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Mischief

by S. J. Tucker

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1.
One flies in to case the joint, boldly struts around. Two fly in to make it three, laugh a while and knock each other down. Four flies in with a frowning walk gains a laugh from out a squawk but it's five who owns the place and proves it with a look, stopping six and seven in their tracks from smuggling a book. Words within our grasp--do we let go? Do we fly heavily with the weight of what we know? My friend bids me come and see the ravens in the library setting quiet pages free. One for fiction, two for truth, three for bikes and bathing suits four for scifi/fantasy five loves art and ancient skulls six eats periodicals seven lives in poetry (One for sorrow, two for joy, three for girls and four for boys, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never told!) One hangs out on the drama shelves but keeps the monologues to herself two and three are studying jewels Four reads all about the Huns five won't share the shiny ones six and seven label molecules (One crow sorrow, two crows mirth three a wedding, four a birth five crows silver, six crows gold, seven ravens, curious and bold!) Words within our grasp--do we let go? Do we fly heavily with the weight of what we know? hours of study flying by words soaked up by beady eyes long debates into the night pages flying everywhere seek the language word by word like the black and clever bird never let it bring you down all the things we haven't figured out My friend bids me come and see the ravens in the library setting quiet pages free (knitting up the 'raveled sleeve of care pages flying everywhere) Seven reads about the gods, chuckles to herself; to the rest, she never lets on. Try to catch a glimpse of them bickering like mortal men- feathers on the sidewalk. If you heard a raven say such horrible words as the ones you may have heard in your day to day, would it make you choose your own more carefully around the ones you love? my friend bids me come and see the ravens in the library setting quiet pages free. (Knitting up the sleeve of care pages flying everywhere.)
2.
I grew up seeing things a little differently, appearing, disappearing, hardly innocent, nor tied down to the ground. I learned to roll and tumble with the punches, glory in my stripes and spots walk by invisible and never make a sound But heavy is the crown that's always hidden tender is the heart you never see hard and fast shines the grin that we flash, but there's a vulnerable stripe or two on me. Maybe any place outside of Wonderland is not for me, my friend. If I leave my grin behind, remind me that we're all mad here and it's okay. Sun up, sun down the shadows hide me down in Wonderland, Wonderland, nobody knows the way, but if you find it in your dreams, you can find it at your dayjob somewhere south of Hell Take the path to left or right with just your gut to guide you the story is not for anyone else to tell. Go down the rabbit hole and out the other side you can't go home in the middle of the magic carpet ride you gotta greet the sun before his lovely daughter moon you can't forsake the journey for the safety of your room until you learn your lesson well. I have learned to see and hear everybody loud and clear but the truth comes out in riddles that are safe enough to share that's how it is in songs, you see, and stripes always look good on me whether or not I'm really there (smile hangs in the air) But heavy is the burden of the wise ones when no one understands a word they say the Jabberwock never bothered anyone, but nobody believes him to this day and why should they? If I leave my grin behind, remind me we're all mad here and it's ok. Sun up, sun down the shadows find me out in Wonderland, Wonderland, nobody knows the way but if you find it in your dreams, you can find it at your dayjob somewhere south of Hell Take the path to left or right with just your gut to guide you the story's not for anyone else to tell. You gotta go down the rabbit hole and out the other side you can't go home in the middle of the magic carpet ride you gotta greet the sun before his lovely daughter moon you can't forsake the journey for the safety of your room until you learn your lesson well. Is it the stripes or the spots you see? Was it hearts or diamonds, baby, led you here to me? Darling, you know better than to trust a pack of cards! What have we learned, the world is never as mad as it could be. If I leave my grin behind, remind me we're all mad here and it's ok!
3.
Were-owl 03:46
Look long enough into the eyes of any creature, there's no knowing what you'll find. We all seek the light one way or another, mostly flying blind. Everything flies at the mercy of the moonlight, lovers more than most at times. You've sought the light where few have ever found it, captured deep in tawny eyes. Little one seek and ye shall find. Take care what you find in the tawny eyes of a hunter by night. Who, who, who is it dares to find these feathers, stroke this skin? How, how, how can you dream of the night he spreads his wings to hold you, shows you all he knows and lets you in? I've heard it said none but fools will ever count on shifting shapes and flying dreams. Foolish the heart that lights upon a love who's never what he seems: Shows one face at dawn and another in the twilight, kings have worn his shape before (kings have worn his wings before). Lord of the evening, so handsome in the sunlight, leaves you wanting so much more. Child, death is a dance on the forest floor! Who, who, who is it dares to find these feathers, stroke this hide? Why, why, why set your sights on the night he spreads his wings to hold you, shows you all his heart and bids you fly? shifting shapes and flying dreams love is never what it seems wears another skin by day be his love and not his prey Who, who, who is it dares to seek the sun and still want more? How, how, how can you trust that he'll open up his wings to hold you, leave you brighter than you were before?
