1. |
Hope in Shadows
04:10
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The further down you go, where them dark winds blow
The more you lose your soul's way to get back home
These streets are quicksand, and this city is on borrowed time
And there's a lonesome eerie fog down on the low side of the tracks
Where desperation holds it's prisoners like a Venus fly trap
Hope in shadows shines like Klondike gold
And do I still believe in magic? Yes I do
And do I still believe the dead can come back to life? Yes I do
'Cause I got hope, I got hope
Hope that all those lost souls can find their way back home
Hope in shadows shines like gold
And no two stories are the same
When the devil's the one to blame
Forgotten dreams, they fall like rain down those old brick lanes
For every curse, there's a spell to lift it
And do I still believe in magic? Yes I do
And do I still believe the dead can come back to life? Yes I do
'Cause I got hope, I got hope
Hope that all those lost souls can find their way back home
Hope in shadows shines like gold
Hope in shadows shines like gold
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2. |
Good Company
03:34
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Live from your heart babe, don't hide in fear
Beware of fool's gold, smoke and mirrors
Watch out for tricksters, the wolves in sheep's clothes
The rogue chameleons and restless ghosts
Take care of yourself and love fearlessly
And keep yourself in good company
Carnival barkers and old circus clowns
They summon dark forces, pull you underground
So beware, beware babe the mighty dollar's king
It's lies are everywhere babe, behind everything
So take care of yourself and live gratefully
And keep yourself in good company
Keep yourself in good company
If thoughts are waves and the mind's a sea
Than surf the ones that carry you to good company
'Cause blood thirsty vampires and their scam artist cons
Won't give your moments back when they're gone
Take care of yourself and love fearlessly
And keep yourself in good company
Take care of yourself and love fearlessly
And keep yourself in good company
Keep yourself in good company
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3. |
Hummingbird
04:10
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She said “Jess did you hear that?” there's a bird outside
“I think it's a mourning dove” I said “I think you're right”
She said “when I'm here in the glow of your charm
I feel so weightless and safe from harm”
Like no amount of evil can touch us here
You know that I believe in you my dear
I said “Meg did you hear that? I think it's startin' to rain
It feels like summers closin' it's tired eyes again
And the winter's clawin' at the heels of fall
But in this moment we're above it all”
Like no amount sadness and sweep us away
And no amount of madness can touch us today
She said “Jess did you hear that? what was that sound?”
I said “it's a foghorn from the docks on the edge of town”
I said “the ports get foggy this time of year
It's just something you get used to livin' 'round here”
She said “I don't know what to do with my life
Just take a look at you, you do what you love it must be nice
to wake up in the morning and live for yourself
I feel so boring, like everybody else”
I said “Meg did you hear that? another bird outside
I think it's a hummingbird, it's a pretty rare sight”, said
“When I'm here lyin' in your arms, I feel so loyal and safe from harm
Like no amount of craziness can reach us here
You know I found a place in us that I hold dear”
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4. |
East Van Blues
04:11
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I got one foot in a sunbeam, I got one foot in the grave
I got one foot in a sunbeam, one foot in the grave
I got an angel on my shoulder, I got a devil up my sleeve
I got a blue skies out my window, I got the city in my bones
Blue skies out my window, city in my bones
All these bright lights and shadows, all these worker bees and clones
Ooooh... city in my bones
The days are runnin’ by like wild dogs in Mexico
Days are runnin’ by, wild dogs in Mexico
Some things are meant to master, some things we'll never know
Ooooh... we'll never know
I got a heart full of magic, I got a suitcase full of dreams
Heart full of magic, suitcase full of dreams
They say the brightest stars burn the fastest
I think I know what they mean
Ooooh... I know what they mean
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5. |
Wild Balloon
05:10
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You know you’ve been in my dreams a lot lately
And I kind of remember some of them vaguely
You know they seem so real at the time
And from the first time, the first time I saw you smile
You know the skies were gold and they went on for miles
You were the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen
The way that time just seemed to stand still
And the sky was rainin’ hundred dollar bills
When you stood there in your yard
And now you’re floatin’ through the city like a wild balloon
