We recorded this version of Be Myself in 2009, just before Todd & Kater left the band. It's a free bonus download for all the folks who've stuck with us and waited patiently for this album.
This song was originally on our first album, The Weapon of the Future. In 2008 we re-wrote it around the melody of a traditional celtic tune called "the temperance reel." On this version Kater plays both the Cello and Mandolin.
lyrics
Alarm clock ringin, another day bringin,
The pain and the joy and the pure bliss of bein’
sunlight in the window, the blinds are down
as I drift I feel the earth spinning round
I got to wake up, so much to accomplish
But I guess it all depends on how much I want it
And some days it’s not worth getting up
Cuz I don’t want to deal with a world this messed up
So I close my eyes, dream it away,
put my life off for another day
livin in a nation in hibernation
we can’t change our lives, it's hard to even face ‘em
& when I walk out my door and look around,
I get scared out my mind at the things going down
so instead we’re living like souls on ice
cuz to really get up we’d have to wake up twice
cityscape skyline, clouds on the water
no fish in the bay, the water’s getting hotter
but there’s a few forests left, a few places of peace
where a man can still go to escape the beast
and in the sunlight and shadows, the greens and browns
with life and death and rebirth all around
it’s a little bit easier to find myself
when I don’t have to think ‘bout anyone else
and it’s the wind in the trees, the fates I defy
and the earth underneath & the stars in the sky
paths and trails, rivers and streams
the way that the sun on a mountain lake gleams
reflect on reflection, indulge in introspection
Measure myself up, try to pass inspection
Work on my mental, physical, emotional health
All to try and find courage to keep being myself
Actually the tragedy happens haphazardly
The devious dodgy and – dammit – even dastardly
Demonstrably untrustworthy side
To every single man that’s lurkin inside
The part of me that thinks I can make it alone
And I just can’t postpone the day that I atone
gotta make my peace now, with myself
for the sake of my soul my own mental health
It’s all right to be angry, it’s ok to cry
And it’s perfectly normal to sit and wonder why
Why are people hungry when so much food goes to waste?
Why are people homeless when we can explore space?
Who’s left to protect the powerless and poor,
When the wealth of the world gets wasted on war?
And most of all, what am I really doin’
To make something beautiful rise from the ruins?
credits
from Anarchitecture,
released August 31, 2011
Todd Snyderman: Drums, Kater Murch: Mandolin and Cello, Laura Noel: Bass, Vocals: Lynx T'chass (aka Emcee Lynx)
Jamil Honesty’s hard-hitting LP gets a new video documentary that explores its powerful themes in detail, split into multiple parts. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 3, 2023