Matt Ralph

Wake Up Soon

Wake Up Soon

(c) words/music mattralph 2012

I’ve never needed anything like this,

It’s a mountain I must climb,

And it seems so long and the sun won’t set,

It’s just one long day outside,

But the life just keeps unfolding,

Throwing things my way,
And I keep looking for the light,

Through the shades of grey,

How long can this day be?

I want to rest my head and wake up soon,

How long can this day be?

I want to rest my head and wake up soon,

I ask myself which way I should go,

The answers there I find,

And the map to show the way is clear,

It’s been there all the time

Feels like I’m in slow motion,

Watching people pass me by,

And I let them in before me,

As im standing here line

How long can this day be?

I want to rest my head and wake up soon,

How long can this day be?

I want to rest my head and wake up soon,

Don’t wait for me,

I feel bad if you’ve been waiting

So patiently,

for me

I’ve got no excuses,
I don’t understand myself,
It’s not the way I thought it would be,

here but still,

If I get to cross this bridge,

I know the sun will shine,

And in all the places I’m going to go,

There’ll be love day and night,

And my journey is my family,

My friends and my guitar,

And  our destinations will guided by the stars

How long can this day be?

I want to rest my head and wake up soon,

How long can this day be?

I want to rest my head and wake up soon,

Too concerned

Too Concerned

words/music Matt Ralph ©2008

I can’t get to sleep at night cause I’m too concerned for you,

I can’t get to sleep at night cause I’m too concerned,

It’s three a.m. and you call again,

Cause you’ve got no place to go,

You’re all alone by the station wall,

Where you been you just don’t know,

And there’s nobody else that I know that will help,

And I’m too concerned,

Can you stop it, If you try too can you let it go,

Can you stop it,

If you need me you just let me know,

A beam of light shines just for an instant the people step aside,

The red and white taxi that takes you to safety comes flashing through the night,

