Shelter

I?e got to concentrate on priorities.
Can? negate what means the most to me.
What? our fate?
What? our destiny?
Start with each moment? activity.
I try, I try, I try, I try
But what? important slips right by.
When 20 summers pass and they?l go fast.
Will I look back and be satisfied within my heart
And at peace within my mind?
When 20 summers fly, fly on by
Will I like what I am and who I am or will I even give a damn?
We focus time on what matters least and our reward, a catastrophe.
Looking back, what feels good to me?
Oh, the value of integrity.

Another year I? here, unload the gear.
There? a health food restaurant over there.
The sound? check? now but no one cares.
Hey what time are we on stage?
The trailer? like a puzzle packed.
With T-shirts, drums, and all our crap.
We take it back.
It? a science the third day.
Now we pack the gear, we?e out of here.
It? a 14 hour drive but no one? sleeping.
Say your good-byes and then we?e in the van again.
Relationships we?e on the phone.
The autobahn? our second home.
I know those roads, from Berlin to Rome.
Like 80 in the states.
And I love this city ad I? love to stay but at 12 o??lock we?e o our way.
I?l be back again in early May cuz we just got added dates.
I?e traded in the university for this back seat and poverty.
But this whole time I felt so free and learned more in the end.
And winter has passed but we made it through.
Don? tell me about paying dues.
And if you paid, then you?l know too.
you?l end up doing it again and again and again.

A show in Buffalo and you would never know the effect it had right on me.
And everything was fine, so many kids in line.
I was feeling good within myself.
Then six guys ad a gun and I saw people run.
Baseball bats were swinging and little kids went down as they beat them to the ground.
And I stood stunned just singing?æ??ake me today?br> Closed my eyes and prayed.
As the Song of Brahma was running through my mind.
It never seems that this worldæ?? a dream and K.C. looked at me and said,
æ??ife and death, itæ?? just a matter of time.?br> Ran to the van but we were blocked in.
We were helpless and prayed for connection.
So we all gathered æ??ound chanting transcendental sound for shelter and protection.
But my number was up next and they beat me with a stick.
My own blood made me blind.
They beat me from behind but running through my mind The Holy Nameæ?? reflection.
Kneeling on the floor and bleeding more and more.
But now the dramaæ?? ending.
Weæ?®e all players on a stage filled with joy and rage.
But he curtainæ?? soon descending.
æ?¶uz in this world thereæ?? death and danger at every step.
So whatæ?? our meditation?
I had a precious gift.
I knew my mind was fixed,
a chance to view perfection.

In the public eye they?e fabricated you.
Chose your selling points to sell.
Became an object they can hate or pursue.
But no one asked just how you felt.
But don? you think I feel?
Don? you think I? real?
Are you so dull that you don? have a clue?
And I don? think it? right, this invasion in my life.
No, one day you?l feel what I? going through.
In the public eye you?e always on stage.
They?e magnified your every move.
Free to roam around in your golden cage.
But you better watch just what you do.
And you?e bound by their chains,
you?e not allowed to change.
In the public eye.
And you?e living a life you must defend in the public eye.
In this world you exchange the right to know who? your real friend
and why it? a loser? game that I can? win,
I can only try.

Born ignorant of our higher needs.
Lost and trying to proceed.
No direction, just helplessly.
Trying to break free attracted to all that fades.
The temporary world betrays.
And sucks us in, we stand amazed.
And lose our sense as if we?e crazed.
We are spirits blinded by this world that shines
and steals our common sense away.
We are spirits blinded but I want to see the light of day.
Looking for a different high.
More tied up than before we tried.
And if we knew we always lied.
Hurts too much to let it by.
We are spirits but we forget.
And love becomes full of regrets.
To embrace this world? our biggest threat when in reality we haven? met.

