John Gustafson

The sky is dark
The wind is cold
The night is young
Before it´s old and grey
We will know
The trill of it all
The time has come
It´s getting late
It´s now or never
Don´t hesitate or stall
When I call
Don´t spoil
The thrill of it all
And before you go to sleep at night
Preying shadows - do they ask you why?
And in the morning through the afternoon
Do you wonder where you´re going to?
Every word I use
Each crumpled page
Strange ideas
Mature with age
Like leaves
When autumn falls
Turn gold
Then they hit the ground
Every time I hear
The latest sound
It´s pure whiskey
Reeling round and around
My brain
Oh and all o´ that jive
It´s driving me wild -
The dizzy spin I´m in
Everywhere I look
I see your face
I hear your name
It´s all over the place
Hey girl
Though you´ve gone
Still I recall
The trill of it all
You might as well know what is right for you
And make the most of what you like to do
For all the pleasure that´s surrounding you
Should compensate for all you´re going through
So if you´re feeling fraught
With mental strain
Too much thinking´s got you down again
Well let your senses skip
Stay hip
Keep cool
To the thrill of it all
When you try too much
You lose control
Pressure rises
And so I´m told
Something's got the give
Oy Veh
High life ecstasy
You might as well live
I can´t see
I can´t speak
I couldn't take more than another week
Without you - oh no
So I will drink my fill
Till the trill is you
Oh the thrill of it all
Oh the thrill of it all
No I won´t forget
The thrill of it all
No no no no no no no....

You might remember
How it used to be
3 and 9 could show you
Any fantasy
Parti-coloured pictures
Now and then 3D
No cheap nostalgia
Conjured up by me
Back to the old days
Close to home
Show me some new ways
I´ll carry on
Whether making out or played out
Three and nine make twelve
I´ve a dozen reasons
Lying on the shelf
B feature back rows
Filed away
No point pretending
Change is here to stay
3 and 9 to 45
Decimal romance
If you´ve warmed to centigrade
You stand a sporting chance
I´m not so special
You´re a misfit too
Why must they interfere
In everything we do?
Should we play safe now
Or go all the way?
Six and two threes now
More I cannot say

Somebody told me
Just the other day
That you´re leaving me
We´re through
Well if you knew
How it hurt me so
Then you´d change your mind
I´m sure
Don´t want to hear
What´s going on
I don´t care
What´s new
Don´t want to know
About anything
'Cause all I want
Is you
Going out with other girls
Was always such a bore
But since I fell in love with you
I need you more and more
Don´t want to know
About one-night-stands
Cut-price souvenirs
All I want is
The real thing
And a night that lasts
For years.
If you ever change your mind
I´ve a certain cure
An old refrain, it lingers on
L´amour, toujours l´amour...
Don´t want to learn
About etiquette
From glossy magazines
Why should I try
To talk correct
Like they do
In another scenes
Say no more
About imagery
You´re starting to confuse
Just make an offer
Of more romance
Of course I can´t refuse
All I want is you
Oo oo I´m all cracked up on you.

All you cares
Now they seem
Oh so far away
All your fears
I fear I once shared
Now I know
There´s a future
For all of us
Not so long ago
I was so scared
You seemed so sad
I could see
Through your twisted smile
So unsure
Always confused
Pale blue eyes
Gazing down
From your ivory tower
Through the haze
All broken and bruised
Then: out of the blue
Love came rushing in
Out of the sky
Came the sun
Out of left field
Came a lucky day
Out of the blue
No more pain
I don´t mind
If it´s only
A passing craze
Throwaway lines
Often ring true
If I were you
I would stay
For a little while
I you were me
Would you walk out
In style?

