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LYRICS
Cosmic Circus Tent
Tom Benjamin
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1.
I Want to Walk on Mars
I want to walk on Mars
Out there among the stars
I want to gaze across at Venus
With the earth there in between us
Like a firefly in a jar…
I want to see the wondrous sights
Of worlds beyond the dimmin’ lights
Of this city in the winter Where hope is just a glimmer
Fading in the night…
There are miracles in this world
There are miracles in this world…
From the perfect curve of space
To the elegance of dawn
Stars drift across the night
Who knows what’s beyond
All these miracles….
As I turn back toward my home The only one I’ve ever known
I see an outpost on the edge Of the universe it’s said
Whose fate is still unknown…
There are miracles in this world
There are miracles in this world…
I want to walk on Mars
Out there among the stars
I want to gaze across at Venus
With the earth there in between us
Like a firefly in a jar…
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
Songs & Prayers
I write songs, she says prayers
Sometimes there's not,
. . . much difference there
When the sun don't shine and
. . . the world don't care
I write songs and she says prayers
Sometimes I'm dark,
. . . most times she shines
I'm an old scrub oak,
. . . she's a beautiful pine
Reachin' up to the star lit sky
Sometimes I'm dark,
. . . most times she shines
We're just a moment in time
We're just a moment in space
Passing through to a better place
A broken hearted human race
We're just a moment in time
We're just a moment in space
I play the drums, she plays guitar
We sing our songs at the local bar
We take home the change
. . . from the old tip jar
I play the drums, she plays guitar
We're just a moment in time
We're just a moment in space
Passing through to a better place
A broken hearted human race
We're just a moment in time
We're just a moment in space
I write songs, she says prayers
Sometimes there's not,
. . .much difference there
When the sun don't shine and
. . .the world don't care
I write songs and she says prayers
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
​
1.
One Less Apple
There's one less apple on the tree
There's one less apple on the tree
When that mornin' sun came 'round
There for all to see
One less apple on the tree
And you know those apples
. . . don't come free
The garden was damp
. . .from a midnight rain
The garden was damp
. . .from a midnight rain
There were footprints on the ground
Left without a sound
In the garden damp
. . . from a midnight rain
That morning the world
. . . first knew shame
Ooh... my my
Something changed late last night
Ooh... my my
Now we're hidin' in the shadows
. . . instead of walkin' in the light
The camels blinked in disbelief
The camels blinked in disbelief
The monkeys swallowed hard
The pigeons froze in place
When the camels blinked in disbelief
What was this new use
. . . for a fig leaf
You don't know you're naked 'til you do
You don't know you're naked 'til you do
Exposed for what you've done
With nowhere left to run
You don't know you're naked 'til you do
And there's no one to blame
. . . except for you
Ooh... my my
Something changed late last night
Ooh... my my
Now we're hidin' in the shadows
. . . instead of walkin' in the light
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
Sparrow
I'm a sparrow in this life I don't sing too well but I try
I don't soar too high
I don't fly too far
I'm a quiet light
Not a shootin' star
I'm a sparrow
I'm a sparrow, I’m glad to be
I can make a home in any tree
Resourceful
Could have been my name
I can hunker down
Through any hurricane
Sparrow. . . .
I like corny dogs
At county fairs
And the cracker jacks
The kids spill there
Popcorn bags
At the old ball park
Under the bleacher seats
When the lights go dark
I'm a sparrow not much to see
My looks are plain you won't notice me
In the city park
By the quick lunch stand
In the winter trees
On a broken branch
Sparrow. . . .
I'm a sparrow in this life I don't sing too well but I try
I don't soar too high
I don't fly too far
I'm a quiet light
Not a shootin' star
Sparrow. . . .
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
1.
Cosmic Circus Tent
Do you believe in stars
Do you believe in the sky so dark
Or is a cosmic circus tent
Over a massive parking lot
Where we're all assigned our parts
Scripted from the start....
Some to the flying trapeze
High above the room
Some behind the elephants
With a bucket and a broom
And so the story goes
Like a closet full of clothes...
