One Crystallised Moment

[Ray Brookes]

I've seen the lights on a thousand highways
I've heard the wisdom of a thousand owls
Beyond the womb-safe rolling country landscapes
Into the dark streets where evil prowls
I've seen sub-prime scams and rapid closures
Flat-line poverty and convenient silence
Been disconnected and dismayed
Spent years and years out of alignment.

I've walked miles and miles through contingency plans
Spat in the dust of the Depression bowl
I've raised hell and lowered standards
Swore at the heat; scoffed at the cold
With sleight of hand and twisted double-talk
I've conned my way into loving homes
I've chased the black dog from my centre of gravity
Tasted guilt in the marrow of my bones.

In this temple I've cursed the Trinity
Broken some hearts, some promises and some rules
I've kicked good principles into the gutters
Aligned with vagabonds, crooks and fools
Oh tortured souls, your confusion
Your phoney holy-men with sceptre and crook
Celestial chord ringtones and perverse symbols
Justified with the waving of the Book

So hear my words and see my images
Or sweep my thoughts out with yesterday's dust
But in that one crystallised moment
Make the call on what is just.

[Blooby]

I've raised hell and lowered standards...

Solidarity, brother.

Kidding aside, these are powerful lyrics. The "waving of the book" line hit me hard, and then the rest of the lyrics blossomed into comprehension. Great song with a corker of a brief solo... Just perfect.

You have your own sound, my friend, and a wonderful one at that.

Blooby

[launched]

I'm enchanted by this tune as well. Just so powerful. Love it to hell.

[Bluesberry]

Wow, that's intense..........spooky a little bit....spooky good........makes me think of the Moody Blues a little....wicked good little solo dude........yup, I really like this one........

[SE]

In that line you may have caught a terrific lyric.
"Justified the waving of that book"

Excellent just excellent!!

[DarrenG / The Devil's Toupee]

Such great songwriting. But that's not the best part, the music is always bloody great too. I like the slow build up in the song. Great solo. The lyrics tell a great , but sad, story.
I'm still surprised we can hear your songs for free Ray. Would love to see you play live, all your songs. what a show that would be 

[chapperz66]

Marvelous, Ray.  I listened to this on my phone earlier today but new that I had to listen on a better set up before commenting.

Production, instrumentation and vocal are all top notch as expected.  The lyrics are spine tingling.  Not being a singer, lyrics are often not the first thing I listen to on a song, but these really grabbed me. 

I shall listen again.

Paul

[StephenM]

yes sir, I am with ChapperZ, those lyrics are amazing to the max.  and they are true and hit right between the eyes...

what a production....and right after your song comes KM!  wow... that is so right!

the walks on the bass are superb...

and then
                t h a t    ^{L _{e  A  d}}

[Greeny]

There's something deep and dark about this. An amazing, poetic and intriguing lyric and performed with real drama. Killer solo and amazing production (as always) too. A beautiful bit of songcrafting from start to finish.

[thetworegs]

Loving it Ray the excellent production.... Excellent lyric ..." tasted guilt to into the marrow of my bones" I'll be stealing that one excellent track 👏