The Way of the World
Man seems like a speak in the universe, His death is a blessing his life is a curse, Born into a world of for each his own, Take anybody else's but leave mine alone.
Like a blind runner into this race were hurled, You better run fast or you’ll hold up the way of the world.
Paradise was lost because man wanted to be god, Now the best we can do is decorate the land of Nod, It’s a serious job for the serious minded, And a futile job for the furious minded.
Like a fat rat around which a snake is curled, You’ll be squeezed to death if you get caught by the way of the world.
But it’s such a tragedy, This sorrowful symphony, Who knows what it’s supposed to be, It don’t make no sense to me, I try making the best of it, But it all seems full of shit, Maybe I’m a masochist, 'Cause I just can't seem to quit.
Check out the view from the edge of a knife, One side is living one side is life, The universe is just a speck in my mind, And what’s good for the man is good for mankind.
Yet these faithful flags are unfurled, You’ll get run over if you stand in the way of the world
Dec. 88
Strange Things Happening
There’s things going on things I don’t quite understand, I found out last week Charlotte's not a woman she’s a man, This old world don’t stop for the spectators to get a better view, When I look up in the sky it’s always blue.
Strange things happening, Lovers don’t undress in front of each other, Father stands straight and tall where’s your mother, Strange things happening, Unsheathe the sacrificial knifes, We offer you the innocence of our wives, Strange things are happening, Different times different lives.
There’s things going on things that make me sad, But when I found out you were going I must confess I was glad, Sitting on my porch in the pale shade of the moon, I’m thinking spring never comes to late and winter never leaves to soon.
Strange things happening, Lovers don’t undress in front of each other, Father stands straight and tall where’s your mother, Strange things happening, Unsheathe the sacrificial knifes, We offer you the innocence of our wives, Strange things are happening, Different times different lives.
There’s things going on things we don’t even know about, There are a million roads to take but there aint no way out, You choose your chance and you keep walking regardless of the odds, Everything oh everything must be full of these little gods.
Strange things happening, Lovers don’t undress in front of each other, Father stands straight and tall where’s your mother, Strange things happening, Unsheathe the sacrificial knifes, We offer you the innocence of our wives, Strange things are happening, Different times different lives.
March 84
Don't Think About It
I step across the street about noon my life is stuck in traffic, My head just crashed on Forth and Main because my heart ran a red light, Body is bruised spirit is wounded, My hands with no work to do are clinched itching for a fist-fight, Last night I could have killed a man but this morning he saved my life, You just call me Mr. Whatever I’ll call you Mr. Magnificent, Whatever it takes is what it takes to make a winner, As for the loser we’ll call him Mr. Insignificant.
Oh it’s a tough world, It’s man vs the machine, Oh what you feel inside has no voice, It’s hard to say what you mean, This life was launched in desperation, On a ship of despair, They say hope can change the world, Ah but who would dare.
This is where we take the candy from the baby and slip a mickey in his bottle, This where we weed out the weaklings; separate the men from the boys, This is where we assign the parts in this passion play, This is where draw the line of opportunity this is where we use the weapons not the toys, There’s a man on a window ledge up high say’s he’s gonna jump, There’s some doctor in the back room wasting his time splitting hairs, There’s a man up on a podium making big promises, They don’t seem to care that nobody cares.
Oh it’s a tough world, It’s man vs the machine, Oh what you feel inside has no voice, It’s hard to say what you mean, This life was launched in desperation, On a ship of despair, They say hope can change the world, Ah but who would dare.
Right now I just wanna make it thru the week don’t have any big plans, I live in the home of the brave but it ain't the land of milk and honey, I used to drive a tank in Qaum back in sixty eight, Now I drive a cab in the land of silk and money, How for must a man go before he’s gone to far, And how little will he do 'till he hasn’t done a thing, You must be prepared to lose your thought to action, And to accept what ever wrath it my bring.
Oh it’s a tough world, It’s man vs the machine, Oh what you feel inside has no voice, It’s hard to say what you mean, This life was launched in desperation, On a ship of despair, They say hope can change the world, Ah but who would dare.
