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worn out – and out of date.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)