"America's Promises"

"America's Promises" (Draft 7)
Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr

[Vs1]
Sirens keep on blaring through the cool dusty night,
The street soldiers know there are answers they won't find;
Room to room they're checking every dirt littered floor  -
All they see is what death dealers have used before.

[Vs2]
A baby's crying for his long gone mother's touch,
With an empty bottle in his small weakened clutch;
Canaries in cages that can no longer breathe...
Scattered meth lab's remnants the news don't care to see..

CHORUS
What ever happened to America's Dream?
Much of it seems like a long goodbye;
With eyes closed we'll never see...
If dreams born long ago - simply died;
But standing all together,
In clear or stormy weather,
America's promises - can be revived...

[Vs3]
Beggars on the corner with torn up crayoned signs,
It's hard to know the poor from those acting their lines;
We drive right on past without looking in their eyes,
Then race down the road to our comfy TV lives...

CHORUS
What ever happened to America's Dream?
Much of it seems like a long goodbye;
With eyes closed we'll never see...
If dreams born long ago - simply died;
But standing all together,
In clear or stormy weather,
America's promises - can be revived...
 
[Vs4]
Handicapped and elderly are stored in small dim rooms,
Visitors have stopped coming there way too soon;
All these lonely people are just waiting for their day,
They are missing parts of the great American way...

BRIDGE
If we ever want to turn this all around;
It will start with you and me in each US town...
It's not as hard as it may seem...
To make the promises...more than lost dreams...

CHORUS
What ever happened to America's Dream?
Much of it seems like a lost goodbye;
With eyes closed we'll never see...
If dreams born long ago - simply died;
But standing all together,
In clear or stormy weather,
America's promises - can be revived...

“An Ounce of Peace”

“An Ounce of Peace”

Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]

There’s a boneyard of dreamers right up that road –

Cashed in their pennies for the wrong motherload –

Everyone’s hopin’ for some quick release –

They’d do anythin’ for an ounce of peace…

[Vs2]

This world’s a hammer pounding down rusty nails –

Wealthy and weary lost on two different trails –

Everyone’s slipping in life's lonely grease –

They’d do anyone for an ounce of peace…

CHORUS

Some souls are chasing silver,

Some go for gold;

Somebody’s bein’ born,

Somebody’s gettin’ old;

From womb to tomb,

Each masterpiece;

Is livin’ day to day,

For an ounce of peace.

[Vs3]

Millions of shadows lookin’ for their lucky stars -

Scarecrows are on their knees in small smokey bars –

Everyone’s dyin’ for some quick relief –

They’d go anywhere for an ounce of peace…

[Vs4]

Streetlights are burning off some golden girl's skin –

No one will ever know everywhere she’s been –

Her young soul’s cryin’ but nobody sees –

She did anything for an ounce of peace…

CHORUS

Some souls are chasing silver,

Some go for gold;

Somebody’s bein’ born,

Somebody’s gettin’ old;

From womb to tomb,

Each masterpiece;

Is livin’ day to day,

For an ounce of peace.

[BRIDGE]

The air is dirty,

The water’s gone;

Bloody handshakes made on,

Dark boulevards;

Each start will finish,

Each breath will cease;

Tired of lookin’ for,

An ounce of peace…

CHORUS

Some souls are chasing silver,

Some go for gold;

Somebody’s bein’ born,

Somebody’s gettin’ old;

From womb to tomb,

Each masterpiece;

Is livin’ day to day,

For an ounce of peace.

"Apocalyptic Love"

“Apocalyptic Love”

Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]

Tonight’s horizon’s darker,

The moon has fled away;

All my teardrops shatter,

On grounds now growing gray…

All along the main street,

Where neon’s past still roams;

Heartbreak’s wind is blowing,

The skin right off my bones.

CHORUS 1

Someone pull me,

Someone grab me,

I need to leave this-

Apocalyptic love…

Someone free me,

Someone take me,

I cannot breathe this –

Apocalyptic love.

