John Roenigk, 1991

A modestly ambitious (at least, for this amateur musician and would-be recording studio engineer) 4-track home recording of some pieces quite on my mind at the time. The master tape had deteriorated somewhat over the years prior to its eventual transfer to digital media in the mid-2000s. Thanks to Glover Gill for getting it all off the tape and onto CD. And thanks to Chris Bailey for his splendid electric guitar work on the tracks Running From Images and TV Gospel.


Running From Images
©John Roenigk, 1991

Dirge In F# Minor
©John Roenigk, 1991

Rebirth
©John Roenigk, 1991

TV Gospel
©John Roenigk, 1991
lyrics

Space Scapes
©John Roenigk, 1991

Looking East Through Western Eyes
©John Roenigk, 1991

The Rhythm Of The Earth and Moon
©John Roenigk, 1991
lyrics

The Adventure Of The Hero
©John Roenigk, 1991
lyrics

The Healing Embrace
©John Roenigk, 1991



TV Gospel

there he is that man on TV
discerning the wages of sin
fishing the pockets for notes labelled C
not much of a fisher of men

on the pulpit he stands ten feet tall
with the cameras at his feet
he's got the whole world in his hands
should you meet him on the street
recognize him as the well dressed man
but even if you're lost
don't ask this man direction
if you're not prepared to pay the cost

TV Gospel TV Game

beware the wolf in the cashmere cloak
with his bill of right and wrong
he no more knows of heaven or hell
than the singer of the song he tries to censor

can't buy a ticket to eternity
man, we're already in the thick of it
can't buy salvation from that man on TV
he prays out loud for the whole world to see
but he's an actor
hedging a bet on his soul
for the role of the God-damned Pharisee

TV Gospel TV Game

giving is receiving
receiving is the same
but that man on TV is only taking
as taking is his game

TV Gospel
TV Gospel
TV Gospel TV Game
the whole world is watching and praying
and paying the price avoiding the blame
but Jesus makes no guest appearance all the same

better come to know yourself
before you try to know the Lord
he's not selling his religion
for any price you can't afford
there's faith hope and love enough inside of you
to knock down any wall
there's a way a truth and a life
to pick you up from the fall



The Rhythm Of The Earth And Moon

when the weather turns this way
i get so scared
some call it the rhythm of the earth and moon
i know it's more than that
when my heart is crying

in the chill wind the tall trees will sway
they sense the terror
but they move with it
they call it friend
they know it's not the end

i should have noticed by now
storm clouds turning
churning in my head
i long for you to show me how
to reach the calm of the eye
if only for the moment

when the weather turns this way
i get so scared
some call it the rhythm of the earth and moon
oh no it's more than that
when my soul is sighing

i should have noticed by now
storm clouds turning
churning in my head
i long for you to show me how
to reach the calm of the eye
if only for the moment

i should have noticed by now
storm clouds turning
churning in my head
i long to learn to know just how
to reach the calm of the eye
if only for the moment



The Adventure Of The Hero

you see yourself
as someone searching for an answer
mirrors on the shelf
look to you for answers too

oh don't turn a cold shoulder

take the time to know it well
on breaking through you feel the swell

signpost pointing to the nether world below
knowing where you have to go
alone alone this is a journey all your own
your gods and demons sure to show

don the armor of your cause
you persevere and give them pause

heaven knows the way that you should go
heaven wants the choice to be your own

shapes and sizes seem to come at you from nowhere
creatures howling the dirt and haunting the air
at every turn distraction lures
you must carry on the devil may care

bring the boon and set your sail
you carry the tune and tell your tale

heaven knows the way that you should go
heaven wants the choice to be your own