And I don’t know if you’re alright,

And I’m too concerned,

Can you stop it, If you try too can you let it go,

Can you stop it,

If you need me you just let me know,

You’re drunk again and you’re out of your skin and you’re back here by my side,

It’s my hand you hold but you won’t even know,

How close you came this time,

And I don’t know where you’re gonna sleep, and I’m too concerned,

Can you stop it, If you try too can you let it go,

Can you stop it,

If you need me you just let me know,

araluen aug 2nd 2009

Araluen

How longs the drive to Araluen,

Where the tulip show is on this time of year,

And you take the road that winds past Rocky Gulley to bide some time,

But the morning sun’s too cold to dry your tears,

You clear your head and re-adjust the mirror,

And you wish you lost your way but find your there,

And the day is dark and cold,

Too late for winter,

But the shadows now are lifting and it’s clearer,

And I know it’s hard to let it go,

It’s hard to let it end,

But tomorrow the morning sun will rise,

And a new day will begin,

You find his back is dark against the colours,

And you leave his hand that’s fallen next to you,

For the two of you the world has stopped it’s spinning,

It’s over now just standing still,

Like the flowers all in bloom,

And I know it’s hard to let it go,

It’s hard to let it end,

But tomorrow the morning sun will rise,

And a new day will begin,

Your friends will come around you with their wine,

And they’ll hold you whilst you cry and talk it through,

And they’ll try to make you laugh beside the fire,

Like times before with the girl they knew,

And you’ll remember,

And I know it’s hard to let it go,

It’s hard to let it end,

But tomorrow the morning sun will rise,

And a new day will begin,

Rivers and Valleys

Rivers and Valleys

words/music © matt ralph 2005

Stick to the rivers and valleys my child,

Stick to the rivers and valleys my child,

Oceans of madness are easy to sail,

Stick to the rivers and valleys my child,

You’ll find that love is your shelter my child,

You’ll find that love is your shelter my child,

Mountains of hatred are easy to climb,

Stick to the rivers and valleys my child,

All you need is love and water my child,

All you need is love and water my child,

You keep on climbing til you reach the top,

You’ll keep on climbing and you’ll never stop,

One day you’ll find that you’re all alone,

No one to turn to and just one way to go,

Stay near the water and shelter,

Stay near the water and shelter,

Stay near the water and shelter,

Stay near the water and shelter,

Stick to the rivers and valleys my child

the-long-way-fm192

The Long Way

We do it the long way,

We go round the long way,

Let me take you the long way,

Yeh we know where we’re going,

We see it in the distance but we like to take our time,

There’s no need to hurry where we’re going,

We could be there just in a moment if we wanted,

But we like to take the long way,

We do it the long way,

Looking down upon the old merry go round,

There’s just one way it’s turning,

And when we get there the music will play,

High on the hill, We do it the long way,

There’s a swing that swings between two oaks,

Where the branches have entwined,

It’s seat is made of heavy stone,

And the ropes are ancient vine,

It’s high up on two mountain peaks,

With an oak tree on top of each,

And far below where the water flows,

Only you can take me,

Take me the long way,

Well the country’s stained with acid rain,

From the people in their cars,

Racing here to there in time,

In time for quick departs,

But where’s it heading,

All the speed,

What’s the hurry,

What’s the need,

What will it take for them to slow down,

And take it the long way,

Let me take you the long way,

Yeh we know where we’re going

Happiness
Happiness

words/music (c) matt ralph 2000

I know that we parted in search of new life,

I’m glad you found happiness,

I’m glad you can smile,

Oh Happiness,

Gone,

To you to live,

Oh I wanna live inside you,

Inside your happiness,

You are my centre,

You are my life,

I am my emptiness,

I search to find,

Oh Happiness,

Gone,

To you to live,

Oh I wanna live inside you,

Inside your happiness,

I’ll get better soon,

And then we’ll laugh about it,

But til that day comes,

You better listen to this,

You have my happiness,

Gone to you to live,

Oh I wanna take it back,

You can have my emptiness,

The faithful departed in peacefulness lie,

In silence they’re calling,

In silence I’ll find,

Oh Happiness,

Gone,

To you to live,

Oh I wanna live inside you,

Inside your happiness,

Time to be Free

Time to be Free

words/music (c) matt ralph 2002

Crazy about you,

Crazy what we’re going through,

Wild just to hold you,

But I must believe,

Oh that it’s time,

That it’s time to be free,

That it’s time to be free,

Yesterday’s gone,

Now I must believe,

That it’s time to be free,

Yes that it’s time,

When I’m alone I am clear and resolved,

You’ve got your life without me,

Oh but when I’m near you,

I need someone to remind me,

That it’s time to be free,

That it’s time to be free,

Yesterday’s gone,

Now I must believe,

That it’s time to be free,

Yes that it’s time,

Yeh I gotta keep on believing,

Yeh I gotta keep on believing,

That it’s time to be free,

Yesterday’s gone,

Now I must believe,

That it’s time to be free,

Yes that it’s time,

Yes that it’s time,

ruby aug 2nd 2009

Ruby

words/music (c) matt ralph 2002

Run run run away,

Noone’s home anyway,

Where do you go,

Who do you find when we’re not here,

They say that a cat needs nine lives,

But a hobbo like you must have many more,

And all the people on the street,

They all know you,

But they just would not believe,

You’re life of a gypsy,

Gotta have stories to tell,

Life of a gypsy,

Gotta have stories to tell,

Ruby,

Way home,

Where’s the way home,

So leave your light on,

She might come around,

You know that soon,

It could be you that she’s found,

Life of a Gypsy,

Gotta have stories to tell,

Life of a gypsy,

Gotta have stories to tell,

Ruby,

way home,

Where’s the way home,

Where do you go,

Who do see when we’re not around,

Life of a Gypsy,

Gotta have stories to tell,

Life of a gypsy,

Gotta have stories to tell,

Ruby,

way home,

Where’s the way home,

Angel
Angel

words/music ©matt ralph 2006

When the world has just begun,

You’re alive but you don’t know it,

The wind will pick you up to either fortune or to falls,

And there’s no one there beside you,

You don’t know where to look,

And every face is like a strangers from a Grimm tales fairy book,

Just keep your eyes wide open,

Your heart and mind as well,

You’ll find that troubles pass you if you see them coming well,

From the moment of conception,

You taught your lessons well,

You gave me good instruction in the miracles of the world,

And keep your sense of humour,

It will serve you til the end,

Cause people value lightness more than just about anything,

Forget about your failures,

Let them go,

Cause if you like your company,

You’ll never be alone,

You’re an angel,

I know it,

