Get all 8 Jahn Sood releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of We Were an Island (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), In A Sea of Faces (Greenpoint Demos), Where I Sleep, The Disappearing Man: Cloud City Sessions, With You Always EP, Vital Signs, Arts & Crafts EP, and The Disappearing Man (early demos).
1. |
The Disappearing Man
02:59
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[Display No. 3] “The Disappearing Man”
[The MAGICIAN is left alone on the steps outside the tent and he is preparing his illusions.]
MAGICIAN
With a slight of my hand and a twist of my wrist
I rabbit my hat and I flower my fist
I’m in the alleyway preparing my tricks
Outside the circus tent.
I go straight-jacket swimming, saw a girl in half
And when we are whole again, the audience laughs.
‘Bout the time that I took that dangerous bath
And the girl was cut in two.
I make a bird disappear, then turn into a cat
And pull a mile of ribbon from the top of my hat
And the crowds all cheer as they jiggle their fat
And throw a coin into my cup.
Not even I can see anything left of me.
I’ve playing my tricks, on the dreamers, the kids
And anyone else who believes.
And I always carry on, even though the magic’s gone.
‘Cause I climbed up here, alone with the cheers
And the way back down’s too long.
I’m getting along with the new guy on the tour
Who left his home and his love when his loving was poor,
But at night he looks out from the circus tent door
And calls her back to him.
I have a stunning assistant who stands by my side.
But she buys all my tricks, she’s along for the ride.
And she can’t bring me out of the places I hide.
When I am outside the ring.
I think I might love her if I could only be free
Of the world of deception that I can’t let her see.
There’s nothing but secrets left inside of me
I’m a disappearing man.
Not even I can see anything left of me.
I’ve playing my tricks on the rats and the kids
And anyone else who believes.
And I always carry on, even though the magic’s gone.
‘Cause I climbed up here, alone with the cheers
And the way back down’s too long.
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2. |
Sara
03:06
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[Display 4.] "Sara"
She squinted her eyes and looked at him
Hiding behind his two-dollar gin.
She took his hand when the song began
And they stood on the dance floor, let the room start to spin.
Sara, Sara, she let them in
When their weight was heavy and their love was thin.
Then another man cried from the side of the road.
His stomach was empty and his face was cold.
She lit a fire and he warmed his bones
And he watched as she slowly unbuttoned her coat.
Sara, Sara, she’s been good.
She took them in, as YOU never would.
When she told him to leave, he said, “Baby please,”
“I’d be nothing if you let go of me.”
But when she woke up the room was bare.
Took the telephone, lamp and her old rocking chair.
Sara, Sara hears their calls
Picks them up and she breaks their falls.
I was twenty-four when she met me.
I was chasing the highway, she was working the street.
I gave her my arms for a single night.
And she gave me her last living spark of light.
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3. |
The Escape Artist
04:18
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[Display No. 5] The Escape Artist.
JUMPING JACK
These stilts, they will keep me up high
Above the horses, the elephants, the tigers
And I’ll walk ‘round the ring every time I’m called to perform.
You know, I shiver every time I look down,
And I could’ve been a regular clown,
But I’m living up here ‘cause my fears on the ground are much greater.
I’m an escape artist walking over the crowds,
And these wobbly knees
They let me be free
Of everything bringing me down.
I’m a tightrope walker, a hundred feet in the air
The only place I am safe
From the big world of snakes,
I’ll never go down. I’m too scared.
I tried to be a tamer of cats,
But they hissed and they clawed and they scratched
So I banged at the cage, “Let me go, let me go, I’m too young.”
LLOYD and JACK
Then I drove a clown car for a bit,
JUMPING JACK
But it went so fast ‘round the pit
And the tires squealed every time I went ‘round the bend.
LLOYD and JACK
I said I’m not cut out for this job,
The circus is just one screaming mob.
JUMPING JACK: And I’m too scared of everything under the tent.
I’m an escape artist walking over the crowds,
And these wobbly knees
They let me be free
Of everything bringing me down.
I’m a tightrope walker, a hundred feet in the air
The only place I am safe
From the big world of snakes
I’ll never go down. I’m too scared.