Nov. 88
Painless
The doctor said we’ll make this as painless as possible just about the time I screamed, I looked at him rather coldly he said there that wasn’t as bad as it seemed, I thought that’s easy for you to say setting there with your torture tools, I went outside to pay the receptionist and the lobby was packed with fools, I went to the drugstore to get my prescription filled and got a six pack instead, All the way home I couldn’t think because of the humming inside my head.
But what does this have to do with the music, What does this have to do with anything, When you’ve got a good thing don’t abuse it, Is it true that you can't feel pain.
I went out for a Friday night down to the local bar, I saw a pretty girl sitting in the corner she said I could take her I ask her how far, The band was playing something I didn’t know but it had a good beat and it was easy to dance to, I asked would you like to dance she shrieked yes it was her favorite song.
But what does this have to do with the music, What does this have to do with anything, When you’ve got a good thing don’t abuse it, Is it true that you can't feel pain.
I was thinking as I brushed my teeth and got myself ready for bed, I wonder what it was that made her mad she didn’t mind my hands it must have been something I said, After I said I’ll make this as painless as possible she took off for the door, I bet I know what it was I bet she had heard that line before.
But what does this have to do with the music, What does this have to do with anything, When you’ve got a good thing don’t abuse it, Is it true that you can't feel pain.
Dec. 84
Know Where
I’ve got nowhere to go so I could never leave you, But you have to lie just to get people to believe you, I once knew a man I was in love with his wife, He said everyone’s a coward some fear death some fear life, My head was a mess and you know he tuned it, He said don’t worry about the walking dead but beware the walking wounded, He is long since gone while I still pursue, I usually find me now when I look for you.
Even nowhere is somewhere, but I don’t know where, and the things that matter don’t matter, and I don’t care.
You’ve been around the world I’ve never left the state, Your faith it kept you going but you got done in by your fate, Yeah the things you don’t do can kill you just as quick as the things you do, You were always feeling red when I was feeling blue, I remember the night we laughed and drank yo your health, But all we really did is waste a lot of time and wealth, How could someone who knows so much still not learn a thing, But even when we don’t know the song we still like to sing.
Even nowhere is somewhere, but I don’t know where, and the things that matter don’t matter, and I don’t care.
We’d drink and laugh all night long and in the early morning we’d weep, Reality is hard nails and a bed of stone for sleep, I thought if I kept moving I’d never have to look back, I’d brag about what I had so I wouldn’t notice what I lacked, You’ve got to reach deep within to find that shallow place, You might not feel it in your heart but see it in your face, Somewhere those lost words still echo thru this night, And somewhere there’s a place where the darkness gives way to the light.
Even nowhere is somewhere, but I don’t know where, and the things that matter don’t matter, and I don’t care.
But it’s worth hanging around these dives just to hear the stories they tell, About the sinner who walked thru heaven and the saint who put himself thru hell, We use to say now or never and we didn’t do nothing then, Now always gives you another chance and never is always when, We’d always say if worse comes to worst like it always seems to do, That you would do your best for me and me the same for you, We always thought it didn’t matter where you were as long as you know where you are, But I don’t know if we didn’t go far enough or if we went too far.
But like I said I couldn’t leave I’ve got nowhere to go, but still I don’t know where we're going and I don’t really want to know where.
July 86
A Thousand Miles From Today
I’ve got to go, where I don’t know, There’s to much to do, And I ain't done a thing, I’m feeling brilliant blue, And I can't wait for spring, I’m losing my mind, And when you do it’s so hard to find, Nobody can see inside, It’s hard enough for me, To face the things I try to hide, After you pay the price, Your still not free.
And I hope I’m right about being wrong, I hope I never have to sing this song, Maybe I’ll figure out where I went astray, When I’m ten miles from today.
Look forward to tomorrow, To accumulate more sorrow, But it’s the only hope you’ve got, Pray for the flesh and live for the ghost, What is; is not, There’s always more it’s never most, I feel so tired, So vaguely inspired, It don’t matter which choice you make, But a choice must be made, It don’t matter which feelings you fake, But a passion must be played.
