Walls Divide (see CD “Hope Road”)
My Greatest Victory
Blinded By His Eyes
Sixteen Boys (Dear Adolf)
Some Kind of Hero
Raise Your Voice (German version)
Nie Mehr Krieg (German version of War No More)
Not yet posted::
Soon We Will Have Peace (German Version)
Hope Sleeps  (by John Flynn – about Anne Frank)
Green and Red (about war refugees – to come)

I pass abandoned houses,
Mansions for the rich  
A couple of churches,
A railroad and a mall,

Houses for seniors,
A school for the kids –
And I say to myself,
‘This place has it all – it’s –

Hope Road
That’s where I want to be – on
Hope Road
Maybe I’ll see you there –
Somewhere in the middle between heaven and despair is –
Hope Road – hmmm .

Sometimes I want to get away to some other place around town
But when I return, I know  why I stick around – on –

Hope Road
That’s where you’ll find me – on
Hope Road
Follow the sign
Right between the Parkway and the township line – is –
Hope Road.

Hope Road
That’s where I want to be – on
Hope Road
Maybe I’ll see you there –
Somewhere in the middle between heaven and despair is –
Hope Road – meet me there.

© 2005 Heldt

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Walls Divide

A mother climbed a pedestal
To hold up her newborn child,
Waving to grandpa two blocks away
On the other side.

Skies unite, walls divide my home.
Skies unite, walls divide.  My home is on the other side.

A Wall was built in 1961
Of concrete and of stone,
Cutting through rivers, houses and streets,
Through families and homes.

Too many had tried to flee to freedom
From East to West Berlin,
So a Wall was built to keep some people out,
But mostly to keep people in.

Skies unite, walls divide my home.
Skies unite, walls divide.  My home is on the other side.

We watched the news:  They put up bricks
So high, they blocked out the sun.
They bricked every curtain, every door
And on rooftops were soldiers with guns.

Those with friends across the street,
They stood around and cried,
And those who tried to run for freedom
Were gunned down and left to die.

Skies unite, walls divide my home.
Skies unite, walls divide.  My home is on the other side.

God gave us land, gave us free will,
We could chose and decide.
We came up with land mines and barbed wire
To cut apart and divide.

In November 1989,
Freedom was on the rise.
We watched bulldozers on the news.
We couldn’t believe our eyes.

We took our hammers.  We were determined.
We gave our neighbors a call.
We hardly made a dent, but this was our chance
To make the Wall fall.

Skies unite, walls divide my home.
Skies unite, walls divide.  My home is on the other side.
   [voiceover:  Let freedom ring – for the other side]

© 2005 Heldt

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My Greatest Victory
(dedicated to Max Schmeling, the gentleman who lost to Joe Louis)

I fought a good fight,
I won in the past.
I fought a good fight,
But what stands out the most:
My greatest victory
Was the fight that I lost.

Madison Square Garden roared with the sound
When Joe knocked me out in the very first round.
I didn’t want to lose that day,
But there was no other way.

An hour before we started the fight
I received a telegram, “I know you’ll do right.
You’ll be my next Champion of the World.”
Signed “Adolf.”  I hated each word.

I fought a good fight,
I won in the past.
I fought a good fight,
But what stands out the most:
My greatest victory
Was the fight that I lost.

I was lucky to return from the Eastern front,
Where Hitler sent me because I hadn’t won.
But Coca Cola didn’t care.
Endorsements made me a millionaire.

One day I heard on the late night show
The IRS was looking for Joe.
I boarded a plane. – I looked him up
And the money I’d earned helped him back up.

I fought a good fight,
I won in the past.
I fought a good fight,
But what stands out the most:
My greatest victory
Was the fight that I lost.

Joe and I remained friends.
Who is to say
We both didn’t win
Against Hitler that day.

I fought a good fight,
I won in the past.
I fought a good fight,
But what stands out the most:
My greatest victory
Was the fight that I lost.

© 2006 Heldt 

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Blinded by His Eyes

He spoke of glory.
He spoke of country.
He spoke of more.
He spoke of virtue,
Of getting even,
But the power and the glory that he was about
Was about War.

They were blinded by his eyes,
Blinded by his lies,
Blinded by the promises he kept
And those he broke.
They were blinded by his eyes,
Blinded by his lies.
They choked on his game,
Ran into the flame,
Blinded by his eyes.

He mesmerized them,
Made them feel special,
The lonely and wretched
In the crowds he drew.
He gave them all the things they needed
He gave them more
Than they had before,
Than they ever knew.

They were blinded by his eyes,
Blinded by his lies,
Blinded by the promises he kept
And those he broke.
They were blinded by his eyes,
Blinded by his lies.
They choked on his game,
Ran into the flame,
Blinded by his eyes.

And when he shot himself – it stopped the way he lied,
But before he was done – our home was gone – and
50 million died.

They were blinded by his eyes,
Blinded by his lies,
Blinded by the promises he kept
And those he broke.
They were blinded by his eyes,
Blinded by his lies.
They choked on his game,
Ran into the flame,
Blinded by his eyes.

© 2006 Heldt

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Raise Your Voice
(Pete Seeger may have been cleaning his desk,
when he found the beginnings of this song
that someone gave him to finish about fifty years ago. 
I eagerly completed it, and Pete corrected my first version.)

Raise your voice, baby,
Raise your voice.
For the true and the right
Raise your voice.
Don’t you stay silent.
You have a choice.
Raise your voice, baby,
Raise your voice.

Baby sleep,
Grow big and strong,
Learn how to tell
The right from wrong.

Learn you can take
Most things in stride,
Learn, at times
You have to fight.

Raise your voice, then,
Raise your voice.
For the true and the right
Raise your voice.
Don’t you stay silent
You have a choice.
Raise your voice, baby,
Raise your voice.

Schlafe ein, mein Kind,
schlaf’ ein,
lern’ ruhig und fleißig
zu sein.

Doch sei gewahr:
irgendwann
Gibt es Zeiten,
Wenn man nicht still sein kann.

Laß deine Stimme dann hör’n,
laß’ dich hör’n.
Ist die Wahrheit in Gefahr
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.
Wenn uns Lügen
die Zukunft zerstör’n
sprich dich aus, mein Kind,
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.

Sag deine Meinung
dann und wann.

Und du wirst sehn,
daß sich vieles ändern kann.

Laß deine Stimme hör’n,
laß’ dich hör’n.
Ist die Wahrheit in Gefahr
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.
Wenn uns Lügen
die Zukunft zerstör’n
sprich dich aus, mein Kind,
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.

(English lyrics – second verse and bridge:)

May you sleep,
But not too long.
Too much in life
Can go too wrong.

And if the wrong
Is the bosses’ rule
Learn, they won’t teach that
In the bosses’ school.

Raise your voice, then,
Raise your voice.
For the true and the right
Raise your voice.
Don’t you stay silent.
You have a choice.
Raise your voice, baby,
Raise your voice.

Even when all your friends
Say you’re wrong,
Take a stand.
Be strong !

Raise your voice, baby,
Raise your voice.
For the true and the right
Raise your voice.
Don’t you stay silent.
You have a choice.
Raise your voice, baby,
Raise your voice.

© 2005 Heldt

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America – To Me

Fresh steps in the snow,
No one’s watching as I come and go.
Not a house anywhere, not a car
As far as I can see,
That’s America – America – America – to me.

Majestic forests, shells at the ocean,
Mountains so tall and deserts that sprawl,
Lands that we preserved
Now belong to you and me.
That’s America – America – America – to me.
That’s America – America – America – to me.

Somewhere someone’s playing music,
Someone’s planting a tree,
Someone’s flying a model airplane,
Someone’s dreaming a dream.
That’s America – America – America – to me.
That’s America – America – America – to me.

