"The Mist Of A Thousand Castles"

“The Mist Of A Thousand Castles” (Revised)

Copyright by Frank DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

The mist of a thousand castles,

Rise above these ancient trees;

I swear that in the distance,

Our shadows hand in hand are running free...

[Vs2]

Candles burn through winter's freeze,

Light slices through the dark;

It’s there I see your silhouette,

Still dancing beneath falling broken stars...

CHORUS

In the mist of a thousand castles...

You're waving recklessly,

It’s hard to see but it looks like...

You’re waving just to me...

[Vs3]

We were both timeless renegades,

Hiding from the freezing sun;

History can’t comprehend,

Why we just didn't fly from it or run...

[Vs4]

The future pulled us to its flame,

How could we stay the course;

Like snowflakes fall and die alone,

We melted on a grave with time it's source...

CHORUS

In the mist of a thousand castles...

You're waving recklessly,

It’s hard to see but it looks like...

You’re waving just to me...

[Vs5]

Our memories can't start again,

They hide too deep within;

Like written words on letters burned,

We're not what we are now or ever been...

[Vs6]

Lost centuries have passed between,

With tears from violent skies;

There’s nothing to exaggerate,

You've turned around while whispering goodbye...

CHORUS

In the mist of a thousand castles...

You're waving recklessly,

It’s hard to see but it looks like...

You’re waving just to me...

"All Love's Given Me"

“All Love's Given Me” (Revised)

Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

A warm summer night wind kissed us,

Midnight’s moon flowed all around;

We found a place, where our slow embrace –

Brought falling stars down…

Your flannel love held tightly –

I still feel your arms wrapped 'round me –

It wasn’t fantasy,

I know it was real,

We ran with the love

Two desp'rate hearts steal.

CHORUS

Every time I breathe, I feel you –

Every time I sleep, I see you –

You’re more than a wish, more than a dream -

You’re all love's given me…

[Vs2]

We started a blazing fire,

There was nothing left to chance;

All time was lost, and every line crossed –

In our firelight dance…

We're two made into one –

All we found has just begun –

It isn’t fantasy,

I know how we feel,

We’ll run with passion

Two melted hearts steal.

CHORUS

Every time I breathe, I feel you –

Every time I sleep, I see you –

You’re more than a wish, more than a dream,

You’re all love's given me…

[BRIDGE]

In our love song we can now write,

Any notes together sound just right,

As long as we’re in each other's arms –

We'll burn the darkest night…

CHORUS

Every time I breathe, I feel you –

Every time I sleep, I see you –

You’re more than a wish, more than a dream,

You’re all love's given me…

Every time I cry, I need you –

Every time I laugh, I hear you –

You’re more than a wish, more than a dream,

You’re all love's given me…

All love's given me.

"What Country Music's All About"

“What Country Music’s All About” (Revised)
©️ by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>
 
OPENING VERSE…
Hey, there listen to this country song…
Someone will say it’s prob’ly too long -

What is Country music all about...
Let's find out -

 
[VS1]
Budweiser beer and moonshine in jars,
Shiny semi trucks and hometown bars,
Church on a Sunday, and swearing’ all week,
Cheatin’ while dancin’ to some Bayou beats,
Mamma’s home cookin’ and Pa’s rocking chair,

Tennessee moon's in a girl's curly hair,

Someone's fishin’, and love's gone missin',
Lipstick on a collar from strangers kissin’…
 
CHORUS
I’ve been sitting here writing under a front porch moon,
Thinkin’ ‘bout things that make a top Country tune…
While I sit and try to find out;
Think I'll down a shot…

Writin' what Country Music's all about...
 
[Vs2]
A Remington rifle, goin’ deer huntin’,
Sweaty cowboy hats, rusty Chevy runnin',
Sweet Kentucky sky filled with Trooper’s lights,
Probably Johnny's goin’ jail tonight,
Fiddles and guitars, and river bed skeeters,
American flags, and cars without heaters,
Squeaky wooden floors, girls in skinny jeans,
Torn flannel shirts and broken lover’s dreams…
 

CHORUS
I’ve been sitting here writing under a front porch moon,
Thinkin’ ‘bout things that make a top Country tune…
While I sit and try to find out;
Think I'll down a shot…

Writin' what Country Music's all about...

 
BRIDGE
It’s OK that football’s over, 

Nascar’s on the way...

