The Music Of JC Harris

positively the most intelligent progressive rock on this here planet

positively the most intelligent progressive rock on this here planet

Balance

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  • Too FarDownload

    Too Far?

    Now there are many things that I always wanted
    And there were many things that I always wanted to say.
    But if I ever thought I could change one thing,
    It would be this way…

    Now is there anyone left that you’ll attend to?
    Is there anyone around who makes a sound that you hear?
    ‘Cause each place I look
    Everyone’s got a book
    Saying ‘It’s all OK.

    So I’m lost
    There’s really no one here I can turn for
    Help.
    There’s really nothing here I believe.

    And it’s gone too far
    And it’s all too broad
    And it’s all too much
    For me.

    And there is something else that I want to tell you.
    But it is getting very hard with all the noise that we hear
    And they say ‘trust yourself’.
    As they sell something else.
    ‘You can drive it on home, end those blues it’s so clear.”

    And if you’d rather stay at home than be preached to.
    Except for Nine To Five no one tells you what to do.
    But when it’s flag waving time,
    You are all first in line,
    To be on your way back.
    On that same road,
    When Johnny Comes Marching Home.

    You can shake your fist at the darkness.
    And vent your spleen to anybody with ears.
    But you can’t underestimate all of The Great Talk
    That only ends in tears.

    You can take your pain to some Doctor:
    “Doctor it hurts when I move this way!”
    But you can’t get a hand
    With a joke like that.
    They don’t get it anyway…

    Seattle 2005

    Everyone is frustrated and wants you to hear their deal. But how willing are any of us listen in return?
  • MoneyDownload

    Money?

    Woke up this morning just to read what the papers say.
    I read a story about girl who washed up the other day.
    There was no money for fella so she went away.
    Was she reported to the force? Well no one could say.
    And when they asked the detectives why their hands are tied?
    The answer came back: ‘Money’. I turned my TV on and look at a burning sky
    The soldier stood back while ten people cried.
    I tell me self it’s not us but some other guys
    But every explanation that you get is just a lie.
    And when you ask at the desk why so many die?
    The answer you’re given: ‘Money’.

    You’re think you’re safe
    You think you’re all grown
    All disconnected from the people you’ve wronged.
    All the writers living now are looking out to see.
    Exactly how the best things in life are still free.

    You think it’s bad?
    Well you should see the other guy!
    You couldn’t tell me so you say I’m just the nervous type.
    You made me think that I was simply giving up.
    While all your buddies at the club, you just live it up.
    And if we ever take a break and wonder why?

    Survey says…

    M-O-N-E-Y

    You’re think you’re safe
    You think you’re long gone. All quarantined from the people you’ve harmed.
    All the writers living now are waiting to see.
    Exactly how the best things in life are still free.

    Last night I dreamed I died and my soul up and flew away.
    I passed the Pearly Gates and walked through clouds along the way.
    I stood in line until St. Peter told me I could stay.
    I was so happy I got down on my knees and began to pray.
    And then they told me there was one thing left…

    I have to pay?

    Seattle 2004

    A guy asks for an explanation for so many of the worlds ills and, to his regret, gets one.
  • BlinkDownload

    Blink?

    I blink.
    And you live again.
    It’s going to
    put me out
    put me out
    put me out of my head.

    Just think if you could
    And there would be
    nothing more
    nothing more
    nothing more to say… I hoped and pray
    That you would appear in more than

    I breathe.
    And you lived again.
    It’s going to put me out of my head.

    Just think if you could
    And there would be nothing more to say…

    I hoped and prayed
    That you would appear in more than

    There were so many times
    When I thought of you and cried
    Til tears had filled up my soul
    Days rained so long
    When every little bit of my hope was gone
    And I knew I was alone…

    I breathe
    And you live

    Seattle 2005

    A story about a man who had lost someone dear and would give up anything, including sanity and life itself, in order to be reunited.
  • Matters Of The HeartDownload

    Matters Of The Heart?

    Talking and talking for hours like we do.
    And yet the proper sentiments fall through.
    You see things your way.
    And I can’t break through.
    It’s evident the consequence of too much staying true
    And so I say to you… If you hear one
    Or two
    Or three sounds
    Coming from this side of the room
    That you don’t understand.
    Don’t be beside yourself
    And think that someone else could take my heart.

    If there are four
    Or five
    Or six things
    Coming the heart of things
    It doesn’t mean to me

    I’d be beside myself
    And think that someone else could take your heart.
    Isn’t that a place to start?

