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a piece of it all lyrics

a piece of it all lyrics

1. a ship may be safe

©2005 Steven B. Eulberg & Jeff Lilley

 

a ship may be safe in a harbor,

at anchor close to the shore

yeah, a ship may be safe in a harbor,

but that ain’t what ships were made for.

 

a child may be safe in a mother’s arms,

there may be safe from harm

a child may be safe at home

but that ain’t what a child was made for.

 

chorus:

ships were made for sailin’ across the high seas

more ships and sailors rot in the port,

than ever are drowned in the sea. (x2)

 

when you’re riding the anchor, and the shore is alee

and you smell a storm on the breeze,

call up the captain, shorten the sail,

seek safe harbor, or run to the sea. chorus

 

help your children to lay a strong keel,

teach them to loft a fair line

they’ll build their vessel with beauty and care,

and launch on the rising tide. chorus

 

a ship may be safe in a harbor,

at anchor close to the shore

yeah, a ship may be safe in a harbor,

but that ain’t what ships were made for.

 

That ain’t what a child was made for

That ain’t what you were made for.

2. i miss america

©2006 Steven B. Eulberg

 

There once was a land where a lady would stand

With her lamp raised at the golden door

Saying, “bring me your huddled masses, tired and poor”

Now that welcome don’t seem so welcome any more

O—I miss America.

 

There once was a place where the whole human race

Could yearn to breathe free—haven of liberty—

Land of the brave, home of the free

Today the fearful forfeit freedom for a lock and key

O—I miss America.

 

O say, can you see me, I’m your neighbor

Like you I struggle and labor

I pull my own weight and do my share

And believe, yes I dare

That though we may differ

Together we are stronger than apart

E pluribus unum

O­—we are America.

 

There once was a time where speaking your mind

Was a sign that you stood up like a grown man

And the strong one protected the weak one

Now the self-righteous belittle the meek one

O—I miss America.

 

Oh what do you do when the red, white and blue

Become a cloak to hide dirty laundry

And a muffle to choke those who disagree

And the emblem no longer serves to set us free?

O—I miss America.

 

Have you ever heard of a high-flying bird

Who can soar the sky with one wing missing?

 

Today I stand in my native land

Turn off the TV and I step out my door

To neighbor and stranger I offer my hand

Saying, “this land it is your land…This land it is my land”

E pluribus unum

O­—we are America.

O­—we are America.

 3. porch swingin’

Music ©1978 Steve Eulberg, from a poem by Felice Holman

 

The mail man has come and gone

Brought me a letter from my old Mom

Still singin the same ol’ song,

just like this porch swing,

swingin’ forward, swingin’ back

Just like this porch swing,

Her train never jumps the track.

 

So reliable, Undeniable, Certifiable

…..Porch swingin’

 

I sit here wonderin’ “why?”

I bother to reply

Can I take a chance,

and learn some brand new steps

in this old time dance—

Or am I just caught up in a trance? Chorus

 

My old dog’s sittin’ here

seems there’s nothing he do fear

Just stick his nose into the air

and take a whiff, of what’s over there

And then he lay back down Chorus

 

I wonder where it will end

Unwilling to break, too tired to bend

No more tears will I weep

Got my soul to keep

Rock myself to sleep Chorus

 

The mailman come and gone

Brought a letter from my old Mom.

4. war is sweet

©2002 Steve Eulberg, with thanks to Erasmus

 

Growing up in an uneasy time, with blue stars on the windows

Some sons had enlisted, others had to go

Some others said their conscience wouldn’t let them carry

Still others left for Canada and were soon forgotten

 

 

Looking for some guidance from the fathers of the town

The doctor said, “just bomb ’em to hell”, the preacher said, “let’s pray”

Another standing silently, torn by memory

shook his head and shuddered, mumbling he said,

 

 

These eyes of mine have seen

what these lips can never tell

the bloodrush of the battle

the agonies of hell–

 

 

War is sweet

to those who never taste it

Life is cheap

when it ain’t yours you’re wastin’.”

 

 

Everyday he threw the papers, read headlines in the rain

He opened up the magazines, saw photos of the slain

Each night the news at six-o’clock brought pictures of pain

The flag had been unfurled, but with wounded blood was stained

 

 

Images of shame, confusion and blame

Heroes fighting, heroes falling, heroes marching to bring

Hawks and doves in battle, wherever people meet

Ten thousand, thousand voices chanting in the streets:

 

 

 

5. i said nothing

©2001 Steve Eulberg, from a quote by Pr. Martin Niemöller

 

When they first came for the Communists

I said nothing….

When they came for the union workers

I said ….

 

Nothing, I said…..

Not a word did I speak

Nothing, I said…..

Not a word from me.

 

 

When they next came for the Gypsies,

I said….

When they came for all of the Jews,

I said…

 

 

When they came for the Catholics,

I said….

I was a Protestant, who did not protest,

I said nothing….

 

 

When at last they came for me,

There was no one, they said….

When at last they came for me,

There was no one, they said….

 

 

Nothing, they said….

There was no one left to speak

Nothing, they said….

There was no one left for me…

 

 

 

6. beauty in the world

©2002 Steve Eulberg

 

Rippling wave of a bounding squirrel

Jumping rope of a knee-socked, little girl

Waving bounce of an ebony curl

I’m grateful for beauty in the world,

I’m grateful for beauty in the world.

