Peter Conover—Falcon
All songs, words & music by P. Conover © 2000 except where noted otherwise.
Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. All rights reserved.

Click a song title to go to its lyrics.
	Falcon		Randy		What We Came Here For
	Don’t Forget That She Is Hers		Stay		The Wheel Will Turn
	Message Into Time		Four Winds		Call
	Chain and Ball		Cerridwen

FALCON words, P. Conover / music, “Ma Douce Amie‚” traditional Acadian
	well met, well met, my love, friend,
		from the fire I fly, returned
	well met, well met, my love, friend
		from the fight I come, unburned
	like a falcon soaring, and diving, and stooping fast
		for a kill at last,
	I kill for you, my love, friend,
		I call for you, my love
	I call, I call, my love, friend,
		for the ghosts are calling me
	the wind blows chill where I fly, love,
		cold, but friend, my flight is free
	like a falcon soaring, and diving, and stooping fast
		for a kill at last,
	I kill for you, my love, friend,
		I call for you, my love I call for you, my love I call for you, my love
	and so I call, and so I call, I call three times, strum three times, blow again three times, and three times drum, and call, and call, I'm calling you and still I call, and still I call, I call three times, strum three times, blow again three times, and three times drum, and call, and call, I'm calling you I call, I call, my love, friend
		for the ghosts are calling me
	the wind blows chill where I fly, love,
		cold, but friend, my flight is free
	like a falcon soaring, and diving, and stooping fast
		for a kill at last, I kill for you, my love, friend, I call for you, my love I call for you, my love I call for you, my love

DON’T FORGET THAT SHE IS HERS words and music, P. Conover

so you're now her lover fancy meeting you here have one on me yes I guess I've known her for some time so she's found another well, I always wondered who would you be no I won't claim to you she's mine but hear and I'll give you some advice, friend I know how locked she keeps her doors if you want to love her 'til your lives end don't pretend that she is yours don't pretend that she is yours has she simply handed her trust undemanded by you to you well, that's good then she's over my old pain I'd raved and I'd ranted afraid I'd be stranded and tied her to my needs 'til she had to break and change but see in her face the strength that's grown there released from fear her freedom stirs if you need her spirit and her warmth shared don't forget that she is hers don't forget that she is hers well, you don't look stupid but take her for granted and you will be just remember how I know if you're who she's needed then all she and I did is lies to me no please don't even tell her hello but do touch her gently where she's held mine and never doubt her word as true and if she calls my name in the nighttime just pretend that I am you just pretend that I am you

MESSAGE INTO TIME words and music, P. Conover
	DOWN, INSIDE, UPSIDE DOWN, THE SKY GROWS GRAYER, AND RAINS, ON FROWN
		PLASTERED, HAUNTING, FACELESS BOY, CONTEMPLATING THIS SNACKING MESS
			ARRIVED FROM MANY TOWNS, THESE EDIBLE EATS AND GRAVIES BROWN
				FEED CROWDS, CONSOLING GUESTS, WHO SHAKE THEIR BOY, CALL HIM MAN, AND BLESS
					THE MEMORY OF HER.
	EACH ONE, LAP UP, AMONG SWEET COFFEE CONVERSATIONS, GOES ON
		EATING, TALKING, AS WILL PLEASE THEMSELVES, SAD, PASSIVE TIME TO FILL
			CALLING ALL TO BE STRONG, BUT LIFELESS BOYMAN SINGS, BECAUSE WRONG
				IS BEING DONE, TO STILL CONTINUE CHATTING ALONG OF ILL
					THAT KILLED HER
	WHILE OFF, HE TIRES, ALONE, OF TRYING TO PRETEND HE'S AT HOME
		WITH THESE CLOSE STRANGERS, KISSING AROUND THE FLOWERS, CAKES, THEY MISS
			THE POINT, AND NOT A ONE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S RELEASED FROM
				BY HER DEATH, NOT NEEDLESS, YET WILL THEY PET HIM, AND STILL INSIST
					THAT SHE'S HIS MOTHER
	THIS MESSAGE INTO TIME, HE SENDS, CONCERNING NO PAIN OF MIND,
		TOO OBJECTIVELY PENNED, TO WINDS, SAFE EMOTIONS BLANDLY BLEND
			MIXED OVER SMILING WINE, FOR FRIENDS, UNFELT, AND KEPT FROM HIS KIND
				BUT, DEEP IN HIM, WHEN ENDINGS END, THEN FILES HE THESE FEELINGS IN
					HIS OTHER:
	Mother, they
		won't let me lone to say
				to her, hey
					goodbye to yesterday...
						now I must leave her.
	tomorrow on his sun seared soul searching plain of thought does not interfere simply speaking Mr. Memory distracted from minding the myth of life is troubled deeply steeped in worried shadows unseeing over going a pending waiting listing of personal skeletons from out of a time when there was once
		a time when there was a time when there a time when a time a

