Lyrics

1976

 1. World Beyond the Sky

      w/m M. Cassidy 

If there was a world

Where you could live forever

If there was a world

A life of endless pleasure

Where each word was a song

Would you come along

If there was a world

If there was a world

With flowing streams of nectar

If there was a world

Where people dance forever

Embodiments of bliss

Who could resist it

If there was a world

We can't deny the nature

That is deep within our soul

That yearning for the better life

Where love is not a word

But something real

I know you've heard about

That world beyond the sky

Where you never have to die

If there was a world

Where you could live your part

If there was that chance

To open up your heart

Souls tied in bonds of love 

I know you'ed go there

If there was a world

We can't deny the nature

That is deep within our soul

That yearning for the better life

Where love is not a word

But something real

I know you've heard about

That world beyond the sky

Where you never have to die

If there was a world

If there was a world

If there was a world

2. Questions, Questions

    w/m M. Cassidy

Questions, questions on our mind

Try to find a place to hide

Behind the thoughts of a busy day

How long can we go on this way

Day after day

Questions, questions deep inside

Rising in the course of time

Our reasoning must be satisfied

No longer can we try to hide

The questions deep inside

Born into a world that’s changing

Right before our eyes

Left with no one else

We finally turn and face the sky

O Lord of the universe

Creator, tell me why

I was made to want to live

Though I’m forced to die

Tell me why

Some men say that life’s a dream

An accident without a scheme

A little time to live and die

Somehow that doesn’t satisfy

The need we feel inside

Born into a world that’s changing

Right before our eyes

Left with no one else

We finally turn and face the sky

O Lord of the universe

Creator, tell me why

I was made to want to live

Though I’m forced to die

Tell me why, Tell me why

3. Bhagavad-gita

w/m M. Cassidy and J. Magyer

On the battlefield 5,000 years ago

In the midst of danger

Arjuna dropped his bow

And the sweet Lord sang His song

It didn’t take Him very long

To help the young man out

Freed him from his doubt

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Eternally

 Wouldn’t you like to be free

Wouldn’t you like to be free 

From all the doubts you ever had

I know inside they drive you mad

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Eternally

Oh, don’t let illusion bring you down

Fight for the right to be free

Oh, don’t let your vision

Touch the ground

Spirit-soul is meant for victory

Human life is meant to set him free

On the battlefield 5,000 years ago

In great confusion

Arjuna dropped his bow

And the sweet Lord sang His song

It didn’t take Him very long

To help the young man out

Freed him from his doubt

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Wouldn’t you like to be free 

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Wouldn’t you like to be free

Eternally

4. Seers of the Truth  

    words/from poem by Srila Bhaktivinode

    music/M. Cassidy

The seers of the Truth

Freed from all illusion

Above this world's confusion

We are all beginningless

Eternal living souls

Full of knowledge full of bliss

Why then this childish play in that

Which cannot be our own

Which falls within a hundred years

As if a rose a-blown?

