Forever Twelve

Read the Lyrics

Lyrics from the 2nd CD, Spark of Light

Rama
Spark of Light
Keep It Alive
Brown Cloud
Mouse
Life Changes

Lyrics from the 1st CD, Remembrance Branch

Is For You
Innocence
Edge of Reality
Here Again
Victor's Eye
Burning Ink
Slogans of Compliance
The Quest

1 – Rama
Music and Lyrics: Tom Graham

This is just a day, unlike any other
Fear is all around, hating of another
In the name of God, in the name of Allah
I will crush you down, you are not my brother
Aaaahhh, This is the way it is today
Aaaahhh, We cannot return, we cannot stay

Riding on a wave, ignorance is bliss
Losing all emotion, easy as this
If you count the reason, surely you will miss
All the love you found, seal it with a kiss
Aaaahhh, This is the way it is today
Aaaahhh, We cannot return, we cannot stay
Everything, everywhere, seems to be changing now

It’s the last time, it’s the last place I can be anymore
Here is where I rest, that’s what home is for

Life has changed us, put locks on our doors
Love has still got to be the key

Now the door is open, I can see
Think I’ll go and catch some sun
I’ll follow you and you’ll follow me
Day and night we’re having fun
Time will stand still for a moment,
forever twelve
It’s so easy to be so happy, when all the world is on our side
All I can wish is that time would stand still for a moment, forever twelve

Dream on
Take it to heart the future’s today
Love is the same, it goes on and on and on

From Spark of Light
© Copyright 2004 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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2 – Spark of Light
Music and Lyrics: Steve Barberic

Strong remembrance of things past
Overpowering me
Strolling through this enchanted woodland
Seemed so long ago

Like an ancient world before the deluge
The grand cataclysm
That with fire, that with sword
Changed the face of the earth

No one knew the horrors that would come
Or to believe
Wait it out and hope for the best
People running ‘round place to place
Hundreds found, escaped from the cruel
Existence, gathered together
There is no time to mourn the flowers
When the woods are on fire

Don’t cry children
Not too much further
Train ride to somewhere
Destination unknown
Voices crying out
Cries of children heard
Sobbing and weeping
Of those who lay beaten and torn

Other people
Not admiring the scenery
They know the destination
Yes they know, they tremble with fear
From which direction
Did they imagine their redemption would come
Why should I
Why should I expect a different destiny?
Spark of light, spark of light
Can you tell me? Can you see?

From Spark of Light
© Copyright 2004 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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3 – Keep It Alive
Music: Tom Graham
Lyrics: Steve Barberic

I need some information
Just some tidbits for my brain, keep it alive
Drowning in a pool of frustration
What do I do? No good fool, I can’t decide
Looking over my shoulder
I feel the beat of a lazy night
What’s come over me? A new sensation?
One that drives, one that flies, keep it alive

Send me on a journey
Somewhere I don’t know
And if I get lost, let me go
Here to be free
And I’ll see you on the other side

One man here’s a felon, frozen in a tide
Another one is selling me nothing but lies
But I won’t listen, no, I won’t hear them at all
Five eyes look at me, as I travel on
The water’s calmer now
I can almost see myself, lost inside
And to the west I see
Desperation eye, I don’t want to know

I’ve found my heart and my love
My way back to you
Gone are the lonely nights to get through, to get through
Oh won’t you take my hand, and join with the band
Singing songs of truth and all that we find
Look at all we can find, on our way home

From Spark of Light
© Copyright 2004 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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4 – Brown Cloud
Music: Tom Graham
Lyrics: Kenny Hundt

Murky haze and this pain in my chest
I cannot seem to see those mountains to the west
There once was starlight and nights so clear
Seldom do we see them, less and less each year
Owing to Brown Cloud

Industry cares more for profit than the world
Astonishing amounts of soot and ash into the sky are hurled
Scorching vegetation, we need more elbow room
Withered crops, thirst for rain, locked inside this gloom
Here we have Brown Cloud

Night is cold, we light a million fires
Belching forth, smoke rises, obscures the sky
So we each do dance on, feeding our need
Care for our own, careful what we reap

The weather’s changing
I remember learning this way
We repeat the cycle each day
Can we break the binds to this fray?