CHORUS
I’ve been sitting here writing under a front porch moon,
Thinkin’ ‘bout things that make a top Country tune…
While I sit and try to find out;
Think I'll down a shot…

Writin' what Country Music's all about...

"Picture Frame"

“Picture Frame”

©️ by Frank DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

I still remember little things, like how you combed your hair;

And how we shared some French Fries, at the big county fair.

But some things I’ve forgotten, like how you held my hand;

And if you said “I do” when you took that wedding band.

CHORUS 1

You only left a picture frame,

And there’s nothin’ in it;

Our photo may be lost somewhere,

Or maybe you hid it;

Sometimes I see that picture frame,

And picture you within it;

But even now, my memory fades,

And you’ve almost faded with it.

[Vs2]

The days are passing by so fast, and I never knew;

That as the calendar moved on, so would thoughts of you.

I've tried hard but can’t recall, just why you left me then;

You may have said the reason but, I can't remember when.

CHORUS 1

All you left was a picture frame,

And there’s nothin’ in it;

Our photo may be lost somewhere,

Or you may have hid it;

I still look at that picture frame,

And try to see you in it;

But even now, my memory fades,

And you’ve almost faded with it.

[BRIDGE]

I used to remember how you combed your hair...

CHORUS 2

All you left was a picture frame,

And there’s nothin’ in it;

Our photo may be lost somewhere,

Or you may have hid it;

I still look at that picture frame,

But cannot see you in it;

Even now, my memory fades,

And you have faded with it.

"A Phony Smile"

"A Phony Smile”
Copyright by Frank DeCenso, Jr.
<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]
The music's playing backwards on the street alleys tonight,
Moonlit broken lovers watch their dreams taking flight,
Casanovas, Mona Lisas, and others way down low,
Shed their skin for what is fake so pain won't show...

[Vs2]
Spotlights bleeding neon on shadows walking blind,
All the travelers cannot see beyond what's behind, 
The motions blur emotions that drove them right here,
So they sit in dirty bars to forget what's never near...

CHORUS
All the dreamers still dream, cause their hunger needs to feed 
For a simple hug or kiss for a moment or a while -
Both may look and feel more than what they really mean..
Just like a phony smile...

[Vs3]
If the rain fell from the dark it would wash their dusty souls,
But can anything change those playing life's empty roles...
A loser and a boozer share a concrete curbside chair
Sometimes the different details feel a little bit unfair

CHORUS
All the dreamers still dream, cause their hunger needs to feed 
For a simple hug or kiss for a moment or a while -
Both may look and feel more than what they really mean..
Just like a phony smile...

BRIDGE 
Does it really matter if all the stars fell down,
The lonely wouldn't see them, couldn't catch them, 
In this dying town...

CHORUS
All the dreamers still dream, cause their hunger needs to feed 
For a simple hug or kiss that for a moment or a while -
Both may look and feel more than what they really mean..
Just like a phony smile...

"If Freedom's Coming Here" (Concept Draft)

"If Freedom's Coming Here" (Draft)

©️ Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

She took her dreams and let them drive

Past every sunset and quarter moon

Didn't know where they'd go but felt alive

You can never leave the past too soon

CHORUS

We're prisoners in a world with concrete walls

We're cold and damp like some moss in the fall

Never quite sure when we can ever leave

Or if freedom's coming here at all

[Vs2]

She felt the wind blow through her hair

Each sky a new day to begin

She was still alone but didn't care

Her hopes took her far from where she'd been

CHORUS

We're prisoners in a world with concrete walls

We're cold and damp like some moss in the fall

Never quite sure when we can ever leave

Or if freedom's coming here at all

BRIDGE 

If she never broke out

She'd fade away

A little more each and every day

We can't let anything

Hold us way down

Even if we need to dig under rocky ground

CHORUS

We're prisoners in a world with concrete walls

We're cold and damp like some moss in the fall

Never quite sure when we can ever leave

Or if freedom's coming here at all

If freedom's coming here

If freedom's coming here 

If freedom's coming here at all

"Walk Alone" (Experimental Poetic Lyric)

"Walk Alone" (Experimental Poetic Lyric)

©️ by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

My old truck wouldn't start that night I had to play,

First set was getting close so I had to walk that way;

The bar was a few miles down a dusty country road, 

I had never hitchhiked and I've never walked alone...

A motorbike came to a screeching tire stop,

A pretty sounding voice said, "I'm riding further on...

You look in a hurry but you're walking my way;

Jump on the back" - that's all she had to say...

