BAABELI

Parhaan kaverin pikkuserkku, cowboy

Tukholmasta tulee kylään.

Risaiset farkut & musta T-paita:

KISS, kaksi salamaa.

Näyttää suurimman arpensa. Huda, huda!

Ensimmäistä kertaa on tyttöjä mukana.

Parvi pärähtää pihalta metsään.

On vain etsijöitä. Apinoiden planeetta.

© AP KIVINEN

Valley Below II - Dog Day

My lyrics for the Dog Day-album (Valley Below, 2010).

01. The Taming

02. Demolition Derby

03. Clicks

04. Good Killer

05. Dog Day

06. Prairie Rose

07. And the Mourning

08. Primitives

09. Blue-Collar-Bill

10. Kick-Off

11. No Drama

The Taming (>listen)

So this is Laura, my landlady

lucky me, I can see her through

my window - and I’m well ready

before the door is closed in her T-Ford.

And she can see that this is me

wearing nothing but her kind of tweed.

And she can see that this is me

not any thief - this is her belief

And the shining silver is cheating me.

And I’m not tellin’ any jokes

Well, I’m not one of those blokes.

And I’m quite a good fella

And I’m holding my umbrella.

So I’m not singing any old sweet

melody in any corner of the street

but you tell me, are you angry with me

and who’s in need of this taming

when the roaring is about to begin.

And the door is closed in her T-Ford.

© AP KIVINEN

Demolition Derby  (>listen)

You know 
I used to be a driver
long and straight was the road
to the bottom line
what a way to drive
I was divine

Well, you know

I used to be the driver

Now I’m the vehicle.

You know

I used to step on the gas

wear a mask, day after day.

You know I used to say hey, hey

pedal to the medal

is the perfect way.

Well, you know

I used to be the driver

Now I am the vehicle

I’m wearing this costume

and collision is my dress code

has gotten rotten and rusty

worn out – and out of date.

Well, this is the day at a lifelong race

Am I - in a right or wrong place

when I hesitate – take a break

take a break - look at my face!

© AP KIVINEN

Clicks    (> listen)

I hate this
when all the clicks
and the techniques
turn out to dominate.
I hate this - and I need this
god damn plague
when we calculate
and you’re so great!

And it’s easy to cut it out
You don’t have to
shout it out loud.
Easy to cut all the cables
and ---- I hate this.

Plan B
was treating me
automatically.
And of course
we didn’t mean
this kind of sympathy
is breaking me
from A to Z.

And it’s easy to cut it out
You don’t have to
shout it out loud.
Easy to cut all the cables
and empty the drive
then we’re all free - without ID.

It’s the same old TV-comedy, of course
you didn’t mean - I didn’t lean on
this kind of sympathy.

© AP KIVINEN

Good Killer   (>listen)

I need you.
This is the truth.
There is no excuse.
I’m not begging you.
I need to tell you
the truth.

I’m looking - not for trouble
- nor playing for double stakes.
I’m looking - not for trouble.

I’m left here without a trace
without a trace of your pretty face.

I’m lost here without a trace
without a trace of your pretty face.

Not any crazy
horse healer.         
Not any rusty   
dirty dealer       
Not any frenzy  
fortuneteller   
is good enough
a killer for this fever.

I need you.
This is the truth.

I need you.

© AP KIVINEN

Dog Day    (>listen)

This time you don’t need any weapon
Only to choose your companion.

This time you were talkin’ to me
just like the big chief.
And you told me this is the spirit
of your battlefield.

And you told me there were two dogs
deep within your very skin
And unlike peaceful twins
they were pulling the strings

and you were inbetween.

And the whole day long
went on this hunting 
and the dogs were following
even in your dreams - it’s increasing greed

And the dog you greet
is overtaking.
And the dog you feed
is finally leading.

This time you don’t need any weapon
Only to choose your companion.

© AP KIVINEN

Prairie Rose  (> listen)

It could be the edge

of your loneliness

an express - rather

than endless this train

through this desert plain.

It could be the war

you once fought inwards

Maybe your only chord

you better think once more.

What keeps you awake.

What have you got?

Your skinner’s hands?

This open wasteland?

What have you got?

This was your long and lost weekend?

