Lyrics to Stalkin A Country Smile |
| Through
The Snow Of New Mexico
Playing for a town of friendly people
Treated like a king sent by a star
Singing from my heart while I’m still learning my part
Giving all I’ve got to every show
Feels like there’s piece of me that’s missing
When I’m leaving what I love behind
Persons, places, things, memories the future brings
The father watching his children grow
Driving through the snow of New Mexico
Trying not to lose sight of the road
Should I pull over when I’ve got so far to go
While Taos still lingers in my soul
I’m headed south through the snow of New Mexico
Something ‘bout this snow that feels Holy
So pure and simple, gently falling white
Like a painter to the blind
On the canvas of my mind
A brush with the unknown to see my soul
Santa Fe has a stairway to Heaven
With no visible means of support
The carpenter’s come and gone
But the miracle still lives on
And the man could be back soon for all we know
Driving through the snow of New Mexico
Trying not to lose sight of the road
Should I pull over when I’ve got so far to go
While Taos still lingers in my soul
I’m headed south through the snow of New Mexico
Copyright 1996 Chris Van Cleave
|
Taos
Taos, New Mexico is tuggin' on my heart
strings
Remindin' me of a memory,
from deep down in my soul it springs
Like a river from the source of my heart
Rushin' with this song, it sings
Taos, You're so familiar to me
Let's see what your vision brings
Pine trees pointin' straight to Heaven
on majestic moutain peaks
Sunsets, a fiery canopy of burnin' gold
Indian adobe dwellings retain the history
Of the beauty of the west from days of old
Taos, New Mexico, you're like comin' home to me
Though the many miles and the too few smiles
have masked your memory
Now it's come back to consider
Through your glory mirrored here
Through your skies laced with lighting
Your thunder rolls me so dear
Rich pastel earth tones breathe of orange,
pink, and umber
Stretchin' 'cross the desert plains
With clouds billowin' into forever
Where the past and future remains
Through the changin' light of the present
I'm led on this path again
Taos, you're a blessing to every child, woman, and man
The good Lord knows Taos
Copyright 1995 Chris Van Cleave
On "Beyond...See
Beyond" album
|
Meant For
Each Other
Crossing paths with you at first was such a mystery
To see Love take me by surprise without even trying
But there we were, you and I, gazing at the stars
And while we held each other close,
there could be no denying
Chorus
You and I were meant for each other
Make no mistake about it
You and I were meant for each other
Make no mistake about it
You and I were meant for each other
Make no mistake about it
I'm not one to second-guess the mysteries of
Love
I've been fooled and hurt enough to know what I'm staking
But you just feel too right for me to look the other way
And my heart is telling me, "This love is worth making"
Chorus
Every now and then we've seen another victim
fall
Trembling, suppressing fears of compromising
But I have chosen to believe and answer to the Call
For my heart is given wings from Love, this time rising
Chorus
Copyright 1983 Chris
Van Cleave
On
the "Beyond...See Beyond" album |
Who
Says
Wakin' up to see your smile at break of
day
Cuddlin' you close into my arms
Just an open heart's the only price to pay
Who says life can't always be this way
Walkin' hand in hand through all of nature's
way
Sharin' in each sunset and sunrise
Lookin' deep into your eyes I'm moved to say
Who says life can't be this way
Can't deny the evidence
Lord knows I've proof enough
Practicin' remembrance
All I need do is love you
Lookin' back on all that we have shared today
I just can't seem to say "Thank you" enough
A certain piece of paradise is here to stay
Who says life can't always be this way.
Copyright 1984 Chris
Van Cleave
On "Beyond...See
Beyond" album
|
Any way
Now that we have had our say
Guess we’d best be on our way
And agree to disagree and be okay and let it go
'Til time just goes to show
Chorus I
The different points of view
That make us me and you
Is why we fight and why I’m drawn to you
Though we want to run away
But something makes us stay
Any way. . .any way
So maybe we just need a break
But how long will it take
To love for heaven’s sake, for you and me to be alright
With how we keep in sight
Chorus I
Now we find we’re face to face
In this too familiar place
And we’re battling to win this endless war that’s never
done
Always the same one
Chorus II
It’s just different points of view
Still coming down to me and you
To stop the fight and let Love’s light come through
Though we’ve tried to run away
('Cause we cannot run away) optional line
Love is bound to have it’s day
(Love is bound to win someday) optional line
Any way. . .any way
We can shake the hands of time
We can solve the greatest crime
We can even find the key to that old door and turn it right
From darkness into light
Chorus II
Copyright 2001, Chris Van Cleave
|
Love
Living in You
Looking out the window through another pain
Wearing your best, not caring where tears may stain
Letting them fall in time with the rain
Hoping with loss there could be more to gain
Chorus I
Guess it all just goes to show
With all we think we need to know
Love may seem to come and go
But with the morning afterglow
You can still see the dream by the Love living in you
While you run freely 'cross the meadowland
Another dreamer comes and takes your hand
Leading you up the mountain, the colors span
To holy ground upon which you now stand
Chorus II
Guess it all just goes to show
(Everybody has a heartache sometime)
With all we think we need to know
(Everyone has their side of the story)
Love may seem to come and go
(Love is everywhere you chose to find it)
But with the morning afterglow
(Open up your eyes for)
You can still see the dream by the Love living in you
Your sleep is clearing, you wake, your eyes grow
wide
New revelations are coming through inside
The Friend within you listens as you confide
Now there's no need to ever run and hide
Chorus II
'Cause it all just goes to show....