Oh here it comes again
That old ennui
I hope it won´t stay long
Well it´s every-man to his own thing
And every singer to his song
If you´re feeling low
And all upset
Nothing's going right
You just make a wish
Like in a fairy tale
And I´ll bewitch you
If it takes all night
There are many things
That I could say
To try and comfort you
But I know the words you´d like to hear
Are simply "I love you"
Sometimes I´m up
Sometimes I´m down
A topsy-turvy life
But only searching
For the truth
And I´ll find it
If it takes all night long
Well I myself
May main concern
Is what I can afford
So if music be my mistress
Then at least she´s Madame Claude...d´accord
Ah - more champagne!
To lose this pain
Would be very nice
So I´ll help myself to one more drink
And I´ll find myself
If it takes all night long

Well this is such
A sad affair
I´ve opened up my heart
So many times
But now it´s closed
Oh my dear
Every salted tear
It wrings
Bitter - sweet applause
But when the show´s in full swing
Every once in a while
High stepping chorus lines
Mean I´m forgetting
Mein lullaby - liebchen
How rich in contrast
Love can be
Sometimes I´m quite amused
To see it twist and turn
To taste - both sweet and dry
These vintage years!
Lovers you consume, my friend
As others their wine
Nein - das ist nicht
Das ende der welt
Gestrandet an leben und kunst
Und das spiel geht weiter
Wie man weiss
Noch viele schönste...wiedershen
And now, as you turn to leave
You try to force a smile -
As if to compensate -
Then you break down and cry

Here the soil is barren
Here - nothing grows
But crosses
They - know not what they do
You - your forgiveness
Falls as dew
Nailed upon a wooden frame
Twisted yet unbroken
Open mounted a silent choir
Understood, unspoken
Never was there heard a sound
Until the heavens opened
Now the tide is turning
To other-wordly yearning
Through the sun´s eclipse seems final
Surely he will rise again

You - the hero
So many times
You've loved
And didn't linger
Now my finger
Points at you
- Another loser
You - an island
On your own
Complete
In every detail
Monumental
A precious jewel
Or just a fool
Innovator
It's in your mind
And blood
I watch it simmer
I see you're courting
More despair
No hope'
Not a glimmer
Now you're nothing
But second hand
In glove
With second rate now
Now you're flirting
With heroin
- Or is it cocaine'
Casanova -
Is that your name
Or do you live there'
I know my place
Is here with you
Tonight
But not together

You´re heard enough
Of the blues and stuff
You´re pretty swell now
´Cause you´re pretty tough
But I don´t have to tell you
How hard it can be to get by
You never bothered
About anyone else
You´re well educated
With no common sense
But love - that´s one thing
You really need to get by
All your troubles
Come from yourself
Nobody hurts you
- They don´t care
Just as long as you show them
A really good time
All the things
You used to do
A trip to the movies
A drink or two
They don´t satisfy you
They don´t tell you anything new
You know I don´t talk much
Except to myself
´Cause I´ve not much to say
And there´s nobody else
Who´s ready and willing
And able to know me - I guess
Listen to me
I´m not finished yet
There´s something to tell you
That I can´t forget
Just have a really good time
There´s a girl
I used to know
Her face is her fortune
She´s got a heart of gold
She never goes out much
But boy - when she does
Then you know
She´s got no money
Well, maybe a dime
But she knows what she´s worth
And that´s reason why
She´s gonna make it
She´s got what it takes
You´ll appreciate that
She´s probably late
But I know
And you know
We all know
She´ll have a really good time

Texas That´s where I
Belong
It seems to me
Texas Lonesome star
Shine on
The big country
Texas With open skies
And you
For company
Texas Oh prairie rose
How happy
I should be
Hey hey You can take it from me
Hey hey I´ll be coming, you´ll see
Hey hey Oh what a state to be in
Hey hey You´re tantalising me
Texas I will compose
In fancy rhyme
Or just plain prose
Texas A song of praise
to you
Prairie rose
Texas Though I´m not sure
I can explain
Your strange allure
Texas Prairie rose -
A crown of thorns
A scented flower
Hey hey I´d better leave right away
Hey hey I can hear you calling me
Prairie rose

