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PAY RESPECT
lyrics by Vasudha Harte
how will I ever know
the magnitude of your sorrow
and what it’s like to be a refugee
in your own country
how can I make amends
for horrendous crimes against the innocent
you have so much love for the land and all its living things
i want to live that way too
i want to pay respect
to the people of this land
i bow my head in sorrow
at the sins of the white man
pay respect
to the creatures of this land
i open up my heart to you
and I say come take my hand
how will I ever know
the magnitude of your sorrow
and what it’s like to be a refugee
in our country
how can I make amends
pay respect
to the people of this land
i bow my head in sorrow
at the sins of the white man
pay respect
to the creatures of this land
i open up my heart to you
and I say come take my hand
pay respect
to the children
to the creatures
to the people of this land
pay respect
to the children
to the creatures
to the people of this land
i open up my heart to you
i open up my heart to you
i open up my heart to you
and I say come take my hand
WHITEY'S FIRST MIGRATION is published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
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TOM'S WAITRESS lyrics are published in "you near verse"
a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
TOM’S WAITRESS
words and music vasudha harte
I have a secret I must confess
I wanna be tom’s waitress
I want to be the woman who holds the flame
That lights the cigarette of the holy gravelly voiced one in a game
Of coffee and rolls adoration
Hopeless hospitality infatuation
I want to stand at his table with his head at my torso
Ask him what he wants and point out that also
We have love consuming wine to go with his meal
And like mary magdelene at his feet I will kneel
Shine up his shoes with spittle of awe
Tickle his toes so I can hear him guffaw
Yes yes I must confess
I wanna be tom’s waitress
I wanna be tom’s waitress
It’s not such an impossible dream I guess
I could find him in America by sailing across the sea
Pull pen and pad out of pocket and say so baby what’ll it be
I could sing you a song about toasted cheese sangers
Or perhaps you’d prefer to eat mash and bangers
I know a cool about being perpetually drunk
Or we could gaily swap stories on the virtues of punk
I could serve you up a slice of our best grapefruit moon
And while you’re consuming it I’ll quietly swoon
I’d pluck up the courage when time was in fullness
And say I’ve always wanted to meet you your coolness
Yes yes I must confess
I wanna be tom’s waitress
I wanna be the waitress of tom
Not his daughter or lover or sister or mom
But an anonymous girl in his old café scene
That he strikes up a chat with at the coffee machine
A charmed willing object for his observation
Transformed into lyrics via sweet inspiration
And when he’s busily chopping out that song
I’d jump in his piano and say take me along
I’ll serve you up pancakes with pancakes and mustard
He’ll look at me strange and say baby you’ve lost it
Ah but a look is a look and it’s enough to be satisfied
And I’d drink in that glorious gaze and happily die
Yes yes I must confess
I wanna be tom’s waitress
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The lyrics of primal vinyl are published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
PRIMAL VINYL words and music vasudha harte
I’m an LP record baby
I spin and I swing
Connect me to a stylus
And listen to me do my thing
LP record baby
LP record baby
Oo I’m an LP record baby
I spin and I swing
Connect me to a stylus
And listen to me do my thing
LP record baby
LP record baby
Why don’t you flip me over
and can see what’s on the other side
Kick back into your lounge chair now
And I’ll take you on a sonic ride
We’re having a primal vinyl experience
a primal vinyl experience
primal vinyl experience
primal vinyl experience
You've heard of BPM well I'm RPM
331/3 rotations per minute
I'm not digital I don't comminute
I've got an offshoot who's 45 RPM he's pretty cute
so petite short and sweet
just one song upon one side or maybe two
as for me…I'll play a long time for you
cos I’m an LP record baby Long Playing Yeah!
LP record baby Ooh don't touch me there
LP record baby I like a needle on my skin
LP record baby I'm spiraling
I’m round and I’m black and I’ve got grooves
I’m round I’m black I’ve got grooves and I’m shiny
You can tell all the boys they can kiss my hiney Come on!
