(or) Spaceships in the Sky

Lyrics copyright Mark E. Horning, December 2004

Rev. 18 Feb 2004 w/ input from Blake Hodgets

TtTo: Giants in the Sky, by Stephen Sondheim

There's a Spaceship in the sky!

There's a bright white portent of promise soaring high!

Scaled has built a ship of surprising grace,

And on hybrid flame it has won the race

For a private firm to get into space.

(Two times in just two weeks)

Flying way up high with élan and verve

Far above the world, Where you can observe

That the sky is black And the Earth is Curved.

They won the prize up in the airless skies

Along the way they had some fun. but they're not done.

Cause suddenly one day,

Scores of spaceships will rocket through the air

Scores of private spacecraft built by those who would dare.

So you build anew and design upgrades,

'Cause there's cash and profit now to be made,

And they'll dare things now that they never would before

After the prize….

Now the whole world knows your face and name

And you have to deal with your newfound fame

And the best respite is to light the flame

Fly back above the sky

Where the earth is curved and the stars are bright

and the sky above you is endless night...

And it's then that you know it's not your last flight.

a race to orbit is well within your sight.

The fun is done and the engines ceased to run.

And your gliding down to the Earth below

And the world you know begins to grow.

Well, No one knows what the future has in store.

But the stars seem somehow closer now then they were before.

And you think of all of the things you've seen,

And you're grateful that you could live the dream,

and you're on the ground,

only different than before.

After the prize.

There'll be Spaceships in the sky!

There'll be rocket-powered, privately financed,

wondrous Spaceships,

In the sky!

Aiming High

Lyrics © 31 May 2004 by Mark E Horning

(Mark Capo 2)

(D) G

It's said we come from stardust

Am7 F/ D/

back to the stars we go.

G G Am7 C/

just a twinkle, glinting in the cosmic night

D/ G

So we walk the vacant places,

Am7 F/ D/

to seek the stars above

G G Am7 C/

gaze heavenward, enraptured by the sight

D/ G

When they first came to the desert,

Am7 F/ D/

they brought their hopes and dreams,

G G Am7 C/

and a vision, to soar beyond the sky.

D/ G

and they would not be dissuaded,

Am7 F/ D/

by those who'd failed before,

G G Am7 C/

for the greatest loss, is never to have tried.

D/ C D G

and they're boring holes now thru the desert skys.

C D G

you can see the future blazing in their eyes.

C D

and the stars above Mojave,

G/ Am7/ C C C

sing out with a joyous cry

C G G Am7

They're aimin' high, (chasin' the X-prize)

C/ D/ G G Am7 C/ D/

They're aimin' high (chasin' the X-prize)

G

They have climbed a dozen miles

Am7 F/ D/

and then two dozen more.

G G Am7 C/ D/

saw the sky, turn black, during the day.

Now some might call them crazy

for we've been to space before

but this time, I swear we're going to stay.

So they work inside their hangars

computers aid design

and the mills and lathes, sing the builder's song

they have laid up carbon fiber

stronger than any steel

look to the sky, it will not be too long

For they're boring holes now thru the desert skys.

you can see the future blazing in their eyes.

and the thunder in the heavens,

grows deafening by and by

They're aimin' high, (chasin' the X-prize)

They're aimin' high (chasin' the X-prize)

Now in truth it doesn't matter

who finally wins the race,

though history will celebrate his name.

for we all will be victors

and all will share the spoils

when humanity, the high frontier, has tamed

And they're boring holes now thru the desert skys.

you can see the future blazing in their eyes.

and none of us will blame them,

or even think to question why.

They're aimin' high, (chasin' the X-prize)

They're aimin' high (chasin' the X-prize)

Yes they're boring holes now thru the desert skys.

you can see the future blazing in their eyes.

I wish that I could join them,

on a rocket powered ship could fly

They're aimin' high, (chasin' the X-prize)

They're aimin' high

The Answer

Lyrics by Mark E. Horning 1993? (Mark's first Filk)

TtTo: "Blowin' in the Wind"

A D A A

How many times can a man look up?

A D E E

Before he sees the stars?

A D A A

How many years, more must we wait

A D E E

before a man walks on Mars?

A D A A

How many years can a dream be abused,

A D E E

Before it is forever marred?

D E A A

Chorus: The answer you see, depends on you and me.

D E A E

The answer depends on you and me.

How many men must I vote for A D A A

ere one is not a disgrace A D E E

And how many years must a nation heal

Before it rejoins the space race?

And for how many years can we ignore

The limitless wealth up in space?

Chorus

Oh, we have waited all of our lives, A D A A

The space age to arrive. A D E E

Will our children look at the stars,

And keep the dream alive?

Will mankind leave this world of his birth?

He must, if he's to survive.

Chorus

Ballot Caster March

Lyrics: Mark E. Horning, Copyright 23 Jan 2005

Tune: L. Fish tune for R. Kipling's "Birds of Prey March",

Am G

Hark, another campaign season sing the voices.

Am F G Am

Vote, please go vote, aye, it's always the same tune.

Am G

Pick, one Statist or another, 'at's your choices.

Am F G Am

Vote you must vote, an election's comin' soon.

F CF-C

Choose, this vote is part of History.

F G C

Choose, the media and politicians roar.

F C

But, except for name,

Dm Am

The two parties are the same.

Dm C/ G

Your opinion doesn't mater anymore.

Check, the boxes once the queue has been surmounted,

Choose, the chads are lying heaped upon the floor.

Look, the winner's called and 'alf the lot's not counted.

Cheer the victor's camp is shouting "Four years more!"

Red's, the color of the states 'at are God fearin',

Blue's, the color of the states along the coast.

White's, the color of the sheep they are a-shearin',

Which side's supporters 'ave been deceived the most?

-Chorus-

Cast, a ballot for the lesser of two evils.

Hold, your nose. Try to get it o'er quick.

Lose, your dignity and feel your gut's up'eaval

You'll spend the rest of the ev'nin' bein' sick.

Lies, more lies, look their lips keep movin' faster,

Vows, they'll break, aye, while statesmanship they feign.

Weep, the nation is a 'eadin' towards disaster.

Wave to your freedom, it's going down the drain.

-Chorus-

Am G

Count, the ballots as they're cast upon the touch screen.

Am F G Am

Trust, aye trust, 'at the program doesn't lie.

Am G

Keep, a record, hah, if so they'll ne'er be seen,

Am F G Am

There's damn few (not much) the bleedin' government can't buy.

F (C) (F) (F) (C)

Choose, this vote will be part of bloomin' history,

F G C

Chose, all the media and politicians roar.

F C

But the Elephant and Ass,

Dm Am

Have a system built to last.

Dm C/ G

Your opinion doesn't mater anymore.

F C

And the lesser of the twain,

Dm Am

Is still evil all the same.

Dm C/ G

Your opinion doesn't mater anymore.

Yes both parties are the same

So it's just a bloody game.

Your opinion doesn't mater anymore.

The Battle of Schwartz's Farm

(Gone Armadillo)

Re: "The Ungoverned" by V. Vinge

Words and Music Copyright Mark E. Horning Feb 2005

4/4 Fast strum or pluck Capo-3

Chorus:

Am G

Jake Schwartz went armadillo, many years ago

Am G

and built himself a fortress, below the crops he grows

With rockets and with cannon and with lasers burning bright

G G Am Em

He'll protect his property and he'll defend his rights.

F G C Em

I know you might be skeptical, but you have to understand

F G Am/ G/ Am

he's only one of thousands in the free ungoverned lands.

F G Am

And, there's a lot of armadillos in these ungoverned lands.

Am G

This land has been ungoverned since they fought the bobble war,

F G Am

And the Peacers and the nations ceased to be.

F G C Am

We built a new society, with contracts for our laws

F G Am

And we've really gotten used to bein' free.

(For) We like to know our neighbors, and we like to get along,

We've had decades peaceful living don'cha know.

But Nebraska's autumn harvest was fatally disturbed,

When the tanks invaded from New Mexico.

Chorus:

The attack lay uncontested; the ungoverned hid or fled.

