Lyrics

faceoflife

The Face of life

2015

St. John Coleman - Vocals
Mike Vissagio - Keyboards & Vocals
Mark Tupko - Bass
Michael Murray - Drums & Backing Vocals
Peter Matuchniak - Guitar

1.- Epistle

As an apostle of Providence, unto the conscious, people of good will, and the peaceful everywhere...

Well if you walked on water, and parted all the seas
And if you healed the lepers or made an earth with ease
They still would stand against you, and blithely shout you down
For what you might do next would would threaten every single crown

No matter how the mountains rise majestic to the sky
No matter what the singing of the birds was their sweet cry
It only stands to reason that your way cannot be true
Forever raging in their angst, their face a purple hue

It can't be that they want it so and can't be that they don't
It would be that they think insanely, could be that they won't
Perhaps the will of reason isn't how they think it runs,
And in their search for answers all they get is pithy puns

The human condition never changes.

So show them that the truth is here, a solitary light
And let them try to put together piecemeal in their plight
For if they fail to comprehend the architect's great scheme
Shake the dust from off your feet, someone is waiting, waiting, to be redeemed

They look for leadership but when it comes they tear it down
They look for kindness, certainty, security, and reknown
But when the answer sellers don't unveil a peace on earth
They rise as they've been cheated, not just once since natural birth

They think that politicians have a cure for what is grim
They ask that politicians don't make them take it on the chin
And when the spirit of the times comes crashing down again
They look for more of what has failed, for sure it's now as it was then

As all the while you stand there with love's eternal flame
It's burning brightly never dimming, calling every name
You tell them anyone may come, and anyone may live,
But still they work for death and call it change that man will give

The human condition never changes.

Shake dust from off your feet, someone is waiting to be redeemed
For if they fail to comprehend the architect's great scheme
Just let them try to put together piecemeal in their plight
And show them that the truth is here, the truth is here, a solitary light

2.- All Open Eyes

We know the wind doesn't blow in vain
Seeking to cry out every person's name
And though the list has no end once it's begun
The task of finishing is often sung

V.1 (Realization)

In foreign lands on my own soil in total disarry
I found a cabin in the woods where the soul survivors stay
So near at hand and yet so far, so close but not to tough
A spirit flies, all open eyes perceiving it as such

All open eyes, all open eyes can see the glory
They're sure they haven't seen mirages alone
Don't believe the lies, now are they wise enough to see me
I'm trying to shine enough to reach your open eyes
Your open eyes, Your open eyes

V.2 (Imagination)

In your own hands, in your possession in spaces all your own
You've got a choice and there's a voice that sounds out from what you've known
A voice that tells you where you are and where you want to go
And you can surmise your open eyes will show you what you want to know

All open eyes, all open eyes can see the victory
They're sure they haven't seen deceit and decay
Although the lies try to surprise the weary traveler
I'm trying to shine enough to reach your open eyes
Your open eyes, Your open eyes

V.3 (All Open Eyes)

When you cross over the Rubicon that everyone must face
You'll turn around at the trupet sound and see the whole human race
You'll have a different body then, and sorrows turned to joy
No more the knife, eternal life, the bondage of death destroyed

All open eyes, all open eyes will share the awakening
They're sure they'll live forever when the day comes
Cast down the lies, tell all the world what you are seeing
You'll certainly shine enough to reach all open eyes
With open eyes, press towards the prize
Shed the disguise and sympathize
Light in the skies, peace, symphonize,
Hold thight the prize with open eyes

We knew the wind didn't blow in vain
It finally called out every person's name
The list is now completed, the work is done
World without end, life has begun

3.- The Face of Life

I. LOOK AT THE WORLD

Look at the world, it always wants to unwind
And ever fails to achieve
The peace we all would love to see for mankind
But there is always a chance that we can bring to the dance
And ever-present refrain of love we hope will remain
And find a path for us all
Without losing freedom

II. CHOICES IN THE DARK

Given what has passed and what is coming
Understanding what is lost and what is found
Seeking in the bowels of everlasting
Feeling of your feet on solid ground
Walking through a darkness so completely
Checking all your pockets for a light
Somehow fear is missing not discreetly
Placing all your hope there is no fight

