Ben Harper's World

PRESS RELEASE

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:34:00 +0000

This will probably be our job one day, looking for news, working in the media sistem, talking with all the people that want to discover the world. There are lots of different ways to meet new voices every day. Just try it.

NO MORE

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:47:00 +0000

This is a present for you guys,
A brief moment to think and to take a part in this show called life.

NO MORE (Eddy Vedder & Ben Harper live on stage)"
No more innocents dying
No more terrorizing
No more eulogizing
No more evangelizing
No more presidents lying"

BODY OF WAR

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:19:00 +0000

This is a double-CD compilation of songs curated by Iraq war veteran Tomas Young.
Many artists like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Roger Waters and Rage Against The Machine worked in this project. Ben Harper is on the compilation with two song, “Black rain” and “No More” with Eddie Vedder.
Tomas Young was a soldier who became disabled during his mission in Iraq, the documentary and the compilations that tell about this story represent a clear message of peace to say STOP THE WAR. The proceeds will be donate to the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW).

Sometime we need just the courage of one’s convinctions

Questo è la doppia compilations curata dal veterano della guerra in Iraq Tomas Young. Molti artisti come Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Roger Waters e i Rage Against The Machine hanno collaborato a questo progetto. Ben Harper è in questa compilations con due canzoni “Black rain” e “No More” con Eddie Vedder.
Tomas Young era un soldato rimasto disabile durante la sua missione in Iraq. Il documentario e la compilations che raccontano questa storia rappresentano un chiaro messaggio di pace per dire STOP ALLA GUERRA. Il ricavato della vendita sarà donato all’ associazione Iraq Against the War (IVAW).

A volte abbiamo solo bisogno del coraggio delle nostre convinzioni

SANREMO: AT THE ITALIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL AN UNEXPECTED GUEST

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:53:00 +0000

At the last edition of the Italian Music Festival in Sanremo Ben Harper was an unexpected guest came with Jovanotti. Even the showman, who has never heard about Ben Harper before, was surprised to see him singing with Jovanotti. We don't want to discuss about why a showman and artdirector who organised a music festival doesn't know an artist really important as Ben Harper. Is it possible to do this kind of job if you don't know anything about music and the new music trend? Unbelievable!!!! We just want to say: That's crazy!

L'ultima edizione del Festival di Sanremo ha inaspettatamente ospitato, grazie a Lorenzo Jovanotti, Ben Harper. Lo stupore generale è stato evidenziato dal fatto che lo stesso Pippo Baudo, che non sapeva nemmeno chi fosse il personaggio, è rimasto di stucco. La domanda è questa: come è possibile che un conduttore dell'esperienza di Baudo da sempre attivo nel settore musicale non conosca un personaggio come il nostro Ben? Ma roba da matti!!!!!

Ben: From Claremont to Arezzo

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:30:00 +0000

What do Claremont and Arezzo have in common? Nothing, you could say!

But next summer we are going to build a long bridge from Tuscany to California!
In fact in Claremont was born Ben Harper.
Located 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Claremont is best known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and college campuses. And so Claremont, such as Arezzo, is a particular green city where the community that provides a wide range of programs and services for all age groups, preserves a full range of housing opportunities, and supports a variety of thriving commercial and industrial centers.

In Claremont Ben starts to play guitar in the back side of his grandfather music shop called Folk Music Center.

Now the old music shop is became a popular music shop where you can find all kind of musical instruments coming all over the world.

But Arezzo?
Ben will come to Tuscany city, exactly on the 25th of July, for a particular concert, the “Play Arezzo Art Festival 08”, during his Italian concert tour started in Sanremo with Jovanotti.
In Arezzo Ben will play in the Fortezza Medicea’s Park. You can already buy your ticket on the site www.bookingshow.com .

And so, for a night, Arezzo will be American city.

Cosa hanno in comune Arezzo e Claremont? Niente direte voi!
Ma la prossima estate la ridente cittadina californiana e la città toscana saranno unite da un lungo ponte grazie a Ben Harper!
Il cantante statunitense farà tappa proprio ad Arezzo durante il suo tour estivo in Italia!!!!!
La serata, sviluppata all'interno del "Play Arezzo art Festival 08", sarà ospitata nella bellissima fortezza Medicea. I biglietti sono già disponibili al sito http://www.bookingshow.com/.

Ma Claremont?
Come Arezzo è una città verde dove i cittadini e le istituzioni fanno di tutto per sviluppare la creatività e il senso d'iniziativa dei propri cittadini! Ancora oggi nella cittadina californiana è presente il vecchio negozio del nonno di Ben, il "Folk Music Center", dove oggi è possibile trovare strumenti provenienti da tutte le parti del mondo! ( Che figata )!!!!!!!!

Quindi la prossima estate Arezzo diventerà un pò statunitense e magari gli aretini faranno capolino a Claremont durante le sudate ferie estive!!!!

ABOUT US

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen we are glad to introduce to you three totally silly guys who will drive you through Ben Harper’s World: Anto, Nico and Dony.

Just to be clear, we are three not because it’s the perfect number but because if Ben Harper says …
…”I can change the world with my own two hands” …
We can hope to make something …“with our own three heads” …(even if we cannot guarantee our mental faculties).
If you have any questions, if you have any doubts or if you want to discuss with us anything about Ben Harper you are welcome.

If you want to wipe out some of us we have to remind you this is not Big Brother so don’t try to phone the web master to decide who has to leave the house even if you are looking for Nico’s phone number to have a romantic and hot weekend with him.

Well, a present for you:

“I believe in a few things God the devil and love because I've looked up from the bottom and I've stared down from above…”
Ground and Down (Fight for your mind 1995)

...HERE WE GO!

