All songs written by Jennifer Schaffer except Dream Ditty co-written with Deborah Ackley and Panic Life and Sunday Morning, New York City co-written with Simon Law. All songs produced by Simon Law. Executive producer (and keeper of the song keys): John Teshima. Recording engineers: Jeremy Darby, Simon Law, Gary Barnacle, Lain Gray, Bo Heart, Wale Owoade. Mixed by Jeremy Darby at Canterbury Music Co., Toronto, Canada. Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK. Art Direction and Design by Martha Townsend and Tina Sher/Mint Design. All photos by Kristin Briggs and Evan Trestan.

WWW.JENSCHAFFER.CA Games We Play I would like to thank my kids for their genuine interest I’d like to thank everyone for the last ten years… it‘s (a mother’s dream) and participation in many parts been a joy to be a Shiner! A big thanks to my band By Jen Schaffer and the Shiners of the music making, including being muses and mates (3 Js and an A!!) for expanding my musical typists. And my family writ large—my parents for horizons and for getting to be ’just the drummer’. We would like to thank those folks who have supported their support and inspiration, my sisters and to the I treasure that precious and glorious feeling of being us over the year-and-a-half-long making of this album, and dedicated Kasimers who faithfully attend Shiner in a band! I’d like to thank Waves for their great more broadly, those who’ve been our boosters over the gigs! Also thanks to friends and fans who have also instruments and plugins that I use on every session. past ten years since the band started. been ringside for Shiner events, literally and figura- I’d like to personally thank my Mum and Dad, Specifically, we have to thank Jeremy Darby for his tively (you know who you are). A special thanks to Karyn Klapecki, Lee Hamblin, Lain Gray and Gary dedication and support of the project and band. We Deborah Ackley for her beautiful poetry on the song, Barnacle who helped in this album’s journey, and appreciate all his time, talent and use of his amazing studio Dream Ditty. And Hazel Ipp and Deborah Levine, especially I am forever grateful to Jen Schaffer, for Canterbury Music Company for recording and mixing the for their invaluable guidance. I also want to express being my life partner and also my musical partner… album. And a big thanks to his trusted studio comrade-in- a gratitude to my inspiring music teachers over the that is a true blessing! —Simon arms, Julian Decorte, for all his contributions. years, both formal and informal, going all the way Thank you to Carmen and my parents.—John back to John Plant and Ted Price. These teachers Thanks to Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in the UK cannot be heralded enough. And of course thanks for mastering the album so beautifully. And thanks to all the to my amazing, faithful, dedicated, talented, funny, kind folks at SonyATV for the use of their studios in Toronto: wonderful band: Astrid, John, Simon and Jonathan. Gary Furniss, Dave Quilico and Mishelle Pack. A particular shout out to Astrid for letting us descend A heartfelt thanks to all the artists who contributed to taking upon her basement at Donlands and Mortimer for this project to the next level: Lain Gray, Denis Keldie, Gary our Thursday night rehearsals over these many years. Barnacle, Bo Heart, Carmen Wiebe and Manny Szeptycki. And John for making this project and band possible Also thanks to the Shiner friends who descended upon in so many ways. And Jon for expanding the Shiner Canterbury one day to clap and ooh on command! They sound with his many stringed instruments (expect are Hannah Szeptycki, Manny Szeptycki, Dorothy Hwang, banjo on the next record)! And finally, I especially Klaudia and Luka Meier, Stacy Zosky, Jennifer Zosky, Karen want to thank my partner in music and in life, Simon, Wingrove and Rachel Kasimer. And to Martha Townsend, but for whom my music would not have emerged thank you for the beautiful art work (and resurrecting and flourished as it has. —Jen backgammon into our lives) and Tina Sher for realizing that artistic vision with her art direction and design. And to Jen Schaffer Kristin Briggs and Evan Trestan for the perfectly compli- mentary photography. Garnet Strand Lament

I came upon him, head in hand Tell me what’s on your mind WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) More like refuse than he was man And I’ll leave it all behind JENNIFER SCHAFFER Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal But dusted off, the soot and sand Because the worries can wait, I’ll let them gestate Revealed the gem, the garnet strand Till they dissolve into a dew, into a dew SIMON LAW Drums, Percussion, Handclaps, Background Vocals