So come to the river, come to the shore
Come to the place where faith is more
Because all the hope is reality now
You are gazing into the Face of Life
Never mind the stuff you thought you figured
Cast away the false impressions in your mind
Keep an ear upon the calling that you're hearing
And refuse to let your missteps leave you blind
Even though the passion's unforgiving
Even though the crosshairs are on you
There is nothing you cannot be living
There is nothing more than love is true

So come to decision, come to the cliff
Come and be certain, walk don't drift
Because all the hope is reality now
You are changing into the face of Life

III. TAKING THE PLUNGE

There is no retreating 'cause the doors are closed
They shut behind you when you turned
Look across the river and you can't be burned
Carrying a cross you are reposed

Look upon the creatures in the raging stream
They all have made it their abode
They have not to struggle to roll down this road
In a strange reminder they're a team

Go inside the torrent let it take you down
Merge into the flowing and the waves
Now you're in a manner master of your preen so brave
Every place you look it is your town
IV. THE SUN IS SHINING

Coming up upon the shore that you're soaking
But all you once had feared is past
You had to live your passion without choking
You had to take the reins of life at last
Be strong in heart and courage never ending
And all the heart's desire is obtained
Because it wasn't done for hurt and rending
And all around you too have gained

So be what you're asking, be the change
Be everlasting, be free range
Be the provider, be the man
You are transformed into the face of Life

V. LOOK AT THE WORLD (with different eyes)

Look at the world, it always wants to unwind
And ever fails to achieve
The peace that we all would love to see for mankind
But there is always a chance, here at the dance
Always a chance to find the way.

Travelog

Travelog

2015

Mike Visaggio - Keyboards
Todd Russel - Guitars, Triangle
Michael Murray - Drums, Percussion & Whistling
Mark Tupko - Bass


Guest Vocalists
Dimetrius LaFavors (tracks 1, 2 & 5)
Michelle Schrotz (track 3)
Mike Florio (track 4)

1.- War Song

Aye, she was bonnie and brilliant And her hand all the younger lads sought
And I found myself starting to love her
But I knew she could never be bought
So suprised was my heart when she told me
That she'd love me from dusk until dawn
Not a moment more would she bestow me
For the last man she loved was still gone

See, he never came back from the war
And she never did see him no more
He had told her for God and for country
He must walk from her charms, be a brother in arms as before

She had no reason to doubt me
When I told her I'd measure her pain
For I found myself feeling so deeply
But I saw I was feeling in vain
Nevermore could the promises hold her
Nevermore would my promise hold me
When the notice arrived in my mailbox
And I saw I must fight to be free

See, he never came back from the war
And she never did see him no more
But I too have a God and country
I shall never look back when the bastards attack
There is space in my mind for a love left behind
I'm lamenting what could have been so very good
She was true all along, it was I who who was staging an act

Waiting against time and against the foe
Hearing of lost lives with a life she must live
No matter what comes she must carry on
Leaving the Bronx she goes west to Champaign

Watching for hot fire from determined foes
Seeing the dead men, wondering if I'd live
No matter what comes I must carry on
Leaving Paree we go east to save Maine

The tide turned with critcal victories
And the enemy had to give in
Their surrender gave hope to all free men
Whose free spirit comes from within
So the honorable discharge was written
And the ship took me home to my town
Had the brilliant and bonnie lass waited?
No, she hadn't, she did not stick around

See, I hadn't come back from the war
And I never did see her no more
Now I still love my God and my country
But I fear I shall never have love that's forever
In love I may fall, but war kept true love outside the door

2.- Travelog

Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
Oh beautiful oh beautiful, for purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, God shed His grace on thee
Till souls wax fair
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, as earth and air,
And music-hearted sea

Oh beautiful, oh beautifulm for pilgrims' feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, a throughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, through wilds of thought
On pilgrims' foot and knee

As I travel cross this land, from mountains to ocean sand
As I travel cross this land, from mountains to ocean sand
I will seek you, I will find you

