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We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

If at first​.​.​.

by Dave Bradley

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1.
Escape to the Stars Over the water, no anchor out at sea Islands will be washed away by change Climbing up our mountain believing we’re free Emptiness that clings hides only rage You’ll see them as they struggle through the years that roll by You know that they’ll try their best but in destiny they’ll die But the air is poisoned, so there’s nowhere left to hide Could we leave behind this empty shell with no pride? Ever looking upwards it’s the stars that draw us near If stardust’s what we’re made from then our fate is ever clear Over the water, no anchor out at sea Our island washed away by change Know how we struggled as the light years flew by Know that we suffered for the dreams we left to die And the air that we poisoned, left us nowhere else to hide So, we left behind that empty shell and our pride
2.
Too Old to Die Young I don't want to leave Don't want it to pass me by Don't think I found the answers in a lie Too old to die young, Too free to belong to anyone Too late to be wrong I know that I can face it When I think about your rights I know that I can take it All the way up to the fight Too far have I gone Stepping miles without a smile for anyone Stand beyond the sun Too young for not trying Too old to cry over dying Staring back is that old setting sun We'd live for ever in the spring The summer's moving on, And, every thing leads back to The Fall Too old to die young, Too free to belong to anyone Too right to be wrong I don't want to leave Don't want to pass it by Don't think I found an answer in a lie No, I don't think I found it in a lie Don't you think I found it... Too free to be wrong, Too young to hold onto anyone Too old to die young Yes, I think I must be too old to die young Don't you think that I'm...... too old to die young?
3.
On a storm, dream fading Ride, the waves Losing faith in the fear
4.
When the Mood Takes You One day, when the mood takes you You'll run away to search for your dream In some ways, should the mood take you You'll chase down the stream heading out to sea And, some day if the mood makes you Blind sided, will you still see me? Just praying the mood not take you away from me, oh no How can you be so lost in the light? How can you be so lost in the light? Then comes that day when the mood takes you You'll run on home remember your dream But on that day I'll have gone searching out at sea Then comes that day when the mood takes you You'll run on home remember your dream But on that day well I'll have gone searching out at sea, yeah out to sea Won't find me as the mood takes you Lost in the light you will stay How could the mood ever not take me? Take me away, take me away How can you be so lost in the light? How can you be so lost in the light? As the mood takes you As the mood takes, takes you away
5.
Fortune sells the tokens for emotions that we fake Is the price they're always asking the price you have to take? Are you waking up each morning without a smile upon your face? You can ride beneath the surface or dance on through the waves This is the life you're living no time to be a slave Step out of line, and work it out, this fever burns but only for the brave We're all lifetimers caged within our rage, No one gets to take a dive We're all highflyers grounded on the printed page, No one gets out of here alive Fortune sets in motion the thirsting that we slake It is the price of freedom set by the enemy we face Have you woken to the real world that's just a fantasy we hate We're all lifetimers caged within our rage, No one gets to take a dive We're all highflyers grounded on the printed page, No one gets out of here alive
6.
Polarity 06:08
First the word, sweeping passion Clambering up the heights, the views are dashing So many words, meaning nothing So cool the take on your source of wonder Switching back, leaking anger Blades unsheathed, flicking fire So many words, meaning nothing So cruel the fate that takes you under But the glass is half full, it just looks empty Shifting pole to pole, frustrated fancy You know you have to turn the hourglass over Times flow on, no time to look for cover First the word, sweeping passion Clambering up those heights, but views are crashing So many words, meaning nothing So cool the take on your sense of wonder But switching back and forth, leaching anger Blades unsheathed, flickering fire So many words, meaning nothing So cruel the fate that takes you under But the glass is half full, it just looks empty Shifting pole to pole, frustrated fancy You know you have to turn the hourglass over Time flows on, no time to take cover You know you have to turn the hourglass over Time flows on, no time to take cover First the word Sweeping passion
7.
Sinners and Saints There are no saints, only sinners No latter day fates, No prophets, No judges No happy ever afters Your dreams are but the mists upon the waves You might feel that there's a ghost in the machine There are no answers in your breathing Come hold my hand, the sea is the size of summer
8.
If the fire's on the inside, a naked flame won't touch you Gravity can't pull you now the tide has turned there's no return Walking back the way you came Hoping that you'd be the same Holding back your tears, but the fear is just too much for you All the colours of gravity's rainbow Waves of pressure pushing you to fall All the bruising from the grip of your halo Aching with the pressure. That's gotta bring you down And the pressure that's gonna bring you down
9.