The ones you always wear
And the ones you never dare...
You better say what you will
Better think what you like
Before your mind slips away
At another red light...
Now we don't work the land
Like our grandparents did
Their souls were in the soil
And the soil was on their hands
And so the story goes
Like a closet full of clothes...
The ones you're married in
And the ones you're buried in...
You better say what you will
Better think what you like
Before your mind disappears
At another red light...
Do you believe in stars
Do you believe in the sky so dark
Or is a cosmic circus tent
Over a massive parking lot
Where we're all assigned our parts
Scripted from the start....
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
My Religion is a Song
My religion is a song
Sung because it matters
My religion is a light
That shines where darkness gathers
My religion is my home
And my home's by your side
And I know I see God
Every morning with the sun rise
Every morning with the sun rise
Every morning with the sun rise
I know I see God
Every morning with the sun rise
As a child I was taught
The truth of God was in some book
With epic tales of wars and angels
Some descended into hell
But truth has many faces
And we choose the ones we see
The blooming of a flower
Is truth enough for me
Truth enough for me
Truth enough for me
The blooming of a flower
Is all I need to see
My religion is a melody
Drifting on an ancient breeze I hear a little piece of God
When we sing that harmony
When we sing that harmony
When we sing that harmony
I hear a little piece of God
When we sing that harmony
My religion is a song
Sung because it matters
My religion is a light
That shines where darkness gathers
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
Beauty's at the Mercy
of This World
Tom Benjamin
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1.
Unconditonal Love
(CHORUS)
Unconditional Love
Unconditional Love
What people need, as much a heaven above
Is some unconditional love
Take the child who can't do right
Hold his motives up to the light
Does he really need the back ... of your hand
Or your ... Unconditional Love
Take a woman and take a man
We expect so much and ... we make demands
When all we really need to understand
Is some ... Unconditional Love
I look around and I know it's true
I ask myself what can I do
Just open up my heart
And let it flow through
Open up my heart And let it flow through
Unconditional Love ...
This world can be such a lonely place
We hide our hearts and we hide our face
When all we need is a little faith
And some ... Unconditional Love
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
Little World
Some love's like a phone call . . . after midnight
There's moment you hesitate
And unknown fears and feelings
Rush to your head and your heart
And the ones you love pass before you
As you reach out in the dark
Some love's like a carny midway
Where you simply lose control
The pitch man sells you anything
'Til you're down to your last dime
And you're left with the sun . . . and the sawdust
When the show moves down the line
I just want to tell you I love you
Tell you everything's alright
Let's get lost inside our little world . . . tonight
Let's get lost inside our little world . . . tonight
Our love's like a still stretch of highway
When you're drivin' late at night
The air is warm and silent
The stars are clear and bright
We don't always know where
. . . we're goin'
But we're goin' 'cause it feels so right
I just want to tell you I love you
Tell you everything's alright
Let's get lost inside our little world . . . tonight
Let's get lost inside our little world . . . tonight
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
​
2.
Forgive Myself
I want to lay down
In the shade of the truth
I want to find the peace
Only that can do
Lord I need to be forgiven
For the times I slipped and fell
But most of all I need
To forgive myself
You know what's done is done
It's never gonna change
No matter what you do
The past remains the same
Lord I need to be forgiven
And I know I need your help
But most of all I need
To forgive myself
As the river flows
So life goes
'Til the heartland meets the sea
Somewhere along the way
We're bound to learn to pray
If we don't learn nothin' else
Say a prayer for me
Say a prayer for me
I want to lay down
In the shade of the truth
I want to find the peace
Only that can do
Lord I need to be forgiven
For the times I slipped and fell
But most of all I need
To forgive myself
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
​
2.
