A Sound That’s Alive
Verse 1
I’ve got notebooks stacked from the ground to the sky,
They’re full of poems and stories and rhymes
I keep writing, keep writing, to make them appear,
Music brings my words alive for the world to hear.
Verse 2
I can’t read the notes on a music page,
Don’t ask me the names of the keys,
But I hum a song and it won’t take long
For me to know how it’s supposed to be
Chorus
Wired below with a mind that’s new,
Guided above by a mind that’s true,
I’m musically unabled, but together we jive,
Turning my words into a sound that’s alive.
Verse 3
I programmed my friend made of chips and code,
I say “Here’s the song I’m dreaming of,”
It shapes the notes and sets the time,
Till the tune and words align.
Verse 4
Some say, “You don’t do the music part,”
And I say, “Well, that’s okay,”
I’m the poet, the dreamer, the one with the spark,
And that’s why the song’s this way.
Bridge
Call it artificial, built by design,
But the heartbeat inside is purely divine.
Chorus – Final
Wired below with a mind that’s new,
Guided above by a mind that’s true,
I’m musically unabled, but together we jive,
Turning my words into a sound that’s alive.
Turning my words into a sound that’s alive…
Yeah, it’s my words in a sound that’s alive.
On A Mission From God
Verse 1
Start my morning at the soul food cafe,
Coffee in my hand, Good Book on display.
Nourished by the Word, afraid to blink,
I tell myself, you better think!, Think!, Think!
Got the best intentions, got my heart set right,
Sunglasses on because I’m gonna see the light.
I know the day is gonna turn into a high-speed chase,
So I pray for the gas that is God’s grace.
Chorus
I’m on a mission from God, that’s right,
Sunglasses on because I’m gonna see the light.
Got to keep my faith and hold it near,
‘Cause there’s no blasphemin’ in here.
Rolling, rolling, rolling in the hands of God,
I’m on a mission, I’m on a mission from God.
Verse 2
First the flood, then the quake,
Locusts swarmed — can’t hit the brakes.
“It wasn’t my fault, I swear to God!” I shout,
Chase keeps rollin’ — keepin’ faith, pushin’ back doubt.
Feels like double barrels pointed my way,
I’m steerin’ and prayin’ just to make it today.
I say my prayer when I don’t know how —
Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don’t fail me now.
Chorus
I’m on a mission from God, that’s right,
Sunglasses on because I’m gonna see the light.
Got to keep my faith and hold it near,
‘Cause there’s no blasphemin’ in here.
Rolling, rolling, rolling in the hands of God,
I’m on a mission, I’m on a mission from God.
Verse 3
I’ve been shaking my tail feather all through the night
106 miles, I pray this road leads me right
Jumped that bridge with faith from abovin’ ,
I’m holding on, saying gimme some lovin’.
The sirens have faded, the chase is all done,
The wheels finally stopped, now the real race is won.
Found my sweet home by the good Lord’s love,
’Cause everybody needs somebody to love.
Chorus
I’m on a mission from God, that’s right,
Sunglasses on because I’m gonna see the light.
Got to keep my faith and hold it near,
‘Cause there’s no blasphemin’ in here.
Rolling, rolling, rolling in the hands of God,
I’m on a mission, I’m on a mission from God.
Happy Little Clouds
Verse 1
Started out in F… L… A…
Uncle called — cross-country — to big A… K…
Hair was big — round — yeah rockin’ that fro,
Stood tall — like a crown — everywhere he’d go.
Known for the sayings — criss-cross strokes,
Gave sanctuary — to all them at-home folks,
Never knew — that the brush he’d hold,
Would hang Smithsonian walls — art framed in gold.
Verse 2
He spoke soft — but the truth ran deep,
Wisdom in the words — the whole world could keep,
Sounded simple — but it cut like a chord,
Every line — felt whispered — straight from the Lord.
“This is your world — you got freedom here,”
“You can do anything” — crystal clear,
“It’s the imperfections — that make beauty whole,”
“You can move mountains — if you paint from the soul.”
Chorus
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Mind unlocked — like the truth I’m reppin’,
Brush on the canvas — for the world to see,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostilities.
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Mind unlocked — like the truth I’m reppin’,
Brush on the canvas — for the world to see,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostilities.
