HÄR - Slipgrip.se

In the seventh year of her life, a young girl was
BODY AND SPIRIT
FALLS AS WAS PLANNED
FOREVER
nearing the end of her seventh summer, at a
NO-ONE CAN HEAR IT
AND WITHIN EACH PRECIOUS MOMENT
HEAR US
beach house that her grandfather had built on
LOST
ARE THE THINGS STILL YET TO BE
FOREVER
the Pacific Ocean, long before she was born. It
IN
was a beautiful but simple house, constructed
ETERNITY
high atop the dunes, overlooking a seemingly
HEAR US
NIGHT IN ITS VESPERS
FOREVER
DREAMS ARE ITS GESTURES
HEAR US
endless stretch of pristine, sandy beach. She
FOREVER
STARS FEAR NO DISTANCE
FOREVER
believed that her grandfather must have been the
HEAR US
FEAR NO DISTANCE
WHERE OUR HOPES HAVE NEVER CEASED
wisest of men to have procured such a perfect
FOREVER
spot. It was far enough away from the water to
HEAR US
FOR THEY WILL ALWAYS GUARD YOU
be perfectly safe from the crashing waves of the
FOREVER
THROUGHOUT ETERNITY
DEATH WILL EMBRACE US
largest storms, when the ocean was at its most
HEAR US
(Greek Chorus)
HOLD AND ENCASE US
mischievous, but close enough that she could
FOREVER
still hear the quietest of breakers, on the calmest
WHERE OUR HOPES HAVE NEVER CEASED
HERE
of nights as they gently lulled her to sleep.
TO BE
BELIEVE
Night Enchanted
A NIGHT
TIME SPEAKS THROUGH SEASONS
DEATH WILL EMBRACE US
ENCHANTED
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH REASON
HOLD AND ENCASE US
SEEN
KINDNESS COMPASSION
(Greek Chorus)
TO BE
TIME MAY DEFACE US
TIME MAY DEFACE US
WILL GOD RETRACE US
NOT RANDOM FASHIONS
WILL GOD RETRACE US
HERE
HERE
TIME SPEAKS THROUGH SEASONS
THE HOPES OF GODS ARE PLANTED
HEAR
BELIEVE
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH REASON
DREAM
YET TO BE
A NIGHT
KINDNESS COMPASSION
ENCHANTED
NOT RANDOM FASHIONS
SEEN
HEAR
HEAR
REMEMBER
YET TO BE
REMEMBER
HEAR
ALL WE DO NOT SEE
YET TO
HERE
YET TO BE
THE HOPES OF GODS ARE PLANTED
HEAR
SURRENDERED
DREAM
YET TO BE
SURRENDERED
REMEMBER
HEAR
ALL WE WISHED TO BE
REMEMBER
YET TO
ALL WE DO NOT SEE
(Cassandra)
SURRENDERED
BE
It was the final night of the season and she
knew that tomorrow she would be returning
home. So, she snuck out of bed, to sit out on her
LOST AND FORGOTTEN
balcony and gaze at the stars as they appeared
OUR AKHENATEN
one at a time or occasionally in clusters. She was
BODY AND SPIRIT
happily lost in her own little world, savoring the
SURRENDERED
CHILD OF THE NIGHT
NO-ONE CAN HEAR IT
last moments of summer, when she noticed what
ALL WE WISHED TO BE
DREAMS DARE ALIGHT
LOST
seemed like a swarm of fireflies, playfully flying
ANYWHERE YOUR HEART DOES WANDER
IN
over the crashing waves. Looking downward,
LOST AND FORGOTTEN
KNOW THAT THEY WILL WALK WITH THEE
ETERNITY
she saw that a man had gathered a large pile
OUR AKHENATEN
EACH GRAIN OF SAND
of driftwood, dried reeds and rushes and was
igniting it with a handheld Zippo lighter. As
AND MUST SHE EVER JUST LET GO
SHE JUST DECIDE
was building was even more magical than she
the dried rushes caught fire, the summer breezes
AS CHILDHOOD DREAMS
TO STEP OFF OF THIS
could have imagined when she viewed it from
fanned the flames until even the largest logs and
CHILDHOOD DREAMS
CHILDHOOD RIDE
a distance. It had large thick walls, surrounded
AS CHILDHOOD DREAMS
by a deep moat and numerous towers. He had
CHILDHOOD DREAMS
hollowed out a little room inside the tallest tower
planks were burning brightly. Occasionally, one
of the bigger pieces of wood would fall, causing
WHAT IS CHILDHOOD
an explosion of sparks to be thrown high into the
SOMETHING WE REMEMBER
night air, where the wind was waiting to carry
RARELY
ONLY SEVEN AS SHE
the room glowed with an orange light from
them out over the ocean waters.
BARELY
SITS AND WONDERS
within.
SOMETIMES IN DECEMBERS
LATE AT NIGHT AS
a large sandcastle that the man had obviously
BUT THEN IT’S KNOWN TO CATCH OUR
THE WORLD IT SLUMBERS
he was completely unaware of her presence, until
been working on for a considerable time.
EYE
BUT SUDDENLY INSIDE THE DARK
quite unexpectedly, the man, who now had his
Once he was satisfied that the bonfire was well
AND DARE US ALL TO
SHE SEES THE MAGIC
back to her asked, “Would you like to help?”
established, he returned to finishing his edifice
ONCE MORE TRY
OF THE SPARKS
of sand. Now, most children are fascinated
AND WITH A CHILDHOOD FAITH BELIEVE
AND SO SHE KNOWS
presence, she stepped out from the darkness and
by bonfires, sandcastles and of course staying
AND THAT MAGIC TO RETRIEVE
SHE MUST GO DOWN
replied, “What can I do?”
up late when one should be asleep and this
AS CHILDHOOD DREAMS
TO SEE THIS WORLD
As the bonfire grew in intensity, it illuminated
combination of all three was proving near
and had placed a small tea candle inside, so that
Now, all this time, she was quite certain that
Surprised, that he was somehow aware of her
“Well, the main gate still needs a drawbridge
THAT SHE HAS FOUND
and I think that small piece of wood under your
AS CHILDHOOD DREAMS
right foot would fit perfectly.”
there is only sand under my feet.”
irresistible. Correction, make that irresistible.
CHILDHOOD DREAMS
For a moment, she pondered obtaining parental
CHILDHOOD
permission to go down to look at this castle,
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD DREAMS
but asking meant risking the most universal of
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
“Ahh, yes,” he answered without looking up
adult replies, a stern and emphatically delivered,
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
from the rampart upon which he was putting the
“No!” So, she decided to sneak out on her own.
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
final touches, “but what lies beneath that sand?”
Carefully climbing over the balcony railing, she
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
Wiggling her toes in the sand under her feet,
quietly crept down the stairs and across the beach
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
she was delighted to discover a small weathered
to examine this wonderment close-up.
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
rectangular plank, which she could tell at first
Childhood Dreams
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
glance would fit perfectly into the main gate
CHILDHOOD
CHILDHOOD
leading across the moat. Picking it up, she ran
DREAMS
CHILDHOOD
over and handed it to the gentleman, a smile
CHILDHOOD
beaming from her face. Returning her smile,
DREAMS
he took the small plank and placed it across the
(Erasmus)
SOFTLY
LATE IN SUMMER
FADING
STARING OUT THE WINDOW
TELL ME WHERE THE YEARS GO
ONLY SEVEN
She looked down and said, “I’m sorry sir, but
moat leading to the front gate.
As she neared the bonfire, she could see that the
Together, they stepped back to look at the
I AM AGING
individual, who was casting such a large shadow
now completed castle. The man noticed that
TELL ME WHAT COULD SHE KNOW
BUT SHE DOES NOT THINK SO
when silhouetted against the fire, was in reality,
parts of the wall had been dried out slightly by
THE WORLD WOULD NEVER UNDERSTAND
HER WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES
a thin, but muscular man with shoulder length
the heat from the fire, and sitting down, started
BUT THEY DON’T SEE WHAT SHE STILL CAN
AS FAR AS CHILDHOOD
hair. He was wearing a faded black t-shirt with
to scoop handfuls of water from the moat to re-
WHAT DOES SHE SEE
EYES CAN SEE
the initials for New York City printed boldly
moisten the sand before it crumbled. The child,
WHAT DOES SHE KNOW
AND MUST ONE DAY
on the front in big block letters. The castle he
quickly joined him and within moments they
had repaired all the damage.
Temples of Memphis and Luxor, the Pyramids
tried to gather his thoughts as to how he could
Lieutenant started back towards his hotel. Now,
As the unlikely pair sat back, they gazed in
of Giza and the ever-patient gaze of the Great
describe to a child, the Times Square area of
unbeknownst to my friend, a drug dealer who
satisfaction at their creation now back-lit by the
Sphinx before entering the Mediterranean. From
New York City, at a time when it was known as
had been watching the entire scene from across
bonfire and enchanted by the sparks that seemed
there, it visited the harbors of Alexandria, Athens
“Hell’s Kitchen,” an area where the lost souls,
the street walked up to him and said, ‘Man, what
to hesitate over it, as if in homage, as they flew by on
and Rome before slipping through the Straits of
drug addicts, winos, criminals and the other
is your problem soldier? I thought you were
their way to the sea.
Gibraltar, where it continued its journey for over
unwanted offspring of humanity, had created a
never going to ask her out!’
two millennium, before it ended up here, in your
little, surrealistic, neon lit, Oz. A sanctuary for
hands.”
the hopeless and the hunted, right in the middle
‘I was watching you two, from the minute
“Really?” she asked.
of the greatest city on earth, and how it was in
I saw that girl’s eyes meet yours and a blind
come to the ocean shores as often as possible,”
“What do you think?” he countered.
this environment, the last place his friend ever
man could tell you were meant to be together.
he replied.
“It might be,” she replied hopefully.
would have predicted, that the Lieutenant first
But it was near torture waiting for you to say
“Why?”
“I think so too.”
saw and fell in love with his future wife.
something. For a minute I was nearly convinced
“Well, I want to visit all the places on earth,
For a moment, the child pondered all these
In the beginning, he struggled to put together
you were going to let that piece of magic slip
which of course is impossible, especially for a
new and wondrous facts that had just been
the words, but eventually he found them flowing
right out of your life, but in the end you came
person with limited financial resources. But a
revealed to her about that single drop of water,
easier and easier about the moment the couple’s
through.’
friend I once had, told me that when you touch
and then, she very carefully, reverently, placed
eyes first met from a distance. They were walking
‘What exactly did you think you saw?’ The
the ocean, you touch the entire world. For the
that handful of water back into the tip of the
towards each other, the Lieutenant from the Port
Lieutenant countered, in a slightly bemused
oceans touch the entire earth. Every continent,
next wave that washed up at their feet and said,
Authority on 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue
voice.
every island, large and small, every inlet and
“This way someone else might hold it one day.
and she from the library on 42nd Street and
“On this street, my kingdom, my world, I see
peninsula and through all the rivers and streams
Your friend must have been a very smart man.”
Fifth Avenue. How in the early evening, on that
everything,” the dealer replied. “I saw you, I saw
“Do you live near here?” the child inquired of
her newfound friend.
“No, I actually live quite far away, but I
‘Excuse me?’ The Lieutenant asked.
that empty into these oceans, they also reach
“He was.”
crowded street, they both looked away with
her, I saw what could be and I saw sparks!”
deep into the largest bodies of land.” The man
“How did you meet him?”
embarrassment, yet they both slowed their pace.
then picked up a handful of water and reaching
“That, my young friend, is a long story.”
How when they were only twenty feet apart, even
Sparks
out placed it in the hand of the child. “Imagine
“I love stories,” she eagerly replied.
the drug dealers and street walkers could see that
how many drops are in just this small handful of
“Well, it began many years ago.”
the soldier so badly wanted to introduce himself
water. Now, only a short while ago, one of those
“How long?” she queried.
to this beautiful young lady, but how could he
drops was on the shore of the Baltic Sea, and that
“Before you were even born.”
(Drug Dealer)
on this criminally infested street? But then she
LINES
one was in the Sea of Japan and the one next to it
“Wow!” she said, her forehead wrinkled in
stopped and pretended to look in a store window
OF A TALE
came from atop the Andes Mountains, down the
contemplation, “That is a long time. Were you
and he did the same as they glanced at each
CUT IN THE FACE OF A CROWD
Maranon and Amazon Rivers, across Peru and
kids together?”
other’s reflections in the glass. When she finally
SENTENCED NO BAIL
Brazil, until it reached the Atlantic Ocean.”
“No, my earliest memory of his life was when
turned and started to walk again, he realized that
“And right there,” he said pointing to a corner
he was a newly commissioned army lieutenant,
if he missed this opportunity he would regret it
THERE
of her hand, “is one of my favorites, for it has
on 42nd Street in New York City, on the night
for the rest of his life. So, just as she was about
IN THE NIGHT
taken the longest journey. It originally came
that he first met the young lady he would
to pass him by, he introduced himself and she
DEEP IN THE BACK
from the eyes of the Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra,
marry.”
instantly returned the gesture. After some small
THROUGH THE BLACK
talk, they agreed to meet the next afternoon for
BECKONS A LIFE
as she held her child from Julius Caesar and
realized that she would never see the great
Roman leader again. It fell from her eye, down
her cheek and into the Nile where it passed the
“Is 42nd Street a park?” she asked in all
earnestness.
lunch. She wrote down the phone number of his
The question was so unexpected, that it
momentarily threw the gentleman off.
He
hotel and then she continued on her way home.
