A Poet & A One Man Band
Song List & Lyrics:
It all started when I was young
Out on the streets
I learned to get around
To always feel the heat
Don't waste your time on me
Just let me be
Chorus:
In and out all my life
I can't play by your rules
In and out all my life
I won't be nobody's fool
In and out
You can say I'm troubled
You can say I'm dumb
I don’t care what you say
I’ll just have my fun
Don't waste your time on me
Just let me be
[Chorus]
Analysed, criticised
Throughout my life
Put away, here I'll stay
I’ll take it in stride
I can’t count how many times
To this place I’ve been
Every time that I get caught
Freedom’s running thin
Don't waste your time on me
Just let me be
[Chorus 3x]
Out on the streets
I learned to get around
To always feel the heat
Don't waste your time on me
Just let me be
Chorus:
In and out all my life
I can't play by your rules
In and out all my life
I won't be nobody's fool
In and out
You can say I'm troubled
You can say I'm dumb
I don’t care what you say
I’ll just have my fun
Don't waste your time on me
Just let me be
[Chorus]
Analysed, criticised
Throughout my life
Put away, here I'll stay
I’ll take it in stride
I can’t count how many times
To this place I’ve been
Every time that I get caught
Freedom’s running thin
Don't waste your time on me
Just let me be
[Chorus 3x]
Staring at the hemlock tree
Memories of you and me go floating by
Thinking of the year that's gone
But I know before too long time will fly
Don't you know that I miss you
Cause of all that we've been through
Chorus:
Come summer's end
I'll be back again
Come summer's end
The room is lit by the morning light
The sun has chased away the night and all my thoughts
You are in the dreams I've had
Now it makes me feel so bad it's all I've got
As I stare out the window
All my thoughts start to grow
[Chorus]
Staring at the hemlock tree
Memories of you and me come floating by
Thinking of the year that's gone
But I know before too long time will fly
Don't you know that I miss you
Cause of all that we've been through
Come summer's end
I'll be back again
Come summer's end
We'll be back again
Come summer's end
I'll be back again
Memories of you and me go floating by
Thinking of the year that's gone
But I know before too long time will fly
Don't you know that I miss you
Cause of all that we've been through
Chorus:
Come summer's end
I'll be back again
Come summer's end
The room is lit by the morning light
The sun has chased away the night and all my thoughts
You are in the dreams I've had
Now it makes me feel so bad it's all I've got
As I stare out the window
All my thoughts start to grow
[Chorus]
Staring at the hemlock tree
Memories of you and me come floating by
Thinking of the year that's gone
But I know before too long time will fly
Don't you know that I miss you
Cause of all that we've been through
Come summer's end
I'll be back again
Come summer's end
We'll be back again
Come summer's end
I'll be back again
Music by Kevin Ballantyne
Words from a poem by Edith Cowan
In and out the islands wind
Beauty-land, wonder-land, all combined
The blue above and the blue below
Blending together as we all row
What radiant beauty the sunbeams make
In their quivering pattern across the lake
Softly the clouds move to and fro
All mirrored in the depths below
Can you hear the loons drifting across the bay?
Feel their echo so oft far away
Hear, O hear the white-laps roar
Their foaming breakers against the shore
Hear the whispering in the trees
Made by the soft caressing breeze
Do you know an Island Big where the forest sings
With the glimmering trails and mossy springs?
Can you hear the loons drifting across the bay?
And their echo so oft far away
Hear, O hear the white-laps roar
Their foaming breakers against the shore
The mountains are lighted with sunset hues
Soon they'll be darkened in deepest blues
See the water dancing bright
Under the moon-beam's mystic light
A rabbit here and a squirrel there
Birds making melody everywhere
A changing view every turn we take
In all its moods we love Blue Sea Lake
Words from a poem by Edith Cowan
In and out the islands wind
Beauty-land, wonder-land, all combined
The blue above and the blue below
Blending together as we all row
What radiant beauty the sunbeams make
In their quivering pattern across the lake
Softly the clouds move to and fro
All mirrored in the depths below
Can you hear the loons drifting across the bay?
Feel their echo so oft far away
Hear, O hear the white-laps roar
Their foaming breakers against the shore
Hear the whispering in the trees
Made by the soft caressing breeze
Do you know an Island Big where the forest sings
With the glimmering trails and mossy springs?
Can you hear the loons drifting across the bay?