I’m making sounds that can turn you on
I like to get high…hi fidelity
when you've finished with me slip me back in my sleeve
look after me don't scratch me
or I might go blip hop blurrr rrr jolt
I might even grind to a halt
I need cleaning up from time to time
cos I attract dirt and dust and grime
so brush me down and I'll feel divine
and in the meantime…
Dance with me! Feel free
shake your booty baby with me LP
Hear me in mono stereo quadraphonic
I'm your good time aural tonic
LP record baby
LP record baby
LP record baby
archaic technology maybe
but I'll give you a
primal vinyl experience
primal vinyl experience
primal vinyl experience
primal vinyl experience
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i have a muff is published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
I have a muff
these days that's pretty tough
soooooo beautifically incorrect
and bound to have a repulsive effect
on the casual beachgoer who may inadvertently see
my luscious locks poking out of my bikini
Oooohhhh shudder quick turn away
that woman hasn't had a wax or a shave
how unthinkable! how loathsome!
how frightful! how frumpish!
and I as a woman am completely diminished
I'm unfashionable ugly outdated misguided
because I happen to have pubic hair down there
and the media mafia masticating multitudes have decided
it is preferable superior more acceptable to be bare
rip at those guilty follicles excavate that fuzz
napalm that beaver cos everybody else does
O and slash off your lab lips if they hang too low
cos that's totally gross and unnatural you know
girls as young as twelve are heading to the gold coast
and paying some doctor to chop out their innermost
those mercenary medicos must be rubbing their unethical hands together
the Hippocratic oath never said no pussy vandalism ever
apparently its meant to cause the boys some titillation
female genital mutilation
photoshopped models don’t have cunts that droop
but what if the girls grow up and want to recoupe?
buy a new vagina
made in china
I have a muff
these days that's pretty tough
Vasudha Harte
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Cark and Carp by Daevid Allen from "Poet For Sale"
daevidallen.net
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THE ULTIMATE HIGH
lyrics vasudha harte
In this world of rush hour main streaming
Give me space oh lord just for dreaming
Don’t let me be lazy
Don’t let me miss opportunities
To feel the essence at ease
In this world that can be awakened
Give me a sign oh lord and I’ll take it
Please don’t let me die
In this world by and by
Without knowing the ultimate high
In this world of terrifying cruelty
Give me grace oh lord to see the beauty
Don’t let me heart freeze
Keep it warm and open if you please
And may I feel the essence at ease
In this world that can be awakened
Give us a sign oh lord and we’ll take it
Please don’t let us die
In this world by and by
Without knowing the ultimate high
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with river in byron is published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
with River in Byron
we have to buy and eat this food
we don't have a say
he said
they took away our way of life
they won't give us hunting rights
and now we have to pay
he said
they build big stores with third rate food
that's packaged old or frozen
we'd rather gather natural tucker from the land
the forests and the ocean
you can have whatever you want to eat
goanna wallaby kangaroo met
ocean trout and crayfish too
enough for me enough for you
and you feed the mob you see
and mother earth doesn't charge a fee
they clear away our hinting grounds
and fill them up with shops
then they want to sell us food
whose quality constantly drops
we were parked in my van with a neon view
the stupor market sign for all to see
as he tucked into his refried mince beans
from the 24 hour bakery
everything River said was true
you've never thought of it like this have you?
he said
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REMEMBER THE MYSTIC
i wanna be up not down
free not bound
i want to call this land our own
not out on permanent loan
to the global corporations
with their massive operations
that are making us sick toxic
they forget about the mystic
i want to be free and wild
mother nature's child
i want to call this ocean our own
not out on permanent loan
to the global corporations
with their massive operations
that are making us sick toxic
they forget about the mystic
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ocean blue is published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
Ocean Blue Vasudha Harte 2012
she listens to the moth
crashing 'gainst the side
of the cheap black Chinese lamp
PING!
the ocean a constant murmur
breathing its watery midnight heavings
containing a billion secrets
an underworld of stars
a satellite dish to the masses
stirring the moon in its pot
tickling the shores with its foam
crashing and ranting heavenly elegant
the fridge shudders to a thankful stop
the night creatures whirr and click
he sleeps on
and on
below
heavy and naked under the doona
she has her mezzanine cocoon to herself
a rare treat
she can read and write poetry
ruminate on the ocean's song
its sound contested
only by the wandering wind
oohhh ooo ocean blue
send your tendrils of deep sea hue
unto my parched and ready soul
transmit your calming blessings to me
weed out my bones of mortality
so I may live in existential ecstacy
dancing on the shores of risqué abandonment
lets start a romance
a courting
I'll dip my toes in you
you surprise me with your sudden saline undulating swell
changing my morning forever
undoing the buttons on my dullards coat
let me writhe among your seaweed and float
like Ophelia crowned and lovesick
surrendering to your watery charms
hypnotise me with your in out in out
salt my skin and tangle my hair
lull me with your impressionistic painterly presence
shimmering and indescribably blue
Lismore Poetry Cup 2012
David Hallet said I should have won
ha ha
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the hill dweller is published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
HILL DWELLER
alone in his hut he's off the grid
no car no wife no billy lid
he's got candles he's got grog
he's got a radio he's got a dog
he's got the sound of the creek
he's got lungs that are weak
he hitches a ride from his shack to town
and gets on the piss til the sun goes down
back to his shack with his long neck mate
he doesn't know the time or the day or the date
but he feels the winter approaching fast
and he feels in his bones that it may be his last
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The music of Cuba is published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
THE MUSIC OF CUBA
the music of cuba
ooh la la! cha cha cha!
