Get all 29 James Tristan Redding releases available on Bandcamp and save 75%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Leap Songs, Part 5, Leap Songs, Part 4, Song A Week, Vol. 8, Leap Songs, Part 2, Leap Songs, Part 1, The Nashville 24, Vol. 3, Look Out World, Song A Week, Volume 7, and 21 more.
1. |
Waking Up (#594, 221015)
02:40
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Wonder how long I been asleep
Missing all these moments I can't keep
Clock keeps moving on and the day is almost gone
The world is spinning all around me
Tomorrow is about to be today
Yellow sky replacing all the gray
Accept what's clear and true embrace what's fresh and new
And a bunch of new mistakes to make
Stay hungry stay foolish
Stay within this twenty four
Blaze a trail right up the mountain
Bare feet on the forest floor
Sunrise spills across the treetops
Instant coffee fills my cup
Let the morning air surround me
As I'm slowly waking up
3am beneath my sleepy toes
Waking up my eyes and ears and nose
Horizon of today always looks so far away
Somehow still so close
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2. |
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I'm gettin' that feelin' of wanderlust
Gonna' see what's out beyond
Follow me and I promise you this
We'll be somewhere new before the day is gone
Snowshoes tentpoles canteen and knife
Lyrics and melody one four five
Who knows the map better than you
Let's get a little lost and find ourselves tonight
On the road to a song
Just like a lion tracker
Writing all night long
Some kinda' musical backpacker
Somewhere we've never known
Breathin' in the fresh air
No idea where we're goin'
But I know just how to get there
So welcome Sarah and Adam and Shawn
Hello to Guy Dian Sunny and George
Mike Michael Heath and Jillian
Crísthopper James Sophia and Benjamin
Now who's leading this bold expedition
Could be you could be me maybe Mercy the dog
Well I know one thing our wild destination
Is a long way out past writer's block
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3. |
Tap Tap (#596, 221015)
03:13
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Click click of the pen
Lick lick of the envelope
Whoosh whoosh of the doors
Revolving all day
Clack clack of the heels
Ring ring of the telephone
Scratch scratch of the pens
That know what to say
Hum hum of the fridge
Tick tock of the hours
Sip sip of the cup
Coffee or tea
Tap tap of the keys
Wilt wilt of the flower
Shine shine of the bulbs
In a fluorescent sea
Stretch stretch of the hands
Drum drum on the desk
Smack smack of the lips
From the kitchenette
Fold fold of the cash
Week weep that it's less
Take take me away
Far as I can get
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4. |
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Didn't put my knees on the floor
Didn't have no folded hands
Didn't count the beads on a string
Didn't call the holy man
Didn't put a dollar in the basket
Didn't sing a tune
Didn't read the words in a book
Didn't have a clue
Am I doing this right
'Cause everything is going wrong
But I feel you by my side
Maybe you have been all along
Didn't light a candle
Didn't say a rhyme
Didn't stay an hour
Didn't make the time
Didn't do confession
Didn't join the choir
Didn't dress my Sunday best
All I am is tired
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5. |
Blog (#598, 221015)
03:15
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Lately I'm suspectin'
Frankly I'm concerned
Think I been detectin'
I've started growin' fur
Started round the nostrils
Then it reached the ears
How's it gonna' look
In 5 or 10 more years
Cleary I've become some kinda' dog
Or a field mouse or a feral hog
Some human animal this hairy pollywog
You know what that would make a good name for a blog
Wonder if I'm gettin'
Any super powers
Maybe I can shape shift
Or become solar powered
One thing's for sure
Nothing will be the same
Guess I better think up
A cool new name
Cleary I've become some kinda' dog
Or a field mouse or a feral hog
Some human animal this hairy pollywog
You know what that would make a good name for a blog
Lately I'm startin' to worry
What it means that I'm gettin' furry
Surely this is not so boring
As just another aging human story
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6. |
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Not every hero wears a cape
Or flies through the air
Some spend their lives
At the bottom of the stairs
Now I may be made of steel
But I don't stand tall and proud
No I wait outside the door
In case you lock yourself out
In the midnight blue or the morning golden
