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Verlene Schermer
            Karmalu Productions
Verlene

Lyrics from the Peace CD

Scroll down or click on the title of each song for to read the lyrics.

Peace True Friends For Peace Sake Long, Long Night
Theta State Common Ground Half a World Away A Powerful Thing
Can't Sleep Stretching Me Thin This Place A Seed of a Thought
Still Life Spiral Fine Tonight I Love You Whole


Peace

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

There’s a war still raging, they say we fight to keep the peace
All we want is peace, and we all want peace
Yet they are still resisting, and they fight to keep their peace
All they want is peace, don’t we all want peace

There are people praying, they say that God is on our side
All we want is peace, and we all want peace
Others too are praying, they say “Allah’s on our side”
All they want is peace, don’t we all want peace

Brothers and sisters lend a hand, help create the promised land
Never too late to take a stand, help our leaders understand
That all we want is peace, and we all want peace
All they want is peace, don’t we all want peace

There are mothers crying, for their wounded and their dead
All we want is peace, and we all want peace
And the toll keeps rising, hasn’t there been enough blood shed
All they want is peace, and don’t we all want peace  

Brothers and sisters lend a hand, help create the promised land
Never too late to take a stand, help our leaders understand
That all we want is peace, and we all want peace
All they want is peace, don’t we all want peace

We all want to live, we all want to survive
We all want our freedom, no one wants to die
We all want to win, no one wants to lose
We can change the outcome, if we choose

Let’s try to fit each piece of the puzzle, give each their piece of the pie
Share the wealth, share the land, the lion and the lamb will lie
Together in peace, and we all want peace
All they want is peace, don’t we all want peace

All we want is peace, and we all want peace
All they want is peace, don’t we all want peace


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True Friends

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

You are my true friends, you surround me with your love
You are my true friends, I am part of the love that surrounds
each and every one of you, sustaining a powerful shield to enemy arrows

You are my true friends, I entrust you with my dreams
You are my true friends, you can trust me to carry your dreams
as if each were my own, maintaining a fertile field to keep the dreams growing

You are my true friends, I have cried within your arms
You are my true friends, I have cried with you when you were hurting too
You are my true, true friends    You are my true, true friends
   
You are my true friends, you encircle me with strength
You are my true friends, I am part of the power that circles and strengthens you
making a safer world, to make our way through 

You are my true friends, I have cried within your arms
You are my true friends, I have cried with you when you were hurting too
You are my true, true friends    You are my true, true friends

You are my true friends, you surround me with your love
You are my true friends, I entrust you with my dreams
You are my true friends, you encircle me with strength            
You are my true friends, I have cried with you when you were hurting too
You are my true, true friends    You are my true, true friends
You are my true, true friends

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For Peace Sake

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

We need a new way of living, for peace sake, people
We need a new way of living in this world  
We need a new way of living, for peace sake, people
We need a new way of living in this world  

From the comfort of our cozy homes we watch it on TV
A brand new reality show from the land of the free
There are those of us who wonder: haven’t we been here before
Why haven’t we begun to find a better way than war

We need a new way of living, for peace sake, people
We need a new way of living in this world  
We need a new way of living, for peace sake, people
We need a new way of living in this world  

Beneath the bombs they hide in terror while we grimly shake our heads
The casualties of war are not so casual to the dead
And while we’re feeling all is hopeless, still, it may not be too late
But nothing new can grow if we just sit at home and wait 

We need a new way of living, for peace sake, people
We need a new way of living in this world  
We need a new way of living, for peace sake, people
We need a new way of living in this world  

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Long, Long Night

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

I don’t know when, when was the last time I felt safe in this world
I don’t know when a little girl could go outside
Ride her bike, and not fear for her life

I don’t know when, when was the last time I could smile at a stranger
I don’t know when it wasn’t dangerous to make a friend
Don’t know when, when will it end

It’s gonna be a long, long night before we see the morning light
I’d like to tell you it’ll be alright but I don’t know when
It’s gonna be a long, long night before we see the morning light
I’d like to tell you it’ll be alright, but I don’t know when

I don’t know when, when will we find an end to all of the hatred
I don’t’ know when we’ll hold sacred each living thing
And live in peace and harmony 

It’s gonna be a long, long night before we see the morning light
I’d like to tell you it’ll be alright but I don’t know when
It’s gonna be a long, long night before we see the morning light
I’d like to tell you it’ll be alright, but I don’t know when

Take comfort where you can, be strong when you can’t find it
Have courage if you can, or cry if you don’t mind it

It’s gonna be a long, long night before we see the morning light
I’d like to tell you it’ll be alright but I don’t know when
It’s gonna be a long, long night before we see the morning light
I’d like to tell you it’ll be alright, but I don’t know when


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Can’t Sleep

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved


I hear the sounds of the neighborhood coming home
All hours of the night
I see the shadows that turn into familiar shapes
When I turn on the light

I can't sleep at night, thinking about all these things
I'm not eating right, thinking about all these things
I can't sleep, can't sleep, I can't sleep at night


I hear the pound of my heart beating in my ear
Held on the edge of sleep
I see the shadows that are beckoning me to fall
Into a slumber deep

I can't sleep at night, thinking about all these things
I'm not eating right, thinking about all these things
I can't sleep, can't sleep, I can't sleep at night

It's important enough, It's our future at stake
It's important enough
To be keeping me, keeping me, keeping me wide awake
I can't sleep at night, woh...
I'm not eating right, woh...  

