MERRY SOLSTICE!
(2) IT
ISN’T PERPENDICULAR (2:25).
(8)
TWELVE HOURS OF SOLSTICE (3:34)
(10) BARK
IS THAT OF WHICH WE SING (3:08)
(12) O
COME, DON’T BE WASTEFUL (5:16)
(15)
HOLLY AND IVY DON’T RHYME (2:29)
(16) WE
WISH YOU A MERRY SOLSTICE (2:01)
It’s here again that time of year, when Christmas songs abound
You can’t avoid the messages that many folks have found
Are worth believing tho’ they’re based on things like talking snakes
And virgin births and one/three gods. You see, for goodness sakes,
You can’t have a December Solstice without hearing a lot of songs
Of those who do base their religion on what others think are wrongs
You can’t have a December Solstice where those lovely tunes don’t come through
But we can sure change the lyrics so that we can enjoy them, too
You can return to celebrate the way it did begin
What human observation found, not mortal sin
To have real cheer, to join in song to find in life great fun
And recognize the solstice as we travel ‘round the sun
You can have a December Solstice where the message of what you hear
Is one that you, too, can agree with; where the words say it loud and clear
You can have a December Solstice where you’re with your buds outside
Just singing along with passion, using lyrics that lead to pride
You can hear the children caroling, and think that is great
If the pious words you hear, you just go translate
It is the time to glorify with cerebral zeal
The cycle of our world and all that we know to be real
You can have a December Solstice and rejoice in what you hear and see
It’s time now to play the music of the songs now newly made
So join this serenade, and march in the parade ... with me
(2) IT ISN’T PERPENDICULAR (2:25)
It isn’t perpendicular that our system is built
Which leads to plants that blossom yearly after which they wilt
That 23.3 degrees is such a perfect tilt
O Solstice of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O Solstice of comfort and joy
That tilt leads to phenomena that really can amaze
For instance it explains why when we keep track of the days
There is a cycle of how long we bask in the sun’s rays
O Solstice of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O Solstice of comfort and joy
By knowing of this tilt there is no need to postulate
That there is some divinity that brings about this state
It’s simple math and physics, isn’t science really great
O Solstice of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O Solstice of comfort and joy
Let’s join in celebration of this moment now so clear
The understanding of why there are seasons through the year
So raise a glass and drink with splendid planetary cheer
O Solstice of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O Solstice of comfort and joy
Joy to the World, when bored and glum, we all can start thinking
And that alone should bring pure bliss, delight and glee and happiness
And science and nature sing, And science and nature sing,
And science and science and nature sing
Joy to the World, and savor rain, let’s all its good employ
The rivers and the lakes we see, the recyclable energy
And science and nature sing, And science and nature sing,
And science and science and nature sing
Joy to the World, diversity is such a gift of life
But each time a person’s awed by logic that perchance is flawed
Let science and nature sing, Let science and nature sing,
Let science and science and nature sing
Joy to the world, we all can show respect to fellow men
By listening to what they say we all may find a better way
While science and nature sing, While science and nature sing,
While science and science and nature sing.
Dashing through the snow, was a man they sought to slay
Couldn’t see him though, still they found a way
To know where he was. To detect his plan
His footprints showed his whereabouts. Farewell, invisible man
H.G. Wells. H.G. Wells. H.G. wore an “A”
When people said there’s a god he viewed them with dismay
H.G. Wells. H.G. Wells. H.G. wore an “A”
When people said there’s a god he viewed them with dismay
H.G. wrote a book. Wholesome and quite clean
You should take a look, at his “Time Machine”
It is great sci-fi, Lets us all explore
Travel in another realm and ponders what life’s for
[Chorus]
On the radio in 1938
Things at first were slow, then a moment great
The War of the Worlds sounded so sincere
Orson Welles made many quiver filling them with fear
[Chorus]
Can life be constrained? Can man take control
Is there good or bad? Does the human soul
Know what we should do, or where we should go
Will it all come true like on the Isle of Doc Moreau
[Chorus]
Silent night, wholly night. Nature calm, nature bright
What’s the origin of the sweet smile on an infant’s face so tender while
Ree sleeps in heavenly peace. Sleeps in heavenly peace
Silent night, wholly night. Stars above, shining bright
Stars and galaxies mark where we are. Times and distances so vast and far
Suns and planets are born. Suns and planets are born
Silent night, wholly night. Portal to nature’s might
Radiant energy boundless in space. Dusk and dawn the transitions to grace
We move forward on Earth. We move forward on Earth
Deck the malls with buyers’ folly. Stores have reason to be jolly.