When one door closes another one opens
So many are called so few are chosen
It's not about the cards it's how you hold 'em
Making friends with worms
Ants and spiders
But none of their frames
Were forged by fire
7 grams of mass
2 inches of metal
Your secret weapon
Between the pebbles
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7. |
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Lost you somewhere beyond the bend
Catch you when I come round again
Rain keeps pourin' on fairweather friends
I'm runnin' out of things to pretend
Hair of the dog that bit me
It took forever and finally hit me
Seems like you really get me
Wish you never even met me
Blindsided you were really something
Can't hide it the defeat was stunning
Divided now my ears are humming
Collided didn't see it coming
Painful that's like an understatement
Head is ringin' heart is aching
Really tried to remain patient
That train has left the station
Blindsided you were really something
Can't hide it the defeat was stunning
Divided now my ears are humming
Collided didn't see it coming
Got a plan gonna' see it through
Wanna' dance wanna' dance with you
Got a gun but I never shoot
Wanna' win but I always lose
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8. |
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The door was open then it shut
My name was golden then it was mud
Your heart went cold so did my blood
And I watched it all go down
In slow motion
Your lips were smiling they straightened out
Our touching hands let go without a sound
That sun was shining in came the clouds
And I watched it all go down
In slow motion
Slow motion I'm losin' my best friend
Slow motion the feelin' never ends
I'm tryin' to make it stop rewind and pause this moment
But I'm watching it all go down in slow motion
Morning's meaning now unclear
Midnight's magic has disappeared
Tomorrow's promises in the rear view mirror
And I watched it all go down
In slow motion
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9. |
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I do not envy the President Of The U.S.A.
No it can't be easy bein' El Hefe
Anything he does he gets blamed
By the left, the right, the libertarians or the NRA
I loved that Bright Eyes song about George Bush
But it's easy to criticize sittin' on my tush
When the shit hits the fan and shove comes to push
If I ain't fixin' it myself maybe I better shush
Bill Floweree has a great song about voting
Somehow both funny and politically potent
And magically it matches any historical moment
That gets harder and harder to do, don't it?
I've written a song about one President
Unsurprisingly it's no longer relevant
Not to mention is was never eloquent
Maybe sometimes we just write for the hell of it
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10. |
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Fellowship of people who share their experience
Strength, and hope that they may solve
Their common problem and help others to recover
The only requirement
No dues or fees for membership
Not allied with any sect
Denomination, politics, organization
Or institution
Does not engage in controversy
Neither endorses nor opposes
Any causes our primary purpose
Is to stay and help
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11. |
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I know something
You don't know that you know
We got this in common
I get stuck
Future tripping or looking back
Such a human problem
I been told
There's a stronger way to live
And I believe
I let go
Of whatever isn't real
Right in front of me
All we have is now
Nothing but this second
Yesterday is gone tomorrow may not come
So be here in the present
All we have is now
So why not make it better
Leave the past behind wash the worry from our minds
It's all now or never
I can wait
Longer than I ever should
To find my happiness
I deserve
Peace and serenity
And I let go of the rest
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12. |
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Radio playing tape in the deck
Hovering over record
Waiting for Green Day or Stone Temple Pilots
Cross legged on the floor
Volume way down sharpie in hand
Creating a library
Music I loved that never fails
To set me free
Ode to cassettes to 1995
To pop tarts and Diet Mountain Dew
Bless the DJs the old FCC
And FM 102
Ode to ripped jeans and cotton with stripes
To anything fun I could get
I really loved it a picture don't cut it
Ode to cassettes
It was like making playlists
Before Spotify
It was like swapping albums
But more DIY
It was perfect for road trips
When the cars played cassettes