Catch up Break down Chase up Devoured Here we are feeling the pain, who'd you take back right to the end Questions now, no one to blame Would you fade the loss of a friend Here we are waiting in line, how'd we know who to believe The questions came time after time Did you find a way to deceive? Catch up - minute by minute Break down - back to beginnings Chase up - hour by hour Fatal affliction end up devoured Oh we're making easy work for the Devil's hands Catch up - minute by minute Break down - back to beginnings Chase up - hour by hour Fatal affliction end up devoured Chase up - minute by minute Asking the question - Facing the limit Watching emotion - How'd you escape it Can't you believe it? What were you sayin'? Catch up - minute by minute Break doooooown by the hour Chasing the hour
10.
Fighting Talk In kinder times, they're sinning, but forsaken there's no winning The judges call and we have to tell them no The thieves are running wild. But, they're drinking blessed mild, and all our thoughts are with them as they go Won't you run this way with me? I'm fighting fires a little better this time Won't you run away with me or we carry on until we feel nothing Fighting between the wars, take a chance or break a law Hoping they'll never catch us now we're running Facing up to older scores, Evened odds we've had before But, we can seek neutrality The gentler hand that's feeding, takes the food that we're all needing The judgement scorns the honour that they show The thieves once running wild now screaming, "Mercy mild!" still all our thoughts are with them as they go Won't you hide away with me? I found the fire a little warmer this time Won't you come and stay with me Or we carry on as if we feel nothing Fighting between the wars, take a chance on broken laws Hoping they'll never catch us now we're running Facing up to colder scores, Even gods we've heard before But, we can face neutrality   Fighting between the wars, the fire's gone out, there is no more Knowing they'll never catch us now Sailing up to golden shores, we can hear the ocean's roar Now we have found Oh, yes, we have found Well, we have found Neutrality
11.
Dead Man Walking The sun was high, the birds had fallen still A painful wind spared none but those who hid their eyes again They did not see, the stranger came to town With vengeance in his heart, he spared not one that he could see Ask yourself are you a dead man walking? The price upon your head, for ever taking aim Have you found the right way for talking Cos a rope around your neck tells you who's bound take the blame The son was gone, spared that he might flee And tell a tale of hate no man should ever have to see None would be despair, the stranger bit the ground The lights were going out and I could tell you'd not believe The sun still high, the wind picked up, and none would face their fear How this would end to all was oh so clear They did not see, the stranger came to town With vengeance in his heart, he spared not one that he could see The sun was high, the birds were still again The gallows creaked and none would hide from what they always fear They did not see, that stranger in the crowd A single shot was all he'd need for mercy to be clear You know you're just a dead man walking No price now on your head, it's time to face the pain There really was no right way for talking Cos a rope around your neck, Yes, the rope around your neck says who's to blame
12.
Don't wait for me And though, the waiting game is over, There's never time to really change your mind You'll see that if at first it's clover, Next time, it's thorns that you will find Don't wait for me, I won't be coming Don't to turn to see, what you think you left behind If at first, you really don't feel anything Then the blind don't need to lead the blind There's a time and a turning point for everything, And everything will turn out in the end You'll know the thorns will cut and tear your fragile skin, Next time let armour be your friend Don't look at me, I won't be running Don't turn away, from what you see ahead If at first you really don't feel anything Then the rest is better left unsaid At last, the wounds begin their healing, But skin bears the scars just the same I know that armour won't save your feelings, In the end, it's such a vicious game Don't wait for me, I won't be coming Don't to turn to see, what you think you left behind If at first, you really don't feel anything Then the blind don't need to lead the blind Don't wait for me, don't wait for me, don't wait
13.
Golden Light 07:57
Golden Light - A trilogy in four parts Dawn Dry night-time chills that fracture stone Give way to distant East as shadows form Wracked and stretched, escape the dawn But they're defective, by the minute torn Beyond the burning dry, the thorn Now, searing sunlight rakes the floor Fast, scorched to dust, in time, forlorn And rising from their slumbers borne Escape the rock, the fever sworn And at its peak no air, no home All anger, fear as life must flow Those distant memories cannot atone Then as the rake turns skies unknown From deepest blue to tortured moon Beyond the realm of tidal doom There is nothing. There is nothing Hope But, golden in the night, The Light that lights their world Tender by the Mother's love, His heart 'round all life is curled Thus, fearful that they'll lose their way, The Three seed starlight as a pearl... Dusk The dark enshrouds the desert blown By skies that turn to wait the dawn And chills return to fracture stone As skies that turn to wait the dawn The chills return to fracture stone Eternity And so the golden Light will rise Beneath their star they tremble at the sight before their eyes Perfume and metal, death disguise Believers right the wrongs, deceivers must despise And so the golden Light will rise In all Eternity a date with fate we'll finalise And so the journey of our lives A never-ending story of the wrongs that will be right
