singer and songwriter ben bruce

This one came to me one day walking home from the train (yes, in Seattle!) and though it mostly popped into my head fully formed, the devil is in the details and I’ve tried to really craft this one. I’m very proud of it — this is a good song!

My friend said, “What is that little flower,” and the lie came off my lips without a pause: “Fitzwalter’s Lace.” As I spoke the words, the whole story of this song came into my mind.

A blues tune that started life as a Black Keys ripoff and turned into advice for my son.

This one is the first song I ever wrote for my daughter

I was alone
and the fire was strong

… I’m going to stand here, show you who I am
Tell you the truth, the best I can
And you may not like what you see
But who knows, might fall in love with me …

… In another universe, they say
You and I are going out together
But not in this one, you say …

… Life is good
You make your own luck
When you’re sunstruck …

Recorded live at Nana’s Soup House, Feb. 16, 2008

… But I want to tell you that I think you’re doing fine
We’re all born with our own mountains to climb …

… If she stands firm, your costume cracks
and a darkness at your roots is exposed …

This is one of those songs that popped out fully formed -- lyrics, guitar all at once. I love when that happens. It's only about two months old. This one is so slow; I think the vocals have to be done perfectly in order for it to work (I don't think I achieved that here) -- there has to be some emotion in there to hold your attention.

This one is an old one. I started writing it in New York -- the first song I started after recording my first album. I never did finish it until recently. I haven't gotten to the point where the words are one hundred percent locked down, but I think I _might_ have. It takes me a while to decide. This one has a bit of a syncopation in it which I like, but which I don't know if I play up enough when I'm performing it.

… countless crooked crosses
misty wraiths that slip my eye
a field of standing stones
marking souls who thought they could fly …

… I may not have my hipster credentials
It’s essential that you know, I never will …

This is another old/recently finished song. The first two verses were written long ago, and I always wanted the song to move into the second riff with lyrics but it never happened until recently I began working on it again, and the whole thing turned direction and became cohesive.

I raised my eyes to the Sun above
and I thought to myself, what a dream

What’s happening
in the spaces in between
the desperate silence
and the silent screams

Everyday
I wake up and smile
and I look into the eyes of my girl

You’re going to rise
Every day of your life
It’s a spiral dance

Interestingly enough, "Tide Came In" is one of my son's favorite songs -- I think he can remember me putting him to sleep with it with the drone rhythm. It still works!

This is just what it's entitled, but it has a nice message. I love this demo version -- playing it live I don't get the amped guitar part. Josh says, "but ... it's three chords." And I reply, "Yes, but it's like Tenacious D's 'Tribute' -- IT'S not the simple song, it's ABOUT the simple song."

This one has some cheesy drums on it. It's recognizable as how I hear this song, but I don't really love the demo. But you get the idea.

… I tried to fly my love across the sky
That spanned between us so blue
But I never had to try … lovin’ you …

I love this song but it borders on cheesy. So this one is on the fence, I think.

… We’ll be together
‘til the morning
When the new day
is dawning …

… In another life, we might have played a different role
but I never done nothin’ so awful as break my mama’s heart …

… On a mountainside, I found my shady grove
And one day a long time ago, I met a black bear …

… he said I’ll see you soon,
he seems to have lied …

… the day after the boy that died …

… you do not walk alone,
No, you do not walk alone …

… Don’t have no time for the future …
Just need some wings, if I should fall …

… Dance with me darling, hold me as long as it takes
Oh, I’m going to shiver and shake! …

… Seven times I’ve gone to chapel,
Once upon the steps I cried,
Seven times I put hand out,
Seven times denied …

… Gonna break the chains that bind us …
bind us to the floor …
Gonna set our dragons flying high …

… Whisper here, the whisper said,
The sea will keep your deepest dreams,
Safely there, they may remain,
Until the wolves throw them back again …

… I’m going to rest my bones, yeah, like the lion in the sun
and if you hear that lion roar, you know you better run …

… There are many rivers that flow,
and they all lead to the sea.
And every time I wonder which way to go,
I let that river carry me …

… Can’t you hear the horn? Calling to the sky?
We’re trying hard not to let that die…
We never will ‘cause we’re stronger every day …

… I’m not dirty
not uncouth
I’m not mean
and not cruel …

… Broken…
Burned…
By the words you’ve spoken,
But here I stand …

… Something failed with Jesus, when he died up on the cross…
Well, he tried to free us, but all of us are lost and I say…
Why can’t I, and what’s it cost? …

… When it’s time I’ll go out, yeah with my boots on
but life is now, and the fever’s never gone …

… There’s a road stretching out for me…
On my dying day, there’s a road, oh my,
There’s a road stretching out for me …

… Life in the City is a strange, strange thing
Like a dragon’s wings, or his flames, it can lead to a ring …

… David the King was grieved and moved,
He went to his chamber and cried.
He went to his chamber and cried …

Sometimes I feel ... elemental.

… I really love, the way you move…
‘Cause it’s sexy way you groove …

… Sometimes, you’ve got to jump, and pray for wings
While others who can’t abide such things
Remain behind, and watching as you rise,
Will wonder how you learned to fly …

… Took the King’s Highway and we rode,
and the friends were good, and the beer was cold.
Well, I smiled at her, and she smiled at me,
We were headed to the Jubilee …

… We lay in bed while it rained outside
It felt like heaven with her there by my side
We spoke of gods and a revolution
Looked in her eyes, I saw oceans …

… Before I ride into the Light,
Once, before braving all,
Before Exemption’s final call,
Oh, to jump, and not to fall …

… You say he treats you right, he put a rose on your pillow,
But later in the park, you’re ‘neath the weeping willow,
Crying to yourself about your circumstance, once again…

… But I won’t go see no doctor,
don’t want to hear how my troubles will end,
I’m going to find myself a bottle,
I’m going to self-medicate again …

… Dreaming of you, lady,
I sighed …