And you may think there’s no limit

in all their bullshit

since you paid your visit once

and came back – without credit

and you don’t regret it.

And in the end, my dearest friend

to leave this prairie and train

for this was once your long and lost weekend.

What I really mean, what I really mean

it’s the healing, the healing rain.

© AP KIVINEN

And the Mourning    (>listen)

Light is sharp

it’s dividing the dark

as well as hiding the stars

and pointing the scars - as landmarks.

I can see clearly now – that I’m

in need of another spark.

And the morning

is loaded up.

Remember the days

when everything between

me and Mylady Spring

was turning green

by the time the morning

was breaking.

Light is sharp

it’s dividing the dark.

And the morning

is loaded up.

Just like this one

could be a ten-ton-truck.

As well as carrying love

what could be troublesome

under the sun.

Light is sharp

it’s dividing the dark.

© AP KIVINEN

Primitives    (>listen)

This is the outskirts

I’m getting closer

reaching my relatives

young and restless

I’m rough and ready.

This is the outskirts

in the crowded room

I’m closer to the Zoo

young and restless

I’m rough and ready.

And all the queens

in their teens

start to kiss.

And all the Gents

and their Ladies

Rebuild the ruins.

Keen on strings

my fingers

digging the dirt

this won’t hurt.

Just immerse.

I’m off. Looking

back and forth.

© AP KIVINEN

Blue-Collar-Bill (>listen)

I’m a man of honour

have I got a brother?

I’m a man of honour

a real blue-collar.

I’m a man of word

if you never heard.

I’m a man of world

so don’t you disturb.

This building is my song,

I’m singing along.

This building is my song.

There’s no other name

it’s working without fame.

This feeling - there was no ceiling.

Only the echoes from the loft.

Were you thinking of

the howling of the dog?

There’s no other name.

It’s blue-collar-bill.

© AP KIVINEN

Kick-Off     (>listen) 

Absolutely, you’re positive

more or less, maybe twenty-six.

Absolutely you’re still young

and definite. You think.

And Absolutely, you’re finally

more or less you’re standing  

Absolutely steady

and solid as brick. You think.

And there’s no other trick, no more

than a good kick, you think. I’m positive.

And you’re positive - through these empty streets

when you’re mourning through, in reverie

and even on your windowsill -  you come

you run across your hearthill.

Don’t you leave me standing here

this is empty street

and I’m following my heartbeat

- and absolutely I’m free.

© AP KIVINEN

No Drama      (>listen)

When I first met you

after walking miles and miles

somewhere in between the two isles.

When I first met you

It was as if I’ve read the whole script

and all of this in good spirit.

There’s no drama – no more

than wordless peace

as small as one can be – everything

in good spirit, sha-la-na.

When I first met you

somewhere in between the two isles

there must be a bridge - and it goes on for miles.

There’s no drama – nor any

sort of karma

no other words - instead the ones

you’ve just heard, sha-la-na.

(Epilogue)

And you’re still burning, yearning

to find out what was this message

you were given in the first place.

Was it something between you and me

a kind of bridge, this eclipse?

Or were they written on skin, the words

and the deeds – buried deep within?

But no sign or ink on your skin

and I believe you made a promise

not to mess with too big a fish

on this lonesome pilgrimage.

End is the new beginning

when you feel – alright, it’s a long way

to the light, in the middle of the night

there is another turnstile.

And somebody held your hand

for this little while tender was the night

before the reptiles took your time

and what could be

The door to the oldest church,

among colourful birds

a small, black bird - your soul

take good care and listen.

© AP KIVINEN

Dog Day lyrics © AP KIVINEN (2010) 

Valley Below I: Running Rites (2007)



These are the lyrics I wrote for the first Valley Below -album, Running Rites (2007). 
Preface - as well as the lyrics - appear also in the album cover / booklet. 


