Taking It Hard

TAKING IT HARD - Written by Carroll Bryant

Another sleepless night caught dancing with a shadow

Eyes of a stranger

When she closes them he is standing there

Another win-less fight caught bleeding by the dagger

Knee deep in danger

When she surrenders to it he is everywhere

She's taking it hard 

Love broke her heart

She can't explain the pain

She's taking it hard

She's taking it hard

Love torn all apart

She tries to forget his name

She's taking it hard

Another hopeless day caught dreaming of something better

Voices that echo 

When she listens to it he is standing there

Another thoughtful way caught sending him a letter

Too far to let go now

When she gives in he is everywhere 

She's taking it hard 

Love broke her heart

She can't explain the pain

She's taking it hard

She's taking it hard

Love torn all apart

She tries to forget his name

She's taking it hard

 

First she cries then shakes her head 

This can't be happening 

Laughs out loud and cracks a smile

Holding back a scream

Breakdown

Take down

Another love TKO

Breakdown, shakedown 

She just can't let him go

Breakdown, ache out

Another love where did it go?

Breakdown, shakedown

Another love that just won't grow

Another sleepless night caught dancing with a shadow

Eyes of a stranger

When she closes them he is standing there

He's still standing there 

She's still all alone

She's taking it hard 

Love broke her heart

She can't explain the pain

She's taking it hard

She's taking it hard

Love torn all apart

She tries to forget his name

She's taking it hard

John Lennon (Mind Games Part Two)

John Lennon (Mind Games Part Two) - Written by Carroll Bryant

We keep playing those mind games forever

John, we didn't listen to your words

'Cause we're still playing those mind games together

All that you told us John, we just haven't heard

And we'll be playing those mind games forever 

The more of the riches, the more it gets worse

'Cause we're still playing those mind games together

Too busy to work for peace on earth

Love is the answer

You told us that for sure

Love is a flower

We know that's the cure

But still we're playing those mind games forever

Look what we did John, to your magic words

And we keep playing those mind games together

Because maybe we listened John, but we just didn't learn

Love is a flower

You told us that for sure

Love is the answer

And we know that's the cure

But still we're playing those mind games together

The young and the beautiful 

The old and the strong 

Still we'll be playing those mind games forever

Words from a dreamer

A dreamer named John

Love is the answer

And we know that for sure

Love is the power

The power to find the cure

But always playing those mind games .......... 

Generic Times

GENERIC TIMES - Written by Carroll Bryant

I have written words

For peace and knowledge must be heard

I have witnessed dreams

In a far away place where visions can be seen

They can be so real though I try to touch it

But my body can't feel

And they can be so good though I know

And I know they should 

And they could

But we're living in generic times

Thinking with generic minds

Giving out generic love from a heart and soul

That costs too much

I have spoken to the sun

For communication with friends can sometimes be fun

I have cried the tears

In a far away place where humans can't hear

Things can get so real though I try to climb

But the mountain isn't a hill

And things could be so good though I know

And I know they should

And they would

But we're living in generic times

Thinking with generic minds

Giving out generic love from a heart and soul

That costs too much

And what do we feel?

What do we know?

We beg, steal and borrow just to be part of the show

Why the confusion amid mass illusion?

A planet that's dreaming, and always scheming itself to sleep

Searching for secrets they know they can't keep

Always coping, hoping that things will get better

Take a look around

Things would be better with our feet on the ground

But our heads are so high as we reach for the sky

And we can't say why there's no answer

But we know

Oh yes, we know

Deep inside we know 

That these are the most generic of times

We keep living in generic times

Thinking with generic minds

Technology that blinds and we know

These are generic times

Thinking with generic minds

Giving out love from a heart and soul

That costs too much

And it's true

You know that we do

You can't lie about it, but I know you will try

You can't hide from it, but I know you will cry

You will deny it and still realize that these are the generic of times

And we're thinking with generic minds

With technology that blinds

Giving out generic love

Blood Of Jesus

BLOOD OF JESUS - Written by Carroll Bryant

The devil drinks his wine and laughs at me

With a finger of fire, he points at me

Still laughing

I try to hide, to run, to escape

But he caught me in the night 

With a strange girl holding tight

Involved with sex until we were out of our minds

Fall, the blood of Jesus

Fall from the hands which are nailed to the cross

Taste the blood of Jesus

Don't want to burn in hell

Save my soul that is lost

The devil kisses me on the heart

With red eyes of death, I am his

Still kissing

I try to hide, to run, to escape

But he caught me in the night

With a needle getting high

Addicted to drugs until the day that I die

Fall, the blood of Jesus

Fall from the hands which are nailed to the cross

Taste the blood of Jesus

Don't want to burn in hell

Save my soul that is lost

I try to hide, to run, to escape

But he caught me in the night

With the blade of a knife

Prepared to take my life by suicide

The blood of Jesus has to save me

Let me taste the blood of Jesus

I was caught in the night with a knife at my life

With drugs as my high, and a girl by my side

And I want to die?