Your Sweet Love
Who put the cream in my coffee
Who put the strut in my step
Who took my dictionary ...tore out the word regret
Who takes the calls from my mother
Who gets me out of the bed
Who kicks me in the butt ...so I can remove my head
I don't remember what I did
To win your love
I don't remember what I did but I did
So I thank my lucky stars above
Your love is easier than
Rollin' down a mountain
Switchin' on a light
Sleepin' in the mornin'
Runnin' 'round all night
When I think of all you've done for me
I fall down on my bended knees
I thank the lord above for sending me
Your Sweet Love .... Your Sweet Love
Who puts the rise in my biscuits
Who puts the fry in my pan
Who keeps the fires burnin'
...anyway she can
I don't know if I can tell her
Just what she means to me
I'm just a ship on dry land and she's the ...deep blue sea
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
​
2.
Intention
I remember driving late through this town
Well past closing time
Headlights on wet streets
Reflecting colored neon, advertising beer ...and cigarettes
There was a feeling in the empty streets
A feeling of well being
Everything washed clean
From lower Broad to West End, a quiet ...cadence of caution
I remember my destination on Linden Ave
A small house just off 21st Street
Leaves dripping from a midnight rain A light in the window
And I remember thinking
What is your intention
What do you intend ...to do with my heart
In those days you were singing with ...your band
A trio from East Texas
Everything from Etta James to Cole Porter
It was a sound, it was a feeling
Like late night coffee after the last call
I remember watching you and wondering
I had no idea, I had not a clue
As to what was about to occur
...between me and you
And I remember thinking
What is your intention
What do you intend
...to do with my heart
To do with my heart
w/m Tom Benjamin
​
1.
Rise Above
I'm gonna beat a song out of this ...highway
Make a man out of this dust
Make amends to those who've loved me
Rise above
I'm gonna find the truth and I will live it
Pass the flame that's passed to me
Sleep as sound as a new born
Rise above ... Rise above
Gonna rise above ... Rise above
I'm gonna throw a stone into still waters
Rock the cradle rob the grave
Keep it steady, I'll be ready
Rise above
Gonna find a way to cool this fever
Find a way to calm this fright
Gonna jump this wall at midnight
Rise above ... Rise above
Gonna rise above ... Rise above
I'm gonna write my life story
Then I'm gonna put it to a match
Burn all these illusions
Rise above
I'm gonna walk down to the river
When fall is in the air
Just to admire its Creator
Rise above ... Rise above
Gonna rise above ... Rise above
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
Loose Talk
Loose talk
Kinda like loose change
You carry it around
So you can buy cheap things
Loose talk
Kinda like a long line
You get nowhere fast
You're just wastin' your time
Loose talk ... loose talk
Loose talk
Kinda like loose love
Ain't worth a whole lot
When push comes to shove
Loose talk.....loose talk
I know sometimes it's so hard to see
Loose talk don't ever come free
So if you ever have any doubts
Just put some distance
'tween your mind and your mouth
Loose talk.... loose talk
Talking 'bout Loose Talk
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
You're My Gold
In the middle of the night
When everything is still
I feel you lyin' here beside me
And I pray I always will
It's the light that never dims
It's the trust between two friends
It's the work we do to mend what ... gets undone
I know it's true
You know it too
From the start I gave my heart to you
Silently I lie awake
And listen to the night
It's easier to see some things
In the absence of the light
Like the truth that can't be changed
Compromised or rearranged
And the heart can't be explained by ... anyone
I know it's true
You know it too
From the start I gave my heart to you
I'm not quite sure how it came to this
Ain't it funny how life goes
One day you're hittin' up against the ... wall
Next day your touch is gold...
You're my gold ... you're my gold
In the middle of the night
When everything is still
I feel you lyin' here beside me
And I pray I always will
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
Who is This Teacher of Mine
Chorus
Who is this teacher of mine
Who is this teacher of mine
Who is this teacher
This teacher of mine
Who is this teacher of mine
Is it the land I walk on
Is it the air I breathe
Is it the cool clear water
Or the wind blown seed
​
Chorus
Is it a holy book
Is it the Lord above
Is it the still of night
Or a mother's love
​
Chorus
​
Is it a broken promise
Is it a dream deferred
Is it the doubt inside us
Or the healer's cure
​
Chorus
​
Is it a field to harvest
Is it the stars above
Is it the rolling thunder
Or the white winged dove
​
Chorus
​
Is it a new day dawning
The blue sky above
Is it a warm breeze blowing
Or the one I love
​
Chorus
Who is this teacher of mine
Who is this teacher of mine
Who is this teacher...