00. Preface: A Prodigal

Well, it’s been a long journey, but I’m still burning, yearning to find out what was this message I was given in the first place. Was it something between you and me – a kind of bridge, this eclipse. Or was it written on skin, the words and the deeds, buried deep within. But there’s no sign of ink on my skin - and I have to begin from the beginning, by floating in this driving cage. And what a speed! It is to rage. Over the land, over the dreamland, I spin over the hills, over the cities and their prairies; not knowing what I’m carrying, bringing home – seeds or stone, a volcano. Next thing I remember I’m gasping, floating to the next station. There’s no-one around, no other incarnations. Except this lonesome rover, dressed in rags and holding a fancy bowler hat. What was it he gave me? A walking stick? And what it was I was doing here, I don’t care. The only thing I’m looking for is a new door. And I open the first door, the green door - and suddenly the wind blows - and opens all the doors - and I slide from one room to another. In the first one there are fancy wall to wall papers with thistles and of course, young couples playing poker all over the place, each one has got a fireplace – ablaze.

As if I’ve seen this all, I’m off. In the next room, in this particular doghouse there is music, god damn there is music, and everybody’s dancing and among all others I can see there is Johnny, Mike and Mr. B and the whole band of good old sisters and brothers and friends, bookends, and they are all still running, running and chasing, taming the poor old dog, it’s a working-man-waltz. Tori on piano. And there, before my very eyes the same old rover is tranformed into a beautiful young lady and she’s holding the strings and the guitar rocks and weeps - and this brings me out on the street. As soon as I get closer I recognise it is neither a coin nor a four-leaf-clover she’s holding, but a snail on the palm of her hand. And she reveals the snail itself is the message. Relief. And  I can feel somewhere out there the Galway Bay is breathing, bringing wreckages on the shore and more than ever before I’m aware of the waves and their weight, and everything is wide open and green, green and I realise this is not just a dream. Nothing is. And I feel this is just the beginning.

Fishguard - Capel Curig, Wales 1993 - 2003

01. Souvenir

Many happy returns

were mislead or never sent

And your sentence, all over again

you’re chasing Zen.

Many happy returns

now or never it’s – heads or tails

And the year of the Deer

running in North Wales.

All along the road

stories were told

All along the coast

on and off like waves

Break on to the shore

the line they walk along

and hold on strong.

All along the road

stories were told

All along the coast

they walk alone – in pairs

Up and down the number of the stairs

and footsteps you were to share

and take care of your Souvenir.

02. Selling Down the River

This river is running faster 

everyday, my Captain

she brings me another 

chapter - or so they say 

the Dice, my Partner 

in front of my eyes.

On the riverbank

you’re always looking back.

There is another show

that’s sliding slow – you hesitate

and then make a date

where the wild things grow.

My Luck how Fair you run like the River

Double six – now could you fix – I wish

All this makes me shiver.

’Cross the Ocean to the other side

where you want is hard to find

an Iceberg, you’re drifting blind

and river it runs oh so wide.

’Cross the Ocean on the other side

where there’s so much Love to hide

even in the Rising Tide 

and all you want is to be kind.

Take me to the place I know.

Take me to where I belong.

My Luck how Fair you run like the River.

Double six – now could you fix – I feel

like Selling down the River.

03. Jukeboxing

You sleep alone in the dark

corner of this hip-hop block.

Your face of plastic in this harbour

of ground breaking stock.

Is switched off 

your jukebox

is kicked off.

Touch the Button

choose the ground

movin’ – tunin’

the forgotten one.

You stand alone like a stranger here

his hand on the shoulder.

Your colourful armour 

in this harbour of laughing stock.

Just another fingertip

will kick you through this trip

And play this piece all over 

and over again.

04. Handyman 

You can – you take

advantage and blame

the driving rain

it’s all the same.

You’re ready – steady

for every fall

You’re dressed up

for another Ball.

In your Toolbox

all the shame

heavy tools without a name.

In your Toolbox

pride or groom

fills this lonesome living room.

Walking on

his battlefield

a useless tool

without a shield.

Afraid of nails

on the floor

waiting for – another

hammer to fall.

Walking all the way back home

feel it so close to the bone.

You think your balls

and holding hands

could break this wall 

to new romance.

05. Absence

Take a good look in your pockets

What have you got behind the seams?

The face of your running dreams, indeed.

What you really need lies underneath.

Are you carrying the power, bringing the flower

in full bloom in the darkest room?

Or what if you think, you know what I mean

the wall inbetween you and me.

This is your Moor, once more

you enter the Door.