Just do the best that you can do,

And as the days fill up your diary,

I’ll always be there for you,

My angel,

My angel,

Well so much is going to happen,

You don’t know what’s coming next,

It doesn’t seem that fair that some get the best cards from the deck,

Keep those that keep you strong near,

And let the others go,

And always have a smile for strangers,

If they say hello,

But close your eyes now baby,

Rest your head,

You grasp my little finger like the first time that we met,

My angel,

I love you,

Just do the best that you can do,

And as the days fill up your diary,

I’ll always be there for you,

My angel,

My angel

Misery
Misery

A universal cry for the sadness of a shell blown child,

For the silent gesture of an old man’s love,

For a friend two years departed,

And sometimes it’s sadness and sometimes it’s just because,

The film is ending or I’m walking out the door,

Or remembering you as we were before,

But if I’m busy with life and I don’t have time,

And the faces I’m seeing I see nine to five, 

Then I just keep on laughing and kidding and kicking,

And the sadness inside of me is silently screaming,

Misery is a wonderful feeling,

Guides my plans and my dreaming,

Misery is a long empty curtain,

Is a walk down the windows,

With a view to the clearing,

And there my answers I’ll find,

Of how to join my heart with my mind, 

And then what I’m thinking reflects how I’m feeling,

My soul becomes clearer,

My words contain meaning,

Misery is a wonderful feeling,

Guides my plans and my dreaming,

Misery is a long empty curtain,

Is a walk down the windows with a view to the clearing,

Misery

your man aug 2009

Your Man

words/music (c) matt ralph 2007

Me,

I was down on my luck babe,

I walked forty days in two days,

Shed everything from my suitcase,

Tried standing in front of a roadtrain,

Just to try to make it back to you,

Well Idon’t know what I was thinking,

But the way I left you was stinking,

I was too cuaght up with my drinking,

And if you hadn’t come looking for me that night,

It sure would have been the end,

I gotta make it up to you babe,

Cause you saved my life,

I was caught up in the cross fire hunny,

No luck a head and the back way a stale mate,

You came to me babe,

I was a dead man,

there was no fore warning but you came to me babe,

I said my Amens,

You had the ground covered one way or another babe,

Me I was happy as I could be,

Working long hours on the weekend,

Just trying to get on my feet again,

But the money I saved well I owed from past days,

I just couldn’t get ahead,

And too many times I’ve been leaving,

I make my way to the doorway,

I tell you I love you always,

But I get my feet on the cold dark street,

And I’m knocking on you door again,

I gotta make it up to you babe,

Cause you saved my life,

I was caught up in the cross fire hunny,

No luck a head and the back way a stale mate,

You came to me babe,

I was a dead man,

there was no fore warning but you came to me babe,

I said my Amens,

You had the ground covered one way or another babe,

Mumma creator had a strange plan for me,

Knock me down just to show it to me,

I’m the man for you babe,

I was out cold like a first round knock down,

Ain’t no friends in this whole God Damn town,

But you came to me babe,

I was a dead man,

there was no fore warning but you came to me babe,

I said my Amens,

You had the ground covered one way or another babe,

You saved my life,

You saved my life

side-by-side-fm192

Side by Side

Side by side we’ll take it,

In our lives we’re wasted,

We had a good life but it turns out to be,

The shadows we’re chasing were just you and me,

Side by side so easy,

In our lives completely,

We were for always,

Was always to be,

But I couldn’t take it,

And now that I see,

Where are you,

Did you always,

Side by side we’ll take it,

Give us half a chance and we’ll make it,

Starting behind you,

It was so clear to see,

I’d never catch you if you ever caught me,

So I kept on running,

We were drunk on the speed,

The world fell behind us,

It was just you and me

Now where are you,

Did you always,

Were you always

tea with paul Aug 2nd 2009

Tea with Paul

words/music (c) matt ralph 2000

Only with the things we know,

Can we make our lives a little brighter,

Only with our family and friends,

Can our lives shine like the sun,

I find no use praying to the sunrise,

Making offerings to the moon,

The Gods that make my life worth living,

Are often just sitting back at home,

I sat behind a man on a train,

And he softly told me again and again,

That the time was eleven fifty three P.M.

On the twenty sixth of July nineteen ninty seven,

His voice was gentle,

Like a babies high and slurred,

I played some guitar for him but I don’t think he heard,

But one woman did relate at the Newtown Station,

She sat down to ease her guts and gave me an explanation,

Her two friends had killed themselves,

One shot and one stabbed,

She asked me to sing for them,

But got dragged off by her man,

So I’m not praying to the sunrise,

I’m having tea with Paul,

And I’m not wishing ona moon beam,

I’m having sticky date pud with Clare,

And when I’m in bed with fever,

And the pains bashing my head,

I’m not kneeling to imaginary stars,

I’m calling Natalie instead,

So with God,

As my witness,

In the eyes of my friends,

We put our faith into each other,

And in return we’re strengthened,

And all my family have been my Gurus,

I’ve got their photos on my wall,

And all the learning and hurt we’ve suffered,

Has been together,

And til the end we’ll share

So I’m not praying to the sunrise,

I’m having tea with Paul,

And I’m not wishing ona moon beam,

I’m having sticky date pud with Clare,

And when I’m in bed with fever,

And the pains bashing my head,

I’m not kneeling to imaginary stars,

I’m calling Natalie instead,

Orange Lady
Orange Lady

words/music (c) matt ralph 2007

For a year my Dad started building fulltime,

And traded our Kombi in for a red Holden ute,

And I remember the day that our car left the drive,

The feelings that we all had as we waved it goodbye,

We’d had that Kombi since it was new,

Been to the North and the South,

From perth to FNQ,

We were riding in the orange lady,

We were riding,

We wre riding in the orange lady,

We were riding in the orange lady,

She hosted our parties and carried our trees,

We saw the North and the South,

All at low speed,

But their was no other choice and we had to sell,

So we all stood back and watched,

Her roll down our hill,

We’de had that Kombi since it was new,

It took our family of six from Perth to Timbucktoo,

We’d go riding in the orange lady,

We’d go riding,

We’d go riding in the orange lady,

We’de go riding in the orange lady,

We tell the story to our friends,

How Dad made some calls to try,

To buy it back again,

And the curtains were gone,

And they made him pay more,

But we waited all together til we heard,

Her chugging back once more,

We’ve had that Kombi since it was new,

Been to the North and the South from Perth to FNQ,

We go riding in the orange lady,.