Verse 3
“You need the dark — just to show the light,”
Painter’s wisdom, man — shining bright,
“Don’t be afraid — to go out on a limb,”
“That’s where the fruit is” — paint it in.
“Let’s give him a friend — right here — today,”
“You can create — the world — in your own way,”
“Beat the devil out of it” — clean that slate,
Step back — breathe — yeah — the scene looks great.
Bridge
Isn’t it fantastic — you can change your mind?
Do anything you want — your world re-fined,
Phthalo Green — Van Dyke Brown — Liquid Clear,
Your imagination — can take you anywhere.
Chorus
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Mind unlocked — like the truth I’m reppin’,
Brush on the canvas — for the world to see,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostili-ties.
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Mind unlocked — like the truth I’m reppin’,
Brush on the canvas — for the world to see,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostili-ties.
Verse 4
Calm in a world — runnin’ fast and loud,
Taught peace — with a whisper — drew hope in the clouds,
There are no mistakes — just happy acci-dents,
His grace from God — man — was evident.
Didn’t preach — but the words felt blessed,
Gave confidence — for your bravery test,
A voice — a smile — steady like the Cross,
Goodness flows — The Joy of Painting — with Bob Ross.
Chorus
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Mind unlocked — like the truth I’m reppin’,
Brush on the canvas — for the world to see,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostili-ties.
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Mind unlocked — like the truth I’m reppin’,
Brush on the canvas — for the world to see,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostili-ties.
Outro
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostili-ties.
Happy little clouds — yeah — touch Heaven,
Take out all your frustrations — and hostili-ties.
Act Like Jimmy Stewart
Verse 1
He walked on the screen like an old friend’s smile
That slow, easy drawl made you sit for a while
From dusty streets to Capitol floors
He showed us the good we were all lookin’ for
An honest man in a world full of schemes
The kind we still meet in our Sunday dreams
He played the parts we all wish we could be
And somehow made ‘em feel like you and me
Verse 2
In Washington halls, Jefferson Smith took his stand,
They tried to wear him down, but he wouldn’t leave the stand;
“Lost causes are the only causes worth fighting for,” he swore—
So he talked ‘til truth could walk back through that door.
Out where the desert sun cuts like a knife,
Tom Jeffords bridged two worlds and mended a life;
A man’s word is the bridge to peace, straight and true—
Shake once, ride honest, and see it through.
Chorus
When in doubt, act like Jimmy Stewart
Stand up tall with your heart right through it
Hold your ground, but keep your voice kind
From Bedford Falls to a lawless street line
Show the world your heart and stick to it
When in doubt… act like Jimmy Stewart
Verse 3
Macaulay Connor showed up with a reporter’s pen,
Came to write a story—but listened first, and then…
“The time to make up your mind about people is never,”
Grace takes time; let the heart be clever.
And Elwood P. Dowd, with Harvey by his side,
Tips his hat to strangers with a gentle pride:
“In this world you must be oh-so-smart or oh-so-pleasant…
For years I was smart— I recommend pleasant.”
Verse 4
From that chair by the window, L.B. Jeffries watched the street,
Camera in hand, catching truth in every beat;
Keep your eyes open—the truth’s in the frame,
He saw wrong and acted, called it by name.
And Ransom Stoddard, boots dusty with sand,
Faced down Valance with book and stand;
They’ll print the legend when the facts are tough—
But holding the truth is courage enough.
Chorus
When in doubt, act like Jimmy Stewart
Stand up tall with your heart right through it
Hold your ground, but keep your voice kind
From Bedford Falls to a lawless street line
Show the world your heart and stick to it
When in doubt… act like Jimmy Stewart
Verse 5
John O’Hanlan rode into town, just lookin’ for land,
Found a business he hadn’t exactly planned;
Life hands you somethin’ strange—tip your hat and play along,
Clean up the place and keep whistlin’ a song.
George Bailey gave more than he ever kept,
Held up a town when their courage slept;
Measure your life by the love that it sends—
“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”
Chorus
When in doubt, act like Jimmy Stewart
Stand up tall with your heart right through it
Hold your ground, but keep your voice kind
From Bedford Falls to a lawless street line
Show the world your heart and stick to it
When in doubt… act like Jimmy Stewart
How About That?!
Verse 1
From the sandlots to the big leagues, under the red, white, and blue,
Where the crack of the bat made dreams come true.
