Media
This is how you grow
2020-05-04 14:51:15The Rules Don't Apply
2020-04-30 21:10:24What wonderful world
2020-04-28 21:33:31The Unrecorded Songs
2020-03-28 16:57:21This Is How You Love
this is how you grow, pause take it slow
find a spot of sun, where you can come undone
take yourself out there breathe a new air, this is how you grow
this is how you walk, one step at a time
though the wind may blow, though the wind may howl
take your aching heart out into the blue, that’s all you need to do
its not easy knowing what to do, when voices in your head are drowning you
sometimes its hard to find… your way to the light of day
but here’s a thread… to hold onto, every question has its answer due
just give it time…it will float up to you
this is how you find, a way to let go
go down to the sea, she loves company
dive into her waves… cause she know how to save, how to save souls
and when you’re there let go, darling just give in
let her waves break over you, give into the flow
you have to surrender, let her turn what’s hard to tender…just let go
its not easy knowing what to do,
but you can’t mend what you holding tightly to
rancor and hate… burns no-one else but you,
be a kindness, speak with warm intent, be love’s language not it’s accent
give love… cause a ripple effect
this is how you find, a way to yourself
find out who you are, your ancestry
celebrate each life living inside you, love, love them all
and once you love them all, each and every face
open up your eyes turn your gaze outside,
see family in every face you meet, this is how you love
boundless love touches on one and all, with no favor for the great, the small
bias and hate… burns no-one else but you,
be a kindness, speak with warm intent, be love’s language not it’s accent
give love… cause a ripple effect
this is how you love, open up your heart
open hearts receive, closed hearts they bleed
vulnerable and brave, speak the words and say, I love you
this is how you love, cast your fears aside
open wide your arms be a love guide,
vulnerable and brave, the only way to be, this is how you love
vulnerable and brave, the only way to be
this is how you love
this is how you love
this is how you love
© 3 June 2017 Bettina Schouw Rondebosch 7700 Cape Town South Africa ℗ Tick Tock Productions CC
How To Do This
here we walk down this road much sooner than expected
how could i know, how could you know
here i watch you stumble; watch you fall but try as i might i can’t catch you
my arms are tied how do i keep from breaking inside
loving you as i do, i’m torn in two as you travel solo down this winding path
like to be the guide to set aside the confusion and pain circling your eyes
wish i could wind back the clock make this stop
ease this heaviness fix it with a kiss
but i don’t know, i don’t know how to do this
here i watch a wisdom grow much sooner than expected
how could i know, how could you know
here i watch you stumble and fall again
but this time around you catch yourself
you’re finding your way, something tells me that you’ll be okay
loving you as i do, i’m torn in two as you travel solo down this winding path
like to be the guide to set aside the confusion and pain circling your eyes
wish i could wind back the clock make this stop
ease this heaviness fix it with a kiss
but i don’t know, i don’t know how to do this
so i conjure us a courage, rally faith to our side
i kiss your face your eyes your ears and i wrap my arms around you
and i hold you yes i hold you and tell you that i love you
plant the words into your skin, so when doubt and fear arise
just close your eyes and you’ll feel love bloom within
everyday an array of visitors come calling, knocking, beating at the door
cloaked in disguise, it’s no surprise why at first we can’t see the blessing
take a deep breath, inhale exhale, relinquish all control
could this be could it be the learning?
