Get all 5 Gray Rinehart releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Taking You Out to See the Stars, Taking You Out to See the Stars (Demo), Distorted Vision, Truths and Lies and Make-Believe, and The Monster Hunter Ballad.
1. |
Steampunk Pirates
04:09
|
|||
STEAMPUNK PIRATES
Some hearties sail the high seas
And cowboys ride the plains
But I sail the skies with gold in my eyes
And ride like thunder on the winds of change
Chorus:
Spread the canvas port and starboard
Full sail, while we build the steam
Hold steady with the wind now, sharpen up your eyes
There's battle in the offing and there's treasure in the skies
Tonight the airship pirates are going to prowl among the clouds
With cannon at the ready on the lookout for a prize
Taste the spray of grease and oil
Hiss of steam assaults your ears
Fit your goggles tight, keep your daggers bright
Jolly Roger's flying past the turning gears
Chorus
Bridge:
Dive, dive, with the sun at our backs
Grapples at the ready, boys, we're on the attack
Flying caravel, galleon, brigantine, or bark
If they won't let us board them then we'll ride them to the dirt
Who among you knows what their cargo holds?
Casks of liquor, chests of silver, diamonds, pearls or gold
Fire up the boilers, then, and ready all the guns
We're after Fortune's hoard tonight ... there's glory to be won
I'll forever climb the thermals
Sails trimmed, racing 'round the clouds
Ride the winds of fate, with the fortune that I've made
'Til my last pennies finally hold my eyelids down
Chorus
___
|
||||
2. |
Another Romulan Ale
03:19
|
|||
ANOTHER ROMULAN ALE
Some people ... swear by Mudder's Milk, for nutrition and a buzz
A nasty little throwback to the beer on Earth-That-Was
And some folks go for Synthehol, to avoid intoxication
But they will never know the joys of my preferred libation
Chorus:
Bring me another Romulan Ale
Its social lubrication leads to my inebriation
And the relaxation of my inhibitions without fail
I'd like another Romulan Ale
Bring me the brew that's bold and blue
Call all the crew, or just me and you
For another Romulan Ale
I tried a little Tranya but it didn't have much kick
And the taste of Klingon Bloodwine made me very, very sick
The time I tried Amgrosia was a planet-scale disaster
But it still rates higher than the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster
Chorus
When it's cold outside it's great to have the warmth of Butterbeer
And I'd love to try an Ent-draught but you cannot get that here
And the perfect pick-me-up is a shot of Elvish Miruvor
And I really feel at home whenever the Fire Whiskey's poured
Chorus
Sometimes it's Saurian Brandy, sometimes it's Vulcan port
Sometimes it's Aldebaran whiskey when you want a little snort
Sometimes it's really ancient Scotch that you hold in high esteem
And sometimes you don't know what it is, all you can say is that "It's green"
Chorus, & Tag
___
|
||||
3. |
||||
THE MONSTER HUNTER BALLAD
They say that what you don't know, it won't hurt you
But everything "they" tell you is a lie
Jethro Tull had it right, there are beasties in the night
Better keep a loaded weapon by your side
Don't you worry, little darlin', Monster Hunter's on the call
Protecting you while you sleep safe and sound
We've got the bounty on the beasties and the Good Lord on our side
Anytime the scary monsters come around . . . we'll put them down
I believe the best vampire is a dead one
And most werewolves aren't all that civilized
I sure don't want one of them dating my daughter
You know they only sparkle when they're on fire
Don't be afraid now, little darlin', Monster Hunter's on the case
Against everything that goes bump in the night
Lock your doors and draw the shades and keep your weapon close at hand
We'll do everything to get to you in time . . . and you'll be fine
When the monster's at the door you can run or you can fight
You can call on 9-1-1 for your protection
The boys in blue won't be as much help as your trusty little friend
Samuel Colt or Glock or good old Smith & Wesson
Hold your ground now, little darlin', Monster Hunter's on the way
Stand and fight, and this may be your finest hour
Whatever monster's got your cornered we will fight them one or all
We'll keep the peace through superior firepower . . . 2nd Amendment firepower
Bridge:
The Queen of Elves lives in a trailer in the middle of the woods
Drinking beer and heating Ho-Hos by the score
The orcs all like to party, you see, they're just misunderstood
They're our friends and allies in the monster war
Don't you worry, little darlin', Monster Hunter's on the call
Protecting you while you sleep safe and sound
We've got the bounty on the beasties and the Good Lord on our side
Anytime the scary monsters come around . . . we'll put them down
___
|
||||
4. |
Dare to Do Great Things
03:48
|
|||
DARE TO DO GREAT THINGS
Every single day is a mystery to me,
A puzzle to be solved, a secret code I have to break
A map without a legend, or a scale or compass rose
A game with rules in a different tongue, a precious stone that might be fake
Chorus:
And in the noise and confusion am I listening for the voice
To call me to the chance to do more than I have ever dreamed
Am I training and preparing for the day I face my choice
And will I live up to your faith in me . . . will I dare to do great things?