TIME
After watching her disappear into the crowd, the
MOVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE
BUT THEN AT A WHIM
AND AROUND
instant if they were on their way to work, school
military unit to join, the part with the hardest
A CHANGE IN THE WIND
AND AROUND
or home, or if they were looking for an illicit
of training. Training that is so tough that most
A STORY BEGINS IN ITS MIND
AND AROUND
substance and what that illicit substance was.
men give up before completing it. But my friend
AND AGAIN
This individual was so amoral that he would sell
completed the entire course and shortly after his
anyone enough heroin to kill themselves without
graduation was assigned as an officer to a unit
FOR DEEP IN HER EYES
BENEATH THE LIES
COME ON
a second thought, but somehow he wanted to
stationed in Europe. He was only in New York
OF THE DARK
DO IT IN THE NAME OF LIVING
see these two complete strangers meet and have
City for two days before he was to fly overseas
LEAVING MARKS
FOR IF NOT TONIGHT
a happy ending. The Lieutenant and the drug
and so that is why they got married so quickly.
TELL ME WHEN
dealer spoke for a while, the dealer telling him
The day after the wedding, she drove him to JFK
that he was positive the young lady would call
Airport for the flight that would take him to his
FOR IF NOT TONIGHT
him back and the officer promising that if she
army unit at their base in Europe.”
SHE
TELL ME WHEN
did, he would send the dealer a postcard from
“Couldn’t she go to Europe too?”
HAS BEEN STEELED
AHHHHH
Saigon. A short while later, they parted ways as
“Normally, yes, but he knew that he was only
SPARKS
the drug dealer went back across the street and
to be in Europe for a short while before they
HEARTS
the Lieutenant headed to his hotel with the
would be deployed to fight in Southeast Asia.
CAN CONFUSE
dealer’s address in his wallet and the hope that
Their mission was to help the people of a country
ONE
THAT MESSED UP BUNDLE OF NERVES
one day he would be mailing that postcard from
called Cambodia fight against a group known as
OF A KIND
THAT TENDS TO BRUISE
Saigon in Vietnam.
the Khmer Rouge, a communist backed guerrilla
STANDING THERE LOOKING SO TIGHT
TAUT AND HIGH-HEELED
THE KIND OF A GIRL
And the dealer was to be proven right, for
army who were trying to take over the country.
THAT ONLY A DREAM
STILL
despite all the Lieutenant’s fears that she might
The night before they were to depart, my friend’s
COULD DESIGN
LAY IT BARE
have second thoughts and never call, at exactly
entire unit was given a final night’s leave. Being
IT’S BETTER TO BLEED THAN TO NEED
noon, the phone rang and by that night they
young of course, they went in search of the
AND NEVER HAVE DARED
were married.
nearest bar, which happened to be in a little
TIME
SEEN THROUGH GLASSES OF WINE
“I love weddings! Did they have a flower girl?”
fishing town not too far from their base. Once
there, my friend got fairly inebriated.”
NEVER REVEALS
CHANCE
“I don’t think so.”
THE WHY OR THE WHEN
A MOVE BASED ON A GLANCE
“Was it a big wedding?”
HOW THIS STORY WILL END
A MOVE BASED ON NO MORE THAN FEEL
AS YOU FIND
IN THIS UNREAL CIRCUMSTANCE
“No, remember I said they got married the
day after they met. I believe it was at the city
hall.”
THAT DEEP IN HER EYES
FOR DEEP IN HER EYES
BENEATH THE LIES
BENEATH THE LIES OF THE DARK
OF THE DARK
LEAVING MARKS
LEAVING MARKS
SPARKS
“Really? The next day? How did they know
they were in love?”
“The minute they saw each others’ eyes there
was magic.“
“Why didn’t they wait so that their friends
SPARKS
The Lieutenant found this drug dealer
and family could have been there?”
fascinating. Here was a man who could probably
“Well, you see little one, my friend was in
COME ON
barely write his own name, but had spent so
the army, and not just the regular army, but a
CONJURE UP A REASON FOR LIVING
much of his life scanning the faces on that street
division of the army that is known as Special
TAKE ME ROUND
for potential customers, that he could tell in an
Forces. That is the most difficult part of any
“What is inebriated?” the girl asked struggling
to pronounce the unfamiliar word.
“Hmmm,” the man said while stroking
his chin thoughtfully, “He became a little too
intoxicated.”
The child still looked confused.
“How can I explain? Let us just say that he
consumed too many beverages with an unusually
high alcoholic content that temporarily impaired
his better judgment.”
“Oh!” the child exclaimed, “He got drunk!”
“Very astute for such a small child,” the man
chuckled.
The child beamed proudly at the compliment
as he continued his story. “Now this… getting
ocean. Then, as he turned his gaze upwards to
mental note as to its location and then started
paintings, some ancient weapons of every type,
drunk is not the brightest of ideas, but even very
see if there was a possible way to scale the cliffs,
to try to discover a way to reach it. After trying
others strange but oddly familiar mechanical
wise men have been known to do it on occasion.
he saw an unusual but welcome sight. Set high
several doors, he located one that was slightly
devices and one that was filled with countless
As the evening wore on, my friend eventually
atop the rocks, silhouetted in the light of that
ajar and with a gentle tug it slowly creaked
timepieces and clocks. Several of the timepieces
became separated from his fellow soldiers.
evening’s full moon, was an enormous medieval
open on its rusty hinges. Upon entering, he
were still ticking. He was so fascinated by this,
Without any money to get a taxi back to the base
castle. It was a fascinating collection of walls and
found himself within a great hall. It was a large,
that only the fear of losing sight of his swift
he found himself wandering down the wharf,
buildings, ramparts and towers but the sight he
cavernous room, with a high vaulted ceiling
winged guide prevented him from stopping
where he saw a small, two man fishing boat tied
found the most fascinating was the orange glow
supported by giant stone pillars. Directly across
to take a closer look. His instinct to not slow
to a dock. Its sails were down and neatly folded
of a light emanating from the highest window, in
from the entrance, above a wooden throne on
down proved correct as he nearly missed seeing
with the nets at the bottom of the boat. Deciding
the highest tower.
a raised platform, moonlight streamed through
the falcon fly through an open door that led to a
that the owner probably would not mind if he
Rationalizing, that where there was light,
a large circular window that was missing most
series of sharply winding, extremely steep steps.
waited there ‘til morning when a bus could get
there must be people, and also that whoever
of its glass. Large arched windows, bereft of all
He reached the top of the stairs just in time to see
him back to his unit, he got in the boat, laid
had built the castle, must have arranged a way
glass, were set high in the walls on either side of
the falcon fly through an open arched doorway.
down on the sails and within minutes had fallen
to get to it from the beach, he slowly started
the room, allowing him to clearly see the stars
Instantly, he realized that this was the room that
asleep to the gentle rocking of the small vessel.
to search along the cliff ’s bottom edge. After
outside as well as a view of the lit tower room, so
he had been seeking. He could clearly see that the
Suddenly, my friend was awakened by a small
walking only several yards, he noticed hidden in
tantalizingly close, but still so far.
orange light he had observed from outside was
bump. Rousing himself from his slumber, he
the dimness, a series of steps cut into the rock
looked around and quickly realized that the boat
leading upward.”
was no longer tied to the dock. Somehow, while
he was sleeping, it must have slipped loose of
its mooring. The bump that had awakened him
was the boat drifting ashore on a small stretch of
“What did he do?” the child inquired
eagerly.
“Well, what would you have done?” the man
countered.
Unexpectedly, he saw the figure of a snow-white
emanating from a large ornately carved fireplace.
bird glide through one of the windows and alight
The fire was happily consuming a healthy supply
on a wrought iron torch holder mounted into the
of logs and in return was generously spilling out
stone masonry. As he looked closer, he realized
its warmth and light to all.
that the bird was a falcon. The bird momentarily
Night Castle
gazed at him and then once more took to flight.
beach, surrounded by tall sheer cliffs. He could
“I would have climbed up those stairs!”
With an airborne dancer’s ease, the falcon flew to
see no signs of life and the only light was coming
“Amazing, because that’s exactly what he did.”
the very top of the vaulted ceiling, before arcing
from the cloudless night sky.
Now, he was really starting to worry. He had
The Mountain
no idea where he was, let alone how to get back
to where he should be. He worried that if he was
(Instrumental)
not at his base by morning, he would officially
(Lieutenant)
back down. Her trajectory had the bird flying so
close to my friend that he could feel the wind
I HAVE BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE
from her wings as she turned and flew towards
CHECK EACH WINDOW
an old tapestry hanging on a distant wall. There
EVERY DOOR
the bird suddenly disappeared. Running over
FOR A PASSAGE THROUGH
be declared away without leave, possibly even
“The closer he got to the castle, the more
to the area, my friend quickly discovered that
THIS NIGHT
charged with desertion. If he could not find
magical it seemed. The walls appeared more
at the spot where the falcon had vanished from
THIS NIGHT
his way back to civilization, his family would
massive, the towers more mysterious. When he
sight, the tapestry had a fairly large tear and the
not know what had happened to him. No one
finally reached the top, he saw the castle’s main
remaining tapestry concealed nearly all of an
BUT EACH HALLWAY
would have any idea where to look for him and
gate. It had two large stone gargoyles set in the
entrance to an upwardly winding staircase.
ENDS THE SAME
his worst fear was that some might think that he
wall above it, keeping silent vigil over this hidden
Following the bird as quickly as he could, it
had deserted his fellow soldiers, right before they
kingdom but more importantly he noticed its
was all he could do to keep her in sight as she
CHECKED IN VAIN
were to go into combat.
large drawbridge was lowered, allowing him to
flew up various stairways, down halls both long
FOR A WAY TO REACH THAT LIGHT
Desperately, he looked about for any signs of
easily enter its courtyard. Once again, scanning
and short, through rooms both large and small.
THAT LIGHT
life but all he could see was sand, cliffs and the
the skyline, he located the lit room and made a
Some of the rooms contained sculptures and
EVERY DOOR’S BEEN
AS I MOVE IN DEEPER
TOWARDS THIS CASTLE’S KEEPER
Cautiously entering, it took him several
my friend asked with a curious voice, ‘How do
objects, like the Fabergé Egg in that corner.
you know that I’m young?’
But jewels by themselves are only as valuable as
EVERY STAIR SEEMS STEEPER
moments to take in all that appeared before
‘I heard your footsteps running up the stairs
a child’s shiny trinkets. Gold, in too great of a
AM I RISKING MY OWN LIFE
him. The room was large and circular, lined
as you were following Cassandra but when you
quantity, can often just weigh you down. But
MY LIFE
with overstuffed bookcases. Scattered about
came in the room you were not out of breath,
do you know what is far better than this work
the room were piles of manuscripts, antique
which means not only are you young, but also
of art?’ the old man asked while picking up the
THEN A FALCON IN THE AIR
scientific devices, compasses, hourglasses and
in fairly good physical condition,’ the old man
Fabergé Egg. ‘Stories! Stories, that inspire hope,
LOOKING DOWN
ancient maps. Overfilled trunks gave enticing
replied as he set down his pen and turned around
creativity, empathy and compassion. Medicines
RETURNS MY STARE
hints as to their contents. Jewels and gold
to view his visitor. ‘And a soldier, as well, I see.’
that heal the sick, forgotten victories of the
WHILE SHE’S CIRCLING AROUND
coins were scattered about on various tables as
AROUND
casually as dust and empty ink bottles. Across
‘Cassandra?’ the soldier asked confused by this
new name the old man had just mentioned.
human mind that used rational thought, logic
and reason to triumph over superstition and
the room, sitting at a large carved oak desk, was
‘Oh, excuse my manners. We so rarely get
ignorance. I knew another man named William
THEN SHE DIVES STRAIGHT TOWARDS A
an old man with long white hair wearing a red
visitors here. My name is Erasmus and this
once, whose stories I constantly send out, who
WALL
medieval cloak who seemed entirely engrossed in
falcon is Cassandra, a close friend and trusted
wrote “Our faults lie not in our stars but in
THEN SHE ISN’T THERE AT ALL
what he was writing. Afraid of scaring the older
advisor,’ the old man answered motioning
ourselves.” And music! Music, the universal
AND IS GONE WITHOUT A SOUND
man, my friend stood there silently, waiting for
towards the bird, that now flew down from her
language of God. Music, a language that never
NO SOUND
the chance to announce his presence. When the
perch atop a bookcase and landed on the desk
needs translation. It can soothe the afflicted,
old man finished what he was writing, he picked
next to the elderly gentleman, ‘and one of my
bring peace to the tormented and hasten the
I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW
up the piece of paper and reaching his hand out
more dependable helpers.’
healing of wounds both physical and spiritual.
WHAT WAS SOLID NOW IS HOLLOW
the open window before him, released the paper
STAIRWAYS HIDDEN BEHIND CURTAINS
to a waiting breeze, which took hold of it and
REALIZING NOTHING IS CERTAIN
caressed it gently before helping the missive float
away into the night.
SUDDENLY UP STAIRS I’M CLIMBING
Before the completed page was even out of
‘My name is William, sir and if you don’t
mind my asking, what exactly do you do here?’
And the best thing about all these treasures that
I have just mentioned, is that they enrich the
‘We, my young friend,’ he replied as he smiled
person that they are given to, without making
and slipped in a wink towards Cassandra, ‘are the
the giver any poorer. But enough about me. As
keeper of all things lost and forgotten.’
I’ve mentioned before, I see you have decided
THEN THROUGH HALLWAYS TWISTED,
sight the old man was starting on another. The
WINDING
Lieutenant, realizing that he might not have a
THIS FALCON ON HER ENDEAVOR
better chance to alert the castle’s lone resident of
DO THESE STAIRS JUST GO FOREVER
his presence without startling him, softly cleared
Seeing that the soldier was still puzzled, the old
ON
his throat and in the most non-threatening voice
man continued his explanation, ‘Here we collect
he could muster, said, ‘Excuse me sir, I don’t
the great works of art, stories, music, inventions,
‘Courage? Courage.’ the old man replied
mean to intrude but it seems that I’m lost.’
discoveries and ideas that humanity has created
as he mulled over the word. ‘Excellent answer,
AND IN THAT ROOM
‘Lost and forgotten things?’
