Lyrics
ICONS
Mary in a bathtub, Jesus 'round her neck, Buddha on the mantle, but she's a nervous wreck.
She's searching, her spirit's running low trying to figure out which way to go.
Everybody's looking to lay their burden down, but if you listen for peace of mind you won't hear a sound -
on one side of the fence you've got fear motivated by greed and on the other side just a big field of need.
Come together - how can we come together?
We must be joined to build a better future for our children.
Corporate power is what he's working for; fills his needs and his desires but he wants so much more.
He's searching for the biggest gold but he's dangerously close to losing his soul.
We're fighting all these wars in someone's holy name - there ain't no God I know who'd treat us the same.
Let one who has never done wrong be the one to lay blame; now we see it's all a selfish game.
How can it be so hard to love? It's what we all want but we don't rise above our petty anger and fear of the unknown.
We don't think, we just do what we've been shown.
Society is searching all the time - we think we're right on course but we're blowing our minds.
Hold on, hold it together - this, too, shall pass; if we work hard to make it right, peace at last.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Rich Mattson / Drums: Stanley Kipper / Keyboard: Drew Gordon / Rhythm Guitar: Barbara Meyer / Background Vocals: Mattson & Kipper
Mary in a bathtub, Jesus 'round her neck, Buddha on the mantle, but she's a nervous wreck.
She's searching, her spirit's running low trying to figure out which way to go.
Everybody's looking to lay their burden down, but if you listen for peace of mind you won't hear a sound -
on one side of the fence you've got fear motivated by greed and on the other side just a big field of need.
Come together - how can we come together?
We must be joined to build a better future for our children.
Corporate power is what he's working for; fills his needs and his desires but he wants so much more.
He's searching for the biggest gold but he's dangerously close to losing his soul.
We're fighting all these wars in someone's holy name - there ain't no God I know who'd treat us the same.
Let one who has never done wrong be the one to lay blame; now we see it's all a selfish game.
How can it be so hard to love? It's what we all want but we don't rise above our petty anger and fear of the unknown.
We don't think, we just do what we've been shown.
Society is searching all the time - we think we're right on course but we're blowing our minds.
Hold on, hold it together - this, too, shall pass; if we work hard to make it right, peace at last.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Rich Mattson / Drums: Stanley Kipper / Keyboard: Drew Gordon / Rhythm Guitar: Barbara Meyer / Background Vocals: Mattson & Kipper
ONE-NIGHT HALFWAY STAND
A one-night, halfway stand between me and a fine young man.
I never did see him again; you couldn't really call us friends - it was a one-night, halfway stand.
He got to first, then second base with a crazed look on his face;
clearly new for both of us, this weird emotion called lust.
He struggled to undo my bra, which should have been a clue -
it was a simple hook-and-eye but he had to give it the old college try.
It's funny how life goes - seems you never know up from down, black from white; now it's wrong, now it's right.
We each went our own way. I'm pretty sure that now he's gay.
I should have known back then 'cause he was such a pretty man.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums & Percussion: Andy Deckert / Rhythm Guitar: Meyer
A one-night, halfway stand between me and a fine young man.
I never did see him again; you couldn't really call us friends - it was a one-night, halfway stand.
He got to first, then second base with a crazed look on his face;
clearly new for both of us, this weird emotion called lust.
He struggled to undo my bra, which should have been a clue -
it was a simple hook-and-eye but he had to give it the old college try.
It's funny how life goes - seems you never know up from down, black from white; now it's wrong, now it's right.
We each went our own way. I'm pretty sure that now he's gay.
I should have known back then 'cause he was such a pretty man.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums & Percussion: Andy Deckert / Rhythm Guitar: Meyer
BAD DOG
The dog in me sharpens my sense of smell. The dog in me knows how to love so well.
The dog in me would never kiss and tell.
I pick up the scent of you standing near. I pick up your sound and I cock one ear.
I pick up what you're feeling and I know it's fear.
Well, I'm a bad dog, Babe, wild to the core, but if I love you, Honey - ain't nobody'd love you more.
My canine teeth will keep me safe when I'm alone. My canine teeth will make you back off if they are showing.
My canine teeth will rip your flesh right off the bone.
I'll stay by your side when summer turns to fall. I'll stay by your side, though at times you may not recall.
