Lyrics from the album The Love Still Shows, release date: February 10, 2017

 

 

Break Free

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Cross my arms, stamp my feet

Day and night I clench my teeth

Shoulders tight, can barely breathe

There is a song inside of me longing to break free

 

(chorus)

Break free, break free, break free, break free

There is a song inside of me longing to break free

 

A throat that burns with grief so deep

The weight of all I dare not speak

Strangles vital energy

There is a song inside of me longing to break free

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Don't know how else I could be

Tempted to admit defeat

The heart waits so patiently

There is a song inside of me longing to break free

 

Claim holy ground beneath my feet

Arms uplifting toward release

I dare to sing imperfectly

There is a song inside of me longing to break free

 

Break free, break free, break free, break free

There is a song inside of me

 

Break free, break free, break free, break free

There is a song inside of me

 

Break free, break free, break free, break free

There is a song inside of me

Breaking free

 

 

It Ain't Personal

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Moving up to the head of the class

Missed lessons I could not pass

Started in the lead just to come in last

You will wait for me, not too late for me

Only not so fast

 

(chorus)

It ain't personal, it ain't personal at all

I tried to walk before I could crawl

It ain't personal, it ain't personal at all

Fall from grace, grace gonna break my fall

 

Skip steps, jump through hoops

Teacher's pet forgot the golden rule

Thought I knew it all when I didn't have a clue

Can't go over it, can't go under it

Gonna make it through

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Fall from grace, grace gonna break my fall

 

Here it comes, another chance

Gotta learn how to walk so I can dance

Gotta take a step back if I want to advance

 

(chorus)

 

Fall from grace, grace gonna break my fall

Fall from grace, grace gonna break my fall 

 

 

Look At Me

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

I confess I dress to impress you

Every day I cast a spell

Paint my face and don a costume

To be the one you'll love so well

 

(chorus)

Look at me, but not so closely now

Look at me, but not so close

Look at me, but not so closely now

Look at me, not so close

 

Tailor made to fit and to flatter

Accentuate, slim, trim, and hide

Designs to attract and distract you

Looking slick but sick inside

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Dressed to kill a secret sorrow

Dressed to fill an empty ache

Dressed to win your approval

And still I never felt okay

 

I'm sorry for the ways I used you

I'm sorry for the times I lied

I'm sorry for my confusion

Begging for what you can't provide

 

Today I dress to please myself

A grey-green hat to match my eyes

Patchwork kaleidoscopic color

I feel at ease, shed my disguise

I feel at ease, shed my disguise

 

Look at me, closer now

Look at me, come close

Look at me, come closer now

Look at me and let me see

 

 

Beauty Queen

©2015 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

You were raised by strong, smart women

Who were agonized by the size of their thighs

Who cursed dark circles under their eyes

And any mark upon their skin

They reminisce about when they were thin

Then you grew up to look just like them

 

You were teased and tried to be tough

When you were just a geeky teen

Reading grocery check stand magazines

Lose more weight to be enough

Look like a model to win their love

You never thought you measured up

 

(chorus)

Well, I declare, you're complete

With flaws that make you dear to me

Darlin', you're my beauty queen

Darlin', you're my beauty queen

 

Misprints make the most valuable stamps

Losing our balance is just part of the dance

 

(repeat chorus)

 

 

Angel Of A Cat

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

I hadn't lived here long when I first saw you nearby

You seemed so uncertain, kept your distance, acted shy

You didn't run away, though, I could see your shining eyes

I didn't know back then how much you'd brighten up my life

 

(chorus)

Just a neighborhood kitty come from over the wall

Don't know where you go or where you stay

But every day you visit, cheer me up, and make me laugh

You are an angel of a cat

 

When I sit down to dinner then you're at the window

Peeping through the curtains, spotty paw and two-tone nose

You tilt your head and watch me like I'm your private show

Till I come out and pet you, sweetest cat I've ever known

 

(repeat chorus)

 

You sneak in through the back door against the landlord rules

I bribe you out with treats, and you mew your tiny mew

Glowy-eyed fur cloud 'neath the light of a super moon

Brand new terms of endearment made for you

 

