The Urban Elf

.
This is the last of his songs my young friend Theo has given me permission to post. Some have said this one sounds a little bit world-weary for the work of someone so young. Perhaps, but Theo is a student of song and has read more books thus far in his life than many adults have in theirs… and sadly if anyone has a right to be weary of the world for all it has shown them that they never wanted to see it’s these kids.

The final installment of The Songs of Theo Schaffer:
____________________________________________

Since Baltimore
Words by Theo Schaffer music by Ian Brady & Theo Schaffer

You ever get the feeling
That there’s really little meaning
To the things we have and hold
And try to keep
I’ve moved around so much now
Swear I don’t even know how
I tell this place is my home
Or just where I sleep

It’s been a long time now since Baltimore
Can’t see it clearly anymore
Funny how some memories can slip away
Long time gone from Baltimore
So what is it I’m waiting for
Come on babe, let’s just fly away

If home is where the heart is
I’m wondering what the part is
We play keeping each other
Safe, sane and warm
Is this the happy ending
Or just foolish hearts pretending
To roles we had learned to want
But just can’t perform

It’s been a long time now since Baltimore
Can’t see it clearly anymore
Funny how some memories can slip away
Long time gone from Baltimore
So what is it I’m waiting for
Come on babe, let’s just fly away

I’m just so tired of questions
Have you got any suggestions
How we can make the world just
Go far away
Foolish hearts can do wonders
They’re full of fire and thunder
If you let me be you’re home
I’ll know where to stay

It’s such a long long time since Baltimore
Can’t see it clearly anymore
Funny how some memories can slip away
Long time gone from Baltimore
So what is it I’m waiting for
Come on babe, let’s just fly away

Fly away

Labels: theo

As I mentioned previously my young friend Theo (aka 3) has given me permission to post some of his song lyrics that they may be seen by a larger audience. The caveat that some references within his work may be obscure is especially true of the following song. Here I will chalk them up to his being an avid reader, a comic fan and possessed of a fertile imagination, in another darker place some might see them as glimpses of history and even a hero’s journey.
_________________________________


Have to Be
Words by Theo Schaffer music by Ian Brady & Theo Shaffer

I was lost and I was found
Like luggage for a jet plane bound
Not passenger but stowage class
Until time came to break the glass.
Take my heart and take my hand
I have a dream, do you understand?
This is where we have to go
From Idaho to Chicago
We are all there is to know
Family, friends and overflow.

So it was
So it is
Hard to believe
We’re only kids
Follow me and we’ll be free
This is who we have to be

Cornered in an alleyway
Climbing walls and laser play
Garbage fists and claws of fire
We’ve come too far. We’re going higher.
Huddled in the dark man’s nest
So many arms in which to rest
Hiding on a pilgrim ship
With comic books and bitten lips
We found a fifth to fill our ranks
To ether ghosts we gave our thanks

So it was
So it is
Hard to believe
We’re only kids
Follow me and we’ll be free
This is who we have to be

With guns and trucks black eagle came
To terrorize and to defame
The fire was lost that we might see
The horror that could come to be
The princess tortured in her ice
Mental magic cast the dice
Dying storms the world engulfed
We shepherded by the wolf
Fled along the open road
To haven's hope and streets of gold

So it was
So it is
Hard to believe
We’re only kids
Follow me and we’ll be free
This is who we have to be

Now I’m here in New Amsterdam
Still trying to build my master plan
You’ll have my heart if you take my hand
I have a dream, do you understand?
I’m flying high on angel wings
I’m seeing far too many things
We’ve fallen far. We’re climbing fast.
More chasing me than just the past
There’s more places that we have to go
Than U.N. Plaza and old SoHo

So it was
So it is
Hard to believe
We’re only kids
Follow me and we’ll be free
This is who we have to be
This is who we have to be
This is who we have to be
Have to be
Have to be
Have to be
Have to be

Labels: theo