sexy to the beat
it’s the style on the street
razzle dazzle piano combo
bowl ‘em over conga bongo
a downright
delight
feel a warm affection
for that funky rhythm section
that goes boom zip a whirr a chick a
mm chick a mm chick a
sur pri sing syncopation
intimate collaboration
gets our hips a swaying
smiles spreading as they’re playing
virtuosic artistry
stylish dexterity
agile fingers on parade
melodies elegantly cascade
suddenly…suspense…a fade…
a carefully executed mood descent
a longing lingering langourous lament
amorous romantic sultry time
heartfelt melting atmosphere sublime
then some pulsating percussion
and some tonal collisions
diminuendos and crescendos
lead into explosions
that go boom!!!
carnivale!
shiny snazzy snappy brass
passionate frequencies that blast
off into the night sky
and smiles rapidly multiply
the music’s swirling and swelling
trills are spinning skills excelling
havana! ariba!
those sexy cuban musos play their sexy funky parts
sparking off the joy in our music loving hearts
ole!
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I have a poem to share
It’s not about being under the spotlight’s
GLARE
On a stage
With a clock ticking
And judges pen’s clicking
It’s a longing for expression
To blossom into fruition
A precious opportunity to be
intimate
connected
ideas directed
disseminated
digestibly plated
a present of our presence in the present
what greater gift is there
than having a poem to share
deep thoughts
enlightened musings
a haven in this storm of ever increasing confusion
what will become of us
under our most heartless government yet
in these times of out-of-control corruption
radiation destruction unpayable debt
an unfathomable spectrum of suffering
suffering
so much suffering
a poem
a brief holy refuge
a glint of art in this aching madness
an enchanted dream that awakens us
softens us
elates us
maybe bores us
our porous minds absorb a panacea
I want to whisper my poem in your ear
But I don’t dare
So I’ll just leave it there (point to heart)
10 feb 2015
won Lismore live poets slam 11 feb 2015 ha ha
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The lyrics of Global Celebration are published in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
GLOBAL CELEBRATION / ONE HEART VIBRATION
words and music vasudha harte
Well I’ve got plenty to say
But I just can’t seem to find a way
To get it through right now
Without pointing the finger
Better figure it out some day some how
Cos the days the days the days are slipping me by…
And the night time leaves me tongue-tied
I really want the wilderness to live
I wish there was less take and more give
I know we all could shine a lot brighter
Are we saving ourselves for a time that’s right o
Preoccupations conflicting nations sending me
Running to the writing desk the easel the bed to plead
Come on don’t we get it yet don’t we get it yet
Lets get out feet wet
Jump into the ocean of the one heart vibration
Let it flow and wash over you
Let it flow and sing through you
Tune into the music of a global celebration
Bring it on
It depends on you
To sing your song
It doesn’t matter who you are
Cos mama you’re still a child
Living free
Running wild
So free
Still a child
Living free
Running wild
So free
Can we let go
Of the notion of nations
Can we embrace unification of races
Come together as one generation this is our time
We can raise the vibration
Sever the past bury the hatchet
Let the reasons why we’re in conflict die
See the individual beauty of another
Not just the race the religion or the colour
Jump into the ocean of the one heart vibration
Let it flow and wash over you
Let it flow and sing through you
Tune into the vision of a global celebration
Bring it on
It depends on you
To sing your song
It doesn’t matter who you are
Jump into the ocean of the one heart vibration
Tune into the vision of a global celebration
Jump into the ocean of the one heart vibration
Tune into the rhythm of a global celebration
See the individual beauty of another
Not just the race the religion or the colour
Jump into the ocean of the one heart vibration
Let it flow and wash over you
Let it flow and sing through you
Tune into the vision of a global celebration
Bring it on
It depends on you
To sing your song
It doesn’t matter who you are
You’ve got to sing your song
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an evening of poetry and music - live @ studio 188
vasudha harte - vocals, piano, u-bass, biparas
jem edwards - drums, piano
all lyrics by vasudha harte except cark and carp by daevid allen
all music by dinkum bohos
recorded at rhyme rhythm and reason
solidarity kulture club @ studio 188
24 feb 2015
host christian sargeant
sound engineer noel payne
mixing and mastering maxwell volume and jem Edwards
@ Café Boho and The Banana Moon Observatory New Brighton & South Golden Beach NSW
PAY RESPECT
