THE HOPE OF JULY
MY LOVIN’ MOTHER WAS TIRED OF WAITING AND SOOTHING
MY FATHER WITH THE FEEDIN’ SEED
SEVEN YEARS LATER THEY FEEL LIKE WHOOPIN’
FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE SPRING
WHEAT IS RIPE, HARVEST IS TIGHT
IT’S TIME TO PICK THE HOPE OF JULY
A KID COMIN’ UP TO AN OLD AND SAD HOME
MY FATHER IN THE KITCHEN, SPELLIN’ BOOK IS TEACHIN’
MY HOUSE WAS JUST A WIDE WALL OF STONE
PINE WOODS SHELTER AND KEEP US WARM
EACH ROOM HAD A WINDOW, NO CURTAINS AT ALL
THE GLASS WAS NAKED AND THE SUN WAS BOLD
THE TRUTH IS BITTER, THE EARTH IS POOR
AS WITNESS HAD A WELL AND A TWO-PIECE DOOR
ONE HALF LEFT OPEN, LET THE DRIED UP BROOM
AND THE DUSTY WIND GET INTO THE ROOM
CHILDISH PACE, SUN IN MY FACE
HOPE OF JULY WITH THE GROWING PAINS
ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DRINK AND WORK ALL DAY…
WE CHANGED THE BRINE FOR A REDOLENT WHINE
SCHOOL AND FIELDS AND MOTHERLY FUN
ALL DAY LONG THE SAME…
PLANT TREES, AVOID THE THORNS
THINGS I’VE LEARNED SINCE I WAS BORN
CELTIC SPELLS
BESIDE THE DARK GREEN TOP, WATCHIN’ OVER DISTANT SHORES
STRONGHOLD GUARDS THE THREAT, RAINING MIST THE SILHOUETTE
THERE’S SOMEONE IN THE FOG IN THE ASHES OF A LOG
SOMEONE THAT PRAYS IN HILLS WHERE AN ALTAR ISN’T NEEDED
FAIRY DANCE, CELTIC BURIED BEQUEST
PAGAN TEST HIDDEN IN A HEX
WHAM BAM JOCK A MO HE AIKU AIKU NDÉ
OUR PIPE IS MADE OF WOOD, WIND AND VELVET, RAINBOW HOOD
ETERNAL FLAG THAT COULD TRAVEL ROUND A THOUSAND SEAS
OUR SQUARE RAISED GRANARY STOOD IN PENSIVE PEACE INSTEAD
CORN APRON ON ITS BASE, APPLE CIDER, SENSE OF TASTE
THERE’S MANY MORE IGNORED, THERE’S DOLMENS TO ADORE
BOUQUET AND CANDLE SPELLS, HOARSE VOICE AND RINGIN’ BELLS
A CHAPEL IN A SECRET CAVE THAT’S COVERED WITH VINES
THE SPIRIT OF THE ONES LEFT TO HOLD THE FINISH LINE
AIKU AIKU NDÉ JOCK A MO FE FIYO DANSE
LITTLE BLACK ANGELS
HEY MR. PAINTER! YOU’RE MY BUDDY, YOU’RE MY FRIEND
HEY MR. PAINTER! TAKE THAT BRUSH AND THEN PAINT
ON YOUR WAY TO BE A GREAT PAINTER
DRAW ME ANGELS ON THIS OL’ CHURCH
PLEASE MR. PAINTER! DON’T LOOK DOWN ON COLOUR
PLEASE MR. PAINTER! THE DARK ONES ARE LIKE THE OTHER
EVEN THOUGH MARY’S SKIN IS WHITE
GOD, THE LORD, ALSO LOVES ’EM WITH ALL HIS MIGHT
HEY MR. PAINTER! ALWAYS PAINTIN’ IN THE CHURCH
PLEASE MR. PAINTER! PRETTY ANGELS YOU JUST SEARCH
YOU NEVER REMEMBER BLACK ANGELS
AND YOU THINK THEY ARE IN HELL
BUT THEY’RE IN HEAVEN AS WELL
NOT A NOB
I NEED TO REST, I’M BRINGIN’ WEARINESS, SWEAT AND MUD
SHOVEL THAT ROCK, BEND YOUR SPINE AND GUT
I’LL CHANGE MY SHIRT, PIECEWORK CAN WRECK YOU IN A HOLE
TIRELESS HACK, A MAN WITH NO LUCK… I’VE BEEN TOLD
THIS WAY YOU CAN FIND ME TODAY, DAY BY DAY, ANYWAY
SHAPIN’ MYSELF A MAN
I FELT THE MEAN LAND, I FELT THE WORKING HAND WITH LIVING BEAT
I FELT THE LAND ON ME LIKE YOU FEEL AN OPEN SEA, TRUE AND CLEAN
I UNDERSTAND ITS FORCE, A PORTION OF THE SOUL, POETRY AND COURSE
INVITES YOU TO DIE IN LIVIN’ WHILE YOU HEAVE A BROKEN SIGH
THIS WAY YOU CAN FIND ME TODAY, DAY BY DAY, ANYWAY
SHAPIN’ MYSELF A MAN (A GOOD MAN)
JUVENILE ARMS HOLDING A HOE… POVERTY OBLIGE!