T´ain´t no big thing
To wait for the bell to ring
T´ain´t no big thing
The toll of the bell
Aggravated - spare for days
I troll downtown the red light place
Jump up bubble up - what´s in store
Love is the drug and I need to score
Showing out, showing out, hit and run
Boy meets girl where beat goes on
Stitched up tight, can´t shake free
Love is the drug, got a hook on me
Oh oh catch that buzz
Love is the drug I´m thinking of
Oh oh can´t you see
Love is the drug for me
Late that night I park my car
Stake my place in the singles bar
Face to face, toe to toe
Heart to heart as we hit the floor
Lumber up, limbo down
The locked embrace, the stumble round
I say go, she say yes
Dim the lights, you can guess the rest
Oh oh catch that buzz
Love is the drug I´m thinking of
Oh oh can´t you see
Love is the drug, got a hook in me
Oh oh catch that buzz
Love is the drug I´m thinking of
Oh oh can´t you see
Love is the drug for me

Think I쨈ll walk out in the rain
Called you time and time again
I got no reply
- you쨈ve gone

Reached the point of no return
The more I see the more I stand alone
I see the end of the line

Were you ever lonely?
Mystified and blue?
Realising only
Your number쨈s up, you쨈re through

Earned my share of winning
Now my turn to lose
After a fair beginning
The game쨈s up - I쨈m through

Think I쨈ll walk out in the storm
There's no love to keep me warm inside
I hope it쨈s fine at the end of the line

Now쨈s the time to take a dive
Try a magic carpet ride
Everything is wrong
You쨈ve gone

If you ever miss me
If I should cross your mind
You know where to find me
I쨈ll be waiting,
at the end of the line

Surely you cannot be leading me on?
Well if that's so, however can I love again?
How could I believe again?
How can I hold on?
Sentimental fool
Knowing that fate is cruel,
You ought to forget it.
Yes, I know it's true,
I've seen what love can do,
But I don't regret it.
Oh, you silly thing--
Don't you see what's happening?
You're better without it.
No, that's not the case--
If you were in my place,
You never would doubt it.
Sentimental fool
Who broke the golden rule,
You couldn't resist it.
Though it's all in vain,
I'd do it all again
Just to relive a minute.
A woman in love
Can make you feel good--
You know what you're living for.
She'll give you so much
And keep you in touch
With all that's worth living for.
Oh once she gets in
Through thick and through thin
She'll show you what living's for.
The rhythm of love
It must go on
Can't stop.
The beat of your heart
Is like a drum
Will it stop?

Mayday - cut down to size again
What then - when less is more my friend?

all change - and let me start again
Disguise - It??s all too weird to explain

Why I - I'll always call your name
Perdu with you - I could be anything
That I want to be... or sting

Whirl wind - wild fire, driving rain
Wheelspin - bowl me over hurricane

Whirl wind - Crack your cheeks and blow
Me far, so far, how far is shangri-la from here
And is it this way?

There she blows - tear me down tornado
Whirlpool - drag me to the deeps below

Whirlwind - will a wild cat strike me tame
Earthquake - shake me to my feet again
as cross words go

You leave - a fatal clue I fear
This case
is closed -
Elementally, my dear....

Beware whirl wind
whirl whirl wind

Now you??re talking in headlines
Up to the minute and free
Stop press - hold the front page
Up as your mirror
Are you reading me?

I watch you walking in waltz time
A jig-saw puzzle in tune
Or are you fakin' a straight line
To suit yourself too soon?

Rather nouveau than never
Contemporary ideal
Some natural kind of poet might slow it
But she sells more my speed

She sells country and modern
Ancient western song
Of oriental confusion
You so right, me so wrong

Now you??re fixin' to fly me
Auto-erotic pleas
Off the record you??re glidin'
Your lingerie??s a 'gift-wrap' - 'Slip it to me'

Nine till five
The daily grind
Made-up eyes make up my mind
Same machine
consuming me, consuming you

Know why
She sells?
I need
.
Oh I see why
She sells -
I need.