The ringmaster gave me one last chance,
Said,
BELLOWS and JACK: “Enough of this song and dance kid,”
JUMPING JACK: The stilts and the rope were the only acts I hadn’t tried.
Said, “If
HARVEY and JACK: you’re gonna stay with the show,
Then you’d better get with the flow,”
JUMPIG JACK: So I clenched my fists, closed my eyes, up the rope I climbed.
Now,
I’m an escape artist walking over the crowds,
And these wobbly knees
They let me be free
Of everything bringing me down.
I’m a tightrope walker, a hundred feet in the air
The only place I am safe
From the big world of snakes.
I’ll never go down. I’m too scared.
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4. |
Tough Luck
07:20
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Tough Luck - Somerville MA 9/28/07
When I was a young boy, my mama she died
And my daddy fell into a bottle.
And it drank him to death
And in his last dying breath,
Said, “Better go to your uncle’s tomorrow”
So I went up to Yonkers where I knew that he lived
Oh, I knocked at the door and I waited.
And he said, “Come on in kid,
You piece of shit
And pay the debt that your daddy evaded.”
He said,
Tough luck, living is rough
So don’t come a cryin’ at my door.
It’s not so bad, and It’s all I’ve had.
But it’s living, ain’t that what you’re here for?
I stayed there for 3 years and seventeen days
And the black eyes and belts weren’t easy
But I stuck it out
‘cause that’s all I knew how
to do, and no one else gonna feed me.
But my cousin Sara had a different mind.
She screamed “I won’t let him hit me another time.
So we both ran away.
On an October day.
Wondering what kind of world that we’d find
After a while we went back to New York.
Sara had a friend in the city.
Said he’d give her a job,
If I don’t come along
Said, “You’ll do alright girl, you’re lookin’ pretty.”
And we lived like that for most of a year,
Under the towering skyscrapers
And real late every night
Sara turned on the light
Went to the street to let some stranger rape her
She said,
Tough luck, living is rough
But it’s living and that’s why I’m working
It’s not so bad, and it’s all I’ve had.
So bring every monster out of his lurking.
But when she came in with blood on her face,
I cried out that there had to be justice.
She said, “Just don’t call the pigs,
They’ll take me into the digs”
You know the law is just for the righteous.
I said, “Hey cous’ tell me what was his name?
Its time that we do some talking”
“It was Johnson and Starr
At the Crosstown Bar
But don’t go they’ll just give you a sockin’.”
But I went outside to the freezing air.
Said, “I’m gonna kill those bastards”
And I bought me a gun
And started to run
Down the streets of the answers I’m after.
I went up to the bar and said pour it hard
I better be numb to the next sting.
Then I saw the man
With blood on his hands
All over town, they could here my shots ring:
I said,
Tough luck, living is rough.
But it’s living, and it’s all I can see to.
It’s not so bad and it’s all I’ve had.
Oh, it’s clear when the world doesn’t need you.
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5. |
Crosstown Whiskey Blues
03:53
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[Display No. 8] Crosstown Whiskey Blues
ELIZA:I smell like whiskey so I can’t go home
She’ll let me in, but I’m sleepin’ alone
I’d rather sleep here on the street all night.
Than look her in the eyes when I ain’t lookin right.
I taste like whiskey, but I feel like dirt.
And I can’t breathe the air when I’m thinkin’ of her.
‘Cause I spent another day at the Crosstown Bar
And I haven’t kept a promise that I made so far.
Oh, lady don’t you leave me alone.
I don’t deserve you, but I beg you don’t go.
I woke up this morning, I went lookin’ for work.
But nothing was living in the places I lurked.
So I went down to Crosstown to look for a friend,
But the place was empty at a quarter past ten.
And I told Jim to pour me a whiskey on ice.
Every living man has his own living vice.
My chains are whiskey let it numb my head.
If whiskey don’t leave me, gonna wind me up dead.
JACK and ELIZA: Oh, lady don’t you leave me alone.
I don’t deserve you, but I beg you don’t go.
ELIZA: If you could just see me now,
Know I’m a gonna let you down,
You would stay out of my life.
‘Cause I’m bad news,
I’ll do nothing for you
I’m just drinkin’ away my time.
JACK and ELIZA: Oh, lady don’t you leave me alone.
