Author: Words and music by Joel Pirard

Only Black And White

It’s not the way that cards are dealt in our lives.
It’s not the game that runs the show
It’s not the score that governs how we play it
It’s more the luck, the luck of the draw

There’s nothing we can do to change it
There’s nothing known to make it follow through
We try to influence the outcome
But soon we see the painful truth

Things happen, not always for a reason
Fools govern, a fool for many seasons
From the leaders those who don’t understand
To those who would hurt with delight

It’s not the fortune of our virtues
That guide the time or save the day
So sad to realize, there’s no compassion
The enemy cannot see gray,
Only black and white

(we must make it right)

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

ONE TIME TOO MANY

MUSIC AND WORDS BY JOEL PIRARD

THE SEASONS CHANGE AND SO DID I
I'M NOT WHO I ONCE WAS"

WITH THESE WORDS SHE WOULD TURN AWAY
WITH THESE TIMES I LEARNED TO LEAVE HER

WITH MY TEARS I FELT THE SUN TURN TO SHADE
AS A LIGHT WENT OUT INSIDE

"DON'T BREAK MY HEART, SHE ALWAYS SAID TO ME,
I CAN'T HELP THINKING WHAT I'S DO"
YET SHE'S THE ONE WHO TURNED AND WALKED AWAY
ONE TIME TOO MANY FOR ME

WITH HER EYES SHE COULD OFTEN TELL THE TALE
WITHOUT WORDS I COULD READ HER
BUT HER LIES I SOON FOUND OUT WERE THERE
THOUGH I WOULD NEVER HAVE BELIEVED IT

NOW THE TABLES ARE TURNED
I'TS YOUR TURN TOO GET BURNED
NO WAY I'M GOING TO BE SILENT
I WILL BE THE ONE TO WALK AWAY

Author: Joel Pirard

The flame

In the beginning of your time
To realize where time flies
Do you remember the season
To see the reason for seeing

We were the ones who saw the flame
We are the ones to fan it bright
Did we have access to the core
Were we the ones to make the light

We are the singers of the songs of time
We are the makers of the songs of light
We are trying hard to see our dreams
Will the tale be what the spirits seem

In the heart of the freedom
The moment calling to action
Will the opening come forth
To be one act of freedom

We are the ones who fanned the flame
We were the keepers of our faith
We were so sure of our way
Where we could see the open day

We were singers of the songs of this time
Are we open to the winter's night
Can the dreamer release our tale
With the ending that LOVE prevails

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

Ancestral Tides

Infinite seas, vibrations cleanse the souls of our misgivings
Come into my fusion
As we look to you forgiven
Silence is abundant as the air we breathe
But how can we beseech you unless

The destroyer of aggression witness his great might
Brightness of God’s green earth
Sends his earthly delight
Gypsy queen speaks our rising interests as our forgotten legends
To give

The ancestral tides rise within us
Comes neptune’s dawn once again
The water swells deceive us
And only tell us when
The skies of summer color fast
Glories descending the steps of hope

The water swells deceive us
And only tell us when
The skies of summer color fast
Glories descending the steps of hope

Hold me lover hold me keeper
A word asking said sources of winter
Towards a sceptre of who will triumph

Author: Joel Pirard

DRIFTING

DRIFTING IN A SEA LOST TO ALL TIME
I THINK OF YOU MY LOVE
FEELING RESTLESS I WROTE DOWN THIS LINE
I FEEL FOR YOU MY LOVE
LYING DOWN IN THE GOLDEN SUN
I FEEL SO ALL ALONE
DREAMING OF ALL THAT WAS DONE
IT'S EMPTY NOW I KNOW
BUT SOMEDAY, I'LL FIND YOU BUT NOW?
I'M JUST

DRIFTING IN A SEA LOST TO ALL TIME
I THINK OF YOU MY LOVE
I THINK OF YOU MY LOVE
I THINK OF YOU MY LOVE
I DREAM OF YOU MY LOVE