A curvy Southern girl sat right in front of me,

My Levi's touched her leather as she drove fast and free;

She took the long way - I think she liked the ride,

Then we got to the bar and I said, "Come inside"...

She took that helmut off, had a face honey smooth,

With her red hair flowin', I watched her every move;

She said, "aren't you're the guy that sings in the band?",

I opened up a smile and said, "Darlin, yes I am"...

She sat near the stage and every song I sang,

My eyes stuck on to her, then I grabbed her by the hand;

The band played soft and slow as she held me real tight,

I began to think the lights were stars lined up right...

After three long sets she was last in the room,

She came to me and whispered, "It was me you sang to."

She said she'd take me home, I said, "thanks for everything",

She sped to her place and said, "come inside, we'll sing."

I ended up wishing that the night wouldn't end...

I sang in her ears and she hummed right on in;

At the morning light, she drove me back home;

And she said from now on together we'll walk alone.

"Hold On ToThe Wind"

“Hold On To The Wind”
Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.
 

[Vs1]
Sometimes you think you’ve wasted time,
Life's been a darkened blur;
You know you’re not the only one,
This world has overturned…
 

[Vs2]
The earth still holds the rising sun,
It does throughout each night;
Sometimes the moon’s a broken friend,
Like you it waits for light…
 
CHORUS
When you look outside your windows
And the sky looks all windswept;
Don’t follow how your feelings feel,
Hold on to the wind, instead...
 

[Vs3]
Life has a way of twisting round,
Tornados do the same;
But they can break everything,
Their fury you can't tame...

[Vs4]

But one thing is a certainty,

And it will never end;

The wind can't change what is past,

But can bring you far ahead...

CHORUS
When you look outside your windows
And the sky looks all windswept;
Don’t follow how your feelings feel,
Hold on to the wind, instead...
 
[BRIDGE]
Stand outside with open eyes,
You may just feel the wind arise;
You can leave each pain behind -
And let that wind -

Take you for a ride…
 
CHORUS
When you look outside your windows
And the sky looks all windswept;
Don’t follow how your feelings feel,
Hold on to the wind, instead...

"Words Can't Paint You"

"Words Can't Paint You" (Long Version)

Copyright by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

[Vs1]

Your lipstick's like a layer 

Put on Rembrandt's front wall;

Even how you walk barefoot,

Can make this grown man fall...

If you ain't a living painting,

In Paris at the Louvre;

I can't help but wonder how,

That much beauty can move...

CHORUS 

A million words can't paint you,

Poets would find it hard -

To descibe all your beauty,

With words in a Hallmark card...

A million words can't paint you,

I don't need any more -

I only see your face,

And it melts me to the floor...

[Vs2]

What will it take to keep you,

From leaving with a man,

Somewhere with a richer dude

Who gives more than I can?

I can only promise you,

The world I have to give;

Looking in your eyes each day,

Is where I need to live...

CHORUS 

A million words can't paint you,

Poets would find it hard -

To descibe all your beauty,

With words in a Hallmark card...

A million words can't paint you,

I don't need any more -

I only see your face,

And it melts me to the floor...

As it melts me to the floor..

[BRIDGE]

I feel like a prince or king,

As you lay right there;

Your face radiates sweet light,

Your beauty rules my air...

CHORUS 

A million words can't paint you,

Poets would find it hard -

To descibe all your beauty,

With words in a Hallmark card...

A million words can't paint you,

I don't need any more -

I only see your face,

And it melts me to the floor...

"We Stayed"

“We Stayed”

©️ by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

We were two young kids with no map as our guide,

So we followed feelings, that had nowhere to hide,

Life has been a coaster but we have loved the ride,

And next to each other, we stayed…

[Vs2]

I had on some jeans and you wore Dungarees,

We whispered quiet love ‘neath tall willow trees,

Moonlight met us there with a silent summer breeze,

And in that night’s stillness, we stayed…

CHORUS

We’ve stayed through every good time,

We’ve stayed through every change –

We stayed while every storm 

Passed far away;

We’ve stayed through every bad time,

We’ve stayed through every pain –

We can hear forever say we stayed.

[Vs3]

Our secret place has always been where wild waters meet –

We always end real close where skin on skin meets –

Star filled skies still hear rapid heartbeats –

Making memories, we stayed…

[Vs4]

We have got forever to explore this love trail,

With our hands holding there is no chance we can fail,

Someday two others may recreate our tale,

‘Cause we’re still together – we stayed…

CHORUS

We’ve stayed through every good time,

We’ve stayed through every change –

We stayed while every storm 

Passed far away;

We’ve stayed through every bad time,

We’ve stayed through every pain –

We can hear forever say we stayed.