We go riding,

We go riding in the orange lady,

We go riding in the orange lady

yesterdays-gone-fm2192
Yesterdays Gone

 I’ve got a feeling and it won’t let go,

It’s all around me it’s my late night show,

I’ve got love coming down over me,

I walk the dark path through shady streets,

There’s a cool wind it’s blowing back to me,

All the love coming down over me,

I hear it calling,

My slide show’s starting,

There’s a projector stands against my wall,

I move my paintings  and I let it fall,

And let love come down over me,

I’ve got my music,

Got my favourite track,

Turn down the lights,

And then I just sit back,

And let love come down over me,

Yeh I hear it calling,

My slide show’s starting,

Cause yesterdays gone,

And it won’t be back again,

The moon is yellow up against the sky,

I’ve got a picture of it in my mind,

The air is heavy and my heart is light,

I swim the rivers and I walk the tides,

And let love come down over me,

I hear it calling,

My slide show’s starting,

Cause yesterdays gone, 

And it won’t be back again 

waiting-for-the-country-fm192
Waiting for the Country

I’ve walked a dusty track,

I’ve made a bed of sand,

I’ve taken charity,

I’ve offered up my hand,

I know it’s not the way it goes,

But I know I’ve got to get back home,

How long I’ve been waiting for the country,

How long I’ve been waiting to get home,

I’ve crossed the double lines,

Been locked in bricks and steel,

Traced lines across my face,

Just to know it’s real,

Been caught up in the race,

I tried to cut a deal,

I’m always second place,

Somebody’s  at the wheel,

I know it’s not the way it goes,

But I know I’ve got to get back home, 

How long been waiting for the country,

How long I’ve been walking on this track,

To get home,

The people moving fast,

Same look that’s in their eyes,

The news that’s on the wall,

Has come to be their lives,

I’ve passed the drunken crowds, 

I’ve passed the violet haze,

I’m making peace with dogs, 

Just trying to find my way,

Back home, 

I’ve got to get back home, 

Back home, 

It’s where I’ve got to go 

kiaora

Kiaora

words/music (c) matt ralph 2007

Kiaora,

Kiaora,

Well my sister’s driving out singing,

Kiaora,

And the mountains seem to shout it,

Kiaora,

Kiaora,

I’m swinging on the bridge,

Walking on the ridge,

Singing Kiaora,

Kiaora,

Ten years have come and gone,

Before you know it,

It’s been too long,

When the tarmac hits my feet,

I hear that song,

I feel that beat,

Singing Kiaora,

Kiaora,

And I’m back here again,

Singing Kiaora,

By the fire at The Mussel Inn,

Singing Kiaora,

Feather in my hand,

In this sacred land,

Singing Kiaora,

When I wake in Henny’s van,

I double take,

Cause of where I am,

I hear it calling in my sleep,

Simple song,

Singing sweet,

Kiaora,

Kiaora,

Well I hear it all around,

Singing Kiaora,

And the mountains seem to shout it,

Singing Kiaora,

Swinging on the bridge,

Walking on the ridge,

Singing Kiaora,

Feather in my hand,

In this sacred land,

Singing Kiaora,

Kiaora

she says

She Says

She cries if she don’t get her way,

I treat her like porcelain clay,

She sees it clearly in her head,

She says that it’s just commonsense,

You’re never as dull as you think you are,

You’re never alone like you think you are,

You’re never as free as you think you are,

He cries if I don’t  walk this way,

He forms animals out of clay,

We’re waiting out in the sun,

He smiles and waves to everyone,

You’re never as tough as you think you are,

You’re never as right as you think you are,

You’re never as wrong as you think you are,

We’re bonded together like araldite,

She curls up into my arms at night,

She’s  got her finger on this town,

She walks like a cat full and proud,

You’re never alone like you think you are,

You’re never afraid like you think you are,

You’re never as tough as you think you are 

Out of the Darkness

Come all you lost souls,

Don’t be afraid,

There’s more of us lost souls,

Than there are days,

We’ve all tasted it,

We’ve all drunk that wine,

Maybe it’s you now,

Trying to find your way out,

Out of the darkness,

Been sleeping too long,

I’m gonna wake to find,

I can’t walk away,

From what’s inside,

Love’s a stranger to no one,

Love is endless and whole,

Love can climb any mountain,

Love can bring you home,

Out of the darkness,

Can you relate to no escape,

And each place that you find,

You’re not there anyhow,

But into that darkness,

I see a shimmering hand,

It’s reaching out for you,

I’m gonna be it if I can,

Out of the darkness

Doin’ Fine

Doin’ Fine

words/music (c) matt ralph 2008
I know all the answers,

But I’m not going tell no one,

I know the direction,

But I’m not going point it out,

I know how you’re feeling,

But I’m not going to come around,

I see it burning,

It’s going burn down to the ground,

Oh I’m feeling fine in my own mind,

Oh I’m doin’ fine,

I know a change is coming,

But I’m not going to shout and yell,

I know all you secrets,

But I’m keeping them to myself,

I know I should be running,

Just to keep up with the crowd,

But I don’t need to worry,

So I’m just sitting this one out,

Oh I’m feeling fine in my own mind,

Oh I’m doin’ fine,

I could tell you a story,

But I’m not going to write it down,

And there’s no point in asking,

Cause I’m not going to spell it out,

I hear the people calling,

But I’m not coming to the door,

I know they’ll soon be leaving,

Won’t even know what they came here for,

Oh I’m feeling fine in my own mind,

Oh I’m doin’ fine,

Fool for Love

Fool for Love

words/music (c) matt ralph 2002

Baby here I stand,

With my back against the wall,

Like a man,

Without a reason,

Like a man without a soul,

I’ve got nothing that I can offer,

I’ve got no money,

Got nothing at all,

What you see is what you’re getting,

There ain’t nothing more to me,

But are you a fool for love babe,

Can you gamble on a dream,

Can you risk your tomorrows,

On me,

Baby here I am,

With my back against the ropes,

And all my dreams were in my pockets,

But my pockets full of holes,

And I wish I had a life to offer,

I wanna pave your path in gold,

But my love’s my only treasure,

So I’m holding out in hope,

That you’re a fool for love babe,

That you’ll gamble on a dream,

Can you risk your tomorrows,

On me,

On me

All I wanted was you

All I Wanted Was You

words/music © 2000

I set out for something new,