SOMEWHERE THE MUSIC CAN BE HEARD
IT'S IN THE MINDS OF ALL
LIFTING HEARTS ABOVE THE WORDS
RELATING TO THE SONG

BUT MY LOVE YOU CAN?T UNDERSTAND
WHAT I FEEL ABOUT YOU TOOK A LONG, LONG TIME
AND MY LOVE PLEASE REMEMBER
WHAT WE TOOK FOR GRANTED TOOK A LONG. LONG TIME TO FIND

I FEEL FOR YOU MY LOVE
I FEEL FOR YOU MY LOVE
I DREAM OF YOU MY LOVE
I FEll FOR YOU MY LOVE

BY JOEL PIRARD 1979

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

Take a Moment to Accept It

Chasing your way through the light of the day
Running along in your life
Feeling alone while you enter the zone
Of street punk ritual fights
Trying to see why there’s no guarantee that you’ll get what you want all the time
You must recall that there’s nothing at all that will show you a way to get by

You’ve got to see it through don’t be afraid
There’s something calling you to a better day
So open up and let me in I want to be your friend
You need a moment to accept it
You’ve got to see it through don’t be afraid
There’s something calling you to a better day

So go on and see while you’re looking at me
Like I’m talking crazy jive
You can’t recall that after the fall you will feel more alive
Trying to see why there’s no guarantee that you’ll get what you want all the time
You must recall that there’s nothing at all that will show you a way to get by

You’ve got to see it through don’t be afraid
There’s something calling you to a better day
Take a moment to accept it
Take a moment to accept it

Author: Words and music by Joel Pirard

LOOK IN THE GARDEN

Look in the garden and remember the children
shot down for nothing as they went through the day
look at the mother, as she runs to protect them
laid down her life so they could live today

What about the children
what about the love
the families and the loved ones
what were they thinking of
What about the the children, that started all the tears
they also ruined their own loves
their actions brought the fear, and now what is the answer now that they pulled the trigger?


the reasons don't matter
could we feel any sadder?
as they fired the shots that destroyed all the dreams
they wanted to 'get even'
look at all the lives they shattered
the end of the road not clear so it seems

What about the children
what about the love
the families and the loved ones
what were they thinking of
What about the the children, that started all the tears
they also ruined their own loves
their actions brought the fear, and now what is the answer now that they pulled the trigger?


look in the windows, the silence is so loud
look in the schoolyard, where once she walked so proud
the lady saw and acted, to save on who could die
soon she was a 'hero'
a good reason to cry....

words and music by Joel Pirard 2000

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

OPEN UP YOUR EYES

JPIRARD 2007

SO NOW THE TIME HAS COME TO SEE THE PLAN COME TO FRUITION
TO SEE THE WORLD TO HEAR THE SONG
TO FEEL THE WIND OF CHANGE DECISION

WE GROW WE SOON MOVE ON WE READ THE BOOK OF OLD TRADITION
TO TRAVEL ON TO SING THE SONG TO ENTER SLOWLY INTO VISIONS

OPEN UP YOUR EYES AND SING THE SONG
AS IT MOVES ON AND MAKES YOU SEE
OPEN UP YOUR HEARTS AND SEE IT FLY
UPON YOUR FATEFUL MEMORIES

WHEN YOU SEE IT HAPPEN IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU
AS IT DOES YOU’LL FEEL THE LOVE RENEWING ALL AGAIN

SO PLEASE RETURN TO ME TO BE MY ONLY INTERMISSION
TO REST ALONE TO FILL MY HEART TO FIRE THE FLAMES
AND SAVE OUR MISSION

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

Ride With Me

Riding in the Sunlight on a speckled mare
I beheld a new day it was oh so fair

She was right there with me
Rising with a shout
She just knew I’d wait there
Knew without a doubt

She said to me
Ride with me, ride with me to a new place known to none
Ride with me set me free you know you’re the only one

Dancing in the moonlight to s silent song
We were one together we were storing

On a darkened threshold of our own reward
We saw the children of stories of stories

She said Dance with me in this new place in the sun
Sing with me set me free you know it’s all been sung

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

THE WINDS OF OPPOSITION

WHEN YOU’VE BEEN MOST EVERYWHERE
AND DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING
DO YOU STILL REMEMBER WHERE YOU’VE BEEN?
CAN YOU LIGHT A CANDLE IN THE WINDS OF OPPOSITION?
WHO CAN SAY WHAT DESTINY WILL BRING?