‘Yes,’ the old man reaffirmed, ‘lost and
forgotten things, until they are needed again.’
to become a soldier. What would you say is the
most important quality for a soldier to have?’
‘My army instructors said that in battle it is
training but I believe that for a soldier the most
important thing is … courage.’
However, the old man was not startled.
and then lost or forgotten. Here, we keep those
courage matters in any battles or fights you face
HE’S WRITING NOTES
He didn’t even look up from his writing as he
treasures safe, until we feel the call from a man,
in life, but what matters far more is what you are
AND DROPS THEM IN THE AIR
replied, ‘Sometimes in our lives, we are all lost
woman or child whose pain could be eased or life
fighting for.’
young man. The trick though, is knowing that
made better by one of these forgotten treasures
“And so started his discussion with the wisest
SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE
there is always a way back.’ Then he casually
and then we arrange for these treasures to be
teacher, my friend, the Lieutenant, said that he
UPON AN OCEAN BREEZE
released another page out the window and into
discovered again.’
had ever met. He told me that he learned more
WHICH TAKES THEM OUT
the arms of the waiting wind.
AN OLD MAN SITTING THERE
PAST WHERE THE EYE CAN SEE
Since the old man had still not looked at him,
‘Treasure like gold and jewels?’
‘We do have some things here that contain those
in those few hours, than he had in all his days,
months and even years at school. They talked
on a seemingly endless array of subjects. The
had a way of studying history that saw hope and
took to build can be lost by a single generation’s
During the Dark and Medieval Ages, men used
old man had a way of taking many of life’s most
infinite possibilities for the advancement and
carelessness, insouciance or simple indifference.
to look in wonderment upon the Roman ruins
complicated questions and capturing the essence
happiness of everyone.”
In 400 A.D., in the Western Roman Empire,
and ponder who were these people that could
of the answers in sentences so simple that anyone
“How?” the child insisted once again.
you could travel thousands of miles, from Petra
build these great cities. As late as the 1780s the
could understand.”
“By not only studying history but by carefully
in Jordan, to Bath in Britain, on safe roads,
British historian, Gibbon, was so awed by the
learning its lessons. Erasmus told him to study
through cities with lit streets, sanitation systems,
ruins of Roman edifices and structures that no
“Like, that in life words matter, but deeds
and honor the people that have moved humanity
and hot and cold running water. During your
one could replicate as late as the 1800s, that he
matter far more and the results of those deeds
forward. Do not dwell on the monstrous
journey you could stop in the city of Rome itself,
was inspired to write, ‘The Decline and Fall of
matter the most. Before you follow men who
injustices done by humanity to humanity, since
crossing rivers on bridges so well built that they
the Roman Empire.’
tell you to destroy something, make them
the dawn of mankind, more than you study
are still in use to this day. Roman engineers,
Erasmus told my friend that in truth there
show you something that they have built that is
how these wrongs and injustices were corrected.
invented concrete, discovered the secrets of
are only two types of humans; those of good
better. It is far easier to destroy than to create.
The study of the individuals and civilizations
building archways and domed ceilings. They
will, who care about others and those who care
For example, it takes thousands of skilled, hard
that overcame these evils is the key to mankind
had already started to develop the steam engine,
only about themselves. The latter like to divide
working individuals to build an ocean liner but
moving forward. Also, judge individuals, nations
but by 475 A.D. it had all collapsed with the
the world into us and them. But in the truly great
any idiot with a stick of dynamite can sink it. All
and civilizations by the times in which they
abdication of the Emperor Romulus and the
battles of humanity, you fight for everyone or you
he has really proven is that he can accomplish
existed. It is easy to criticize the child labor of
breakup of Europe among the warring barbarian
fight for no-one.
something that any large chunk of ice floating in
the industrial revolution, just as it will be easy for
tribes. All the great libraries were destroyed, the
Beware those who profit and thrive on chaos,
the water can do without even trying. Power, like
our descendants to criticize our destruction of
aqueducts and coliseums fell into disrepair and
anarchy and hatred. Beware of men who twist
money is important, but what is more important
the earth’s forests, despite the warnings of places
humanity would have to go through centuries
the truth or accuse the innocent scapegoat
is how you get it and then what you do with it.
like Easter Island. People who lived in the past
of darkness, where life would be, ‘short, harsh
without proof, so they may more easily seduce
Loyalty is important, but who or what you are
are responsible for the past. We are responsible
and brutish.’
the gullible, ignorant and desperate to follow
loyal to is far more important. Trust, have faith,
for now and the future. The unique magic of
Humanity would not reach the standard
them. Good, spreads its ideas by persuasion and
but check the facts because sometimes something
being human is that, “if we listen to our better
of living that it enjoyed under Rome until over
reason, and if it makes a mistake, reason and
that was true today will not be true tomorrow.
angel” we have the ability to leave the earth a
thirteen hundred years had passed. Among the
logic cause it to change its path, while evil will
And do not ignore inconvenient facts. Beware of
better place than it was before we were born.
many catalysts of this rebirth, was the rediscovery
always cling desperately to its lies. Evil usually
“Like what?” the child asked.
any individual or ideology that claims to have all
To achieve that, one must always be aware of
and development of the steam engine which
needs the sword to spread its ideas and often can
the answers but does not tolerate any questions.
evil. Evil comes in many disguises; nationalism,
brought about the beginning of the Industrial
be stopped by no other way. Jonas Salk did not
Beware anyone who espouses the belief that all
religion or ethnic and class differences. Quite
Revolution in the 1850s. But Rome, like all great
have to threaten mothers to use his polio vaccine.
your troubles and failures are the fault of others,
often it has a brilliant mask and a voice that mixes
civilizations, was not an area of land, a population
No-one needed a gun to force people to use
though such an individual will never lack for
a little truth to help distract from its myriad of
of a certain peoples, tribe, ethnicity or religion.
Thomas Edison’s electric light, John Harrison’s
followers.”
lies, but in the end, evil’s deeds always force it
It was a set of ideals that were constantly being
sea clock, Cai Lun’s paper, Guttenberg’s printing
to reveal itself. Evil, can also be unbelievably
re-evaluated and improved upon.
press or Louis Pasteur’s pasteurization. Beware
“How did the old man know all these things?”
the child inquired.
patient, therefore, good and civilization must
The improvement of the health and happiness
governments that use armies, police and walls
“My friend said it was because the old man
be ever vigilant. History has too often shown
of all humans came step-by-step, using God’s gifts
to keep their own citizens contained and silent.
studied history! History is the fascinating story
that civilizations are at their most vulnerable the
of logic and reason, tempered by compassion.
And most importantly, like Thomas Edison,
of man repeating the same mistakes over and
longer they have peace and prosperity. Its citizens,
The descendants of the barbarians that destroyed
Andrew Carnegie or George Orwell, if you
over again. The same mistake, so many times,
that had inherited its bounty, then tend to forget
Rome, marveled at its ruins for centuries, and
do make a mistake in your life, announce it as
that many people see only despair and sorrow
the sacrifices and efforts their ancestors gave to
strived to figure out a way to put back together,
loudly as your triumphs, so that others do not
in the future. But my friend said that Erasmus
get them there. What a thousand generations
what they had in their ignorance destroyed.
have to make the same errors.
Erasmus and my friend could have easily talked
handed him a small sealed wooden box about the
all night but then a clock in the room chimed
size of a fist. ‘I want you to open it when you are
the hour, causing the Lieutenant to suddenly rise
the most worried and scared that you think you
from his seat. ‘My God,’ he exclaimed in a near
will ever be.’
panic voice, ‘how am I going to get back to my
base?’
Momentarily distracted, he turned the box
over in his hands and could hear something
‘Well, how did you get here?’ Erasmus calmly
inquired.
‘I fell asleep in a small fishing boat that must
have become un-moored and I awoke when it
ran aground on the beach below.’
‘Then I think the best plan would be to get
back to that boat. Cassandra, will you please lead
the way?’
rattling inside of it. ‘How will I know when
that will be? Because right now sure seems like
a contender.’
‘Don’t worry, you’ll know.’
‘Provided I get out of here, I’m heading
directly into a combat zone. Do you think it
should be before my first battle?’
‘Don’t worry, you’ll know.’
As if she had been anticipating the request,
‘Well, sir, if I’m not back at my base by
the falcon quickly spread her wings and within
tomorrow morning this box will be opened in
seconds was out the door with Erasmus and
less than twelve hours.’ He then slipped the
the Lieutenant following closely behind. The
small box into his jacket pocket and said, ‘But
unlikely trio made their way back through the
I do thank you, it is very kind.’ Once again the
myriad of halls and rooms of the castle and the
Lieutenant looked across the night ocean. He
Lieutenant marveled at the effortlessness of the
then sat down on the pile of sails and nets in
elderly man’s ability to keep up with Cassandra’s
back of the small boat and sighed in frustration.
swift flight. Moments later, as they were passing
‘How am I going to get to tomorrow?’
through the clock room, he could have sworn
that the clocks ceased their ticking when Erasmus
‘I have found that often the safest way to reach
tomorrow is sleep,’ Erasmus replied.
entered, and resumed as he exited, but decided
‘I appreciate the words sir, but now is not the
that his mind was playing tricks on him. Before
time for an esoteric discussion. I need a serious
long, they were outside the castle walls, down
solution.’
the cliff steps and standing beside the vessel that
‘But I am offering you a serious solution
was still aground on the beach with Cassandra
young man. I mean no disrespect, but humor me
perched atop the mast.
for a moment. Lie back against the boat’s side,
Gazing at the endless span of ocean before
close your eyes and tell me what you see.’
them, the Lieutenant exclaimed sarcastically,
The Lieutenant relaxed against the side of
‘Great! This is just great! How on God’s earth am
the boat, closed his eyes and after several seconds
I going to make tomorrow morning’s roll call?’
said, ‘I see nothing.’
‘Stay calm Lieutenant. There is always
‘I know you think that you are answering
a solution to everything. But if you don’t
truthfully but I do not quite believe your answer
mind, first I’d like to give you a little gift as a
is correct, so if you will tolerate me a little longer,
remembrance of our meeting.’ The old man then
let us try once again from a different angle. What do
you see with your ears?’
The Lieutenant smiled wryly and replied, ‘I
see nothing with my ears, sir.’
‘Ahh, now that, I believe, so please, once more
close your eyes and tell me what you see.’
The Safest Way Into
Tomorrow
By this point in the war, the Communist
LETTING SLEEP EMBRACE ITS TASK
The next morning, the Lieutenant felt himself
Khmer Rouge Army, under the command of Pol
MORPHEUS IS AT YOUR SIDE
being gently awakened by a fisherman asking
Pot had already taken control of huge areas of the
OFFERING THE WINGS TO FLY
him if he was alright. The Lieutenant, realizing
country. They enforced their rule by the use of
AND BE THERE
how hungover and disheveled he must have
unlimited fear and terror. Buildings and books,
looked, was extremely embarrassed. Forcing
both new and ancient were wantonly destroyed.
FREE FROM EARTH TO SAIL ACROSS THIS
his mind out of its slumber, he apologized for
Not only were captured Cambodian soldiers
SLEEP
NIGHT
having used the man’s boat as a bed to sleep off
executed but also countless innocent civilians.
DON’T TURN AWAY
WHERE
the previous night’s over-indulgences. The boat’s
Men, women and children were lined up in fields
YOU ARE THE SAFEST WAY INTO
STARS ARE ALL ETERNAL AND THE MIND
owner reassured him that it was perfectly alright
and slaughtered by being clubbed to death with
TOMORROW
DARES
but since the Lieutenant still looked a little
a metal bar. This method was used because Pol
shaken, once again, asked if he needed any help.
Pot and his minions did not believe in wasting a
PLACING SADNESS IN THE PAST
(Erasmus)
DREAMS
THE EVENING SIGHS
‘No, no, I’m fine,’ the Lieutenant insisted.
bullet on them. Fathers were executed in front of
IF YOU WILL STAY
SO CLOSE YOUR EYES
‘I had a little too much to drink last night, and
their families, mothers in front of their children
OR AT LEAST THE BEST PARTS LET US
AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE
had the strangest dreams you could ever imagine
and children of any age in front of their parents’
with castles, a strange old man and a falcon
corpses. Sometimes, the condemned were forced
called Cassandra.’
to dig their own graves but more often than not,
BORROW
BE THERE
DAYS ARE COUNTED ‘TIL THEY’RE GONE
BE THERE
NIGHTS ARE MEANT TO CARRY ON
BE THERE
MORPHEUS IS AT YOUR SIDE
BE THERE NOW
OFFERING THE WINGS TO FLY
The fisherman laughed, ‘Must have been quite
a night. What were you drinking?’
they were just left on the ground, creating acres
and acres of dead bodies that would later become
‘I wish I could remember that as well as the
known as the ‘Killing Fields.’ When once asked
dream. But speaking of remembering, you don’t
to give mercy to a mother and her children, Pol
AND BE THERE
THE EVENING SIGHS
happen to know where the bus to the military
Pot replied ‘To keep you alive is no benefit and
FREE FROM EARTH TO SAIL ACROSS THIS
SO CLOSE YOUR EYES
base stops around here?’
to destroy you is no loss.’
NIGHT
AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE
WHERE
STARS ARE ALL ETERNAL AND THE MIND
The Lieutenant relaxed a little more into the
‘Couldn’t be closer soldier; just follow the
Within his very first day on patrol, the
dock to the end where you’ll see a small hotel.