4.
Love Lies 01:53
love lies downwind waiting patiently to be found all day east wind howling (wailing) angel don't make a sound unless you are the one i have been waiting for i've been downwind waiting for you to come around all night west wind wailing angel don't let me down i know you are the one i have been waiting for there is no one soul that will swallow me whole and let me out shining and beautiful, no (spit me out, turnabout's fair play) in love there is loss of control but like the rivers i roll (just the way it goes/we go) are you in for the ride? shifting on the thermal and gliding (riding) where will you sleep tonight? love lies, downwind waiting with the silence of tigers and a hunger burning bright with a heart song shining bright desert star, shine a light shine a light (love lies downwind waiting) (where will you sleep tonight?)
5.
Lately I'm a little bit prickly. Everything hurts when you fall in love hard enough, rock bottom doesn't feel so bad. I wouldn't quite call this bitchy--when I am on my best behavior I'll fool you like a grown-up little girl who didn't know how good she had it before. When desire walks through your door and all hell breaks loose times four, you'll understand and maybe you won't pull smooth maneuvers on your suitors anymore. Oh (chorus 1) Don't you go getting my hopes up, girl. You'll be sorry and so will I. Last thing either one of us needs is yet another reason to cry. I know that I'm your last in line. I oughtta know better than to call you mine. Say a flat out "no" to my face, that's fine, but don't get my hopes up, girl. Lately I'm a pretty good swimmer-- so far up the creek cuz I fell in love hard enough hot water doesn't seem so dire, no. I must've quit paying attention, baby, I have to tell you the line is blurred pretty bad between the frying pan and the fire. When love sneaks up on you and fries your circuits through and through you'll understand and maybe forgive me my trespasses, for I know not what I do. Oh, (chorus 2) Don't you go getting my hopes up, boy. You'll be sorry and so will I. I'm not one for second chances once you've made me cry. My dance card's full, my waiting list is too backed up for shit like this. Go ahead and pretend that I don't exist, but don't get my hopes up, boy. When desire walks through your door and all hell breaks loose times four, you'll understand and maybe you won't demand good manners from your lovers anymore. Oh, (chorus 3) Don't you go getting my hopes up, love. You'll be sorry 'til the day you die. I see you wishing on your star and wishes cannot lie. I make 'em too, or haven't you heard, waste a few on you cuz I never did learn. I know courage is harder to show than concern, and you can't steal fire and not get burned. I will try to hold out and wait my turn, but don't get my hopes up, love.
6.
Neptune 06:19
Years ago I came to you down beneath your ripples submitting to the mystery of life beneath the waves. Years I floated near you swimming in your subterrain rocking in the opium embrace of Triton's tomb. Time I lost just fussing over every little thing you asked for let myself keep fading silver fishes through my skin. Somewhere I stopped breathing but I missed the kiss of air cut the waves and left you there and ne'er returned again. Someday in my castle keep where rumors fly and questions creep they'll say to me, what of the lord of the deep? I'll say I knew him once but he was asleep. There's no light where you are, my Neptune To the mountains I will fly, away from you Free from the waves into new love's arms back to the realm of the sky. Years ago I came to you in love and doomed to drowning beholden to the mystery of life beneath the waves Years I floated near you I will never see again how I could tarry in the opium embrace of Triton's tomb Time I lost, just fussing over every little thing you asked for let myself keep fading, silver fishes through my skin. Somewhere I stopped breathing but I missed the kiss of air I cut the waves and left you there and ne'er returned again. Someday in my castle keep where rumors fly and questions creep, They'll say to me, what of the lord of the deep? I'll say I knew him once, but he was asleep. There's no light where you are, my Neptune. To the mountains I will fly, out of this gloom, free from the waves into new love's arms, back to the realm of the sky. Years ago I came to you in love and doomed by what I knew and though I miss the mystery now of life beneath the waves Thin air's as sweet as water when your body begs to breathe and so I leave when I must leave don't weep for love I couldn't save All of us who dare to love are brave! There's no light where you are, my Neptune To the mountains I will fly, away from you! Free from the waves into new love's arms back where I belong! There's no light where you are, my Neptune! To the mountains I will fly, out of this gloom, free from the waves into new love's arms, back where I belong! Someday they will ask me (going back where I belong) and I will say Someday they will ask me they will say, what of the lord of the deep? And I will say, I'll say I knew him once but he was asleep. I'll say I knew him once. I'll say I knew him, I knew him, I knew him once...
7.
