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Return to Waves

by Vanessa Lively

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    Get all 8 Vanessa Lively releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Truth Is, Golden Treasure, Oh Deliverance, I Am, Return to Waves, Uncovering Stones, Canto y Cantera, and A Chain Unbroken. , and , .

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1.
I Am a Song 04:01
I hear my voice, it’s a thousand whispers blowing through the trees like a gentle wind. I see my face, it’s a still reflection in the quiet waters where the river bends. And I, I am a song. Gentle and still but quietly strong. And I, I am the words reaching the ears of all who have heard. All who have heard. I feel my hands, they’re a tender cradle for a baby bird fallen from the nest. And in my mouth, it’s the sweetest nectar at the flowers center that leaves moths refreshed. And I, I am a song. Tender and sweet, but lovingly strong. And I, I am the words reaching the ears of all who have heard. All who have heard. I smell my scent, redolent of pine trees in the mountain air just before the rain. I know my soul, it’s the earthen music that is ever present deep within my veins. And I, I am a song. Sent through the air and boundlessly strong. And I, I am the words reaching the ears of all who have heard. All who have heard. I hear my voice, it’s a thousand whispers, blowing through the trees like a gentle wind. I see my face, it’s a still reflection in the quiet waters where the river bends.
2.
Chasm 03:05
What it is is coming through air. Travels across green mountains and fair oaks. What it feels like is a razors edge cutting through the deepest part of the bedrock. And all along the longing was there. It was crying out for someone to care. But the silence was deafening so it fared. The sidewalls were made of stone. Jagged edges can cut through to bare bone. The deeper you descend the colder it grows as you pass down into the marrow. And all along the hollow was there. It was crying out for someone to care. But no one was noticing so it fared. A little piece crossed to the other side. A little green got into the warm tide. A little blue passed into the meadow. Now the pieces are starting to grow. And all along potential was there. It was buried under acts of foreswearing and the chasm was reveling in the rare.
3.
Storms came when you were made beneath the flickering light. All my words went back to waves as my body sailed the night. The rain it pounded on the pane the wind it shook the floor. All my thoughts returned to water as you waited at my door. Become a body, oh become a soul. Rest your weary head upon my shoulder. Into the night we dive beyond this shore. I give my hand to you to hold once more. I know you’ve been here with me maybe once or twice before. It seems I’m seeing clearly as I open up the door. The storm is gone and all that’s left are rivers in the streets. I go downstairs to see the wreckage and feel you at my feet. Become a body, oh become a soul. Rest your weary head upon my shoulder. Into the night we dive beyond this shore. I give my hand to you to hold once more. There are times I do not see all that’s you and all that is me. In suspended time I become the sea and I feel the pulsing around me. The water went back to the sea the sun came out to shine. All of this felt like a dream on a night too full of wine. But there were still reminders of what happened in the night. Shattered panes and fallen street lamps were left from a reuniting. Become a body, oh become a soul. Rest your weary head upon my shoulder. Into the night we dive beyond this shore. I give my hand to you to hold once more.
4.
I need to jump of this ship get lost in the ocean then find my own way back to shore. It’s been a long time coming I’ve got work to do. And my body wants to feel the water once more. In that suspense of freedom is time where all thoughts are making sense and all words seem to rhyme. Every little thing that’s wrong now seems to make a right. I’ll be carving my way through the waves every day, every night. I need to cut the ties unleash the words release everything that I have heard. It’s about time that I’m coming around unlearn it all and find my own ground. So I need to jump of this ship get lost in the ocean then find my own way back to shore. It’s been a long time coming I got work to do. And my body wants to feel the water once more. I need to cut the ties unleash the words release everything that I have heard. It’s about time that I’m coming around unlearn it all and find my own ground.
5.
We are waiting in chains we are standing very still. For the end or the edge for the waves to come and fill our hardened hearts our hallowed ground, our harrowed hill. We are waiting here still, we are waiting here still. It takes time to undo the many things that were taught to you. Some are good and some are true, what matters most is what resonates with you. All the things that we went through are buried now in the sand, stone and dew. As the rain is pouring down the soaken earth will cave in here too. We are waiting in chains we are standing very still. For the end or the edge for the waves to come and fill our hardened hearts our hallowed ground, our harrowed hill. We are waiting here still, we are waiting here still. Our faith has not been shaken yet, we have our feet on this ground. Our trust has not been broken yet, each time we’re lost we are found. Our loyalty not wavered once though we’ve had our ups and our downs. So we will keep on waiting until we are unbound.
6.
I lost my heart when my Maria fell, gave into the spell of her family. She left me here to gaze upon her back as she turned and abandoned me. Now I wander this dry land where nothing will grow. Across the burning sand, no she won’t let go. I was young and a politico didn’t really know my enemy. She appeared simply beautiful her eyes of blue azul werel I could see. Now I wander this dry land where nothing will grow. Across the burning sand, no she won’t let go. I hear her moaning in the wind. Her voice calls out to me time and time again. There was no way to keep our love a secret although we tried word got around. We brought shame to her family name so they sent her where she couldn’t be found. Now I wander this dry land where nothing will grow. Across the burning sand, no she won’t let go.
7.
Dive In 02:57
She is standing feet on the edge, it’s so far down she’s scared she’ll drown. There was a time when she’d jump right in, childlike and fearless, wind on her skin. What has she lost, she’s frozen and still. Unable to move fear grips her will. What does it cost to think over again every decision and never dive in? Dive in.
8.
Bury It 03:39
They build up a house just to tear down a wall and sometimes they watch it fall, watch it fall. Somewhere deep I know they’re gonna lose it in the end. It’s all a big distraction played like a bitter friend. The fires burning red it’s fed by flames from deep below and sometimes they watch it grow, watch it grow. Well there just ain’t no way it’s gonna burn itself out, being fueled by resentment and fanned by constant doubt. You can’t play with anger, no. Cause you’re gonna get hurt. You have to learn to let it go and bury it in the earth. Bury it deep in the earth. The past will always haunt you if you cling tight with your hands and play old scenes over and over again. If change is gonna happen, you have to give a little time. Staying patient in knowing that the past is all behind. You can’t play with anger, no. Cause you’re gonna get hurt. You have to learn to let it go and bury it in the earth. Bury it deep in the earth.
9.
Come and find me I will be waiting for you in the stillness of night. No lock or light will keep you out. It’ll just be me and my steady heart, I’ve known you as long as one can be. My body and mind are ready now are you coming to me? I’ve been confused and I’ve been lost but I’m wanting to be found. Can you call out my name I tell you I’m listening now. I’ve let go of everything to be ready to find you, so come and find me. Come find me. Come and find me I will be waiting for you in the stillness of night. No lock or light will keep you out. It’ll just be me and my steady heart, I’ve known you as long as one can be. My body and mind are ready now are you coming to me? Are you coming to me?
10.
How can I look inside your heart of spruce and see these string as a canvas that I can use? I long to hold in my hand a brush that can color you. I long to be in love. Show me the light I have seen before, show me what you hold in there for me to release, discover, unleash. Show me the beautiful. I never looked at you as I do now and seen your fullness as something I lived without. Even on nights when I woke so early before the dawn and sung into the night a whispered song. Show me the light I have seen before, show me what you hold in there for me to release, discover, unleash. Show me the beautiful. Somethings drawing me to you. Everything we’re supposed to do. I’ve seen you for so long but not all of you, I long to know your love. Show me the light I have seen before, show me what you hold in there for me to release, discover, unleash. Show me the beautiful.
11.
What will you say tonight poor lonely soul? What will you say old withered heart of mine? To the beautiful the best, the most dear. Whose heavenly regard brings back you bloom? We will assign our pride to sing her praise. Nothing excels the sweetness of her will. Her holy body has an angels scent, her eye invests us with the cloak of light. Whether it be a night in solitude or in the streets among the multitude, her ghost before us dances like a torch. It speaks out “I am lovely and command that you will love only the beautiful. I am your guardian, Madonna, muse”.
12.
Wash Over Me 03:22
Here we are again, nearing the end. But like a long lost friend, it seems like time never came and went. So we breathe in the air forgetting all our cares. Just a sense of slowing down while our feet, they walk this ground. This ground. Cause my hands and feet are feeling the air. Sun beats on my shoulders and I don't even care. If the rain starts coming down, I’ll open up my arms, let it wash over me. As the years go by, I learn how to let go of the things I have, of the things I know. As I wipe the dirt out from my eyes I can see so clearly, almost through the sky. Through the sky. Cause my hands and feet are feeling the air. Sun beats on my shoulders and I don't even care. If the rain starts coming down, I’ll open up my arms, let it wash over me. I can feel it coming, I can feel it coming. That sense of peace. Let it wash over me

