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Mockingbird Bible

by Rodney DeCroo

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1.
Your starvation ships, well they're set to sail, your messenger he found me, he told me this tale, he said your dice are rattling like teeth in your head, and you've been singing songs about dying in your bed, but that long legged man, with that knowing smile, has been walking right beside you for many a mile, but you know I heard that rumour, that you're going to break that chain, and when you do you're going to see me again. When you make it to sacred ground, when you make it to sacred ground, I'm going to be there, I'm going to be around. My prophet is a beggar, but he don't care, 'cause he lives in castles made out of air, they can mock him, they can taunt him, but he pays no mind, he knows the secret roads of time, they always must run crooked before they play out straight, and if I've learned anything honey, I've learned how to wait. When you make it to sacred ground, when you make it to sacred ground, I'm going to be there, I'm going to be around. When you travel out across them borderlines, you're going to see many a strange sign, but you got to learn to listen, and you got to play your part, you've got to stand at the center of your heart. When you make it to sacred ground, when you make it to sacred ground, I'm going to be there, I'm going to be around.
2.
Mockingbird 04:22
Down by the dirty water, I heard the mockingbird sing, down by the dirty water, I heard the mockingbird sing, he told me you were leaving, he told me everything. Under that red sunset, I saw you standing there, under that red sunset, I saw you standing there, with your army of nine horses and your backwater stare. That rooster he's a crowing, tear down the sky, that rooster he's a crowing, tear down the sky, oh my baby left me and I just want to die. I cried out to your mountain, but your mountain didn't hear, I cried out to your mountain, but your mountain didn't care, when I woke up in the morning there was nobody there. That fox he's a'praying, praying through the night, that fox he's a'praying, praying through the night, that fox he's a'praying brother, he's praying for the light. The last time I touched you, you turned away, the last time I touched you, you turned away, my heart was so heavy and I could not say. Down by the dirty I heard your mockingbird sing, down by the dirty water I heard your mockingbird sing, he told me you were leaving, he told me everything.
3.
Gasoline 04:59
The needle is a lover and the lover is a liar, LA burns like a junkie on fire, red crows flies, murder in the eyes, road runs crooked as a strong man's lies, white dove moaning, hawk's eye glowing, blood like water and the water is flowing, fist in the glove, and the glove is smoking, joker in the alley but he ain't joking. Is that rain coming down, or is that gasoline? Oh Susanna light that match, let's find out where we've been. Carnival schemers and buffalo bones, shattered arrows and runaway stones, Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Roman Nose, Skull Lady danced as the dust storm rose, there's proud Mary, she ain't proud, turn up the music and turn it up loud, Old Man River at the center of a crowd, he wants to lie down, but it's not allowed. Is that rain coming down, or is that gasoline? Oh Susanna light that match, let's find out where we've been. Is that rain coming down, or is that gasoline? Oh Susanna light that match, let's find out where we've been. Nose to the ground like an old bloodhound, hot on the scent, but nothing's found, lights flash, signals pound, Captain Ahab loves that sound, free wheel spinning, blood on the floor, whose that knocking on my door, painted lady cries on the other side of town, how come you don't come around. Is that rain coming down, or is that gasoline? Oh Susanna light that match, let's find out where we've been. Is that rain coming down, or is that gasoline? Oh Susanna light that match, let's find out where we've been. The needle is a lover and the lover is a liar, and LA burns like a junkie on fire.
4.
Memories of snow, memories of dust, and there's no image you can place your trust, even the air seems to rust, memories of snow and memories of dust. And that sorrow comes down hard and fast, is it the only thing that lasts? Memories of dust, memories of snow, frozen waters they cannot flow, the silence and shadows, where did they go? And that sorrow comes down hard and fast, is it the only thing that lasts? there's this girl, well, she comes around, she lays her magic playing cards right now. And for awhile she lifts me up, memories of snow, memories of dust. And that sorrow comes hard down and fast, is it the only thing that lasts? And that sorrow comes down hard and fast, is it the only thing that lasts?
5.
Yeah, you got a broken bowl in your hand, and you're standing waist deep in quicksand, now tell me who it is that you're going to turn to, now tell me again what it means to you. Walking down that long white road, walking right down that long white road, with your shadow sweating on the wall. Walking around with your pockets full of nothing but wind, and now you hear those voices begin, they say can't you see it's just about time, you understand that your loving has been nothing but a crime. Walking down that long white road, walking down that long white road, with your shadow sweating on the wall. John the Baptist lost his head, because the king wanted to take his sister-in-law to bed, well, she didn't like what old John said, so John paid the price instead. Walking down that long white road, walking down that long white road, with your shadow sweating on the wall. Walking down that long white road, who's going to catch you when you fall? Walking down that long white road, who's going to catch you when you fall?
6.
I stand at the razor's edge, as these lights burn through my head, and despite every word I've said, I praise this spinning wheel. And with everything I make, and with every breath I take, even though I shall break, I praise this spinning wheel. And all shall be revealed, and all shall be healed, and every single cup shall be filled, and I praise this spinning wheel. All those left behind, they shall seek and they shall find, pardon outside of time, and I praise this spinning wheel. And with that trumpet blast, that blows away the past, I shall stand there free at last, and I praise this spinning wheel. And all shall be revealed, and all shall be healed, and every single cup shall be filled, and I praise this spinning wheel. And all those who wander lost, they shall find that they are not, the price is free, there is no cost, and I praise this spinning wheel. I stand at the razor's edge, as these lights burn through my head, and despite every word that I have said, I praise this spinning wheel. And all shall be revealed, and all shall be healed, and every single cup shall be filled, and I praise this spinning wheel.
7.
