Shannon Rose & the Thorns
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New Seasons double CD now available for sale download! We ship internationally! Visit http://shannonrose.bandcamp.com/releases for details!

Shannon Rose & the Thorns gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the City of Ottawa, and the Ontario Arts Council.

Shannon Rose & the Thorns Seasons Lyrics
All songs written by Shannon Rose

-WINTER-

Winter Alibi

I have watched the snow falling for hours
And the pile of down grow on the hedge
And the frosting spread in thick winds over the rooftops
And our old pine is dripping in diamonds, in crystal, and cold

This is my winter alibi
I keep to myself and I tell you lies
A woman can fall without a sound
Just as the snow falls to the ground

Out the window white gold falls from the heavens
As the words drift soft onto the page
It’s the quiet, the peace in the season that’s keeping me inside
But there’s nothing beginning, no stirring, no push to be warm

This is my winter alibi
I keep to myself and I tell you lies
A woman can fall without a sound
Just as the snow falls to the ground

But you know it’s better, I’m better, all better
It’s crystal clear
Yeah you know it’s better, I’m better
Do I sound sincere

This is my winter alibi
I keep to myself and I tell you lies
A woman can fall without a sound
Just as the snow falls to the ground

Phoenix

It’s a perfect year for a walk
Up the mountain’s discouraging rock
Fill my backpack and head for the base
To take the first step toward leaving this place

All those long days spent treading alone
Slept in camps made with sorrow and stone
If I ever stayed in one place for too long
I’d hear the phoenix pass singing my song

It’s a slow climb up to the peak
For a moment I rest by the creek
My reflection has changed quite a lot
I ask for her thoughts, she tells me I’m lost

All those long days spent treading alone
Slept in camps made with sorrow and stone
If I ever stayed in one place for too long
I’d hear the phoenix pass singing my song

I’ll forge up the mountain by daylight
And I’ll stick to the dark path by moonlight
And I’ll wish on every first starlight
I’ll get to the top by next sunrise

All those long days spent treading alone
Slept in camps made with sorrow and stone
If I ever stayed in one place for too long
I’d hear the phoenix pass singing my song
I’d hear the phoenix pass singing my song
I’d hear the phoenix pass singing my song
Oh I’ll get to the mountaintop ‘fore it’s too long

Oh No

Hollow as a heart who’s poured out all his life
You beat me one last sigh
I thought I saw a light, some old ember start to shine
But that was just some devil building a new fire in your eyes

Now tell me why I should sacrifice
My own still beating heart by tightening your vice
Oh oh no, I’m letting you know that if you go, you go

Broken as a beast, struck down by your own hand
You nod off your goodbye
I thought I heard you speak and I turned to drink it in
But your mouth was shut and drier than
An arid desert wind

Now tell me why I should sacrifice
My own still beating heart by tendering your price
Oh oh no, I’m letting you know that if you go, you go

I’ve opened up the windows wide
I’m airing out the place and
I changed the locks this morning
I changed your luck this morning

Oh oh no, I’m letting you know that if you go, you go

Corners

All out with your questions
I promise to give you my best
If all you are asking is
For the truth I will honour your request
For the truth I will honour your request

Shining a light to the corners tonight
And filling in all the old cracks
If we said goodbye to these shadows before
Why would we ever go back

My diary will remain open
Though I'll soon be turning the page
On sentences already spoken
On a language I'm too tired to explain
On a language I'm too tired to explain

Shining a light to the corners tonight
And filling in all the old cracks
If we said goodbye to these shadows before
Why would we ever go back

One day I'll bet it will be possible for us to forget
One day I'll bet it will be possible and we'll forget

Shining a light to the corners tonight
And filling in all the old cracks
If we said goodbye to these shadows before
Why would we ever go back
Shining a light to the corners tonight
And filling in all the old cracks
We said goodbye to these shadows before
And baby I ain't going back

Little Hearts

Don't wait up I'm folding clothes
I won't be in to warm your toes
The fire's out the cupboard's bare
I won't be in to rake your hair

All those little hearts
Been beating down our door
All those little hearts
Keep crying out for more

I'm leaving town, my suitcase locked
I won't be back to mend your socks
The stores are closed, the church is dark
I won't be back to tend the yard

All those little hearts
Been beating down our door
All those little hearts
Keep crying out for more

Little matters of little consequence
Little tin cans all lined up on the fence
Little matters of little consequence
Little tin cans all lined up on the fence
Bang bang

All those little hearts
Been beating down our door
All those little hearts
Keep crying out for more

-SPRING-

Dreams

I should just leave it alone
Pack up my things and go home
Forget all those plans that we made
Dreams don't come true anyway
No, dreams don't come true anyway

You could be right
It could be true
That we both could have been everything that we
Ever wanted to

Let's bundle up safe and warm
Build up our house for the storm
Cover our hearts and our eyes
After we've said our goodbyes
After we've said our goodbyes

You could be right
It could be true
That we both could have been everything that we
Ever wanted to

Keep on dreamin within reason

Wild Wind

Keep your head up little one and troubles leave behind
Don't fall to pieces little one this all has been designed

