[attr="class","rockopera"]STREETS

[attr="class","rockopera3"]As darkness falls so hard, come and play.[break][break]

Somewhere out there, alone and out of place, streets of illusion soothe the shattered faith. I’ve been a runner, I’ve been a sinner, I’ve been inside my head. I’ve sit here staring, never quite caring, and this is where it has lead! These streets glitter in the dark. Don’t sleep! Red eyes sunken and stark. Dream deep in her arms where you are safe. These streets never sleep, still they never wake.[break][break]

Somewhere out there, gardens bloom and grow. Children awaken to a world they know. Somewhere there’s sunshine, somewhere the light’s kind, somewhere they seek the day. Somewhere there’s no scene, somewhere the air’s clean - but somewhere’s so far away! These streets glitter in the dark. Don’t sleep! Red eyes sunken and stark. Dream deep in her arms where you are safe. These streets never sleep, still they never wake.[break][break]

Somewhere the light is kind. No! Welcome children from the other side. In the darkness, your eyes are open wide. Here there are answers, on the edge dancers; here the night hides our sins. And if you listen while the streets glisten - it’s where our story begins! These streets glitter in the dark! Don’t sleep! Red eyes sunken and stark! Dream deep in her arms where you are safe! These streets never sleep, still they never wake! Oh!

[attr="class","rockopera"]JESUS SAVES

[attr="class","rockopera3"]“Hey, man: you got a quarter? … You ain’t got nothin’? That’s okay, man, that’s okay. God bless ya’, anyway. Hey, I-I hope I didn’t scare you or nothin’. I ain’t no bum or nothin’. I used to live uptown once before, too, ya’ know. N-no really, I did! I did! Used to come down here an’ look at all the characters. … Lots of characters, man. Lots of character. … Never thought I’d be one of ‘em. … Hey, man, y-you got a minute? Lemme tell you about this friend of mine, DT Jesus. Used to stand for Downtown Jesus. He used to hang out here and sell drugs, and we used to - well, we used to call ‘em D-tox. He was one character… one character that made it outta here. Let me you about ‘im.”[break][break]

Jesus was a talker, just some out of place New Yorker. Hung out on the boulevard. He was sellin’ nickel candies, he was savin’ up all his quarters, he bought himself a cheap guitar. Started playin’ bars. Kids came in their cars. Hear them shoutin’ at the stage: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Yes he does! Jesus saves![break][break]

Jesus started changing. Things got pretty strange. He saw his t-shirt everywhere. He started missing shows; the band came down to blows, but Jesus, he just didn’t care. Things got outta hand, so he quit the band. Still the critics they would rave: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Yes he does! Jesus saves![break][break]

So many dice were cast, todays became the past, and Jesus, he just disappeared. He was headed for New York - so that’s what the label thought, but - there he gave away the years. Last seen drinkin’ wine beneath the flashing signs, promising salvation to strays. What? Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Yes he does! Jesus saves! Hear him cut through the night on those late night radio waves! Jesus saves! Yes he does! Jesus saves!

[attr="class","rockopera"]TONIGHT HE GRINS AGAIN

[attr="class","rockopera3"]Night-time again. Seems I’m my only friend. Wander the streets alone - the lost in search of his own. Once again, I’ve played the clown, used my friends and let them down. Walk the streets just starin’ out: late at night the strange come out. Time! Time! Time again, I’m just lookin’ for a friend! But no one seems to be around, just this monkey that I’ve found! Still he is my only friend, and tonight he grins again! Tonight he grins again! Oh yeah! Tonight he grins again![break][break]

It’s cold, this pain. It’s burnin’ inside my veins. I walk away, a shadow of Dorian Gray. Once again I’ve played the clown, used my friends and let them down. Walk the streets just starin’ out: late at night, the strange come out. Time! Time! Time again, I’m just lookin’ for a friend! But no one seems to be around, just this monkey that I’ve found! Still he is my only friend, and tonight he grins again! Tonight he grins again! Oh yeah! Tonight he grins again![break][break]

Livin’ on the edge.