It was over too quickly
But I won't forget
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13. |
Darlene (#606, 221015)
02:30
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She's sittin' in the window again
I think she knows I can see her
Must be Saturday evening
'Cause she's sippin' on a beer
She ain't got wings like me
Or any antenna
Still she's see a sight to see
I'm one lucky fella'
Darlene you're the human for me
Darlene you set my spirit free
Darlene I wanna' give you a hug
Darlene I sure hope you like bugs
She's wearin' that floral print
She looks just like a flower
She's the kinda' homegrown daisy
I could pollinate for hours
She's usin' that coffee mug again
With my face on the front
Her smile is even sweeter than honey
Pretty sure this is love
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14. |
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Long before I got hired he was a regular
Bringing in 35mm for double prints
From his writing desk to his easy chair
He looked at life with a wink
Not a close friend but I printed his photos
Better part of a decade
When I moved he handed me an envelope
Said open it once I'm settled
I never told anyone what was inside
And I'm not sure why
It ain't like I stole it
Still it mighta' made the difference
Between surviving
And crawlin' back home
Phoned to say thanks and give him my best
Maybe the following summer
Couldn't get through so I left a message
With my brand new number
I watched the obituaries in the local papers
And kept trying to call him
Eventually I saw it a few months later
One Sunday morning column
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15. |
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I pledge allegiance to the flag of Chuck Norris
One nation from the nearest to the farthest
Where everybody looks like him even all the tourists
Long live the land of the mighty Chuck Norris
In the beginning there was Chuck Norris
And it was good non-permeable and non-porous
He created every tree that lives in the forest
The alpha, the omega, the Chuck Norris
My funny valentine is Chuck Norris
With a singing candygram from the local florist
His name is every word of the chorus
Roundhouse kicks at first sight, courtesy of Chuck Norris
Once upon a time there was Chuck Norris
All in one, aquarius gemini aries and taurus
Like a game of risk he will never bore us
So forget the Alamo and remember Chuck Norris
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16. |
Rain (#609, 221015)
02:43
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There's something heavy in the air
Seems like it just keeps hangin' there
A soft reminder of the sad, sad truth
It smells like rain, it smells like you
Just felt something on my skin
Between a blessing and a sin
A little pain mixed in with pleasure oh so smooth
It feels like rain, it feels like you
Lately I can't sleep at all
Some kinda' voices in the walls
A summer storm is makin' music on the roof
It sounds like rain, it sounds like you
My heart is hungry still
Can't seem to eat my fill
Tongue is running over every tooth
It tastes like rain, it tastes like you
Sky is all these different shades
Can't seem to look away
There's red n' yellow, green and pink and blue
It looks like rain, it looks like you
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17. |
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I got a plan I know how I'll make my fortune
How I'll buy my mansion and my porsche
Pretty sure it's fool proof no one else has done it yet
I'm gonna' install a lightbulb above my head
Think about it everyone will believe I'm brilliant
So it's like a guaranteed couple million
That's just for starters and it'll grow from there I bet
With a lightbulb above my head
I bet you're jealous I thought of this
I bet you wish you'd a' done it first
I bet you know how good my life's about to get
With a lightbulb above my head
My only question is how to attach it
What do you think, superglue? Duct tape? Ratchet?
Either way no one will forget
The fellow with a lightbulb above his head
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18. |
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Do you remember what your answer was
When I asked if you believe in true love
You didn't stutter no you didn't stall
Just looked in my eyes and that said it all
And there's nobody else like you
No there's no one and you know it's true
Nobody else on earth can move me like you do
So I'll follow wherever you lead
You're the only one that I need
There's no doubt and there's nothing to prove
No there's nobody else like you
The night that it hit me the night that I knew