I'll be at your side right on through it all.
Bass: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Harmonica: Dan Haeg / Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Backing Vocals: Whoopie Jill
The dog in me sharpens my sense of smell. The dog in me knows how to love so well.
The dog in me would never kiss and tell.
I pick up the scent of you standing near. I pick up your sound and I cock one ear.
I pick up what you're feeling and I know it's fear.
Well, I'm a bad dog, Babe, wild to the core, but if I love you, Honey - ain't nobody'd love you more.
My canine teeth will keep me safe when I'm alone. My canine teeth will make you back off if they are showing.
My canine teeth will rip your flesh right off the bone.
I'll stay by your side when summer turns to fall. I'll stay by your side, though at times you may not recall.
I'll be at your side right on through it all.
Bass: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Harmonica: Dan Haeg / Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Backing Vocals: Whoopie Jill
WATERING THE DEAD
We went to Utah looking for some fun - took bikes and camping gear and headed for the sun.
Thought we were ready, but we hadn't yet begun watering our dead in Moab.
Tried to bike Slickrock but we didn't get very far (this was quite a blow to me 'cause I think I'm a superstar).
Got off the bikes, jumped into the car and saw them...
I'd never seen anything like it, sprinklers running hard over every headstone, every grave in that graveyard.
A nice grassy plot, now there's a final reward, they're...
I said, Let's stay here and wander through the park, and he said, I want to make Yellowstone before it gets too dark.
When we hit I-80 the big fight started to spark 'cause we'd been...
Out came our fears and anger at ourselves. We'd hidden it all away until we started to yell.
He said it was my fault, I said go to hell, Babe, we're...
I stopped the car and made him speak his mind; now that was quite the thing to deal with at the time.
I lost my cool, then I followed Eastbound signs, no more...
So here's the lesson in the story that I sing: you may think you've buried away every little thing
that's bad and evil, but up it all will spring when you start...
They get no rain so they must water on their own; not just that graveyard, but their bodies and their souls.
Can't help that sometimes that old dryness takes its toll and they must...
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Background Vocals: Kipper
We went to Utah looking for some fun - took bikes and camping gear and headed for the sun.
Thought we were ready, but we hadn't yet begun watering our dead in Moab.
Tried to bike Slickrock but we didn't get very far (this was quite a blow to me 'cause I think I'm a superstar).
Got off the bikes, jumped into the car and saw them...
I'd never seen anything like it, sprinklers running hard over every headstone, every grave in that graveyard.
A nice grassy plot, now there's a final reward, they're...
I said, Let's stay here and wander through the park, and he said, I want to make Yellowstone before it gets too dark.
When we hit I-80 the big fight started to spark 'cause we'd been...
Out came our fears and anger at ourselves. We'd hidden it all away until we started to yell.
He said it was my fault, I said go to hell, Babe, we're...
I stopped the car and made him speak his mind; now that was quite the thing to deal with at the time.
I lost my cool, then I followed Eastbound signs, no more...
So here's the lesson in the story that I sing: you may think you've buried away every little thing
that's bad and evil, but up it all will spring when you start...
They get no rain so they must water on their own; not just that graveyard, but their bodies and their souls.
Can't help that sometimes that old dryness takes its toll and they must...
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Background Vocals: Kipper
WISCONSIN ROAD TRIP
Wildlife strapped to the back of a car as we drive past the Cheese Chalet -
these are some of the sights to see on the Wisconsin motorway.
Ain't nothing like the real thing, Baby, and that's what you get here:
hearts on sleeves in every corner of the state and lots of cheese and beer.
Wisconsin, you got the Packers and the Dells.
Wisconsin is where the Heartland swells and everybody loves their neighbor so well.
The Beverage Center has Pabst, High Life, and Old Milwaukee in the can -
bottles cost more and might blow your tire when you throw 'em from your van.
Sign says Tuesday Karaoke and Wednesday Ladies. Night;
looks like any night of the week we'll find a bar to make us feel alright.
A big old buck is hanging on a porch at the side of Highway 12 -
he gave his life for venison steaks and a rack for show & tell.
Cheese curds and hats shaped like 'em, they always sell. Folk from Wisconsin are proud as hell.
It's America's Dairyland with cows and fields galore,
Chequamegon National Forest, and the Lake Superior shore.