With no losses it looked well worth the expense.

That changed in several seconds, when a helicopter tail,

slipped over Jake Schwartz's southern fence.

Well no one saw what happened, 'cept for possibly big Al,

When the flaming wreckage fell onto the road.

The invaders didn't know it, but all things bring their reward,

And it was time to reap the crop they sowed.

Chorus:

Am G

Al saw a mortar fire, and he knew what it forebode,

F G Am

When New Mexicans crossed onto Schwartz's farm.

F G C Am

'Cause the missiles started flying, and aircraft fell like rain,

F G Am

Then tanks and soldiers, shortly came to harm.

The New Mexicans were stunned at first, but soon counter-attacked,

And cratered that whole farm in firm rebuke.

Al thought that Jake was surely dead, then saw a brand new sun.

I guess Jake Schwartz had bought himself a nuke.

Chorus:

Three hundred burning wrecks were littered on that battlefield.

Smoking hulks stood where tanks were just before.

When you count up all that armor, New Mexico had lost,

A third of what they'd thrown into that war.

Those forces that were left, well, they knew when to call it quits,

And went back across the border in a route.

So if you'd like to conquer, just one warning will I give:

Heed signs that say "Trespassers should Keep Out!"

Chorus:

Fin: Keep away from armadillos, and these ungoverned lands.

Tribute to Black and White Heroes

D2=D+9 = 0 0 0 2 3 2

TtTo: Tribute, C. Faber D2=D+9 = 0 0 4 2 3 0

Lyrics: Copyright Mark E. Horning 6-13-2005

Am Dm Am D2

With one eye turned toward fantasy he held his dreams unfurled

Dm F C Bb^(Dm)

They filled the frames and panels that would circumscribe his world.

Dm Am Dm C

He knew "Verbing wierds language." And he worshiped his TV.

Dm Em F C Dm

And plotted 'gainst his nemesis, in safety from the fortress in his tree.

Am F/ C/ D2 Em

My hero comes in black and white and sometimes color too

Bm C D2 Bm

And he knows far more 'bout dinosaurs than any one of you.

Am F C Am

He sometimes wears a crimson cape, gets death threats in the mail

Am Bm C D2 Am

His best friend has four taloned paws, stripes on his body, whiskers and a tail.

Oh, Greatness is an artist who can make the traffic slow

He knows life's as ephemeral as sculptures made of snow

He ponders what is normal and defines "well-adjusted"

While sculpting giant chickens wielding axes chopping off a snow-man's head.

An alter ego has its place when life is grim and gray.

A spaceship and a blaster and a mask can save the day.

To fight off evil aliens while brave and unafraid

Though sometimes those same aliens would bring him a cold glass of lemonade.

Adventurer, philosopher, there's little he can't do.

He taught me clones are trouble when they're duplicates of you.

He built the first trasmogrifier, even walked on Mars,

And screamed out "I'm Significant" up at a sky filled with uncaring stars.

My hero comes in black and white and sometimes color too

The lessons that he gave me can be taught by very few.

He sometimes wears a crimson cape, gets death threats in the mail

His best friend has four taloned paws, stripes on his body, whiskers and a tail.

The Cannon of the LORD

Music and Lyric © Mark E Horning, 31 August 2005

2/4 Fast Arpeggio Capo -0- or -2- (02:30)

Men fly by rocket

G Am

And fire in the sky

Am G

But goods have a better

Am G- F Am

And cheaper way to fly

Am G Am G- F Am

The bell for the laser ships has struck her final toll.

Am G Am G Am

So Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Am Am G Am

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Am G Am G Am

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

We are Low Orbit

Region Delivery

And we'll ship your cargo

Via artillery

Low cost to orbit and on time is our goal

So Load. Prime, When Ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

All day - through the night.

Hear the cannon Roar

Shield your eyes; look on high.

And watch the cargo soar

Ballistic transfer's the virtue we extol

So Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Here comes the future,

G Am

A price you can afford

Am G

Trust all your cargo to,

Am G- F Am

The cannon of the LORD.

Am G Am G - F Am

We deliver past the sky and it won't cost your soul

Am G Am G Am

So Load Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Am Am G Am

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Am G Am G Am

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Am Am G Am

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

Am G Am G Am

Load. Prime. When ready, yell "fire in the Hole."

The Census Waltz

Lyrics © Jennifer and Mark Horning, 3-16-2000

Music © Mark Horning, 3-16-2000

D A G D

Answer the questions we've sent out to you.

D C F A

Give us your name and you work address too.

D G C D

As for your race there's eighteen you can choose.

C A A-B-C# D

It's Census 2000, there's nothing to lose.

How many live at this mailing address?

What do they eat and how well can they dress?

How many TVs are found in your home?

Are your kids in daycare or left all alone?

Are you a vegan or do you eat meat?

Last year on your taxes how much did you cheat?

Is there indoor plumbing where you reside?

We're census 2000, you've nothing to hide.

We want to know how much your house is worth.

Now tell us your weight, and place of your birth.

What did you eat for your breakfast today?

How much in property tax do you pay?

No one will see these for 70 years.

We give you our word so cast off your fears.

36 pages to fill out for us,

Census 2000, now why all the fuss?

Children of the Lightning

Words and music © Mark E Horning, 24 Oct 2005

Medium strum -4/4- Capo -0- , Capo -2- if late at night [4:05; 4:30 w/ opt chorus]

Am C G

Well we saw the comet coming, and it filled the sky

Am G

And when the Hammer struck a billion people died.

Am C G

Then the Earth rose up to smite the folk the comet had spared

Am Em G

As faults broke loose killing all but the lucky and prepared,

F G (Em)

And that was just a prelude to all that lay in store

Am Am/ G/ Am

Forth rode the ancient horsemen: --- Famine, Plague and War.

Chorus: Am C

Oh we've got to save the lightning,

For you and for me,

So we can build a future

C G

That used to be.

Keep the power flowin',

So we can stay free.

F G

We've got to save the lightning,

C/ G/ C

For our posterity

The dust kicked up for months completely hid the sky.

Without the sun a season's crops all withered and died.

And some folks ate each other just to stay alive,

And now we have to fight them so we can survive.

A crazy preacher leads them spewing death and hate,

And we have to stop the cannibals before it is too late.

--Optional Chorus—

Bridge: Dm G

They have us all outnumbered. They have us all outgunned.

Dm G

But we've got a Wizard's power, and we don’t intend to run

F G (Em)

We've weapons built in secret, to strike a mighty blow

Am Am/ G/ Am

Poison gas and Thermite, with which to meet the foe.

-Rpt Chorus-

Am C G G

I've learned all sorts of things that I thought I'd never know,

Am G G

I've even fished for goldfish – above downtown Fresno,

Am C G

I fought a deadly battle with a cannibal horde,

Am Em G

No, survival ain't been easy; but I shure haven't been bored.

F G (Em)

Now we won the final battle, though our wizard died,

Am Am/ G/ C

But we saved the power plant and all the tools and men inside.

Fin chorus: C

Oh we fought to save the lightning,

For you and for me,

We can rebuild that future

C G

That used to be.

We kept the power flowin',

And we fought to stay free.

F G

We fought to save the lightning,

C/ G/ C

And our children's legacy.

F G

And the Children of the Lightning

C/ G/ C C/ G/ C|

Will be forever free.

Based on Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.

Countdown Towards Tomorrow

Music and lyrics © Mark E. Horning 23 July 2004 4/4 time [5:36]

Refrain: D G D G

There's 5 seconds left, 'till we rocket toward tomorrow.

D D Em A

4 seconds left and the bird is set to soar

D G D G

3 seconds left, the runways clear before us.

D G G (A) D

2 seconds, 1 second, hear the engines' roar.

D G D A

I'm sitin' in the left hand seat, with a punk kid in the right

D G Em A

Who's never seen a good friend die when a rocket fails in flight

G G A A

He thinks he is the hottest thing, that's ever learned to fly

G G Em A

but I remember when I rode a missile through the sky.

G A D (G) Em

But I guess I can not fault him, or heap on too much scorn.

G A G D

We started flying rocket-planes before he was born.

