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Of Paper and Strings

by Peter Bruce Wilder

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1.
Weighing the Distance 04:17
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Weighing up the Distance February 8, 2002 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI They say you’ll hear the water if you put your ear to ground •• but when the flood appears it always comes when no one’s ready •• but I can hear your whisper though a city’s crush of sound •• and shining through the tears I see your eyes still holding steady ¤ I’d like to know the future like the pages of my past •• it helps so much with planning when you know tomorrow cold •• to know if we will make it - if you and I will last •• it’s weighing up the distance that’s the cause of growing old ¤ They said I’d see an image of the Virgin in the rust •• I guess it doesn’t matter that I see your face instead •• what lies just underneath a love that supercedes the lust •• the touch of eyes, of hands, of lips don’t always lead to bed ¤ I’d like to know the future like the pages of my past •• it helps so much with planning when you know tomorrow cold •• to know if we will make it - if you and I will last •• it’s weighing up the distance that’s the cause of growing old ¤ And if you were to tell me that you teter on the edge •• I would validate the fall, but I would catch you none-the-less •• of course it could as well be me that dances on that ledge •• if we both retuned the call - we could meet up there, I guess ¤ I’d like to know the future like the pages of my past •• it helps so much with planning when you know tomorrow cold •• to know if we will make it - if you and I will last •• it’s weighing up the distance that’s the cause of growing old
2.
Amy Bought A Gun 04:05
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Amy Bought a Gun March 14, 2002 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI the words they stung like lemon juice poured on an open wound • their violence increasing as the roar of tempers flared • and in the final moments when he threw her ‘cross the room • his eyes red and possessed as he ran shouting down the stairs • a confusion of the reasons mixed with deep mistrust and hate • no windows to be found to relieve this stagnant air • the threats become well known cliches with promises too late • the tunnel crushes, closes in and leaves no answers there ¤ the polarized emotion shows the shallows of the terms • consent is always easy when it’s launched in fields of fun • and facing her decisions of so many rotten choices • she saw an only option and Amy bought a gun ¤ two years ago it started when they danced at Warner’s bar • it was the morning after that they left each current mate • they rented an apartment and began to set up house • but the skulking of mistrust snaked its way to alter fate • within a few months brooding turned to accusations yelled • deputies were called on more than once to quell the rage • the physics of the tryst were soon dissolved into despair • and exploded like an animal still trapped within its cage ¤ the fists were flying nightly as the threats always returned • their reasons lost and hazy and their lust no longer won • and facing her decisions of so many stinking choices • she saw an only option and Amy bought a gun ¤ what it takes to make the headlines are communities in shock • and social service networks that struggle just to breathe • and an education promised seems to bypass many lots • the cycles of the violence like the turning of the leaves • and apathy is briefly put aside for accusations • blaming of the system, but no blaming of ourselves • the lack of time presented as the cause for this frustration • listen to the headlines, comment, throw it on the shelves ¤ another murder suicide another passion kill • their reasons lost and hazy and their lust no longer won • she finalized decisions of so many stinking choices • she saw an only option and Amy bought a gun
3.
A Wake for Anna 04:26
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A Wake for Anna October 1, 1998 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI I was standing far beyond the crowd • as they lowered her into the ground • a brother motioned me to gather closer to the family • I stood beside the patron • as the stillness of the sorrow found • that gravity still makes saltwater go downhill into the sea ¤ And I don’t remember if there was a wake for Anna • I didn’t pay attention and the moment sure was lost • I sensed a pivot shifting - a pendulum in motion • but I was too distracted then to realize the cost to realize the cost ¤ she turned to browse departures • and then researched a place to park and spent the next two hours with me • chasing down a brightening dark • the flight back north was quiet but the memory lingers on • we disembarked the aircraft • and she hugged me and was gone ¤ And I don’t remember if there was a wake for Anna • I didn’t pay attention and precious seconds passed • ignoring all the signposts in a life sustained by motion • too busy to consider why a true love doesn’t last why it doesn’t last ¤ I was driving south to Boston and all the airwaves all were packed • with boy angst and bitter sirens all complaining what they lacked • sure it all gets messy and often beauty leaves but to bury hope so deeply so deeply in the dark just self-deceives ¤ And I don’t remember if there was a wake for Anna • I should’ve paid attention - I should’ve lived & learned • recalling all the hours - the quiet and devotion and breathed enlightened moments • and avoided getting burned getting burned
4.
Too Much Love 05:26
