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lyrics

It's been 400 years of pavement on pavement
The dark turns to light and light slips away and
I watch from the balcony
Lead flaking down to the street

These dizzying heights bring uncomfortable feelings
The bottom is distant, the path is unyielding
And layer and layers of scaffolding
Lay in between

Deep in the thick where the meat wears thin
Off the bodies of hard-praying women and men
There are figures who silently scream
This life is a lie

They say that power and chaos are all that is natural
The soul is a lie and the brain ticks out factual feelings
Consistently sad when
Your father has died.

But don't you want to hear something that whistles and cries?
Don't you wanna see something that kisses your eye?
Ain't life something you're gonna miss when you die?

Well by a slow-moving river Lord I once lay my head
On an old wooden dock they said would last till I was dead
Now the river's run off with it
I find myself gathering wood

And while some swear that river did not used to run
There are others who scoff as they stand in the sun
Getting angry 'cause anger is fun
When you're safe and warm

But don't you wanna see sequoias growing high above your head?
Don't you wanna listen to the words the ones you love have said?
Ain't life something you're gonna miss when you're dead?

When I am scared every sentence I hear is wrong
And nothing here works but everything moves along
Ain't it funny how movement don't stop when the day is gone
When the night is long?

Well it's been 400 years since they came for their payment
From almighty God and the fruits of enslavement
It's hard to believe that this dream baby
Really is real

I put my stake in the ground but I find myself drifting
Till some soul or song or word comes a-lifting
Itself through the universe
Asking me to carry myself along

Well don't you wanna see crowds multiply out in the street?
Don't you wanna be alone with waves crashing at your feet?
Ain't the wind so cool when i blows on through your bed?
Don't you wanna hear thunder clapping high above your head?
And don't you wanna smell the barbecue on a Sunday afternoon?
Ain't it sad when your eyes grow so hard so soon?
Don't you wanna feel your lover moving so slow and strong?
Don't you wanna teach your children what's right and what's wrong?
And ain't life something you're gonna miss when you're gone?
And ain't life something you're gonna miss when you're gone?
Ain't you gonna miss this life when you're all dead and gone?
And ain't life something you're gonna miss when you're gone?

credits

from Live at Rockwood Music Hall, released April 15, 2015
Nick Bloom: Guitar/Vocals
David Halpern: Bass/Vocals
Reid Jenkins: Violin/Vocals
Written by Nick Bloom

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Bold Forbes New York, New York

Bold Forbes blends the stories and poetry of the folk-singer tradition with genre-busting arrangements for strings and voice. Lyricist Nick Bloom writes songs that above all urge the listener to feel life deeply, while bassist David Halpern and violinist Reid Jenkins create arrangements that haunt, surprise, and inspire, creating a sound both challenging and eminently listenable. ... more

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