Lyrics

The Chant (by Kat Mills)

*Note: Folks are asking about "The Chant".
I really wanted to use the talents of Scott and Jerry to
help me create something in the studio that I just
can't create on my own. I also wanted to show how the
myriad of religious traditions and faiths in the world are
really all saying the same thing. Let's make them harmonize...

Alleluia = Praise the Lord (Christianity)
Shalom = Peace/Hello (Judaism)
As Salaam Aleikhum = Peace be with you (Islam)
Om Shanti = Incarnation of Peace (Hinduism)
Om Mani Padme Hum = Mantra open to all (Buddhism)
Igziabeher = Lord of the Universe (Rastafarianism)

Too Far Gone (by Kat Mills)

He tells lies like they were real,
and he doesn't give a damn about the way we feel.
He picks his price behind closed doors,
and then sells it out from under us before
we get a chance to make a bid.
He'd rather keep it hid. He's too far gone.

He plays games with our young men,
sending them into the line of fire with no way
to get them back out again.
And if you think war is a way to peace,
or the longest purse strings are the ones that should get the grease,
well I'm sorry but liberty don't look like that to me.
You're too far gone.

"Culture of life", listen to him talk
while countless thousands perish on his watch.
You got us in, now get us out.
There's no mandate in the world that could give you that much clout.
We're either with you or against you,
well I guess I'm against you.
You're too far gone.

When will the pendulum finally start to swing?
When will we see we're all in this together?

Just relax, 'cause he's working hard.
Just go about your business--sitcoms and credit cards,
and don't speak up. And don't make waves.
And don't question the way the government behaves.
Just sit back and let him lead 'em.
That's the privilege of freedom.

Let Me Let Go (by Kat Mills)

With my tongue in my cheek and a chip on my shoulder,
driving all night so it'll be over.
Open the door and let me in.
I just want to see your sweet face again.

I don't want to go it, go it alone.
So you'd better be there when I get home.
Wrap your arms around me, baby.
Makin' me new, makin' me crazy.

I dream about it in the morning light.
I dream about it and I don't know.
Then I wake up and hold you tight. You let me let go.

I'm a grown woman and you understand
what it is that I like in a man.
It don't take money. It don't take fame.
It's the way you make me feel when you call my name.

Kisses so tender, lips like a song.
I just can't be without you too long.
I'll make your dinner, I'll bake your bread,
or skip it altogether and go back to bed.

One Time Around (by Kat Mills)

Black deep night creeps. You toss and turn and try to sleep.
Night falls. God calls and tells you things you can't recall.
It comes to you late at night--
a vision strange that something just ain't right.

One time around. For all we know, it's just one time around.

A second try. A lullaby. A look that's in your mother's eye.
A long wait or a hesitate, a sad regret, or a thing you hate.
It's coming down to feelings in your heart.
Just one change may stir your soul to start if it's one time around.

Uncertainty--who cares?
Your running free--who knows?
What will it be that lays you down?

No mistakes. A chance you'll take.
And you'll breathe again when morning breaks.
A sun's beam or a lover's dream will keep you here,
and wash you clean.

We don't know just how much time we've got.
Better hold on with both hands to this shot.
If it's one time around. For all we know, it's just one time around.

Why Would You Say That? (by Kat Mills)

Childhood dreams and envy always were so easy.
The world was open to us then.
Imaginary chances, and flirtatious dances.
Whatever we want to be we can.

Chorus:
Why would you say that I would take things over
when I'm just getting over it?

As we grow we cross o'er self-inflicted torture
to find the person we'll become.
What will dictate our lives? Will we be mothers, wives?
Was it dream infatuation?

Uncharted territory and reinvented stories--
chart a path for me please!
I don't want the burden. Ignorant bliss seems more fun.
It takes hurt to be free.

Motel Blues (by Kat Mills)

A Rutland sunset takes its time
as I look for the next in an endless line
of two-bit two-story places to lay my head.

Opinions distort as I move on the map
shuttling strangely from nap to nap
in rooms with tiny coffee makers and two queen beds.

Chorus:
Why do I take everything they say as the gospel truth?
Why do I romanticize my life in a motel room?

I don't know what day it is and I don't really care
can't remember the last time I had clean hair
and checkout times keep moving in like impending doom.

I feel like I just got settled here
and it's already time to pack up my gear
and the towns move in, towns move on and it's always too soon.

Chorus

Local color is a thing of the past
people want consistency and they want it fast
hurry up and get in the car before the fries get cold.

This country is huge and it all looks the same
logos painted over fruited plains
and exit ramps that lead to plazas with the same-old, same-old.

Chorus

It certainly ain't the worst job around
gettin' to check out all the back road towns
and show up in some local saloon and play some show

but the people disappear just as quickly as they came
and I'm alone with the remote again
Just give me my continental breakfast and let me go.

Chorus

Walking Away (by Kat Mills)

And you are, and you are, and you are, you are...

I may be flying. I may be falling down, down.
I may be to the end of the stars and the ocean drowning.

Chorus:
And you are. And you are. And you are.
And I may be rich. And I may be strong. I may have power.
I may be safe and have all I need, but I'll never be what I wanted to be.