 

The wounded soul, now re-made whole

Tattered heart, no longer torn apart

The clasping hands of long-time enemies,

A healing sight for those with eyes to see.

 

Breath of lavender in the Spring

Honey-suckle whisper as the crickets sing

Scented touch that rose petals bring

I’m grateful for beauty in the world,

I’m grateful for beauty in the world.

 

The wounded soul….

 

Purple heather on the mountainside

Tender glance ‘tween an aged pair of eyes

Giggle of a growing infant child,

I’m grateful for beauty in the world

I’m grateful for beauty in the world

 

 

 

7. nothing like the sound of a woman

©1998 Steve Eulberg

 

There’s nothing like the sound of a woman

There’s nothing like the sound of a woman

There’s nothing like the sound of a woman in love

When she’s in love with you.

 

When she is searching for someone to blame;

When “Honey” falls from her lips

in the shape of your name.

When she finds no words, just breathes a sigh

When she bids you a tearful “goodbye.”

 

When she brings your children into the world,

When she asks you to do once more,

what you didn’t do before.

When her eyes are ablaze in passion’s fire

When she purrs, content in her desire.

 

8. who am i?

Music ©1978 Steve Eulberg, from a poem by Felice Holman

 

The trees ask me,

And the sky,

And the sea asks me

Who am I?

 

The grass asks me,

And the sand,

the rocks ask me

Who I am?

 

The wind tells me

At nightfall,

And the rain tells me

 

Someone small.

Someone small

Someone small

But a piece of it all.

 

 

 

9. rock on rock

©1990 Steve Eulberg

 

Rock on Rock, We build up the ancient rubble

Block on Block, We shall restore the former ruins.

Stone on Stone, We reconstruct the broken walls

Brick on Brick, We resurrect abandoned homes.

 

We shall repair the ruined cities

The devastation Of many generations.

 

So let the famine come

The floodwaters flow

The earthquake roar its mighty roar

The rumble and grumble and tumble of war

Crackle of fire, munch of the termite

The tinkle of shattering glass;

the wheeze of the plague’s last gasp…

 

 

 

10. didn’t know i was lost

©2003 Steve Eulberg

 

At the age of two, he didn’t know the word “escape”

But when he found the playpen had a missing slat

He calmly climbed outside and ambled down the street

’Til his frightened mama pulled him to her side:

 

He didn’t know he was lost until she found him

Didn’t know how far away he strayed

Didn’t know he was lost

Didn’t know he was lost

He didn’t know he was lost until she found him

 

Coming back home from a camping trip

He was glad the town survived

The big storm, the fire, the flood last night

Searching for his dad he was startled to be

Wrapped up in his sobbing father’s arms

 

He didn’t know he was lost until he found him…

 

Her blue-eyed smile and tender, thoughtful ways

Led him down a long-forgotten trail

He was surprised by the tears in his eyes

When he saw her behind the wedding veil,

He whispered,

 

I didn’t know I was lost until you found me

Didn’t know how far away I strayed

Didn’t know I was lost

Didn’t know I was lost

I didn’t know I was lost until you found me

Until you found me.

 

 

 

11. sad

©1983 Steve Eulberg

 

You and I agree

We should live apart

But the miles that lay between us now

Are tearing up my heart

So as I “now I lay me down”

And pray your soul to keep

Don’t think I can take the ache within

So I begin to weep

 

I feel sad, so sad

To be here without you

I feel sad, so sad

To see that I’m alone

Though I look at you

And I’m glad

That you like to live your living

Still I feel so sad

When I cannot come along

 

And the miles may be blessings

Wrapped up in newsprint grey

The whole thing looks exciting

In the light of day

 

But now, the daylight sun is stepping out

And the darkness elbows in

And I feel sad

 

I like to be my own man

And you desire your freedom

So far I see it working out

For the best for you and me

But what can I do with my heart

So full of confusing feelings?

My guitar’s sitting here with me

We sing this memory: BREAK

 

And the miles…

 

 

 

12. careless love

Traditional

 

Love, O Love, o careless love! (3x)

O look what love has done to me!

 

Once I wore my apron low (3x)

You’d follow me thru wind and snow

 

Now my apron strings won’t tie (3x)

You pass my cabin door right by.

 

You pass my door, you pass my gate (3x)

But you won’t get by my “38”

 

What o what will Mama say (3x)

When I come home the family way?

 

She’ll tear her hair, she’ll bide her tongue (3x)

Shee did the same when she was young

 

What o what will Papa say? (3x)

He ain’t my real pa anyway.

 

 

 

13. set your back (to the setting sun)

 

©1998 Steve Eulberg with thanks to Jeff Lilley

 

Set your back to the setting sun

Leave behind you what’s left undone.

Lay your head down, your rest is won

Set your face to the place

where you’ll see tomorrow come

Set your back to the setting sun.

 

 

When your day ends dark & stormy

And a hole’s worn through your soul

Turn loose your hold on the burdens that you carry

& Fix your sight back on your journey’s goal.

 

 

When you’re weary from pulling in the harness

You’re shoulders chafed & sore

Tend to your wounds and soothe your aching muscles

& heed the words of one who’s gone before:

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