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Butterflies in Caterpillar Drag

by Ric Alba

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Butterflies in Caterpillar Drag CD with 13 tracks composed and performed by Ric Alba. Comes in Jewel Case with 11-pages of lyrics and graphics by the artist.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Butterflies in Caterpillar Drag via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
(Long before the crack of dawn, Four o'clock and I was gone off to find what called me on. Something missing, something right. Another truth, a different light. A far off glow to end the night. Another touch, a different sight. Closer now, as our worlds unfold themselves a crowd begins to grow. Closer now, we walk beside. We watch for things not one of us could see walking alone. I returned from yesterday, to hang a note and walk away. You asked me in, I had to stay. And when I stepped onto the floor I realized the hand was yours picking locks and breaking chains. They're everywhere, let none remain. Closer now, world to world we tell the truths we learn from how we lie. Closer now, we change our worlds, we change like everyone must once or twice, to come back alive. So now who we were meets who we are. Who we've been, who we'll become. Are we not still "From Many, One"? We read beyond the danger signs. We sing beyond familiar rhymes. We color out beyond the lines. We live beyond familiar times. Closer now and wide awake, we face the rain and share the wind's embrace. Closer now, we walk beside, to places none of our many worlds could go, walking alone.
2.
Well hello little me in the mirror, in my face, splashing sleep from my eyes. Tell me why you're here. Do I see the tears of your brothers and sisters? Well hello, who I was, you know for so long I believed you were all grown up and gone. But never mind why. Do I hear the cries of your brothers and sisters? I can't quite recall, was it all a play? Lord, let it all be a play. Or, do I hear the rattle of chains? Done was done. I moved on, or so I thought. Was I wrong? The scene plays on before me again. But the theater's not empty now. Do I hear the crowds of your brothers and sisters? It all comes flooding back. This was not a play. Oh God, it's not a play. Do I hear the rattle of chains? Who is it splashing the sleep from my eyes? I mean, the face in the mirror isn't mine. Oh wait, no it's me from another time who I left behind, but I could have sworn he was fine, the lock and chain all put behind. Obedient, penitent and how diligent, we waited for a key to fall through a hole in the floor of heaven. But then I saw we were free, and I went my way. But he chose to stay with his brothers and sisters. See them on their knees as they pray. Mirror Child, what do they say? Do I hear the rattle of chains?
3.
At the steps to your mighty door it's me, your native son. You'll remember I lived here before, 'til I thought that we were done. I was only gonna hang this note, walk away, call you up someday, but here you are, the door is gone, you took it off and let the light in. Yes I remember, how could I not? But do you remember me? I picked a lock and I broke some chains while you were looking for a key. Then I saw you, clear across the sea. Did you see me as I ran for the door? I tore it off so you could see, so could you see some light? Waiting and watching one night, this one point of light cam on, on a world I walked on before. I always thought it would be you. It's like you knew. So go ahead, bring it all out loud, hang it right here on my wall. It'll be there for all to see when tomorrow comes to call. We found some room on the narrow track, so welcome back to your new world and mine, Because here we are, how about that.
4.
Notes 03:34
I wish you could see the smile on my face as I wrote down this dark melody. But whatever it tells you, provokes or compels you, I just found all these notes. They were stuck in my throat, and here they are, just for you. Or maybe for us. The soundtrack from all of the things we won't say, which we must. Oh I'd rather bring peace, my loves. A backdrop of white doves. A sweet rhymey jingle. A guaranteed single. Just give me one more try. That guitar wasn't me. Okay maybe it was, but it wasn't how I meant to be. That's just how it comes out. How many whispers in one shout? How many notes I got stuck in my throat? Well who knows? So here goes. I just found all these notes and here they are.
5.
Take it from me, it's not that bad. It doesn't bleed, it just makes me feel sad. It's not the end it's just one of those days when they like to watch your bones bend. What do they fear? Or is it all for fun and laughter? Or do they spit in your face so they'd get to keep their place in the hereafter. Well now I'm immune to the lock and chain but one look at you and I remember that pain. Dancing over bullets spinning round and round we go, swing your Bible do see do (sic) How exhausting. What do they fear? Or is it all for fun and laughter? Or do they shoot at your feet so they'd get to keep their seats in the hereafter. So don't be afraid to think outside. I saved you a place right here at my side dancing and singing while their hands are ringing because they can't do a thing to bring you down. So let them fear. while you have all the fun and laughter at the look on their faces as you take their place.
