1. AMETHYST LADY. (Copyright Music and lyrics Craig Hood)
SONG ABOUT FINDING A DEAD BODY (SO IT DOESN'T EXACTLY FIT INTO THE COMEDY CATEGORY) I CAME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THIS SONG AROUND 2003 WHILST WALKING ALONG THE RIVER TAY NEAR
CAPUTH, PERTHSHIRE. I AM QUALIFIED TO LEVEL 2 IN REIKI, THIS SONG CONTAINS A FEW REIKI REFERENCES. I HAVEN'T PRACTISED REIKI FOR YEARS NOW AND I DON'T CLAIM TO UNDERSTAND IT FULLY OR TO EVEN BELIEVE IN IT, BUT I HAVE DEFINITELY FELT STUFF HAPPENING DURING A REIKI SESSION, AND HAVE HAD POSITIVE RESULTS FROM REIKI SESSIONS. THE REIKI REFERENCES ARE : "FEEL YOUR SPIRIT RUSHING THROUGH ME" WHICH IS SORT OF THE FEELING YOU GET WHEN PRACTISING REIKI OF THE CLIENTS ENERGY MOVING INTO YOU. "YOUR SOUL IS HEALED" I WAS TOLD THAT REIKI PRACTITIONERS CAN HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST DIED TO MOVE TO THE OTHER SIDE MORE PEACEFULLY. AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING I BELIEVE IN THIS, BUT THAT'S WHAT I MEANT BY THAT LYRIC.
GOING WITH THE FLOW I KNOW I'M GOING WHERE THE RIVER TAKES ME SONG ABOUT FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC MASS PILE UP KILLING LOADS OF PEOPLE (SO IT DOESN'T EXACTLY FIT INTO THE COMEDY CATEGORY)
I GOT THE IDEA FOR THIS SONG LATE 2006. I WAS INTERESTED IN ASTRAL PROJECTION IN MY TWENTIES. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER ACHIEVED IT THOUGH I'VE HAD A FEW SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WHICH WERE MORE LIKELY SLEEP PARALYSIS. EXPLANATION :
THE FIRST LINE "I SEEM TO BE STILL NOW THE ROAD COMES TOWARDS ME IT MOVES UNDERNEATH ME THEN UP TO THE SKY".
THE DRIVER HAS CLOSED HIS EYES WITHOUT REALISING AND NOW THINKS HIS EYES ARE STILL OPEN AND THE CAR IS STATIONARY BUT THE ROAD IS MOVING UNDER HIM. AFTER THE ROAD PASSES UNDER THE CAR IT CURVES UPWARDS INTO INFINITY. NEXT LINE "I'M NOW ON A SWING MOVING LEFT AND THEN RIGHT THE SWING LIFTS ME UP TO THE DARK OF THE NIGHT". NEXT LINE. "THE STARS ARE SO NEAR I CAN PULL EACH ONE DOWN AND INTO MY POCKET ALONG WITH THE MOON". IT SWINGS SO HIGH SIDE TO SIDE THAT IT REACHES THE MOON AND STARS AT ITS HIGHEST POINT AND THE DRIVER CAN GRAB THEM.
NEXT LINE. "I'M WALKING ON CUSHIONS AND FLOATING ON AIR A WARM WIND IS BLOWING MASSAGING MY HAIR". THE DRIVER IS NOW WAY INTO A DREAM AND THE CRASH COULD BE FINISHED BY THIS POINT. THE WARM WIND IN HIS HAIR COULD BE HIS HEAD COVERED IN HIS OWN WARM BLOOD. THE CHORUS DESCRIBES THE COMMONLY TOLD NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE OF HEADING TOWARDS THE LIGHT WITH RELATIVES PRESENT WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY. THE SECOND VERSE DESCRIBES ANOTHER COMMONLY TOLD ASTRAL PROJECTION EXPERIENCE OF FLOATING IN THE AIR ABOVE YOURSELF. THE DRIVER NOW REALISES WHAT HAS HAPPENED. SONG ABOUT A LONELY OLD MAN WHO DIES BECAUSE NOBODY IS THERE TO HELP HIM (SO IT DOESN'T EXACTLY FIT INTO THE COMEDY CATEGORY) OR MAYBE HE HAS JUST FAINTED DUE TO STANDING UP TOO FAST AND HE LATER AWAKES TO FIND OUT THAT HE HAS WON THE LOTTERY AND IT'S A ROLLOVER? NO HE DIES. GET USED TO IT. I THOUGHT OF THE SUBJECT FOR THESE LYRICS LATE 2006.