Do you know what it means to me
To delight in your company?
Could it happen to me?

Do you know what I쨈m certain of?
I would love to fall in love
Could it happened to me?

Hey - won쨈t you look at me?
Now I??m cracked wide open - I can??t conceal
My all over trembling - I??m acting strange
And while you??re out of reach, I never change

God knows - I??m beside myself
If a tear??s a crime, then I must confess
My guilty secret - I??m not ashamed
Take me as I am - an average man

Oh boy, is it getting rough
When my old world charm isn??t quite enough?
I throw you cantos - I jazz ??em up
but when I lay me down - you don??t pick up

Once more it??s a crying shame
Only this time no-one but myself to blame
All I touch turns to dust
It??s right there in my cards - I ought to cut

Let us sing of the tortured heart
And the lonely soul in this world apart
As he plays a field - takes a little pain
then move our separate ways again

Is it easy to say ??I do??
At this moment, 'I love you'
Seems beyond me, it??s true

Now that evening is closing in
Should I light that fire again?
Could it happen to me?
Did it happen to you?

Please don't ever let me down
'Cause you know I'm not so sure
Do I have the speed to carry on
Burn you out of my mind, I know
You're a flame that never fades
Jungle red´s a deadly shade
Both ends burning, will the fires keep
Somewhere deep in my soul tonight
Both ends burning
Burning
Burn
Now my course is plain as day
Running bold across to play
Both ends burning with a strange desire
That feeds the fire in my soul tonight
I will dance the night away
Living only for today
Both ends burning while you're counting sheep
Hell-- who can sleep in this heat this night?
Tell me will I ever learn?
It's too late, the rush is on
Both ends burning and I can't control
The fires raging in my soul tonight
Oh will it never end?
Put your foot around the bend
Drive me crazy to an early grave
Tell me what is there to save tonight
Both ends burning
Burning
Burn
Keep on burning till the end, until the end
Keep on burning till the end, the very end

Before the morning comes, will I hear your song
Come little nightingale, I won't be here for long
When you're up there flying, do you care
If there's no one else around?
When your lover leaves you in the air
Do you waver, do you fall?
Now while the moon is high
Shall we, nightingale,
Duet all through the night
A pair of souls for sale
Stars cluster glistening
Captive till the dawn
Patiently listening
They've heard it all before
Should I stay here or should I go?
I couldn't bear to be alone
Was it really love I saw?
Oh, now I'll never know
What is this I hear?
I recognise that song
Sweet little nightingale I knew you'd come along
Soon when the morning comes.
We will both be gone
So sing pretty nightingale
Lead, I'll follow on.

Maybe your heart is aching
I wouldn??t know now would I?
Maybe your spirit??s breaking up
I shouldn??t care now should I?
Maybe you??re thinking of me
Well I don쨈t know do I?
If you only knew how I feel - oh
Wish I could die now don쨈t I?

I쨈m just another crazy guy
playing at love was another high
Just another high

Couldn??t believe in my eyes
You drifted into my life
But marriages made in heaven
Can they survive in this life?
Surely it came as no surprise
Love was too hot to handle?
Well I really blew my cool, and you,
you just blew out the candle...

Didn??t you just try just another high?
Didn??t you sign as you waved goodbye -
'just another high?