(repeat chorus)

 

You are an angel of a cat

 

 

The Love Still Shows

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Red geraniums planted with care

Crooked bangs since mom cut our hair

Pink-trimmed dress all washed up and pressed

Unaware just how much I was blessed

No one meant to be cruel

They sent their baby off to school

Photos taken so long ago

My folks are gone, the love still shows

My folks are gone, the love still grows

 

A stranger's smile eased my despair

The friend who called out of nowhere

My heart touched by a hopeful song

The way you held me until the dawn

Such little things have seen me through

Such little things can be so huge

More than we may ever know

The moments pass, the love still shows

The moments pass, the love still grows

 

 

Odds Are For Beating

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

I thought my parents' marriage passed its expiration date

As a kid I prayed they'd get divorced, end their icy stalemate

Mom ended up in a nursing home, dad spent every day by her side

Forgiveness of unfinished business, turned out love was still alive

 

She didn't die cured, but there was a whole lot of healing

Odds are for beating, odds are for beating

As long as we're still breathing there's a chance of change for the best

In ways we least expect, odds are for beating

Odds are for beating

 

Years later, my dad had cancer, back and forth to the ICU

Through surgery, chemotherapy, close calls, and a feeding tube

Surprised each time he went back home, even able to go on his walks

Through pain he kept on smiling, he knew about beating odds

 

He didn't die cured, but there was a whole lot of healing

Odds are for beating, odds are for beating

As long as we're still breathing, there's a chance of change for the best

In ways we least expect, odds are for beating

Odds are for beating

 

 

My Blessed Child

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Oh my child, my blessed child

Before you leave please stay a while

Ease your breaking heart a while

Stay a while, oh stay a while

 

Oh my child, my blessed child

Before you leave please stay a while

Ease your breaking heart a while

I am reaching out to you

 

 

The Book

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

You gave me a book, an indefinite loan

Bound in red cloth, letters written in gold

If anyone asks, "my, what is this?"

"Nothing at all," I could falsely dismiss

Denying how much you mean to me

Laughing it off as make believe

Though it leads me to doubt all of our vows

Love that tempts what Love will not allow

Love that tempts what Love will not allow

 

Brought down from the shelf when there's no one around

Afraid to admit what it is I have found

Turning the pages, how lonely the night

Warm in the glow of the bedside light

Its weight reassuring against my breast

Held close to my heart, every word that you blessed

If only it eased the sorrow somehow

Love that tempts what Love will not allow

Love that tempts what Love will not allow

 

The day may come when you need the book back

It never was yours to give me, in fact

And we could just act like it's not a big deal

Feelings still kept to ourselves left to heal

It's nothing more than a worn out old book

Just a fleeting touch, a lingering look

There's nothing more to do about it now

Love that tempts what Love will not allow

 

There's nothing more to do about it now

Love that tempts what Love will not allow

 

 

I Am Willing

©℗2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Oh, honey, I had no idea

I speak of peace, but it's not real

Spent all day on the edge of tears

Resisting what I think and feel

 

Taking stock of all these weapons

Forged in the name of self-protection

The rust-red stain through generations

My heart as scarred as warring nations

 

(chorus)

The very ways that saw me through

They're hurting me, they're killing you

And I'm not sure what I need to do

But I am willing to, I am willing

 

Is it a start to be aware?

When waves of pain come layer on layer?

I call on forces even greater

Hear our prayer, oh, hear our prayer

 

(repeat chorus)

 

I am willing, I am willing

 

 

Down By The Riverside

Traditional/Public Domain, Arrangement ©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Gonna lay down my sword and shield 

Down by the riverside

Down by the riverside, down by the riverside

Gonna lay down my sword and shield

Down by the riverside

Ain't gonna study war no more

 

I ain't gonna study war no more, ain't gonna study war no more

Ain't gonna study war no more

I ain't gonna study war no more, ain't gonna study war no more

Ain't gonna study war no more

 

 

The Time Is Here

©2016 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

(chorus)

The time is here, my dearest dear

The time has come for us to part

Another season is complete

It's written on our hearts

 

This day had felt so far away

What seemed unreal is coming true

The love we share will still remain

Just as it goes with you

 