Copyright 1987, Chris Van Cleave
On the "Journeys..."
album |
| |
Two
of His Eleven Christmas Songs
(In 1983, seven written in one
night! -- Twenty years later, the most recent one) |
Previous |
| The
Gift
Chorus I
The Gift comes from the same place it always does
The Gift is worth much more than all the toys from Santa Claus
The Gift is made so everyone can afford the cost
The Gift can be found even when you're totally lost
To feel your arms around me on this Christmas Eve
To feel the children gently tug my flannel sleeve
To share the joy of knowing the Gift that we hold
Is one that will never break or grow old
Chorus II
For the Gift comes from the same place it always does
The Gift is worth much more than all the toys from Santa Claus
The Gift is made so everyone can afford the cost
The Gift can be found even when you're totally lost
Singin' 'bout the Gift of Love, the Gift of Love
The Gift of Love, the Gift of Love
Can't live without the Gift of Love, the Gift of Love
T he Gift of Love, the Gift of Love
Getting through the packaging surrounding it
We notice that the giving never seems to quit
But constantly continues to keep on growing even more
Until we are so convinced that we are absolutely sure
We've died and gone to heaven and yet we're still here
Very much alive and growing more so, my dear
And when I look into your eyes on this Christmas night
I see the Gift is given as we live in Love's true Light
I see the Gift is given as we live in Love's true Light
I see the Gift is given as we live in Love's true Light
Chorus II (out)
(Riff above chorus):
So give it out
We all need to live it
For that's the only way to give it
You've got the Gift
You've got it ... You've got it
You've got it ... You've got it
You've got it ... You've got it
You've got it ... You've got the Gift of Love
Copyright 1983 Chris Van Cleave
On the "Christmas
Presence" album |
That
First Christmas Morn
Over on the hill
In the darkest hour of night
You can hear the singing
Like nothing in this world
There comes a brilliant light
And your ears are ringing
As your heart beats like it’s born
To wake up and follow that star
On that first Christmas morn
There’s a little baby voice
Coming from a stable
And it sounds like heaven
You’re drawn to go within
Then you know that you are able
To be forgiven
Once forsaken and forlorn
Now you find yourself alive like that babe
On that first Christmas morn
Who would have believed it
That you’d wake up one day
And find yourself with this perfect gift
You love to give away
Now wherever you may be
Any day or time of night
You can always remember
What the wise men had to see
Why they still follow the light
More than just in December
Put to rest all fear and scorn
And return like a shepherd crowned King
On that first Christmas morn
Copyright Dec. 18,
2003 Chris Van Cleave
|
| Afterglow
(for my brother)
I know how it can be
Sometimes it seems the world comes crashing down around you
You try to hold it together whole you feel it slip away
Then feeling helpless, not knowing what to do,
You broke down wondering what there is to live for
Until you just gave up - you just gave up
I understand - while my heart's still breaking
With the memory you left
Of the missing person loved by all who knew you
I understand - but the chance I'm taking
Is to go on living - believing in the Love we were born to know
Here in the afterglow
Wherever you may be
Though you're gone you are not forgotten
Love still holds your memory
Cradled in the heart of all you have touched
And glimpses of you come to me from time to time
I look 'round seeing all there is to live for
And I won't give up - 'cause I can't give up
I understand - while my heart's still breaking
With the memory that you left
Of the missing person loved by all who knew you
I understand - but the choice I'm making
Is to go on living - believing in the Love we were born to know
Here in the afterglow
Your candle is lit for you to know
Our Love continues to grow
Here in the afterglow
Wherever you go
I want you to know, whatever happened before
I pray that Love will guide you more and more and more.
Copyright 1989 Chris Van Cleave
|
Where
Did It Go?