I don’t deserve you, but I beg you don’t go.
Oh, lady you should leave me alone.
I don’t deserve you and that’s why you should go.
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6. |
I Won't Be Back
03:42
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SARA: Halfway from you to Toledo I told you on the phone.
"I took to the road with the old circus show, I'm sorry to leave you alone."
JACK and SARA: I was tired of drinking on Sundays, and I was tired of factory jobs
SARA: So when the circus rolled out with its whistles and shouts
I knew it was where I belonged.
BELLOWS: Now you’re headed for Detroit, Chicago, DeKalb, Denver and Colorado Springs
SARA: With circus tents and elephants and a tiger that jumps through a ring.
JACK and SARA: Give my dog to the kid next-door,
give my Bible back to the priest,
(Enter DAPHNE.)
DAPHNE: Amen!
JACK and SARA: But the only thing babe, that I leave to you is
knowing that love isn't cheap.
ALL: I won't be back, 'til another lonely time
so don't wait for me, 'cause nothing and no one is mine.
SARA: My only friend is a magician with aces under his clothes
And a magic hat that the acrobats
JACK and SARA: Still think is made out of gold.
JUMPING JACK: And me I'm a knife-throwing juggler, performing right after the clowns,
and I walk a tight rope and in the middle I hope that
SARA and JACK: I'm not gonna fall to the ground.
ALL: And the audience always roars, when they see that we've all lost our sight.
DAPHNE: They clap and they laugh at all we can’t take back,
SARA and DAPHNE: When we’re naked and under the lights.
JUMPING JACK: The ringmaster, he's alright. He smiles and he pays us well,
DAPHNE: but he smokes a cigar in the engine car like he knows that we're headed to hell.
(The whole cast cheers, BELLOWS bellows.)
ALL: I won't be back, 'til another lonely time
so don't wait for me, 'cause nothing and no one is mine.
(a cappella) I won’t be back, ‘til another lonely time
so don’t wait for me, ‘cause nothing and no one is mine.
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7. |
Goliath
03:01
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Goliath
Jahn Sood, September 9, 2006
The highway house sleeps one tonight.
Beside the road, older than the light.
Nine feet six when he stands up right
He ducked in the door frame and slipped out of sight.
From a mile back he looks like you
Walking with his suitcase and his brown leather shoes.
But if you saw him up close you’d know its true
With a sweep of his hand he could break you in two.
Hey Lord, get your shield
There’s gonna be a fight on the fighting field.
You can hear him cry you can hear him squeal
Someone’s gonna die in a puddle of tears.
So if you want to live you know what to do
You better get to him ‘fore he gets to you.
The blast of their bombs at the enemy flew
They carried out all of the plans that they drew.
But Goliath turned and refused to fight.
He didn’t believe that killing was right.
He said not a word ‘fore he made his flight
Just picked up his bag, ran with all his might.
Hey Lord, get your shield
There’s gonna be a fight on the fighting field.
You can hear him cry you can hear him squeal
Someone’s gonna die in a puddle of tears.
For one night he made his rest.
Fell asleep to the sound of his beating chest.
How long would it take, it was anyone’s guess.
He said his prayers twice but they never were blessed.
A man named David took to the road,
Said he’d follow that monster everywhere he goes.
He’d search in the sun and he’d search in the snow.
And he’d kill the beast with a single blow.
Hey Lord, get your shield
There’s gonna be a fight on the fighting field.
You can hear him cry you can hear him squeal
Someone’s gonna die in a puddle of tears.
A year later, as you very well know,
David found Goliath on the open road.
He walked up fast and he slung his stone
And the giant screamed as it shattered his bones.
All o’er the world you could hear them sing
“The monster is dead and David is king”
Now, even today I can’t stop the ring.
That the death of that innocent man did bring.
Hey Lord, get your shield
There’s gonna be a fight on the fighting field.
You can hear him cry you can hear him squeal
Someone’s gonna die in a puddle of tears.
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8. |
Jumping Jack
03:51
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Jumping Jack
Jahn Sood
July 13, 2006
Jumping Jack you’re my favorite acrobat.
Bring in my groceries and feed my cat.
Put the news in my hand and straighten my hat.
Jumping Jack, turn your back!
Walk down the street to the old saloon.
