The Jack Stafford Foundation

A bit of a Buddha

2012-02-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

VERSE
C Em/B
I was in Thailand when I, borrowed a book by a
Am G
Venerable Vietnamese monk

I don't recall the title or, much at all
Knowledge doesn't stick to me

BRIDGE
F G
But I remember, the gist of it
F G
And it helped me to read
A bit about the Buddha

VERSE
I already knew I had to, meditate
To deal with the problem called life

But now I know I have to, radiate
Compassion, and be in the moment

BRIDGE
I was thinking about last night
And making plans for tonight
Daydreaming my way round the world
Nothing like the Buddha

MIDDLE
Em Am
I was walking down the street today
Dm G
It wasn't raining anymore, but people were still under their umbrellas

The same thing happened to me, yesterday
You have to wake up to know you've been sleeping

BRIDGE
I'm waking up now about, 4 times a day
It's slow progress, still I'm
A bit of a Buddha

Panchakarma

2012-01-30T01:16:00.000-08:00

VERSE
C. F
My vata's deranged, blowing madly on everything
Am. G
My insides in motion baby, nothing' sitting where it should be

I'm in such a rage, my pit of pitta is boiling
While the kapha is clogging up everything, my doshas are feeding on each other

CHORUS
But a panchakarma will sort me out, bring me back to balance
A panchakarma will

VERSE
The vanama, will clear out the layers of kapha
I'll be on my knees, bringing up all those emotions

Then a virichan, will flush me clean right through
My pitta will be purified, from the bile left inside

The basti ain't pretty, but my colon's giving me headaches
Vat's just hiding out there, causing me so much pain

CHORUS

VERSE
A nasya is what I need, to put my prana back together
To get my head together, breathe as new again

While the rakta moksha

Gulf of Carpentaria

2011-07-26T00:47:00.001-07:00

Capo 7^th

VERSE

Em C

I know you’ve something on your mind

For many reasons now combined

I've become a floating wreck

BRIDGE

Am C Em

Across the Gulf of Carpentaria

VERSE

I’ve been selfish to extreme
I didn't mean though to be mean
The sea is doing things to me

CHORUS

G Em C G

Oh my darling, tell me I’m a fool

I won’t lie to you, you know I know it too

Oh my darling, I’ll remember to be

All the many things, you make me want me to be

VERSE
I'll make it up to you on land
When I'm back up on my feet
When all this rocking can't be remembered

BRIDGE

CHORUS

The dancer

2011-07-26T00:03:00.000-07:00

VERSE

He found in the back of a second hand shop at the bottom of a big brown box

She was worn and she was old

But with time he knew she’d dance again

VERSE

Took her for a pop, to his workshop, and worked on her around the clock

New clothes new hair, new make-up new stare

Polished all her circuitry and hoped that she would dance again

BRIDGE

A B

Her model was the best back in the day

A E

When robots were first the rage

But they’d been broken up or broken down

B E

And she was the only one left

VERSE

Finally he turned her on, and put a record on, but she wouldn’t move to any song

For months he played her music, but he couldn’t make her dance again

VERSE

She sat there at the back of his restoration shop for years as a talking point

Many came to see and many came to play, but none could make her dance again

BRIDGE

E B A E

Then one day, as he was closing the shop, a young man appeared by her side

He wore old fashioned clothes, held an antique instrument and spoke in the strangest voice

He said “old man I’ve heard of her, and I’ll make you a wager,

that if I play I'll break her trance”

VERSE

The restorer gave a laugh and said “of course that you can try but it will cost you that very nice guitar

the greatest have all played, but none have made her dance again”

MIDDLE

He picked up his guitar, readied himself, played a long forgotten song
Suddenly he burst into life, strutted and twirled, breakdanced and whirled

It sure was a sight to behold

Then they walked out the door, and he never saw either one again

But he’s not bitter he’s not sad, turns out she was a god awful dancer

Letting go

2011-07-22T20:50:00.002-07:00

Letting go

VERSE

Em C

Some days you feel happy, some days your head hangs low

Some days you’re sure about life, other days you just don’t know

Well take control of your feelings, be warm and be kind
Em Am C

You can’t control the factors, but you can your state of mind

CHORUS

G Em Am C

Do you ever, hold a grudge and make it bigger?

Do you ever, find yourself wishing you’d done something different?
Do you ever? uh huh, I bet you do

VERSE
Lift up your anchor, break the chains from above

Slip off the noose, open yourself to the highest love

Loads shouldn't be cherished, it's stupid to be proud of its weight
Em Am C

Don’t get caught in the circle of worry, detachment is what you need to learn

CHORUS

Do you ever, crave for things you don’t really need?

Do you ever, lie in your bed in a fit of worry?
Do you ever? oh yeah, I know I do

MIDDLE

Am
Worry is a virus

C
Deal with it and let it go

Forget the people
who you know have wronged you

Not for their sakes
But for yours

Forget your if onlys
Let go of what you can’t control

Em
Simplicity is the secret
Am C
You're the master of your happiness

CHORUS

Do you ever, hold a grudge and make it bigger?

Do you ever, find yourself wishing you’d done something different?
Do you ever? uh huh, I bet you do

I've been waiting for you

2011-07-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

Capo 7th

VERSE
C
I've been waiting for you
Am
For an hour or two
F G
But my patience has not worn out

Cos there's nothing it's true
That I'd rather do
Than spend my life waiting for you

BRIDGE
F. G
To be the first to see your face
When you walk into the day

CHORUS (chords as verse)
I see you're wearing your favourite shawl
That you bought from the market stall
I got it too I collect them all
It's stalker protocol

And you go to meet your friends
At a place they recommend
A dirty little cafe
You blindly obey

I'm an unappreciated stalker

VERSE
I've been waiting for you
For an hour or two
But you make no move to come outside

You've got so much to say
You could sit there all day
And still not get around to the point

BRIDGE
You're going to make me wait all day
You never notice anyway

CHORUS
I've been going through you rubbish
I know last night you had fish
I know the state of your finances
And the dire balance of your current account

You don't appreciate my effort
I even copied you passport
You buy too much mail order
All I want is a restraining order

I'm committing a major crime
You're taking up too much time
I've no more space on my recorder
All I want is a restraining order

MIDDLE
Em
I want to stalk somebody
C
With more going on

I want to stalk somebody
Who notices I'm there

I want to stalk somebody
Who gets out a lot

I want to stalk somebody
With more on their mind

CHORUS

Queensland rail

2011-07-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

CHORUS
C. Am
Queensland rail, get there in comfort
Queensland rail, get there in style
Queensland rail ohohohoh
Queensland rail

VERSE
Dm. Am
Some people drive, arriving hot and sweaty
Some people sail, you’ve got to be more than ready
Some people fly, you don’t see anything
Some people cycle, but that's dangerous

BRIDGE
Dm
It's the best mode in the nation
F G
Life's a journey not a destination

CHORUS

VERSE
The staff are friendly, they're all so very nice
The food's amazing, and not a bad price
The routes are straight, you don't go rocking
It's mostly outback, there's little stopping

BRIDGE + CHORUS

MIDDLE
F                              Am
Leave your car, think of the safety of your loved ones
F                                     Am
Why you’re driving so far? They’ll about you out on the road
Dm              F              G
Let the train take the strain

The dancing doll

2011-07-22T20:01:00.003-07:00

VERSE

He found in the back of a second hand shop at the bottom of a big brown box

She was old and she was worn

But with time he knew she’d dance again

VERSE

Took her for a pop, to his workshop, and worked on her around the clock

New paint, new hair, new clothes to wear

Polished all her circuitry and hoped that she would dance again

BRIDGE

A B

Her model was the best back in the day

A E

When robots were first the rage

But they’d been broken up or broken down

B E

And she was the only one left

VERSE

Finally he turned her on, and put a record on, but she wouldn’t move to any song

For months he played her music, but he couldn’t make her dance again

VERSE

She sat there at the back of his restoration shop for years as a talking point

Many came to see and many came to play, but none could make her dance again

BRIDGE

E B A E

Then one day, as he was closing the shop, a young man appeared by her side

He wore old fashioned clothes, held an antique instrument and spoke in the strangest voice

He said “old man I’ve heard of her, and I’ll make you a wager,

that if I play she’ll dance again”

VERSE

The restorer gave a laugh and said “of course that you can try but it will cost you that very nice guitar

the greatest have all played, but none have made her dance again”

MIDDLE

He played a forgotten song from the ancient times, suddenly he burst into life

strutted and twirled, breakdanced and whirled

What a sight to behold

Then they walked out the door, and he never saw either one again

But he’s not bitter he’s not sad, turns out she was a god awful dancer

You can't say no to love

2011-07-22T19:57:00.001-07:00

Capo 8^th

She’d been courted by barons, who offered her their lands

Pursued by all the richest men, promised a fortune for her hand

She said no to diamonds

She said no to gold

She said no to money and the riches of the world

But you can’t say no to love

Corteggiata da baroni, che le offrivano dobloni

Perseguitata da i prestigiosi, offrivano fortune per la sua mano

Lei disse no a i diamanti

Lei disse no all’oro

Lei disse no al denaro, e a tutte le ricchezze

Ma non puoi dire no all’amore

VERSE

She’d always put her job first, and thought of her career

Sacrificed her friendships, never let them near

She said no to happiness

She said no to joy

She said no to the life outside that others all enjoy

Determinata ne suo lavoro, e ossessionata dalla carrier

Sacrificiava le amicizie ponendo una barriera

Lei disse no alla felicita

Lei disse no ai piaceri

Lei disse no ai confort dei quali molti van fieri

Ma non puoi dire no all’amore

VERSE

I tried to win her heart with kindness in many different ways

I wanted to make her care for me, the way I cared for her

She said no to flowers

She said no to cards

She said no to all my advances, until something clicked inside

Cos you can’t say no to love

Sure you can say maybe

Or put it off for a day

But you can’t say no to love

Provavo a conquistare, il suo cuore

In tanti modi differenti, mostrarle imiei sentimenti

Lei disse no ai fiori

Lei disse no alle carte

Lei disse no alle mie avances finche qualcosa scatto

Non puoi dire no all’amore

Riportarla a casa

2011-07-22T19:56:00.001-07:00

Everybody wants her home

Capo 7^th

VERSE

C Am

The trade winds blow her back

C Am

And the sun warms her head

F G

The elements combine

To bring her back home

Il vento soffia alle sue spalle

E il sole bacia il suo corpo

Gli elementi combaciano

Per riportala a casa

VERSE

The seagulls show the way

The dolphins ride alongside

The sea creatures are working together

To bring her back home

I gabbiani le mostrano la via

I delfini l’accompagnano

Le creature marine collaborano

Per riportarla a casa

MIDDLE

G F

But even all combined

Won’t persuade her to return

She sends them all her love

G C

But she’s married to the sea

Anche se tutto combacia

Non persuade lei a ritornare

Lei invia loro tutto il suo amore

Ma e sposata con il mare

VERSE

Her family give her reasons to return

Her friends are calling her back

Everyone’s working together

To bring her back home

Everyone’s working together

To bring her back home

La sua famiglia le da ragioni per ritornare

I suoi amici la reclamano

Tutti collaborano

Per riportarla a casa

Tutti collaborano

Per riportarla a casa

34 years and a birthday at sea

2011-07-13T05:17:00.001-07:00

Capo 5th

VERSE
C Am
The captain - can be a prick
C Am

The boat can rock – I will get sick

F C

You can’t always choose your crew

F Am

Sometimes your crew choose you

F C

I lie on my back all day

Am F

And have nothing nice to say

C G

I’m cursing the world, and everything that lives

CHORUS

Am F

But as long as you are by my side

C Am

Everything will turn out right

F G C

You are the blessing that I count everyday

VERSE

The wind blows too much

Then the wind blows not enough

I’ve had enough of the sea

And the seas had enough of me

I know I sound like a bore

We’re not going anywhere

I’m raging inside, as the motor drums my head

CHORUS

CHORUS 2

I count the hairs on your head

The toes upon your feet

My blessings are so many everyday

MIDDLE

It’s my birthday

You couldn’t bake a cake

You got so upset

But you found a way around it

It was a wonderful birthday

I wrote this song

Which will go on when my mind is gone

Which won’t be very long

Cos I’m old now, and going grey

CHORUS

Waiting for you

2011-06-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

Capo 7th

VERSE
C
I've been waiting for you
Am
For an hour or two
F G
But my patience has not worn out