I see a trail, a grudging light.
It's burning bright, it takes me home again.
And I can't understand the plan.
I try to fight but I cannot contend.
A magnetic force, it's a true north.
What is its source, it is a friend?
But more than once I have begun to feel that I will easily transcend.
Look away. No hope is lost I never fear.
That I'll be desperate, left out on my own.
I feel it yeah, but soon realized the whole time I never was alone.
Busy city, crowded clubs,
or touring in a van away from home.
If we can listen we will hear.
A voice that will teach and help us grow.
I don't know what you're been through but my guess too is life is always rough.
It leaves us bruised and bloodied,
it makes us hard.
It makes our skin real tough.
When my world crumbles on me as it does each week.
It is not the ed. I look inside, I listen too.
'cuz I'm sure there's an ally within.

I have dream but it seems I try to get ahead,
you try to get in between.
You deride but my cry inside.
You?e got o do what you love.
Or you?e not satisfied.
Killer of my dreams.
You know exactly what I mean.
Killer of my dreams,
I won? let you get inside of me.
Get off my back, I know you lack.
I know inside you?e rotting.
And that? why you attack.
Rise above, give some love.
The more we give, the more we get.
The less we need back.

Concealed revealed a solution a revolution without bloodshed
finally. Disciplic succsesion has placed in my possession
Complete so sweet a satisfying taste for an empty race
There's a fire in the city a fool won't admit it and only
A fool will sit right in it
Truth has been spoken for all mankind and if you search for peace
Then you can find
The blind will stay blind if they're inclined but the wise will
Apply in this crucial time
In illusion in confusion the world's greatest brain's create more
Problems not solutions
Expand our bold stand there can be hope for modern man!

It's the message of the Bhagavat

History of the universe 18,000 verses for our edification
I sat like an ass in class for fourteen years at last I got some real
Education
Extinguishing the fire of our workday life that burns and burns
Us untill we break
Illuminating rejuvinating not degenerating giving shelter to the
People who want truth
Truth has been spoken for all mankind and it's a sad mad world
When you can find
Man confined to the grind and they don't even mind to be working
For some jerk and leave their life behind
In illusion in confusion and don't think there won't be any
Retribution
Expand our bold stand there can be hope for modern man!

There's a war in the day no peace at night
There's blood on the hands of man yet we don't symathize
The meateater kills the cows they just depersonalize to justify
Their own lust as the helpless die
And it's ironic how we cry for world peace
But the violence won't decrease unless our murders cease
So understand in the slaughter-house who's the beast
And I demand that the innocent be released
Well I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man so-called civilized man
Yes I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man? so-called so-called so-called
Guilt free so-called morality
Fallacy
The 4 foods group just western medicine quackery
(meat would be) $35 a pound but our taxes subsidize
As 35 million starve as we gormandize
The grains that could feed the world go to their industry
To fatten up the catle for death and I protest
Rain forests once here kiss goodbye the biosphere ozone nightmare
Just see the people don't even care!

Well I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man so-called civilized man
Yes I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man? so-called so-called so-called
Guilt free we overlooked the blood and brutality
And the TV propaganda covers heinous reality
A plea to the people of this land to do
What they can with hope for a civilized man
Well I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man so-called civilized man
Well I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
I've tried to understand tried to understand tried to understand

Just he uses love for sex
And sure she uses sex for love
And they're both hoping for the best
I also have that dream you're thinking of
If we place a blindfold on our eyes
Iron and gold appear the same
It's intense hope that makes us try
So we go on and play the game
And once again we get attached
And think we've found the answer
Here we go again
Ran into many walls
But I know I'll get that answer
Here we go again
We loved not wisely but to well...
We're hoping (s)he will be the one
But we never learn from our mistakes
And bassed on beauty love soon dies
Then we make our move to separate
Yes iron and gold appear the same
But one is costly to obtain
And I'll be the only one to blame
If I resist I know I'll gain