In my head and in my dreams I would love to be a hero
I would save the day or pave the way for a hard-fought victory
But I'm a coward deep at heart, fighting off the urge to turn and run
How can I overcome my fears and be the man I want to be?
Chorus
Bridge:
Am I afraid of failing, or more scared I might succeed?
Could it ever be that daily tasks can turn into mighty deeds?
Or if I trap myself in the mundane, will I leave the great undone?
When the call comes, will I leave my nets, and dare to walk beside the Son?
Chorus 2
But in the noise and confusion I am listening for the voice
That's calling me to the chance to be more than I have ever dreamed
I am training and preparing for the day I face my choice
And I will hold fast to your faith in me . . . when I dare to do great things --
My appointment with my destiny . . . when I dare to do great things --
When I dare to do great things --
When I dare ... to do great things!
___
|
||||
5. |
Mortal Men
05:08
|
|||
MORTAL MEN
Long the night and cold the day and hard the road we travel
Evil's hold upon the land is strong
Duty calls and on we march to join the final battle
To stand our ground, defending right from wrong
Chorus:
Some of us may be heroes, some of us may be fools
We can't know when or where or how we'll fall
We face our foes with honor, a thousand separate duels
We've heard, and we are answering the call
We are the mortal men, doomed to die
The mortal men, doomed to die
Behind us lies the land we love, our homes and precious families
Before us lies the clash of sword and shield
Our blood may run from hot to cold, but our resolve is granite
To hold our ground, and never once to yield
Chorus
Bridge:
What is life without Valhalla? Or Elysium, or Heaven to pursue?
The grave is dark and cold, and eternity too long
And in the end, there's nothing we can do
But to live our lives, and to fight our fights
And to love, the best way we know how ...
Will they greet us in Valinor, or send us to the Timeless Halls?
No matter -- for the time that counts is now ...
Chorus & Tag
___
|
||||
6. |
Tauntauns to Glory
02:06
|
|||
TAUNTAUNS TO GLORY
I dreamed that I was on the ice-world Hoth
And high above in orbit was our Imperial foe
And they sent down their crazy elephant-walking machinery of death
So we saddled up our Tauntauns to meet them in the snow -- and we were
Chorus:
Riding, riding our Tauntauns to glory
Riding our Tauntauns to glory (Repeat)
Now, if the tree-huggers have their way
And our SUVs are rusting in the salvage yard
I hope the geneticists make some Tauntauns out of recombinant DNA
'Cause then life in the new ice age might not be so hard -- and we'll be
Chorus
When you venture out, riding on your Tauntaun
Be careful not to stay out too long in the night
Or you might want to take a pop-up igloo and survival kit
So you won't have to cut up your Tauntaun and spend the night inside -- 'cause we'd rather be
Chorus & tag
___
|
||||
7. |
Help My Unbelief
03:47
|
|||
HELP MY UNBELIEF
Running through the course of human events
Causes and effects, roads paved with good intents
Difficult to see any purpose in the chaos
Chorus:
So please
Help my unbelief
Ooh
Help my unbelief
Struggling to comprehend all I read, and see and hear
Afraid of disembodied writing hands that may appear
To tally up my failures, shortcomings, fears and doubts
Chorus
My philosophies are all heresies
Help my unbelief, help my unbelief
My words and deeds are mere absurdities
Help my unbelief, help my unbelief
My fondest dreams are only sinful schemes
Chorus x2
'Cause I'm straining to see some purpose in the chaos
|
||||
8. |
||||
I THINK I'LL RUN FOR CONGRESS
I think I'll run for Congress 'cause I've got some bills to pay
Vote myself a pay raise on the very first day
Give jobs to all my buddies, and even my family
I don't know how much they'll bribe me, I'll just have to wait and see
Chorus:
Politics, that's the life for me
It fits my arrogant, megalomaniacal, personality
I'll get my name in the papers and my face on your T.V.
