Excerpt for Songs by Peter Rehard, available in its entirety at Smashwords

Songs

Peter Rehard

Copyright Peter Rehard 2011

Smashwords edition

Songs:

Moldy Mushrooms

Aurora

1999

Gunman's tale

Ancestral Blues

Black Cloud

Blow

Blue Bird

Bright Lights and the scene

Cancer

Dull white moon

Empty Pocket Blues

Flowers

Kids and Cats

Lilting

Long Love lost

Mad Dog

Sweetness True

Tryst

****

Moldy Mushrooms


I see monsters and demons

On my wall; in my bed.

My momma put a was cloth

To my fevered head when,

I started screaming:

Momma I'm seeing,

Devils in the sky with my name on their shields

And Angels in a line with scrolls of fire,

Lamb of god, my time has expired.


Momma, don't you know, it's your boy,

Love you more that god's glowing soul.

Momma hold me say I'll be all right,

If I can just make it, live through the night


Hold me, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,

No!


I said you set me free,

I've got something to say,

I'm a modern man I need my room to breathe!


I have something to say,

But it's hard to explain

With all these colors and shapes

Moving around in my brain.


I see a beast with three heads

It goes by the government's names;

See an angel: three wings

It calls the church profane.

And momma, I see, it's our old man,

He touches woman, with the back of a cold dead hand


Momma, don't you know that it's hard,

To be living in a world soaked through with flaw.

Momma hold me say I'll be all right,

If I can just keep on, breathing tonight.


Hold me, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,

No!


I Said I have to believe,

That there is something more

In this world living, better be good alone,


I need to hit the road,

I see a name on the wind,

It's says come and I have to begin

My feet are aching and the world is sick.

****

Aurora


Monday, oh miserable monday,

It gives you Tuesday, the weekly hideaway,

And leads to wednesday,

Wednesday of memory,

I swear that every day is the same.


I was walking, in the waters,

Of my sorrow, I swam so deep.

I started choking, I was drowning,

It was hard, hard, hard to breathe.

I saw my shadow, it said, you don't know me.


I had a damsel, I had a girly

She was true pretty, a classic beauty,

I held her softly,

With her body burn burn burning

She said you don't what love really means.


So I go running, in the nighttime

On the tree line

With the stars over my mind,

And nightime quaking, The branches shaking,

They say stop stop stop chasing me.


Oh lord god, I see, Dim Selene,

The pure white goddess

Of the dull light moon beam,

And she is crying virgin tears for me.

I say don't cry virgin tears for me.


I go walking, I go kissing,

I go running, I am slipping,

I am falling down into me,

The world is holding me.


But in the morning, when the sunlight

Streaks and rides bright, Auras alight

And the first break down and push my eyes from sleep,

The sun god, yells, “Hope,” down to me.

****

1999


It's 1999 and my mom drives a leBaron.

I am sitting on the corner

Waiting with expectations.

I've got two 25 cent: video game expedition.

No I'm just leveling up

My pokemon red gameboy cartridges.


It's 1999 and I'm ready for death

Cause my mom,

My mom has got booze on her breath.


It's 2001 and my dad's having fun,

He bought himself 2

45 colt magnum guns

And i'm sitting in the closet

Playing with a metal box,

I find the silver clip, i'm ready to get shot.


It's 2001 and my dad's on the run,

He calls himself a bank robber

But he never robbed no one.


It's 1993 and my parents broke free,

They start testing methamphetamine

My daddy is trying hard to grow pot,

And my mom's cooking some bread in her box.


It's 1993 and I'm just a budding seed,

But the whole world is already closed on me,

My mommy and my daddy,

They got a lot to lose,

And I'm in myself, hiding from the world.


It's 1999 and I'm ready for death,

'Cause my life, my life,

Is rotten and full of dread.

****

Gunman's Tale


I was in the city on a sideways twisted street:

Back ally woman I did meet.

She came to my side and shoulder

And said in a dirty voice

“I never made a man make a choice.”


I followed up the stairs into her room

I lied her on a bed

That smelled of sweat and sweet perfume.

I asked her how much I'd have to pay,

To call her by another woman's name


Lord tell me your reason

Tell me your plan

Show me how to be a better man.

Lord show me the road,

Give me path onto the way

Tell me how to move throughout the days.


When I finished paying for my relief in gold

I kissed the girl, thanked her for the sin she sold

And wandered down the stairs into the bar

Grabbed the first and biggest bottle that I saw.


In the room filled with cigar smoke and cards,

In through the door came the sheriff and the law,

With a six star saying he's equipped to judge my flaw


Before the smoke cleared he saw me clear and shot

Out from my side my hand cannon I brought,

Fire quick and fired true

Down to boards he was doomed.