DONA

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:27:00 +0000

“Searching for an answer
Where the question is unseen I don't know where you came from and I don't know where you've gone”
Ben Harper “Amen Omen” (Diamonds on the inside)

This is a good point to start. I know it doesn’t explain anything and it says everything at the same time but it is just to explain why Ben Harper and not someone else. Well, because sometimes my mind meets some obstacles which stand in the way of my dreams and It needs to find another route to escape….why not a song…..How many voices have you got inside? How many times have you found in a song the only way to give shape to your thoughts?
“I don’t know where you came from and I don’t know where you’ve gone” says Ben Harper in a song…..It doesn’t matter, just say whatever you want to say, find it, we’ll be here to share it. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

E’ un buon punto per iniziare….lo so che questo verso in fondo dice tutto e nulla allo stesso tempo ma era giusto per spiegare perchè Ben Harper e non altri. Bhe perchè avvolte la mente incontra degli ostacoli nella via dei sogni e ha bisogno di trovare nuove strade per evadere....perchè non una canzone....... quante voci hai dentro di te......quante volte hai trovato in una canzone l’unica strada per dare forma ad un pensiero.......
I don’t know where you came from and I don’t know where you’ve gone…..scrive Ben Harper in una canzone …..bhe non ha importanza, dì qualsiasi cosa tu voglia dire, trovala, siamo qui per condividerlo. Sounds good.

ANTO

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:24:00 +0000

"Reality is sharp
It cuts at me like a knife
Everyone i know
Is in the fight of their life
Take your face out of your hands
And clear your eyes
You have a right to your dreams
And don't be denied
I believe in a better way"

Remembering Californian times…

…A child is playing in his garden. The garden is so big. It seems like a small town. On the right side is the police station; in the center, the stores and the sidewalk; on the left side, the seaport with many nice restaurants, and to the north, the luxurious residential area with such big houses on the hills. The countryside surrounds the little city. All is so perfect. The city is sparkling under the sun and sleeping during the night…

… In the end someone discovered that the police are ghost looking for lost truth; the center has been bombarded; the sea is polluted and the inhabitants of the residential area are plastic-made. In the countryside no one want to live and work. The city is melting under the sun and dying during the night…

It’s nice to think that the line that separates fantasy and reality is only a shape’s problem. A line that sometimes is drown in a cornered way, other in a linear way or in a circular way. I’m in a closed circle right now. I hope to find the better way.. I believe in a better way.

Ricordando la California…

…Un bambino sta giocando nel cortile di casa. Il giardino di .... È grandissimo.. Una mini città sul mare!Sulla destra c'è il distretto di polizia, in centro i negozi con la via pedonale, a sinistra il porto che da sul mare e nella parte a nord c'è la zona residenziale. Intorno alla città c'è la campagna. Tutto è perfetto, tutto luccica sotto il sole e riposa durante la notte.

Poi si scopre che la polizia è un fanstasma alla ricerca della verità perduta, il centro è stato bombardato, il mare è inquinato e gli abitanti della zona residenziale sono fatti di plastica. In campagna nn c'è più nessuno che ci vuole lavorare. Tutto si scoglie sotto il sole e muore durante la notte…

È bello pensare che la differenza tra fantasia e realtà sia solo una questione di forma. Una piccola linea separa fantasia e realtà. Una linea disegnata a volte in modo più spigoloso, a volte lineare, a volte circolare.. un cerchio chiuso.. eccomi nel cerchio chiuso. Spero di trovare la better way.. i believe in a better way..

NICO

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:15:00 +0000

Why Ben Harper? Why not!!!!!!!!

I don’t know him very well but I think that it’s the time in which me and Ben became friends!!!!!!!

Yesterday I listened his music for the first time! He is great!

And so! In making a blog around Ben Harper style I have a big opportunity: I can enter in Ben’ world and I can increase my knowledge around him while the community of the blog increases!

Help me guys with your comments with your opinions and a think born as a joke could became something of really special!!!!!!!!

We start a new adventure and so: good luck for me and for my two friends Dona and Anto!!!

But the really lucky man is Ben!!! Why? Because we have choosen him!!!!!

Perchè Ben Harper? Perchè no?

Personalmente non lo conosco molto bene per cui credo che sia arrivato il momento di approfondire la sua conoscenza!!!!!!!!!

Proprio ieri ho iniziato ad ascoltare le sue canzoni!!!! E devo dire che è veramente grande!!!!!

Per me fare un Blog intorno al Mondo di Ben Harper presenta quindi una duplice possibilità:
conoscere un cantante che conoscevo poco e imparare a costruire e rendere popolare un blog.
Perciò ragazzi con i vostri commenti e con le vostre opinioni una cosa nata per gioco potrebbe diventare qualcosa di veramente speciale!!!!!!!

Nell’iniziare una nuova avventura vorrei fare in bocca al lupo a me e alle due ragazze che con me contribuiranno a diffondere contenuti sul Blog!!!!

Biografia

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Italiano / Inglese

Nato nel 1969 a Claremont, in California, Ben Harper inizia a fare pratica sulla chitarra grazie ai suoi nonni, che gestiscono alcuni negozi di strumenti musicali. Harper si specializza nell’uso di una chitarra slide molto popolare negli anni ’30, la Weissnbourn, con la quale può riflettere al meglio le sonorità blues che lo fanno apparire sin da subito come un emulo di Robert Johnson.

