Jon Watts Lyrics

Mixed Vice Work – Lyrics – Jon Watts

Soul Food
Faded
Two Words
Grab a Pen
Reign Therein
Ghostjon pt.2

The Art of Fully Being – Lyrics – Jon Watts

The Art of Fully Being
Instructions for Us(e)
Songs That I’ve Released
I’m Great
We Are Lovers of Our Lost Earth
Fancy Interlude
I’m Sorry Brian
Friend Speaks My Mind
Desperately Seeking Connections
There’s a Spirit in Iraq
This is Just a Song.
Faithful in Strife
So Well

A Few Songs Occasioned – Lyrics – Jon Watts

Introduction
You Are Pulling Down the Pillars of the World, George Fox
Another Naylor Sonnet
Smithfield Market
Shoes in the Pulpit
He Burned All His Instruments
Born Episcopalian
Dear Friends
Conclusion

Self – Lyrics – Jon Watts

Intro – Sign Down
Retreat and Withdrawal (Self)
Intimate Details
Hummingbird
One Flew West
Coming Home
Flas
The Middle of the Sun
Lost in Boston
Your Happy Place
A Breath of Fresh Air
Ink on my Feet
I was afraid I was lost now I’m scared I’ve been found

I can’t tell you
all of the things you don’t see
if your eyes are open
they’re unfocused
and if I had
a little magic left
I could love you out of this mess
hocus pocus

But I’ve been empty
I haven’t had any love for you
the most I could do is
keep breathing
this is so painful
if we can’t sit at the same table
then I won’t know
what poison you’ve been eating

But I’m not playing it
these awful guessing games
have me trying to name the un-nameable
and now you’re running away
and I’ve stopped running at all
so I’ll just sit and face fate
and that’s a face full.

I don’t know how to tell you
anything at all
I don’t know if it would help if I was asked
so now I’m sitting, hand to chin
waiting for next fall
maybe that’s when the past will have passed

I’ve absorbed
quite a bit of nothingness
and that could mean anything
but at least now I see nothing clearly
I say to friends, no, she hasn’t said anything
maybe she doesn’t want to be near me

this is the ghost jon speaking

I never thought you’d kill me too
I guess it’s redundant to say now
that I loved you
and that I trusted you
and that my hurt and my anger
are because you
didn’t choose to
follow through

so when I come to your place
and try to say goodbye
and you don’t show your face
you just hide
why should I believe that you’re alright?
I don’t believe that.

And so I’m hurt right now
and you’ve bound up my lips
with a fear of action, loss,
fear of thoughtlessness
I was too trusting
I didn’t trust enough
and now I fall over apologies and such
son of a crutch

now you play me like a xylophone
that won’t shut up
but I’ve been silent for eight months
I’m listening to nothing
trying to make sense of
something so nonsensical
a cynic wouldn’t sense that it was coming
and start running

so now we’ve died
no one can identify the killer
I think i know the murder weapon
but I’ll leave that for September
and I’ll remember you
I’ll send this simple gift of truth to my future self
remind him that you put me through hell

I love you and I miss you but you’re not worth hell.

This is
an interfaith dialogue.
It’s intergenerational.

This is on the internet.
It’s personal, sensational.

This is
individual, and
group consciousness.
It’s emotional and logical
abstract common sense.

This is
solidness.
it’s tangible, it’s something you can touch.
If you’re capable of loving
you can’t love too much

…and if you’re broken, this can heal you
or help you heal yourself
This is spoken word and song
and it’s only here to help.