IT’S A TRAGIC COMEDY WHEN YOUR LIFE MOVES IN A CIRCLE
AND YOU REALIZE YOU’VE SEEN IT ALL BEFORE
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF IT FRIGHTENS MANY PEOPLE
AS THEY HIDE BEHIND THE FALSENESS OF LOCKED DOORS.

PASSIONATE CHILDREN STEMMING THE CHANGE OF TIME
YOU’RE SEEKING TO REDEEM YOUR PAST MISTAKES
LEARN FROM YOUR ELDERS SAVING THE LAND IS FINE
BUT ATTITUDES MUST CHANGE OR IT’S ALL WASTED

YOU’RE SEEKING RETRIBUTION FOR THE SOULS YOU’VE LEFT BEHIND
YOU HONOR THEIR DEPARTURE WITH A VISION
YOUR MASTERPIECE IS FINISHED IF YOU COMPLICATE YOUR LIFE
YOU MUSTN’T FEEL THE TOLL OF INDECISION

BUT AS COMEDY TURNS TO HOPE YOU’LL AWAKEN WITH NEW VISION
AND YOU’LL SEEK OUT THOSE THAT YOU CAN TRUST
AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE WILL TAKE ON A NEW PASSION
AS WAR MACHINES CRUMBLE INTO DUST

FORTUNATE CHILDREN YOU’LL SEE THE WONDERS TRUE
YOUR CHANCE FOR LIFE CAN TRULY BE REMADE
SAVED BY YOUR REASON YOU’LL SEE THE POINTS OF VIEW
YOUR HONESTY CAN PROVE THAT YOU’LL BE SAVED

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

Don’t Stop

In the Morning in the City
Sunrise slowly overhead
Traffic snarling intersecting
People running here and there

Don’t stop believing in yourself
You hold the answers deep inside
Don’t stop to reason
Trust your emotions
And you won’t have to hide, or swallow your pride

People running in the city
Many stops along the road
As you journey down the avenues
Just remember what you’re told

When you come home from the showdown
When you’ve been working hard all day
Keep it all in perspective
Don’t take the job home today, not today

In the evening as you wind down
Set your sites on another day
Your example will be followed
Don’t you worry come what may?

Don’t stop believing in yourself
You hold the answers deep inside
Don’t stop to reason in your heart is the season
You won’t have to hide, or swallow your pride
Not today, or any other day oh no.

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

At The End Of The Rainbow
J Pirard 2007

(PART ONE of THE DRAGON’S LAIR)

At the end of the rainbow they say, is a pot of gold
In the garden of Eden they say, stories did unfold

And the music, flowed like wine
Lazy rivers, come to mind
Call of visions, see the sign

At the time of the dawning they say,
Will the message soon be seen
Can we see a new rainbow birthing,
Seeing colors clear

And the melody, flows ever on
Lazy river, moving on

Where will it go, what will we see,
What will we do?
When the end comes to the tale?

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

THE DRAGON”S LAIR
JPIRARD 2007
(PT TWO OF “THE DRAGON’S LAIR”)

At the mouth of the river flowing to the see
Sailing outwards to the sun, to be
Something seen in the distance
Something lost to all sight
To become just a memory of the lost night
Come ashore to the dragon’s lair!

There! Look there! The shore approaches
Come ashore to the dragon’s lair!

A glimpse of gold, an errand of the fool soon told
Am I too late to escape?
How much can I carry?
Can I afford to tarry more?
What is that sound near the door?

I must leave here, must escape this
Darkened cave with my own prize
Will he catch me?
Will he let me go home with my life, with my life?
Oh fool!

There’s the door, soon a way out
To the shore and safety please
Run! Run away, drop it all and go!
Fool to think that I could get away,
And not be caught
Will I live to be free of the fear
Will I be his next meal?

