LYRICS | The Taproots

COMEDY OF FOOLS

BOURBON STREET

 I made it down to Mardi Gras

All your friends were there

Having fun and getting drunk

Beads around your necks, whiskey in your hand

If I told you how I’ve been

Would you even care?

I’ve gotta get myself off Bourbon Street

Try and clear my head, catch a little air

You moved on, I’m still grieving

On my own with all these feelings

I got down to that waterfront

Those river boats were there

Just drifting by like my own life

Mired in muddy waters, a little worse for wear

I guess it’s all a wake up call

Been drinking way too much

I’ve gotta get myself off bourbon Street

Before I lose my mind, I think I’ve seen enough.

It only worked when we weren’t sober.

Why am I surprised that it’s all over

Yeah if I told you how I’ve been

Would you even care?

No I’m not going back to Bourbon Street

You and that whiskey, best to leave you there

I’m getting off of Bourbon Street

I’m stepping off of Bourbon Street

I’m getting off of Bourbon Street oh yeah

I’m stepping off of Bourbon Street

I DON’T BELIEVE

Talking it up, breaking it down

Every time I ever come around

Saying your high, saying your low

Now your somewhere in Mexico

And you think I’m naive

Some kind of fool

But I see what goes down on the avenue

Say what you want, do what you will

I don’t believe what they’re saying

I don’t believe that it’s true

Making it up, wearing me down

What’s the point for you to hang around

Saying it’s late, too late to go

I guess I’ll head down to Mexico

And you think I’m naive

Some kind of fool

But I see what goes down on the avenue

Say what you want, do what you will

I don’t believe what they’re saying

I don’t believe that it’s true

I don’t believe what they’re saying

I don’t believe that it’s true

And you think I’m naive

Some kind of fool

But I see what goes down on the avenue

Say what you want, do what you will

I don’t believe what they’re saying

I don’t believe that it’s true

No no no

I don’t believe what they’re saying

I don’t believe that it’s true

MONTEREY

This is a day I won’t remember

No matter how I try I know those eyes

But I can’t place your name

You tell me you’re my son

That it’s now December

But I get lost again

In the fog again

A million miles away from California

Women spinning prayers

Out to the Tibetan Sky

I once traveled there back when

Or what it all some dream?

I can’t remember…remember

Oh God, how did I make it this far?

Hold on, where’s the key to my car?

Don’t you see I need to drive back to Monterey

It’s getting so late

You say it’s okay

I had a life some would admire

Sharper then a razor blade they say when I retired

You bring these photographs you have

These family and friends

They’re just strangers now

It’s getting stranger now

Oh God, how did I make it this far?

Hold on, where’s the key to my car?

Don’t you see I need to drive back to Monterey

It’s getting so late

You say it’s okay

COMEDY OF FOOLS

Lift me up don’t let me down

Face me square don’t turn around

Speak your mind now if you dare

I can’t know if you don’t share

I’ll give my heart, I’ll give my word

You can fly off like some bird

Try to lay out what is true

That’s the way we’ll make it through it all

Ooooh

We can always stir things up

 When the same of song is not enough

Leave some things out there for chance

You can show me how to dance

And I will try and let be you

Who you are if you let me

‘Cause no one loves you like I do

That’s the way we’ll make it through it all

Ooooh

And around and around and around and around and around and around we go

In this comedy of fools

Around and around and around with nothin’ much to show

Just some vanity and blues

Do you feel the things I feel

Is the there more I should reveal?

Do you have another side?

Let us share the things we hide

‘Cause we both see that open door

Where’s the ceiling, where’s the floor?

