Songs and lyrics by Alan Claassen^©

Degaje´

Chorus
Degaje, Degaje Degaje, Degaje
Somehow we will find a way,
where there’s no way, so we pray.

Earthquake shakes the island, earthquake breaks our heart
We turn to those we love, and once again we can start
We may not have much, of the things that the world can see
But we’ve been given hearts and hands, to make the things we need.

Chorus

A baby lost his mother, a mother found her child
Together they’ll make a new home, even if it takes a long, long while.
How do we make music with no instruments to play?
First we take cigar box and make a ukelele, ukele-le-eh

Chorus

Free of expectations of how things should be done
When others are ready to give up, that’s our rising sun
The way will teach you the way, the way’s not holding back
The very thing you’re looking for, is not something that you lack

Chorus

Higgs Field

Written with a little help from Rumi

Out beyond ideas of right and wrong
There’s a field where you and I belong
Out beyond ideas of land and sea
There’s a shoreline where you walk with me

Oh my friend, oh my friend, oh my friend,
I’ll meet you there. I’ll meet you there.

Deep within the stone there is a fire
Deep within the seed there is desire
Far above ideas of young and old
There’s a mountain where our stories are told

Oh my friend, oh my friend, oh my friend,
I’ll meet you there. I’ll meet you there.

(Bridge)
Light and dark are dancing a miracle
Everything large is made up of particles
That slowed down long enough to embrace
This time, this place

Deep below ideas there’s my broken heart
Searching for a place where I can start again
Deep within my heart there is a song
I’ve been wanting to sing to you for oh so long

Oh my friend, oh my friend, oh my friend,
I’ll meet you here, in this time
I’ll meet you here, in this place

Let Yourself Be Carried

Water springs from a hole in the ground
Carves a valley on its way
Somehow knows its ocean bound
I wonder what becomes of you

Find a well where the water’s drawn
A deeper dream is calling
To pull it up you’ve got to be strong
I wonder what becomes of you

Chorus
Let yourself be carried, let yourself be carried
Just as you, have carried others too.

Waters rise through the trees to sky
Gathering light through branches
Young girl climbs her way so high
I wonder what becomes of you

Desert blooms where the water’s gone
Life has a way of living
Each one finds somewhere to belong
I wonder what becomes of you

Chorus

Marshland slows the water down
Gathering all the wisdom
Redwing blackbird sings a round
I wonder what becomes of you.

Let yourself be carried, let yourself be carried
Just as you, have carried others too.

Let yourself be carried, let yourself be carried
‘til you find your place in the geography of grace.

Just This Day

Just this day
Just this day
Help me rise and get on my way

Help me rise from my sleep
Give back my soul
I gave you to keep

Need a little shove
And a whole lotta love
Just to say what I’m thinking of

I don’t ask much
I don’t often call
but I need a little help
to tumble the walls

Just this day, just this day
Help me rise and get on my way

The Way of truth
Love & power
Begins right now in this very hour

Life from death
Gold from fire
The pulse and breath my bones desire

I know the test
And the trials will come
Gonna make me ready
for a revelation

Just this day, just this day
Help me rise and get on my way

Help me be
A body in the soul
Of this heavenly earth
spinning in control

Won’t be livin in
What if or might have been
Giving my heart to the place
it’s always been

I don’t ask much
I don’t often call
but I need a little help
to tumble the walls

A’tumble, a’tumble, a’tumble the walls

Let go, Jericho, let it go

Since Yesterday

Intro
Driving this road once again
Returning home from a good time with good friends
See the sights that stay the same
Ask myself where I have changed
Driving north on Highway 101

Have you changed since yesterday? Yes I have
Does the water still roll down the stream? Yes it does
And do you love this? Do you take it for what it is?
Yes I do, you know I do

Do you take the scenic route? Yes I do
But do you slow down when in doubt? yes I do
And do you love this? Do you take it for what it is?
Yes I do, you know I do

Do you have a favorite stop along the way?
Where the coffee is strong the food is fresh every day

Lead Break (verse)

Do you have a favorite stop along the way?
Where the coffee is strong the food is fresh every day

Lead Break (verse)

Do you drive a bit too fast? Yes I do
But are you careful when you pass? Yes I am
And do you love this? Do you take it for what it is?
Yes I do, you know I do

Yes I do, you know I do
Yes I do, you know I do

Tell Me Something Easy

Tell me something easy, something straight and to the heart
Something I can take for this worry that’s tearing me apart