I have been born in the age of thoughtlessness
And I too commit the crime of living in this world
Considering all to be mine
The earth the air the sun the trees
Like a body all work in perfect harmony
Will we fit into the system or create the disease?
Our greatest wealth it has been lost
I'd like to get it back at any cost
We dare live in this world without appreciation
Appreciate it's getting late
We've sealed our fate with all the damage that has been done
So much destruction so a few can have some fun
I contemplate and I dedicate
To getting myself out of this pathetic state
Of living without giving in a world
Where we've forsed to become so numb
And despite all say I get carried away
I took for granted it's easier not to think than to appreciate
And my cultures disease has got the best of me
And now I pray that it's not too late

In my world where I'm the king I can't tolerate anything
And because of this I'm suffering all along
In my universe I can't be wrong
All those opposed just move along
Cross my path and you'll be gone
C'mon
Empathy, empathy will I emphatize?
Emphatize can I look through your eyes
I'll find different paradigms
And different minds never two of kind
And it'll bring me back down to size again
I live in a world where I'm the center of it
And everyone else seem so small
That was the beginning of my downfall
I never seen through your lens friend
And I'm gonna break if I don't brend
Is it too late to make amends?

Based on pigment a war begins
We've got two souls wrapped in different skin
Won't take it back it's a fact
No one can win
C'mon you can see the shape the world is in
And what's the fate of our state
That never learns from past mistakes
Can you estimate?
You better pray everyday
The dam don't break
I say hey you better pray
It's not too late
And mention the tension isn't pretty,
You can feel it in the city
You've got to watch your back expect attack
I always feel like I'm ready for combat
Yes yes we're spirit souls within this world
And I know that I'm free,
And I know that we're ready for a modification
Yes yes I'm convinced we're not this flesh
Can you hear what I'm saying?
Yes yes I'm convinced I'm not this flesh
Can you hear me?
Ignorance of identity we've created enmity
Denigration of a civilization
And that's our explanation
When it all falls down
Our bloods both red when blood is shed
I've heard the news there's one more dead
Just see the way that we've been bred
We've lost ourselves
And we've lost lost our identification
And it's evil the people live in fear
You can feel it in the air
It begins thinking
We're skin which overlooks what we're within
So why disgress?
This simple point will cause so much distress
Don't rate me hate me deprecate me
Or be ready for the ramifications
Watch the city crumble humbled
They don't even know
What slapped them in the face
We've got to instigate
And educate a spiritual solution
And we won't sit we won't conceal
Beacuse many feel the way I feel any
Many want this earth to heal
I've got a voice of an entire generation

I've always wanted more
I couldn't settle for second best in life
And end up like the rest
I know out of thousands
Only one will come forward
A narrow gate that I'm gonna go for
I'll try but I may not succeed
But if I know I took that chance
Well that's all I need
I'll let the world disagree
But I'm gonna take that chance
The hour glass drops sand
As we waste our time
We stay on standby
As time destroys all in it's way
Wasting days
Be we've got to move
Success and failurein this world
All the same mere games that won't remain
So what's getting ahead unless we transcend?
For that I'm gonna try and try again

Earth can be a lonely place
Blank stares on the people's face
I contemplate their pointless chase
That traps me and my friends

Is this the place where I belong?
Where did we go wrong?
Will it last real long?
Are you too singing this song?

Sometimes I feel it
Sometimes I feel all so alone
And yes yes I must confess
I feel so far from home
Mantra take me home I trust you
Mantra take me home
Take me to the place where I belong

Life's a puzzle the thoughtful solve
But most choose not to get involved
Because of this we don't evolve
Just look around my friend

And life's meaning can be hard to grasp
All that's certain is it won't last
We're all spirits looking for transcendence
Oh mantra grant me that independence