Semi-precious Ophelia–open up your heart ASTRID FOSTER Ruby to me… Ophelia–before they tear it apart Bass, Background Vocals Out of the mine, the sun on skin Tell me the secrets you keep JOHN TESHIMA Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Background Vocals Escape the discord, drone and din The ones that make you weep JONATHAN MARKS Polish hard, brilliant from bland In the night while you sleep, as the sandman creeps Violin, Background Vocals He’ll shine again like a garnet strand Into the pool where you lie, pool where you lie DENIS KELDIE Accordion Semi-precious WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) Ophelia–open up your heart Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; Ruby to me… JENNIFER SCHAFFER Ophelia–before you tear it apart Studio Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal Kept in the dark The smile upon your face is so full of grace by Simon Law SIMON LAW And I ache to believe but cannot conceive Dampened the spark Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals Just a passing remark That you’re not drowning in their wake ASTRID FOSTER That would never see the light of day Bass, Background Vocals Ophelia–open up your heart But can’t be repressed JOHN TESHIMA Ophelia–before I tear it apart Buffed by distress Electric Guitars How is it your destiny to repeat my history? A defiant progress JONATHAN MARKS Even though she thought that he’d obey Violin, Background Vocals Is it too late to ebb that tide, get off that ride Hannah Szeptycki, Manny Szeptycki, Dorothy Hwang, Klaudia And just find your pride inside? Thought she owned him, soul and all and Luka Meier, Stacy Zosky, Jennifer Zosky, Karen Wingrove, Hers to reject and then recall Rachel Kassimer—Handclaps Tell me it’s in my mind And that I’ll find, that I’ll find But unlike jewels, modest or grand Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; He’ll not be pawned like a garnet strand Studio Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada That your words are true and you’ll save me too by Simon Law. From all my sad and foolish ways, my foolish ways Semi-precious John Teshima Ruby to me… Don’t betray the strength you display Ophelia, Ophelia, Om Games We Play Gone WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) JENNIFER SCHAFFER Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal, Background Vocals Can I blow you out like a candles flame? She stepped out in the street as she took off her veil SIMON LAW Can the love we have not return again? No longer felt the need to save a faith so frail Drums, Percussion

Can I bring you back if you stray too far away? And as the crowds appeared she faded out of view ASTRID FOSTER Abandoning her life for hopes of something new Bass Can you read my mind can you read my eyes? She was gone If I look away will it reveal the lies? JOHN TESHIMA Electric Guitar Can you banish me and refuse to heed my cries? Born to a world that had her fear the other kind JONATHAN MARKS Told she’s the chosen one but never taught to shine And can we stop this game we play? Violin She came from a stiff-necked crowd, always awkward You go, I stay DENIS KELDIE squads You shun and I pray Lowrey Organ But she alone desired the strength to face down God But after today who’ll play? MANNY SZEPTYCKI And be gone Mouth Percussion Would you turn around would you take my bait? WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) If they preach about the coming of the light Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; Would you slow right down would you satiate? JENNIFER SCHAFFER Studio Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada With torches lit and a heart stone-cold from fright Would you open wide and receive our tortured fate? Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal by Simon Law. I’ll take darkness over the day And can we stop this game we play… SIMON LAW Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals I’ll take darkness over the day

These are thoughts I come to when you tend to roam ASTRID FOSTER And be gone and be gone Bass, Background Vocals I cast my net out widely and call you back home She caught a glimpse one day of liberty sublime I prostrate at your feet then I beat my own retreat JOHN TESHIMA And knew her great escape could happen anytime Electric Guitars, Background Vocals When I sense defeat The only thing to do was to ignite a pyre JONATHAN MARKS Should I pack my bags and escape the pain? Violin And burn in effigy with a cleansing fire And be gone Should I walk right out and my pride maintain? DENIS KELDIE Should I call your bluff having never called your name? Accordion And can we stop this game we play? Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; Studio Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada by Simon Law.

Astrid Foster Hit The Bottom Quicker Jerusalem Fields

And when the spirit breaks you feel the pull You hit the low She sat in bed next to someone else Admit there’s no escape from limp and lull The bottom down The floorboards between us, continental shelf Gravity magnified by crushed drive It’s quicker than Present but gone on this strange new shield As feelings dissipate and darkness thrives The speed of pound She left me to wander through The pound and shock You hit the low Jerusalem fields And then remorse The bottom down You climb aboard Their laughter falls to silent silhouettes It’s quicker than That hobbled… horse The novelty enthrals, till absence is felt The speed of pound The pound and shock Can’t hold on… Present but gone on this strange new shield And then remorse You hit the bottom quicker She left me to wander through You climb aboard You split the lip that bit ya Jerusalem fields That hobbled… horse You hit the bottom quicker Lush but lonely, far but only moments away WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) Guest but voyeurist of her familial play Can’t hold on—but why do you even try to decimate JENNIFER SCHAFFER the sky Lush but lonely, far but only moments away Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal Strength long gone—the fall will purify the truth you Guest but voyeurist of her familial play LAIN GRAY WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) Featured Vocals try to hide The golden domes sway on slender stems Can’t hold on—but why do you even try to decimate JENNIFER SCHAFFER Extend like ancient walls between me and them SIMON LAW Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal Drums, Lowrey Organ, Background Vocals the sky Present but gone on this Abrahamic shield Strength long gone SIMON LAW ASTRID FOSTER Drums, Percussion, Lowrey Organ, Background Vocals But she led me to the temple doors Bass, Background Vocals You hit the bottom quicker ASTRID FOSTER Of Jerusalem fields JOHN TESHIMA You’ll split the lip that bit ya Bass, Background Vocals Acoustic Guitar, Grand Piano And all your vain pretence JOHN TESHIMA JONATHAN MARKS Will reel from no defence Electric Guitar, Background Vocals Violin, Background Vocals You hit the bottom quicker JONATHAN MARKS Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; Studio Violin, String Section, Background Vocals Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada by Simon You split the lip that quit ya Law; Callaloo’s Emporium of Sound, Houston, TX by Lain Gray and And all your strained pretence Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; at Waltech Studio, Houston, TX by Wale Owoade Studio Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada Will keel from weight immense by Simon Law.