This is art and it’s important
Support it
It’s not enough that you enjoy it
I’m asking you to join it
So if you’re listening
then grab a pen,
write a letter to yourself
or to someone else
join the conversation.
write a song or a poem
learn to let go

It’s not the end of the world
Someone else can feel it too
I’m a human being just like you
And I’m honest in this forum
this formula’s enduring
all the time and the attention it’s afforded

And it’s only getting better
as I relax and sit back
let my muse do the talking
while my brain writes the raps

You should try it
it’s been worth
every boulder
that I’ve shouldered
just to get to be an artist for another sacred moment
like playing a show out in the rain
if no one came except for Spirit
and my love for life
then that’s audience enough

Money is another story
but that story’s kind of boring
Just pay for this CD
and then no one has to worry

This is art and it’s important
Support it
It’s not enough that you enjoy it
I’m asking you to join it
So if you’re listening
then grab a pen,
write a letter to yourself
or to someone else
join the conversation.
write a song or a poem
learn to let go

this is art and it’s only here to help you get settled and express a little better what you felt, a love letter to yourself or your sadness or whatever you’ve embedded in your psyche, your community, your health. this is to your health.

I’m like friendship
because I’m half dead.
I’m like a drop of food coloring.

We’re all seeing red.
Now I’m asleep,
but I’ve got the guts to admit it.
I know what fulling living is,
and I’m partially existing.

Now I’m alone.
I’m just alone.
Even if you do call me,
I won’t pick up my phone.
My living situation’s
looking pretty bare bones.
I spend my time considering
the validity of my old poems.

Don’t look at me,
just look away.
You could ask me all your questions
but I won’t find much to say.
I’m not old.
this is my birth day.
My story’s not been told
because I started it today.

Listen to lies
and then speak the truth.
You don’t need to be a freedom fighter
just to have proof
that the truth is beautiful
just the way it is.
I live in condescension of these fibs.
-or-
I’ve got a living contradiction in my ribs.

This is called my summer.
Also, “things fall apart.”
It doesn’t need an introduction
or a lead guitar.
I could feel it in my body
like you might feel your heart
and it’s beating.

If I could say two words
that would live forever.
It’s: authenticity
(and then I’d think of something clever)
I’ve been having trouble speaking lately
listen to my voice.
Luckily, we all have a choice.

Listen to lies
and then speak the truth.
You don’t need to be a freedom fighter
just to have proof
that the truth is beautiful
just the way it is.
I live in condescension of these fibs.
-or-
I’ve got a living contradiction in my ribs.

We are lovers of the Truth.
And that gives us courage
because we know
We’ll find a way to love you.

Some of us are young.
Others, alcoholics.
And we all know it matters what you call it.

Listen, I’m not feeling afraid.
I’m not afraid of clarity.
If anything I’m grateful when it comes.

But I haven’t felt too clear,
and so I’m waiting with sincerity.

Illumination rises with the sun.

One day I got lost in my shoes.
I was living with bruises,
defending it with two fists.

Bounce to the mountaintop.
Look in the thrift shops.
Find a little nice peice of linen,
living sin,
and
for your pen top,
send it in a tin top.

Listen:
when offense is given,
that’s a thin slice of living like a gentleman.

Be a gentle woman.
Women sending signals mixed within
any silly, simple little sentences.

Symptoms include:
a total lack of food

And in a bad mood,
in a sad back room
the synapses conclude
that the fad ends soon

and the mad little savages
that battle rapped
with their mavericky battle axes
entrapped within

another massive fashion magazine’s blasephemous tactics said:
“it’s just a little harrasment.”

We’re great.
Your sedatives can keep us sedate.

And while same sex marriage stays state to state
We’re going local.
Pick up the mic and throw vocals
in your phonebook. Send it to folks that you know.

look, we’re related.
Some thumbsucker’s belated
little saint thinks
the same shit is sane so we traded.

Save a bit of peace
as an interesting treat
for when you’re jaded.
Fame came late and now it’s faded.

I’m playing with my own identity.
Listening in can be free, see

Everyone is blind.
Finding their sight from behind, right
Mind the light.

And assign my problems
so someone can solve them
Look and how my hands
can’t stop these goblins

a long bomb’s falling
from the bogs of Conchord
where our fathers got lost in the fog.

Our forefathers got lost in Boston.
It’s the fault of Lord Baltimore
and it’s all the more solemn
for the following of psalms.

Some sons and daughters
of the hypocrites, which,
to the benefit of many,
found themselves giving in to sentimental money.