EACH BLOW ON THE OAK TOOK A BIG CHUNK
AND THEN BROKE DOWN OVER THE WOUND
ROAR AFTER ROAR, LIGHT AFTER LIGHT
NIGHT AND DAY, LINKED TO ITS FATE
BLOW AFTER BLOW, YEAR AFTER YEAR
BLAME AFTER BLAME, MY OH MY!
THIS WAY YOU CAN FIND ME TODAY, DAY BY DAY, ANYWAY
SHAPIN’ MYSELF A MAN (A GOOD MAN)
JUVENILE ARMS HOLDING A HOE
POVERTY OBLIGE AND SPARKS THE THRILL OFF
I WANTED TO STUDY, I COULDN’T DO THAT
BUT TO MY SURPRISE I’M STILL FULL OF LIFE!
GROWIN’ TO YOUR CHEST
I GOT AN EXPECTATION AND NOW MY SOUL IS FULL
AND THAT’S A PROVOCATION LIKE A RED RAG TO THE BULL
IS LOVE THE RESOLUTION? THAT FRESH AND AIRY LOVE
GETTIN’ CLOSER WITHOUT WARNING, TURNS YOU INTO SOMEONE TOUGH
BLIND IS THE TOUCH OF THIS VERY SMALL WORLD
WHO KNOWS IF I’LL BE MOVED UP? OH MY GIRL!
BUT NOW I’M GROWIN’ TO YOUR CHEST
YOU AND I ALL ALONE AT LAST
ME AND YOU ALONE ON OUR OWN
I WALKED A SNOWY MOUNTAIN, MY LANE HAD NO FOOTPRINTS
THEY TOLD ME “TRY TO CONQUER” BUT THEY GAVE ME NOT A HINT
AND SUMMER’S SO SURPRISING, I’M LIKE A DOG IN HEAT
SMELLIN’ SCENT OF JASMINE BROUGHT BY A MILLENNIAL WIND
I’LL PAY YOUR LOVE WITH MY LIT TENDER BEAT
I’LL PAY WITH LOVE THOUGH YOU DO NOT ADMIT
NOW I’M GROWING TO YOUR CHEST
AND OFF IT GOES, MY LONELINESS
I HOLD YOU TIGHT BREAD OF MY LIFE
I’M GROWING AS YOU ARE MY WIFE
YOU AND I ALL ALONE AT LAST
ME AND YOU HOME ALONE AND DOIN’ WHAT WE DO
LOOOOOVE DRIVIN’ ME SO MAD I WANT TO
HAAAAAALT THAT’S THE ONLY WAY I FEEL MY
BLOOOOOD FURIOUSLY YOU CAME TO FEEL THE
VOOOOOID TAKE AN OATH AND SWEAR THAT YOU’RE MY
HAIR-TRIGGER
I WALK ALONG THE SLIME
I LEAVE AN EARTHLY SIGN
NO ONE COULDN’T TRAIN IT, COULD BE POISON OR AMBROSIA
DON’T BOTHER TO COMPLAIN WITH OPEN HAND AND ROLLED UP SLEEVES I AM
I KNOW DAMN WELL THE HUMILIATED SEETHE
DROWNED IN THIRST AND THEN JUST LIVE AND BREATHE
MY BATTLE CRY IS SUNK INTO OCEANS OF STRAIN
REBIRTH WAS TAKEN HOSTAGE, KEPT BROKEN AND FRAMED
I LEAN MY HEAD OUT IN THE BRAND NEW SUN
I AM THE TRIGGER FOR THE DAWN
I’M LIKE A TREE IN FLAMES, I’M LIKE A HURRICANE
A LIGHT IN HUMAN FORM, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND STORMS
