“Beating On The Ground” (Long Version)

“Beating On The Ground” (Long Version)

©️ by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

He made you fall a million times -

With roses and champagne;

But all his words were like quicksand,

And you fell in ball and chain…

Then when his kisses reached for you,

They felt like muddy rain;

You still danced with his cold shadow,

Till it washed away his name.

CHORUS

Your wishing well is dry as dust,

And promises are cracked like rust;

You can’t escape that lonely sound –

Of your heartbeat…

Beating on the ground –

Of your heartbeat,

Beating on the ground.

[Vs2]

The things you thought would never leave -

Slow kisses and his touch;

Crumbled now like old crayons,

Not meant to last that much…

You hear the wind fly through the dark,

Taking moonlight from this land;

Crawl away to getaway,

From lost love's broken hands.

CHORUS

Your wishing well is dry as dust,

And promises are cracked like rust;

You can’t escape that lonely sound –

Of your heartbeat…

Beating on the ground –

Of your heartbeat,

Beating on the ground.

[Vs3]

You ignored each warning sign,

As they lay at your feet;

So now you run on emptiness,

Down blacked out dead-end streets…

He was one love pretender’s lie,

In a world filled end to end;

Your heart has etched a promise deep -

Don't fall in fooled again.

BRIDGE

Sometimes love's just like gum

Stuck under your new shoes

Your choice is to leave it there

Or scrape off at least some 

CHORUS

Your wishing well is dry as dust,

And promises are cracked like rust;

You can’t escape that lonely sound –

Of your heartbeat…

Beating on the ground –

Of your heartbeat,

Beating on the ground.

“Chalk One Up” (New Draft)

“Chalk One Up” (New Draft)

©️ by Frank DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

This city runs on neon tears,

With nowhere made to hide;

Shadows race past rusting cars,

Tryin’ to hitch a ride…

Misfits find their refuge here,

In eyes and alleyways;

Lonely scans the boulevard,

Filled with heartbroke strays.

CHORUS 1

Chalk one up for masquerades,

Where love’s a circus clown;

Chalk one up for serenades,

All playing upside down;

Chalk one up – it’s sad but true –

This chalk writes your name too.

[Vs2]

Outcasts flee from love’s mirage,

Where nothin’s what it seems;

Running from the streetlights' glow,

Surrendering lost dreams…

At night the fallen congregate,

Beneath a searchlight moon;

Spoken words all turn to dust,

Like mem’ries from a tomb.

CHORUS 1

Chalk one up for masquerades,

Where love’s a circus clown;

Chalk one up for serenades,

All playing upside down;

Chalk one up – it’s sad but true –

This chalk writes your name too.

[Vs3]

Escape is not an option here,

Each choice a dead-end road;

The only hope this town will give,

Is hope forever owed…

If by chance you find a way,

Through midnight’s minefield trip;

Reach back here and grab my hand –

It’s hard for two to slip.

CHORUS 2

Chalk one up for masquerades,

Where love’s a circus clown;

Chalk one up for serenades,

All playing upside down;

Chalk one up – for me and you –

This chalk writes backwards too.

"I Wasn't Gone" (Draft 1)

“I Wasn’t Gone” (Draft 1)
By Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.
<All Rights Reserved>

 

[Vs1]

Do you drop tears when I’m away,

Do you feel safe when alone;

How do you pass the time each day,

I think of our sweet home -

Just you and me by candlelight,

That’s probably why -

I’m thinking of home tonight…

 

[CHORUS]

When I’m on the road selling my songs,

And crowds without number sing along;

I hear your whispers in my ear,

Wishing you were here or I wasn’t gone…

And I wish you were here -

Or I wasn’t gone…

 

[Vs2]

When the truck is rolling through the dark,

Till the light of the next day;

Did you count the stars falling apart,

Wondering when I’ll stay -

Just you and me by candlelight,

That’s probably why -

You’re thinking of me tonight…

 

[CHORUS]

When I’m on the road selling my songs,

And crowds without number sing along;

I hear your whispers in my ear,

Wishing you were here or I wasn’t gone…

And I wish you were here -

Or I wasn’t gone…

 

[BRIDGE]

I think tonight’s the night, I give up the fight -

The money ain’t worth driving far from right…

 

[CHORUS]

When I’m on the road selling my songs,

And crowds without number sing along;

I hear your whispers in my ear,

Wishing you were here or I wasn’t gone…

And I wish you were here -

Or I wasn’t gone…

"Shakespeare Play"

“Shakespeare Play”

©️ by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

A saxophone bends midnight’s ear,

While harmonies take flight;

She’s playing songs they used to hear,

When feelings still felt right…

No fairytale's behind her eyes,

Her tears washed them away;

He left her for some perfumed lies –

That hide in Shakespeare plays.

CHORUS 1

Romeo and Juliet are gone,

But not too far away –

Two lovers ran through poison nights,

Living in a Shakespeare play.