It’s a journey me and you

That’s the way we’ll make it through it all

Ooooh

And around and around and around and around and around and around we go

In this comedy of fools

Around and around and around with nothin’ much to show

Just some vanity and blues

Lift me up don’t let me down

Face me square don’t turn around

Speak your mind now if you dare

I can’t know if you don’t share

I’ll give my heart I’ll give my word

You can fly like some bird

Try to lay out what is true

That’s the way we’ll make it through it all

FAMILIES OF ORIGIN

Drinkin’ beers on the back of his truck

A hundred and five in the Ukiah sun

We built a barn we were and stupid and young

Still wet behind those ears

Lofty dreams and some fantasy

Of living the good life up in those trees

But he was from a damaged family

He could not reconcile

That gravity it seemed to keep pulling him down These families of origin

They stick around

Or go underground

They never leave town

She tried her best and she did okay

Raising two kids alone, she found a way

But every man she picked led her astray

Or took her for some ride

Now it feels like she’s found her tribe

Kindred sisters of love and light

But little voices come to her in the night

They just won’t let her be

This gravity is seems to keep pulling her down

These families of origin

They stick around

Or go underground

They never leave town

Thinking we’ve transcended

The echoes of our past

But the wounds go on unmended

And those memories still last

Years fly and I’m feeling my age

Stumbling through these latter stages

I see my folks in this weathered face

They’re staring back at me

But feeling blessed when I look around

So many other heads are hanging down

They’re estranged or still angry now

At the ones who raised them up

That gravity it seems to keep pulling us down

These families of origin they stick around

Or go underground

They never leave town

SILLY DREAMS

Go to sleep my dear sweet daughter

Gravity has got your eyes

Sail off into the night

To islands with marshmallow skies

Purple moons

I’ve have dreams when

I’m awakeYou’re a woman tall and stately

You have a child of your own

By the bay skipping stonesJust like you did

And the stars have aligned

The world got somehow kinder

And this wounded earth is healing day by dayY

ou’re wiser than your father

And not much seems to bother you

You ’re happy and it’s making me happy too

What if our silly dreams all came true?

In your dreams do you ride dolphins

Flying fish are winging by

Your two best of friends are there

Magical balloons in the air

Sing to you

I’ve had this dream you’re off in Paris

Class is over, you’re with your love

Outside a Parisian cafe

Accordions starting to play

And the stars have aligned

The world got somehow kinder

And this wounded earth is healing day by day

You’re wiser than your father

And not much seems to bother you

You ’re happy and that’s making me happy too

What if our silly dreams all came true?

EVERY CHILD

We all need some shelter

Some place that we can call our home

I’m looking all around this world

So many have to scrap and roam

From San Jose to Mozambique

All the same things that we seek

I am you are every child

Everybody needs affection From family or dear friends

When we lose connection

Troubles never seems to end

The human warmth that gets us through

From to London Square to Katmandu

I am you are every child

Kids they need direction

Somebody who can point the way

I’m seeing now without exception

How this kindness comes into play

The little things we overlook

You don’t need no holy book

I am you are every child

KATY

Katy. Katy, the things I’ve heard

Your father told you you had no worth

Your mother was another piece of work

He kicked around in the construction field

When it all crashed, oh it got got surreal

You had to run away into my arms

From the frying pan into a passionate fire

Since that day we’ve been dangling by a wire

Rusted cars out in the yard

The grass is turning brown

Building houses on credit cards

Falling to the ground, fallen to the ground.

I know Katy, I know it’s hard

I just can’t stick around.

Katy baby, it’s a little sad

How you keep searching for another dad

Or some pretty boy who treats you liked dirt

It’s no mystery will come from

Poster children for dysfunction.

Why do we even think this could ever work?

We were naïve, a little bit out of our minds They all said it’s just a matter of time.

Rusted cars out in the yard

The grass is turning brown

Building houses on credit cards

Falling to the ground fallen to the ground

I know Katy, I know it’s hard

I just can’t stay around.

Katy now it hurts to see you sad

I gave you things that you never had

A house in the burbs, some stable ground

We were never gonna tie that knot

And Bakersfield just ain’t that hot

There might be more to life than these valley towns.

