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Matchbox

by Jonathan Morrison

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    11
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1.
Introduction 01:56
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Introduction (The sounds of a city street pass by a young man who cowers against a building.) The cityscape, lights and shadows tower over me. Wind tunnel lanes and alleys trap me at my feet. I can’t move, I’m sinking Pavement clamps me (soul and all) Scrounging for a shelter - dumpster’s looking good. Need some time to focus and get back on the street. I collect matches I collect dreams shows everywhere I’ve been… Where is my home? Don’t want to be alone. (Home? More like Hell… horrible place but then again… Look at me here.)
2.
Everyday 03:37
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Everyday Everyday I wander, walking round; standing round, doing time. Unhappy eyes behind a false smile; standing round, doing time. What can I do to change my plight? What can I do to satisfy? Everyday another joins; standing round, doing time. A different life that we lead; different world, different time. What can I do to lull my mind? What is here that satisfies? A boy leaves home crying - can’t take it anymore The screaming, the fighting; what am I living for? Made some friends on the streets. Everyone feels the same - Hope for a world of make believe, but no-one knows my name. Dreaming away, blanks out another day. Dreaming today, pain just might go away. Everyday is a wasted day; standing round, doing time. Resort to crime to pay the way; sex and drugs, doing time. Leave me alone, there’s no-one there Don’t pretend that anyone cares! A girl leaves home hurting - too much pain to bear The abuse, the hatred - no love for her there. Made some friends on the streets. Everyone feels the same - Hope for a world of make believe, but I don’t know her name. Looking with fear, dead eyes staring right through me. Look at me here, I’m no answer - let me be. Dreaming away, blanks out another day. Dreaming today, pain just might go away. Breaking apart, the mind just seems to runaway. Breaks in my heart, home is not a place to stay. Dreaming away, reality just gets in the way. Dreaming today, is this all there is to say? (Escape, running away - all the same to me. Which way to paradise? Dream on. Some days it doesn’t matter what I do, or where I go…)
3.
Move Along Now 03:10
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Move Along Now Stumbling around - being pushed to and fro Rejected by them all but where am I to go? Watch the people passing - they hardly look at me And even when they do, what do they see? Leaning on a lamp post beside an alley way Looking for an answer but this is what they say… Move along now. Move along now. Moving where the people are just wasting all their time. Doing nothing special just to keep their peace of mind. Never really caring what’s going to happen next Because what’s going to happen will happen to the rest. Closing my eyes it seems the only way Never to know what day it is today… Move along now. Move along now. Question is how to disappear? Easy because I’m not really here. No-one sees me anyway Returning here day by day. Move along now. Move along now. Move along now. Move along now. Stumbling around - being pushed to and fro. Wondering if this is all that life has to show. All I have to say and all I have to do Doesn’t add to very much - like the hole in my shoe! I have to hold on, protect my patch. Have to have a dream - have to light a match… Move along now. Move along now. No-one knows me, no-one here. It’s far too easy to disappear. No-one sees me anyhow. Light a match, dreaming now. Move along now. Move along now. Move along now. Move along now. Move along. (Some days, though, are OK.)
4.
Good Day 03:49
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Good Day On a good day I can laugh On a good day I can cry Change is not an issue I don’t have an issue On a good day I am myself On a good day I can live Life is not an issue I don’t have an issue On a good day Light shines down into my eyes Takes me away - another surprise Breathing air that’s pure and sweet My mind is calm… On a good day On a good day On a good day On a good day On a good day I can talk On a good day I can see Truth is not an issue I don’t have an issue On a good day I am free On a good day I can be I am not an issue I don’t have an issue On a good day Light shines down into my eyes Takes me away - another surprise Breathing air that’s pure and sweet My mind is calm… On a good day On a good day On a good day On a good day (It’s not a good day today. There’s something in the air - an edge. I want to hide… I’m scared but… I don’t know…)
5.
See Me 04:20
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See Me See me. Hear me. This is my life… See me, I’m waiting here. Hear me, how can I hold on? What else is here? I grow in fear. Hey, please help me. Can I hang with you? I need a safe place, can you? Don’t turn away! Please, won’t you stay? Help, I need you. Please give me a hand Help me make a stand, will you? Will you? The streets are not for me. I am so alone. Help me get away from here. The streets are not for me. I feel so confused. Help me get out of here. I want to live. I want to live. Help me. See me. Hear me. This is my life… Is this my life? Where is my life? What is this life? Who am I? Who am I? (Of course there’s no-one there. Never is. Just phantoms - the mind playing tricks. (pause) It’s going to be cool tonight. (a match is struck) Ahh! a flame - semblance of heat.)
6.
Pastorale 03:08