Wait in the alleyway that hides from the moon.
See the light in the window he’ll be here soon,
Jumping Jack, you buffoon!
Jack looked at the ground and he kicked a stone.
The sound of the darkness went straight to his bones.
Time is up kid, you can never atone.
Jumping Jack, you’re alone!
Then the reptile came to give him his task.
He knew who he was didn’t have to ask.
Gave him a gun and a faceless mask.
Jumping Jack, no turning back!
Go to the party at the house by the pier.
Disappear in the crowd by the old chandelier.
You’ll say not a word and you’ll shed not a tear.
Jumping Jack, do you hear?
Now look for the man with a scarlet tie.
You’ll see in his eyes that he’s ready to die.
Give him the billet and don’t waste time.
Jumping Jack, remember you’re mine!
Then he snuck off and he did it fast.
He killed a man with a single blast.
Then he shivered and cries and longed for the past.
Jumping Jack, it never lasts!
Jack sold his soul for a sack of gold.
Now the fires of hell can’t keep him out of the cold.
He never fought back, he was never that bold.
Jumping Jack, you’ve been sold.
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9. |
Arms
04:55
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Arms
Jahn Sood
September 15, 2006, Somerville, MA
I still believe, what I said back then.
If its meant to be, then it will be again.
But I walked out the door and I hung up the phone,
And I thought it was better to face it alone.
I know I was reckless, I know I was blind.
I should’ve trusted my heart, not followed my mind.
And now I’m far from home, with you in my head,
Soaking in words, that I never said.
I will hold you in my arms.
I will sing to you my song.
I will follow you as far as life is long.
Now I have grown, and you have grown too.
My biggest regret is to have grown far from you.
I’ve been lots of places, scoured them too,
Searching for someone who reminds me of you.
I will hold you in my arms.
I will sing to you my song.
I will follow you as far as life is long.
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10. |
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Existential Declaration in Dee Minor (I am)
november 7 , 2006
you call me a monster and you call me a saint
you call me your love and you fill my ears with hate
you tell me that I am weak or I am strong.
you call me a liar and you sing my songs well,
I am, I am.
you say I'm nothing but you're my biggest fan.
you call me fake and you call me true.
you say I am different and I'm just like you.
you call me a killer and you call me birth
you can call me anything for what it's worth
I am, I am.
all i need is my head and my two hands.
you call me naive and you call me wise
who died and gave YOU the hands of time.
you tell me i'm innocent then throw me the blame.
you call me freedom, but its just another name.
I am, I am.
I'm gonna be everything I think I can.
you don't want terror but you don't want peace.
you tell me that war is security.
you call me your enemy and you call me a friend.
I just want to live my life to the end.
I am, I am.
I'm just a boy but I'm scared for the state of man.
you bow your head, but you stand up tall,
Knowledge is power curiosity the fall.
you cite your commandments, but you can still kill.
you love your neighbor once you've had your fill.
I am, I am.
I'm so tired that I can barely stand.
So turn around and know what's true.
I can't tell you what's inside of you.
Open your eyes and start to think
Don't take another step until you can sing
I am, I am.
You won't be alive 'til you take life in your hands.
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11. |
Old No. 22
05:22
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Ezra Furman and Jahn Sood – January 20, 2006
He stepped off the train into the hail
His hands were tired; his face was pale
He stepped on down to the cold, cold ground
Where the hail stones pound
And the only sound
Was the train rollin’ down on the rail
Goldie locks was red cheeked and a walkin’
She came fast, smiling no need for talkin’
The man unlaced his train wreck face.
Unarmed, misplaced.
They couldn’t keep their eyes from lockin’
The wind picked up and he got bolder
He wrapped his coat around her shoulder
They walked down hill to the old town mill
And they talked until
The wind grew still
He got his courage up and he told her.
I can see Goldie Locks and me
Carvin’ hearts in the sycamore tree.
Shakin’ off them chains
What a dream.
They slept through the dark of the morning.
The moon was cracked the stars were swarming
When the sunrise came he got back on the train.
He’d forgotten her name
And the reason he came.
Had no thought in his brain of returning.
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Jahn Sood New York
Jahn Sood is a songwriter, impresario and colored-pencil wielder who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
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