And there's 5...

We go over the checklist, and the damn kid gets it right.

I'm feeling a bit generous, so I let him hit Ignite

The folks on orbit need all of the supplies we provide

But we pause for several seconds 'till I ram the throttles wide.

we’ve little time for speeches or traditions anymore

But the 5 second countdown, honors those who went before.

We Count 5...

Bring her down from orbit, line her up and land her clean

Just another space flight and everything's routine.

Taxi to the fuel farm, fill 'er up with JP-8

Then re-fill the LOX tanks, check the oil while you wait.

Grab a cup of coffee, and a sandwich while you can

We've only got an hour, till we fly to space again.

When there'll be 5...

It's isn't how it used to be, back in the days of old

When space was an adventure, and a wonder to behold

We've given up the romance, and we did it by design

the corporation's main concern must be bottom line

The benefits are lousy, we don't make what we're worth.

But still I've got the greatest job, on, or off, the Earth

And there's 5... Yes there's 5...

Custodiet Es Custodies

Lyrics: © Mark E. Horning

Music: Guardian; © Leslie Fish

Am D F G Am

See them hunting day or night a victim to waylay

Em Am G E--E7

the law abiding citizen will always be their prey

Am F C E

for power always will corrupt, even the just and wise

Am D G Em Am

and if you've studied history this comes as no surprise

Chorus: C G Am C Am Em--E

And who will guard the guardians, who keep you safe from harm

Am G C D F D Am

And will you wonder what's gone wrong, when all your freedom's gone

The Romans learned this lesson well, millennia ago

when Caesar took his legions to defeat the Gaulish Foe

for he returned in force and day and crossed the Rubicon

and the Great Republic never saw another dawn.

Chorus:

Politicians will not stop while power's to be gained.

They've one hand in your pocketbook, the other in your brain.

Fighting drugs of poverty, or a righteous little war.

They take what is your by right, and then they take some more.

Chorus:

Freedom of speech, religious choice, and freedom of the press,

Freedom from unwarranted search, and all of the rest,

Were writ into the Bill of Rights to safeguard future days.

But as time slips by and men forger this armor's chipped away.

Chorus:

"I am from the government, sent here to help you."

Was the lie the Nazi's told while gathering up the Jews.

So if you ever hear these words best be prepared to run.

and when there's no where left to flee you'd better grab your guns:

For you must guard the guardians, who take your dangers on.

Vigilance is needed for your freedoms to live on

Cycles

(or What I did on My Summer Vacation)

Music: Run for the Roses, D. Fogelberg Note: -Capo 3-

Lyrics: © Jennifer and Mark Horning, June 1999

(Instrumental 1^st verse)

D F#m G A

Born on the homeworld in a time full of strife,

D F#m G A

War is upon us bringing much loss of life.

D F#m G Gm

Resources expended, our numbers too great,

D Bm Em7 A7

And to put off the fall we’re too late.

We’ve bread mediators to stave off our wars,

To speak for the masters, to open the doors,

We can’t stop the cycles, they must always turn….

And civilization shall burn.

Chorus: G A7 F#m

For the cycles will catch us and pull us apart

G A7 F#m

Destroy all out progress set us back to the start.

G A7 F#m

Crazy Eddie can’t save us, for mad is his plan

G A

And the cycles through history span……

C G

The cycles our history span.

Now, strange ships appear from a point out in space,

Oddly constructed and not of our race.

A mystery to ponder, and knowledge to learn,

For from that point none have returned.

We’ve sent mediators to talk with these men.

They’re strange clumsy creatures, not of our ken.

But they’ve power to trade and a new hope to give…

More space, for our people to live.

Yet the cycles…..

The humans are worried they want us to stay,

We must now convince them not to stand in our way.

More planets for breeding and space for out kin,

The Humans’ trust we must win.

Or the cycles…..

Instrumental A7 followed by instrumental verse then D (held)

Don’t Need a Home

Mark E. Horning 26 July 2006

Music: This world is not my Home, Trad. Baptist Hymn

Same as: I Ain't got no Home, W. Guthrie

D G D

My ship is my home, and I'm roamin' round

D E7 A7

Get supplies each quarter when I head on into town

D G D

Livin' out a dream where the asteroids soar

D A7 D

And I don’t need a home on a world anymore.

The work is hard but honest, minin' in the endless night

But I'm richer by the day, and I've got a goal in sight

I've, got me a rock, rich with gold and platinum ore

And I don’t need a home on a world anymore.

Now Mars is rough and tumble, like a frontier world should be

But I've met a gal in Marsport that's the prettiest I ever seen,

And I've built a better life than I ever had before,

So I don’t need a home on a world anymore.

We took a flying mountain and we build a home within

She's pressure tight, with room inside, with gravity from spin

Where folk can raise a family, and children can explore

And we don’t need a home on a world anymore.

So you can keep the Earth and her cities dark and grey

'Cause we're building a new future with each dawning of the day

And I'm fin'ly flyin' free, and well who could ask for more,

So I don't need a home on a world anymore.

No I don't need a home on a world anymore.

The Earth is Home no More

Music and Lyrics Copyright 24 October 2006, Mark E. Horning

Intro: (instrumental chorus)

Dm C Dm

G Am Dm

Dm G C C

Twenty years ago you sent me to this barren airless land

Dm G F G

and we've built a thriving colony from Lunar rock and sand

C G Am G

I helped to build a city grand, beneath this glass-steel dome

Dm G Dm G

and now you say my work is done, its time for going home

Chorus: Dm C Dm

The Earth is home no more

G Am Dm

No your Earth is my home no more

Here's where I raised a family, and where my friends are near

A man learns what's important when he lives on the frontier

We may not have your luxuries, or many fancy things

But I've seen my children flying free on human powered wings

You've never seen the stars above, a river made of light

Nor seen the shadows down below, pure black on brilliant white

And thought the Earth is beautiful, I must again repeat,

I'd rather see it in my sky than just beneath my feet.

I've buried several good friends here, for the moon is harsh and cold

And now you claim it's time to go, now that I'm growing old.

That new worlds call for younger hands, to serve your bottom line,

Well, I might be slower than I was but my skills are sharp and fine

The rockets leave the landing pad for earth each week or so,

But I won't be on the manifest you can not make me go.

My skills are valued on the Moon; I'm a damn fine engineer,

I'm staying put. I won’t relent. I know my home is here.

It is the risk explores take, when they build a world anew

And in every generation there exist a hardy few

Who've learned to love the land they built, so as in years before

My home I built on lunar soil. The Earth is home no more.

Note: chorus between verses, final chorus 2x w/ instrumental 1^st line of 2^nd chorus.

Engineer's Drive

Lyrics Copyright Mark E. Horning Jan 2005

TtTo: Kerowyn's Ride, by L. Fish

Dmo Dmo7 C C7 C Dmo

Engineers, engineers, where are you going?

Dmo Dmo7 G A

Your bookshelves are empty, your cubicles bare.

Dmo C G A

How can you depart this home we call NASA,

Dmo F C Dmo

All packing up like you don't even care?

C C7 C Dmo

We care far greater than you give us credit,

G C A

Far more than you ever could see.

Dmo C G A

It's time to break free, from the government's shackles

Dmc C A

Transfer to private industry.

G C Dmo

Move to private industry.

Engineers, Engineers, what of his-tor-y,

What of the glory that NASA has known?

All of the spacecraft we've put into orbit,

All of the missions together we've flown.

The glory is gone, 'twas lost with Apollo,

From ashes it will not arise,

We'd rather be working for those who are willing,

for those who know space is the prize.

We know that space is the prize.

Engineers, engineers, what of your paychecks?

Their coffers are empty. Their balance sheets red.

Private space concerns are sore lacking for backers,

How will you then keep your family fed?

Can you not see it's a matter of honor

And not just a matter of pay?

Otherwise how can we say to our children,

We had the moon, in our day

But cast off and threw it away?

Engineers, Engineers, do not be foolish,

This is no game, to play at for fun.

Private built spacecraft are just science fiction,

It cannot be done without government funds

Once more you prove that you're stuck in the '60's

Again your arrogance shown.

