1990s
Northern Sky
Broken Promises and Lies
A Little Freedom
Distance
Shopping Blues
Hate This Mirror
Northern Sky
words and music by Brad Reddekopp
I stand here in the rain
My heart is far away
In my dream I see a cold, clear sky
Colour streaking, dancing, leaping
Have you seen
the northern sky
is calling me
and I am here
I’m far away,
The northern sky
is calling me
Frost lies in the ground
Wind turns me around
and the stars are crystal points of white and blue
God paints the sky, light splashing, whirling
Fingers drawing me
and calling me
and I am here
I’m far away
The northern sky
is calling me
Ragged peaks of snow and rock
Moonlight bathes me as I walk alone
I swear to never curse the heat
A diamond night has turned my feet to stone
It’s calling me
and I am here
I’m far away
The northern sky
is calling me
Broken Promises and Lies
words and music by Brad Reddekopp
(This was my way of commemorating Canada’s 125th birthday in 1992 as a response to the government’s “Canada 125” celebrations.)
It is unnatural to tell the truth
History with honesty is too shameful for the youth
So give them heroes, John A. and The Last Spike
And the brave young soldiers who battled the Third Reich
The glory of two founding nations, compassionate and wise
Who tamed an empty land with mounties and railway ties
The gracious British sovereign and The Church moved in the land
To civilize the savages with a fair and righteous hand
To lead them out of childhood
And to share with them the land
Broken promises and lies
Broken promises and lies
Don’t want to see this country die
But it’s built on broken promises and lies
I have fallen in love with these rivers, trees and stones
My heart tells me this mighty land has worked its way into my bones
My people crossed the water, political refugees
To find a better life in the eighteen-seventies
Free land for a farming people, I wonder if they knew
Their prairie home was stolen and if they did what did they do
Now I am grateful to be living where I am
And yet I was embarrassed as I began to understand
The treachery and silence
That got me where I am
Broken promises and lies
Broken promises and lies
Don’t want to see this country die
But it’s built on broken promises and lies
A Little Freedom
words and music by Brad Reddekopp
I’ve got a little freedom
Maybe I’ve got some direction
Some kind of answer
Maybe I’ve lost my mind
So what is illusion
Any common sense can let you down
I’m terrified of safety
And seeing only with my eyes
No more looking around with my eyes closed
Sifting through the ashes of what I know
There’s only one thing I can do
I’ve just got to get right back to you
Distance
words and music by Brad Reddekopp
This is all about distance
This is all true
This is all about persistence
When the things you trust in are few
What do you remember
What feelings remain
Every one is a pretender
What do you do with the pain
This is all about distance
This is all true
This is all about persistence
When the things you trust in are few
When the things you trust in are few
I believe this is true
I believe in you
Shopping Blues
words and music by Brad Reddekopp
You know I love you baby but something’s got me down
You know it comes up every time we go to town
You love to shop
You love to shop
I’ll always love you honey but I don’t know why you love to shop
You’ve got to look around when we go out for a drive
When we leave the store I’m just glad to be alive
You love to shop
You love to shop
You know I love you baby but I don’t know why you love to shop
Any time at all that I want to see you smile
All I’ve got to do is take you shopping for a while
You love to shop
You love to shop
I really love you honey but I don’t know why you love to shop
I know it pleases you but I don’t understand at all
Why would anybody want ten hours in the mall
You love to shop
You love to shop
I really love you honey but I don’t know why you love to shop
You know I love you baby but I don’t know why you love to shop
I’ll always love you honey but I don’t know why you love to shop
Hate This Mirror
words and music by Brad Reddekopp
Feel like hiding
Somewhere so low
Feel like going out of control
But keep the lid on
And don’t let nothin’ show
Aw that’s how
I got like this
Wrapped up
Clenched heart and fist
Feel like screaming
Or taking some crazy risk
Getting torn up
Take it all apart
Again, I’m sifting
through this crazy heart
A lot of ashes
Can’t regret that fire’s start
Could use some silence
And some time away
Is anybody listening
I could die today
A little comfort
Would go a long, long way
Ooo…
Got no one
No one else to blame
I am tied up
With cords of shame
I hate this mirror
But I just can’t look away
Ooo…