From the sands of California to the Mayan ruins
In to the wild of the endless blue
And now you’re floatin’ through the city like a wild balloon
From the highways of Toronto down to Saskatoon
By the light of the lonesome moon
By the light of the lonesome moon
And when you took me to the island I was mesmerized
It’s like I’d been there before in some other life
Drivin’ down those windin' roads
And when I’d wake up in the morning, see you standin’ there
Looking in the mirror just-a-brushin’ your hair
I couldn’t believe how beautiful you were
And out of all the wildest pleasures I crave
And out of all the finest treasures I’ve saved
You know you’re closest to my heart
And now you’re floatin’ through the city like a wild balloon
From the golden rings of Saturn to the blue lagoon
In to the wild of the endless blue
And now you’re floatin’ through the city like a wild balloon
From the mountains of Vancouver down to Saskatoon
By the light of the lonesome moon
By the light of the lonesome moon
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6. |
Small Talk
03:20
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She don't like small talk or crowded sidewalks
She don't like small talk, she don't like to say a lot but
She don't mind restful, sacred mornings listening to the rain
She don't like big crowds or dreary storm clouds
She don't like big crowds, she's just a country mouse
But she don't mind listenin' to my shaky voice chimin' out melodies
Or a glass of wine by the fireplace, tradin' memories
She don't like the rat race or the numbing fast pace of
The city's mad chase and smiley plastic face
But she don't mind fillin' blank pages with perfect poetry
She don't like shiny people or getting' in to deep with
Phony deadbeats just poundin' the concrete
But she don't sittin' in a cafe window watchin' the world go by
And she don't mind lifting up her soothing voice
for a midnight lullaby
She don't like small talk or muddled dark thoughts
She don't like small talk or racin' against the clock
But she don't mind restful, sacred mornings listening to the rain
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7. |
Hard Livin'
03:54
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Empty bottles and wasted time
I got nothin' to show for all my wasted time
Except a troubled, worried mind
I got nothin' to show for wasted time
And hard livin' don't come cheap
The stakes are high and the price is steep
When you're in deep with hard livin', you're playin' for keeps
Livin' poor, out on the fringes
Motel benders and cocaine binges
The doors are closin', comin' off they're hinges
When hard livin' has got you in it's clinches
And old habits are hard to kick
When you've got demons to drown and a mind to trick you're fallin' quick
When hard livin' has got you in it's grips
Playin' your heart and traveling hard
In truck stop diners and small town bars
With pretty much nothin' but a few blues harps
Hard livin' don't care who you are
And hard livin' don't come cheap
The stakes are high and the price is steep
when you're in deep with hard livin', you're playin' for keeps
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8. |
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It’s easy to forget how precious our lives are
How beautiful the stars are, the light that we feel
Birds singin’ in the morning, the calm before the storm and
The way the sun hits the ocean, that star that we’re all from
I live by the ocean, I keep myself open, It’s the life that I’ve chosen, it’s the vision I see
I sleep with the light on, surrounded by mountains, It's the treasures I’ve found and the people I love
It’s easy to forget, sometimes it just takes a little kindness to remember
So remind me to wake up, remind me to open my eyes, remind me live my life like I’m ready to die
Remind me to look up, remember who we are, remind me to remember to keep a light on in the dark
You gotta lift up your spirits, let everybody hear it, you gotta break through the fear and be who you are
You gotta rise in the mornin’, go stand in a cornfield, nd feel the whole earth spin and know what you know
It’s easy to forget, sometimes it just takes a little kindness to remember
So remind me to wake up, remind me to open my eyes, remind me live my life like I’m ready to die
Remind me to look up, remember who we are, remind me to remember to keep a light on in the dark
Remind me to remember to keep a light on in the dark
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9. |
Lorraine
04:08
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Lorraine came down from Mississauga town without a dime in her pocket
She gave up her belongings and said “I'm goin' it alone”
She escaped by night on a red eye flight from the Pearson airport
Her fragile mind was racing and destiny unknown
She said “I'm done with bein' no one, I've gotta find my callin'
Once and for all and find a life to call my own”
She never had no dad her ma was all she had but she led a life of drinkin'
She said “that ain't no life worth livin', there ain't no honor in shame”