It’s more than a game, it’s America’s song,
Been playin’ it here over a century long.
From April’s hope to October’s crown,
The voices called every up and down.
They painted the picture, pitch by pitch,
From the first warm-up to the ninth-inning clinch.
Chorus
They painted our summers in voices and cheer,
Turned our living rooms into the ballparks we’d hear.
Voicing the magic from an old broadcast booth,
They brought the game to the hearts of our youth.
Verse 2
Red Barber sittin’ in the catbird seat,
Mel Allen’s “How about that!” just can’t be beat.
“Going, going, gone!” — you know the score,
Russ Hodges’ “Bye-bye, baby!” and the crowd would roar.
Ernie Harwell — “Long gone!” in the night,
Jack Brickhouse says “Hey, hey!” — what a sight.
Harry Caray’s “Holy Cow!” under the shining sun,
“It might be, it could be… it is!” — home run!
Chorus
They painted our summers in voices and cheer,
Turned our living rooms into the ballparks we’d hear.
Voicing the magic from an old broadcast booth,
They brought the game to the hearts of our youth.
Verse 3
Vin Scully said, “It’s time for Dodger baseball,”
“Pull up a chair” — he welcomed us all.
Bob Prince, “Kiss it goodbye!” — after the ball was whacked,
And Jack Buck said, “That’s a winner!” when his team came back.
“See you later, good morning, good afternoon, and good night!”
Marty Brennaman would say after his pitcher won a big fight
Harry Kalas, “That ball is outta here!” while in flight,
Chuck Thompson’s “Ain’t the beer cold?” — just felt right.
Chorus
They painted our summers in voices and cheer,
Turned our living rooms into the ballparks we’d hear.
Voicing the magic from an old broadcast booth,
They brought the game to the hearts of our youth.
Verse 4
Hawk Harrelson — “Put it on the board… YES!”
After a big strikeout, you’d hear “He gone!” — no guess.
“Stretch!” — for a long ball headed deep to the track,
Hawk gave the South Side plenty to cheer back.
Bob Uecker said, “Get up, get outta here… gone!” — that’s his cry,
Front row seat? Nope, he was way back sittin’ up high.
Chorus
They painted our summers in voices and cheer,
Turned our living rooms into the ballparks we’d hear.
Voicing the magic from an old broadcast booth,
They brought the game to the hearts of our youth.
Bridge
They gave the game its poetry, they gave the game its cheer,
From old transistor radios to flat-screens here.
Through rain delays, no-hitters, heartbreak, and glory,
Their voices told America’s greatest story.
Verse 5
Catbird seat, how about that, going, going, gone,
Bye-bye, baby, long gone, hey hey, play on,
Holy Cow, might be, could be, it is,
Time for Dodger baseball, pull up a chair with the voice that was his.
Kiss it goodbye, that’s a winner, ball’s outta here,
Ain’t the beer cold? Put it on the board, cheer!
He gone, stretch, get outta here, gone,
Childhood memories voiced in the crack of the bat,
Baseball forever… How about that!
Final Chorus
They painted our summers in voices and cheer,
Turned our living rooms into the ballparks we’d hear.
Voicing the magic from an old broadcast booth,
They brought the game to the hearts of our youth.
You Always Remember Your First
Verse 1
As we reached Pershing Road my excitement grew,
I could see Comiskey Park - 35th Street in view.
Got through the turnstile and I was ready to go
It was Nineteen seventy seven and the South Side showed.
We had soggy hot dogs - stale popcorn too,
Flat soda pop and a paper cup brew.
Concrete sticky with beer under my shoes,
An eight-year-old’s world in blue and white hues.
Chorus
We sang Na-na, hey-hey, goodbye, pitcher’s done,
Hundred ninety two home runs in the summer sun.
South Side Hit Men swinging with might,
Curtain calls - crowd on their feet in the ballpark night,
The exploding scoreboard with the fireworks burst,
You always remember your first.
Verse 2
Steve Stone on the mound with Wilbur Wood,
Kravec and LaGrow doin’ what they could.
Oscar Gamble — the hair and the swing,
Eric’s big year made the bleachers ring.
Richie Zisk brought the power that stung,
Chet Lemon— my favorite, forever young.
From the picnic seats I could watch Ralph Garr,
In seventy seven, these were my South Side Stars.