I packed my bags,

Said I love you,

But though I left you far behind,

There was no use in me trying,

Cause all I wanted was you,

Time to set out on my own,

Another place,

Another home,

But my feet they wouldn’t move,

Except to bring me back to you,

Cause all I wanted was you,

So tell me what am I supposed to do now,

I’ve lost my chances with you,

And all my struggles seem a waste of time,

Cause all I wanted was you,

Cause from the moment I was born,

I’d never seen that much at all,

Never left where I’d come from,

Never made it on my own,

So I dreamt of the seven seas,

And all the people I could be,

And though I wanted you so bad,

I had to find out so I ran,

When all I wanted was you,

Tell me what am I supposed to do now,

I’ve lost my chances with you,

And all my struggles seem a waste of time,

Cause all I wanted was you,

I made you say goodbye to me,

And all the things that we had dreamed,

And I was to marry you,

Now it’s all I want to do,

And now I see the sun,

Rising up from the ocean,

But I’ll never see the moon,

The way we used to do,

Cause all I wanted was you,

Tell me what am I supposed to do now,

I’ve lost my chances with you,

And all my troubles now are plain to see,

All I wanted was you,

Last look on the Rise

Last Look on the Rise

words/music © matt ralph 2008

Stickers on the wall,

Strumming their guitars,

Watermarked and torn,

Faces of the past,

Hey child on the rise,

You dream with open eyes,

Now,

Shutters in the wind,

Rattle with the call,

Across the early dawn,

Light shifts across the floor,

Chances,

Your not a child anymore,

Your not a child anymore,

You’re travelling on and away,

Into the golden sun,

Reflections in your eyes,

T-shirts old and worn,

Faded bathed in light,

And now you’re feeling,

You’re riding now on the wind,

The wander now begins,

The ones you have,

Could not love you more,

They’re just happy that,

It’s time to travel on,

Time to set your course,

Time to cut the cord,

Was it for a time,

Was it for an age,

You played your part then woke to find,

The path lay out in front of you,

And something in your mind was lifting like a veil,

The road that led away,

Was now an open door,

Calling out,

To guide you on your way,

To the other side of dawn,

To a brighter side of day,

Last look on the rise,

Waiting now to find,

What’s beyond your dreams,

What’s beyond the light

Last look on the rise,

Waiting now to find,

What’s beyond your dreams,

What’s beyond the light,

Catch you riding on,

Catch you riding on,

01 covered_in_stones

Covered in Stones

words/music © matt ralph 2007

Will you always be that painted lady,

Hiding from the sun,

Will you always be that crazy woman,

Walking on her own,

Covered in stones,

Covered in stones,

Will you always be the one you run to,

Rather than your friends,

Will you always ask the same old questions,

When I see you again,

You’re covered in stones,

Covered in stones,

Will they take it,

Try to take it back away,

So you hide it,

By hiding your self,

Covered in stones,

Covered in stones,

Will it always be just one long lesson,

That just goes on and on,

Will you always try to reach it,

You grab it but it’s gone,

You’re covered in stones,

Covered in stones,

How many places can you go,

How many faces can you know,

When you’re covered in stones,

Covered in stones,

Will you always try to end the moment,

Just when it’s begun,

Will you always second guess the motives,

Of gifts from anyone,

Covered in stones,

Will you always search for something,

You know you’ll never see,

Will you always want from someone,

What you know they’ll never be,

You’re covered in stones,

Covered in stones,

fly kite

Fly Kite Fly

words Matt Ralph /Elle Dawe music matt ralph © Matt Ralph/ Elle Dawe 2008

Today I made a bright yellow kite,

With sticks and paper and strings,

With a long pink tail,

Ribbons to make it sail,

All we need now is some wind,

To sail my kite up high,

To sail it up in the sky,

With the birds and the clouds and the sun shining down,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

I took it to the park with my sister,

She blew it like a balloon,

But all it did was flitter and flutter,

We needed the wind to come soon,

To sail my kite up high,

To sail it up in the sky,

With the birds and the clouds and the sun shining down,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

Sally my dog caught the string on her tail,

She raced all around til the kite set sail,

We danced around as the kite dipped and dived,

She ran and she ran and the kite it was high,

It sailed my kite up high,

Sailed it up to the sky,

With the birds and the clouds and the sun shining down,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

Fly kite fly,

tomorrow 3rd Aug 2009

Tomorrow

words/music © matt ralph 2005

Long time ago,

I didn’t know where we were going but I,

I’d think about you every night,

Fantasize about tomorrow,

Tomorrow,

You were a light,

And I was darker than I’d been in my life,

You gave me thoughts,

Made me feel that tonight,

I could leave behind my shadow,

My shadow,

Well I’ve got a lot of love babe,

But it’s going to take time,

So you better just sit tight,

Til the morning,

Yeh baby just sit tight,

Til the morning,

Cause this night’s not over,

This night for us,

It’s going to last forever,

This nights not over,

I’m going to let you find me,

I’m going to find you girl,

I’m going to let you find me,

I’m going to find you girl,

You pulled me out when I was sinking,

There was never a doubt,

That time was ticking,

Nearly over and out,

I wouldn’t make it til tomorrow,

Tomorrow,

Then one twist of fate,

And it was all over,

No more mistakes,

A new beginning,

First time in my life,

I’m looking forward to tomorrow,

Tomorrow,

Well I’ve got a lot of love babe,

But it’s going to take time,

So you better just sit tight,

Til the morning,

Yeh baby just sit tight,

Til the morning,

Cause this night’s not over,

This night for us,

It’s going to last forever,

This nights not over,

I’m going to let you find me,

I’m going to find you girl,

I’m going to let you find me,

I’m going to find you girl,

His essence escaped them. The mirrors that hung were as wanting of his beauty of those around him. Yet no one saw him for who he was.

He was among them, but stood alone, unrecognized and lost – waiting to be found.

