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

Home

Purchase

If you purchase the CD, you will also have the opportunity to download the Digital Album and get some instant gratification while yer waiting for the postman.

Either way, if you're getting a download, it will be served up as a 'zip' file with all those juicy MP3s stuffed inside.

Do not attempt to download via smartphone. Please use a computer!

  • For AngelaDownload

    For Angela?

    I loved her.
    And I loved her (two).
    But I love you. Love you.
    It doesn’t matter
    How far we’ve run.
    The heart is stronger when it’s grown.

    I love you.
    Yes I love you too.
    And I love you.

    Everywhere and everything
    That I go through
    All this leads to you.

    When you look it stops the moon
    I swear I lost my breath…

    [A Sailor’s Lament]
    Caithain?
    Caithain ‘s abhaile thailain?
    Cathain ‘mo theach ar bit?
    Cathain ‘s ag dulaigh thalain?
    Cathain ‘na mheidh na dtonnta aris? When?

    When will my home be there?
    When will it ever be my house?
    When will I ever be going there?
    When will these waves be spent?

    I love you.
    Yes I love you too.
    Yes I love you.
    It doesn’t matter where we are
    Or where I run.
    My heart only sees you.
    Everywhere and everything
    That I go through
    Always comes to you.

    Galway 2005

    Third time's the charm... ('Angela' is a character of fiction.)

    The bit o' Gaelige in the middle is based on the all too real fears of fishermen where I grew up. Contrary to the common idea of 'a woman in every port' most guys live in constant state of anxiety about their wives left at home to do... what...?

  • HappinessDownload

    Happiness?

    Well I was bored.
    I’d be the first to tell you so.
    And I was so afraid
    So I kept it all inside.

    Coz I was sure.
    That no one else could take me on.
    Still I was always drawn to
    What everyone else had.

    And on and on
    The days move on
    And how the clock ticks down.
    Ah… Years go by.
    And on and on
    The game plays on
    Pretending how we’re fine.
    Far too human was I…

    Yes I was torn
    I was afraid to let you know
    That there were days all I thought
    That my heart could do was cry.

    And on and on
    The days move on
    And how the clock ticks down!
    Ah… years go by.

    And on and on
    The game plays on
    Pretending how we’re fine.
    Far too human was I…

    CHORUS

    Happiness wrapped round my shoulders.
    Giving warmth from any coldness
    Everything is now open eyes.

    Happiness a shining gold
    Dimming not as we grow older
    Happiness is mine if given time.

    Well I was born,
    Like everyone we must be loved.
    Yes I was born for love but never felt inside.
    And I was torn.
    To ever show the scars.
    But I wanted you to know it all.

    But on and on the same tune goes
    And I got lost in mine
    None would lead me home.
    And all the things that I acquired to heal
    Helped me not
    Far too human was I…

    (CHORUS)

    Coloured lights that gleam before us.
    Everything good now comes to focus.
    I can finally see the reason why.

    Seattle 2012

    If you haven't been happy for a while, you may not realise it when it's there. It can sneak up on a person; unhappiness being like the constant sound of the refrigerator. It can take time to realise that it's stopped and there is calm in the room. Too bad, that doesn't sound as hyperbolic as love songs are supposed to be.
  • TeflonDownload

    Teflon?

    Now me and Julie and Billy and Tim
    Went up to the place where the war had been.
    We all thought that we would have ourselves some day!
    No school or jail, military stay
    Ever built a game that was too extreme.
    We thought we were skinned in teflon.

    We would stand outside the hold.
    Till we knew all the men were gone.

    Julie told Timmy ‘Get down!’
    Coz she new it was wrong.
    Billy was sure it’d be fun,
    But it wasn’t this time.

    II
    Now Billy and Timmy took Julie in step.
    They went up to the room where the goodies were kept.
    They thought that they were doing well
    But they had been trapped.
    A fuse had failed;
    An electric blaze.
    Timmy and Julie could’ve walked away.
    But Billy had made his choice with God
    And he began to shout…

    Forward lads! We don’t roll like that!

    Billy threw Julie a rope
    But he never looked back.
    Julie told Timmy, ‘There’s fire on the ground’
    And the pain won’t stop. This time.

    Forward lads. We don’t roll like that!

    Billy and Timmy got tired,
    Thinking they would go home.
    Julie stopped thinking of fun
    As her body turned cold.

    [TV Announcer]
    In a shocking discovery,
    today State Police announced that they had found
    the body of a teenage woman at the site of the old
    gas re-processing plant near Interstate 23.
    Police are offering no further details regarding
    the youngster’s fate pending notification of next of kin.

