Track Notes & Lyrics: Silver Bird: Lincoln is at the centre of a hub of RAF bases, and I often hear different aircraft flying over, either for displays or on exercise. Living here, you get a feel for the state of world politics by what is flying and how often. Sleepwalker: I’ve had a sense for a long while that the world needs to wake up and smell the coffee and this song came out of that. I’m saying it as much to myself as anyone. I don’t want to go through life being lulled to sleep by the media, by Facebook, and not truly engaging. I want to go deeper than that. Some Days: This song shares a source of inspiration with the Byrds’ song “Turn, Turn, Turn”: a passage in the ancient Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8) whose writer states there is a time for everything - everything has its season: love, hate, mourning, living, dying. The philosopher, thought to be King Solomon, had tried everything to find satisfaction and was grappling with life’s biggest questions, writing his wisdom down to pass to future generations. You only truly appreciate the good things in life when you’ve experienced the flip side. Now is the time to live, to rise up out of loss, pain and suffering, to heal, build and thrive. Stick of Rock*: "It's like those sticks of rock: bite it all the way down, you'll still read Brighton.” - Graham Greene, Brighton Rock. This song was written in response to a festival’s call for art on the subject of “What is it to be human?”. This led to much deep thought… As a species, we are always trying to be in control, trying to be god-like, trying to make our own solutions, pushing against the tide, always falling flat on our face in the process. But each one of us carries echoes of glory in spite of our imperfection, being uniquely crafted by the supreme being and marked with his imprint, like the name in a stick of rock. If I want to be truly powerful, I need to admit my weakness and submit to the master-craftsman who has branded me. It’s an ongoing struggle. *For those unfamiliar with the tradition, a stick of rock is a stick-shaped sweet sold typically at UK seaside resorts. It normally has writing that goes right through the middle, reminding you where it is from. Silver Bird Silver bird Tears the sky in two   Flies by my window  Like a rumour of war Silver wings Cut the clouds like a knife Rip the sound from the sky With the speed of your flight I don't need an alarm You fly like a warning You burn with your eyes I know something’s wrong You fly like an omen Phoenix in flight    Silver bird Shakes the ground from above Thunder and lightning flash: Fear, shock and awe. Sleepwalker I don't want to be a sleep walker Sleep talker In a stupor Give me clarity Give me reality Over the dream Only the truth is real What's the attraction escaping from your real life? Living in a white lie Thinking that it's alright What is the attraction of living in a dream world? Living in a dream world  Sweet talker No more pretending No more placebo  Whilst you're asleep I'm getting deep Things are moving on No more fake aesthetic  No more anaesthetic The world won't wait while you escape, Things are moving on Some Days You know how high the sun is when you see the shadows fall You know how bright the light is when you see the shade Some things in life are tough but they show us where to look Some times in life are dark but they show what was good Some things need to die before they rise again Sometimes we need to let go before we love again Some days we are broken Some days we need to mend You don’t notice all the noise until you’ve been in silence You don’t know the stillest voice until you’ve known the storm Sometimes you have to tear down and start to build anew  Some days you work hard Somedays you reap what you sow Some days you need to die before you rise again Sometimes you need to let go before you love again Some days you are broken Some days you need to mend You have known a time to mourn You have known a time to fear You have known a time to hate You have known a time to tear But now is the time to live Now is the time to build Now is the time to love Now is the time to love  Stick of Rock So I try to play God again Snatch back the controls When will I ever learn? So I'm only human So I should know better Than to try and place my feet where You stood for me I wanna control, yeah I wanna be boss I wanna call fire down from heaven I’ve got to let go, yeah, ‘cause that's not my job I’ve only got the gifts that I’m given   But I’ve got an imprint of you Running through like DNA I’ve got an imprint of you My DNA So I climb back into Your Hands  Hand back the control - I try to learn trust again So it is through weakness I will see your likeness Your life completing my imperfect humanity Credits: Recorded at ATM Lincoln and Beaky Jay Production All instrumentation: Stoneygate Artwork & Production: Beaky Jay Production Cover photo: Zach Barnes, assisted by Stephanie Rea. Thank you to..... Matt Steady for reviewing the mixes and your useful feedback (no pun intended). Nigel Merritt, Mark ‘the Rev’ & Stuart Wood, for being there in the early days, long before these tunes and songs were even a twinkle in my eye, and sharing your musical expertise. Everyone who has encouraged me to keep going &/or provided cups of tea, particularly the Da Silvas, the Muirs, the Thorneycrofts & the Papes, ‘No 1 fan’ Bekah DS, Anne Baird, Peter Rollings, Oxjam Ann, Rimmo & the Brewer Crew, plus lots more I could mention but I don’t want it to sound like the Oscars. And, last but not least, a special thank you to everyone at ATM Lincoln, without whom this project would not have been the same.