Lost found
Lost Found

You were a fighter and I was a writer

There wasn’t much common ground

You through the punches and I had the last word

And that’s how our story went down

We were lost

Found

Suddenly everything’s upside down

We were lost

Found

We were found

The night we were drinking

You talked your heart out

Seemed to me just killing time

We talked til day break

Tucked in the corner

Your eyes never left mine

And then when we parted

I gave you a card that

Said you could call me sometime

You held it tightly

Like you would guard it

And that’s when I knew you were mine

We were lost

Found

Suddenly everything’s upside down

We were lost

Found

We were found

We were lost

found

I heard the window smash out beneath you

I saw the shards of glass fly

You started drifting but I held you tight

I wouldn’t let you die

You were a damsel called out distress

I on my galloping stead

Your hands were twisted

Reaching above you

And I came to set you free

We were lost

Found

Suddenly everything’s upside down

We were lost

Found

We were found

We were lost

found

You said you’d listen

And knelt down beside me

But I saw the flowers had died

Your hands were bleeding

There was blood on your diary

You took down my last words that I

I was lost

Found

Suddenly everything’s upside down

We were lost

Found

We were found

We were lost

Found

words/music © matt ralph 2008

Would you like a glass of white,

I took my time,

I thought you’d be late,

I stayed home today,

I fixed up the room,

I hung up the shade that you asked me to,

Modern times,

You jump too soon,

Light can strike you off your feet,

It’s up to you,

Cause I’ve found that it doesn’t really matter to me,

What you do,

Yeh I’ve cried,

Now it doesn’t really matter to me

Thanks for the time,

I needed the space,

I think we’ll be fine,

There’s a tear on your face,

And I’ve thought it through,

And some people say,

That they’ve been here too and it works anyway,

It’s alright,

Don’t cry,

It’s nothing new anyway,

It’s up to you,

Cause I’ve found that it doesn’t really matter to me,

What you do,

Yeh I’ve cried,

Now it doesn’t really matter to me

up to you

Up to You

Matt Ralph

in the night

In the Night

words/music ©matt ralph 2005

In the night I need a fire,

and I’ve got one burning,

so take a seat by mine,

anytime girl,

I’ve got time,

I’ve got wine by my bed,

And you won’t taste any better,

take a note of that,

These feelings come and go,

I don’t listen,

Cause I get caught up under the spell,

Of every flame that I see,

So take a note of that

Take a note of that,

I don’t fight fires in the night,

And I’ve got one burning,

So take a seat by mine anytime girl,

I’ve got time,

I’ve got wine by my bed,

And you won’t taste any better,

Take a note of that

These feelings come and go,

I don’t listen,

Cause I get caught up under the spell,

Of every flame that I see,

Take a note of that,

Cause I’ve been waiting too long for you to come by,

I don’t hold out,

If I need a fire side,

Said if I need a fire side,

Gonna find me a fire side

Had a session on New Home. Hope you like it x

New Home

New Home

words/music © matt ralph 2012

It interrupted cricket with a score on the board,

As they lay down the bat,

Tomorrow they’ll be leaving the kids on the street,

Is all the notice they’ll get,

The neighbours dogs are barking,

They’re used to it,

It’s been six months or more,

Soon they’ll be unpacking but there’s things that they’ll leave in the boxes instead,