I have this key to this place we would go
To find ourselves and we could feel at home
And though I still keep it, I can't find the door
To the sweetest time that I have ever known
Chorus I
Where did it go?
Don't you know?
Love must trace it
Where did it go?
It takes me ages to walk across the room
And they call it mine, but it looks strange to me
My home's a memory over too soon
And I can't recall the place I used to be
Chorus II
Where did it go?
I want to know
Here's a trace, but
Where did it go?
They kept tellin' me I was losing it
And now they put me here
Why can't they see I've lost everything so dear?
I hold this picture of a home I knew
With the someone smilin' that I long to see
Maybe I'm crazy not knowin' what to do
But I can't remember for the life of me
Chorus I
Chorus II
Copyright 2002 Chris
Van Cleave
|
|
You might try to fight it,
But you can never deny it;
It lives with you night and day.
You might not believe it,
But you are bound to receive it;
There’s just no getting away.
Chorus
I don’t need to be there,
I am there, always;
So if you ever need me,
Just open your heart;
I’ve been with you from the start,
And I’ll be wherever you are,
Always, my love.
I know you’ve tried to hide it,
Looking everywhere to find it,
But this one thing you’ve never lost.
No matter how you try it,
Run away or say you might quit;
This survives at any cost.
Chorus
I don’t need to be there,
I am there, always;
So if you ever need me,
Just open your heart;
I’ve been with you from the start,
And I’ll be wherever you are,
Always, my love.
Bridge
Ever since you were a little child,
Your imagination would run wild;
Sometimes you’d dream you were all alone.
I’ve seen you try to test it;
Look for ways you could invest it
And spend your life looking for proof;
But this is beyond measure,
More than any earthly treasure;
It will last long as God’s truth.
Chorus
I don’t need to be there
I am there, always;
So if you ever need me,
Just open your heart;
I’ve been with you from the start
And I’ll be wherever you are
Always, my love.
Copyright November 2000 Chris Van Cleave
On the "Rise Above" album
|
Gone
I remember holding you like a baby cradled in
my arms
In awe with the amazement of your charms
So beyond words
Almost unbelievable
Close to soul inconceivable
How I watched you growing from so far away, remembering
the truth
You're passing through my life, spirit of youth
So beyond words
Almost unbelievable
Close to soul inconceivable
Bridge A
I never thought that I would ever live to see you leaving
My baby's all grown up and moving on...never mind my grieving
Bridge B
It's only...The one about the money
Two more for the show
Three had best get ready
'Cause before you even know it
Bridge C
The wheel goes 'round until we've found
Before the altar not a sound
Chorus
Another time to be growing...you're going
Going...You're going
Into the rhyme we are knowing...you're going
Going...you're going
Go ahead and shine my love glowing...you're going
Going...you're going
Gone...gone
I remember our first September so in love together
There wasn't any doubt we'd last forever
So beyond words
Almost unbelievable
Close to soul inconceivable
Now there's a strange and unfamiliar distancing
I face
And though I choose to love, I feel the space
So beyond words
Almost unbelievable
Close to soul inconceivable
Bridge A
Bridge B
Bridge C
Chorus
Copyright 1996 Chris Van Cleave
On the "Beyond...See
Beyond" album |
| Destiny
Slowly she lowers her head to the deep
And she wonders how long we'll sleep
One final plea seeks to jar memory
Before time leaves us too late to be
Behold how our Earth-Mother's weeping
Why is it so hard to see?
We hold her Life within our keeping
While we decide our Destiny
Sand sifting down through the hourglass of Now
Marking time before all souls bow
Stirring in the wings wakes a jester who sings
For the rising of Love-lit Kings
Behold the way the world is turning
The time has come for all to see
We all are born to lives of learning
While we decide our Destiny
Copyright 1990 Chris
Van Cleave
On
the "Stalkin' A Country Smile" album
|
This
Is Our World
I was one of those who thought it best
To mind my own business
'Til word got to me about the state of the world today
It seems the human race has been in such a rush
To succeed that humanity
Has overlooked Life itself, fading away.
Meanwhile the forests, lakes, and rivers are
dying
With all the wildlife, once thriving, deprived
Still the acid rain keeps falling stronger
On heads having the time of their lives
Chorus
This is our world
It's ours to take care of
Let's make it last
Before the chance has been passed
This is our world
That we've all got a share in
Let's see it through for our children
And their children too
Everyday we lose another species,
Gone with the whims of greed and progress
Transportation, power stations, smog the air to acid rain
39 million acres of forest
Are destroyed every year
Life forever sacrificed, through careless gain
Chorus
For time all too soon tells, by what remains
to be seen
Where all the "wished I'd dones" end up as broken dreams
Museums of what once was and could still have been
Were it not for the negligence of careless men
Who didn't want to hear it while there still was time
Too late's the price to pay to look away from this CRIME!