Fresh steps in the snow,
Birds and deer are watching as I go.
I walk along and I see:
The things that matter are still here - for you and me
And they’re still free.
That’s America – America – America – to me.
That’s America – America – America – to me.
That’s America – America – America – to me.

© 2005 Heldt

Alison
(a collaboration with Joe Grant,
co-founder of the Canadian band Tanglefoot)

My dog, Charley
Is howling in the night.
He doesn’t know what’s coming down,
Something isn’t right.
He doesn’t know there’s a War going on.
All he knows:
Alison is gone.

Alison, Alison
Why did you have to go?
Alison, Alison
I didn’t know
My words didn’t reach you,
My life didn’t teach you,
My message of Peace faded too soon.
I’m barking at the moon.

Alison, your beautiful voice
Rang into the sky.
Alison, you’re now in Iraq,
But your still a child.
Charley knows me, he senses my fear.
He pushes his nose into me,
Wishing you were here.

Alison, Alison
Why did you have to go?
Alison, Alison
How was I to know
I’m barking at the moon.

This world has gone crazy,
They’re marching in unison.
They’ve taken Charley’s best friend - Alison.
And we’re barking at the moon.

Alison, Alison
Why did you have to go?
Alison, Alison
I didn’t know . . .

© 2005 Grant - Heldt

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Violets

She's watering violets,
One - two - three - four.
She's watering violets,
Five, six, more and more.

She was sixteen,
She loved her job.
She liked to work with kids.
She taught them how to carve a tree,
Taught them how to knit.
But then the boys were called away,
Each one in his turn.
She knitted them socks,
She prayed for them.
Most did not return.

And she's watering violets,
One - two - three - four.
She's watering violets,
But it won't stop the war.

At twenty she had to leave her home.
Soon it was to burn.
[erase this space]

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Somewhere in the Middle

Truth is black,
Truth is white,
Truth is wrong,
Truth is right.
Truth is as clear as a mountain stream,
Truth is a riddle.
Truth is where we find it,
Somewhere in the middle.

I want to paint in black and white,
But I’m seeing shades of gray.
I want to find tomorrow,
But I’m dealing mostly with yesterday.
I want to sing for Peace and Love,
I want to right what’s wrong.
I want to find what is true,
Though I knew it all along:

Truth is black
Truth is white,
Truth is wrong,
Truth is right.

Truth is as clear as a mountain stream,
Truth is a riddle.

Truth is where we find it,

Somewhere in the middle.

I want to solve all problems
Of my neighbors, of the world.
But as I solve just one of them,
Others are unfurled.
I want to stand for Peace and Love,
But the words all come out wrong.
I want to find what is real,
Though I knew it all along:

Truth is black
Truth is white,
Truth is wrong,
Truth is right.

Truth is as clear as a mountain stream,
Truth is a riddle.
Truth is where we find it,

Somewhere in the middle.

Truth is black
Truth is white,
Truth is wrong,
Truth is right.

Truth is as clear as a mountain stream,
Truth is a riddle.

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We Can Change

It’s a strange, strange world:
Windmills are back,

The Germans aren’t fighting,
The best man in golf is black.
French accuse Americans
Of being aloof.
It all stands to prove:

We can change – hmmm -
We can change – hmmm -
Everything in life
Can be changed or rearranged.
We can change our circumstances,
We can change what we believe
If we only believe
We can change.

It’s a strange, strange world.
Look how far we’ve come:
We can harvest power
Directly from the sun.
Fighting for oil
Will be so last-century.
Sunshine is free, and

We can change – hmmm -
We can change – hmmm -
Everything in life
Can be changed or rearranged.
We can change our circumstances,
We can change what we believe
If we only believe
We can change.

Wouldn’t it be stranger still
If we really liked each other
If we could see everyone
Is our sister, our brother, but

That can change – hmmm – cause
We can change – hmmm -
Everything in life
Can be changed or rearranged.

We can change our circumstances,
We can change what we believe
If we only believe
We can change.

© 2006 Heldt

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Soon We Will Have Peace (international version)

Soon we will have Peace
Soon we will have Peace
Soon we will have Peace
In a world of Peace.

(Hebrew by Jakob Balshan:)
Bemhera yavo Shalom x 3
Beolam shel Shalom.

(Arabic by Siham Alfred:)

An Kareeb Sannanamu BiSalam x 3
Fi ALamus Salam.

(Spanish b Michelle Weinstat:)

Pronto vamos tener la paz x 3
En el mundo de Paz.

(French by William DuAime:)

Tout le monde aim la Paix x 3
Bientot on aura la Paix.

(Mandarin Chinese by Amy Lee Segami:)

War-mun yao war-pin x 3
J’eye ee-gore war-pin shee-J’air.

Peace begins when we visualize it.
Peace begins when we realize
We can change, we can understand.
We can reach out to our fellow man
In every land

(German by my Dad:)

Bald wird Friede sein x 3
in der ganzen Welt.

In a world of Peace.

© 2006 Heldt

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Some Kind of Hero

Carl was working for the railroad.
One day he had a date.
He didn't have a way to get there,
But he didn't want to be late.

Carl, o Carl, mei-o-mei
You could hear the good people of Zeven say.
He hi-jacked a train, o dear, no
He married the lady, go, Carl, go.
He's a little different, don't you know,
He's some kind of hero.

Carl's no longer with the railroad,
Drives a taxi cab in town.
Drove a wedding party to the river,
But the ferry wasn't around.

Carl, o Carl, mei-o-mei
You could hear the good people of Zeven say.
He drove them in the river, o dear, no
Then he pulled them all out, go, Carl, go.
He's a little different, don't you know,
He's some kind of hero.

Winds of change blew over Zeven,
Over all of Germany
First they came to burn the Temple,
Then for Max Wolff's family.

When they broke into their front door
They found an empty home
And no one noticed a taxicab
Speeding through the night, alone.

Carl, o Carl, mei-o-mei
There were only whispers in Zeven that day.
While a ship left for Columbia
With the Wolffs who got away.
Times are different, go, Carl, go,
Who would have thought of Carl as a hero?

Winds of change kept on blowing
Towards different, better days.
But, for Carl, times got harder
No one needed jokes or play.

He failed at most things good people do
He's now in his grave, you know.
Said, "I can't do good for anyone,
It's my time to go."
He was a little different, so they say
When they talk about him to this day.
But in my book
Different is okay.

Carl, o Carl, mei-o-mei
You still hear the people of Zeven say.
He hi-jacked a train, o dear, no
He drove into the river, go, Carl, go.
He was a little different . . .

And, Papa, may I tell you so
You still are
My kind of hero.

© 2005 Heldt

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Laß deine Stimme hör’n
(German version of “Raise Your Voice”)

Laß deine Stimme hör’n,
laß’ dich hör’n.
Ist die Wahrheit in Gefahr
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.
Wenn uns Lügen
die Zukunft zerstör’n
sprich dich aus, mein Kind,
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.

Schlafe ein, mein Kind,
schlaf’ ein,
lern’ ruhig und fleißig
zu sein.

Doch sei gewahr:
irgendwann
Gibt es Zeiten,
Wenn man nicht still sein kann.

Laß deine Stimme dann hör’n,
laß’ dich hör’n.
Ist die Wahrheit in Gefahr
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.
Wenn uns Lügen
die Zukunft zerstör’n
sprich dich aus, mein Kind,
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.

Schlafe ein, mein Kind,
schlaf’ ein,
lern’ ruhig und fleißig
zu sein.

Doch sei gewahr:
wenn die Regierung sich verfährt,
Daß man’s nicht
In der Schule erfährt.

Laß deine Stimme dann hör’n,
laß’ dich hör’n.
Ist die Wahrheit in Gefahr
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.
Wenn uns Lügen
die Zukunft zerstör’n
sprich dich aus, mein Kind,
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.

Sag deine Meinung
dann und wann.

Und du wirst sehn,
daß sich vieles ändern kann.