Lieutenant and his platoon attacked a squad
The bus stops right in front of it.’
of Khmer Rouge soldiers who were executing
DARES
folded sails and netting. As he was closing his eyes
The Lieutenant thanked the man for all his
a group of farmers. Having the element of
THE EVENING SIGHS
he thought he saw Erasmus step back, raise his
help and started down the dock while trying to
surprise, they quickly won the small skirmish
SO CLOSE YOUR EYES
cloaked arms outward and then pull them back as
smooth the wrinkles out of his uniform. As he
and ended up with two enemy prisoners whom
AND TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE
if beckoning the tide to come in. Ever so subtly,
neared the hotel he felt something in his jacket
he interrogated before having them helicoptered
he felt the boat gently re-floating on the rising
pocket. Reaching in, he came to a complete stop
to a prison camp. From these prisoners he
SLEEP
water and before he could open his eyes to answer
as he pulled out a small, sealed, wooden box.
learned that according to the Khmer Rouge’s
DON’T TURN AWAY
Erasmus’ question, he had fallen into a deep sleep,
Five minutes earlier, he was certain that it all was
policy, it seemed that anything justified the
YOU ARE THE SAFEST WAY INTO
where dreams, like oceans, have their currents that
a dream, but if it was a dream, where did he get
murdering of civilians. If they were followers of
TOMORROW
will take you where they will.
the box and what was in it? He was just about
any religion, kill them. If they were educated,
Mozart And Memories
to break it open, but then, recalling Erasmus’s
kill them. If they were Thai, teachers, doctors,
instructions, he returned it to his pocket and
wore glasses or jewelry, kill them. Even if they
continued on his way back to his unit. Three
believed in a form of communism different than
days later he was in the jungles of Cambodia.
their own, kill them. And kill, did not only mean
DREAMS IF YOU WILL STAY
AND CAREFULLY ERASE THE SORROWS
(Instrumental)
the individuals involved alone, but their family,
near the Thai border, where there were reports of
was just touching down. One by one they piled
AND YOU FIND YOURSELF EMBRACING
friends and sometimes even their entire town
an enemy build up. The Lieutenant was a little
in as the Lieutenant covered their withdrawal.
GROUND
or village as well. But the thing that shocked
more nervous on this patrol because several of
As he scanned the jungle, a figure appeared in
him the most about his prisoners, was not only
his men were new recruits and he would have
his sights, but since the figure was bending over
AND YOUR FOE IS AS NEAR
were they not ashamed of what they had done,
to keep a keen eye on them as they learned the
a wounded enemy soldier, he delayed pulling
AS THE SILENCE YOU HEAR
but that they had been photographing every
ropes. He would have to teach them in the field
the trigger, thinking that he might be a medic.
AS HE STOPS TO LOAD IN ANOTHER
killing, including infants, as if they were truly
how to move silently; to recognize the signs of
In that moment of hesitation, a mortar round
ROUND
convinced that what they were doing was so
buried landmines, trip wires and most of all that
exploded, riddling his body with shrapnel as it
noble that it needed to be recorded for posterity.
silence in the jungle is usually a foreshadowing of
threw him to the ground. Raising his head he
BATTLES RAGING
It was as if an entire population had been led by
an impending ambush.
saw that all his men were already safely airborne
IT’S ALL STAGING
a handful of madmen, into a collective insanity,
Intelligence had informed them that a new
except for the few on the last helicopter which
‘TIL YOU REALIZE…
so surreal, that it would cause any outsider to
enemy build up had just begun and they would
was waiting for him. Seeing that he was hit, his
ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN DIE
doubt their own senses. Doubt whether they
be dropped off by several Huey helicopters right
sergeant was about to get out to try to get him
were awake or asleep within the clutches of a
after nightfall. The insertion went off perfectly,
aboard. The Lieutenant, knowing how badly he
STILL YOU KNOW THEY’RE OUT THERE
horrible nightmare. But they were awake and
but within minutes of the last Huey departing,
was wounded, knew that there was no way that
FEEL THEIR EYES, FEEL THEIR STARES
the monsters within this nightmare had only just
his platoon started taking fire from all sides.
his sergeant could get him on board before the
THOUGH THERE’S NOT A SINGLE LIFE
begun their conjuring.
Realizing that they had been dropped right in the
enemy would take out the Huey. Making eye
CAN SEE
For the rest of his tour of duty, the Lieutenant
middle of an entire enemy regiment, he radioed
contact with the pilot, he signaled him to take
would witness an evil so confident, it needed no
his situation back to base and then started
off. The pilot gunned the engines taking the
BUT YOU NOW FIRE BACK
mask. This was not war, this was genocide. The
moving his division towards a pre-designated
helicopter and his men safely into the sheltering
FOR THEIR TRACERS LEAVE TRACKS
civilians he found dead were not killed by the
landing zone where, the Hueys would extract his
arms of the night sky.
POINTING OUT THE PLACES WHERE THEY
collateral damage of a battle but by deliberate
platoon.
calculated murder.
With his staff sergeant leading the way, the
Month after month went by as he and his
Lieutenant, who usually took point, instead took
troops were helicoptered to the areas where they
the rear guard position. With mortar shells and
were most needed. The fact that he and his men
RPGs exploding all around them, he had to keep
were making a difference, kept him going. That
the new recruits from freezing and becoming an
and the talks he would have with his wife by radio
every time they were back at base. He and his
MUST BE
Another Way You Can Die
THOUGH A GUN IS TAKEN OUT
THERE’S ANOTHER HAVE NO DOUBT
(Lieutenant)
AND SO YOU MUST CONTINUE THE GAME
easy target. Machine gun tracers glowed eerily
SO YOU’RE CAUGHT IN THE NIGHT
AND YOU KNOW IN THIS FIGHT
as they clipped pieces of foliage or lodged in
OF A NEW FIREFIGHT
THAT THE VALUE OF LIFE
men knew they were not saving the world, but
tree trunks with a thud. ‘Fire and move!’ the
IN A JUNGLE THAT’S SO HOT THAT IT
ON THE OTHER SIDE IS NOT QUITE THE
each life they did save, counted. Every murderer
Lieutenant screamed, as he yanked a frightened
STEAMS
SAME
he stopped not only saved a life but made other
private who was just about to dive into a
murderers sleep a little less easy. They made
sheltering ditch. When the private still hesitated,
AN EXPLOSION JUST AHEAD
BATTLES RAGING
other murderers know that there were men out
he kicked aside some leaves at the bottom of
DOES ANNOUNCE THE NEWLY DEAD
IT’S ALL STAGING
there, who would not look away, and even more
the ditch, revealing sharpened punji sticks.
IS IT RIGHT TO CALL A NIGHTMARE A
AS YOUR MIND DENIES
importantly, would confront them.
‘It’s a trick as old as Julius Caeser, now move!’
DREAM
ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN...
The Lieutenant was two weeks short of
Seeing the death he had just avoided, snapped
completing his year on the front lines when he
the soldier back to reality and he started running
AND THE TRACERS PROBE ON
I SEE A FIGURE IN MY RIFLE SIGHT
was ordered to take a platoon deep into the jungle
rapidly towards the clearing where the first Huey
‘TIL A CLOSE FRIEND IS GONE
WHO DOES NOT KNOW THAT HE’S THERE
warning, his cell door unexpectedly swung open.
called my wife and she had told me that she was
A man wearing the uniform of a communist
pregnant. The child was born a little less than
officer entered catching the Lieutenant off
half a year ago and I now know that I will never
guard while writing in a loose-leaf book he had
live to see my child. This may seem odd to you,
MY HEART IS RACING
salvaged from a junk pile. For a pen, he was using
but most American men dream of having a kid to
TIMES ESCAPING
a sharpened stick that he would dip in a small jar
throw a baseball with, take to their first New York
AS I FEEL IT SLOWLY SCRAPING BY
that contained a mixture of charcoal and his own
Yankees game. A child to hold and just watch
blood, forming a fairly decent ink. Of course, all
grow up as we get to know each other. Since
of this was forbidden and was cause enough for
the day of my capture, I realized that my child
instant execution.
and I would never meet, but I found a bunch of
AND AS I HESITATE TO TAKE HIS LIFE
THE GROUND EXPLODES
MY BLOOD IT FLOWS
Toccata – Carpimus Noctem
(Instrumental)
Night Castle – Part II
Weak from loss of blood, he saw a gathering
of shadows cautiously approaching him. When
they realized that he was too shot up to be
a threat, the enemy gathered around him and
The Lions Roar
started to search his pockets and knapsack.
Suddenly, the Khmer Rouge soldiers, all stood
(Instrumental)
up and looked to the east, where they could see
The Lieutenant recognized the man
old notebooks in a trash pile and I took them. I
as General Tran-Do. He had been briefed
always imagined myself making up fairytales that
about him numerous times since his arrival
I would tell my child at night, but since I now
in Indochina. Tran-Do had been involved in
know that is not to be, I came up with a crazy
the Indochina war for many years and had a
plan. I decided that I would write fifty short
two Huey helicopters approaching, followed by
The Lieutenant remained a prisoner at the
reputation as a formidable front-line officer. The
fairytales, and as each one was finished, I would
the distinctive silhouette of an AC-130 Spectre
Khmer Rouge camp for over two months. From
Lieutenant had seen him at various times giving
place my wife’s name and address at the end, roll
Gunship giving suppression fire with every
the first day he was constantly interrogated for
orders throughout the camp but never had any
it up, put it into one of the countless Coca-Cola
weapon it possessed. The Lieutenant’s men had
military information but would never tell them
direct contact with him.
bottles in the trash pile, seal it with tree bark and
not given up on him.
anything beyond his name, rank and serial
Towering over the prisoner sitting on the
then drop it into the stream which I know runs
Realizing the massive firepower that would
number. During that time, he never received
floor, the Communist General demanded to
into a river, that runs into the ocean. Perhaps, I
soon be raking the jungle as the Hueys and AC-
any medical care for his numerous wounds that
know what he was doing. The Lieutenant, who
thought, with a little luck, a few of those bottles
130 Spectre Gunship tried to rescue the American
were steadily getting worse. He believed that the
at this point was aware that he was close to death
might make it to my family. I may never get to
officer, the enemy soldiers grabbed each of the
only reason he was not executed was the Khmer’s
and that answering the General’s question would
teach my kid how to play baseball, but if even
Lieutenant’s limbs and started running for the
hope that he might reveal something useful
give away no military secrets, risked nothing by
one of these letters gets back, my child might feel
safety of the jungle canopy where their camp was
before he died. With the infections that were
telling the truth. ‘I just finished a story I was
like we’ve met and got to know each other in
hidden. Every second they were running with
spreading unchecked around the shrapnel still in
writing.’
our own way. I’ve already completed and slipped
the Lieutenant’s bleeding body brought him
his body, he was also aware that his death, was at
unimaginable pain and every second seemed to
best, only days away.
‘What type of story?’ the General snapped
back.
forty-nine into the stream. The one in your hand
is number fifty. The last and final one.’
last an eternity. There seemed to be an infinite
During his time in captivity, he learned to
number of those seconds. Rockets and artillery
cherish the night, for since the camp had no
shells exploded both far and near, until finally,
electricity, his captors tended to leave him alone
Slightly taken aback by the answer from a
deal about American military codes. If your
the Khmer Rouge soldiers arrived at a barbed wire
in his cell. It was also at night, that a cool breeze
prisoner that his best interrogators could get
wife was pregnant you could have asked for
compound. Finally, feeling safe, they dragged his
from a nearby stream somehow made its way
nothing out of beyond his name and rank, the
compassionate leave. They would have allowed
body into a solitary bamboo hut and dropped
through his small window and removed the
General reached down and snatched the pages
you to return home to see your wife and child.’
him on the floor. The last thing he remembered
stifling heat that tormented him throughout
from his hand. A quick glance confirmed that it
‘That is true. My wife and I did discuss it,
was the fading sound of helicopters as they gave
the day. Night, became his friend and was fairly
was indeed a fairytale. ‘And why would you be
but we decided that she was safe, as would be
up the search and returned to base.
dependable at keeping his captors away, but on
doing such a thing, prisoner?’
our child. While here, defenseless women and
this night, things would be different. Without any
‘It’s a fairytale called, “The Dreams of
Fireflies.”’
‘About a year ago, when I was back at base, I
Tran-Do stared intently at his prisoner. ‘Your
story does not make any sense. I know a great
children are being murdered so casually that
someone needed to help save them. If not
the PX and bought a leather Spalding baseball to
IN THE SAFETY
THE NIGHT TO DO
me, who? If in America, an insane group of
stay in practice.’
OF THIS DARKNESS
AS THE DARK STEPS ASIDE
AS IT HIDES ALL
WITH THE HOPES WE CONFIDE
individuals took control of the country, killed
The General smiled and mentioned how
me and were going to murder my family, I would
several of his officers had argued for hours about
TIME HAS TARNISHED
AND NEVER BELIEVES
hope that someone from another area of the
that baseball and its possible significance when
THE FORBIDDEN
THAT THE DREAMS WE CONCEIVED
world that had not slipped into the clutches of
they found it among the Lieutenants possessions.
UNFORGIVEN
WOULD EVER
insanity and evil, would come and protect them.
Tran-Do then asked why he had gotten married
ARE SECURE HERE WHERE NO-ONE
NOT EVER COME TRUE
So together, my wife and I decided that I would
and had a child if he knew that he was going
PURSUES
try to finish what I had come here to do.’
to volunteer for such a dangerous assignment.
AS YOU STAND ALL
‘You did not need to come here to protect
The Lieutenant said that he had felt unusually
BUT THE NIGHT FADES AWAY
ALONE AT YOUR STATION
anyone. Protection of all Southeast Asians is our
blessed to have been born into the safety of the
AND GIVES WAY TO THE DAY
WHAT IF GOD DOESN’T
intent, our purpose.’ Tran-Do shot back.
world of Western Civilization, but many are
FOR WHAT ELSE IS THE NIGHT TO DO
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
‘A friend of mine, Erasmus, once told me
not. So, he decided that he would devote twenty
AS THE DARK STEPS ASIDE
AS YOU SEND OUT YOUR
that there is the morality of intentions and the
years of his life to joining the military and try
WITH THE HOPES WE CONFIDE
PRAYERS FOR SALVATION
morality of results. The fields all around us are
his best to make the world a better place. After
AND NEVER BELIEVES
BUT AFRAID THAT
filled with dead women and children with their
that, he thought he would retire from the army,
THAT THE DREAMS WE CONCEIVED
THEY DON’T GO THAT FAR
skulls caved in by iron axle rods. Your intentions
meet some nice girl, get married and raise a
WOULD EVER
sir, differ from your results.’
wagonload of kids. But true love cares naught
NOT EVER COME TRUE
‘They could have been killed by your
American bombs.’