    Seattle 2005

    This is a semi-true story of my sister's death. She hung out with a rough crowd and one night she, like every other teenager since time began, took a stupid risk. Ninety percent of the time, we surive. She was the one percent.

    It's also a song based on another true story. Four kids broke into an old plant looking to steal some parts and have some fun. The guys wanted to show the girls that they were tough. A fire started and the boys left one girl to die. Many months later when her body was found, there was much talk about how the boys could be so inhuman. No one had the guts to consider that maybe those guys were being all too human.
  • I Lost My Mind (Trying To Live With You)Download

    I Lost My Mind (Trying To Live With You)?

    Hey Baby!
    Why did you do me like that?
    I only tried to show you that I love you best
    And then you put me down flat.
    Now here’s the problem:
    There’s no living with you.
    Baby I’m depending on you to tell the truth.
    Come on over here and show me what to do?

    CHORUS

    Cause I gave up one part of my humanity
    Forfeit one third of my sanity.
    Man I’m tellin’ you:
    There’s no living with you.

    Now lately.
    People are talking so much.
    I know they only think they’re trying to help me Lord,
    But it might be nice if they could shut up.

    Yeah, it’s a problem:
    They don’t know where it’s at.
    I only wish that they could work so hard
    To try and tell me
    How a true love can do you like that.

    (CHORUS)

    FINAL CHORUS

    Cause I gave up one part of my humanity.
    Forfeit all that’s left of my sanity.
    Lost all touch with reality.
    Shit how tough can any human be?
    Jesus Christ:
    There’s no living with you.

    Seattle 2007

    Wow
  • Too BeautifulDownload

    Too Beautiful?

    I

    You know too
    The rent comes due.
    They only change, the time you have to pay

    Torn apart
    A pain so sharp.
    You know you’ll have to make one any way.

    You’re so smart
    You always watch your heart
    You think that there’s always something left to pay.

    But I swear
    I care
    For all the things
    That you’ll ever dare
    If it all seems just too difficult
    Don’t you see?

    I swear
    I care
    For all the things
    That you never dared
    If you just can’t see the beautiful things in me.
    I understand.

    II

    Worked too hard
    To miss your part,
    You know you’ll have to make one anyway.

    Play your part
    And make your start
    The curtain’s raised on only one more play.

    But I swear
    I care
    For all the things
    That you’ll ever dare
    If it all seems just too typical
    Don’t you see?

    I swear
    I care
    For all the things
    That you never dared
    If you just can’t see the beautiful things in me.
    I understand.

    After the fall.
    You only hurt yourself.
    By thinking that things can never be set right.

    BRIDGE I

    See dear heart.
    You almost missed a beautiful start.
    If you don’t reach up your dreams keep floating
    Over and over and over away from it all.

    BRIDGE II

    After love’s fall
    You thought you had it all
    By thinking that things can never turn out right.

    See, dear heart.
    You almost missed a beautiful start.
    Does it all come down to dreams you can believe?

    (CHORUS)

    Detroit 1997

    If you've waited a long time for happiness, it may take a while to get used to it. It can actually be quite painful. Moments will inevitably occur where it doesn't feel real. Fears come out of nowhere making you feel like it just can't last.
  • Hey Girl!Download

    Hey Girl!?

    Oh nothing for you now.
    But when you die?
    Total consciousness, baby.

    Hey girl,
    I see they’ve been hurting you.
    Sit down,
    For only one moment.
    I think, I really can tell what you’re going through.

    Hey girl,
    I feel it all around you.
    Take heart.
    There’s one thing I know.
    There is so much more
    That you and I have left to do.

    Hey girl,
    You see where you’re going to.
    This time,
    It’s only one moment.
    I know,
    You really can’t tell
    What you’re going through.

    Sometimes,
    You feel it all around you.
    You’re caught.
    But one thing I know.
    There’s so much more
    That you and I have left to do.
    You’re mine. (All mine).

    CHORUS

    Now baby, I know.
    That I’ve been living wrong and so,
    I think that I can help you,
    If you’re still awake.

    Growing pains.
    Throwing things.
    Bleeding out a lot.
    Blinding heeling down that highway.

    I am your northern wind.
    Are you blown away?
    Are you blown away?
    Are you blown away?
    Are you blown away?

    Hey girl,
    You know I’ve been hearing you
    This time
    We’re going to be open.
    I know, I really can’t tell what you’re going through.