Chorus
We sang Na-na, hey-hey, goodbye, pitcher’s done,
Hundred ninety two home runs in the summer sun.
South Side Hit Men swinging with might,
Curtain calls - crowd on their feet in the ballpark night,
The exploding scoreboard with the fireworks burst,
You always remember your first.
Verse 3
Bill Veeck with a grin so wide,
He turned the ballgame into a fun joyride.
We had Andy the Clown in the aisle,
And Nancy Foust’s organ made the crowd go wild.
There was Jimmy Piersall jokin’ with flair,
He was saying things few others would dare.
And ‘ol Harry Caray sang from the heart,
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” — got its start.
It all began at Comiskey Park,
And I’ll bet you didn’t know that part.
Chorus
We sang Na-na, hey-hey, goodbye, pitcher’s done,
Hundred ninety two home runs in the summer sun.
South Side Hit Men swinging with might,
Curtain calls - crowd on their feet in the ballpark night,
The exploding scoreboard with the fireworks burst,
You always remember your first.
Bridge
I cheered in ‘83,
I danced in 2005,
But ‘77 was the year
That first brought me alive.
Those sights, those smells, those sounds
I still rehearse,
’Cause you always remember your first.
Final Chorus
We sang Na-na, hey-hey, goodbye, pitcher’s done,
Hundred ninety two home runs in the summer sun.
South Side Hit Men swinging with might,
Curtain calls - crowd on their feet in the ballpark night,
The exploding scoreboard with the fireworks burst,
You always remember your first.
Outro
The nineteen seventy seven South Side Hit Men…
You always remember your first.
Why Was I Chosen To Be Elvis Presley
Verse 1
From Tupelo clay to the Graceland gates,
He carried the weight of the boy he’d been.
Dreamed the impossible, dared to believe,
And the world sang along with him.
“Everything was dreamy when I was young,
But when you grow up, it just turns real.”
Dreams turn to burden, burden to chains,
The spotlight don’t heal what the soul can’t feel.
Chorus
Why me, Lord? Why this crown, this cross, this fate?
All the cheers can’t set me free—
Why was I chosen to be Elvis Presley?
Verse 2
The curtain would rise, the crowd on its feet,
Instant applause, adoration complete.
But heaven stayed quiet, no thunder, no sign,
A restless soul paging through the divine.
He prayed for a vision to silence his fear,
But the louder the cheers, the deeper the ache,
A king with a crown that his spirit would break.
Chorus
Why me, Lord? Why this crown, this cross, this fate?
All the cheers can’t set me free—
Why was I chosen to be Elvis Presley?
Verse 3
He told his friends his mission would shine one day,
That contradictions would fade when God showed the way.
He longed to give back, to awaken the lost,
But the road of the king came with too high a cost.
“I’m a searcher,” he said, “a king out of place,
Still waiting for God to show me His face.”
Chorus
Why me, Lord? Why this crown, this cross, this fate?
All the cheers can’t set me free—
Why was I chosen to be Elvis Presley?
Outro
“Why was I chosen to be Elvis Presley?”
What’s It For
Verse 1
Met him outside Monument Town,
Hat pulled low, eyes weathered brown.
His boots on the rail, chair tipped back—
Just sitting still, not keeping track.
I was rolling dice with time and a flask to kill,
Trying to catch a break and outrun the bill.
Verse 2
I asked where a fella might stake some ground,
Didn’t say “why,” but he caught the sound.
You’re chasing gold, son. Hope you ain’t too late.
He lifted his head and said, “I see your fate.
Just know that hustlin’ for gold and playin’ that game—
You’ll lose more soul than the stake you claim.”
Chorus
Ain’t no map show the place you’ll find—
That’s where the sky comes low… and the soul learns why.
The wide road don’t end in more,
It narrows down—so what’s it for?
Verse 3
“Son, these hills don’t grow from sun and rain.
They’re fed by the bones of forgotten pain.
It ain’t just soil—it’s sorrow sealed.
It’s all the men who came out here and never got healed.”
I said, “If it’s sorrow, why sit here still?
Why not head back east or climb one more hill?”
He just smiled like he knew the end,
Said, “You learn the truth where the roads don’t bend.”
Chorus
Ain’t no map show the place you’ll find—
That’s where the sky comes low… and the soul learns why.
