2020 IOU 03:45

One day baby the strongest of the herd

Pulls down from the shelf, a dream deferred

Now the money’s not coming but the rent is due

It’s a twenty twenty I owe you

Beth loved her classes loved her school

At home in the deep end of that teenage pool

It struck her first in the warm days of May

Never going back it was taken away

A first dance that never came true

Just a twenty-twenty I owe you

And someone owes her a commencement gown

And someone deserves that night on the town

Three years up - three years down

That last one never quite came around

Lets take them all and wrap ‘em with care

Save it all for later than say a prayer

That we all will be back someday

Done playing social keep away

To the Patron Saint of the Overdue

I send my twenty-twenty I owe you

Tracie’s father died suddenly

Ron’s mom passed away peacefully

Jake had as much as he could take

Pills and whiskey and he didn’t wake

Last respects we could not carry through

It’s another twenty-twenty I owe you

And someone’s owed their last goodbye

And someone to recall memories gone by

The funeral becomes a quick bury instead

That ain’t the way that we treat our dead

One day baby the strongest of the herd

Will have we the people get the final word

A last farewell and a gathering, too

Just a twenty-twenty I owe you

And for the first dance…and for the last goodbye

Fear Positive 03:41

Breaking news says – you’re not safe outside

The latest study says – you’re not safe inside

Am I feverish? Is my breathing off?

Am I losing taste? Was that cough a cough?

Gotta find a doctor – I gotta find a nurse

Do I got a flu - or is it something worse?

Gotta get a test – I gotta get a test

Am I dying from the virus or dying from the stress?

-chorus-

Well I tested – fear positive

Yea I tested – fear positive

I’m positive the fear is spreading over me

Heard the news? The air could kill ya

Heard the news? That mail can kill ya

Did I touch my face? Did I forget my mask?

Is it on my groceries? Is it at the Mass?

Gotta find a doctor - gotta find a nurse

Do I got a flu - or is it something worse?

I need answers – I gotta get a test

Am I dying from the virus or dying from the stress?

-chorus-

Well look outside! The streets are clear

Now look inside! Living life in fear

I mourn the loss. It's a death without reason

But do I go outside? Or wait another season

Gotta find a doctor - gotta find a nurse

Do I got a flu - or is it something worse?

Calling the governor – Can I get a test?

Am I dying from the virus or dying from the stress?

-chorus-

Sweet Quarantinie 06:17

She was the dream of the dreamers the boom of the boomers

A millennial mistress, And a Zoomer’s life goal

She was known as Jeannie

When she burst upon the scenie

But her names and her legend keeps growing as the years roll

(Aka) Sweet Jeannie, with moves like linguini

Little Dreamie, and Tina and Sweet Teenie

She was once Little Queenie Make Chuck Berry proud

Sweet Jeannie

But then one day we were all driven down

All sent to live in our own little underground

We moved to the webcams and the chatrooms

Talking to a red dot and zooming in the Zoom rooms

She started sending out a signal without much fanfare

Her image to the world transmission from nowhere

And we knew Jeannie, our little lost Queenie

Our Every body’s dreamy, our never in-betweenie, became:

Our Sweet Quarantinie Sweet Quarantinie

We learned the schedule learned the times and the chat rules

Must see live stream better in the bright room

She blocked the watcher count but we knew that it was high

So we could still fool ourselves we were that one and only guy.

That one and only for Sweet Quarantinie,

Sweet Quarantinie

And then on some weekday sometime in early May

She’s got us mesmerized doing it all her way

But somewhere in the back someone caught a quick spy

Screen grab blow up did we see some guy walking by?

Who was that, Quarantinie?

Sweet Quarantinie

It’s amazing what we don’t really know

Was it her kid or a parent in that shadow?

Or was it the guy who laughing every night

The one who’s there when they shut the light

Sweet Quarantinie

Sweet Quarantinie

Here’s the weird part but one you needed to know

Last night I had this crazy dream started from a shadow

It was there in a time set way beyond Corona

And it was like that last dream in Raising Arizona

Where the camera sees the future and in the house it’s portrayed.