Oh beautiful, oh beautiful for glory tales
Of liberating strife
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, where once or twice for man's avail,
Man lavished precious life
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, God shed His grace on thee
Till selfish gain
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, no longer stain
The banner of the free
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years

Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, God shed His grace on thee
Till nobler men
Oh beautiful, oh beautiful, have once again thy whiter jubilee

As I travel cross this land, from mountains to ocean sand
As I travel cross this land, from mountains to ocean sand,
I will seek you, I will find you
I will seek you, I will find you
I will seek you, I will find you

3.- Into the Lair

Come into the lair and see
The marvelous security
Come into the warmth that we give
Another will pay you to live

Take comfort in what we say
Your easement is not far away
Arriving in yesterday's mail
Our leader's too big to fail

The common good is all that we teach and tell
Take from the successful condemn them to hell
Nobody has rights when who has taken your good
We'll make them pay, we told you we would

It isn't your fault, you see
You never had chances to be
What those whom you envy became
And we'lll equalize this great game

We'll tax the ones who did you harm
Around them our agents will swarm
And spend without limit or sorrow
Our laws can be changed and we'll borrow

New guarantees we'll pass as we take over your life
You'll be only too happy to take the knife
And cut your ties with a freedom that was
But no longer is, for nothing it does

Wait a just a second, I think
My liberty has gone on the blink
I thought you guys cared about me
But I've opened my eyes and I see

You say what I eat, what I buy
You say when I live, when I die
You say who I am, what I do
You say I can't move without you

Where do you think you're going, you useless serf?
You cannot get away, this is all our turf
We bought you with tales of the common good
We'll make you pay, we told you we would

We told you, we told you

4.- Her

She cut with great sensitivity
Holding his head as her lover
None came so close intimately
To ever leave with another
She's not deceptive at all
She cuts straight from the heart
No, she's not very subtle,
And I'm not just playing that part
Ah to be free, seeking escape from her

Her voice in the night terrors
Her love releases ecstasy
But no child she once bears
Her spite cuts viciously
Wayward men before were lost
Searching from behind, beware
Mountains, seas which have no cost
Once arrived don't take her dare
Ah to be free, seeking escape from her

Distant thoughts, constant hope, shining hills
Evolving lies, constant truth, calling to me
Together one, apart be damned, she is my bond
Long for her, taste for her, I reach for her

Run with me through the fire, tear away the tears
Can she see, can she speak, I am right here
Where is she whom I seek in my dreams
There is no other, I foolishly insist, there is no other

You have seen her, you have heard from her, have you not?
I remember her in a memory that does not exist as yet
What I have, I have not met, under my harsh bed
There is no other, foolishly, there is no other, I insist
There is no other, there is no other, there is no other

The cuts keep constant time
Her beating heart is steady
When it is mine, it is mine,
A chance, a chance grasped, I am ready
Come back momentarily,
Escape, escape to take
To one's, to one's true liberty
One's nature not lightly to make
Ah to be free, seeking escape from her

How do I find me lost
How do I find me alive
I gave up, I gave up at such great cost
The choice to arrive
Wayward men before were lost
Searching from behind, beware
Mountains, seas that have no cost
Once arrived, I don't burn her stare
Ah to be free, seeking escape from her, from her

5.- Vision of a new dawn

I have awakened, I have awakened,
In a place where I've arrived I know not how
And in my waking I've been seen making
All the markings of a life in the here and now


I have been searching, I have been searching
For a dream whose start and finish I composed
But in my dreaming I wanted meaning
And a life of independence from all foes


In spite of all the things I wished upon my pillow
In spite of nothing that I took for granted shown
There is a land I know that I must find
A place where I can rest my mind
A people waiting for my coming
And a freedom kept unknown


You tried to greet me, you tried to greet me
In the space where you had found me unaware
And in your greeting, you found me fleeting
For the moment wasn't meant to be a dare


You told me stories, you told me stories
And the endings happily on the other shore
I found compelling what you were selling
But there's a line that I must follow evermore