Fall, the blood of Jesus

Fall from the hands which are nailed to the cross

Taste the blood of Jesus

Don't want to burn in hell

Save my soul that is lost

Boy From Babylon

BOY FROM BABYLON - Written by Carroll Bryant

Like a windmill

I'm standing in one place while my mind turns full circle

And the breeze blows against my face

I have a friend, but I know most of you wouldn't like him

Because he's a crooked politician

I place my hand up to my ear and listen

There is a sound from the people in the city

Someone is saying

Hey you, touch my flesh

Hey you, touch my flesh

Hey you, touch my flesh again

Another boy from Babylon

I walk a road for many miles in my land

While my mind stays motionless at times

And all the movement is in my hands

I have a friend, but I know most of you would like him

Because he's a crooked politician

I place my hand up to my ear and listen

There is a sound from the people in the city

Someone is saying

Hey you, touch my flesh

Hey you, touch my flesh

Hey you, touch my flesh again

Another boy from Babylon

I have a friend, but I know most of you would love him

Most of you would hate him

Some might just degrade him 

But every single one of you will need him

He's a crooked politician

Hey you, touch my flesh

Hey you, touch my flesh

Hey you, touch my flesh again

Another boy from Babylon

Painted In You - By Carroll Bryant

Here is Mark's version of my song. 

Bang, Bang

BANG, BANG - Written by Carroll Bryant

I was almost majesty 

Every time you were with me

Like a king and a queen

Together we were always seen

Now the castle's cold and bare 

With spider webs and musty air

A desperate man without his girl

I used to think we'd rule the world

Suddenly, times had to change

Never in my wildest dreams 

Would I have thought such a thing

Bang, bang, there's no denial

While my heart is still on trial

Everyday, a mystery

Bang, bang, you murdered me

The jester wears a wicked frown

There is no more kingdom now

The peasants left right after you

I've become a king of fools

We used to wave our flag unfurled 

But lately I have been unsure

It comes to pass that there is pain

Will I ever fall in love again?

Suddenly, I open my eyes

Never in my maddest mind

Would I have pictured such a crime

Bang, bang, there's no prevail

While my heart is still in hell

Everyday, it's misery

Bang, bang, you murdered me

Suddenly, times had to change

Never in my wildest dreams 

Would I have thought such a thing

Bang, bang, there's no denial

While my heart is still on trial

Everyday, a mystery

Bang, bang, you murdered me

Lay Your Head

LAY YOUR HEAD - Written by Carroll Bryant

Spirit, hear my call

I open my heart to you

Take all that my soul has to offer

I give it all to you, spirit

Well, I see Jesus everywhere

With open eyes one can't be blind

Even in the depths of despair

Comfort is all for one to find

Lay your head my tender son

Daughter and everyone

Soon to save face with the Divine 

As we near the end of time

Spirit, hear my call

I open my heart to you

Take all that my soul has to offer

I give it all to you, spirit

Well, I hear prophets speaking in tongue

With a voice one can't be all too quiet

Even when the work is done

The God above will still be crying

Lay your head my confused friend

Enemy and everyone

Soon it will all end in time

As we near the end of the line

Spirit, hear my call

I open my heart to you

Take all that my soul has to offer

I give it all to you, spirit

The Simple Life - Written by Carroll Bryant

Getting back to my country roots again. I wrote this song on the porch of my parents lake house after supper one Sunday in the summer of 2007. What a great memory to have!

