Avril Smith - mandolin Gary Grainger - bass Andy Hamburger - drums Billy Kemp - electric guitar Paul Bell - electric guitar Leonard Stephens - electric guitar Brian Simms - keys and accordion Cary Cooper - backing vocals Tom Prasada-Rao - backing vocals, low acoustic guitar Michelle Swan - backing vocals Larry Tapper - harmonica Laura Cerulli - percussion Aga Kowalski - violin Joshua Kowalski - cello Al Williams - alto flute Chris Battistone - trumpet Bruce Swaim - saxes John Jensen - trombone

Produced, mixed, string and horn arrangements by Matt Holsen Mastered by Bill Wolf

Great Big World Lyrics

1. Another Sunny Day 2. Not That Kind 3. Everything’s Fine 4. The Swell 5. Debi 6. Homecoming 7. Everyone But Me 8. Ariel’s Aria 9. Xenophobia 10. Memorial Day 11. Jeni 12. Temporary Blut 13. Brand New Life 14. Sky 1. Another Sunny Day Another sunny day today I lay in the grass and watch these little angels play. I wonder why, we believe the lies that make us lose our faith and make life so hard. Lately, I have been afraid . I’ve been so unsure, I very nearly ran away. But where would I go. when everywhere they know it’s know who or why but how much you love I’ve loved so pure, so deep It fills me til I lose myself. I shake and weep. I never want to lost that to this great big hurt This world can be full of lies, full of pain I believe that love will rain when we let it in this Great Big World

I don’t always feel this way. I’ve seen rainy nights and times when I’ve been drenched for days. I’ve wondered why couldn’t I stay dry. When my sky is crying nothing’s quite right. Then I get the view through Laela’s eyes. I know that she is pure and somehow I’m not too surprised to see in this girl the beauty of the world. All I seek or feel is that (God’s) perfect love.

Am I going too far? Am I losing my mind? Is this just who we are? Will there be enough time to find us waking, no longer mistaking life...

For something less than what it is. A little chance to shine and share in this amazing gift. With a bit of pain and sure a touch rain But still so beautiful it fills me with love... 2. Not That Kind

I am earth-bound, you are flying around High above me If you come down, bring your heart ‘round Try and love me I’ve been waiting so long. Is anything wrong?

It’s a cruel world and you’re a good girl Brought down to your knees Even Christmas you don’t much More than what you breathe

Don’t be ashamed You’re not to blame

We all you’re not that kind You can’t stay. I don’t mind We all you’re not that kind

When I met you, you were deep blue And mysterious I was taken, filled and shaken Changed. Delirious Thrown on the floor. Begging for more

But I know, you’re not that kind Please don’t say you were ever mine Because I know you’re not that kind

It’s been crazy. You’ve amazed me Now, just let me be I’ve seen your wall. I know you won’t call That’s all right by me If this is the end, we don’t have to be friends

‘Cause I know you’re not that kind You can’t say you were ever mine Please don’t say love is blind 3. Everything’s Fine

Sitting silent on a Sunday afternoon Growing tired from the darkness and cold Don’t you wonder sometimes how some days can make Even a child a feel old?

There is something about the way of your smiling face That brings me back to who I long to be Sit with me for a while in this place And help me make believe

We won’t have to move You won’t have to fly That we won’t be leaving here in a while That everything’s fine

I’ve been wishing on the stars and the moon That I, too, someday will learn to shine Still, I wonder sometimes if my prayers in vain I guess I’ll find out in time

I see your copper at the bottom of the well But you don’t say where your mind has gotten to You and I have watched the sky as it fell to grey But I will not seek blue in you

But I may cry. Tears are the truest things in my life Sometimes I cry when everything’s fine

Everything’s fine

I am not sitting here And I’m not trying To forget how you have changed my life No. I’m not crying ‘Cause everything is fine.

Sitting silent on a Sunday afternoon 4. The Swell

There’s a man in an oval room Making plans for me and my womb Sure, he’s a good man, meaning well. He’s got his concrete ideals and everything is swell

Him and his friends are looking down On my and my friends in our little town And that’s the way it’s always been We get our cues from the rules of the noble men

The noble men in their suits, with their noble pursuits But that ain’t going to fly anymore

It’s quite a task for a mortal man To make a woman do what he can’t And say she’s bound by law on high To put out fruit and by God to multiply

But they’d send our brothers and they’ll send our sons To fight their battles, to polish their guns And it’s a game I’ll never understand Designed and over-refined by mortal man

A noble man in his suit, with his noble pursuits But that ain’t going to work anymore I say, no more war

Cast your mind back upon a time The girl you once were committed the crime Of the decision to let one go That was the brother I’ll never know

I’ll never know: sneaking into some old lady’s den She says, “Hold your skirt up, hold your tears in. If you’re lucky, girl, you will live to tell.” Here, mama, I thought I knew you so well

And she says, “Well, that’s the hell that a woman knew well.” Thank god, it’s not the case anymore

I’m the girl in a sterile room Reconciling with eternal doom Up on a pillar, somehow I fell And now I’m weighing my life against the swell 5. Debi

Debi’s got the world her shoulder When she’s a little bit older, maybe she’ll be all right Right now, she’s got a four-month old daughter. Seems that no body told her, Sometimes they cry all night

And she cries all night sometimes At least until the sun goes down.

