Bill Gawley : Are We There Yet Lyrics

Hardy Soul

She loved to walk down by the ocean, to hear the roaring of the waves Photo of ocean with crashing waves

But if they broke too close she’d run the other way
It always puzzled her to think how she’d become so damned afraid
Until she heard a little voice inside her say:

Put your feet into the water, hold your nose and jump right in
If it’s cold- you’ll go much faster. Be a Hardy Soul, it’s time to take a swim!

He climbed high atop the mountain, and while standing on a ledge
Saw just one way across, and the jump was pretty great
But believing there was solid ground over on the other edge
He steeled his nerves and took that leap of faith

Put your feet into the water, hold your nose and jump right in
If it’s cold- you’ll go much faster. Be a Hardy Soul, it’s time to take a swim!

            Say what you mean, mean what you say
            Make the most of every single day
            Don’t be scared of getting dirty, don’t be scared of getting old
            Don’t be scared of baring your Hardy Soul

Put your pencil to the paper, just like time and time before
You’ll make sense from nonsense, if you try again
Throw out your White-Out and eraser, you don’t need them any more
You’ve got the soul that guides the hand that guides the pen

Put your feet into the water, hold your nose and jump right in
If it's cold- you'll go much faster. Be a Hardy Soul, it's time to take a swim.

Movin' On

Wind blows down the Merrimack, pushing this old van along
Stripes on the road so new that I can smell them.
Nothing left in that old town, ‘cept for a feeling that I don’t belong.
No one left to say goodbye to, no one else worth telling that

I’m moving on, I’m tired of old abandoned houses,
Echoes and ghosts, and signs of people that don’t live there anymore.
I’m moving on, packing the spoils of my adventures
And all my toils and indentures will soon be only memories- I’m moving on.

A guy can thrive or just survive, guess it depends on where he stands,
And his future can hold hope or apprehension
And all those things that feel so solid while he holds them in his hand,
When they’re dangled out of reach are only specters that will send him…

I woke up screaming from a dream where I was fallin’, callin’ someone
As I watched my world implode before my eyes
But it was daylight and the dream was done, I knew right then the time had come
No more negotiations- no more compromise.

Some folks end up on their feet, no matter how they fall
But me, I’m always grappling for a handhold
Always facing down the future with my back against the wall
Till another highway calls, and then I find that once again…

Far Side Of The River

Drawing of people reaching out to another person on the far bank of a river.

If no one will come running to your rescue,
it’s ‘cause you’ve said you can’t depend on no one else
When will you learn, that the bridges that you’ve burned,
aren’t ever going to rebuild by themselves

Hide your emotions, keep them from view
Bury them deep so no one finds them- Not even you
You say you don’t need them, but you don’t see your loss
Or that you’re stranded on the far side of the river- with no way to get across.

One little word, is all it takes to start the flow- that becomes a raging torrent, and then before you know
The water’s quickly rising, and isolation’s near, from the flood of hate and the mud of guilt and fear

Look for your lifeline, some helping hand
Because explaining to them what you meant to say- will never make ‘em understand
You say there’s no danger, though it’s plain to see
That you are stranded on the far side of the river- with no way to get free.

The channel is wide now, the current is strong
That chunk of solid ground that you’re so proud to stand on, will be wet before too long
Run down the banks now, you’re sure to find
The remnants of that bridge that still can guide you, back to the other side.

Humility, like sunshine, can make the downpour disappear.
And forgiveness calms the rapids, makes the muddy river clear.
If you can find a way to ford across, then get on over here.
Cause the old folks say the floods get worse each year.

Try testing the water, stick your toe in the stream
Believe that you can be a stronger swimmer, than you have ever dreamed
Grab hold of charred timbers, and you know that you can
Cross over from the farside of the river- and you won't go back again.

Are We There Yet?

Drawing of green car with boy looking out back window

Seven years old, in the back of the Dodge, all tucked in for a long Sunday drive.
Mom, Dad, and me were our own company, Jimmy just a faint gleam in their eyes.
Destination unknown, many times it was shown- to truly be our “Mystery Ride”.
Was it the places we’d go or just the time on the road- that keeps those old memories alive?
       Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
       I’d ask after each radio song
       Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
       Cause it seems we’ve been driving so long.

I couldn’t believe, how long you’d put up with me, my indecision, my blindness, my pride.
When I asked you to be- a fellow traveler with me, I was shocked how you finally replied.
You said, “we can’t pretend- we’ll ever know how this ends, or how long it takes to arrive.
But the journey ahead, with its hopes and its dreads, is so much better with you by my side”.
       Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
       Or can we just see what’s over that hill?
       Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
       Or is there many a mile to go still?