They've already built one out west in Mohave

And into near space they have flown.

Yes thrice into space they have flown

Managers, Managers do not be bitter

All things have a time, and each one must pass,

Without innovation there cannot be progress

Surely you knew that it just couldn't last.

We've labored for years to build this space program,

But can't force a person to stay.

Go forth and prosper, and if you are willing

Would you please pass out my resume?

It's updated as of today.

Managers, Managers, why so understanding,

We have to admit this reaction is strange

We were expecting naught but opposition

What did we say to cause your mind to change.

We too were dreamers when we were much younger,

Why else would we come to this place,

Go forth with our blessing and letter of merit

Go now and get into space,

Build ships to fly into space.

Festival Trade

TtTo: Festival Wind, H. Alexander

Lyrics Copyright 31 July 2006 Mark E. Horning

D A

The sun comes up and it starts the day

G A

Which I suppose is the usual way

D A G/ D/ A

But I cross the street where the telephones lay, from the sky they fell

D A

I pick one up and hear it say

G A

"Oh what pray tell is your wish today?"

D A G/ D/ A

"Just tell me a story with which to pay. Can you sing as well?"

D A G D

Sing a song, tell us a story,

D A G D

Entertain us the object bade,

D A G D

We're in orbit, no need to worry

D A A D

Wishes made real is the festival trade

I asked for food just like you'd think,

And it fell from the sky ere you could blink,

So then I asked for a good stiff drink, from way on high.

Well, some men follow, some men lead

I demand a cornucopia seed

With the means of production we'd be freed, so raise the cry,

(Chorus Rpt)

Now the festival's come to Rochard's World

So the old black banner we unfurled

Like a venomous snake that just uncurled, "Don't tread on me"

It's time to reap that which you sow

So the ruling class we'll overthrow

Once the dam has burst you can't stop the flow, info will be free

(Chorus Rpt)

D A

The duke who ruled us is now a child

G A

And the peasant folk have all gone wild

D A G/ D/ A

And the Gods of Chaos laughed and smiled, at what they brought

D A

Now the whole planet's one giant mess

G A

From the vengeance of the poor oppressed

D A G/ D/ A

I'm over my head I must confess, with what we've wrought

D A G D

Sing a song, tell us a story,

D A G D

Entertain us the object bade,

D A G D

We're in orbit, no need to worry

D A A D

Wishes made real is the festival trade

D G D A

The festival's left for another star

D G D A

We don't even know now who we are

D G D G

We've come too fast and come too far

D G D A

Our life is now just too bizarre.

(Chorus Rpt 2x)

Filkers

Lyrics: © Mark E. Horning 8-14-1996

Music: Gremlins, by Leslie Fish

Am F G C

Sci. Fi. Fans of the ancient days, would always dream of space

Am G Em Am

Armstrong landed on the moon, winning the space race

F C G Em

Politicians cut the cash to fund the welfare stare

Am Dm G Em Am

Fandom vents their rage in song, whilst cursing their fate.

F C G Em

Chorus: Mundanes, mundanes, run and hide

Am F C E

Filking fans on every side

Am F C E

Dreamers who won't be denied

Am Em Am

Filkers everywhere!

Space race stalled no end in sight, what should fandom do

Grab guitars and sing all night, songs both old and new,

Sing in voices loud and strong, until the night is day

Bardic gives a chance to all, so pick pass or play

Chorus:

Filkers love "Cold Iron" and steal, everything Kipling wrote

Dead poets have no recourse, they can't even vote ***

Filkers sing of spaceships and stars, magic and holy quests

Harmony may lack a bit, but hey, we take requests.

Chorus:

So if you're bugged by songs off key, best thing you can do,

Is make peace with the Filking Horde, feed the Tully Dew.

Order food for everyone, pizza in deep dish pans,

Ask they to leave your con alone, & go bug the gaming fans.

Chorus:

***(unless they live in Chicago)

The Four Angels

Words by Rudyard Kipling

Music © Mark E. Horning 8 April 2005 --3/4--

Am Am Am G Am

As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree

G G Am G Am

The Angel of the Earth came down, and offered Earth in fee;

F C

But Adam did not need it,

G Am

Nor the plough he would not speed it,

Em Em Em Em

Singing: --"Earth and Water, Air and Fire,

G Am G Em

What more can mortal man desire?"

Am G Am

(The Apple Tree's in bud)

As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree

The Angel of the Waters offered all the Seas in fee;

But Adam would not take 'em,

Nor the ships he wouldn't make 'em,

Singing:--"Water, Earth and Air and Fire,

What more can mortal man desire? "

(The Apple Tree's in leaf.)

As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree

The Angel of the Air he offered all the Air in fee;

But Adam did not crave it,

Nor the flight he wouldn't brave it,

Singing: --"Air and Water, Earth and Fire,

What more can mortal man desire?"

(The Apple Tree's in bloom.)

As Adam lay a-dreaming beneath the Apple Tree

The Angel of the Fire rose up and not a word said he;

But he wished a flame and made it,

And in Adam's heart he laid it,

Singing: --"Fire, Fire, burning Fire!

Stand up, and reach your heart's desire!"

(The Apple Blossom's set.)

As Adam was a-working outside of Eden-Wall,

He used the Earth, he used the Seas, he used the Air and all;

Till out of black disaster

He arose to be a master

Of Earth and Water, Air and Fire,

But never reached his heart's desire!

(The Apple Tree's cut down!)

A Free and Distant Land

Lyrics © Mark E. Horning; April 2004

Music © Albert Hammond; 1973, "The Free Electric Band"

C G

My dad's a politician, with power over men

C G

My mother works for charity, every now and then

C G

the both obey the government, in Washington D.C

C G

and never thought of distant shores, or trying to be free

C7 F G C

the only stars they ever saw, were on the silver screen

C7 F G C

for they obsessed on petty goals and on their mundane dreams

G F C G

My future in the system was talked about and planned

C F G C

but I gave it up for space-flight, and a free and distant land

C G

I got my education from prestigious private schools

C G

with ivy covered buildings and Olympic swimming pools

C G

where they taught the system's values which is to obey the state

C G

and they stifled all dissention and all reasonable debate

C7 F G C

they got me in a college where they teach elites to rule

C7 F G C

But I went to California, and a top aero-space school

G F C G

My parents and my tutors could never understand

C F G C

why I gave it up for space-flight, and a free and distant land

C7 F G C

Well they used to try and foist their choice upon their son's career

C7 F G C

A lawyer or a senator or social engineer

G F C G

just give me freeze dried rations, and the stars at every hand

C F G C

'cos all I need's a space ship, and a free and distant land.

C G

My father sent me money and I spent it pretty fast

C G

on a girl I met at Cal Tech, in a stellar physics class

C G

Yes we were friends and lovers who gazed at the stars above

C G

and I thought we had a future, and I almost fell in love,

C7 F G C

But she wanted fame and fortune, and all that that implies

C7 F G C

and I knew her well enough by then to see it in her eyes.

G F C G

She'd settle for security and societies demands

C F G C

So I gave her up for space-flight and a Free and Distant Land

C F G C

Oooh a Free and Distant Land.

da da da da space-flight and a Free and Distant Land

etc...

Freedom's Name

Lyrics © Mark E. Horning, 1996

Music: "Where do we go from Here?", Leslie Fish

Em A C D C Em

Word came across the sea, to our forefathers long ago

Em A C D

to pay their taxes on tea, which many chose to do

G D C D Em D

but a few who lived in the land, would not tithe to England's crown

G D C D Em D Em

they made a list of their demands --- and rose in Boston Towne

Chorus: C D Em

And which side will you chose?

C D Em

United we'll never lose,

C D Em

Come, fight in Freedom's Name.

King George came up with a plan, to seize the arms of honest men.

Disarm every man. None could oppose him then.

So we built and underground, and horded powder and guns a shot

Cast off fetters, would not be bound --- and a revolution fought

Chorus:

Eleven score years have gone by, but always remember what we've learned,

and keep a vigilant eye, lest the king return

So cache your powder and shot, and be prepared for come what may,

Remember why our forefathers fought. --- To rule themselves one day.