t last, he cries, "i'm free," he sighs, only, to rudely, awaken,

	cold, to chatter, of bony, fingers, pounding, unmercifully, his sleep, disturbed, he stares, blankly, around, blinking, in sound, "who's rattling, all that racket, out there, in here," he wants, to know, and, several, of his, friendly, skeletons, reply, to him, in chorus, "there was a time when there was once
		a time when there was a time when there a time when a time a

t once," he leaps grabs pants pulls boots packs straps

	On kniVes and cAnteens; ready! for-inaction steady! he-stands-de-mands,
	silent... ly of	(sudden)	(sunless)	Darkness:

"Owhyareyouso empty whyistheresuchaprofoundandmerciless lack

of of

n

o

t

h

i

n

g

within you?"

	ONCE UPON A TIME when there was ONCE
		A TIME when there WAS A TIME when THERE A TIME WHEN A TIME A

T A LITTLE RED LIBRARY LOCATED LONG LONG AGO IN A

	FARAWAY SOUL FOG FOULED AND DREARY DRAGONED THERE LIVED FITFULLY IN A DYING DWELLING A FAIRYTALE BEING THE SOLITARY PRISONER OF HIS INTERNAL UNIVERSE THAT WAS SO TINY WAITING FOR WALLS WITHOUT AWARENESS UNTIL ONE STORMY EVE HIS SKELETON WAS TAKEN BY BLACK KNIGHTS IN AMOUR AND LOCKED WITH THE
	rest for	a time when there was once a time when there was a time when there a time when a time a

t which point he steps now searchingly among them

	bones them bones them bones them bones gonna rise about him hindering his hunt for himself among the singing skeletal choir each identical no identity for Memory oh Mr. Memory you are not quite cruel enough to truly toughen your will to recover all that is left you is a foolish explanation you sell yourself of a time when there was once
		a time when there was a time when there a time when a time a

t

CHAIN AND BALL words and music, P. Conover
	sister can you teach me how to face-dance you brother can I reach you now the hours clock through your image woman haunts me in the mirror's light your jokes return to daunt me man in dawn's first light ONCE AGAIN MY FRIGHTENED FRIENDS WE SAY SO LONG IT'S RIGHT OUR SHAKING HANDS RELEASE OUR CARES FROM BONDS STILL I MUST SO MISS YOU BOTH THAT SOMETHING STILL FEELS WRONG
		your effect is devastating girl boy I hear your laugh across the world it's a chain and ball hear my heartbreak's call freed but chained and balled
	BROTHER BURN HER DOWN AND STRIP AND RIP HER BOX TAKE HER BY HER GREED FOR GLITTER SOLD AND BOUGHT GRAB WHAT SHE WON'T GIVE AND
			give it all you've got
	SISTER SUCK HIM UNDER FAKE IT BREAK HIS ROCKS STROKE HIM BY HIS NEED FOR OWNING WHAT HE'S LOST STEAL WHAT YOU DON'T WANT AND
			hide it in your frost
		chain the other bound and ball ball the other chained and crawl chain and ball chain and ball chain and ball
	BROTHER COME IS OFTEN RUTHLESS AND DESIRE TOO CRUEL YOU CALL IT LOVE PREFER THE DARK AND ACT HER TOOL ENJOY YOUR

		safe frustration like a good caged ghoul
	YOU WANT TO WANT HIM SISTER LESS AND LESS AND RISE MORE AND MORE ABOVE HIS SHRINKING TOY IN YOUR TRAPPED THIGHS ATTACH HIM
		to your self-contempt and vacant eyes

		nothing out of something grunting grinds tying knots in desperation binds slaves whores chained and balled crave wars chains and balls forge more chain and ball
	sister your society is training you to chains brother your religions preach you balls instead of brains masters ball us all

