Lyrics – Michael Jantzen

The Rhythm of the Earth (Jan, 2022)

The Rhythm of the Earth

(A tribute to Johnny Cash, written by Michael Jantzen, inspired by his autobiography)

I remember walkin’ through the woods to the riverbank,
gone fishin’ past dusk
Didn’t even need the moon to walk by,
oh the stars were enough
I remember the taste of sweet peas and okra,
straight from the plant
Eating handfuls of tomatoes ripe off the vine,
just a kid, in Arkansas

Bare feet all summer
My soles were like leather

I could feel the rhythm of the earth
The growing and the blooming oh ooooh
I could feel the rhythm of the earth
The fading and the dying in my bones

How I love to see the ackee trees opening,
in the warm Jamaican sun
And hear the rushing of the neighbourhood waterfall
when the rainy season comes
No banana in the world ever tasted so good,
as from my own backyard
All the stars in their brilliance any night of the year,
and it takes me back, to Arkansas

At 65-years old my bare feet still hold

I can feel the rhythm of the earth
The growing and the blooming oh ooooh
I can feel the rhythm of the earth
The fading and the dying in my bones
…
The growing and the blooming
The fading and the dying
I can feel the rhythm in my bones

The growing and the blooming
The fading and the dying
I still feel the rhythm of the earth

On Miracle Beach

(written by Michael Jantzen and Eric Macdonald)

On my driftwood bench watching you,
Skipping like a calf let loose
Your little bare feet must’ve found a new tune
Tossing dollars from the ocean blue
The salty wind nipping at your heels
Had no chance of catching you
Cause you were lost in perpetual motion like a spinning wheel
A little glimpse of heaven to help your father heal

You took me home away from home
Lost in your make-believe
Till I found myself again on Miracle Beach

Playing hard in the eye of a hurricane
Not a thought of the world all in pain
You didn’t seem to mind it was threatening rain
To you it was a perfect day
Look what the tide brought in for you
Oh pick up that big moonsnail
So many creatures beneath each boulder, a world all brand new
With eyes wide open you took away my blues

You took me home away from home
Lost in your make-believe
Till I found myself again on Miracle Beach

When you feel like a bird behind four walls
And you can’t seem to make flight at all
Oh head down to the shore and put your toes in the sand
And remember this gentle call
How the clouds bowed out for you
They saw your shadow ten feet tall
And I wrote this song of how you became my long lost muse
When your wings are broken, may it bring you healing too

And take you home away from home
Lost in your make-believe
Till you find yourself again on miracle beach

And take you home away from home,
Lost in your make-believe
May you find your home again
Find your home again
Find your home again
On miracle beach

Keeping Time

(Written by Michael Jantzen)

We’ve never been here before
With our hearts both on the floor
I know you hate pretense
So let’s forget the small talk and make amends

I looked back and I saw you falling
Falling way behind
I was glued to the horizon
And let your hand slip out of mine

When we’re going strong
Love repairs our wrongs
And when we’re keeping time
Oh how I love the shape of our melody lines

Remember how we moved together
Each measure side by side?
There ain’t nothing our love won’t cover
We don’t need no perfect rhymes

Would you join me for a number
I miss the sound of your voice and the touch of your hand
It may take a while to remember
I know it’s hard to let me back in but if you can
We’ll be keeping time

I know sometimes I get carried away
A little ahead of the beat
So this time, honey, would you set the pace?
Let’s make this journey sweet

Would you join me for a number
I miss the sound of your voice and the touch of your hand
It may take a while to remember
I know it’s hard to let me back in but if you can
We’ll be keeping time

Small Comforts

(Written by Michael Jantzen)

He walked right up to me on that cold December night
I was riding on the music, had no clue of his plight
Eyes rimmed with regret and all his resolve spent
He was trying hard to salvage a day he’d rather forget
I could hear it in his voice, he was trying to walk that line
The most honest thing I’d heard in a long time
Begging change for small comforts on that cold December night
Begging change for small comforts on that cold December night

A little rest for the weary, shelter from the rain
Small comforts in the dead of night to ease the pain

Oh it might’ve been the music or the sorrow in his eyes
Got me digging in my pockets, found enough for just one pint
As we both walked on in, I saw him get his second wind
In the valley of the shadow he just saw around the bend
When his hands found that lager, he was in for a surprise
The Sunday night blues took a load off his mind
Small comforts a plenty on that cold December night
Small comforts a plenty on that cold December night

