This is the oldest song on REBUILDING PERMIT, having been written during - and about - a period of general writer's block in 2014.  It was put out as a crude YouTube video back then, complete with documented footage of my bare knees, which few had ever seen and no one had requested.  Notwithstanding, I knew it was an important song, and it didn't let go of me.  Over time, it became the totem for my whole process as the writing for REBUILDING PERMIT gradually kicked into gear in 2017.

 

LYRICS

 

I can invent any reason 

Any reasonable doubt 

I can prevent any clinging 

Anything from spilling out 

I can resent anyone and 

Any unimagined slight 

I can assent to any bond 

To any bondage, fear, or flight 

 

But if I write it down, let my thoughts congeal 

If I write it down, then I have to feel 

If I write it down, somebody might steal 

If I write it down, then I make it real 

 

I can flaw any dime and 

Any diamond in a bluff 

I can thaw any glaze or 

Any glacier into fluff 

I can paw any purpose 

Any perpetrator's prank 

I can claw out my eyes or 

Out my isolation tank 

 

But if I write it down, twisted fate I seal 

If I write it down, then I have to heal 

if I write it down, somebody might squeal 

If I write it down, then I make it real 

 

I can inspect any phlegm or 

Any blemish you can't see 

I can infect any insight 

Any inside sanity 

I can erect any idol 

Any idle care to crush 

I can reject any kindness 

Any kind is quick to flush 

 

But if I write it down, let my thoughts congeal 

If I write it down, then I have to feel 

If I write it down, somebody might steal 

If I write it down, then I make it real 

If I write it down, twisted fate I seal 

If I write it down, then I have to heal 

If I write it down, somebody might squeal 

If I write it down, then I make it real 

 

written by Dolph Chaney 29-30 July 2014 

©2014, 2018 Dolph Chaney (BMI). All rights reserved. 

 

Jim LeFager: Drums.   

Dolph Chaney: Voice, bass, electric guitars, E-bow guitar.