    Hey girl,
    I see it all around you.
    Great heart; more than anyone knows.
    There lies what a miracle makes.
    And there is nothing more than that to know.

    (CHORUS)

    Seattle 2012

    A song for my daughter, who is just becoming an adult. There's so much that we have to confront when we're all growed up! What is interesting to me is how my frustration matches hers. After all, there's often nothing I can do for her... they're her problems now!
  • Suicide In A HurryDownload

    Suicide In A Hurry?

    Well I was planning on having my suicide.
    Because it was a Wednesday night.
    There seemed to be no calls on the telephone.
    So I thought I’d get it done in time.

    But then the thoughts start building up.
    Room starts getting hot.
    And I couldn’t find my tools.

    So I turned on the TV news.
    Tried to shuck away these blues.
    And tell myself it’s all in my mind.

    Bass?

    I’ve been doing my best just to stay alive.
    And I’ve been journalling every night.
    And I’ve been listing all the reasons I don’t need to die.
    And I’ve been keeping it in plain sight.

    So when I’m feeling down
    Write it down
    Take a pill
    Calm down
    And everything seems fine.

    But then I come down
    Temples pound
    Vital signs all go to town
    And I’m right back in my Wednesday night.

    Why not? Now if you’re listening and you’re wondering if I took the dive
    Or if I’m pencilled in for Wednesday’s fright.
    Nope I’ve been thinkin’ there’s a reason why I still survive.
    And it’s as easy as two pills each night

    And now I can’t wait to medicate, it’s a date and don’t be late.
    Yeah every thing feels fine.

    And now with joy found,
    Do the town
    So long as we don’t come on down.

    Don’t let them tell you it’s all in your mind.

    Seattle 2012

    Most of the time life is cool. But every so often, just once in a great while, don't ya just feel like ending it all?

    Then of course, your favourite show comes on, the door rings, or maybe you just can't find those pills you had set aside for the job. And the rich tapestry of life goes on...

  • I'm TellingDownload

    I'm Telling?

    The first time that I laid eyes on you
    I had no clue
    What you could do. Said to myself
    There can be no one else
    I wish I knew,
    Oh just how true.

    Gathered myself together
    Preparimngto win your soul
    Breooked no attempts from our friends
    Who told me, ‘beware your goal.
    Be careful what you wish for.

    ‘You know first time around
    New man beware!
    Don’t jump until you’re prepared.’
    I didn’t!

    When I get to heaven and they let me through,
    Here’s what I’ll do
    I’ll tell on you.
    Gather the stones and the bones of the people
    That you put there
    With tender care.

    Shout out those memories again,
    And maybe they’ll damn me too.
    Pay out the bloodiest cost
    For all that you put me through.
    I tell you that’s what I’ll do.

    Because first you were wrong,
    Then you were bad.
    Took everything I had.

    I’m telling!

    Seattle 2012

    You've been soooooo.... bad.
  • The Best Friend I Ever HadDownload

    The Best Friend I Ever Had?

    I
    Thinking back on your life.
    With everything you’ve built going wrong.
    Making sense in a time,
    When every time makes no sense at all.

    Strolling back through the aisles.
    With every thing you’d want all gone.
    Looking down at every sample in place.
    Was anything you (still) wanted at all?

    But I….
    Every time I blew it.
    Man you pulled me through it.
    And I…
    You were the best friend I ever had.

    II
    Probing each of the lies
    Remember each one felt so wrong.
    Thinking after each night in your heart.
    How every day still felt so long?

    And I…
    There were the times you knew it.
    Man, I put you through it.
    And I…
    In spite of everything I never said,
    You were the best friend I ever had.

    BRIDGE

    You can bleed yourself
    For someone else,
    But you always bleed alone.

    And you dreamed yourself
    As someone else,
    But they never seemed to come.

    Until I let you know.

    III
    Reaching down through the vines
    To find your way clear out of this night.
    Hoping here in a place in the dark
    That you can end an endless fight.

    And I….
    For all the the times you knew it.
    …Man, you saw through it.
    And I…
    In spite of everything I ever said,
    And if there’s anything I never said,
    You were the best friend I ever had.

    Seattle 2012

    I gave you a hard time. I felt so beat up by everyone else so I discounted what you offered and gave faint praise to all you gave me. But I was wrong. I was afraid. And I don't think I ever made it clear: You're what everyone wishes for to become whole.

    This song is an apology; a realisation; and above all, a thank you.

  • HomeDownload

    Home?

