Lyrics for Perspective
1 - Song of the Road
I’m starting over… Vacation come and gone. I’m one year older… and the road calls me on.
And I’m back to square one... I’m in my car, I’m on my route. Semester begun… I hit the road, I’m heading out.
(ohhhh)…
My wheels are spinnin’... As I try to merge back in. But I’m bad at merging… What to say, oh how, and when?
I’ve got my music off as I try to drive where the traffic’s flowing. Hard to stop… I have one mindset,
I’ve got two get going.
____Refrain_____
But once I hit the road, I’m wide awake, I’m on my own, I tend to think about the things I cared about so long ago.
And it’s something now, to think of how, I hardly steer. Yet out of all the places I could be, I somehow wound up here.
I’m roaring down this highway, I move from A to B, but I can’t tell if I’m flying, or if it’s the world flying by me.
It’s been a bumpy road, filled with sticks and milestones. But with each sign that passes by I can see the ways I’ve grown.
I can see the ways I’ve grown.
________________
I check my mirrors… to see the guy I’ve come to be. But, he looks older, taller, stronger, than me.
And in his eyes that spark, that little light when you look carefully Sometimes dark. I think it ran away…
When he picked up his keys
(To Refrain)
That spring was greener… Than I swear I had ever seen. All because I was freer… I’d escaped from my machine.
Did I turn left, or wrong? The answers come like Monday morning. They slowly dawn… They show on up
when I’m not looking…
(ohhhh)
Credits
Nathan Young - Bass guitar
Daniel Buchal - Electric guitar
Jacob Tschida - Percussion
Solomon Liebl - Piano
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN
2 - Start
Up the road you can see it, got the end in reach, But you want to cry, don’t know if you’ll
Survi-i-ive... We will survi-i-ive.
Cause in the past we remember feeling pain like this, But we lived in the end, and we proved that we’ll
Survi-i-ive... we will survi-i-ive...
We’re here to tell the tale.
Why do we fear to fail?
I know it can be done,
But it aint no fun to run.
____REFRAIN____
You can always make it further than you think you can,
But that don’t mean I want to start.
You tell me that it’s easy and I’m not a fan,
But my head don’t fail to cut me short
Anticipation kills me, before we can depart.
And you can always make it further than you think you can, but that don’t mean I want to start.
_____________
We, start with the mind on the finish line, but freedom’s nothing, ‘less you do the time
Your be-e-est, You do your be-e-est.
And when it’s done you start it all again, , you’re behind on sleep but you know you never can.
Your be-e-est, It cannot re-e-est..
We’re here to tell the tale.
Why do we fear to fail?
Our work is never done
But it aint no fun to run.
(To REFRAIN)
We lost some height, so we grow back .With laughing heads we throw back,
This boomerang life that’s blue and black, Can’t say exactly how we do.
He whistles notes, we hum back. I don’t know how we come back.
This boomerang life that’s blue and black… Can’t say exactly why we do.
(To REFRAIN)
Credits
Solomon Liebel - Background vocals, piano
Jacob Tschida - Percussion
Mark Wesolick - Background vocals, shaker
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar. mandolin
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN
3 - Another Song
Am I just a fool for trying to speak wisdom? Lord help me I don’t know where these words come from.
Can you live an accent no-one understands? My mind explodes. When we shake hands..
Why did I write this song I sing today? I’ve a point I can’t prove with the words that I can say.
But perhaps this won’t be just another song. Perhaps your soul already sings along.
So here’s for...
All the words unspoken,
And feelings mouths can’t speak.
Our hearts and tales are broken,
You won’t find that which you seek.
‘Cause, it’s something indescribable, describing leaves you sore.
Is this just another song? Well, I just pray it can be something more.
When you look at life within another’s eyes... Sing their blues, try out their shoes, and hear their cries....
You might see a world not so different from your own. But it’s hard to say... Because we’ll never know.
And I feel guilty when you have so much to do I want to say so much more than “I love you”
Do I mean these three words? Yes, you know I do. But they’re under-meant... and over-used.