The seers of the Truth

Freed from all illusion

Above this world's confusion

Seers of the Truth

5. You’re Not That Body  

     w/m M. Cassidy

You know you’re not that body

We’re all pure spirit-soul

The body is just a lump of flesh

Destined to grow old

Destined to grow old

You know you’re not that body

We’re all pure spirit soul

The body is just a changing thing

Destined to grow old

Destined to grow old

For the soul

There is never birth or death

For the soul

Nor having once been

Does he ever cease to be

He’s unborn, he’s eternal

He’s unborn, he’s undying

He’s not slain

When the body is slain

6. A  Change of Heart

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

A caterpillar changed his mind

And woke to find himself refined

His old self had to die

For him to be a butterfly

He tired of walking on the ground

And so around himself he wound

A screen of silken strands

A veil untouched by human hands

Then something subtle changed within

Reflected by his changing skin

He had a change of heart

And wished to play another part

He changed from worm to butterfly

And if he could, then so could I

I want to free my mind

And rise beyond the waves of time

Beyond this burning dark abyss

Up to that land of love and bliss

Where grows a flower sweet

I’ll fly to Krishna’s lotus feet

For me to live eternally

My soul at last from matter free

A song will fill the sky

The love-song of a butterfly

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

1977

1. Come Along

     w/m M. Cassidy 

Time to open up your eyes

Time to take a look inside you

Won't you kindly lend an ear

What you hear just may astound you

Time to open up your mind

Time to take a look around you

Won't you kindly lend an ear

What you hear just may astound you

You got to get your ticket now

You got to make a reservation

Purify your heart

Love means no self-motivation

There's no time for hesitation

Won't you please come along

2. Golden Avatar

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

In India five hundred years ago

The Lord of all, from out of boundless grace

Appeared, His causeless mercy to bestow

Upon a blind and suffering human race

He came to save the lost souls

From disgrace

Appearing as the sages had foretold

A gentle, loving smile upon His face

And shining with the hue of purest gold

Gauranga brought His love

To this dark place

Just see Him chanting

Dance and sing, behold

The Holy Name within His heart’s embrace

And shining with the hue of purest gold

Descending on this planet filled with woe

A lonely island lost in outer space

He sang, and love of God began to flow

Like crystal water from a silver vase

The rising moon was veiled in shadow lace

A silken, starlight mantle did enfold

The birth of He, no darkness could erase

And shining with the hue of purest gold

Gauranga brought His love

To this dark place

Just see Him chanting

Dance and sing, behold

The Holy Name within His heart’s embrace

And shining with the hue of purest gold

In India five hundred years ago

The Lord of all, from out of boundless grace

Appeared, His causeless mercy to bestow

Upon a blind and suffering human race

He'll even benedict the low and base

From neither man nor beast will he withhold

His love will fill their hearts

And hate replace

And shining with the hue of purest gold

Gauranga brought His love

To this dark place

Just see Him chanting

Dance and sing, behold

The Holy Name within His heart’s embrace

And shining with the hue of purest gold

3. Sign of Surrender

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

Outworn, my shoes are growing thin

Through trackless miles of needless sin

In lands where only cactus grows

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

In countless births I vainly sought

Escape from death, but I was caught

Within a trap which I had chose

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

Oh cold, mechanic desert night

I’m not your child, I've seen the light

No more to wear your dusty clothes

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

So many times the moon rose high

And filled with light the darkened sky

Yet I my foolish eyes would close

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

But every day when dawn appeared

Its light revealed that which I feared

A land of death besieged with woes

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

Oh cold, mechanic desert night

I’m not your child, I've seen the light

No more to wear your dusty clothes

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

But then at last I came to see

This desert life was meant for me

But happiness just comes and goes

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

Now finally, Lord, I hear Your song

My soul was sleeping all along

No more Your love will I oppose

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

Now let my every word and deed 

Be free from anger lust and greed

For each man's heart his action shows

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

Oh let my chanting fill the skies

So love for You may fill my eyes

Let serving You be my repose

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

Oh cold, mechanic desert night

I’m not your child, I've seen the light

No more to wear your dusty clothes

I feel the thorn, I've smelt the rose

Now let my every word and deed

Be freed from anger, lust and greed

For each man's heart, his action chose

I feel the thorn, I've smelled the rose

Now let my chanting fill the skies

So love for You may fill my eyes

Let serving You be my repose

I feel the thorn, I've smelled the rose

Oh cold, mechanic desert night

I’m not your child, I've seen the light

No more to wear your dusty clothes

I feel the thorn, I've smelled the rose

4. Simple Living  

     w/m M. Cassidy

Well, the morning sun was rising

In the open country sky

The village started singing

And my thoughts were getting high

The grace of God was blooming

In the orchard and the meadow 

It was on that blessed morning

And I thanked Him then and there

Remembering the ghetto

Simple living, peace of mind

High thinking, let your spirit climb 

Oh Lord, thank You for this life

Now help me live it right, as You please

The gentle cows were grazing

The ox were hauling wood

Seeing them protected

My heart was feeling good 

At home my wife was holding high

Our daily bread to God

He's made this life so simple

Why has man made life so hard

Simple living, peace of mind

High thinking, let your spirit climb 

Oh Lord, thank You for this life

Now help me live it right, as You please

Oh my mind's been getting clearer

Like a crystal mountain stream

And I know within myself

God's word is not a dream

The message has been given

Divine love is the goal

Just simplify your living

Purify your soul

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

 5. Spirit of Reason

      w/m M. Cassidy

The powers of evil stand

Intoxicating the land

Degrading the nature of man

Our enemies right at hand

Ignorance, arrogance, anger, and pride

The strength of lust keeps building inside

The animal nature in man starts to rise

Don't let the spirit of reason die

Truthfulness, charity, love, and good deeds

Forgiveness and freedom

From anger and greed

Kindness to all, be they creature or man

The ocean of love will conquer the land

Let us sing the Holy Name

And happiness will reign

Fearlessness, purity, vigor, and trust

Mercy and freedom from envy and lust

Knowledge of spirit, God’s gift to man

In the  ocean of light,

The darkness can't stand

Let us sing the Holy Name

And happiness will reign

The powers of evil stand

Intoxicating the land

Degrading the nature of man

Our enemies right at hand

Ignorance, arrogance, anger, and pride

The strength of lust keeps building inside

The animal nature in man starts to rise

Don't let the spirit of reason die

6. Hidden Worlds

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

Selflessness relieves distress

The gentle rain of happiness

Puts out the burning fire of life

Transports the soul beyond all strife

Past starry night and cruel death

For those who give their living breath

Upon their lips the Holy Name

In praise of He who came

To them a store of bliss is known

And hidden worlds to them are shown

Where love supreme fills every eye

Sweet jubilation fills the sky

As dancing milkmaids and cowherd boys

Play in forests green with joys

Of bael and jack fruit, lily white 

An endless full moon, nectar night

Of dancing magic, loving smiles

And gopi damsels' playful wiles

They sport in lotus lakes with He

Whose glances taste of ecstasy

Past starry night and cruel death

For those who give their living breath

Upon their lips the Holy Name

In praise of He who came

To them a store of bliss is known

And hidden worlds to them are shown

7. I'll Never Be Younger

     w/m M. Cassidy

I’ll never be younger than today

I know that’s what I heard a wise man say

Tho’ my life has just begun

I can see the setting sun

And I’ll never be younger than today

Oh I’ll never be younger than today

The goal of life is waiting to be found

There’s no time for me playing around

I’ll put my games aside and go

There’s so much I have to know

And I’ll never be younger than today

Oh I’ll never be younger than today

I’ve been a servant of my pride

I couldn’t bear to let you know

My life has simply been an empty dream

With no love to call my own

I see my life is ending

There’s no need pretending

Within, I need to find out

Who I am and why I am

1978

1. The Vision   

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

You should know just how I'm feeling

Deep within my heart

I could tell you, can you hear me

That would be a start

Love's on trial, life's a courtroom

Now we take the stand

The evidence is there within you

Do you understand

Behind the veil of sense perception

Past the echoing halls of time

Beyond the realm of self-deception

Exists a vision so sublime

A truth transcending all illusion

The resting place and dearmost friend

Above the fetters of delusion

There's a love that never ends

You should know just how I'm feeling

Deep within my heart

I could tell you, can you hear me

That would be a start

 2. There is a Light 

      w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

There is a light coming down from the face

Of the beautiful Lord

Far beyond outer space

So radiant and bright

Shining perfectly clear

Descending in glory

Removing all fear

Once in the night I did wander in pain

Praying for sunrise to see Him again

Then from great height

Came a vision of grace

Pure causeless mercy

From a transcendent place

There is a light coming down from the face

Of the beautiful Lord far beyond outer space

Oh grant me my sight

Let me stand in the rain

Of your rainbow of love

The eternal refrain

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

3. Progress

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

So busy making progress

We forget to wonder why

Life started in the first place

And why why why

We're born and die

Scholars seek solutions

In the rubble of the past

Poking ancient mummies

To find out how to last

We're surrounded by the gadgets

That we're told will save the day

But we still get old and perish

Why, we cannot say

For man can make inventions

But he can't invent the truth

And all his vain pretensions

Won't restore his youth

So busy making progress

We forget to wonder why

Life started in the first place

And why why why

We are born and die

So progress marches onward

But don't you think its odd

How forward looks like backwards

And no one mentions God

We're ruled by foolish leaders

Who play with us as stakes

While our world is being poisoned

By mad scientists' mistakes

But man has made great progress

So they'd like us to believe

It's measured by the ugly mess

Our children will receive

4. Funny Money Blues

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

If you think that the honey

Is there in your money

Then there’s something you ought to know

You can work hard all day

Change your time into pay

But you leave it behind when you go

As a matter of fact, sir

Your death is a factor

Which money cannot prevent

Old age and disease

Bring all men to their knees

And a dead man can’t spend a cent

If you think that the honey

Is there in your money

Then there’s something you ought to know

You can work hard all day

Change your time into pay

But you leave it behind when you go

You might think that it's nice

When they give you a prize

For helping them reach their goal

But the things that you do

Had better be true

For the benefit of your soul

5. Protoplasmic Crud

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

Well his parents both were monkeys

Who had crawled out of the mud

He was simply made of matter

And protoplasmic crud

Formed by subatomic bumping

In a random sort of way

With no goal and no direction

Simply animated clay

Made complete by evolution

He finally learned to walk 

Although nothing needed saying

He somehow learned to talk

And he built a vast dominion

In which each thing had its use

Saying all this leads to nothing

Life's a complicated ruse

Then he gave himself a title,

Made himself a Ph.D. 