AND CHAIN OUR BACKS TO TAXING DRAINS

	STICK DADDY'S ARMY POLITICS AND COUNT THE VOTES YOURSELF QUIT MOTHER'S CHURCH OF REASONS AND IGNORE COMMANDS OF WEALTH GO WITNESS AND CREATE THE DAY AND STUDY HUNTING STEALTH
		sister join your brother on the road brother help your sister share the load catch that chain and ball board that chain and ball ride that chain and ball
	choose your best survival ticket let it be answer no one's questions ask them constantly HUSTLERS DISGUISED AS ARTISTS WORK THE CRACKS UNDERGROUND AROUND THE SYSTEM'S RED-TAPE STACKS AND ON THEIR PACKAGE ERRANDS PASS THE HASH-OIL RATS HUNGRY ANGRY LONESOME RIDERS CRAVING FIRE SMOKY-THROATED MONKEY-BACKS ON CAFFEINE WIRES COMPULSION GAMES CONFUSE ME STRANGER CHRIST I'M TIRED
		don't trust the train conductor man to know what transfer you should take or where it goes junk's a chain and ball jails your veins enthralled fails and bleeds you small
	do you travel on the same old demon track as I do you wear the scars or fear the People of the Lie ENDLESS AND PERSISTENT RAW OBSESSION BURNS YESTERDAYS MY DREAMS RECALL YOUR SLEEP YOUR TURNS YOU'RE A GIFT OF POWER AND THE MEMORY LEARNS CHECK IT OUT A SHARK HE CUTS HIS CARDS SO GUARD YOUR GUTS WATCH A POISONED FAIRY JERKS HIS WORM AND BEGS FOR BUTT PULL YOUR KNIFE AND COCK THE BLADE HE PUTS HIS ZIPPER UP
		Jesus let me off this hellbound train alone I'd rather thumb it in the rain pick me up past all highways rails and walls take this chain and balL
	control is only earned when you can lose it friend dallying with forms distracts you from your end squeezed between the future and the past is now the secret of belief without belief is how BORDER GUARDS SEARCH MY GUITAR AND SNIFF THE CASE FOR HEAT PERMIT FROM POLICE REQUIRED TO GIG BIG BROTHER'S STREET WHERE BAGS AND HAGS AND FAGS AND FILMS AND PROPAGANDA TREATS HOOK CUSTOMERS LIKE US WHOSE BLUNTED VISION WALKS ASLEEP IN TEEVEE LAND SUPPLY DEMANDS WE PLAY CHARADES FOR KEEPS THEY FEED US PHONY MAGIC'S APATHETIC CATCHY BEATS NOBODY WANTS THE REAL STUFF IT MIGHT WAKE THEM UP TOO DEEP I'm told the most important skill in strife is style controlled and censored reminiscing kills the child the child you were and cannot be but dies defiled NOBODY WARNED ME FREEDOM COSTS A SHAMAN'S PRICE GOTTA WORK SOME COOL AND DROP THIS DEADLY ICE GOTTA GO REWRITE THE RULES OR BREAK THEM TWICE
		love the ghost of your arm shadows mine buddy we're companions caught by time wake before we fall shake the mask stand tall break this chain and ball

RANDY words and music, P. Conover
	teachers they don't need to be remembered nor do politicians or bands time will speak for noises who have thundered but history hides the little man
		nobody can talk life and die this ain't a plan
	and He never came back never came back left His cross and never returned man what do you know and what do you lack crucify and wait for your turn ask the righteous fighters of the might pack why they're looking up where they stand call a count of how the arms will be racked don't laugh the joke is in your hands
		was He just a man can't trust your eyes this ain't a plan
	Hell will tell you Paradise is empty Hell will show you only get old Hell will give you pride enough to judge me well I've been there it's pretty cold hear the tale of my old buddy Randy Randy died of bearing a brand card sharp pro magician very handy dealt me in in the prison can
		where they teach the damned to spot good buys this ain't a plan
	Rand and me were sentenced to free will then caged behind bars we had designed I escaped one day and there I left him down digging graves and drinking wine Randy picked a wicked Stratocaster grabbed more consciousness on demand his aim himself he cruelly learned to master taught me tricks while our egos jammed
		born of the land he could not cry this ain't a plan
	Randy'd read a library of good books Randy intellectualized wars Randy flew illusion far as it took and we used friendship like two whores he told me once that when he was a new child he knew hearts but older began running from the touch of love and turned wild they chained and marked him 'cause he ran
		he was just a man wrong in their eyes this ain't a plan
	I don't want to go back never go back I recall that cell in the dark still I must burn signals through the sharp black that's how the branded lose the mark met the Buddha on the road and killed him nowhere's at the end of each track the game is rigged no gaining and no losing there is no secret you can crack
		why build on sand how come such lies this ain't a plan
	Randy's gone his stunts and gimmicks wasted silence says we can't understand time has taped his story and erased it you're alive so look at your hands