I??m just another crazy guy
playing with love was another high
such a crazy high

Lately it seems so empty here
But I suppose I??m alright
Maybe tomorrow??s not so clear
Still I remember that night
Singing to you like this is
my only way to reach you
and though I쨈m too proud to say it
oh how I long too see you
Shattered my dreams by your goodbye
shattered my hopes - they fill the sky
Desolate am I

I'm just another crazy guy
playing at love was another high
just another high

just another high
just another high
such a crazy high

Maybe I should start anew
and maybe I'll find someone who
will maybe love me like I love you
but maybe I쨈m too stuck on you
yes maybe I got stuck on you
maybe I got stuck on you

Wish everybody would leave me alone -yeah
They're always calling on my telephone
When I pick it up there's no one there
So I walk outside just to take the air
Come on with me cruising down the street
Who knows what you'll see, who you might meet
This brave new world's not like yesterday
It can take you higher than the milky way
Now I'm blinded I can't really see - yeah
No more bright lights confusing me - no
Don't ask me why I'm feeling blue
'Cause loving you is all I can do
Hey good-looking boys - gather around
The sidewalk papers gutter-press you down
All those lies can be so unkind,
They can make you feel like you're losing your mind
Street Life
Street Life
Street Life
What a Life
Back to nature boys - Vasser girls too
Watch what you say, or think, or do
Continental-style strasse girls might
But you know exactly if it's wrong or right
Education is an important key - yes
But the good life's never won by degrees - no
Pointless passing through Harvard or Yale
Only window shopping - it's strictly no sale
Week end starts Friday soon after eight
Your jet black magic helps you celebrate
You may be stranded if you stick around
And that's really something

Buttercup daisies
And most anything
They wither and fade
After blossom in Spring
Time conquers innocence
Pride takes a fall
In knowledge lies wisdom
That's all
Everything changes
Weather blows hot or cold
Through alchemy iron turns gold
Quicksilver baby
So hard to pin down
Oh when are you coming around'
Hopelessly grounded
I walk through the streets
Remembering how we spent time
Hopefully yearning that someday we'll meet
But when will we, how could we - why' Oh my!
Fashion houses ladies
Need plenty loose change
When the latest creation
Is last year's fab-rave
Thought patterns hazy
This auto-style age
Will lady luck smile old and sage'
She knows that ......
Never again, no, will I give up my heart
To gamble with fate is my crime
Nevertheless love, it's all here in my book
I'd write it but don't have much time
You see, I know it sounds crazy
But what can I do'
I've fallen head over heels, over you
Chameleon colour
All phases of moon
The shifting of planets
And leopard spots too
As destiny wills it
So seasons will change
Just like you

Amazona
Is a zone where
There is no doubt
No more fall-out -
Why don't you step
Through the mirror and see'
From Arizona
To Eldorado
Sure is a mighty long way.
Hey little girl
Is something wrong'
I know it's hard
For you to get along
The bell-tower rings
It tolls a hollow sound
But your castles in Spain
Still may be realised
And longings more profound.
You see - every cloud
Has a silver lining
And sometimes paradise
Around your corner lies.
In Amazona everything is nice
Little one - come take my hand'
I'll try to help you there -
I'll take you there.
Amazona's
Getting closer
Oh soon you'll see.
Journey's over
We're almost there

Try on your love
Like a new dress
The fit and the cut
Your friends to impress
Try on your smile -
Square on your face

Showing affection
Should be no disgrace
Try out your God
Hope He will send
Kindness from strangers
On whom you depend

Try on His coat
A mantle most fine
Myriad colours
His harmony-thine
'Believe in me'
Once seemed a good line
Now belief in Jesus
Is faith more sublime
Head in the clouds
But I can't see the Lord
Short of perfection
I'll try to be good
I'll stand at His gate

I'll wait for His sign
Then I'll walk in His garden
When it's my time
Drink from His cup
Hush now don't you cry
His quiet waters

Will never run dry
Nearing death's vale
He's here by my side
He leads me to paradise
A mountain so high

Don't be afraid
Just treasure His word
Singing His praises
I know I'll be heard
He's gonna take you by the hand

He's gonna make you feel good
Open up your eyes
And then you'll see all that you should
Forget all your troubles

You will feel no pain
He's all that you need
He's your everything
When I'm feeling all at sea
And deliverance is that distant shore
I will not be worried

