Music

Page Title

Music by Daniel Guyton

Sadly, I have no musical talent. I cannot compose, record, or even play an
instrument. I tried to play the cowbell once, and was... subsequently raped
by a bull. Again. He was amorous. Anyway, despite my lack of musical
ability, I do write song lyrics from time to time. It helps to heal the pain.
From the raping. Mostly in my lower back. There was... emotional pain too,
of course, but... those hooves!

Anyway, I'm honored occasionally by collaborations with other artists who
are far more talented than I. And... who have no carnal knowledge of their
hamburger meat (that I know of). Thus, I owe tremendous debt to those
mentioned on this page.

Please note, all the lyrics posted here are copyrighted, and many were
published in my book The Twisted Mind of Daniel Guyton (Poetry and Plays
in the Dark Comedy Vein), or are part of my play The Mother of God Visits
Hell.

If you're a musician and would like to compose and/or record some of
these songs, please contact me at this email address. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Daniel Guyton

The first song is from my play The Mother of God Visits Hell. It is
entitled "My Heart Stands Divine", and was recorded at the WUGA
Radio Station in Athens, GA (97.1fm). Music composed and
performed by Mirla Criste. Vocals by Katherine Walters.

MY HEART STANDS DIVINE by Daniel Guyton
(From The Mother of God Visits Hell)

When all of the others worry, my heart
Stands divine. Though their gaze be often blurry,
I see Heaven’s shine. For God’s love
Is strong and sturdy, and I feel sublime.

In the days before aurora of
The rising sun, God bestowed his glorious
Aura unto everyone. All the souls
Were born in heaven, and Elysium.

And when God said “Let there be light,” it was
Paradise. And on the earth created life,
Mountains, trees, and birds. And soon mankind
Would be united with the universe.

Some say love, and some say violence, makes
The world go round. But God can take that lonely
Silence, and make a joyous sound. In the glow
Of heaven’s kindness, may you all be found.

Now go with God, towards new horizons, spread
His love around. Feel the warmth of dawn arising
From the sallow ground. And if this show
Be so delighting, please make a happy sound.

© 2009

The same song was also composed and performed by James Ty
Cumbie, as part of The Living Theatre's Staged Reading series in
Manhattan, NY.

SOFTLY DIDST THOU WAVER by Daniel Guyton
(From The Mother of God Visits Hell)

Softly didst thou waver when I sat upon
Thy knee. Thy breath I often savored
When’ sang a song to me. My ears they craved
Such favors from thy concinnity. Hm-hm-hm-hm.

When in misdirection, I misspoke of thee.
‘Tis not a recollection that I am proud
To keep, but my youthful indiscretions
Became most painful memories. Hm-hm-hm-hm

Softly through the valley, and to the land
Below, I saw my mother sally forth,
And heard the whistles blow. Oh mother, won’t
Thou dally, why must thou quickly go? Hm-hm-hm-hm

So many words unspoken, so many songs
Unheard, my mother’s love unbroken,
Her body though interred. And though my eyes are
Open wide, my vision’s growing blurred. Hm-hm-hm-hm

Still softly in the moonlight, and in the summer
Night, I feel thy arms around me, Love,
Singing lullabies. My mother’s now the loveliest
Soul in paradise. Hm-hm-hm-hm.

© 2009

The next song is entitled "Softly Didst Thou Waver" and is also from The Mother of God
Visits Hell. It was recorded at the WUGA Radio Station in Athens, GA (97.1fm). Music
composed and performed by Mirla Criste. Vocals by Katherine Walters.

And again, this same song was also composed and performed by James Ty Cumbie, as part
of the Living Theatre's Staged Reading Series in Manhattan, NY.

James Ty Cumbie playing "My Heart Stands Divine" at the Living Theatre in
NYC - March 2009

Katherine Walters singing "Softly Didst Thou Waver" at the Town & Gown
Theatre in Athens, GA - February 2009

Next up is a song composed and recorded by the band FAKE OBSESSION (from Shropshire England). This
track is an acoustic demo, and the final electric version should be ready soon... (This is actually a funny
story. The lead guitarist is also named Dan Guyton, but no relation - that we know of). The song is called
"Good Times Go"! Enjoy!

GOOD TIMES GO by Daniel Guyton

Full of frustration, anger, and tears,
I drown all my burdens in my bottle of beer.
I sit at the bar and look all around me,
I’ve been hiding from Sorrow, but I fear that she’s found me.
I don’t want to be here, but I don’t want to go home,
I just want to be where I’m not so alone.

And all I wanna know – is where’d the good times go?
And all I wanna know – is where did the good times go?

Because when I was a young man, I had myself a dream,
That I could be an old man, and marry me a queen.
But I am hardly regal, and I am not a prince.
I am just a poor boy with some shiny sentiments.
But don't misunderstand me, I'm not playing dumb,
I'm not sitting down there with my ass around my thumb.
I'm just trying to find out what it's all about.
Why my life is empty, and why my head is full of doubt.

And all I wanna know – is where’d the good times go?
And all I wanna know – is where did the good times go?

But as the clock approaches midnight, my eyelids start to fall,
My cranium is heavy from too much alcohol.
I just want to lie down, and curl up on the ground.
But the bartender calls me “buddy” and buys another round.
My thoughts they are all muddy, my words won’t make a sound.
Two more shots of Southern, and I’ll be spinning on the ground.

And all I wanna know – is where’d the good times go?
And all I wanna know – is where did the good times go?

Early in the morning, my brain begins to ache,
And when I try to stand up, my legs begin to shake.
My stomach feels uneasy, like a buoy in a lake.
So I take a shot of Pepto, with some… day-old birthday cake.
And as I fight against the devil to keep my head upright,
All I can remember… is how much fun I had last night.