‘Bombs, sir, do not tie women’s and children’s
hands behind their backs before killing them.’
‘Who is this man, Erasmus? A U.S. officer?’
The Lieutenant laughed and then recounted
all he could remember from his encounter on
that faraway night. He even included the part
about the box Erasmus told him not to open
about the plans of humans and will appear when
it decides.
ALONE IN YOUR DARKNESS
IS LIFE DIFFERENT
THERE’S A TRAIN THAT DRIVES ON
AFTER MIDNIGHT
THROUGH THE NIGHT
WITH ITS NEW DAWN
AND IF EVERYONE’S
AND ITS NEW LIGHT
ON IT EXCEPT US
and fallen in love in his last days in New York City
INCONSISTENT
WOULD IT RETURN FOR
right before his deployment overseas.
AND INDIFFERENT
THAT SINGLE LIFE
Dreams We Conceive
TO THE THINGS
(Lieutenant)
AS YOU STOOD THERE
NEATH THE HALO
IN THE NIGHT AIR
OF A STREET LIGHT
‘Where did you meet your wife?’ Tran-Do
queried.
The Lieutenant then told him how they had met
WE WERE SO SURE WE KNEW
until he was the most afraid he thought he would
ever be.
SO YOU WAIT ALL
IN A CITY
AFTER MIDNIGHT
Tran-Do, then inquired if he had opened
it during his first battle. The Lieutenant smiled
IN A CITY
WITH SUCH BEAUTY
and shook his head no, and replied, ‘I opened it
AFTER MIDNIGHT
THAT THE STARS STARED
back in Phnom-Penh when I was waiting to hear
NEATH THE HALO
FROM THEIR DISTANCE
had one night alone together as newlyweds, it
if my child was born safe and healthy.’
He explained that even though they only
OF STREET LIGHT
YOU WERE DIFFERENT
seems one night is sometimes all you need. As
‘What did this box contain?’
WHERE THE DREAMS DIE
LIKE A DREAM
you know, it was barely two months later that he
‘Believe it or not, just a simple wind up music
AS THE BLOOD DRIES
THAT NO-ONE COULD REFUSE
got the call telling him that he was going to be a
box that played a piece by Bach. But it did help
ON THE WOUNDS WE KEEP HIDDEN FROM
BUT THE NIGHT FADES AWAY
father. At this point, Tran-Do could see that the
keep me calm until I received the good news; ten
VIEW
AND GIVES WAY TO THE DAY
telling of his story had exhausted the man and
FOR WHAT ELSE IS
the Lieutenant slowly slid down the wall to the
toes, ten fingers, and healthy. I went right out to
floor, where he passed out from exhaustion. Tran-
himself as being so enlightened, convinced
THAN YOURSELF.
Do, looked down at his unconscious prisoner
that he was saving the Southeast Asian people,
(Son)
still worse, he perpetuated the lies to others.
and then at the pieces of paper containing the
instead, somehow become their executioner?
YES, MOTHER. ALWAYS.
American soldier’s final fairytale. Walking out of
Meanwhile, this imperialist soldier, that he had
the cell, he bolted the door and walked towards
despised, had left the safety of his world, to come
A jet passes by in the distance and the
awaited his answer, refused to disappear. So, he
the cooking fire burning near the center of the
to the jungles of Cambodia, to save and bring
apparition of his mother fades away. The child
started to put his thoughts into words, and as
camp intending to cast the pages in, but for a
the most important freedom, the freedom from
turns towards Tran-Do in a non-judgmental but
he spoke he began to see a possible way out of
reason he himself could not explain, he walked
fear and death, to people that he did not even
puzzled voice.
this night.
past the fire, to the edge of the compound, where
know.
(Son)
There Was A Life
All this time, he was wrestling with a way
to answer the question from this apparition of
himself as a child. This child, who still silently
he picked up an empty Coke bottle. He then
In their earlier discussion the Lieutenant had
walked up to the little stream that snaked down
told him how Erasmus said, ‘In life, you fight for
to the river below, carefully rolled up the final
the good of everyone or in truth you are fighting
The General looked back towards the
story, slipped it into the bottle and used a piece
for no one.’ Erasmus also believed that in the
apparition of himself as a child who neither
of a small stick as a cork. Tran-Do then gently
end, ‘God would save everyone, even Satan.’
spoke nor disappeared, but only waited for his
THERE WAS A LIFE
placed the bottle into the stream.
Tran-Do, being a communist, was an avowed
answer. Forced to examine the actions of his
WAS THERE BEFORE
atheist but he found Erasmus’s point of view
entire life, he tried to figure out at what point
BUT SOMEHOW HERE UPON THIS NIGHT
most interesting.
he had become the person who would murder
IT NOW MEANS MORE
The General then stood and watched as it
slowly started its journey towards the sea, the
HOW DID I BECOME YOU?
(Tran-Do)
green glass glistening in the moonlight. As
Now, even though the General was in good
an unarmed man whom was only suspected of
he watched it drift away, his mind wandered.
health, he had gone many days without sleep,
not supporting their cause. At what point did he
AND ALL THOSE WORDS
The American reminded him of himself
and lack of sleep can blur the line between reality
become a man able to look away when others
SHE TRIED TO SAY
and that thought alone made him strangely
and dreams, the present and the past. So it did
gave the order to murder a suspect’s family,
I’VE NOW FORGOTTEN
uncomfortable. The Lieutenant seemed well
not alarm Tran-Do when in the evening mist
then murder the entire village? Is not stopping a
OR THEY’VE SOMEHOW SLIPPED AWAY
educated, idealistic and had joined the military
on the banks of the stream, he saw the ghostly
murder, when you have the ability to do so, the
for similar reasons as he had. To make the world
apparitions of his mother and himself as a young
same as committing the murder yourself?
a better place.
boy being taught the ethics of Confucius.
Tran-Do had joined this army to make
Southeast Asia a paradise for all Southeast
Mother And Son
Asians, but had instead personally overseen the
Initially, as a young man, he had believed the
AND IN THIS DARKNESS
IS THERE SALVATION
men who told him they would have to do these
IS THERE FORGIVENESS
inhumane acts, but once they had completed
FOR HESITATION
these evil deeds, they would have created a
killing of thousands of innocent people and his
(Mother)
utopia for all people, for all time. A utopia,
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME
organization as a whole had killed millions. How
REMEMBER WHAT CONFUCIUS TAUGHT,
where all would be equal and the world at peace.
CAN SOMEONE SAY WHEN
had he, who as a child had been so carefully,
ALWAYS BE KIND.
He now knew it was a lie. The only equality he
THE WRITER OF THIS STORY
taught the Confucian ideals of compassion by
(Son)
was bringing the masses, was the equality of
WILL JUST TELL US HOW IT ALL WILL END
his mother, become part of this? The Lieutenant,
YES, MOTHER.
death. The only peace they were bringing, was
who was dying did not seem to fear death, except
(Mother)
the eternal peace of the grave. The entire cause
AND SOMEWHERE ON THIS NIGHT
in how it would affect his wife and newborn.
ALWAYS HELP THE WEAK AND THE OLD.
this war was being fought for was a lie. He now
THERE’S A WAVE ON THE OCEAN
While Tran-Do, who was not in any imminent
(Son)
knew that, just as the men who had recruited
THAT CRASHES ON SHORES
danger, not only feared death, but now feared
YES, MOTHER. I UNDERSTAND.
him into “the cause” must have known. But he
WHERE NO ONE CAN SEE
life and what each new day would require of
(Mother)
had so much invested in the lie, that he never
him. How could he, who had always envisioned
AND ALWAYS HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE
allowed himself to admit that it was a lie, and
THE TIDES AND THE CURRENTS
DECIDE EVERY MOTION
WHERE NO ONE CAN SEE
FROM WHERE THEY ARE NOW
THE TIDES AND THE CURRENTS
TO WHERE THEY WILL BE
DECIDE EVERY MOTION
FOR THE DAYS TURN TO MONTHS
KEEP ME NEAR KEEP ME CLOSE
FROM WHERE THEY ARE NOW
AND THE MONTHS TURN TO YEARS
AND IF I SHOULD DIE FIRST
TO WHERE THEY WILL BE
AS I SEE THEM ALL NOW
COULD I NOT BE YOUR GHOST
IT CRADLES THEM ALL
FOR THEY ALL ARE ITS CHILDREN
WELL IT HASN’T COME YET
ON THIS NIGHT TAKE MY HAND
THROUGH A PRISM OF TEARS
IF ONE DROP DISAPPEARS
IT CRADLES THEM ALL
BUT DON’T FEAR TOMORROW
BUT IF LATER IN LIFE
IT IS INSTANTLY MISSED
FOR THEY ALL ARE ITS CHILDREN
AND DON’T FEAR THE NIGHT
WE SHOULD HAPPEN TO MEET
IF ONE DROP DISAPPEARS
IT’S WHERE GOD REPAIRS SORROWS
WOULD YOU KEEP ME SO NEAR
IT IS INSTANTLY MISSED
THAT ENTER YOUR LIFE
YOU COULD HERE MY HEARTBEAT
IT RETURNS TO THE SEA
AND AFTER EACH WAVE
THE REMAINS OF YOUR LIFE
THERE ARE REASONS TO LIVE
FOR THAT IS ITS ONE WISH
HAS JOINED UP WITH THE SHORE LINE
THE REMAINS OF THE DAY
THERE ARE REASONS TO DIE
IT RETURNS TO THE SEA
WELL PROTECT EVERY HOUR
BUT THE END’S NOT THE END
FOR THAT IS ITS ONE WISH
DON’T GIVE THEM AWAY
WHILE YOU’RE STILL ALIVE
BUT IN THE DARKNESS OF THIS NIGHT
IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT
FOR EACH EVENING WE SLEEP
ALIVE
IT NOW MEANS MORE
TELL ME WHAT DO YOU SEE
AND EACH MORNING WE ARISE
WILL YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES CHILD
BUT YOU’RE NOT THE SAME MAN
AND JUST LISTEN TO ME
THAT’S THE WAY IT’S DEVISED
TO SEE THE WATER THERE WITHIN
AND REMEMBER THIS NOW
FOR THERE’RE PARTS OF YOURSELF
A YOUNG CHILD’S TEAR
HEAR THESE WORDS THAT I SAY
THE SOUL DECIDES TO KEEP
THERE WAS A LIFE
AS YOUR STORY APPEARS
AND THERE’RE PARTS OF YOURSELF
WAS THERE BEFORE
AT THE END OF THE DAY
THAT THE SOUL DOES RELEASE
AND CLING TO THE LIES
FOR MY MEETING WITH DEATH
WITH SOME CHANGES SO SMALL
innocent lives that had been taken, but he could
THAT WE HAVE HARBORED
THOUGH IT HAS BEEN DELAYED
THAT THEY CANNOT BE SEEN
quit this army of evil, do no more evil in this
I HAVE RUN MY HANDS OVER
BUT DEATH IS LIKE SLEEP
army’s name and most importantly, he could
THE END OF HIS BLADE
WITH A LONGER DREAM
save the life of this young lieutenant and get
BUT IF WE DON’T DO IT NOW
THOUGH THE CUT WASN’T FATAL
ARE YOU SCARED OF YOUR LIFE
he could easily go to the supply hut, take a
DEAR GOD COULD YOU PLEASE COME
EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DEEP
ARE YOU SCARED OF YOUR DEATH
knapsack of food and medicine, release the
DOWN HERE
WELL THAT WOUND’S NEVER HEALED
THOUGH THAT DAY WILL ARRIVE
American officer from his cell and get him to
AND TELL ME WHEN
AND THE BLOOD IT STILL SEEPS
WELL IT HASN’T COME YET
the Thai border, where he would be safe. He
AS FOR ALL THOSE MISTAKES
was aware that at dawn, when they realized not
AND AFTER EACH WAVE
HAS JOINED UP WITH THE SHORELINE
THERE WAS A LIGHT
WAS THERE BEFORE
TO BE SO CLOSE
TO BE SO NEAR
AND IN OUR BLINDNESS
WHILE YOU’RE STILL A…
True, he could not bring back to life the
DO WE MOVE ONWARD
WE COULD NOT ADMIT
ALIVE
him back safely to his family. It was still dark;
WE WERE MISTAKEN
AND SOMEWHERE ON THIS NIGHT
ARE YOU SCARED OF YOUR LIFE
THAT YOU’VE MADE IN YOUR LIFE
only had the prisoner escaped but the General
THERE’S A WAVE ON THE OCEAN
ARE YOU SCARED OF YOUR DEATH
MUST THEY STAY AS THEY ARE
had deserted as well, they would throw as many
THAT CRASHES ON SHORES
THOUGH THAT DAY WILL ARRIVE
OR CAN WE MAKE THEM RIGHT
troops as possible into their pursuit. But he had
a plan even for that possibility. If that eventuality
and the Lieutenant awoke. Pulling himself up
SO TIDES THEY MIGHT FOLLOW
the floor, in a fetal position. Setting down the
occurred, he would send the Lieutenant down a
the bamboo wall, the American looked out the
AND SOMEHOW FIND THEIR WAY TO THEE
knapsack of supplies Tran-Do softly whispered,
secret path to Thailand where the Thai border
window at the moon, realizing that somewhere
guards would immediately take care of him.
on this night, his wife and child would be
WHAT CHILD
voice, ‘Lieutenant, wake up! I’m getting you out
Then he would leave an obvious trail to throw
looking at that same moon. He had no regrets
THIS NIGHT
of here!’
the Khmer Rouge off the Lieutenant’s track,
about the results of his decision but he regretted
WHOSE WINGS
even though he knew that his capture would
how it might affect his child’s life, the child he
TAKE FLIGHT?
probably lead to his own death.
was still convinced he would never see.