This old planet of ours, is on a path through the stars, as it hurtles through darkness & chill
And as we ride along, we can all pick the songs- they can be about peril or thrill.

Still our sojourns go on- sometimes short, sometimes long, sometimes fast, sometimes glacially slow.
Sometimes our courses are clear, sometimes we tremble in fear, sometimes we struggle with rain, wind, and snow.
And the travelers’ prayer, of which we must be aware- invokes wisdom from long, long ago
It’s all ‘bout sharing the load, and at each fork in the road- deciding the best way to go.
       Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
       And is our search for adventure or home?
       Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
       There’s a good chance that we’ll never know-
       But at least we’re not traveling alone.

Augusta Before The Snowfall

Drawing of truck passing a road sign: Augusta, 60 mi.

Well it’s almost 3 p.m. and I’ve been heading north since 10,
with a healthy hunk of highway left to go.
And the rumbling of the road is worn so deep into my soul,
That this third cold cup of coffee doesn’t help to fill the hole,
And now the only thing I want the next turn to bring, is me closer to you.

If I can just get to Augusta before the snowfall,
about an hour before the darkness closes in,
Then I can make it all the way, and I’ll be closer to the day
I’ll turn around and head right back to you again.

How many years since you and I got started on this ride,
with our future somewhere over the next hill?
I can’t begin to count the miles, twisting and turning all the while,
The constant whining of the wheels can cause a man to lose his mind
But all I’m thinking now, is just exactly how, and the time that’s left until…

I’m gonna just get to Augusta before the snowfall,
about an hour before the darkness closes in,
Then I can make it all the way, and I’ll be closer to the day
I’ll turn around and head right back to you again.

Traffic’s slowing down & getting heavy, good thing I topped the tank not long ago
Road crew trucks are out in force already,
But I’ve made this trip so many times I can’t help but know…

That if I just get to Augusta before the snowfall,
about an hour before the darkness closes in,
Then I can make it all the way, and I’ll be closer to the day
I’ll turn around and head right back to you again.

Closer Than They Appear

Drawing of sailboat heading down a winding river

Skies are silver-gray, more ugly weather on the way
Why does winter last so long, can't describe it in a song
Much to my dismay

Still a voice says in my ear, "it's not as dismal as we fear",
Though we wonder and we pray, hoping Spring is on its way
It's closer than it appears

Sunlight on the shining sea, blue liquid jewel surrounding me.
Two days out from harbor, I'm alone with ocean, boat, and sky.
For as far as I can see.

Bound for islands yet unseen, the stuff of legends, hopes and dreams.
Seabirds guide me on my way, when I'm in doubt, as if to say
Landfall is closer than it seems

When the daylight slowly fades, I close my eyes, I'm not afraid.
Darkness is only an illusion. Tomorrow's not so far away

She waves goodbye and sheds a tear, she grows small, then disappears.
As I slowly drive away, how I wish that I could stay,
But I've miles to go from here.

Though my heart keeps asking when, I know I'll soon be back again
It’s now becoming crystal clear, that those objects in the mirror
Are closer than they appear.

The Road To Something New

Drawing of woman with a suitcase looking down an abandoned road

Sometimes late at night, I picture myself in your shoes- a rebel without a clue.
Never knowing where to turn- which bridge to cross, or which to burn
Traveling on the road to something new.

I try to look at the world through your eyes- so dark & cold, so deep & blue,
it’s so hard to do.
What always drives you on at dawn, by the back way out of town?
Down the road to something new.

Maybe it’s ‘cause you’re restless, ‘cause you’ve been running for so long
You know the pace can make you breathless,
do you ever think of slowing down?
Maybe it’s cause you’re frightened- of being complacent or misunderstood
But the road to something new, is calling out to you, from another neighborhood.

Could you imagine what I would say- the look on my face, if you ever stayed in one place?
It must be just as hard for you to understand my point of view, and all my sedentary ways.
Battling inertia is tough- not in my blood, so stuck in the mud, though it’s a snap for you.
But if you teach me maybe I- can be the traveler by your side
Down the road to something new.

Maybe I’m just too patient, that’s why I’ve been stuck here for so long
But after awhile that logic fades, I know it’s time for moving on.
Or maybe just like you I could be frightened- of being complacent or misunderstood

Like when the road to something new, is calling out to you, from another neighborhood.
And now the road to something new, is calling out to me and you, and it’s never looked so good.

Far Enough Away

From far enough away, we’re just a tiny spot in space.
When you get a little closer, we’re just a shiny blueish sphere.
From far enough away, one can’t help but wonder
Is there anything intelligent down here?

From far enough away, everybody looks like strangers.
But from the alternate perspective, everybody looks like friends.
From far enough away, you might float the theory
That we are not all that different in the end.

