Ballad of the Person I was Yesterday
You know, when I was seven... I wanted to be a priest I
thought I could help my people and my God. And I believed that God made Man, and that if Man were drowning he would
give him a hand And the person that I am today lost faith in God. But then times change and people change... balloons
aren't made to last forever but the hopes I had for today sorta got kinda lost by the person that I was yesterday. You
know, when I was eight... I was a member of the greatest family My hand in theirs, I could walk through walls of fire. But
then, before I knew, I was nine, and I stood without a family before my time, and the person that I am today can't walk
through fire. But then times change and people change... an eagle's life can't be arranged but the hopes
I had for today sorta got kinda lost by the person that I was yesterday. I guess I always knew, I wanted to
finish school My future I could not afford to lose But then I left it all for a while and learned a bit about love
through the eyes of a child and the person that I am today is gonna be alright. Because times change and people
change... and trains don't always run on time but as long as I'm running my life I'll live for the day that I can
walk through walls of fire. When I think about all I've got how can I feel regret... For the person that
I was yesterday? The person that I was yesterday...
© 1976 From the collection, "John B. and Me"
Symetry
|
The Fool
Hello stranger, I'm a fool who shares my heart and lets you
see inside your own Hello stranger, can't you see? I have doubts and fears the same as you've been locking up inside.
And maybe, we can walk the road together. We'll share some neon lights and carousels Someday I'll
be a star and you'll be what you always dreamed And we'll both teach the world to hope No matter how things seem.
Hey, I'm glad to hear the news, Though I'll miss you when you're gone we'll get together soon. We
can write most every day, And we'll sure have fun when you return next summer.
And maybe, we can walk the road together. We'll share some neon lights and carousels Someday I'll
be a star and you'll be what you always dreamed And we'll both teach the world to hope No matter how things seem.
And I still speak well of you, Everytime I bore someone with my life's story...there's your name, Though
when last we met, We hadn't much to say.
But, hey! We sure walked the road together. We shared some neon lights and carousels. Someday I'll
be a star and you'll be what you always dreamed And we'll both teach the world to hope No matter how things seem.
Hello stranger, I'm a fool Who shares my heart and somehow bounces back again. And I know the road
you seek, So I'll point the way and then you're on your own.
And maybe, we can walk the road together. We'll share some neon lights and carousels Someday I'll
be a star and you'll be what you always dreamed And we'll both teach the world to hope No matter how things seem.
© 1980 From the collection, "John B. and Me"
Legacy
Our Mountain
Growing up At the same time, The same world, The same
life. It doesn't matter who was here first. What do any of us know, anyway?
I've seen my life in times of darkness, When I needed...Oh, how I needed a friend! And there he
was... (though he might have been there all the time.) He is my brother. And I've seen the beams of light shine from
him to me. And then I've seen him in his own private hour of darkness And then I only wish he could see some light in
me.
Brothers we have many in this world of ours. Some who shine like stars and some like candles. But
the shine is from within, unlike a makeup. And the light from a candle small comes from it's very own flame, And
the light from the stars above Are but reflections of the sun. And will you be the man? Or the mirror? . . . .
. . . . . . Yesterday, I saw myself within a moving shadow on the ground The day before, in a long since written page. And
I've seen myself in other's ways, in times of pain and joy and doubt. At last I think I'm finding what it's all
about.
Why do we only live our lives? Let institutions plan our fate? Just to whom do I owe the life which
keeps my mind? Each day I'm gonna make my life. My own creative, soulful life... MY OWN CREATIVE, SOULFUL LIFE! Let
some expression be at hand Before boredom takes my life.
I read what Mr. Emerson thought Over a hundred years ago When, suddenly, he knew that I was there. He
told me through his written page I was doing what was best. If dead men understand, why can't the rest?
Don't just live your life That becomes boring. But MAKE your life Cause that is challenging. And
that challenge ain't defeating ...Heaven's in your mind And so is hell and reality It's all an attitude And it's
in your mind, the choice is yours. Is it Heaven or is it Hell? Will you take the time to look inside?
Sitting in the park, in contemplation. Marked by many thoughts Most were new, but many old and worn. When
suddenly my gaze within the shadow of a tree, Shed light, not on the wooded ground, but me. A single spark in the realm
of the light of Truth Illuminates the soul with a radiance That makes the soul bow down in gratefulness For the life
it has been given, At the same time, Looking down on all in unobstructed joy and peace.
Tell me what's it all about Before boredom takes the life. Unobstructed joy and peace? Shed that
light on me! . . . . . . . . . . What's this I see before my eyes? Now things seem different... My ears are hearing
tunes I never heard before... And just above someone familiar walks the same path... See you there... I see you there
on our mountain.
The music never ends, but changes. No, the music never ends, but changes. When the colors are brighter And
the smells are sweeter And the light becomes lighter And the bells ring clearer I'll see you there... I'll see
you there on our mountain.
© 1974 From the collection, "John B. and Me"
|