[attr="class","rockopera"]STRANGE REALITY

[attr="class","rockopera3"]Who’s this before me dressed in rags soaked in gin? It’s a sign or a warning - am I now where he’s been? Am I losin’ my way? Straight insanity. Turn illusion away. Is this reality? That could be me! Right? That could be me! I wake in the morning; I don’t know where I’ve been. All my excuses show the strain wearin’ thin. Am I losin’ my way? Straight insanity. Turn illusion away. Is this reality? That’ could be me! Right? That could be me! Oh yeah![break][break]

Another day, another night. Another drink, another fight. Somehow it’s all the same. So I wake in my gin, never knowin’ where I’ve been, but still I play it again. So strange, so strange, strange to me. So strange, so strange: reality, yeah. I look to the future with the eyes of the blind. Can’t see much further than this haze in my mind. Am I losin’ my way? Straight insanity. Turn illusion away. Is this reality? That could be me! That could be me! Oh yeah![break][break]

Another day! Another night! Somehow it’s all the same! Another drink! Another fight! And still I play it again! So strange, so strange: reality! So strange, so strange, strange to me! So strange, so strange: reality! So strange, so strange, strange to me! I’m losin’ my way! I’m losin’ my way! I don’t know where I’ve been! Don’t know where I’ve been! Strange, strange, so strange! Strange to me!

[attr="class","rockopera"]A LITTLE TOO FAR

[attr="class","rockopera3"]Do you remember? Look at me and all the things we said we’d be. We beat the hounds, we pushed the odds. We’d take it all - we had the cards. With years to burn and years to trash, lovin’ life based on flash. But somehow reachin’ for the stars, I think we went a bit too far. Gotta get back, gotta get back, gotta get back. I never meant to take it this far. Gotta get back, gotta get back, gotta get back.[break][break]

When everything you touch turns gold - can weigh you down, can make you old. When metal doesn’t ring the same, reaction from inside your brain. And all those years we offered up to gods who couldn’t get enough; and though we still stay up all night, the mornings aren’t quite as bright. Gotta get back, gotta get back, gotta get back. I never meant to take it this far! Gotta get back, gotta get back, gotta get back.[break][break]

And all those things we thought we learned - as we watched, our bridges burned! While standing in the afterglow, I guess we gave ‘em quite a show! But who’s to say what it’s about when John Wayne caught the last train out? When Spock and Kirk have had enough? And no one’s left to beam me up? Gotta get back, gotta get back, gotta get back. I never meant to take it this far! Gotta get back, gotta get back, gotta get back! I never meant to take it this far! Oh! Yeah! I never meant to take it this far…!

[attr="class","rockopera"]YOU'RE ALIVE

[attr="class","rockopera3"]One, two, three, four![break][break]

So DT returned to the ground he had burned in the past, and the press, they all laughed, and they said it’d never last. But the crowd, they came in just to see a man back from the dead. As he stood on the stage, it echoed in his head. When you’re skating on ice too thin to take it, gotta move fast, or else you will break it. So throw back your head and let the wind rush by. And you’re alive.[break][break]

So people: take care when you’re chasing a dream in the night that the walls of the past don’t interrupt your flight. Never stop, never turn, never look, never learn, so they say. But somewhere in time, we must pay for yesterdays. When you’re skating on ice too thin to take it, gotta move fast or else you will break it. Throw back your hair - let the wind rush by. And you’re alive! And you’re alive! And you’re alive! And you’re alive! Alive!

[attr="class","rockopera"]SAMMY & TEX

[attr="class","rockopera3"]“Hey, DT! What’cha been up to? It’s been a real long time, and your bill’s past due. Stop right there - don’t you turn away. You’ve had your fun, now it’s time to pay! Now, you know that I’ve been waiting, and I’m really very patient, but you’ve pushed me way too far. ‘Cause you owe me thirty thousand, and with interest, it’s been growin’ while you’ve hidden in these bars. Now, I would have said ‘duck it,’ but the money by the bucket, I hear you’re rakin’ in. So please forgive my diction and prepare for crucifiction while I write to your next of kin. So please don’t turn away - you’ve borrowed now you’ve got to pay. Seems your mind’s gone a bit off track. Time to readjust ‘cause Sammy’s back!”[break][break]