CONSUMED IN ENDLESS TUNE AROUND A FALLING MOON
A SHADOW OF MYSELF
FIRE IN THE HOLE
THE DAY STARTED WITH A FLAME
ALSO THE STONE COMDEMNS WITH SHAME
ALL PRISONERS IN A HUMAN CHAIN
THEY HATE THE TORTURE OF THE JAIL
WATCHING THE SUNRISE, ETERNAL SUNRISE
SORROW AND PITY AND WORRY AND PAIN
THE CELL IS ON FIRE, THE MEN FULL OF BLISS
GLORY TO COURAGE, C’MON RAISE YOUR FIST
TOMORROW IT WILL BE A THEME PARK TO ENJOY
THE SON AND THE NIECE WILL FIND A NEW PLOY
THEY WILL SEE ME OFF, RETIREMENT AHOY!
BUT THEY WILL SEE LIGHT… SEARCH AND DESTROY!
WATCHING THE SUNRISE, ETERNAL SUNRISE
NO SORROW, NO PITY, NO WORRIES, NO PAIN
THE CELL IS ON FIRE, IT’S JUST YOUR DESIRE
GLORY TO COURAGE, THE RAGE OF THE BRAVE
NEVER REDEEM THAT RICH SPAIN
AND TAKE THEIR POWER, CHECK THEIR GAIN
A NATION CRYING IS THEIR BANE
THE BEAST OF BURDEN WILL NOW REIGN
WATCHING THE SUNRISE, ETERNAL SUNRISE
SORROW AND PITY AND WORRY AND PAIN
THE CELL IS ON FIRE AND SO IS THE EMPIRE
GLORY TO COURAGE, THE RAGE OF THE BRAVE
IN A LOW MOOD
HERE YOU FIND ME IN A LOW MOOD AND VEILED WITH SWEAT AND VERSES
WILLING TO BACK MY NEW BROOD BUT EXHAUSTED I AM
HERE MY BODY IS NOT READY, FEET AND HEAD ARE UNSTEADY
BUT I HAVE TO GET BETTER CAUSE I FEEL DUTY CALLS
BEYOND THE CRYING IN THE AIR, A LIGHT WILL SHINE AND GLARE
A SONG OF BIRDS IS HEARD
TASTY BREAD WITH SALT AND YEAST, FERTILE ONE GAME PIECE
ON TOP OF MANLY MUD
AND I’M STILL ON THE HARD JOB WITH THE LYRIC OF CRIME
PAYIN’ TRIBUTE TO CORNCOBS WHERE MY POEM RESIDES
IT DEFINES A GOOD REASON, THE SENSIBLE CAUSE
IT’S ENOUGH WHEN YOU’RE SHOWIN’ ALL YOUR PAST AND YOUR THOUGHTS
WELL DISPOSED TO THE MORNING I GET UP AND I WASH MYSELF
WELL DISPOSED TO CONTINUE, ANYBODY CAN TELL
MANY CLAMOUR TO LIVE, MAKE MY BED FOR THE MEAL
PAINT MY ROOM FOR THE CLOTHIN’ BUT I AM STILL IN NEED
TASTY BREAD WITH YEAST AND SALT, MY MEMORY HAS RECALLED
A LINE THROUGH THE SNOW, A WORD OF AN ABSENT GOD
A POET THAT’S NOT SHOWN
THE BOY
THE BOY WAS ALWAYS A PILE OF COLDNESS
A BED INVADIN’, A TAMED DAYBREAK
THE BOY SUCEEDS, HE DOES THE TRICK