The people they looked up and saw the scene with shock

And an old woman told me to pray to god.


Lord tell me your reason

Tell me your plan

Show me how to be a better man.

Lord show me the road,

Give me path onto the way

Tell me how to move throughout the days.


Out of the city and out of the road,

I raced and paced until the woods covered my blood

In an old glade I hid and cursed my soul

****

Ancestral Blues


Way back in 1887

My great great great granddad had a farm

And he called that heaven.

He said if you went outside at night,

You'd see a millions stars,

Saying freedom in the skies.


Real land, open country,

Real living, milk and honey.


Well way back 1913

My great great granddad

Lived in a metropolis city.

He said if you went outside to find

Some freedom,

You'd get caught in a poverty line.


Hard living, No money

Bread and water; stale water, dry bread.


Then come 1944

My great grand dad

Got shipped off to the war.

Across the ocean, past the seas,

Wound up in a foreign country.

Told to kill and get killed alike;

He came back, holding his life.


Murder and death

Politics; greed and envy.


So when it was 1967

My grandad wanted his own heaven

He walked into a bank, stepping in line,

The manager near split his side;

said, “This ain't wellfare; we can't give”

But my granddad stood and tall and said,

“Why can't I have my own piece!”

Two men in suits tossed him to the street.


Inflation, monotony

The rich get richer. Too rich.


So here we come to 2011

My dad does nothing and I keep sweating

****

Black cloud


Come on black cloud

Move on down,

Move on away from me.

Come on black cloud

Move on down,

Move on away from me.

Let a little light,

Let a little light,

Let a little light on me.


It's been a long day,

It's been a longer night

I seen my mother die,

I seen my sister cry.

I saw my brother run,

I saw my father gone,

I'm telling you right now

Move on black cloud!

Move on down

let a little light on me.


Move on black cloud!

Move on down

let a little light on.


We hated war and death,

I say it's why we left.

We hated the hands of greed,

We fled with greatest speed,

Across the rivers and through the plains

Under the blizzards and in the rain,

To the mountains and to the trails,

Struck by heat and struck by hail,

And I'm laying down right now,

Move on black cloud!

Move on down,

Move on away to the sea.

Move on black cloud,

Move on down,

Let a little light on me,

Let a little light on me.

****

Blow


I saw my love go

Blow... through the wind

To where... I don't know,

Seeing all... love lost and made

Leaves falling... in a soft winter rain


Cold winds do blow

On my skin... in a gust

Thrust... through the sky

The... firmament shakes

breaks ...where our bodies once lied.


Through the front door

I see ...the flit of a dress;

Heels that tap ...out as she left;

and the ...wave of a hand

And... a thin smile for end


Cigarette smoke

Through the window ...blows;

An old ...blues song

and a phone ….that wont ring

While the breeze ...travels overhead.

****

Blue Bird


Blue bird flies

In the azure green

Up in the clouds

And over the trees.

Up in the yellow gilded rose,

Up where the winds twist dash and roll.


Blue bird flies to southern shores,

The hills and valley

The plains bellow


Blue bird flies to the love that died

Egg shells cracked laid waste

Where they lied

Blue bird flies around his nest

Where long ago, his life met death.


Blue bird flies

In the bowl of night

Moon is deep

And moon is white.

Up in phantom demon realm

Up where love gives way to hell


Blue bird flies on the winds of death

Towards the spot, to the cold blood scent,

Sees where his love was felled long ago


Blue bird enters the monster's storm

Strikes of lighting

Thunders roar

Shakes the tree and the leaves still fall

Blue bird circles and give his calls

Towards the love that has gone,

Towards his babies that have gone.

****

Bright lights and the scene


That girl Annie, she flew over the handle,

Got caught screening, poor girl, what a scandal,

Left to lose it

Busted hard

She got misused and abused

And her cigarettes are wet,

Where her lipstick is running,

She is wishing for the best


She is living in the bright light on the scene

Giving good, taking back, rearing and screaming.


Best believe, I conceive, I can see it

she running around, looking down her skirt,

Where is the mark, tell her why does it hurt.

My girly Annie, she lost the battle,

Man done did it, made her, hurt her,

But she won't put down the rattle,

Tell rabble and the preacher and the teacher

What does she know, her daddy don't love her,

She is spitting looking at her toes.

She is living in the bright light on the scene

Giving good, taking back, rearing and screaming.


But her blonde hair is matted

And her mascara is running,

They are screaming, she is dreaming,

Where's the money and fame,

Her boyfriend don't love, he just loves to stare.

And she swears I won't, but she did it again

She's another woman got run over by men.