So Sammy started dealing, DT started reeling as they tumbled to the floor. The furniture was flyin’ - DT had thought of dyin’ when Tex walked through the door. Now, Tex, he wasn’t waitin’ and without hesitatin’ grabbed Sammy by the throat. Then Sammy started shakin’, a frightened slab of bacon, hangin’ like a coat. Seemed things were goin’ alright ‘til Sammy pulled a knife. “If you wanna cut the cards, Sammy’s gonna up the odds!”[break][break]

Then everything was quiet in the street after the riot - silence hung like death. And Tex, he wasn’t breathing, his body lay bleedin’, a knife inside his chest. When DT saw him laying there, he quickly lost his temper. Something tore inside. His face was twist in hatred, his mind formulated how this freak would die. Sammy saw it in his eyes - thought a retreat would be wise. “I just stayed a bit too long, so I’ll take my things and Sammy’s gone!”

[attr="class","rockopera"]ST. PATRICK'S

[attr="class","rockopera3"]Hey, there, Lord - it’s me. I wonder if you’re free? Or not asleep? There’s just one thing - it seems I just don’t see why all the things we ask, or prayed would come to pass have gone unheard like silent words that slip into the past. ‘Cause, Lord, they’re not schemes! Can’t you tell they’re dreams? Why do you let them slip by, never even try?[break][break]

Is it you don’t hear? There’s far too many tears. Or can’t you feel? Are we unreal to one who knows no peers? You say we must pay dues, but still I’m confused. I need to walk and with you, talk, instead of to statues. ‘Cause, Lord, they’re not schemes! Can’t you tell they’re dreams? Why do you let them slip by, never even try?[break][break]

‘Cause you take all the fame! But who’ll accept the blame for all the hurt down here on Earth - unnecessary pain? Is it you don’t care? Or are you only air built in our minds when we’re in binds, never really there…? And can we tire of you? Is that something that we’re allowed to do? ‘Cause even the blind change their views, and it’s time to try something new.[break][break]

And so I’ve pled my case. I now pull my escape. Didn’t mean to doubt what it’s all about. It seems I’ve forgot my place. But if you find the time, please change the story line or give a call - explain it all. I’ll even leave the dime.

[attr="class","rockopera"]CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

[attr="class","rockopera3"]If I close my eyes, would it all subside to an echo in the night of a distant fading light? Or a stranger’s silhouette? A burnin’ cigarette? And somewhere in the haze, passage through the maze? Can you hear hear me now, or are there just too many doors between then and now for me to ever reach on through and pull you back somehow? But that don’t happen anymore. Still, in the night, I think I hear you calling.[break][break]

I have walked this stage as the music played. They knew every word, but they never heard for they never changed. It’s all very strange as I’m stadin’ here contemplatin’ years. Can you hear me now, or are there just too many doors between then and now for me to ever reach on through and pull you back somehow? But that don’t happen anymore. Still, in the night, I swear I hear you calling.[break][break]

Can you hear me now, or are there just too many doors between then and now for me to ever reach on through and pull you back somehow? But that don’t happen anymore. Still, in the night, I think I hear you calling. Hear you calling, calling. I hear you calling, calling.

[attr="class","rockopera"]NEW YORK CITY DON'T MEAN NOTHIN'

[attr="class","rockopera3"]I’ve been here since ‘81 - that’s a long time - and I’ve seen all there is to see. Had a space on Astor Place, had it all once. Now these streets are my reality. Because New York City don’t mean nothin’ - it’s just a good place when you’re runnin’. Lights, they cut so bright, they’ll make you bleed. Neon children live their lives, their mad magician’s tinsel nightmares. Still, you know, I’m never gonna leave.[break][break]