I HAD ALREADY MADE UP THE GUITAR PART AND THOUGHT THAT THE CHORDS SOUNDED VERY SAD, SO I WROTE SUITABLY SAD LYRICS TO GO WITH THEM. SONG ABOUT A GUY WHO IS LOST IN A FOREST WITH NO FOOD OR WATER AND IS ABOUT TO DIE FROM STARVATION OR DEHYDRATION.(SO IT DOESN'T EXACTLY FIT INTO THE COMEDY CATEGORY)
THIS IS THE NEWEST SONG ON THE CD, AND WAS WRITTEN BY LISTENING TO THE GUITAR PART THAT I HAD MADE UP AND LETTING THE MOOD OF THE SONG DECIDE WHAT THE SUBJECT MATTER SHOULD BE.
THE WORDS "I CAN'T GET THIS FIRE TO LIGHT" SPRANG INTO MY MIND AND THE REST FOLLOWED QUICKLY.
I USED TO THINK THE LYRICS WERE SELF EXPLANATORY, BUT AFTER A FEW REVIEWS ON THE GARAGEBAND WEBSITE I NOTICED NOBODY UNDERSTOOD THE STORY AS IT WAS INTENDED SO HERE'S AN EXPLANATION. THE FIRST TIME SLEEP IS MENTIONED IT MEANS "THE BIG SLEEP" OR DEATH. IN THE LINE "SLEEP WITH THE SOULS OF PEACE" I MEANT PASSING AWAY PEACEFULLY OR MAYBE GOING TO HEAVEN. THE PERSON GOING THROUGH THE UNDERGROWTH IS THE GRIM REAPER WHO IS NOT A VERY NICE PERSON, THAT'S WHY HE DELIBERATELY USES A DOUBLE NEGATIVE "YOU WON'T FEEL NO PAIN" THIS TIME "SLEEP WITH THE GHOSTS OF WAR" (SORT OF THE OPPOSITE OF SOULS OF PEACE) WOULD STILL BE DYING BUT NOT IN A PEACEFUL WAY, MAYBE A PAINFUL DEATH OR GOING TO HELL. THE LAST CHORUS "SLEEP WITH MY SOUL AT PEACE" IS JUST SLEEPING THROUGH EXHAUSTION, AS HE HAS NOW BEEN RESCUED FROM THE BRINK OF DEATH SO THE SONG HAS A HAPPY ENDING. BUT WHILE HE'S RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL HE CAN'T PLACE HIS USUAL LOTTERY NUMBERS AND THEY ALL CAME UP AND IT WAS A ROLLOVER.
THE WATER'S LOW THE WATER SLOW TAKING MY TIME AND TIME TRAVELS WITH ME
TIMES ARE GOOD THE WEATHER'S FINE A WALK ALONG THE RIVER'S EDGE
THE BRIDGE BENEATH THE RAILWAY LINE I SEE YOU THERE BY THE SYCAMORE HEDGEROW
YOUR HAIR SO FINE THE SHINE IS BLINDING ME SKIN SO SOFT WITH AMETHYST EYES
I'VE WAITED FOR SOMEONE LIKE YOU AMETHYST LADY HEAL MY SOUL
I HOLD YOUR HAND MY SENSES RACE I FEEL YOUR SPIRIT RUSHING THROUGH ME
NO RECOGNITION ON YOUR FACE YOUR AMETHYST EYES ARE JUST LOOKING RIGHT THROUGH ME
AT TIMES LIKE THESE AT TIMES LIKE NOW I FEEL THE NEED TO HEAL THE PAIN
THE TIMING'S BAD IT'S TOO LATE NOW YOUR AMETHYST EYES DIDN'T SEE THE TRAIN COMING
YOUR HAIR SO FINE THE SHINE IS BLINDING ME SKIN SO SOFT WITH AMETHYST EYES
I'VE WAITED FOR SOMEONE JUST LIKE YOU AMETHYST LADY YOUR SOUL IS HEALED
2. BETSY'S DAISIES. (Copyright Music Craig Hood)
I WAS THINKING ABOUT MY GRANDMA (BETSY GRONBACH) WHEN I MADE UP THIS SHORT GUITAR PIECE ROUGHLY ABOUT 1997ISH.
MY MUM CAME UP WITH THE TITLE AND TOLD ME ABOUT MY GRANDAD, WHO EVERY YEAR, WHEN DAISIES WERE IN BLOOM, WOULD STOP AT THE SAME SPOT AND PICK SOME DAISIES FOR MY GRANDMA. TO THIS DAY MY MUM PICKS DAISIES FROM THE SAME SPOT EVERY YEAR AND PLACES THEM ON MY GRANDMAS GRAVE.