Gave himself the job of teaching

This insane philosophy

Though he claims we're going nowhere

We are told that we should hurry

And though we're only chemicals

The chemicals still worry

But now science has the answers

To the problems of our race

They've made million-dollar rockets

To bring rocks from outer-space

Yes their ancestors were cavemen

And they've shown it through the ages

By their inability to listen to the sages

Now the answer to this riddle

Should they ever care to hear it

Is that matter cannot move

Until it's touched by spirit

But it's hard to teach a monkey

The things he cannot feel

And it's hard to show a caveman

What's beyond his cave is real

But the hardest thing of all

Is showing the absurdity

Of claiming life's an accident

To men with no humility

Well his parents both were monkeys

Who had crawled out of the mud

He was simply made of matter

And protoplasmic crud

6. Think Before You Drink

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

As a child I had no knowledge

No way to understand

My father kept me sheltered

He would hold me in his hands

You know I was protected

With no threat from anywhere

I drank my mother's milk

And I didn't have a care

But it didn't last forever

I was soon sent off to school

Where the teachers gave me poison

And I drank it like a fool

They said that Mother Nature

Couldn't give us what we need

That explained the factories

The smog and dirty streams

They pointed to the chart

To show the population boom

To justify the murder

Of their children in the womb

They gave us all the facts,

Explaining economic war

Like a fool, I listened

But I won't listen anymore

So before the final slaughter

Please, please stop and think

(Stop and think)

They can lead a horse to water

But he doesn't have to drink

(Think before you drink)

1979

1. Take Me Back

    w/m M. Cassidy

Within my heart

There's a spark of love that's shining

Behind the selfishness

That motivates my deeds

Although I am part

Of a truth so deep and pleasing    

I've become a servant

Of my masters lust and greed

Oh my Lord, take me back

I've wandered off the track   

And I want to learn to love You once again

I made my plans

For gaining fame and fortune   

Finding peace of mind

In the shelter of my dreams

But You came as Time,

Destroyer of the worlds     

And woke me from the slumber

Of my passions and my schemes 

Oh my Lord, take me back

I've wandered off the track  

And I want to learn to love You once again

I got to get back to You Lord

Please take me back to You Lord

You are a treasure of spiritual pleasure

Let me love You once again

I got to get back to You Lord

Please take me back to You Lord

Give me the vision, the torchlight of wisdom

To know You once again

I got to get back

Please take me back

2. Ease My Mind

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

Please sing Your song and ease my mind

Oh lead me, Father, I am blind

And when I hear Your soothing voice

I feel my burning heart rejoice

Just as a thunder-cloud pours rain

Upon the desert’s burning plain

So You Your rain of mercy send

Just like a kind and helpful friend

Please sing Your song and ease my mind

Oh lead me, Father, I am blind

And when I hear Your soothing voice

I feel my burning heart rejoice

I guess it’s best I change my ways

They always say that goodness pays

The harm I’ve done will soon return

How many lives until I learn?

Please sing Your song and ease my mind

Oh lead me, Father, I am blind

And when I hear Your soothing voice 

I feel my burning heart rejoice

3. Look Within

    w/m M. Cassidy

A shadow of grief is covering your face

Are you looking for a friend

Who is in a distant place

Has your mind been troubled

With duplicity and doubt

Are you properly protected

Or must you do without

Oh child of this dark age

Have you found someone who knows

The purpose of your life

Or where your love should go

Look within, see the truth is there

You’ll find a friend, the Lord of everywhere

Seated in your heart, He never did depart

Look within—He’ll speak to you

Within our hearts we hide the hope

For a better life to come

That answer from a master

Rising like the sun

Covered by illusion

We are blind to Krishna’s plan

He came and sang the song of life

Which is the light for man

Nature is God’s melody

Alone He plays the tune

And when we harmonize

Our future’s brighter than the moon

Look within, see the truth is there

You’ll find a friend, the Lord of everywhere

Seated in your heart, He never did depart

Look within—He’ll speak to you

4. Dr. Frog

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

Doctor frog was a brilliant scholar

A little like you and me 

He didn't believe anything was real

Except what he could see

Doctor Frog was a great professor

A genuine Ph.D.

He lived in a pool in a shallow well

Just as happy as he could be

He’d measured the sides to the top

Of the section that he could see

And then written books on the universe

By thinking inductively

“There’s nothing beyond our inspection“

He would say with finality

“It’s conclusive truth we accept a priori

In relativity”

Then came that fateful day

When a frog who had lived by the sea

Descended within his tiny pool

And spoke with great subtlety

“I’ve come from the shore of the ocean

In a land of infinity

The water there is inconceivably deep

And exists for eternity”

“What's that you say?” said the scholar

“I doubt your veracity

You say that this place

Is as big as my well 

Is it one time or two times or three?”

And croaking, he puffed up his air sac

In proportionate quantity

And he kept inflating it bigger and bigger

Expanding it arrogantly

“Is it ten times or a hundred times?”

He said in anxiety

Only moments before his bubble burst

And he gave up his Ph. D.

The point of this story is simple

The professor’s mentality 

Couldn’t understand

What was outside his well 

There was so much more to see

Doctor Frog was a brilliant scholar

A little like you and me 

He didn't believe anything was real

Except what he could see

5. Change My Way of Living

    w/m M. Cassidy

Lord, I'm feeling tired

Feeling used and abused and hired

I know it's all in my mind 

Friends can't be blamed

They have their games and I have mine

Oh I guess I’m gonna have

To change my way of living

Please be forgiving

If there’s any harm I've done

Everybody's out to satisfy their needs 

Guess I thought the most important one

Was me

Truth, I've often wondered 

Were in thunder you might be 

The strength is there within you 

And I need a little as you can see

Oh I guess I’m gonna have

To change my way of living

Please be forgiving

If there’s any harm I've done

Everybody's out to satisfy their needs 

Guess I thought the most important one

Was me

Does anybody know just which way to go

I’m looking for some answers in my life

I’m looking for the key

That will give us harmony 

Take away the selfishness and strife

Oh I guess I’m gonna have

To change my way of living

Please be forgiving

If there’s any harm I've done

Everybody's out to satisfy their needs 

Guess I thought the most important one

Was me

6. All We Need to Know

     w/m J. Armstrong, M. Cassidy

His eyes are like a lotus flower

Poised above a crystal pool

His arms are long and filled with power

Like the moon His hands are cool

Radiance surrounds His face

Forest flowers in His hair

His body is strong and filled with grace

Sweet fragrance fills the air

He's the Lord we left so long ago

He's standing there within our soul

His love is all we need to know

To please and to serve Him

Is life’s only goal

His secret lips of coral red

Eyebrows arched like Cupid’s bow

A peacock feather in His hair

Above His garment’s golden glow

2002

1. Looking for the Bliss

    w/m M. Cassidy 

We were kids back then

Just looking for the bliss

A ragtag band of transcendentalists

It was Vishnu Johnny

And the white-trash yogi

I gave up drinking and smoking stogies

You could see it in my eyes

I was saved by the Holy Ghost

Singing and dancing

And burning up the sin

That's as close to holy

As I think I've ever been

We had three school buses

That were tuckered out and old

In a parallel world

They were chariots made of gold

I was a part-time cook

Helping with a prophecy

Radha-Damodara passing out the ecstasy

And the moon shone down

On every little town

Lord, You have a way

Of showing You're a friend

And if You'd let me, I'd do it all again

It's been years since I've been singing

About the promised land

Promises are hard to keep

When you're a man

Prabhupada, if you'd come back some day

Maybe all the gray would fade away

My world would be

Just a little more black and white

I could say "Prabhupada said"