Black earth, green fields, ever wonder what's real? Grass blown down by summer winds, it's all coming around again. Blacktop highway, mile for mile, and I haven't seen you in awhile. It's a bird in the hand, it's a bird in the sky, you can play it close, or you can let it fly, but deep waters, they don't, they don't run dry, they don't run dry. They sit and stare in prairie towns, cause they're waiting for Jesus to come around, but my heaven don't have a face, give me mercy, show me grace. Oh passing on, moving through, and I, I've learned a thing or two. It's a bird in the hand, it's a bird in the sky, you can play it close, or you can let it fly, but deep waters, they don't, they don't run dry, they don't run dry. It's strange in this dark place, sometimes a voice, never a face, someone coughs, say man this a joke, this lack of light, my watch is broke. You touched me once, I can't forget, your silent wonder, your sweet consent. It's a bird in the hand, it's a bird in the sky, you can play it close, or you can let it fly, but deep waters, they don't, they don't run dry, they don't run dry.
8.
Lonely girls in heartbreak bars, they love the way you play your guitar, they ask you out to their cars, to drive away. Sleepless nights, oh just hold me tight. Shooting stars, battle scars. Down here, where the light gets dim, and the games and the lies begin, makes you think about original sin, some days. Sleepless nights, oh just hold me tight. Shooting stars, battle scars. I look behind with every step, there are some things you can't forget, even when there's nothing left, I'll see you next time I head out west. Sleepless nights, oh just hold me tight. Shooting stars, battle scars. Sleepless nights, oh just hold me tight. Shooting stars, battle scars.
9.
What you deny only multiplies; red line on the skin. No baby, you don't lie, 'cause you don't know where the truth begins. Captain's in his tower, got his guitar hanging on the wall, think's if he sleeps long enough he's going to hear that ancient Siren call. You said loneliness has the soul of a spider, and oh, you're going to take it to your grave, but I know a little something, and I know this, it ain't ever going to work out that way. You want to build a web that's strong enough to contain all your wild desires, but in the end those flames are only going to burn that much higher. Come ride the broken buses with me through the teeming streets, come walk the crumbling neighbourhoods, let's find out who we'll meet. Maybe you'll understand we don't got to have no plan, stop looking at empty windows like the lines on the palm of your hand. You said loneliness has the soul of a spider, and oh, you're going to take it to your grave, but I know a little something, and I know this, it ain't ever going to work out that way. You want to build a web that's strong enough to contain all your wild desires, but in the end those flames are only going to burn that much higher. Your jewellery show was the talk of the whole town, prime ministers and presidents, they were all coming around, I saw you in the corner, your eyes, they were so red, I knew you wished you could be anywhere else instead. You said loneliness has the soul of a spider, and oh, you're going to take it to your grave, but I know a little something, and I know this, it ain't ever going to work out that way. You want to build a web that's strong enough to contain all your wild desires, but in the end those flames are only going to burn that much higher.
10.
Your liar's crown and your mouth of thorns, you got my wheel on your back, but the book is torn. And your friend there in the corner, with the holes in his face, he's got a sweaty touch and a leper's crutch. Lies are just lies, and they're not worth much. Your sister's tight smile and her hatred that grows, for everything little thing that she'll never know, and she cleans out your cell with sisterly love, then she locks that lock with a key that rusts. Lies are just lies, and they're not worth much. All your old men and your power plays, when the truth is my love, yes, you're the slave. And what will be the price, when the game turns rough, and your bloom it turns to ashes and enough's not enough. Lies are just lies, and they're not worth much. I got your letter today, I read it with great care, but the words, they're just ghosts, and you're not here, and these things that I say, they might not be fair, but my heart it's a bleedin' and there's blood everywhere. And ain't it so sad, when love turns to shove, and right turns to left, and below to above, Lies are just lies, and they're not worth much. Adam's third child, that innocent one, who stands in his glory, like a radiant sun. And I shiver to think at the damage that's been done, and how many years, like us, he will run. Lies are just lies, and they're not worth much. Lies are just lies, and they were never worth much.
11.
Never give all of your love, the wisest words ever said, for she'll only turn to cheating, as she turns away her head. And never believe, a single word that she might say, for her love is like the frost, it fades by the break of day. And I know that you won't listen, and I know you'll pay no heed, for you crave your crucifixion, as surely as you breathe. The snowflakes gently fall, just like an angel's tears, and child you've been running, running all these years. And what is it that you've been seeking, what is it that you crave, is it the satisfaction of an early grave? And I know that you won't listen, and I know you'll pay no heed, for you crave your crucifixion, as surely as you breathe. She moves like lightning and she falls like rain, and when of her you're thinking, it only brings you pain. You wonder what's she's doing, you wonder what she'll say, but you know it doesn't matter, for she has gone away. And I know that you won't listen, and I know you'll pay no heed, for you crave your crucifixion, as surely as you breathe. tags
12.
Out in the streets where the ghost of St. Augustine sweeps,up the paper cups, and the butts and the falling autumn leaves. He walks with his head bowed down, and he seldom makes a sound, though sometimes he gets a wild look in his eyes and drops to his knees. He says Lord, oh Lord, whatever happened to me? I had robes of silk and my own private sanctuary, where the sinners brought gold on bended knees. But I'm alone in a cold, desperate land, and I can't understand, Father, why you have forsaken me. At the end of the day, St. Augustine goes to his room, he hangs up his coat and he counts his meagre day's pay. And he has a small bite to eat, says his prayers then he goes to sleep, and he dreams of Rome, in rich and mighty array. He says Lord, oh Lord, whatever happened to me? I had robes of silk and my own private sanctuary, where the sinners brought gold on bended knees. But I'm alone in a cold, desperate land, and I can't understand, Father why you have forsaken me.

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released February 20, 2008

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Rodney DeCroo Vancouver, British Columbia

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