I hear the sounds of the neighborhood waking up
They've had a restful night
I see the shadows, willow tree on my window shade
Crisp in the morning light

I can't sleep at night, thinking about all these things
I'm not eating right, thinking about all these things
I can't sleep, can't sleep, I can't sleep at night


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Theta State

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

Breathe deep into theta state
Dream, draw visions from the day
Sleep, slide into shadow grey
Sleep, dream, breathe

Dive down to your deepening
Fly, float on a gentle wing
Sigh, setting your soul to sing
Sigh, fly, dive

Slowly slowing down, Flowing, knowing “now”

Time pulled taffy thin, Find your secret way within

Breathe deep into theta state
Dream, draw visions from the day
Sleep, slide into shadow grey
Sleep, dream, breathe, sleep, dream, breathe, sleep, dream, breathe

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Common Ground

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

Should I fly below the radar, till there’s no more need to hide
Should I try to reach my neighbor, draw him to the other side
Can I shout it in the street, and not betray my brother
Can I numb myself to sleep and not betray the world

   
Is there someway we can meet
In the core of the conflict, in the calm eye of the storm
In the gateway in between
Oh, on the common ground – isn’t there a common ground

Will we study how we differ till our tally gives us cause   
Will we claim our way is better, our religions and our laws
Can I watch you through the glass and not see my own reflection
Can I take your hand at last and not see beyond my world  

Is there someway we can meet
In the core of the conflict, in the calm eye of the storm
In the gateway in between
Oh, on the common ground – isn’t there a common ground

Not wrong or right, not red or blue
Not all alike, but every color, every hue
If I could see the world through your eyes, what a different view
From the common ground, let’s meet up on the common ground

Could we make a better future if we talk instead of fight
Would we see the fuller picture is not so black and white
Can I tell you what I think and not fear retaliation
Can I listen to you speak, and not fear for the world… 

Is there someway we can meet
In the core of the conflict, in the calm eye of the storm
In the gateway in between
Oh, on the common ground – isn’t there a common ground

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Half a World Away (9/11) 

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

Across the sea, it has happened
A half a world away from me
I hear the news and read the headlines
A half a world away

And all around, people crying
“Wie Grausam, Entsetzlich!”
As they hear the news and read the headlines, a half a world away
A half a world away

Sorrow stretches its sticky fingers
To touch a world  across the sea
And I feel it here as I would if I were home, a half a world away
A half a world away

Sorrow stretches its sticky fingers
& Europe grieves as I am grieving
A half a world away
A half a world away

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A Powerful Thing

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

Fear is a powerful thing, fear can paralyze
Fear can separate and isolate and shrink us with its lies
Fear is a powerful thing, fear is the enemy
Fear can motivate a world of hate and drive all hope away

And fear is intangible, but it’s real
And fear is tyrannical; it can steal away your freedom

Fear is a powerful thing, fear can paralyze
Fear can separate and isolate and shrink us with its lies
Fear is a powerful thing, fear is the enemy
Fear can motivate a world of hate and drive all hope away

No you can’t hide from fear, you can only turn around and face it
And you can’t fight your fear until you learn how to embrace it

Cause fear is a powerful thing, fear is the enemy
And love is the only thing that can bring it to its knees
Fear is a powerful thing but love is the greater thing
Yeah love is the greater thing, let love have the victory

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Stretching Me Thin

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

I can’t keep my head from spinning, I can’t keep a focus in my mind
Can’t even remember why I’m running, and what I’m expecting to find
How many years has it been, chasing after someone else’s deadline
They keep stretching me, stretching me thin
So thin that I might break if I don’t take some time

Give me just a day to do nothing
Give me just a respite from the race
This is no way to be living
Always on the run – I can’t keep this pace

There’s another call to reply to, here’s another letter I should write
I’m forever falling behind too driven not to catch up late at night
How many years has it been, chasing after someone else’s rainbow
They keep stretching me, stretching me thin
So thin that I might crack if I don’t pack and go

Give me just a day to do nothing
Give me just a respite from the race
This is no way to be living
Always on the run – I can’t keep this pace

How many years has it been, chasing after someone else’s pipe dream
They keep stretching me, stretching me thin
So thin that I might snap -- with one more slap I’ll scream  

Give me just a day to do nothing
Give me just a respite from the race
This is no way to be living
Always on the run – I can’t keep this pace

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This Place

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

Fine lines, divide, define, secret signs to guide you
Release the mystery, you hold the key inside you