And know that I was right

Sometimes remembering is my only light

So I hold you close in my heart tonight

Sometimes remembering you

Is my only light

So I hold you close in my heart tonight

2. Day of Redemption

     w/m M. Cassidy

I'm teaching small town kids

How to play guitar

I pay for food and rent

Working small town bars

I try to keep it connected

To the One in control

I can feel the day of redemption

Coming down the road

I have days of joy

That are filled with light

And there are times I stumble

Into the darkest of nights

I learn to let go of trouble

That ain’t mine to hold

I can feel the day of redemption

Coming down the road

Oh the mercy has been given

And the verses have been read

I can feel my heart opening wide

To the good life up ahead

Krishna prema cannot be bought

A million battles

I have faced and fought

My devotion grows stronger

My body grows old

But I can feel the day of redemption

For this fallen soul

When will we be reunited

When will I be made whole?

I can feel the day of redemption

Coming down the road

Day of redemption

3. Love I Lost

    w/m M. Cassidy

This darkness is flooded with lies

Please open my eyes

I stumble through another day

Can't let another lifetime slip away

Your kindness is hard to believe

What madness drove me to leave

Here with just myself to blame

Alone and lost

I'm calling out Your Name

Oh Govinda, Hare Krishna

Oh Gopala, Hare Rama

I was a fool from the start

Countless lifetimes we've been apart

But Your love remains forever sweet

Please take me back

I'll wait here at Your feet

Wild horses drag me away

This captured soul has no say

Lord, rescue me at any cost

This dream world isn't worth

The love I lost

Oh Govinda, Hare Krishna

Oh Gopala, Hare Rama

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

4. Loved By You

    w/m M. Cassidy

Long after skylarks started calling 

And Niagara started falling

Way after dawn first started blushing

And Old Faithful started gushing

Was just an itty bitty blink of time

Since I first heard Your Name

Ever since that day my life

Has never been the same

Well they told me 'bout Your

Great adventures

How You killed the Aghasura

How You saved that little town

Just outside Mathura

And how You broke those sweet girls' hearts

The day that You left town

Some say You had a world to save 

And couldn't stick around

Well I heard it all in wonder

How You're the cause of all that be

Why the whole world doesn't know it yet

Is still a mystery

Your beauty has no measure

Your mercy has no end

Over time I've come to know You

As my dearest friend

Well my love ain't much of nothing

But whatever I got I'll take

'Till I can clear that dust away

And see You face to face

'Cause long before

Skylarks started calling

And Niagara started falling

Way before dawn first started blushing

And the rivers started rushing

Through the countless lives I've lived

All these years I never knew

All along this winding road back home

I have been loved by You

5. Room in this House

       w/m M. Cassidy

There is room in this house

For everyone to serve the Lord

An act of love, great or small

Is something we can all afford

Don't just stand there in the doorway

You've been traveling far

Are you waiting 'till you're perfect?

Come on in as you are

There is room in this house

Oh the darkness creeps up on us

In very subtle shades of gray

'Till the thunder and the lightning

Is all we have to find our way

Thank God for those who guide us

Through the pouring rain

And invite us to take shelter

Of His holy name

There is room in this house

Well you might have gone to Yale

Got yourself a big degree

Or you might have gone to jail

And they threw away the key

But the Lord's only looking for sincerity

There's room in this house

There is room in this house

For everyone to serve the Lord

An act of love, great or small

Is something we can all afford

Don't just stand there in the doorway

You've been traveling far

Are you waiting 'till you're perfect?

Come on in as you are

Maya tries to tell us

All the vacancies are filled

If you're not a saint by now

You won't ever do His will

But don't you let her try to keep you out

There is room in this house

6. Humble Abode

     w/m M. Cassidy

Went to visit a friend

I hadn’t seen in a while

There's a lot we forgot

But not how to smile

Oh we laughed about our past

Then we walked up the road

And there on the hill

Sat the old farmhouse

And it sits there still

Like a sage transcending his age

It once served as a temple

A house of the Lord

And it's torchlight of knowledge

Cut like a sword through the dark

Surrounding our hearts

It was honored one spring

By the Jagat Guru

Adorned by his footsteps

And bathed in his truth

It was graced

By the smile of his face

Made a sacred place

Years ago on that hill

Blessings fell from above

And I met Sri Radhika

And Her only true Love

From that tiny room

They ruled the sun and the moon

Vrindavan Natha sang His tune

And my world was consumed

There my soul was reclaimed

And my past was erased

In my heart there's no castle

Could take its place

That meek little farm, that holy dhama

It was honored one spring

By the Jagat Guru

Adorned by his footsteps

And bathed in his truth

It was graced

By the smile of his face

Made a sacred place

As we came off the hill

Just remembering things

For a moment I thought

I heard cymbals ring

Back up the road

From that humble abode

Though fragile and old

It still shelters

It still shelters my soul

Oh that humble abode

7. Maya’s Maya

     w/m M. Cassidy

Maya kinda sneaks up on me

Taunts me, says she wants me

Wraps a dream around my mind

Haunts me with the same old line

Says “We’re gonna have a ball"