And I pray I don’t ever give up hope, But for now I just try to cope, Maybe I’ll figure out where I went astray, When I’m a hundred miles from today.
They say now or never, They’ll talk that way forever, It’s not from lack of trying, I just don’t try hard enough, I’m sailing when I could be flying, These clouds are soft and this road's so rough, Gotta keep your faith, Tough you may be losing face, And it can drive you crazy, Or it may keep you sane, It can make you lazy, But it won't ever stop the rain.
And I cling to these threads of belief, Tough they’ve not sown any relief, Maybe I’ll figure out why yesterday, When I’m a thousand miles from today.
Aug. 86
Madman in a Maze
Angel of mercy come down on me, I try so hard but I just can't see, I got fooled once and went back for more, I crawled in the window then I couldn’t find the door, I cheated for fortune I’ve killed for fame, But if you live by their rules you die by their game, I couldn’t change the world so I tried to fit the mold, I swear at first everything I touched turned to gold.
I told you I thought I was ruining my life, You said ah it’s just a phase, I need someone to save me from myself I’m a madman in a maze.
Is there a breath of hope left between these sighs, Is there a shred of truth left between these broken lies, I wandered from the valley trying to find a home, I’ve been every where from El Paso to Rome, I made a name for myself I couldn’t even spell, I’ve done some things I swear I’ll never tell, Chances are a dime a dozen sure bets are hard to find, But once the cards are dealt you can't change your mind.
I told you I thought I was ruining my life, You said ah it’s just a phase, I need someone to save me from myself I’m a madman in a maze.
I’ve got to take hold baby I’m falling fast, The night is pushing hard I don’t think I can last, I was taken from the cradle and into the void I was cast, Promised a brilliant future and told to forget the past.
Now I’m crying as the singer sings, This sorrow don’t leave a scar but it sure stings, The hardest part is just to admit you made a mistake, But when the unreal becomes real it’s hard to fake, I’m the father of a child I’ve never seen, I always act nice but I feel so mean, If I can't find my way soon I’ll just go down the drain, Nothing works anymore even pleasure can't sooth this pain.
June 88
Make Mine a Double
I need what I want there’s no doubt about it, I can't die in peace if I have to live without it, My major breakthrough turned out to be a minor breakdown, I used to be a man of the world now I’m just another drunk downtown.
This world can't forgive a man, I only hope god can, My nerves aren't so steady I got a head full of trouble, Hey Mac better make mine a double.
I hate myself but I’m not gonna do anything about it, As soon as I feel good about something that’s when I begin to doubt it, Sometimes I wanna let the fury fly but it gets stuck in my throat, I was the first one to say lets sail and the only one that missed the boat.
This world can't forgive a man, I only hope god can, My nerves aren't so steady I got a head full of trouble, Hey Mac better make mine a double.
To fight for freedom that was my predestination, I just fell a victim to the the habit of complication, Pour me another one Mac I’ll show ‘em who’s though, And he said don’t you think you’ve had enough.
July 88
This Time
It seemed like the easiest way out but it was the quickest way in, This game just kind of started it didn’t ever really begin, I was a fool for my master now I’m a slave for a fool, I think I’ve learned my lesson that only servants practice the golden rule.
What good is what you want if you lose what you need, Sometimes charity is just another form of greed.
An answer can't be given for a question that ask why, The only real truth in a man’s life is that a man live and then he die, Damn the forgiven their just the guilty on ice; a man that can't face his mistake, It’s a line that's easy to fall for because the real don’t look as real as the fake.
What good is what you want if you lose what you need, Sometimes charity is just another form of greed.
Here we go again what will it be this time.
I have prepared an ode for those who make the same mistake twice, It’s guaranteed to lift your spirits but it won't help lower the price, The wisest man in the world may be a fool in the eyes of god, And Romeo is still dead in his lover's tomb and Cain is still plowing fields in the land of Nod.
What good is what you want if you lose what you need, Sometimes charity is just another form of greed.
