince and have my rule I am the Prince who holds the key to a mystery All alone as he lives the royal decree The seer of roses Sees the art in his policy Governing the passions that arise within my heart I find the best in what I think I see and I live my art 'Cause I'm in touch with what I feel, and my heart goes out to you You can take me as I'm free I am the Prince and have my rule 'Cause I'm in touch... |
About this song: "The Prince" is not exactly a musical self-portrait, but it does express the essence of my creative process and how I have to constantly "govern my passions" in order to become "in touch with what I feel." In writing this song, I wondered what would happen if the artistry of a Bohemian were given the high status of prince-hood. Certainly such an artist would be endowed with the best of both worlds: the wisdom and truth of the artist and the power to control the destiny of the art itself. In this way, "The Prince" is inspired by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor famous for not only wielding an incredible amount of power, but also exercising it wisely through his practice of Stoicism.
"The Prince" also has two other allusions. The political treatise by Machiavelli deals with the nature of good governance in a different, perhaps more serious way. On the other hand, when you have found your rule, as did Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince, you can tame the hearts of many (including flowers) with the carefree spirit of a child. This book, too, is very dear to me! Challenge: Can you identify the instrument that is played during the chorus in "The Prince"? It's the only time I've ever used it, but it works perfectly here, don't you think? |
9. Memories of My DevotionPain I must not resent,
as I embrace my descent into the shades of an old lament I'm not as I was, nothing I was could ever remain as I am Change is not one to warn a smile is soon reborn into a close and lonely thorn My art takes a turn Only to learn the sweet years cannot be preserved I recall them now and realize, They gave me a gift I cannot ignore and I take with me the memories of my devotion and slowly recede from my former joy as it was before. My muse knew me well, All I could feel was a spell cast through the sluice of an iron well She fades out of sight Music was always my message and might So, years of denial, I sojourned in her smile, Else would my ignorant eyes turn vile My muse gave me all And she was all My passion, what more can I write? I recall her now and realize, She gave me a gift I cannot ignore and I take with me the memories of my devotion and slowly recede from my former joy I recall her now and realize... |
About this song: I wrote the music for this song during the summer of 2004, thinking it would be a beautiful love duet for a musical. But instead it came to express the exquisite pain of change and loss. Whether it is a metaphorical muse or a real person, it is never easy to suffer the loss of a loved one, knowing that for the remainder of your own journey all you have is the memories behind you.
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10. She's Loving MeNot much to say
so I hold my words Though I'm not unheard Love will make its way She fills her eyes with all I feel inside Sending back the tide to wash away my cries She's loving me, loving me, loving me What's to say I'll ever get enough of what she gives me Every time I look into her smile Close I come to all she is the anima within me Tame my heart, and I will stay a while We're two in rhyme not without our rains Nothing needs to change We'll just take our time She's good to me as she's always been brings me now and then what I long to see She's loving me, loving me, loving me What's to say I'll ever get enough of what she gives me Every time I look into her smile Close I come to all she is the anima within me Tame my heart, and I will stay a while Until the end she stores my ancient soul What could make me whole if not for my dear friend? She's true to me and truth begets my song What could make me wrong when I have her to be She's loving me, loving me, loving me... |
About this song: When you're in love, it is the most wonderful feeling in the world. It is a connection that may not be observable from the outside, but once you look in, you begin to appreciate the sweet sharing of rhythms with that person, and you witness the deep bond that has formed. It is the true lover's triumph.
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11. A Song for the Road (Reprise)(Instrumental)
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About this song: While it would have been nice to end the album with "She's Loving Me," I just had to bring it back around to the theme of the road with a short instrumental reprise. It completes the theatrical journey that is listening to an album of music.
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