A heartfelt introductory song acknowledging the original people of Australia with spoken word interlude whitey’s first migration accompanied with biparas (clap sticks) which whimsically speculates the possibility of history turning out differently…
lyrics by Vasudha Harte
how will I ever know
the magnitude of your sorrow
and what it’s like to be a refugee
in your own country
how can I make amends
for horrendous crimes against the innocent
you have so much love for the land and all its living things
i want to live that way too
i want to pay respect
to the people of this land
i bow my head in sorrow
at the sins of the white man
pay respect
to the creatures of this land
i open up my heart to you
and I say come take my hand
how will I ever know
the magnitude of your sorrow
and what it’s like to be a refugee
in our country
how can I make amends
pay respect
to the people of this land
i bow my head in sorrow
at the sins of the white man
pay respect
to the creatures of this land
i open up my heart to you
and I say come take my hand
pay respect
to the children
to the creatures
to the people of this land
pay respect
to the children
to the creatures
to the people of this land
i open up my heart to you
i open up my heart to you
i open up my heart to you
and I say come take my hand
WHITEY'S FIRST MIGRATION
words available in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse
TOM'S WAITRESS
lyrics available in "you near verse"
a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse/
PRIMAL VINYL
In these retro-soaked times comes a witty rendering of LP vinyl records to a smooth-as-chocolate u-bass dance groove infused with a flash of disco and a tiny slice of Frank Zappa’s Bobby Brown.
words available in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse
i have a muff
An amusingly honest portrayal of one who decides not to shave or wax one’s “luscious (pubic) locks” while others choose to undergo surgery in the name of media encouraged so-called beauty.
words available in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse
cark and carp
An entertaining theatrical interpretation of Daevid Allen’s imagined journey to the grave.
Cark and Carp by Daevid Allen from "Poet For Sale"
daevidallen.net
THE ULTIMATE HIGH
lyrics vasudha harte
In this world of rush hour main streaming
Give me space oh lord just for dreaming
Don’t let me be lazy
Don’t let me miss opportunities
To feel the essence at ease
In this world that can be awakened
Give me a sign oh lord and I’ll take it
Please don’t let me die
In this world by and by
Without knowing the ultimate high
In this world of terrifying cruelty
Give me grace oh lord to see the beauty
Don’t let me heart freeze
Keep it warm and open if you please
And may I feel the essence at ease
In this world that can be awakened
Give us a sign oh lord and we’ll take it
Please don’t let us die
In this world by and by
Without knowing the ultimate high
with river in byron
A brief poignant portrait of a Blackfella’s point of view.
REMEMBER THE MYSTIC
Inspired by the community’s fight against coal seam gas (csg) mining in northern NSW and beyond, this inna da yard reggae track with drums and keys entreats global corporations to think again.
i wanna be up not down
free not bound
i want to call this land our own
not out on permanent loan
to the global corporations
with their massive operations
that are making us sick toxic
they forget about the mystic
i want to be free and wild
mother nature's child
i want to call this ocean our own
not out on permanent loan
to the global corporations
with their massive operations
that are making us sick toxic
they forget about the mystic
ocean blue
Lyrical romantic verse ruminating “on the ocean’s song shimmering and indescribably blue”.
words available in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse/
the hill dweller
a simple, evocative vignette of a lonely old man
words available in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse/
the music of cuba
vasudha harte vocals, guiro shaker combo
words available in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse/
i have a poem to share
Shying away from the 2 minute “wham bam slam” culture, ironically this poem won the Lismore Live Poets Slam Feb 2011.
GLOBAL CELEBRATION
an anthem for our times...
“…come together as one generation
this is our time we can raise the vibration
sever the past bury the hatchet
let the reasons why we’re in conflict die
see the individual beauty of another
not just the race the religion or the colour...”
words available in "you near verse" a book of selected poems by vasudha harte
thepoetryofmusic.com/2012/07/19/younearverse/
released November 1, 2015
vasudha harte - vocals, piano, u-bass, biparas
jem edwards - drums, piano
all lyrics by vasudha harte except cark and carp by daevid allen
all music by dinkum bohos