The rain that’s pouring from the clouds falls down on everybody.
The chill winds over the mountains make everybody cold.
From far enough away, it seems we’re all just searching
For a safe place to stay and somebody to hold.

From far enough away, may be the place to find the answer
From far enough away, might be the way to truly see.
That from far enough away, we’ll find the secret to get closer.
To finally make a better world for you and me.

From far enough away, you see the only race is human.
And that if we all run together, we’re gonna get there in the end.
From far enough away, we’ll learn the key to our survival:
So open up your hearts, and lend a helping hand.

From far enough away, may be the place to find the answer
From far enough away, might be the way to truly see.
That from far enough away, we’ll find the secret to get closer.
To finally make a better world for you and me.
Where there’ll be peace and love for all humanity.

The Moon And Stars

Drawing of yellow moon and stars in maroon sky

Great-great Grandpa Henry sailed his ship out on the sea,
Working in the China trade, hauling silks and tea.
His compass and his sextant took him where he had to be,
And the moon and the stars brought him home,
the moon and the stars brought him home.

With the passage of 100 years, I’m searching just like he-
Upon a stormy ocean all alone.
Scanning the horizon for a glimpse of what’s to be,
Steering for a safer way back home, steering for a safer way back home.

Then, in desperation, I look out into the night
When it seems the hope has faded with the day.
Then I glance up to the heavens and I revel in the sight,
I know the moon & stars will help me find the way,
I know the moon & stars will help me find my way.

Through the hurricanes and tempests I’ve sailed surely on my way,
Confident in my true course with every passing day.
Though the waves are crashing on my bow I know I have to stay
On my search to find the truth in the unknown, on my search to find the truth in the unknown.

Now, with expectation, I look again into the night
And the light that shines is brighter than the day.
And I glance up to the heavens and revel in the sight,
And I know the moon & stars will help me find the way.
I know the moon & stars will help me find my way.

Soft Place To Land

Flyin’ with your feet so far above the clouds, both ecstasy and terror close at hand.
Takin’ chances most folks won’t even say out loud, how you do it I will never understand
You’ve been keeping up this pace for oh so many years, you’ve been ridden hard and often come home wet
You’ve seen sweet success so many times it almost wipes away- the things you’ve seen you wish you could forget.

But as you’re climbing ever higher, always looking straight ahead,
I hope your vision’s clear enough to understand
That when the storm clouds gather ‘round you and danger’s licking at your heels
You’ve got to find yourself a safe soft place to land.

I’ve been watching as you’re reaching clear up to the stars, I feel your hunger as you’re almost drawing near.
We must be careful not to want what never truly can be ours- that you cannot settle for that is my fear.
Even your wings can grow tired just like anyone’s, and even you can venture too close to the sun
And even you will learn that if you travel one too many miles, it’s hard to find the easy road back home.

And as you’re climbing ever higher, always looking straight ahead,
I hope your vision’s clear enough to understand
That when the storm clouds gather ‘round you and danger’s licking at your heels
You’ve got to find yourself a safe soft place to land.

So I will keep the home fires burning in the hope you’ll feel the heat,
When the cold winds bring that chill right to the bone.
And that soon you’ll see the smoke and change direction back to me
And I pray you’ll know you’ve never been alone

Yes as you’re climbing ever higher, always looking straight ahead,
I hope your vision’s clear enough to understand
That when the storm clouds gather ‘round you and danger’s licking at your heels
You’ve got to find yourself a safe soft place to land.
Yes when the storm clouds gather ‘round you and danger’s licking at your heels
I’ll always be your safe soft place to land.

This Road

This road’s been a treasure, despite its twists and its bends,
Though they’re a thorn in my side every now and again.
I can’t recall where it started, I’ll never know where it ends,
When crimson skies mark the close of the day.

Many souls walked beside me with all their troubles and dreams,
Never asking the whys or the “what does that mean”s.
But you and I, we still tumble like 2 leaves in a stream,
Braving rapids and rocks on the way.

And the forks in this road have led to joy and to pain
But we’ve weathered some storms, so now we don’t mind the rain.
Well let’s find a warm roadhouse that’s got some room in the inn
And prepare for the miles up ahead.

Maybe you’ll paint me a picture and we can sing some old songs
And share stories and laughs till the wine is all gone
If you leave early tomorrow, know I’ll be right along
And that I’ll never be too far away.

May this road rise to meet you as you follow the moon
Back home to the ocean, on your path through the dunes
And it’s never “goodbye”, only “I’ll see you soon”
When we meet on this road once again
Thanks for sharing this journey, old friend.

Bill Gawley Singer- Songwriter- Guitarist

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