The Money Man

THE MONEY MAN - Written by Carroll Bryant

Hanging in the alleys

It's midnight

Close the deal

Hotshot, big guy

Looking for action

Play it out for real

Satis-satis-satisfaction

When you lay it down on the wrong side of town

You better be willing to pay the price regardless of the cost

You're messing with it

You're messing with him

You're messing with it

You're messing with the money man

Don't mess with it

Stop messing with him

Don't mess with it

You're messing with the money man

It's raining, it's pouring

Early morning

Raking in the dough 

Cool criminal, low life

Seeking the pleasures

Sweat it out, get it on 

Do it or never

When you lay it down on the wrong side of town

You better be willing to pay the price regardless of the cost

You're messing with it

You're messing with him

You're messing with it

You're messing with the money man

Don't mess with it

Stop messing with him

Don't mess with it

You're messing with the money man

 

You take your life into your own hands

He'll take your life, uh-huh, uh-huh, if he can

You take your life into your own hands

He'll take your life, uh-huh, uh-huh

Messing with the money man

When you lay it down on the wrong side of town

You better be willing to pay the price regardless of the cost

You're messing with it

You're messing with him

You're messing with it

You're messing with the money man

Don't mess with it

Stop messing with him

Don't mess with it

You're messing with the money man

Wild Hearts

WILD HEARTS - Written by Carroll Bryant

The whiskey moon
Pandering to my mood
Imprisoned with you
Two lips eat their food

Wild hearts beat fast
Tender touches that will never last the night
How long to laugh?
The flame won’t burn out

I hold your thoughts
Too close and it rains
The world you sought
Evolves around the changes that you made

Wild hearts beat fast
Tender touches that will never last the night
How long to laugh?
The flame won’t burn out

She skips a stone across his lake
He loses control
She makes a break for it
He runs inside another soft place
Kisses for rent
He touches a new face

She’s still skipping stones
They’re still all alone in this world
Lost in some kind of diluted fraternity

She skips a stone across his lake
He loses control
She makes a break for it
He runs inside another soft place
Kisses for rent
He touches a new face

She’s still skipping stones

Wild hearts beat fast
Tender touches that will never last the night
How long to laugh?
The flame won’t burn out
The flame will never last

Wild hearts beat fast
Tender touches that will never last the fight
How long to laugh?
The flame won’t burn out
The flame won’t hinder
The flame won’t burn out tonight

Inside, Outside, Upside Down

INSIDE, OUTSIDE, UPSIDE DOWN - Written by Carroll Bryant

You knock me off my feet sweet lady

And I think that is sweet baby

I can't see the shame sweet lady

If we go up in flames baby

Just give me something that I can savor 

You look so delicious 

Give it to me girl in any flavor

Why you look at me that way, am I that suspicious?

Inside, outside, upside down

You make my head spin round and round

Inside, outside, upside down

Wet wild and crazy

You give to me a chill sweet lady

Touch me at will now baby

I will be your slave sweet lady

Take me to my grave now baby

Just give me something that I can own

You look mighty fine

Don't diss me and leave me all alone

When you look at me that way, girl you blow my mind

Inside, outside, upside down

You make my head spin round and round

Inside, outside, upside down

Wet wild and crazy

Give to me your love in any flavor

I beg for more and more

Don't mind me and my foolish behavior

Do with me just what you will while I'm laying here on the floor

Rock it to me, rock it to me, rock it to me

Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me

Rock it to me, rock it to me, rock it to me

Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me

Inside, outside, upside down

You make my head spin round and round

Inside, outside, upside down

Wet wild and crazy

House Of Broken Hearts

HOUSE OF BROKEN HEARTS - Written by Carroll Bryant

 
You were never to be one
That I would take for granted
Still you hung around to become
Someone I used to know

I was always gonna be
The one for you for me
Then came the time for you to leave
And so the story goes

I’m living alone
And in this light, there’s dark
I’m falling in the zone
Then falling all apart
I can’t believe it’s true
You’re gone and I’m living like this in the dark
Living in a house of broken hearts

Every step I take I know I have to breathe
Knowing all too well
My world is on the streets
My life’s a living hell

I was never gonna be
The one who set you free
Then came the moment I didn’t even know your name
The moment’s just as well

I’m living alone
And in this light, there’s dark
I’m falling in the zone
Then falling all apart
I can’t believe it’s true
You’re gone and I’m living like this in the dark
Living in a house of broken hearts

Face to face we shout at each other
Breaking down the walls of love
Searching for a sign

Every place we go and room to room
Taking bits of love to throw away
Traveling back in time
Losing both our minds

I was always gonna be
The one for you for me
Then came the time for you to leave
And so the story goes

And you go away

I’m living alone
And in this light, there’s dark
I’m falling in the zone
Then falling all apart
I can’t believe it’s true
You’re gone and I’m living like this in the dark
Living in a house of broken hearts

Cherry Tree

Cherry Tree - Written by Carroll Bryant

Sitting in the drivers seat is where we want to be

Take the wheel and overkill like president George B.

The latest thing is cracking down, and free our lives of drugs

What's in store, and how much more will it cost to shake out the rug?