[Vs2]

Atomic mem’ries find me,

Beneath love’s rubbled stones;

You rode on flames of passion,

And buried me alone…

The sands of time are throwing,

Ashes into my eyes;

I need a stronger shelter,

From your love’s angry skies.

CHORUS 1

Someone pull me,

Someone grab me,

I need to leave this-

Apocalyptic love…

Someone free me,

Someone take me,

I cannot breathe this –

Apocalyptic love.

[V3]

Across this violent landscape,

I see new love arise;

She’s riding streaks of lightning,

That burns away goodbyes…

She pulls me from this wasteland,

That you left me to hold;

You’ll soon be fiction’s his’try,

No one has ever told.

CHORUS 2

Someone pulled me,

Someone grabbed me,

They flew me from this-

Apocalyptic love…

Someone freed me,

Someone took me,

Away from all this –

Apocalyptic love.

"This Old Town's Never Left Me" (Long Version)

“This Old Town’s Never Left Me” (Long Version)

Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved >

[Vs1]

A red horizon rises gently,

City lights bounce off the clouds,

Driving home on this thin highway,

Memories are getting loud…

It’s been twenty years and counting,

Since this town made me a man;

There are pieces that I’ve left here –

Yesterdays of who I am...

[Vs2]

All the streets are still abandoned,

I smell breakfast in the breeze;

This town’s slower than some others,

When the daylight falls on trees…

I see places I remember,

Burger King and Dairy Queen;

In the haze of morning’s yawning,

Yesterday is calling me.

CHORUS

In my heart I’ve never left here,

In my mind I always see –

The stadium lights,

Those high school nights,

And everything I used to be…

This old town’s never left me.

[Vs3]

Morning papers hit the pavement,

As this town starts to arise;

Old feelings drop upon me,

With this new Ohio sky…

I drive past familiar houses,

With For Sale signs wet with dew –

This journey’s brought back mem'ries,

Yesterdays that I once knew.

[Vs4]

If I could I’d surely stay here,

Even though the winter’s hard;

Right now I’m just a shadow,

Passing by some empty yards.

I'll drive and hope I find them,

All the friends time hid away;

We can laugh and tell some stories,

Of our hometown’s yesterdays…

CHORUS

In my heart I’ve never left here,

In my mind I always see –

The stadium lights,

Those high school nights,

And everything I used to be…

This old town’s never left me.

[BRIDGE]

Each time I'm back I feel it,

When I’m back I always see –

Everything this town has given,

Is most of what's made me…me. 

CHORUS

In my heart I’ve never left here,
In my mind I always see –

The stadium lights,

Those high school nights,

And everything I used to be…

This old town’s never left me.

[REPEAT AND FADE]

"Beneath The Waves" (Long Version)

“Beneath The Waves” (Long Version)

Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]

When you sailed away,

On that winter day,

Those high winds froze my emotions;

But its here I've stayed,

Looking for a way,

To swim right across that ocean...

[Vs2]

I've been missing you,

I'm just one from two,

But I'm holding to devotion;

Never losing you,

Was a dream I knew,

Until it fell into that ocean...

CHORUS

We've been through all life's oceans,

We've crossed them a million ways;

I know we have felt love's emotions,

Next time I hope they stay -

And not sink beneath the waves...

Not sink beneath the waves.

[Vs3]

Now the sky is blue,

The high winds are through,

The water's no longer frozen;

I will look for you,

As I dive into,

Some deep uncharted oceans...

[Vs4]

If there's more to do,

To give love to you,

Not just going through the motions;

I will promise to,

What so few would do,

Hold you high above life's oceans...

CHORUS

We've been through all life's oceans,

We've crossed them a million ways;

I know we have felt love's emotions,

Next time I hope they stay -

And not sink beneath the waves...

Not sink beneath the waves.

BRIDGE

If we make forever work now

We'll never fear the waves...

