1) Commentary

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Millions of people everyday revel in their dreams Of graceful nights and champagne flights alive on silken beams Past green field houses thru streams of pure freshness and back cause the fire is nice We wander toward wonder on the fins of another and return to our bowl of white rice. We climb aboard the working ship which sails out every morn To seek the light that brings us bread; it's the life that gives us form We drudge and dream and then dry clean the sweating off our backs And the salt on the shoulder of the rented householder pays for the labors in tax. We grope and gray and then decay--we're lovers in the dust We scratch the surface of holy houses for security and trust We plead at night to the powers that be to free us from our needs But work is the weather for workers forever--sweat from our hearts really bleeds. Millions of people everyday shudder in their shoes Seeing off the living truths the whites the blacks the blues Everyone else is digging in for the holy war to come Yet some of us still scream and swear, "Why are we so dumb?" And as we dream in our time of rest--we know our time is near We know the lame dog has his day, his mind and purpose clear When he and I and us may roam in search of the highest peak The meaning of happiness, the depth of love, is merely all we seek.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Got too many snake eyes and boxcars too Won't somebody tell me what I'm gonna do Can't seem to roll yo'leven and it don't seem right My babe won't let me out on a Saturday night Keep tryin to win but I'm bound to lose Got to be a cure for the seven out blues. Never had a parley, I'm a "wish I had, " Always bet the field but the prospects are bad, Can't lay off the numbers and it don't seem right Two seventy across--take it away--tonight Keep trying to win but I'm bound to lose Got to be a cure for the seven out blues. Just got back from Vegas, nearly lost my shirt Everybody tells me I've been blind since birth Always taking odds on four and ten Nothing else much matters and I don't care when Keep trying to win but I'm bound to lose Got to be a cure for the seven out blues. Try to play the don't and I make a pass I can't get credit so I'll lose my ass Rolled three sevens--I was in the field Now I'm busted out--can't buy a meal Keep trying to win but I'm bound to lose Got to be a cure for the seven out blues. My baby kicked me out and I can't go home I'll sell my dicey soul for another loan Just one more twelve while I'm in the field Gimme them bones, Lord, I'll never yield Keep trying to win but I'm bound to lose Got to be a cure for the seven out blues.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Everyone knows you shouldn't eat glue And you'd better be ready when payment is due Gotta wash your hands of blood before every meal And count all your blessings upon making appeals Don't argue with elders or idiots indeed They'll take you for more or less than your breed Train yourself to say thank you and please Be grateful for enjoying the birds and the bees. Don't touch a thing if it isn't yours Be nice to folks and they'll open doors Put your toys away when you finish playing Don't leave loose ends when wearily praying Be prompt and ready when the daylight comes Always take care of your teeth and gums Eat all your food, don't waste a thing Be not surprised what the waiter brings. Most all you needed to know you learned as a kid But school forced much more upon you Arguably they have wasted all of your time Spewing propaganda you believed was true. So dance about freely as if no one can see you Laugh ever deeply at past dangers in rear view Share your potato chips when they're down Smile on the inside though your inside's a frown So be at your best in all that you do Carefully plan but be spontaneous too Have an open mind but stick to your guns Be seriously involved but always have fun.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Some men feel it with money, Some men feel it with clothes Some men feel real cool with white powder up their nose Some men feel it with power Some men feel it with land Loving a woman makes me feel like a man. I was sitting in a bar with a couple of buddies back in my Army days Sitting and drinking from lunch until supper putting a few away And one of the guys got really drunk and staggered way back to the base The other one said, ”What kind of man can't stand a whiskey and chase?" Some men feel it with anger Some men feel it with lust Some men feel it with the rights they read, right after making a bust Some men feel it with heroin Some men feel it with a plan But loving a woman makes me feel like a man. I was playing stud poker in a cathouse a long, long time ago Holding my own with a table of crazies who're raisin' fo' tens and m.'. When one of the losers picked up his last ten and said it was time to go The others said, "What kind of man could leave this place with another ten to blow?" Some men feel it with fast cars Some men feel it with books Some men feel it as rock stars, with all the faggie-pie looks Some men feel it with muscles Some men feel it with a tan Loving a woman makes me feel like a man. One night I was watching late TV when some bullfighting came on Amazed that the bull was affected at all by the wily matador's charm When the man felt life in the edge of a knife cause he saw where the bull had fallen The audience cried, "What kind of man could destroy what the Lord has begotten?" Some men feel it with rifles Some men feel it with spears Some men feel it with meditation, thus destroying your fears Some men feel it with concrete Some men feel it with sand Loving a woman makes me feel like a man. I was sitting in my basement when three old friends dropped by They said we got this stuff we'd really like you to try And we did some and did some and did some more Until one of my friends got sick and puked out the door. Some men feel it stealing bases Some men feel it winning' races Some men feel it upsetting the champ, surprising all the faces Some men feel it in the bush Some men feel it in the hand Loving a woman makes me feel like a man. Loving a woman makes me feel like a man.