We’re great.
Your sedatives can keep us sedate.

And while same sex marriage stays state to state
We’re going local.
Pick up the mic and throw vocals
in your phonebook. Send it to folks that you know.

look, we’re related.
Some thumbsucker’s belated
little saint thinks
the same shit is sane so we traded.

Save a bit of peace
as an interesting treat
for when you’re jaded.
Fame came late and now it’s faded.

(He said he loved her.
We were friends then
Sharing secrets with each other

like the fact that he loved her
and I held that secret tight light it was mine, right
but in the limelight I can see my timeline)

See but now I’m looking for my value in my breath
I’m impressed
and I’ll breath this love until my final breath is
all that’s left

I’ve got two huge lungs
and no plans,
strong hands
and I can finally say
that I’m proud to be a man

and I’ll stand for criticism
but then I’ll stand up
I’m not a living victim
I’m a talented musician

and a loving and a thoughtful friend
In the end
I’ll deserve every word of praise
that my mother gave me

When I say ‘peace’ I mean it,
when I love you can believe it
When I show you I’m a human being,
everyone can see it

Look at me
I’m a loving human being
I’m so free
and so are you
(solitude)

I can look inside
and fall in love with what I’m seeing
When I love me
then I’ll love you too

It’s Soul Food

So the confession I have
is that I’m beautiful.
And it’s my duty to know it
so I haven’t been too dutiful.

I’ve realized now
my innate value
is important
and expressing it is suitable.

I didn’t do anything to you.
It was me that I love, hate or I release
(go in peace)

So I encouraged it,
this other people loving me.
The other option looks like self-defeat
(go in peace)

In a way I would say that I did the right thing.
I tried to tell you that I liked her,
we were having a fling.

I’ll let me love hover above
this meddlesome thing
that has it’s place and dying grace in devil’s kingdoms.

It was a miscommunication
and two egos that collided.
For the part I played,
I gave apology.

I saw that you loved her.
I loved her too.

No more self-deprecating ideologies.

Now let’s spread it wide open
the distance should help
you know, and keep our eyes open

I’m hoping for self that I can get it together
and while it’s breaking apart
I took a break from this letter
You’re going to break our hearts

And that’s ok, Jon
That’s fine
This world is still a great place
for us to live out our lives
Just look around
I see a tree
I see this sea of mediocrity just vanish beneath me
I can go to him and climb up into my friend
Hatred turns to love as I climb from limb to limb
It’s like that

Suddenly everything has changed
I don’t feel the same
I envision my listening as a step outside this picture frame
and looking back in
how many virtues did I claim?
How many demons unnamed
that remained fueling all my flames?

I can go for long walks
I’m connected
taking in the sights and loving late night talks
My pain’s from the same place
the universe was made
so I live it and embody it
this running in place

The air’s full of life and everything is living
so when I’m walking at night
it often feels like I’m swimming
I’m so well held
I’m so far from hell
I’m exploring my story
and it’s going so well.

I just followed the Spirit like a butterfly
And when I’m fully existing, it’s like the days fly by
I can’t always say the same for the nights

but when you’re holding onto something tight
it’s hard to let go
Shit, it’s difficult to go so slow

I want to be on the go
I want to see from the go
I want my “love is cheap” and “sex, release”
and even eat and sleep on the go

Oh no
Your “love is cheap” and “sex, release”
are costing you your peace
Don’t you know when you’re paying a price?
Put away your wallet
(the Spirit gives advice)
And when you listen to your conscience
it pays you back twice
Don’t be convinced by economics
just live out your life
And when you see something wrong
don’t close your eyes
Listen to this song or look at the sky
and say “I know I’m not perfect
This pile of shit is mine
and I’ve been working and working
and I’m doing real fine
I fuck up. I fuck up sometimes
I’m not bad because I’m not standing in a line
and I’m not going to show you a gang sign”

Pendle Hill lives on, faithful in strife
at least another time to sing Auld Lang Zime
and you can say these words
to make you faithful and strong
because I promise afternoons will be hang time