Chorus
Copyright 1986 Chris Van Cleave
On the "Ruff's
(II)" album |
|
Tossin' and turnin' in your sleep
The state of affairs seem shakey
It's pilin' pretty deep
So you're askin' yourself deep down
"What can you do?"
To turn it all around and finally
See your way through
Earthquakes and famine, trouble in the East
The newspapers horror stories
Flirtin' with the "beast"
Hidin' under covers, tryin' not to see
Cultivatin' other lovers
Than the one you need to be
Chorus
Peace will come, peace will come
Peace will come, when you begin it with you
Peace will come, peace will come
Peace will come when you begin it with you
Lookin' in a mirror everywhere you see
The whole world's reflectin' on it
Whatever we could be
Politician , trashman, shoe-shine boy
Go-go dancer, true romancer
No matter what the ploy
'Cause it's all the same difference
Forgettin' who we are
Missin' that misplaced memory
That everyone's a star
Whatever our position, if we live it with love
We can share a piece of Heaven now
Don't wait to rise above.
Chorus
Copyright 1984 Chris
Van Cleave
|
Chorus
Carry the Flame for peace on Earth
Let it ignite the memory
Of everlasting Love
Carry the Flame reminding us
We are one family
Sharing this world together
There's no more time
For running away from suffering
The course we run
Will look to the light of Love
Shining through us like a beacon lit
From the Heart of hearts
For all humanity to see
Chorus
Pass it on
We can choose now to live in peace
Light the way
For our children to see tomorrow
Beginning today a new Life is born to us all
Let it grow to see us ...
Chorus
Through all lands
Across every sea and boundary
Join the children
Who carry the light of peace
Reflecting the world in their eyes
They are the new tomorrow
Bringing today true peace.
Chorus
Copyright 1986 Chris
Van Cleave
|
|
Upon her shoulder
The mighty Tor stands
A beacon to pilgrims
From far away lands.
Deep from her womb
The healing spring flows
Endlessly giving
To the traveller who knows.
And the Cup that was told
Of by David of old
Is seen here by the Heart
Neither bought nor sold
A symbol through Nature
And one of a kind
We can only perceive
With Spirit in mind.
For many a seeker
Even resident here
Has not been aware
Of the Gift ever near
Though reflected in Garden
In hills and in lore
About Arthur, Joseph
The well and the Tor.
To the Lover of life
Is lifted the veil
Revealing the bride
The Holy Grail
New Jerusalem comes
Through all who will carry
The Child of Love
Such is Glastonbury
Copyright 1984 Chris Van Cleave
On the "Journeys..."
album
|
Still
Ringin' True
Whistling pines, that wind's been blowin' for
ages
But the sun's risin' over the ridge
Of the wilderness I've often mistaken
Moving lines, I've watched you fill up my pages
While I've listened to melodies leading my soul
To heal another heart break-in
I've held my ear to walls, in hopes I could see
through
But sometimes I can't see for myself just what I'm facin'
Chorus
Love of mine, I'm takin' this time to know you
From the first to the last
You remain through every memory, still ringin' true
I've kept in mind, I'd see you sooner or later
But lately I've come to find
What I've been missin' has never been taken
Like doin' time, imprisoned by our own waiter
Who serves up a feast fit for Kings and Queens
While we play dead Jesters fakin'
I've finally found that time is much too precious
for wastin'
So why save the best for last just to keep us waitin'
Chorus
Oh, Love of mine, I'm takin' this time to know you
Now when the future's all gone past
You remain through every memory - still ringin' true
I've come to find, throughout my inner-most spaces
You may be changin' your point of view
To leave behind some more indelible traces
Through my mind, you've worn your various faces
More often familiar
But sometimes from strange and far away places
The dye's forever cast with infinite colour
Then reconditioned through our roles in social graces
Chorus
Oh, Love of mine, I'm takin' this time to know you
From the first to the last,
Now, when the future's all gone past
You remain through every memory, still ringin true.
Copyright 1991 Chris
Van Cleave
On the "Stalkin'
A Country Smile" album
|
| Oversight
When the circuits overload
And your flight feels like it's in a holding pattern
Why be victimized again
You're the master of your fate
With the choices that you make with every moment,
In how you surmise the game.
There is a clearing - just up ahead
And as for fearing, let it be said
It was just an oversight
Dying for light
Shown on life's undertakings.