La passione per la musica moderna è invece incarnata da nomi come Jimi Hendrix e Bob Marley, capaci di apportare intensità ed energia alla sua proposta musicale. Il suo primo album, WELCOME TO THE CRUEL WORLD, esce nel 1993 e viene accolto con entusiasiasmo, soprattutto in Europa. Più elettrico il secondo FIGHT FOR YOUR MIND, del 1995, seguito quindi da THE WILL TO LIVE nel 1997.A confermare la fervida vena creativa del chitarrista californiano arriva nel 1999 BURN TO SHINE, album maggiormente aperto a materiali sonori quantomai eterogenei, con atmosfere più intimiste.
In seguito alla pubblicazione del disco, Haper si imbarca in un lungo tour, che lo porta a girare soprattutto i natii Stati Uniti, dove è relativamente poco conosciuto. Nella primavera del 2001 esce, a testimonianza della tournée, il doppio LIVE FROM MARS, diviso in un disco acustico ed uno elettrico. Ben Harper torna alla pubblicazione di materiale di studio nel 2003 con DIAMONDS ON THE INSIDE, il suo disco più eterogeneo: le canzoni spaziano dal reggae al funk, dal rock al cantautorale.

Lifeline - 2007

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Fight Outta You

They'll look you in the eyes and stone you,
then turn and disown you.
Don't you let em take the fight outta you.

They'll walk all over your name
till they find someone else to blame.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

Secrets hide their lies
inside hidden allibies.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

They put the world on a hook,
it's worse every time I look.
Don't let em take the fight outta you.

I would rather take your punch
than not give you a shot.
I'd rather find out who you are
than who you're not.
Should've known better than to mistake business for love.
Should've known better than to mistake a fist for love.

It will be in your ?on? until you're not
needed any longer.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

Don't believe the headlines,
check for yourself sometimes.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

The lies you live become you,
the love you lose, it numbs you.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

You say that you've arrived,
that's just a high class bribe.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

I would rather take your punch
than not give you a shot.
I'd rather find out who you are,
than who you're not.
Should've known better than to mistake business for love.
Should've known better than to mistake a fist for love.

There's always someone younger,
Someone with more hunger.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

They'll say you're one and only
They'll straight up leave you lonely.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

Like a transplant patient
waiting for a donor.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

Like a half empty balloon
after a party in the corner.
Don't let it take the fight outta you.

In The Colors

When your whole world is shaken
from all the risks we have taken
dance with me into the colors
of the dusk

when you have awoken
from all the dreams broken
dance with me into the colors
of the dusk

the paths we're walking on
crumble behind us
but if we leave now they will
never find us
and if this crazy world spins itself
down to dust
i want to be with you
in the colors

when you again start hoping
with your arms wide open
dance with me into the colors
of the dusk

and all will be right
dancing like water with the light
dance with me into the colors
of the dusk

Fool For A Lonesome Train

It's late and i can't sleep
i've made promises i can't keep
cobblestones and broken bones
has a kingdom but he's got
no home
last night is still ringin' in my head
like that lonesome whistle in
the rain

i'm a fool for a lonesome train

the lifetimes we've left behind
with strangers
promises and lies both have
their dangers
i just can't be wrong enough
and i can't hide for long enough
so far away but i still feel
your pain

i'm a fool for a lonesome train
i'd try to say good-bye
but i never got your name
i'm a fool for a lonesome train

i'm a fool for a lonesome train
i'm your fool for a lonesome train
i know it sounds crazy but i'm
painfully sane
i'm your fool for a lonesome train

Needed You Tonight

My every breath is a prayer for you
you know i'm waiting there for you
i'd rather learn to live with you
and suffer
than to see you in the arms
of another

but now my heart aches a little
now my heart breaks a little
i lie awake in the middle
of a cold empty room
with one light
i needed you tonight

i am not your tool
or your born again fool
i'm not in the mood
to serenade sorrow
there was a time
that i could get by
but this was once upon a lie

my heart it aches a little
my heart breaks a little
i lie awake in the middle
of a pain with no end in sight
i needed you tonight

violin is my instrument of choice
it recognizes the pain in my voice
you're the are in
are we gonna make it
you put the 't' in i just can't take it

my heart aches a little
my heart it breaks a little
i lie awake in the middle
of a cold empty room
with no light

Having Wings

I heard a street singer
play a song i knew
and it brought me
closer to you
i heard a street singer
play a song i call my own
it brought me
to my childhood home

life is a blurry eyed heavy hearted
whirlwind of a storm
some things just hurt too
much to cry
memories are like shadows
the light won't make disappear
i still see you smiling
with your eyes

did you go back from
where you came
if i get there
will they have my name
if they don't i'll only
have myself to blame
for all these things
true happiness is having wings

Say You Will

Baby say it's all right
if it takes all night
we won't have to be alone
if you say you will

like marie antoinette
said to louis xvi
man i think we're going down
our chances are slim and none
and i'm afraid slim just left town

now you've had me hanging
all on your line
but i know all too well
love ain't nothin' but
a worried mind

i love you like
a candle loves a flame
like a crying man
that has no shame
when you hit me i feel no pain
like the last days that remain
say you will

Younger Than Today

You and i were looking at
old pictures yesterday
sitting in disbelief at
how time slips away
both at a loss for words to say
knew we'd never be
younger than today

foolishness protected us
from the world outside
they could never come between
us but we knew they'd try
we remembered living as
if there were a way
to forever be younger than today

never looked at anything
you didn't care to see
i was the one who wouldn't
let you leave
even though it was clear
you couldn't stay
had to try to be
younger than today

as we parted you
reminded me i'm alive
to remember when the stars
danced just for you and i
may the shimmer of summer
always light your way
and make you feel
younger than today

Put It On Me

She eats nectarines with honey
spends her daddy's money so easy
she cuts cherry pie
while she looks you in the eye
so easy
the innocent naiveté of
hairless cheek
the politics of generosity
make me weak

there's an assassin out to get me
and they claim that
she's never missed
the one with an ex-lover
whom she claims
to have never kissed
we turned at twenty paces
for love is a duel
and we stood still as stone
i can't imagine that
this is in the best interest
of flesh and bone

i've been living in the city
for much too long
there's a neon sign in my mind
flashing right and wrong
i can't afford your company
i spent my money buying time
i was lost out in the desert while
you were busy swimming in wine

you put it on me
then left me lonely

Heart Of Matters

I've heard all of your parting lines
can only say good-bye
so many times
before you know you have
nothing to show
for your pain
sorry's a word you just can't
seem to find
does it ever enter your mind
i am in doubt you are
about to change

you can't just say i love you
you have to live i love you
i will forgive every time
but the last

i wish i could find a way
to sing the life back into you and i
but now i am afraid
it is just too late to lie

if your heart isn't in it
if you have nothing left to give
won't you go on and let me live