And all I wanna know – is where’d the good times go?
And all I wanna know – is where did the good times go?

© 2007

The rest of these songs are not being recorded by anyone at
the moment, but if you are musically inclined, I'd love to hear
your take on them! Please contact me to let me know!
Thanks! -Dan Guyton

PS Yes, I know, they're pretty dark, but writing these helped
me get through some pretty dark patches in my life...

CONSOLATION PRIZE by Daniel Guyton

I'm sleeping on the pins,
I’m tossing from the needles.
Morning wanders in
Through the open keyhole.
I don't know who I am,
I don't know why I'm hurtin',
But I crawl out of bed,
And I draw back the curtains.
Daylight kicks me in the face,
And of one thing I am certain:

I don't wanna win
no consolation prize.
I just wanna swim
inside the comfort of your eyes.

So where do I begin
This story of two people?
Lost and wandering
Through the valley of the evil.
One says to the other,
"Don't run out on me."
The other tries to compromise,
And now the lies are all I see.

I don't wanna win
no consolation prize.
I just wanna swim
inside the ocean of your eyes.

We used to wallow in our sin,
But now I'm swallowing my ego,
Because I know you're with him,
And you’re following where he goes.
Me? I'm at the Comfort Inn
But I don't feel comfort-able,
Because I'm drinking all the gin,
And my gun is on the table.
I know where he lives,
And I'll kill you if I'm able.

Because I don't wanna win
no consolation prize.
I just wanna end
all your constant alibis.

Now I'm alone again,
And I'm flipping through the bible.
I wonder if the man
Who wrote it committed libel.
Because God don't understand,
And I don't think he loves me.
He's ruined all my plans,
Why isn't anyone above me?

I don't wanna win
no consolation prize.
I just wanna swim
inside the comfort of your eyes.

© 2007

FINDING THE IGNITION by Daniel Guyton

I never seem to get to where
I feel the need to be.
It’s not that I’m directionless,
just trapped in my unhappiness
Misplacing my affections
like they’re car keys.

And wonder why I’m always so alone.

I cling to those who run from me
and push those away who care;
I stare at imperfections
through a magnifying glass.
And cast aside my lighter side
and burden all my friends
with my unhappiness;
And blame myself for things
I've never done.

I feel incomplete, unsatisfied,
unless I’m telling myself lies.
I feel like there’s a brighter side,
but I’m afraid to hurt my eyes.

There’s nothing wrong with me,
There’s nothing wrong with me,
There’s nothing wrong with –
I feel like I’m diseased.

I feel washed away like yesterday,
and masturbate the pain away,
But it remains there anyway,
just splattered on the wall.
And nothing ever works the way it should.
Nothing ever goes the way it should.

I hurt myself unmercifully
and persecute judicially;
I burn myself unwillingly
and watch all of my dreams
just fade away.
It never seems to feel like I’ve
accomplished anything;
Always pushing hard
against myself.
I feel like I can’t get away from
morning, noon, or yesterday,
And climbing up the escalator
going down just makes me tired.

There’s nothing wrong with me,
There’s nothing wrong with me,
There’s nothing wrong with –
Meanings aren’t worth much anymore.

And all the doors are locked up tight.
I feel like I can’t stand my life
And feeling like I feel inside.
I feel like there’s a brighter light.
I feel like I’m a suicide.

And I don’t really like me anymore.

I feel like I’m a waste of flesh,
I feel like I’m depressed.
I feel like I’m an empty man,
I feel like I’m a mess.

Yet I am not an ordinary man.
Or at least that’s what
I try to tell myself.
But I’m talking to a person
I can barely stand.
I don’t know why I hate myself.

When there’s nothing wrong with me,
When there’s nothing wrong with me,
When there’s nothing wrong with –

O why can’t I believe it?

© 2001

HERE, YOU LAUGHING by Daniel Guyton

I rub my finger on your eyelids
while you’re sleeping
I rub my ass upon your pillow
when you’re awake
I burn my clothes off
when they’re on me
I light the matches
I feel all kinds of indecisions
I hear you laughing
Through all kinds of indiscretions
You point at me
Through the wail of exhibition,
You’re alone.

My shattered dreams are like
a mirror
My face is broke in two
My veins are squirting at me
I hear you laughing
I’m past the point of no return.

Your eyes are like an angel’s
And your breath is sweet perfume
But you’re screaming like a devil
And your tune is like
an air raid siren
Deep inside my head.

I hear you laughing.

I cut my veins up with a razor
I tie your arms behind your back
And, like menstruation bursting
From the skirts of twelve-year olds,
I watch the rivers flowing
From my wrists onto the cracks
between the bathroom tiles.

Oh, I’ll be burning up the Heavens
with a blow torch when I’m able
I’ll be Cain and you’ll be Samson
with a razor to your hair
And I’ll be absolutely angel-fied
and glorified
And… petrified

When all I do is dance like water
on your grave.

And all the blood-stains
in the throw rug
Disappear.

And when all the smell of incense is
like cinnamon
Removed.

And all the innocence and beauty
of your face is like
An avalanche,
come crashing down.

I hate the dual nature you possess.

I hate the way you laugh at me
I hate the way you dress
I hear you laughing.

I hear the blood spill out around me
as I take another look
Inside your eyes
Beautiful, like two cold pools
of melted ice
Disappearing in the shards of glass
upon the wall inside my
Bathroom.

Many days I spent inside
your beautiful blue eyes
And now I watch them slowly
fade away.

And no one else is in this room
but me
I hear you laughing
No one else is in this room but me
You beautiful and ugly
Lonely freak.

© 2003

Dan Guyton (no relation) of the English band Fake Obsession. They
recorded my song "Good Times Go."