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Under City Lights

by John Nels

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1.
Under City Lights We walk the long wide streets Intersections turn into one-ways and we move those feet to the city beat Commercial connects where tourists mark their spot Congress resides at the center of both you and I Where I can find an honest friend Where I can pretend to live At Monument Square I send My mind and body to transcend Just listen to my rant It ain't short but sure is sweet My time I fear is running low For the possibility to meet At High and Free Street we must confide Past the Dooryard we'll find our stroll Once you take a look we'll go inside There ain't no heat so we'll hold our souls Where I can find an honest friend Where I can pretend to live At Monument Square I send My mind and body to transcend
2.
It's a busy scene dear if I've ever seen one one Painted canvases for father and sons To each their own devices left to find In a sea of oiled pigments Most, unkind It's a big day out for, the whole family unit Full of tents and friends you know they're all into it We tread for miles in, persistent focus Just hope to stumble on, some hocus-pocus Come out and play today, ring the bells and say Come out and play today, come out to play, play Pass that smile around, to the neighbors please Share a moment, sure to appease Pass that smile around, to the neighbors please Share a moment, sure to appease you
3.
Be proud- of the id we've come to know It's not so easy when you've got a lot of reaping to sew Made a list- of enemies gained here and there Gotta smile when they notice; not so much when they don't care Gotta smile if they notice; whenever and anywhere Parade around, mr. sideshow Comfort us per oral demand Dance the dance for entertainment Dance the dance on command Dance the dance on command Tap them feet- keep relative harmony Got a feeling that the limelight won't keep your seat Playing the circuit is playing the circus Elastic men with rubber hands extend their reach Sketchy men with dirty hands; remember what they preach Silence isn't gold Violence shakes the hold Persistence is the key Persistence let's them free
4.
In the age of reason, came a man from New Sweden And he sought to leave his world behind So he moved to the land, where the people would understand That it didn't matter where he really came from Open up your hearts; it's over-run- with love and soul Open up your hearts; it's over-run- with love and soul Soon after he found a home, where he'll never be alone Surrounded by new friends and family He rejoiced in his findings, wrapped in greetings and yule tidings In this great town called Port Rock City Give it back- give it back -give it back... to you Just relax- just relax -just relax- he loves you
5.
Modern Table 04:51
Broke another string again- chords unable to Sing out in perfect harmony- We'll still be fortunate to bring the charming lyrics to life- from the stable pass off verse in perfect time- hear those god damn fables (Out loud)- join the chorus as they cry- for tradition (Out loud)- join the chorus as they sigh- for redemption Around our modern table Around our modern table Write a tune to carry on- our ambition Take our turns to start aloud- the sensation of Love in our hearts it's just too strong- to contain it keep stomping on those feet- keep on god damn yelling (Out loud)- join the chorus as they cry- for tradition (Out loud)- join the chorus when they sigh- for redemption (Out loud)- join the chorus as they cry- for tradition (Out loud)- join the chorus when they sigh- for redemption
6.
Sunday-- is fucking tense. A day to start the work week. Exhausts me, Consumes me Before I can contain my thoughts and conclusion on the weekend Well time's a-- killing joke; worth a token of blame Insults me, Confronts me One last horrah to pace the next five days; and start the next endless pace Well I don't give a damn About the modern man He moves too fast for his own good Moves too slow for those who should Pass, pass, pass his ass
7.
Well I recall the days spent inside Just to be sure i was the only one who could hear me yell Restrained my body and my mind all the time Pretend that I am born of the flesh- born of flesh I was born for something more- for something more more. more. More. But you see the storm's coming closer The clouds are almost there; prepare so be aware of this heavy storm so beware of the heavy pour. I was born for something more: for something more We've become too slow to notice we've failed Gotta try now to find another way out Another way out Another way out Way out of the fire of the fire
8.
Coffee and cigarettes start off my day It's a means to an end from a selfish way Ironed shirts and pants make a man feel proud Until the lack of a bed cuts smile down to a frown Cause I've garnered no success, A path that feels disappointed And anointed- by Foolish ways Foolish ways If you could please- interject Please intercept me If you could please- interject Please intercept my foolish ways The non-nicotine and caffeine pawn off the rest Of the bad influences- high-strung and high-test I'm waiting for the man, his tune carries loud I'll take a shot in the head, or a stab in the brow I've garnered no success, A path that feels disappointed And anointed- by Foolish ways Foolish ways If you could please- interject Please intercept me If you could please- interject Please intercept my foolish ways