We were friends since school
The punks were never cool
But we didn't care anyway
And even in the scene
When it was cool to be mean
We walked the other way
Rebels from birth this world had no worth
But then you went astray one day
And I don't think it's right
That you gave up the fight
And walked away; you ran away
We could of made that change,
We could of set this world,
This world on fire
What happened to your desire
How did you think that I would feel?
Didn't you think I was for real?
I know it's been so long since then
But It's time I sent this letter to my friend
We had dreams and schemes
That they laughed about
But we didn't care anyway
I feel hurt and confused
When I think of you
Where do you stand my friend is it too late?
We stayed up all night and talked about life
We seemed so sober those days
We stood side by side
And I don't know why you threw it away
What can you say?
Well I'm gonna make that change
I'm gonna set this world
This world on fire
Whou cares about your pretty desires

Born selfish and ignorant
And my school gave me knowledge
But never any wisdom
And in addition the television programmed my brain
Through it's constant repetition
Misdirected infected with mundane roles and goals and heroes
And although life really has purpose
I wasted my youth in a social circus
Told what is best for me
But I've seen their destiny
Our leaders ignominy
Reconfirm my concern to rearrange and change my life
I'll vow
I'll vow right here
And now no more time wasting just edification purification
We can direct our future
This life, this life has no meaning
Unless we grow
I know there's no use for all this screaming
Unless we grow
Born foolish dull and shelf absorbed
But my life's dedicated to reformation and education
In a nation that thinks great pleasure is a Disney vacation
I never fit in to their system
I couldn't understand people
Wasting their time with so called love
And drugs and occupations
While outside the window is a crumbling nation
So I searched for sincerity and lost popularity
Well what do they want from me?
If I lost friends they never were my friends at all!
To find the real me through introspection
And austerity is my life's mission my ambition
I've got a vision to change my destiny
Things don't change - we must change

We were friends since school
The punks were never cool
But we didn't care anyway
And even in the scene
When it was cool to be mean
We walked the other way
Rebels from birth this world had no worth
But then you went astray one day
And I don't think it's right
That you gave up the fight
And walked away; you ran away
We could of made that change,
We could of set this world,
This world on fire
What happened to your desire
How did you think that I would feel?
Didn't you think I was for real?
I know it's been so long since then
But It's time I sent this letter to my friend
We had dreams and schemes
That they laughed about
But we didn't care anyway
I feel hurt and confused
When I think of you
Where do you stand my friend is it too late?
We stayed up all night and talked about life
We seemed so sober those days
We stood side by side
And I don't know why you threw it away
What can you say?
Well I'm gonna make that change
I'm gonna set this world
This world on fire
Whou cares about your pretty desires

I뭢 bringing my baggage here from another time. My personality follows me around. Well problems, they don뭪 go away. They stay until they I look them in the face. If I don뭪 face them they grind me into the ground again. I know that this fear ?it isn뭪 real. Its created in the mind. I know that this flesh isn뭪 the same ?it just changes over time. My body뭩 born it grows it dies I just observe. My attachments make life seem like a roller coaster ride. Life뭩 filled with lessons will I pass? If not I뭠l wear another mask and take some birth, assign some worth to my so-called self again. Eternal. And I뭠l never not exist. I can뭪 get too attached. I know I뭢 just a passenger

If planet earth is our mother, then as an urban dweller in a concrete world I feel as if I'm a wayward son. If God's our father we're all brothers ? so if we don't connect or we lose respect all we've made will be undone. Turn off the road and check the map. Find out where I'm really at, where I want and where I want to go. Redirect my energy ? be the man I want to be. This is it this will be my first priority. Without truth life's a desert. So I searched for souls that could console and satisfy this blazing thirst. With all I've learned I just can't regress and live a lie and justify. Inside I'd just die or burst. To re-connect with my family. My life's goal my heart my soul. What else will satisfy?