[OPTIONAL BRIDGE]

We’re like two stuck magnets, 

I am your's and you're mine;

Our lives are a poem that never fails to rhyme...

CHORUS

We’ve stayed through every good time,

We’ve stayed through every change –

We stayed while every storm 

Passed far away;

We’ve stayed through every bad time,

We’ve stayed through every pain –

We can hear forever say we stayed.

"Beginnings Of You And Me"

"Beginnings Of You And Me"

©️ Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

The bridge crossing the river burned,

And fell charred in it's wake;

From what you said I have learned,

Some smiles still can break...

We may not cross that water now,

It races fast down stream;

I have yet to find out how,

You still swim in my dreams...

CHORUS

The past carries it's own clues,

Something died and something's new;

If we search we may find, what should be -

The beginnings of you and me...

[Vs2]

Like old pictures on a wall,

Drawn there by people past;

My letters have told you all,

But they are fading fast...

I would write our future out,

But I've run out of ink;

A mem'rie's all I think about,

Our goodbye in a blink

CHORUS

The past carries it's own clues,

Something died and something's new;

If we search we may find, what should be -

The beginnings of you and me...

[Vs3]

The future's not what we planned,

It never came to pass;

I still feel your warming hand,

I thought would always last...

Years move on like clouds above,

Or poems lost in time;

Wonder if what's gone is love,

Or if you still want mine

CHORUS

The past carries it's own clues,

Something died and something's new;

If we search we may find, what should be -

The beginnings of you and me...

"No More Life To Kill"

"No More Life To Kill"
©️ Frank A DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]
She danced in shady nightclubs

He sweat in dying mills
She'd come home with some tips
He'd come home and take some pills

Each night was like a mirror
With some cracks growing there
She'd tell him all her stories
He was too tired to care

CHORUS 
The world may seem it's standing still
But it may just tip and spill 
Every life of hopes and dreams,
Till there's no more life to kill

[Vs2]
One night in conversation 
After he came home real late
They talked while he ate dinner
On a half empty cold plate

'Cause all across that valley
Every story was the same
Outside the homes looked pretty
With the inside peeling paint

CHORUS 
The world may seem it's standing still
But it may just tip and spill 
Every life of hope and dreams,
Till there's no more life to kill

[Vs3]
They knew that if they stayed there
Everything would turn to dust
They talked until the morning sun
Slowly started climbing up

They quit their jobs and moved out
With no solid plan in mind
If they stayed where things were dying
Headstones were all they'd find

CHORUS 
The world may seem it's standing still
But it may just tip and spill 
Every life of hopes and dreams,
Till there's no more life to kill

The world may seem it's standing still
But it may just tip and spill 
Every life of hopes and dreams,
Till there's no more life to kill

"Empty Eyes" (Draft)

“Empty Eyes” (Draft)

©️ by Frank A. DeCenso, Jr.

<All Rights Reserved>

[Vs1]

You thought you had a reason,

For putting out our fire -

Maybe no one told you,

Somebody's flames grow higher…

I thought we had forever,

But forever came and missed;

You chose a liar's bargain,

And broke our's with a kiss.

CHORUS

I never heard anything,

That hinted a goodbye;

They were hidden underneath,

Your piercing empty eyes...

I should have seen everything,

When laughter turned to lies;

They were hidden deep beneath,

Your piercing empty eyes.

[Vs2]

The moonlight was a magnet,

That dragged you from my grip;

The darkness had its way with you,

And you fell for every trick…

When you find love's a gamble,

No guarantees to find;

I don’t know if you will come back,

Or if your love’s still blind.

CHORUS

I never heard anything,

That hinted a goodbye;

They were hidden underneath,

Your piercing empty eyes...

I should have seen everything,

When laughter turned to lies;

They were hidden deep beneath,

Your piercing empty eyes.

[BRIDGE]

You're standing on tomorrow,

One last chance to see;

Everything you’re looking for,

Has always been in me....

CHORUS

I never heard anything,

That hinted a goodbye;

They were hidden underneath,

Your piercing empty eyes...

I should have seen everything,

When laughter turned to lies;

They were hidden deep beneath,

Your piercing empty eyes.