Paris Sunrise #7

(Instrumental)

Lifeline

Life is too short to wonder
Who's gonna make the next move
And will it slowly pull you under
When you've always got something to prove

I don't want to wait a lifetime
Yours or mine
Yours or mine
Can't you see me reaching for the lifeline
Your lifeline (x4)

You say that I misheard you
But I think you misspoke
I hear you laugh so loudly
while I patiently wait for joke

I don't want to wait a lifetime
Not yours
Not mine
Can't you see me reaching for the lifeline
Your lifeline (x4)

It's a crime with only victims
We're all laid out in a row
And it's hardest to listen
to what we already should know
I could hold out for a lifetime
Yours or mine
Yours and mine
Can't you see me reaching for your lifeline
Your lifeline (x4)

Both Sides Of The Gun - 2006

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:22:00 +0000

Morning Yearning

A finger' s touch upon my lips
it' s a morning yearning
pull the courtains shut, try to keep it dark
but the sun is burning

the world awakens on the run
and will soon be yearning
with hopes of beter days to come
it' s a morning yearning

another day, another chance to get it right
must i still be learning
baby crying kept us up all night
with her morning yearning

like a summer rose, i' m a victim of the fall
but i' m soon returning
your love' s the warmest place the sun ever shines
my morning yearning

(Thanks to giulia for these lyrics)

Waiting For You

I' ve been waiting for you
I' ve been waiting for you
Never found enything else to do
but waiting for you

I' ve been calling your name
I' ve been calling your name
Never found anything else to say
nothing to say

You can kill a lot of time if you really want put your mind do it
Leave it all behind if you never wanna go through it

I keep hearing your name
I keep hearing your name
Nothing else sounds the same
as hearing your name

You can kill a lot of time if you really put your mind to it
or leave it all behind and never ever go through it

I' ve been hoping for you
Keep hoping for you
What else can I do
but keep hoping for you?

You can kill a lot of time if you really put your mind to it
or leave it all behind and never ever go through it

We can kill a lot and never really have to go through it

What else can I do
but keep hoping for you?

(Thanks to Giulia for these lyrics)

Picture In A Frame

Now you can sell your soul
but you can't buy it back
I've spent my whole life
working to give you everything you like

Now I wish you were here
so we could walk and talk
in the soft rain, in the soft rain
Now all that left of us
is a picture sitting in a frame

I would gladly trade
all of my sympathy for sorrow
If I could have you, If I could have you here with me to my own

i wish you were here
so we could walk and talk
in the soft rain, in the soft rain
now all that's left of us
is a picture sitting in a frame

everything i wish for
is everything i see
i remember when your kisses were for me

so many wasted days
the past is so hard to get out from under
so many words that i wish i could say
the future rattles my bones weak like thunder

i wish you were here
so we could walk and talk
in the soft rain, soft rain, soft rain
now all that's left of us
is a picture sitting in a frame

everything i wish for
is everything i see
i remember when your kisses were for me

everything i wish for
is everything i see
i remember when your kisses were for me

(Thanks to Catiita & Seri for these lyrics)

Never Leave Lonely Alone

Like an old man
sitting alone at a lunch counter
never leave lonely alone...
like a small town girl
a big city devours
never leave lonely alone...
some of us laugh
even in our darkest hour
never leave lonely alone...

unspoken rules of solitude
wound without a trace
a lifetime of dreams roll down your face
all that we can't say
is all we need to hear
when you close your eyes
does the world disappear

there's something in everyone
only they know
never leave lonely alone...
it moves in the hidden ways
of joy and sorrow
never leave lonely alone
never leave lonely alone...

(Thanks to AcesHigh for these lyrics)

Sweet Nothing Serenade

(Instrumental)

Reason To Mourn

I can' t know the hell you love
but i know you' ve had enough
some baptize in water some in flames
in flames
in flames

don' t you give me a reason to mourn
don' t you give me a reason to mourn
look into my eyes with all your hate and scorn
but don' t you give me a reason to mourn

what has life done to you
all you ever wanted was someone to run to you
there' s more to life then what makes you cry
what makes you cry
i want save you by

don' t you give me a reason to mourn
don' t you give me a reason to mourn
look into my eyes with all your hate and scorn
but don' t you give me a reason to mourn
i' ll remove the crown of sorrow wich you have been adorned
but don' t you give me a reason to mourn

don' t you give me a reason to mourn
don' t you give me a reason to mourn
look into my eyes with all your hate and scorn
but don' t you give me a reason to mourn

(Thanks to Giulia for these lyrics)

More Than Sorry

Goodbye
hasn't been so good to me
stepped out into the night
back against the moon
i saw ten thousand hands with candlelight
we all think that we're right
it's hard to tell
if the night is full of hope or doom

my eyes
burn with unshed tears
my body is weak
from so many silent years
too many people say goodbye
before they say hello
step into the morning
and disappear

what more than sorry can i say
what more than sorry can i be
before our love fades away
what more than sorry
do you want from me

(Thanks to Jorge for these lyrics)

Cryin' Won't Help You Now

You sit there and call me a liar and a cheat
I just wish you'd pin a rose on me
Now you won't even come out and take a bow

Crying won't help you now
Crying won't help you now

So now your poets
Have all put down their pens
The only songs to sing
Are those sung again

Lonely just doesn't look good on you somehow
Crying won't help you now
Crying won't help you now