(chorus)

 

We're better for the time we shared

Singing loud and laughing longer

We were strong when we first met

And now we're even stronger

 

(chorus)

 

I've suffered needless misery

Wanting life to stay the same

Let us bless what came before

We're rolling with the change

 

You know we see what we believe

Clear fear by leaps of faith

We're given more by giving more

Receiving grace with grace

 

(chorus)

 

Go and make another start

Go and make another start

 

 

Lyrics from the album Nameless Heart, released April 1, 2014

 

 

Time Of Delight

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Take off your watch, hide all the clocks

Today we’ll tell time by the sun and the sky

Rest your head a while, close your eyes

May now be the time of delight

 

(chorus)

May now be the time, now be the time

May now be the time of delight

May now be the time, now be the time

May now be the time of delight

 

We’ll light the candles, bless the bread

Pour the wine, take a breath

So tired of striving, so grateful for life

May now be the time of delight

 

(repeat chorus)

 

May our vision be renewed,all that lies fallow it will surely bloom

Today there’s nothing we need to do but be and receive

 

(repeat chorus)

 

We’ll be marching, marching in the morning

Lay that aside tonight

Refill your cup, feel the warmth of our love

May now be the time of delight

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Refill your cup, feel the warmth of our love

May now be the time of delight

 

 

The Good News

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

I been told we have souls of gold

Why do we give it away?

I been told we have souls of gold

How I ache, how I ache

 

(chorus)

Pannin' for gold in muddy water

Good news is there's gold in the mud

Oh, my heart, I'm tired of muddy water

Good news is there's gold in the mud

 

Oh, my love, you shine like gold

Glimmer of sun on a stormy day

Oh, my love, you shine like gold

But treat yourself like an ashtray

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Here I am on this golden globe

Don't have long to stay

Here I am on this golden globe

Help me live what I pray

 

(repeat chorus twice)

 

Good news is there's gold in the mud

Good news is there's gold in the mud

Slot Machine

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Smoke in my eyes, candlelight dim

You show up, never thought I’d see you again, oh no

 

You take all my money, I give all I have to give

Just when I’m ready to give up that’s when I win big, oh

 

(chorus)

Slot machine, losing odds and flashing lights

Slot machine, losing odds and flashing lights

I gamble while you ramble

Maybe today you’ll treat me right

 

Can’t stop playing, can’t let go

One stroke of luck, can melt months of ice & snow, oh

 

One warm smile, I shed my winter coat

One hot night, then the cold winds blow and blow and blow and blow, oh

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Look who’s standing by my side

The one who stood me up so many times

Hey, baby, where you been all night?

You ain’t nice but name the price

You say I love you, I want you, won’t you just go away?

How come I let you have it both ways?

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Smoke in my eyes, candlelight dim

You show up, never thought I’d see you again, oh 

 

 

Flower Print Dress

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

(chorus)

Faded flower print dress, how it sway when she move

Faded flower print dress, how it sway when she move

 

Tunes drenched in rainwater, sweat, smoke, and booze

The hottest flames don’t burn red but blue blue blue

Think you know better but come up the fool

Ain’t that just what you always do?

 

(repeat chorus)

 

A banjo, a hammock, gardenia perfume

Her laugher even make the preacher man swoon

The only thing certain is you’re confused

You can’t tell a downfall from a muse

 

(repeat chorus)

 

June nights humid, magnolias in bloom

Removing the bandage hurt worse than the wound

You’ll trade comfort for a heart rent in two

You couldn’t help it if you wanted to

You couldn’t help it and you don’t want to

 

(repeat chorus)

 

 

Who Will Care?

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

I’m in pain and I got no way to pay

The welfare office turned us away

 

(chorus)

I’m so scared, who will care?

Who will care for you and me?