I still have
All the words unspoken,
and feelings that I chase
Your features an engraving in my mind I can’t erase.
And each day we’re singing something we have never sung before.
Is this just another song? Is it wrong to want a little something more?
Oh, as history runs its course, is there any force that can detach me from the rest?
Oh, we know that we’ll face death, but with every living breath we want to last; for this I can attest!
And years from now, I hope you’ll hear this voice
Please, don’t forget the beauty in your choice.
This life of ours is music. We all play for the encore.
Is this just another song? Well, I just pray it can be something more.
Credits
Ethan Lacey - Violin
Nicholas Gawarecki - Viola
Riley Becher - Background vocals
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar, percussion
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN
4 - Shoots
It’s the first time that I’ve been here but I’ve seen this all before.
Y’got your teapot, y’got your dishes, y’got your table set for four.
Y’got food in the refrigerator, pictures on the door. Your little children.
I’m so glad that I could make it, how the place is looking fine.
You’ve worked so hard to get here, you’ve been earning every dime.
So while you all are sleeping, thought I’d write what’s on my mind, (mind)
Before it flies away. (Flies away again.)
______REFRAIN_______
Best of luck, I’m proud of ya. House and work are working for ya. Have some shoots around your table. Wonder if you’ll have some more.
Driving by I look in windows. What’s inside? Oh, What do you suppose, they’ve got
that makes their house a home? Not the roof, not the walls, not the floor!
In you I see a past a future. Love behind, and love ahead, I’m sure there’s no need to worry for myself, help me love what I’ve got in store,
Oh lord….
_________________
In the morning, you’ll have breakfast, after everyone says grace
You’ve got a basement they can play in, and a cat that they can chase
You’ve got a cover on the doorknob of the front door just in case…
They get too curious. (curious)
Well, I am sitting here, without a thing to be afraid of.
But I tell you, it’s a scary thing to see.
How you live so far away, I’ll only be here for a day…
And yet this may not be so distant, in the whole grand scheme of things.
You’ve got a calendar in the kitchen so they’ll always be on time.
And you’re giving both your lives away like I was given mine
From a mother and a father who would comfort and provide. For me… when did I earn that?
Oh it’s a big bright new perspective, to my long lost long ago.
Because I didn’t get myself here, although I do like to think so. (Can’t you tell, Oh dontcha know)1
How much we need each-other, there are debts I‘ll always owe.
But that’s okay, ‘Cause now it’s almost my turn… (Come On!)
(To REFRAIN)
Credits
Moriah Lippert - Piano
Ezra Lippert - Percussion
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, Mandolin,
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Audio Atelier Studio”, Mankato, MN
5 - Hermeneutics
Credits
Isaiah Lippert - Guitar
Maida Jasperson - Artwork
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Audio Atelier Studio”, Mankato, MN
6 - Rewind
Oh no, No. Let me try it again.
Hello? Hope this isn’t the end.
I know, I know I did everything wrong.
I know This message was put off for far too long.
But I been thinking… been searching for the words, the words…. To replace the ones you never should have heard.
Do you remember\ the way we used to be oooeee… Because the way it was is now unclear to me
______REFRAIN_______
But, if you offered me a chance to hit rewind,
I’d turn you down… To find some peace of mind.
Yeah, we’re dead and broken, but ain’t that part of life?
Tell me how could a record matter, if I can fix the things I shatter
Make a stand…. Become a better man….?
So I don’t need no time machine, just need to see this through,
Or I’ll fill my head until I am dead, with the words I should have said to you
_____________
Oh no… No, it won’t be the same
We’ll grow, But the bullet’s gone, it won’t come back again
I could give it a try… well, What have I got to lose?
I can’t justify, But I can make sure that I give you what you’re due.
But would you want it, or would it be too late… too late. for us to turn a leaf, push delete and clear the slate?
Do you remember\ the way we used to be? oooeee… Like a dream within a dream it is to me.
(To REFRAIN)
Oh, If my words could be glue,
I’d mend up all the pieces, and I’d make it up to you.