You’re still wondering, wondering what went wrong It’s our history we just can’t get beyond

Rusted cars out in the yard

The grass is turning brown

Building houses on credit cards

Falling to the ground, fallen to the ground

I know Katy, I know it’s hard

I just can’t stick around

SHINE

These troubled times they can get you down

Every time I turn around I hearth saying

“It’s hopeless now “

But something inside says that ain’t right

Never been a better time now

To offer some light

And I’m not talking about faking a smile

Shedding tears of a crocodile

Just do your best to try and be kind

See what you find

You might be surprised

Now where do we fit in in this great big universe

Are we satellites the love or somehow cursed?

Am I only trippin’ or is it true

We’re mirrors of the spirit me and you?

And rose colored glasses never worked for me

I don’t look for heaven for my destiny

I like to tap into that big mind

And it likes to shine…shinin’ all the time

Now I hear your reasons for packing it in

Nothing seems to change much, but then again Things evolve when conditions are ripe

There’s always darkness before the light

And you might think I’m a fool, but I don’t care

What others are saying ain’t here nor there

So if you’re feeling that sweet light inside,

Just let it shine…oh let is shine

Let is shine

TALES OF WONDERLAND

CALIFORNIA LIFE

A wink at the myth and mystique of California and an homage to my relatives who grew up in Los Angeles.

My grandpa grew up near Wilshire and Vine

City of Angels, back in the time

He got around on that red car line

He really loved that California life

My daddy stayed and he worked off his tail

Come Friday he’s ready to sail
Out of San Pedro into the night

He just loved that California life

Well I like the Midwest but they’re kind of straight

I did the East Coast I couldn’t relate

People out there seemed a little uptight

They don’t get this California life

Oh yeah...Oh yeah

We’ve got the sunshine we’ve got the sea

We’re making movies and we like to be

Setting the trends, changing the times

Have a sip of this California wine

They say we’re shallow, they say we’re slack

But when they come here they never move back

What does that say? It ain’t no lie

They just love this California life

Oh yeah...Oh yeah

My grandpa grew up near Wilshire and Vine

City of Angels, back in the time

He got around on that red car line

He just loved that California life

They all love this California life

We all love that California life

BIG FAT LOVE

Having one's world radically shifted by a new love.

I had my feet in the clouds, head in the sand

With flailing arms and jittery hands

I was losin’ faith, a bitter man

Sometimes life can do that to you

I admit I was a cynical one

I’d see two lovers and I’d think “that’s so dumb”

It won’t be long and he’ll have wished he had run

But you. made me want to believe

Believe in love

The kind I’ve never felt before

You’re cracking these walls, bustin’ down doors

With your big fat love.

Well it’s so easy to dodge and hide

Don’t take a look at what’s shaking inside

I closed my eyes, went along for the ride

I’m sure you understand that

I’m beginning to see the forest from the trees

But I’m still stumped by the mystery

How you could change this heart so damn easily

Ah you make me want to believe

Believe in love

The kind I’ve never felt before

You’re cracking these walls, bustin’ down doors

With your big fat love.

Ah it just keeps growin and growin

And I still don’t know how you do it

Got my feet on the ground, I'm smiling again

But there’s still some things I don’t understand

How you came along and changed all my plans

You made me want to believe

You make me want to believe

HAARLEM

A transatlantic love song inspired by a stay in the charming Dutch city of Haarlem.

The leaves of Autumn are falling

As I sit here alone

Is it raining in Haarlem?

Glazing up those cobblestones…in Haarlem

Too much time in my car here

In the madness of L.A.

You ride your bike there in Haarlem

Bouncing down those alleyways…Oh Alleyways

Yeah I still wonder what you dream of

Underneath those

Sheets and covers we once shared

Were you that unhappy or were you just scared?

And I still wonder why you flew

Don’t understand

When true love is so hard to find

Somehow I believe that you could change your mind

Night has fallen on Haarlem

Here it’s 4am

Thought of callin’ it’s hard when

I’m unsure of where we stand…where we stand

Yeah I still wonder what you dream of

Underneath those

Sheets and covers we once shared

Were you that unhappy or were you just scared?

