Not because of victories
I sing,
having none,
but for the common sunshine,
the breeze,
the largess of the spring.
Not for victory
but for the day’s work done
as well as I was able;
not for a seat upon the dais
but at the common table.
— Charles Reznikoff
All around me are familiar faces
worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very very, mad world, mad world
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
And I feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what’s my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very very, mad world, mad world
Enlarge your world, mad world
——————————————————
Original animation:
Way cool.
How much do I love you?
I’ll tell you no lie
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?
How many times a day do I think of you?
How many roses are sprinkled with dew?
How far would I travel
To be where you are?
How far is the journey
From here to a star?
And if I ever lost you
How much would I cry?
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?
[Instrumental]
And if I ever lost you
How much would I cry?
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?
I remember my mother’s
Sister’s husband’s brother
Working in the goldmine full-time
Filling in for sunshine
Filing into tight lines
Of ordinary beehives
The door screams I hate you
Hate you hanging around my blue jeans
Why is there no breeze
No currency of leaves
No current through the water wire
No feelings I can see
I trust no emotion
I believe in locomotion
But I’ve turned to rust as we’ve discussed
Though I must have let you down
too many times
In the dirt and the dust
I have no idea how this happens
All of my maps have been overthrown
Happenstance has changed my plans
So many times my heart has been outgrown
Now everybody’s feeling all alone
Can’t tell you who I am
When everybody’s feeling all alone
Can’t tell you who I am
I am looking forward
Toward the shadows tracing bones
Our faces stitched and sewing
Our houses hemmed into homes
Trying to be thankful
Our stories fit into phones
And our voices lift so easily
A gift given accidentally
When we’re not sure
We’re not alone
Think I’ll go out to Alberta,
Weather’s good there in the fall.
I got some friends that I could go to working for,
Still I wish you’d change your mind
If I asked you one more time,
But we’ve been through this a hundred times or more.
Four strong winds that blow lonely,
Seven seas that run high,
All those things that don’t change,
Come what may.
If the good times are all gone,
Then I’m bound for movin’ on.
I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way.
If I get there before the snow flies,
And if things are lookin’ good,
You could meet me if I send you down the fare.
But by then it would be winter
Not too much for you to do
And those winds sure can blow cold way out there.
Four strong winds that blow lonely,
Seven seas that run high,
All those things that don’t change,
Come what may.
If the good times are all gone,
Then I’m bound for movin’ on.
I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way.
[Instumental]
Four strong winds that blow lonely,
Seven seas that run high,
All those things that don’t change,
Come what may.
If the good times are all gone,
Then I’m bound for movin’ on.
I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way.
I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way.
I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way.