Never sleep alone on the subway. Never walk alone on the tracks. Never take a ride to the edge of your mind unless you’ve got a ticket back. Don’t believe in TV preachers, don’t believe in talkshow stars. Never follow trends if they turn on your friends, just be sure you know who your friends are. And if you’re runnin’ blind on a refueled mind, better watch the time - careful you don’t go too far! Never burn the bridges before you! Never burn the bridges behind! Don’t burn the one that you’re walkin’ on: you’re gonna hit the water in time! Don’t believe in expectations! Don’t believe in shooting stars! And if you make a stand on a dead-empty hand, never let ‘em see your cards! And if you’re runnin’ blind on a refueled mind, better watch the time - careful you don’t go too far! Too far! Kickin’ it![break][break]

New York City don’t mean nothin’. It’s just a good place when you’re runnin’. Still, you know, I’m never gonna leave.

[attr="class","rockopera"]GHOST IN THE RUIN

[attr="class","rockopera3"]Got a limousine, I wanna show it. Future’s lookin’ good - I’ll probably blow it. Had some parents once, but you’d never know it. Bankroll oversize; so what if I stole it? But who am I foolin’? I’m the king of the ruins. I’m doin’ well tonight. Got dreams to sell tonight. Got to belong, try to hang on, got to belong. Ghost in the ruins! I’m runnin’ the streets here. Ghost in the ruins! Burnin’ like gasoline. Ghost in the ruins! And I’m takin’ you in deep. Ghost in the ruins. East side, west side, playin’ for keeps.[break][break]

See the run away there on the corner? Just a throwaway, but somebody’s daughter. Had a pretty face, so somebody bought her. Sellin’ her soul away, so put in your order.She knows what she’s doin’ - she’s a ghost in the ruins. She’s doin’ well tonight, she’s got dreams to sell tonight. She’s got to belong, she knows what to do, she’ll try to hang on. Ghost in the ruins! I’m runnin’ the streets here! Ghost in the ruins! Burnin’ like gasoline! Ghost in the ruins! And I’m takin’ you in deep! Ghost in the ruins! East side, west side, playin’ for keeps. Playin’ for keeps, yeah.[break][break]

Got to belong, know what to do, you’ve got to hang on. Ghost in the ruins! I’m runnin’ the streets here! Ghost in the ruins! Burnin’ like gasoline! Ghost in the ruins! And I’m takin’ you in deep! Ghost in the ruins! East side, west side, playin’ for keeps! You know, I don’t know anymore! (I know, I know that you know! I know, I know that you know! I know, I know that you know!) I don’t know anymore! (I know, I know that you know! I know, I know that you know! I know, I know that you know!) I don’t know anymore! I’m tellin’ you, I don’t know anymore! No, no, I don’t know anymore! I don’t! I don’t know anymore!

[attr="class","rockopera"]IF I GO AWAY

[attr="class","rockopera3"]Somewhere on the long, lonely road, we all stand alone lookin’ for clues from our different views. In the dark, I’ve called out your name. It echoes in vain over again in an empty room. And if I go away, what would still remain of me? The ghost within your eyes! The whisper in your sighs! … You see? Believe, and I’m always there.[break][break]

Starin’ down a long empty hall! Pictures on walls, all with your name, but it’s not the same…! Searchin’ for the chord I can’t hear! Been searching for years! It’s somewhere inside, but it’s well disguised…! And if I go away, what would still remain of me? The ghost within your eyes! The whisper in your sighs! … You see? Believe, and I’m always there.[break][break]

Someday I’ll take a chance. You’ll find them where you can. They tend to slip away, these doors to yesterday. Forever is a long time, they say! And maybe someday, I’ll meet you there if you’ve time to spare. So tell me, then, where I can go where they won’t know who I have been! And can we start again? And if I go away, what would still remain of me? The ghost within your eyes! The whisper in your sighs! … You see? Believe. And I’m always there…

[attr="class","rockopera"]AGONY AND ECSTACY

[attr="class","rockopera3"]Listen to me from deep down inside. I’m the madness that just will not die. With no regrets of what I’ll do to you, before the night is over, you’ll be crawling to me! Call me when you’re weak. For me, you’ll lie and cheat. You’ll never get away. With me, you’re here to stay. Listen, DT, can’t you see? Stay with me, and you’ll be free. Even as I sooth your soul, I’ll tear you down and make you old. You just keep on comin’ back to buy another nickel sack. Twelve o’clock! Time to greet agony and ecstasy![break][break]