****

Cancer


Cranberry seeds, the cancer won't grow,

The berries bleed and the lemon won't soak,

Give you a sting and breath that speaks

Says get out your coffin

And find that pale sheet.


Put on the crystals and take in the rays

The sun gives spite all through the day;

he says take the moon and sheen to console,

All the aches your body knows.


Poison and pain and the human race

gives disease and rushes to forget names;

The doctor, he comes and says oh boy,

Little boy, it looks like the curse

You got the cancer it's guna get worse.


Momma she cries but tears don't dry,

Deep inside a grave with laughing gadflies.

Where's daddy, he's looking around,

Don't see a woman, don't care, bringing you down.

Put on that paper that says the last given time

Take a ten week moment and pass on by

With your limbs come apart and blood turns dark

Give a breath, kiss your god and watch lights fall off.

***

Dull White Moon


Can't you see that I am waiting for you,

Loved me more, I think it was lying through,

Teeth like razor blades,

Grab for the hand that went away,

And so you say that love, it went away.


When the moon comes crying down,

Dim selene she knows my soul,

I'm not too proud

Take these chains up of my feet,

Break the cuffs and put my hungry hands free.

Can't you see, that I am coming for you,

Just don't leave me in the dull white moon.


I see the sun, I start to think,

Nothing hold much of a thing to me.

I have my food I have my drink,

Those vitals mean not a thing to me,

Break a cup and smash a plate,

You can eat your pills,

I am awake,

Left to walk in the fading shade,

Just don't leave me in the dull white moon.


When the song goes out to lilt,

And the flower of your love grows gray

It's petals drip,

The smells, turns sour and I wait,

Let break, lock those chains,

I have to say,

I'm living in the dull white moon.

****

Empty Pocket Blues


Sitting on the back of a truck bed, my feet

Dangling in the road, dirt on the street,

Look at the people aint got a thing,

Checking my pockets, don't find a thing.


Here comes a rich man, sporting a suit,

Smoking a cigarette,

He ain't got one for you.

Check a these cars and the look at these stores

I don't see a thing I can afford.


I got my lows and I find my highs,

But they fall, before I try

Up on my feet

Out on the road,

So I sit, watch and hope.


My brother's holes, shoes don't step;

My sister's dress, is hemmed to a mess;

My momma's gone.

My daddy should be.

I have broke just about everything;

My pockets fold on in themselves

The bank teller smiles;

She only laughs.


Where is my food,

Where is what's just.

My feet sit bare, collecting dust

Here they go,

Those with all.

They sit clear and wait my fall.

****

Flowers


It's late at night, I can't sleep I'm bored

What's the point of sleeping

In the world anymore


I don't know what to do, I don't do it

I don't know what to think, I keep thinking.


My head hurts and my throat is sore,

I think I have cancer

In my brain, and cancer in my throat,


But I've made too many mistakes,

Now all I want to do is see your face.


I smoke and I drink,

I don't know to do, so I think.


I see myself in a deep lonely grave

And the grass is dead.

No one is standing there,

With their hands on their eyes, on their heads.


But so it seems that I made my grave,

Gave away friends and loves each day,


It's late at night, I can't sleep I'm bored,

What's the point of living

In the world anymore


I don't know what to do, I don't do it.

I don't know what to think, I keep thinking.


All around in the sky, the spirits shake,

Call out hell, give praise and claim my name.

Looking up I see one person pass,

See no face; hear no voice, I can only laugh.

****

Kids and Cats


Kids and cats and kids and cats

In the yard today,

I steal candy from the candy store

And I think that is okay


If you have, a dollar bill,

I'd say you have none;

For, when the tax man comes,

He'd say a big business won.


Kids and cats and kids and cats

In the yard in their graves

My momma says boy eat your bread

Eat your beans and your grains


But if you buy just anything,

Sold wholesale in a store

Bet your butt it's gassed and cooked

With chemicals, preserves and more.


Kids and cats and kids and cats

They are running afraid,

A man in a suit is standing outside,

Papers in his hands goes and waves.


Where is your money my good friend,

Tell me why you work so hard

Oh that paper and receipt for your pay,

Don't mean a thing if they say.


Kids and cats and kids and cats

Dead and rotted in their graves,

Had a good life, but it sure went fast

The millionaires put em in their place


Well if you want just anything

Hope for happiness or good,

You better turn around kill someone,

Before they come and kill you,


Cause the age of good is gone my pal,

Lost and wasted in the street,

No one cares about anything no more,

No one cares what they eat.

No one cares who you are,

No one cares what you do,

As long as you have lots of gold,

They can lie down for you.

****

Lilting


I started lilting on the day you left me alone

Smelled your perfume fading up on down the road,

Caught remnants in the lining of a moon lit rose.