Cos there's nothing it's true
That I'd rather do
Than spend my life waiting for you

BRIDGE
F. G
To be the first to see your face
When you walk into the day

CHORUS (chords as verse)
I see you're wearing your favourite shawl
That you bought from the market stall
I got it too I collect them all
It's stalker protocol

And you go to meet your friends
At a place they recommend
A dirty little cafe
You blindly obey

I'm an unappreciated stalker

VERSE
I've been waiting for you
For an hour or two
But you make no move to come outside

You've got so much to say
You could sit there all day
And still not get around to the point

BRIDGE
You're going to make me wait all day
You never notice anyway

CHORUS
I've been going through you rubbish
I know last night you had fish
I know the state of your finances
And the dire balance of your current account

You don't appreciate my effort
I even copied you passport
You buy too much mail order
All I want is a restraining order

I'm committing a major crime
You're taking up too much time
I've no more space on my recorder
All I want is a restraining order

MIDDLE
Em
I want to stalk somebody
C
With more going on

I want to stalk somebody
Who notices I'm there

I want to stalk somebody
Who gets out a lot

I want to stalk somebody
With more on their mind

CHORUS

Condescension

2011-05-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

Capo 6th (A#m D#m F# F7 C)

VERSE

I may act foolish sometimes

I may fall down a lot

I’m an easy target

C B7 Em

But please don’t laugh at me

VERSE

I do some stupid things

I often don’t think before I speak

I sometimes embarrass you with your friends

But please don’t laugh at me

CHORUS

G Em

Condescension will get us nowhere

G C

Condescension’s a bad idea

G Em D/F# Em

Condescension will be the end of us

VERSE

I may lack social graces

I know I’m rude sometimes

My foot might live in my mouth

But please don’t laugh at me

VERSE

I can seem to act unwise

And be quite a gullible fool

I’m an easy target

But please don’t laugh at me

CHORUS

MIDDLE

C G

I know I do it too

C G

I’m as guilty as you

Em C D/F#

But now I see it we should nip it in the bud

Left to grow

It will kill our love I know

When snide comments take the place of sweet nothings

CHORUS x2

Jamie Oliver Blues: Killing the children with food

2011-05-31T03:23:00.000-07:00

VERSE
D                Bm
Processed, preserved
D                G
Frozen and fried
D              Bm
Set in their ways
D                   G
Too long, to change
Bm                                    D
And the truth's too terrible to face
Bm                       A                D
They're killing the children with food

VERSE
Their bodies engourged
Their minds clogged up
As their hearts grow weaker
Assaulted every day
An execution so crude
They're killing the children with food

MIDDLE
Bm                                 G
And it must be alright as it's offered
D                                   A
No one would willingly do them harm
Bm                                   G
While the providers are but a link in the chain
D                                    A
And each feels free from blame
Bm                                       D
They say that nothing can be proved
Bm                       A                 D
They're killing the children with food

VERSE (INSTRUMENTAL)

VERSE
Mouthful by mouthful
Plate by plate
As God provides
They abdicated their fate
And they called the prophet rude
They're killing the children with food
They're killing the children with food
They're killing the children with food

Fellini's dream

2011-05-30T01:17:00.000-07:00

CHORUS
F#m
The way she moves, she moves, she moves
B
Like something from a fantasy
F#m
How she danced, she danced, she danced
B
She set my mind on fire with love
C#
Like a force from above

VERSE

Garage sale

2011-05-30T01:15:00.000-07:00

Am F C G

CHORUS
There's a garage sale down on Julia Street
On Julia Street there's a garage sale
There's a garage sale down on Julia Street
On Julia Street there's a garage sale

Food groups

2011-05-30T01:14:00.001-07:00

Oh oh we're getting our food groups

Elizabeth Taylor's gone to the big screen in the sky

2011-05-30T01:13:00.000-07:00

VERSE
She's picked up with Richard
Just where they left off
We'll be hearing the thunder soon

She's taken her diamonds
And is laying them out
It won't be the stars you see tonight

CHORUS
Elizabeth Taylor's gone to the big screen in the sky

VERSE
Over where it's dry
She'll do her Deboir
And bless the lands with rain

Where it needs sun
She'll simply smile
And make a beautiful day

CHORUS

MIDDLE
She went happily
Her work was done down here
Now she's working for us up there

CHORUS

The buskers

2011-05-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

C# F# C# G#

CHORUS
It is hard on the road
Rolling from town to town
It is hard on the road
On the days when you ain't got no dough

VERSE
The life of a busker is thankless and long
You grind it out, song by song

The pros have a PA and sell their CDs
It seems like we're doing it for free

CHORUS

VERSE
Well you pick out a corner and mark out your patch
Stand there then throw down your hat

You're playing for hours as the masses rush by
With your empty hat staring at you back

CHORUS

VERSE
We're running out of options, but the streets have a heart
At least there's the chance of some change

Playing in bars is the long road to nowhere
You only get your name on the wall

CHORUS

VERSE
We're just like street workers and we're pimping ourselves
The punters pay nikels and dimes

Our job is no job but it's better than that job
A blow job is no job at all

CHORUS

Takaka Hill

2011-05-30T00:57:00.000-07:00

VERSE

Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill
There's a climb in old New Zealand
Takaka Hill
That cyclists talk of with a shaking hand
Takaka Hill
900 metres and hairpin bends
Takaka Hill
That bloody climb never ends

BRIDGE
A
Ah oh, it's a long climb
Takes a long time

VERSE
Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill
Where's the top? There's no way of knowing
Takaka Hill
You think you've made it but it just keeps on going
Takaka Hill
Past cars with burnt out clutches
Takaka Hill
Other riders walking on crutches

BRIDGE

CHORUS
A
I want to climb it but I'm not very fit
It's just a hill son, get over it

VERSE
Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill
It keeps on going there's no respite
Takaka Hill
Must push on, you're running out of light
Takaka Hill
Pain is temporary, failure's forever
Takaka Hill
Stay on my wheel son, we'll make it together

BRIDGE

VERSE
Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill, Takaka Hill
It's just as terrible on the way down

Takaka Hill
Burning your breaks every corner you come round
Takaka Hill
Concentrating don't look over the edge
Takaka Hill
They'll find your body in a mess in a hedge

BRIDGE

CHORUS

Irretrievable childhood

2011-05-30T00:24:00.000-07:00

VERSE
F
I once walked with joy through life
          Dm                       F
Saw the wonder in every sight
Bf F
All was bright, all was new
   Dm    F
A will to learn a will to do
   Bf C
But I grew up to fast and saw too much
Dm F
And now the magic has lost its touch
   Bf                        C
And I know an angel cried
   Bf F
When the child in me died

VERSE
When I was young the world was strong
I saw the good in everyone
Places felt new and seemed to glow
But it's faded away to a place I can't go
I try to revive it and draw it near

And I know an angel cried
When the child in me died

VERSE
I feel such sadness at what I've lost
In the race to grow up I found the cost
I didn't savour the tastes I tried
They were lost in the rush to get down
Now it's too late and I'll never get it back

And I know an angel cried
When the child in me died

Love is happiness

2011-05-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

VERSE
B A
It's not that I was outwardly rude
G# G
I just didn't show my gratitude

So busy building up myself
I forgot about everyone else

CHORUS
Love is happiness
Happiness is love

VERSE
Just by simply saying thank you
For all the little things that you do
Gradually and slowly I saw
All I had to be thankful for

CHORUS

VERSE
So I've learnt now what it's about
You only get back what you put out
Not just generally good will
But a blazing unconditional pill

CHORUS

VERSE
It's impossible to be unhappy
When you're radiating out love
The single cause of ultimate joy
Is a pure feeling of love

CHORUS

The Collective

2011-05-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

VERSE
G                                              C
Baby, I thought you'd always be there
G                                           C
Baby, I thought of you as a rock
D                        C
So I left you, all alone
D                          C
And you did fine, on your own
                 G
Without me

VERSE
Baby, I let you slip from my mind
Baby, you knew I wasn't true
Still I thought that, when I came back
We would get right, back on track
I was foolish

CHORUS
C                                               D
Everything always works out for the best
C                           D
I'm happy now I've got this off my chest
C                         D
No look backs, no regrets
C                                                            D
We can both go on to bigger and brighter things

VERSE
Baby, this must be what I want
Baby, cos otherwise I'd stay
I want to, see you grow
And know that you can, happily go
Without me

VERSE
Baby, I wanted to see the world
Baby, we were both in a rut
I felt it now, and then
I'd do the same, again
Without me

CHORUS

VERSE
Baby, I've got to let you go
Baby, I harbour no regrets
After all, you're just a company
And you do fine, I can see

Troubadour

2011-05-29T23:49:00.000-07:00

Capo 4th

VERSE
B(G)
I'm a troubadour, it's my life
E(C)
Riding around the world on my bike
G#m(Em)
Some days you get sun
Some days you get rain
F#(D)
Some days you get wind and get blown back again

VERSE
I'm a troubadour, and I roam
Ain't got no place I call home
Sleep on other couches
In other's cars
But mostly sleep under the stars

VERSE
I'm a troubadour and I play
In a different town every day
The street light's my spotlight
The pavement's my stage
I'm a throwback to a bygone age

CHORUS
F#(D)     E(C)              B(C)
Some days don't go so well
F#(D)     E(C)              B(C)
Some days I'm tired as hell
G#m(Em)                 E(C)
I remember to count my blessings
G#m(Em)                 E(C)
Remember back to this
G#m(Em)                 E(C)         F#(D)
And say at least I wasn't in an office

VERSE
I'm a troubadour and I write
A new song every night
I write about people
The things that I've seen
I record the events from wherever I've been

VERSE
I'm a troubadour and I ride
All around the world on my bike
Some people say "wow"
Some people say "stay"
Some people say "please move away"

VERSE
I'm a troubadour I've come far
With my Martin travel guitar
People ask me
Every single day
"What kind of instrument is that you play?"

CHORUS

VERSE
I'm a troubadour and I've been
Around the world and I've seen
By bike and by car
By boat and by train
Got to learn how to fly an aeroplane

VERSE
I'm a troubadour and I play
In a different place everyday
In bars I tell stories

In cafes I croom

But the best shows are in people's living rooms
I'm a troubadour x3

Good life on the road

2011-05-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

CHORUS
C                                    Am
It's a good life on the road
F            G
When you've got friends like these

It's a good life on the road
When you've got a smile on your face

It's a good life on the road
When you've got love in your heart

VERSE
C    Am
Well we met up in Melbourne and readied our bikes for the road
Alec and Rory, as up for it as they could be
Veronica stayed there, back in mission control

BRIDGE
F
The stars were aligned, the wind was behind
G
I said it's going to be a beautiful day

CHORUS

VERSE
We busked in the small towns along Australia's coast
Young and old loved it "we need more of that round here"
The 'Port Pedallers' were a blast, the Strum Club so much fun
We met so many characters and every day was a blur

BRIDGE
We rode almost to Sydney, with the sun on our backs
You know it's going to be a beautiful day

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Em    G
But it all went to shit, when we stayed in Byron Bay
We didn't record, life just happens that way
I hit the road with Maria, and a chapter ended there

BRIDGE
The morale of the story, is stay on your bike
If you want to have a beautiful day

CHORUS

Dumpster diving

2011-05-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

VERSE
G
For some time now I've had my eye on you
Em
And to win your heart, I've made my mission to do
C D
It's gonna have to be something special, cos you're widely desired

VERSE
You're a healthy girl, who loves to cook and eat
And I know the way, that our hearts can meet
Together we'll create the biggest feast you've ever seen

BRIDGE
Even though I'm a poor man
I've got a secret plan
To the banquet of your dreams

Gonna take you...