You are a hand at the end of long arm, stretching down.
You pick me up. You wrap your fingers around me. You fill me up.

Chorus

You are a straight line, and I curve round.
You are a sharp-edged sword.
I am the fire that washes over. I am the fire that washes over.

And you are.

World's Too Big (by Kat Mills)

The world's too big to see in one lifetime,
the world's too big to see in one day, and we
work too hard to get much perspective,
I'd like to see things in a different way.

Clouds roll on, they're rollin' on before me
and the sun sets down and I can't see,
'til the stars come out and show me their paintings,
a pixel place of mystery.

What's the view from your kitchen window?
What's beyond the big back yard?
Who shows you a whole 'nother level?
Why do we have to try so hard?

Paper kite and silver medallion,
coastal stone, enduring tide,
frozen storm or kingdom of armor,
white as snow, black as night.

I like to walk in the wilderness,
free myself from anxiety and fear,
but the world's too big to see in one lifetime.
What do you think you'll do this year?

Grey (by Kat Mills)

Grey, grey, grey. Another Bleaksburg day.
Oh, what is the matter? My bones start to chatter,
and the kids cannot come out to play.

'Cause it's grey, grey, grey. Another Bleaksburg day.
Nobody had told her, it'll never be over,
you'll just have to move away.

Grey, grey, grey. Another Bleaksburg day.
Nothing wrong with me, just need some Vitamin D,
at least that's what my therapist say.

I don't remember the sight of the sun.
And I can't remember her kiss.
All I can do is think of my friends out in Los Angeles.

Here it's grey, grey, grey. Another Bleaksburg day.
It keeps getting colder, I keep getting older,
and I didn't want it this way.

Grey, grey, grey. Another Bleaksburg day.
But we won't try to fake it, don't worry, we'll make it.
Summer will be here one day.
'Til then it's grey.

You Are (by Kat Mills)

And you are, and you are, and you are, you are...

I may be flying. I may be falling down, down.
I may be to the end of the stars and the ocean drowning.

Chorus:
And you are. And you are. And you are.
And I may be rich. And I may be strong. I may have power.
I may be safe and have all I need, but I'll never be what I wanted to be.

You are a hand at the end of long arm, stretching down.
You pick me up. You wrap your fingers around me. You fill me up.

Chorus

You are a straight line, and I curve round.
You are a sharp-edged sword.
I am the fire that washes over. I am the fire that washes over.

And you are.

River Runs Dry (by Kat Mills)

Whatcha gonna do when the river runs dry,
when there's no more water in your well?
You won't know when to give it that one last try.
You won't be warned before the final bell.

Chorus:
I'm taking it on the way. Taking it on the way.
Whatcha gonna do when the river runs dry?
I guess I'll have to pack up and leave my home.

Whatcha gonna do when the winter time comes,
when the harvest fades and the soil gets hard?
You've been jumpin' like a rabbit in the noonday sun.
Time's gonna come you gotta show your cards.

Chorus

Whatcha gonna do with all this time,
handed to you like a spoiled child?
You didn't get nothin' outta walkin' the line.
You won't get nothin' outta runnin' wild.

Chorus

Troubador (by Kat Mills)

It's a cold and dry clear evening outside these doors, but it's a warm and crowded night inside the bar. Palmer's playing his original songs--solo, bare and proud--I'm focused in again on his guitar.

All the girls are out, some are singing harmony The locals mill about and flirt and stare. And I feel a little conscious that I'm sitting here alone, when in reality I know nobody cares.

We make our livin' strummin', singin', struggling. Every night's a different time and place. But on a night like this I'm likely to remember why we started out in the first place.

I used to think that fame and fortune was the thing. Now I know I'll never be no superstar. I think if I can manage to get a couple of good gigs, I could go like this pretty far.

'Cause as long as I've got my friends to keep my company And as long as I got my family to love me And as long as I got this Martin here in my hand I'll be satisfied to be a...

CHORUS:
Troubadors-- comin' into your town tonight/singin' for our supper
Troubadors-just tryin' to be true

Long Time (by Kat Mills)

Long time comin'
It's been a long time, no see.
Standing at the river's edge, looking at the water ledge,
Looking at me.

And "goodbye" don't do it.
"I love you" don't cut it.
Do what you say, say what you mean, and don't lie to me.

Chorus:
Gonna do what I want. Won't take "no" this time.
Reaching out. Gonna do what I want, 'cause it's been a long time.

Making excuses while making love.
Counting all the stars and counting how far we are from above.

Looking for answers while looking back.
All of the stories told. What does the future hold?

Chorus

Cold World (by Kat Mills)

Now my house is feeling empty, and the trees are bare.
The place I'm gonna go, there's no winter there.
The treasures of spring have all been sold. Now,
I got the wind blowin' on me, making my world cold.

Chorus:
And I wonder where I'll be tomorrow.
And I'm living on the hope of ten years from now.
And I wonder, and I wonder, and I wonder.