He found it strange that the chance of losing
‘Lieutenant, wake up,’ then in a slightly louder
When he still did not stir and knowing that
speed was essential, the General gently started to
lift him up but the Lieutenant’s body was cold
ON EVENING
and limp. Tran-Do froze as he realized that the
WINDS
man in his arms had just died. Died so recently
WHAT DREAMS
that rigor mortis had not even set in. Stunned
(Lieutenant)
BEGINS?
in disbelief, he gently lowered the body back to
in genocide. A murderer, not only of lives, but of
WHAT CHILD
EACH DAY
compassion and tolerance. Still, either way, it did
THIS NIGHT
BEGETS
not matter, the die was cast, the Rubicon about
WHOSE DREAMS
ITS OWN
camp and stood on the edge of the cliff that
to be crossed and the Lieutenant saved.
TAKE FLIGHT?
REGRETS
overlooked a deep valley that the river had
through the slats on the Lieutenant’s cell door
WHAT CHILD
DO I
years. On the rocks below, there were the bones
where the Lieutenant was still peacefully
SOMEWHERE
DARE WAIT
of prisoners who had thrown themselves off to
sleeping. In the far distance he could hear the
SLEEPS
OR JOUST
escape their Khmer Rouge tormentors. He had
falling of B-52 bombs on an area where he knew
UNAWARE?
WITH FATE?
never thought about them before, but now he
aircraft fire was filling the sky and a sudden huge
WHAT LIFE
TIME FLOATS ON
the same. His one hope for salvation, the saving
secondary explosion let him know that one of
THAT YET
AS I WRITE THESE LETTERS
of this one good man was gone. This man that he
the bombs had found its target. The explosions
HAS NO
THAT YOU’LL NEVER SEE
had known less than a day. This man whom he
distracted the guards with its impromptu
REGRETS?
his own life now worried him far less than the
Time Floats On
possibility that if they were ever to meet again in
the future, would the Lieutenant embrace him as
a friend, or turn away from him as a participant
the earth and leaving the knapsack of supplies
Tran-Do walked across the camp and looked
behind, exited the cell.
He walked to the very furthest part of the
carved into the soft rock over thousands of
the Khmer Rouge had an ammo dump. Anti-
did and he found himself contemplating doing
fireworks display which the General used as
felt closer to than men he had known his entire
STILL EACH ONE’S GONE
life. If he was incapable of doing any good in this
a perfect opportunity to enter the supply hut
WHAT CHILD
PLACED IN A BOTTLE
world, why not just end his life? This way at the
unobserved. But those same distant explosions
WHO KNOWS
SO THE TIDES THEY MIGHT FOLLOW
very least he could do no more evil.
also caused the Lieutenant’s dreams to become
WHAT DREAMS
AND SOMEHOW FIND THEIR WAY TO THEE
more fitful.
I’VE CLOSED?
Moonlight And Madness
He looked and wondered but could only hold
throw himself into the abyss and end it all. But
TIME FLOATS ON
himself up for a short while before he once again
every time he was about to take that final step
AS I WRITE THESE LETTERS
slipped to the ground and fell asleep. During
into the void, something stopped him. What
THAT YOU’LL NEVER SEE
that time, Tran-Do had finished collecting the
that something was, he could not figure out,
necessary supplies and with perfect timing,
as he went over and over it in his mind. Who
STILL EACH ONE’S GONE
slipped across the compound and unbolted the
was Tran-Do? The real Tran-Do? Was he the
PLACED IN A BOTTLE
cell’s door. The Lieutenant was still curled up on
innocent child who once wanted to become a
(Instrumental)
Meanwhile, as Tran-Do was preparing for the
Lieutenant’s and his escape, the B-52s faded away
As he stood at the edge of the cliff, the weight
of the evil deeds from his past urged him to
Confucius monk? Was he the idealistic youth
SOMEWHERE ON THIS NIGHT
who really believed he could change the world
A LIFE IS OUT THERE
with every neuron in his mind? The youth
AND CAN SOMEONE TELL ME HOW
who readily embraced idealism while ignoring
YOUNG MEN DIE AND CHILDREN BLEED
SOMEONE’S LOOKING TO BELIEVE AND…
AND
SOMEWHERE
SOMEWHERE
the reality of human flaws? Was it the officer
HERE ON THIS NIGHT
SOMEWHERE
who oversaw not only the murder of innocent
SO FAR AWAY
SOMEWHERE
SOME HAVE TOO MUCH WHILE OTHERS
humans, but the murder of humanity’s saving
BITS OF STARLIGHT
SOMEWHERE
NEED AND
graces of mercy, compassion and forgiveness?
FALL WHERE THEY MAY
AND THE NIGHT AND THE DARK
SOMEWHERE
Was it the man who was willing to risk his own
life to save the Lieutenant or did that even count,
I NEVER WANTED TO GO
AND THE HOPES AND THE DREAMS
since the intention was never achieved?
I NEVER WANTED TO STAY
AS WE ALL PLAY OUR PARTS
Epiphany
I NEVER WANTED TO BE AFRAID
WHILE IGNORING THE SCREAMS
(Tran-Do)
(Tran-Do sees himself as a snake oil salesman
BUT STILL
CHILDHOOD SEES WHAT CHILDHOOD
SO WE LIE TO OURSELVES
selling the same lies that he was sold in a
WILL
AND WE JUST CARRY ON
carnival barker’s voice.)
BUT NOTHING EVER STAYS THE SAME
NEVER STOP, NEVER TURN
THE SILENCE (In Khmer)
DON’T ADMIT WHAT IS …
I FEAR THE NIGHT
DON’T GO
DOES IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY?
CAN’T WE HAVE JUST ONE MORE CHANCE?
THOSE WHO KNOW
COME ONE COME ALL
WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S GREATEST
I FEAR THE DARK
GONE IN TO THIS TWISTED STORY
ENTERTAINMENT SINCE THE FALL OF
I NEED THIS LIGHT
ALL THESE THINGS SO CLEAR BEFORE ME
ROME
THAT DISTANT SPARK
EVERY PATH WE’VE EVER TAKEN
LIFE, DEATH
CAN’T ADMIT WE WERE MISTAKEN
VICTIMS, VOYEURS
I KNOW THAT…
THE BEST OF SOCIETY
IN THIS NIGHT
THE LOWEST OF PLEBEIANS
OF MY DEVISING
AND TO KEEP IT ALL IN EXTREMELY
NEVER LIVE
INTERESTING, TODAY’S PATRONS
SOMEONE’S LOOKING TO DECEIVE AND
AND NEVER DYING
COULD VERY EASILY BE TOMORROW’S
SOMEWHERE
EACH ESCAPE
ALL COMPLIMENTS OF THE ULTIMATE
I’VE NEVER TAKEN
SHOWMAN FATE
ALL THAT’S MISSING IS THE COLISEUM
SOMEWHERE
THEY WILL NOT SAY
MUST THIS BE THE FINAL…
ENTERTAINMENT
DANCE IN OUR LIVES?
AS TIME JUST MOVES ON
YOUNG MEN DIE AND CHILDREN BLEED
NEVER DREAM
YESTERDAY’S YEARS
AND
AND NEVER WAKEN…
SOMEWHERE
SOMEWHERE
AS WORLDS FALL APART
SOME HAVE TOO MUCH WHILE OTHERS
SOMEONE’S LOOKING TO DECEIVE AND
DECISIONS ARE MADE
NEED AND
(Tran-Do turns away from the apparition
ARE TOO QUICKLY GONE
of himself as a snake oil salesman, and once
more looks into the abyss.)
ALL VISIONS FADE
BUT THERE IN THIS DARK NOW
THERE IN THIS DARK NOW
SOMEONE’S LOOKING TO BELIEVE AND…
DID YOU EVER WALK UP
SOMEWHERE
SOMEWHERE
TO THE EDGE OF A CLIFF
STARE INTO THE ABYSS
AS YOUR MIND WONDERS IF
KEEP ME CLOSE
THIS ALL IS YOUR LIFE
NEVER REALLY TOOK MUCH
ON THIS NIGHT
YOUR LIFE
YOU SHOULD TAKE ONE MORE STEP
NEVER REALLY HAD TO
BREATHE MY AIR
YOUR LIFE
FURTHER INTO THAT NIGHT
ONLY HAD A SMALL CRUSH
WELL YOUR MIND SAYS YOU WON’T
PROBLEM WAS THAT IT GREW
BUT YOUR HEART SAYS YOU MIGHT
THIS ALL IS YOUR…
ON THIS NIGHT
HOLD ME TIGHT
IS YOUR LIFE
NEVER REALLY TOOK MUCH
FEEL MY HEART
IS YOUR LIFE
WOULD YOU FALL THROUGH THE DARK
NEVER REALLY HAD TO
BEATING THERE
IS YOUR LIFE
FEEL THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR
ONLY HAD A SMALL CRUSH
WOULD YOU EMBRACE THE GROUND
PROBLEM WAS THAT IT GREW
IS YOUR...LIFE
ON THIS NIGHT
KEEP ME CLOSE
Then he recalled how the Greek philosopher,
BE WHO YOU ARE
ON THIS NIGHT
Salon, once said, ‘You can never judge a life ‘til
OR WOULD GOD REACH HIS HAND
WHAT YOU WERE
BREATHE MY AIR
it is over,’ and though Tran-Do was only one
AND THAT MOMENT YOU FLY
WHAT THEY SEE
AND END YOUR LIFE RIGHT THERE
OR IF HE CHANCED TO BLINK
step away from death, as of this moment, he
ON THIS NIGHT
was still quite alive. If he could not return the
AND THEN, THAT MOMENT YOU DIE
FROM ETERNITY’S VIEW
HOLD ME TIGHT
Lieutenant to his family alive, he could still leave
YOU DIE
TELL ME
FEEL MY HEART
this army of evil and with some luck, perhaps
YOU DIE
WHICH ONE IS ME
BEATING THERE…
make it to America and let the Lieutenant’s wife
YOU DIE ...
CAN YOU…
and child know that though he was dead, he had
DID YOU EVER WALK UP
died saving others. He was a hero, who had died
STARE INTO THE DARK
BE WHO YOU ARE
TO THE EDGE OF A CLIFF
bringing hope to the hopeless and letting those
AS THE ABYSS KEEPS CALLING
WHAT YOU WERE
STARE INTO THE ABYSS
who thought the world had forgotten them
TRY TO TAKE A STEP
WHAT THEY SEE
AS YOUR MIND WONDERS IF
know that they were not forgotten.
FROM ETERNITY’S VIEW
YOU SHOULD TAKE ONE MORE STEP
prison cell to get the knapsack of supplies.
CAN A SINGLE QUESTION
TELL ME
FURTHER INTO THAT NIGHT
Before he left, he arranged the Lieutenant’s
JUST GO ON FOREVER
WHICH ONE IS ME
WELL YOUR MIND SAYS YOU WON’T
body and noticed that a small area of the ground
BUT THEN THIS ALL IS YOUR LIFE
underneath where he had been sleeping looked
It was still dark as he slipped back into the
BUT THEN THE MIND KEEPS STALLING
AS A SINGLE THOUGHT GOES ON
IT’S NOW OR NEVER
slightly different. The earth in one corner was
ON THIS NIGHT
KEEP ME CLOSE
YOUR LIFE
looser, as if something had been buried there.
STARE INTO THE DARK
ON THIS NIGHT
YOUR LIFE
Digging into the ground, he discovered a small
AS THE ABYSS KEEPS CALLING
BREATHE MY AIR
THIS ALL IS YOUR LIFE
wooden box containing a hand-wound music
YOUR LIFE
box.
YOUR LIFE
Bach Lullaby
(Instrumental)
TRY TO TAKE A STEP
BUT THEN THE MIND KEEPS STALLING
ON THIS NIGHT
HOLD ME TIGHT
CAN A SINGLE QUESTION
FEEL MY HEART
THIS ALL IS YOUR LIFE
JUST GO ON FOREVER
BEATING THERE
YOUR LIFE
AS A SINGLE THOUGHT GOES ON
IT’S NOW OR NEVER
YOUR LIFE
ON THIS NIGHT
Placing the box in his knapsack, he finished
laying out the body and then left, bolting the
door behind him. Calling out for the Khmer
good fortune. Tran-Do reached a spot where
Rouge captain of the guard, he berated him
the river turned wide and more importantly
the story.”