as you go i hope you know i’m still here, always here for you
as you go i hope know wherever you are that’s where i’ll be
here we walk down this road, much sooner than expected
this letting go, it’s not easy no
let’s take it slow, cause you’re learning how to do this
let’s take it slow, cause i’m learning how to do this
let’s take it slow, cause we’re learning how to do this
[© 18 Jan 2013 Bettina Schouw Rondebosch Cape Town South Africa ℗ Tick Tock Productions CC]
Songs from Bleed (2000)
2015-02-19 15:36:391. TICK-TOCK
Something crazy happens deep down inside of me
In the dark blue rooms of this restless soul
When i’m with you a bewitched and bewildered woman
With an aching thirst and hungry eyes loses control
Look at her eyes see how they shine
Must be the warmth of the sweet mulled red wine
No it’s the light of a thousand fireflies
Dancing in the shadows of her eyes
And tick-tock, tick-tock, goes this heart
Tick tock tick, when you start
Tick tock tick, to look at me
Tick tock tick, surely you can see that i like you
One day to my surprise you walked right in
And i found you, found you wandering my mind
I smiled and said hello and let you look around
Thinking soon the way out you’d find
But the woman inside of me she sighed
And she cried and something inside of her died
She said i can feel you inside
I can feel you, i can feel you, i can feel you
And tick-tock, tick-tock, goes this heart
Tick tock tick, when you start
Tick tock tick, to look at me
Tick tock tick, surely you can see that i like you
You might find, baby i’m out of line
But in time, you’ll see baby that we were meant to be
Only time will tell us which way to go
But till then, i really need to be closer to you, you see
I really, really, really like you
Something crazy happens deep down inside of me
In the dark blue rooms of this restless soul
When i’m with you a bewitched and bewildered woman
With an aching thirst and hungry eyes loses control
Look at her eyes see how they shine
Must be the warmth of the sweet mulled red wine
No it’s the light of a thousand fireflies
Dancing in the shadows of her eyes
And tick-tock, tick-tock goes this heart
Tick tock tick when you start
Tick tock tick to look at me
Tick tock tick surely you can see that i like you
Tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock….
2. MISS JONES FROM FISH HOEK SAYS
Browsing through the daily papers The headlines jump out at me
I usually kill gunman tells his victim
Father and son smile at the camera lucky to be alive
after being abducted by a hijack gang
What’s going on around here, a state of fear abounds here
And everybody’s running, running scared
Someone asks you for help, you stop to lend a hand
And the next thing you know somebody’s breathing down your neck
With a gun to your head or you’re dead
You turn the page hoping that there’s some good news
That will relieve your aching head
But you’re out of luck you read that child abuse is on the rise again
How many of you here, have felt the small child’s fear
And who of you here have meted out this shame
If you’re a guilty one, go on get help go run
And may god in his mercy keep you and protect you from these angry hands
My body’s numb I’m feeling tired as i heave a deep sigh
In quiet desperation I close the page then a tele-letter captures my eye
Miss Jones from Fishhoek says hear ye well
We have to stand together to combat the crime
Then I see through her eye the wealth of her advice
And I realise that we can make a difference but we’re running out of time
Don’t give up there’s always hope
Where there’s hope there must be light
Where there’ light there must be a way
Find that light within yourself, spread that light amongst each other
And together we will find a way
3.YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL (song for Jeanine)
You don’t have to climb a ladder to the sky to pluck a star for me
The smile in your eyes is all Ineed to see
And you don’t have to tie rainbows in my hair, just to show you care
Of your precious love I’ve always been aware
You don’t know just what your love has done for me
No you don’t know the half of what you’ve given me
You were light when i was in shadow, you were bow to my broken arrow
I mean you, i mean you
Your embrace given tenderly, helped me face the demons within
It was you, yes you came through
So don’t tell me that you’re not strong or say you don’t belong
Look what you’ve given me, now give it to yourself
Look to your heart and see, that you’re beautiful to me
Time has passed and we’ve both changed in so many ways
And with it comes the pain of knowing that light and darkness is the same
It lives in you, it lives in me in so many ways,
It is always there, the trick of it all is just to be aware
Take the time to listen to the message of your heart
Then start to love the one you are
You are light you are shadow, you are bow you arrow
I mean you, i mean you
The strength i have now has its source in you
So look to your strength let it shine, just for you, let it shine
So don’t tell me that you’re not strong or say you don’t belong
Look what you’ve given me, now give it to yourself