Don't look for home in me between the lines of this, our fairytale Man cannot follow the monsters. It's simple for you love but never for me. Nothing can be as it once was. Call me a beast as you've always done, but one which can no longer love you. Look for me not, lover, I am long gone, How can you hope to follow? You're meant to crawl upon your knees not steal my soul or talk to me nor beg me to come home with you the last thing i would ever do. I am the place where air meets ice escaping from your paradise the girl with the lion's tail! I don't want to be the girl you tame an oddity locked away somewhere safe. I don't want to be the girl you tame your one-heart menagerie, lonely. Give me back the girl I was, the beast I used to be shedding the skin of this creature. You were never cage enough to keep the light inside deny me the sky and I'm running. A lion must keep something back for her own if she's been let to live. I'd sooner run than waste away at home You already have all that I had to... Give me back my broken heart, the dress I wore in Ostia, everything you took away and soul-self replaced; take away your holiness your pleading and your crying eyes and bring me back the girl I was, untamed. Go cry your Ave Maria my love cry me a river to hell hell or home it's all much the same your script, your saint, your cell. I don't want to be the girl you tame an oddity, locked away somewhere safe I don't want to be the girl you tame your one-heart menagerie, lonely (Ave Maria, gratia plena) your one-heart menagerie Ave Maria, gratia plena, dona nobis pacem, amen (If you don't feed what you have tamed how can you ask it to love you?) (Give me this!) (I don't wanna be the girl you tame, your one-heart menagerie, lonely) Your one-heart menagerie...
8.
green and black yellow red rub your belly, pat your head corners, edges middle part close one eye before you start nine times backwards sideways 'round opens doors you've never found key flies in without a sound, key flies in without a sound leopard whiskers colored coat let the lie escape your throat circus dances open roads seal the spell: there must be blood fly through kisses don't be rude to latitude or longitude solve the puzzle turn the key bleed a bit and then fly free hold your courage, pumpkin dear. one shoe off the way is clear
9.
Paragon of dignity untouchable and lethal but there's more to life than shuriken. sudden death comes easy when you practice every day you'll think you're ten feet tall and bulletproof until you pass my way and you will never see it coming no one's sad to see you go within my eyes you'll glimpse a wisdom you were not prepared to know In fearing what you cannot see you fall beneath my hand this is a ninja thing you wouldn't understand you will never know I'm here until it's far too late it is a ninja's way to pass unseen and not to storm the gate Moving quieter than kitten circumnavigating law tiptoeing merciless as nightfall until I pounce and disappear again you'll never hear a thing the soul has always been corrupted but the heart and hands are clean Sworn enemies fall lifeless though they never see my face the game is glory but I take my joy in leaving not a trace My actions quick as lightning unintended to hurt you I'm only doing what a ninja's gotta do Following the way creeping night and day I won't say life is hard but I must restrain my urges to run naked through my yard No ninja goes out streaking it just simply isn't done my career would shrivel up and die but damn would it be fun! To see the neighbors eyes as big as saucers peeking from their doors I'd pirouette beneath the moonlight days of skulking, hiding, sneaking, and assassinating enemies no more!! Just one streak of brightness in a world of black and blue I'd just be doing what a ninja's gotta do wouldn't you? go skinny-dipping like a ninja's gotta do!
10.
Beware the Bleu Cheese of Redmond and the honey-mustard of gloom Be careful how you stick your fork into the Notorious Salad of Doom An army of croutons comes crunching while sinister spinach doth creep invading the heart of your luncheon and stirring your belly from sleep Tempting and colorful veggies seek only to draw you in and learning your fate, you'll find it's too late as dressing drips from your chin! iceberg lettuce will come to chill your soul don't say we didn't warn you as you blindly fill up your bowl! Oh, HEADS OF LETTUCE WILL ROLL! Ho! Dress it in flowers and clover, but it consumes you still! In leather and lace, past the bounds of good taste, this salad is dressed to kill! The popping of cherry tomatoes resounds throughout the land! Innocence lost when the salad was tossed, but Dave was just feeding the band!! Iceberg lettuce will come to chill your soul don't say we didn't warn you as you blithely fill up your bowl, oh, heads of lettuce will roll! Oh, Health nuts, seek other nutrition! Vegans, best run from the room! Be careful how you stick your fork into the Notorious Salad of Doom Woe to the grazers of green things, whose stomachs will growl all too soon! We'll lose all we love in the tastiness of The Notorious Salad of Doom
11.
Witchka 04:56