    Walking around this
    For hours
    Like we do.
    And never get beyond the ‘I love yous…’

    You see things your way
    And if my stand stays true
    It’s evident the consequence
    Of always staying true
    And so I beg of you…

    Seattle 2012

    Typical story: two people who talk past one another. We want so much to trust. If only they would listen!
  • One HeartbeatDownload

    One Heartbeat?

    “It’s a mystery to modern medicine.
    A contradiction of facts.
    There sufficient body of evidence,
    To rule out any physical lack.
    In fact there is no explanation,
    Currently equal to task.
    We’ll run more tests in the interim.
    The nurse will schedule when you’ll be back.”

    Seattle 2012

    With apologies to Henry Purcell for the blatant rip-off from 'Dido's Lament.' The last visit to the hospital for someone who's life partner is gone.
  • It's Not The BombDownload

    It's Not The Bomb?

    It’s not the bomb.
    It’s the planet you’re on.
    That makes all the violence go on and on. It’s all the fault of the man, not the trigger.
    At least that’s the way that the politician figures.

    I know. You’re tired of all this violence,
    With all you’ve been through doesn’t seem to make sense.
    I know that you’ve got better things to do.

    Than wondering what will going to come true for you.
    I know you turn down the lights and worry at night,
    if you’ll wake up, right?

    And I feel the same way…

    It’s not the bomb, it’s the planet you’re on
    That spins out the fear-cast from dusk ’til dawnmakes all the violence goes on and on.

    It’s not the bomb, it’s the planet you’re on.
    It’s not anything with these devices.

    I don’t think you can a drink from there:
    The water’s not too refreshing ’round here,
    We destroyed the air with particular flare.

    ‘Forward the banners of The King on His way to Hell!’

    Detroit 1994

    Guns don't kill people; people kill people. So goes the litany. So why doesn't that make me feel better. The last line courtesy Dante's inferno: Virgil sees Satan and shouts out his revised version of the title to the Latin hymn 'On March The Royal Banners (of The King)'.
  • The One True VineDownload

    The One True Vine?

    Think back on all the the things that you wanted to say.
    When everything you had in life was tomorrow.
    Now forward to a time that is where we are.
    When you realize all the meaning of your sorrows.
    And can you still wake up when you know?

    "I am the one true vine that saves."

    Think back on all the Pharisees that you followed.
    And all the things you wanted so much just to grow.
    And so you strode out purposefully into your life.
    Ablaze with all ambitions of tomorrow.
    Reflect on all the things that now are used to bes.

    "I am the one true vine that saves."

    I am the true vine, and my Father is
    the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no
    fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes1 so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean
    because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I
    will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in
    the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5"I
    am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he
    will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If
    anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and
    withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
    you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father’s
    glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain
    in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my
    love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that
    your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other
    as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that
    he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if
    you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because
    a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you
    friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to
    you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you
    to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you
    whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each
    other.

    Think now on all the the things that I’ll never have
    And all the things that I thought I owned that were borrowed.
    And all the things that you chalked up now to used to bes.
    And all those times you’d wish for just one more tomorrow.
    When all you’re left with in your life is an empty cave.

    "I am the one true vine that saves."

    Alaska 2004

    The Gospel of John 15:1

    I've had an ongoing discussion/argument over the years with various people and realised that one of the main objections people have with organised religion is not really about God at all. It's about being told what to do!

    Maybe it's my old-fashioned Irish Catholic upbringing coming out, but if one is not willing to submit (Islam anyone?) to an authority higher than oneself, there is really no point to faith. A basic tenet of faith requires that we follow the rules.

    Boy is that a deal-breaker in this day and age.

    I know why people recoil at authority. I know it seems that everything human is hypocritical; and every rule a suspect in a crime of control. We see so many examples of trust unjustified.

    But nevertheless, if we believe, we have to trust. And we have to serve and submit in order to achieve our heart's desire.

    This passage sums up that sentiment perfectly.

  • The PartyDownload

    The Party?

    Tell me where’s the party?
    Tell me what’s in store?
    Tell me who is coming
    And who is on the floor?

    Point me to the action.
    Show me where it’s at.
    Send me to the honeys,
    Where the party’s on tap.