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Too Much Love October 6, 1991 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI you didn’t say or I didn’t hear •• it works out this way at the end of the year •• the leaves all blush deep then they fall to the ground •• and all die in heaps ‘cause their sugar’s uptown •• the season feins smiles and then brings in cold •• is it our style to let love grow so old •• warmed by the fire - were we too young to know •• selfish desire in a heart - cold winds blow ¤ is there a feeling as too much love •• is there such a state as the wire we walk •• passions still healing from too much love •• we dream and we dream and we wait and then hide it in talk ¤ bring in your words look me straight in the eye •• because I have heard you hand hold a new guy •• so much for time - righteous healer of wounds •• line after line retraced many a moon •• the season still laughs and then brings on the snow •• it’s more than just half - it’s more than we know •• in caverns too deep there’s a room in your heart •• that you and I keep where we’re never apart ¤ is there a feeling as too much love •• is there such a state as the wire we walk •• passions still healing from too much love •• we dream and we dream and we wait and we wait and then hide it in talk ¤
5.
Tangled Into You 03:26
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Tangled Into You November 16, 2001 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI The day gives a final effort and relinquishes the reign • bowing in resignation • the Sun allows the Moon • on her shoulders is a cloak of stars that follows her deliberate rise • the rule of hours, the queen of night reflecting in your eyes •• in a dream you became the answer • extending my reach I caught you mid flight • you feigned surprise and slipped a smile • as my heart left, alighting on your sleeve ¤ I always thought I had the vision • I always thought I knew the true • I always passed the deep incision • but I’m tangled into you - tangled into you ¤ Was it you who whispered life into the haze • the moon blue light making shadows dance • A brush of lips, the feather trace of touch • messenger as the kiss, holding beauty’s eye •• In a dream I heard your laughter • ending the lonely journey through endless night • you caught my eyes and stopped the miles between our souls – promise you won’t leave ¤ I always thought I had the vision • I always thought I knew the true • I always passed the deep incision • but I’m tangled into you • I always thought I had the answer • I always thought that love turned blue • but you’ve become the only dancer • and I’m tangled - I’m so tangled into you ¤
6.
To Whistle in the Wind 05:00
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To Whistle in the Wind March 14, 2002 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI I feel your eyes look through me as I slowly walk away • the clench of the unspoken as the mysteries of known • how can two hearts be reconciled with all that’s passed astray? • can wishes live as yearning once our lives become full grown? ¤ and for us to hear I love you is to whistle in the wind • we both know what it means and of the pain it holds within • we both can see a future waiting - just beyond the din • but for us to hear I love you is to whistle in the wind ¤ this must be what the cloistered feel within their sheltered walls • they pray for their salvation well away from harried pasts • to muse alone is knowing that I’d rather muse with you • the question always present is how long the opening lasts ¤ and for us to hear I love you is to whistle in the wind • we both know what it means and of the pain it holds within • we both can see a future waiting just beyond the din • but for us to hear I love you is to whistle in the wind ¤ to leave love as it is becomes a testament of faith and patience to be realized beyond our future’s reach • it doesn’t help the longing or the long desired touch • heartaches stumble forward leaving tracks on endless beach ¤ and for us to hear I love you is to whistle in the wind • we both know what it means and of the pain it holds within • we both can see a future waiting just beyond the din . . .
7.
Mr. Simpson's Ladder 04:41
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Mister Simpson’s Ladder February 8, 2002 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI Mr. Simpson had a ladder waiting right behind his shed •• we couldn’t find your daddy’s, so we borrowed his instead •• and layed against your window as you stepped down to my arms •• then stealing through the pines to drink the sweets of moonlit charms •• the country club was glowing from the light of distant stars •• the former warmth of August overruled September’s chill •• and speaking of our futures through a careful dance of words •• holding on so tightly as if will could stop the dawn ¤ Mr. Simpson’s Ladder was our conduit to heaven •• moments barely measured form like dew upon the moss •• Mr. Simpson’s Ladder was our path to understanding •• the making of a memory that’s becoming long since lost ¤ our lives so interwoven along barely hidden roads •• the choosing and the chosen bring the bitter weighted load •• and times of intervention as fate brings our eyes to meet •• I wonder at convention; to ignore it would be sweet ¤ Mr. Simpson’s Ladder was our conduit to heaven •• moments barely measured form like dew upon the moss •• Mr. Simpson’s Ladder was our path to understanding •• the making of a memory that’s becoming long since lost ¤ and you protect the rights of those who seek the rules we’ve made •• and I collect these stories that still bounce inside my head •• and dreams we have so separated from the plans we laid •• so many times I’m longing just to hear your voice instead ¤ Mr. Simpson’s Ladder was our conduit to heaven •• moments barely measured form like dew upon the moss •• Mr. Simpson’s Ladder was our path to understanding •• the making of a memory that’s becoming long since lost - the making of a memory that’s becoming long since lost