Look to your heart and see, that you’re beautiful
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful look and see
You are, you are beautiful,
You are, you are beautiful
You are, you are beautiful, just look and see
4. MOTHER NATURE’S EYES
I see a woman walking down the street
She walks with pride as she swiftly strides by
I see a woman walking down the street
She is the guide to places deep inside
And nothing can hold her back, no nothing can hold her back
She’s strong, she is wise, she’s got mother nature’s eyes
And written in the stars above, the heavens call her child of love
She’s grace she is power, she’s the moment, she’s the hour
And she sings hey na na na, hey na na na
She’s strong, she is wise, she’s got mother nature’s eyes
Hey na na na, hey na na na
She’s grace she is power, she’s the moment, she’s the hour
I see a woman walking down the street
She’s the amazon, she fears no one
I see a woman walking down the street
And the fire in her eyes lights up the darkened skies
And nothing can hold her back, no nothing can hold her back
She’s spirit’s, she is fire, she can climb a mountain high
See her on that mountain peak, watch her run, watch her leap
She dives into the sky, she’s an eagle she can fly
And she sings, hey na na na, hey na na na
She’s spirit’s, she is fire, she can climb a mountain high
Hey na na na, hey na na na
She dives into the sky, she’s an eagle she can fly
I see a woman walking down the street
And the sky cries here comes the sunrise
I see a woman walking down the street
And her face aglow shines on the earth below
And nothing can hold her back, no nothing can hold her back
She is Neptune’s child, riding waves free and wild
And hidden in the ancient sea, lies her magic mystery
She is the chosen one, she is blessed by father sun
And she sings, hey na na na, hey na na na
Everywhere that she goes, it’s clear everybody knows
Hey na na na, hey na na na
She is the chosen one, she is blessed by father sun
5. I’M LOOKING AT YOU
Lying here in the afterglow of love, I feel the presence of you
Lying here I feel a sense of peace, oh sweet release here at your side
Sweet love you have caressed me, sweet love you have blessed me
And my old alibi dressed in stars and night sky, smiles at me as I say
I have this feeling that something good is coming my way
Oh and I can’t contain this feeling or try to hold it at bay
Cause when you are near, you are the source you’re the pointer
That reveals loves true north, so I’m taking my cue
What else can I do, I just have to pursue what my soul’s set to do
I’m stubborn that way, but I’m happy to say I’m looking at you
Like the honeybird drinking from the mouth of the flower
The devourer becomes the devoured, that’s the nature of love
Sky and sea which one contains the gentle hue of blue
Where does sky end and where does sea begin
Which one is mirror which one’s the reflection in
Sweet love you have caressed me, sweet love you have blessed me
And the wind passing by settling down with a sigh, smiles at me as I say
Oh that I have this feeling that something good is coming my way
Oh and I can’t contain this feeling or try to hold it at bay
Cause when you are near, you are the craft
On the waters moving straight through my heart
As I carry you through my private bayou, I’m looking at you
Take it from me you’re in all that I see
I’m looking at you, oh believe me when I say
You’re the moon in my hand, you’re the hand round my heart
You’re the heart that I wear on my sleeve, you are my silent prayer
On my lips you’re the kiss, in my ear you’re the tune
In my soul you are the howl that I cry when it’s full moon
I tell you it’s true no one else will do, I’m looking at you
I’m looking at you, I’m looking at you
6. PICASSO PAINTED THE SKY TODAY
I have a story that I’d like to share with you
It’s all about God, a painter and the big blue
All that you need is an open heart
I’ll give you a minute, then I’ll start
You see it happened one day while God was having his nap
He was awoken by a soft persistent tap
This better be of import’ he thought as he crossed the floor
Saying who goes there as he flung wide the door
But nobody came forward, so he turned around
Then from the shadows he heard a sound
Show me your face, come on into the light sire
And tell me what it is that you desire
A thousand pardons my lord, for disturbing your sleep
It is I Picasso and my need is deep
One minute of your time is what I need today
And then dear lord I’ll be on my way
You see I cannot let go of a certain kind of sadness
That overcomes me when I watch the world’s madness
I’ve come to ask a favour of you
‘bout something that I would like to do
I’d like to give a gift to humanity
That might bring a moment of lucidity
And God in his wisdom nodded his head
As he listened to what Picasso said
You have my blessing go do what you must do
And may the big brilliant blue be kind to you
After Picasso left god stood there for a while
Then slowly he walked back to his room with a smile
Well it was just another as I walked by the sea
The sky was blue, the sun was sinking slowly