This teacher of mine
Who is this teacher of mine
​
Someone tell me who's that teacher
Who's that teacher,
That teacher of mine
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
1.
Beauty's at the Mercy of this World
In memory of Princess Diana & Mother Teresa
Pretty as a Princess
Lovely as a rose
Shimmerin' like a falling star When the night is clear and cold
Like a poem tossed on a fire
As the edges twist and curl
Beauty's at the mercy of this world
A life of true devotion
Much like Rembrandt's use of light
Reveals but one solution
Compassion in God's sight
Though she'll walk these streets no more What she taught us must endure
Beauty's at the mercy of this world
Flowers came from Portugal
South Africa and Wales
To London and Calcutta
From a world that felt it failed
To see the least among us
While we paid the scavengers Beauty's at the mercy of this world
Pretty as a Princess
Lovely as a rose
Shimmerin' like a falling star When the night is clear and cold
Like a poem tossed on a fire As the edges twist and curl
Beauty's at the mercy of this world
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
With My Angel Tonight
I'm tryin' to make a connection
But this river is oh so wide
I'm searchin' for truth not perfection
But even this river has two sides
I want to wade in the water
I want to walk in the light
I want to wade in the water
With My Angel Tonight
With My Angel Tonight
I get bought up & caught up & real lost
With a fever that's runnin' too high
I reach in the dark for a cool cloth
To soothe me and open my eyes
I want to wade in the water
I want to walk in the light
I want to wade in the water
With My Angel Tonight
With My Angel Tonight
Moses parted the water so wide
Till his people were safe . . . on the other side
I'm not lookin' for the sea to divide
Just a little faith will get me by
​
I'm tryin' to make a connection
But this river is oh so wide
I'm searchin' for truth not perfection
But even this river has two sides
​
w/m Tom Benjamin
​
2.
Breakdown
The loyal wife, the loving mother
She wore it well, it was her cover
She didn't mean to lose her mind
She didn't mean to cross that line
She picked a bad place...to breakdown
The car was new, the car was fast
The ride was smooth ...as the road flew past
He didn't mean to run that sign
He didn't mean to get so high
He picked a bad place...to breakdown
She was young, thought her life too slow
A pretty face, a natural glow
She knew it all, she ran away
What a price that young girl paid
They found her face down...breakdown
He was guy, like any other
But when he lied, he always stuttered
He told himself, she'd never leave
And if she did, he wouldn't ggggrieve
He picked a sad place...to breakdown
On the road, the other night
The wind and rain, obscured my sight
There on the shoulder, suddenly
I saw a man, who looked a lot like me
It was a bad place
It was the last place
You want to breakdown
w/m Tom Benjamin
2.
Let Something Go
If you can't hold the line,
can't hold the line
If you can't hold the line,
you gotta let something go
The sun comes up in the morning
A man gets out of his bed
He walks over to the window
And simply hangs his head
The beauty of all creation
Lies just beyond the glass
But all he sees are his frustrations
That he cannot get past
If you can't hold the line.....
If you can't speak the truth, can't speak the truth
If you can't speak the truth, you gotta let something go
You sit down to write a letter
But the words they just don't flow
You need a hammer and a chisel
To get your feelings through
And really that's the difference
When you put words on a page
When you're way beyond ...just gettin' along
And you have to act your age
If you can't speak the truth.....
If you can't stand the rain, can't stand the rain
If you can't stand the rain, you gotta let something go
There's a girl on the TV weather
Every evening at five
She's got her smile and
...her Doppler radar
She could make a barometer rise
But when they cut to a commercial
She don't know who she is
She can give you a pretty good ...five day
But she keeps her secrets hid
If you can't stand the rain.....
​
w/m Tom Benjamin