8.
A Darker Blue 04:06
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A Darker Blue February 8, 2002 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI I have seen it in your eyes for what seems a thousand years •• the search then quiet pauses from what you see in mine •• your memory is hiding but your heart still knows what’s in it •• remember where you were before your payments on life’s loan ¤ I watch you from across the room considering the work •• adding in the colors to create a subtle hue •• the sadness that you carry doesn’t need to live forever •• paint it out into the borders - let them breathe a darker blue ¤ within the conversations lie the feelings still unspoken •• it seems if something’s missing something small yet still inspires •• perhaps it is the trusting that becomes when two souls do touch •• it’s hard to question feelings when they’re layered within desire ¤ you watch me from across the room considering the song •• adding in the notes to create a subtle theme •• the sadness that I carry doesn’t need to live forever •• sing it out into the ether - let them breathe a darker blue ¤ and if we ever wonder if it’s meant for us together •• like a virus it’s a question that can certainly occur •• it’s hard to understand things - like it’s hard to know the weather •• but if you see you see your history, you’ll know we always were ¤ They watch us from across the room and recognize the meaning •• adding in the laughter to create a subtle truth •• the sadness that we carry doesn’t need to live forever •• push it far beyond us - let them breathe a darker blue •• I watch you from across the room considering the work •• adding in the colors to create a subtle hue •• the sadness that we carry doesn’t need to live forever •• paint it out into the borders - let them breathe a darker blue
9.
Now You Know 05:19
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Now You Know February 8, 2002 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI the letter came without a warning shot across the bow •• the lawyers all had signed off on the deal as if agreed •• what was it that was said that threw me so far out of our bed, estranged me from the children and left me there to bleed •• if everybody loses fair, than why are you are you with him •• I thought you’d make distinctions based upon a higher code •• to generalize so sweepingly avoids the noise the noise within •• I thought we’d be together long, long past becoming old ¤ It’s too late in your mind for you to reconsider this, returning to the promises you made so long ago •• but there’s something in your heart that still recalls the truth we hold •• that something is I love you, I love you, now you know - I love you, now you know ¤ the world is full of “should haves” tortured, washed upon the rocks •• when you left the house you hadn’t left to be alone •• what temporary joy that you may think that you have found •• will end in the same emptiness that ended all our talks ¤ It’s too late in your mind for you to reconsider this, returning to the promises you made so long ago •• but there’s something in your heart that still recalls the truth we hold •• that something is I love you, I love you, now you know - I love you, now you know ¤ I leave this up to you, by your decision I’ll abide •• but first please reconsider hard the choices you will make •• it’s not just about you and me, but everything we know and love •• the path to hard won wisdom is a bitter pill to take ¤ It’s too late in your mind for you to reconsider this, returning to the promises you made so long ago •• but there’s something in your heart that still recalls the truth we hold •• that something is I love you, I love you, now you know - I love you, now you know
10.
Of Paper and Strings 04:33
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Of Paper and Strings February 8, 2002 Peter Bruce Wilder ©2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI Who would have thought the call would come through? who would have thought it would be from you? this brief sojourn halted for eons it seems to bring into daylight these voices from dreams and drawing (by candlelight) pictures of wings the melody caught in her soul as he sings softly so softly the love that she brings converges in offers of paper of paper and strings who would have known your mists would all clear? who would have guessed that you would come here? and finding this door that’s been long made for you revealing the truth as you turn and pass through and drawing (by candlelight) pictures of wings the melody caught in her soul as he sings softly so softly the love that she brings converges in offers of paper of paper and strings softly so softly the love that she brings converges in offers of paper of paper and strings of paper (the love that she brings) and strings Who would have thought the call would come through? who would have thought it would be from you?
11.
The Night Before You Left (instrumental) 02:00
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credits

released March 10, 2003

Recorded in Vermont, March 2003. All songs, music and lyrics copyright 2002 Maplewood Earlines, BMI. © 2003 Tundra Records Group, All rights reserved. This recording was made with the constant presence of Sophie & Pasha, the wonder dogs.

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Tundra Records Group Artists Hyde Park, Vermont

Tundra Records Group was formed to record and support the recording and production for committed artists in their quest for artistic and professional recognition. Specializing in singer-songwriters, Tundra has been directly involved with the creation of over a dozen independent releases.

For more info, please contact us at:

Tundra Records Group
P.O. Box 302
Hyde Park, Vermont 05655-0302 ... more

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