Now I jsut keep on starring
Into the black eyes of the truth
We'll have to learn to live up on our own somehow

Crying won't help you now
Crying won't help you now
Crying won't help you now
Crying won't help you now

(Thanks to Ben for these lyrics)

Happy Everafter In Your Eyes

The morning sunrise spread her wings
while the moon hung in the sky
held the sea in your hands
and happy everafter in your eyes

couldn't leave you to go to heaven
i carry you in my smile
for the first time my true reflection i see
happy everafter in your eyes

every star in the night
promises the dawn
i will be there if you fall
to ever so heavily rest upon

all that i can give you
is forever yours to keep
wake up every day with a dream
and happyever after in your eyes

happy everafter is in your eyes

(Thanks to Laura for these lyrics)

Better Way

I'm a living sunset
Lightning in my bones
Push me to the edge
But my will is stone

Fools will be fools
And wise will be wise
But i will look this world
Straight in the eyes

What good is a man
Who won't take a stand
What good is a cynic
With no better plan

Reality is sharp
It cuts at me like a knife
Everyone i know
Is in the fight of their life

Take your face out of your hands
And clear your eyes
You have a right to your dreams
And don't be denied

I believe in a better way

Both Sides Of The Gun

Living these days is making me nervous
archaic doctrine no longer serve us
now we're left as silent witnesses
we don't know quite what this is
other than a war that can't be won

i feel like i'm crowded, i can't get out
world keeps on filling me up with doubt
when you're trapped you got no voice
where you're born you got no choice
other than to go and take you some

one dimensional fool
in a three dimensional world

politics, it's a drag
they put one foot in the grave
and the other on the flag
systems rotten to the core
young and old deserve much more
than struggling every day until you're done

tension
too much to mention
living on both sides of the gun

(Grazie a Gianky for these lyrics)

Engraved Invitation

I wish i was a thought
i'd run all through your mind
and come out being everything
you ever tried to find

life's the longest picture
you're ever gonna take
love's the longest promise
that you're ever gonna break

i wish i could yell sorry
louder than i screamed
all of those other things
i said but didn't mean

some days i'm the lord's servant
some days i'm satan's pawn
some days i just wish
the voices in my head were gone

the sun's a moon that warms you
the moon's a sun with no heat
the sky above is to remind you
what's under your feet

this life's not big enough
to fit our love inside
'cause i remember you from heaven
the last time i died

it's an engraved invitation
to leave all this time we've been wasting

(Thanks to Laura for these lyrics)

Black Rain

Written by: Harper/Yates

You left them swimming for their lives
Down in new orleans
Can't afford a gallon of gasoline
With your useless degrees and contrary statistics
This government business is straight up sadistic

Now you don't fight for us
But expect us to die for you
You have no sympathy for us
But still i cry for you
Now you may kill the revolutionary
But the revolution you can never bury

Don't speak to us like we work for you
Selling false hope like some new dope we're addicted to
I'm not a desperate man but these are desperate times at hand
This generation is beyond your command

And it won't be long
'til the people flood the streets
To take you down
One and all
A black rain is gonna fall

Gather 'Round The Stone

you're too young to know
that you're too young to go
there's no freedom to be found
lying face up in the ground

ashes from an unfinished life
are all that's left
in a tear-drop-shaped locket
hanging from his mother's chest

you whip the back of freedom
‘till it bleeds an oil stream
then you sail down upon it
in your killing machine

old men who send children
off to die in vain
they will hear death's constant whisper
call remember my name

gather 'round the stone

(Thanks to edo for these lyrics)

Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm Eating

you're the first one to get there
and always the last one to leave
you're the first one to chuckle
but the last one to grieve
i know all too well the world takes a daily beating

please don't talk about murder while i'm eating

you walk into the temple
and call it a church
i try to keep things simple
but you always need the works
your life is marked by numbers and symbols
excessive drinking from out of golden thimbles
just a moment of silence i'm needing

so let's not talk about murder while i'm eating

you get all hot and bothered
at the strangest times and places
but don't notice the looks on all the other faces
you're dressed for summer in the middle of december
what you've all but forgotten
i painfully remember
i don't care in the least what you're reading

please don't talk about murder while i'm eating

(Thanks to edo for these lyrics)

Get It Like You Like It

throw your hands up to the sky
and scream out loud i'm free
'cause wrong is the new right
so we can cut loose tonight
it costs a lot to look this cheap

fire makes it burn and water makes it turn
we must still be here living on earth
they keep telling me jesus walked on water
he shoulda surfed

in 1918 the great bambino
kicked a piano into willis pond
but johnny damon swung a bat
grand slam that was that
an 86 year curse is gone

throw your hands up to the sky
and scream i'm not alone
is it irony or fate
don't become what you hate
we've all got stardust in our bones

(Thanks to edo for these lyrics)

The Way You Found Me

The more i smoke, the more i drink
the more i talk, the less i think
the less i think, the more i feel
folks don't change
they just reveal

my mind is broke, my last nerve is shot
what you want from me, i ain't got
two plus two will never be twenty-two
so please don't tell me twice what i need to do

there's no rules to lust
only passion, and it can be so unjust
if we don't speak, we'll get along just fine
don't ask me how i'm doing
'cause i don't feel like lying

take me as i am
or leave me the way you found me

(Thanks to edo for these lyrics)

Serve Your Soul

Battles over which direction to kneel
people reaching out to touch
but forgetting to feel
daily breath shouldn't be a daily penance
is that what you believe
or just a life sentence

i look into the mirror
and i see someone there i used to know
they all want you to serve them
but the only one you got to serve
is your soul

so much time
and at such a cost
we spend looking for what we've lost
now that you know
you can't find it from him
you're gonna have to find it within

i look into the mirror
and i see that life has taken its toll
they'll all want you to serve them
but the only one you got to serve
is your soul

listen to the wind it won't lie to you
if you love it let it go
and watch it fly to you
every setting sun gently weeps
you can always hear it
'cause trust never sleeps

