Jared Costa

The night was going to be held at Clarence Center Coffee Co. and be a “songwriters in the round” format where musicians would split the evening bill with groups of three separate performers taking the stage at once. They then take turns speaking about the song and the story of thought process behind it before performing that song. This happens around a few times and then the next group takes the stage. I have heard a lot about these shows, but this was my first. I was really looking forward to it!

Tim, Jared, and I were sharing the evening with three members of a group called Just Plain Folks: Rick, John, and Rich. I was in the second group and I enjoyed listening to everyone and was really impressed with the instrument playing, genres that were spanned, and the songwriting styles of each and every musician. The night went great and we found ourselves once again packing up equipment and loading the cars.

I've been meaning to post these lyrics for some time. So after quite a few requests and a little research into my song book, here they are. Enjoy!

ONWARDS & UPWARDS
1)State of Affairs:
Music: my religion; religion: my fate. I need a movement, a movement to create. I've been soul searching without absolution. I keep on searching; there's no revolution. So give me a glimpse if not the answer. Or give the reason we're in such disaster.
(chorus:) We've been searching such a long time and its bound to set us free!
Some say "dog eat" but I say pergatory. I need a moral, or a moral to this story. 'Cause I want a big dream and I need fruition. Just give me a road less travelled or a road to perdition.
*chorus
So take one chance to dance in the moonlight, in this twilight, in this high life!

2)Love
You can't look down on another man unless you intend on helping him up. And the Lord above says a window's always open whenever the door is shut. Well, I don't mind spending my time talking with the angels, drinking their wine. It all comes down to be: we gotta have sympathy.
(chorus:) So get up and everybody say. Get up there's another way with love! So give me love.
We all gotta fight back against the loaded guns: be it fear, be it hate, be it any of our addictions. 'Cause when it rains, it pours and there's gonna be more. We gotta lean on the love to get through for sure. We're all sinners and saints that gotta get through with faith.
*chorus

3) To Mine
Prophesize, philosophize: just keep your eye on the prize, my joy my boy. And you're gonna be fine.
Some may say your path's been made before you're even named, my one my son. You've gotta pave your own way before they stick you in the grave.
With dark set nights, its no suprise wjy most never try, my love my blood. The years can turn you gun-shy.
While you're young find what you want, and let me be blunt, and true with you; before my end comes. And it comes for everyone.
(chorus:) So let your voice be heard from mountaintops around the world; just let your voice be heard!
Most equate a life's been made through acquiring estate, you know to grow, youvan't make this mistake.
So pick your path and do the math because it's hard to extract, the truth in youth. Noone's handing out maps, but don't follow the pack.
No follow streets to your own beats and go create your own heat. My song lifelong, has made me complete.
But it's occured, dreams massacred when visions are blurred, the light of my life. I hope everything's been heard, but I'll repeat to you these words.
*chorus

4)Stronger
I see a man standing on the street corner. I can see he's drank his fill. Toppled over, stumbling drunk, but he tips the bottle still. He damns the drop that made him lose his wife before he ever made a stand. He curses the days that still remain 'cause things have gotten out of hand.
(chorus:) And I say hey man don't you understand: all your drinking's wrong? He says the desire's gone but the need is strong.
I see a man lying bloody in the street: clothes torn off his back. He lies there in silent pain, begging to be cut some slack. Now the man comes to collect on the bet he was so sure was a sure thing. But he pissed away every cent he had saved and now he wants double or nothing.
(chorus:) So I say hey man don't you understand all your gamblings wrong? He says the desire's gone, but the need is strong. And I say hey man don't you understand, self-destruction's wrong? He says the desire's gone, but the need is strong?

5)No Revolution
In the days we lived ways that changed only those who can't dance or find romance against the stance of their foes. We only seem to fall or flee but find no harmony in that this is the only thing we have to show for evolution. But we don't see, don't speak, don't hear a revolution.
Satan comes to defend his only friend who tends to be void of sense. But if the glove don't fit you must acquit and then sit at his defense. And nothing seems to prevail that's right. There's just no reason to fight for anything at all if there's never going to be any resolution. But we don't see, don't speak, don't hear a revolution.
Rumors fly 'cause the FBI wants to try to look on top. Exchanging blows to and fro and noone knows if it will stop. Pin-point the first guy we want something from. Say he's a killer: so cold and numb. But it's them who says bloodshed is a solution. But we don't see, don't speak, don't hear a revolution.
We burned our minds way past the lines only to find there's nothing there. The evil here in fancy dress swears he hears the duress of those with nothing left sleeping in the winter air. They'll claim they got nothing left to give, but won't live simply so that others may simply live. It's been said that the bleeding heart starts with a contusion. But we don't see, don't speak, don't hear a revolution.
And the radio waves transmit fakes who don't make this world a place to live in peace and harmony. We only get to see a pretty face. And the green backs seem to be the line at the bottom and there ain't nothing to find. And they're looking in back alleys for a contribution. But they don't see, don't speak, don't hear no... And we don't see, don't speak, don't hear no...
And nobody sees, nobody speaks, nobody hears...
No revolution