Anything is possible I do believe

Anything is possible I do believe

 

Diabetes since the age of fifteen

No insurance will cover me

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Been waiting and waiting

Just about to lose my patience

Praying, praying

Just about to lose my faith

Waiting, waiting

It’s all about to break open

Awaken, awaken

We can make a new day

 

Went to med school want to be a healer

Sometimes I feel like a wheeler and a dealer

 

(repeat chorus)

 

I’m dying of a treatable disease

Treatment it is a luxury

 

(repeat chorus)

 

I do believe, I do believe, I do believe

I do believe, I do believe, I do believe

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Anything is possible I do believe

Anything is possible I do believe

 

 

They Go On

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

They met when flowers were blooming

The trees were fragrant and green

That man who came courting in uniform

Was the handsomest she’d ever seen

 

(chorus)

They go on, they go on

Head held high, shoulders back, they go on

They go on, they go on, they go on and on

 

She’s home alone with the babies

He’s off at war far away

She thinks to herself how life doesn’t match

The romance of their first summer days

 

(repeat chorus)

 

The soldiers at the airport

Where they’re headed? Just couldn’t say

But everyone stops and stands if they can

To applaud as they pass on their way

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Strangers in stiff dress uniform

Express regret door to door

Your son or daughter, spouse or lover

Won’t be coming home anymore

 

Your father, mother, sister, brother

Won’t be coming home anymore

 

(repeat chorus)

 

We go on, we go on

Head held high, shoulders back, we go on,

We go on, we go on, we go on and on

 

 

Lost Before Found

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Heard you singing through the window

Curtains billowed on the breeze

Met me in the blue of twilight

Down by the willow tree

 

Song, song, like an old friend

A melody, why did it end?

Song, song, like an old friend

Oh, how I wish I could hear it again

 

(chorus)

Lost before I ever found you                      

Twirling in circles around death the thief

Lost before I ever found you

Time cast a shadow between you and me

 

Hair in tangles past your shoulders

Cotton dress to the knee

We danced barefoot on the damp grass

Then you slipped away from me

 

Song, song, break my heart

Your voice defies death the thief

Song, song, break open my heart

Sure as you set me to dancing free

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Song, song, common as longing

A tune I wish could last and last

Song, song, common as longing

Sing me home to an August long past

 

(repeat chorus twice)

 

Time cast a shadow between you and me

 

 

Dragon Lady

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

                              

Smoking on her porch in the dead of night

Shouts at those who dare pass by

It’s no use to try and hide

Posted: No Trespassing signs

The Dragon Lady

 

(chorus)

Tiptoe round, don’t you make a sound, don’t you make a sound now

Tiptoe round, don’t you make a sound, don’t you make a sound now

Tiptoe round, don’t you make a sound, don’t you make a sound now 

 

Where the road dead ends we meet our friends

Sneaking to the lake for a midnight swim

Make it past her, dive on in

“Hope you drown!” she screams again

The Dragon Lady

 

(repeat chorus)

 

One night I had a crazy dream

Looked in the lake and what did I see?

The one I swore I’d never be

Life should turn out differently

The Dragon Lady

 

Those brats are screaming through the trees

They don’t know the grief I grieve

May they suffer just like me

Awake, forsaken, on my knees

The Dragon Lady

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Keep out!  Watch out! The Dragon Lady

 

 

Nameless Heart

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

Deliver me from this treacherous land

This is not the journey I planned

Once there were signs showing the way

They’ve all faded and fallen away

 

(chorus)

Destroy me, blow it apart

Till nothing remains but this nameless heart

Destroy me, blow it apart

Till nothing remains but this nameless heart

 

Prove it that I matter to you

Settle for less to get me through

Seek the high avoid the low

Cover it up so the marks don’t show

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Restore me, make me feel clean

It costs so much getting touched for free

I want to be above reproach

Show me that you love me the most

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Till nothing remains

But this nameless heart

 

 

Good for What Ails Me

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

You could be good for what ails me

If you don’t fail me now

You could be so good for what ails me

I know you won’t fail me now

As you brush the hair back from my eyes

And we kiss hello and goodbye

 

Wind chimes and wooden steps

Leading to your room that overlooks the ocean

The fog is floating in tonight

As you show me to your room that overlooks the ocean

And you brush the hair back from my eyes

And we kiss hello and goodbye

 

You could be good for what ails me

If you don’t fail me now

You could be so good for what ails me

I know you won’t fail me

 

