things happen

seeing the changes things move up and down
each backward step made up by an advance
the things we do that produce smile or frown
are almost random almost all by chance
the news is good and then the news is bad
here's a small hope and here's a small retreat
we're among the chosen then we have been had
but every victory makes up for each defeat
we turn one corner find another curve
there's no straight road no matter what we do
we have to twist and turn we have to swerve
but still we have the chance of getting through
the die was cast a long long time ago
the game has purpose though the play is slow

the news frustrates and this is what we do

across the yard the leaves shine brilliant gold
signs of a change that promises new life
the sun is bright although the day feels cold

across the times there's knowledge that's not old
but that we learn anew with each new strife
across the yard the leaves shine brilliant gold

sheep struggle to return to the warm fold
the shepherd plays upon his simple fife
the sun is bright although the day feels cold

plastic the tale though not the way it's told
the meaning can be cut through with a knife
across the yard the leaves shine brilliant gold

the facts are there although the case is sold
with worries and contentions the hall is rife
the sun is bright although the day feels old

we hold our anger see that it's controlled
we're in this thing together man and wife
the sun is bright although the day feels cold
across the yard the leaves shine brilliant gold

makaris amang the laif

from dark to dark the flowing music plays
it takes us from our ordinary times
and shows to us the light of other days

we've had our moments helped our waifs and strays
set our prows in search of sunnier climes
from dark to dark the flowing music plays

the voice that halts remembering darker lays
still to the heights in exaltation climbs
and shows to us the light of other days

equal to the hard moments when it stays
the illest humour with its jingling rhymes
from dark to dark the flowing music plays

we've paid out line although the cord still frays
the clown who's in the corner mugs and mimes
and shows to us the light of other days

the one who works outdoes the one who prays
the clock has done its service still it chimes
from dark to dark the flowing music plays
and shows to us the light of other days

somewhere near the end of time

the city waits to hear the urgent call
the leader's house is guarded all the night
the enemy's been spotted near the wall
a shepherd's said to have fainted at the sight
the army marched off yesterday to fight
we've had no report heard nothing at all
our god we're told will help defend the right
our soldiers will not die nor the city fall
farmers report the crops are touched by blight
the harvest this year will be very small
the summer birds have already taken flight
away from us even the vermin crawl
but we'll come through our city will survive
we are in spite of all fears still alive