Take me to the ocean a little further up the coast
And fill me up with emotion cause that’s what I need the most

Chorus

Cause all of this time I’ve been hiding
All of this time I’ve been fooling
All of this time I’ve been spinning around
We’re going to change that now

Set me down by the river, lay me down upon the shore
Help me to remember, exactly what I came here for

Let me hear the sound of a six string, let me hear the sound of your voice
Let me know that’s you’ll go always singing as if you had the choice

Chorus

Bridge

Too much fire in me heart way too much to hold (sing three times)
By the time I got to the end of the rainbow I found I didn’t need the gold

Repeat first verse and chorus

Buffet Car

Riding on a train I’m going home. Been too long that I’ve been alone
So excited I can’t sit still. Temptation calls as temptation will
Walk down the aisle I know it ain’t far. I’m gonna find my way to the Buffet Car

Buffet Car. Buffet Car. We’re all in the Buffet Car
Got to go short or you got to go far
Do it right now you gotta do it in the Buffet Car

Get a pint for 2 & 7. Make this car my momentary heaven
Make a friend with a Lucky Strike. We talk about work and we talk about life
I’m feeling good in this moving bar. I’m gonna find my way to the Buffet Car

Chorus

Bridge
The conductor’s here to take a rest
Don’t you worry ’bout the train, it’s the best
Never late, it never fails. This is one of the British Rails. And we’re …

Riding, riding on a train riding, riding

I’ve lost all sense/ of time and speed Just sitting here/ is that all I need
I’m waiting for home/ but I’m not worried I want to get there/ but I’m not hurried
I realized that I’m never far from finding my way in the Buffet Car

Chorus
Riding, riding on a train, riding, riding on a train

Good To Remember

It’s good to remember — the way back home
It’s good to remember — sometimes you’ll stand alone
It’s good to remember — how to find the northern star
In case you’re ever lost you got to know where you are.

Chorus
But I must forget about you
And all of the things we’ve been through
Something begins when something ends
No need to accuse or defend
But I must move on. I must move on. I must move on without you

It’s good to remember — where you parked your car
It’s good to remember — who your friends really are
It’s good to remember — the courage that blessings bring
You strike the bell in one place well the whole bell rings

Chorus

It’s good to remember — where you put your keys
It’s good to remember — when to release
It’s good to remember — how you turn a phrase
And when you got to admit you lost it ain’t no disgrace

Chorus

Along the Way

Don’t you worry St. Peter, don’t send no angels in distress
He’s probably at a Lyons Restaurant; talking to the friends he loves the best
You know he loved his dinners, oysters and chardonnay
But I know he’s gone to heaven he musta just stopped — somewhere along the way

Maybe he’s on Mt. Shasta, camera in his hand
Capturing light and color, where heaven meets the land
Maybe he’s in the darkroom, negatives to light of day.
But I know he’s gone to heaven he musta stopped — somewhere along the way

Maybe he’s got some children smiling, sitting on Santa’s knee
Helping to make their dreams come true, by helping them to make-believe
You know he bought a dream for his daughter, a cello she can play
But I know he’s gone to heaven he musta just stopped — somewhere along the way

I know he’s gone, (I know he’s gone)
I know he’s gone, (I know he’s gone)
But I know he’s gone to heaven he musta just stopped — somewhere along the way

In the Silence

In the silence of your heart,
In the silence broken apart,
a song begins to rise.

Don’t you take too long to get back home
All your friends missing you since you’ve been gone,
so long.

In the silence of your heart,
in the silence broken apart
a song begins to rise.

Don’t you take too long
Don’t you take too long
You can take as long as you want
Just as long as you get back home
You get back home

Miss Tripped n Tippy

Ol’ Miss Tripped n Tippy she went down the Mississippi
She had to see her old friend that she had not seen in a while
She missed her smile.