“No, my child, I wish that I could say that I
think many of us deserve them. But they do exist
and one of them was your father. To give up all
for allowing the American officer to die before
extremely shallow. There, stranded in the sandy
was that dealer, but I am Tran-Do. And you my
to save your brother is a noble thing to do but
getting more information out of him. He then
river bottom of those shallows were the fifty
dear, are the Lieutenant’s child.”
to give up all to save your enemy… well that
showed him the wooden box he had discovered
Coca-Cola bottles containing the Lieutenant’s
“But that’s impossible,” she answered in a
is something I cannot explain. Child, can you
in the cell demanding to know how such a
fairytales to his child and at the bottom of each
shocked and confused voice. “The man’s child
forgive me for your father’s death? Could you…
large piece of contraband could have gone
story was the Lieutenant’s wife’s address in New
was a boy. You said that he could not wait to
not hate me?”
undiscovered. As the guard started to stutter an
Jersey, U.S.A. Running about like an excited
teach him how to play baseball.”
answer, the General cut him off asking, ‘How
child, he collected all fifty bottles, removed all
The man then reached into his satchel and
she tried to take in all she had just learned. As
do you know that he did not also have a small
the pages and wrapped them in a watertight,
took out something which he gently tossed to
the tear fell, it landed in the moat surrounding
handheld radio? How do you know that he has
canvas poncho before resuming his quest.
the little girl. She instinctively caught it and saw
the sand castle just as a wave from the incoming
A tear started to well up in the child’s eye as
not radioed our location?’ Once again before
It took him many years, but eventually he
it was a worn leather baseball. “That is what
tide reached the outer ends of the moat, pouring
the guard could answer, Tran-Do cut him off
arrived in America, only to be disappointed
your father wanted to do with you.” He then
water in before temporarily retreating back to
and sternly ordered, ‘Captain, we cannot afford
when the people who were living at the address
reached once more into his satchel and took out
the ocean. The little girl looked at Tran-Do’s eyes
to take any chances. Tomorrow, we move camp
he found in the bottles, said that the family had
a stack of pages neatly encased in a manila folder
and she could see the pain of regret for an act that
further up river but tonight you carefully bury
moved out quite a while ago and they had no
along with a small music box and handed it to
cannot be undone. “I don’t hate you sir. I forgive
that officer outside this compound. I do not
idea where they were. In desperation, he went
the child. “These are the fairytales he wrote for
you, and I think my mother will too. Come back
want his body accidentally discovered by the
to Times Square in New York City to search for
you and the music box that holds the melody he
with me and you can ask her yourself.”
Cambodian Army. And Captain, it is only
the drug dealer that the Lieutenant had told him
listened to the night you were born.”
because of your long service that you are not
about. He was lucky enough to find that the
“No! No, you’ve made a mistake. You have
being buried with him.’
“I don’t think I have that kind of courage. I
would like to ask, if as a final kindness, you could
dealer still resided at the address the Lieutenant
the wrong child,” she insisted. “My mom told
Knowing that fear of punishment would cause
had placed in his wallet. The dealer immediately
me that my father is in heaven but his name is
his commands to be unquestionably obeyed,
remembered the young officer and offered his
Bill. Bill Cozier.”
the General, then turned and walked back into
assistance in finding out where the Lieutenant’s
“Bill, little one, is short for William. He was
“It’s hard to explain, but sometimes it is easier
the camp headquarters’ hut. There he retrieved
family might have moved. The dealer enlisted the
Lieutenant William Cozier. I’ve been down here
to ask forgiveness from a child than a grown-up.
the Lieutenant’s dog tags, wallet and a well-
aid of a sympathetic policeman who helped him
outside your home for nearly a week trying to
And besides I have to be leaving now.”
worn baseball. Then he slipped out of the camp
discover the wife’s new location. Tran-Do now
gather the courage to ask for your mother’s and
“Where do you have to go?”
determined to somehow get to America, find
felt he had a real chance of completing his quest
your forgiveness but was unable to do so. This
“Somewhere there is a castle out there that
the Lieutenant’s wife and ask her forgiveness.
by asking the Lieutenant’s wife’s forgiveness for
night, I built a fire and by its light a sandcastle
I have to find.” And after a gentle bow, Tran-
He did not know how he would get there and,
the death of her husband, a soldier who had gone
modeled on the one your father described to
Do turned and started walking away along the
once there, how he would find her. But he was
to a far away land to protect the lives of others.
me from when he met Erasmus. Then, by some
beach. As the child watched him fade away into
At this point in the story, the little girl looked
miracle, you appeared. Child, many brave and
the darkness, she suddenly realized that she was
He slipped out of the camp, following the
at the stranger’s black t-shirt with the initials
great men over the centuries have fought for the
outside the house in the middle of the night and
river towards the coastline. The river constantly
for New York City printed boldly on the front.
safety and freedom of themselves, their families
her mother was going to be incredibly angry
morphed its appearance on its way to the sea.
Slowly standing up, she said in soft but nervous
or their fellow citizens. But, men who risk all
when she discovered that she had snuck down
Sometimes it was wide and meandering and
voice, “Sir, you are the drug dealer.”
to save strangers, people that they have never
to the beach.
determined to do it.
at other times it narrowed into fast flowing
rapids. But it was while following this river on
his journey that he received his first piece of
“Why would you think such a thing?” he
replied while also rising.
“Because, only he would know so much of
ask her for me.”
“But you do have the courage! You asked
me.”
met, to save men that would have killed them
Clutching the box, the baseball and her father’s
in a second if they had the chance… where do
papers she started running up the sand dune
such individuals come from? God knows I don’t
stairs. She was running so hard, that she nearly
fell when she collided with a beautiful young
The man was who he said he was. She had
BUT HERE IN THIS NIGHT
OF NIGHTS TO THEIR MORNING
lady in a white gauze summer dress, on one of
known that her husband had died in combat, but
WHERE YOUR DREAM CARRIES ON
OF DREAMS TO THEIR DAWNING
the landings. Helping the child to steady herself,
had always hoped that it was quick and painless.
NEVER QUITE THERE BUT IT’S NEVER
the lady asked, “Where, my little one, are you
Now that she knew the entire story, she found
QUITE GONE
WHILE REACHING FOR MOMENTS
running to in such a hurry?”
herself talking to her late husband. There was a
YOU ARE THE STAR THAT IS WISHED UPON
THE WORLD HAS FORBIDDEN
“I’m sorry I bumped into you, miss. I have to
tenderness in her voice that would cause anyone
FOREVER
THE KINDNESS INSIDE THEM
get back home! I shouldn’t be out this late. I’m in
who heard her, to know she was certain that the
big trouble!” the girl answered as she continued
Lieutenant could hear every word.
(Then in a sudden, unexpected, visceral voice,
scrambling up the stairs towards the house.
Father, Son & Holy Ghost
she raged against all those citizens of apathy and
THE PAGES KEEP TURNING
willful ignorance who lived behind the sacrifices
BUT NO-ONE IS LEARNING
of others.)
THEY FEED THEM TO PYRES
“Don’t worry,” the lady answered, “you won’t
be in any trouble at all.”
“You don’t know my mom!” the girl shouted
SO CAREFULLY HIDDEN
(Mrs. Cozier)
over her shoulder. Moments later she walked into
TO STOKE UP THEIR FIRES
WE THOUGHT EVIL DEAD
her living room where her mother was watching
YOU WERE THE DREAM THAT SURVIVED
KILLED BY OUR OWN SWORD
OF IGNORANCE, APATHY
television. When she saw her daughter coming
LOST IN THE DARKNESS OF ETERNITY
BUT EVIL IS PATIENT
FORBIDDING CHARITY
in from the outside in her nightgown, her feet all
YOU WERE THE HOPE KEPT ALIVE
‘TIL THE FUTURE GROWS BORED
THE FLAMES THEY GROW HIGHER
covered with sand, holding a bevy of objects, her
EMBRACED BY TOMORROWS THAT WE ALL
mother leapt to her feet and demanded to know
COULD NEVER QUITE SEE
where she had been. The child then explained
COULD SUCH BE DESIRED
DO YOU BELIEVE IN NIGHT
DOES IT HOLD YOU CLOSE
AND CHRIST AND CONFUCIUS
all that had transpired that night and at the end
YOU HAD A BEAUTY DENIED
WHEN YOU’RE AT YOUR LAST CARD
ARE ALL THEIR WORDS USELESS
handed her the folder of hand-written fairytales.
YOU WERE THE MOMENT
PRAY HARD, FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST
WE QUOTE THEM IN FRACTIONS
STILL THE NIGHT ROLLS ON
BUT NOT IN OUR ACTIONS
The mother looked at the pages immediately
recognizing her late husband’s handwriting.
BUT HERE IN THIS NIGHT
BRINGS YOU TO YOUR KNEES
Dropping the papers to the floor, she told her
WHERE YOUR DREAM CARRIES ON
WHEN YOU LOOK BACK THAT FAR
AURELIUS, AND HUGO
daughter to stay inside before running down to
NEVER QUITE THERE BUT IT’S NEVER
EACH SCAR, SUDDENLY JUST STARTS TO
AUDEN AND GIBRAN
the beach to find this man that her daughter had
QUITE GONE
BLEED
THE WORDS THEY HAVE WRITTEN
told her about.
YOU ARE THE STAR THAT IS WISHED UPON
When she reached the area around the bonfire
FOREVER
and sandcastle she could see footprints in the
SEEM SO QUICKLY GONE
THE NIGHT IT KEEPS BURNING
WHILE TWISTING AND TURNING
FOR SOMEWHERE THERE’S DIRT
sand heading out into the darkness. Just as
YOU WERE THE ONE THAT BELIEVED
ITS WAY TO TOMORROW
THAT WAS ONCE REDDISH MUD
she was about to follow his trail, another wave
LONG PAST WHEN BELIEF WAS A MEMORY
ITS JOYS AND ITS SORROWS
FROM SOAKING UP LIQUID
from the incoming tide swept the footprints
THE CHILD TIME WOULD NEVER
away. Realizing that to search for him aimlessly
CONCEDE
OUR SECRETS BENEATH HER
in the dark was useless, she looked back at the
FAITH AND TOMORROW AND ALL OF THE
WE DRIVE EACH STAKE DEEPER
BUT BOTH EARTH AND GOD
sandcastle being steadily eroded by the incoming
THINGS THAT MIGHT BE
THEN OFFER TO BARTER
THEY HAVE DEEMED TO FORGIVE
BUT EACH DEAL IS HARDER
SO EACH YEAR IN THE SPRING
waves. But the back tower still stood with a small
chain hung around it. She picked it up, and by
YOU HAD A BEAUTY DENIED
the bonfire’s light, saw that it held her husband’s
A GLITTERING MOMENT
dog tags.
THAT WAS A MAN’S BLOOD
NEW FLOWERS DO LIVE
THE CLOAKS WE KEEP CHANGING
WHILE GLIDING THROUGH WEDDINGS
AND OF ALL THE AUTHORS
YOUR FAVORITE WAS WILDE
alright, with the kind of reassurance that only
THERE WAS A TIME
WITH EACH TIMELESS STORY
a parent can give a child. She sang her a simple
NOW LONG BEFORE
ALL PENNED WITH SUCH STYLE
lullaby and then together they both drifted into
WE FOUND A WAY
a deep peaceful dream-filled slumber.
TO CLOSE EACH DOOR
Remnants Of A Lullaby
BUT IN OUR MINDS
OF FAIRYTALE KINGDOMS
WHERE OGRES SAVE CHILDREN
AND NO GARDENS HAVE WALLS
SO ALL CHILDREN MIGHT USE THEM
(Mrs. Cozier)
The Safest Way Into Tomorrow
(reprise)
(Lieutenant William Cozier)
THROUGH LABYRINTHS DEEP
SLEEP
LATE IN OUR LIVES
DON’T TURN AWAY
THOSE DOORS WE SEEK
YOU ARE THE SAFEST WAY INTO
AND SINCE THAT’S THE ENDING
THERE WAS A TIME
YOU VALUED THE MOST
NOW FAR AWAY
AND IN OUR FANTASIES
TOMORROW
DREAMS
YOU CLING TO THAT CARD
THAT NOW BELONGS
WE TRY TO, FIND THE KEYS
IF YOU WILL STAY
TO YESTERDAY
FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST
FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST
OR AT LEAST THE BEST PARTS LETS US
REACH THE STAIRS
BORROW
BUT LATE AT NIGHT
FOLLOW THEM
DAYS ARE COUNTED ‘TIL THEY’RE GONE
IF YOU BELIEVE
EACH TO WHERE
NIGHTS ARE MEANT TO CARRY ON
THERE ARE STILL PARTS
FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST
MORPHEUS IS AT YOUR SIDE
SCATTERED THERE
OFFERING THE WINGS TO FLY
ON THE GROUND
AND BE THERE
BEYOND OUR MEMORIES
EVERYTHING
FREE FROM EARTH TO SAIL ACROSS THIS
PAST WHERE THE EYES CAN SEE
LOST IS FOUND
NIGHT
WELL DISGUISED
WISHED ON COINS
STARS ARE ALL ETERNAL AND THE MIND
BUT HERE IN THIS NIGHT
WAITING THERE
CHILDHOOD WINGS
DARES
WHERE YOUR DREAM CARRIES ON
DREAM DEVISED
CAROUSELS
THE EVENING SIGHS
STILL TURNING
SO CLOSE YOUR EYES
FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST
YOU CAN RETRIEVE
FATHER, SON & HOLY...