One of them will cry the others happy to get into another bed,

Once they all protested but they’re over it,

They’ve moved twelve times or more,

As the truck bumps,

Down the path away,

No one says a word as they pass through the gate,

They eat a box of chocolates that they get on the way,

And press the wrappers flat,

They stop in at the station to stop the bottles rattling,

Somewhere in the back,

No ones really talking,

They’re over it,

But they remember what to say,

As the truck bumps,

Down the path away,

Make a wish now everyone,

As they pass through the gate,

Oh there they go,

Off to a new home,

Oh there they go,

Off to a new home,

Tomorrow she’ll be waiting with the kids at the swings,

At the Town Hall Park,

They come to sit together as she shuffles the deck,

As the day grows dark,

No one is complaining,

They’re used to it,

They’re just thinking ’bout their score,

As the truck bumps,

Down the path away,

Make a wish now everyone,

As they pass through the gate,

Oh there they go,

Off to a new home,

Oh there they go,

Off to a new home,

Yes You Can

words/music (c) matt ralph 2012

You can run,

You can cry,

Call it out,

Question why,

You can run with the flag,

You can dance in the fire,

You can wait through it all,

Like you’re caught in the wind,

And there’s no where to run,

And there’s no way to win,

You can look for the light,

You can love you can laugh,

Find a path through the dark,

If you sit still enough,

You can smile and be sweet with a dog at your feet,

With a child in your arms and he’s warm and asleep,

You can rattle the cage or just wait for the feed,

You can take what you get,

Or you can get what you need,

You can muster a cry like a call in the field,

Or just watch it go by,

Let it roll like a wheel,

You can doubt what they say,

You can choose to believe,

You can turn it up loud,

Take it out on the street,

You can sweat it all out,

Trying to save what you can,

Or you can leave it behind on the road to the land,

You can organize,

You can work as a team,

You can fight for a cause,

Or you can just let it be,

You can join in the park with your message to push,

You can step out of line,

Don’t it make you feel good,

Yes you can,

Just let it all out til it all ends,

Yes you can,

Just let it all out til it all ends,

You can sell it all out for your mercenary fee,

You can fight for the rich,

You can fight for the weak,

You can measure things up just a step at a time,

Or you can just let it out,

Let it roll,

Let it ride,

You can bite your tongue,

You can turn your cheek,

You can hide in silence and mind what you speak,

You can block it all out,

You can choose not to see,

Tell yourself you’ve no voice,

No beliefs and no need,

You can search for the truth,

And then reconcile,

You can work for peace or making young children smile,

You can spend your time educating their minds,

You can teach them to think,

Or just to toe the line,

You can join the forces and enjoy the parade,

You can take their commands,

You can do what they say,

You can follow the masses,

Trying hard to be missed,

Lying low,

Take no chances,

Trying to stay off their lists,

You can seek to surrender and leave things to chance,

You can stop to discover and turn back to ask,

You can leave yourself open and trust you can shine,

You can walk on to freedom,

You can cross that line,

You can play hard to conquer,

Working hard to survive,

Lay it out on the table,

Do it all to provide,

You can build up a fortune and the question it all,

You can leave it behind in a moment of pause,

You can change your direction or stick to your guns,

You can lead the resistance,

You can be the one,

You can get things to change with a petition to sign,

You can make it all happen,

You can make this the time,

You can bury the truth,

You can bury your plans,

You can just let them rot,

Let them waste where they stand,

You can plant a new garden starting just with a seed,

It may just be a thought,

But it could soon be a tree,

Yes you can,

Just let it all out til it all ends,

Yes you can,

Just let it all out til it all ends,

Hi,

I hope you like my latest recording. It has been a lot of fun putting it together.

Try to forget,

Cigarette as I fumble

Ash on the sheets

Watch it fall watch it crumble

Black on my face and there’s sweat on my pillow

I try hard to sleep

Close my eyes

Close the window

Finding out is the hardest thing

Sends your heart racing down, down, down

Lay me out

So I can’t feel a thing

Knock me out

Put me under

My mind repeats

Half asleep the door opens

My heart skips a beat like a crash in slow motion

A kiss on the cheek

You don’t speak

Keep your eyes low

A light on the street

Pulls away past the window

Chorus

I’m drowning in sand

I’m burning but I don’t feel a thing

I try to see all of the good things around me

I take myself out on the street to think clearly

I jump on the first bus I see

What am I doing

I crash

Head on glass

I don’t care

Just keep moving

(c) mattralph 2012

Finding Out

We are having an awesome tour of the Dylan play. We have our 3rd and last night in Coffs Harbour tonight, which will be great. Weather sunny and warm and lots of time to see the area, fairs and markets.

Off west next.

Acoustic Caravan presents
MATT RALPH BAND + Nick Arnold Band + Under the Purple Tree + Paul Prestipino *8PM START*

buy
The Basement, NSW
Tue 20 Jul, 2010
08:00 PM

The Big One: Best New Australian Music from Coast to Coast!
*EARLY START 8PM*

Hosted by Rooney West (from Acoustic Caravan).

Acoustic Caravans curated showcases are long established as always featuring the best original Australian music both new and known. This night is no exception, with four extraordinary, talented and unique groups. Hosted by ACs own Rooney West, get ready for a night of discovery and wonder as we delve into the best new music on offer!

Dont miss this special selection of some of Australias most creative and dynamic new talent!

The Matt Ralph Band
This Bondi crooner has an acoustic in his hands and the sea in his heart. A singer/songwriter and guitarist, Ralph has a large body of original work and is a consummate interpreter of some of modern musics most lauded legends. He quotes influences such Nick Drake, Mason Jennings, JJ Cale, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits with his original songs having whispers of the troubadors before him.

His theatrical portrayal of Bob Dylan in an extended sell out Sydney season of The Chronic-Ills of Robert Zimmerman with the Tamarama Rocks theatre was a smash. The Sydney Morning Herald called it, terrific! and the production was a critical and box office success. Fresh from this triumph, Ralph brings his original band back to The Basement and dons his songwriters hat as part of this fantastic night of new Australian talent.

www.mattralph.com

Paul Prestipino
But a brief pit stop en-route to a New York engagement, Paul Prestipino, joins ACs quality lineup and has Perth RTRFM radio raving about his debut album as “absolutely outstanding just returning back to Earth after perhaps one of the best tracks we’ve heard this year!”

Perth based Prestipino is a writer, arranger, producer and musician with one of Australias most creative and experimental approaches today. His debut album Tunnel features field sounds recorded across three continents. Horse hooves from a Virginia farm, crows from the Australian outback at the stark burial site of the song’s dedicatee and most interestingly, for Hiroshima, Prestipino persuaded a nurse to allow him into a radiology lab to record the blood pumpng through his heart.

In addition to writing and producing his own music, Prestipino designs soundtracks for experimental theatre projects. He has worked with renowned directors Roman Paska (US), John Turturro (US), Romeo Castellucci (Italy), and Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. His soundtracks have been performed in New York, Naples, Vienna, Linz and Amsterdam.

Some more critical acclaim:

“A kind of gut-bucket folktronica that is all the more remarkable for its exquisite lyricism”
- THE IRISH TIMES
“A distinct and involving world of sound.. with an acoustic troubadour integrity… immensely moving”
- DRUM MEDIA PERTH
“Dark ballads of the 19th century”
- ROMEO CASTELLUCCI

www.paulprestipino.com

Under The Purple Tree
Winners of Songs Alive in 2009, Under the Purple Tree is an ensemble as evocative as its name. Gearing up for the release of their debut album, Romany’, their inclusion in tonight’s AC showcase heralds their first show for 2010.