Ooh a wild wind blows

All your bad dreams little one will melt just like a cloud
Keep your good thoughts little one when the world gets loud
See the flowers little one all soaking up the rain
If it showers little one you must do the same

Ooh a wild wind blows

You don't have to be afraid
You will always find your way
You don't have to feel afraid
You will always be ok

My Heart

My heart is love is love

I'll walk this desert till I see a waterfall
I'll go with blisters on my feet then I'll crawl

Till my heart is love is love

I'll face this mean world honestly, and sweet
Erase this heartache haunting me till I'm free

And my heart is love is love
My heart is love is love

One day we'll be falling to the ground
Until then let's make a happy sound
Clap our hands and raise our voices high
Make our peace with man and beast and sky

My heart is love is love
My heart is love is love

Set In Stone

I’m shut in, shutting down
But my feet miss the ground
Spring has sprung, fills my lungs
Fills my ears with its welcoming sounds
Sure feels long, since I’ve gone
Out to walk in the wind
I’ll be strong, soldier on
Till the world asks me in
Re-begin

Though I’m used to life alone
My heart’s not set in stone

The city thaws, sunshine draws
All the green from the ground
The snowbanks shrink, with the rinks
And their rivers all flow gutter-bound
Moving past, melting glass
Still reflecting the light
All our tracks, fading fas
Such a promising sight
Re-ignite

Though I’m used to life alone
My heart’s not set in stone

Winter falls and withdraws once again
And when it’s gone this heart beats on 
Soft as rain

Though I’m used to life alone
My heart’s not set in stone

Little Bird

Oh little bird in the yard 
Singing the song in your heart
Your voice is as pure as the morning
Your voice is as pure as the morn

Oh little bird on a wire
Steady without getting tired
Your body as sure as the daytime
Your body as sure as the day

Oh little bird in the tree
High on a branch with the leaves 
Your feathers as soft as the evening
Your feathers as soft as the eve

Oh little bird in the sky
Extending your wings out to fly
You soar like a dream in the nighttime 
You soar like a dream in the night

-SUMMER-

Storm

I hold my peace like a blanket about me
Curled on the couch I read until you find me
I’ll kiss your lips and I’ll pull you upon me
Outside the rain has been falling down steady

Already falling apart, apart, a part of me is
Already falling apart, apart

I’ll boil the water if you’ll make the tea and
I’ll do the dishes if you’ll do the laundry
I’ll be a good wife if you’ll always hold me
Outside the storm clouds are looking so heavy

Already falling apart, apart, a part of me is
Already falling apart, apart

With every crash of lightening we see
With every crack of thunder we feel
With every crash of lightening we see
With every crack of thunder we feel, we feel, we feel

Already falling apart, apart, a part of me is
Already falling apart, apart

If We Come True

Sweet as the warm day
on warm skin
on warm beginnings

Night falls so easy
on warm wind
on warmer endings

This will be what follows all of our desire
This will be the shadow left behind the fire
This is how we'll feel if we come true
This is how we'll feel if we come true

Laid bare on cooled sheets
on cooled breezes
cooled down heartstrings

Morning's unveiling
in blue light
of blue veins resting

This will be what follows all of our desire
This will be the shadow left behind the fire
This is how we'll feel if we come true
This is how we'll feel if we come true

Weaker hearts get broken
The stronger go unspoken
If you get what you want you'll cool completely
And I'll regret what you got, when you forget me

This will be what follows all of our desire
This will be the shadow left behind the fire
This is how we'll feel if we come true
This is how we'll feel if we come true

Open Water

Oh the old boat has been leaking 
And the bailing isn't working 

Save me on the open water 
Oh save me on the open water 
And bring me on, bring me on

I should leave him right where he left me 
Crooked cabin, with the front door broken in 

Oh help me through the open season 
Oh please help me, it's the open season 
And bring me on, bring me on

If there's a red sky burning in the early morning 
If there's a red sky burning in the early morning 
If there's a red sky blazing in the early morning 
If there's a red sky burning it's an early warning 

Save me on the open water 
Oh please save me on the open water 
And bring me on, bring me on

(He had a hunter's map 
I'm never looking back 
I'll tread until the dawn 
Until you bring me on) 

Under the Moon

Let's have one more dance 
I feel like some romance 
Like nights by the Eiffel 
Let's wander and trifle 

You balance the tightrope 
And feed me your sweet trope 
And I'll form like putty 
To your form, get ready 

Let's follow an avenue and give in to the yellow moon 
Let's not be over it, let's just lay under it 

On sand alabaster 
My heart's beating faster 
In love like a torrent 
I'm feeling so foreign 

And your hand in my hand 
Let's float to the deep end 
On sweet serenading 
And slow promenading 

Let's follow an avenue and give in to the yellow moon 
Let's not be over it, let's just lay under it 

I'm always hopin' the flower will open 
And bloom in the city - it sure would be pretty... 

Let's follow an avenue and give in to the yellow moon 
Let's not be over it, let's just lay under it. 

