Jeff Sampson
(A very small) some of the lyrics I’ve written over the years. Everything here is either part of a completed song or at least has a recorded melody. Clicking any hot-linked titles will allow you to hear the song.
** CIRCLE of FITS **
(from a forthcoming album with Sara Ayers)
oh terror, what is the cause -
how did I lose my peace and accord?
my last wish was different than the ones before
how did I get myself so turned around?
perhaps it’s a matter of perception
perhaps someone wants to walk me home
I couldn’t live there anymore
my likeness was standing in a panic
my shadow – fleeting and anemic.
the streets were flowing red
so many faces I knew washing by.
I’m a toy – pull my chain, I’ll laugh for you
cut my hair – change my shoes – it’s pointless
there’s nothing permanent about the way you make me lie.
a shrug for the scowls I perceive
what is the reason behind you wanting me to believe?
I’ll never play that stupid game again.
I am a volunteer – I’m only here because I want to be
what is the point of ignoring me?
should it be me who turns his back and walks away?
calmer winds overrule
calmer thoughts may see me through.
a younger me might start it all again
but there doesn’t seem to be a point to any type of plan.
I haven’t been around the world
but I have been several kinds of fool
and I don’t want that again – offer me a hand
your strength will calm me
is there any other way?
memory – tearing me
memory – haunting me
(Jeff Sampson — Copyright 2008)
** DISTURBED **
soon she’ll get it all together
she hopes day brings stories told.
she’s seen springtime — stormy weather.
she thinks it’s dark and so much older.
all the maddest of the wishes
she brings to hang upon the line
would show another of the caring
dreams she has for yours and mine.
yet she holds her head above the waves
of jealousy, deceit and wine.
she wonders how anyone could tell her
elders return the hands of time.
now there’s love and brighter sadness;
soon night brings darker thoughts.
there’s always room for paranoias;
there’s always time to be distraught.
(Jeff Sampson — Copyright 1996)
** EMPTY **
(there’s a rehearsal of this somewhere)
I watch your every move from a distance
afraid to try — afraid there’ll be no other chance
wishing there was room in your life for me
hoping there’s a way to end this agony
please show me something I yearn to recognize
a little giving in — a bit of compromise
I really want to be with you
to sweep you off your feet — to run away
just we two
you share the thoughts you have so well
bring them ’round — there must be a way for me to tell
if there’s room in your life for me
you said you’d meet me yesterday
but when I came in you turned your face away
and I really want to be with you
to be the one you’re leaning on
yes, I do
and I really want to be with you
to sweep you off your feet — to run away
just we two
all I’m left with is empty
(Jeff Sampson —- Copyright 2001)
** HAUNTED by the TOUCH **
(there’s a rehearsal of this somewhere)
do you think it’s your turn to say good-bye?
will you still yearn for days put aside?
when you ask for time, will it be supplied?
if you get results, will they keep you sly?
I can see you’re dreaming of regrets slow walk.
I bet you’re scheming – I bet there’s talk.
the box is black – the ties are blind.
the facts are taxing and we’re short of time.
the horns are sounding – the oceans roar.
my head is pounding like it did before…
you saw the feebleness that conquers from behind,
and tracked the helplessness that outlines every crime.
so why would the difference between the old and new
be anything but eagerness in what we say and do?
I hope the consequences aren’t shiny to behold,
and crowding out the loveliness that lives between your words.
I’ve felt all alone and I’ve lived with your joy.
I wouldn’t want to witness you turning to another story.