------------------

At the end of the rainbow now
I have found a jealous host
Lucky I was to get to leave
My pride the only cost
Now my lesson is learned it seems now
No more senseless never-ending greed
Now for me to head on home
To live another day

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN
(PT 3 OF “THE DRAGON’S LAIR”)

JPIRARD 2007

In the garden of Eden
And the consequences known

And the forces of nature and virtue
Point to the way of the,
Show us the way to the truth

The truth!

At the end of the rainbow…

Author: Joel Pirard

 

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

The Fulham Road

The lines were drawn the sides were met
They knew that they could not regret
‘Whose turf this is, that’s why we're here, if you’ve no sand get out of here”
and with that cry the fur will fly, real soon
sreet rats fight when there isn’t any room
so soon the souls of flesh and blood
will run on streets of tears and mud
As bullets fly and children fall
They think they’re men so brave and tall
And with that cry the fur will fly, real soon
street rats fight when there isn’t any room

It’s the shoot out on the Fulham Road
It’s the shoot out on the Fulham Road
It’s the shoot out on the Fulham Road
Everybody must be told
Just like the OK Corral

Then cutter john with his safety on, saw little Joe
Who turned to go, with a flash of a grin he truned himself into the knight
So little Joe with His safety on said “ I don’t know what you want of me, but don;t you
Believe that the streets are all ours, and that we should all be free?”
“oh so you think that because You can think that I won’t realize that you wear a disguise
as you’re running around with your head in the ground, do you hear what I say as you run away”
He said. Sliding off his perch...

Big Jim the leader said, “Let ‘im go, let ‘im go, he ain’t worth it, to plug ‘im. Let ‘im eat crow, when the come to fetch ‘im ‘ome”
Th worm was inside looking fo a fat hide to stack upon his shelf.
“oo looky here “ he said as he crawled, “ I’m sure that I’m as lucky as a four-leaf clover!’
Jim said “ Look out you ugly lout! I don’t know what it’s all about. Do you!, Do You? Do You Know what it’s all about, Do you?”
Worm said, as he laughed “ don’t you see, don’t you know?”

It’s the shoot out on the Fulham Road
It’s the shoot out on the Fulham Road
It’s the shoot out on the Fulham Road
It’s the shoot out on the Fulham Road


And with that cry the fur will fly, real soon
street rats fight when there isn’t any room

As Morning comes, no sound of drums, they’ve all gone home ‘til the next time...

On the Side of Right or Wrong

A messenger of love, a messenger of hate The fine line drawn between the sides of fate
That makes a soul divide and join upon the side
Of right or wrong

If you call in play what causes all the pain
And hold them all to their account
Will the judgment day return us all to say,
That they were tuned from cradle to the grave.

Empty is the time with soulless taste of crime
The enemy is marching on us all
Cannot seem to end the never-ending trend
Of all the pain

Yet something must be done to save the dying sun
And renew the dawning of the day
What it is seems lost
Yet the bearer’s of the cost may still prevail

Let us hope and pray for the ending of their ways
So we can begin to live in peace
May there come a time when we will see a sign
and be released


Something that we need will make the soulless bleed
Their dark hearts will be burst upon the land
Still it’s sad to know that happiness is so hard to attain

Let us hope and pray for the ending of their ways
So we can begin to live in peace
May there come a time when we will see a sign
and be released

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

SO FAR AWAY
THERE'S A PLACE I KNOW THAT'S IN MY DREAMS THAT'S OH SO FAR AWAY
THE MORE I SEE IT MAKES IT SEEM AS THOUGH IT'S GONNA STAY
THERE'S A HOPEFUL LOOK UPON YOUR FACE WHENEVER I AM NEAR
THAT MAKES ME SEE THE WAY YOU DO THAT MAKES ME HOLD YOU DEAR

THERE'S A FEELING IN MY HEART THAT I LONG TO BREAK FREE
AND IT KEEPS ME RUNNING OUTWARD TO THE LAND OF MAKE-BELIEVE
I'M HIDING IN THE CONSEQUENCE I RUN AND FLY AWAY
AND SELDOM HAS THE PATH BEEN TROD LIKE THIS SO LET ME SAY

THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE
YOU HEART'S ASTRAY SO DO NOT GRIEVE
YOU MIND IS PURE YOU HAVE NOT LIED
YOU TELL THE TRUTH AND SO SURVIVE