Both east and west locked in this heedless chase
Overwhelmed, even the best still create waste
The daily fires bring the choking shroud
Can’t we find a way to make the future proud?
Fade away Brown Cloud

Tied to work we drive a billion cars
Belching forth, smoke rises, obscures the sky
So we each do dance on, feeding our need
The sky grows dim, in accord with our deeds
The earth is waiting

From Spark of Light
© Copyright 2004 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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5 – Mouse
Music: Tom Graham, Kenny Hundt, Steve Barberic
Lyrics: Cat Ellen

When I found my way, way out on the coast
Thought that I would pray, that I’d make my way back
All those seven years, pain and grief and tears,
Thought that I would never see a shining knight come right into my life
Those who were close to me, said they couldn’t see
How that you could be anything I’m looking for—they saw something more
I was very sure you were ever more
And that we would be happily ever after
All I need is to believe
And then I can make it true

And so forever starts just one day at a time
And I’m not really sure how I thought “Everything’s fine”
So go, go right ahead
And pretend I was never really there
Make believe that you don’t know my name

And if you saw me now I think
I just might surprise you
To see a lion tall, not a mouse
to be frightened of you

There’s a power growing within me
And I can make it on my own
And there’s not much
that I still regret
When I look down this road
to forever I know that I can fly

How’s your looking glass doing, Alice?
I’m not following you down that rabbit hole
Not while there’s a Puss-n-Boots starin’ at me
Keep your fantasy, while you sit on your tuffet
You’ll hide in your candy land
Or Baba Yaga will get you

Here’s the three little pigs and all the dwarves havin’
the bears over for dinner
And Goldilocks, yeah she sure looks hot
When she’s cookin’ with the Wicked Stepmother

So how’s your looking glass doing, Gulliver?
Have the Lilliputs been puttin’ you under?
What’s a girl gotta do these days to find a wolf?
Cuz this woodcutter’s scarin’ me right out of these woods
And there you go again
Spinnin’ the gold back into straw
And Jack has been naughty again
See him there in the corner
Well, girls, I gotta tell you
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander!

So keep your fantasy of how you were to me
“I’m not your enemy”—I can’t believe you said that
I know you’ll never find someone half as kind
And I know you’ll never mind
If I leave it all behind, those lies you told me

Those who were close to me, said they couldn’t see
How that you could be anything I’m looking for—they saw something more
Now I’m very sure, and she’ll be ever more
And that we will be happily ever after
All we need is to believe
And now we can make it true

From Spark of Light
© Copyright 2004 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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6 – Life Changes
Music and Lyrics: Tom Graham

To catch a moment, and feel of the day
The sun rises high, and passes this way
I stop to think of you
Moment by moment, all on their way
Each one has something to say
And once again I think of you
Life’s changes leave holes in my heart
Leaving me here wondering “When do I start to understand?
Oh, to understand?”

Floating away on the moon and the stars
Glistening worlds so far away we are
Take away our purpose, and we are so
Far away from the center
Something to remember today

Up and down,
spinning out of control
Creating islands
just to rest my soul
Nothing is the same
as it was yesterday
Broken hearts and lonely dreams
seem to pass away
And every time I think to myself
All I want to do and
all I want to sing is
La la la la la la la la la la la

I hope I’m not too blind to see
The mirror’s looking back at me
Nowhere to hide

Leading with some fascination
Eyes reach out to take my hand
Feel like I am almost ready
Almost ready for anything

Worn out our welcome, is it any surprise?
We could see it coming with blindfolded eyes
Lost in all four corners of space
Crying out, desperate face
Here is to wherever we land

Here we are, all together
Same sweet song, all together
Take it to the top, takin’ over the lead
Find a better way, gettin’ over the need
Changes had to come, no need to bleed
Changes had to come to feed the seed
In the morning I can see
The great big wheel keeps right on turning
It’s not so easy, see—
Changing life and life changing me
I’ve learned enough to let it go