Nov. 88
Dreams Walking in Broad Daylight
I am an old man; all day long I watch the cars go by, People ask me how it feels to be so old and I just sigh, What would I give to be young again just for a day, I ain't got nothing left worth giving and it don’t matter anyway, My wife died several years ago I don’t even remember what she looked like now, I just learned to turn with these things and when people ask me how.
(I Say)
It’s not as hard as it seems, Just learn to give up your dreams, And things just kind of slid on by, Like the sun slips thru the summer sky.
I am an old man; all day long I watch the river flow, I’ve learned so much and still there’s so many things I don’t know, I remember so many things about the child; hardly anything about the man, The child took my soul now I do the best I can.
It’s not as hard as it seems, Just learn to give up your dreams, And things just kind of slid on by, Like the sun slips thru the summer sky.
I am an old man; all day long I sit here and die, And sometimes when it gets much too much I bow my head and cry.
Watching the cars go by, Watch the river flow, Dreams walking in broad daylight, And setting with the sun.
June 84
River's Run
Running wildly toward the ocean, My logic drowned in emotion, No mermaids for to find, To help dry out my mind, I feel like a savior without a cross to bear, So careless but I can't help but care, As this current runs its course, I feel like an impotent force, There’s a savage wind howling in my soul, There’s a flood building in my heart I’m bound to lose control.
Life sometimes I hate you sometimes I love you, Sometimes I don’t know what to think of you, I may be the great unknown, I may be the chosen one, We’ll know which man is king, At the throne of river's run.
Spinning madly toward the sea, Trying hard to find the sailor in me, Like the newly born I have no past, Into the fishnet of desire my life was cast, I was wounded by a remedy cured by a disease, Her beauty brought me to my knees, I’m the saint of the unforgiven, We call this life but you couldn’t call it living, Beauty has touched the earth to damn the beautiful, Desire is a placebo to charge the dutiful.
Life sometimes I hate you sometimes I love you, Sometimes I don’t know what to think of you, I may be the great unknown, I may be the chosen one, We’ll know which man is king, At the throne of river's run.
Aching always for the sky, Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die, I turn in wonder I stare in awe, Seen or not seen I can't believe what I saw, I need a love that will bend to my will, I need to touch her flesh in hope to feel, My destiny in a cold wind blows, Everybody guess’s what nobody knows, Strangely groping thru life’s desperate interlude, Life just goes on living in its indifferent mood.
Life sometimes I hate you sometimes I love you, Sometimes I don’t know what to think of you, I may be the great unknown, I may be the chosen one, We’ll know which man is king, At the throne of river's run.
Dec. 88
Satori or Destruction
I’m still running though I know, I ain't got no place to go, I’m still dreaming though I see, How real this reality, But still the truth is flirting with illusion, And I just bought a drink for confusion, If you stay I’m gonna have to leave, Just say you know and then I’ll believe.
Oh the dawn better come soon, I fear I won't live thru the night, I’m so tired of howling at the moon, But it’s my only guiding light, There’s an angel in my heart, There’s a demon in my head, A sense of direction is a priceless art, But I run around in circles instead.
Time is running out, There’s plenty more room for doubt, A desperate man can die, In the wink of a tear stained eye, I reach out and yet hide within, I live on what might have been, I have lived forever in a day, I feel like I’m fading away.
Oh the dawn better come soon, I fear I won't live thru the night, I’m so tired of howling at the moon, But it’s my only guiding light, There’s an angel in my heart, There’s a demon in my head, A sense of direction is a priceless art, But I run around in circles instead.
I’ve never been the kind of man, To play catch as catch can, I wanna feel the love I see, I wanna be what I’m supposed to be, I know but I don’t know, I’ve got to go but I can't go, A desperate man can die, Without even knowing why.
Oh the dawn better come soon, I fear I won't live thru the night, I’m so tired of howling at the moon, But it’s my only guiding light, There’s an angel in my heart, There’s a demon in my head, A sense of direction is a priceless art, But I run around in circles instead.
Nov. 88
Released 01 December 1988
All Songs Composed, Performed and Recorded by M.M.