And their echo so oft far away
Hear, O hear the white-laps roar
Their foaming breakers against the shore
The mountains are lighted with sunset hues
Soon they'll be darkened in deepest blues
See the water dancing bright
Under the moon-beam's mystic light
A rabbit here and a squirrel there
Birds making melody everywhere
A changing view every turn we take
In all its moods we love Blue Sea Lake
No game to play
I've come to show that I'm okay
But I am not and I won't stay
And so I will go away
It really bothers me
I go find a game
That I can play with little ease
It's the same
It seems so lame and I feel so ashamed
I guess there's no one else I can blame
The only one is me
Chorus:
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I don't belong here anymore
[Chorus]
Now I go find someone
I wander around 'til I'm finally done
It seems there's nobody around that I need
No one to find at my own speed
It leaves me so empty
[Repeat chorus a few times]
I've come to show that I'm okay
But I am not and I won't stay
And so I will go away
It really bothers me
I go find a game
That I can play with little ease
It's the same
It seems so lame and I feel so ashamed
I guess there's no one else I can blame
The only one is me
Chorus:
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I don't belong here anymore
[Chorus]
Now I go find someone
I wander around 'til I'm finally done
It seems there's nobody around that I need
No one to find at my own speed
It leaves me so empty
[Repeat chorus a few times]
She might be leaving you
What are you supposed to do
Chorus:
Don't let it get you down
Don't let it get you down
You try to get away
From yesterday
[Chorus]
What are the trying to hide
By keeping everything inside?
[Chorus]
What are you supposed to do
Chorus:
Don't let it get you down
Don't let it get you down
You try to get away
From yesterday
[Chorus]
What are the trying to hide
By keeping everything inside?
[Chorus]
Where has the time gone, it's disappeared
Before you know it's another year
Youth just seems to slip away
So much to do but I dream today
Chorus:
For my dreams to come true
I must live what I do
Where has the time gone, it just leaps away
Tomorrow has come before today
Time's current is too strong to bare
You're too far downstream before you care
[Chorus]
Where has the time gone, it's just too fast
One moment is gone, it didn’t seem to last
And now it's time for us to part
But only time can take us to another start
[Chorus]
Before you know it's another year
Youth just seems to slip away
So much to do but I dream today
Chorus:
For my dreams to come true
I must live what I do
Where has the time gone, it just leaps away
Tomorrow has come before today
Time's current is too strong to bare
You're too far downstream before you care
[Chorus]
Where has the time gone, it's just too fast
One moment is gone, it didn’t seem to last
And now it's time for us to part
But only time can take us to another start
[Chorus]
So you think the world has let you down
You better find some way to turn it around
Don't get so paranoid
Those thoughts you should avoid
Chorus:
Learn to breathe
Learn to breathe
Don't sit around worried about what to do
Self pity ain't gonna help to see it through
If you don't have what you've sought
Then seek out what you've got
[Chorus]
Don’t think that you have got it bad
Don’t think about what you have had
The world is not as you perceive
Don't let yourself deceive
[Chorus]
The world's not as you perceive
[Chorus 2x]
You better find some way to turn it around
Don't get so paranoid
Those thoughts you should avoid
Chorus:
Learn to breathe
Learn to breathe
Don't sit around worried about what to do
Self pity ain't gonna help to see it through
If you don't have what you've sought
Then seek out what you've got
[Chorus]
Don’t think that you have got it bad
Don’t think about what you have had
The world is not as you perceive
Don't let yourself deceive
[Chorus]
The world's not as you perceive
[Chorus 2x]
What's bothering you
Will see itself through
Give it time my friend
It'll come to its end
Just keep holding on
Just keep staying strong
Just keep in mind this will all be gone
Real soon
Chorus:
I know it's rough
And times get so tough
But you will find
Some peace of mind
Seek out those who
Bring you out of your blues
Do the things you love to do
Though you may not want to
I know how it is
I've been down there too
But I have learned there's so much out there
Yet to do
[Chorus]
We've all been there
From time to time
But always remember to trust in yourself
I'm sure you will do fine
In hours of darkness, there’s always light
Dawn always comes after the night
Don’t take this on your own
You are not alone
[Chorus 2x]
Will see itself through
Give it time my friend
It'll come to its end
Just keep holding on
Just keep staying strong
Just keep in mind this will all be gone
Real soon
Chorus:
I know it's rough
And times get so tough
But you will find
Some peace of mind
Seek out those who
Bring you out of your blues
Do the things you love to do
Though you may not want to
I know how it is
I've been down there too
But I have learned there's so much out there
Yet to do
[Chorus]
We've all been there
From time to time
But always remember to trust in yourself
I'm sure you will do fine
In hours of darkness, there’s always light
Dawn always comes after the night
Don’t take this on your own
You are not alone
[Chorus 2x]
Spirits seem to call
When shadows start to fall
When dark consumes the day
And the light will not stay
Nothing seems to be right
Deep in the heart of the night
Monochrome colours fill the sky
Birds no longer try to fly
The forest conceals all it can hide
And the moon turns the tide
Everything seems to take its flight
Deep in the heart of the night
My thoughts are all in spin
I'm trying to get to sleep
But I will not win
To the troubles that are deep
When shadows start to fall
Spirits seem to call
But day will break the sky