I’m the crash from within when your day begins! You know, you’ll follow me like sheep! This shepard never sleeps! Tell me: what’s your price? Come skate on my ice with blades that never rust. I’m asking you to trust! Listen, now, the time is right and what a way to start the night! Spend your money endlessly; another grain, insanity! So, DT, this is the plan: I’ll make your brain a rubber band! Time to stretch it out and greet agony and ecstasy! Ecstasy![break][break]

Feel my whisper through your haze of pain. Hear the calling of a neon vein. See my name upon your soul’s marquee! I am agony and ecstasy! And just remember: if you ever need me, I’m here.

[attr="class","rockopera"]HEAL MY SOUL

[attr="class","rockopera3"]I’ve been waiting, long forgotten, shipwrecked on a distant shore. Am I drifting, no more wanted, floating outward evermore? And all the dreams I have harbored in the labyrinth of my soul are gone forever. Not discarded, only sleeping ‘til they’re whole. And in the graveyard of my heart, now, sleep the years that I’ve long sold. And for their markers, is there nothing? Only ghosts I cannot hold? And father hear me! I am tired…! Shall I waken in thy home?[break][break]

Hold me closer. I am trying. Sweet Lord Jesus, heal my soul.

[attr="class","rockopera"]SOMEWHERE IN TIME

[attr="class","rockopera3"]So what can I tell you if life’s the length of this play? Perhaps God gave the answers to those with nothin’ to say. But the years are forgiven if God’s forgiven in kind. Perhaps we’ll all find the answers somewhere in time, somewhere in time. I’ve been changing, re-defining all the things I thought I knew! So long ago, I was flyin’ through the years! They seem so far away![break][break]

In the back of a reason! In the back of my mind! It’s where I’ve piled up the seasons that I’ve traded for time! I’ve been graspin’ at rainbows, hangin’ onto the edge! But the rain is so real, Lord, and the rainbows pretend! The rainbows pretend! I’ve been changin’, re-defining all the things I thought I knew! So long ago, I was flyin’ through the years! They seem so far away…!

[attr="class","rockopera"]BELIEVE

[attr="class","rockopera3"]So after all these one-night-stands, you’ve ended up with heart in hand. A child alone, on your own, retreating. Regretful for the things you’re not and all the dreams you haven’t got. Without a home, a heart of stone lies bleeding. And for all the roads you followed, and for all you did not find, and for all the dreams you had to leave behind: I am the way. I am the light. I am the dark inside the night. I hear your hopes, I feel your dreams, and in the dark, I hear your screams. Don’t turn away! Just take my hand! And when you make your final stand, I’ll be right there. I’ll never leave. All I ask of you is: believe.[break][break]

Your childhood eyes were so intense while bartering your innocence for bits of string, grown-up wings you needed! But when you had to add them up, you found that they were not enough to get you in, pay for sins repeated! And for all the years you borrowed! And for all the tears you cried! And for all the fears you had to keep inside! Yeah! I am the way! I am the light! I am the dark inside the night! I hear your hopes, I feel your dreams! And in the dark, I hear your screams! Don’t turn away! Just take my hand! And when you make your final stand, I’ll be right there! I’ll never leave! All I ask of you is: believe! Yeah![break][break]

“I never wanted to know, never wanted to see! I wasted my time ‘til time wasted me! Never wanted to go, always wanted to stay ‘cause the person I am are the parts that I play! So I plot and I plan! Hope and I scheme to the lure of the night filled with unfinished dreams! And I’m holding on tight to a world gone astray as they charge me for years I can’t pay! Yeah!” I am the way! I am the light! I am the dark inside the night! I hear your hopes! I feel your dreams! And in the dark, I hear your screams! Don’t turn away! Just take my hand! And when you make your final stand, I’ll be right there - I’ll never leave! All I ask of you is: believe.[break][break]

Believe.