And I still wonder why you flew

Don’t understand

When true love is so hard to find

Somehow I believe that you could change your mind

The leaves of Autumn are falling

As I wait here alone

Is it raining in Haarlem?

And are you ever comin’ home?

Comin’ home?

Come on home!

WILD LIKE A RIVER

A song about working one's way back to simplicity, inspired by the beauty of Kauai and written on cheap ukulele.

Once in awhile in your life, well there comes a surprise
Is it the crack in the armor that opens the your eyes?
Pulling that rug out to see where you stand
Dancing along on a song ‘til the music just stopped
Thought I was over it all then the other shoe dropped
I lost my bearings but now I'm finding my way

Finding my heart again
That tender one that I knew as a child
Treasuring little things
Imagination running, running, running wild
Wild like a river after the rains
Washing me, wash me clean again

There's a little cafe off of 2nd Street
Been waitressing every day since she was seventeen
Said feeds me her stories, her half swallowed dreams

All of these plans that I had, well you know how plans go
I had a child with this boy, where dad is no one knows
And it left me so bitter, now I'm tired of the cold

Finding my heart again
That tender one that I knew as a child
Treasuring little things
Imagination running, running, running wild
Wild like a river after the rains
Washing me, wash me clean gain

Sittin' on top of the world or we thought that he was
With all of his money and houses, it was never enough
At the end of the journey well I guess he woke up. He said

Go find your heart again
That tender one that you knew as a child

Treasuring little things
Imagination running, running, running wild
Wild like the river after the rains
Washing you, wash you clean gain

COMPASS

Wisdom from an elderly woman 30,000 feet above Colorado.

Seated there by the window

For the view

We were flying above the Rockies

Sky so blue

She said she was not long

For this fleeting world

Reflected upon her marriage

Here life as a little girl

But soon the wisdom flowed

Don’t let the sun go down on the dreams that you hold

Cherish the ones you love, when you can let them know

Let your heart be your compass, it’s there to guide you

When you’re not sure which way to go

Back at the five and dime

Where it all began

I spotted him through the window

He was such a handsome man

Fifty years together

And no regrets

We accepted the roses with those thorns

Hard times with the best

But ahh, you’re still young

Don’t let the sun go down on the dreams that you hold

Cherish the ones you love, when you can let them know

Let your heart be your compass, it’s there to guide you

When you’re not sure which way to go

ONTARIO

A Canadian in a US airport longing to get back to a metaphorical home beyond the mailase and

anger he sees in modern America.

Stick and stones

Flyin’ across the screen tonight

Angry tones

Waitin’ for this red eye flight

The politics of blood and bones

I just want to get back home

Ontario

Fighter planes

Soar above the football field

Patriot games

We all love the way that it feels

History knows where this all goes

Is it time to get back home?

Ontario

Silver waters shining

Reflecting the moon

Ontario, Ontario, Ontario

Kids seems bored

Spaced out, just hangin’ around

The same twelve stores

In the malls of every town

Small guy he ain’t got a prayer

But no one really seems to care

Hey let it go

Silver waters shining

Reflecting the moon

Ontario, Ontario, Ontario

The buzz of drones

Overhead, filming it all

The glow of phones

Heads locked in a permanent bow

To some Mecca, I don’t know

How we gonna get back home? Ontario

Oh Say Can You See?

BELIEF

Wisdom is where you find it, in this case a bumper sticker on an old Toyota. Don’t believe everything you think.

Within the family, all through school

In politics, religion too

There’s plenty of kool-aid to be sold

Don’t believe everything you’re told

Well I doubt I’ll make it very far

I’m too fat and I’m not smart

I’m getting older, too hard to change

Don’t believe everything you think

It cuts right to the bone

Nothin’s ever set in stone

Out of the papers the stories flow

These tales of war just never get old

They were liberated now they’re free

Don’t believe every thing you read

Black and white, right and wrong

Chaos and color, where do they belong?