Panic Life Ominous Change WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) JENNIFER SCHAFFER Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal Playing out the day that hasn’t come yet A dreary day, clouds coming across the lake SIMON LAW Before it’s had a chance I’m full of regret Must be the nimbostratus kind Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals

It’s an anticipated affair With its dark and ragged rainy edge ASTRID FOSTER It’s a panic life lived on a dare Storm coming up close behind Bass, Background Vocals

Set the clocks running but I’ll beat that race Here it comes JOHN TESHIMA Electric Guitar Close the gap and cut the space Ominous change JONATHAN MARKS It’s an anticipated affair Feel the shift at the shoreline Wurlitzer, String Section, Background Vocals It’s a panic life lived on a dare Two fronts are going to collide GARY BARNACLE Stoke the fire, burn the ire Air thickens, then it turns real still Brass Arrangement, Soprano, Tenor, Baritone and Bass Saxophones (Gary thanks Tom Bacon & J.F. at D’Addario, Keep the tindered blast As it penetrates deep inside Jason Lawton and Justyna McEwan) Pioneering, so revealing WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) Here it comes CARMEN WIEBE Of a pace long past Background Vocals AND SIMON LAW (SONYATV) Ominous change Imagining the curse, see the scenic lot JENNIFER SCHAFFER Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto, by Jeremy Darby; Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal Undulating cumulonimbus, beware the super cell Studio Wolfrey, Toronto, SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada, Cinematic angst fuels the fated plot Forces far too tumultuous Toronto by Simon Law and at 241 Studio, Kent, UK by It’s an anticipated affair SIMON LAW in Gary Barnacle. Drums, Percussion, FX, Background Vocals to ever think you know them well It’s a panic life lived on a dare ASTRID FOSTER So give it up Hear the train coming before it turns the bend Bass, Background Vocals Electrical charges build up underground Binded wrists too taut to the end JOHN TESHIMA ‘Till it can’t wait no more It’s an anticipated affair Electric Guitars The difference too large to be endured It’s a panic life lived on a dare JONATHAN MARKS Violin, Background Vocals Lightning unleashed from the storm’s core Stoke the fire... CARMEN WIEBE Here it comes Background Vocals Ooh ooh, settle right down… Ominous change Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; It’s a panic life lived on a dare Studio Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada by Simon Law.

Jonathan Marks Secret Poison Dream Ditty

You are my secret poison Where do you dream little one? Life becoming, life becoming new again Dangerous and divine Tucked up, cuddled up under eiderdown in trundle On the looms of dreams, On the looms of dreams… Fill me up with salvation beds? That tastes of bitter wine Dare to dream little one, dare to dream In sailing ships that steal into bedrooms in the night That is the work of the real hero You are my consolation And launch a journey of a thousand miles? Soothe my broken heart In nests, high in tree tops When it seeks reparation In tree houses and forts And craves a brand new start Built where eagles fly? My thoughts obsess In meadows of dandelions puffing out to seed Can’t look away from you After one glorious life of solar saffron! As I descend into your deep blues Do you remember your dreams little one? I open wide and I swallow hard WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) Do you remember? This toxic tonic that I crave WORDS BY DEBORAH ACKLEY (COPYRIGHT CONTROL) Consumed by thirst and with disregard JENNIFER SCHAFFER Nightscapes crowded with adventure and beauty AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal, Panting I gladly jump into this grave And your very own nasty beasties JENNIFER SCHAFFER SIMON LAW Filaments, scenes and images Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal My thoughts obsess… Drums, Background Vocals Nonsensical and real SIMON LAW Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals I am awakened ASTRID FOSTER Bass, Background Vocals They are the shapes and the dances From my languished state ASTRID FOSTER JOHN TESHIMA Of the next round of life Bass, Background Vocals With this devil’s elixir I take Electric Guitar Dreams are the secret drawers of hope JOHN TESHIMA You have returned for to try again JONATHAN MARKS In the ark of life Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals Violin, Background Vocals To turn my lead to gold, of that I’m wary Open that drawer and out spills JONATHAN MARKS BO HEART Gardens and rose trees Violin, Background Vocals Are you my alchemist with potent vials? Wurlitzer Cascading like waterfalls CARMEN WIEBE My very own apothecary? Grand Piano, Background Vocals Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; Sunlight dancing in petals Studio Wolfrey Toronto; SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada by Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; ‘Cause you are my secret poison... Simon Law and at Herzhaft Studio Hamburg, Germany Infinite spinning, infinite weaving Studio Wolfrey Toronto and at SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada by Bo Heart. You becoming, earth becoming by Simon Law. We Had Our Time Blood Of The Lamb WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) JENNIFER SCHAFFER Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal Disconnected as expected Born to die, oh aren’t we all? SIMON LAW Why would you be different? But she was more than most Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals

Miles and styles and after a whiles A baby’s yell as the towers fell ASTRID FOSTER All result in discontent That caught the holy ghost Bass, Background Vocals He turned his eye and with a sign We had our time my love JOHN TESHIMA Proclaimed that she was marked Electric Guitar, Grand piano, Wurlitzer Now I must be going He’d see her soon when earth’s full moon JONATHAN MARKS And growing and knowing Returned in shades too dark Violin, String Section, Background Vocals That this too must end GARY BARNACLE Blood of the lamb still on our hands The die was cast, it couldn’t last Brass Arrangement (with Simon Law) Soprano, Tenor, Baritone Wipe it clean till those who can’t stand will fall and Bass Saxophones (Gary would like to thank Tom Bacon Not without some sacrament & J.F. at D’Addario, Jason Lawton and Justyna McEwan)

But we spilled the wine, questioned the divine Raised on glocks and cattle stocks Hannah Szeptycki, Manny Szeptycki, Dorothy Hwang, Klaudia WORDS AND MUSIC BY JENNIFER SCHAFFER (SOCAN) And now all that’s left is to repent That ushered in her knot and Luka Meier, Stacy Zosky, Jennifer Zosky, Karen Wingrove, JENNIFER SCHAFFER To eat and pray and love the way Rachel Kasimer—Background Vocal Oohs We had our time my love… Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal That ‘righteous folks’ were taught Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto, by Jeremy Darby; I felt his hand slip away from mine SIMON LAW Studio Wolfrey, Toronto; SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada, Drums, Background Vocals But how could she untangle free, from what was yet Toronto by Simon Law and at 241 Studio, Kent, UK by Wasn’t a sign to come? Gary Barnacle. Only time to go ASTRID FOSTER Bass, Background Vocals An angry man, and an angry plan

We can’t look back at what we lacked JOHN TESHIMA And pure delirium Or at how our story might have been Electric Guitar Blood of the lamb… Regret is stark, shades grey to dark JONATHAN MARKS Close your eyes and hear the cries Violin, Background Vocals And the only light burns within That echo in sunlight I said the only light burns within DENIS KELDIE Hammond B3 Organ A giggle, grin, then from within I said the only light burns A gasp that brought on night MANNY SZEPTYCKI We had our time my love… String Section, Background Vocals She’s almost ten and without sin

Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto by Jeremy Darby; But that would not prevail Studio Wolfrey Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing Canada ‘Cause the ghost returned, would not be spurned by Simon Law. And claimed the marked and frail

Blood of the lamb… Simon Law Sunday Morning, New York City

A little slower slide on the low west side Take a Chelsea ride on the High Line steel You can go for miles penetrate the styles That flow between the subway tiles and dreams

Glide through that groove, that vibe The island time and feel Sunday morning, New York City Orchards blooming sweet, off Delancey street Cherry blossoms cheat the fading sun Iron clad the walls of tenements and halls WORDS AND MUSIC BY JEN SCHAFFER (SOCAN) AND SIMON LAW (SONYATV) ‘Cause no one there will heed the fall of time JENNIFER SCHAFFER Sweep the grit, doors open wide Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocal

To let in its perfume SIMON LAW Sunday morning, New York City Grand Piano, Percussion, Background Vocals ASTRID FOSTER The Lake stills as space expands to fill its history Bass, Background Vocals Central Park will tame the pulse JOHN TESHIMA Of Manhattan’s majesty Electric and Acoustic Guitars

The boulders black, the vibrant green JONATHAN MARKS Softening the manic stream Viola, String Section, Background Vocals Fingertips reveal the curious concealed Recorded at Canterbury Music Co. Toronto, by Jeremy Darby; Studio Wolfrey, Toronto and SonyAtv Music Publishing The unobserved that yields a certain charm Canada, Toronto by Simon Law. Hands will hold and guide and soothe the ripping tide That overflows along canals and piers Wander through that moving feast The urban wondrous zeal Sunday morning, New York City