Laß deine Stimme hör’n,
laß’ dich hör’n.
Ist die Wahrheit in Gefahr
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.
Wenn uns Lügen
die Zukunft zerstör’n
sprich dich aus, mein Kind,
laß’ deine Stimme hör’n.

© 2005 Heldt

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Sixteen Boys  (Dear Adolf)

Adolf, this War is almost over,
So you called me back today
To defend our Capital
That’s been almost blown away.

The streets I loved are soaked with blood,
My tank is a burned-out shell.
My buddy’s hollow eyes are staring
Into a bombed-out hell.

You’ve taken these children from their schools
To fight this battle for you.
You gave them praise and iron crosses,
But talk is cheap and metal too,

Sixteen boys and one bazooka   This isn’t the way to fight a war.
Maybe this nightmare will be over if we can last one night more.
Sixteen boys have sixteen mothers, and if I can do just one thing right
Sixteen mothers will hold their boys, we’ll make it through the night.

Adolf, I called you the Prince of Peace
Back in ‘38,
While you got rid of those against your War
And those who wanted to wait.

You could have been a great World Leader
If you‘d stopped after giving us jobs and dignity.
Instead, millions of mothers
Will now curse you in eternity.

I’m hiding with those boys in an alley now,
While the world is bursting at its seams,
And while you’ve crept into your cellar of cement,
Spinning drug-crazed dreams.

Sixteen boys and one bazooka.  This isn’t the way to fight a war.
Maybe this nightmare will be over if we can last one night more.
Sixteen boys have sixteen mothers and if I can do just one thing right
Sixteen mothers will hold their boys, we’ll make it through the night.

I’ve been shot – they may find me and take the boys.
Then there’s one more thing I’ll have to do:
I am saving this last weapon I’ll ever bear –
Dear Adolf - - - it’s for you.

© 2005 Heldt

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Soon We Will Have Peace
(a chant – English version)

Soon we will have Peace
Soon we will have Peac
Soon we will have Peace
In a world of Peace.  

Soon we'll heal our wounds
Soon we'll heal our wounds
Soon we'll heal our wounds
In a world of Peace. 

Soon we'll fight no more
Soon we'll fight no more
Soon we'll fight no more
In a world of Peace. 

Soon we'll plant new seeds
Soon we'll plant new seeds
Soon we'll plant new seeds
In a world of Peace.

There'll be no more war
There'll be no more war
There'll be no more war
In a world of Peace. 

Peace begins when we visualize it.
Peace begins when we realize
We can change, we can understand.
We can reach out to our fellow man
In every land

Soon we will have Peace
Soon we will have Peace
Soon we will have Peace
In a world of Peace.
In a world of Peace.

© 2005 Heldt

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Nie Mehr Krieg
(German version of “War No More”)

Wenn man es nur am Bildschirm sieht
Und nicht im Schuβfeld steht.

Nie mehr Krieg
Stimm dagegen
Nie mehr Krieg

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We Are One

We are One (We are One),
We are One (We are One).
We are One in Spirit,
We are One (We are One).
Every person is my sister.
Every person is my brother.
We were born to love each other,
We are One (We are One).

Once I took a piece of paper.
I cut five holes into it.
I stuck my fingers through it
And looked at what I’d done:

Each finger seemed to move about
Independently
And I had to remind myself
They’re one - cause

We are One (We are One),
We are One (We are One),
One in Spirit,
We are One , yes

We are One (We are One),
We are One (We are One),
One in Spirit,
We are One.

Once I visited a friend
Who was fighting with his brother
’Cause the other had a different way
Of seeing right or wrong.

And I hoped and I prayed
They’d talk with each other,
They’d come to realize
They are one – cause
We are One (We are One),
We are One (We are One),
One in Spirit,
We are One , yes

We are One (We are One),
We are One (We are One),
One in Spirit,
We are One.

I kept thinking what would happen
If we looked past right or wrong.
If we saw it is our differences that attract,
If we saw it is our differences that connect,
If we saw it is our differences that make us strong
As One – Cause

We are One (We are One),
We are One (We are One),
One in Spirit,
We are One , yes

We are One (We are One),
We are One (We are One),
One in Spirit,
We are One.

And we are One in Spirit,
We are One.

© 2005 Heldt

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Find A Way

When I think about this world
And how I’d like it to be.
I dream everybody
Lives in peace and in dignity.

I dream lions and lambs
Are friends.
And the whole world understands:


Some day we’ll find a way
Some day we’ll find a way
Some day we’ll find a way
To live in Peace.

The future seems so far away – I hope I’ll see the day.

Then I look around me and
I know there’s work we have to do
When It’s easier to love some stranger
Than a neighbor who’s not kind to you.

Before this world ends
Make amends.
Turn enemies into friends.

Some day we’ll find a way
Some day we’ll find a way
Some day we’ll find a way
To live in Peace.

And when your neighbor seems lost in the dark
Maybe we can help – make a start

Some day we’ll find a way
Some day we’ll find a way
Some day we’ll find a way
To live in Peace.

Peace begins – we all know it must
In each and every one of us.

© 2005 Raveson - Heldt

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Each One – Reach One

Ocean to ocean
There's a feeling in the air:
We can make a change,
We can light a flame.

Call from the mountains:
Now is the time
To reach out beyond ourselves,
People - you and I.

Light a fire that burns forever,
Send a message to be heard:
Each one - reach one
All around!

Send love to all the nations,
A message to be heard
Each one - reach one
All around the world.

When I read the faces,
When I listen well
I hear so many stories
Each has to tell.

Hands are reaching out for me
In every crowd.
Reach out - all around,
Let’s sing out loud:

Light a fire that burns forever,
Send a message to be heard:
Each one - reach one
All around!

Send love to all the nations,
A message to be heard.
Each one - reach one
All around the world.

Ocean to ocean
There's a feeling in the air:
We can make a difference,
We must be heard.

© 2005 Ford - Heldt

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To John
(The first song I wrote)

Chrome and crystal, wood and glass,
A view of the city is what you have won.
Prison or castle, peace or harassment
What does it all mean to you, John?

When you were young, you dreamed of a ranch.
You took long walks with the air on your face.
You wanted to work only for one small branch
Of this firm that now holds you in tight embrace.

Where is the beauty of starry nights?
Do you still see them, do you find the time?
Or has the glitter of smaller lights
Blinded your eyes to their peaceful shine.

Do you remember the way that we said
We'd run this world if it were in our hands?
Now that you take home those five-digit checks
Are you still the same person as when you made one tenth?

Is the reformer still in you?
Do you still desire to right the wrong?
Or is the Lincoln now all you pursue?
Your home in the suburbs, has it changed your song?

Please understand:  I cannot be
The way you wanted me to become.
I see many a day to be lived yet by me
On a path that's slower and that I walk alone.

Chrome and crystal, wood and glass,
A view of the city is what you have won.
Prison or castle, peace or harassment ,
What does it all mean to you – John?

© 1974 Heldt

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The Dark Before the Dawn

Come in out of the night
Where shadows are around you.
Come in out of the night
Where fears and doubt surround you.

We'll line up your teardrops on the mantle piece,
We'll place them there with kindness.
We'll take our time until they've all
Turned into diamonds.

You know that the night won't last forever.
Remember when you long for the sun
Soon it will be morning.
It's the dark before the dawn.

Come in out of the pain,
We'll leave the problems behind us.
Come in out of the pain,
We'll be where fears and doubt won't find us.

The winds rush around, they turn into storms,
We know we can hide here.
We'll light up a fire to keep us warm,
Safely inside here.

The winter never lasts forever.
Remember when you long for the sun
Soon it will be springtime,
It's just the dark before the dawn.

Our friendship can grow
While the night feels so long.
In the dark before the dawn.

© 2004 Heldt

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Let the River Flow

When I was a child
I drank from our River,
Waded in its currents,
My face to the sun.