(Jeff Sampson —- Copyright 2002)
** HEATWAVE **
(working on demo)
(whisper)
things are not what they seem
(lightly)
your tranquility – there for all to see – it’s about to be disrupted
you wait and see – it’ll come to be – destruction
hollow meaning sends us reeling
our senses seeming to lose all feeling
(with aggression)
five will get you ten your end feels close at hand
I highly recommend
you gather things that keep you pleased
to get you through your time of need
(very aggressive)
you can’t run anymore
the heat rolls across in waves
no use to grovel or implore
what waits for you is a grave
how could you know?
who could have seen?
you’re taught you reap what you sow
get up! – take the heat
(lightly)
torture – heavy
rapture – waiting
torture – heavy
rapture – waiting
(Jeff Sampson —- Copyright 2001)
** MANNEQUIN’S BALL **
(from the Kepheus CD “Dark Matters”)
are you having trouble hanging on a sleeve?
perhaps a pin would be of some assistance.
are you really thinking – wishing you could leave?
what could be the after after the dance?
who was the fool?
who was the fool?
once more around the ballroom -
gliding past the open doors.
laughter masques the words of doom.
what is it you thought you could live for?
too fat to be a mannequin.
too stiff to be a jewel.
life-size, life-like.
and you thought who would be the fool?
(Jeff Sampson —- Copyright 2005)
** NO EXHIBITION GAME **
(there’s a rehearsal of this somewhere)
(sing)
I was soberly projecting
through years of anguish – through tomorrow.
saw the faces all rejecting
felt so unwanted – felt so hollow.
somewhere in a moment – sitting in the thorns
would that I could run inside.
feeling like it’s time to be reborn.
(speak)
I guess he’d like to forget everything he’s done
turn around, start over, become a favorite son.
ahh, but the agony he’s caused can’t be undone.
(sing)
all the mess in my life
wasn’t anything I’d thought about.
all the silent halls bring the sadness home.
(speak)
when the gates are closed we want to know why
we’ve been singled out for shame.
we pout – we whine – we scream – we cry
but still the fact remains.
this isn’t any practice run – no exhibition game.
(sing)
the autumn of my life comes on
could anything be light amongst the darkness?
can I walk through there?
can I survive?
who will come to watch me try?
(speak)
the cabin is very still inside.
all that’s left is the shell from the other side.
(sing)
where is the summer rain?
call my friends again.
emptiness is lonely.
I want to leave soon.
(Jeff Sampson —- Copyright 2002)
** PATTERNS OF DESTRUCTION **
When we look at the rows of white crosses,
do we see romance or futility?
Lost in the cost of significant losses
are the patterns of how they came to be.
(chorus)
It’s nothing worth holding to.
We don’t seem to understand.
Not something we have to do;
marching in time as we raise our hands.
It’s nothing worth holding to;
marching in time as we raise our hands.
(instrumental verse)
(sung chorus)
When our leaders tell us we must rally
to push back the face of an enemy,
do we stop to analyze the injustice
of perpetuating the tragedy?
(instrumental chorus)
When we look at the houses so tidy,
with patterns so lovely created with blades,
do we think of the pain and the trauma
we force on the weak without any shame?
(sung chorus)
(Jeff Sampson — Copyright 2008)
** SUCCESS **
you stand beside machines that do it all for you
and feel so empowered ‘cuz there’s nothing left to do
you hang around the place ‘cuz someone pays you to
you think you’ve got it made but you haven’t got a clue
you don’t give – you take
don’t give – you take
you don’t give – you take
you take – you take
you’ve given everything you feel you need to give
that it adds up to be so little doesn’t mean you see it is
and when the group belongs to something lesser than the whole
you wonder why you’re left out shaking in the cold
you don’t give – you take
don’t give – you take
you don’t give – you take
you take – you take
the man thought the world would surely be his oyster
he left home with certain conquest in his mind
but when his life proved to be so tough
and he found himself so ill-prepared
he fell for the easy way out, and eased himself back in line
after years of doing nothing and so little
he’s come to look with anger at the ones
who think he could be doing so much more
helping to fill the kettle
but how can he start now, when it’s something he’s never done
don’t give – you take
don’t give – you take
you push and pull, you think you always get the rotten deal
you look away as others take the time to help the healing
when it all comes ‘round with vengeance at the very end
will you see your methods as things you couldn’t call your friends
you don’t give – you take
don’t give – you take
you don’t give – you take
you take – you take
(Jeff Sampson —- copyright 2000)