Selling toys and gay apparel. Rack in money by the barrel.
Verse [Instrumental]
See the racing folks before us. So intent they do ignore us.
Each seeks to find hidden treasure. I’ll go shopping at my leisure.
Verse [Instrumental]
So many return their presents. Gee, it’s hard with all these peasants.
Fruitcakes make the rounds, Oh, Lordy! Here’s one that’s from 1940.
There is no hell, That’s what we have to say
It’s as certain as certain can be – by the way
There’s no heaven as well, but of that do not weep
It is better than trusting in poop rather deep
No hell, No hell, No hell, No hell
Short is our time here so let’s live life well
If you ‘look up when it’s ‘late and you ‘think of each ‘star
‘Shining from ‘distances ‘and times so ‘far
Raining ‘down on the ‘Earth with the ‘most gentle ‘light
So ‘soft that they ‘are only ‘seen in the ‘night
No hell, No hell, No hell, No hell
Short is our time here so let’s live life well
Life is ‘not a cru’sade. There is ‘no divine ‘test.
‘Each of us ‘has to de’termine what’s ‘best
For the ‘here and for the ‘now. For ‘afterlife don’t ‘pray
The re’ward is just ‘what we all ‘make of each ‘day
No hell, No hell, No hell, No hell
Short is our time here so let’s live life well
(8) TWELVE HOURS OF SOLSTICE (3:34)
On the twelfth hour of Solstice, my true love gave to me
Twelve signs of the zodiac
Eleven demensional time-space
Ten months a-Roman
Nine standard planets
Eight now-official
Seven sisters in the Pleiades
Six Halley nebulae
Five Brahmin canons
Four yearly divisions
Three spatial axes
Two great celestial bodies
And the knowledge to learn carefully
Oh, wholly night, the stars are brightly shining
In a universe so cold and vast
We’ll get it right, as we continue mining
All the clues as to how it was cast
Here once again we’re going on a journey
‘Round the sun, we start another year
Crawl on your knees until at last you’re standing
In night is the sign. In night ideas are born
In night, so fine, in night ideas are born
(10) BARK IS THAT OF WHICH WE SING (3:08)
Bark is that of which we sing. It surrounds the last tree ring.
Sometimes thick and sometimes thin, bark protects what lies within.
Place a tree out side your home, with its xylem and its phloem
That’s a word that is a gem, not to-o be confused with phlegm
Bark is what we do now sing to, and it’s what the moss does cling to
When you hike or sally forth, moss on bark can show you north
Have you see the latest movie of how some bark’s really groovy?
Please be careful when you spark, it can catch fire, that lovely bark
Some may feel the saying’s trite, but bark’s bigger than its bite
And if with this you do quarrel, you’ll be placed before a gnarl
Or a branch or hump or knurl, knot, excrescence, bump or burl
So much can form from a stem, those who forget this, forget them
Bark is that of which we sing. It surrounds the last tree ring
Rings that tell how each tree grows. Not those one puts in rees nose
Injure bark and we do tear up. Darn you and your maple syrup
If you think that’s not a sin, try punching holes through your skin
Up in the sky there is no big guy who is watching us as we live our lives
And yet recall with no proof at all there are stories of how he connives
To teach the world to have flags unfurled as each group who claims to know him the best
Says there’s a sign of this thing benign, yet each other they hate and detest
Green cheese is what some have said is the substance that the moon is made of
Green cheese – what goes in a head to believe there’s some god up above?
Of course one sees there are mysteries and it sure is easy to just contend
There’s nothing finer than some designer who’s there to be everyone’s friend
And yet this master allows disaster to wreak its havoc and cause great pain
What sort of answer is drought and cancer, let’s all sing, again, the refrain:
Green cheese is what some have said is the substance that the moon is made of
Green cheese – what goes in a head to believe there’s some god up above?
Since we can think, let us never shrink from the chance to wonder and use our minds
The truest grace is to know the place of the truth in what each of us finds
As we discern and attempt to learn what is real and also what’s just a fake
For nature’s prism is skepticism that serves to avoid the mistake
Green cheese very few, indeed, don’t agree that claim is extremely odd
Green cheese, though, we know is real, which we can’t say at all about God
This doesn’t mean that what isn’t seen yet does not exist or that mankind knows
The secrets left or we’re not bereft of all that there remains to expose
And when at night, under stars so bright we can still be awed as the heavens soar
For as we see that reality we’ll rejoice as we clamor for more
Green cheese is a metaphor for the tendency to be lost in zeal
Green cheese, let us all adore the grand quest to discover what’s real.