A little rest for the weary, shelter from the rain
Small comforts in the dead of night to ease the pain

I thought about his smile as I made my way back home
Of the weight he must carry all on his own
Maybe what he needed was me to listen for a while
But $5.80, it was easier, than hearing how hard he tries
Oh I could’ve felt the better man, like I was in the know
But really we’re just walking the same road
Oh what if it was my hope sitting on death row?
God only knows the small comforts I hold

A little rest for the weary, shelter from the rain
Come and listen for a while and share your name
Small comforts a plenty on this cold December night
Small comforts a plenty on this cold December night

He Would Ride

(Written by Michael Jantzen)

Out on the eastern shore, running up and down the dunes
He lost all track of time like any child should
Glancing eastward, in no rush to get on home
Back to the confines of their cabin by the woods

Down at the schoolyard, trying to make his weekend plans
Hoping to have a sleepover with one of his good friends
He didn’t see it coming, an’ it hit him like a truck
His friend said, “I’m not allowed cause your parents are drunks.”

Why would anyone, if his son asked for bread,
give him rocks instead?
If only he had known how far he’d go

He would ride upon the highways
All the way from coast to coast
Right into the headwinds and always stay the course
For the thirsty children who don’t have it so good
Ride on till the water flowed

Out at the neighbours, safe away from home
Tubing down the river, lost in another world

Out in the pasture, taking care of Little Guy
The gelding he bought full of pride on his own dime
Toothless and ailing, he was the joke of the neighbourhood
He nursed that horse back to health with lots of love and attaboys

All the burdens would’ve left him for lame,
but for amazing grace
How sweet the sound of Michael on the road

He would ride upon the highways
All the way from coast to coast
Right into the headwinds and always stay the course
Cause home was where the harm was
No shelter from the storm
Ride on till the water flows

Down to the Coast

(Written by Michael Jantzen)

Lately our words all seem to fall short
When I put up my guard, what you mean gets ignored
I’m tryin’ to own my hurt before it owns me instead
Cause it feels like we’re oil and water, not friends

They say that iron sharpens iron
But I think we’ve gone and drawn blood again
I know it ain’t easy to learn how to love
The wayward stranger I’ve gone and become

Caught in the whirlwind
I lost who you are
Long nights moved in
And I looked past your heart

But one thing holds true
When we lose our ground
I’ll find my way to you
Sure as a river runs down
Down to the coast

I remember the day your dad said with pride
That you’d met your match and I’ve grown to know why
He called you a force to be reckoned with
And to tell you the truth, it’d be pretty hard to miss

But I wouldn’t have you, oh any other way
You’re a fire I don’t wanna tame
Each and every flame with its own hue
All the right shades of you

Caught in the whirlwind
I lost who you are
Long nights moved in
And I looked past your heart

But one thing holds true
When we lose our ground
I’ll find my way to you
Sure as a river runs down
Down to the coast

We’ve got this table for eight all set in its place
It’s a little worn around the edges
But a perfect place to say grace

But one thing holds true
When we lose ground
I’ll find my way to you
Sure as a river runs down
Down to the coast
Sure as a river runs down
Down to the coast
Sure as a river runs down
Down to the coast

Even in the grip of our own cold war
You’re still my favourite person in the world

Leaving Real Soon

(Written by Michael Jantzen)

Weather worn by a thousand suns
I needed shelter just to carry on
And then my dearest friend, that’s when you came along

I saw more clearly with your set of eyes
Made it further with you by my side
You could see the way even in the dimmest light

All good things must come to an end it seems
I know you have to go and follow your dreams
I love to see all the joy in your eyes
But I don’t know if I can say goodbye
Oh you’re leaving real soon

I brought the verse, you brought the chorus
Two melodies meant to find us
Then our voices rose in bittersweet harmony

I can’t help but feel the weight of loss
Things may never be the same with us
But one day my friend, I hope we pick up right where we left off

All good things must come to an end it seems
I know you have to go and follow your dreams
I love to see all the joy in your eyes
But I don’t know if I can say goodbye
Oh you’re leaving real soon

Higher Ground

(Written by Michael Jantzen and Ivan Boudreau)