STAY words and music, P. Conover
	I woke up from a dream about her
		as the night became our day;
	but what I dreamed, I could not remember -
		my dreams
			are always that way.
	My memory follows me in a form much clearer; I follow winds that teach my soul how to see; and I will always and clearly remember
		how she has come to me.
	I can see her right now as I saw her
		when the night became our day;
	she asked me what my eyes could tell her,
		and I said,
			Let me put it this way: Can I stay? I want to stay. May I stay? Let me stay.
	I've awakened from too many nightmares,
		and they weren't all in my mind;
	I've walked a long road, and I'm bored with terror -
		sometimes,
			I've had to go blind.
	Your reality factory is nothing but slavery; I'm through with thievery and wastings of time; and I must break my need for you or you'll break me -
		a belief I must find.
	I can feel her right now as I felt her
		when the night became our day;
	she asked me what my hands could tell her,
		and I said,
			Let me put it this way: Can I stay? I want to stay. May I stay? Let me stay. Let me stay.
	She came to me in a dream this morning
		as the night became our day;
	and when I woke, I could see her there, standing -
		her dreams
			can reach me that way.
	Her loving follows me in a force I'm feeling; she follows winds that carry her spirit free; and when I call to her from wherever I'm standing,
		she comes to stand beside me.
	I can hear her right now as I heard her
		when the night became our day;
	she asked me what my heart could tell her,
		and I said
			Let me put it this way: Can I stay? I want to stay. May I stay? Let me stay. Let me stay. Let me stay...
	For Keridwyn

FOUR WINDS words and music, P. Conover
	mother did you hear your child when you died
		singing with the north wind’s drive
	mother did you know your child never cried
		running just to stay alive
	other than a scream that faded like a dream
		nothing there remained to feel
	covering the clocks and building up the blocks
		and searching for a tear to steal
	lady have you held an egg in your womb
		growing with the east wind’s blow
	lady have you called a demon from his doom
		telling of the stones below
	maid your love of life still cutting like a knife
		stays the hand of deadly steel
	ready for a war you barricade the door
		but enemies inside get real
	brother took a step in quest of the best
		following the south wind’s heat
	brother took a dive and settled for the less
		wandering the empty streets
	lovers broke the trust and truth fell into rust
		wishes in the glass got slammed
	hovering before him visions of the whore
		haunted all the seconds damned
	mother did you know your son took the train
		howling in the west wind’s rain
	mother did you hear your son went insane
		pulling off to smoke the drain
	covering the faults and sealing up the vaults
		the boy is buried as we planned
	other than a song that isn’t very long
		time has taken down the man

CERRIDWEN words and music, P. Conover
	She will come to your arms in the dark of the moon;
		as a maiden most fair she'll seduce you.
	She will test your mettle with a riddle, my friend,
		so be sure that your heart answers
			true for you.
	She's the oldest of old ones, the wisest of wise;
		she knows all things, and nothing's forgotten.
	She will trick you to teach you, by truth and deceit,
		so be warned that her lessons bring
			death to men.
	She will show you the truth, she will show you a lie;
		truth and lies are all one in her wisdom.
	She will love you and hate you for being a man;
		love and hate are transmuted in
			her cauldron.

Chorus:

Powers of darkness, powers of light, all powers are one in her cauldron. Knowledge of everything dark or bright comes from the cauldron of Cerridwen.

	She will tell you she loves you, and give you a choice:
		she'll appear as the crone and the maiden;
	you may keep her by night as the crone, and by day
		as a beautiful maiden to
			show your friends.
	Or if show be no care of yours, then may you choose
		to behold her by day as the old one,
	and she'll shift her shape nightly, and for your delight
		as a lovely young maid to your
			bed she'll come.
	Now beware of this offer, and think on it well,
		for your life will depend on your answer;
	she has known many men, and too many have failed
		to respond with respect, or to
			care for her.

Chorus:

Powers of darkness, powers of light...

	She can bring you to ecstasy, or to your doom;
		she will yield to no man as her master.
	She will cut and destroy you if you do not hear
		from your heart the reply you must
			make to her:
	"My Lady, I love you, and all that you are,
		and I love by the power of your hand,
	and I'll love you in whatever form you appear -
		whether ancient or young, I will
			be your man."
	She will laugh, and she'll kiss you, and do you no harm;
		in her trust and protection she'll seal you.
	Though she will not be kept, she will dwell in your soul,
		and return with the moon to make
			love to you.

Chorus:

Powers of darkness, powers of light...