When I was a child
I watched from the railroad bridge,
Lost track of the hours
As I let the River run.

Let the River flow,
To the horizon.
Let the River flow,
Keep it ebbing and rising.
Let the River flow
To feed our creation.
Let it nourish our dreams,
Make our crops grow.
Let the River flow.

Before I left home
I said goodbye to my River,
But the smell in the air
Showed something had died.

Our dairy was replaced by
Fromm’s Rubber Factory,
And the Northern Milk Plant,
And the waters were white.

Let the River flow,
To the horizon.
Let the River flow,
Keep it ebbing and rising.
Let the River flow
To feed our creation.
Let it nourish our dreams,
Make our crops grow.
Let the River flow.

 It took many dead fish,
Many new mayors,
Many petitions
And people's complaints.

But now, when I visit
I can sit on my railroad bridge
Though I wouldn't drink the waters
They look clean again.

Let the River flow,
To the horizon.
Let the River flow,
Keep it ebbing and rising.
Let the River flow
To feed our creation.
Let it nourish our dreams,
Make our crops grow.
Let the River flow.

© 2004 Heldt

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She Sees God
(For Sr. Mary Rose of Covenant House)

She sees God
In their faces,
She feels the universe
When she holds their hands.
She sees God
When she puts her arms around them.
No matter how it ends,
She's there for them.
She sees God.

She helps young runaways,
Her name is Mary Rose:
Her door is always open
For those who need her most.

She goes to find them in the streets,
She'll meet them at the bus
Before the pimps can get to them
She'll gather the lost.

They come by the dozen,
They come one by one.
Knowing they'll find a bed
And something like a home.

They come for a night,
They come for a day,
For a week, for a month,
Knowing they can stay cause

She sees God
In their faces,
She feels the universe
When she holds their hands.
She sees God
When she puts her arms around them.
No matter how it ends,
She's there for them.
She sees God.

One day a lady
Walked in with a beautiful child,
Handed her some money,
"I'll have more for you in a while.

Remember me, t'was Christmas,
I was pregnant in the street.
Here's now a little boy
I want you to meet.

He sees love
In everything.
It's because of you
We're now safe."

She sees God
In their faces,
She feels the universe
When she holds their hands.
She sees God
When she puts her arms around them.
No matter how it ends,
She's there for them.
She lights a candle,
She sees God.
She sees God.

© 2003 Heldt

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Poetry in Stone

Towers so perfect,
Beacons of sight,
Simple and brilliant
Majesty in white.

Gentler than lovers,
A groom and a bride,
Everyday cathedral
Reaching to the light.

They shaped our horizon,
They welcomed us home.
All of that has changed now,
Our innocence is gone.

They were poetry in steel,
Poetry in Stone.
How can we believe they're really gone?

I swear I still see them
On foggy days.
I feel their spirit
Reaching through the haze.

We mourn our loved ones,
Our daughter, our son.
We can't be the same again,
Our children are gone.

They were poetry in steel,
Poetry in Stone.
How can we believe they're really gone?

Senseless the hatred,
Nothing was won.
The world came together,
But our towers are gone.

They were poetry in steel,
Poetry in Stone.

© 2001 Heldt

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Check the Box !
(Questionnaire of Love)

I haven't been dating much this year,
But I have a great idea:

I've been working on a Questionnaire of Love,
Please fill in all the answers.
Cause you're the one I'm always thinking of
And I've got to know my chances.
So, please tell me
Would you rather be:

(a)        On the Nile - chased by a crocodile?
(b)        In a tent - cause you couldn't pay the rent? 
(c)        In despair - with a game of Solitaire? 
(d)        Would you like to be - with me? 

Lalala lalala lalala - Check the box! 
Lalala lalala lalala - A - B - C ! 
Lalala lalala lalala - Be with me! 
Lalala lalala lalala.

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Dance Away From Me

The sun is rising,
People are drifting away,
Going home after a night on the town.
You and I dance as lovers,
But I know there's another,
And the music has a haunting melody
As I watch you
Dance away from me.

How many times I've told you,
"You and I are free."
But it wasn't real then, like tonight.
Now I want to hold you,
So I don't have to see
You dance away,
Dance away from me.

Always together,
I thought I knew you so well,
Thought I always listened
And that nothing was wrong.
Now it seems I haven't heard
What you’ve told me without words.
I've lost you, it's so plain to see:
I watch you
Dance away from me.

How many times I've told you … [repeat chorus]

Dance away, dance away, dance away, you're free.
You dance away,
Dance away from me

© 2003 Fairweather-Heldt-Raveson

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Land of Love

I live in a box with a lock on a mound of stone.
I talk to a box and I knock, but there's no one home.

Lose myself in a haze,
As I watch people walking through space,

Reaching, searching to belong,
Knowing only that something is wrong.

There's a Land of Love,
I'm dreaming -

I dream of a
Land of Love.
Of living in a
Land of Love.

I'm seeking a smile for a while in my perfect world.
I'm leaving behind in my mind every care and hurt.

Life is kind and I belong
And I find that nothing is wrong.

I find diamonds in the dirt,
I find answers in places that hurt.

There's a Land of Love,
I'm dreaming -

I dream of a
Land of Love.
Of living in a
Land of Love

© 2001 Ford-Heldt

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Chrome, Crystal and Glass

You run the scene,
Calm and serene,
You have such style and such flair.

Who could ignore
The sign on your door?
You've earned your place way up there.

Day after day there's so much to do.
So many eyes look up to you.
They see

Chrome, Crystal and Glass,
Chrome, Crystal and Glass.
Night after night
A thousand lights show your
Chrome, Crystal and Glass.

Now you're alone.
It's time to go home,
Time to unwind, to be free.

But work is still there
And you really care.
Worries will not let you be.

Even at night you're still in this place,
Moving and planning, how can you find space?
You see

Chrome, Crystal and Glass,
Chrome, Crystal and Glass.
Night after night
A thousand lights show your
Chrome, Crystal and Glass.

© 2001 Heldt-Raveson

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Only a Phone Call Away

It's the time now:
I wish you all the best.
I say goodbye now and
Hope that you'll be blessed.
I will miss you,
I'll wonder where you'll be.
Kiss me goodbye now,
I'll try not to cry.

You've been a friend,
You've never let me down
Through good and hard times
You've always stuck around.
Please remember,
Now or any day:
I'm only a phone call away.

This is your chance now,
Though it takes you away.
It would be foolish
To ask you to stay.
When you're out there
Please don't forget one thing:
If you're in a bind,
You know where to find love.

You've been a friend,
You've never let me down.
Through good and hard times
You've kept my feet on the ground.
Please remember
Now or any day:
I'm only a phone call away.

No matter where you are,
No matter what you do,
My door is always open to you.

So it's goodbye now,
I wish you all the best.
I know I'll miss you,
I hope that you'll be blessed.

Please remember:
You can come back to stay.
I'm only a phone call away.

© 2001 Heldt-Raveson

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Ticket to Knoxville

Nashville had me change this otherwise true story.  It was too unusual – they felt others would not be able to relate to it:

I knew from writing family biographies that I had relatives in the U.S.  When I was in my thirties, I found Aunt Hilda, a second cousin of mine.  My Dad was very old when he had me, and Aunt Hilda was about his age.

She lived in a blue-and-white trailer, in a trailer park outside Knoxville.  – Does that qualify me to write country music – or what?

She came to meet me in NYC, and I discovered that she still spoke our low German dialect.  So I suggested that she should visit my Aunt Liddy and Uncle Otto back home, and she did.

The next year, the three of them traveled around the U.S. for six weeks.  I was unable to join them because I had a miserable job that would have fired me if I had taken a vacation.  The job fired me anyway, but by then no one answered any more when I called Knoxville.

I named my recording company after Aunt Hilda and her story is somewhere in this Website.  During a Nashville trip, I visited the trailer, but couldn’t find a trace of her family.

