Rise Against: "Ready to Fall."

Crushingly kick-ass hardcore. They're politically aware, smart, and--yes--fairly radical. I love these guys. And this video? Some disturbing stuff here, especially if you care about how we treat animals and our planet. Nothing new, but the message bears repeating. Maybe one day it'll sink in. You've been warned.

I highly recommend clicking "menu" in the video frame while it's active and watching the video for "Give It All" as well if you like what you hear and see in "Ready To Fall." The albums are Siren Song of the Counter Culture and The Sufferer and the Witness, respectively.

"READY TO FALL"

hold on slow down
again from the top now and tell me everything
I know I’ve been gone for
what seems like forever
but I’m here now waiting
to convince you that I’m not
a ghost or a stranger
but closer than you think
she said “just go on to what you
pretend is your life but
please don’t die on me”

wings won’t take me
heights don’t faze me
so take a step
but don’t look down, take a step

now I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall (ready to fall)
I think I’m at the edge now but I could be wrong
I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall

perpetual motion the image wont focus
a blur is all that’s seen
but here in this moment like the eye of the storm
it all came clear to me
I found a shoulder to lean on
an infallible reason to live all by itself
I took one last look from the heights that I once loved
and then I ran like hell

wings won’t take me
heights don’t faze me
so take a step
but don’t look down take a step

now I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall (ready to fall)
I think I’m at the edge now but I could be wrong
I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall

I count the times that I’ve been sorry (I know I know)
now my compassion slowly drowns (I know I know)
if there’s a time these walls could guard you (I know I know)
then let that time be right now

now I’m standing on the rooftop
now I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall (ready to fall)
I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall
I think I’m at the edge now but I could be wrong
I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall
now I’m standing on the rooftop(ready to fall)
now I’m standing on the rooftop(ready to fall)
now I’m standing on the rooftop(ready to fall)
now I’m standing on the rooftop(ready to fall)
now I’m standing on the rooftop ready to fall

Flogging Molly: "Drunken Lullabies."

As some of you know, Flogging Molly is one of my all-time favorite bands. Sadly, not many people know much about them; most have never even heard of them. The same goes for two other favorite bands of mine: Dropkick Murphys and the The Pogues. When I contemplated starting this blog, I thought it might be fun to post a video or audio clip of a band I really like once in a while; I'm posting the first such clip today. "Drunken Lullabies" is one of those character-story videos that doesn't have a whole lot to do with the song's lyric (which is classic Flogging Molly). But it's good stuff anyway. "Drunken Lullabies" is from Flogging Molly's album of the same name.

"DRUNKEN LULLABIES"

Must it take a life for hateful eyes
To glisten once again
Five hundred years like Gelignite
Have blown us all to hell
What savior rests while on his cross we die
Forgotten freedom burns
Has the Shepard led his lambs astray
to the bigot and the gun

Must it take a life for hateful eyes
To glisten once again
Cause we find ourselves in the same old mess
Singin' drunken lullabies

I watch and stare as Rosin`s eyes
Turn a darker shade of red
And the bullet with this sniper lie
In their bloody gutless cell
Must we starve on crumbs from long ago
Through these bars of men made steel
Is it a great or little thing we fought
Knelt the conscience blessed to kill

Must it take a life for hateful eyes
To glisten once again
Cause we find ourselves in the same old mess
Singin' drunken lullabies

Ah, but maybe it`s the way you were taught
Or maybe it`s the way we fought
But a smile never grins without tears to begin
For each kiss is a cry we all lost
Though there is nothing left to gain
But for the banshee that stole the grave
Cause we find ourselves in the same old mess
Singin' drunken lullabies

I sit in and dwell on faces past
Like memories seem to fade
No colour left but black and white
And soon will all turn grey
But may these shadows rise to walk again
With lessons truly learnt
When the blossom flowers in each our hearts
Shall beat a new found flame

Must it take a life for hateful eyes
To glisten once again
Cause we find ourselves in the same old mess
Singin' drunken lullabies
Cause we find ourselves in the same old mess
Singin' drunken lullabies
Singin' drunken lullabies