There Will Be A Light - 2004

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Take My Hand

Words and music by Ben Harper

Lord I work to serve you
And I hope I've served you well
Oh — I've lived a life to join you
And now only time will tell

Oh — Take my hand when you are worried
Take my hand when you're alone
Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand to lead you home

Father dear father
Pulled his car to the side of the road
Looked at his children with tears in his eyes
Said life is too heavy a load

Take my hand when you are worried
Take my hand when you're alone
Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand to lead you home

Some days I'm struck with sorrow
Need a place to hide
There's nowhere else you can put life
But way down deep inside

Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand when you're alone
Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand to lead you home

Take my hand when you are worried
Take my hand to lead you home
Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand to lead you home

Take my hand...

Wicked Man

Words and music by Ben Harper

Children come running to the truth
But you've got to peel the skin to get the fruit
And while one's living high another's grieving
But what's sweet by morning is bitter by the evening
Oh — What's sweet by morning is bitter by the evening

The wicked
The wicked
The wicked man shall fall
The wicked
The wicked
The wicked man shall fall

When the moon chase away the sun
And cause my day to run
I will not fear the darkest night
For I know upon the other side is light
Oh — The other side is light

The wicked
The wicked
The wicked man shall fall
The wicked
The wicked
The wicked man shall fall

Every man is a common man
And every common man has his plan
But while the hungry man seek any food in sight
The greedy man seek only appetite
Oh — The greedy man seek only appetite

The wicked
The wicked
The wicked man shall fall
The wicked
The wicked
The wicked man shall fall

Oh — The wicked man shall fall
Oh — The wicked
The wicked
Oh — The wicked man shall fall
Fall — Fall — Fall — Fall
Wicked man
Wicked man
Oh — Fall

Where Could I Go

Ben Harper / Jason Yates / Marc Ford

There's no deals to be made with the dawn
Now I fear that our time has come and gone

They say freedom is just a place to hide
Now I'm coming to you with my arms open wide
(Oh — won't you tell me)
Where could I go to the Lord

Take a prayer with you to heaven for me
Oh — And give it to the Lord
Give it to the Lord
Cause nothing else could save a sinner
Sinner like me
Oh — But an angel's word
Just an angel's word

Now — Oh now — what is — what is too true
What is hard is much too true
Oh — and what's true Oh — is much too too hard
And now where — where could I go but to the Lord

Mama was hard on us but we could take it
And papa didn't give a damn and he couldn't fake it

They say freedom
Oh — Freedom is just an other place to hide
Now I'm coming to you with my arms open wide
(And tell me)
Where could I go — Oh — but to the Lord

Church House Steps

Words and music by Ben Harper

Oh — I sat down upon the church house steps
I sat down upon the church house steps
I sat down upon the church house
Down upon the church house steps

With all my hopes and dreams
All of my regrets

Oh — I sat down upon the church house steps
I sat down upon the church house steps
I sat down
I sat down upon the church house steps

With all I have lost
And with all I have been blessed

Oh — I sat down
Oh — I sat down
Oh — I sat down upon
I sat down upon the church house steps

I reached to the sky
As I hung my head and wept
Oh — I wept

Oh — I sat down
Oh — I sat down
I sat down
Oh — I sat down

If these wings should fail me
(Won't you) meet me with another pair

11th Commandment
(Instrumental)

Well Well Well

Words by Danny O'Keefe / Music by Bob Dylan

The man who stole the water will swim forevermore
But he'll never reach the land on that golden shore
That faint white light will haunt his heart
Till he's only a memory lost in the dark

Dig a hole in the ground straight down to hell
Till there ain't no more water in the well, well, well
When you're down on your knees with nothing left to sell
Try diggin a little deeper in the well, well, well
Well, well, well
Well, well, well

Take care of your body like you care for your soul
Don't you dig yourself into a hole
Until you've paid the price you can't know what it's worth
The air and water, the fire and earth

Dig a hole in the ground straight down to hell
Till there ain't no more water in the well, well, well
When you're down on your knees with nothing left to sell
Try diggin a little deeper in the well well well
Well, well, well
Well, well, well

Picture Of Jesus

Words and music by Ben Harper

It hangs above my altar
Like they hung him from a cross
I keep one in my wallet
For the times I feel lost
I feel lost
In a wooden frame with splinters
Where my family kneels to pray
And if you listen close
You'll hear the words he used to say

I've got a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers rest
We've got a picture of Jesus
And with him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed

Now it has been spoken
He would come again
But would we recognize
This king among men
There was a man in our time
His words shine bright like the sun
He tried to lift the masses
And was crucified by gun

He was a picture of Jesus
With him so many prayers rest
He is a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers
So many prayers
So many prayers rest
With him we shall be forever blessed
Forever blessed
Forever blessed

Some days have no beginning
And some days have no end
Some roads are straight and narrow
And some roads only bend
So let us say a prayer
For every living thing
Walking towards a light
From the cross of a king
We long to be a picture of Jesus
Of Jesus
In his arms
In his arms so many prayers rest
I long to be a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed
With him we shall
With him we shall be forever blessed
Oh- Oh- I long
I've got a picture of Jesus
Mmhh

Satisfied Mind

Joe H. "Red" Hayes / Jack Rhodes (1955)

How many times have you heard someone say
"If I had his money I'd do things my way"
But little they know that it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind

Once I was waiting in fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed of to get a start in life's game
Suddenly it happened I lost every dime
But I'm richer by far with a satisfied mind

When my life is over and my time has run out
My friends and my loved ones I'll leave there's no doubt
But one thing is for certain when it comes my time
I'll leave here for certain with a satisfied mind

I got a satisfied mind
...