Sweet sixteen and bold as love the danger I've been dreaming of Sweet sixteen and here she comes; I see the candlelight from her window. She just bought her first book of spells-- one step further from the wishing wells of childhood. She's a woman grown. I tell you, girls, if I had known, I'd do it all over exactly the same. She walked into my life and I sang Witchka! Where have you been? Tell me 'bout the trouble you've been in! Twenty-six and mad as hell, who'd'a thought that I would fall for this turned-around, pouty-lipped Tinkerbelle? One step further from the wishing well, but what's her coven gonna say? All I know, when I see her face, she makes every little fairy princess fade away. Here she comes, and I say Witchka! Where have you been? Tell me 'bout the Mischief....oh, Witchka! Book of shadows and a lock of hair, she holds me there, she does not care. Witchka! From her little pointy boots to her pouty lip, you can tell she's thinking herself the shit. Well, who am I to teach her to watch and wait? A witch decides a witch's fate. She's gonna learn the hard way--that's all right. She says she likes it hard some nights. Keep a close eye on her witchy ways. She'll surprise us all one day! Say, Witchka! Where have you been? Tell me 'bout the trouble you've been in. Witchka, my, how you have grown-- time to make this world your own! Witchka! What have you done? Everything from raising hell to having fun! Witchka! Where have you been! Tell me 'bout the mischief....oh Book of shadows and a lock of hair, she holds me there, she does not care (2x) Sweet sixteen and bold as love, the danger I've been dreaming of (2x) Witchka!
12.
from far away I'm coveting your white violet skin and missing the fall of your hair worlds away I'm courting your everything and giving you all that i dare i long to stay but the road has my number still i don't have to miss you for long little did I know, all these new thoughts of home come Tuesday or Wednesday I'm gone never had such Valentines as these on my mind all the faces i've seen, the places i've been they don't stack up, even at the same time to you and your white violet skin how can one claim perfect love, perfect trust and not know the wonders I know? dreams are all well and good, but mine live and breathe who knew? you came true, i suppose. if wishing on stars ever falls out of fashion we'll move to the Pleiades with no backward glance maybe between worlds and blackness I'll get up the nerve to finally ask you to dance there'll be space for you always in my harmony though i never knew this before. every note, "i love you," no matter the chord that's all any love song is for the wild foxes danced when you laughed in your cradle the magpies fell silent when you learned to sing Imagine my luck, to be part of your fable where you hold my heart like the fruit in your hand the mockingbird sang when I lay in my cradle the pipers all played when I rose up to stand I'll walk all the roads 'til I'm no longer able and treasure your heart like the song in my hand. just to say i love you in well-hidden ways that's all any song says, each note when it's played this one's too honest, but you're smiling, i pray. i am wide open, only a little afraid. from far away I'm coveting your white violet skin and missing the fall of your hair with just a laugh you rearranged the world as it is spoke your heart, gave me leave to care i will ever long to stay but the road has my number still i won't have to miss you for long little did I know, all these new thoughts of home to tether me when I am gone never had such Valentines as these on my mind all the faces i've seen, the places i've been they'll never stack up, even at the same time to you and your white violet skin
13.
It started long years ago weekends, weeknights, when the lights are low the word goes round to those in the know: the D&D game is going down Time set aside to play it hook or crook millions of gamers a-heading for their books Gather round lads, forget the funny looks everyone's dungeon bound Come bards from the north, elves off the moor, Gamers off work get down to the store Scratch your neighbor, what's underneath? A wizard or a cleric or a thief! Generations since Gygax rolling their initiative and scarfing down a snack it's fun to fill the form in if you roll some awesome stats you can always earn a couple more next week comin' back for more Come gnomes from the north, orcs off the moor Freaks and geeks get down to the store Scratch your neighbor, what's underneath? A paladin, a fighter, or a thief! Five and twenty halflings silent in the field never held for ransom never made to yield half-elven lady known to be a spy rollin' her charisma while the gentlemen go by Come bards from the north, elves off the moor Gamers off work get down to the store Scratch your neighbor what's underneath? A wizard or a cleric or a thief! Human, half-orc, play the one you like bust a couple heads instead of studying for psych long sword, short sword, scimitar, or bow Everyone's a gamer, don't you know! Come bards from the north, elves off the moor Freaks and geeks get down to the store Scratch your neighbor, what's underneath? A wizard or a cleric or a thief! A paladin, a fighter, or a thief! A wizard or a cleric or a thief Playing D&D!

credits

released July 16, 2010

Tracks 1, 2, 6, 11 recorded at Eagle Audio, on the road
Tracks 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12 recorded at Monkey Brains Studios, Seattle, WA
Tracks 5, 9 recorded at Flowinglass Music, Oakland, CA
Mastering by Mark Yoshida, AudioGraphic Masterworks
All songs and this recording copyright © S.J. Tucker 2010 except "Salad of Doom" copyright © S.J. Tucker & Betsy Tinney 2010

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S. J. Tucker Perry, Arkansas

“Without our songs and stories, we are nothing.” S. J. Tucker has been captain of her own music career since 2004, when she left the workaday world behind to sing songs and change lives. Tucker is the voice of lore at the campfire and the sharp laughter of modern myth. With one hand anchored in her art and the other held out to us, she is songs and stories, community and wit. ... more

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