    The first time I ever saw your
    face,
    I knew my life was changed.
    Hearing you
    Would give me no clue
    Of what my heart could take.

    The next time I ever felt your smile,
    I knew my heart would break.
    The happiness in you,
    Because of someone new,
    Was more than I could take.

    Home,
    I see a hole in every window.
    Home.
    My home.
    The wind that blows so cold.

    Thinking of a time
    And all the places
    Where you and I would go.

    Counting goodbyes
    And counted before
    We ever said hello.
    The end of youth
    Reveals a bitter truth,
    You see when you’re alone.

    Home.
    I see so much that’s come before me.
    Home.
    My home.
    That ever echoes on.

    II

    Making tea,
    And the ticking clock.
    The fall of the rain that just won’t stop.
    The mail
    And the radio.
    The same old play still showing.

    Over and over
    They said it again
    This isn’t a place for a man with goals.
    And how many times will it take
    Before you can let go?

    Take a
    seat
    At the sinking dock
    The roll from the Quay
    And it won’t stop.

    The
    shade
    Of the things you loved.
    The same old wave still flowing.

    Over
    and over
    You trim in again.
    It isn’t a shape that you can control.
    And how many times can you see how it breaks
    Before you can let go?

    III

    I spend each day,
    Seeing life never coming my way
    And love just doesn’t seem made for me
    No place I’ve found.

    Yes, we all know.
    It takes time for love to grow.
    But your world or mine
    Every thing I find,
    Slips away.

    (RETURN)

    IV

    I hear you say,
    Life’s never going your way,
    And love’s tune never ring for you.
    No place you sound.

    I used to say,
    Life just wasn’t going my way,
    Love just wasn’t made for me.
    But now I’ve found…

    (Here is everything we need.)

    Your love and mine
    Everything in it’s time
    Slips away.

    Home.
    Home.
    I’ve see those holes in every window.
    Home
    My home.
    No wind still blows that cold.

    V

    Thinking of a time,
    And all the places
    Where you and I will go!

    (The first time I saw your smile.
    I knew my life would change.)

    Counting goodbyes
    I counted before,
    And seeing new Hellos.
    In spending our youth
    We miss is a better truth,
    You see we’re not alone.

    Home.
    Home.
    I’ve seen those holes in every window.
    Home
    My home.
    That ever echoes on.

    VI

    The first time I ever saw your
    smile,
    I knew my life was changed.

    You brought me home.

    Roscommon 2005

    I moved to America. I needed a change. But after a while, I felt out of place. But when I think of where I used to live, I realise that it's not the same there anymore. How does one regain that sense of belonging? How does one make a new place a home?
  • The Moon Followed Me HomeDownload

    The Moon Followed Me Home?

    Walking on home
    This winter’s eve.
    Looking on up and who do I see?
    Well, I’ve got my friend here
    To help me on my way. Everyone here’d be laughing at me.
    Lookin’ on up just what could he see?

    But I’ve got my friend here
    To help me on my way.

    Though the night is cold and lonely,
    Well I won’t mind
    And I don’t care.

    One, two, three
    You laughing at me?
    Looking on up just who could he see?
    But I’ve got my friend here to help me on my way.
    Yeah, the moon just takes me home.
    Yeah, the moon just follows me home.

    And we are safely home.

    Seattle 2004

    The day we met, I was so happy as I walked a very long way back to my house. It was cold, but certainly not dark. And definitely not lonely.

There was a time. And there was a place. It echoes in my memory and informs everything I do. Not a day goes by that I don't let that place influence the way I approach this problem. Not a day goes by that I don't wish that now could be wrapped in then.

I was back there recently and did not recognize the streets. The people who remain did not share my memories and were suspicious as to whether or not I had ever really lived there. They are used to foreigners romanticizing about small town life.

I wanted to raise my voice and say, 'Look, I'm you! I know how you feel because I feel it too. Let me into your circle!' But I knew. The more I would insist, the less convincing I could be. So I said nothing—as if they would recognize 'understatement'. Not a chance, mate. They see what they see. And you're just passing through. Even if you buy another house. Even if you live next door for twenty years. You'll only ever be visiting.

At some point you have to learn that your home isn't where your heart is. Your heart has to be wherever your home is. And your home is where you are.

I'll give you a call when I arrive.

Some personal notes on Home...

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

x

Sending your message. Please wait...

Thanks for sending your message! We'll get back to you shortly.

There was a problem sending your message. Please try again.

Please complete all the fields in the form before sending.

x