CHORUS
G
Dumpster diving
C
Put you in the mood honey
D
Without spending any money
G
Dumpster diving

VERSE
Bring a torch and gloves, and a crate to stand on
And when jump in girl, choose something soft to land on
Then sink into the delights down below

It might look dirty, a bit of a mess
But open the black bags, food's sealed and fresh
All the food the supermarkets aren't allowed to sell

BRIDGE
It's easy just let go
There's one thing you should know
Don't open the meat bag

CHORUS

VERSE
I know the bakery with same day bread
The cheese cake shop
I'll take you to the finest spots in town

Some people say it's risky, but you'll find it fun
If security come, get ready to run
But it's not illegal, we're doing the world a favour

BRIDGE
We'll finish by the florists
I'll assemble you a stunning bouquet
To end our perfect day

CHORUS

OUTRO
Em
We'll pack it away in the middle of the night
D
Then make love by the fridge light

CHORUS
Dumpster diving
Gonna make sweet love tonight
Dumpster diving
Gonna make a sweet tonight
Dumpster diving

MIDDLE
Unlike the food, I've found my mate
I know our love, won't have a sell-by date
A steady supply of food will preserve our love

OUTRO
I've got so many lyrics, so much to say
I'll put the rest in the freezer for another day

Hold on baby

2011-05-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

VERSE
F#
I've seen you looking
B
At the other cars on the lot
F#
And I know you're thinking
C#
Whether you could do better than what you've got

VERSE
I know you're wondering
Whether you're ready for a change
And if it isn't time
You moved on again

CHORUS
But you've got to hold on baby
To the love we've got
Cos a love like this
Doesn't happen a lot

You've got to hold on baby
To the lover we have
Cos the love we have
Is a rare and beautiful thing

VERSE
I seen you dreaming
Of the other side of the hill
If the grass is greener
If you're young enough still

I watch you remember
Things you've had before
And thinking about
How you don't have them anymore

CHORUS

MIDDLE
D#m                  B
Thinking that way
D#m                  B
Won't make you happy no way
D#m
Because the moment
B                          C#
Will always get away

VERSE
I've seen you counting
Your options in your mind
Deciding whether
To run or be left behind

CHORUS

Liberate Libya

2011-05-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

CHORUS
A
Liberate Libya, oh oh oh
E
Give it up Gadaffi, oh oh oh
D
Come on now you've come so far, oh oh oh
A
Carry on and you'll be free

VERSE
A
He is a sad man, no love in his heart
F#m
He is a mad man, falling apart
D
He is a bad man, an evil guy
E
He is a dead man, who knows the end is nigh

BRIDGE
D
And it won't be too long
D                                            E
Until his time has come and gone

CHORUS

VERSE
He is a stoner, out of his mind
He is a loner, one of a kind
He is a moaner, I've seen him on TV
He is a groaner, it's all me me me

BRIDGE and CHORUS

MIDDLE
D F#m
Freedom is the sole solution
D F#m
And we will fight for revolution
   D
Set the people free
   E
It's down to you and me

CHORUS

Please don't take my love

2011-05-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

VERSE
C
Take my money
                   Am
I can make more
C
Take my home lord
                   Am
I'll build another
     F                                                             G
Take my goods and wealth and all that I posess
F                  G                  C
But please don't take my love

VERSE
Take my sight
If she's gone there's nothing for me to see
Take my ears
Without her voice I don't want to hear
Strip me of all the senses that you bestowed
But please don't take my love

MIDDLE
Am                                 C
I've never been so scared
Am C
Never known such fear
Am G
As the time, I feared I might lose you

I'd give up all I have
Now and forever more
If it would save, one hair upon your head

VERSE
Take my strength
I'll learn to crawl
Take my height
I don't fear the fall
Take my hope, character and all that makes me who I am
Just please don't take my love

VERSE
Take all I've grown
Give it back to the ground
Take what I've built
And break it down
What little wisdom I've learnt, give it back to the world
But please don't take my love

Under the stars

2011-05-27T01:06:00.000-07:00

VERSE
F
When I first met you baby
I knew you were the one
You made me forget the daytime
Made me forget the sun

BRIDGE
Bf
Under the stars
Love, love, love
F
Under the stars

VERSE
Lying with you baby
Holding you in my arms
I've fallen for your magic
Got hooked up by your charms

BRIDGE

CHORUS
C Bf F
Could you make me love you anymore

VERSE
I want to freeze this moment
Have you always by my side
Life's a journey not a destination
And I want you for the ride

BRIDGE + CHORUS

VERSE - INSTRUMENTAL

VERSE
When I look up baby
And see conseltations there
I can see our lives mapped out there
As if the heavens heard our prayers

BRIDGE

CHORUS x2

Oh Christchurch

2011-05-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

VERSE
D
Oh Christchurch you are strong
G
You will remember all that has gone
D
And build again
G
And be reborn

VERSE
Oh Christchurch you are wise
You see how you know you'll be revived
And the souls lost then
Will be survived

CHORUS
G
As you grow
A
And rise
G
And bloom
A
Again

VERSE
Oh Christchurch this is your song
A memory to what has gone
On the fateful day
That the earth shook

Oh Christchurch you will rise
From the rubble and the fallen spires
To a greater strength
And spirits will lift

CHORUS

OUTRO
D
Oh Christchurch
A D
You will always be strong

Maria

2011-05-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

VERSE
F Dm C
We met on a bicycle tour round New Zealand
I rode most of the way, you were known to hitchhike
Friends at first, but it developed
Sharing beds, it was inevitable

BRIDGE
Dm C
And we are happy now and in love
As you're dancing here by my side

CHORUS
F Dm C
Maria, oh amore
Maria, oh my love
Maria, Maria, Maria
Maria, Maria, Maria

VERSE
And now you're over here in Australia
Dancing exquisitly by my side
You intoxicate the passers by
With your poignant grace

BRIDGE
And all who see you are in love
As you're dancing here by my side

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Gm D
Who knew your legs could do so many things
Gm C
Catch an eye or catch a ride
Gm D
That your perfect pins also do cycling
Gm C
Takes my breath away

CHORUS

Coffee lover

2011-05-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

Capo 6

VERSE (F# A#m B C#)
C
She drinks coffee I drink tea
Em
I'm from England she's from Italy
F
She is my caffinated lover
G
That I've uncovered

She flits about on her caffeine high
Gets any higher then I think she'll fly
I won't bring her down
I just want to hang around

BRIDGE
Em Am F G
We've got a deep dark roasted love

CHORUS 1
C Am G
Cappuccino, Frappuccino, Macchiato, Espresso
C Am G
Latte, Frappe, Americano, Cortado

CHORUS 2
C Am G G
Coffee is the way to my lover's heart
C F G G
Coffee makes her love me more

VERSE
She likes her coffee strong and black
I've learnt to make it like that
I wake her up with the aroma
I'll get my barista diploma

I bring it to her when she's still in bed
We cuddle up under the spread
And as the coffee gets stronger
I know our love goes longer

BRIDGE and CHORUS

MIDDLE
Em
I've got to keep her up there
F
That's how she knows I care
Am
I'm putting caffeine in her food
G
To preserve her altitude

BRIDGE and CHORUS
Coffee is the way to my lover's heart
Coffe is the thing that she adores

Love like this

2011-05-20T16:06:00.001-07:00

VERSE
G
Breakfasts sitting on the table
D
I made it specially for you babe
C    D
I listen to you shower

We'll eat then go into the sunshine
Seize the day and all that we find
Afterwards we'll shut out the world

BRIDGE
Em          G
This is our time
Em           D
Yours and mine

CHORUS
G D
Who knew a love like this
C. G
In this age could still exist

Who knew a love like this
A world of sun and bliss

Am
And today is our day
C
Happy living our way
I want to be
Em D
Always in your arms

VERSE
Sitting at home waiting for you
The house is cold we both adore you
Waiting for your warmth

I hear your feet outside the front door
Your keys inside I'm waiting no more
I fall into your arms

BRIDGE

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Am. C
Can we freeze this moment?
Can we make time stand still?
Can we stay forever?
In this world of bliss
D
Cos today is....

CHORUS

Jailbait

2011-05-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

VERSE
F#
Feisty teen
Dancing queen
Quite the dream
But not sixteen

Bf7
Wants to party
Wants to have fun
But not with you man
She's just too young

F#
Emancipated
Liberated
Young and free
But not educated

Bf7
Looks like a model
Sways like a lady
But dont be fooled
She's just a baby

BRIDGE
C
You can't look let alone even touch

CHORUS
F#
Jailbait jailbait oh oh
Jailbait jailbait no no

Bf7
Jailbait jailbait oh oh
Jailbait jailbait don't go

VERSE
She's utting it out there
Trying to score
But don't get caught
You know the law

Old enough to bleed's
Not old enough to butcher
Got any ideas?
I know where they'll put you

Her fathers a judge
Her brothers a policeman
Settle your affairs
If you're going to meet them

BRIDGE + CHORUS

MIDDLE
Gm                                                            Dm
Then when she says she want to be your baby
Gm                                              Am
Man you know that's just a bad idea
Gm                                                      Dm
You've got to wait til she turns into a lady
Gm                                          C
When she turns into a butterfly

CHORUS

Statuary rape

The quall

2011-04-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

G / Em / C / D

VERSE

Australian logging was out of control

And the forests were taking the toll

He climbed right up to the highest tree

And said "you take it down then you're taking down me"

He travelled all across the land

Took the fight into his own hands

He formed a powerful green faction

And waged a war of direct action

CHORUS

You are, like a lone range liberator

You are, like something from a science movie

You are, a soul inspired crusader

You are, a nature-saving raider

VERSE

But winning battles wasn't winning the war

And nobody was there keeping the score

He saw that if he was going to get them to stop

He had to take his fight to the very top

He studied law and learnt how the lawyers talk

Teamed up with a logger to sue the state

To make them see that they weren't above the law

And won his case in the supreme court

CHORUS

INSTRUMENTAL

MIDDLE (quiet)

It didn't run in the media at all

Nobody's heard of the mighty Quall

He went away quietly to live in the woods

And he's still in there using his powers for good

CHORUS OUTRO (quiet)