Crowded with guests, people coming in and smiling and unafraid

A table and there were people gathered around

And food and laughter and a close up on the head of the table smiling without a sound

And this was not the movie, cause the scene continued onward

And miles were passed, we kept moving forward

Down to a club, and it was packed, and no one had a mask!

And people sharing drinks, and high fives and there was a band playing loud

Yes I could hear them in the dream as I floated through the crowd

The lead guitarist was shredding and sweating on the kids in the front row,

Girl runs from the side gives the drummer a kiss,, and was someone he didn’t know

And then I saw some guy walking out the restroom, and he hadn’t washed his hands

And he pushed his way to the front and the lead singer shook that same hand

And…eww…

But still everyone was there sweating, rocking, drinking, shaking, dancing, singing, living and living and living

And it was a glimpse and it was looking forward! It was the future

And from the front of the stage on the dance floor

The band called up a girl for an encore

And as she stood center stage in the throbbing spotlight

She gave the crowd a wave and everybody started chanting…

Sweet Quarantinie

Sweet Quarantinie

You Are Never Alone 04:24

A long day ends as Mary Lou flies in on the red eye

To meet her Saint Pete, her soul follow forever guy

Trains crack the veins carry her home to Grymes Hill

Dusty paint flakes breeze from their open window sill

-chorus-

In mind or body, from the street to the screen

In mind or body, seen or unseen

You are never alone, no you are never alone

Pete’s a big man from a splendid extended family

Jumped and pushed out to steal his own destiny

Last station lost outpost that just suited him fine

Final station solitude held his piece of mind

Mary Lou was true they stood taller side by side

For thirty years GMC took them on the same ride

From the foothills to the grand prairies, too

Cross the seven seas and over deserts through

While the past rides shotgun by your side

You bring it back home it’s there for the ride

And just like when he was eighteen and leaving home

Mom said Peter remember, wherever you may roam

-chorus-

In a pine scented hallway Peter sits all by himself

Making deals with the Lord he’d gladly trade his modest wealth

Mary Lou lays dying alone with a row of machines

Hums and blinking lights Pete’s flashing through scenes

He can’t touch her or talk to her as each gasp leaves

Pete sits without power, knowing each breath could be her last

A lifetime together now separated by 10 ft and Plexiglas

He softly calls out to Mary Lou

I hope these words get through

I owe my life to you

You are not alone, No, you are never alone

Peter hear me say

You are never alone

7PM: Thank You! 03:16

Cold wind blows through the hollow still

The higher up the colder the chill

Windows open the first time this year

All searching for something to cheer

-chorus-

Can you hear the echo (echo)

Thunder rolling down the avenue

Can you hear the echo (echo)

Right now this is all I can do

Is to be a witness at the seven pm

Thank you

Afraid we stayed apart too long

Join the choir for the city song

I need a place where I belong

Connected together we sing along

Can you hear the echo (echo)

Thunder rolling down Fifth Avenue

Can you hear the echo (echo)

Right now this is all I can do

Is to be a counted at the seven pm

Thank you

Day after day brings more unrest

The worst of times leads to our best

Find the hero sanctify their name

Stand together, one people, we proclaim

Can you hear the echo (echo)

Thunder rolling down Eighth Avenue

Can you hear the echo (echo)

Right now this is all I can do

Is to say: Good Night - Stay Safe, and, Thank you

Time to Get Back Home 02:00

I took the 414 from the other side

Everybody looking for a place to hide

This morning I landed on the other side

-chorus-

Baby it’s time

Time to get back home

The choice is your’s alone

And that’s fine

But, baby it’s time

I took a quick look out from my spire

And to my surprise the world ain’t on fire

Listen real close to follow your heart’s desire

The hardest step is the one you take through the door

Gas in the tank and a foot to the floor

All I know is I ain’t spending time here no more

-chorus-

I hear the war drumbeats are calling me

I know that my house changed to match reality

I’m gonna claim what belongs to me

-chorus-

all songs © 2020 Brian DiMarco

We Can Still Shake Together 03:55

The word went out we’d have to be apart (We can shake together you and I)