Because of all the thousand dreams upon my pillow
Because of knowing that my place elswhere must be
There is a life I know that I must find
An aura tyrants cannot bind
Another vista for my vision
And the last eventuality


Vision see
New to me
Dawn its name
A world insane


Light is here
And still a tear
Another life
Sharpens the knife


Soar like birds
Speak the words
And take flight
To reach the heights


----- instrumental ----


Vision see,
New to me
Dawn its name,
Bright freedom flame


In celebration, in celebration
Of the realized individual I shall live
From your derision comes my decision,
A collective hope is not my debt to give


So I will stand here, yes I will stand here,
And proclaim the truth that you don't want to hear
Just in my passing, say I was lasting
One must take the reins of life to conquer fear


I have held a miracle in between my trembling hands
And I have lived the moment where I stood between two lands
I've seen the stellar lightning that illuminates the plan
And in the day it comes to pass
And in the promise it will last
The price of the true brotherhood of man

Powered by light

Powered by light

2009

1.- Riding in time

Way back in the depths of my childhood
I knew all the answers
Deep in the past I knew the questions too
When do I live? The future is now
When do I live? The future is now
Experience caused the loss of that knowledge
It left me watching the seasons
Waiting for the time when my soul would run
Farewell my friend for time calls me on
Farewell my friend for time calls me on
Reach out and grab hold of absolute truth
And keep on with the trials that come into our lives
The world is a deceiver, a vile mysterious ecstasy lover
In our past we don't remember, in our future very cold
Oh how old? How beautiflly old?
It often seems that life has neither reason nor rhyme
And that's the reason we're all just riding in time

(break)

Listen hard to the clarion signal
It tells you a story
The greatest one that has ever been told
Let it begin to fashion you whole
Let it begin to fashion you whole
Listen hard to the clarion signal
It leads you to glory
Beckoning with an invitation to all
Don't be left behind, respond to the call
Don't be left behind, respond to the call
Respond to the call
In that day we will see life had both reason and rhyme
In that day we will no longer be riding in time

2.- The ascent

Give me ire, give me pain
And all those things I thought that I would never see again
Give me love, don't give me hate insane
Shelter me from those who claim to be my fellow-men
'Cause I'm tired and hungry and looking for a place to stay
Seemingly insurmountable mountains loom just ahead
Oh just ahead, they loom just ahead
In my next day
Give me blood, give me sweat
And mingle them with tiny droplets of my tears
Give me friends who are enemies as yet
I'll take from them my courage as the summit nears
'Cause I'm beat and feel dejected, the mountain grows as higher I climb
And it seems that I many not claim a victory over anyone
Or anything at any place
At any time
Give me patience to persevere


To keep inside a kindling burning roaring fire
I will surely reach the crest
Because my will has striven to match this great desire
I'm looking down again, I see the verdant valley below
And I know that at the summit, yes I know that at the summit
I will find the book, a book about a man
I'll find the book that will tell me like nothing, nothing else can
Yes I'll read the book, I'll find out what was the master plan
Yes I'll read the book, I know it will tell me
What I must know

3.- Piece of mind, piec of heart

Know we love and love we know
Love we show that we know love
Being alone is blind
But we have your truth in our minds


Share our want and want we share
We want our share so sharing daunts
Flowing the moments are done


As you are, so we are one
We had built our hearts strong and immense
Never looked outside ourselves for some sense
Bright and morning star, bringer of light
Now and forever the wrong won't make right


(break)

Nevermore to be alone
Passion make and fear disown
Now and forever entwined
Now and forever in line
Being ourselves is fine
Now and forever you're mine


You built our hearts deep and intense
Finally looked outside ourselves for some sense
Bright and morning star, changer of hearts
Now and forever greater than the sum of all parts

3.- Now and forever

There's peace of mind and peace of heart
A mind renewed won't fall apart
Instead it enters into rest
And finds one passing all the tests
The sights, the sounds, the vision fair
The thoughts of pure things everywhere
These things to think on, things to do
Can make a senseless world sane for you