Finding it hard to say goodbye to a friend she had to leave behind
She looked for words that just might touch the trouble in her lover’s heart
She said I gotta go, though I love so, my old friend she meant so much to

Me, I’ve got my travellin’ to do
Free, some unravellin’ needed to
So when I return, I’ll share all that I’ve learned
My loving it will still be yours
Now I’m thinking ’bout

Hers, and that slow deep smile
Cures, what’s been troublin’ me for a while
It’s a lot like this river, the love I need to give her
It’s quiet, and it’s strong and it draws me on

Feeling that water begin to rise
Well I must admit that it catches me surprise
I guess I need to be going on my own for a while

Well her old man, you know what he had to do
He had to hold on and let go and still be true
He knew she was right, guided by that light
That calls for strugglin’ love to be free

Well I know, I know what you need
and I believe, I believe it’s the same for me
I need love, I need to be thought of (kindly)
And I need to be free.
In your breaking free, you’ve done the same for me

Well Ol’ Miss Tripped n Tippy, she went down the Mississippi
She got to see her old friend that she had not seen in awhile
She made her smile
Old stories told and some made new, some forgotten while others grew
They tried to find a way to say the strength that friends can give
As long as they live, as long as they live
Open to that river that pulls us on

Don’t Think That’s A Good Idea

(a chorus in search of verses, but with a great lead solo by Noah Peterson on this recording)

Don’t think that’s a good idea, it’s not a wise move
Don’t think that’s a good idea, you’ve got better things to prove
Don’t think that’s a good idea, will not advance your cause
Don’t think that’s a good idea, you’ll only get lost.

I’ll be Okay

When my head stops hurting, I’ll be Ok
When will my head stop hurting, I pray it will be today

When my bones stop burning, I’ll be OK
When will my bones stop burning, I pray it’ll be today

Chorus
Cause I need yes I need got to have yes I need some concentration
Has anybody got some medicine for this congestion?

When will my children stop crying….
When I can talk to the one I love….

Chorus

When I find that real fine job..,
When I win best song of the night…

Chorus

When I stop thinking about the future, …
When will I stop thinking about the future (3 times)
Well I guess, it’s got to be

Today

Today

Today

Cat Scratchin’

Cat’s scratchin’ on the wood — Cat’s scratchin’ on the wood
Cat’s doing what he does good — Cat’s scratchin’ on the wood

Dog’s digging a hole — Dog’s digging a hole
Seeming to lose control — Dog’s digging a hole

I’m only trying to do what comes easy
so I’m scratching on these strings Scratching on these strings

Giraffe’s got his head up in the clouds Giraffe’s got his head up in the clouds.
If you’re ever gonna hear him laugh He’s gonna have to laugh real loud
Giraffe’s got his head up in the clouds

I’m only trying to do what comes easy
so I’m scratching on these strings Scratching on these strings

Baked Alaska melting on the floor — Baked Alaska melting on the floor
Mama comes a running up and says — Whatya have to go and do that for?
Baked Alaska melting on the floor

I’m only trying to do what comes easy
so I’m scratching on these strings I’m scratching on these strings

Cat’s scratching on the wood,
dog’s digging a hole,
giraffe’s got his head up in the clouds

Teaching My Children

I’m teaching my children to protest
They’re fighting against me all the time
I ‘m just getting them good and ready
Walking down that protest line
Walking down that protest line

I’ve taught them to fight without hurting
Use words tell the truth not to lie
Learn freedom songs, rise up singing
As we go walking down that protest line
Walking down that protest line

Chorus
Star wars they know is a fiction
A shield can’t protect a frightened mind
They know that this small world needs loving
So we’re walking down that protest line

They’ve learned to lay plants in the garden
Seen the grace that grows through the vine
And they know what will come from toxic water
So we’re walking down the protest line
Walking down that protest line

Chorus

I’m taking my kids to the White House
But we won’t be tourists this time
Democracy’s a word that we move-on
walking down that protest line
Walking down that protest line

Chorus

History Shows That

Yes I know that the baby’s crying
Yes I know that the phone is ringing
Yes I know that there’s somebody at the door.
Somehow I know all things will get done
History shows that. History is fun.

Yes I know that the cupboards are looking bare
Yes I know that the dishes are always there
Yes I know that my salary don’t goes as far
Somehow I know all things will get done
History shows that. History is fun.

Chorus
I’ll admit I had the vision
I’d rise to the top of my profession
But now I see how we all began
Well I see I’m an important man

Yes I know that the baby’s getting bigger
Yes I know that she’d love a little brother
Yes I know I’m still paying off my student loan.
Somehow I know all things will get done
History shows that. History is fun.

Repeat first verse

Chorus

Repeat third verse

Forgetful

Why did I forget to bring my hat? Why did I forget to bring my hat?
Rain it falls splickity splat, upon my head and it makes it wet
Why, oh why, did I?