To his neighbours he’s a stranger from another world
The incarnation of the shadows that they fear
He’s a prophet without honour in his own town
He’s heading up to higher ground

There’s a fight he knows all too well, ‘round every bend
A tug-of-war from the inside out and the outside in
Up on the mountains the winds of mercy are blowing strong
He’s finally free when he’s standing on
Higher ground

Wo, woah wo, wo oh, wo oh, oh, oh
Wo, woah wo, wo oh, wo oh, oh, oh

Ten thousand arrows flying at him from every side
Trying to silence all the slander and the “godly” lies
He’s a lamb among wolves, and they’re trying to take him down
But he’s got his honour out of town

Wo, woah wo, wo oh, who oh, oh, oh
Wo, woah wo, wo oh, who oh, oh, oh

Some lust for power only to die in their greed
But deep in the heart of a good man is love that heals

Wo, woah wo, wo oh, who oh, oh, oh…

Headwaters

(Written by Michael Jantzen)

Your wheels are turning, you’ve got that look in your eye
Oh how I’d love to know what just made you smile
Your restless passion is bursting at the seams
There’s no limit on every dream

May your arrows fly true
May they soar and find their mark
And even when your aim is off
Just know I’ll love you and that won’t stop

And when you falter or take a hit from behind
I hope the scar you bear is something you don’t hide
Wise as a serpent, but gentle as a dove
When you have to fight, speak the truth in love

May you grow into your name
May your heart be soft and brave
Run and take the higher ground
Beside the headwaters, you’ll be found

Beside the headwaters you can drink all you need
Know you don’t have to bring a perfect offering
Beside the headwaters there’s a song that only you can sing
Beside the headwaters I hope we’ll meet

The Road Unknown (Sept 2015)

(All songs written by Michael Jantzen)

Take me by Surprise

They say life happens when you’re busy making other plans
I’d say it’s when my plans derail, that I really start to live
Every dream that dies is born in a newer skin
Every detour on the road is the journey that we’re in

A dissonant chord, right out of the blue
When my story’s told, becomes my allelui

Oh take me by surprise if you’d like, no really, I don’t mind
The road unknown is inlaid with finest gold
Knock me way off course till I make room for something new
Oh take me by surprise if you’d like
Oh catch me by surprise, I don’t mind

Sometimes it’s easy come to go with the sudden news
But other times it takes a while till it really works me loose
But if the love that’s in me goes deeper than my pride
Then the times my plans must die are a blessing in disguise

A dissonant chord, right out of the blue
When my story’s told, becomes my allelui

Come Enter In

Everyone now gather round
As you come you just must might hear the sound
Of a voice upon the wind
calling us to this time with our friends.

The sun takes its leave
The dance of the flames is drawing us in
The forest awakes; the moonlight elates

Oh wait here with me in the warmth of the fire
Sing bye and bye till we’re out of the mire
Quiet your soul as you gaze at the embers
Come enter in
Oh come enter in

Free to share what’s on your mind
You just might feel your worries unwind
And if you speak of what you dream
I’ll be right by your side to believe

The sun takes its leave
The dance of the flames is drawing us in
The forest awakes; the moonlight elates

Oh wait here with me in the warmth of the fire
Sing bye and bye till we’re out of the mire
Quiet your soul as you gaze at the embers
Come enter in
Oh come enter in

Found so content with treasured friends
Here’s to hoping this night would never end
And in the morn we hit the road
So let’s load up the fire with more wood

We look at the stars
And ponder our place in the sweep of it all
The question may stand, but here by the fire is where we belong

Oh wait here with me in the warmth of the fire
Sing bye and bye till we’re out of the mire
Quiet your soul as you gaze at the embers
Come enter in
Oh come enter in

Oh wait here with me
Sing by and by
Quiet your soul
Come enter in

Tattered and Torn

I wish I said good bye last Monday morning
It’s been eating me alive on the road
My ears still ring with the words we parted on
I can barely see through the fog

Oh can I learn to love all the ways that you deserve?
Oh will we ever move beyond the hurt?

Oh I’m looking for the sunrise up upon this mountain road
Feeling like the dawn’s ten hours away
I’m tattered and I’m torn from carrying this heavy load
I miss you but I don’t know how to come home

All the words unsaid are driving us apart
Oh Lord lead us back to the start

Oh can I learn to love all the ways that you deserve?
Oh will we ever move beyond the hurt?