3. NATURE BOY. (Copyright Lyrics eDEN aHBEZ musical arrangement Craig Hood)
I'M RESPECTING eDEN'S REQUEST TO NOT USE CAPITALS WHEN SPELLING HIS NAME.
THERE WAS A BOY A VERY STRANGE ENCHANTED BOY
THEY SAY HE WANDERED VERY FAR VERY FAR OVER LAND AND SEA
A LITTLE SHY AND SAD OF EYE BUT VERY WISE VERY WISE WAS HE
AND THEN ONE DAY ONE MAGIC DAY HE PASSED MY WAY
AND AS WE SPOKE OF MANY THINGS FOOLS AND KINGS THIS HE SAID TO ME
THE GREATEST THING YOU WILL EVER LEARN IS JUST TO LOVE AND BE LOVED IN RETURN
4. I SEEM TO BE STILL NOW. (Copyright Music and lyrics Craig Hood)
I SEEM TO BE STILL NOW THE ROAD COMES TOWARDS ME IT MOVES UNDERNEATH ME THEN UP TO THE SKY
I'M NOW ON A SWING MOVING LEFT AND THEN RIGHT THE SWING LIFTS ME UP TO THE DARK OF THE NIGHT
THE STARS ARE SO NEAR I CAN PULL EACH ONE DOWN AND INTO MY POCKET ALONG WITH THE MOON
I'M WALKING ON CUSHIONS AND FLOATING ON AIR A WARM WIND IS BLOWING MASSAGING MY HAIR
(CHORUS)
SOME PEOPLE SURROUND ME THEY CALL OUT MY NAME I CAN'T MOVE OR ANSWER IT GOES DARK AGAIN
NOW IT'S MUCH BRIGHTER I KNOW WHERE TO GO I'M NOW WITH THE PEOPLE I LOST LONG AGO
I LOOK AT THE CRASH SCENE FROM TEN METRES UP SO MANY COLLISIONS THE DEATH COUNT GOES UP
THE CAR AT THE FRONT SEEMS TO DRAW ME TOWARDS IT I LOOK AT MYSELF REALISE THAT I CAUSED IT
(REPEAT CHORUS)
5. I DON'T FEEL SO GOOD. (Copyright Music and lyrics Craig Hood)
I DON'T FEEL SO GOOD THESE CHEST PAINS ARE WORSE NOW
I HAVE TO GET UP NOW AND DAMPEN MY BROW
I STOOD UP TOO FAST I'M FEELING MUCH WORSE NOW
MY LEGS CAN'T SUPPORT ME I HAVE TO LIE DOWN
(CHORUS)
THIS COTTAGE SO TRANQUIL SECLUDED AND QUIET
AWAY FROM THE NOISE OF THE TOWN PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE
SERENITY'S GOOD BEING AWAY FROM SOCIETY
BUT MAYBE RIGHT NOW I COULD DO WITH SOME HELP
MY HEAD IS SPINNING THE CHURCH BELL RINGING
THE BLACKBIRD SINGING ITS LAST SONG FOR ME
THIS MUST BE IT NOW MY VISION FADING MY HEART SO QUIET NOW I DON'T FEEL SO
6. LETTER TO HERMIONE. (Copyright Music and lyrics David Bowie guitar arrangement Craig Hood)
I HAD TO DO A SONG BY THE BEST EVER SINGER/SONGWRITER. BEAUTIFUL SONG, BEAUTIFUL LYRICS.
THE HAND THAT WROTE THIS LETTER SWEEPS THE PILLOW CLEAN
SO REST YOUR HEAD AND READ A TREASURED DREAM
I CARE FOR NO-ONE ELSE BUT YOU I TEAR MY SOUL TO CEASE THE PAIN
I THINK MAYBE YOU FEEL THE SAME WHAT CAN WE DO
I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO SO I'VE BEEN WRITING JUST FOR YOU
THEY SAY YOUR LIFE IS GOING VERY WELL
THEY SAY YOU SPARKLE LIKE A DIFFERENT GIRL
BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT YOU HIDE WHEN ALL THE WORLD IS WARM AND TIRED
YOU CRY A LITTLE IN THE DARK WELL SO DO I
I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO SAY
BUT I CAN SEE IT'S NOT OK
HE MAKES YOU LAUGH HE BRINGS YOU OUT IN STYLE HE TREATS YOU WELL AND MAKES YOU UP REAL FINE
AND WHEN HE'S STRONG HE'S STRONG FOR YOU AND WHEN YOU KISS IT'S SOMETHING NEW
BUT DID YOU EVER CALL MY NAME JUST BY MISTAKE
I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO SO I'LL JUST WRITE SOME LOVE TO YOU
7. VITALITY. (Copyright Music and lyrics Craig Hood)
MY MUM SUGGESTED I SHOULD WRITE A SONG ABOUT BOTH OF MY NIECES HEIDI AND KAYLEIGH, SO HERE IT IS.