(12) O COME, DON’T BE WASTEFUL (5:16)
Come, don’t be wasteful. Let us adore Earth.
Come, don’t be wasteful. Let us adore Earth.
Come, don’t be wasteful. Let us adore Earth. Ebm G
O come, don’t be wasteful. Cloy not with your comfort
The air of our children; leave-a-sweet bre-ath for them
Come see what’s golden, Don’t let it be sold and
Then come let us adore Earth, O come let us adore Earth
O come let us adore Earth Be nice to our ward
Sing to the ranges, Sing to barren deserts
Sing to the seas and to the blue skies above
Valleys so verdant, Jewels grown with fresh water
O come let us adore Earth, O come let us adore Earth
O come let us adore Earth. Be nice to our ward
Sunshine we greet thee, It’s a happy morning,
It is a joyous time of glory and light
Birds with their feathers, Songs free for our hearing
O come let us adore Earth, O come let us adore Earth
O come let us adore Earth. Be nice to our ward
It’s all cold down along the beach. The wind’s whipping down the boardwalk.
Hey friend ... you know what time of year it is? It’s Solstice Time.
You been good right? Not infringing on anyone’s copyrights, are you?
Not using anyone else’s songs? Yeah, that’s the way to be.
We don’t want you adding to anyone else’s creativity.
You better watch out, You better just buy the songs I have out, I’m telling you why
Copyright is hanging around. Copyright is hanging around.
Copyright is hanging around.
We all got a list. We’re checking it twice. So cease and desist or you’ll pay the price.
Copyright is hanging around. Copyright is hanging around.
Copyright is hanging around.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Solstice, which comes with some bad news
When I asked if I could use this song to sing out a fine message strong
The ones who have control did just refuse
For Solstice comes but twice a year, and though for some it brings great cheer
For others we do tend to jeer the holidays we’re living when they’re devoid of giving
You can’t use some carols for Solstice though it’s giving they claim to praise
You can’t use some carols for Solstice or for any other days
One would hope that if more used their song they could just find pure delight
But it seems that that’s completely wrong because of copyright
Now I had it as my true mission to score a great rendition
Of some music I hoped would flow. They said no, they said no, they said no
“Well, why?” I asked (hoping for use that fair). “Ain’t it the season to love and share?”
The answer, straightforward, was, “We don’t care.
For profit, or because of spite, it’s ours to use: copyright.”
That made me mad, I was numb, dumb, bummed and glum
And not a little sad, numb, dumb, bummed and glum
Oh what I could have had, numb, dumb, bummed and glum
So I’ll use just a tad, numb, dumb, bummed and glum
Dumb, bummed and ...
You can’t use some carols for Solstice though the story of being kind
Was the message they claim of some Savior
So why, then, do we find that when oratory, sounds of glory fill the sky with light
There’s a message one could reckon wrong. That’s the copyright
So have yourself a very merry Solstice. Don’t be in despair
When you have ideas about which they don’t care
There still are lots of others who are glad to share
Copyright is hanging around. Copyright is hanging around
Copyright is hanging around
When I asked if I could use this song to sing out a fine message strong
The ones who have control did just refuse
For the music I hoped would flow. They said no, they said no, they said no
That made me mad, I was numb, dumb, bummed and glum
When you have ideas about which they don’t care
There still are lots of others who are glad to share
I’m dreaming that tonight Solstice will bring composers who invite
Others to provide new insight, and worship new ideas, not a copyright.
Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no-o-o lawyer.
Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no-o-o lawyer.
George F. Handel would never complaineth
Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
George F. Handel would never complaineth
Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
George F. Handel would never complaineth
Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
George F. Handel would never complaineth
Singing done in this world is become. Singing done to reward a copyright, a copyright
Public domain forever and ever. Public domain forever and ever.
Public domain forever and ever. Public domain forever and ever.
Hear us sing – forever and ever. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
And us record – forever and ever. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
Hear us sing – forever and ever. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
And us record – forever and ever. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
Hear us sing – forever and ever. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
And us record – Hear us sing and us record
Public domain forever and ever. Hear us sing and us record
Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer. Had no lawyer.