She pawned her ma's jewels and dropped out of school she said
“There's nothin' there worth learnin'”
Her angry blood was burnin' and happiness unclaimed
She said “I'm through with feelin' untrue, I gotta find my own truth”
She changed her clothes in a phone booth and rolled a smoke for the road
Months went by without a smile in here eye she started runnin' with the wrong crowd
With no plan or way out of that maze of shady deals
Those mean streets didn't have no leads, man her grubby hands were shaking
As the honest world was awaking she flagged down trucks in high heels
She said “things aren't supposed to be like this, I gotta find a way out
I'll get out and stay out of this cruel dreary town”
She disappeared without a trace, I saw a poster of her face at the drop in centre
It said 'missing since november' any leads would be helpful
Now and again I think about Lorraine, I hope she's In a warm and safe place
The cops said “it's a cold case”, they ain't got nothin' to go on
When your roots are soaked in booze, how can you keep 'em strong
When all you know is wrong and you've got no place to belong?”
Lorraine came down from Mississauga town without a dime in her pocket
She gave up her belongings and said “I'm goin' it alone”
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10. |
Other Side of Town
04:35
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Across the bridge beneath the old train yard
The streets are haunted and the days are dark when you’re down
On the other side of town
Deserted alleys full of small town girls
Chasin’ dragons off the edge of the world and searchin’
For a thing that can’t be found
Crazy junkies just-a-wastin’ time, lyin’ around, makin’ cardboard signs, and standin’ in long lines
Ain’t nobody wanna go down there Ain’t nobody, ain’t nobody care About junkies deep in the underground
So if you ever end up down on the other side of town
Don't slip or sink too low
‘Cause only darkness can be found, down the east sideunderground
On the other side of town, you’re on the other side of town
There's a shoppin’ cart rollin’ down the alleyway
Those clangin’ empty bottles in a pile of wasted days
In this god forsaken place
Broken windows in a burnt out scene
There’s people sleepin’ next to bank to machines with dreams
Of a life that might have been
Ain’t nobody wanna look that way, ain’t nobody got the time of day
For junkies, deep in the underground
So if you ever end up down on the other side of town
Don't drown in the undertow
‘Cause only darkness can be can be found,
Down the east side underground
On the other side of town, you’re on the other side of town
Too many people just-a-too far gone,
They crossed the line, went beyond the beyonds, they’re gone,
On the other side of town, you’re on the other side of town
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11. |
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Ballerina from the east coast
Whirling through malls and seawalls like Russian dolls, surprising
Ballerina you have the most
Wonderful charm, you disarm me still and realizing
I wish you easy days with golden rays
Of sun upon your softened skin, I wish this for you
And all your dreams, like frayed seams
Be stitched together lit agleam I wish this for you
My love for you is true
Ballerina from the east coast
Carving your path with light and graceful stunning beauty
Ballerina keep your roots close
And balance the weight of this heavy world
Babe you cut right through me
I wish you blissful ease and lasting peace
While swinging on this wild trapeze, I wish this for you
And all your knots and tangled thoughts be freed and purified
I've got this messgage for you
I love you through and through
Ballerina from the east coast
Mysterious and wise, your kind eyes hold the Maritimes
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12. |
Lonesome City
04:15
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Lonesome city, you've been a good friend to me
You got the best of me, you brought out the devil in me
But now I gotta get goin', and I just wanted you to know
I’ll be missin’ you, and I won't be back anytime soon
Lonesome city, I'm leavin' you tonight
Lonesome city, I'm sayin' goodbye
Goodbye to all my friends, livin’ in the east end
To all of your crowded bars, your strippers and screeching guitars
I'll miss your wild nights of cheap beer and stage lights
Lonesome city, I won't be back anytime soon
Lonesome city, I'm leavin' you tonight
Lonesome city, I'm sayin' goodbye
Goodbye to your factories, your highways and backstreets
Your beaches with flyin' kites, your strange and exotic delights
All of your business plans, all your deals and scams
Lonesome city, I'm-a-gettin' out while I can
Lonesome city, I'm leavin' you tonight
Lonesome city, I'm sayin' goodbye
Lonesome city, I'm leavin' you tonight
Lonesome city, I'm sayin' goodbye
Lonesome city, I'm sayin' goodbye
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13. |
Ashes
04:22
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Watcha gonna leave behind?