The Sydney based UPT is a trio featuring the gorgeous Megan Barnes on guitar and vocals, guitarist/producer Matt Lee and guest bassist, Anthony Lee. Their brand of electro-fused rock, is rapidly gaining ground across Sydney venues and a network of community radio stations. Poised to catapult to the next level with the release of their forthcoming album, they are a group to stay tuned to.

www.myspace.com/underthepurpletree

The Nick Arnold Band
Composer/musician Nick Arnold has many strings to his bow. Following the slightly theatrical theme of the evening, Arnold is a consummate composer for film, television and theatre with an impressive list of internationals credits.

He is also a writer and if composing, singing, performing and producing werent enough, Arnold is currently working on a series of environmental books for children and is in pre-production for his short film, The White Room which he wrote and is producing. Arnold brings a rich and energetic close to the night with drum-tight, pulsing rock grooves. This all round-renaissance man will definitely be a name to watch!

For more information on Nick Arnolds projects.

www.nickarnold.com.au

Gen. admission Standing: $15.00 + booking fee
(purchase online at the bottom of this page)

Dinner & Show tickets: $63.80 per person
Dinner & Show tickets include entry, seating and a 2 course meal (entree & main, 4 choices for each). Dinner & Show tickets are only available by phone.
Call the Basement Box Office to book on (612) 9251 2797 (Mon – Fri 10 am – 5:30 pm)

Thursday 8th JULY
The VANGUARD
Acoustic Caravan presents:
The Smiths V’s The Cure
live acts start just after 8pm and play til after 11pm
$15 entry

Two iconic bands who have reached great heights pitted against each other on this battle of the tributes. Cutting edge Sydney artists will perform your favourite Smiths and Cure songs acoustically and let you decide who comes out on top.

The goliaths of gloom go toe to toe… Acoustic Caravan Style!!!

Hosted by Matt Ralph, the audience will decide who will win in this battle of the bands, as the Acoustic Caravan presents the songs of the two groups that made it glamorous to be glum.

So come down and cheer for your favourite songs with The Acoustic Caravan and their fabulous cast of special guest singers!

BAND SET with the songs they are singing:

STICKY FINGERS
Boys Don’t Cry
Just Like Heaven
Love Song

CREEPERS
Sweet and Tender Hooligan
Friday I’m In Love
Lets Go to Bed

RADIO NATIONAL
A Tree
How Soon is Now
Killing an Arab

RAPIDS
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
Lullaby
Other Voices

Acoustic Set:
Joel Sarakula
Chris Burns
Katy Wren
Sam Newton
Greg Cade
Matt Heath

Hope you can make it.
Get tixs at
http://www.thevanguard.com.au/

It was so great to play with so many talented musicians on Sunday night. Everyone had a great time and I’m pretty sure that everyone is keen to do it all again in six months time. Now Jono I are preparing for our season at the Powerhouse Museum. We have put together a show for kids called the Tiny Awards Show. Eliza, who did the design for our Bob Dylan play, has created all the costumes and design for this play, and they are fantastic. It should be so much fun. We are performing it at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and at 3:30 PM, from the 5th til the 18th of July. Hopefully you can come and see it.

There are a few things going on this week. We have rehearsals for our highway 61 night coming up at the vanguard on June 27. It will be a lot of fun and we have a great band together for it. Brendan St Ledger on keys, Jacob Cook on drums, Nick Meredith on electric guitar and Simon Rippingale on bass and me on guitar. That’s the band. We also though, have some excellent singers for the night too. Leroy Lee is singing as well as Simon Bruce, James Edgar Francis and Joel Sarakula.
Hopefully you can come along!

First up, Lenni and I are playing at Mocean tomorrow night (Friday 21st May). We will be playing from about 7:30 til late-ish. It is on Campbell PDE, number 34, just near the Campbell pedestrian crossing to get to the icebergs. It’s a cosy atmosphere and downstairs bar. We’ll be playing our songs as well as our favs.

Next is a Jeff Buckley night at The Vanguard on Sunday the 30th of May which I have the pleasure of hosting and playing a couple of songs. They are always great nights and there is an awesome line-up of singers.

Then on the 27th of June at The Vanguard, my band, including special guest Brendan St Ledger on keys, are performing the Dylan Highway 61 album in it’s entirety. We have some special guest singers, which I’ll let you know more about soon.

Finally, but not least, on the 20th of July, my band are joining an amazing line-up for a big night at the Basement.

Hope to see you at some or all of these gigs. They are all different and fun.

This is a shot from Adelaide whilst we were doing a quick sound check. Must have been a hot day (which it was). Seems like the change of season has really kicked in.
I’ve just got back from a live radio gig at Bondi FM which was great fun. Very social and yummy food. I expected a studio but it was definitely more like a party. Lots of excellent poets, drummers and singers. It’s called Monday night live…must be from about 8pm and you can stream it on the net from anywhere.
Just thought it has been a while since I made a post, which is probably because there is just a bit too much going on…working each day and doing the play each night. Night off tonight, hence the post.
The play has been very enjoyable and very much a box office success, happy to say. We have added an extra matinee on the last day the 24th at 2pm, but that has just sold out, so we may add another one at 5pm on the 24th. Busy day that will be. If you are interested you could check the www.rocksurfers.org website. The link is here. It may take a day to appear, but I will post any info as soon as I know.

Next week, after the show, we are taking the production up to Byron Bay for 4 nights. It is very exciting, and 4 times bigger theatre than the Old Fitzroy, so it will be quite an experience. Please spread the word if you know of anyone that may like to come. I will post how to get tix as soon as I have found out, but the website is www.byroncentre.com.au

Lenni and I are playing at Mocean in Bondi again on the 21st of May and we have a great lineup planned for the Basement on the 19th of July. Hope you can make them.