Many years later, I received a call:  Aunt Hilda’s daughter spent some time googling and had put her mother’s name into the search engine.  She found my Website, and we are planning to meet some time soon.

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The Real Thing

Too many numbers,
Too many tasks,
Too many nights of lonely hopes,
Too many masks,
Too many bargains found along the way,
Bargains distract, they please you for a day.
And still you don't see what it was
That you lost

The real thing,
You didn't understand
The real thing,
You held it in your hand.
You looked and it as something
From another day.
The real thing
Slipped away.

The clock is ticking
And a day isn't long.
You try to make good plans,
But some things turn out wrong.
Your calendar pages are running out of room.
You try to find time for those you love,
But time flies by so soon.
And still you don't see when it was
That you lost

The real thing,
You didn't understand
The real thing,
You held it in your hand.
You looked at as something
From another day
The real thing
Slipped away.

Ever since you left me I've been alone
All those times without your love, still it lingers on - and on -

The real thing,
I didn't understand
The real thing,
I held it in my hand
I looked at it as something
For another day.
The real thing
Slipped away.

© 2001 Heldt

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Congratulations

Your light used to be on late every night,
The only one on the block.
You worked and worked to get it right.
Nothing could make you stop.

Now that you've made it, everyone cheers.
Your life has changed overnight.
But I know how hard you've worked
To make this come out right.

Congratulations,
You've done it.
You're gonna make it to the top.
Congratulations,
You're living your dream.
Nothing can stop you now,
Take a bow,
Congratulations!

You've made your mark, you've reached your goal,
You know you've finally won.
You didn't listen to those who gave up,
Who told you it couldn't be done.

Now that you're on top of the world,
You're the hero of the day.
Now that the hard times are over and done,
There's one thing left to say:

Congratulations,
You've done it.
You're gonna make it to the top.
Congratulations,
You're living your dream.
Nothing can stop you now,
Take a bow,
Congratulations!

© 2001 Heldt

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Love Matters

Jimmy was a troubled child,
But Kathy didn't give up.
She taught him Math, she set him goals,
She never, never stopped.
"Get real," Jimmy said, "Math isn't with it.
It don't matter in the world we're in."
But Kathy kept teaching-
Hoping-
Praying to reach him better.
When someone asked what keeps her going,
She simply said, "It matters."

"Love Matters
Now more than ever.
Love Matters,
Love can bind our world together.
Some say it's hopeless,
It's a war that can't be won,
But if we take care of the small things
Big things can be done.
Love Matters."

She made him pick up the bottles and papers
He threw down in the hall.
He grumbled, "She always picks on me,
She's the meanest of them all."
But the scores came in and Jimmy's were better,
Than those from the right side of town.
While Kathy kept teaching-
Hoping-
Praying to reach him better.
At his graduation he understood
Why she said, "It matters."

"Love Matters
Now more than ever.
Love Matters,
Love can bind our world together.
Some say it's hopeless,
It's a war that can't be won,
But if we take care of the small things
Big things can be done.
Love Matters."

Jimmy's in charge now, he manages a store,
He handles his life like never before.
When Kathy was praised, she smiled and said,
"I just did my job."

© 2001 Heldt

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We Will Always Remember You

The skies had seldom been so bright,
The flowers bloomed purple, yellow and white.
But on the horizon a cloud loomed grey.
Our steps were slow as we went on our way.

We silently walked up a hill
The sights in the distance are with us still:
We looked for the towers, enveloped by haze
Two columns of smoke had taken their place.

The truth sank in, yet it didn't seem true.
And our thoughts were with you.

We will always remember you,
We will always remember you.
We will never forget that day in September,
The day we lost you.
We will always remember you.

We tried to call, but the lines were down.
The news showed destruction all around.
We cried and prayed they'd find you alive,
But the day went on, the evening arrived,

And then the night when we hardly slept,
And another day that we hoped and wept.
On the third day we still wished and prayed,
But then came the rain, and it seemed too late.

Still the heroes searched on, they rescued a few.
They were looking for you.

We will always remember you,
We will always remember you.
We will carry on for the red - white and blue.
But it's not the same without you.
We will always remember you.

© 2001 Heldt

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The Time is Now

I'll have time for love some day,
When the bills are paid
And my life is back on track.
I'll have time to listen some day.
I'll make up for the things I'm missing,
I'll let love in.

And the quiet voice is hard to hear,
The voice that says, "The time is here."
It's whispered from the start,

"Let go, child,
The time is now.
Let go, child.
Let go and let me
Touch your heart."

I will make my fortune some day,
My life will change,
I'll turn it all around.
I will write my story some day.
I'll live to see my time of glory,
I'll find myself.

And the quiet voice is hard to hear … [repeat chorus]

Some day we'll call these our good old days.
We rush to get them over and done.
There'll be time to long for them
After they're gone.

And the quiet voice will still be there,
Whispering, "The time is here,"
It's been there from the start,

"Let go, child ..."

© 2001 Heldt

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Don't You Wish We Could Get Away?

Why don't you come and stay,
Spend the rest of the day.
I have some wine, bring lots of time.
Don't you wish we could get away?
Discover the unknown, a paradise of our own.
Leave all behind, tell me what's on your mind.
Don't you wish we could get away?

We can sail on the ocean, dance in the rain.
We can make our own heaven,
You'll be glad that you came!

Let's play without a care with the wind in our hair.
Then we'll make love, moonlight above.
Don't you wish we could get away?

We can float on a moonbeam's silvery light.
Count the stars all around us,
I can love you all night!

Why don't you come with me,
Life is easy and free.
Find paradise in each other's eyes.
Don't you wish we could get away?

Come, let's try to get away
And maybe fall in love today.

© 2001 HELDT - RAVESON

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Don't Give Up On Love

It's not right:  You've thought of him all day.
Your life hasn't been easy.  Your Dad has gone away.
Please hang in there.  Call when you need a friend.
I know this is hard for you.  I'll try to understand.

Don't give up on love
Cause you're lonely and you're scared.
Your Mom & Dad love you, I know they still care.
Don't give up on love
When everything goes wrong.
People called grown-up don't always get along.
Don't give up on love,
Don't give up.

I know you called him to talk on the phone.
He didn't have time for you, he wasn't alone.
It's hard to believe they don't love you any less
When they're the ones who've put you
Into this kind of mess.

Don't give up on love ... [repeat chorus]

I feel for you, I've been there too.
But you're wiser than your parents now,
Somehow you'll make it through.
Don't give up on love ... [repeat chorus] 

© 2001 HELDT

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Too Soon

You walked away like any other day.
You promised, "I'll call you, I'll see you soon."
I asked you to stay, but you went on your way,
Never a burden, you just left the room.

You must have known when you said goodnight
That, for me, the time could never be right.
You must have known when you left the room
You were leaving me - Too soon.

I know you've gone to a place that's kind,
But it's hard for me, I'm left behind.
And though your love is with me all the time,
That doesn't stop the pain in my mind.

You must have known when you said goodbye
I'd be missing you, I'd be left to cry.
You must have known what you've meant to me
You were leaving me - Too soon.

I know you're still with me.  One day I'll wake to see:
You're waving across the room, smiling my way.

And I'll know it's you, and I will run to you,
Knowing it's not -
Too soon.

© 2001 HELDT

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War No More

As I lay me down to sleep
I pray to the Lord Peace to keep.

While men with clean desks
Solve their problems creating a mess,
We, the people, live the day by day.
Now we say:

War no more -
We won't take it.
War no more -
Let's have
War no more -
We won't make it.
We make our voices heard:

War no more -
We won't let it.
War no more -
We've had it.
We want
War no more.

We've seen the faces of faces of other wars,
Seen people’s houses blown away.
We've seen the scars of the ones that returned,
Watched the living dead, day by day.