Final Chorus:

And which side will you chose?

United we'll never loose,

Rise up in Freedom's Name.

The Glories

Rudyard Kipping 1925

Time signature 4/4 (3/4 variant)

Am C G Em

In Faiths and Food and Books and Friends

F F G G

Give every soul her choice

Am C G Em

for such as follow diverse ends

Am G Am

in diverse lights rejoice

there is a glory of the Sun

Pity it passeth soon!

But those whose work is nearer done

Look, rather towards the moon

There is a glory of the Moon

when the hot hours have run;

But such as have not touched their noon

Give worship to the Sun

There is a glory of the Stars

Perfect on stilly^* ways

but such as follow present wars

pursue the Comet's Blaze

There is a glory in all things;

but each must find his own

sufficient for his reckonings,

which is to him alone,

to each his very own.

^* Tranquil

Guideposts in the Sky.

Words and Music © 1-2-2005 Mark E. Horning 4/4

Am G Am E

From before history was written, to the future's distant shore,

G Am C E

The yearnings stay unsated, to learn and to explore.

Am/ G/ Am/ Em/ Am Em

The stars above stand silent watch, as time goes passing by.

Am/ G/ Am/ Em Em Am/ G/ Am

Eternal in the ageless night -- Guideposts in the sky.

With little more than courage, and a club of bison bone,

We'd travel over hill and vale and through the woods we'd roam

Pursuing where the game would lead in the age of hand worked stone,

Relying on the stars above, -- to guide us back to home.

Chorus:

Am/ C/ G Am (G) Am

The stars burn bright to guide us, as we journey far away,

F C Am E

As they've stood fast to guide us, for all our yesterdays,

F/ C/ G/ Em/

Through the ages span, since the dawn of man,

Am E

The stars keep burning bright.

Am/ G/ Am/ Em/

In the deepest night, we seek the sight,

Am/ G/ Am

Of the star shine's guiding light.

We learned precision steering In the age of sail and wood

With sextant and with compass on the wooden decks we stood.

With nothing but the tall proud ships, and the stars to guide them by,

We conquered seas and continents, -- before we learned to fly.

In time, on cloth and metal wings, we learned to rule the sky,

With wooden prop or turbojet across the world we'd fly

And when it grew to dark to see the landscape down below,

We'd look up to the stars above, -- to point us where to go

-Chorus-

Am G Am E

We have caught the photons cast out from our very own home sun

G Am C E

And tacked along the stellar wind on the Terra-Martian run.

Am/ G/ Am/ Em/ Am Em

No boom, no waves, no crashing surf, just round spinnaker sail

Am/ G/ Am/ Em Em Am/ G/ Am

No clouds to block the beacon guides, -- that burn on without fail.

Now we ride the fusion fire, of our own bright captive star,

And set our course of travel on a journey light-years far,

The stars are all around us as, the ship begins to race.

We'll journey by our beacon guides, -- and meet them face to face.

-Chorus-

Am/ G/ Am/ Em/

In the deepest night look to the sight...

Am/ G/ Am

the stars are shining bright!

Here I Am

Chords: D5 XX023X

A5 X022XX

Lyrics: Mark E. Horning © 11-17-2004 F XX3211

Music: Send Me an Angel, the Scorpions C X32010

: Rudolf Schenker D XX0232

G 320033

Bm X24432

Am C D5 Bm G

The wise men say the stars at night

G D

are just billions of suns

Am C D5 Bm G

We send our message on wings of light

G D

and the years travel on

Am C D5 Bm G

we listen with sensors unfurled

G D

and a sad lonely heart

Am C D5 Bm G

Are we one of many worlds

G D

or alone in the dark?

G D

Here I am.

Dm Am

Please respond to my signal. (Won't you send me a signal?)

G D

Here I am.

Dm D5

A blue world round a G-class Sun.

Am C D5 Bm G

The wise men say life is but chance

G D

A rolling of the dice.

Am C D5 Bm G

A billion suns or million worlds,

G D

Well, those odds should suffice.

G D

Here I am.

Dm Am

Please respond to my signal. (Won't you send me a signal?)

G D

Here I am.

Dm D5

A blue world round a G-class Sun.

Am C D5 Bm G

The wise men say the nearest star,

G D

that could harbor some life

Am C D5 Bm G

is several decades travel far,

G D

at the vast speed of light

Am C D5 Bm G

but we have listened now for years

G D

with a sad heavy heart

Am C D5 Bm G

the waiting gives weight to the fear

G D

we're alone in the dark.

G D

Here I am.

Dm Am

Please respond to my signal. (Won't you send me a signal?)

G D

Here I am.

Dm D5

A blue world round a G-class Sun.

(Repeat final chorus 3.75x)

End

------------------------------------------------------

Am C D5 Bm

----0-----------0--------------------------------------------------

-------1-----------1--------3-----------3--------------------------

----------2-----------0--------2-----------4-----------------------

-2-----------------------0--------0-----------4--------------------

-------------3-----------------------2-----------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Am C Dm7

----0-----------0------------------------------

-------1-----------1---------------------------

----------2-----------0--------5-----7-----5---

-2--------------------------7-----7-----7-----7

-------------3-----------5---------------------

-----------------------------------------------

Honest Al's Used Rocket Lot

Music & Lyrics Copyright Mark E. Horning 31 Aug 2005

4/4 Capo -0- Strum (2:45)

Why, I'd eat a bug to make a sale C G

No worries, 'cause I'm out on bail. C G F G

So come see me and my dog Spot (He's really an emu.) C G F

At Honest Al's Used Rocket Lot C G C

Well have I got a deal for you

This rocket here is almost new.

I swear it hardly ever flew.

In fact it's only had one crew.

Yes sure indeed it's what you seek, C G

We've patched up that reactor leak. C G C G

Kick the gear and take a peek. C G F

It's the best deal we've had all week. C G C

Yeah, I'd eat a bug to make a sale

No worries, 'cause I'm out on bail.

So come see me and my dog Spot (Hey, that's a banana slug.)

At Honest Al's Used Rocket Lot

Come on down; let's make a deal.

I'll let this one go for a steal.

It's full of charm, it's got appeal

It holds air since we fixed that seal.

She's hardly used; yeah she'll sell soon, C G

She's only once been past the moon C G C G

We only got her in this June. C G F

I want her off this lot by noon. C G C

Yeah, I'd eat a bug to make a sale C G

No worries, 'cause I'm out on bail. C G F G

So come see me and my dog Spot (No, that's a ferret.) C G F

At Honest Al's Used Rocket Lot C G C

So bring your cash and come on by,

And off this lot my ships will fly.

Forget credit, I'd rather die.

Only take cash, now don’t ask why.

Yeah, I'd eat a bug to make a sale

No worries, 'cause I'm out on bail.

So come see me and my dog Spot (I have NO idea what that is.)

At Honest Al's Used Rocket Lot.

Shop Honest Al's Used Rocket Lot………….That's Honest Al's Used Rocket Lot

If We'll Reach the Stars

Lyrics © Mark E. Horning 20 June 2004

TtTo: Who'll Stop the Rain, J.C. Fogerty --Capo 2--

4/4

Intro: G(231) G(231) G(231)

Long as man's been dreaming, G G

he's watched the birds on high, C G

strove to soar unfettered, G Bm

sought to break the sky. C G

But, Wings of Wax and Feather, C G

failed to reach the sun. C G

And I wonder, still I wonder C D

If we'll reach the Stars. Em G

We've sat near the airfield. G G

to watch the contrails grow. C G

Flown across the planet. G Bm

Seen the clouds below. C G

Stars above keep callin', C G

sing their siren song. C G

And I wonder, still I wonder C D

If we'll reach the Stars. Em G

I've seen the private rockets G G

Beat on Heaven's Door C G

Far out in the desert, G Bm

heard the engines' roar. C G

Still the sky is arching C G

far above my head C G

And I wonder, still I wonder C D

If we'll reach the Stars. Em G

CCC GGG DD | D(4444 4444)

AmAmAm CCC EmEm | Em(444 444)D G

And I wonder, still I wonder C D

If we'll reach the Stars. Em Em

G(231) G(231) G(231) G231)

Lady Starlight in her Eyes

Lyrics © Mark E. Horning

TtTo: Sister Golden Hair by Gerry Beckley (performed by Heart, America, others)

Intro: / Am F C - / Em Am G F /

Oh I got the call on Sunday,

And I packed my bag that night,

Well, you knew it'd happen some day,

I'll be on the morning flight.