Just an oversight - thoughts in need of your
attention
Just an oversight - sometimes seem so hard to mention
Just an oversight - buried under apprehension
When the dust under the rug
Builds to points where it begins to spill from hiding
Will you sweep it up this time?
When the closet overflows
With the skeletons you feared you'd end up facing,
Take it as a golden sign.
There is a clearing - just up ahead
And as for fearing, let it be said
It was just an oversight
Dying for light
Shown on life's undertakings.
Just an oversight - another misunderstanding
Just an oversight - of the soul that you're commanding
Just an oversight - until Love comes in for landing.
Copyright 1980 Chris Van Cleave |
Just Don't Hang Up
A storm just blew over, leaving the waste
Of scattered dreams which seem to be
All that's left of you and me.
Something still unsettled, words have been misplaced
And when all is said and done
How can something lost be won?
When the battle lines drawn have all been crossed
And you're face to face with the same disgrace
Now that you've got my number, it can never be lost
So feel free to call - just don't hang up, that's all.
After so many times of feeling so right
That we just can't go wrong
Why do we stop the song?
We can blame it on our timing and swear it's
not our fault
Or once more turn our heads away
Pretending nothing more to say.
But when you just can't hang up anymore
I'm still on the line, making up my mind
That I always will love you, and that's for sure
So feel free to call - just don't hang up , that's all.
Copyright 1985 Chris Van Cleave
On
the "Stalkin' A Country Smile" album
|
| There's A Story
Breaking
Troubled times, bad news,
Earthquakes, acid rain, people confused,
Worry, war, horror, pain,
Economy's collapsing, But we'll cover the game.
Station to station, coast to coast;
The network's supposed to know the most;
We'll keep you up to the minute, convinced
you're informed;
We'll make sure that you feel you've been
thoroughly warned.
Bridge I
Can you believe in the media?
Can you trust the picture painted is true?
Airing our views, it's up to you to pick and choose
From more of the same in the media game.
Bridge II
If you find yourself caught up in the story
Please feel free to play right along
At any stage of the song,
With every pause we're taking;
Chorus
There's a story breaking, there's a story breaking,
There's a story breaking, there's a story breaking,
There's a story breaking, there's a story breaking,
There's a story breaking, there's a story breaking!
Weapons in schools, breaking the rules,
Someone's wife cut off her husband's family jewels!
Treats or tricks, dirty politics;
Chances of redemption seeming next to nix.
But it's alright, we'll paint it all white,
And fill a brand new canvas by tomorrow night;
We'll put in pizzazz, shock value too,
Of course what ever you want to make of it is up to you.
*Bridge I
**Bridge II
***Chorus
Copyright 1995, Chris Van Cleave
Jericho
Out here on the new horizon are you still hiding
It's a mystery to me that you think you can
Even with all of the lights on - there's darkness dividing
Now tell me, which side are you on for one last stand
Chorus
Open up the gate deep inside you
Let Love come and go
All those reinforcements can't hide you
They won't stand the blow
The sounding of the charge that will ride through
Is letting you know
Those walls are coming down - Jericho.
You can try to cover up your heart like you don't
need it
You can turn your back and look away like you don't care
But everyone here must play their part - 'till undefeated
And there's no more need for fighting - so if you dare
Chorus
Copyright 1984 Chris Van Cleave |
Soldier Of Fortune
Somewhere staggering from
battle
The soldier of fortune
Struggles to remember the way
That would lead back to home
Wounded and weary from fighting
For what was believed in
Standing undefeated in war
But now standing alone
Chorus
Soldier of fortune
How does your luck run
With such a high price to pay
Having your best reasons and your highest
Of principles riding
You bet on what you had to gain
Was more than whatever you had to lose
Proudly bent on valour and honor
Those ideals you fought for
You had points to make and those truths
That just had to be proved
Chorus
Copyright 1982 Chris Van Cleave
Heavenly Reign
I have cried for my brothers who have gone
As I tried to touch the others through my song
They say it's so much harder for those who still remain
Left behind to find their way through the Heavenly Reign.
What to say to a mother, child in womb
To a daughter who's daddy left so soon
That your father and your husband did not die in vain
He went on to show the way through the Heavenly Reign.
He stayed long enough to say he'd seen the Light
And he'd live for Love with all his soul and might
Some understandings far exceed what we can explain
As we're drawn to know the answer
through the Heavenly Reign.
To the men who have witnessed and then moved
on
To the women who forever live Love's song
To the children who will follow to raise this Earthly plane
And to all who will serve in the Heavenly Reign
Copyright 1994 Chris Van Cleave
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