Mother Pray

Traditional written by J.W. Vaughan / J. Rowe
Original title: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again

How sweet and happy seem those days of which I dream
Memories I recall now and then
And with a rapture sweet my weary heart would beat
If I could hear my mother pray again

If I could only hear my mother pray again
If I could hear her tender voice as then
How happy I would be
It would mean so much to me
If I could hear my mother pray again

Around the old homeplace her cherishing smiling face
Was always bringing comfort joy and cheer
And when she used to sing to her eternal King
It was the sound I loved to hear

If I could only hear my mother pray again
If I could hear her tender voice as then
How happy I would be
It would mean so much to me
If I could hear my mother pray again

If I could hear my mother pray again
If I could hear my mother pray again

There Will Be A Light

Words and music by Ben Harper

I wish we could live forever
Then melt into the sun
Melt into the sun
Time is gonna change you
Once it gets you on the run
Gets you on the run

There will be
There will be
There will be a light
There will be a light
There will be
There will be
There will be a light
There will be a light

I've been running
Ever since
Ever since I was a child
Some call it free
And some call it wild

There will be
There will be
There will be a light
There will be a light
There will be
There will be
There will be a light
There will be a light

Let the warmth of my love
Dry away all your tears
Fear not for I am with you
I will fear not — fear not — with you here

There will be
There will be
There will be a light
There will be a light
There will be
There will be
There will be a light
There will be a light

There will be
There will be
There will be a light
There will be a light

Church On Time

Words and music by Ben Harper

We're gonna make it to the church on time
We're gonna make it to the church on time
Put on your Sunday best
I'll put on mine
We're gonna make it to the church on time

We're gonna make it to the church on time
We're gonna make it to the church on time
Need to hear the preacher
Give me a sign
We're gonna make it to the church on time

We're gonna make it to the church on time
We're gonna make it to the church on time
I'm gonna get my soul in line
I'm gonna make it to the church on time

We're gonna make it to the church
We're gonna make it to the church on time
We're gonna leave all of our troubles behind
I'm gonna make it to the church on time

We're gonna make it to the church on time
We're gonna make it to the church on time
You may be rich may not have a dime
We're gonna make it to the church on time

We're gonna make it
Oh — We're gonna make it
Oh — We're gonna make it to the church on time
Trouble at heart — Oh — trouble in mind
We're gonna make it, Lord, to the church on time

Revelation chapter eight
Revelation chapter eight
Seven angels at the gate
You don't want to make them wait

Oh — We're gonna make it
Oh — I'm gonna make it
I'm gonna make it
Oh —I'm gonna make it to the church on time
Oh — To the church
Oh — To the church on time
On your Sunday best
On your Sunday best
Sunday best
I'm gonna put on
I'm gonna put on
I'm gonna put on mine

Diamonds On The Inside - 2003

noreply@blogger.com (8sottountetto) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:16:00 +0000

With My Own Two Hands

I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make a better place
With my own two hands
Make a kinder place
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
I can reach out to you
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

I'm gonna make it a brighter place
I'm gonna make it a safer place
I'm gonna help the human race
With my own
With my own two hands

I can hold you
With my own two hands
I can comfort you
With my own two hands
But you got to use
Use your own two hands
Use your own
Use your own two hands

With our own
With our own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

When It's Good

You're a prison I can't escape
You're a decision I never make
Heard me laughing
You heard me weep and moan
When it's good, it's good
When it's gone, it's gone

They say time will kill the pain
I say pain is gonna kill my time
Lord won't you save me
Or leave me alone

When it's good, it's good
When it's gone, it's gone

I hang your picture above my mind
Don't do anything you can't deny
I could never be your pawn
When it's good, it's good
When it's gone, it's gone

Some drink to remember
Some to forget
Some for satisfaction
Some to regret
I hope a brighter day to you I've shown

When it's good, it's good
When it's gone, it's gone

Diamonds On The Inside

I knew a girl
Her name was truth
She was a horrible liar
She couldn't spend one day alone
But she couldn't be satisfied
When you have everything
You have everything to lose
She made herself a bed of nails
And she's planning on putting it to use
But she had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
Diamonds

A candle throws its light into the darkness
In a nasty world so shines a good deed
Make sure the fortune that you seek
Is the fortune that you need
Tell me why the first to ask
Is the last to give every time
What you say and do not mean
Follows you close behind

She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
Diamonds
Diamonds

Like the soldier long standing under fire
Any change comes as a relief
Let the giver's name remain unspoken
She is just a generous thief

She had diamonds on the inside
She had diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds on the inside
She wore diamonds
Oh - diamonds
She had diamonds
She wore diamonds
Diamonds

Touch From Your Lust

I need to sleep but I'm too tired
I need to come down but I'm too wired
When the sun comes up I miss the moon
Cause I know tomorrow is gonna come too soon
She only wants to be wanted
But time crumbles blue roses to dust
Now I long to feel the touch from your lust

Scars on your back tell where you've been
But I'll roll like the ocean if you'll blow like the wind
Sweet Texas angel what have your blue eyes seen
I'll be your country gentleman
If you will be my Mason Dixon Queen
Queen

She only wants to be wanted
But time crumbles blue roses to dust
Now I long to feel the touch from your lust

So much sweeter than all the rest
You're what lies between pain and death
Sinners and saints call you by name
If you're gonna take the praise
You're gonna have to learn to take the blame

She only wants to be wanted
But time crumbles blue roses to dust
Now I long to feel the touch from your

When She Believes

The good Lord is such a good Lord
With such a good mother too
They have blessed me
In the good graces of you
I have heard a hundred violins crying
And I have seen a hundred white doves flying
But nothing is as beautiful
As when she believes in me

How good it must feel
To be so young and free
And a song that pleases a Queen
Will always please me
I have heard the wisest of wisdom
And I have dined in palaces and kingdoms