The new normal made a brand new start (We can shake together you and I)

They put glass walls up at Tiny’s Bar (We can shake together you and I)

You go to church if you stay in your car (We can shake together you and I)

—Chorus—

Bring me love

Bring me thunder

The truth lasts now and forever

We can still shake together

We can still shake together

We can still shake together, you and I

We’re going out at the end of the week (We can shake together you and I)

Gonna go dancing not cheek to cheek (We can shake together you and I)

I got my spot and that’s where I’ll stand (We can shake together you and I)

Shake your body won’t shake your hand (We can shake together you and I)

-chorus-

Got my radio and put it on blast (We can shake together you and I)

You on the porch and me on the grass (We can shake together you and I)

Maybe one day I’ll be in your safe zone (We can shake together you and I)

We can be together when we’re being alone (We can shake together you and I)

Bring me love

Bring me thunder

The truth lasts now and forever

We can still shake together

We can still shake together

We can still shake together, you and I

Bella Arte 03:51

Bella Arte queen of the party

You make the darkness disappear

Light and dazzling, overwhelming

Music, wine, pizza, and beer

Hearts a glowing a playlist going

It can make you laugh and cry

When I’m leaving, late in the evening

I look for you to say goodbye

I say, we were down, you came around

You follow what you believe

She says it’s nothing, can I ask you something?

Why you’re the first one to leave?

Your super power takes charge

Before we know what’s to come

Me, I never know when a thing has started

But I can always tell you when it’s done

From the season, of no rhyme or reason

Bella Arte, went missing

Without speaking, you saw the leaking

Before the tires were hissing

Bella Arte, queen of the party

The party was going strong

I looked aside, saw in your eyes

That something was going wrong

I came by near, saw the falling tear

You took my hand gave it a kiss

I’m going away, No words to say

Now is no time to reminisce

Now…Your super power takes charge

Before we know what’s to come

Me, I never know when a thing has started

But I can always tell you when it’s done

Bella Arte, gone into hiding

To destinations unknown

A southern fountain, a western mountain

Maybe the last lost northern road

Are you finding hope? Is there just anger?

