1. |
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they say a man's work is never done
the reward for being efficient
is the chance to do more work
cranking out the hours, never see the sun
a man's work is never done
my ancestors toiled in the mines
my decendants will ride space ships
to harvest comets' ice
today I'm behind this keyboard
spinning business lies
the paycheck keeps the tears out of my eyes (well mostly)
they say a man's work is never done
the reward for being efficient
is the chance to do more work
cranking out the hours, never see the sun
a man's work is never done
I keep the gears of policy in grease
most days I have a purpose
create processes, keep the peace
the wheels keep on turning
until retirement's release
and then, I can finally be at peace
they say a man's work is never done
the reward for being efficient
is the chance to do more work
cranking out the hours, never see the sun
a man's work is never done
I put in an honest effort
for what they say's an honest wage
just like people have been doing
since the earliest of age
I can hope to make a difference
or at best avoid the blame
but the basic circumstances never change
they say a man's work is never done
the reward for being efficient
is the chance to do more work
cranking out the hours, never see the sun
a man's work is never done
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2. |
teenage abomination
05:55
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I was born under the shadow of the Titan
my life mapped out before me, ahead of my first breath
to follow in the footsteps of my brethren
serving Emperors and hatching schemes, trawling hidden depths
Truly I'm a Teenage Abomination
neglected by the father, mother seeking to control
one true positive relationship of childhood
destroyed by social pressures, familial rankings to uphold
It pained me to become what was expected
high-achieving grudgby captain, top student of my class
i found solace in intensive competition
but appeared outwardly agressive, a mean-spirited ass!
your appearance shook me out of my alignment
an interloper from the human world, with glowing hazel eyes
didn't matter that you had no outward power
Jumped headlong into the Boiling Isles, not afraid to try
from inside the Owl House
you put basic order into doubt...
in whatever state we find ourselves
try to be yourself, you taught me that
we're all more than what we appear
go stuff it down the Choosy Hat!
no matter what dimension, mischief earns you a detention
one coven's not enough for you, you've gotta try 'em all.
You and your gang of outcasts made a difference
the cursed one, the monster, the friend that I had lost
even that thing that snakes out of the doorway
you all upset the order, I reconsidered my default
Most surprisingly you got through my defenses
finding common ground in stories, defending diaries
you opened up my secret room, rekindled old connections
by your very presence, i ground down anxieties
I felt drawn to you in ways I wasn't sure I understood
We saved the world on Grom night, earned the crowns
Together we cracked the long-standing rigid structures
both out there and in my heart, possibilities abound
Our education and adventures have uncovered
dark secrets that could threaten all the realms
we'll fight the shifting balance with our rag-tag party
our palismen together, we'll counter every spell!
Even without the Owl House
we'll bury any doubt...
in whichever realm we find ourselves
we'll stand together, be direct
we're all stronger than we appear
we're not here for brats to Collect
glyph or abomination, defending Hexside's population
one world's not enough for us, we've gotta save 'em all.
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3. |
the cat returns
02:17
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found you in the sewer like a common rat
a tiny wet, waterlogged cat
found good homes for your sibs,
took months 'til we couldn't see your ribs
But you came home with us, fell right in
calico kitty with black spotted chin
quick to purr, leapt with grace
don't get distracted by the resting bitch face
Loving life of leisure for four good years
then you slipped out, sparked our fears
after six months, we'd marked you gone
could you blame us, after that long?
our friend is gone
our friend is gone
hope she's safe, won't be long
our friend is gone
Years went by, pets came and went,
our memories saved, our hope was spent
eventually, life progressed
mourning's just a part of the process
a message from a miles' away vet
we scanned the chip, found your cat?
It's been four years, I'll be damned
I figured it had to be a scam!
But we checked back, sure enough
a scruffy calico with a face so tough
after years of wandering alone
found, brought in, scanned and phoned
our friend returned
our friend returned
she's home safe, our hope affirmed
our friend returned
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4. |
smiling with despair
03:57
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you know what they say about
tragedy plus time
it might be comic later, but
today's pain defies the rhyme
the 'now' is what I'm stuck with
but I can't just stop
so much depends upon my effort
responsibilities; can't drop
I might be dying - on the inside
put on the mask - to hide behind
for now I'm smiling with despair
the world I'm faced with doesn't care
there'll be time to wallow later
right now I cannot be impaired
I'll smile with despair
to get from here to there
i can collapse once I get past this
'til then my pain remains unshared
I don't dare contemplate specifics
or I risk cracking the facade
don't think too hard about it
it all stays camouflaged
I know that it's unhealthy
there is no other choice
the work has got to get done
before despondence gets a voice
keep it together - a few more hours
before I'm - overpowered
for now I'm smiling with despair
the world I'm faced with doesn't care
there'll be time to wallow later
right now I cannot be impaired
I'll smile with despair
to get from here to there
i can collapse once I get past this
'til then my pain remains unshared
bury despair behind the smile
it's what I've got to do!
reinforce the walls of pleasantry
It's the way to power through!
for now I'm smiling with despair
the world I'm faced with doesn't care
there'll be time to wallow later
right now I cannot be impaired
I'll smile with despair
to get from here to there
i can collapse once I get past this
'til then my pain remains unshared
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5. |
unseasonable
01:54
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dead of winter; cold and bluster
motivation; hard to muster
start and end work; under darkness
disconnected; loneliness upon us
however on occasion
climate defies expectation
longing for unseasonable days
sunshine bright, wind is warm
winter temporarily betrayed
welcome deviation from the norm
put the coat away
go outside enjoy the day
cancel meetings, knock off early
seek nature's blessings 'ere you go
indulge yourself, you are worthy
meetings will keep to tomorrow
shirtsleeves hiking
sun-drenched biking
Focus on this summer preview
take advantage; time is fleeting
be mindful; stop, enjoy the view
let go the guilt; seek the healing
refill sunlight deficiencies
no shame in getting what you need
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6. |
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We'll no longer raise a glass
to Guests of Honor past
from the channels of the Valles Marineris
Nor will we spend our nights
planning moves or rolling dice
from the lofty summits of Olympus Mons
Never again will fellows meet
to share meals in the suite
warming in the deep hallows of Tharsis
No longer will we sing
to the glory of our king
on the great plains of the Hellas Planitia
We mourn what we have lost to inevitable change
it's just a shame watch what we've built fall
belligence displaces, confrontation has upstaged
a community once welcoming to all
No more browsing market rooms
drinking in Cross-Time Saloons
shadowed by Syrtis Major Planum
stages remain silent
costumes no longer vibrant
no light reflected by the moon of Phobos
the pots no longer race
no children to give chase
across the vast Mare Erythraeum
no chosen families gather
no reunited joyous clatter
witnessed by the eye of Solis Lacus
We mourn what we have lost to inevitable change
it's just a shame watch what we've built fall
belligence displaces, confrontation has upstaged
a community once welcoming to all
I will always treasure
the memories we made
and the encouragement I always received
I was honored beyond measure
to be one of the last to sing
from the place where my confidence first breathed
I truly understand, inevitable change
I just hate to see such great thing fall
I hope I find such joy again, it's not the place, it's all the friends
that make community that's welcoming to all
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Chuck Parker Virginia
A performer for more than 35 years, Chuck has filled many musical roles: heavy metal guitarist, singer/songwriter, jazz
sideman, open mic host, filk circle regular, and World’s Okayest Bassist™.
A regular on the con circuit, find him at open mics and backing up the Blibbering Humdingers!
... more
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