THE BOY IS LOST, THE BOY IS LATE
LET’S SUPPORT THE GOOD WORD OF THE BOYS
THEY ARE JUST US AGAIN WITH A CHOICE
THEY LONG TO LIVE BEYOND MOTIF
LET THEM BUILD THE KINGDOM DREAMED
AND LET THEM SWEAR, I THINK IT’S FAIR
CAUSE IN THE END THEY’RE YER’ HEIRS
LET’S SUPPORT THE GOOD WORD OF THE BOYS
THEY WILL SLOWLY FORM THEIR SIZE, SOMETIMES LIFE CAN BE SO HARD
HAVE NO SECRETS, GIVE ‘EM RIGHTS AND WATCH THEM GROW
BORN TO BE THE CORE OF AN ANCIENT LORE
AND SPREAD THEIR NAME JUST LIKE A SPORE
THE WIND TAKES TOO LONG LIKE AN EASY SONG
WITH LIFE ROOTS THAT MAKE THEM STRONG
THE BOY PLANTS A TREE AND SWAYS WITH THE PLEA
A CROWD FULL OF BOYS THEY WENT ON A SPREE
AND HERE ON MY HOME MY FAMILY IS GONE
BREEZES OF FREEDOM, A FAVOUR DONE
LET’S SUPPORT THE GOOD WORD OF THE BOYS
THEY WILL SLOWLY FORM THEIR SIZE, SOMETIMES LIFE CAN BE SO HARD
BUT THEY HAVE TO STRUGGLE ON, HAVE NO SECRETS, GIVE ‘EM LOVE
WATCH THEM GROW AND PUSH THEM UP
HELP THEM STAND OUT IN THE RAIN
TELL’EM STORIES WHEN THEY’RE LAIN
REQUIEM MASS
IF WE LIVE AND WE DIE WE’RE FROM GOD
IF WE DIE AND WE LIVE WE’RE FROM GOD
IN LIFE, IN DEATH WE’RE FROM GOD
IN DEATH, IN LIFE WE’RE FROM GOD
KEEP MY BODY IN MY DEATH PLEASE MY LORD
KEEP MY SOUL IN MY LIFE PLEASE MY LORD
WHEN YOU LEAVE
CARRY ON, CARRY ON WITH THE ROUTINE
POINTED MEMORIES AND SHARP MELODIES
WITHOUT AN ENDING YOU CAN’T PLAY THE SCENE
WATCHIN’ THE TELLY AND BEIN’ AT EASE
RUDE NORTHERN MEN GET COLD FEET
TIRED SOLE AND TIME TO GRIEVE
AND YOU CRY AND YOU LOVE AND YOU WRITE AND YOU THINK
NOTHIN’ MATTERS WHEN YOU LEAVE
ALWAYS SALT AND FIRE IN THE THROAT OF MINE
I LET IT BE BUT DON’T HIDE THE REASON WHY
I HAD TO SEE IT COMIN’, COMIN’ IN PEACE
DON’T ROCK THE BOAT AND DON’T BEND YOUR KNEES PLEASE
AND YOU CRY AND YOU LOVE AND YOU WRITE AND YOU THINK
AND YOU SUFFER, AND YOU WORK, AND YOU THIEVE
AND YOU SWEAT, AND YOU’RE RIGHT, YOU CREATE AND YOU SING
NOTHING MATTERS WHEN YOU LEAVE
FROM THE TOWER OF MY AGE (WHATEVER IT MAY BE)
I CAN SEE NOTHIN’ BUT HERDS
A MAN THAT’S FAIR AND NEAR CAN HOLD HIS BREATH FOR FEAR
OF DEALING WITH DEATH AND THAT’S WHEN YOU LEAVE