9.
The Victor 03:40
Why do I bother- writing this song for you Why should I cover- thoughts that I deem true If you feel- it's too honest to share aloud If you feel- those moments were lost in sound Then I guess I'll reconsider But why when I could be- off forgetting you But why when I should be- the wiser of the two of us ...As if it really mattered now I know that I will be- I know that I will be the victor Succeed with my inner battle- a little less room for hate Proceed with the matter- just for my own sake Well I have found- at this stage in time I used to remind you- of what we've been through Respect me, don't contest me Regret me, but don't forget me But why when I could be- off forgetting you But why when I should be- the wiser of the two of us ...As if it really mattered now I know that I will be- I know that I will be the victor
10.
Come back tomorrow Vacancies rarely congeal Have the manager check the call log If an opening haphazardly appears Hit the corner stores for beers Trade your hopeless tears for fears Ten dollars to the name and soul Hang up the pants- on the couch and smoke a bowl See some friends for drink or two While I stare at the phone and hope for a cue Hoping for a message out of the blue But none are directly asking for you Dear Employer; please reply Give your number- another try A perfect reference, in perfect form Find yourself in- dire form Wait for calls ya- waited too long for Wanna be off of- State and need So long, it's been so long Weeks and months- have gone by Feeling down and out- as if you didn't try Try one last time- to get a hold of Try one last time- to get a hold of
11.
There comes a time- where we start to notice That nothing is what it seems When the tides that are turning undo the seam This sullied light has grown a bit dimmer- it's now time to spark into night Raise your arms and start brooding- prepare for the fight But if we're hoping for.a battle Rest your weary rest your weary Arms around me For reasons, uncertain, this time we'll carry on the strife It's not as bad as it seems- we'll carry on The belief that we're just as strong as steel- we'll carry on The belief that we're just as strong as steel (carry on)- ohh I feel.. It's in these times we all need to heal Combat the suits and litigation, combat the dead end armory File complaints against the ruling class to forfeit the jealousy It's not as bad as it seems- we'll carry on The belief that we're just as strong as steel- we'll carry on The belief that we're just as strong as steel (carry on)- ohh I feel.. It's in these times we all need to heal It's in these times we all need to heal The belief that we're just as strong as steel- we'll carry on It's in these times we all need to heal The belief that we're just as strong as steel- we'll carry on It's in these times we all need to heal The belief that we're just as strong as steel- we'll carry on It's in these times we all need to heal The belief that we're just as strong as steel. Rest your weary. Rest your weary. Arms around me Rest your weary. Rest your weary. Arms around me
12.
Harder times are coming Faster than we'd like to see Softer skins are folding Graphed and rooted to the tee But we'd all like to be The cause and root of evil Of evil Of evil Endless summer rages on Apart from callused hands We all belong to a sacred part Of all the world commands I'd give you my all, I'll give you more Of the season's delicate end...to fall You're evil.
13.
Pardon me dear- the day's end is near and my scatterbrained head is shot. Escort you home in a subtle constant tone- lean on me when you black out. Almost there- cover that face that you wear- past the cobble stone we walk. You're body feels tough- we're almost to the loft where I'll drop you off. But no- you whispered 'You know- I need to go'- you whispered 'No.'- you whispered Softly; out of mind and context Partly; due to needs and circumstance in my mind I tucked you in- the bed's broken in -and I begin my walk home. Past the storied heights in this starry night- they are a comfort to me Past the boulevard, past the colored cars- Drunken Man; Move Briskly We're under city lights we walk the long wide streets Intersections turn into one-ways and move those feet to the city beat Commercial connects where tourists mark their spot Congress resides at the center of both you and I Where can I find an honest friend? Where can I pretend to live? At Monument Square I send My mind and body to try to transcend Under City Lights

about

Latest album from Maine native, John Nels.

credits

released November 11, 2011

All instruments and vocals by John Nels Blanchette with the following key exceptions:
Charles C Gagne - drums (all tracks)
Tim Beaulieu - keys (track 13)
Susanne Gerry - vocals (tracks 2+6)
Sarah Klomparens - vocals (tracks 7+11)

Musical composition by John Nels with Chuck Gagne (drums), with the exception of track 4 accredited to John Nels Blanchette, Dylan Verner, and Adam Swain.

Recorded, Mixed, and "Mastered" by John Nels Blanchette.

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John Nels Portland, Maine

Born in Caribou, Maine- John Nels Blanchette is a proponent of home recording on a budget- with more than 10 albums and collaborations under his belt.

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