I started lilting on the billow of the breeze in your breath,

Blew inwards to our bed and I slept,

Prayed to my god Somnus, make me numb, in sorrow, I succumbed.


I started lilting when the sunlight cut my eyes,

Grabbed the spirit rode it straight to phoebus' skies

And when the sun god cut me down, rode my demons, back to the ground.


I started lilting when the moonlight told your lies,

Heard the leaves go singing my memories,

And there a shadow lied to tell, saw you specter, wished it well.


I started lilting when my heart refused to beat,

Grabbed the floor saw your steps, walk and your feet,

Well I said I never loved, lied, and cried alone


I started lilting on the day you left me alone,

We fought and the room, our anger stormed

When you said it was not true, I said goodbye. The skies faded blue.


I started lilting when the fire and the clouds,

Called out my misery, hear the sounds,

And they say you prideful fool, lost my love in the world.

****

Long love lost


Here we go quickly here we go sweet,

My girls picking bunions of her feet,

She's been walking for ten days now,

Towards a new man and a new town.


Here we go innocent, here we go clean,

My girls burning like a candle in a sheet,

High in the sky, dim selene, she's bright,

Makes Apollo wish on the oncoming night.


Here we go heartache, here we go lies,

My girl left me wondering why,

She crept out the house, made no sound,

Like a fleet footed deer, she's wayward bound.

She's been walking for ten days now,

Towards a new man and a new town.


My baby left me yeah she went away,

She said I love you but I can't explain,

And I've been thinking about moving on,

But my stomach is empty and i'm all alone


My baby left me standing in the road,

She said I love you but I gotta to go,

And I've been thinking kicking off,

But i'm a coward and my gun is cold


She's been walking for ten days now,

Towards a new man and a new town.

Towards a new man and a new town,

She got herself a new family,

She cooking up a new baby.

****

Mad Dog


My baby love a sing but she don't love me,

My baby love a sing, but she won't sing for me.

I don't know why, I can't seem to cry.


Every night, she going out on the town,

Every night, I know she is getting down,

I don't know, lord, I want to cry.


Every night she come ask me for dough,

She got the nerve come back ask for more,

I don't know, I stand and stride.


My friends say peter, peter,

Why are you such a fool.

I say, man, I got nothing else to lose.

My friends say, peter, peter,

Why are you so dumb.

I say man I can't help but feel numb.


Don't know why, don't know why

Only cry, and stand the lie.


But tonight! It's guna be a different scene,

If she come ask me for bread,

She'll see me looking red and mad dog mean.

She says, “Peter peter, don't you know

Your the only man in the world I love,”

I'm guna snap, she better split,

Before I turn around crack a bruise a lip.


Better not, dare don't bring that man,

I have a knife coming from my hands

Crack his skull, cut his neck,

He guna spill red beg for death.

Then she'll scream, “Peter peter why,”

I'll say I can't help but cry.


My baby love a sing, but she don't love me,

My baby love a sing, and she going sing for me.

****

Sweetness true


I had a woman, I called her sweetness true,

She was the most beautiful woman in the world

But she was a devil,

A devil I could not see.

I called her heartache and later on misery


What do you do, when your woman is not true,

What can you say, when she breaks your heart that day

My friend I can not say, no I sure can not say,

But I'll be there to give a hand for you.


I had a woman, I called her sweetness pure,

She was the most beautiful woman in the world

She was an angel,

An angel I could not know.

She called me evil and later on sorrow.


What do you do when past pain breaks on through,

What can you say, when you've made so many mistakes,

My lord what can I say, no thought what to say,

But I know fate tears at the things you do.


I had a woman I called her sweetness true.

The most evil woman in the world.


I had a woman I called her sweetness pure,

She was a true angel, angel of a girl.

****

Tryst


Have been sucking on a soggy cigarette

Holding in a moldy, smoke choked breath.

But the rain has stopped

Needles on the roof top,

Fell, hit, clipped, stopped

With small metal balls, rolled off the siding

Fill the grass and the lawn.


Where did she go, I don't really know

Walking away, walking away,

Walking away, walking away.


But she is no where to be found,

Feel my heart drown

On the last spoken words

See you soon girl,

But the figure in the dark, he called out your cards

Check your pocket book for the note

Where's the paper that I wrote


Where did she go, I don't really know

Walking away, walking away,

Walking away, walking away.


Look at these stems on the rose

Twisted, thorns, they broke

Snapped long ago

With a gray petal slopes,

The rains are starting fall

I can't wait too long

And a figure in the dark, he comes walking along

With a girl in his arms

A girl in his arms

A girl in his arms


Where did she go, I don't really know

Walking away, walking away,

Walking away, walking away.

****


Download this book for your ebook reader.
(Pages 1-24 show above.)