6.
The end will come You'll notice a pattern It goes round and round until if falls apart The end will come It's just around the corner So enjoy it for a few before it falls apart
7.
Aahh.
8.
These are not lyrics. I really tried to write you something all intense,with a really pointy point I could stick you with but these guitar parts are complicated enough. No words, no rules, it's not a song. This is not a song You can't get it wrong. No secret meaning from deep beyond. No need to think about it, just sit back and groove along. This is not a song. No mystery, no angry rant, no gospel truth, shut up and dance, or just relax, enjoy some nothing, you know something is nothing new, it's not a song. This is not a song You can't get it wrong. Don't say I'm a protest singer, it's not my plan. Oh well okay so sometimes I am, but this time I make no stand. This is not a song. The last verse would be the hardest, I mean, how do you get closure on a can of worms that was never opened in the first place? I'm just trying to keep a straight face so please oh please don't make me screw up the guitar it's not a song. This is not a song You can't get it wrong. No secret meaning from deep beyond. No, it's just a nifty riff. Please tell me if I'm wrong. This is not a song.
9.
It's a guitar chord. No one's flipping you off It's a guitar chord. No one's flipping you off Walking through town, they called out my name. They flashed me a sign and the image remained. I ran home and tried it out on this guitar. And who knew what beauty, what music, what style were packed in one finger I took with a smile and then I waved "Hi" as they laughed away. Well now they can all watch me play this guitar chord. What a useful gesture they taught me to do. So talk to the finger and learn something new. But do me one favor before I go. Won't you flash me some sign that you know this guitar chord. It's a guitar chord. No one's flipping you off.
10.
It's nothing bad. It's just a thought. Let's be glad. For who you are and who I am is who we are. Let's be Glad Take who you are, add who I am, you get more than you and I For who you are and who I am is who we are. So let's be glad. It's nothing bad. It's worth a try. Let's be Glad.
11.
Oh the sky, oh the sea oh the pretty blue things staring me square in the eyes Look at me. Look at me. Ocean and skies. Look at me. See the moon on the rise. Oh the pretty blue things in the eyes on the face of need. Calling me. The battle is inside. Brothers and sisters locked in a dance as we go round and round on the sea of transparency, simmering with kindness and empathy. Shimmering.
12.
Butterflies 03:57
Tell us your story, butterfly or if you have no voice let me try. I barely knew you even though we were the same, once upon a time. They caught a flash of wings, They looked away. God only knows what went through your heart that day so that a caterpillar grew around you.....a place to hide. But that didn't keep you from arriving on the scene with the magic of a kingdom never seen. It was strange and terrifying to me, but I recall no crying coming from you Brave, brave butterfly. You had a vision, you dreamed a dream, you had a love they would not let you claim, so there you stayed, dressed like a caterpillar safely tucked away. Well there's gonna be a time when humankind will realize it's a butterfly that has their father's eyes. How many hearts, no one knows, are buried under streets of gold? No one asked, no one told. I had no other place to go, but there you were, a shining star on that amazing scene with the magic of a kingdom never seen. It was strange. It struck me blind. It was you, trying to find a way to fly. Brave brave butterfly.
13.
Look at all the things you made. Do you hear the things they say about you? Do you hear us all stammering on between what we mean and what's safe to say? But what else can we do but keep trying, trying to paint a picture. But am I taking too long creating your picture and making it a song, when I don't even care if it's all wrong? Anyway I have to try. Anyway it's how I am don't ask me why. I don't want to have to think that hard this time. I know what I have to say. This time can't we just pretend we're standing eye to eye? Because maybe you were asking too much, or maybe I was, your hand, one touch, without the floor between. Here we are, without the floor between. Can't we just pretend? Look at all the things you made. Some to toss and some to save. But how do you choose? When you make the rules, you save them all, hearts, minds, and spirits big and small. So whether or not it's true, that's my picture of you. But have I waited too long? Or maybe you did. Hey it's just a song, what do I know? I'm only one of all the things that you made.

about

What can I say, I hope you like what you hear.

credits

released September 16, 2017

Produced and performed by Ric Alba (except where noted)
Cover painting by Frank Edward Pitman with additional doodling by Ric Alba. Thanks Ed, for painting our world.

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Ric Alba California

The one who had been in Undercover, The Altar Boys, and now Dead Artist Syndrome, and Moral DK.

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