[Alternate verse:
I’ve seen the faces of World War II
Our house was partly blown away.
I’ve seen the scars of the ones that returned.
Walked with the living dead, day by day.]

When those men with neat lives
Solve their problems making others fight,
They make it sound so dignified.
That doesn't make it right.

War no more -
We won't take it.
War no more -
Let's have
War no more -
We won't make it.
We make our voices heard:

War no more -
We won't let it.
War no more -
We've had it.
We want
War no more.

As I lay me down to sleep
I pray to the Lord
Our planet to keep.

© 2002 Heldt

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Living in Paradise

[Intro chant:]
Our planet is blue, our planet is green,
Our planet is the brightest you've ever seen.

Our planet is so cool, it really is hot -
It gives us everything it's got.

We're living in paradise.
Tell the leaders of every nation:
We can start today,
We can find a better way.
We're living in paradise.
We must pass it on to a new generation,
So our children can say:
We're living in paradise.

Take care of this planet,
Start a quiet revolution.
Find a way to plan it,
So we don't kill ourselves with pollution,
So the fish stay in the sea
And the animals roam wild and free.

Nature is our friend,
Nature is our happiness,
Nature restores us,
Nature hides our ugliness.
How can we be well
If we let our planet go to hell.

We're living in Paradise … [repeat chorus]

This world is our paradise, but we don't know it.
Let's do something right today, so we don't blow it away.

We're living in Paradise … [repeat chorus while chanting:]

Lend a hand:  Nature is our friend - 
Would you send a friend garbage?

"We are the fishes:  Please keep your sludge -
Thank you - very much."

"My name is Bambi, the forest is my bed.
Please don't leave your litter or your cigarette."

Keep the water pure, keep the forests green,
Keep the birds and the trees and the fishes in the seas.

Stop all the want, stop all the haste,
Put a stop to all this terrible waste.

Shout it out loud, ring every bell:
Don't make our planet a living hell.

Our planet is so cool, it really is hot -
It gives us all the things we've got.

Lift your voice, open your eyes:
This world is paradise.

© 2002 - Heldt

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Waiting for Winter

Little bird chirps on my porch,
Soon he will be gone.
Days are shorter, nights are longer.
Everyone is moving on.

I go out to clean my gutters
To last me through the storms.
I got out to close my shutters,
So they can keep me warm, while -

I’m still here - waiting - waiting for winter.

Little bird keeps on chirping
He won’t let me be
“Go on, where the world is warmer,
Come along with me.”

While I’m stringing lights to my gutters
To make them glisten and spark,
While I’m fastening wreaths to my shutters,
So I won’t feel the dark, while -

I’m still here - waiting - waiting for winter.

As I’m writing invitations
I remember last year
You joined me for the Holidays
For my brightest time of the year.  Now -

I’m still here - waiting - waiting for winter.

© 2006 Heldt

Thank You

Thank you for giving us this day and night.
Thank you for all that’s going right.
Thank you for people who see the light.
Thank you.

Thank you for giving us enough to eat.
Thank you for giving us all we need.
Thank you for keeping us from harm and greed.
Thank you.

Thank you for everything, thank you.

Thank you for friends who are near and dear.
Thank you for all of us gathered here.
Thank you that we don’t have to live in fear.
Thank you.

Thank you for everything, thank you.

We don’t know what the future has in store,
But here and now we have plenty to be thankful for.

Thank you for giving us this day and night.
Thank you for all that’s going right.

© 2006 Heldt

Chase the Butterfly
(dedicated to Una McGurk)

She spoke to us – it seemed impossible.
She spoke with tears in her eyes.
“They will die if we don’t help them
Then there’ll be no more butterflies.”

We answered, “Try,
But millions die.
If you save a few
Will it matter?” – That’s when she said:

“It matters to this one,
And it matters to that one
And it matters to the child
Who’s running wild
To chase the butterfly.

It matters to this one
And it matters to that one
And it matters to the children
Of the world
That they chase the butterfly.”

“I’ll find their eggs – I’ll take them home with me
Without their enemies – more will survive
And when they hatch and it’s their time to fly
I’ll take them outside – I’ll say goodbye.

Then there’ll be thousands, not just a few
It may be only a start
It may not be enough
But it’s what I can do

And it matters to this one,
And it matters to that one
And it matters to the children
Of the world
That they chase the butterfly.”

I saw her open up the cage
To let out her butterflies
And I watched grownups and children
With tears in their eyes
And I thought it may not seem like much,
Just a butterfly’s birth
But by saving them, one by one,
She may be saving the earth.

Cause it matters to this one,
And it matters to that one
And it matters to the children
Of the world
That they chase the butterfly.”

And it matters to the world
That we chase the butterfly.

© 2006 Heldt

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Take it back

(sung to Pete Seeger’s melody:  Bring ‘Em Home)

We're gonna take this country back,
Take it back, take it back.
We're gonna take this country back,
Take it back, take it back.

This is the land of the free.
Take it back, take it back.
It belongs to you and me.
Take it back, take it back.

Take it back - Take it back  - Take it back - Take it back - Take it back – Take it back. - We’re gonna take this country back.

No more Monarchy for me,
Take it back, take it back.
Give me plain old Democracy.
Take it back, take it back.

Those against us are many
Take it back, take it back.
We’ll send them to hunt with Cheney.
Take it back, take it back.

Take it back - Take it back  - Take it back - Take it back -
Take it back – Take it back. - We’re gonna take this country back.

We’ll remove a Bush or two,
Take it back, take it back.Let some grassroots come through.
Take it back, take it back.


And you know we’ll prevail
Take it back, take it back.
Cause we’ll follow the paper trail.
Take it back, take it back.

We’re gonna take this country back,
Take it back, take it back.
We’re gonna take this country back,
Take it back, take it back.

© 2006 Heldt – sung to Pete Seeger’s “Bring ‘Em Home”

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America – fuer mich

Frische Schritte im Schnee,
Niemand sieht es, wenn ich komm’ und geh’.
Kein Haus und kein Verkehr
Irgendwo in Sicht.
Das ist Amerika –Amerika – Amerika – für mich.
 
Gigantische Wälder, Muscheln am Strand,
Riesengebirge, Wüstenland -
Was wir uns erhalten haben
haben du und ich.
Das ist Amerika –Amerika – Amerika – für mich.

Irgendwo spielt jemand Lieder,
Jemand pflanzt einen Baum,
Jemand fliegt ein Flugzeug-Modell,
Jemand träumt einenTraum.

Frische Schritte im Schnee,
Wild und Vögel sehen, wie ich komm’ und geh’.
Es wird mir beim Gehen klar
Alles, was wirklich wichtig ist - ist noch da -
Ohne Kostenpflicht.
Das ist Amerika –Amerika – Amerika – für mich.

© 2006 Heldt  - translation of “America – To Me”

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Over the Rainbow – by E.Y. Harburg

Hoch, hoch über den Wolken
irgendwo
ist das Land deiner Träume,
irgend- und nirgendwo.

Hoch, hoch über den Wolken
siehst du klar
und die Träume, die du zu träumen wagst,
ja, die werden wahr.

Wir fliegen auf dem Regenbogen
dorthin wo die Vögel zogen - heimlich.
Wo Schmerzen schmelzen, wie das Eis
und wie die Wolken ist die Welt so weiß und freundlich.

Hoch, hoch über den Wolken,
da ist das Sonnenlicht.
Vögel können es erreichen,
Warum sollst du es nicht.

Wir fliegen mit den Vogelzügen auf die Sonnenstrahlen zu,
nur ich und du.

© 2006 re-translation by Ingrid Heldt

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It takes One

[dedicated to Pete Seeger and to
Julia Butterfly Hill who wrote
“One Makes a Difference]

It takes One – to make a difference
One – Just one will do.  It takes
One – to put love in motion,
To change the world.
It takes One.