I can't vote for his philosophy 

(When it's too late)

But I sure can appreciate fully

(Let's not instigate)

Cutting down the cherry tree

Know what I mean?

Cutting down the cherry tree

It serves a need

Cutting down the cherry tree

Painting out a picture page underneath God's sun

Can't paint nothing naked though, they take away the funds

The newest thing is cracking down, and free our art of shame

Freedom of expression now is being tucked away in haste

I can't cope with such philosophy 

(When it's okay)

Can't consider flesh obscenity 

(Some just fabricate)

Cutting down the cherry tree

Know what I mean?

Cutting down the cherry tree

It serves a need

Cutting down the cherry tree

Questions run so deep

Turn our backs and we're communists

And it bothers me

Plan an attack with politics

Set the people free

Make a contribution to the constitution 

You and me

Hope for freedoms philosophy 

(Before it's too late)

What kind of world is our society?

(America the great?)

Cutting down the cherry tree

Know what I mean?

Cutting down the cherry tree

It serves a need

Cutting down the cherry tree

What we had was called the flag

Forever wave, I say

Maybe Someday

MAYBE SOMEDAY - Written by Carroll Bryant

Church bells ringing

The choir is singing

It's that precious time again

When I was just a little boy

I would walk up to the alter

Kneel on my knees and pray to the Lord

Just a little boy, I remember

I would carry my bible in my hand

Read the words but never did understand

Pray to my Lord, my Lord, my Lord

Just a little boy, oh, I remember 

Yeah, and I thought I found the answers

Then I walked away

Got lost from the thing

Realized that prayers go unanswered 

Still, it's okay

It's still okay to pray

Maybe someday

People always waiting for those miracles

Hands in the air and begging for the spiritual

Looking for a reason to try and save the world

Everything gets complicated

Yeah, well, I guess I thought it different

All I yearned for was love to last forever

Welcome to the real world, little boy

Everything is complicated

Yeah, and I thought I found the answers

Then I walked away

Got lost from the thing

Realized that prayers go unanswered 

Still, it's okay

It's still okay to pray

Maybe someday

Maybe someday he will answer

Now I've grown to be a man

So many things I've come to understand

Truth, lies, another master plan

Believe? ... Not everybody can

Church bells ringing

The choir is singing

It's that precious time again

Yeah, and I'm still looking for those answers

Still walking away 

Still lost from the thing

Realizing that prayers still go unanswered 

Still, it's okay 

It's still okay to pray

Maybe someday

To my Lord, my Lord, my Lord

It's still okay to pray

He will answer me, maybe someday

He will answer

He will answer me

Maybe someday

Winds Of Hell

WINDS OF HELL - Written by Carroll Bryant 

Preacher man talks says he's sending a message

Passage to heaven

Angels sing

Where are we heading in the twenty-first century?

Heaven is heaven

Angels sing

And the clouds start to gather 

Nothing matters now

And the sky turns dark and gray

Nothing matters now

Winds of hell blow across the earth

Blow through my body and in my veins

Winds of hell deliver fire

Purple dust from purple rain

Mushrooms grow atop the mountains

In the valleys and desert plains

Trojan horse of the twenty-first century

Pioneers search for easier ways

And the sky starts to clatter

What does matter now?

And the world is to die in pieces 

What does matter now?

Winds of hell blow across the earth

Blow through my body and in my veins

Winds of hell deliver fire

Purple dust from purple rain

Where our sins are flattered

Nothing matters now

And time gets too close for comfort

Nothing matters now

And the clouds start to scatter

What does matter now?

And the flesh is incinerated 

What does matter now?

Winds of hell blow across the earth

Blow through my body and in my veins

Winds of hell deliver fire

Purple dust from purple rain

Stonewall

STONEWALL - Written by Carroll Bryant

"I turn on the television, and see it all around me. Pain. Suffering. Hurt. Human tragedy. Mother Nature lashing out against the world and its inhabitants, who choose to destroy its beauty. The uncanny happenstance of forces which we cannot control yet we live our day to day lives knowing full damn good and well that at any certain moment, it could happen to us. Or do we lie to ourselves and lay claim that 'it only happens to the other person'? I suppose I have been most fortunate that nothing too extreme has ever happened to me, but I know that could change on a dime. Nonetheless, I watch the images on the screen as people, with all of this so-called knowledge, stare in shock at the destruction they thought they were immune to. I stand there and watch it. I stand there and watch it all. I stand there like a .... stonewall."