Apostle Islands lie to the north, there's nothing you can't find;
ain't no earthly reason to leave is the Wisconsin state of mind.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Piano: Gordon / Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Harmonicas: Mattson / Backing Vocals: Mattson & Meyer
Wildlife strapped to the back of a car as we drive past the Cheese Chalet -
these are some of the sights to see on the Wisconsin motorway.
Ain't nothing like the real thing, Baby, and that's what you get here:
hearts on sleeves in every corner of the state and lots of cheese and beer.
Wisconsin, you got the Packers and the Dells.
Wisconsin is where the Heartland swells and everybody loves their neighbor so well.
The Beverage Center has Pabst, High Life, and Old Milwaukee in the can -
bottles cost more and might blow your tire when you throw 'em from your van.
Sign says Tuesday Karaoke and Wednesday Ladies. Night;
looks like any night of the week we'll find a bar to make us feel alright.
A big old buck is hanging on a porch at the side of Highway 12 -
he gave his life for venison steaks and a rack for show & tell.
Cheese curds and hats shaped like 'em, they always sell. Folk from Wisconsin are proud as hell.
It's America's Dairyland with cows and fields galore,
Chequamegon National Forest, and the Lake Superior shore.
Apostle Islands lie to the north, there's nothing you can't find;
ain't no earthly reason to leave is the Wisconsin state of mind.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Piano: Gordon / Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Harmonicas: Mattson / Backing Vocals: Mattson & Meyer
FUGITIVE
You are on the prowl like a fugitive. You let go of no get, all give.
You are so smart it makes me cringe, but you are dancing on the fringe.
It's time to break the tie that binds because it will take a little time.
The longer you hold on to it all, the further down you have to fall.
You made the first crucial move the day you chose to see the truth,
but it remains to seal your fate: will you get out of this checkmate?
She's taken you for a long ride that's left you angry inside.
It makes me sick to watch you bleed all of your love, all of your need.
Your life is all about you now, you can decide what you'll allow.
No matter what you choose to do, you know I'm always here for you.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Acoustic & Electric Guitars & Congas: Meyer
You are on the prowl like a fugitive. You let go of no get, all give.
You are so smart it makes me cringe, but you are dancing on the fringe.
It's time to break the tie that binds because it will take a little time.
The longer you hold on to it all, the further down you have to fall.
You made the first crucial move the day you chose to see the truth,
but it remains to seal your fate: will you get out of this checkmate?
She's taken you for a long ride that's left you angry inside.
It makes me sick to watch you bleed all of your love, all of your need.
Your life is all about you now, you can decide what you'll allow.
No matter what you choose to do, you know I'm always here for you.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Acoustic & Electric Guitars & Congas: Meyer
DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ABOUT YOU?
Does it always have to be about you? she said, directly to my face.
Stopped me short in my pity path and put me in my place.
It was a fair question, not a nasty slam; it made me ask myself, Who do I think I am?
Come on, Honey, now tell me the truth: does it always have to be about you?
Crying and moaning about things that I'd lost, things I'd worked hard to achieve;
I felt betrayed by lovers and friends, felt I'd been deceived.
I was looking to stop the pain so she asked me again.
I was convinced it was all my fault, I just wasn't good enough;
if only I'd realized, if I would have known, I would not have tried all that stuff.
I would have gone without to my grave, but then I heard her say:
It isn't always about you, my friend, some people just don't know
something great when they've got it straight, so they let it go.
So let this be a lesson for your attitude: believe you're bad or believe that you are good.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Background Vocals: Mattson & Meyer
Does it always have to be about you? she said, directly to my face.
Stopped me short in my pity path and put me in my place.
It was a fair question, not a nasty slam; it made me ask myself, Who do I think I am?
Come on, Honey, now tell me the truth: does it always have to be about you?
Crying and moaning about things that I'd lost, things I'd worked hard to achieve;
I felt betrayed by lovers and friends, felt I'd been deceived.
I was looking to stop the pain so she asked me again.
I was convinced it was all my fault, I just wasn't good enough;
if only I'd realized, if I would have known, I would not have tried all that stuff.
I would have gone without to my grave, but then I heard her say:
It isn't always about you, my friend, some people just don't know
something great when they've got it straight, so they let it go.