CHORUS

We've been through all life's oceans,

We've crossed them a million ways;

I know we have felt love's emotions,

Next time I hope they stay -

And not sink beneath the waves...

Not sink beneath the waves.

"A Moon's Cloud" (Long Version)

"A Moon's Cloud" (Long Version)

Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]

Loving someone is like a climb,

Where stormy winds may blow;

The feelings felt may touch the sky,

Sometimes you'll never know...

But you have fallen every time,

You tried to get real close;

You heard a love song's riddled rhyme,

That song's not what you chose...

PRE-CHORUS

Your pillow and your pretty sheets

Lay crumbled at your frozen feet

That's how some love songs go

CHORUS 1

Your eyes are dripping all the pain,

They hit the ground and leave a stain,

But they're not very loud;

Your heart is hurt just like your dreams,

The nighttime sky has broken seams,

And through your tears, that big white light, looks like a moon's cloud...

[Vs2]

You've tried every single's bar,

But nothing's ever new;

Now all your hopes like tiny stars,

Are too far from your view;

Some loveless nights will leave a scar,

Burned into quite a few;

But none of that's just who you are,

You only wish you knew...

PRE-CHORUS

Your pillow and your pretty sheets

Lay crumbled at your frozen feet

That's how some love songs go

CHORUS 1

Your eyes are dripping all the pain,

They hit the ground and leave a stain,

But they're not very loud;

Your heart is hurt just like your dreams,

The nighttime sky has broken seams,

And through your tears, that big white light, looks like a moon's cloud...

BRIDGE

You've thought through all searing pain

That fell on you like poison rain...

So you've turned yourself all around

And placed you our feet on solid ground -

There it is... your new life's sound...

PRE-CHORUS

Your pillow and your pretty sheets

No longer crumble at your feet

That's how those songs now go...

CHORUS 2

Your eyes were dripping all the pain

Tears used to fall and leave a stain

But now they can't be found

Your heart was hurt just like your dreams

The nighttime sky has sewed it's seams

And through your years, that big white light, will not be a moon's cloud.

"For A Trucker's Life" (Long Version)

"For A Trucker's Life" (Long Version)
Copyright by Frank A DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]
A crumpled bag of chips and an old Starbuck's cup,
Lay flat on the floor mat of this well-traveled truck;
Leather seats are getting worn from my just sitting here,
This journey that seems endless always ends with a cold beer...

[Vs2]
Passing painted lines puts me in a wakened trance,
Gotta keep on pushing through this one man highway dance;
Well, my bed's in the back - a traveling hotel room,
I'm sure tonight I'll probably sleep to some long truckers tunes...

CHORUS
There are big white lines, I'm sure I crossed
And there's truck stop food, not worth the cost
And many pretty girls, I had to turn away
Married trucker men, ain't living life that way...

I'll drive this road each day and night -
Until I hit this sign -
"It's too tough a price to pay - 
For a trucker's life"....

[OPTIONAL Vs3]
Trooper's lights blinking down the road cause me to think,
That a trucker's life can teeter on this interstate's small brink;
It's hard to see ahead when the ice just falls like rain,
Gotta keep on driving slow, staying in this shiny lane...

[Vs4]
Tonight I'll stop on home, for a break between hauls,
And my wife will show me her pretty painted walls;
But even more than that I guarantee she'll say,
"Can you make tonight the night, you'll end your trucking days?"

CHORUS
There are big white lines, I'm sure I crossed
And there's truck stop food, not worth the cost
And many pretty girls, I had to turn away
Married truckee men, ain't living life that way...

I'll drive this road each day and night -
Until I hit this sign -
"It's too tough a price to pay - 
For a trucker's life"....

BRIDGE
We stayed up all night,
Trying to decide what's right;
Now I have decided,
To give my wife my life...

CHORUS
There are big white lines, I'm sure I crossed
And there's truck stop food, not worth the cost
And many pretty girls, I had to turn away
Married trucker men, ain't living life that way...