The day had been hard and I was feeling al down
When suddenly I looked up and joy was all around
There was Picasso at work and at play
I saw Picasso paint the sky today
The fire of his yellow, orange and red
Filled me with a passion that went straight to my head
Pinks and purples and shades of violet too
Were splashed everywhere like a colour zoo
The hues he used were so exquisitely fine
It filled me with a blessing so divine
I saw Picasso at work and at play
I saw Picasso paint the sky today
So if you’re free come take a walk with me
Who knows tomorrow we may see, I think tomorrow we may see
Who knows tomorrow we may see, Modigliani
7. ME AND MY PERFUME AND THE MAN IN THE MOON
I think it’s only fair to tell you
Don’t want you thinking that I’m underhand no, no
Cause ‘though I’m not there, I still have designs on you
I’ve been down to dark blue places met Persephone and Hades
In the halls of Dis I walked the all-time low
To put out the glow that is you
So I did myself a favour, I found me two friends
and I asked them to use their influence
“cause as long as your love’s inside of me
I’m not letting you off that easily
So me and my perfume and the man in the moon
Have woven a timeless spell around you
Yes me and my perfume and the man in the moon
Won’t let you forget about me, won’t let you off that easily
And late at night when you’re led by sleep to your lonely bed
My scent will creep through your duvet and circle ‘round your head
And the perfumed dreams of me, will be the only dreams you see in your head, ooh yeah
And the man in the moon, has promised that when he’s full bloom
Like the tide you’ll be affected
The ache you feel inside will be connected to and only satisfied by me
Well you might think that I’ve gone crazy, you might think that I’m insane
You’re probably right but here we come again
Three against one, I know that’s not fair
But as long as your love haunts me, you’ll have to pay the fare
For me and my perfume and the man in the moon
Have woven a timeless spell around you
Yes me and my perfume and the man in the moon
Won’t let you forget about me, won’t let you off that easily
Me and my perfume and the man in the moon (X3)
8. WATERS OF MARCH
A stick a stone, the end of the road
The rest of the stump a lonesome road
It’s a sliver of glass it is life it’s the sun
It is life it is death it’s a trap it’s a gun
The oak when it blooms the fox in the brush
The knot of the wood the song of the thrush
The woo of the wind, a cliff a fall
A scratch a lump it is nothing at all
It’s the wind blowing free it’s the end of the slope
It’s a bean it’s a void it’s a hunch it’s a hope
And the river bank talks of the waters of march
It’s the end of the strain it’s the joy in your heart
The foot the ground the flesh and the bone
The beat of the road a sling shot stone
A truck load of bricks in the soft morning light
The shot of the gun in the dead of the night
A mile a must a thrust a bump
It’s a girl it’s a rhyme it’s the cold it’s the mumps
The plan of the house the body in bed
And the car that got stuck it’s the mud it’s the mud
Afloat adrift a flight a wing, a cock a quail the promise of spring
And the river bank talks of the waters of march
It’s the promise of life it’s the joy in your heart
A point a brain a bee a bite, a blink a buzzard a sudden stroke of night
A pin a needle a stain a pain, a snail a riddle a wasp a stain
A snake a stick it is John it is Joe, a fish a flash a silvery glow
And the river bank talks of the waters of march
It’s the promise of life it’s the joy in your heart
9. HOWLING AT THE MOON
With you phaetons of light from the sun they come shining through
Oh with you, I could be a mountain
Reaching the sky oh way up high
You might find that I’m afraid to move in your direction
But ultimately I know, there’s nowhere else to go,
But to you I give all the love I have inside
Unashamedly I give to you all
All that I am all that I’ll ever be
Maybe I’ve gone crazy, maybe I don’t seem to care
That you don’t really love me that you’re not really there
Like a raving lunatic I’m running round and round in circles
Saying I love you
I’m howling at the moon, my song is out of tune
My sharps have turned to flats, that’s just about where it’s all at
Somebody please help me find the major to this minor key
Cause I find that I can’t stop this howling at the moon
Now that our song is out of tune
I find that i can’t stop this howling at the moon
I’m howling at the moon (x3)
10. THE CHILD IN YOU
I remember when I was a child, after spending the day running wild
I’d retire to my aunt’s room, I’d wear her jewellery and I’d smell her perfume
And I’d say,I want to be grown-up and big like you
I want to do the things that grown-ups do
I want to wear lipstick and tease my hear
Paint my toe-nails red and make people stare
She’d say slow down hear what I say
Your time will come to be a woman someday
Just treat yourself with more love and more care
Love the child you are inside that’s a dare, that’s a dare
Now I’m big I do the things that grown-ups do
I don’t get chicken pox I just get the flu