We know deep down there’s a missing link

Don’t believe everything you think

It cuts right to the bone

Nothing’s ever set in stone

Made my way to a mountain top

This wise man laughed and he wouldn’t stop

He raised a flower then he gave a wink

Don’t believe everything you think

BETTER MAN

We've all known people with poor “pickers”.

When I met your Jason he seemed kinda cool

But living with his mom you know that’s just one of my rules

This momma’s boy thing can get out of hand

Don’t you think that you could find a better man

The there was Nathan so shy and cute

Didn’t say much, you know that guy from the art institute

Seemed awfully moody I don’t understand

Why you just can’t seem to find a better man

A better man come on and raise that bar

Or maybe go and find out just who you really are

‘Cause the choices you’re making

Well they’re kind of bizarre

Yes they are

Now they all loved josh, so handsome and wild

I know he said he loved you and god that smile

But he’ll run away when he finds a new toy

Don’t you think that you could find a different boy?

Then there was Kyle, it went on for a while

But he couldn’t commit, ‘cause he’s still a child

The decisions you make I don’t understand

You could use a better man

A better man come on and raise that bar

Or maybe go and find out just who you really are

Cause thee choices your making

They’re kind of bizarre...Girl yes they are

Remember Dave with his big man cave?

So alpha and strong, you know he could never be wrong

I’m just relieved you never gave him your hand

Honey you deserve to find a better man

A better man come on and raise that bar

Or maybe go and find out just who you really are

Cause the choices your making

They’re kind of bizarre

Yes they are

Better man....better man....better man

INVISIBLE FRIENDS

Seeing farmworkers in the fields during a massive California wildfire inspired this tribute to frontline workers and immigrants who keep the wheels turning for everyone.

He’s waking, she’s walking,

Long before the sun reveals its rays

It’s an army, these bodies

Propping up the world again day

Heading out onto the 405

Everybody’s gotta live their lives

It’s a great day at the Holiday Inn

It’s another day for the invisible friends

He’s kneeling, she’s bending,

Baking in the hot Salinas sun

These berries are ready

Truck is filled, here comes another one

Rolling down off of the 101

Eight more hours and I think we’re done

It’s a fine meal at the Holiday Inn

It’s another day for the invisible friends

I’m hearing, I’m praying

These sounds are only in my head

The ICE men are coming

It’s a moment everybody dreads

Hear the mothers and the children cry

But you can bet no one will see their eyes

It’s a quiet night at the Holiday Inn

It’s another day for the invisible friends

He’s waking, she’s walking

Long before the sun begins to shine

He’s cooking, she’s cleaning,

Picking up the mess we leave behind

Heading out onto the 405

Everybody’s gotta live their lives

It’s a great day at the Holiday Inn

It’s another day for the invisible friends

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

A reflective song about about change and impermanence, one of my favorite themes.

My father was a good man…best as I recall
Memories of playin’ catch, that picture on the wall
But he left one morning… guess there was some fight
I couldn't understand it…I was only five
Where are you now? Where are you now?

I had just turned nine, it was a windy afternoon
The cold December rain, seem to fit the mood
They said that my sweet grandma was in a better place
So why are you all cryin'?...They couldn’t really say
Where are you now? Where are you now?

The years fly like geese
Across a western sky
These patterns of great beauty
And they don't even try
May we find that grace
Those winds that lift us high…Oooohhh

At twenty years of age I fell deep in love
There were no shades of grey, I couldn’t get enough
Somehow along the way I must have made her cry \cry
She said it wasn't me, before she said goodbye

Where are you now? Where are you now?

Now friends have come and gone, some remained the same
The rest became chameleons, adapting to the game
Robert left for stardom, Jack become a cop
Claire went off to feed her head, I guess she couldn't stop
Where are you now? Where are you now?

The years fly like geese Across a western sky

These patterns of great beauty

And they don't even try

May we find that grace

Those winds that lift us high

WOLF IN THE WOODLAND

A song about someone with a narcissistic personality. The listener can connect the dots,

You’ve got this grin that runs ear to ear

Yeah you’re the reason that everyone’s here

Hanging on to every word that you say

It all just makes me want to get away

You’ve got tastes but they’re not refined

An adult body with a little boy’s mind

And far more money than I’ll ever see

But I don’t think I want you next to me

Is that ice running through your veins?