I could never be happy if I didn't have you
We hadn't gone dancing no dinner or drinks
But we were both ready for our lives to begin
And there's nobody else like you
No there's no one and you know it's true
Nobody else on earth can move me like you do
So I'll follow wherever you lead
You're the only one that I need
There's no doubt and there's nothing to prove
No there's nobody else like you
I have no words to describe
The feeling you give to me
Still that won't stop me from trying
And wearing my heart on my sleeve
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19. |
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Picked up the local paper today
Broke my heart so much human pain
Got me wondering what can I do
To help someone like me and you
How long does it take God to answer a prayer
As long as a falling leaf spends in the air
One lady I read about lost her house
There was a fire she barely made it out
Stayed with the neighbors for a couple of nights
But she must be shaken having almost died
How long does it take God to answer a prayer
As long as a falling leaf spends in the air
There's a gentleman living downtown
Five men mugged him and then knocked him out
Seems like physically he will recover
But how can relearn to trust his brother
How long does it take God to answer a prayer
As long as a falling leaf spends in the air
I almost quit reading 'cause so much was dark
Then on the last page two lines warmed my heart
How long does it take God to answer a prayer
As long as a falling leaf spends in the air
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20. |
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All around town all the roads stay crazy busy
People stuck in traffic gettin' all in a tizzy
One man's on a mission from his holy teacher
That's Pastor Beecher The Bus Drivin' Preacher
He's talkin' 'bout love when the bus stops at a red light
Spreadin' the word to convince folks not to fight
Offerin' himself as a free ride spiritual leader
Yep, good old Pastor Beecher The Bus Drivin' Preacher
Every ride he gets inside and he splashes that holy water
And every day he'll always say all the prayers he oughtta'
Some riders get pissed that he takes a long long time
But when you ride with Pastor Beecher you're ridin' on God's time
There's a horn a-honkin' behind Pastor Beecher's bus
And a bunch of school kids makin' an awful fuss
So Pastor Beecher gets out his crucifix
And exorcises the demons outta' each and every onna' them kids
Every ride get inside splashes holy water
And every day he'll always say all the prayers he oughtta'
Some riders get pissed that he takes a long long time
But when you ride with Pastor Beecher you're ridin' on God's time
Yeah a lotta' riders really wanna' a driver who's a real bad speeder
But not with Pastor Beecher The Bus Drivin' Preacher
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21. |
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Brick
Ash
Dirt
Glass
Ice
Bone
Oil
Stone
Sand
Hay
Steel
Clay
Flint
Soap
Pearl
Rope
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22. |
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I want to make more mistakes
To try new things that I'm not good at
I wanna' make sure I don't care
When I'm the one that others look at
Frankly I wanna' be more useful
To fear less and to have more faith
Teach me how to go the distance
And punch above my weight
Here's to better failures higher leaps and bigger falls
Cheers to all the brave ones who keep breaking down their walls
Tears may tumble down but that's no barrier at all
Here's to failing better ditching shame and standing tall
They say don't ask your maker
To take the weight from off your back
But rather ask for shoulders
Strong enough to lift the pack
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23. |
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Let me tell you what I'd do for a Klondike Bar
Before you guess it might not be what you think
I'd put money in my pocket and I'd head to the store
With a shopping list of a handful of things
There'd be almond milk because I am a millennial
And some cookies oatmeal raisin without a doubt
Is a Klondike bar on the list? I guess it's a maybe
Long as I can access one without:
Breaking bones stealing cars
Kissing ass chasing stars
For their autograph that feels some kinda' funny
Riding dirty losing sleep
Gambling anything for keeps
I don't make that kind of money
Fumigating household pests
Killing brain cells (too few left!)
Cleaning vomit up, I mean, unless it's mine
Yeah I guess I lack the greed
To get a Klondike bar for free
But what's it cost anyway, like $2.99?