And the dark will drift by
Finding my way to the open light
Deep in the heart of the night
Everything will work out right
When the heart of the night will take its flight
When shadows start to fall
When dark consumes the day
And the light will not stay
Nothing seems to be right
Deep in the heart of the night
Monochrome colours fill the sky
Birds no longer try to fly
The forest conceals all it can hide
And the moon turns the tide
Everything seems to take its flight
Deep in the heart of the night
My thoughts are all in spin
I'm trying to get to sleep
But I will not win
To the troubles that are deep
When shadows start to fall
Spirits seem to call
But day will break the sky
And the dark will drift by
Finding my way to the open light
Deep in the heart of the night
Everything will work out right
When the heart of the night will take its flight
My friends took me out for a night on the town
I had no clue what was about to go down
They took me out to celebrate
I didn't know it would seal my fate
With each place we went I had a lot
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
We just kept going, we didn't stop
With each drink we filled it to the top
It kept on going like it would never end
Until we had not a dime to spend
A good time, that was all we sought
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
Drinks of whiskey and drinks of beer
Drinks of scotch until I couldn't see clear
Worrying not what tomorrow would bring
I didn't know that my life, I would cling
Now that night for me is all forgot
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
I don't know if I made it home that night
But now I can't see, I've lost my sight
It's now the next day, what a price I've paid
I'll just lie but I think I need first-aid
A lesson learned is a lesson taught
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
I had no clue what was about to go down
They took me out to celebrate
I didn't know it would seal my fate
With each place we went I had a lot
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
We just kept going, we didn't stop
With each drink we filled it to the top
It kept on going like it would never end
Until we had not a dime to spend
A good time, that was all we sought
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
Drinks of whiskey and drinks of beer
Drinks of scotch until I couldn't see clear
Worrying not what tomorrow would bring
I didn't know that my life, I would cling
Now that night for me is all forgot
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
I don't know if I made it home that night
But now I can't see, I've lost my sight
It's now the next day, what a price I've paid
I'll just lie but I think I need first-aid
A lesson learned is a lesson taught
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
I just turned 19 and my liver is shot
For every name there's a person
Who wished for a return
To see them once again
For their love they yearned
For every name there's a place
Where they had once touched
All the people they knew
Of a place they loved so much
For every name there's a story
Of a life and a way
That could've continued on
It's a heavy a price to pay
For every name there's a message
For those who want to even the score
Remember who's left behind
Who take the burden of war
Who wished for a return
To see them once again
For their love they yearned
For every name there's a place
Where they had once touched
All the people they knew
Of a place they loved so much
For every name there's a story
Of a life and a way
That could've continued on
It's a heavy a price to pay
For every name there's a message
For those who want to even the score
Remember who's left behind
Who take the burden of war
We were so young
Not worried what came our way
But time is gone
Not sure what else to say
Was time to move on
But not so far away
But we lost touch
I won't pretend that it's okay
Chorus:
I'd hate to lose a friend again
I'd hate to lose a friend again
Content but unsure
We would both just hang out
But I could not be
Lost within my self-doubt
Was time to move on
But not so far away
But we lost touch
I won't pretend that it's okay
[Chorus]
I know that we
Will one day part
It’s what life brings
With another start
I know it's true
What can I do?
I'll let it be
What's ahead of me
Is it time to move on?
Hopefully not far away
If I lose touch
I won't pretend that it's okay
[Chorus 2x]
Not worried what came our way
But time is gone
Not sure what else to say
Was time to move on
But not so far away
But we lost touch
I won't pretend that it's okay
Chorus:
I'd hate to lose a friend again
I'd hate to lose a friend again
Content but unsure
We would both just hang out
But I could not be
Lost within my self-doubt
Was time to move on
But not so far away
But we lost touch
I won't pretend that it's okay
[Chorus]
I know that we
Will one day part
It’s what life brings
With another start
I know it's true
What can I do?
I'll let it be
What's ahead of me
Is it time to move on?
Hopefully not far away
If I lose touch
I won't pretend that it's okay
[Chorus 2x]
I don't want to go, I don't want to stay
I'm stuck in between going my own way
I often sink too deep that I won't get out
But if I'm to leave, will I always doubt?
Chorus:
I feel like I'm nowhere
I feel like I'm nowhere
I feel like I'm nowhere
I feel like I'm nowhere
I know that I could give somebody new
There chance to go and see it through
Sometimes I question everything around
A lesson in esteem is all I've found
[Chorus]
Not really an ideal case
But it seems just like the right place
For me every time
It's all I find
I suppose that I could go and try to find
Another place to know what I leave behind
I find it hard to leave once I choose
To let people in where I refuse
Everyone who has, has meant something to me
[Chorus]
I'm stuck in between going my own way
I often sink too deep that I won't get out
But if I'm to leave, will I always doubt?