"Just call” -  I'll be the center of it all

But when I lean in for the kiss

I just fall into emptiness, that's all

Then she starts to do her dance

I'm entranced, in ignorance

Ignoring that I've just been duped

Deliverance, please, from this endless loop

I'm doing circles on a wooden horse

I'm forced to run the course

She's serving up the cotton candy

What's worse, I'm taking what she hands me

I'm gonna have to clear my head

Instead of looking to be misled

The path is hard to see they say

Misread when flames of passion

Light the way

I see that Maya's fascinating

Titillating, and captivating

But by some unseen desire

I'm hesitating to accept that Maya's maya

How many lives will I spend yearning

Burning, returning

Gurudeva has given me the choice

Of learning to hear the inner voice

Oh Lord, when will I just surrender

There's no contender

With Your boundless splendor

I'll bathe my mind in Your sweet meditation

Be led to transcendental destinations

2004

1. Do What You Do

     w/m M. Cassidy

Jim pops a pop-top

He sips on a soda pop

Takes a break in the summer heat

He spent his life-long

Working on his ping-pong

He's the best and he can't be beat

He say, Do what you do

Don't you deny it

Go with the flow

Don't try to fight it

You know what you know

Go on and try it

To yourself be true

Do what you do

Jake's making hot cakes

He's flipping back the flapjacks

Serving coffee with his other hand

He'll tell you point blank

He wouldn't want to own a bank

Loves his work, he's a happy man

He say, Do what you do

Don't you deny it

Go with the flow

Don't try to fight it

You know what you know

Go on and try it

To yourself be true

Do what you do

My Mama told me

Mike, you're a busy-body

So afraid to be somebody

A misdirected intellect

Stop putting detour signs

In the middle of your lifeline

All you really need is self-respect

Go on, do what you do

Don't you deny it

Go with the flow

Don't try to fight it

You know what you know

Go on and try it

To yourself be true

Do what you do

2. Living Without You

    w/m M. Cassidy

I was out there hitching

My face twitching in the rain

I was cold and alone

Saw these uptown ladies

In a black Mercedes

Gray hair carved out of stone

They wouldn't stop

Wouldn't pick me up

I took shelter of an overpass

And in the echoes of a song I sang

The emptiness came back

Can't go living without you

Baby day after day

I can't go living without you

How did I ever get this way

I'm standing in the shoulder

Someone's pulling over their car

She looks young and sweet

A lonely stare

She's pushing back her hair

I hope I can fill that empty seat

She picks me up

And we spend the night

But my laughter's full of lies

I slip away at the next café

You can't blame a man who tries

Can't go living without you

Will you ever understand

I can't go living without you

We gotta mend it if we can

I couldn't see you face to face alone

Keep it together on the telephone

So I write this old-fashioned letter

I'm thinking maybe if you reply

We'll give this love another try

I got a feeling things

Could work out better

It's getting late, I better go

Send your letter off right away

If I knew that you wanted me

I'd be with you today

Can't go living without you

Baby day after day

I can't go living without you

How did I ever get this way

Can't go living without you

Will you ever understand

I can't go living without you

We gotta mend it if we can

3. Dying To Be Free

    w/m M. Cassidy

I was never born

I'm eternal living soul

I was never born

And I'm never growing old

But by my sinful deeds

I've got this mortal frame

And now I am a prisoner

Of the pleasure and the pain

Oh Lord, I am dying to be free

This changing world is tossing

With the waves of time

Somehow I'm still thinking

That I can call it mine

But life goes on

And all my failures

Fill my heart with doubt

I search for happiness in vain

Lord please let me out

Oh, I am dying to be free

I'll meditate upon Your name

And do my best to hear it

Rise beyond the flesh and mind

To the free light of the spirit

Without Your mercy

I've no hope to even try

To penetrate this universal sky

I was never born

I'm eternal living soul

I was never born

And I'm never growing old

But in my misconceptions

I'm whipped by lust and greed

I'm getting what I'm after

But never what I need

Oh Lord, I am dying to be free

Freedom lies beyond the skies

Beneath desire-trees

On self-effulgent planets

In joyful harmony

Souls give their love to you

They give their everything

In trance of pure devotion

They just let their spirit sing

Oh Lord, I am dying to be free

4. It's All About You

    w/m M. Cassidy

Hippies made folks nervous

We were gypsies with a purpose

We refused to scratch

The belly of the beast

We vowed to right the wrong

There was conviction in our song

I believed we were on the road

To love and peace

But the best-laid plans of mice and men

Were shattered once again

This old world don't spin

On a blind man's point of view

It ain't about me, it's all about You

You're the reason false is false

And true is true

You're the reason red is red

And blue is blue

It don't matter what I thought I knew

It ain't about me, it's all about You

It seems like the greatest resistance

In our struggle for existence

Comes when darkness

Steals away our inspiration

It's a young man's demise

When the fire leaves his eyes

And it seems his dreams

Are just hallucinations

I've seen folks in that darkest of places

I turned away from the hurt in their faces

'Cause there are things

That a man cannot undo

But this ain't about me,

It's all about You

You're the reason false is false

And true is true

You're the reason red is red

And blue is blue

I could never make an old heart new

But this ain't about me, it's all about You

You're the reason false is false

And true is true

You're the reason red is red

And blue is blue

I can't believe I didn't have a clue

Slowly it's all coming into view

It ain't about me, it's all about You

5. Songs That Steered Me Wrong

    w/m M. Cassidy

The bar was full of couples

And singles drinking doubles

I was hoping for answer

To shine down on this man

I thought a blackberry brandy

Would probably come in handy

Love is not a thing

That I pretend to understand

Was it "Love Me Tender"

That made it tough on me

When Patsy sang "Crazy"

It brought on my insanity

"Only The Lonely"

Made the nights so long

I do believe it was those songs

That steered me wrong

I broke my heart with Ruby

Fell apart with Susie

Judy just used me

And threw my love away

There's been a pattern brewing

I've been misconstruing

But I believe I realize

What led my heart astray

It was "Love Me Tender"

That made it tough on me

When Patsy sang "Crazy"

It brought on my insanity

"Only The Lonely"

Made the nights so long

I do believe it was those songs

That steered me wrong

6. Only Habit

    w/m M. Cassidy

You still curse at folks

That can't drive

You still smoke like you don't

Know the cost

And you refuse to ask for directions

No matter how badly you're lost

And brother

You're lost without her

Her blue eyes and ruby lipstick

Why did she have to be

The one and only

Habit that you ever quit

You still drink a bit more

Than you ought to

You gamble more than you should

And you're careless about

How your life will turn out

You assume it'll all turn out good

Like assuming

That you'd forget her

It's been years

And you're still love-sick

Why did she have to be

The one and only

Habit that you ever quit

Every rose has a couple of thorns

At times, even angels have horns

She was a little deceitful

But it don't mean she's evil

Oh you've got a few faults of your own

You never consider your choices

You're always going for broke

Stepping up to the plate

Like it's never too late

Forgetting all those times

That you've choked

You get choked up

Just thinking about her

I swear you are some lunatic

Why did she have to be

The one and only

Habit that you ever quit

2010

1. True Love’s Reflection

     w/m M. Cassidy

Loss and gain, pleasure and pain 

Heaven and hell, it’s all the same

None of it’s worth my time

When true love’s on the line

I pick true love every time

True love

I see frustration, then renunciation

I see the whole world working

Working, working

On some kind of liberation

None of it’s worth the time

When true love’s on the line

I pick true love every time

True love

The deepest vibration of my soul

Your original intention

The pure expression makes me whole

True love’s reflection

Innate potential, it’s transcendental

It doesn’t feed on dogma

Or something sentimental

Gotta leave that stuff behind

When true love’s on the line

I pick true love every time

True love

The deepest vibration of my soul

Your original intention

The pure expression makes me whole

True love’s reflection

2. The Thorn and the Rose

    words adapted from poem

     "Sign of Surrender"