You are x4

Save the developers

2011-04-25T18:24:00.001-07:00

VERSE

Some men look out on a beautiful bay

A E

And see the money that could be made

With a breakwall and a jetty

A E

The economy could be saved

BRIDGE

A E

They're not driven by hunger or greed

A E

Just trying to fill some unnamed need

They are foolish men, rushing through their lives

CHORUS

Save the developers

Save them from themselves

Save the developers

B E

They know not what they do

VERSE

Some men look out on a pristine lake

And see the airport that could be there

If they fill it in they could fly them in

And a monument would be their's

BRIDGE

They live with a fear of their death

They want to feel that something's left

A legacy to live on when they've gone

CHORUS

VERSE

Some men look over a forest

And divide it up in their mind

With a deal for that land and that timber

It is peace that they would find

BRIDGE

Because they're hunting for their hit

And that contract is their fix

They are deluded men, living for themselves

CHORUS

MIDDLE

Every management course

Should have a module on Zen

With power comes responsibility

Don't give it to restless men

OUTRO

E A

Save the developers, save them, save them x4

B E

They know not what they do

Save the developers

2011-04-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

East Timor song

2011-04-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

VERSE
In the heart of East Leste there is a family testy who argue and then repent
To improve their relations and clear complications they all need an instrument
The father Chase needs to get on the bass and guide them along with a groove
If his wife Evette could play the trumpet she could blow away her frustrations
And if their manic son Morgan was made to play the organ it would improve his concentration

BRIDGE
When everyone can finally play
That will be a beautiful day

CHORUS
When every hand holds an instrument
And every mouth sings a song
Then every heart will be filled with music
And the world will get along

VERSE
The boss at work's an energetic jerk he needs to work out his issues with a drum
If the rest of the suits would all pull out flutes they could make every meeting fun
The supervisor Lynn should learn the mandolin it would improve her training sessions
And if her assistant Lola taught herself the viola they could bond over chord progressions

BRIDGE + CHORUS

VERSE
If the barmaid Jean got a tambourine she could keep all the punters in order
And if troublesome Joan saved up a trombone she could solve her personality disorder
For uncle Hugh a kazoo would do he could use the exercise
Their cousin Joyce has a magnificent voice and she could win the family a prize

BRIDGE + CHORUS

The city's not the same without you

2011-03-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

VERSE
E A E
The burly butcher's in a bad mood
A E
The old fruit seller hangs her head
A. B. E A
The florist's flowers don't smell like they usually do
A. B. E
The city's not the same without you

VERSE
The traffic warden's not forgiving
The bus conductor wears a frown
All the commuters scowl more than they normally do
The city's not the same without you

CHORUS
A. B. E
And if you ask them what is wrong
A. B. A. B
They'll say it's not something they can put their finger on
A E. B
I could tell them, but what good would it do?
A. B. E
The city's not the same without you

VERSE
The school headmistress is under a dark cloud
The PE teacher's being hard
All the children aren't fighting as much as they usually do
The city's not the same without you

VERSE
The mayor is listless without any drive
His secretary's in a slump
The councillors sit there wondering what they should do
The city's not the same without you

CHORUS
They're blaming allergies and the season
I'm the only one who knows the real reason
I could tell them, but there's nothing they could do
The city's not the same without you

Outro
The city's not the same
Everybody feels my pain
The city's not the same without you

VERSE
The graffiti artists work in black and white
The fortune teller's drawing blanks
The possums are packing up they know the happy days are through
The city's not the same without you

CHORUS
But I'm the only one who notices
They don't know the signs or see it in each other
I'm the only one cos I feel it most of all
The city's not the same without you

Outro
The city's not the same without
Everybody feels my pain about
The city's not the same without you

It is dangerous out there

2011-03-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

VERSE (D A G G)
In the morning before we ride
We say a prayer for those who've died
At the hands of a careless motorist
And forgive those who make a joke of it

Each road is an obstacle course
We're rubbing shoulders with a deadly force
It only takes a moment's lapsed attention
Or the release of pent-up tension

CHORUS (A G A E)
Every day we say a prayer
After each and every scare
It is dangerous out there

VERSE
Some people get in our faces
Say we take up too much road space
We hope you see every rider
As being one less driver

The ones that really suck
Are the enormous logging trucks
They come on rolling like thunder
You can get sucked right under

CHORUS

MIDDLE (Em D A A)
Please share the road (x4)

VERSE
The next time you pass a cyclist
We hope you'll think back to this
And use your good old road sense
Give us a whole lanes clearance

Even when you're parked on the road
Think before you unload
And be really sure
Before you open your bloody car door

CHORUS x2

ABBA protest songs

2011-02-06T10:33:00.001-08:00

I was thinking about next year's Christmas album already... and had the idea to do ABBA protest songs. Has a nice ring to it don't you think? I'll keep the choruses and change the verses (which no one can remember anyway). Any big ABBA fans and world watchers got ideas for subjects?

Mama Mia -

Knowing me, knowing you

Dancing queen

The name of the game - China

One man, one woman - Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver

Take a chance on me - Obama

Lovers

Fernando - Torres and player's salaries

Money money money - Bank bonuses

Summer night city

Voules Vous

The winner takes it all - Israel/Palestine

Super trouper

Israel

2011-02-01T04:48:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Em A
The fences only go so high
Over lands that you occupy
End the blockades and violence and attacks
That only end up coming back

CHORUS

D A G

Israel needs to emanate love

For the future

Israel needs to emanate love

With open arms

Israel needs to emanate love

VERSE
All sides should read the books that they prize
And that violence is heresy in disguise
Cos when the only thing you export is hate
Things are only going to escalate

CHORUS

Come on Cairo

2011-02-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
F
Come on Cairo
Bf
Follow the wisdom of youth
F
Don't wait now
C
The moment is here

Come on Cairo
Your long chance has come
Be bold now
Don't settle for less

VERSE
Dm (high)
He may hose you down
Bf
And gas you out
F C
But you can't keep the people down

He can try to keep you quiet
And cut off the net
Still your voices are the only ones being heard

CHORUS

VERSE
As they beat you down
Try to turn you around
Be visible as he hides away

And as he takes lives
He must never be revived
He's a panicked man who knows the end has come

CHORUS
Come on Cairo
Lead your country to freedom
Be loud now
Your bravery will win

The dancer

2011-01-31T05:46:00.001-08:00

VERSE
Am
I was sitting in a bar very late one night
D
I'd stopped in for a drink to set myself straight
E Am
I won't go into the details, save to say I need time to think

When my thoughts were stopped and my mind wiped clean
As a vision appeared by my side

She gave me her name and asked me the time
And suggested I buy her a drink

She was solid seduction and liquid sex
She could show you the time of your life and then break your neck
With a swirl she turned and stood on the bar

CHORUS
And then she danced for me
She'd make a lord tell lies and a dead man rise
The way she danced for me
I would have fallen over without the extra leg
How she danced for me
Time stood still, and all eyes were filled

VERSE
I said I'll call a taxi, your place or mine?
She said she didn't mind, any place is fine
So I took her back to what passed for an apartment

She said coyly that she liked the view
It was a cellar apartment
I said the only thing anyone around here is looking at is you

CHORUS
And then she danced for me
My words fell short as she moved with life
The way she danced for me

VERSE
So a little while later a little further down the line
I think our life together has turned out just fine
But it seems I was thinking along different lines

"Oh I'm bored, I'm bored, I never dance anymore"
I say well baby you can dance anytime I'll move the table
She says that's no good I need the lights, I need the amore
I'm tired of you and this place, you're a bore
I don't think we belong together anymore

She made to leave and reached for the door
I'll remember the sound as she fell to the floor
My blood was up, I was seeing red, and this is what I said

CHORUS
You will dance for me
You've danced to love now dance to hate
You will dance for me
For now and evermore

Keep your digestive fire alight

2011-01-31T05:45:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
Keep your digestive fire alight
It'll all work out OK, everything else will be fine
Keep your digestive fire alight

VERSE
Ginger is your best friend
Add it in everything you cook

Too often we put it out, with the things we eat
We need to keep it up, to be healthy

CHORUS

Downward spiral of growth

2011-01-31T05:43:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
G Em
Don't strive for a downward spiral of growth
C D
It doesn't mean that things are getting better for you

In a downward spiral of growth
The world is used up faster

VERSE
G
Don't believe all the views
Em
That you hear on the news
D C
It's the system trying to sell itself

Growth uses resources
To make new golf courses
For the people at the top of the pile

CHORUS

VERSE
Do you really want more cars on the road
More houses on your street?
More people walking round your town?

VERSE
Don't strive for promotion
It's not a good notion
You'll only have to do more work

And the more money you have
The more to go bad
And more things you'll decide that you need

CHORUS

10/1/11

Crimes against wisdom

2011-01-31T05:41:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Cm
I'm a Vata-Pitta and I'm in constant conflict
Gm
Shifting back and forth, the chaos inflict
Cm
Pitta makes me hungry but Vata can't digest it
Gm
I pile food on my plate and wake up feel congested

Pitta wants to command but Vata gives me doubts
Fear and anger alternate, when I'm stressed you'll hear me shout
I always trying to do things, I never can relax
I'm burdening my body with an over-growing tax...

CHORUS
Gm
These crimes against wisdom
I know that I did them
Cm
Before I even knew I was wrong
Gm
Ignorance doesn't hide the crime
My body still does the time
Gm
Nobody can defend you
D
I'm an habitual offender

VERSE
I'm solid kapha
I don't do my exercise, Sometimes I don't go outside
I can't get out a bed, it takes a bomb to wake

CHORUS
Guilty I say no sir
I blame it on my dosha
But it doesn't mean it's not a crime

VERSE
I'm a Vata hear me natter, and my never-ending chatter

Ayurveda

2011-01-31T03:40:00.000-08:00

VERSE
A F#
I was in the dark
D E
Wandering and missing something

After years of being lost
I finally heard of rumour of something

BRIDGE
F# E
And it was wise and wonderful
F# E
Something sure and powerful
F# E
The knowledge that I had sort
D
Around me
E
I saw

CHORUS (same chords as verse)
Guidelines
Pathways
Light lines
Logical

Destiny
Purified
That fate rides on
It was Ayurveda......
The science of live
Ayrurveda.......
The power and the light

VERSE
I explored it and read
And slowly tried to become it

It's simplicity was hard
After a lifetime of enforced complexity

BRIDGE
But it was wise and wonderful
So sure and powerful
The knowledge that I had sought
Clearly
I saw

CHORUS

MIDDLE
F# D
For one second, I saw it
F#
To soon, to soon

CHORUS

Pranayama

2011-01-31T03:32:00.000-08:00

VERSE
E
Waking up feeling rushed
C#m
Stupid mind need to shut up
B
Seeing stress in my day
E
I can't get a hold

Assume the position on the floor
Left nostril breathing in
Right nostril breathing out
There you go

CHORUS
A E
Pranayama - restraint of the breath
A E
Pranayama - controlling the course
B E
Of my life force

VERSE
Taking control by letting go
Slow my racing mind
Ground my soaring soul
Settle down

Cross-legged on the floor
Balanced Ida and Pringula
Slowed down powers up
Systems go

CHORUS

Food's the way to my heart

2011-01-31T02:58:00.000-08:00

VERSE
E A
Wake me in the morning with a glass of hot water
E B
After I've stretched, cook me some fruit
A E
Followed by oatmeal and we'll never be apart
B E
Food's the way to my heart

VERSE
I'll be good 'til lunchtime for a kichda or a curry
Some rice and vegetable and mung beans all spice
Add a little desert and I'll be yours for life
Food's the way to my heart

MIDDLE
A E
Maybe I sound demanding
E B
To the untrained ear
B E
But food is the heart of everything
E A
To happiness and life
B E
Cook me to paradise

VERSE
Then in the evening I'd like something light
Simply a soup would be a delight
Whatever you have dear is fine by me
Food's the way to my heart

OUTRO
A B
And then when you put me to bed
A E
Give me hot buttermilk and you know that I'll stay
B E
Food's the way to my heart

Making my life too hard

2011-01-31T02:53:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Em
I've been rolling around from town to town
C
Never time to settle down
Em
Working every night, too many late nights
C
Pushing harder as the tired er I get