WHERE
NEVER QUITE THERE BUT IT’S NEVER
QUITE GONE
SAFE FROM TIME’S
YOU ARE THE STAR THAT IS WISHED UPON
ENDLESS REACH
WAITING THERE PATIENTLY
EVERYTHING
REMNANTS OF A LULLABYE
A CHILD CAN TEACH
AND THEE
FOREVER
AND SPEND THIS NIGHT WITH ME
Outside, the bonfire, though dying down, was
still sending small armadas of sparks into the
night breezes and in the sky, a lone falcon was
WHAT TO KEEP
Now, nights and dreams are quite common,
WHAT TO SAVE
but on this night, Morpheus himself, guided
she looked behind her and saw that her
WHEN TO DARE
both mother and child through the labyrinths of
Embers
daughter had followed her and had witnessed
AN OCEAN’S WAVE
Nod, to the exact same dream, where waiting for
(Instrumental)
Finally exhausted from the cathartic outburst,
her breakdown on the beach. Running over, she
them both, was one, young Lieutenant Cozier.
reached down, picked the girl up and carried
THERE AMONG LIFE’S MEMORIES
her back to the house. There she held her in her
REMNANTS OF A LULLABYE AND THEE
arms and promised that everything would be
silhouetted against the moon
The End
After The End
It was twenty years later and Lieutenant
AS THEIR OWN
SO AFTER ALL THOSE ONE NIGHT STANDS
BUT WHEN YOU HAD TO ADD THEM UP
AS THEIR OWN
YOU’VE ENDED UP WITH HEART IN HAND
YOU FOUND THAT THEY WERE NOT
AND FOREVER MORE
A CHILD ALONE
ENOUGH
FOREVERMORE
ON YOUR OWN
TO GET YOU IN
RETREATING
AND PAY FOR SINS
Cozier’s daughter was now a young lady,
married, with three little girls of her own. It was
THEIR
early in the summer and the littlest child came
CHILD OF THE NIGHT
REGRETFUL FOR THE THINGS YOU’RE NOT
running up holding a bottle that had just washed
DREAMS DARE ALIGHT
AND ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVEN’T GOT
AND FOR ALL THE YEARS YOU BORROWED
up on the shore. She handed it to her mother all
NEVER FEAR AND NEVER FALTER
WITHOUT A HOME
AND FOR ALL THE TEARS YOU HIDE
excited because she could see that it contained
FOR THE STARS CAN ALWAYS SEE
A HEART OF STONE LIES BLEEDING
AND FOR ALL THE FEARS YOU HAD TO
to dislodge the cork and pull out a single page
DREAMS THAT ARE SENT
AND FOR ALL THE ROADS YOU FOLLOWED
letter. It said, “I have found my castle! Love,
WITH THE INTENT
AND FOR ALL YOU DID NOT FIND
I AM THE WAY
Tran-Do.”
TO CAREFULLY BE BROUGHT TO LIFE
AND FOR ALL THE DREAMS YOU HAD TO
I AM THE LIGHT
Child Of The Night
FOR SUCH IS CHILDHOOD’S ALCHEMY
LEAVE BEHIND
I AM THE DARK INSIDE THE NIGHT
REPEATED
a note. Lieutenant Cozier’s daughter managed
KEEP INSIDE
PRECIOUS AS STARDUST
I AM THE WAY
I HEAR YOUR HOPES
CHILD OF THE NIGHT
SUCH IS A CHILD’S TRUST
I AM THE LIGHT
I FEEL YOUR DREAMS
DREAMS DARE ALIGHT
AND IN ITS SEASONS
I AM THE DARK INSIDE THE NIGHT
AND IN THE DARK I HEAR YOUR SCREAMS
ANYWHERE YOUR HEART DOES WANDER
IN ITS SEASONS
KNOW THAT THEY WILL WALK WITH THEE
I HEAR YOUR HOPES
DON’T TURN AWAY
FOR THEY WILL GUARD YOU
I FEEL YOUR DREAMS
JUST TAKE MY HAND
EACH GRAIN OF SAND
THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE
AND IN THE DARK I HEAR YOUR SCREAMS
AND WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR FINAL STAND
FALLS AS WAS PLANNED
FOR THEY WILL GUARD YOU
AND WITHIN EACH PRECIOUS MOMENT
BEYOND THIS NIGHT
DON’T TURN AWAY
I’LL BE RIGHT THERE
JUST TAKE MY HAND
I’LL NEVER LEAVE
AND WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR FINAL STAND
AND ALL I ASK OF YOU
ARE THE THINGS STILL YET TO BE
THERE
NIGHT IN ITS VESPERS
AS THEIR OWN
DREAMS ARE ITS GESTURES
AS THEIR OWN
I’LL BE RIGHT THERE
BELIEVE
STARS FEAR NO DISTANCE
AND FOREVER MORE
I’LL NEVER LEAVE
I NEVER WANTED TO KNOW
FEAR NO DISTANCE
FOREVERMORE
AND ALL I ASK OF YOU
NEVER WANTED TO SEE
BELIEVE
I WASTED MY TIME
FOR THEY WILL GUARD YOU
THEIR CHILD OF THE NIGHT
THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE
DREAMS DARE ALIGHT
YOUR CHILDHOOD EYES WERE SO
ANYWHERE YOUR HEART DOES WANDER
INTENSE
I NEVER WANTED TO GO
KNOW THAT THEY WILL WALK WITH THEE
WHILE BARTERING YOUR INNOCENCE
ALWAYS WANTED TO STAY
Believe
FOR BITS OF STRING
‘CAUSE THE PERSON I AM
THE GROWN-UP WINGS YOU NEEDED
ARE THE PARTS THAT I PLAY
FOR THEY WILL GUARD YOU BEYOND THIS
NIGHT
THERE
‘TIL TIME WASTED ME
SO I PLOT AND I PLAN
BLACKERBY, BJ RAMONE, SEAN
ALEXA GODDARD (CHILD OF THE
DANIELLE LANDHERR
HOPE AND I SCHEME
BURNETT, PETE BISCHOFF & JOSHUA
NIGHT)
JAMES LEWIS
TO THE LURE OF A NIGHT
RUZANSKY
VALENTINA PORTER (CHILD OF THE
TANY LING
NIGHT)
SANYA MATEYAS
FILLED WITH UNFINISHED DREAMS
THE BAND:
IRELAND WILDE O’NEILL
AND I’M HOLDING ON TIGHT
PAUL O’NEILL - GUITARS
GUIDE VOCALS:
VALENTINA PORTER
TO A WORLD GONE ASTRAY
ROBERT KINKEL - KEYBOARDS
BRYAN HICKS (CARNIVAL BARKER IN
ANDREW ROSS
AS THEY CHARGE ME FOR YEARS
JON OLIVA - KEYBOARDS
EPIPHANY)
BART SHATTO
I CAN’T PAY
AL PITRELLI - LEAD, RHYTHM GUITARS
DINA FANAI (NIGHT ENCHANTED)
EVAN SHYER
YEAH
CHRIS ALTENHOFF - BASS
ROBERT KINKEL (NIGHT ENCHANTED)
ABBY SKOFF
LUCI BUTLER - KEYBOARDS
ZAK STEVENS
I AM THE WAY
CHRIS CAFFERY - GUITARS
STRINGS:
ADRIENNE WARREN
I AM THE LIGHT
SHIH-YI CHIANG - KEYBOARDS
RODDY CHONG
SCOUT XAVIER
I AM THE DARK INSIDE THE NIGHT
RODDY CHONG - VIOLIN
CAITLIN MOE
ANGUS CLARK - GUITARS
ANNA PHOEBE
GOSPEL CHOIR:
I HEAR YOUR HOPES
JANE MANGINI - KEYBOARDS
ALISON ZLOTOW
KEITH JACOBS
I FEEL YOUR DREAMS
JOHNNY LEE MIDDLETON - BASS
LOWELL ADAMS
LUCILLE JACOBS
AND IN THE DARK I HEAR YOUR SCREAMS
JOHN O.REILLY - DRUMS
KAREN DUMKE
NATHANIEL JACOBS
ANNA PHOEBE - STRINGS
LEI LIU
SHELIA UPSHAW
DON’T TURN AWAY
JEFF PLATE - DRUMS
CHIZUKO MATSUSAKA
JUST TAKE MY HAND
ALEX SKOLNICK - GUITARS
SARAH SHELLMAN
AND WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR FINAL STAND
DEREK WIELAND - KEYBOARDS
SPECIAL GUEST
APPEARANCE ON NUTROCKER:
DAVE WITTMAN - DRUM, GUITAR
BACKUP VOCALS:
I’LL BE RIGHT THERE
AND BASS INSERTS FOR THOSE LITTLE
STEVE BRODERICK
I’LL NEVER LEAVE
THINGS THE REST OF US FORGOT
LUCI BUTLER
ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS:
JENNIFER CELLA
JEFF ALLEGUE - BASS
LEAD VOCALS:
BRITNEY CHRISTIAN
JAY COBLE - TRUMPET
BELIEVE
JAY PIERCE (CHILDHOOD DREAMS, THE
ROB EVAN
ALICIA CRAWFORD - BASS
Night Castle
SAFEST WAY INTO TOMORROW)
DINA FANAI
JASON GIANNI - DRUMS
TIM HOCKENBERRY (SPARKS, BELIEVE)
TOMMY FARESE
PETER EVENS - TRUMPET
JEFF SCOTT SOTO (NIGHT CASTLE,
ALLISON FLOM
MAX JOHNSON - BASS
ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN DIE, DREAMS
TONY GAYNOR
TREY TOSH - GUITARS
WE CONCEIVE, TIME FLOATS ON,
CHRISTIE GEORGE
CO-PRODUCED BY - ROBERT KINKEL
SAFEST WAY INTO TOMORROW
ALEXA GODDARD
VIETNAMESE DIALOGUE:
RECORDING AND MIX ENGINEER -
(REPRISE))
KRISTIN LEWIS GORMAN
TRUC XUAN LE
DAVE WITTMAN
ROB EVAN (THERE WAS A LIFE,
ERIN HENRY
KHANH ONG
ADDITIONAL ENGINEERS - ROBERT
EPIPHANY)
STEENA HERNANDEZ
NHATTIEN NGUYEN
KINKEL, KURDT VANDERHOOF
JENNIFER CELLA (FATHER, SON & HOLY
KELLY KEELING
NGA NGUYEN
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS - JASON
GHOST, REMNANTS OF A LULLABY)
ROBERT KINKEL
CHILD CHOIR:
AND ALL I ASK OF YOU
PRODUCED BY - PAUL O’NEILL
GREG LAKE - BASS
The American Boychoir
or contact Spiderwebart Gallery at 973-770-8189
SPARKS (O’Neill)
for Korg, Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs,
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Litton-Lodal Music Director
or email Greg Hildebrandt at [email protected].
THE MOUNTAIN (Grieg, O’Neill, Oliva)
Tommy Dougherty for TKL Cases, Richard
www.americanboychoir.org
All images © 2009 Greg Hildebrandt, all
NIGHT CASTLE (O’Neill, Oliva)
Coco for Labella Strings, Tony Pinheiro for DR
Sparks and parts of Moonlight and Madness
rights reserved under the Pan-American and
THE SAFEST WAY INTO TOMORROW
Strings, Bobby Duncan for Roland Drums, Steve
were originally recorded by Slowburn at Electric
International Copyright Conventions
(O’Neill, Oliva)
Riskin for Paiste Cymbals, Derek Wolford and
MOZART AND MEMORIES (Mozart, O’Neill,
Mike Farriss for Pearl Drums, Valerie Corabi,
Ladyland Studios
Believe was originally recorded by Savatage for
ART DIRECTION & DESIGN –
Oliva)
Mike Hatzinger for Line 6, Randy Hargis for
the Atlantic album “Streets” based on the musical
David J. Harrigan III
ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN DIE (O’Neill,
Akai & Gibraltar Hardware, Bryan Lanser for
Gutter Ballet
PACKAGING MANAGEMENT –
Oliva)
Muse Research, Terry Day for D’Andrea Picks,
Pamela Simon
TOCCATA - CARPIMUS NOCTEM (Bach,
Kiersten Holland, Dave Paiva, Mark McKinnon
O’Neill)
at Cube Services, Steve Lobmeier for D’Addario
MANAGEMENTNIGHT CASTLE MANAGEMENT INC. –
RECORDED AND MIXED AT:
THE LION’S ROAR (O’Neill, Pitrelli)
Strings, David Lienhard for Dean Markley
Adam Lind / Kenneth Kaplan / Adam Seidel /
MORRISOUND STUDIOS - TAMPA
DREAMS WE CONCEIVE (O’Neill, Oliva)
Strings Endorsements, Steinway Pianos, Dick
Josh Ruzansky
ADDITIONAL RECORDING AND MIXING:
MOTHER AND SON (O’Neill)
Boak, Chris Thompson, James Mason for Martin
ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS - NYC
THERE WAS A LIFE (O’Neill, Oliva)
Guitars, Steve Christmas for Gibson Custom
BAND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT-
SOUNDTRACK STUDIOS - NYC
MOONLIGHT AND MADNESS (Beethoven,
Shop, Chad Brandolini for Vater Sticks, Marco
Dina Finai
STELLAR PRODUCTIONS INC. - NYC
Chopin, O’Neill, Silverstein)
Soccoli, Ben Davies for Vic Firth Sticks
TIME FLOATS ON (O’Neill, Oliva)
LEGAL REPRESENTATION- SERLING,
MASTERED BY: TED JENSEN AT
EPIPHANY (O’Neill, Oliva)
WE TRY TO ANSWER AS
ROOKS, & FERRARA LLP– Nicholas C.
STERLING SOUND – NYC
BACH LULLABY (Bach)
MANY LETTERS AS POSSIBLE
Ferrara , ESQ.
ADDITIONAL PRE-PRODUCTION FOR
FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST (O’Neill,
SPARKS AND THE LION’S ROAR: PAUL
Caffery)
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
SILVERSTEIN
REMNANTS OF A LULLABY (O’Neill, Oliva)
P.O. BOX 4018
THE SAFEST WAY INTO TOMORROW
GRAND CENTRAL STATION
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 10163
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Carmina Burana, which is adapted from “O
CHILD OF THE NIGHT (Delibes, O’Neill)
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STEARNS, WEAVER, MILLER, WEISSLER,
Fortuna” from Carl Orff ’s CARMINA BURANA
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COVER AND INTERIOR ART –
STORY AND LYRICS BY - PAUL O’NEILL
Greg Hildebrandt
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This album was written
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Rosen, Vicky Camera, Liz Barrett, Pamela Simon,
Scott Schubert, Tom Hanrahan, Jay Nachlis,
Schrock, Connee Mac, Libby Gonzalez, Michelle
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This album is dedicated to:
Lance Graham
Angela Dawson
Keshia Thomas
Sempo Sugihara
John Rabe
Dirk Willems
and the countless others like them
Mark Edwards, Brent Johnson, Smokey Rivers,
Counter, Josie Montelenoe, Marcie Dershimer,
Bob “Kelly” Kelleher, Jules Belkin, Michael
Sue Ramer, Mike and Linda Fuqua, Bo and Larry
FAMILY THANKS
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