I spend my time running around all day
There’s time for work but there’s no time for play
I am exhausted Tina stress is my name
Being an artiste it comes with the game
Dear Doctor Grimwood says take some time out
He obviously doesn’t know what my life’s about
He says slow down hear what I say
You’ve got to find time there must be a way
To treat yourself with more love and more care
Love the child you are inside that’s a dare, that’s a dare
Old William Shakespeare once put it this way
To thine own self be true as night follows day
Though canst not then be falls to any man
Take heed of the picture take heed of the plan
Look to yourself in that there lies the key
Everything you are is what life can be
Love lives inside you it’s your shining sun
Open its doors and this love will reach everyone, will reach everyone
This thing called life moves by so fast, before you know it it’s gone in a blast
And just the other day I nearly died, when a drunken driver crashed into my side
Well that got my attention I was quite wired, at the thought that I had nearly been retired
I made a promise to myself I’ll be nice, and I will heed the good doctor’s advice
Slow down hear what I say
You’ve got to find time there must be a way
To treat yourself with more love and more care
Love the child you are inside that’s a dare that’s a dare
Look into yourself in that there lies the key(x3)
11. THIS GIRL AT HER VOLCANO
Here I am, back on this winding path again
I feel my heart give a start again as the old familiar fear settles in
Nobody told me that it would be so hard
And I brace myself, as I face myself, this girl at her volcano
I’m standing at the eye of the crater wide-eyed I’m looking in
I feel a thousand angry flames reach out and scratch my name on the surface of my skin
What dark and angry demon dragged me down to this wretched place
There’s no way but to go through the flames this I know
There is no way but to go through the flame
Come see the pyre, burn high and higher
Can you feel the heat, rising through your feet
Feed your desire, jump through the fire
Purge yourself of shame, purify your name
Dance with your demon, look it the eye
Recognise its strength, but never say die
Feel claim your courage don’t be discouraged
Let the battle begin, you can win
I’m standing here inside of the crater and my eyes look from within
And my spirit present here feels no pain and feels no fear
There’s a strength in me I feel, it says death has no dominion
And like a phoenix I know I will rise
There’s no way but to go through the flame this i know
There’s no way but to go through the flame
Jump, jump, jump, jump
12. THE GUARDIAN AND THE KEEPER OF THE FLAME
As I awoke early one winter’s morning
I heard a voice so clear I heard it calling
Come, come it said, come walk with me, there’s so much here for you to see
And so it was the morn I went a-journeying
Dear mother and dear father walked with me
And taught me how to embrace the journey
Then as I opened my arms wide, they smiled and slowly left my side
And so alone I carried on a-journeying
I rambled down that road, many a mile
Then chanced upon a woman and how she made me smile
We sang and danced, we said adieu, when that one road had become two
And so alone I carried on a-journeying
One night while resting at an open fire
I met a man, he filled me with desire
I learnt to laugh, I learnt to cry, I learnt a bitter-sweet goodbye
And so alone I carried on a-journeying
I travelled, down that road narrow and wide
Hoping to fill a need so deep inside
And then one day I heard the sound of footsteps treading on the ground
And so I stopped and slowly turned around
Who walks with me, who travels by my side
Show me your face do not in darkness hide
Then suddenly a light appeared and that sweet voice so clear I heard
Came calling, calling, calling out to me
Fear not I come in love, it is my name
I am the guardian and the keeper of the flame
I am the light that shines your way, I live in you, I’m here to stay
No longer feel alone, for I am near
Then darkness it descended all around
And a silence settled over me and I was ground
No longer did I feel alone, for I had found my true heart’s home
And so again I carried on a-journeying
And now with pride I can sing out my name
I’ll shout it from the mountains, again and again
For though I‘ve stilled my heart’s yearning
Still will I keep a-journeying with the guardian and the keeper of the flame
Yes I have found the guardian and the keeper of the flame
[All songs © of Bettina Schouw]
The Goodnight Song
2014-02-17 12:04:04Goodnight Songs
2014-02-11 09:01:04(from the children’s album The Goodnight Songs)
The sun has gone the moon is here wearing stars in her hair
Everyone turn out your light its time to say goodnight
Goodnight teddy bear, goodnight bed and chair
Goodnight roof and floor, goodnight creaking door
Goodnight howling wind, goodnight birds that sing
Goodnight trees and fleas, no more biting please
Goodnight twinkling star, goodnight broken car
Goodnight man in the moon, sleep tight see you soon
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight, goodnight.