CHORUS
A
I've been making my life too hard
C
Making my life too hard
A
Making my life too hard

VERSE
Always on the go, never saying no
Never taking any breaks
Worrying over minutes, filling up the hours
And planning out every day

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Em
I want to take it easy
C
I've got to take it slow
D
I know I need a break you know
A C G
But I don't have time
A C G
I just don't have time
A C G
No I don't have time

OUTRO
And as soon as I walked in the door
G
I felt that I was home
C
I don't want to go out anymore
G
I want to be home
Em
I want to be home
C G
I want to be home

12/10/2010

Peace and love

2011-01-31T02:47:00.000-08:00

VERSE 1
G
I have walked, many miles today
C
And I have talked, all I'm going to say
G
I need to leave, this noisy place
C
I want to be, with your silent face
Em D
And you will bring peace to me

VERSE 2
I know that you, will slowly sooth my mind
With what you do, I can see that you are kind
I want to win, your trust to please
I want to swim, in your silent seas
And I will bring peace to you

CHORUS 1
Em C
And then afterwards we go our separate ways
Em C
Each taking something of the other in our ways
Em
As we know a little life
C
Know a little love
D G
Put a little peace in the world

VERSE 3
Cos you're a girl, and I'm a boy
And each of us can feel, the power of healing joy
I want to be, your loving man
Doing the things, that only lovers can
And I will bring peace to you

CHORUS 2
And from the outside we will still both look the same
But inside I know a little peace of us will change
As we've known a little life
Made a little love
Put a little peace in the world

MIDDLE
G
I'm not deceiving, ceiving, ceiving, ceiving
C
You know that afterwards I'll go
G
I will be leaving, leaving, leaving, leaving
C
A little further down the road
Em
To spread a little life
C
Know a little love
D
Put a little peace in the world

VERSE 3

CHORUS 2

MIDDLE

The last hangover

2011-01-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

VERSE
G
Oh no, not again
C
This terrible feeling, exploding in my brain

My stomach's doing circles, my mouths dried up
I feel like I've drunk from the devil's death cup

So here I make a vow, an oath I'll never break
And I'll do whatever.... it takes. No...

CHORUS
G
No....I'm never gonna drink again
C
No I'm never gonna drink again
Am
I've had it up to here with the hangovers from beer
D
And I'm giving up wine for the final time

CHORUS (kicks in)
G
No I'm never gonna drink again
C
No I'm never gonna drink again
G
No I'm never gonna drink again (louder)
C
No I'm never gonna drink agaaain!!!!!!!

No I'm never gonna drink again
No I'm never gonna drink agaaaaaaaain
Never again!!!!!!!!!!!
Never, never, never, never, never
Never again!!!!!!!!!!!
Never, never, never, never, never, again

31/3/10

Rejoice of the couchsurfer

2011-01-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

VERSE
D
I've been surfing the world of wave of couches
I don't need a home I'm a guy that happily slouches
G
In other people's homes
In other people's homes

They give a roof and I give them a song
Stay for a night them I'm moving along

In other people's homes

CHORUS

Em G D

That's where I'm happiest

VERSE
They're the best times that I've ever had
I've made so many friends and of that I'm glad

In other people's homes

Sitting in a home is like being in their mind
Some of them grow naturally and other's designed
In other people's homes

In other people's homes

CHORUS

VERSE
(Whistle)

VERSE
I do my bit and I love to cook
I don't take anything except sometimes swap a book

In other people's homes

CHORUS
That's where I'm happiest x2

28/3/10

Everybody wants your body

2011-01-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
C Am
You've got a beautiful body
F G
Nobody would argue with that

I guarantee you that anybody
Would be jealous of my body right now

If they could see me holding your body
Somebody might get pretty mad

They'd probably want to disembody
Me, and put me in a body bag

Cos I can tell you that you embody
Everything I want in a body

You've got a beautiful body

F G C

Nobody would argue with that

When are we going to sleep?

2011-01-28T11:20:00.000-08:00

VERSE
G
Thank you for the evening
It's been one of the best
C
Thanks again for your conversation and your hospitality

G
There's one thing that I'd ask now
A question that I'd pose
C
Whether it's time we all decided to repose

CHORUS A

When are we going to sleep?

We are tired and weary from a travelling day

And this wonder evening has sent us on our way

VERSE

So please point me to the couch

Or any manor of bed

I've slept on almost anything
Show me where to lay my head

Lets wake in the morning

Rested and refreshed

And continue where we left off
As all our ideas meshed

CHORUS B

When are we going to sleep?

We are tired and weary from a travelling day

And this wonder evening has sent us on our way

When are we going to sleep?

I'll be falling off my chair

In a minute or two

MIDDLE
Am

You've done a wonderful thing

To let this stranger in

And I promise not to rob you

In the night

CHORUS B

Ama

2011-01-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

VERSE
G
Everyone gets sick
D
We all wonder why
C
We all have theories
D
And then we die

I've got the flu
I've got a cold
I have an allergy
I'm getting old

But the cause of disease
Is a lack of ease
And a waste product of digestion
That you make from these

CHORUS
You make it by eating too late
You make it by eating too fast
You make it by eating at times
When you're not hungry at all

You make it by lying in late
You make it by sitting around
You make it by taking a ride
When you should really walk

You make it with fried food
You make it with raw food
You make it with cold food
From bad food or worse

VERSE
Your body gives you messages
That something is wrong
With aches and pains
And that coating on your tongue

CHORUS
It causes anger
It causes pain
It causes anxiety
It causes rage

It causes muscous
And your bad breath
It causes wheezing
And an ache in your chest

It causes wrinkles
And your hair to fall out
It causes cellulite
And problems throughout

VERSE

CHORUS
You cure it with regular meals
You cure it with relaxed meals
You cure it with small meals
You cure it with

You cure it with hot water
You cure it with triphala
You cure it with exercise
And plenty of rest

Italian TV

2011-01-27T08:06:00.000-08:00

VERSE
D A G
It Italy, there lives a man, in the tower
With electrodes, strapped, to his brain
He sends out, his vision, to the nation
And he's driving his country insane

CHORUS

Italian TV

The worst thing you've ever seen

Italian TV

Like something from a retards dream

Italian TV

Is turning people into morons

Italian TV

With no idea about what's going on

VERSE
Every few years, they get to vote, to make him stop
But there minds are gone, they can't think, many don't read
And the opposition, who are supposed, to oppose
Can't even agree on a leader

CHORUS
While Italian TV
Doesn't mention the real news
Italian TV
Nobody has informed views
Italian TV

Doesn't make things complex

Italian TV

All it talks about is sex

Italian TV

Berlusconi

2011-01-27T00:45:00.000-08:00

VERSE
You could have been someone great
Instead

You're dragging the country down

CHORUS
Berlusconi, does your mother know you lie?
Berlusconi, could you look her in the eye?
Berlusconi, you're a shame and you bring shame
Berlusconi, on your poor old lady's name
Mamma Rosa is spinning in her grave

Revolutions 2011

2011-01-20T09:17:00.000-08:00

VERSE

F (low)

From Mubarak in the North

To Mugabe in the South

Bring down their regimes

Bf
By word of mouth

People standing together
Were no never so tall
Look down on the big men
Make them feel small

BRIDGE
Dm Bf
There are no victims here
Bf C
Only volunteers

CHORUS
F (high)
Strike, you can strike, you should use your might, you are right
C
So, let them know, you can grow, let the people go
Bf
Rise, you're alies, you are the greater size, and the prize
F (low)
Now, this is how, you can take 'em down, with the plough

VERSE
Take old man Mugabe

Been laughing so long

But he would be weak

If the people were strong

Don't stand for elections
Where you know the result
They insult your intelligence
When they offer the cult

BRIDGE + CHORUS

MIDDLE
Bf
Peace is your weapon

F
Sit down in the street

Bf
They can't rule want don't move

C
Vote with your feet

OUTRO:
F
Biya in Cameroon
Dm
Museveni in Uganda
F
Al-Bashir in Sudan
C
Kagame in Rwanda

Aftwerki in Eritrea
Al-Qaddafi in Libya
Zenawi in Ethiopia
Jammeh in Gambia

And many many more
Make them the last

A day out in Detroit

2011-01-20T05:41:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Esus
Buildings fall to the ground
Do they even make a sound
D#
If there's no one around
B
To write it down

Cruise the streets in a homegrown car
Everywhere looks a bit bizarre
See no soul in the cinema
On your own in a derelict downtown bar

CHORUS
D#
Lonely times
B Esus
A dead dog day in Detroit

VERSE
No way out of the central station
What happened to the transportation?
Waiting for a train?
You'll be waiting for a long time

Withdraw what you want from the national bank
The books are on the floor in the public library
Try to tell somebody at the police station
Looks like the law left in a hurry

CHORUS

MIDDLE
F# Esus
What a dead day?
F# Esus
What would Ford say?

VERSE
Farwell and Donovan are showing their age
All they wants a living wage
The Broderick Towers
Hanging around, waiting for another chance

Check into the old Lee Plaza
It's got less stars than a barn in Gaza
The ballroom's quiet
Nobody feels like dancing today

CHORUS

Too big to fail is too big to save

2011-01-19T02:05:00.000-08:00

Chords: D - G throughout (position and strumming varies)

CHORUS
Too big to fail is too big to save
And too big to save is too big to run
Too big to run is too big to watch
And too big to watch is only going to fail, they've got

VERSE (low and slow)
My money, their money, your money,
Our money's making money
Lending money, is their money
[stop]
Out there somewhere's my money
[keep strumming]

BRIDGE (Start softly builds up)
Lend it back with an interest tack
In a bundled pack to build a little old shack
With Freddie Mac, til you get the sack
Then you're on the stack til you get the hack

There's the crash you lose your home
They save there ass with a government loan
To no avail, as it becomes derailed
At the closing sale, when the system fails
[G]
It's none of those fuckers that are going to jail

CHORUS
Cos too big to fail is too big to save

And too big to save is too big to run, let me tell you now

Too big to run is too big to watch

And too big to watch is only going to fail

OUTRO
Too big x50

The loneliness of the banking chief executive

2011-01-17T03:46:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Gm
Sometimes you wonder
Cm
Why you work so hard
Gm
Leading the way
Cm
It's tough at the top

And you're publicly hated
A banker's a dirty word
You're not appreciated
All the things that you've heard

BRIDGE
D#
But you're there at your lowest
F
When you feel the love

CHORUS
Bf
And you get a bonus
F
A million or two
D#
After all that you've done
Bf
It's the least they could do

Now you've got your bonus
And it's so bloody big
There's your reward
For all that you did

VERSE
They should know you're not greedy
You could have had so much more
Money isn't everything
You've turned it down before

And it's getting too much
Enough is enough
You're taking retirement
The times are too rough

BRIDGE

CHORUS (pay-off)

VERSE
Then you're sitting at home
Alone and depressed
Filled with self-doubt
And heaped with regret

If you'd lived your life differently
A different choice at the start
Could have done something
More with your life

BRIDGE

CHORUS (pension)

The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones

2011-01-17T03:41:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
G
The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones
D
Just new ideas
G
The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones
D
They're already here

VERSE (one strum)
Am
There are no ideas in the mine
C
No solutions in the well
Em
Look up to the heavens
D
Don't dig us down to hell

G
There's more power in the sun
Am
Than we've ever going to need
Em
Don't keep going round in circles
D
For lazy greed

CHORUS

VERSE
All these excuses for waiting
Until there's nothing left
Take action yourself
To stop all the theft

Your purchasing power
Decides where we are
Buy solar panels
And turn in your car

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Am
We're stuck int he mud
C
Won't get out with a fight
G
Take out of the cave
D
And into the light