A day will come when everything
Is all restored and Christ is King
A paradise no longer lost
But all regained at infinite cost
All favors to our fellow men


Will be repaid tenfold and then
Their works will judge them right and wrong
Their place awaited them all along


Let's go Home, let's go Home
We shall feel deep in our souls
The peacefulness of mind and heart
Home to our Love


The world is filled with evil men
Who plot to kill with sword and pen
Their words and deeds let evil thrive
But faith, hope, love, these three abide
No act of hate, no insidious plan
Can wipe them out, they will withstand
And righteousness will have its say
And peace and light will rule the day


Let's go Home, let's go Home
We shall live, eternal souls,
The expressions of His mind and heart
Home to our Love
Home to our Love

4.- Peace of mind, peace of heart

There's peace of mind and peace of heart
A mind renewed won't fall apart
Instead it enters into rest
And finds one passing all the tests
The sights, the sounds, the vision fair
The thoughts of pure things everywhere
These things to think on, things to do
Can make a senseless world sane for you


A day will come when everything
Is all restored and Christ is King
A paradise no longer lost
But all regained at infinite cost
All favors to our fellow men


Will be repaid tenfold and then
Their works will judge them right and wrong
Their place awaited them all along


Let's go Home, let's go Home
We shall feel deep in our souls
The peacefulness of mind and heart
Home to our Love


The world is filled with evil men
Who plot to kill with sword and pen
Their words and deeds let evil thrive
But faith, hope, love, these three abide
No act of hate, no insidious plan
Can wipe them out, they will withstand
And righteousness will have its say
And peace and light will rule the day


Let's go Home, let's go Home
We shall live, eternal souls,
The expressions of His mind and heart
Home to our Love
Home to our Love

5.- Meditaiton

(Instrumental)

6.- Reconciliation

(i. Beginning Anew)


There's fire in the eyes that blaze in the dark
There's water cascading through rivers of your dreams
Your heart is a book crying out to be read
Just remove the webbing spun 'round it in your head


You looked in my eyes and the blaze burnt between
Your story touched home where it was all believed
So why has your love sought the wave of regret
I don't want to believe that you'd rather, rather forget


I see you in the smiles of your friends
I feel you in the warmth of your kiss
I touch you in an embrace that never ends
I hear you in a musical bliss
And love you spirit body and soul
Yes I love you spirit body and soul


(ii. View From The Mountain)


I have seen the view from the mountain
It's a view that I shall always see and see again
And I know that you are a fountain
Raining living water down upon mere mortal men


In all of life there's nothing like
The comfort that you give, you make things right
I saw the vision, I know it's strange
We shall not all sleep, we shall all be changed
Changed, changed


(break)


In all of life there's nothing like
The comfort that you give, you make things right


I saw the vision, I know it's strange
We shall not all sleep, we shall all be changed
Changed, changed


(iii. The Healing)


Come back now, it's over, our wounds have all healed
Our life is before us, answer if you can hear
My heart can't abandon the love that I knew
And finally christens this music for you


I see you in the smiles of your friends
I feel you in the warmth of your kiss
I touch you in an embrace that never ends
And love you spirit body and soul
Yes I love you spirit body and soul

7.- See the children

See the children who are living on love
See how they pray
All this world was made for them to enjoy
They're of the day


All around them are the crooked
The lion knows what they abhor
But deep inside a special presence resides
The one who said he was the door
Oh you know they love you
With soul heart mind and strength
Wrap your mighty arms around them
Don't leave them at arm's length
You surely know that they will walk now
But soon they'll start to run
Finishing with joy the course laid down by your son


See the children who are living on love
See how they pray
All this world was made for them to enjoy
They're of the day


They have made their choice forever
Now they know just what it means
That the things which are eternal
Are the ones which are not seen
An everlasting love life
No longer all alone
In their minds and hearts they're peaceful
Eternity their own
Armed with certain knowledge
A spirit sword with which they fight
In a world of darkness they know they are powered by light


(instrumental break)


See the children who are living on love
See how they pray
All this world was made for them to enjoy
They're of the day
See the children
See the children