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Hear the City

by Casey Stratton

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1.
2.
Waiting for gravity to take hold Corner of West 4th street and my soul This is a frequency I know Watching the people come and go This is where it began so long ago How could I know how much would change though? But it all did Signed my name and entered a dream Built up a world from dust and sand Gave it all of me But nothing looked like it should have in the end Turned the page and went off the map I was so surprised by the final act So I buried my head in that fateful sand And the tiger laid down to rest And turned his attention to healing the wounds So say you understand And take me back to where I belong And say there is a way A dawning day Another song
3.
Up from the train Sidewalks icy I made my way East on 9th street A portrait framed Steam was rising The dark betrayed The eight o’clock hour Music was made In a dimly lit ballroom I thought of LA When I first heard those songs A warm embrace The comfort of an old friend With a kiss-stained face I went back to the bar And outside the snow reflected in light Candles in the windows brought peace to the night I said my goodbyes When the show was over Back into the night And the piercing cold Made the second right And the city came back to life Hurried toward the train Strangers packed together on the subway A forced sense of avoiding each other’s gaze 125th street Back in Harlem Digging for keys At 1 am Windy tears were freezing As I rounded the corner I smiled, recalling the night “Tomorrow it’s here” I thought as I Reached over and turned out the light Hear the city Never sleeping Hear the city
4.
Inside Out 04:30
No need for translation You understand me perfectly well Needed this conversation I’d lost some of my confidence in Hell When it played out I thought I’d failed I said out loud I felt derailed But I can find A way back out I can’t be sure But something is inside out You said things I’d never thought of I sometimes can’t get out of my own way Too often I beat myself up Too often feel the loss right out of the gate I needed this Rallied my spirit And years ago, pulled myself up off the floor I would not be silenced by their sound If I did it then, I can surely rise again Not a question of if but only when
5.
Transpose 04:53
Known you all so long But still there remains a forward motion Picked up where we left off With a shorthand We waited far too long To recreate that infamous performance Knew it all along We’re connected I always knew you well I always could foretell That we would stay this close That we could easily transpose Bring me another drink I just want to savor the moment I wouldn’t even think Of leaving yet I’m never very far From the northern woods that brought us all together Wherever you are I am there I never thought I’d be so drawn To anyone, to anywhere But here I am, and here you are We’ve come so far, these rising stars
6.
Questions 05:10
All we express What does it mean? Take it all in Explore all the scenes Paint on a canvas A sculpture displayed An urban photograph Memories saved Pastoral scenes Of beauty and light Captured a world Much different than mine Yet still we find They speak to us A universal world in the art But how do we see? And how do we know? How do we create And make these ghosts? What does it mean To the world as a whole? Our stories told? Shape and form An object or sound A guiding narrative From something found Making something from nothing To feel less alone Yet an artist’s vision Is only their own Maybe the point is to ask the questions Maybe what it’s worth Is inside the human mind And where we find a connection Yet still I wonder why We must create Where does the impulse come from? And why do others decide We don’t deserve that life? All we express But what does it mean? And what is an artist And what is a dream? It’s a question of knowledge And a question of craft A question of passion And the questions asked It’s a question of talent And a question of faith A question of feeling Combined with technique And if you have to ask Then you’re on the right path It’s the ones who don’t Who cannot understand
7.
The Library 06:14
Many paths all leading to the same place Sacred books, a guide to saving grace Hundreds of years displayed through pages of text Each word painstakingly scribed from one to the next Wandered down the halls feeling the history Marbled walls and frescoes on the ceilings Rooms and rooms of knowledge, stories told The beauty in the construction, reverence of old So much here to find and learn, can we listen? What connects us separates us for no reason If we wanted to make real change We’d remember what makes us the same Read the wisdom that’s there and is plain So much knowledge to gain Open our minds – step inside We have all we need to know So why do we push so hard to show That only we know which way to go? There is so much pain – so much war in this world There is so much fear – so much hate in our souls We will dominate only when we go to the source Lives inside of every one of us under every stone Under every stone
8.
Valentine 05:09
I know we have been estranged Look and see nothing in your gaze But I beg you – can we try one more time? I’m not ready to leave this life That we have made It’s not only us here to save So please don’t leave me here tonight Don’t leave me here tonight Don’t go just yet I know time has not been kind But once, you must remember, happier times Can we get back there or maybe at least try To make this work, you and I I don’t want the end of us to look like this
9.
Caught in the weather Snow covered everything I felt much better Back for the brass ring Close to an answer In love with Hudson Street All of us together We want it all Ambition that’s blinding The sound of the fall Had left me unwinding Answered the call Then found you were hiding But we want it all With a silver lining If I return here Will I find a path forth I am myself here Tapping into the source I feel it’s right Nothing that’s worth anything Is ever easy I’ll keep on trying In hopes of freeing A contented feeling

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released February 4, 2011

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Casey Stratton Grand Rapids

Formerly signed to Sony Classical, Casey Stratton has experienced the corporate side of music in full force. His 2004 album "Standing at the Edge" received high critical praise from the likes of Billboard, People and USA Today. His song "House of Jupiter" reached #1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart. Now independent, Casey has released 28 albums and much, much more. ... more

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