| “I
kept having this recurring dream about my stepfather. He was a mean, overpowering man, who I grew up afraid of. I
wrote the song and haven't dreamt of him since. Music soothes the
soul, that's why we're here.” – Billy
to Anabelle de Gale of the Miami Herald, Wednesday, June 14, 2000. |
© 2000 William Livesay
Stranger in my house
The mark of lost control upon my face
Stranger in my house
Who gave him the right to take my place
A woman's life is surely sweet
With a lover at her feet
And she's in need of something more
So who was I to feel ashamed
Or interfere with mothers day
I'll just wait outside the door
Stranger in my house
Never cross the line he said as I was falling
I had to cross the line to breathe
God help me if I sneezed
The hand of fate would strike me down
When my face produced a frown
Or any time he felt the need
To confront a mothers son
Whose dreams had come undone
As years go passing sight unseen
I dare not even sleep… his spirit follows me
Haunts me in my dreams
There's a heaving in my chest… I wake up drenched in sweat
Is it a warning I should heed
Stranger in my house
Little else is known because my thoughts are scattered
Stranger in my house
I'm picking up the pieces to a life he shattered
Abuse is more than just a word
Neglect is something so absurd
Children just don't understand
If only something had been said… for love I would have bled
Or any kindness close at hand |
© 2000 William Livesay/Chrystal Hartigan
What happened /to the lovin'/what happened to the touch
What happened to the /sweet talkin/I'm missin it so much
I'm tired of asking questions/it's time to bare the truth
I'm longing for some /honesty /help me
To try and find some/answers/for takin' this abuse
Wake me... wake me when it's over
Headed for a breakdown
Searchin' for a breakthrough
Climbin' through the chaos
Gotta' to keep from drowning in my tears
Headed for a breakdown
Searchin' for a breakthrough
Standing in my shadow
Is all you're gonna get!
I listen /to your wisdom/I try to see your side
You tell me /things will work out/then you change your mind
You always seem to/ have a way /to hold me with your smile
I'm looking for a/ reason/ help me
To swallow all my dignity
And go the extra mile
Wake me... wake me when it's over
(chorus)
I should be far away from here
But I chose to hold you near
To my heart/cause' we took a vow
Something you forgot
The sun is gonna' rise /with dreams we'll never know
Blinded by the trees/that faced me
Blocks that I once stumbled on
Are now my stepping stones
Wake me… wake me when it's over |
©1991 William Livesay/David Graham
I wish I had the words to hurt you
Just like the ones
You used on me
I wish I had the time
To make you cry
Then you'd know
What the word lonely means
But if I was really into wishing
I'd wish you back
If I was really into wishing
I'd wish you back
In love with me
I wish you had
All my memories
So that you'd know my broken dreams
I wish that I could give
All my pain to you
Don't you know
That would set me free
But if I was really into wishing
I'd wish you back
If I was really into wishing
I'd wish you back
In love with me
I wish I had
The words to tell you
Then maybe you could really see
I wish you cried my tears
Alone in my bed
Only then you'd know
Just how I feel
(chorus)
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