Unless I've missed the gist of those old ads
Is there some other humor, point, or angle
Seemed like saving 3 bucks on some iced cream
Got a lot of people very tangled
I suppose we all do have our own priorities
And if Klondike makes you happy then that's fine
To each their own we all deserve contentment
But here's the stuff that I will not be trying
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24. |
27,375 (#617, 221015)
02:37
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27,375
That's how many days the average person is alive
At first it may sound like a real big number
But remember all the hours spent in slumber
Then subtract the ones so young they're practically missed
And don't worry I'm going somewhere with this
My point is if you want to see the sunset
You'd better do it every chance you get
27,375
The same goes for watching that sun rise
I'll only get so many mornings noons and evenings
Gotta' spend 'em in a way that I find pleasing
Many I'm at work or on the phone
And others I presume I'll be too old
I don't mean to sound dark it's really good news that I'm giving
Just wanna' make it count every day I'm living
27,375
Times we open up our eyes
So why not keep 'em open every second that we can
Watch that sun rise and then go back down again
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25. |
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If I could see the earth from another planet
I would ask the humans to change their ways
Stop destroying her natural habitat
Before it is too late
If I could be the voice inside all human hearts
I'd remind them there's no backup plan
Action's overdue and underserved
By ourselves and our fellow man
This ain't sentimental
Earth is not a rental
There's nowhere else to run
When this planet's done
If I could turn back time I wouldn't waste a minute
Trying to buy stocks in the 80s
No it's so much more important here and now
Saving our future babies
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26. |
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Wouldn't it be nice if we were dogs
Free pass to play out in the grass
You could smell my butt and I could smell yours
Wouldn't even mind a little gas
Wouldn't it be nice if we were dogs
You could chase me and it wouldn't be so weird
We could sleep all day and that would be OK
And scratch real good behind our ears
A dog doesn't mind if it's night or morning time
A dog doesn't judge his human's house
A dog doesn't talk behind anybody's back
A dog knows what it's all about
Wouldn't it be nice if we were dogs
I wouldn't have to save up so much money
Just to dress up nice and go out someplace fancy
Before I ask if you'll be my honey
Wouldn't it be nice if we were dogs
Not worried about the price of gasoline
Only cares in the world are food and fun
And keeping our human's face clean
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27. |
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I do not tend to dwell
When I get out of hell
But sometimes it's worth a moment
Just to really own it
I do not empathize
With that fake look in your eyes
In fact I see right through it
And I always knew it
You deserve a medal you deserve a prize
You deserve a trophy for your tepid lies
You deserve to wake up first thing tomorrow morning
On the concrete with a hard rain pouring
I do not want you back
Any more than I want a heart attack
That's kind of what you were
So do you know what you deserve
You deserve a medal you deserve a prize
You deserve a trophy for your tepid lies
You deserve to wake up first thing tomorrow morning
On the concrete with a hard rain pouring
I never tried to hurt you
Or make you feel unhappy
That's why I'm so confused
You treated me so crappy
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28. |
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3 miles in a circle
3 miles under the stars
3 miles of heavy breathing
3 miles to start my heart
3 miles before the sunrise
3 miles even in the rain
3 miles in sound or silence
3 miles always worth the pain
3 miles should have started sooner
3 miles sweating through my shirt
3 miles in between the traffic
3 miles kicking up the dirt
3 miles when the moon is shining
3 miles when the night is black
3 miles round and round the street signs
3 miles out and 3 miles back
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29. |
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Two violins sitting on a table
Maestro does approach
One is his the other is a stranger's
A mystery of notes
Maestro pulls from its leather casing
A beautiful horsehair bow
Rosins up makes it nice and ready
To play a song he knows
Two violins two violins
It begins with two violins
A symphony of sound and metaphors abound
From just two violins
With a flourish and a steely eye
Maetro picks one up
Stands a moment holding it so close
Resting in its cup
Every note resonates inside him
Before he even plays the strings
Then the magic happens unexpected
As both begin to sing
Two violins two violins
It begins with two violins
A symphony of sound and metaphors abound
From just two violins
Violins are like human voices
When one is sounded all relate
In this way speaking is like music
The heart does resonate
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30. |
Surrender (#623, 221015)
03:33
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I am perfectly imperfect
I am scared but full of hope
I am yours and I think it's working
I am asking to be shown
I am flawed but I am trying
I am lost but I am open
I am conflicted but I am still searching
And the light pours is where I've been broken
Teach me to surrender show me the way
All I want is your love
Help me to be grateful for each and every day
And for you up above
Teach me to be faithful to give and to receive
Please make me ready to enter
Your heavenly kingdom when it's time to leave
Teach me to surrender
I am tired and I am hungry
I am difficult to please
I am loved and I am listening
I am falling to my knees
I am peace and I'm disturbance
I am friend and I am foe
I am ready for your lessons
Please show me where to go
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James Tristan Redding Nashville, Tennessee
British-American songwriter, singer, audiobook narrator, studio player, Godin Guitars official
artist.
Founded global collective www.SongAWeek.org, performance art experience The Under Over: tinyurl.com/uoxuo (song circle underneath a highway) and writing retreat www.TheNashville24.com (annual challenge: write 24 songs in 24 hours).
Cuts by Sarah Harralson, Eli Alger, Emma Gale, David Easterling
... more
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