These fossil ideas
Time that they end
Convince yourself
And turn on your friends

CHORUS

The floods

2011-01-17T03:36:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
Gm
It's the poorest people
Cm
In the valleys and the flood plains
Gm
It's the poorest people
Cm
Whose lives get washed away
Dm Gm
Build where the others won't build

VERSE
Cm Gm
You've got to blame urban planning
Cm Gm
Not lack of understanding
Cm
They're building everywhere
Dm F
In the places that always flood

While the evacuated ask why
The planners stay high and dry
Nobody in the know
Would willingly live down there

CHORUS

VERSE
In the same place it happened before
And you can be sure it will happen again
Memories dry out
Along with the water

And when they come back with their will
And quietly rebuild
Bigger
And the next time will be worse

CHORUS

Mohamed Bouazizi set the world alight

2011-01-17T03:30:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
Dm
Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself alight
Em Am
Now the world is on fire

VERSE
Am
President Ben Ali
Dm
And his corrupt family
Em
For 22 years
Am
Lived a life of luxury

While the rest of the country cued
For the little expensive food
Misery was spreading
And the anger brewed

Supported by the West
Ben Ali survived protests
It took a martyr
To bring the whole house down

CHORUS

VERSE
26 years old
An educated man
Couldn't get a job
Started selling vegetables

Until the police came along
Took away his cart
Said you need a licence
That was the final straw

He decided to take a stand
One brave young man
To give the people
Reason enough to revolt

CHORUS

And what will happen next
Is still far from certain
Will the trumpets play again
For another ruler

Or will people power win
And democracy begin
The winds of change
Are blowing in all directions

CHORUS

Plastic sea

2011-01-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Bm E
Out there in middle of each ocean
Bm E
Are high pressure gyres with little motion
Bm
All the rubbish collects there
E
Swirls in from everywhere
F# Bm
There they form a plastic sea

VERSE
The bad news is the problems getting smaller
As the pieces become too small to collect from a trawler
Just because plastic don't break down
Doesn't mean it can't be ground
Now everywhere's a plastic sea

CHORUS
F# Bm
The process has already long begun
F# Bm
And soon there will be more plastic than plankton
F#
It works its way up the food chain
E
And makes a home in your brain
F# Bm
Welcome to the plastic sea

VERSE
So don't be surprised when the next time you gut a fish
And find it its stomach filled with plastic bits
All the chemicals in its flesh
That soon you will digest
As you eat the plastic sea

VERSE
They're already discussing the possibility
Of how it affects our virility
They said there wasn't proof
Until nobody can reproduce
Of course it was the plastic sea

BRIDGE
E
And they say there's no reversal
F#
And it's only going to get worse so
A B
Better keep your DNA on ice

VERSE
And then as the sea levels rise
Keep your eggs and your sperm held high
Don't use an oil-based lube
Store them in a glass test tube
As you wade into the plastic sea

CHORUS
And then in 10,000 years time
They dig down to the plastic line
We got what we deserved
But at least we are preserved
Perfectly in a plastic sea

Waiting for your life to start

2011-01-13T09:27:00.001-08:00

VERSE
Bfm
The grass is greener
D#m
And the air smells sweeter
Bfm F
In the places that I've never been

And life will be better
When I get that letter
And my life begins

It's foolish thoughts like these
That I too often believe
Waiting for my life to start

So let me tell you son
That it has long begun
And the moments are already in your hand

All the problems now won't matter
The hangups all will scatter
When my life begins

That time I've waited for
Dreamed and planned before
When I'm forgiven for my transgressions and my sins

1/1/11

After the Olympics has gone

2011-01-08T08:07:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Am C
They're promising regeneration
G F
And a whole new legacy

For future generations
Well we'll just wait and see

CHORUS
C G
After the last medal's won
F D7
Which venues will close, which will carry on
F7 E7 Am
After the Olympics has gone

VERSE
The stadium may be stripped down
The ideals tossed aside

With little left for the old town
Just the bill for the ride

CHORUS

MIDDLE
10 billion pounds doesn't buy a lot these days
Nothing that lasts anyway
You can bail out a bank, or stage an olympic event
And a lot of discontent

CHORUS

The rules (of Ayurveda)

2011-01-07T04:51:00.000-08:00

VERSE (morning)
Bm
You wash your hands
You scrub your face
You scrape your tongue
Then meditate

F#
Then it's yoga
For half an hour
Then a massage
And a shower

Bm
You scrape your tongue
Then ginger tea
20 minutes
Before you eat

F#
Cook your fruit
And then your porridge
I get tired....
Bm
...of the rules

VERSE (lunch)
You've peeled your almonds
That you soaked
And

CHORUS (slower)
D F#m
I want to be like everybody else
D F#m
Eat what I like and never really care
Bm D
I'd die in pain but at least I'd have a blast
F# Bm
Cos I'm so tired... of the rules

VERSE (faster)
You take your triphala

Soak the fruits
And the almonds

CHORUS (slower)
But every time I go a little crazy
Do something I know is really wrong
I wake up in the morning feeling so bad
That I go running... to the rules

You've got no taste

2011-01-07T04:12:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
C F
You've got no taste
You've got NO taste
You've GOT no taste
Dm F Am
You're what's wrong with the world

VERSE
C F
People like you
C F
Grow what we wade through
Am F G
In the restaurants, and the bars, and the streets

Buying their crap
Supporting what they do
Dragging the whole world down

CHORUS

VERSE
And you're perversely proud
Shouting out loud
About what's brilliant and new

Taste's a rare gift
Or something acquired
You have to work hard at it

CHORUS

Even if we never meet again, you'll always be my friend

2011-01-07T04:07:00.000-08:00

VERSE
C
Well we talked the whole night
Am
Like old friends do
C
Perfectly normal
Am
Except I've just met you

We talked of vague plans
To keep in touch
But both of us knowing that that didn't matter much
G

CHORUS
C Am
Cos if we never meet again
F C
You'll always be my friend

VERSE
Well we put
The world to rights
Thinking the same thing

CHORUS

The US economy

2010-12-28T03:04:00.000-08:00

VERSE
F
When I was young
C
I was the prodigal son
Dm C
Bigger than all of my friends

And when you do that much growing
They want to keep you going
'Cos they've built everything around you

But finally I was stuffed
I had used myself up
And our whole house came tumbling down

CHORUS
F Bf
It's hard for somebody like me
F Bf
To always be all I can be
F Bf
Everyone I see says, 'How's your GDP?'
C
I'm the US economy

VERSE
My cousin Hosan
Over there in Japan
Was always given plenty of time

He took a while to get ready
Now performs slow and steady
And none of his people go without

While my German brother
Is an example of another
Grows a little more every year

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Dm
Spend, spend, buy buy
Am
Push, push, why? why?
C
My heads in a spin

No, no, go go
We're the best, we must grow
There's no way I can win

VERSE
They're pumping me with pills
Thinking that I'm ill
But I just want to take a break

These stimulants don't work
They're just making me hurt
I just need to lose some weight

I'm like a football jock
Taken one too many knocks
And the painkillers don't work anymore

CHORUS

Blood on the Ivory Coast

2010-12-27T04:45:00.000-08:00

VERSE
[Picked high]
Dm
Nearly 200 people
Dm/F
May have been killed last month
C Am
In a dispute over the election results

Death squads were seen
And sympathisers abducted
While the opposition leader is hidden away

Because the President can't face
The prospect of a break
And kills those who disagree

CHORUS
Dm Am
There's blood on the Ivory Coast
G Am
People have seen it, the UN can boast
Dm Am

There's blood on the Ivory Coast

G Am
Not long now for, the new civil war
Dm Am

There's blood on the Ivory Coast

C Dm

But not enough to intervene

VERSE
At a special UN session
The American Ambassador
Said we've heard some credible reports

Of many mass graves
Torture and mistreatment
And people being snatched in the night

Unfortunately
It's been impossible to investigate
We've not allowed to move around

CHORUS

[Strummed fast]
MIDDLE
Dm
With the army on his side
Am
The president will ride
C Am
Over the laws of human rights

Until the UN acts
The people will suffer
And the death toll will continue to rise

CHORUS

Students, students, students

2010-12-25T11:02:00.000-08:00

VERSE
F#m

Bm

How the privilege parade
When they don't get their fees paid

Asking me to pay for
Their education so they'll earn more
And take my job, when they say that I'm too old

"Education is our right
And for that we're prepared to fight"
For the right to party, and do very little work

CHORUS
F#m
Students, students, students
Bm
Put 'em in a boat
F#m

Students, students, students

One that doesn't float

C#m

And drown them all

CHORSE

The farcical will fall

As they leave with no skills at all

But a piece of paper, that says I'm educated

CHORUS

MIDDLE

And all this rioting over fees

That have to be paid back in tiny portions

VERSE

Well they're all holier than thou

And this it and how

I hated 'em all, even when I was one

Not a thing that I learned there

Did in any way prepare

Me for the real world, had to start again

And if I had my time again

I'd rip up the letter when

They said come on down, we're doing you a favour

Cos they took from me three years

And ground me in the gears

Telling how it's done, and this is what you need to know

CHORUS

Teachers, teachers, teachers

Put 'em in a boat

Teachers, teachers, teachers

One that doesn't float

And drown them all

The only cyclist in Athens

2010-12-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

VERSE
Am
I started off in circles finding my way around
E
But before long I'm desperately lost
Am
I look out for landmarks but it all looks the same
E
And the signs are in jibberish
Am
I'm lost on Athens' streets

The marble streets are slippery after a sharp thunderstorm

And the corners are treacherous

Motorcyclists surround me with their new licenses

Forced by their economy

Onto Athens streets

CHORUS

C E

So I ride ever harder

Am E

Trying to get away

C E

But the bikes they are faster

Am E

And I just can't find my way

Off these Athens streets

E Am

Athens is no place, no place for a rider like me

VERSE
I stick to the bus lanes to stay out of the way
cos they don't have any for bikes
But the taxis come after me and the buses break hard
Spilling their people out
Onto Athens streets

I come off the main roads onto the one-way streets
But the obstacles are hiding there too
Car doors open and drivers pull out
I swerve and I brake and I dodge
Down these Athens streets

CHORUS (cars)

VERSE
I made it to a park where it's peaceful at last
Or so I was foolish to hope
Stray dogs surround me and close in a pack
And the biggest jumps on my bike
I ride to Athens' streets

CHORUS (dogs)

Let there be light

2010-12-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

VERSE
C
Where there is much
Am
Let there be loss
C
Where there is waste
Am
Let there be less
Am
Whoever is weighed down by the things in their life
G
Let them be light

VERSE
Where it is full
Let it be clear
Where there is clutter
Let there be space
Where it is dark from the objects in sight
Let there be light

MIDDLE
Am G
There are too many things in the world
Am G
Things that we made that we thought that we needed

We need to leave some space in the world
To enjoy what we have so we see what we're needing
Let there be light

VERSE
Where there are goals
Let them be gone
Where there are needs
Let there be none
Whoever is ruled by ambition in their life
Let them see the light

MIDDLE
We all need to see that it is fear
Fear of failing, fear of death
All these comforters we hold onto
Fear of being along or fear of being left
And the insulators that we buy
Against fear of change or fear of distress
And the distractions that we chase
From fear of our own plain hopelessness