If you think you’re too small to be effective,
To be the hero you already are,
Just think of the mosquito – he’s small.
We’re tall – yet he bothers us all.

It takes One – to make a difference
One – Just one will do.  It takes
One – to put love in motion,
To change the world.
It takes One.

If you can’t change the dark, light a candle.
If you can’t plant a park, put plants around your house.
Each step you take in a direction that’s right
Inspires those by your side.

It takes One – to make a difference
One – Just one will do.  It takes
One – to put love in motion,
To change the world.
It takes One.

If you can’t write a book, write a letter.
If you can’t run for office, send a check.
If you can’t give your life – give an hour of our time.
Don’t stare at the steps – begin to climb.

It takes One – to make a difference
One – Just one will do.  It takes
One – to put love in motion,
To change the world.
It takes One.

Go green when you clean,
Recycle, save a tree.
If I pick up litter
Will you do it with me.

It takes One – to make a difference,
One – Just one will do.  It takes
One – to put love in motion,
To change the world -

It takes One - to start some action,
One – To make this world advance,
One – to throw the snowball
That starts the avalanche.
It takes One.

©  2007  Heldt

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Our Planet Earth

It’s big, it’s blue and it’s beautiful,
It’s beautiful, look and see.
It’s green, it’s round and it’s beautiful,
The most beautiful planet in our galaxy.

Imagine traveling into space,
Looking back upon this place.
Its lights so bright at night,
Its colors crisp and clear
Make you proud you're part of this,
Born right here.

It’s big, it’s blue and it’s beautiful,
It’s beautiful, look and see.
It’s green, it’s round and it’s beautiful,
The most beautiful planet in our galaxy.

You realize while traveling into space
Nothing – nothing can take its place.
You'll clearly see the things that matter,
You’ll clearly see:
Borders really don’t exist
From sea to shining sea.

It’s big, it’s blue and it’s beautiful,
It’s beautiful, look and see.
It’s green, it’s round and it’s beautiful,
The most beautiful planet in our galaxy.

And I love you – I love you – I love you, my Planet Earth.
And I love you – I love you – I love you, my Planet Earth.

It’s big, it’s blue and it’s beautiful,
It’s beautiful, look and see.
It’s green and round and it’s beautiful,
the most beautiful planet in our galaxy.

Yes, it’s beautiful – our Planet Earth.

©  2007  Heldt - Petraitis

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Smiles

Time will tell:  Were we right?
Time will tell:  Were we wrong?
Time will tell:  Were we weak?
Time will tell:  Were we strong?

Right now all we can tell:
Simple smiles make things well and
Right now we all can say:
Smiles are easy – to give away.

We’re just a speck in time.
Some of us stumble, some of us climb,
Some are sick, some are well.
All must live - with ourselves.

Whether we smile, whether we frown,
Lift others up or put them down.
This great world keeps turning
’Round and ‘round and ‘round.

Time will tell:  Were we good?
Time will tell:  Were we bad?
Time will tell:  Were we happy?
Time will tell:  Were we sad?

Right now we know quite well:
Are we in heaven or in hell?  And
Right now we know somehow
Love is needed – now.

We’re just a speck in time.
Some of us stumble, some of us climb,
Some are sick, some are well.
All must live - with ourselves.

Whether we smile, whether we frown,
Lift others up or put them down.
This great world keeps turning
’Round and ‘round and ‘round.

Whether we are right or wrong,
Whether we are weak or strong,
Good or bad, happy or sad,
One thing we’ve known all along:

Right now we choose each day
We can smile - give love away, and
Right now we choose as well
Our own heaven – or hell.

We’re just a speck in time.
Some of us stumble, some of us climb,
Some are sick, some are well.
All must live - with ourselves.

Whether we smile, whether we frown,
Lift others up or put them down.
This great world keeps turning
’Round and ‘round and ‘round.

Whether we smile, whether we frown,
Lift others up or put them down
Smiles can turn the world we live in
’Round and ‘round and ‘round.

©  2007  Heldt

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Come to the Sea

Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.
Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.

There’ll be ocean liners
At the Sea.
There’ll be swimmers and beaches
At the Sea.

Ocean liners -
Swimmers and beaches -
Come to the Sea with me.

Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.
Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.

There’ll be mussels and shells
At the Sea.
There’ll be sunshine and waves
At the Sea.
Mussels and shells -
Sunshine and waves -
Ocean liners -
Swimmers and beaches -
Come to the Sea with me.

Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.
Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.

There’ll be sea gulls and fishes
At the Sea.
There’ll be sand castles
At the Sea.

Sea gulls and fishes -
Sand castles -
Mussels and shells -
Sunshine and waves -
Ocean liners -
Swimmers and beaches -
Come to the Sea with me

Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.
Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.

There’ll be no garbage
At the Sea.
We won’t leave any
At the Sea.

No garbage -
We won’t leave any -
Sea gulls and fishes -
Sand castles -
Mussels and shells -
Sunshine and waves -
Ocean liners -
Swimmers and beaches -
Come to the Sea with me.

Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.
Come to the Sea to see the Sea,
Come to the Sea with me.

©  2007  Heldt

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Alive

[dedicated to my Uncle Otto Lühmann and
Helen Chobocinski of Clearwater Monmouth]

I know you are alive
Somewhere, where it’s brighter
I know you are alive
Somewhere, where your load is lighter
And maybe somehow
Maybe you can hear me
And maybe right now
Maybe you are - right here -

You’ve always been my friend
Through thick and thin
You cared how I felt,
What mood I was in.

You taught me not to fall
You had so much to teach me.
You put me on a pedestal,
Then you climbed – to reach me.

I know you are alive
Somewhere, where it’s brighter
I know you are alive
Somewhere, where your load is lighter
And maybe somehow
Maybe you can hear me
And maybe right now
Maybe you are - right here -

I saw you in a dream,
I felt you in my room.
I see you in the sunrise,
When flowers are in bloom.

I know you are alive
Somewhere, where it’s brighter
I know you are alive
Somewhere, where your load is lighter
And maybe somehow
Maybe you can hear me
And maybe right now
Maybe you are - right here - with me.

©  2007  Heldt

My Human Mother

[dedicated to Squeekie, who died from
poisonous cat food at the age of 20-1/2]

My human mother,
She’s okay.
She feeds me, she pets me,
Sometimes we play.
My human mother,
I’ve trained her well.
Let’s see what we’ll have for dinner today.

Did she get out the cat food yet?
Waiting so long is really a drag
Where is my dinner?
Where is the can?
Is it good food?
I don’t give a darn.
So on your mark,
Set – go – and get!
Did she get out the cat food yet.

My human mother,
She’s okay.
She feeds me, she pets me,
Sometimes we play
My human mother,
I’ve trained her well.
Let’s see what she brought home for me today.

Did she bring me a toy to play?
I tore up the one she bought yesterday.
I tore up the mouse,
The doll with long hair.
I even tore up
Her favorite chair.
So on your mark,
Set – go – hurray!
I think she brought me a toy to play.

My human mother,
She’s okay.
She feeds me, she pets me,
Sometimes we play.
My human mother,
I’ve trained her well.
Let’s see what she’ll do for me today.

Will she get rid of that dreadful dog?
He eats my food, he’s really a hog.
He whines all day, his manners are raw.
I’d like to give him a piece of my claw.
So on your mark,
Run – don’t walk.
Mom, please get rid of that dreadful dog.

Hey, hey, hey
That’s what I say
Come home a bit sooner, Mom
It’s time to play.

©  2007  Heldt

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Softly, Gently

[dedicated to Tigger, who turned blind
from poisonous cat food
and also to Jim Ballerino, who gave Tigger to me
and who used to fix everything around my house]

Softly, gently,
You came into my life.
Softly, gently,
You made my life right.
Like the sun on my skin,
A gentle summer breeze,
Softly, gently,
You adopted me.