    by Jeffrey Armstrong; music/M. Cassidy

These old shoes are wearing thin

Retracing places I have been

In lands where only cactus grows

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

In countless births I vainly sought

Escape from death, but I was caught

Within a trap I wrongly chose

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

O cold and lonely desert night

I’m not your child, I see the light

No more to wear your dusty clothes

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

So many times the moon rose high

And filled with light that darkened sky

Yet I my foolish eyes would close

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

But every day when dawn appeared

Its light revealed that which I feared

A land of death besieged with woes

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

O cold and lonely desert night

I’m not your child, I see the light

No more to wear your dusty clothes

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

Now finally, Lord, I hear Your song

My soul was sleeping all along

No more Your love will I oppose

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

Oh let my chanting fill the skies

So love for You may fill my eyes

Let serving You be my repose

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

O cold and lonely desert night

I’m not your child, I see the light

No more to wear your dusty clothes

I feel the thorn, I smell the rose

3. Walking Contradiction

     w/m M. Cassidy 

Love can make you honest

Love can make you cheat

Make you blind with anger

Or sweet enough to eat

I vowed to stand my ground

Not get swept off my feet

But your love snuck up on me

Like an old friend on the street

Love's a walking contradiction

It brings such joy and pain

An emotional affliction

For the totally insane

I have struggled all my life

To be forever free

But today love made

A walking contradiction out of me

Love can build you up

Love can take you down

Take you from serious

To a red-faced party clown

A flood of my emotion

Brought out my best and worst

But wanting you so badly

Was a blessing and a curse

Love's a walking contradiction

It brings such joy and pain

The greatest destination

The hardest to explain

My mind may stand and fight

But my heart will still agree

To let love make 

A walking contradiction out of me

4. The Day My Body Dies 

     w/m M. Cassidy 

Will I hear Your name

The day my body dies

Or see You there before me

As the light fades from my eyes

In the grip of fear

Will Your memory appear

And save me at the hour of my demise

Will I hear Your name

The day my body dies?

Oh for years You’ve been the one

I worship and adore

You are the greatest Her

To the fallen and the poor

No one else would do

The only plan I ever had was You

And Time has stripped away

My friends and family ties

Let me hear Your name

The day my body dies

I have seen Your power

And the love You have to give

You can free me

From this wheel of birth and death

And show me what it means to live

I have struggled to transcend

And it seems this struggle has no end

Don’t let me fade into the dark

Please reach out

And grab hold of my heart

Will I hear Your name

The day my body dies

Or see You there before me

As the light fades from my eyes

Please get me out of here

Let Your memory appear

And take me where there are

No sad goodbyes

Let me hear Your name

The day my body dies

5. I Surrender

     w/m M. Cassidy

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna,Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

I will not turn away from Your embrace

I’ll not deny Your mercy and Your grace

Your Holy Name descended from above

I surrender and reciprocate Your love

I see the need to adjust my attitude

I can’t believe my lack of gratitude

It is You that I have been neglectful of

I surrender and reciprocate Your love

I can’t outrun my attraction for Your smile

I come undone, mile after mile

You changed me from a hawk to a dove

I surrender and reciprocate Your love

6. From a Distance

     w/m M. Cassidy

I have my reasons I decided not to stay

But mile after mile

One by one they fade away

You're strolling through my memory

Shaking my resistance

What we had looks so good

Then again I guess it would

From a distance

Out on this road

All our problems seem so small

And the feel of your lips

That’s what I recall

The hurt is all but gone

From our day-to-day existence  

What’s left is looking good

But can a heart see what it should

From a distance

Every plan we ever made rang true

Every sky we ever saw looked blue

I can't pretend to know what's real

Or trust the way I feel

When it comes to you

The way that you walk

Could turn a snowman into steam

I cannot see the heartache for the dream

I’m deafened by the sound

Of my lonely heart’s insistence

That what we had looks good

And some things are really

Only ever understood 

From a distance

7. Hare Krishna Luck

     w/m M. Cassidy

A Hare Krishna in L.A.