Turn down the lights now

We’ll lay down our plight for now

Brush the hair back from my eyes

And kiss hello and goodbye

 

Wind chimes and wooden steps

Leading from your room that overlooks the ocean

You have a flight to catch

Going home across another ocean

And you brush the hair back from my eyes

And we kiss goodbye

 

You could be good for what ails me, oh

You could be so good for what ails me, oh

  

I'm Not Going Anywhere

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

I just wanted to let you know

I can take it slow

So keep on make believing you’re not feeling what you’re feeling

You will till you won’t

But I’m not going anywhere

It’s alright if you are scared

Be who it is you think you need to be

You’re not fooling me

All you're hiding all you're seeking

All your silence revealing

You will till you won’t

But I’m not going anywhere

 

I just wanted to let you know

I can take it slow

So keep on make believing

You’re not feeling what you’re feeling

You will till you won’t

But I’m not going anywhere

It’s alright if you are scared

Of who it is you think you seem to be

You’re not fooling me

So pretend you’re some villain

Or some ideal vision

You will till you won’t

But I’m not going anywhere

 

I just wanted to let you know

I can take it slow

So keep on make believing

You’re not feeling what you’re feeling

You will till you won’t

But I’m not going anywhere

 

 

 

Worthy

©2014 Donna Lynn Caskey Cordulia Music BMI

 

I am a lonesome traveler

Needing a friend to talk to

You say come just as you are

You take my hands, warm my fingers

 

(chorus)

Worthy, you are worthy

Speak your truth, tell your story

Worthy, worthy

In all your shame, in all your glory

 

Whatever the skin you’re in

Sickly, healthy, thick or thin

Worthy, worthy

No matter how you’ve fallen short

How many times you’ve missed the mark

Worthy, worthy

Your heart about declared defeat

Stumbling through imperfectly

Worthy, worthy

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Oh, you weary traveler

You can rest the long, cold night here

Rain pouring on the roof

Wrap yourself in quilts and blankets

 

(repeat chorus)

 

Whatever secrets that you keep

However much we disagree

Worthy, worthy

Ghosts crowding ‘round your door

Full of regret or shown no remorse

Worthy, worthy

Barely standing, blood on your hands

Who could ever understand?

Worthy, worthy

 

Worthy, worthy

Speak your truth, tell your story

Worthy, worthy

Sometimes the pain outweighs the glory

 

All are welcome at the table, yes

Take your place beside the fire

Make the circle wider, brighter

 

Oh, you holy travelers

Grudges held and forgiven

Life, love, an offering

Join the song dance the rhythm

 

(repeat chorus)

 

All are welcome at the table, yes

Take your place beside the fire

Make the circle wider, brighter

 

Worthy, we are worthy

Speak your truth, tell your story

Everyone is worthy

In all our shame in all our glory

 

Upcoming Shows

Previous events

Gathering

 — (PDT, UTC-07) — (PDT, UTC-07)

Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, 740 East Main Street, Santa Paula, CA

Twilight Gathering with Sound, Silence and Word in person at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula 740 E Main Street, Santa Paula and streamed over Zoom.

Gathering is a reflective time open to all to hear some beautiful music, share some silence and hear spoken word. Our theme in June is Delight. We are excited to have the return of Banjo Gal Donna Lynn Caskey filling in for the previously announced duo who had to bow out due to illness and will be rebooked in the near future. Led by Rev. Maddie Sifantus with poems chosen by Donna Lynn.

Gatherings are supported by a free will offering in the Sanctuary to compensate our Gathering musicians or a check can be mailed to UUCSP, 740 E Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 with Gathering in the memo line Donations can also be made from the church’s website www.uucsp.org. Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7312177775 Meeting ID: 731 217 7775 Password uucsp93060 For more information, call 805-525-4647 or email office@uucsp.org

5 x 5 x 5

Art City, 197 Dubbers St., Ventura, CA 93001

Steve Aguilar is carrying the torch of John M. White's First Friday 5 x 5 x 5 performance art variety nights- five artists, five performances, (approximately) five minutes each. I'll be sharing a song or few. At the Art City Gallery, a local treasure with an uncertain future. Come enjoy it while it lasts. Free.