Jimmy knew what he was doing
When he asked me to take you in.
He knew once I saw you
I’d never send you away again.
That was years ago.
Jimmy’s now gone.
But the love affair he started
Is going on and on.

Softly, gently,
You came into my life.
Softly, gently,
You made my life right.
Like the sun on my skin,
A gentle summer breeze,
Softly, gently,
You chose me.

No one has more friends
Than those you made for me.
No one has more love
Than what you’ve been giving me.
No one has more laughter,
More joy, less care.
You bring me all of that
By simply being there.

Softly, gently,
You came into my life.
Softly, gently,
You made my life right.
Like the sun on my skin,
A gentle summer breeze.
Softly, gently,
You chose me.

Softly, gently
You adopted me.

©  2007  Heldt

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The American Dream

I can't see you
But I hear you
We must be getting nearer.
In an orbit
On the highway,
Life is getting clearer.

Sometimes reality
Is about fantasy,
We never stop
All around the clock,
Dreaming the dream – the American Dream –
The American Dream - Still dreaming.
Dreaming the dream – the American Dream –
The American Dream - Still dreaming.

Better than life,
Bigger than the night,
Here for today,   In a hurry
All is shifting,
Nothing stays the same,
Only the reruns . . .

Life is a cartoon,
Another sound to listen to
To the sound of radio rock
All around the clock,
Dreaming the dream – the American Dream –
The American Dream - Still dreaming.
The American Dream – the American Dream –
The American Dream - Still dreaming.

I've got to sign out of this race,
I’ve got to find another place,
Closer to my sanity,
But I’m still dreaming –

The American Dream – the American Dream –
The American Dream - Still dreaming.
The American Dream – the American Dream –
The American Dream - Still dreaming.

I can't see you
But I hear you
We must be getting nearer.

©  2007  Ford - Heldt

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Busy

I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
Busy – busy – busy – always busy as could be.
While I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
I don’t find the time to find time -

I’m always running here or there - there or here or anywhere –
Always up against the clock – I block things out.

I’m always sticking one more thing in my schedule and I think
Maybe time will stretch — so I can get around to everything.

I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
Busy – busy – busy – always busy as could be.
While I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
I don’t find the time to find time -

I’m always in a hurry.
I scurry and I worry,
Always huff and puff,
I cannot do enough.

I spend, so I can earn -
I earn, so I can spend -
I run and run and run and when I’m done –

I’m where I started from.

I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
Busy – busy – busy – always busy as could be.
While I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
I don’t find the time to find time -

There’s no way I can do
All the things I should do.
So here’s what I’ve decided
To do:

I’m taking off a day to play – another day to get away.
I’m taking off a day or two – to spend with you.

My pile of work will still be there when I return, but I don’t care.
Tomorrow is another day when I  can say:

I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
Busy – busy – busy – always busy as could be.
While I’m busy – busy – busy – always busy being busy
I don’t find the time to find time — for you —
I don’t find the time to find time — for me —
I don’t find the time to find time — for you and me.

©  2007  Heldt

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Keep Singing

Keep singing
Our world is brighter with a song.
Keep singing
Our load is lighter when we sing along.   
Lalala lalala - There’s magic in a song.

Lalalala. - Keep singing.

Everyone likes music.
We all have a song,
One that makes us tap our feet
Or sing along.
It’s easy when we’re happy
To make a joyful sound.
But when times are hard
It picks us up when we feel down

Keep singing
Our world is brighter with a song.
Keep singing
Our load is lighter when we sing along.   
Lalala lalala - There’s magic in a song.

Lalalala. - Keep singing.

Music cheers me up
When I feel sad.
Like when I watch the news
And it makes me feel bad.
When the bad catches up with me,
Where I can’t ignore it,
I can show with a song
I’m not for it.  I -

Keep singing
Our world is brighter with a song.
Keep singing
Our load is lighter when we sing along.   
Lalala lalala - There’s magic in a song.

Lalalala. - Keep singing.

Each and every day
As I’m singing my songs
I find:  Some of the nicest people
Sing along.  They -

Keep singing
Our world is brighter with a song.
Keep singing
Our load is lighter when we sing along.   
Lalala lalala - There’s magic in a song.

Lalalala. – Lalalala. - Lalalala.

©  2005  Heldt

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Why

Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
I can’t even find the time
To organize.
Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
When I try so hard
To simplify my life.

I go out to buy dental floss
I come back with a car
I go out to a movie
I come back with a star

I store them in my attic
There’s still a little room
But my star complains she’s lonely
She wants me to buy her a moon.

Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
I can’t even find the time
To organize.
Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
When I try so hard
To simplify my life.

I hire a cleaning staff
To keep the whole thing neat.
Then I need a search team
To find the things I need,

A team of personal trainers,
So I can stay in place
And then I need some counselors
To help me make more space.

Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
I can’t even find the time
To organize.
Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
When I try so hard
To simplify my life.

I know there is a problem
I’ve been thinking long and hard
How I can put your love
On my credit card.

Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
I can’t even find the time
To organize.
Tell me why-why-why
Do I buy-buy-buy
When I try so hard
To simplify my life.

Tell me why?

©  2007  Heldt

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The Day Our Children Died

Come and listen to my story
Come and sit down here beside me
Let me tell you all about
A place I once knew.

Just imagine there was plenty
There was wine, there was laughter.
Think of green in every meadow
And rivers running through.

But then the sun turned black
And the earth burst into fire
The day our children died,
The day our children died.

We had houses, we had cities
We had books that we could read.
We had gardens that were pretty
And airplanes – we flew.

Come and share my bitter water
Share my bread and share my tears
Hear my tale of paradise,
A place I once knew.

Before the sun turned black
And the earth burst into fire
The day our children died,

The day our children died.
We made the sun turn black
And the trees turn into ashes
The day our children died.

Come and listen to my story
Come and sit down here beside me
Let me tell you all about
A paradise I’ve known.

©  2004  Heldt

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The Real World

I'm flipping through the pages of a magazine,
Looking at places where I've never been:
Everyone seems to have a perfect house,
Perfect clothes and a perfect spouse.
But that's not us -

Our furniture is scratched, our living room's a mess.
Our cats are fighting, our dog’s got PMS.
Nothing works right and the money is tight.
But we're doing alright:

We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
Welcome to reality.

I've lost my job, you're fighting the flu,
Laundry gets dirty, there's too much to do.
Work starts early, but we get there late,
Still we've got it made:

We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
Welcome to reality.

We’d love to find time
To be by ourselves,
But we wouldn't trade places
With anyone else.

We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
Welcome to reality.

We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
We're living in the real world,
Welcome to reality.

[simultaneously:]
Our furniture is scratched, our living room's a mess.
Our cats are fighting, our dog's got PMS.
Nothing works right and the money is tight
Welcome to reality

I've lost my job, you're fighting the flu,
Laundry gets dirty, there's too much to do.
We get to work late, but we’ve got it made.
Welcome to reality.

©  2004  Heldt

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Under 21

A radio is all he's got.
That makes him a wanderer,
Maybe a seeker,
Or maybe not.

He came inside, away from the street.
I watched his eyes, scanning his feet.
I don't know why he said to me
"I ain't so bad, you see, but I'm

Under 21
I haven't got a home,
And I hope, I sure do
The street don't come to own me."

Under 21
In this life alone,
And I hope, I sure do
The street don't come to own me."

Somehow his words spoke to me
I wanted to stay,
But my confusion
Pulled me away.

I wonder has someone taken him in
Or has the street gotten to him?
I still feel those words he said to me,
"I ain't so bad, you see, but I'm

Under 21
I haven't got a home,
And I hope, I sure do
The street don't come to own me.

He's mine – he's yours – everybody's son
He's tough – he's torn - he roams the streets alone.
And he's young, so young.

Under 21
In this life alone,
And I hope, I sure do
The street don't come to own him.

©  2004  Heldt

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