But I can’t take back those mistakes, no matter what I say. Give them a purpose,
that’s the only thing I’m asking for today.
So I will face this door I chose, and I will pray my friend that you’re better off than me.
And I was blind, but I know that hindsight is 20\20, now I see.
And I can’t believe how fast it goes.
Is there a reason– I suppose– for all the things I can’t control? I’ve got my eyes closed…
But maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Oooeee...
Right at the tip of my tongue, but always out of reach.
Credits
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar.
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN.
7 - Copernicus
You’ve sunken again. You’re sometimes that way. A ship in the wind without sails.
The water creeps in when the mind is away. Keep your questions, they help with the bail
We think of a man. “How strong is his frame.” “He’ll decide just how much he can do.”
And “what he’ll become only he is to blame, For he’ll paddle his own canoe”
He’ll paddle his own canoe...
______REFRAIN_____
But (1) he’s (2) I’m (3) we’re not worth what he’s/I’ve/we’ve done.
Not worth what he/I/we can do.
See the turning of the sun, but it depends upon your view.
When you can’t reach the notes of your song,
Put the doubt and fear under your shoe.
Y’see, the turning of the sun, but it’s just a turning you.
_______________
At times I would tell myself, somehow I’m better. I thought that I had no constraints
I know it’s not true, not now, and not ever, but still I have no complaints.
Logic and reason, my friends in the darkness, They’d fight for me, answer my call.
But as come the seasons, it shines out in starkness My friends cannot conquer it all.
My friends cannot conquer it all.
(To REFRAIN)
You tell me you think that you fell off a path, but the answer is not, it can’t be what you think.
Y’see the fruits of your sorrows, and the fruits of your wrath, but it’s wine. It’s a stiff potent drink.
I wish I could say I’m above all that, because I prided myself on my will.
But as the earth stays in orbit it’s love that's the purpose that stays with us still.
(To REFRAIN)
Credits
Daniel Buchal - Electric guitar
Teagan McDermott - Background vocals
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar, piano, percussion.
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN; “Blitz Mixing LLP”, Minneapolis, MN.
8 - 1914
1914, planning is done. You’ve lined up the teams. Wait for the gun
These bullet scars race, across the earth’s face
It’s a game of kings, and fear, and pawns. Knight is black without a dawn
Turned to his wife, Then to his son, Loves of his life, Say’s “I’ve got to run…”
Now do not be scared, they’re caught unprepared.”
“I’ve been told they’ll fall before the snow. I’ll be back before you know.”
________________Refrain_________
Since man came to be
Has he been lookin for a fight?
Through all of his story
One half is day, the other night
No justice no mercy,
Every man will turn to dust.
______________________________
And the last they heard before he closed the door
“I’ll be home for Christmas, ‘cause by then we’ll win this war”
______________________________
2. He said “give a shout, we’re knocking at their door.”
And “I’ll be home for Christmas, when we win this war.”
______________________________
Turned from his home. Smile and a wave. Flags to be flown. A nation to save.
And everyone’s cheer, was all he could hear
Quick to make a joke, to cheer and shout. Still don’t know what it’s all about.
(To REFRAIN)
To whom, this message may concern. I wonder if we’ll ever come to learn.
The seas of time and space congealed. We face a checkered past, their checkered field.
Your patriot smile… does it shine with denial? Remember History… Live in justice, mercy
Every bar of medal turns to rust. Every man will turn to dust.
And yet we know that drummer’s awful beat
‘Cause in the dark, we still can hear those rifles roar
And if no one will e’er admit defeat
No one is home for Christmas, No one wins in war.
1914, A century has run. We line up our teams. Just wait for the gun
Credits
Riley Becher - background vocals
John Zweber - background vocals
Isaiah Lippert - lead vocals, background vocals, guitar, percussion
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN
9 - Magical Moment
There’s a magical moment... When you stop, and everything is in its place
It don’t happen too often, all the edges unsoften
You can walk, ‘cause there’s no one to race.