YOU INSPIRE ME TO GO ON GO ON WITHOUT GIVING IN
YOUR ENERGY LIFTS MINE LIFTS MINE RIGHT UP TO THE TOP
YOUR INSTANT FORGIVENESS FORGIVENESS IS TEACHING ME HOW
TO LET GO OF TROUBLES TROUBLES I'VE HELD UNTIL NOW
YOU WON'T STOP EMOTIONS EMOTIONS UNTIL THEY'RE COMPLETE
WHEN YOU LAUGH YOU'RE LAUGHING LAUGHING RIGHT DOWN TO YOUR FEET
YOUR ONLY AMBITION AMBITION IS HAVING GREAT FUN
AND KEEPING IT GOING GOING TILL YOUR ENERGY'S DONE
(CHORUS)
AND EVERY DAY'S A MYSTERY A JOURNEY YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND
WILL FAIRIES BRING YOU GIFTS TONIGHT YOUR DREAMS TAKE YOU TO WONDERLAND
YOUR CONSTANT AMAZEMENT AMAZEMENT AT EVERYDAY THINGS
YOU DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED GRANTED WHAT EVERY DAY BRINGS
YOU TEACH ME TO SLOW DOWN SLOW DOWN AND TAKE IN THE VIEW
APPRECIATE LIFE IN LIFE IN THE MOMENT WITH YOU
(REPEAT CHOURUS)
8. STONEPILE. (Copyright Music Craig Hood)
I MADE THIS SONG UP AROUND 2003 WHILST ON A SHORT HOLIDAY IN PERTHSHIRE.
IT WAS A VERY HOT SUNNY DAY AND I DECIDED TO SIT WITH MY GUITAR NEXT TO A SMALL PILE OF STONES
AT THE FOOT OF A LARGE HILL JUST NORTH OF PITLOCHRY. THE FIRST FEW CHORDS WERE MADE UP BY CLOSING MY EYES
AND PLACING MY HAND ANYWHERE ON THE GUITAR. I DECIDED TO NAME THE SONG AFTER THE PLACE WHERE I WAS WHEN I WROTE IT SO THE TITLE SHOULD BE:
"THIS BIT ABOUT 200 YARDS AWAY FROM THE A924 PITLOCHRY TO BRIDGE OF CALLY ROAD ABOUT 2 MILES UP ON THE LEFT(IF YOU'RE HEADING FROM PITLOCHRY THAT IS),
WHERE THERE'S A WEE PILE OF STONES AND LOADS OF HEATHER AND HILLS AND THAT".
9. FOREST LIGHT (Copyright Music and lyrics Craig Hood)
I CAN'T GET THIS FIRE TO LIGHT IT'S GOING TO BE SO COLD TONIGHT
IT'S BEEN SIX DAYS I FEEL SO WEAK NO WATER LEFT NO FOOD TO EAT
THIS FOREST SEEMS TO TALK TO ME IT'S HELPING ME IT'S GUIDING ME
OR MAYBE IT'S DILERIUM I WON'T ACCEPT MY TIME HAS COME TO
SLEEP WITH THE SOULS OF PEACE I'M NOT READY YET I'M NOT READY TO LET GO
GOING THROUGH THE UNDERGROWTH HE MOVES TOWARDS ME WHISPERS TO ME
COME WITH ME YOUR TIME HAS COME YOU'RE FAR TOO WEAK TO FIGHT AGAINST MY
SLEEP WITH THE GHOSTS OF WAR JUST GIVE IN TO ME YOU WON'T FEEL NO PAIN AT ALL
ALL THIS TIME I'VE BEEN AWAY THEY MUST BE SEARCHING LOOKING FOR ME
LIGHT APPEARS ABOVE MY HEAD THE HELICOPTER SPOTLIGHT LETS ME
SLEEP WITH MY SOUL AT PEACE I AM READY NOW I AM READY TO LET GO