This is your Moor, once more

you’re standing at the Door.

This is your Moor, once more.

Let alone the one who flew to Dublin.

All the way - and just in time, you’re running

through suburban - and what if you think,

the one bringing the ring? You’re genuine.

This is your Moor, once more

you’re standing at the Door.

This is your Moor, once more

you knock on the Door.

This is your Moor, once more.

And you’re watching me - like the TV

could I be like the one

from Notting Hill.

06. In Gratitude

Suddenly 
without any warnings
shedding tears invisible

for the sake of unknown reasons.

Suddenly

the echoes of the nature

covering everything

from heavenly sounds to undertones.

And you couldn’t fall in the Big Sleep

you had that September night

and the dream still in full bloom

in her moonlit room.

Suddenly

without any warnings

shedding tears invisible

for the sake of unknown reasons.

Sometimes you’re not that strong

and the weakness it might scare you

you recall in the moonlight

one of the last days in the fall.

When everything’s so close

you’re too close to be caught

know this what they call solitude.

But this song’s in gratitude for you.

When starting to appreciate

the Beauty of it all

When starting to see those yesterdays

in this light of day – who would you call?

07. The Driver

I’m a Driver

god damn I am

the deep diver

to Nothing’am.

With all the rage

you know this age

in this driving cage.

Would you be my guest

and drive until you dive?

Would you be my guest

and drive until you find

the end of the line

the ways you drive

to the rhythm and rhyme

that shivers down your spine.

I’m a Driver

god damn I am

the deep diver

to Nothing’am.

And it’s taking

me higher than high

ways ’cross this time.

Would you be my guest

Someday you’ll find the rest.

Would you be my guest

Someday you’ll find the rest

back against the wall

you’ll never fall

I could have sworn.

I could have flown, 

my only Jewel, I could have shown

my best Pint of Fuel.

08. Capel Curig

Silence - only streams

continuing, over the hill.

You were to share the view

and this is - you’re standing still.

Higher than the fall of streams

you’re head over heels

Closer than the four-leaf-clover

and you start all over, like the New Rover.

Today – this is a good start

all the way from Fishguard.

Today – will you grow like tree

when you’re living like a falling stream.

Today – today – you keep falling on.

Today – today – she wore a Yellow Ribbon.

And you know we might grow old - or remain unfold.

Silent – only dreams 

continuing, in the Closing Time.

On and off outdoors - you’re given 

nature of your great rewind 

in this fading daylight.

Today – like all the other Knights

you know there are no other times.

Today – you see the setting sun

the only Rover in the long run.

And if I watch carefully

I can see those streams

Flowing in the – flowing in the

eyes of my dear friend.

Today – today – keep on telling the Tale.

Today – today – your own Grail.

And you know we’re a falling flow

in the valley below.

09. Running Rite

Circle is the same.

Running every day.

Release – and this breeze

is taking over you.

Release – wild as child

hound you’re running round

and colourblind

carrying out

the Cheyenne Rite.

Dog, you’re Dancing

on your own way

for the Chief.

Dog, you’re Dancing

running every day

to an easy relief

Circle is the same.

Circle is the same.

Running every day.

Understand – there’s a chance.

This one dance.

Who’s in command?

Understand – you’ll join

or run out of reach

maybe retrieve 

and follow the chief, if you please.

Circle is the same.

Running every day.

Freeze – still this breeze

and the same old melody.

Freeze – still out of reach

you run in Cities 

and their Prairies, in front of me

the same old ceremony.

And the Seekers drumming

the ground in Circles.

And the Seekers drumming

the ground in Circles.

10. Liverpool

You know the Fields

are fine and every day

closed in time.

And every day I try

to work in my own

class without a mask.

Never mind – I’m on your side

I could be sold – I could be tied

skin and bone, your stepping stone 

I know the show and will follow

run the risk maybe sorrow.

Brush the boots

rather than Red Cherries

more black and bitter

are the berries to pick

in this Public House of tricks.

And even if I lose

someone like you

I’ll never choose

their loony tunes

and if I choose

any bride or groom

Must be as cool as you.

And in Liverpool

You’ll never walk alone.

Lyrics by AP KIVINEN (2007)