Songwriters who are lost bathing in their nothingness. Poets I resent when their words are filled with no substance. When we were in our youth we were looking for some truth. How could I sit mute and watch their pursuit?
I had to think deep and become resolute.
(It was) my chance to live, my contribution, my chance to follow my dreams and to give back to the world for all that I뭭e received. (It was) my chance to live my chance to share with all that뭩 been so close to me.
So find what you do and offer it too.
That뭩 where it all begins.
Songs can be a waste of time if they haven뭪 inspired a single mind.
With me I뭭e always had a goal ?to reach out and to touch the soul. Just invoke some inspiration. Not ego validation. So I had to live to keep my spirit positive with my music as my offering to give. Won뭪 stay busy as I grow merely to fill my time, as I grow old.
I want do design my actions as an offering not a distraction. When ego뭩 in the way I뭠l be the one to pay. Not here to compete. That would be too cheap. Had to go inside and dig real deep

Well it follows me around all day this heavy burdens breaks me to the ground.
Bags of stones in my arms stacked my mind is colored black I walk around.
I have the power to let go but lack the humility to own my part of the equation.
And that뭩 my situation. My mind is cooking blood well done. Responsibility runs out the door.
And yes I have been hurt and cheated but cuz I뭢 so attached, I ask for more. Sit in my head and dwell and dwell and curse you to the lowest hell for eternity.
So you can sit with me. My mind is reeling, my head out of control my teeth clench up. My heart contracts and yes it뭩 getting old for me now but I can뭪 stop 뻨o! there뭩 a message in my face that I don뭪 want to see.
Cuz resentment is the poison that I take to kill you ?but it뭩 killing me. I know I played a part in this and I must take some blame or else I뭢 doomed. I know I played a part in this if I admit my fault it will all be over soon. I뭢 sickly, drained there is no gain and this poisons running through my veins and I want some serenity to reclaim my divinity

Can?t you see what we?ve created? Can?t you hear our mother cry? Can you tell by the oil of the oceans filled with oil or the haze that keeps appearing in the sky? Can?t you see where we?re going? Shortsightedness will be our death. And the seed to the solution is to give up our intrusion on this earth before we choke out our own breath. Return to a place forgotten in time ? to a mindset left behind. And all we hold as valuable needs to get redefined. Return to Eden. In one hundred years of progress, we?ve dug our grave so very deep. And the earth as we remember stand burning in its embers - urban sprawls and the malls ? we took it cheap. Yes I?m returning back to Eden. Not for the world but for me. Cuz this lifestyle we?ve created and all we?ve decimated has been taking me far away from me

In defense of Reality 7"
by Shelter
(c) 1991
"In Defence of reality"
Security. Well, how secure are we?
Making our plans in a castle of sand as our dreams get
dragged to sea. You say you're independent; well is that
a fact? It's by creation's donation that you are maintained
but you'd rather turn your back. In defense of reality!
Today's modern science is your modern religion. Guesswork
taught as fact--"Don't talk back"--blind faith in their decision.
You say explosion started creation, and we're just chemical
combinations, but would you take the same stand if there was
a gun in my hand? Or wouls you beg for your salvation?
In defense of reality? Actually, these conclusions prove
their insanity! A creation without a creator...Can it be?
Just like a painting without a painter...absurdity! No,
I don't wanna run away, I want to embrace reality.
"The News"
An inspiration for a real sensation. Emancipation


of my soul. And my fixation is some infromation on this
part's relation to the whole. My aspiration is pure meditation:
self-realization, that's the goal! But nonsense information
breaks my concentration, mundane sound vibration is
taking control! Before I want to hear your news,
I want the news on me. Been caught up so long in all
of life's hype, I haven't had time to see that beneath
the disguise the real self lies which needs a soul satisfying
activity. No, I don't want to hear your news, I want
the news on me. Turn down that noise! Who are we
essentially? Beneath the smiles, profiles, and styles, lies
individuality. NO more immense pretense, I'll take down
my fence. I want to know the real me. No more acts
I just want some facts on the soul's real personality
But that news confuses, misconstrues, and abuses. It blocks
my view from what I need to see. I want the news on me.