Yeah, you’re there in the moment… So, you look around for once, and actually see.
You can see the icicles, like the rarest of crystals
Holding fast, to the arms of each tree
Can’t help stop for a moment…When you’re wounded by the beauty of the sight
Of the soft flurry falling, through the north wind a-howling
So you stand, gazing out in the night
================================================
OOOOO
================================================
Can be cold in the moment… So, you pull the collar tighter to your throat
You can’t see through the curtains. You’re bowed down with your burdens
like the pines, in their heavy white coats
Oh, you’re lost in the moment…When you’re frozen, captivated by the ring
Of a rusty old Windchime, as he whispers you’ll be fine
Let the wind blow, all the louder he’ll sing.
================================================
OOOOO
================================================
Yeah, you’re lost in the moment….When you know there’s nowhere else that you need to be.
You could stay here forever…. In the white, and the weather.
All the things you’ve been after, all’ve a sudden don’t matter
You are, it’s a good thing to be
There’s a magical moment… When you stop, and everything is in its place
When you notice you’re breathing, when you’re thinking ‘bout thinking
Y’know you’re here for a reason…. And though your features are freezing
You can still feel. There’s a smile on your face…
Credits
Maxwell Vetch - Background vocals, ukulele
Sam Thueson - Windchimes
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar, percussion, wind
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN; “Audio Atelier Studio”, Mankato, MN.
10 - Transitioning
11 - Skin
Tight skin, stretched ov’r a frame.
That’s what I am. That’s what you are. What’s so great about it?
A speaker with chords, full’a circuits and veins.
A hydraulic pump, two airbags in front, and a tank with a drain.
Deep inside, there’s a tangle of tubes,
Like an old machine, like a factory long out of use.
Fired up, given life, what on earth are we here to produce?
REFRAIN
Gaze in deeper, look out from afar
Climb a mountain, peer up at the stars
Oh, my brothers (sisters)/(Brothers, sisters,) won’t you even try?
There’s so much more than what meets the eye.
No roots. But we cannot stand still.
We’re driven to roam, to scour the dome. There’s a hunger to fill.
Growing tall… branchin’ out in our pride.
Barking out at the world, ‘til it leaves us alone, but we’re hollow inside
Four limbs, but no flowers to see.
If I asked you your name, wood you tell me the fruit of your tree?
To REFRAIN
No claws, no fangs on my jaw.
No sight in the dark No scales on my back. How’d we make it this far?
You say, it’s the brains… That we thought our way through…
Well, it might be the case, but this poor human race, Has some learning to do
‘Cause we always need more, takin’ more than we need.
We don’t know ourselves, and we don’t know our place, we’re the smartest indeed.
We’ll carve up the earth. How we’ll suffer, and work! Tell me what does it mean?
To REFRAIN
Tight Skin, stretched ov’r a frame
Is that what I am? Is that what you are? What’s so great about it?
Credits
Tyler Pranger - Banjo
Nathan Young - Bass guitar
Jonah Lippert - Background vocals
Jenny Lippert - Background vocals
Mal Murphy - Background vocals
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, background vocals, guitar, percussion
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN; “Blitz Mixing LLP”, Minneapolis, MN; “Audio Atelier Studio”, Mankato, MN.
Credits
Isaiah Lippert - Guitar
Sarah Bach - Artwork
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN.
12 - Above it Now
I can’t tell a lie. It’s no use to try
I’ve grown attached to this thorn in my finger
I don’t understand. I wished this all could be done
Now I wish it go on forever
I was missing oh, missing it soon as it was gone...
_________REFRAIN_________
(now) You’ve gotta rise above it buddy. Pick your knees up, take a breath, and focus up ahead!
It looks like all this time I was chasing after someone just to pass myself instead.
The worst of foes, the best of friends.
When we can see them to the end.
Learn to love it, rise above it now!
_______________________
Breathe in, let it out. Keep going, stay calm
Oh, it was over and over repeated
The stress and the miles. “Good riddance,” I said.
Who’d have thought they’d be just what I needed?