But nothing is as beautiful
As when she believes in me

Now, all of life
Is just passing the time
Until once again
Your eyes look into mine
I have been adored by a stranger
And I have heard the whispering angel

But nothing is as beautiful
As when she believes in me

Brown Eyed Blues

If I knew being here with you today
Would mean being alone tomorrow
I would gladly trade all of my tomorrows away
For a moment with you
Brown eyed blues
You can find yourself another fool

Can you look
Into my eyes
Or has your heart gone blind
Can you look
Into your own
And find the safe place to hide

Brown eyed blues
You can find yourself another fool

Why be with a stranger
When you could be with your friend
If you're ever lonely you know I'm lonely too
And I'll stay lonely until I'm again with you

Brown eyed blues
You can find yourself another fool

Bring The Funk

When it's on the one you know the funk's begun
When you are down and out there is no doubt
You need the funk
Just bring the funk
Bring the funk
Bring the funk
Now what's the problem everybody's got them
Just get the hole out of your soul
And bring the funk
Bring me the funk
Bring the funk

If you got a glass closet don't you throw no bones
There's only getting until the getting's gone
So pass me the funk
Got to have my funk
I need my funk
Got to have my funk

Some are jiving
Some are shuck
Some are just down on their luck
They just need the funk
They got to have the funk
Got to have the funk
Just bring 'em some funk
Just bring the funk
Bring it

Stay black
Stay black
Stay white
Stay brown
Just get on down
Bring the funk
Got to bring the funk
Bring the funk
I need it

Well it's got to be solid
That's what you call it
Funk me up Funk me down
Funk me sideways Funk me all ways
Bring the funk
Got to bring the funk
Bring the funk

Some things money can't fix
Some things only money will do the trick
It's not the end of the world but I can see it from here
So bring me the funk
Just bring me the funk
Bring the funk

Everything

Behind all of your tears
There's a smile
Behind all of the rain
There's a sunshine for miles and miles
Everything
Everything
You mean everything
You mean everything
Everything to me

The colors of your garden
They're yellow, blue and green
And the sound of your sweet voice
It's better than all my dreams

Everything
Everything
You mean everything
You mean everything
Everything to me

Your my first thought in the morning
When I rise
You're my last thought in the evening
When I rest my head at night

Everything
Everything
You mean everything
You mean everything
Everything to me

Amen Omen

What started as a whisper
Slowly turned into a scream
Searching for an answer
Where the question is unseen
I don't know where you came from
And I don't know where you've gone
Old friends become old strangers
Between the darkness and the dawn
Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Can I find the place within
To live my life without you

I still hear you saying
All of life is a chance
And is sweetest
When at a glance
But I live a hundred
Lifetimes in a day
But I die a little
In every breath that I take

Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Can I find the place within
To live my life without you

I listen to a whisper
Slowly drift away
Silence is the loudest
Parting word you never say
I put your world
Into my veins
Now a voiceless sympathy
Is all that remains

Amen Omen
Will I see your face again
Amen Omen
Can I find the place within
To live my life without you

Temporary Remedy

I killed a snake with a bible
I was living a Johnny Cash song
I'm afraid for this I may be liable
So its best I be moving - moving along
Just a temporary remedy
Running through my veins

Summer lasted through November
Funny when its gone you miss cold
Words can be spoken for a lifetime
We can never hear until we're told

Just a temporary remedy
Running through my veins

They tell me nothing is perfect
Then tell me why is it a word
Yesterday's news is tomorrow's blues
Now they're perfectly blurred

Just a temporary remedy
Running through my veins

So High So Low

Once you know you can never
You can never turn back
But I understand
' Cause we all fear what we lack
Being with you
Makes me tired as hell
And it's so high so low

Now if I was strong
And you were male
You'd be dead
And I would be in jail

Being with you
Makes me tired as hell
And it's so high so low

Don't go making promises
You know you won't keep
Weddings turn to funerals
Both with songs that make you weep

Being with you
Makes me tired as hell
And it's so high so low

Blessed To Be A Witness

Corcovado parted the sky
And through the darkness
On us he shined
Crucified in stone
Still his blood is my own
Glory behold all my eyes have seen
I am blessed to be a witness

Some have flown away
And can't be with us here today
Like the hills of my home
Some have crumbled and now are gone
Gather around for today won't come again

I am blessed to be a witness

So much sorrow and pain
Still I will not live in vain
Like good questions never asked
Is wisdom wasted on the past
Only by the grace of God go I

I am blessed to be a witness

Picture Of Jesus

It hangs above my altar
Like they hung him from a cross
I keep one in my wallet
For the times I feel lost
In a wooden frame with splinters
Where my family kneels to pray
And if you listen close
You'll hear the words he used to say
I've got a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers rest
We've got a picture of Jesus
And with him we shall be forever blessed

Now it has been spoken
He would come again
But would we recognize
This king among men
There was a man in our time
His words shine bright like the sun
He tried to lift the masses
And was crucified by gun

He was a picture of Jesus
With him so many prayers rest
He is a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers rest
With him we shall be forever blessed

Some days have no beginning
And some days have no end
Some roads are straight and narrow
And some roads only bend
So let us say a prayer
For every living thing
Walking towards a light
From the cross of a king

We long to be a picture of Jesus
In his arms so many prayers rest
I long to be a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed

She's Only Happy In The Sun

I know you may not want to see me
On your way down from the clouds
Would you hear me if I told you
That my heart is with you now
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun

Did you find what you were after
The pain and the laughter brought you to your knees
But if the sun sets you free
Sets you free
You'll be free indeed
Indeed

She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun

Every time I hear you laughing
Hear you laughing
It makes me cry
Like a story of life
Of life
Is hello goodbye

She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun
She's only happy in the sun