So let this be a lesson for your attitude: believe you're bad or believe that you are good.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Background Vocals: Mattson & Meyer
LOUISIANA SHUFFLE
Laissez les bon temps rouler, let the good times roll, Baby.
Take a stroll down the bayou, ain't got nothing better to do;
or drive down to the gulf coast - whatever you like the most.
Just a lazy old southern day...
Head on down the I-10; been there before, but let's do it again.
Make a stop in Lafayette - don't need to have no regrets.
Play a little old game of bour'ee...
Have some crawfish and boudin; swing into Randol's and pose with the man.
Gotta make it to New Orleans, just south of Lake Ponchartrain.
Baton Rouge is on the way...
French Quarter and Bourbon Street; we can really kick up our feet.
Have some chickory at the Cafe and a plate full of beignets.
Mama Eldena, now, what do you say? Let the good times roll, Baby!
Bass & Electric Guitars, Shakers, & Whistle: Mattson / Drums, Toms, & Djembe: Kipper / Acoustic Guitar, Clave, Bell, & Djembe: Meyer / Washboard: Chadly Koppenhaver / Background Vocals: Mattson & Kipper
Laissez les bon temps rouler, let the good times roll, Baby.
Take a stroll down the bayou, ain't got nothing better to do;
or drive down to the gulf coast - whatever you like the most.
Just a lazy old southern day...
Head on down the I-10; been there before, but let's do it again.
Make a stop in Lafayette - don't need to have no regrets.
Play a little old game of bour'ee...
Have some crawfish and boudin; swing into Randol's and pose with the man.
Gotta make it to New Orleans, just south of Lake Ponchartrain.
Baton Rouge is on the way...
French Quarter and Bourbon Street; we can really kick up our feet.
Have some chickory at the Cafe and a plate full of beignets.
Mama Eldena, now, what do you say? Let the good times roll, Baby!
Bass & Electric Guitars, Shakers, & Whistle: Mattson / Drums, Toms, & Djembe: Kipper / Acoustic Guitar, Clave, Bell, & Djembe: Meyer / Washboard: Chadly Koppenhaver / Background Vocals: Mattson & Kipper
KICK
Why do I kick you when you're down, what'll I do when you're not around anymore?
I've got so much to give but I keep it all, I'm setting myself up to fall - that'll even the score.
I do you wrong time after time, I must be out of my mind, unwell.
It is so strange you do not call my bluff at all - what the hell?
Every trick in the book I have known: catch and release and remain on my own.
But do I want to be alone, without you?
The day is here, the time is now - I'll make it right somehow with you.
You must believe me when I say I have changed my wicked ways for you.
Bass & Electric Guitars & Tambourine: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Rhythm Guitar: Meyer / Harmony Vocals: Mattson & Meyer
Why do I kick you when you're down, what'll I do when you're not around anymore?
I've got so much to give but I keep it all, I'm setting myself up to fall - that'll even the score.
I do you wrong time after time, I must be out of my mind, unwell.
It is so strange you do not call my bluff at all - what the hell?
Every trick in the book I have known: catch and release and remain on my own.
But do I want to be alone, without you?
The day is here, the time is now - I'll make it right somehow with you.
You must believe me when I say I have changed my wicked ways for you.
Bass & Electric Guitars & Tambourine: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Rhythm Guitar: Meyer / Harmony Vocals: Mattson & Meyer
OBSESSION
It wasn't that I loved you, you certainly didn't love me; but when we shared a pillow we set each other free.
It would only last a moment, maybe an hour or two. But it was what we needed; I know I did - did you?
Can you just lay it down like you would lay beside me then? Well, let me break it down: I think I need you again.
Now please don't worry, I will not ask for anything more - just to be with you like I was with you once before.
Do you think of me sometimes late at night, or maybe walking down the street - do I flow through you like you flow through me?
You're somewhere else in your head. I lie alone in my cold bed.
Now I'm not asking for all that much, I'm just obsessing about your touch.
You are my weakness. I carry a small torch in your name, but don't be frightened; I can be wild, but I've been tamed.
Do you remember, do you know whereof I speak? Am I confusing you? You are the one thing I seek.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Acoustic Guitar & Log Drum: Meyer
It wasn't that I loved you, you certainly didn't love me; but when we shared a pillow we set each other free.