6)Take It All
There's nobody knocking on my door, not even a phone call for an easy cure. I'm fighting through the motions and what for? Once bit twice shy and I can't take anymore!
(chorus:) So take it all away from me. Just take it all away.
Staring in the corner of any empty room. Smoke bellows from my lungs, all consumed with these songs of torture that barely carry tune. I don't want a tunnel light or love. Just pull the trigger soon!
*chorus
And please no more crying choulders. I have numbness now and the room's getting colder. It's too late for me, wish I wasn't getting older. Well this ain't a plea for help. It's a call to be bolder so I can: Take it all away!

7)Onwards & Upwards
Living in fear and cast into sin, I don't know where I fell or how I far I fell in.
Elders speak of better times. Things were simple live free or die. I'm gonna hold my breath and try.
Spinning into the cyclone of things I couldn't keep, but I once owned. Always searching for a bit of more time. As it slipped through my fingers, I knew it was mine. And I need to rewind!
So say goodbye to sweet dreams 'cause they were things you were never gonna need. Let me reslove into a solid state where my bomb-shell baby, maybe you'll appreciate: my life's sealed in this fate.
I've been living in fear and cast into sin. I don't know when I fell. Man, how long has it been since I said goodbye to all my sweet dreams 'cause you you said they were things I was never gonna need: Like a little peice of me!

8)Departure
I wrote this for the ones we've lost along the way.
I sing it for the part of us we're losing everyday.
I know this from the words the good ones say.
I hold everything in my heart and hope they smile as they lay.
And if we meet again somewhere around the bend; well if we meet again, we'll know there is no end.

9)No Man's Land
It's been a hard day. Please believe me! I got nothing from nothing and nothing is all I see.
It's been a hard day. Won't you believe me? I need an end to this. It's gettinf too dark to see.
(chorus:) So won't you come along to this no man's land? Won't you walk this path with me? Yeah, and com along to this no man's land. Help to set me free!
It's been a hard day. C'mon believe me. I want to make it through and I need someone to agree.
It's been a hard day. Oh, please believe in me! My strength is dropping. I need to make this plea.
*chorus

10)Rainmaker's Waltz
Do you chase the rainmaker,
the tambourine shaker wherever he goes on the path that he chose?
Do you wish on the light flicker step with the drum kicker and dream in his dreams for whatever life means?
I do...
And down on main street there's a break from this mean heat.
And just as it ends it comes back again, but now there is repreive for the puddles, they relieve 'cause the sun's back to bake all the hours we wake.
And how we came to this place and aged into this face is contention to most but no point to boast. We said goodbye to our brothers and then kissed our mothers. We promised we'd pray and return someday.
I do...
Oh, we set out in chorus to see what life was for us and when we payed due, the many was few. The path twisted and frayed confusion was made. By the time we were done, the few turned to one.
Do you chase the rainmaker, the tambourine shaker wherever he goes on the path that he chose? Do you wish on the light flicker, step with the drum kicker and dream in his dreams for whatever life means?
I do...

11) Sad Song
They tore down the willow where I kissed you last Spring. For a moment of time, it was my everything. Now it makes me want to sing a sad, sad song.
The rain fell so hard; your shirt soaking wet; your fingers through my hair: I'll never forget. Gently to the ground, I held you under leaves. Blissful through the rain drops mor than I can believe. And it makes me want sing a sad, sad song.
And the memory is the only thing that helps me get along.
But it make me want to sing a sad, sad song.

12) Once Upon A Time
Once upon a time, I saw your face. So take my hand. I'll take you to that place.
Once upon a time, I heard your name. So hold me now. I may fall from your grace.
For once in my life, I'll feel safe.
Once upon a time, everything was in place. We, as vigins, danced and our spirits were in flames.
Cut across the sky, I knew the winds of change came. And for onc in my life, I felt safe. But the melodies never dissipate. No, I have to fight for the memories that will someday, erase.
Once upon a time, I saw you face. So hold me now. I may fall from your grace. And just once I'll feel safe.
Oh, I can feel it now. I feel safe!
And yes, just once, I feel safe.