Sometimes the card’s in your favor
And sometimes you’re drawing sand
And sometimes it’s hard not to waver
When you’re holding it in your hand, you’re holding it in your hand
And sometimes the wind’s moving with you
And sometimes it’s in your face
And sometimes the wisdom’s within you
And it carries you to this place, and carries you to this place

Bright lights from higher heights, the fire ignites the dancer
Go slow, and feel the flow, you’ll find you know the answer 

Sometimes the card’s in your favor
And sometimes you’re drawing sand
And sometimes it’s hard not to waver
When you’re holding it in your hand, you’re holding it in your hand
And sometimes the wind’s moving with you
And sometimes it’s in your face
And sometimes the wisdom’s within you
And it carries you to this place, and carries you to this place

Here is where you mean to be
Here is where you need to be

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A Seed of a Thought

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

There’s something just beneath the surface, trying to break through
It’s some embryonic concept I’m trying to make true
A seed of a thought, a thing to be wrought, a need to be brought to fruition
And it’s just beneath the surface, tryin’ to break through

I have felt this way before and it’s always a good thing
But it’s only natural to fear the changes it could bring
A seed of a thought, a thing to be wrought, a need to be brought to fruition
And I’ve felt this way before and it’s a good thing

Don’t push too hard, don’t be impatient, give it time to incubate
It’s not so far to germination, all that’s left to do is wait

I can feel it growing stronger, trying to break through
I can see it taking form now, trying to break through
A seed of a thought, a thing to be wrought, a need to be brought to fruition
A seed of a thought, a thing to be wrought, a need to be brought to fruition
A seed of a thought, a thing to be wrought, a need to be brought to fruition
And it’s just beneath the surface tryin’ to break through

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Still Life

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved


Still life water comin’ down like sheets
Over the sleeping San Francisco
Street  life, your whole life and all you possess
Homestead the concrete slice of urban dwelling
Tuck yourself in tonight, sleep tight,
Under the Chronicle be still

Tuck yourself in tonight, sleep tight
It’s a still life, windshield framed
Painted all over in stoplight red
One eternal moment then green light
We move on but you are still still
A still life, but it is still life


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Spiral

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved


Whirling, twirling, Coriolis Effect,
Twisting, spinning, round and around,
A spring, spiraling, round and around,
Lifting, rising, not a vicious circle...  

The world spins round and round and round
And each round sees a new day
Winding through the universe
A corkscrew opening new space
A corkscrew opening new space

Haven’t we been here before,
I recognize this place...
You seem so familiar,
But I’ve never seen your face...  

The world spins round and round and round
And each round sees a new day
Winding through the universe
A corkscrew opening new space
A corkscrew opening new space


Hasn’t this been said before
It feels like déjà vu
Sounding like the same old story
But the characters are new…
 

The world spins round and round and round
And each round sees a new day
Winding through the universe
A corkscrew opening new space
A corkscrew opening new space


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Fine Tonight

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

Well, I wonder what my future self would have to say
If she came knockin’ at my door today
Would she be laughing, scolding, making me feel bad
Or long for something she might have had

Well, I’d like to think that she would have it all figured out
And that her life would be free from doubt
If she could give some wisdom to help me see the way
This is what I think she would say

Drop the baggage, travel lightly, start all over each morning brightly
Admit you could be wrong when you think you might be
Don’t worry bout today, you’ll be fine tonight

So, if I already know this why am I hangin’ on
To the weight that I’ve been draggin’ along
She’d say it’s gonna take courage to let it all go
But this is what I want you to know:  

Drop the baggage, travel lightly, start all over each morning brightly
Admit you could be wrong when you think you might be
Don’t worry bout today, you’ll be fine tonight


Don’t worry, don’t hurry, travel light and you’ll be alright 

So if I wonder what my future self would say to me
I can think of what I’d want her to be
She’d be laughing, teasing, and saying it’s okay
To cherish every step of the way

Drop the baggage, travel lightly, start all over each morning brightly
Admit you could be wrong when you think you might be
Don’t worry bout today, you’ll be fine tonight

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I Love You Whole

© 2005 Verlene Schermer/BMI
All Rights Reserved

I love your “in the moment” style, inviting me to play
I love the mischief in your smile, enticing me to stay
I love the way you lose your balance, when you lean into a kiss
But more than this:

I love your heart, I love your inner spark
I love your soul, I love you whole
I love your heart, I love your inner spark
I love your soul, I love you whole

I love your confidential sighs, meant only for my ears
I love the comfort in your eyes, when mine are full of tears
I love the way you reach your arms out to catch me if I fall
But most of all:  

I love your heart, I love your inner spark
I love your soul, I love you whole
I love your heart, I love your inner spark
I love your soul, I love you whole


The whole is greater than the sum
And all I need is just this one
I know this and I’ve known it from the start 

I love your heart, I love your inner spark
I love your soul, I love you whole
I love your heart, I love your inner spark
I love your soul, I love you whole

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