I'll drive this road each day and night -
Until I hit this sign -
"It's too tough a price to pay" - 
For a trucker's life"....
"It's a too tough a price to pay - 
For a trucker's life"....

"Your Promise's Hidden Place" (Long Version)

"Your Promise's Hidden Place" (Long Version)
Copyright by Frank A DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]
I guess you couldn't tell me you were leaving -
For you that would've been too hard to say;
The letter that you left me was in crayon,
Or maybe all those tears confused my face...

[Vs2]
When I read your letter's words I was feeling,
A heart just like some paper forced to fold;
Funny how that day I made us breakfast,
Then watched all day while your's got a bit cold... 

[PRE-CHORUS]
What's gone is gone, what's done is done -
You thought you were...
The much better one...

CHORUS 
There've been mountains we had to climb,
When love was hidden we'd always find,
A way to bring it right back home;
But now I'm here with you in mind,
And every promise your voice had signed,
But you hid those promises like gold...
I've looked around yet afraid to face,
Your promise's hidden place.

[Vs3]
Every Autumn's night winds keep on singing,
I'm almost sure I hear you harmonize;
I leave the porch while our swing starts swaying,
'Cause the wind keeps blowing your kiss in my eyes...

[Vs4]
The winter's on it's way with snowflakes falling,
But most of it always turns to sleet;
I'll keep myself warm with your wool blanket,
Yet I wonder if I'll miss your chilly feet...

[PRE-CHORUS]
What's gone is gone, what's done is done -
You thought you were...
The much better one...

CHORUS 
There've been mountains we had to climb,
When love was hidden we'd always find,
A way to bring it right back home;
But now I'm here with you in mind,
And every promise your voice had signed,
But you hid those promises like gold...
I've looked around yet afraid to face,
Your promise's hidden place.

BRIDGE
Oh, what the future could have said
If your promises weren't left for dead -
They would've said more, if you meant, 
"I do"... to the very end...

CHORUS 
There've been mountains we had to climb,
When love was hidden we'd always find,
A way to bring it right back home;
But now I'm here with you in mind,
And every promise your voice had signed,
But you hid those promises like gold...
I've looked around yet afraid to face,
Your promise's hidden place.

OUTRO
If I find it I'll leave some flowers,
But they'll only last a few hours...

"Your Promises Hidden Place" (Shortened Version)

"Your Promise's Hidden Place" (Shortened Version)
Copyright by Frank A DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]
I guess you couldn't tell me you were leaving -
For you that would've been too hard to say;
The letter that you left me was in crayon,
Or maybe all those tears confused my face...

[Vs2]
When I read your letter's words I was feeling,
A heart just like some paper forced to fold;
Funny how that day I made us breakfast,
Then watched all day while your's got a bit cold... 

CHORUS 
I held the promises your voice had told,
But you hid those promises like gold...
I've looked around yet afraid to face,
Your promise's hidden place.

[Vs3]
The winter's on it's way with snowflakes falling,
But most of it always turns to sleet;
I'll keep myself warm with your wool blanket,
Yet I wonder if I'll miss your chilly feet...

CHORUS 
I held the promises your voice had told,
But you hid those promises like gold...
I've looked around yet afraid to face,
Your promise's hidden place.

BRIDGE
Oh, what the future could have said
If your promises weren't left for dead -
They would've said more, if you meant, 
"I do"... to the very end...

CHORUS 
I held the promises your voice had told,
But you hid those promises like gold...
I've looked around yet afraid to face,
Your promise's hidden place.

OUTRO
If I find it I'll leave some flowers,
But they'll only last a few hours...

“Only So Much Soldiers Can Do”

“Only So Much Soldiers Can Do”

Copyright by Frank DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]

Thought my country could use my help,

Fighting in different wars;

I enlisted as a strong young man,

And began some fightin' tours.