14.
'til I met you Spent all my life as a simple man Never had no money, no long term plans No thoughts of the future, no need to settle down 'til I met you When I was young I never thought that I'd meet someone, who would change my mind Sometimes you just need time to realise, that it takes someone to be the prize Sometimes you take some time to realise, that the special one, will see you through As I look back over the passing years I see lots of changes, laughter and tears There is nothing more that I want to do but spend my time with you
15.
Waking up to the sins of the fathers No sword to ploughshare, the battle's just begun We are marching in time to a distant beat Tense with fear, we know this war will over run Think of somewhere that you'd rather be You can't fight it you just have to change the world There's karma, riding the stormy sea But in time... Isn't freedom worth fighting for? Are we free to fight? Fight no more? Are we free? Working up to the life that we're living It's not easy, now it's just 9 to 5 I think I found a time when I was forgiven But there's no turning back now we have arrived The sins of the fathers they haunt us And we really have to wonder why In a past life they left none to call us Without direction it's not hard to lie Please take me to that place, where peace surrounds and there's no disgrace Walk me through the open space, where peace abounds and we all embrace Please take me to that place, where peace surrounds and there's no disgrace
16.
Huddled down into a frozen space Bracing for the cold is no disgrace Even though they taught me how to play I always played the game in my own way Cut and pasted In this empty box I'm wasted Take me back to the time when I really cared Waking up to the fact we're not living free Never reckoned this day I'd ever see Souls are never saved by worn out lies Patching up the holes is no disguise Cut and pasted In this empty space I'm wasted Take me back to the time when I really cared I'm cut and pasted In this empty space I'm wasted Walk me home to a time I really cared (All the space I've wasted, all the sweets I've tasted)
17.
Dawn Chorus 03:37
Dawn Chorus Asking for a favour, but nothing left to say Churning up my insides still I hoped that I could stay Making out the liar was the one who told the tales Pushing back the limits 'cause they're really in my way I can't take the pressure in the morning But at night I know you'll tell me how to change I can't face the day without a dawning Would it be so hard for you to play, yeah You won't find me at daybreak Leaving now the light has come, such an easy way to go Don't turn your head I'm making my escape Got to know the time is right now that morning's come Asking for a favour, still nothing else to say Turning my down insights still I hoped that I could pray Making out the liar was the one who told the tales Pushing on those limits 'cause they're really in my way No, you won't find me at daybreak I'm leaving now the light has come, such a lazy way to go Don't turn your head I'm making my escape Got to know the time is right now the morning's come
18.
Like a scene in a movie, where we talk all night but we don't know our lines Like a dream of what could've been where we walked for miles but we don't know what's inside You thought I had the answer, I thought there was a part where you would shine You're not just a face in the crowd, you're special to me (Did I say that out loud?) I've got to know how it ends, not only that, First, I've got to know how to start I've got to know if it ends, but deep in my heart I've got to know it's not just pretend If we only stay friends, then the line wasn't right and that's not the message to send I've got to know how it ends, right from the start It's like that time at the movies, we hardly said a word, though we both knew our lines It was a dream I had of the two of us, where we walked for miles you felt that little kick inside I thought you knew the answer, you thought there was a place that I should try You always stood out from the crowd, you're still special to me (Did I say that out loud?) I've got to know how it ends, but more than that, first, I've got to know how to start I've got to know if it ends, but deep in my heart, I've got to know it's not just pretend If we only stay friends, then the line wasn't right and that's not the message I'd send I've got to know how it ends, right from the start Did you know how it ends, right from the start?
19.
Helium Heart 05:14
She's a long time falling down, I wonder why she still hangs around Though she can't bear the pain she's found inside In the foundry of his mind, he'd tempered anger tough as steel Beating up his love on fatal flaws, no stretch of time would heal She's a lightweight mother with a helium heart Did no one ever tell her to float away The thing that she oughta be really sure of Is that she had no reason to stay She's a long time calling out Wonder why she still hides her eyes The bruises shine and it's the time to take a stand In the refuge of those pills, she halfs her life beyond the lies Cutting through her love as he lies bleeding by her hand She's a lightweight mother with a helium heart Did no one ever tell her to float away One way or another she's got to be sure of There really was no reason to stay You know how the old folks say, "I wish I knew then what I know today"? Well, I see it in a different way I'd rather be in the dark and tomorrow just another day; just another day She's a lightweight mother with a helium heart Did no one ever tell her to float away One way or another she's got to be sure She really had no reason to stay No one told her to float away, didn't tell her, didn't show her the way With a helium heart she could've floated away
20.