Chorus:
I feel like I'm nowhere
I feel like I'm nowhere
I feel like I'm nowhere
I feel like I'm nowhere
I know that I could give somebody new
There chance to go and see it through
Sometimes I question everything around
A lesson in esteem is all I've found
[Chorus]
Not really an ideal case
But it seems just like the right place
For me every time
It's all I find
I suppose that I could go and try to find
Another place to know what I leave behind
I find it hard to leave once I choose
To let people in where I refuse
Everyone who has, has meant something to me
[Chorus]
Remember all the times that we shared
Let us not all despair
So let's all have a drink
Let us all start to think
Of a time that we knew was fun
Let all faults be forgiven
Yours and mine and in between
Let there be no regrets
Let us not forget
Why we all came to be
Chorus:
Raise a glass in a toast to the ones who have gone
Raise a glass to the ones that are free
Raise a glass in a toast to the ones here today
Raise a glass for you and me
No troubles here tonight
Our worries all have fled
Give praise to the living
Kind words for the dead
[Chorus]
Remember all the times that we shared
Let us not all despair
So let's all have a drink
Let us all start to think
Of a time that we knew was fun
[Chorus 2x]
Let us not all despair
So let's all have a drink
Let us all start to think
Of a time that we knew was fun
Let all faults be forgiven
Yours and mine and in between
Let there be no regrets
Let us not forget
Why we all came to be
Chorus:
Raise a glass in a toast to the ones who have gone
Raise a glass to the ones that are free
Raise a glass in a toast to the ones here today
Raise a glass for you and me
No troubles here tonight
Our worries all have fled
Give praise to the living
Kind words for the dead
[Chorus]
Remember all the times that we shared
Let us not all despair
So let's all have a drink
Let us all start to think
Of a time that we knew was fun
[Chorus 2x]
Don't want to be like them
Is that what we are looking for?
Assimilation and degradation
Of things we hold with pride
Of things we share and things we take in stride
It's coming apart, oh well
What we'll see and what we'll hear
Will come in loud and clear
From somewhere else
Know your friends and treat them well
Know your enemies, make sure they're in hell
Helping the ones who help themselves
Leaving those to find their way who have fell
Silence those who don't agree
So the truth we cannot see
Don't want to be like them
Is that what we are looking for?
Assimilation and degradation
Is that what we're looking for?
Is that what we're looking for?
Is that what we're looking for?
Is that what we are looking for?
Assimilation and degradation
Of things we hold with pride
Of things we share and things we take in stride
It's coming apart, oh well
What we'll see and what we'll hear
Will come in loud and clear
From somewhere else
Know your friends and treat them well
Know your enemies, make sure they're in hell
Helping the ones who help themselves
Leaving those to find their way who have fell
Silence those who don't agree
So the truth we cannot see
Don't want to be like them
Is that what we are looking for?
Assimilation and degradation
Is that what we're looking for?
Is that what we're looking for?
Is that what we're looking for?
All songs written by Kevin Ballantyne except where noted
With my second album, A Poet & A One Man Band, the styles of music are more succinct. I’ve always liked both folk music and hard rock so most of the songs on this album are these genres. I did however sneak in a synth-pop inspired song on a dare (‘Is That What We’re Looking For?’).
As with my first album, the lyrics are based on personal experience.
Some are still stories but their origins are from experiences and not just titles. In the case of ‘In And Out’, I wrote it after meeting someone on a train to Toronto. The gentleman, who had just been released from a detention centre, was caught smoking on the train and was detained at the next stop. 'I Just Turned 19 And My Liver Is Shot' is somewhat personal experience. A group of us were out celebrating the 19th birthday of the brother of one of my friends. This line came up sometime in the night.
The times spent at my cottage also feature in my songs and lyrics. ‘Blue Sea Lake’ is the name of the lake which my cottage resides. The words in the song are from a poem written by one of the original cottagers on the lake. In front of my cottage stands a tall hemlock tree where I used to stare out from the window and let my mind wander. This became the first line and theme for ‘Come Summer’s End’. ‘Deep In The Heart of The Night’ was the first song I wrote with words. They represent my wild imagination while I struggled to sleep in the dark nights at the cottage.
As for some of the other songs, 'Where Has The Time Gone?' I wrote when I turned 30, 'For Every Name' I wrote on Remembrance Day and 'Some Peace of Mind' was written for a friend who was going through some troubled times.
The painting was painted by my brother Neil and was inspired by the song 'Homeward Bound' by Simon & Garfunkel. The title of the album was a line taken from that song.
All instruments played or arranged by Kevin Ballantyne
Recorded between 2011-2013 at Soñar Studios in Ottawa, Canada
Front cover painted by Neil Ballantyne
© 2014