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Pastorale Lights glow around me Moon shines above Stars fade away Matches delight me Burn bright inside Flame warms my heart Hills roll behind me Fields in the sun Light flows before me Such things assure life for all time I’m dreaming of all time My time… Lights glow around me Moon shines above Stars fade away Stars fade… Takes me away Hills roll behind me Fields in the sun Light flows before me Such things assure life for all time I’m dreaming of all time My time is beginning Someday Someday. (Nice enough, I suppose. But it can’t last. Someday maybe… I’ll light another one… (A new match is struck.))
7.
I'm Flying 03:35
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I’m Flying Clouds are floating past, spinning round my head Hey, I’m flying. White upon the blue, hazy afternoon See, I’m flying. Eyes are looking down, see the future all around with you. Sun is shining high - feel the warmth on the skin, tingling. Butterflies fly, flitting near my eyes Hey, I’m flying. Colours in your hair, sparkling everywhere See, I’m flying. Looking with your eyes, feeling so surprised to see me. Getting face to face want to join the race to be free. Waiting for a time when the time we spend is together. Wishing for a smile or a wave to keep for ever. Take me away - let me go. What is love? Let me know! Share your thoughts; think of me. I need you - could it be? Eyes that multiply like the eyes of a fly, mesmerise. Kaleidoscopic views made of many hues tantalise. Clouds are floating past, spinning round my head Hey, I’m flying. White upon the blue, hazy afternoon See, I’m flying. Butterflies fly, flitting near my eyes Hey, I’m flying. Colours in your hair, sparkling everywhere See, I’m flying. Looking with your eyes, feeling so surprised to see me. Getting face to face want to join the race to be free. Take me away - let me go. What is love? Let me know! Share your thoughts; think of me. You need me? Could it be? Where is an answer for me? (Indeed. Not here. (sigh) The sickly lights, awkward shadows. Smothering, swamping. Another box - (another match is struck.) oh no, these are tainted… It’s… shh!)
8.
Voices 04:05
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Voices Voices calling, Ever calling. Carried on the wind. Carried on the wind. Careless whispers, Secret whispers. Carried on the wind. Carried… Colours are fading as darkness takes its hold. Voices echoing, Fears are surrounding. Closer they come. Closer they come. Feeling so eerie, Soulless and teary. Closer they come. Closer… Lifelines are fading as darkness takes its hold. Here comes the cold… Sheets of ice, thick and opaque Hold me tight, tied to a stake. Burning fire fails to ignite. It’s so cold… Shards of ice fly to impale. Lungs on fire - can’t exhale. Holding on to life, I fear I will explode… Voices are screaming, Screaming inside. Can’t block the future. Can’t ebb the tide. Talons embedded, Eagles have grabbed me. Take me away. Take me… Heart beat is fading as darkness takes its hold. Heart beat is fading as darkness takes its hold. Here comes the cold… Black and blue, the mirror reflects. Steam on the glass - life it detects. Nothing else to be seen. Here’s the fog… Lying low but covering all. Vapours hang from the trees so tall. Gnashing teeth and eyes of red come. Hungry dog… Slobbering, snarling, swallowing whole. Warmth at last but I lost my soul. Passing through juices that burn me so. Let me go… Here I go… ((The sounds of a crackling fire emanate throughout the following. A blood curdling scream is heard followed by other voices alarmed at the sight.) Oh my God, careful, there’s someone in there. Oh no, it’s gross - the smell, the…)
9.
I'm Dying 02:18
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I’m Dying Where is my home? I’m dying. Please take me home, I’m dying. Don’t want to be alone. Is anyone there? Take hold of me, I’m fading. Even my dreams are fading. The matches are gone There’s nothing left… Sleep, sweet dream sleep. Sleep…
10.
Watching Over 03:29
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Watching Over In the night it seems it’s always dark, cold but the night with the stars is alive. And the night allows the mind to see, hear clearly as the stars shine on. This night there’s a new star in the sky watching over. For a life - a battle on the streets - rough, has passed on, faded out, moved along. Living star forever you remind, share always there shining on, shine on. Clouds pass but the star will still remain watching over. Daylight brings sunshine - a new day is here. And life it carries on as days, nights take their turn turn again, again. Time, some say heals, but every night look in the sky the star will shine every night watching over. Grief grips so tight - tears the soul from the light ‘til it’s night again. In the night it seems it’s always dark, cold but the night with the stars, it is alive.

about

Matchbox is a song cycle of a day and night on the streets for a homeless person using Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Seller” as inspiration.

I have recorded this as a complete work including dialogue and sound effects. Unfortunately, the file is too big to upload here. So, I have uploaded each track without the extras but have included them (in brackets) with the lyric sheets for each song. This way you may have a chance to appreciate some of the impact I was seeking.

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released September 25, 2010

words & music © Jonathan Morrison

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Jonathan Morrison Geelong, Australia

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