To redeem the defeat, of retreat, but I say, no more...
(TO REFRAIN)
So run along if you can, this paradox of our lives,
The sweetness of deliverance made cavities in me.
No, escape is not to be, when we’re called to victory
It was patience I lacked, I didn’t have all the clues,
I’m a short-sighted creature, can’t pretend any different.
But I found that all along. I had gotten something wrong.
My enemy was always mediocrity, and fear was but a tactic that he used.
I say, the problem was in me, it was the fear in me.
My suffering was for a greater good… Good…
(TO REFRAIN…
Credits
Isaiah Lippert - lead vocals, background vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, shaker, percussion.
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Studio S”, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN; “Audio Atelier Studio”, Mankato, MN
13 - Cardboard Box
I remember when I first signed up my name
I was young, naive and shy, and I never could have guessed what lay ahead of me.
I’m looking back now at all I’ve done. I’m lookin’ through my cardboard box.
Was it all for display, shine it up, throw away?
Take a picture oh, my soul, and take it home with you.
Hey…. Hey…. HEY
Although I‘m looking forward….
REFRAIN_____________
In my memory, dancin’ all around and spinnin', I hear laughing. aha-a-a, aha-a-a.
I can’t help pray it would remain a moment longer. Aha-a- a, aha-a-a
But from the outside looking in it’s all so clear it’s just a stage we’re going through…
A stage of life.
____________________
Looks like It’s time to take our place. We’re going out to face the crowd
Just like we did when we first got here. Knees are tremblin’, hands are shakin’, It’s the cue to go on.
Each year we take on different roles. Maybe we’ll take on different names.
We’ll have new things to say, we’ll have new dues to pay
Hey, that’s not so different, maybe nothing changes at all
But Hey…. HEY
Although I‘m looking forward….
(To REFRAIN)
A wiser man once said…That all this world’s a stage.
Right now it seems so dark and empty, but we’ll get our act together. Can’t you see this
Cap and gown, this cardboard box. It’s just a costume, just a prop.
It’s one more change of scene, one more transitioning In this plot that’s yet unfolding. And I can’t wait to see
All that you’ll become, and find out what becomes of me.
The Director has a plan, so don’t you worry. Listen up, and stand in the light.
The light… Oh stand in the light.
I’m lookin’ forward!
(To REFRAIN)
Credits
Mallory Murphy - Background vocals
Ezra Lippert - Percussion
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, guitar
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Audio Atelier Studio”, Mankato, MN
14 - The Greeting
Never had a sense of permanence. Never gotten “gone for good”.
Someone teach me, about permanence. I am a kid, yeah, I’m just a kid.
So…. Long….It was too…. Short. But Isn’t that how it always seems to go?
I’m so old… That everything is new, but Isn’t that how it always seems go?
It’s changing before my eyes.
Thought I had a sense of endurance…Finish lines, hospital beds.
Someone teach me, about endurance. I am a kid, yeah, I’m just a kid.
OOOO I’ll greet you again
I’m not quite broken in… I’m stiff and sore. Something more.
Oh, I’ll talk about it, but sometimes I feel clueless.
But it’s not pretend… I’ll greet you again, until then…
So far... We’ve been so close. But Isn’t that how it always seems go?
It’s so…. soon…. To be too…. Late…. But, isn’t that how it always seems to go?
It’s changing before my eyes…(but)
Don’t they know that I’ll greet you again?
It’s done, they say, move on. So I comply… I comply.
But there’s something’ in me knows it’s all just a mystery…
I can’t comprehend… ‘Til I greet you again. Until then...
Now I have a sense of providence… Never seen, but trust, I will
Oh, you taught me about providence…I am a kid, yeah, I’m just a kid
OOOOOOO
I’ll greet you again… Until then… Until then… Until then.
Credits
Noah Lippert - Piano
Moriah Lippert - Background vocals
Isaiah Lippert - Lead vocals, background vocals, guitar,
Written by Isaiah Lippert
Recorded in “Audio Atelier Studio”, Mankato, MN