Outlaw Torn

The "good" outlaw feels isolated and torn.  The treasures of this world are not enough to satisfy his thirst.  He searches for a more lasting treasure and the true ecstasy of gold!

Metallica - The Ecstasy Of Gold

Metallica - Outlaw Torn
(Live - feat. San Francisco Symphony)


And now I wait my whole lifetime for you

I ride the dirt, I ride the tide for you
I search the outside, search inside for you

To take back what you left me
I know I'll always burn to be
The one who seeks so I may find
And now I wait my whole lifetime

Outlaw of torn
And I'm torn

So on I wait my whole lifetime for you

The more I search, the more my need for you
The more I bless, the more I bleed for you

You make me smash the clock and feel
I'd rather die behind the wheel
Time was never on my side
So on I wait my whole lifetime
Outlaw of torn
And I'm torn

Hear me
And if I close my mind in fear
Please pry it open
See me
And if my face becomes sincere
Beware
Hold me
And when I start to come undone
Stitch me together
Save me
And when you see me strut
Remind me of what left this outlaw torn

Free Bird

The human spirit longs to be free so that we can soar to great hights.  Unlike birds, man has free-will enabling him to choose between good and evil.  Therefore, if he is not to become caged, man must exercise freedom responsibly and in accordance with truth and goodness.  Of course, it is easy to appeal to a reductive notion of "freedom" in order to excuse idleness and irresponsibe behavior.  But a conscience that is not yet comfortably numb reminds us where the blame really lies.  Deep down we know that we have to change in order to be truly free and fly high.  At the same time, we can't change through our efforts alone.  The caged bird longing to be free finally cries out for help: "Lord help me, I can't change."           

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird


If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places
I've got to see

But, if I stayed here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird, you'll can not change
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can?t change
Bye, bye, baby it's been a sweet love

Yeah, yeah
Though this feeling I can't change
But please don't take it so badly
'Cause the Lord knows
I'm to blame

But, if I stayed here with you girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird, you'll can not change
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

And this bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change
Lord help me, I can't change
Lord I can't change

Won't you fly high, free bird, yeah?

Freedom Fighter

What is the essense of human freedom and why is it worth fighting for?  Human freedom is necessary for the integral development of man in view of his transcendent goal.  Freedom is a powerful gift -- a weapon that can only be properly wielded in charity and truth.  On the other hand, the reductive notion of "freedom" that is exercised without regard for objective truth and goodness leads to slavery and destruction.         

Creed - Freedom Fighter

The mouths of envious
Always find another door
While at the gates of paradise they beat us down some more
But our mission's set in stone
'Cause the writing's on the wall
I'll scream it from the mountain tops pride comes before the fall

So many thoughts to share
All this energy to give
Unlike those who hide the truth I tell it like it is
If the truth will set you free
I feel sorry for your soul
Can't you hear the ringing 'cause for you the bell tolls

I'm just a freedom fighter
No remorse
Raging on in holy war
Soon there'll come a day
When you're face to face with me
Face to face with me

Can't you hear us coming?
People marching all around
Can't you see we're coming?
Close your eyes it's over now
Can't you hear us coming?
The fight has only just begun
Can't you see we're coming?

I'm just a freedom fighter
No remorse
Raging on in holy war
Soon there'll come a day
When your face to face with me
Face to face with me

Hotel California

Sometimes the weary road of life can leave us off guard when temptations arise.  If we fall and linger in this place then what initially seemed pleasant and inviting can turn into a hell on earth.  But as long as we have breath there is still hope for a conversion of heart.  In the next life all hope is gone for the unrepentant -- one can never leave this place that is programmed only to receive.     

The Eagles - Hotel California (Original Version)


The Eagles - Hotel California (Live Version)


On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell
Then I was thinking to myself this could be Heaven or this could be Hell
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor I thought I heard them say...

"Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
(Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year
(Any time of year)
You can find it here"

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes Benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget
So I called up the captain, "Please bring me my wine"
He said, "We haven't had that spirit here since 1969"
And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night just to hear them say...

"Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
(Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They're living it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise
(What a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis"

Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice
And she said, "We are all just prisoners here of our own device"
And in the master's chambers they gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives but they just can't kill the beast

Last thing I remember I was running for the door
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before
"Relax," said the night man, "We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like but you can never leave"

Comfortably Numb

The simple man has dreams of the real -- even if reality can be painful at times.  The faceless man has lost the dream of the real.  No longer able to love and to feel his conscience becomes dulled and comfortably numb. 

Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb


Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?

Come on, now
I hear you're feeling down
Well I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again

Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are the only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am

I have become comfortably numb
I have become comfortably numb

Okay
Just a little pinprick
There'll be no more
But you may feel a little sick

Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are the only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown the dream is gone

I have become comfortably numb

Find the Real

The simple man is not interested in the synthetic life or plastic dreams of the faceless man.  He wants to find the real.

Alter Bridge - Find The Real


Stuck in the middle
I burrow inside
Back to the cradle
Away from the burdens
Of all my crimes
Before it's fatal

The past has found me
The truth come out
Always remember
With no place to fall
But straight down
I must surrender

Well it seems I've finally
Thought of everything
I want to love
I want to feel
Find peace
Find the real

There's a face I put on
All my life
The face of an angel
I look in the mirror
Only to find
The face of a stranger

And all that I've taken
I hunger for more
Cause I'm selfish
And all I'm left with

Is a crown of thorns
And I'm helpless

Well it seems I've finally
Thought of everything
I want to love
I want to feel
Well I'll trade these lies for something right
I will kill what hurts with something pure
I will be redeemed so I can breathe again

Well it seems I've finally
Thought of everything
I want to love
I want to feel
Find peace
Find the real

Well it seems I've finally
Thought of everything
I want to love
I want to feel
Find peace
Find the real

Cookie Jar

Often times our first istinct is to blame others for our poor choices.  We often fail to take responsibility for our own actions.  Instead, we find it easier to point the finger and play the blame game. 

Jack Johnson - Cookie Jar


I would turn on the TV
But it's so embarrassing
To see all the other people
I don't know what they mean

And it was magic at first
When they spoke without sound
But now this world is gonna hurt
You better turn that thing down turn it around

"Well it wasn't me", Say the boy with the gun
Sure I pulled the trigger but it needed to be done
Because life's been killin' me ever since it begun
You can't blame me 'cause I'm too young

You cant blame me, sure the killer was my son
But I didn't teach him to pull the trigger of the gun
It's the killing on his TV screen
You can't blame me, it's those images he sees

Well you can't blame me says the media man
Well I wasn't the one that came up with the plan
And I just point my camera what the people wanna see
Man it's a two way mirror and you can't blame me

"You can't blame me", Says the singer of the song
Or the maker of the movie which he based his life on
It's only entertainment and as anyone can see
It's smoke machines and make-up, man, you can't fool me

It was you it was me it was every man
We all got the blood on our hands
We only receive what we demand
And if we want hell then hell is what well have

And I would turn on the TV
But it's so embarrassing
To see all the other people
Don't even know what they mean

And it was magic at first
But let every one down
And now this world's gonna hurt
You better turn it around turn it around

Simple Man

One can easily become overwhelmed by the many distractions found in a materialistic culture.  The simple man is not so easily swayed.  Even in the midst of a highly complex and globalized society he keeps his focus on those things that really matter in life.   

Lynard Skynard - Simple Man


Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day

Oh, take your time don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
Go find a woman you'll find love
And don't forget son there is someone up above

And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?

Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can? Oh yes, I will

Boy, don't you worry you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied

And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?

Baby be a simple, be a simple man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man

Still Remains

When man rejects the true light and falls through weakness he disfigures something of his true human dignity.  What still remains is the human dignity reflected in free will.  Man is constantly called to restore the fulness of his dignity - but always in harmony with and never at the expense of free will.  He must freely choose to cooperatate with grace in order to be restored to his former stature.        

Alter Bridge - Still Remains

STILL REMAINS - ALTER BRIDGE
I cast a line when I saw you were drowning
Still you turn your back on me
Pulled you from the fire when you were burning
Still you never could believe

So carry on if you must go your way
Though embrace my heart
Your free will still remains

I save you from your fall when you were slipping
Still you broke from me to run
So how can you justify the life you're living

You must carry on if you must go your way
Though embrace my heart
Your free will still remains

You'll deny it all
You'll deny me once again
But I've seen it all
I know you've come to crawl
Back to me before the end

Carry on if you must go your way
Though embrace my heart
Your free will still remains

So carry on if you must go your way
Though embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
Still remains