Why did I forget to bring my coat? Why did I forget my coat?
My good mama said when it’s cold outside
you gotta bundle up baby and button up tight
Why, oh why, did I?

Chorus
I’m forgetful, where did I put my keys?
Rushing out the door I’m never ready
I’m forgetful, where did I put myself?
Rushing through my life a little unsteady.

Why did I forget to bring my notes? Why did I forget my notes?
Forgot what I said I’d do by when and how much the boss said I could spend.
Why, oh why, did I?

Why did I forget to bring my lunch? Why did I forget to bring my lunch?
Sitting here hungry at a quarter to twelve
my bagel and banana at home on the shelf
Why, oh why, did I?

Chorus

Why did I forget to bring my charm? Why did I forget to bring my charm?
I didn’t know that she’d be here, shaking up the mystery and pouring out the beer.

Why did I forget to bring my wit? Why did I forget to bring my wit?
You know that I thought of the thing but by the time I did she was miles away.

Chorus

Be Love for You

See a pretty river and in I run
Backside under water and shoulders under sun
My dance partner guides me through the falls
The twists and the turns and the slow water stalls

Could you be a river for me? I could be a river for you
Could be a partner for me? I could be your partner too.

Skip a round flat stone just to watch it dance
Grace and gravity in a game of chance
It glides and it jumps across that stream
Let’s itself fall into the deeper dream

Could you be a chance for me? I could be a chance for you
Could you be a dream for me? I could be a dream for you

Don’t you know, darling, don’t you know darling,
Don’t you know, I could be love for you.
Don’t you know, darling, don’t you know darling,
Don’t you know I need love from you.

Sit on the bank watch the stream go by
A branch down the middle catches my eye
I cannot know its destiny
I hope it makes it all the way to the sea

Could you be hope for me? I could be hope for you.
Could you be the sea for me? I could be the sea for you,

Don’t you know, darling …

See a pretty river and I jump on in
Let myself go and let the current swim
It sets me down on the beach right here
It’s a stony place but the water is clear

Could you river for me? I could be a river for you
Could you be clear for me? Darlin’, I’ll be clear for you.

(Roll back up through the couplets; “Could you be hope for me? I could be the sea for you….” ending with “I see a pretty river and I jump on in” and then fade with fingerpicking the C chord)

Then There Was

I didn’t think I’d say anymore than this
Repeat
But then there was your quick reply
Added to that spark in your eye
And there was one thing that I could do

I didn’t think we’d dance anymore than once
Repeat
But then there was your quick turn on the floor
Raised your dress just a little more
and there was thing I could do.

Flying, spinning, just above the floor
Both of us trying to remember what we came here for
Spinning, turning just above the ground
This is what we remember,
this is what we remember,
‘bout that night, ‘bout that night.

Flying, spinning, just above the floor
Both of us trying to remember what we came here for
Spinning, turning just above the ground
This is what we remember, this is what we remember,
‘bout that night, ‘bout that night.

I didn’t think I’d say anymore than this
Repeat
But then there was your quick reply
Added to that spark in your eye
And there was one thing that I could do
Let myself fall in love with you

The One I Love

Ain’t no time to send more invitations
Everyone who’s supposed to be is here
Ain’t no time for more deliberations
Everything’s becoming oh so clear

Ain’t no time to order more champagne
We don’t need no caviar
Surrounded by the luxury
Of friends and family in our back yard

Chorus
This is the day I marry the one I love
This is the day I say I do
And I’m blessed by the skies above
And by my friends and by you

Bridge
Ain’t no time to ask will this last,
we’ll raise our glass, to our best guess
And our love, our love, our love, our love, our love.

This is the garden that we’re growing in
This is the foundation well laid
The stairs we take to come into our lives
Well we know that they’re well made

Chorus

Bridge and Out

As I Grow Older

(Words by Lewis Richmond, composed by Alan Claassen)

As I grow older, may I be kind to myself;
As I grow older, may I accept joy and sorrow;
As I grow older, may I be happy and at peace.

As each of us grows older, may we be kind to ourselves;
As each of us grows older, may we accept joy and sorrow;
As each of us grows older, may we be happy and at peace.

As all beings grow older, may they be kind to themselves;
As all beings grow older, may they accept joy and sorrow;
As all beings grow older, may they be happy and at peace.

Find these tracks and more at soundcloud.com/alan-claassen