    [Your Master Of Ceremonies, Ralf]
    Darkened Lights
    Exotic beats
    A foreign town
    And empty streets
    Down smoky stairs
    In searing heat
    And we begin to dance…
     

    I really liked your picture
    I really dug your style
    If you’re really not too busy
    And would like to see a show
    I have made complete arrangements
    At the only place to go.

    (This place is really something)

    [Ralf checks in with our patrons]
    And how, may I ask,
    Is the gentleman enjoying his time at Rick’s
    So far?

    (Well, Personally,I think everything is great
    But I dunno, Ralf. It may be a little much
    for the young lady.)

    Now if you like to party
    And to do it with some style
    You can make complete arrangements
    At a place that’s really wild.

    If you crave your entertainments
    With a real exotic show
    Just present your invitation
    At the only place to go.

    Seattle 2004

    Typical on-line dating experience.
  • MaybeDownload

    Maybe?

    Maybe you think you’ve had enough
    And that the boat you’re on is sinking.
    Maybe you think you’re on your own
    And that your heart has fallen
    Far as it can go.

    Maybe you think you’ve done enough.
    Maybe you think that you’re always low.
    Maybe you think there are some things
    That can’t be got.
    But there are not.

               II
    Over the window,
    Beyond those trees.
    I’ve been thinking lately towards that sea.
    I’ve been thinking about those things we think we need.
    For everything that I once bought
    I had always purchased at twice it’s cost.
    There are those who stand back beyond that shore,
    And those that cast their boats
    Towards something more.

    So much more.

              III
    Hey! See there dreamer.
    You think too much, now this party’s alone.
    Hey dreamer.
    Yes your mind is working overtime.

    Hey! Wake up dreamer.
    You think too much, now this party’s alone.
    Hey! Wake up dreamer!

    ‘Cause your mind is working overtime:
    And your body’s not that strong.
    ‘Cause your mind is working
    overtime
    And your charts were left below.
    ‘Cause your mind is working
    overtime
    And your soul is far from home.
    ‘Cause your mind is working overtime
    And your heart can’t stand the load.

    The Change
    I was dreaming one day
    Of a different night;
    Of a different world;
    Of a different life.
    Of all the dreams that I’d like to have
    But none would come to mind.

    Then everything bathed in a vision of gold.
    A galaxy framed like a picture of old.
    A pallete beyond any canvas we’ve seen.
    And all of it flowing on.

    I was dreaming last night
    That I could make a new start.
    And cast each fault I have beside the door.
    And all those pointless hopes I had,
    I’d leave beside the road.
    And everything I’d wrote,
    Long gone before.

                V
    I know you think you’ve had enough.
    I know that you think your heart will never make it.
    Only one way down from this endless drop.

    I know that you can fight it off.
    Find your way in a wicked world.
    And I know that you’ll be there,
    Back on top.

    So come on home.

    Toronto 1996

    It can change. (Whatever it is.) You have to believe in the possibility.
  • Are You Warm Enough?Download

    Are You Warm Enough??

    Step in the house.
    I see you now.
    Shivering even with all those clothes.

    Look at you now.
    Muttering about this house.

    I’ve known you since before when.
    How could I know that you could spend
    So much time within these walls
    And still not feel quite sure?

    Are you warm enough now?
    Are you warm enough now?
    Are you warm enough now?
    Are you warm enough now?

    Feel for the damp.
    It seems to last.
    The chill leaks through these olden windows.
    They never could protect you from the drafts.

    Look at the plants.
    Think about how we used to laugh.
    It always seemed a joke.
    But now I see they’ve passed.
    The bloom came off the rose too fast;.
    And roses never last these winters.

    Are you warm enough now?
    Are you warm enough now?
    Are you warm enough now?
    Are you warm enough now?

    Dublin 2004

    The foreshadowed end of a relationship--sometimes it's something as mundane as not being able to agree on the thermostat!

Hey, I know what you're thinking: If I could just get up five minutes earlier every day and spend ten more minutes with my kid in the afternoon and even just three minutes less on my e-mails at night things would be different; a lot different.

Sorry, pal. It doesn't work that way. It just doesn't. And I hate to break it to you at this late stage in the game, but the thing is: it never did work that way.

Now listen carefully: the reason you can't have it all is simply because there is no all. There are only incompatible wants that only seem to go together because someone else says so. These people are wrong.

Look around you: Balance is achieved when the structure supports nothing beyond what is necessary.

So...what is necessary?

Some personal notes on Balance...

Look, There's Just No Reason To Be Shy!

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