And take good care of myself, my friends and my family -- yes, that's the life for me
I'd like to be called "honorable," but I'm really not that good
I do lots of things I shouldn't do, and not the ones I should
I'm not a good role model and I've burned a lot of bridges
I'm probably unelectable because I tell it like it is
Chorus
I won't make you any promises and I'll only tell you lies
If I think I can get away with it, or call it a surprise
Kissing babies at campaign stops, kissing interns in the halls
Looking out for any scandals so I can get involved
Chorus
I'd like to run for Congress, and play the political game
But I don't have very much money, to wage a big campaign
I'm okay with giving speeches and debating might be fun
If I took myself more seriously, then I might really run
Chorus
But I think I'll run for Congress and even if I lose
I'll use my lack of knowledge to be a pundit on the news
Or maybe land a teaching gig at some university
If they can mix their political science with my engineering degree
Chorus
Oh, won't you vote for me?
___
|
||||
9. |
Day to Day Disguises
05:39
|
|||
DAY TO DAY DISGUISES
Pondering my own insecurity
Wondering about the reasons why I am the way I am
My permanent and personal insanity
Can I ever come to understand the boy within the man?
Chorus:
Can I be the only one who wears disguises day to day?
I've heard "all the world's a stage," but I don't know what part to play
When I try to play the hero I know I really act the fool
I'm improvising badly ... forgetting all my lines and missing all my cues ...
Trying to make sense of my reality
Perceptions and illusions, truths and lies and make-believe
Questioning my faith and my maturity
Will the fears that haunt my dreams and waking hours never leave?
Often disappointed in humanity
We're think we're far evolved but we've got a long way yet to go
Admitting to my lack of objectivity
I can't be your Fair Witness, or keep my emotions in control
Chorus
Bridge:
I'm not even sure what I'm doing anymore
I don't think I was sure in the beginning
I never really know which is the right way to go
Or if the race I'm running is worth winning ... so I'm
Considering the limits of mortality
It's the gateway to the future that we're destined to pass through
Offering you proof of my sincerity
If it takes laying down my life, then that is what I'll give to you
Chorus
___
|
||||
10. |
Finding Serenity
04:37
|
|||
FINDING SERENITY
Every battle has unintended consequences
Especially when you're on the losing side
When you sacrificed your youthful dreams to fight for freedom
And you still see the faces of the friends you left behind
When you lost your faith because it failed to bring you victory
And you can't reconcile the simple facts of loss
And you can't survive under the eyes of their benevolent dictators
Because you've got to breathe free, no matter what the cost ... (repeat line) ... so you
Chorus:
Find a ship and call a crew and seek your freedom in the flight
And keep flying on, far as you can, throughout the endless night
And keep searching for that glorious place where you can finally be free
Where you can ease your mind and rest your soul and find . . . Serenity
They say they seek Alliance but they just want to control you
Every aspect of every mortal life
They want your blind obedience and in exchange they offer safety
Why don't the citizens see through all their lies?
They give thanks on Unification Day and they dare to call you traitor
And their reach extends a little farther every year
Things will all be shiny if you can just stay Independent
And you'll never give up flying if the way ahead is clear ... (repeat line) ... you will
Chorus
Bridge:
Finding Serenity may be a lifetime's futile quest
A pearl of great price that you'd give everything to possess
Harder to discover than treasure or true love
But there's a piece of it inside you and sometimes that's enough ... to
Chorus & Tag
___
|
Gray Rinehart North Carolina
Gray Rinehart writes science fiction, fantasy, assorted nonfiction, and the odd song. Or odd songs.
Streaming and Download help
If you like Gray Rinehart, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp