Sh! The Octopus

Lyrics

Apology
The Brunt of Our Jokes
Call Me the Fool
Come on Down
The Crack of His Door
Don’t Ask
Flaking Friends
A Herring Overhead
If You Please
Labrador
Last Great Massacre
LS
My Kicks
Peaking from the Brim
Red State Soil
Revolutionaries
Seize It Quick
(You’re) So In Love

Apology

I don’t know and I don’t care
Why did you ask me here anyway?
Talking on your phone with a finger to your pulse.
Maybe I should just go.

Sitting at home watching you hurt yourself
Watching you break yourself
Watching you kill yourself.
Do you think I like to hear my voice?
Do you think I just want to write a song?
Do you think I’d like to sing along?
When really I just want to cry out loud
Why won’t you say the word?

I don’t know and I don’t care
Why did you ask me here anyway?
Screaming at my face trying to tear me down
How much more can I take? I’m gagged and bound.

Look at the tears streaming down your cheek
I want your eyes like a fountain that leaks
I want ‘em to flow I want to make you weak.
For all the shit you put me through
There’s not enough curses for you
Not that I won’t search them through.
We’ve been here for hours, so why don’t you
Just say the word?

I don’t know and I don’t care
Why did you ask me here anyway?
Talking on your phone with a finger to your pulse.
Maybe I should just go.

I don’t know and I don’t care
Why did you ask me here anyway?
Screaming at my face trying to tear me down
How much more can I take? I’m gagged and bound.

The Brunt of Our Jokes

Your witty curve, from your hip to your pinkie toe.
Can’t help but admire the grace, in which you cross the room.
You don’t have to try it’s art, it’s kindness, it’s thrilling compassion.

Because you still have your curves
And I still have my admiration.

Trying not to cross, those who are cross
Little do they know they’re bearing the brunt of our jokes.
Without even entering the room.
We never demanded anything,
We were content with what was given to us.

Because you still have your curves
And I still have my admiration.

Those fuckers, shooting from the hip.
Both guns drawn, bullets whizzing by our ears.
Tackling little girls smarter than them.
Yeah, it’s frustrating, but at the same time, so satisfying.

Because you still have your curves
And I still have my admiration.

Call Me the Fool

From when your lucent eyes said, “Hi,
How ’bout we take a ride?”
To when your weepy mouth quivered dry.
“Make it? Yeah, we just might.”
Hold me near ’til we’re old and dear
‘Cause you won’t feel the same tomorrow night.
It’s a shame, but if this time was bottled up
You and I wouldn’t have a drink in sight.

Lay your hand upon my wrist
Or squeeze above the knee and writhe with bliss.
The dog barks as I give chase
I’ll trace about your frame with a shape of grace.
It’s no mystery to me,
The sun only shines when it watches your face.

Don’t call me the fool when I say I’m the lucky one
I may not wear my heart like you, that doesn’t mean it’s not open
It’s still falling hard and it’s still apt to break
But it doesn’t care about remarks. It won’t hesitate on mistakes.

Away from you in a hotel room
The return trip is never too soon.
You’re watching bees fly to blooms
Your mind lies to how well I am without you.
Press the receiver against your lips
‘Cause I’m more apt to hear their subtle tune.
And if our bottle was filled up
It’s a shame to drink it without you.

If I forget to check in
That doesn’t mean you’ve lost out to my friends.
In my mind I play your day.
Every breath you take leaves me one more away
From you and our clumsy fears
And our slow pace.

I would call you the fool if you said you’re the lucky one
I may not wear my heart like you, that doesn’t mean it’s not open
It’s still falling hard and it’s still apt to break
But it doesn’t care about remarks. It won’t hesitate on mistakes.

Come On Down

I’ll drive all night, up and down this town
I’m at the bottom of your stairs, come on down.
I’ll drive all night, and this ain’t no Cadillac
But Baby, baby why don’t you come on back?

I’ll drive all night, and this ain’t no Coupe de Ville
But join me in this seat, for a surefire thrill.
I’ll drive all night, all ahead is pitch black
Come on baby, take me back.

I’ll drive all night, blasting Lady Day
It’s times like these, we gotta meet halfway.
I’ll drive all night, down past those tracks
Baby, baby would you come on back?

The Crack of His Door

Driving for hours, down the interstate
We reached the top peninsula.
At a castle of rock,
The stairs reached up for hours.

An 8-year-old curled up with his pillow
Looking through the crack of his door.
His mom tilts her head back with a fingernail to her nose
She sniffs it up then does some more.

As I leaned against the railing
I pictured falling to the pines below.
If only Paul and Babe would share their plots with my child frame.
I leaned in but my shirt was hitched
It stretched taught around my neck and chest.
A distant breeze on my back.
I leaned in but my shirt was hitched
And the view was spectacular.

An 8-year-old curled up with his pillow
Looking through the crack of his door.
His mom tilts her head back with a fingernail to her nose
She sniffs it up then does some more.

Don’t Ask

Sorry, didn’t catch you’re name?
Could you repeat it like you actually have a tongue the cat didn’t take?
How did you spend your day?
‘Cause I was out on the street, stamping my feet to feel warm.
It was the middle February.

But you’re no fool, and I’m just a phony
So don’t ask me to light your cigarette.

Did you see that wedding?
A bride and her marine with no face?
He lost it in the king’s flame.
You probably missed the ceremony.
While you watched TV and prayed to your king
And his perfect court.

But you’re no fool, and I’m just a phony
So don’t ask me to light your cigarette.

It’s the American way
To cheer the bombs like it’s a football game (go man, go).
“We’re going out to get ‘em, before they get us.”
I’ve heard the line a million times
It still don’t mean much.

But you’re no fool, and I’m just a phony
So don’t ask me to light your cigarette.
Yeah you’re so cool, and I’m just a phony
So don’t ask me to light your cigarette.

Flaking Friends

Maybe I should write about the obvious
Trying to live by the book gets us nowhere.
Settling in on your precious life
Flaking friends from your shoulders.

Maybe you should think this one over.

You know what, you can fuck off.

This drama queen romance only gets you so far.

Hugging enemies and pissing on friends
Where do you hope to go when you’re above the world.
Looking down at your creation to only notice we’re still spinning
Smiling, dancing, and laughing away
Having the time of the day
While your bitterness takes you so far away that no one cares.

You know what, you can fuck off.

“Who was that?” No one cares…

A Herring Overhead

She said, “I saw a coyote off the road.
“Traffic slowed on I-94.
“They’ve increased around here sharply.
“And did you know Gervin attended up the road?
“Right here, EMU. Right here, Ypsilanti.”
Collins chimed, “Wasn’t that before your time?”
“Gotta preserve our history.
Don’t worry John, I’ll keep hush about your story.”
I said, “Come on! Come on! Let’s order another drink.”

A herring overhead, the Huron beneath my feat.
Mind the open windows. A discreet whisper ’til we’re off the street.
We might even head to a show, “How ’bout Friday, are you free?”
“No but Saturday… Saturday looks good to me.”

“Monday?”
“You know I gotta work all week.”
“Friday?”
“I gotta catch up on some sleep.
But Saturday I’ll meet you right here in Ypsi’.”

That’s beside the point of our trip here.
One by one we left to a Bronx cheer.
Set to follow the Mistress of Fun,
“Terribly sorry, gotta run.”
No matter we’ll soon return to Sherzer’s scopes
Laugh at lame jokes, share plans and hopes.
Under stars we’ll find time to talk about
Brick walks, the Tridge, and the Depot Clock.

“Monday?”
“You know I gotta work all week.”
“Friday?”
“I gotta catch up on some sleep.
But Saturday I’ll meet you right here in Ypsi’.”

If You Please

(I’ve grown so tired of your arrogant ways.)
Sitting, waiting, contemplating
Where the day will take your selfish play.
Bored of this and that always
Expecting the argument to stop at your debate.
Worried for your petty material
While the obvious suffering occurs.
So just crank up your stereo
And listen to some horrible sounds
Or a pointless song, just as this has become.

Yeah, you can take what you please, if you please.
Just take what you need, let’s make a deal.
You can take what you see, or what you need
Yeah, just take what you please.

(Knock knock, is there anyone there?)
Do you hear what I’m saying
Are you looking my way
Or are you just staring off into space
Thinking of what you crave?
Still bored after another day.
I can’t believe I believed what you’d say.
Duped into thinking too highly of you.
(You’ve) sunk so low,
There’s no promise you can keep.

Yeah, you can take what you please, if you please.
Just take what you need, let’s make a deal.
You can take what you see, or what you need
Yeah, just take what you please.

Labrador

I had a dream that God didn’t swap Isaac with a lamb
Then old Abraham came down with his hand
The poor boys head rolled across the land.
It was a gruesome scene
(Then) you were swallowed by the sea
The women wore black on their faces to hide wet cheeks.
They cried, “Oooh.”

They dredged up your body. You’d been gone three days.
Visitors stormed from far away
Torn up to find old Dave had been knabbed by the Labrador waves
Little Davey was especially changed
He went from a boy to a man just as the wake was arranged.
The casket was beautiful
Oh, she was beautiful
The flowers were beautiful
It was beautiful…
We cried, “Oooh.”

You sat up to stares, asked why we were there.
I didn’t believe it
I still don’t believe it, no.
Mama nearly had a stroke, pointed her finger and spoke
She said, “This old heart needs your love.
My little Davey needs your love.
You know this whole damn town needs your love.
The Labrador sea, needs your love
My, my (it all) needs your love.
Right now…”

Last Great Massacre

Here’s a story about this kid
Setting a path a bit different than the rest of us did.
His Daddy hit the bottle everyday, sometimes twice
When his son was just fifteen he took his life.
Climbing into high society
His Mom set a course for high esteem.
She gave her kid much affluence
Even bought him a guitar one Christmas.

He said, “Thanks Mom. I hear your pleas but I don’t care what you say ’cause I want to be…
The last great rock ‘n roll man
In the last great rock ‘n roll band.”

She pushed him into corporate life one like her own.
He disappeared one day without any calls back to home.
Moving around towns, convinced he was the best
Thought he was John Lennon before he even had a hit.
Started taking drugs and playing every instrument
Told everyone he talked to God about shit.

“And thy Lord said onto me that one day I will be…
The last great rock ‘n roll man
In the last great rock ‘n roll band.”

He was gonna start a revolution, was gonna get paid
If it wasn’t his way it could just fade away.
Ups and downs, and downs and outs,
The people around him wanted to know what this kid was really about.
They expected either a miracle or the devil to show his face
On stage, entertainment and riots were one in the same.

“Yeah, Listen man if you fuck with me I’ll kick you in the God damn teeth, ’cause I’m…
The last great rock ‘n roll man
In the last great rock ‘n roll band.”

The band broke up but you couldn’t convince him
He still trudged around committed to his revolution.
Everybody dropped it, turned their backs and minds away
“He’s just and arrogant prick. His petty fits will keep him stuck in one place.”
But as time goes by his legend grows,
We’ll never know if some kid walking through a record store

Will say, “Hey man look what I picked up today, what a find this guy was great. He was…
The last great rock ‘n roll man
In the last great rock ‘n roll band.”

Watching basketball on the tube
Drinking a beer and feeling rude.
There’s a band playing in the other room
But no one is paying any mind.

Watching the cue smack the nine
And that pinball’s screaming line.
The lights are dancing to Wilco on the juke
It’s that song complaining about someone being out of line.

I used to come here with friends
We’d drink Irish whiskey and talk about the people we knew.
Laughing about stretching before punk rock shows
Reminiscing about playing Frisbee in graveyards.

These friends span the country now
But we make plans anyhow.
Maybe it’s because we’re all fans of a different sport
Maybe it’s all the songs we wrote.

I used to come here with friends
We’d drink Irish whiskey and talk about the people we knew.
Laughing about stretching before punk rock shows
Reminiscing about playing Frisbee in graveyards.

My Kicks

We’re supposed to think we know everything in our twenties
And nothing in our thirties.
I knew nothing then, nothing now, and everything never.
Everyone around me is so confident above their skin.
What happens when they’re alone drawing a bath?
Burning candles, toes curled around a great book
Blood drips from the night’s paper cuts and washes down the drain.

Only the face of the moon peers in
Hidden beneath thrift store finds, browns and grays,
Blacks and blues, with name brand tennis shoes.
Hidden beneath thrift store finds, browns and grays,
Blacks and blues, with name brand tennis shoes.

Watching punk rock shows with your arms crossed
Your movement barely visible
Eyes flashing around the room.
Reading the ironic tees, falling short of loss
Don’t you, no don’t you dare move forward.
Is your head still in the game?
Liquid courage in my stomach.
But my throat’s dry and mind is awry
I’m singing this song, despite my attempt, I’m just like you.

Catty and Batty wearing browns and grays,
Blacks and blues, with name brand tennis shoes.
Catty and Batty wearing browns and grays,
Blacks and blues, with name brand tennis shoes.