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." The mutant panhandler got on the bus and shuffled over to me Sputtered through his broken teeth, "Actually made it to fifty." His baby stroller overhanging in the aisle it spilled upon the floor "It'll be a good day," he eked out, he rolled his life to the door. And the aged indifferent zombied old man crawled upon the stage Three days beard and rubber-tipped cane dying light spurred no rage Eerily greeted me with deadpan eyes, needed help to reach his seat Staring out as if he were blind, getting home's his gold medal feat. So Beulah and her baby snuck on in the back, pushed aside the others Showing her daughter it's okay to cheat, an embarrassment to mothers Then dared lecture the kid on morality until I was about to puke In my younger days opened my mouth full of indignance and rebuke. Countless Spanish ladies making their way to work as somebody's maid Each with their own brand of accounting the petty wages they are paid And make-believe students by the score shuttle on and off with books Starving and slaving, paying their dues, amidst the old peoples' looks. In jumps Skateboard Dan with tats and chain, sneers as he finds a seat Too immature to think of others in his Halloween costume complete Oblivious to us, he plugs in his music, some savage punk rock sound Holes in his jeans, holes in his soul, his arrogance knows no bound. Now move aside for the wheelchair vet, deserves front row seats at the show All I can manage is an inadequate sad smile instead of the reward we forego He's strapped in tight so his wheels won't roll, couldn't escape if he had to A microcosm of his sacrificed existence some shrapnel brought home true. Next in line is the fair-haired beach nut whose sandals and clothes don't match Skipped out of work, said he was sick, a contrivance he's practiced to hatch Pretends he receives a telephone call, and loudly tells everyone his plans This very average self-important surfer slug runs with the also-rans. The driver sits placid amidst it all, hundreds of times seen it all before The interest of the novelty wore off long ago, just opening and closing the door. Taking the change, giving directions, all in a deserved day's pay Numb to the entertaining zoo around them, uneventfulness is the way. And I sit quietly minding my business, formulate thoughts in my head Polite when I need to, careful the same, fantasize my dreams intrepid Absorbing the scenes a retroactive playwright, tell stories, recall the day Requesting my stop, it's right up ahead, glad to be on my way.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." From the mountains of Everest to the hills of Jerusalem We have come in the name of peace for all and we call Earth our home. We come from the land of sun and snow Where the wind blows the trees and the wheat fields grow From our Gods to our souls our honor rings true We vow justice and truth for me and you. We have seen the cases and run the races For growth is the understanding of peace In galaxy's spaces our memory traces Imperial Rome and classical Greece. From the east come our numbers, strong and lean From the west comes the US, society's dream From European roots come most of our minds From the native south comes survival's shrines. The world ocean abounds with life and resources Our animals so great, the dogs, cattle and horses Our vines pour over the wine of our days The streams and rivers are nature's waterways. By the power invested in the people of Earth We entreat your welcome for wisdom and mirth Our message is peace for all to see From sea to shining sea.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." I had the four of doubts, the seven of days The three of stars, and the eight of lays. I had the nine of spirits and a pair of blues Three aces up and a couple of trues. The six of downers, a straight in speed Two pair in fists, three nines in need With four tens of time, full, pawns o'er kings Trip threes in mirrors, the king of happenings. There was the queen of babies, and the jack of poles Two sevens in meadows, and the deuce of trolls. The straight of faces, four ladies in drag A royal of blessings, and a flush in the bag. I had the kangaroo of interests, a wheel in motions Three fives for flying, and the seven of oceans Five aces in hope and likewise in dreams This Gemini lad is not what he seems.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Gorgeous dream lover you're out there I know Wait till I find you, I'll make you my own I doubt we've met cause I ain't seen you yet Your face in my mind I can hardly forget. Where are you now, fine woman of mine In high school, in college, earth mother divine Coming out of the deep or out of the wild Out of the blue, you wondrous love child. Don't know what to look for, don't know your name Don't know our future so there's no one to blame I see you in dreams alive at my side Together forever in love will we ride.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Be careful not to stub your toe Be careful choosing who you owe Be careful how you watch the light Be careful going out at night Be careful as to who you hire Be careful moreso as to who you fire Be careful not to swim too deep Be careful to look before you leap. Be careful to always wash your fruit Be careful for which teams you root Be careful when you're running late Be careful considering your fate Be careful when playing with your toys Be careful drinking with the boys Be careful when the waves are crashing Be careful when your teeth are gnashing. So many warnings in this life you see So many trials, so many fears This modern day's full of misery Pay good heed to your eyes and ears. Be careful when you eat your lunch Be careful when you throw a punch Be careful when you laugh too loud Be careful when you act too proud Be careful choosing who to vote Be careful how you sail your boat Be careful how you drive your car Be careful not to go too far. Yes be careful how you give your word Be careful insulting the classroom nerd Be careful talking to your boss Be careful pouring on hot sauce Be careful what you wish for Be careful opening the door Be careful the letters that you write Be careful with the enemies you fight.

From the Lifesmith Group album, "Commentary." Am I correct or am I the fool To obey the faith and discard the rules Set down by science years before me While trying to weigh out my own destiny. Both thoughts believed by too many it's true To dispose of an idea we did misconstrue And time will teach us that both are still one For religion plus science it's all just begun. Two thoughts for existence may save this world If the saving doesn't cruelly unfurl Religion is coming to teach us again And the overlord God is all we'll defend. As for flying saucers you say why should I bother That's if you see one side and eliminate the other Soon it will become one cataclysmic loss For you rolling stoners will never be boss. Between the time of now and then and in the space of now The believers of both will make the peace and then just lowly bow And at that point the existence of Earth will most solely depend On the followers of the few who gave their all to promote a better end.