There's an altar to the future,

Buildin' high above the ground.

And it won’t be long until she's outward bound.

We'll I keep on thinking 'bout us,

Lady Starlight in her Eyes

But I'm headin' for Centaurus

And the lure of foreign skies.

Yeah the sea o' stars is callin',

And I hope you'll change your mind,

'Cause I'd like to see 'em with a friend of mine.

/ C - / Em - / F C / Em - / F Dm / AmEm F / Dm F CCsus4 C /

Won’t you meet me up in orbit?

Eighty miles above the air.

Then we'll call this planet forfeit,

Find another way out there.

Now I must admit it, I know they're sayin'.

We might not make it

/ G - / F C / G - / F C / Dm Em / F - /

Intro then repeat last two.

A Lament for a Future Lost

Lyrics © Mark E. Horning 2004 (3/4 time)

TtTo: The Piano Man, by Billy Joel G11 30011

C Em/B Am C/G

It's three AM* on a Saturday,

F C/E D7 G

The guitars stand ready to play

C Em/B Am C/G

And all I desire is a melody

F G11 C

that will take me somewhere far away.

( F/C C_maj7 G11 )

C Em/B Am C/G

The future once was a friend of mine,

F C/E D7 G

but it's former bright luster has paled

C Em/B

for it seems every day,

Am C

we get further away

F G11 C C

from the promises it once entailed

Am Am/G D7/F# F

Bridge: da da da - de de da

Am Am/G D7/F#

- da da - de de da

D7 G G/F C/E G7/D

- da da

C Em/B Am C/G

Ch:Sing out a song of the future now

F C/E D7 G

sing out a song tonight

C Em/B Am C/G

and you might rekindle a memory

F G11 C F/C

of a future that used to be bright.

( Cmaj7 G11 )

The Concord once flew supersonic.

from New York to Heathrow she'd soar.

on the opposite run,

she would outpace the sun,

but now she is flying no more

And this dismal reality's killing me

as the world becomes more mundane

and the glories and marvels we read about

seem to have been written in vain.

Bridge

our moonbase was forfeit to politics

While NASA sings the same tune

and because of our fears,

it has been 30 years**

since a man last walked on the moon

The Challenger perished in smoke and flame

and Columbia fell from the sky

with so many setbacks,

I have finally lost track***

but I know that too many have died.****

Ch:Sing out a song of the future now

sing out a song tonight

and you might rekindle a memory

of a future that used to be bright.

We have turned our back on the possible

and substituted the tame

for all risk we avoid

and our spirit's destroyed

and the "Cult of the Safe" is to blame.

And the writers are churning out fantasies,

as Science falls from it's throne,

it's a poor excuse for literature

But it's better than dreaming alone.

Bridge

Ch:Sing out a song of the future now

sing out a song tonight

and you might rekindle a memory

of a future that used to be bright.

Notes:

* 10 PM, really damn late, etc as appropriate

** For the nitpicky "it's been 30-odd years" change to "35 years" in 2007 and 40-odd years in 2008. Thinking about 50-odd years is just too depressing to consider.

*** I sing "I have fine-ly lost track" but some folks insist the word is pronounced fine-a-ly. California accent?**** alt: and it seems now we're too scared to try.

Lament for the Spacefarer's Wife

Lyrics: Mark Horning & Christine Marie Tillman © 1994, Updated 2004

TTO: "The Fisherman's Song", AKA "Lament for the Fisherman's Wife" by Andy Stewart

4/4 Standard arpeggio. Use 12-String in Am, Em, or Fm (Em Capo-I)

Am(Em) C(G) C(G) Dm(Am) Dm(Am)

By the static filled view screen, a woman is standing.

Am(Em) C(G) Am(Em)

The tears run as streams down her face.

Am(Em) C(G) C(G) Dm(Am) Dm(Am)

With the beauty of comets, unseen in their passing,

Am(Em) C(G) Dm(Am) Am(Em)

She gazes forlornly towards space.

For she had gone out to condemn that cold starscape,

For the murderous loss of her man.

His ship left port on Wednesday morning.

And its feared she's been lost with all hands.

Oh red were the sunflares, with gamma rays dancing.^{^[1]}

So fierce is the warring of love.

But she's prayed to the gods, both of men and of spacers,

Not to cast their cruel fires o're her love.

And she had . . .

There's a school on the station, where the sons of dead fathers

Are lead to explore the unknown.

Lured by alien cultures and alien women,

They seldom return to their homes.

And she had . . .

What force leads a man to a life filled with danger,

Aye, deep space is empty and sad

It's when need is his master, and poverty's no stranger,

And there's no other work to be had

For she has . . .

Lesser of Evils

Tune: "Danegeld" by L. Fish.

Am C

It will always be foolhardy, to pick the lib'ral party,

D E

They tax and spend while squandering the funds,

Am F

If they win the election

G E

well then for your own protection,

Am G E Am

they'll pass more laws and ban those pesky guns,

(G) C G

So, we are the lesser of Evils,

Am E

The folks on the Right always rave,

C G

And they are the Greater of Evils,

F E Am

they'll tax you far beyond your grave.

It is equally foolhardy, to chose the other party,

They'll cut programs and cause old folk to die

And their fiscal solution,

Will generate pollution.

They'll poison half the water and the sky.

So, we are the Lesser of Evils,

For conflict we Leftists abhor,

and they are the Greater of Evils

they'll kill your sons in foreign wars.

It's exceedingly foolhardy, to pick a minor party,

Both the major parties boast and bray.

We are your only choices,

Ignore the other voices

Or else you'll simply throw your vote away.

But that is called choosing 'tween evils,

And evil is evil you see,

And people that keep choosing Evil,

Will find that they're no longer free.

It has always been foolhardy, to chose between two parties,

And pick the lesser evil for today.

So if you feel the pressure,

To decide which evil's lesser,

You'll find it better policy to say,

We never will choose between evils,

No mater the interim cost,

C G E

For the end of that game is oppression and shame,

Am G Am

And the Voter that plays it has lost, lost, lost

Am G Am

Yes the Nation that plays it is lost.

A Libertarian Discourse regarding the Utilitarian Justification of increased Space Flight.

("Space and Freedom")

Time 4/4 (6/8?); rollicking

Chorus:

Am G Am G Am G Am

Cast off your shackles down below, join us on orbit here.

F Am G E

Where freedom's no illusion, it's just as it appears.

Am G Am G G E

No tax to pay, no laws to break, no governments to fear

Am G Am G Am Em Am

"Space and Freedom" is the cry of the "Kings of the High Frontier"

Am Am G

Space and Freedom (Space and Freedom)

Am Am Em

Space and Freedom (Space and Freedom)

Am G Am G Am Em Am

"Space and Freedom" is the cry of the "Kings of the High Frontier"

Am G Am G Am G Am

At the dawn of space flight, the government took charge

F Am G E

And spent uncounted dollars, to promise us the stars

Am G Am G Am Am E

But after several decades, well we had to face the facts

Am G Am G Am Em Am

It was really just a bureaucratic full employment act

They called us all delusional; they called us nuts and fools,

To try to build a space program with private funds and tools.

But we didn't use exotic parts, or lots of fancy stuff

Nor gold plate every part to death, just built them good enough.

Chorus:

One man built a rocket plane, just like the X-15

Only several meters longer to carry out his dream

And managed to reach orbit with a fuel reserve to spare.

And now they're building rocket ships, and spaceports everywhere

Am G Am G Am G Am

Another built a winged craft, that flies beyond the sky

F Am G E

With turbojets for when she's low and rockets when she's high,

Am G A G Am Am E

But it's cheap enough to operate, the engines fire and flame.

Am G Am G Am Em Am

For her jets burn good old JP-4, and her rockets burn the same.

Chorus:

So travel up to orbit where man's dreams are bought and sold,

We've never had a central bank so our money's good as Gold.

Where you'll never fear the tax man's bite, will steal your labor's fruit,

we threw the last one out a lock, without a vacuum suit.

We own the highest orbits, from GEO to L5

We have the highest living wage of anyone alive

and no one dare attack us, for we have the highest ground.

that ever has existed, or ever could be found.

Final Chorus:

Am G Am G Am G Am

Cast off your shackles down below, join us on orbit here.

F Am G E

Where freedom's no illusion, it's just as it appears.

Am G Am G G E

No tax to pay, no laws to break, no governments to fear

Am G Am G Am Em Am

"Space and Freedom" is the cry of the "Kings of the High Frontier"

Am Am G

Space and Freedom (Space and Freedom)

Am Am Em

Space and Freedom (Space and Freedom)

Am G Am G Am Em Am

"Space and Freedom" is the cry of the "Kings of the High Frontier"

Am Am G

Space and Freedom (Space and Freedom)

Am Am Em

Space and Freedom (Space and Freedom)

Am G Am G Am Em Am

"Space and Freedom" is the cry -of the "Kings of the High Frontier"

Light-years up the Line

Am Am G G
There dwelt a lass in Rawley's Toun

Am G Am
I thocht that she was mine

Am Am G Am
But I must go to Mingulay

Am G Am

and she go up the line

Am Am G G

I must away, and she to stay

Am Am G G
her business for to mind

Am Am G G
We swore we'd meet another day

Am G Am
and she went up the line

She said for sure she'd follow me
in two score weeks and nine
I waited two long year for her
but she'd gone up the line

She need not bide another day
and oh! the ship was fine
She took that ship to Mingulay
An' it took her up the line

A cunning work the sea beasts are
the gray folk they are kind
and man and woman travel far
but all go up the line

And aye we're told o' powers above
this world o' yours and mine
We're told they hold us in their love
but they send us up the line

Now many a year my lass I've sought
in th' streets o' Rawliston
but gods have battles to be fought
and she is light-years gone

Inst Break

Aye many a year in Rawliston
I've sought my lass to find
But I am here and she is gone
Light-years up the line

Lullaby for a Centauri

TtTo: Lullaby for a Weary World, T. J. Burnside Clapp

Transposed to C, original is in G

C Am F G

I wonder how my world can live, with all her former glory

C Am Dm G

- Make - me Emperor.

C Am F Dm

I'm scared of how much we have lost and just exactly where we'll end

C Am F/ G/ C

And I - wish the power to end it all, could rest within my hands.

I see my people waste their lives, on shallow foolish causes,

- Make – me Emperor.

And the great houses have fallen into petty futile bickering,

While the rising tide of history will pass us by once more.

C Am F G

Give me the power, to rule my weary world

Em Am F Dm/ G/

Build me a mighty fleet, crewed by Centauri bold

C Dm G F/ G/

Make my voice strong enough, to win the peoples hearts,

F G C F

And - make me a shining sword so sharp and fine,

C Dm/ G/ C

And I'll restore the Empire of old

I wish that I could banish all the ministers of folly

- Make – me Emperor.

And though the galaxy may burn, we'll seize our former glory

With peace enforced through victory, our rightful place restored.

Dm G C Am

And if the purges won't suffice, I'll send the fleets to conquer,

C C Dm G

And we'll re-forge an Empire, amidst the flames of war.

Dm G Am Am

And if that battle's not enough, I'll invade the Narn Homeworld

F Dm

And then throw them all in chains.

G G

I'll see every Narn in chains.

C Am F G

And when the pyres have all burned out, and shadows fill the darkness.

C Am Dm G

- Make – me Emperor.

C Am F Dm

I'll pray the Great Maker may find my rule both strong and merciful

C Am F/ G/ C

And grant the Centauri I rule one more chance to live,

C C F G C G

- Oh may Gods grant my Republic another chance to rise.

Chorus Rpt.

Lunar Revolution

Music "City of New Orleans by Steve Goodman

C G C

Fightin' in the Lunar Revolution

Am F C

Warden's Goons are raping in the streets

C G C

Dragoons are being shipped up from Earthside,

Am G C

And they think we will be easy to defeat.

But behind every capsule door,

and surging through the corridors

G D

Loonies rise to kill oppressors dead

Chinee rifles blazing bright

Battle rages through the night

G C

and the victors are all wearing caps of red

F G C

Good Morning Terra --- How are you?

Am F C C/ G/

Don't you know us? We're your serfs and slaves

C G Am D

And we have declared the Revolution,

Bb F C

And we'll fight you till we're laying in our graves.

Hypoxia has taken down your Warden.

The catapult is under our control.

We have never been a vengeful people,

independence is our only goal.

We are not seeking to fight,

but we shall defend our rights

are defenses are both strong and manned
ships with bombs are in our skies

and folks on both sides had to die

is seems that force is all you understand

Good Morning Terra --- We warned you.

Your governments just would not let us be

It seems now that war's our only option.

Well, they never said it was easy bein' free.

C G C

Fightin' now for Lunar Independence,

Am F C

Earth Governments shall rule us nevermore.

C G E

Welcome to a little bridge at Concord.

Am G C

Welcome to a revolutionary war.

We're taking off the padded gloves,

Prepare to meet death from above.

G D

Time to teach you groundhogs how to fight.

Rocks are falling through your sky

where they strike all life will die

G C

landing in a brilliant grid of light.

F G C

Good Morning Terra --- Surrender.

Am F C C/ G/

For we have a LOT of rocks up here.

C G Am D

Freedom's dream is something worth defending.

Bb F C

And our liberty we hold so very dear

Bb F C

Yes, our liberty we hold oh very dear.

Modern Myths

C G

The moon landing's a fairy tale; I've heard some people say.

F G

Why, if we had ever reached the moon, we surely would have stayed.

F C

And when I look into the heavens, with its wonderment and awe

It's hard to say with confidence, that argument is flawed.

You can light the torch of knowledge

you can rail against the dark

you can watch in abject horror

G Em↓ Am

as it gutters... to a spark.

My father still remembers, on a trip through Germany

The year was 1969, Sunday July 20.

The radio announced the news; a cheer rose through the bus.

And in wonder of the triumph, the whole world stood with us.

'cause the future's still the future

and the past is still the past

and men once walked upon the moon

Em↓ Am

but the memory's.... fading fast

You can light the torch of knowledge

you can rail against the dark

you can watch in abject horror

as it gutters... to a spark.

And we can tell our children stories, of the things that came before

But when we tell them of Apollo, They don't believe us anymore.

Apollo's not a space program,, He's the Greek god of the sun

And those worthless facts and figures, They just aren't any fun.

You can light the torch of knowledge

You can rail against the dark

You can watch in abject horror

As it gutters... to a spark.

C G

And the lights in our great cities, Hide the wonder of the skies

F G

Some children even grow up thinking that, the stars themselves are lies.

F C

But the thought that keeps me yearning, and the thought that keeps me sane,

Is, what man has once accomplished, he may strive to do again.

And I will raise the torch of knowledge

Like a Beacon in the Dark

Keep the promise of the future

G E

Breathe life into that spark.

'cause the future's still unwritten

and I recall the past

and men once walked upon the moon

G E

and that feat can be surpassed

C G Am

and Prometheus may break his chains at last.

C G Am

Yes Prometheus may break those chains at last.

Newsman

TtTo: Medic, by Mercedes Lackey

G Em C Am D

Another year goes by, another Buckeye News Award

G Em C Am D

But walls to build an office though, you claim we can't afford.

G Em C Em Am

Well times are tough, I understand, but I have earned my due.

D G Em C Am D

And I deserve a barrier between myself and you.

G Em C Em Am

I've laid down tape to separate my office from the hall

D G Em D - C G

And I'll give your daily news reports if you'll --- respect my walls.