Peaking from the Brim

My head is spinning my eyes are twisting
Focusing on three drops of beer
Evaporating on the table.
Why is it that everybody talks so damned loud?
Resentful, disgusted by everyone
That walks through the door.
Closing my eyes to snatch what’s left of my pride.
Why is it they all think this is their favorite song?

In a dive bar sipping the time away
I’m no virtuoso, I’m just coming to play
With only pennies in my hat.

And now my head is still flipping
Can’t close my eyes ’cause some jerk is spinning
I think, yeah it’s that guy in the corner
Behind a martini flirting with a waitress half his age.
Fifty dollar bills dripping from his pockets
Only pennies in my hat.
Sound check tripped me up
I’ll stumble through my quick set.

In a dive bar sipping the time away
I’m no virtuoso, I’m just coming to play
With only pennies in my hat.

Sandpaper in my throat by the second song.
The jerk keeps spinning away.
The bass is too loud, the tone is all wrong
Thank God there’s only one song left.
The waitress is gone, the jerk left his drink half full
Or maybe it was half empty?
What a time for philosophy.
Last chorus, room’s half empty or half full?

In a dive bar sipping the time away
My hat is empty, and Ulysses S. Grant
Is peaking from the brim.

Red State Soil

Stamping ground in your red state soil
Pounding stakes in your Atlanta rail
I’ve come to realize that southern man was misguided.
Even if it’s his written right to be
No one sea-to-shining-sea is free
As free, as a bird.

As free as a bird, as free as a wingless bird.
The song you heard, was more than you could ever learn.
It was the southern man who said to me,
“Boy, you’re going to be free.
As free, as a bird.”

His land is his, hers is hers
They’re land is yours if greed plays your hand.
It was made for commons.
For you, and for me
As the litter flies from your window free
As free, as a bird.

As free as a bird, as free as a wicked bird.
The sound you heard, was more than you could ever learn.
It was the southern man who said to me,
“Boy, you’re going to be free.
As free, as a bird.”

Revolutionaries

Revolutionaries after revolutionaries.

Three shots ringing in my ears,
Three holes, ripped cloth, like a deflated balloon.
You made your bed, when you opposed us.
I have the power to nurture and seize.
You merely the power to crush dreams.

Revolutionaries after revolutionaries .

After September 3rd
Red Terror raised it’s revolting head
And White Terror reacted, on and on.
You betrayed the vision,
And in the end I was right
Peasants and workers were never freed
From their chains.

Revolutionaries after revolutionaries.

As a reminder at the mausoleum
Three holes were sealed with you for the revolution.

Revolutionaries after revolutionaries.

Seize It Quick

When you were a child you spied and no one knew.
Under porches you hid while folks looked on confused.
You bled from your shins, memories and scars can prove.
And ran for your life when the coast was clear and true.

This wood, this glass, this home has stories much like your own
They’re hidden in the stone, she whispers what she knows.
When the decades had passed they laid brick upon brick of lore
With no eyes just doors, she thinks cars are waves breaking on shore.
Remember our apartment filled with smoke down in The Corridor
When Jimmy barbecued outside our window.
Jeff slept in the alley rather than knock on our door.
You said the radiator pings were ghosts under the floor.

Alright, OK. The clock will tick, the flash bulb will flick.
We’ll seize it quick, today. Let’s weather the wood.
These walls would sing if they could.

The cracks and chips and bends and warps, it’s her attitude
She’s not brand new, she sees everything through.
As loud as we could we sang Nina Simone.
Television competed with outside our window.
The neighbors above moved chairs at 3 in the morn.
And I loved you more than ever before.

Alright, OK. The slivers will prick, branches grow thick.
We’ll seize it quick, today. Let’s weather the wood.
These walls would sing if they could.

(You’re) So In Love

A simple time like this
In a simple place like this
I’m going to be straight with you
(You) better not get upset.

So in love, you’re so in love with you
You’re so in love now baby (it’s true).

Why do you waste your time?
Why do you waste your breath?
Explaining away the differences meant,
To be different (or just plain bent).
(You) want your world served on a silver platter
As a matter of convenience.
But you step away into your own space
As a girl possessed by indifference.

So in love, you’re so in love with you
You’re so in love now baby (it’s true).

Maybe it’s just me focusing on the negative,
While you wait around the corner in a blessed mind of indifference.