Songs from the Winds Call (2010)
2014-02-07 09:05:19- WINDS CALL
Listen to the sound of my wings
Listen to the son g my heart sings
Listen to the sound of my cry,I am eagle, the all-seeing- eye
I am watching, watching you
I am waiting for you to walk with time
hand in hand, journey this unknown land
I am the presence rustling the leaves
I am the air your heart breathes
I am the echo I am the space, I lie beneath the mask of your face
I am the eagle soaring the sky, I am the elders dancing the fire
I am the star-walkers charting your course
The ancestors of your life force
I am earth rebirthing you, I am fire baptizing you
I am water cleansing your soul,I am the winds call
- BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
Every day I celebrate beautiful woman, beautiful me
Every day I celebrate beautiful woman, beautiful me
I celebrate, I recreate, everything I am, everything that’s me
The God of sky shining through my eyes
Says the world is mine, sweet law divine
Everyday…
Oh sacred tribe of women past, you have circled me, you have blessed this child
Oh royal red running through my veins, dance with me and sing my soul again
Everyday…
My sister friends, my angel guides, you are the mirror to my truth inside
Each of you a flame in me, shining bright, we light the galaxy
Everyday …
3. JANUS
Who are you, why do you shadow me?
I do not recall a request for company
What’s the reason for your daily call?
Have we met somewhere? Do I know you at all?
Are you from near or afar? Have you come to heal or to harm?
Are you friend or dreaded foe? Should I stay, should I go, I don’t know
I’m the darkling I’m your shadow twin
I know the sacred sites of your soul’s skin
The Janus twins we are looking left and right
Love and fear the tools, what will you choose tonight?
I come from within not afar, I can heal and I can harm
I am friend disguised as foe, I‘m the door step inside, its open wide
No more will I run, no more will I hide
Face to face we stand, finally we collide
You walk me thru the mire of the valleys deep
And there you grow me wings to soar the mountain steep
Now I see the gift you bring darkness leads to light within
Yin and yang, each has its place
We are one, we are the same face
I choose love, I choose grace , I choose trust, I choose faith
That’s the risk that I take,
I choose hope, I choose belief, I choose gratitude, I choose love
That’s the choice that I make
Love, love, love, I choose love
4. IN THIS MOMENT NOW
I’m looking out through the window with these new born eyes
And magic calls to me from heaven’s skies
Diving off the mountain an eagle cloud swoops down
Falling, tumbling, whirling to the ground
Flying low it showers the mountainside
The gift is clear present here in this moment now
Here I stand, everything as it should be, perfect in this moment now
Here I stand looking out on the brand-new day, perfect in every way
I’m looking back through the window of my loaded past
Goodbye tired patterns I am free at last
Waiting on the future could be the key, but I’m not fine with inactivity
Being right feels good to me somehow
I sing this song and I belong in this moment now
History has fashioned me but I’m the writer of my story
And prisoner of the past or future I’ll not be
I trust every step I take as the step I need to make
Perfect synchronicity happening to you and me
Here I stand…
5. INSIDE (dedicated to Smithee)
I looked for love in many different places
I searched for love in the company of strangers
I walked for love in wild and open spaces
Hoping to find the footprint of loves traces
Every time my searching lead to nowhere
Every time I’d look up and ask where?
And the silence rolling in like a roaring sea
Carries the question floating soundlessly to settle on, settle on me
What do I know, what do I know
Sweet elusive love, thought you had eluded me
All this time, sweet love divine, you were waiting here inside just for me
I yearned for love, the yearning made me needy
It stained my eyes with fear and many soon did leave me
I cursed at love, the cursing only hurt me
I grabbed at love, it wrestled to be free
Now I know the search must be inside me
And any loving that I’m gonna do must begin with me
And the silence rolling in like a roaring sea
Carries the question floating soundlessly to settle on, settle on me
What do I know, what do I know
Sweet elusive love thought you had eluded me
All this time, sweet love divine
You were waiting here inside just for me (X3)
6. SEVEN OF THEM
The snow falls out of the blue bowl of the sky
And slowly powders the ground and the bodies lying side by side
One two three four five six , watching the distant horizon
Then all at once the messenger wind heralds a change in the air
Then in unison they rise to their feet standing in attention
To the stranger moving in their direction, his presence huge and strong
He eyes frame a quiet declaration, I come to speak my name
I stand and witness a scene so surreal I’m frozen, suspended in disbelief
I watch a polar bear walk up to a dog
Who’s crouching down and wagging its tail inviting the bear to play
I watch the bear reach out and stroke the dog’s head
Who licks his face, they smile then they embrace love
Seven nights he walked the path, walked the path right to their door
He brought love who needs anything more
Seven nights they watched and waited for him to come and play
When love calls can you turn away
The snow falls out of the blue bowl of the sky
And slowly powders the ground and the bodies lying side by side
One two three four five six, now seven of them, watching the horizon
7. TELL THEM I WAS HERE
He chose the outstretched arm of a weeping willow tree
And hung himself where everyone would see
And one by one passersby by in the traffic
Turned their heads from this dream reality
The eyes of leaves witnessed this quiet desperation
And the moaning wind echoed his plea
Tell them I was here, tell them I came
Tell them I was here, tell them my name, then take me home
Miles and miles we walk, crossing man made borders
Fleeing the fists of hate and the heel of poverty
Hopeful still to build a new dream, in a new land
But when we get there still we’re not heard and we’re not seen
Black river weaves and winds its weary way, it knows not how to stay
And the moaning wind echoes his plea
Tell them I was here, tell them I came
Tell them I was here, tell them my name, then take me home
Not long ago you and I walked this road of degradation and pain
And we vowed never, never will it happen here again
Unmask your fears and face them now so you can find your humanity
You become human only when you gift another dignity
There but for you go I, mark your sister, mark your brother
When will we discard the lie that each of us is “other?”