Don't write it down, keep it to yourself Security high, locked on the shelf I'm waiting for answers, I'm spying on myself I've seen this world from both sides now and it's not good for my health Don't lose your faith, keep it in your mind When tragedy's high, it's cool to be kind I'm searching for questions, I'm leaning on the blind I'm angered by the claims you make for what you left behind Running into trouble Hiding from the fear Secrets? They're just pouring out Security high is not so near No time for losing face, keep it all locked down Emotions in the open, never just a frown I'm finding what I questioned is turning me around Reversing my position, in secrets I will drown Don't lose yourself, Don't lose yourself, Don't lose yourself
21.
22.
Days when your love's offline, Happens once in a while You just have to smile on through it I know it's not easy but try Wonder if you'll ever find some kind of peace of mind Times when it's harder to play You just have to throw the game It's the only way to get through it I know it's not easy to cry Wonder if you'll ever find you can stay, just the same You're staring at the mirror and emptiness prevails You can't take no for an answer 'cause you know that way you'll fail Days when your love's offline Happens once in a while You just have to grin and bear it You know it' not easy, but try Wonder if you'll ever find you can stay just the same You're staring at the mirror, but it's all to no avail She won't take no for an answer, And you know you're bound to fail You move like you think you're in time But you hear everything they're saying You know it's not all in your mind Day's when your love's offline Days when your love's offline Gotta reconnect this time Find it hard down the line, To never give a piece of your mind When your worlds are out of time She takes her love, She takes her love offline You'll see that you'll be fine, Never gonna change her mind It happens all the time, when she, takes her love, she takes her love offline
23.
It sounds like winter, The wind is howling The leaves are growling all along the road The summer's over, you left me standing Left me standing out here in the cold All I needed was to hold you, darling For you to melt the ice within my heart But, the Sun has gone and I feel misty The year moves on and now the chills will start It feels like winter, The wind keeps cutting Through the trees and stills my aching heart The distant warmth of summer could mean nothing If you'd been so cold right from the start When the green shoots of the Spring start growing Remember me the one you left behind The tales you told me of a heart that's showing The warmth of summer like I'll never find Hand me down my favourite enemy All the words you cannot say Hand me down I'm feeling half as free I'll trip the needle and the pain All I needed was to hold you, darling For you to melt the ice within my heart But, the Sun has gone and I feel misty The year moves on and now the chills will start
24.
Here's a thought: What if we all tried to get along? That old cliche: "love your neighbour" really isn't so wrong Do you think that we could make it right? Without the wars maybe we'd sleep at night With just my wishful thinking To see me through Head in the clouds and my feet off the ground It's just that wishful thinking Never comes true Wonder if I need to find a new way to get around I had a thought, can't we keep all the pain at bay? What if that old cliche: "turn the other cheek" meant put your weapons away Maybe then we could make it right Without the guns we could all sleep at night But wishful thinking Might see me through My heads in the clouds and my feet off the ground You know that wishful thinking Never comes true Now's the time to find a new way to get a-round Here's a thought: What if we all wished so very hard? It's an old cliche, but happy-ever-afters may be not so absurd Finally, we could make it right Without the fear we could sleep at night And our wishful thinking Might see us through Head still in the clouds but our feet on the ground You know that wishful thinking Can come true If I'm not alone and you are wishing too
25.
You can't hide a smile Wait for something, Something comes along Do you realize you, you could still belong? Could you handle it, or just move on? If the love's still there then maybe it's me that's wrong Tell me to believe, I will walk a mile Say that I deceive, I will hide a smile Show me what you mean I cannot be free Not until the time, that time that I can see Feeling nothing, I think that nothing's wrong Could you handle it if it's the time to move on? Do you realize now there's nowhere else to hide? On the move again, and leaving behind all pride Oh, tell me to believe, I would walk a mile Say that I deceive, I will hide a smile Show me what you mean I can-not be free Not until that time, the time that I can see Wait for something, Nothing comes along Do you realize you really could belong? Could you walk a mile, or just move on? If the love's still there then maybe it's me that's wrong

about

A collection of my original songs and instrumental, featuring musical collaborations with Adrian Hillier, Andoran Tavaine, Marie Fontaine, Steve Guest, and Mono Stone. Many of these were written and recorded and performed live in the early days of the CCC Arts Night, which eventually morphed into my band CCCCC (C5).

PLEASE VISIT: davebradley.bandcamp.com/music for my more recent music

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released February 1, 2014

Vocals, electric, acoustic and bass guitars, sequencing, recording, mixing all by David Bradley, except where noted in collaborative works.

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Dave Bradley Cambridge, UK

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