Now I try to keep it going. Smiles come easy to me.
I can't stop myself. My mind wanders.
Ashes and the smoke. Paper and the fire.
Dreams of a city up in flames, but there's no warmth for me.

Chorus

And now I'm lying in my bed, but it's too cold.
Remember the days when you kept me warm.
Now I get up early, nothin' to stay there for.
Now I got the wind blowin' on me, making my world cold.

Wish (by Kat Mills)

It's 11:11, make a wish for me. Let your mind let go.
Even though you're gone, I can see
what you always wanted me to know.

The fear grows inside of you, deeper and further every day.
I never knew how it was killing you,
'til you got up and walked away, and now

Chorus:
Days are longer now then they've ever been before.
Soon it will be summer and I'll want you even more, and I'm
spinning through confusion. I'm wrestling with delusion, 'cause
You don't want it anymore.
No, you don't want it anymore.

How'd you find the time to build those great big walls of yours?
Where'd you find the energy to lie?
I'm flying through infinity with every waking hour
and you can't even find the will to try.

The pain is in my belly. Moving quickly to my soul.
I want a thousand wishes, but you give me no control. And so,

Chorus

Probably (by Kat Mills)

As I lay me down to sleep, I drift into a dream so deep
that I can barely find it in my mind.
The place I do not recognize, though it never seems a big surprise
that I love to go back to it every time.

And Gore Vidal, he comes to me in these dreams of electricity
and tells me of the things that will be true.
And unfortunately he returns to me, on certain nights in two or three
and lets me know the future isn't you.

So I listen to Thelonius Monk, and pack my parcels in my trunk
and drive off for a jungle far away.
And though I still feel you inside, I know I'll never be your bride,
but I probably would've hated it anyway.

Noboday knows what a jerk you can be
except for maybe your dad and me,
and he and I don't even really get along.
It's never been my place to cry, or to linger on a long goodbye,
so I'll just get my things and move along.

Hollywood, it was my dream. I thought the love, I thought it seemed
that I would like it better in L.A.
But even if I could have an affair with a bleached-blond boy with
bleached-blond hair, I probably would've hated it anyway.

And so our romance has to end.
Not time to talk about being friends, no matter how near or far away.
We'll never get to buy a home, or a picket fence to call our own,
but honey, baby, dearie, that's okay.

'Cause I probably would've hated it anyway.
Yes I probably woud've hated it anyway.
And I think I'm gonna like it better this way.

Telephone Man (by Kat Mills)

Hey, Mr. Telephone Man
I've got a bill that's five miles long
And I'm talkin' to my baby this one last time.

I ain't got the money to spend,
so there will be no long goodbyes, but I'd
still like to hear his voice again this one last time.

And you can disconnect me.
And you can cut the line.
You can disconnect me. But I'll still be right on time.

I'm not into falling in love, 'cause it don't calm me down, but I'd
still like to try it out once again, this one last time.

I ain't got the heart to spare,
so there will be no "I love you"s, but I'd
still like to feel his touch again this one last time.

And you can disconnect me.
And you can cut the line.
You can disconnect me. But I'll still be right on time.

Free Ideas (by Kat Mills)

Here I am, rising up like stands of trees, trying to tell them something.
And all this time you thought it ought to be corrected, edited, protected.

Free ideas flow freely.
Free ideas flow freely.

Rites of passage are pulling me out in two directions: black and white and back again.
The cheering crowds or the darkness of the lonely; spirited or homely.

Free ideas flow freely.
Free ideas flow freely.

Captured light, when flowing back, doubles out its answer. Righteousness can be released when you set out to romance her.

And after all, why do we try to tell a story?
Do we make a place before we pass away, and in the taking leave a shadow
where people think that they know (how wrong they are)?

Free ideas flow freely.
Free ideas flow freely.

Secrets (by Kat Mills)

Secrets told without warning.
Secrets told in my car.
Little girl, you took too many chances.
Little girl, you've gone too far.

What say you, teenage martyr?
Smug smile and hurting inside.
How can I help you? I'm floundering.
You'll never be satisfied.

Chorus
And I can't stay here much longer.
I can't do this much longer. I can't get much stronger.
What am I here for? What am I doing?

Decisions made without foresight.
Decisions made in my car.
Little girl, you're asking for trouble.
Little girl, I'm getting tired.

People say that I'm doing good work,
but what does it mean in your world?
Grasping out at familiars.
I once was a little girl.

Chorus

Shades are Shakin' (by Erich Shuler)

Let us again before the light
I don't mean a token dream
On the table is your photograph
That I placed in a frame today

As the shades are shakin'
From a breeze blowing in
As the car lights paint our room
And the walls again

Had our share of indecision
But all the parts fell into place
Fireworks falling on the night grass
And a smile on your face

What if we can't be what they want?
What if it just doesn't feel right?
That thought comes to lay me down
Come real close, I got a vision in mind

As the shades are shakin'
From a breeze blowing in
As the car lights paint our room
And the walls again

I remember the summer wind
And the jokes we made for ourselves
A Virginia sky to think well of
And one more night with our friends

As the shades are shakin'
From a breeze blowing in
As the car lights paint our room
And the walls again

Sweetcut Music