[Vs2]

Memories are just a blur,

A fable's love charade;

All her heart had promised her,

Cuts deep with it's dull blade…

She wonders if he’ll see the light,

Beginnings of a new day;

All they were is worth the fight,

To end this Shakespeare play.

CHORUS 1

Romeo and Juliet are gone,

But not too far away –

Two lovers ran through poison nights,

Living in a Shakespeare play.

[Vs3]

She hears beneath her window,

His voice through weeping trees;

It says, “I'm lost without you,

Can you please forgive me?”

She hesitates a moment,

Then feels those long lost days;

They melt into the moonlit night,

That frees them from this play...

CHORUS 2

Romeo and Juliet are gone,

But not too far away –

Two lovers gave up poison nights,

Ending their Shakespeare play.

"Can Never Make Me Feel"

"Can Never Make Me Feel"

©️ Frank A DeCenso, Jr. 
<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]
The girl on the cover,
Like a sun soaked lover,
Leaves me hanging on a thin line;
If I only knew her,
My fantasies over,
Would she cling to me all of the time...

[PRE-CHORUS]
I may never meet her,
So I should leave her behind...

[CHORUS]
She can never make me feel real love,

She's just a picture in a magazine;

One day I'll find the one I'm dreaming of,

And we can take pictures of what love means...

[Vs2]
A red moon is rising,
Through misty horizons,
These memories will never be mine;
My thoughts turn to laughter,
If she's all I'm after,
I can't wait 'cause I'll run out of time...

[PRE-CHORUS]
I may never meet her,
So I should leave her behind...

[CHORUS]
She can never make me feel real love,

She's just a picture in a magazine;

One day I'll find the one I'm dreaming of,

And we can take pictures of what love means...

[BRIDGE]

A rose and a guitar leading song,

May never last all that long;

Like feelings for a picture have long gone...

[CHORUS]
She can never make me feel real love,

She's just a picture in a magazine;

One day I'll find the one I'm dreaming of,

And we can take pictures of what love means...

"Where Love Led"

"Where Love Led"
©️ Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.
<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]
There ain't no wind in these sails anymore,
It left before the storm;
There ain't no heat from this flame anymore,
So how can we stay warm...

[CHORUS]
Let's both forget what was said,
And let the past remain dead;
Now's a chance to get back -
Where love led...

[Vs2]
There ain't no moon in the sky anymore,
It's big smile went away;
There ain't no tears in your eyes anymore,
They dried waiting for the day...

[CHORUS]
Let's both forget what was said,
And let the past remain dead;
Now's chance to get back -
Where love led...

[BRIDGE]
Let the wind blow soft and the fire will stay lit
Let the moon come back and the crying will quit

[CHORUS]
Let's both forget what was said,
And let the past remain dead;
Now's a chance to get back -
Where love led...
Let's both forget what was said,
And let the past remain dead;
Now's a chance to get back -
Where love led...

"Carnival Ride"

"Carnival Ride"

©️ Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

< All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

Remember when we'd laugh and run through all the meadows,

Remember when we'd lay down and think of our tomorrows;

Tonight is just one night but it can be what we choose,

The past is what reminds us that our future cannot lose...

CHORUS

Our hands that we hold,

Make a lasting rhyme;

Moonlight slips through windows,

Where love can never hide;

It keeps climbing higher and you're still my stunning bride,

On this life long carnival ride...

[Vs2]

Remember every kiss and those times we have made,

Remember all our memories that will never fade;

Tomorrow holds some endless days that each is sure to know,

Our love will last forever like our yesterdays have shown...

CHORUS

Our hands that we hold,

Make a lasting rhyme;

Moonlight slips through windows,

Where love can never hide;

It keeps climbing higher and you're still my stunning bride,

On this life long carnival ride...

BRIDGE

The only thing I know,

At this moment in time;

As spotlights turn upon us,

On this fair ground lover's ride;

Our future will cast shadows,

Covering your's with mine...

CHORUS

Our hands that we hold,

Make a lasting rhyme;

Moonlight slips through windows,

Where love can never hide;

It keeps climbing higher and you're still my stunning bride,

On this life long carnival ride...

"Take Over This Love"

“Take Over This Love”
© By Frank A DeCenso, Jr.
<All Rights reserved>

[Vs1]
Do you remember when we’d laugh,
And joke at each other?
Do you recall when our eyes met,
They melted like smooth butter?
Well how’d those days leave – 
Can you be honest and true?
Because I’m starting over now,
With someone else brand new…

[Vs2]
Can you recall we’d walk the beach 
And pick up old sea shells?
Can you recall when we would smile 
Still hearing wedding bells?
Well those days have faded – 
But we thought they were strong,
I don’t want this love I’ve found, 
To go the same way wrong…

CHORUS
Time has a way of reconnecting,
All the dots apart;
But sometimes what is reconnected,
Is a brand new start -
With someone else I never knew,
Would take over this love from you...

[Vs3]
I think I can remember how 

We came to split our ways…
We got busy with things of life, 
That pulled us both away
Well we have learned now – 
Love can make a quick turn,
I need this new love I found, 
To shine but never burn...