With more miles left between us…oh than I have to go
Oh I wonder if the words that I’m rehearsing have a hope
When I turn up our street, will time have healed our love?

Oh I miss you but I don’t … no no,
I miss you but I don’t know how to come home
Oh I miss you but I don’t….Oh no I don’t,
I don’t Know how, I don’t know how to come home

woa, woh, wo..oh, woa, woh..oh, woh
woa, woh, wo..oh, woa, woh..oh, woh
I miss you but I don’t, I don’t know how to come
I’m tattered and I’m torn from carrying this heavy load

In the Cool of the Night

I walked down to the willow grove beside the brook
The eastern breeze brushed along my neck like kashmir wool
But you were gone, chasing your shadow,
forgetting all the times we sat and talked here for hours

How long will it take till our love awakes?
How long till I see our love remade?
in the cool of the night … I wait

I held a stem of sharon’s rose but you didn’t show
I brought the balm of Gilead to make us whole
Ah but you moved on with terms and conditions
Forgetting that with me you always saw clear without fear

How long will it take till our love awakes?
How long till I see our love remade?
in the cool of the night … I wait
in the cool of the night … I wait

Belonged All Along

It’s been three long years since you left home
Off to make it on your own
And I’m waiting for you to call

Carried on the wind of youthful dreams
Off to find the person that you’ve always wanted to be
From here I see you treading water with rocks right there under your feet

Searching high, searching low
Far, far from home
But don’t you know, oh you need to know
That you’ve belonged
All along

And all around you see them making strides,
posting pictures of their lives
And you can’t pretend

You trace your name into the auburn sand
But the breakers hold no mercy, yet you try it again
When will it end?
I knew your name since before the day you came to meet the world

Searching high, searching low
Far, far from home
But don’t you know, oh you need to know
That you’ve belonged
All along

Leave a Little Late

This short delay is like nails on slate
Must get ashore, hurry up we’re late
Must pass the time will all gadgets galore
Every moment left bare is an unbearable bore
And the lady behind me still thinks it’s night, she’s a fossil in ice
When out comes the sun to blanket our stern
An echoing rainbow was waiting its turn

Oh why leave on time?
Let’s leave a little late
Oh why hurry on
When we can take in a little grace
Oh look up from where you are and see the work of art
There’s a journey before we depart
Oh why leaeve on time?
Let’s leave a little late

A site unseen until this moment in time
An eyebrow raised to a puzzle divine
Cast from the heavens to the ocean blue
All shawn up with glory like glittery glue
And the girl beside me then starts to twirl
She’s as quick as a squirrel
With I-Pad in hand to capture it grand
It could’ve been me if I was willing to stand

Stay in Love

Let us wait here for a while
I can feel the pulse of your heart inside
Would you let me closer still
Than the breath I hold when I see you near?
I’ll let you deeper than my fears
I’m trusting you with all of me

Stay in love like we’ve never been before
Stay in love tonight
Stay in love like the first and only time
Stay in love for a while

Don’t let this moment pass us by
This flower will fold before we know
And all our worries fly away
Like the autumn leaves on a rainy day
No need for us to say a word
All is right and all is said

Stay in love like we’ve never been before
Stay in love tonight
Stay in love like the first and only time
Stay in love for a while

In the lull before the tides turn
In the twinkling of an eye
As you’re resting in my arms know
You’re mine, oh yes you’re mine

Stay in love like we’ve never been before
Stay in love tonight
Stay in love like the first and only time
Stay in love for a while

All is Well

Where will I find myself today?
Oh will I saunter in the rain?
Or will I be caught in a flood
On the broken side of love?
oh….oh….oh

But all is well
Dressed in morning’s tapestry of light
When the break of day overtakes the night
Oh…oh all is well

Oh all is well
When the winter moon lingers at the door
Today’s a gift so we can give some more
Oh…oh….oh…oh all is well

Join with me now to really know
The love that mends the soul
Leave what’s behind, no looking back
Turn your face to what you have
oh…..oh….oh

But all is well
Dressed in morning’s tapestry of light
When the break of day overtakes the night
Oh…oh all is well

Oh all is well
When the winter moon lingers at the door
Today’s a gift so we can give some more
Oh…oh….oh…oh all is well