They're screaming out for mercy 

As the flood flows through their yard

Earthquakes leave them shaken 

And it's eating at their heart

Fires burned their life away

As smoke fills up their head

Tragedy has left their loved ones

Written off as dead

They're fighting for survival

And their sweat becomes their blood

They're praying for their Jesus

To spare a little love

They're running down a hallway

Like they're looking for a door

Their neighbor walks in shadows

And he's raping all the pretty girls

I see it all around me 

As their faces paint the fear

Buried underground

Now let me make it absolutely clear

I'm standing like a stonewall

Watching all your tribal wars

I'm steady and I don't fall

Standing like a stonewall

I'm standing like a stonewall

Watching all your tribal wars

I'm steady and I won't fall

Standing like a stonewall

Caught up in the riots

Watch them running from the knife

Lonely women search for husbands

Men seek out a wife

They're passing out the money

Take it back expecting more

Buy a gun to have some fun

Until you just can't have no more

Apprehending suspects 

Has become a special game

Getting caught then getting off

Because everyone's insane

They're feeding off of messages

That spilll from evil tongues

While having sex and sex and sex

And sexed until it kills them

I hear it all around me

And they're screaming from the pain

Buried underground

Now let me make this absolutely plain

I'm standing like a stonewall

Watching all your tribal wars

I'm steady and I don't fall

Standing like a stonewall

I'm standing like a stonewall

Watching all your tribal wars

I'm steady and I won't fall

Standing like a stonewall

Wake up in the morning

And we find the bed a mess

Competition everyday

Working for that success

We know what we want

We know what we need

We know what we want

All to want to succeed

All the men

All the women

All to want is not what's given

To laugh

To cry

To work

Achieve 

To destroy

To all we know we must bleed

Everyone can suck-seed

I smell it all around me

And with it I can tell

We're digging up ungrateful deads

On our way to holy hell

I'm standing like a stonewall

Watching all your tribal wars

I'm steady and I don't fall

Standing like a stonewall

I'm standing like a stonewall

Watching all your tribal wars

I'm steady and I won't fall

Standing like a stonewall

I'm standing like a stonewall

A stonewall that never falls

Fairytale

FAIRYTALE - Written by Carroll Bryant

Scoping out the land of Oz 

For something that doesn't exist at all

It can't be seen but always is believed

So I walk the yellow brick road

Concerned with stories that I was boldly told

Reality hides behind a distant, fading dream

Imagine what the soul could be

Love is fairytale to me

Love only lives in dreams

It takes a magic carpet ride to heal the blind

And live so happily

Love only lives in dreams

With Cinderella and family

It takes a wish to provide the scene

Love only lives in dreams

I close my eyes at night

Pray upon a shooting star

With no luck in my sights

I wonder how far you really are

Twinkle, twinkle, but I can't see

So how am I to believe

To hunger for the touch so much

Score one for blasphemy 

Imagine what the soul could be

Love is fairytale to me

Love only lives in dreams

It takes a magic carpet ride to heal the blind

And live so happily

Love only lives in dreams

With Cinderella and family

It takes a wish to provide the scene

Love only lives in dreams

So I walk the yellow brick road

Concerned with stories that I was boldly told

Reality hides behind a distant, fading dream

Imagine what the soul could be

Love only lives in dreams

It takes a magic carpet ride to heal the blind

And live so happily

Love only lives in dreams

With Cinderella and family

It takes a wish to provide the scene

Love only lives in dreams

Imagine what the heart could be

Love is fairytale to me

Little Girl Without A Smile

LITTLE GIRL WITHOUT A SMILE - Written by Carroll Bryant

She sits there in the dark with her radio on

Little girl without a smile 

Feels so all alone

She recollects her memories

Her dreams dance on the dawn

Life stands motionless and so time keeps moving on

What remains is a bitterness

A desperate chance for love

Sin can be washed away but forever keeps in touch

Looking out of her window she sees her childhood past

Fires burned her soul inside

Untill all that's left is ash

She points her eyes to a peccant as she tries so hard to cry

She neglects her self respect and often wonders why

Her innocence stopped shining yet she still thanks the moon

The inner strength of her character keeps ranging from dead to je-june 

She can't see that her presence can last for all and awhile

Bows her head from her bed

Little girl ... without a smile

One of heavens angels was touched by dirty fingers

I just don't understand it

I'm not even gonna try

One of heavens angels was touched by dirty fingers

It's enough to make your spirit to just wanna die, die, die

She sits there in the dark with her radio on

Little girl without a smile ... feels so all alone