In this dark cloud’s heavy load

Cause in every corner, across every border

The endless night still flows

Here’s the secret, I say without regret

I will see you again some day

Bella Arte, queen of the party

This too, shall go away

Cos…My super power takes charge

From a kiss from the midday sun

I never know when a thing has started

But I can always tell you when it’s done

Bella Arte…start the party…

Annie of the Cross 03:53

At the First Assembly on a Saturday Night

Me and Annie met at the youth socialite

We’d walk down Hobson to the desert heights

Watch the dark night expose the heaven’s lights

We got a place and lived off the Colorado

12 hour shifts at the Blue Water Casino

Down there power companies employs all

We climbed the ladder and heard the call

Ride the current gather no moss

Me and Annie of the cross

And the harder you ride the further you go

We went from Grand Junction to Chicago

You ride the tide and you play the game

Never realize how fast those white waters became

I knew if I stopped I couldn’t get back in any more

Annie had enough and she headed back to shore

Jump into white waters and you will not survive

She faded as I flowed further from the hillside

Ride the current gather no moss

Me and Annie of the cross

To the giants of the coast I stayed in motion

Where the rivers are swallowed by the great ocean

From Blythe’s dry canals with the skyscapers I stand

Annie roams free in the high sky desert land

She was last in the hills out by Medicine Bow

Riding the mountains west of Arapaho

I don’t suppose I’ll ever see her again

But if I do I’ll call her by her rightful name

Noche del desierto - Cielo en la luz

Ana de la cruz

Running Dream 04:45

Cops spot a runner through the Park Town satellite

Tracking him by drones sporting an infrared search light

Cruiser pulls into empty lot at the state park

K9 chase, you hear tracking then the sharp bark

Another one brought down

For the fine folks of Park Town

Nothing more to see here

Go back to your Netflix and chilled beer

Sleep tight in the quarantine

Hope you have no running dream

From the things that go bump in the night

All the dangers that hide in plain sight

Run under your covers day and night

You been frozen by your fright

And if you’re still scared – Run

My wife thought she found a soft spot in the cage

Just kids at a ball field celebrating their age

Mister Morgan’s got a house and peers out bravely

Dials nine-one-one as he believes in public safety

Another one brought down

For the fine folks of Park Town

You pay some money, outsource your fear

Get back to your Netflix and chilled beer

Sleep tight in the quarantine

Hope you have no running dream

I made my money in a storefront wood shop

I worked in the back but got a deadbolt stop

They got a tip on Facebook someone thanked me for a house call

Next day I hear the knocking and they came to take it all

They said stop talking but I took to running

Past the school with no students

The stores with no customers

No people in the state park

No commuters on the roadway

No bodies at the gym

The Park Town Welcome Center deserted

I made it to an empty playground

That’s where the dogs took me down

Another one brought down

For the fine folks of Park Town

Nothing more to see here

Get back to your Netflix and chilled beer

Sleep tight in the quarantine

Hope you have no running dream

From the things that go bump in the night

All the dangers hide in plain sight

Run under covers day and night

You been frozen by your fright

And if you’re still scared…

Get a dog

Back from the Third Degree 02:39

From out of near nothing

Hear the cardiac thumping

Hear the stillness and the breeze

Lost in no focus

It damn near broke us

Both the cure and the disease

We’re coming back/We’re coming back

Back and feeling free

We’re coming back/We’re coming back

Back from the third degree

From affliction to restriction

The addiction ain’t fiction

A new terminology

Your eyes been twitchy

Your skin’s been itchy

Diagnosed on TV

We’re coming back/We’re coming back

Back and feeling free

We’re coming back/We’re coming back

Back from the third degree

I remember the days

Wine and roses in the park

We’d dine at a table

Go dancing in the dark

I remember the nights

Catch the band’s late show

I think of them often

Cause they were only a week ago

Always something coming for ya

Something’s gonna floor ya

It better just stand in line

Again the same nightmare

The one where I die there

But it’s morning and I’m feeling fine

We’re coming back/We’re coming back

Back and feeling free

We’re coming back/We’re coming back

Back from the third degree

Don't Be Stupid + Be Not Afraid 04:22

Look at me shaking a fist at the great unknown

Laugh at the nut who is running naked into the cyclone

And if you feel your moment is never just at hand

Put your head and heart together and you’ll understand

-chorus-

It’s your life

Head and heart together on parade

Don’t be stupid - and be not afraid

My dad and John Paul never shared a beer

But if they did I know exactly what you would hear

JP’s stand of faith said do not be afraid

Dad preached the value of plan that was carefully made

Use your head and think before you act

To wit, “Don’t be stupid” have your pack mule, packed

Now I don’t think that he and JP were that far apart

Make informed choices and follow your head and heart

-chorus-

Nobody wants to be a fool in the spotlight

You want the best, justice, and to do what’s right

Do your work, know your shit and then deploy

Use your voice, make your choice, and deliver it with joy

-chorus-

Don’t be stupid - and be not afraid

Don’t be stupid - and be not afraid…

Twenty-two on edge waiting for the snap

Back gets the ball and shoots for the gap

Scripted and choreographed pulling to the right

But a sense glances left and sees a glimpse of daylight

In the chaos and contact and spinning clattered gloam

He pivots and chooses the crossed grain trail to roam

For three point five glorious seconds feels the rush of wind and cheer

Dancing in the end zone and knowing what got him here