G Em C Am D

I know the things you think of me, you shake your head and sigh,

G Em C Am D

But someone should tell Carlson, that Turkeys can not fly.

G Em C Em Am

The parking lot was full that day; excuse me while I vent.

D G Em C Am D

But oh god the humanity. They fell like wet cement.

G Em C Em Am

And now I'd like to work in peace, I'm shaken from the falls.

D G Em D - C G

I'll give your daily news reports if you'll --- respect my walls.

G Em C Am D

There was a time I thought I'd see respect and great rewards

G Em C Am D

Oh by the way, did I mention those Buckeye News awards?

G Em C Em Am

The owner's dim, the DJ's stoned the salesman can not sell.

D G Em C Am D

The news biz should be heaven but this station can be hell.

G Em C Em Am

Now all I ask is courtesy, it's not that much at all.

D G Em D - C G

I'll give your daily news reports if you'll --- respect my walls.

I'm at WKRP in Cincinnati

No Quarter Now

Lyrics: No Quarter, C. Faber (modified)

Music: No Hurry, M Dockrey

By Mark E. Horning

Am G

Oh, Grayson's lost its champion; to God she has returned,

Am E D

To stand before the Tester, in the state her rank has earned.

F G

Our Lady needs an honor guard, an escort, and a crew,

C F G C

If you're the best available, I guess you'll have to do.

C G

No Quarter, no Quarter now

C F G

To kill you all is the least we can do

No Quarter. No quarter now

Oh Mercy is kind, but we have none for you

No Quarter. No quarter now,

You bastards have damn well earned your fate

No Quarter. No quarter now,

C G C

Tell Harrington we're sorry you're late.

Ancient legends say the rank a fallen warrior held
Depended on an Honor Guard of foes that one had felled.
And so in tardy tribute to the one we couldn't save,
We'll lay your fiery deaths like crimson flowers on her grave.

We know what Honor's ending was, by all the tapes we viewed.
And now we reach the battle; we are in no gentle mood.
Hear that thunder rolling till it seems to split the sky?
That's every ship in Grayson's Navy taking up the cry—

The Steadholder's recruiting, so pray don't surrender, sir.
Dame Harrington surrendered--once--and look what that got her!
We owe a debt of honor we have finally come to pay
And as we look you in the eye, we find one thing to say—

Put your arms in order, shine your boots and get them laced
You just might make the muster, but you don't have time to waste,
For if you pass inspection and she deems you fit to serve,
You might yet meet an honor that you bastards don't deserve.

The Old Folk Singer

Music: "The Entertainer" by B. Joel

G C/E Dm7 C

I am an old Folk Singer, with a story in my song,

G/B C D

I sing about the future and where the world's gone wrong

G C/E Dm7 C

I've come to entertain you, and win your minds and hearts.

My songs will endure, but you can be sure

Am7 C

you've never seen me before in the record store

D D7 G

nor found me on the charts.

I am an old Folk Singer, and I have to play my part.

to try to stop oppression long before it ever starts

The authorities despise me, wish I'd give it a rest

But I've learned to play, when they get in my way

And sing out loud to be heard in the crowd.

And I refuse to be repressed.

I am an old Folk Singer, I've sung throughout the years

I've sung about tomorrow and of mankind's hopes and fears

I've foreseen revolutions, both victories and defeats

they pass another law, it's a final straw.

so the people rise and the tyrant dies

and so history repeats.

I am an old Folk Singer, and no one knows my name

I'm not in it for the money, or for fortune and acclaim.

I'm here to make a deference and this message is for you

Be prepared to fight, and assert your rights

for you can decree that you will be free

in every thing you do.

I am an old Folk Singer, your comprehension's my reward

We've sung out since the dawn of time even when we've been ignored

We've played while no one listened, in a million smoke filled bars (on our old beat up guitars)

and if by grace man should get to space

build some settlements that are permanent

We'll sing among the stars

I am an old Folk Singer, with a message in my song,

I sing about the future feel free to sing along

I've come to entertain you and win your minds and hearts.

My songs will endure, but you can be sure

That I'm too hardcore for the record store

so I won't be on the charts

On the Wall

Am C

"Hier ende die Frieheit".

Am G

That's what the graffito said.

C F D₇

Written on a wall that's rubble Now.

Am G

And thought that wall is history

Am G

The challenge still remains

C F D₇

For governments will do as we allow.

Remember when the president

Traveled to Berlin?

And gave a speech, standing so proud and tall.

No one thought it'd come to pass

When he demanded of the East,

"Mr. Gorbachav, Tear Down this wall."

So many people died

Fighting for freedom's crown

And the world cheered when that wall came down at last

There's little left but memory

Some stones set in the street

Strange how quickly we forget the past.

Am Em

And no wall lasts forever

D Am

Tyrants always fall

Am Em

we're casting off out fetters

C/ F/ E

and tearing down the walls.

Heir ende die Frieheit

a message to the world

A chilling warning to us one and all

Though we cheer our victory,

we must not forget the past

Do not forget the words writ on the Wall.

C G Am

Never forget the words writ on the Wall.

One Field Theory

TtTo: The Ballad of Billy Jack, (a.k.a. One Tin Soldier ) as performed by Coven

(I) met the students in the classroom, C G

With their minds and pencils sharp. Am Em

Learned the new quantum mechanics. F C

Studied matter, light and dark. F G

Memorized the standard model. C G

Played with vectors just for fun. Am Em

Fought with tensor mathematics. F C

Though sometimes the tensors won. F G/ C/ C

So go ahead and study Physics. C G

Go and try to learn the Math. F C

Seek relativistic foot-prints, C G

Rolling Dice along the Quantum path. F C

You won't find universal answers, C G

Try till judgment day. F C

'Cause a Unified Field theory, C F

Is a million years away. F C (F)

Some students fell by the wayside.

Others earned their Ph.D.

No one found the one true theory,

All Physics in Harmony.

Came a theory from the coastline,

Everything is but a string.

All the forces, all particles,

Are just small vibrating things.

Rpt Chorus:

A neat trick of mathematics,

Look! Here's quantum gravity.

Loops vibrate in 10 dimensions,

It's called Supper-Symmetry.

There's one problem with the theory,

4 dimensions we can see.

If a theory can't be tested,

It's only Philosophy.

Rpt Chorus (2x)

Path of Sorrows

4/4 syncopated arpeggio Capo2 [3:30]

Dm A G A7

The Universe is random, and has no plan nor plot.

Dm A G A7

Science is immutable, there is no guiding thought

Dm Em C Am

Of all the souls I've ever touched, I miss her more each day

Dm Am C Em

How can I forgive a god, who's taken her away?

Dm A G A7

There is a purpose to our lives, there is a master plan.

Dm A G A7

Order shapes the universe as time and space we span.

Dm Em C Am

Each thread within the pattern, is according to design,

Dm Am C Em

Each life, each love, each passing day, is carefully assigned.

Dm A G A7

Chaos rules the universe, which cannot hear one pray.

Dm A G A7

There is nothing beyond death, despite the games we play.

Dm Em C Am

What purpose could be in her death, for she did not deserve to die.

Dm Am C Em

Her loss leaves me always with, the unanswered question "Why?"

Dm A G A7

Your soul is far to beautiful, to be consumed by hate.

Dm A G A7

My death was not an Evil done, but a gentle act of fate.

Dm Em C Am

As I told you I would do, a message I did send.

Dm Am C Em

Now I wait beyond the gate, a beginning not an end.

Instrumental break

Repeat 1^st Verse

The Pendulum

2/4 Time

Oh the Gods of Law and Order Am

Gathered their forces round G

And built a mighty citadel Am

That was anchored in the ground G

And they gathered earth and fire F C

And forged a hardy steel G Em

And woe unto the forces Am G (hold)

that faced them on the field. G Am

The opposing Gods of Chaos,

scattered their forces wide,

and fought the Lords of Order

throughout the country side.

They fought them in the city,

And would not rest nor yield,

And they battled in the forests,

but never on the field.

Chorus:

As children play at sandcastles F C

or nations wage a war. G Em

there's nothing new under the sun. F C