Had no lawyer.
(15) HOLLY AND IVY DON’T RHYME (2:29)
When you write any song you control the words you use
And here is some advice: please take care with those you choose
Especially in how they sound, spend a bit of time
Ensuring when you rhyme them that they in fact do rhyme
The Holly and the Ivy is an example great
I know the song’s ‘bout Jesus, and they say he did not hate
But still it seems quite likely that Jesus kept a list
Of things like songs with poor rhymes, I’ll bet those got him pissed
Grown doesn’t rhyme with crown and choir doesn’t rhyme with deer
How couldn’t Jesus be mad, ‘twas his dad who made the ear
And tho’ I’m sure he digs being honored for his Power
I’ll bet he grabs antacids hearing Savior rhymed with flower
Perhaps whoever wrote that song drank more than ree should
When one’s intoxicated blood might seem to rhyme with good
It really is amazing that song that some adore
Has every pair of words out of rhyme: that’s four of four
So gather here and listen to what I have to say
When singing of some gods there is one thing that I pray
If you create some lyrics, please make sure that they’re fine
The message will be ruined if the words you use don’t rhy ...
(16) WE WISH YOU A MERRY SOLSTICE (2:01)
We wish you a Merry Solstice. We wish you a Merry Solstice.
We wish you a Merry Solstice and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings to you wherever you are. Good tidings for Solstice and a Happy New Year.
You might try some figgy pudding. You might try some figgy pudding.
You might try some figgy pudding, maybe with a good beer
Good tidings to you wherever you are. Good tidings for Solstice and a Happy New Year.
We’ll go now and hope you try some. We’ll go now and hope you try some.
We’ll go now and hope you try some, although suet’s to fear.
Good tidings to you wherever you are. Good tidings for Solstice and a Happy New Year.
We wonder now if you’ll try some. We wonder now if you’ll try some.
We wonder now if you’ll try some, and that wonder’s sincere.
We wish you a Merry Solstice. We wish you a Merry Solstice.
We wish you a Merry Solstice and a Happy New Year.
Sometimes there is music, a tune you may hear.
It sends out a message, but one that’s unclear
It may come with words that just fail to ring true
If that is a danger here’s what you can do
Remember that music, once deep in your mind
Has whatever meaning that you are inclined
To hear or discover, a melody grown
Inside you is magic and all yours to own
So feel the score ringing, it moves in your soul
With passion and value and you take control
For sure the composer had rees own intent
But now it is you who decides what ree meant
The beauty of music and all life as well
Is that when you have it, it’s you who can tell
Its reason for being, the power it stores
No matter who wrote it, life’s music is yours.
O modesty, O modesty. Please leave me while I’m changing.
I have some parts you shouldn’t see, with age they’re rearranging.
My skin once soft is now like hide, my butt once trim is now quite wide
O modesty, O modesty, please leave me while I’m changing.
O modesty, O modesty. If I built up my body,
Perhaps I’d dress a bit more free and not wear clothes so shoddy
People might view me with great awe. Forget that gravity’s a law.
O modesty, O modesty, if I built up my body.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum. Intrusions in thine bladder.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum. You’ve gotten a lot fatter.
If I could do it I’d bequeath replacements for all your lost teeth.
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum. Intrusions in thine bladder.
Solstice time is when we all take stock of where we’re goin’
As we start another of these trips around the sun
We marvel at the universe, how life-filled planets might disperse
But the blessing or, perhaps, the curse is we just know of one
Solstice time is when we all take stock of what we’re doin’
Ask ourselves if what we think is right, perhaps, is wrong
The truth there is that’s yet to show, the loved ones that we’re watching go
As we travel on we ought to know the journey’s not that long
Why the battles? Why the fights? Why not calm and peaceful nights
When, in fact, it’s under our control
Look at every other face. Each with rees own style and grace
Can’t we in the human race be whole
Solstice time is when we all take stock of how we’re feelin’
And of how our neighbors in this globe are feeling, too
Principle deserves a stand, but, then on the other hand
Giving in – although not planned – is something all can do
When the tears come to an eye, why not be the one to try
It’s not weakness to let anger cease
Do the riches and the gains, really undo any chains
When the price is lost or absent peace
Solstice time is when we all take stock of where we’re goin’
And of whom, as we move on, we’d like to take along
Everybody has a choice, everybody needs a voice
In solstice let us all rejoice together we are strong.