about

Return to Waves was recorded over the course of 4 months, during which Vanessa was pregnant with her first child. Produced by Paul Curreri, this album is unlike anything Vanessa has created. With funky electric guitar rhythms and catchy melodies, the strong lyrics create a tapestry of sound and sense leaving the listener wanting more.

credits

released June 17, 2014

Vanessa Lively: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Paul Curreri: Guitars, Keyboards, Harmonies
& Vocal Arrangements
Devon Sproule: Harmonies
Andrew Pressman: Bass
Matthew Shepherd: Drums

Produced & mixed by Paul Curreri

Recorded by Paul Curreri & Jason Lively at Casa Animada and by Paul Curreri at The Sewing Room (Austin, TX)

Mastered by Matt Shultz at Satellite Studio (Austin, TX)

All songs written by Vanessa Lively, except for "She Won't Let Go" which was written by Vanessa Lively & Erik Moll, and "What Will You Say Tonight?" which is a translation of an old French poem - Charles Baudelaire's “Que diras-tu ce soir, pauvre âme solitaire” (c1857)

Cover artwork “Chasm” painted by Vanessa Lively
Graphic design by Vanessa Lively

Back cover collage by Vanessa & Jason Lively, which includes a photo of Vanessa taken by Mo McMorrow

Lyrics & more information available at vanessalively.com

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Vanessa Lively Austin, Texas

Vanessa Lively observes how strongly music connects people. Her music is an expression of that experience, filled with representative themes: “Community, living in solidarity with those around you. Feeling what other people’s struggles and joys are. Her latest album Uncovering Stones truly shows how she feels those connections deeply – and when you listen, you will, too. ... more

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