It would only last a moment, maybe an hour or two. But it was what we needed; I know I did - did you?
Can you just lay it down like you would lay beside me then? Well, let me break it down: I think I need you again.
Now please don't worry, I will not ask for anything more - just to be with you like I was with you once before.
Do you think of me sometimes late at night, or maybe walking down the street - do I flow through you like you flow through me?
You're somewhere else in your head. I lie alone in my cold bed.
Now I'm not asking for all that much, I'm just obsessing about your touch.
You are my weakness. I carry a small torch in your name, but don't be frightened; I can be wild, but I've been tamed.
Do you remember, do you know whereof I speak? Am I confusing you? You are the one thing I seek.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums: Kipper / Acoustic Guitar & Log Drum: Meyer
ROY
We took a little night walk on the mountainside through the rain forest with a naturalist guide.
When the bus full of folk arrived it was looking grim, but then he told the two of us that we were alone with him.
His name was Roy, he's a Costa Rican boy.
A big tarantula was waiting in a tree. An emerald toucanette was a cool thing to see.
An olingo and acoati, too - he wanted us to learn. Soon a walking stick, then oo - inchworm.
He was charming and loaded with gear from head to toe. We didn't make a fuss when he said, Let's go!
Banana plantation and coffee, too, nearby; we saw it all so clearly under the perfect night sky.
We saw many wondrous things, but it ended too soon when he whipped out his telescope and showed us the moon.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums & Timbales: Kipper / Rhythm Guitar, Piano, & Congas: Meyer / Background Vocals: Mattson, Kipper, Meyer
We took a little night walk on the mountainside through the rain forest with a naturalist guide.
When the bus full of folk arrived it was looking grim, but then he told the two of us that we were alone with him.
His name was Roy, he's a Costa Rican boy.
A big tarantula was waiting in a tree. An emerald toucanette was a cool thing to see.
An olingo and acoati, too - he wanted us to learn. Soon a walking stick, then oo - inchworm.
He was charming and loaded with gear from head to toe. We didn't make a fuss when he said, Let's go!
Banana plantation and coffee, too, nearby; we saw it all so clearly under the perfect night sky.
We saw many wondrous things, but it ended too soon when he whipped out his telescope and showed us the moon.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson / Drums & Timbales: Kipper / Rhythm Guitar, Piano, & Congas: Meyer / Background Vocals: Mattson, Kipper, Meyer
TEACH ME WISDOM (based on Psalm 51:6)
Teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Show me how to love, and how to do my part.
Guide me in the paths of wise ones who went before. Never leave me lonely - walk beside me, Lord.
Help each of us to understand what there is to learn; the past has many lessons, but we must know when to turn.
Our other cheek is bruised so we watch our every move, but peace must start somewhere, mercy, and love.
A challenge is before us, our future is at stake - many lives are counting on the next step that we make.
Remind us there's a difference between justice and revenge, and that the means aren't always justified by ends.
If good can come of tragedy, help us find the way. If broken hearts are mended, let it be so today.
Where terror lurks and hatred rules let hope break through to ease each hardened heart, but most of all, we ask for peace.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson /Drums & Harmony Vocals: Kipper /Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Keyboard: Gordon / Background Vocals: Taylor Anderson, Sarah Ashenbrenner, & Elizabeth Zabel
Teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Show me how to love, and how to do my part.
Guide me in the paths of wise ones who went before. Never leave me lonely - walk beside me, Lord.
Help each of us to understand what there is to learn; the past has many lessons, but we must know when to turn.
Our other cheek is bruised so we watch our every move, but peace must start somewhere, mercy, and love.
A challenge is before us, our future is at stake - many lives are counting on the next step that we make.
Remind us there's a difference between justice and revenge, and that the means aren't always justified by ends.
If good can come of tragedy, help us find the way. If broken hearts are mended, let it be so today.
Where terror lurks and hatred rules let hope break through to ease each hardened heart, but most of all, we ask for peace.
Bass & Electric Guitars: Mattson /Drums & Harmony Vocals: Kipper /Acoustic Guitar: Meyer / Keyboard: Gordon / Background Vocals: Taylor Anderson, Sarah Ashenbrenner, & Elizabeth Zabel