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Like a Thief

by Will Stenberg

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1.
Summer passed w/out a trace Left me still here in this place Where nothing moves and every face Is wrapped around pure empty space And I killed the bottles one by one Just like any mother’s son And when the bottle’s dead and done Go and get another one Autumn came on wings of rain Cooled the fever, helped the pain Washed the window, cleaned the stain Golden leaves across the lane And I killed the bottles two by two Just like anyone would do Would you believe it, yeah, it’s true I drank them all for only you Winter came on kitten’s feet Froze the fire, iced the streets Fogged the breeze & killed the heat Fumbled fingers, slowed the beat And I killed the bottles three by three Made a mess and let it be Walked around so helplessly Wasted as a blighted tree Spring came in and washed me clean Found me feral, lithe and lean The sun arose, all bright and mean I held that sun in high esteem And I killed the bottles four by four Just like every spring before I walked around and opened doors And let the sun fall on the floor
2.
It’s not so much that you left me alone but now I’m bereft of a hope of a home. And I used to have marrow inside these bleak bones. Now they’re just hollow and weak as a moan on a wind that barely can carry my “Hallelujahs” or “Hail Marys.” And all that I’m saying is all there is left to be said. I’ll sing it instead. It’s not that they sky gives a hint of release but I’m straining for songs that can hold my belief and hold your attention until like a thief they take it away and return it to me on a wind that don’t hardly matter and comparisons rarely will flatter but here and now when compared with then and there? It just don’t compare. The sidewalks are icy. The birds cry with cold. Winter is not for the sick or the old. And I’m not either one but I think I’ve been sold on the option of trading the girl for the gold. And love is the kind of illusion that carefully crafts our confusion. And there’s something so silent that’s screaming here in my head: it’s blue and it’s red. I’m reaching for you and I’m preaching the blues. You’re sleeping out on Milwaukee Avenue. I’ve paid the piper his debts and his dues but I wish we could share our distress at the news each morning in the daily paper: all of these crimes and these capers. All put together by figures of fear and bad business. But I’m learning forgiveness. All hearts are heavy, there’s ash in the air. War is the language of human despair. And our fondest daydream is nature’s nightmare and my heart since you left is a branch rendered bare of birds or of blossoms or berries, of apples or peaches or cherries. And if you don’t come back then these limbs will not live to be limber. I hear someone shouting “Timber!” From the dunes of the desert to the straits of the sea, no bargains, no blessings - just brutality. And I don’t know if I’m smart, but I think I can see: we treat life like it’s worthless ‘cause we got it for free but I swear and what’s more I promise from now on to live totally honest. And from the curve of your hips all the way to the curve of your smile I’m living in style. That low moaning sound that you heard from the ground is the cry of the devil now that he’s found that there’s no salvation in turning around: it’s forward and forward, ever forward we’re bound. So forward I’m plowing forever and it’s late but I know it’s not never. But I’m hoping and praying there’s good cause to hope and to pray. But I’m crying today.
3.
The girl who cried saved she said was a brave one. She had no heart so she made one out of straw and rocks and clay. Hey hey hey. The girl who cried saved, I met her in Yuba City. I said “Babe, you’re all painted and pretty.” She said, “Boy, you’re as sharp as a blade.” Hey hey hey. The girl who cried saved, she didn’t love me that often but there was one time in Stockton when it was certainly love that we made. Hey hey hey. The girl who cried saved, she didn’t know no redeemer. Nothing I could say could ever redeem her. But I’ll remember, if I may. Hey hey hey.

about

This record is a collaboration between myself and composer/electronic musician Colin Edward, who did the arrangements. It also features an appearance from cellist Jonah Thomas of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Engineered by Colin Edward.

Mixed/mastered by Darwin Meiners.

credits

released December 17, 2023

Will Stenberg - Acoustic guitar, vocals.
Colin Edward - synths, backing vocals, flute.
Jonah Thomas - Cello.

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about

Will Stenberg Portland, Oregon

Will Stenberg is searching for the perfect marriage of text and tune, mediated by himself with maximum honesty. He spends a lot of time writing songs and has a vague, persistent hope that there is an audience for them. He is from a small town, has lived in various parts of the US, and is full of love and unease. ... more

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