From Spark of Light
© Copyright 2004 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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1 – Is For You
(dedicated to my father, Paul Graham)
Music and Lyrics: Tom Graham

There are times when I thought I had plenty
So soon is lost, that rainbow of gold
Drop the hat to raise the ante
It's time to get the show on the road

Trade my heart for a mind that is easy
Leave my mind for a heart and a soul
Sometimes these things can make me crazy
Spread it out, hitch a ride, let it roll

We've come this far, so far to go
Mysteries dance and lay us low
Someday soon, we will be free again
How long to wait, until then
I Don't Know

Pick it up, and on we will travel
Our destiny, both obtuse and bold
Lay a path that no one can follow
Cover our tracks until the path is cold

We've come this far, so far to go
Mysteries dance and lay us low
Someday soon, we will be free again
How long to wait, until then
I Don't Know
I Don't Know
I Don't Know

One foot in line with the other
One step in tune to another
How much this time is for
How much this time is for
YOU

Is for you
Is for you
Is for you
I Don't Know
I Don't Know
I Don't Know

From Remembrance Branch
© Copyright 2002 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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2 – Innocence
Music: Steve Barberic, Kenny Hundt, Randy Coleman, Susanne Coleman
Lyrics: Steve Barberic, Randy Coleman, Susanne Coleman

I see the innocence of this child
Has been washed away again by the world we live in
It only takes and it never gives
So this is how we're forced to live

In these cold and troubled times we face
We're trapped inside our lives with the choices we're given
We reach our hands out, but they walk away
And so there's nothing left to say.

As I walk alone along the river
The moon lights my way towards the future
And this voice in my mind it sounds like thunder
It's pushing me, it's pushing me.

From Remembrance Branch
© Copyright 2002 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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3 – Edge of Reality
Music: Steve Barberic, Kenny Hundt, Randy Coleman
Lyrics: Steve Barberic, Cat Ellen

I sleep on the edge of reality
My bed of nails pierce my soul
Nightmares, gripping, Pulls me down

Heart as black as coal
The deeper I search inside
The less I find of myself
Wishing I were different

The pain of all the others
So great I can't endure
I take it upon myself
Searching for a cure
Rushing down the waterfall
Going down the endless river
Never to be seen again
Nothing to remember

And so I come back down to the center of it
The claws of life have scratched my heart
I'm left bleeding down this road
This endless road
I can't seem to get over this hill again
Why? Why must I walk alone?

From Remembrance Branch
© Copyright 2002 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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4 – Here Again
Music: Steve Barberic, Kenny Hundt, Tom Graham,
Cat Ellen, Fernando Martinez
Lyrics: Tom Graham

I've been here before I see
Casting shadow, light is bent
Reflecting off the mirror
Of who I am supposed to be

Everything is, as was before
The only change, an open door
Gasping for one last breath
Close your eyes, no need to see

I've been here before
So much to remember
Look around and soak it in
Summer day in December

Easy was the time when I
Could escape among the shadows
Rest and wait on ocan floor
For school of fish that follow

Hard to think, it's hard to dream
It's harder to believe
Like one day and a hundred ways
It's not easy to receive

I've been here before
So much to remember
Look around and soak it in
Summer day in December

If I could just see through the haze
Catch a glimpse of yesterdays
All the times that I got high
Throw me a line

Got to be a believer
Get me through these times
Yeah I know the feeling
Do you feel the sign?
All the way to Utopia

No need to feel that you're fallin'
No need to feel the pain
Let it go, let it happen
Or go insane

Try to catch the movement
Vibrations all the same
In your heart, keep it dear
Keep the flame
All the way to Utopia

There's something about the wind tonight
It blows in a mean cold nasty way
Looking around makes my head glow
So hard to take blow by blow
(blow by blow by blow)

We shuffle around hoping we are right
Chances are we lost out freedom
We don't give up, it's our lasting fight
Nowhere is where we go
(oh no, oh no)

From Remembrance Branch
© Copyright 2002 Forever Twelve. All rights reserved.

