LIVING IN A CIRCLE

LIVING IN A CIRCLE (2015)
Lyrics to ALL 15 Songs

words & music © Ken Lonnquist

1. Living In A Circle

(written during an artist-residency, adapted for a Dia De Los Muertos service)

Living in a circle, living in a circle,

Together forever, living in a circle

Seasons go around in a circle

Winter, spring, summer and fall

The world goes around in a circle, too

Spinning everyday with us all

Living in a circle, living in a circle,

Together forever, living in a circle

Life is a slow turning circle

We’re born, we live, and we die

Growing gray as the seasons turn

Wrinkles circling our eyes

Living in a circle, living in a circle,

Together forever, living in a circle

All of us belong in the circle

Present, future and past

Dancing the family steps in time

Along with the shadows we cast

Living in a circle, living in a circle,

Together forever, living in a circle

2. Irish Blessing

(Written for my Mom, who loved her Irish heritage)

May the road rise up to meet you

And may the wind be always at your back,

The sun shining warm on your face

And soft rain falling

’Til we meet again may god hold you safe

In the palm of her hand

’Til we meet again may god hold you safe

In the palm of her hand

May you have four walls for the wind

And a roof for rain and fire

Warmth and cheer and those you love near you

And all your heart desires

’Til we meet again may god hold you safe

In the palm of her hand

’Til we meet again may god hold you safe

In the palm of her hand

3. Let There Be Sight

Let there be sight, let there be sight

When eyes are closed they can’t tell

Darkness from the light

Or know the wrong from right

Let there be sight

Let there be dreams, let there be dreams

When minds are closed they can’t see

Possibilities

The light of hope that gleams

Let there be dreams

Let there be love, let there be love

When hearts are closed they cannot

Sail the skies above

So, like a winged dove

Let there be love

4. Sweet Rain

All i want is time,

All i want is just to plant one good seed

All i want is time,

Soon enough i’m gonna get what i need

Rain failing down,

An all day, hooray-rain a-falling

Rain falling down,

Such a sweet rain falling

All i want is luck,

All i want is just to plant one good seed

All i want is luck,

Soon enough i’m gonna get what i need

Rain failing down,

An all day, hooray-rain a-falling

Rain falling down,

Such a sweet rain falling

All i want are dreams,

All i want is just to plant one good seed

All i want are dreams,

Soon enough i’m gonna get what i need

Rain failing down,

An all day, hooray-rain a-falling

Rain falling down,

Such a sweet rain falling

5. The Light Remains

Clouds weeping rain, lightning whips the sky

Wind will tease a flame, but it will not die

Keep the faith, don’t let it wane

Cup your hands around the flame

After a relentless rain

The shadow passes and the light remains

The light remains

In a lonely room, where you sit afraid

In the gathering gloom, all your dreams unmade

Keep the faith, don’t let it wane

Cup your hands around the flame

After a relentless rain

The shadow passes and the light remains

The light remains

Keep the faith, don’t let it wane

Cup your hands around the flame

After a relentless rain

The shadow passes and the light remains

The light remains

6. The Sun Is On The Rise

At the world’s rim, a touch of light

The sun is on the rise

Lifting the stars out of the night

The sun is on the rise

Song fills the early morning sky

The sun is on the rise

Mist on the river whispers by

The sun is on the rise

Sing to the morning, sing to the day

Sing to the sunlight, burning the shadows away

In a dew-laden meadow bed

The sun is on the rise

One flower lifts it’s yellow head

The sun is on the rise

Wind calls the tune, the living dance

The sun is on the rise

Giving the world another chance

The sun is on the rise

Sing to the morning, sing to the day

Sing to the sunlight, burning the shadows away

7. Willows

Willows of the world are we

Rooted deep as trees must be

Bound to earth, by earth set free

Reaching for the sunlight

Willows will bend, but never break

Stronger than wind, we give and take

And in the end, endure the ache

Knowing life is what’s at stake

Willows always torn by wind

Are left standing in the end

Why do willows always win?

They’ve no place to run to...

Willows will bend, but never break

Stronger than wind, we give and take

And in the end, endure the ache

Knowing life is what’s at stake

From the sun, the soil and rain

All our life and strength we gain

Without them, what would remain?

Who’d weep for the willow?

Willows will bend, but never break

Stronger than wind, we give and take

And in the end, endure the ache

Knowing life is what’s at stake

No, we never can give ground

To this living earth we’re bound

Storms may try to cut us down

But we will stand forever

Willows will bend, but never break

Stronger than wind, we give and take

And in the end, endure the ache

Knowing life is what’s at stake

8. A Patchwork World

(inspired by a card from Pete Seeger)

With needles shaped from splintered swords

Of history’s forgotten wars