Someday His house will be my home
For everymore

Darkness falls
Around your window pane
A light still burns
But just a smouldering flame
Is it the end of another affair
An open engagement with gloom
Or will you be smiling
When the sun conjures up
A broken spell au clair de lune'
Silhouette
As you draw the shade
Cloak of night
You know it's tailor-made
G-Plan gymnastics
By an everglow fire
Could never mean the same
As summer enchantment
By an old mill steam
From courtly love to costly game
Maybe I'm wrong for seeming
Ungrateful, unforgiving
Oh how it hurts now you're finally leaving
I couldn't take anymore ......
Now's the time!
Let's hide away
Sacred hours
Saved from yesterday
Boo-hoo willows weep around you still
Mirror reflections of dew
But waterfall pages of an open book
Could shower new horizons soon
Call the tune
Will you swoon
As I croon
Your serenade

Here as I sit
At this empty cafe
Thinking of you
I remember
All those moments
Lost in wonder
That we'll never
Find again
Though the world
Is my oyster
It's only a shell
Full of memories
And here by the Seine
Notre-Dame casts
A long lonely shadow
Now - only sorrow
No tomorrow
There's no today for us
Nothing is there
For us to share
But yesterday
These cities may change
But there always remains
My obsession
Through silken waters
My gondola glides
And the bridge - it sighs...
I remember
All those moments
Lost in wonder
That we'll never
Find again
There's no more time for us
Nothing is there
For us to share
But yesterdays
Ecce momenta
Illa mirabilia
Quae captabit
In aeternum
Memor
Modo dolores
Sunt in dies
Non est reliquum
Vero tantum
Comminicamus
Perdita
Tous ces moments
Perdus dans l`enchantement
Qui ne reviendront
Jamais
Pas d'aujourd'hui pour nous
Pour nous il n'y a rien
A partager
Sauf le pass?

Turn the lights down
Way down low
Turn up the music
Hi as fi can go
All the gang's here
Everyone you know
It's a crazy scene
Hey there just look over your shoulder
Get the picture'
No no no no .......(Yes)
Walk a tightrope
Your life-sign-line
Such a bright hope
Right place, right time
What's your number'
Never you mind
Take a powder
But hang on a minute what's coming round the corner'
Have you a future'
No no no no .......(Yes)
Well I've been up all night again
Party-time wasting is too much fun
Then I step back thinking
Of life's inner meaning
And my latest fling
It's the same old story
All love and glory
It's a pantomime
If you're looking for love
In a looking glass world
It's pretty hard to find
Oh mother of pearl
I wouldn't trade you
For another girl
Divine intervention
Always my intention
So I take my time
I've been looking for something
I've always wanted
But was never mine
But now I've seen that something
Just out of reach - glowing -
Very Holy grail
Oh mother of pearl
Lustrous lady
Of a sacred world
Thus: even Zarathustra
Another-time-loser
Could believe in you
With every goddess a let down
Every idol a bring down
It gets you down
But the search for perfection
Your own predilection
Goes on and on and on and on
Canadian Club love
A place in the Country
Everyone's ideal
But you are my favorita
And a place in your heart dear
Makes me feel more real
Oh mother of pearl
I wouldn't change you
For the whole world
You're highbrow, holy
With lots of s

Oh look at the sun - it's all a-glow
Slow burning star - sinking low
Heaven knows where you go
Out of sight, out of minds eye, no
Aw such a shame - you must leave
All day long you were a friend to me
Still - the moons company
Until morning when larks will sing
Horizons appointment youll keep
For sunswept flamingos must sleep
Scenes like these from my dreams
Cover cutting-room floors all over .....

Warm heart we spin slowly from view
Why are you sad - do you disapprove?
How weve wasted our time
Sunset - end of my day - my decline
Postscript you trace colours the sky
Red-letter light fades, is filed away
Sunburst fingers you raise
One last sigh of farewell - goodbye