IF YOU FEEL THE NEED TO CRY OUT LOUD YOU CANNOT DO SO NOW
FOR A MAN MUST CRY ALOUD JUST ONCE OR LOSE HIS KNOWLEDGE HOW
YOU'RE WANDERING ON LONG LOST PLAINS OF ROMAN YESTERDAYS
AND SELDOM HAS THE PATH BEEN TROD IN YOUR PARTICULAR WAY

Author: Music by Joel Pirard

THE SHADOW PLAY

VISIONS OF THE COLONY SEEN FROM A DIFFERENT TIME
CALL OF THE EFFORTS, RELEASED TO SHOW THE SIGN
A PRESIDING REVELATION A LONG FORGOTTEN DREAM
A PATHWAY TO THE STORY A GATEWAY TO THE SCENES
OF THE SHADOW PLAY

SEE ALL THE INTERPLAY ALL THAT THEY CONVEY TO YOU
CALLING OUT YOUR HEART TO SAY
WHAT IT REALLY MEANS
SHOW TO YOUR SECOND SIGHT MAGIC SUPREME
SHADOWS DANCING IN THE NIGHT
THEY’RE CHANGING THE SCENES
OF THE SHADOW PLAY

DANCE IN THE SHADOW DANCE IN THE LIGHT
SING FOR THE SHADOW SING TO THE NIGHT
NIGHTSHADE STORIES TELL YOU
THE FEAR FAILS IN THE NIGHT
THE NIGHT OF THE SHADOW PLAY

SENSING THE WOODED LIFE SENSING THE TEARS OF YOU
ALL WILL SOON BE SET RIGHT TO ROLL BACK THE STONE
AS IMAGES YIELD TO YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE LIGHT
YOU’LL SOON SEE THE LOGIC OF THE STORY OF THE SHADOW PLAY
THE BEAUTY MINGLED WITH THE FEAR OF SOMETHING NEVER SEEN
THE REALIZATION OF THE TRUTH OF WHAT TAKES PLACE EACH YEAR
THE CYCLE OF THE TIME RELATES TO THE HARVEST MOON
AND SOON SO SOON WE WILL BE

CHASING SHADOWS CHASING OUT THE FEAR
THE SUN RETURNS AS MORNING COMES THE SHADOWS DISAPPEAR
THE WONDER ONF THE NIGHT THE RAPTURE FROM WITHIN
IS GONE FOR THE MOMENT UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
IN THE SHADOW PLAY

DANCE IN THE MEADOW DANCE IN THE NIGHT
SING WITH YOUR FELLOW SING AS YOU FLY
DAWNING DAYLIGHT CHASES DOWN ACROSS THE EMPTY STAGE
TO THE CAST OF THE SHADOW PLAY

Author: Joel Pirard

WHO CAN SAY?
SOMEWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE THE PEOPLE STOP AND WONDER
AT THE CRAZINESS OF LIFE BEYOND THE GREAT DIVIDE
OUT THERE IN THE BACKWAYS OF OUR MINDS
AND OUR MOST SECRET THOUGHTS
THERE LIES A HIDDEN RECESS
WHERE WE HIDE ALL OUR LIVES

WHO CAN SAY?
WHO WILL KNOW THE WAY?
NO WHERE THAT YOU GO CAN BE SAFER THAN INSIDEWHO CAN SAY?
WHO WILL SHOW THE WAY?
NO WHERE IS IT WRITTEN DOWN



OUTSIDE OF YOUR WILDERNESS THERE WALKS
A LONELY CHILD WHO'S LOST
WHO IS THE ONE INSIDE OF US THAT CRIES TO BE WITHOUT OF US
IF WE KEEP IT LOCKED INSIDE AND NEVER CROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE
BETWEEN OUR PAST AND PRESENT SELVES
WILL WE KNOW WHAT WE WERE THEN?

WHO CAN SAY?
WHO WILL SHOW THE WAY?
NO WHERE IS IT WRITTEN DOWN
YOU CANNOT BE TURNed ROUND
NOTHING THAT YOU DO IS CAST, CAST IN STONE