Stole my first recording

In West Virginia, a Hare Krishna

Stole my truck

But it was Krishna Himself

Stole my heart away

Guess that’s just my Hare Krishna luck

I guess that’s just my Hare Krishna luck

I heard the Goddess of Fortune

Showed me special favor

When she kept the chimes of fame

From being struck

For fame’s a mademoiselle

That can take a man straight to hell

Yeah, that was just my Hare Krishna luck

That was just my Hare Krishna luck

2004

1. Woodstock '69

     w/m M. Cassidy & J. Long

Cold and wet in my soggy shoes

Woodstock seemed

Like a long, long way

From Syracuse

I saw your light through the rain

I said

My backpack's heavy

And I need a place to lay my head

She just took me in

That's how it was back then

Even strangers would be friends

Her lovely smile took away the chill

There was music playing

incense burning on the windowsill

We were sipping down

A little jasmine tea

And I thought

This is how it's supposed to be

That summer had no end

That's how it felt back then

Even strangers would be friends

Well the night slipped away

Dancing on the hardwood floor

Like a song, it was gone

Leaving memories and nothing more

I stared into her baby blues

Woodstock seemed like

A long, long way

From Syracuse

The sun is up, she smiled and said

Kissed my cheek and pulled my cap

Down on my head

Her life was on the mend

I knew I'd be seeing her again

Even strangers would be friends

That's how it was back then

Even strangers would be friends

2. Holy Donuts

     w/m M. Cassidy

Every year on my birthday

We go down to Central Park

Get there in the early morning

Hang around 'til after dark

We don't go to see no Broadway show

Or Lady Liberty

In that park, there's a man with a cart

Selling divine pastries

Holy Donuts, delights from up above

Holy Donuts

Each one is made with love

Holy Donuts, it's sugar for the soul

And if you want some extra bliss

Get some holy donut holes

Happy likes them way too much

Eats himself into a haze

Meenie likes those jelly-filled

I like all the ones with glaze

Apple-fritter gets the candles

Then I make my wish

We feed the crumbs to the squirrels

Give the sprinkles to the fish

Holy Donuts, delights from up above

Holy Donuts

Each one is made with love

Holy Donuts, I'm getting thirsty now

Wish I could have a big tall glass of milk

From a holy cow

Rip dibadee dana, dip dibadee do

Dit ditalee dana

Dit ditalee do dat bup buh

Yah da da, oo do dobadee do

Yah da da, do do dobadee

Dit dit ditalee do

I had to solve the mystery

Hidden in that recipe

Ingredients and measurements

Don't define delicacy

When I asked him for the secret

To the donuts in his cart

He said the sweetest part of anything

Is devotion from the heart

Holy Donuts, delights from up above

Holy Donuts

Each one is made with love

Holy Donuts, sugar for the soul

And if you want some extra bliss

Get some holy donut holes

3. Not Now or Ever

     w/m M. Cassidy

I may have said that I don't need

To have your love

Was I mad or was I drunk

I don't believe I'll find

Someone like you again

I can't afford to give you up

Not now, not now or ever

I could pretend

That I'm too cool to be upset

And just let you walk away

But that could mean

I might lose your love for good

A price I can't afford to pay

Not now, not now or ever

I spent most of my life half-asleep

Letting chance pass me by

But I will not let that happen now

I know how you love me

Oh you love me

You have the eyes to see

Beyond this mortal frame

Please have the heart to forgive

If it comes down

That you won't give your love to me

I just may not want to live

Not now, not now or ever

4. Lay It Down

     w/m M. Cassidy

It's like the sun is shining

And I'm in the shade

Middle of the day, sipping lemonade

When Your memory comes around

That's when I lay my burden down

Lay it down

I work and sweat and tow the line

I get tangled up and way behind

And when I'm just about to snap

I hear your voice, and I just step back

It's like the sun is shining

And I'm in the shade

Middle of the day, sipping lemonade

When Your memory comes around

That's when I lay my burden down

Lay it down

I get all caught up in being right

And You remind me of an oversight

That I'm just a tiny spirit soul

And not the one who's in control

And the knot is cut

And You set me free

No earthly thing's got a hold on me

My sails are full and mercy-bound

When I lay my burden down

Lay it down

This world has left a scar or two

Lord, here and now I turn to You

'Cause the darkness has no place to hide

In a smile that's a mile wide

And I'm in that light, and I'm being blessed

Healed by Your blissfulness

When Your memory comes around

That's when I lay my burden down,

Lay it down

It's like the sun is shining

And I'm in the shade

Middle of the day, sipping lemonade

5. Living in the San Joaquin

     w/m M. Cassidy

I'm at the cabin by the old Kings River

Thought I'd just drop you a line

Seems your brother's still in Porterville

He told me to say Hi

And the walnut grove and Lemon Cove

Are as pretty as I've ever seen

But it ain't easy here without you

Living in the San Joaquin

Do you remember us last winter

Just before you had to go

Cross country skis under redwood trees

Just gliding through the snow

And with morning came a gentle rain

And the world was so serene

But it ain't easy here with out you

Living in the San Joaquin

I'm not sure I want an answer

About when your coming home

I never told my heart about the part

Of being left alone

Sometimes I'm walking in the rain

And the great sky touches me

And I remember you

And the things we'd do

In the beauty that I see

We always said we had to find the time

To reach out for our dreams

I guess I thought the dream

Was you and me

Living in the San Joaquin

Living in the San Joaquin

6. Raised Me From the Dead

    w/m M. Cassidy

I did the deed, I paid the price

Did it again, I paid it twice

I said, What kind of fool

Don't learn from his mistakes

What I need to see the light, Lord

Only You can give me what it takes

So I turn to You on bended knees

Take me Lord, do as You please

I said, Oh my Master,

Sweet Lord of all that be

Your love reigns supreme

I'll be Your dog eternally

2015

Compilation CD

1. Next Time Around

     w/m M. Cassidy

I ain't no mystic outlaw

I ain't no Voodoo priest

I've never been brainwashed

Never said God was from the East

The Lord is my master

You can't put my soul on trial

When you see the light,

The truth shall make you smile

I made my peace with Jesus

Now lay your anger down

You don't want to be back

In this valley of shadows

Next time around

Daddy fought his demons

The horses and the drugs

You all said the man was doomed

Condemned from up above

I wouldn't judge those souls in battle

Fighting loneliness and fear

They may be closer to God

Than they appear

Mama, make your peace with Jesus

Freedom must be found

This world of death

Don't get any better

Next time around

I just stopped by to say hello

And ask you how you've been

'Cause this world has gotten

So damn hard

And life is such a delicate thing

I was chanting Hare Krishna

When the towers turned to sand

Remember, please

We were on our knees

You had the Bible in your hand

And the walls came down between us

There was no place to hide

We set our petty differences aside

Let's make the peace between us

Divine love is profound

We can reach for it now

Or we'll be reaching

Next time around

2. Dying To Be Free

     w/m M. Cassidy

I was never born

I'm eternal living soul

I was never born

And I'm never growing old

But by my sinful deeds

I've got this mortal frame

And now I am a prisoner

Of the pleasure and the pain

Oh Lord, I am dying to be free

This changing world is tossing

With the waves of time

Somehow I'm still thinking

That I can call it mine

But life goes on

And all my failures

Fill my heart with doubt

I search for happiness in vain

Lord please let me out

Oh, I am dying to be free

I'll meditate upon Your name

And do my best to hear it

Rise beyond the flesh and mind

To the free light of the spirit

Without Your mercy

I've no hope to even try

To penetrate this universal sky

I was never born

I'm eternal living soul

I was never born

And I'm never growing old

But in my misconceptions

I'm whipped by lust and greed

I'm getting what I'm after

But never what I need

Oh Lord, I am dying to be free

But freedom lies

Beyond the skies

Beneath desire-trees

On self-effulgent planets

In joyful harmony

Souls give their love to you

They give their everything

In trance of pure devotion

They just let their spirit sing

Oh Lord, I am dying to be free

3. Simple Living

     w/m M. Cassidy

Well, the morning sun was rising

In the open country sky

The village started singing

And my thoughts were getting high

Oh the grace of God was blooming

In the orchard and the glen

It was on that blessed morning

I thanked Him there and then

Simple living, peace of mind

High thinking, let your spirit climb 

Oh Lord, thank You for this life

Now help me live it right

As You please

Oh the gentle cows are grazing

The ox are hauling wood

The children are protected

And my heart is feeling good

The message has been given

Divine love is the goal