WHAT WE CAME HERE FOR words and music, P. Conover
	Never mind what the cards are revealing;
		there's a way of looking that is never shown.
	Never mind what the demons are saying;
		there's something we're forgetting that we've always known.
	Before the flood, I was sure of the picture
		and very certain we were tried and true;
	before the rug was pulled right out from under,
		I thought I knew just where I stood with you
	Was it a dream, or was it all a nightmare?
		I turned the light on and I stared at the door.
	I thought I'd slam it on my way out, and leave here
		then I remembered what we came here for... what we came here for. Our story needs to be told, and there's not much that we can hold

on to,

if we don't live the tale; the only way that we can fail

is by

		pretending we don't know what we came here for.
	Never mind what I thought I was seeing;
		it seems that I don't know what's really going on.
	Never mind what I thought I was doing;
		seems I'm the last to know when I've been getting it wrong.
	Before you came to me, I'd quit believing,
		but you believed in us despite my doubts.
	Before you make up your mind it's not working,
		I want to ask you what our trust was about.
	Is this the real thing, or have we been faking?
		I've got the feeling that we've been here before.
	The trickster fear can destroy what we're making;
		do you remember what we came here for... what we came here for? Our story needs to be told, and there's not much that we can hold

on to,

If we don't live the tale; the only way that we can fail

is by

pretending we don't know what we came here for... what we came here for.

THE WHEEL WILL TURN words and music, P. Conover
For Circle, Yule, 1995
	Black crows on the wing and
		white snows drifting deep;
	the holly is green, but
		the oaks are asleep.
	The crows call a warning
		on Midwinter's Day,
	that death is a hunter
		and all will fall prey.
	The Lady is grieving,
		The Lady is old;
	she cries for her son, whom
		she raised bright and bold:
	"Return to your mother,
		my warm one, my light!"
	She keeps a lamp burning
		on Midwinter's Night.

Chorus:

The Wheel will turn, return, return, the Wheel will turn, return, return, the Wheel will turn, return, return, return.

	I found a wren frozen
		beneath a tall fir;
	I tried to revive him,
		but he never stirred.
	The time of the darkness
		can take anyone,
	and on these long nights we
		remember the sun.
	The Lady is lonely,
		the Lady is cold;
	she cries for her brother,
		her lover of old:
	"Return to your sister,
		my warm one, my light!"
	She keeps a lamp burning
		on Midwinter's Night.

Chorus:

The Wheel will turn, return, return...

	I dreamed of a robin
		who sang at the dawn;
	the oaks were in bud and
		the holly was gone.
	The robin was singing,
		"Hey, when will you learn
	that life is a hunt, and
		the Wheel always turns?"
	The Lady is laughing,
		the Lady is glad;
	she holds her new baby
		and says to the lad:
	"Return to your people,
		my warm one, my light,
	for they've burned the lamps all
		the Midwinter's Night.

Chorus:

The Wheel will turn, return, return...

CALL words and music, P. Conover
	I'm a friend of the falcon; I'm a friend of the owl; I'm a brother to the timberwolf -
		can't you hear our brothers howl?
	I'm a friend of the dolphin; I'm a friend of the whale; I'm a brother to the wild mustang -
		this land was never yours to sell.
	Now you reckless developers, now you government fools, now you lawyers and you stockholders,
		play your games and fix the rules;
	you're investing big money, getting your bottom line, protecting what you call your interests,
		but the earth's not yours or mine. Daughters of the green earth, sons of the clear blue sky, children of the living waters, can't you hear your mother cry?
	I'm a friend of the rainforest; I'm a friend of the springs; I'm a brother to the golden eagle -
		can't you hear my brother's screams?
	I'm a friend of the tiger; I'm a friend of the bear; I'm a brother to the buffalo -
		this land was trusted to our care.
	Now you miners and loggers, now you corporate kings, now you real estate speculators,
		take your profits, buy your things;
	enjoy it while you've got it. Go on and smile, and wink; you're leaving nothing for your children;
		you refuse to stop and think. Warriors of the green earth, guardians of the sky, children of the living waters, can't you hear your mother cry?
	Call the friends of the falcon; call the friends of the owl; call the brothers of the timberwolf -
		can't you hear our brother's screams?
	Comes a poisonous wasteland, comes the death of the seas; won't be a rapture or a spaceship
		but they say we're just hugging trees.
	Come, the enemy's laughing; come, the enemy lies; know the enemy within ourselves -
		you can feel the toxins rise. Warriors of the green earth, guardians of the sky, children of the living waters, can't you hear your mother cry? Daughters of the green earth, sons of the clear blue sky, children of the living waters, can't you hear your mother cry?