And just listen
I mean listen for the bell
there’s always a bell when you need to hear it
And next time you hear this
don’t fear it

Love,
(Spirit)

As featured in the music video “Dance Party Erupts During Quaker Meeting For Worship”

I found Quakers when I was just a kid
and now I’m studying them
I hope you know how that is

I’ve got George Fox on my right, James Nayler’s on my left
and Margaret Fell is holding us together
give her some respect

It’s that first generation we look back to
to find out what being a Friend means through and through
I don’t fully understand it
I don’t know if I can
but I understand enough to know that I am a fan

I’m like, damn, I didn’t think that I would do this anymore
I got bored
listening to lectures felt like a chore
But now I’m begging Max Carter just to tell me some more
Oh lord

So when I heard this Christian stuff
I’d get uncomfortable a lot
I’m like, What does Jesus have to do with George Fox?
And when I heard the word Christ it would make my jaw drop
but now I kind of understand the man I’ve got a soft spot

I’m not a Christian but I’m a Quaker
I’ve got Christ’s inner light but he’s not my savior
I’m on a date to meet my maker
I got down at Young Friends
with some funky behavior

Now I’m a liberal Friend
That means F-G-C
and tons of other acronyms that set me free
and I’ve been running the gammut
from Quaker camps to sandwiches
with the Young Friends crew
I know we offend you
but yo, we’re Quaker like the rest of y’all
Just ‘cause we go to bed later
doesn’t mean that midnight isn’t Quaker

And yo I’m sorry like everybody
that Quakers had to split
but just don’t blame Elias Hicks for all our problems
We’re the Society of Friends
it’s time we acted like it
and start to work together just to try to solve them

So all you Friends in the Meetinghouse
put your hands up
and then twist them at the wrist
like you just got out of handcuffs
That’s how you clap for me
you’ve got to clap silently

I’m not a Christian but I’m a Quaker
I’ve got Christ’s inner light but he’s not my savior
I’m on a date to meet my maker
I got down at Young Friends
with some funky behavior

I found George Fox living in a journal
and it’s fertile
I’m learning
I mean, I’ve jumped a lot of hurdles
and done a lot of discerning
just to get to where I’m sure that
the ancestors are working for certain
met the Spirit in person
now I’m living life nurturing worship
(in certain circles there’s a focus on service)

Now I know you might say
“Well, that’s some backwards theology”
I know you might say
“Well, that’s not right”
But that’s the way that I grew up
and it’s the way that I’m presenting it
Let’s hold all our differences in the Light
Alright

I’m not a Christian but I’m a Quaker
I’ve got Christ’s inner light but he’s not my savior
I’m on a date to meet my maker
I got down at Young Friends
with some funky behavior

To
Richmond Friends Meeting
BYM
FGC
Guilford College
QLSP
Pendle Hill
Earlham College
Shiloh Quaker Camp
Catoctin and Opequon
FCNL
AFSC
Langley Hill
Friendship Friends Meeting
Ashland Vineyard

FRIEND SPEAKS MY MIND

It’s not
everybody living in the same space
It’s not

one thing you said or did that brought me to this place
I’ve got to face my fear
and then say it in a way that you can hear
but it’s unclear
and so I’ll focus on the clarity I have
I’ll spread out all my maps
and then perhaps what I have to do
is chart some new territory
I love this story
but I’m getting kind of tired of adventure
Is this essential?
When can I relax?

And I can hold on
I’m so strong
It’s been a long time coming and instantly it’s gone It’s just a song

It’s not the end of the world
It’s just another bad day
so please, I don’t need you to look at me that way
I’ll be ok
And this is nothing but a song
so just listen and nod
and then secretly wonder what you’ve done wrong

It’s just my voice
It’s just the core of me
It’s just as deep as you’ve ever heard me speak
It’s just some beats on a screen
I mean, I don’t mean to mean
You see? We’ve relied on our words for too long
It’s time to make songs

And I can hold on
I’m so strong
It’s been a long time coming and instantly it’s gone It’s just a song