My brothers and I fought through the smoke,

In every confrontation;

I can tell you man, it was no joke,

Losing friends for this great nation.

CHORUS

We fight for the red, white and blue

For what make's this country true

But there’s only so much soldiers can do -

Until their time is through

[Vs2]

Fought in the sun and pouring rain,

Never knew what day it was;

Ran up hills through searing pain,

That's what a good soldier does.

Kept thinking about my wife and kids,

Heard my baby’s first cough;

I was thinking when I'd hold him when,

An IED took my legs off.

CHORUS

We fight for the red, white and blue

For what make's this country true

But there’s only so much soldiers can do -

Until their time is through

[Vs3]

Back in the states with family now,

But it isn't quite the same;

Metal legs help me walk again,

This ain't no computer game;

I think about those brothers of mine,

Still entrenched in some valley;

I've heard we’ll win with some more time,

Until some great finale...

CHORUS

We fight for the red, white and blue

For what make's this country true -

But there’s only so much soldiers can do

Until their time is through

[Bridge]

My brothers wouldn’t have it any other way,

They serve this country their own way;

Some think we should be done by now,

So let's honor them someway, somehow...

CHORUS

We fight for the red, white and blue

For what make's this country true

But there’s only so much soldiers can do -

Until their time is through

“Night Dances”

“Night Dances”

©️ by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

Each morning always feels the same –

With the sunlight black as dirt;

Wedding bells chime down the road –

Remind you lying words hurt…

Your bed's half empty and it's cold –

A vampire’s dark tomb;

You know the night's still hungry for –

A taste of your perfume.

CHORUS

Night dances like a shadow,

Its arms surround you but you only feel a touch;

Night dances with no rhythm,

You’ve tried to hold it but it's just not quite enough –

[Vs2]

You can’t pretend you’re doing fine –

When your pain's like ripped off skin;

You’ve been burned by neon’s flame –

Those scars sneak far within…

Beneath the streetlight serenades –

And musky Romeos –

Younger dreams run through your mind –

Then break like dusty bones.

CHORUS

Night dances like a shadow,

Its arms surround you but you only feel a touch;

Night dances with no rhythm,

You’ve tried to hold it but it's just not quite enough –

[BRIDGE]

Every mem’rie you’ve ever had –

From silly crushes to fancy high school proms;

Are begging you to run away –

Before each lonely speck of love is too far gone…

CHORUS

Night dances like a shadow,

Its arms surround you but you only feel a touch;

Night dances with no rhythm,

You’ve tried to hold it but it's just not quite enough.

“Ghosts Never Fight Fair”

“Ghosts Never Fight Fair”

Copyright by Frank A DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]

Some empty vase shadows in your bedroom,

Dust now covers over promised love;

Small traces of some feelings that you once knew,

And they fit your heart just like a paper glove.

[Vs2]

No more dreams are hiding behind your eyes,

Mascara tears have rolled them far away;

You’re thinkin' that some heartbeats only disguise,

Phony love in midnight's one-act play.

CHORUS

All the ghosts put up a fight,

In the landscape of the night,

Hoping to keep every heart a hostage there;

When all the wrongs look right,

But there’s no one left in sight,

You’ll find out love's ghosts never fight fair.

[Vs3]

Broken candles only burn some darkness,

Enough to see that love by chance is rare;

Casanovas never pass the real test -

When morning’s free their moonlit love’s not there.

CHORUS

All the ghosts put up a fight,

In the landscape of the night,

Hoping to keep every heart a hostage there;

When all the wrongs look right,

But there’s no one left in sight,

You’ll find out love's ghosts never fight fair.

[BRIDGE]

Turn around and look around –

There's so much more to see –

Don't forget you're not done yet

Don't give up what you can be…

CHORUS

All the ghosts put up a fight,

In the landscape of the night,

Hoping to keep every heart a hostage there;

When all the wrongs look right,

But there’s no one left in sight,

You’ll find out love's ghosts never fight fair.