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5 – Victor’s Eye
Music: Steve Barberic, Kenny Hundt, Randy Coleman
Lyrics: Steve Barberic, Randy Coleman, Susanne Coleman

In my brain, through the glass
Drops of rain, stain the grass
Thunder sounds, silence heard
Look around, what a world

Walking through the dark of the haze
The cold cuts through my soul
Can't see, can't feel,
don't know where we are
We're moving straight ahead — we must
But I'm not seeing very far

Looking around, my heart filled with shame
Taking another's son
Now I hear their voices calling me.
The guilt for damage done
Thank God, we're safe for now
—Yes, we have won

Hear the rustle of the leaves
See the sun come out
Senses we perceive
Leave us all in doubt

Moving through this narrow path
Quietly, step by step
Looking straight ahead
There's no looking back

Reflection bouncing back at me
Mixed words and images
Troubled mind, victorious feeling
Don't know which is real

So, here I stand, tired as hell.
And I wonder, when I return
Will you wish me well? Or turn away?

The vision is not so clear I fear
The clouds—they look so near to me
Hiding all the faces of war
We leave them no traces

Walking along this path it seems
That I don't know which way is right for me
I'm just a blind man on a cliff
Being afraid of heights ...Oh God!

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6 – Burning Ink
Music: Steve Barberic, Kenny Hundt, Randy Coleman
Lyrics: Cat Ellen

Come to me, my little nightmare
I know just how to make you scream
Come to me, my little nightmare
The haunting has only just begun
Paper and pen will burn you again

I am not one of your flings
I am much larger than all your dreams
Feel my thunder, winds that scream
Summer storms are here again
Electric markers and raspberry teams

When you were near, I was mute again
The heights where we soared have no more air
The fires of our hearts seared this poor bird
I was the prisoner here, now I am the key

Crimson skies glowing on your walls
There's no way to break through
You don't trust me, but now I see
Never can I trust you

How could I have known, feelings you concealed?
Forbidden, overflowing — Save me Lord, I am drowning
Now my eyes are open, hidden now is known
No more disapproval, Out here on my own

No one seems to understand
The power you had over me
Now this bird is flying and dancing
Golden wings are free

You were more than I could hold
A love that only burned me
This welling up inside, a sea of tears
Cleansing, releasing me

Take your shadows, I just don't need them
The sun is shining so bright for me
The golden crescent, Love's warm embrace
Flame of my first love, secure in his place
The moon leans down and kisses my face

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7 – Slogans of Compliance
Music: Steve Barberic, Kenny Hundt, Randy Coleman
Lyrics: Kenny Hundt, Cat Ellen

We benefit from products of an industrial age
Old tasks made easier, more time is ours to play
While lives grow more complex
Our numbers strangling Mother Earth

Business forces impelled to live
While the planets riches give and give
Trees mowed down, it's a job today
The clear-cut scars, expansion not delayed
Have you never thought about the future?
The future people of this planet

The land cries out for us to see
What is so plainly clear
Take what you will
But will there be any for the children?

Can you find the land of the spirit?
Where the eagle cries and the wind sighs?
Are you so enamored of your life?
Could you live outside your comfort zone?

Do you know the cost of what we've paid?
There's still a way outside this mess
Did we sell our souls for this convenience?
Are you enslaved or are you free?

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8 – The Quest
Music: Steve Barberic, Randy Coleman
Lyrics: Fernando Martinez

In this quest for love
When our souls soar high
This energy
The spice of life
Living free
Never to retreat

Searching far and wide
Our memories alive
While in the presence of what's
Just and right
Living free
Never to repeat

This quest for love
This human mind
Cannot define us
The spirit's cry
The will to live
For its sanctity

Carried on and on
Our faith on gods
That have marked our lives
With battle cries
Our warring eyes
Seem much surprised

On and on, the tides will roll on
As all of life's treasure lie before me

As time goes on
We have learned to grow
And share with you
What has been known
Being sure and true
To be clear with you

This quest for love
When our souls soar high
With this dreamer's vision
The prophets write
To reveal our hearts
You're the Only One

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