Is your life now just one charade?

Taking what you can

While you’re acting like the wise man

Leaving all the others in the dust

Hiding from yourself like a wolf in the woodland

Oh you lie like a Turkish rug

You’ve got the mind of some Russian thug

With true believers standing there by your side

And all the rich climbing on for the ride

Now you’re in charge and it’s giving us chills

I heard some doctor says you’re really not well

It’s a ruse, yeah the ultimate con

But the clown show’s here and it keep rolling on

And on and on and on and on and on and on

Is that ice running through your veins?

Is your life now just one charade?

Taking what you can

While you’re acting like the wise man

Leaving all the others in the dust

Hiding from yourself like a wolf in the woodland

COMFORT ZONE

I streamed a podcast titled, “Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone" at 3 am and couldn't get it out of my head.

Creeping down that road up in Morgan Hill

Traffic was stalled I had some time to kill

Stumbled upon some local pub

Thought I’d grab a beer, maybe some grub

This wannabe cowboy saddles up next to me

A couple of drinks we were just talkin’ free

I told him I was struggling with my divorce

He said I did too, why of course
Don’t be afraid that you’re all alone

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

A few months later I was on this date

I met her online she said it was fate

“Come home with me” I said, “Isn’t that a little fast?”

Ah she just laughed. “Have another glass”

Well I learned a few things I just didn’t know

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

Further down the road things were going south

I had to go find a shrink just to open my mouth

Then it finally sank in I was clinging to fear

He said our time is done now, get on out of here

Well thank you Doc, any advice for the road?

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

Somehow I ended up at this house of retreat

No distractions allowed, didn’t speak for a week

Staring at the wall I could see my own mind

It was a little disturbing but sweetly sublime

Opening up to the great unknown

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

MY SUNLIGHT

A love that's meant to be?

Roses in winter

Stars in the day

Filling my head with wonder

How you pulled me away

I don’t have an answer

But this I can say

You’re my sunlight

I stare out this window

And I can’t deny

You’re bringing more light to my life

Than this Manhattan Sky

I couldn’t be down now

Baby if I tried

You’re my moonlight

Where this love is taking me

It’s making me see things I couldn’t see

Don’t you think my love

Do you think my love

It’s meant to be?

So what is the difference

Between now and then

Is it just the drug of love

Are you my deepest friend?

It’s hard to describe it

But honey in the end

You’re my sunshine

Where this love is taking me

It’s making me see things I couldn’t see

Don’t you think my love

Do you think my love

It’s meant to be?

Don’t you think my love

It’s meant to be?

FATE OF FIRE

A song of recklesss love, and its emotional residue.

It started as a flame, turned into a fire

Nothing to blame but pure desire

Smoke was getting worse hour by hour

Was it some curse or some higher power?

We climbed that fence, car was hot wired

Drove to the end then we blew out the tires

Left out on that road naked to the world

Nowhere to go, nowhere to turn

Standing in the ashes

Waiting for the rain

These embers of desire

Burning in the recall

Kissing you again

In that field of barbed wire

Smoldering inside me still

That’s the fate of fire

Where’s my money, where is my respect?

I can still taste the side of your neck

Looking for direction out of this trance

I found that arson it was that first glance

Standing in the ashes

Waiting for the rain

These embers of desire

Burning in the recall

Kissing you again

In that field of barbed wire

Smoldering inside me still

That’s the fate of fire

It started as a flame, turned into a fire

Nothing to blame but pure desire

Smoke was getting worse hour by hour

Was it some curse or some higher power?

Standing in the ashes

Waiting for the rain

These embers of desire

Burning in the recall

Kissing you again

In that field of barbed wire

Smoldering inside me still

That’s the fate of fire

Fate of fire...fate of fire