Save Yourself

Wait here for you 
So as not to 
Leave what we made 
Ransom's been paid 

But I still hope that you'll come home 
And I hope you'll come alone 
And I hope we'll both live to 
Laugh about what we've been through 

If you can't save him you'd best save yourself 

It's been so long 
I was once strong 
Now I'm fading 
Too long waiting 

But I hope that you'll come home 
And I hope you'll come alone 
And I hope we'll both live to 
Laugh about what we've been through 

If you can't save him you'd best save yourself 

I woke up this morning 
I awoke to fresh laid dew 
I inhaled the morning glory 
I exhaled my thoughts of you 

If you can't save him you'd best save yourself. 

-FALL-

October

Clouds so low they sat on my street, blinding
J’ai fait dodo to someone’s beat, not minding
Wake me up when leaves start changing 
Shake my colours down

Work these fingers to the bone
This I know is mine, this I know for sure
Weary travellers search for home
This I know is mine, this I know for sure

All the passion drained from my heart to my hands
Like waters push to move this cold ship to dry land
Wake me up when leaves start changing 
Shake my colours down

Work these fingers to the bone
This I know is mine, this I know for sure
Weary travellers search for home
This I know is mine, this I know for sure

A shy, wistful someday
Turned into tomorrow
A good night’s resting
Erased all my sorrow

Work these fingers to the bone
This I know is mine, this I know for sure
Weary travellers search for home
This I know is mine, this I know for sure

Hold On

I’m homesick like a weakness
And my heart pulls me back
Like a shock to the chest

Thought love was more important
Than a wish to the well
Or the chances we spent

Hold on, not so fast
If we’re leaving this town there’s a chance that we’re not coming back
Hold on, not so fast
There’s no turning around, the minute you break off the track

When I lost it, did you notice
All the space on my shelf
Or the room in my kiss

The thing is, it’s long over
The promise was young
But we’re both older, we’re both older

Hold on, not so fast
If we’re leaving this town there’s a chance that we’re not coming back
Hold on, not so fast
There’s no turning around, the minute you break off the track

I could’ve been somebody else
If you could’ve gone all by yourself
I wouldn’t be who I’ve become
To do it again, would I still do it wrong

Hold on, not so fast
If we’re leaving this town there’s a chance that we’re not coming back
Hold on, not so fast
There’s no turning around, the minute you break off the track

Oh Mercy

Oh magic will I ever be whole
Cold logic forced my heart from my soul
Could ya call me when you’re ready to come by
And if those cold feet leave me, lull me till I’m fine

And there’s something easy coming over me
Till there’s an aching heartbeat and someone cares for me

Savage beast, bitter wine
Tastes much sweeter than mine
If I drink till I drown
Will I dream till I die

Oh mercy have you found a good home
Night fly-by, passing over the fold
Could you call me when I’m ready to let go
When I’ve got cold feet, cold hands, lull me, let me know

That there’s something easy waiting there for me
I see a new seed, new crops growing on the lea

Savage beast, bitter wine
Tastes much sweeter than mine
If I drink till I drown
Will I dream till I die

Savage beast, bitter wine
Tastes much sweeter than mine
If I drink till I drown
Will I dream till I die

Koenig
Lyrical inspiration from Derek Walcott's Koenig of the River

Out past the old mill and down to the riverbed
Koenig the king felt the sun shine upon his head
Tired, still he sailed
His mission had failed him and everyone
His ship and queen were gone
Nothing to do now he followed the water on a raft that he made
Got carried away
But the old river has no name

Koenig the king’s just an old ghost, a tired old ghost
If he knew he were lost he wouldn’t be lost, wouldn’t be lost

La la la la la

Men rise like kings when they’re trying to dominate
Fictions ring true when they’d rather not compensate for things that they break or 
Things they erase
But the old river has no name

Koenig the king’s just an old ghost, a tired old ghost
If he knew he were lost he wouldn’t be lost, wouldn’t be lost

Come what may they will be holding tight
When it’s all gone away they will look for the light
But the old river has no name
And the old king has no shame

Koenig the king’s just an old ghost, a tired old ghost
If he knew he were lost he wouldn’t be lost, wouldn’t be lost

Why Me

The tap keeps on dripping and it’s getting later
The floor keeps on shaking with each passing freighter
And I’ve been trying to drown out the noise
But I’d have to sing at the top of my voice

Why me
I didn’t do anything
I’m innocent
And I have always believed

They said if I reached and gathered my mettle
I could leap with a bound from this ghetto
And the wings of the angels would sound
Though I thought there was noone around
So I’ll keep laying my prayers on the table 
And I’ll keep trusting I’m equal and able
And I’ll keep waiting to see the advances
But I don’t seem to get many chances

Why me
I didn’t do anything
I’m innocent
And I was led to believe
That if you’re good
Then good things would come
Well I ain’t been that bad
Am I just not good enough

And I will kneel till I’m raw
And I will sing till I’m hoarse
And I will speak with the Lord
About lifting my cross

And I will kneel till I’m raw
And I will sing till I’m hoarse
And I’ll cry out to the Lord
How about liftin' my cross

Why me
I didn’t do anything
I’m innocent
And I was led to believe
Why me, why me, why me
I didn’t do anything
I’m innocent
And I have always believed
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