TV in my mind

2010-12-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

VERSE
G Bm
I've been watching you on the TV in my mind

G Bm

You've got your own channel, it's number 45

There's a series on our dinners

And a re-run of your faint

G Bm

And a special about that kiss up by the church

BRIDGE

C D

It's sickly romantic stuff

G Bm

That I wouldn't normally watch

C D G

But you're playing on the TV in my mind

CHORUS

G Bm

It feels like the longest time

C D

Since I held you in my arms

It feels like the longest time

Since your breath was in my lungs

It feels like the longest time

Since our bodies were as one

VERSE

I confess to liking the channel best late at night

When it plays the programmes your parents wouldn't like

I watch it in slow motion

And freeze-frame certain scenes

It's Tivo so I can do all of these things

BRIDGE

But sometimes I've had enough

And I want to turn it off

But you're stuck on the TV in my mind

CHORUS

MIDDLE

Bm G

You're probably not as beautiful

D G

In real life

Bm G D

For sure you're gonna be much more of a bitch

BRIDGE

But the TV shows the best bits

And you come across as kind

I prefer you on the TV in my mind

CHORUS

The water's on song

2010-12-12T13:34:00.000-08:00

VERSE
D
I put the water on, I put the water on
G
Hot water for my shower
D

I put the water on, I put the water on

I waited for over an hour

CHORUS

G D

And I forgot to turn it off

G D

And I got an electric shock

C G D

That old heater's got it in for me

VERSE

I put the water on, I put the water on

Hot water for my tea

I put the water on, I put the water on

Please save some for me

CHORUS

God only knows

Why you have that electric stove

Gonna buy you an electric kettle

VERSE

I put the water on, I put the water on

For a hot bath before I went out

I put the water on, I put the water on

But no joy now I scream and I shout

CHORUS

I waited at home all day

Until you came home to say

The taps are the wrong way round

The Italians

2010-12-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

VERSE
D
Where you from? What you done? When will you be gone?
G
It was the same old situation
D
So we started to play and with music to say
G
But they stayed with their conversation

BRIDGE
D
Are you going to keep talking?
G
It's not that I'm baulking
C
But I will be walking
D
Still the party went on

CHORUS (Same chords as verse)
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do!
Do-doon't-doon't-do-doodn't-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do!

VERSE
When everybody came they bought a pile of food
It was playing in a delicatesen
And w
You could say that I learned my lesson

BRIDGE
Cos they kept bringing courses
And passing round sauces
Without any pauses
Still the party went on

CHORUS

VERSE
Well they moaned when we said we were going to bed
Cos we had to get a train in the morning
But you couldn't tell that we'd gone cos the party went on
I should have given them a verbal warning

BRIDGE
I don't mean to be surly
Or sound like a girly
But we're getting up early

Still the party went on

CHORUS

Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do!

It's time you were gone

Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do!

Please be moving along

Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do!

That's the end of the song.

Wifi?

2010-12-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

VERSE

I've searched this whole city

I've wandered all day

F G

On a mission to connect to the world

For signals in cafes

And bars in bars

I walked with my laptop held high

Please here the question I cry

CHORUS

Do you have wifi?

Please be a nice guy

Give me the password

I must get online

VERSE

My temper is frayed

My nerves are rubbed raw

I haven't been online in days

All the signals are blocked

And security blocked

Do they think that I'm going to steal it?

My status is old

My blogs out of date

My twitter will whither and die

Please hear the question I cry

CHORUS

OUTRO

Am Em

At last, in a small cafe

Am Em

A quiet little place, hidden away

You wouldn't think it from looking

But they have it, at last

I'm online (Oh God! I can't believe it!)

I'm online (Hallelujah)

I'm online (Praise jesus)

I'm online (Come on everybody)

I'm online (This is too good to be true)

I'm online (In accepting this award I want to thank...)

I'm online (I'm over the moon!)

I'm online (I'm online)

I'm online (Hello friends)

I'm online (Hello Mother, Hello Father)

I'm online (You thought I'd died)

I'm online (But I'm alive)

And on-line!!!!!!!!!!

The Maria Cubi House Band

2010-12-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

VERSE
B
Well it was already dark when our ship rolled in
G#m
And we made our way across town
E
Maria Cubi was a dark little street
F#m
But we followed up the smells and the sounds

The table was full and the
We ate to the rhythm of song
They were passing the bottle just as much as the guitar
And it all went soaring by

CHORUS
That was a fun night
The music was out of sight
We played until the morning light
And the wine was really alright

VERSE
Well they started playing songs we'd never heard before
But we were alright singing along
Then we played the classics we didn't know we knew
And we got them more right than wrong

When he got out the double bass the party kicked off
Man that cat could really play

They were passing the bottle just as much as the guitar

And it all went soaring by

CHORUS

VERSE

I woke up in the morning with a brick in my head

I don't remember where it all went wrong

The House of the Rising Sun, should have been my last song

Then I wouldn't have seen the real one

But it was worth it for the memory if I could see through the fog

And remember that unforgettable night

They were passing the bottle just as much as the guitar

And it all went soaring by

CHORUS

I hope tonight

Won't be a fun night

I could really use an early night

I'm still not feeling alright

I didn't sleep so good

2010-12-12T12:50:00.000-08:00

CHORUS
E
I didn't sleep so good (the boat was really rocking)
A
I didn't sleep so good (my head I kept on knocking)
B
I didn't sleep so good (better not piss me off)

VERSE
E
I tried it on the bench with an armrest in my back
A
I don't know what sadistic fuck designed it like that
E B
I gotta lay down, I can't sleep sitting up

I saw you moving around to find a way to suit you
I think you tried more positions than the Karma Sutra
But you won't get satisfaction with an armrest up your arse

CHORUS

VERSE
I tried it on the couch, I tried it on the floor
I was drifting in and out until I woke up around four
When the man at the back started snoring, like a horse

There are other ways to economize
I can do without food or material prizes
But next time Emma, I've gotta have a bed

CHORUS

VERSE

Well the cabins were expensive so we had to ride couch

58 for a shared, a hundred for your own

At least now I know the price of a good night's sleep

They didn't just make it cramped they also made it cold
I didn't have a blanket so I put on all my clothes
And I was shivering all night, rocking along with the boat

CHORUS

Better not piss me off

On the train to Rome

2010-12-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

CHORUS (C Am F C)
On the train to Rome
Two rolling stones
Both not alone
But no closer to home

VERSE
C
Emma you must be tired, you should get some sleep
F
I'll wake you up in plenty of time

Jack you're looking cold, use my coat as a blanket
Got to keep yourself warm

BRIDGE
G
Like a sister to a brother
We have to look after each other

CHORUS

VERSE
Well I can see your neck is stiff, turn around I'll give you a massage
Your bag is too fucking big

Give me your card and I'll make the reservations
I will do the thinking today

I made sandwiches and you can have some
Got to keep your strength up

Come stand beside me and we can do some yoga
I have a special routine

CHORUS

OUTRO
Am
And when we arrive
F
You can wait inside
G
I'll get you a delightful
C
Indian takeaway (repeat to fade)

Cold cure blues

2010-12-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

VERSE (C# C B F#)
[Jack and Emma alternate]
I've got a cold coming
I feel it my bones
Rising up
It's gonna be a big one

The fastest cure in the East or West
Is liquid silver down the neck
It's a miracle cure
Works every time for me

It's too expensive and I ain't got none
But I feel the symptoms coming on
My nose is streaming
Working up a head of steam

Pour salt water into each nose
Swirl around until the muscous goes
It dries out the sinuses
Will make the cold go faster

CHORUS (C# F# C# F#)
I've got the cold cure blues
The symptoms or the cure?
I've got the cold cure blues
What's worse well I'm not sure
I've got the cold cure blues

VERSE
That's hurt like hell I need a modern cure
I spent a fortune at the drug store
But it's getting worse
My throat is really raw

Take a clove of garlic in the side of the mouth
It's the best known cure North or South
An antiseptic
Let the juices down

And talk to people with garlic breath?
Ah but it's getting worse now it's on my chest
I'm coughing up phlegm
All colours of the rainbow

Honey in hot water is the best cough mixture
Cheap and easy and bound to fix you
Leave all those expensive drugs
On the shelf

CHORUS

Yoga girl

2010-12-12T10:43:00.001-08:00

VERSE (F C Dm7 C)
Rising in the morning
With the birds
Goes to her special place
Deep in herself
Goes through her movements
Like a cat
Stretching out
Reaching up up up
CHORUS
That's my yoga girl
All she can be
Supple and silent
Lithe and free
My yoga girl
A picture of grace
A powerful creature
Contained in herself
VERSE
I see her body
So thin but so strong
Lifting herself
Above the world
In the watery morning light
Her siloutte dances
The first dusty rays
Give her a glow oh oh
CHORUS
MIDDLE (Dm/Am/C)
And she doesn't know that I'm there
Watching her silently
As she moves and rolls and writhes
And she doesn't know that I care
For her so deeply
As she comes back to lie next to me
CHORUS

English folk is utter shit

2010-08-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

Capo 5 (F-C & Df)

VERSE 1
C
What's whispered by the mighty oak
G
Down to the elm as a running joke
C
"Have you met the dim wits who make it"
G C
English folk is utter shit

VERSE 2
And dance, and dance to the lisping lark
As she screams to the players in the park
Excuse me sir but I must admit
English folk is utter shit

MIDDLE
Bf

VERSE 3
And what of the maid hiding by the lake
As she's serenaded by the minstrels to keep her awake
You're ruining my peace while I quietly sit
English folk is utter shit

The Blair Crusades

2010-08-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

VERSE 1
G C G
Once upon a time there lived an ambitious politician
C G
Who wanted to change his country as his personal mission

He won the election with a mandate for change
And embarked upon a reforming rampage

BRIDGE
Em G
As time passed his country's problems weren't big enough
Em C
A religious man with a direct line to God

He looked up for problems further out in the world
And counselled his people for war

D C
For crusades

CHORUS
G Em G
Arise, arise, First Minister of War
C G
Explain to the people what's worth fighting for

Arise, arise, First Minister of War

Tell them what people will die for

Now ride, let's ride into history

For something that's bigger than just you and me

VERSE 2
Allied with America he launched the attacks
To quell Afghanistan and bring freedom to Iraq

The invasions turned out to be the easiest parts
But just 'cos you got the head doesn't give you the heart

BRIDGE
All the many factions began to uprise
And hundreds of thousands of people died

Bloody fighting continued day and night
And still there is no end in sight

For the crusades

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Whether for the attention or the power
He wanted to be the man of every hour

Drunk on attention he tried to seduce success
But all he ever managed was a hand up her dress

VERSE 3
Fighting on so many fronts at home and abroad
Against deception and allegations of fraud

His own country spiralled into decay and debt
And it was clear that he'd lost out on his legacy bet

BRIDGE
Finally he abdicated a ruined man
But claimed no regrets for the things he had done

And if he had his chance he would do the same
But nobody would follow him again

On the crusades

CHORUS

Drama star

2010-07-31T01:35:00.000-07:00

VERSE 1
   Dm
Nothing's ever easy with you
   Am
You'll always find some trouble to get to
   C
There's nothing more that I want to do
   Dm
I know that's enough now I'm through

Why you always stealing the scene?
I think you'll forever be sixteen
Always a young drama queen
I don't what to hear where you've been

CHORUS
Am C Dm
I don't want your drama x4

VERSE 2
You're always ready with an excuse
Of why you're needing help, it's a ruse
You're showing us how easily your bruise
It's like if you're alone they you lose

And nothing is ever your fault
There's always another reason to blame
And you're so bare-faced, where's you shame?
I think you just think it's a game

CHORUS

MIDDLE
Why do you need so much attention?
I just want a quiet life
It used to be entertaining, now it's just a drag
Put the handbook back in your bag

CHORUS

My leaving was a long time coming

2010-07-30T06:21:00.000-07:00

VERSE 1
   F
I'm better now I've gone
   Am
It was bad what I'd become
   Dm
A non-resolving sum
   C
I was only heading down