And how ya gonna be remembered by?
After this life, life, life
Watcha gonna leave behind?
And how ya gonna live today?
Which words ya gonna chose to say?
Which ones will go left unsaid?
How ya gonna live today?
And if I leave this world before you
Throw my ashes to the sea
And may the gift of your tomorrows
Hold warm memories of me
And may your time pass peacefully
Watcha gonna sing today?
What melodies does your heart have to say?
What songs you gonna play?
Watcha gonna sing today?
And if I leave this world before you
Throw my ashes to the sea
And may the gift of your tomorrows
Hold warm memories of me
And may your time pass peacefully
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14. |
Raincity Blues
04:23
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You know the winters are pretty grey here
It just-a-rains for days
Sometimes it gets hard to stay here, in this-a-city of grey
I get so down, I just can’t find my light
I get so down, I just gotta get through this night
So gimme a good high to chase these blues away
Gimme a good high, forget about yesterday
And times are gettin’ harder,
You know it’s harder to stay clean
And your days start gettin’ darker
When you’re forgettin’ your dreams
You get so down, you wanna make it all disappear
Wishin’ you were somewhere, anywhere but here
So gimme a good high to chase these blues away
Gimme a good high, forget about yesterday
So gimme a good high to chase these blues away
Gimme a good high, forget about yesterday
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15. |
The Rest of My Days
03:31
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Through all the snow in these northern skies
And all the crows with their strange mournful cries
The lowest lows and the grand soaring highs
I'll be kind to you the rest of my days
Through all them shadowy barbed-wire streets
And all them lyin' servants in their parliamentary seats
Through all the frozen hearted warlords and thieves
I'll be kind to you the rest of my days
And so when you go down that dark foggy road
If there's one thing that you know when you're out in the cold
With all the warmth my devoted heart holds
I'll be kind to you the rest of my days
Through all the gloom in these west coast rains
And all them lonely faces on them rush hour subway trains
The things that you know deeply but can never be explained
I'll be kind to you the rest of my days
And so when you go take this promise for the road
If there's one thing that you know
When you're out there all alone
With all the warmth my devoted heart holds
I'll be kind to you the rest of my days
I'll be kind to you the rest of my days
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16. |
Another Lost Soul
03:32
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I'm out here wanderin' these haunted streets
With a restless heart man these blues are deep
I've been a long lost soul all my life
I got this old time curse, man I don't know why
There's a moon and it's sinkin' low
As I float past Chinatown's neon glow
Another long lost soul out here tonight
My mind's burnin' man I'm spinnin' like a satellite
Just another lost soul out here alone
Just another lost soul tryin’ to get back home
And I've been sleepwalking through this town and with
All my sweet talking, still I'm bound
To be a long lost soul, lost in these crowds
I gotta lift this spell man I don't know how
'Cause nothin' shines in this desolate place
Just another angel fallen from grace
Another long lost soul out here tonight
The city's hummin' man I can't be satisfied
Just another lost soul out here alone
Just another lost soul tryin’ to get back home
Just another lost soul out here alone
Just another lost soul tryin’ to get back home
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Jesse Waldman Vancouver, British Columbia
Guitar hero. Singer-songwriter. Studio Guru. Based in Vancouver, BC Jesse Waldman continues to delight his audiences with heartfelt performances and deeply personal songs. Sophomore album "The Shimmering Divide" set for release Sept 20, 2024
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