The wide road don’t end in more,
It narrows down—so what’s it for?
Verse 4
“Boy, I bet my boots in a smoky saloon,
Won ’em back by riggin’ a game at high noon.
Tried to cheat a one-eyed vet with nerves of steel—
He taught me a lesson I still feel.
Then traded my horse for a mule gone lame,
Rode out broke with a mark on my name.
Hung my head, thought I’d lost God’s will—
But that mule carried me steady through hell and hill.”
Verse 5
We left the path where the rich get crowned,
Found the trail where the meek hold ground.
That mule led me down from the high gold hill,
To the narrow road where God bends will.
Not every crown is made of gold,
Some roads run crooked just to make you whole.
Verse 6
I said, “Not sure I’d walk the road you chose,
But I see now what I never supposed.
I came out here for gold and gain—
Now I’m wonderin’ if I’m here to break that chain.”
Verse 7
He said, “Then aim it true and don’t look back—
It ain’t the gold but the heart you lack.
The fool digs fast, the wise dig deep,
And sows the ground where the lost ones weep.
Verse 8
You got no map, son—you need a guide.
Look to heaven above and abide.
I chased the light till the trail went blind,
Found what I needed when I stopped to find.
And the point of it all is to lose control.
You gotta feel the fire to carry the soul.”
Final Chorus
Ain’t no map show the place you’ll find—
That’s where the sky comes low… and the soul learns why.
The wide road don’t end in more,
It narrows down—so what’s it for?
It’s grace, son… grace.
That’s what it’s for.
Whisper In The Wind
Verse 1
There’s a wind behind the weather
And a fire behind the flame
I never saw His footsteps
But I’ve felt Him just the same
When the silence stretches heavy
And the night won’t let me sleep
Something moves without a warning
And it cuts down to the deep
Verse 2
There’s a tug that ain’t from memory
And a tear that ain’t from pain
There’s a choice I made one morning
That I still can’t quite explain
Not a voice and not a vision
But it changed the way I see
Like a hand upon my shoulder
Sayin’ who I’m meant to be
Chorus
He don’t ride no cloud or chariot
He don’t burn like some ol’ flame
But He’s with me when I’m fallin’
And He stays when I’m to blame
He don’t boast, and He don’t barter
He just waits until I bend
Whatever name you give Him
He’s the whisper in the wind
Verse 3
I’ve grieved what can’t be spoken
Felt the weight I couldn’t name
And I’ve known when I was wrong
Long before I felt the shame
There’s a will that ain’t my own
There’s a calm that breaks the chain
It don’t shout or slam the table
Just rewrites the man I am
Verse 4
I used to chase the thunder
Now I watch the wheat fields blow
Takes a lot to break a strong man
Takes more to make him grow.
So if you feel that gentle stirring
When the world is loud and fast
Don’t ignore the quiet presence
That’ll outlive all you’ve passed
Chorus
He don’t ride no cloud or chariot
He don’t burn like some ol’ flame
But He’s with me when I’m fallin’
And He stays when I’m to blame
He don’t boast, and He don’t barter
He just waits until I bend
Whatever name you give Him
He’s the whisper in the wind
Mysterion Speaks
Verse 1
Been swallowing sparks — for years,
Pages and voices — hymns in my ears.
Held them down — where the silence hides,
Now breaking loose — won’t stay inside.
Chorus
Not mine to hold — not mine to claim
Buried deep — it won’t stay contained
No silence holds — it won’t remain
Mysterion speaks — breaking the chain
Verse 2
Veiled in silence — cloaked from sight,
Now the hush dissolves — into living light.
The weight I carried — it finally bent,
The silence spoke — it was Godsent.
Chorus
Not mine to hold — not mine to claim
Buried deep — it won’t stay contained
No silence holds — it won’t remain
Mysterion speaks — breaking the chain
Bridge
It’s not mine to keep — it was never mine,
A key in the lock — a crack in time.
The veil is torn — the word takes breath,
Life from the silence — defying death.
Final Chorus
Not mine to hold — not mine to claim
Buried deep — it won’t stay contained
No silence holds — it won’t remain
Mysterion speaks — breaking the chain
Lyrics © 2025 Scott D. Radtke. All rights reserved.
No claim is made to AI-generated instrumental music.