CHORUS
Time has a way of reconnecting,
All the dots apart;
But sometimes what is reconnected,
Is a brand new start -
With someone else I never knew,
Would take over this love from you...

BRIDGE
When I look out the window, I see leaves ride the wind,
Just like some love may come and go;
And blow in new again...

CHORUS
Time has a way of reconnecting,
All the dots apart;
But sometimes what is reconnected,
Is a brand new start -
With someone else I never knew,
Would take over this love from you...

"Hidden Crystal Clear"

"Hidden Crystal Clear"

©️ Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved. This lyric may not be used without permission>

[Vs1]

Are you on that winding river,

Where water makes you blind;

Or in the baking desert,

Where nothing lives to find;

I know that you've been looking,

For a hopeful lit up sign;

That love's not just a stormy sea,

Or just burning behind...

[Vs2]

Your wishes on those falling stars,

May be futile in the end;

They don't have any answers,

That they can bring or send;

You can search until the morning,

Or till the daytime blends;

Chances are the love you want,

Still waits for you instead...

CHORUS

You move so fast you're hard to find,

A bolt of lightning from the sky,

A heavy metal love song, too quick to ever hear;

Days are burning by like fire,

You still have just one desire,

Find someone whose love for you, is hidden crystal clear...

[Vs3]

Just maybe if you turn around,

And check under each stone;

You'll find one you've been after,

The times you've been alone;

You passed him like a hurricane,

Because you've never known;

The love that you were seeking,

Needed more rope to be thrown...

CHORUS

You move so fast you're hard to find,

A bolt of lightning from the sky,

A heavy metal love song, too quick to ever hear;

Days are burning by like fire,

You still have just one desire,

Find someone whose love for you, is hidden crystal clear...

BRIDGE

Don't miss this opportunity,

Look close and you may see -

That he's the one, he'll follow you,

And set your searching free...

CHORUS

You move so fast you're hard to find,

A bolt of lightning from the sky,

A heavy metal love song, too quick to ever hear;

Days are burning by like fire,

You still have just one desire,

Find someone whose love for you, is hidden crystal clear...

“Before You There Was Me”

“Before You There Was Me”

©️ Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]
Every teardrop stain is gone
They dried up late last night;
Once again you’re the one who’s wrong
I really don't care why...
All I know is I’m all here
But I’m not here for you
You may not like what you now see
But I know that I do

CHORUS
After all the words
After all the pain
After all the shoulds
Wonderin’ who to blame…
I’ve decided who to be –
Before you there was me;

[Vs2]
Beer in the fridge is getting old,

I've dumped your new Whiskey...
All I know is what I’ve got
And what I got ain’t free

Your wallet had no hidden stash

Just like your love lived to be free;
Your bankrupt words were butane sparked,
And lit a fire in me…

CHORUS
After all the words
After all the pain
After all the shoulds
Wonderin’ who to blame…
I’ve decided who to be –
Before you there was me;

[BRIDGE]
I’ve been beaten, I’ve been torn
I’ve been run down and been worn
Right now​ I'm where I should be...
Before you there was me...
'Cause...

CHORUS
After all the words
After all the pain
After all the shoulds
Wonderin’ who to blame…
I’ve decided who to be –
Before you there was me;
After all the lies
After all the days
After all the alibis and plays
I’ve decided who to be –
Before you there was me

[OUTRO]

I'll be the one who walks out now, 

I'll leave behind the key...

“Finger Nail Smile”

“Finger Nail Smile”
Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]
Morning's breath is drifting down stony mountainsides;
Its resting on the river where we'd run at night and hide…
When all alone at midnight I still drive myself there;
Just to lay down in the place where midnight kissed your hair.

[Pre-Chorus]

The moon remembers where
It used to bring us there,

CHORUS
The moon looked at us with his finger nail smile
But he’s been big and lonely, for quite a long while;
Tonight he'll start to cry, at this lonely old place,

'Cause this time he'll only see my face

[Vs2]
Back then we were two kids as the lightning bugs would play;
Then nighttime promised we were magnets bound to always stay…
But tomorrow came too fast, and like time we moved apart;
So now I’m here and dreaming, that we're both here at the start…

[Pre-Chorus]

The moon remembers where
It used to bring us there,

CHORUS
The moon looked at us with his finger nail smile
But he’s been big and lonely, for quite a long while;
Tonight he'll start to cry, at this lonely old place,

'Cause this time he'll only see my face

[BRIDGE]
There’s only one reason,
I still travel down this road;
To see where we had melted,
And our hearts would just explode;
I can't escape the vision,
Of how your smile glowed;
If you ever come back,
We'll run here all alone...

[Pre-Chorus]

The moon remembers where
It used to bring us there,

CHORUS
The moon looked at us with his finger nail smile
But he’s been big and lonely, for quite a long while;
Tonight he'll start to cry, at this lonely old place,

'Cause this time he'll only see my face