I know I share the blame

For the chaos reign

The money down the gaps

Tried to fill where we lacked

Foolish through and through

I thought the more you do
More chances to come true
Partly guilty rich, and young

The damn house we bought
Was nothing like we thought
A museum of the things
We were too lazy to learn

CHORUS
I'm leaving those ways
Leaving that waste
Leaving your words
Leaving those days

Leaving that life
Leaving those walls
Leaving that look
Leaving it all... far behind

VERSE 2
So take all my clothes
My many mannered robes
My vanity expose with your voodoo doll

Pile it on a pyre
Build your threatened fire
Of my decorative books and silent records

And my writings that you read
Where you ripped up what I said
Burn them down instead
To give you better status

CHORUS

MIDDLE
But it's because of that I've gone so far
I was wound up so tight
The tension now released
Has catapulted me

You can't stop me now I'm running
My engines a humming and a gunning
You know my leaving was a long time coming

VERSE 3
And once you've cleared me out
The fire will reveal
All the unused gifts
That tried to heal the rifts

The guru behind the curtain

Awaits your meditation

Behind non-reflective glass

He laughs and he laughs

Ride that dusty racing bike
Along now empty shelves
Past the piano never played
To the place you never prayed

CHORUS

Couchsurfer's riposte

2010-07-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

VERSE 1
E
Beware of hidden dangers
And don't stay with strangers
B
Bad things do go on

Book well in advance
And don't leave things to chance
Make sure all the Ts are crossed

CHORUS
E
Those are your fears
A B
Don't put your weight on me
E
Those are your fears
A B
Don't challenge the way I see

VERSE 2
Be sure to guard you home
From the many threats unknown
Lock your windows and doors

Better keep a gun
To protect you from someone
If they try to get in

CHORUS

MIDDLE

A B

If you carry fear when you go

E A

And think of scenarios

E A B

Then you will surely see them realised

But I've travelled and I've seen

Friendliness wherever I've been

If you carry it in you

No man

2010-07-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

VERSE 1
A
Tell him that the earth goes round the sun
Tell him that you've never really loved anyone

CHORUS
E D A
He's going to disagree with everything you say

VERSE 2
Tell him that you've put money on Brazil to win
Tell him you think quite highly of Vera Lynn

CHORUS

MIDDLE
It's not that he likes to argue, he doesn't offer a debate
It's more like a flat refusal

It's an automated response, the whole world is wrong
And he's the only one taking a stand

VERSE 3
Tell him that two plus two will always be four
Tell him that you thinking about protesting the war

CHORUS

He's not going to ever let you think you've had your way

He's going to disagree every single day

Son of a gun

2010-07-24T03:52:00.001-07:00

Capo 5th

G
Every son of a gun is some mother's son
C
Love everyone

The flood

2010-07-24T03:44:00.000-07:00

Capo 3rd

VERSE 1
G G
The fateful waking dream
   C
Turns the sweetest stream you've seen
   G
Into a vengeful fighting force
   D
That breaks out and destroys

   G
The lush green river banks
   C
Will break into advancing flanks
   G
And the whole perspiring army
   D
Will growl like a thousand drums
   G
When the water comes

VERSE 2
It can't be talked down or contained
It won't be rationed with or restrained
An unleashed
And all it seeks is down

All will go from green to brown
As it hurtles through the town
Taking all before it
Until everything is gone
When the water comes

MIDDLE
And when the beast is spent
All the powers

The high mark on the wall
And the stench of

Then it will recede
Slowly to reveal
What the waters done

MI5 vs. Omar Deghages

2010-07-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

VERSE
Omar Deghages was over in Afghanistan
There with his wife and children when the bombing began
He new the score, the start of the war

He had escaped to Lahore but was abducted in the night
By a gang of policeman who were far from polite
A private corps, through the back door

He told them a few details but they wanted it all
The fact he lived in Britain didn't matter at all
He didn't tell, he didn't tell

He thought he'd be better off with the Americans
But they turned out more violent than the Pakistans
He was wanted alive, by MI5

CHORUS

If only he'd talked to us, your honour

If only he'd told the truth

D G

Instead of being evasive and telling obvious lies

But I can't give evidence about it

It's a national secret

You can torture me, but I'll never tell

VERSE

He was happy to be told he was being rendered away
A place in the Carribean called Guantanamo Bay
A living hell, a living hell

He was there for 33 months and thought he was going to die
They beat him so bad that he lost an eye
In his cell, they said he fell

Now he's suing the British government trying to get himself a trial
But they're stalling the release of over half a million files
It's taking a while, it's take a while

There are 60 lawyers working with black market pens
It'll take about nine years before they get to the end
They're working hard, they're working hard

CHORUS

MIDDLE
G
There has been torture going on
C
But we can't tell anyone

Empire state of mind (crowd-pleasing cover)

2010-07-21T05:32:00.001-07:00

Capo 2nd

VERSE 1

F#
Yeah,

Yeah, I'm up at Brooklyn,

now I'm in Tribeca,

right next to DeNiro,

But i’m hood forever,

Bmaj7

I’m the new Sinatra,

and as i made it here,

i can make it anywhere,

yeah they love me everywhere,

F#
i used to cop in Harlem,

all of my dominicanos

right there up on broadway,

and back to McDonalds,

Bmaj7
took it to my stash spot,

5-60 State street,

catch me in the kitchen like a Simmons whipping Pastry,

F#
cruising down 8th street,

off white lexus,

driving so slow but BK's from Texas,

Bmaj7
me I’m up at Bed Stuy,

home of boy Biggie,

now i live on billboard,

i brought my boys with me,

F#
say wat up to Ty Ty,
still sipping Mai-tai

sitting courtside Knicks and Nets give me high fives,

BRIDGE
Bf

N-gga i be Spiked out, i can trip a referee,

tell by my attitude I most definitely from...

CHORUS

Bmaj7
New York,
F#

Concrete jungle where dreams will come true,

F#
There's nothing you can’t do,
Bmaj7

Now you’re in New York,

F#
these streets will make you feel brand new,

Big lights will inspire you,

Bmaj7
lets hear it for New York, New York, New York

VERSE 2

Now I'm a super troubadour

See me on my world tour

Learning more about myself
and the world as I explore

America by car
And Europe train
Now I'm gonna go by bicycle
And a bit by plane

Gave up my home
And sold my possessions
Learnt that you don't need shit
I live for the sessions

Gotta get to a 1000
Like street fights and co.
Then I'll know, where I go, how to put on a show

I'm meeting people of all walks and breeds and creeds
And providing for their entertainment needs

BRIDGE
But while we're getting factual
You should know that I'm not actually from....

CHORUS

VERSE 3
So I made my dream true
But still I got no crew
From booking, to plugging, everything I do

And mediocrity's blocking me with people trying to play
If you've nothing new to say
Then get the fuck out of my way

N-gga try an idea?
Engage your brain
Don't just be making noise
You all sound the same

They're all trying to be twee
With meaningless poetry
Why don't you read a newspaper?
Don't be writing me me me me me

I blame the dumb hicks
All the Blunt chicks
Who don't care for lyrics
Dare talk at my shows pricks

I'm underrated
Unappreciated
Even though I'm streets ahead
When you hear what I've created

I even went to the apple core
Looking for a big score
But I got no draw
I played to the sound guy y'all

BRIDGE
I'll have a next time, I can make it anywhere, but I got to live there, I'm talking...

CHORUS

MIDDLE
B
One hand in the air for the big city,

Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty,
C#

no place in the World that can compare,
Ebm

Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeaaahh
come on, come,
Bf

yeah,

CHORUS

When the oil runs out

2010-07-13T02:19:00.000-07:00

CHORUS - Denial, anger

When the oil runs out

We'll all be in denial

When the oil runs out

There will have to be a trial
When the oil runs out
We'll they'll just have to drill more
When the oil runs out
Did they look everywhere offshore?
When the oil runs out
They'll fighting in the streets
When the oil runs out

They'll be tearing up the seats

When the oil runs out

We'll be under attack

When the oil runs out

That will be that

VERSE

Dm G

No more umbrellas, no more wellies

No more toothpaste or petroleum jelly

Goodbye plastic, goodbye gas

Goodbye the good times you went by so fast

There must be another barrel down there somewhere

C
Why don't they drill another hole and make a bigger well

CHORUS - bargaining, depression

When the oil runs out

People will want proof
When the oil runs out

The price with go through the roof
When the oil runs out

Then they will fight over the last barrel
When the oil runs out
Our live's will be in peril

When the oil runs out

We'll have to cut back

When the oil runs out

That will be that

VERSE

No more batteries, no more grease

No more footballs or toilet seats

Goodbye CDs, goodbye speakers

Goodbye nice clothes and brand new sneakers

There must be other materials we'll have to look around

Maybe have to redesign the whole damn town

CHORUS - acceptance

When the oil runs out

We'll just have to go back to wood
When the oil runs out
It might turn out to be good

When the oil runs out

There won't be so much greed

When the oil runs out
And things we knew we didn't need

OUTRO
Dm G
What would life be like without oil?
Will the world stop without oil?
How will we fight wars without oil?
And what will we fight for without oil?

Hymn for the shareholders

2010-07-13T01:44:00.000-07:00

VERSE 1
   E
Dear shareholder
   Asus
Living somewhere out there
   E
We hope you're a happy God
   B
And that you care

Have you heard about
How we scrimp and we sacrifice
All the many corners
Cut for your 'end?

VERSE 2
Dear shareholder
We know we are the lucky ones
Unlike those colleagues
Whose jobs went abroad

We hope you spare a thought
For the people working over there
In harsher conditions
For a much lower wage

CHORUS 1

Asus

Do you even care?

   E
Do you hear our prayers?
   Asus
Are you a man like me?
   B
Or just, another company?

VERSE 3
This hymn for the shareholders
We sing to be thankful for
Your investment in us
When we needed more

We pray for your confidence
In these hard times
And that this quarter
You will think fine

CHORUS 2

Do you even care?

Do you hear our prayers?

Do you have hopes and dreams?

Or are you just, another pension scheme?

MIDDLE

F#m B
It's not how it's meant to be
We were supposed to own the corporations
Now they're running society
Is it too late to undo
The soulless corporations
For the sake of me and you

VERSE 4

Dear shareholder

We hear you're not satisfied

The management tells us all

That we haven't tried

Why don't you talk to us

Can you give us a sign

Is all that you want from us

Just to send money?

CHORUS 1

Sweatshop sing-along

2010-07-12T03:38:00.000-07:00

CHORUS
A
We're all working together
E
We're out there with a mission
D E A
Trying to save you a fortune

We're pushing down prices
And never knowingly wrong
Trying to save you a fortune

VERSE
Well my supplier Ravi in India
He's only 7 years old
But already a shining star

He works for 10 cents a day
98 hours a week
Making napkin rings for you

He's running out of time
Gotta be done by Christmas
And he's making himself pretty sick

CHORUS

VERSE
Me I search for suppliers
I don't look very hard
They're all dying to get on-board

We never knowingly use children
But it's a long supply chain
And there are places it can go wrong

So I cover my back
Always asking questions
But the prices say it all

CHORUS

MIDDLE
A
You buy the cheap stuff
E
So you can't really complain

You buy the cheap stuff

We do it in your name

You buy the cheap stuff

It's you he's working for

You buy the cheap stuff

If only you'd pay more

VERSE
Ravi's one in a million
We couldn't do it without him
He makes the whole thing possible

From 9am til 11 at night
He works there without light
For money he think's sent home to his mum

It's not much of a life
But at least he's not alone
He has 200 million friends

CHORUS