I got to simplify my living

I got to purify my soul

Simple living, peace of mind

High thinking, let your spirit climb 

Oh Lord, thank You for this life

Now help me live it right

As You please 

 Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama 

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

 4. It's All About You

     w/m M. Cassidy

Hippies made folks nervous

We were gypsies with a purpose

We refused to scratch

The belly of the beast

We vowed to right the wrong

There was conviction in our song

I believed we were on

The road to love and peace

But the best-laid plans of mice and men

Were shattered once again

This old world don't spin

On a blind man's point of view

It ain't about me, it's all about You

You're the reason false is false

And true is true

You're the reason red is red

And blue is blue

It don't matter what I thought I knew

It ain't about me, it's all about You

It seems like the greatest resistance

In our struggle for existence

Comes when darkness

Steals away our inspiration

It's a young man's demise

When the fire leaves his eyes

And it seems his dreams

Are just hallucinations

I've seen folks in that darkest of places

I turned away from the hurt in their faces

'Cause there are things

That a man cannot undo

But this ain't about me, it's all about You

You're the reason false is false

And true is true

You're the reason red is red

And blue is blue

I could never make an old heart new

But this ain't about me, it's all about You

You're the reason false is false

And true is true

You're the reason red is red

And blue is blue

I can't believe I didn't have a clue

Slowly it's all coming into view

It ain't about me, it's all about You

5. Lay It Down

     w/m M. Cassidy

It's like the sun is shining

And I'm in the shade

Middle of the day, sipping lemonade

When Your memory comes around

That's when I lay my burden down

Lay it down

I work and sweat and tow the line

I get tangled up and way behind

And when I'm just about to snap

I hear your voice, and I just step back

It's like the sun is shining

And I'm in the shade

Middle of the day, sipping lemonade

When Your memory comes around

That's when I lay my burden down

Lay it down

I get all caught up in being right

And You remind me of an oversight

That I'm just a tiny spirit soul

And not the one who's in control

And the knot is cut

And You set me free

No earthly thing's got a hold on me

My sails are full and mercy-bound

When I lay my burden down

Lay it down

This world has left a scar or two

Lord, here and now I turn to You

'Cause the darkness has

No place to hide

In a smile that's a mile wide

And I'm in that light

And I'm being blessed

Healed by Your blissfulness

When Your memory comes around

That's when I lay my burden down

Lay it down

It's like the sun is shining

And I'm in the shade

Middle of the day, sipping lemonade

6. Vrindavan

     w/m M. Cassidy

In the hills of West Virginia

Near the town of Bethlehem

Along the ridge to the Palace

Is where this sad world ends

Just beyond the fog

Is the land of Vrindavan

Where each step is a dance,

And each word is a song

Her old castles show some wear

From endless waves of time

But through the mist

You can hear the bliss

From a land that is sublime

Sri Radha and Sri Krishna

Are the talk of the town

They say in all the three worlds

No love like this is found

Where milkmaids are dreaming

Swooning with delight

Remembering Govinda

On a full-moon autumn night

Me, I'm just a blind man

Who knows of Their romance

But I see only shadows

I have never seen Them dance

Now when you come to visit

Keep Their names upon your lips

The spiritual dimension

Is at your fingertips

If divine love is your treasure

Then mercy is your key

Let service be your master

And surrender be your plea

And with all you hear

The mist will clear

The vision will unfold

Just keep calling out Their names

My friend

With the yearning of your soul

Hari Haraye namah Krishna

Yadavaya namah

Yadavaya, Madhavaya

Kesavaya namah

Sri Gopala, Govinda, Rama

Sri-Madhusudana

Giridhari, Gopinatha

Madhana-mohana

Shadows fade in time

But time’s no match for you and me

We’ll soon taste the milk and honey

Of Vrindavan’s ecstasy

Taste the milk and honey

Of Vrindavan’s ecstasy

2016

"Hari" - one who takes away all miseries

1. Hari Hari Hey

     w/m M. Cassidy

Death may raise the question

Where you going 

Birth may beg the question

Where you from

But it's all those trials and tribulations

That make you wonder

What it was you've done

Sing Hari Hari hey, Hari Hari bol

Sing Hari Hari hey

Worry takes it's toll

If you're drowning in your misery

You can turn it round with a one two 

Hari Hari hey, Hari Hari bol

When you're young

You just outrun your sorrow

Shrug off any threat of death

Spend your time

Like there's no tomorrow

'Till you find you're

Down to your last breath

Sing Hari Hari hey,  Hari Hari bol

Sing Hari Hari hey

You're eternal living soul

Just call for mercy when you sing

Don't forgot that He hears every

Hari Hari hey, Hari Hari bol

Sing Hari Hari hey, Hari Hari bol

Sing Hari Hari hey

Worry takes it's toll

If you're drowning in your misery

You can turn it round with a one two

Hari Hari hey, Hari Hari bol

2. Don't Give Up

     w/m M. Cassidy

Don't give up on who you are

Knowing you are spirit

Only goes so far

You can't hang your hat

On a mystery

You're not this body

But you're somebody

Your very self can make this right

Don't fade into the distant light

You know the void cannot replace

The One your arms

Were meant to embrace

Why do we breathe if not for this

To rise above the dark abyss

And lay a gift at Krishna's feet

A love at last without deceit

So don't give up on what could be

The perfect love eternally

With a form of endless bliss

To share a tender endless kiss

3. Singing About Krishna

     w/m M. Cassidy

I ain't looking polytheistic

To get the Hindu money

Ain't sounding monistic

To get the new age nod

I may not have

Two nickels to rub together

But I got Krishna

And Krishna's God

I ain't condemning

The rest of the world

Just to join the Christian alliance

Ain't sounding agnostic

To get the secular gold

The Lord has never

Denied me breakfast

I'm singing about Krishna

Just heading down the road

"Oh Govinda," "Take Me Back"

"Ease My Mind"

"Do What You Do"

I am "Dying To Be Free" 

I am trying

"Trying to Connect with You"

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Chant and be happy

That's my creed

This crazy world

Can take its toll

I've seen killing and fighting 

Since the day that I was born

They can keep this world

I'll keep my soul

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama 

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

4. It's Your Love

     w/m M. Cassidy

It's Your face

Brighter than a harvest moon

It's Your face

With the hue of a blue monsoon

It's Your face

More soothing than a cool lagoon

It's Your smile

That makes the nightingale

Wanna sing

It's Your smile

That makes the flowers

Bloom in spring

It's Your smile

That brings a joy to everything

I was adrift

But safely landed on Your shore

The love You give to me

Makes me wanna love you more

You'll always be a part of me

That time cannot erase

I never knew

Anyone like You before

It's Your love

That makes me wanna

Sing a song

It's Your love

That says

I've been away too long

It's Your love

That keeps me hanging on

I can't believe

Your wave of mercy came my way

Asleep in the sand

I woke to find a sunny day

On the shore in Baltimore

You reached out to me

Govinda, don't ever let me

Drift away

5. Raining On Cloud Nine

     w/m M. Cassidy

You can take my eyes,

You can take my nose

Take all my fingers

Even take my toes

'Cause if it's true your leaving

What will I need them for 

Like a dead man walking

I won't need them anymore

Will you head up north

Or down to Peru

Into the heart of Paris

Or out to Timbuktu

Either way my future's fading

And I see it's fading fast 

I was made to love you

I don't know how long I can last

How can someone so sweet

Be so cruel and unkind

This leaving's up to you

And you're leaving me behind 

Besides your love

I claim nothing to be mine

Without you in my arms

It's raining on cloud nine

If you change your mind

You can hit me with a tweet

You know I'm shameless

Just tell me where to meet

I can take the bus

And I'm set to board a plane

Hey I'm good at hailing taxis

And I still can jump a train

6. Please

     w/m M. Cassidy

Who would fault You for who You are

The greatest love

The brightest star

Or deny You have the right

To just be Yourself

With Your endless beauty

And Your endless wealth

They'd have to be blinded

By the anger that darkness feeds

Or resentful of the karma

From past misdeeds

Reaping the harvest

Of bitter seeds

What is this thing

That keeps a man from saying

Please tell me

What my ears refuse to hear

Please show me

What it is I really fear

Take away this envy

Make it disappear

I'm on my knees

With nothing left but please

You've shown me love

A thousand times

Yet I still refuse

To give You mine

In my heart

Is a ghost of a rebel soul

Who speaks of sweet surrender

But really seeks control