They cut down that tree, as if to punish the accomplice?
But it takes more than that to erase a memory?
And still today its broken limbs lie spread out on the earth
And she recalls cradling his body in her arms
The eyes of leaves witnessed this quiet desperation
And the moaning wind still echoes his plea
Tell them I was here, tell them I came
Tell them I was here, tell them my name, then take me home
Take me home, take me home
8. PALMIST KISS (song for Michael)
I have to say after all this time, my heart still reaches for your hands
I have to say after all this time, they still speak the words I understand
Palm to palm is holy palmist kiss, Shakespeare knew how to say it best
Hand to hand, heart to heart, blessed union, sweet communion
I have to say looking in your eyes is like opening the window to love’s skies
I have to say your cheek dancing mine feels heady and sweet like ruby wine
Palm to palm is holy palmist kiss, Shakespeare knew how to say it best
Hand to hand, heart to heart, blessed union, sweet communion
Side by side in bed at night, hands find hands in sensual delight
Fingers inked in love write words, patterning our skin
Inspired by the bard, let the art of love begin
Side by side in bed at night, hands find hands in sensual delight
Fingers inked in love write words patterning our skin
Inspired by the bard let the art of love begin
Let the art of love begin, let the art of love begin
Palm to palm is holy palmist kiss (X2)
9. NOT LIKE YOU (song for Mika)
Not even stars with twinkling eyes can shine like you
The magic moon can’t cast a spell the way you do
No not the stars no not the moon
No, no not Venus or Neptune
Can hold a flame to the essence of your name
And your name, Mika gift from God
Is the key to the joy that you are
The Seven Wonders of the World may be magic to behold
But not like you, not like you
I never knew love so beautiful
I never knew love so rare
I ‘d travel far and wide and reach the other side
But nothing could compare
Turn off the sun, put out the stars, switch off the moon
Dry up the sea, fold up the sky and end this tune
All these gifts I will forego, I need nothing this I know
Not like you, not like you
The worlds a gift that’s rare it’s true
But not like you, not like you, not like you
10. EQUAL GRACE
The hands of the Moon has lovingly traced the lines on every face
and she smiles on all with equal grace
The Sun know no other way to greet the day
but to spread its arms out wide and encircle all to its heart inside
Show me a star that will not light the ancient sky
Show me a bird that will not sing that will not fly
Show me a wave that will not shower a blessing on you
And I’ll show you the air that will not breathe life in me and you
The River weaving through the land
Hears the call of every woman child and man
And she answers all, none is denied
The Mountain standing true and tall
Gives shade to all, in his cave you will find rest
His generous nature all will attest
Show me a flower that will not offer its nectar wine
Show me a rose that will not share its scent divine
Show me a sky that will not paint its canvas blue
And I’ll show you a dawn that will not bring the gift of dew
Sky and sea, you and me
Moon and Sun, Alone All One
We are different yet the same
Echoing each other’s name
Show me a star that will not light the ancient sky
Show me a bird that will not sing that will not fly
Show me a wave that will not shower a blessing on you
And I’ll show you the air that will not breathe life in me and you
So be like the sky and be like the sea and be like the river giving endlessly
And be like the mountain give shade to all, be like the flowing waterfall
Be like the sun with arms spread out wide, encircle all to your heart inside
And be like the moon that sees every face
And smiles on all
With Equal Grace (X3)
[All songs © of Bettina Schouw]