Debi’s got an age-old profession And it’s a tricky position she finds herself in From time to time she’ll run into someone He won’t know where he knows her from She’ll say, “well, ain’t that a sin?”

And she lies all night sometimes At least until the sun goes down

Everybody knows Debi now

Once upon a time, she was so fine That she could bottle up sunshine and sell it to the stars And everybody said she would make it Now when she does, she just fakes it And in her mind, she’s so far

When she’s high, everything’s all right At least for a while At least until the sun goes down

Everybody knows Debi

Never had a chance to be a star Never could have been more than she is Never could have been good as you are But she could have been better

But she sees the world as a yo yo She’ll admit that she don’t know What anything is for They bring you here without your permission We’re all just doing the best we can Until we can’t anymore

And she tried At least until the sun went down

Everybody knows Debi now 6. Homecoming

I’ve climbed some tall trees, swam the seas of blue Now I got ‘em inside I’ve been around the world and I’m telling you You’ll never know til you’ve tried I’ve spent some long nights in some lonely towns It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smiling And I might cry

When I left home, I didn’t know what was calling for me I only saw myself dying here I know it’s hard to look at me now So much has changed,

But you should know. I think I should say How much your eyes. How much your face Means home. And I’m glad to be home

CHORUS

When I fell down, I knew that no one wanted to see And those who saw my tears looked away It got so hard to face it sometimes But that’s how I’ve grown And you should know, I think I should say How much I’ve learned from day to day That the lonely ones aren’t only the ones who’re alone

I’ve climbed some tall trees, swam the seas of blue Now I got ‘em inside I’ve been around the world and I’m telling you You got to go. You got to go. You got to try I’ve seen some pretty faces in places far I think that it would blow your mind I’ve played in cages and carnivals, everywhere Feel like I’ve lived and I’ve died I’ve spent some long nights in some lonely towns It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smiling All my life I’ve been seeking something All my life I’ve not found that something. Now I know why 7. Everyone But Me

Lucky girl, lucky boy. In this world you got so much choice Do you want one that’s tall and lovely and free of disease? I never chose to be me. Just don’t make it like me

I do believe a kingdom has come Where not a soul has to pass on That means we’re going to live infinitely Well, Lord, have mercy I’ll live forever as me When I never chose to be

Here we are: a golden age Science has finally made everyone perfect. Everyone but me

Sign me up to tie me down And fix my face so that I can never frown And then I will be so happy when I am finally pretty When I’m finally free to be anybody but me

CHORUS

All these hairs on my legs Shave em, gel em, fuck em Go on. Shave my head. Nobody asked my opinion the body I’d want to be in

Here we are: a golden age When ben gay and gatorade are trademarks of the past Why do we die? Why do we age? All these mistakes God made. Why wouldn’t he ask me?

Imperfect girl. Imperfect boy. I know you’re dissatisfied but you do have a choice

Cause you were born in a golden age When science has finally made Everyone perfect Nobody’s perfect See him, he’s perfect See her, she’s perfect Everyone’s perfect Everyone but me

8. Ariel’s Aria

How long will I not know for sure How long must I sit by the ocean waiting for tide to wash me away Cause the moon is old and tired It does not want to play

I’m building a house on the sand A place I can rest when I’m tired of waiting for ships to sail within reach And when these sailors come in tired I’ll take them into my hand

I don’t need another wave To get me to thinking of home But I’d like to give this piece of my life To keep me in hope

One day my eyes will run dry This well will have finally found the last bit of me That’s drawn from the sea

Maybe I’ll feel a relief My heart may be happy it sat here waiting for waves that never came By then, I’ll be old and tired And it won’t mean a thing

CHORUS

At least if you tell me for sure Just say there’s no use in my constant waiting For love to wash my soul pure Say that you’re too old and tired And I’ll be on my way

I don’t need to hear my name I don’t need to see your face To know that you’re not in love I would have liked to give this piece of my life. 9. Xenophobia

Something funny going on Don’t know enough to say what’s wrong But the wind in the leaves is getting quiet

Something dangerous is loose Don’t know enough to say what it is But I feel it and I can’t deny it

It aint me Set the damn thing free Let’s forget I ever said a thing

Something evil’s getting closer Take your medicine in triple doses But it just don’t get no better

And it’s trying to creep inside You close your mouth and it just comes in through your eyes How do you hold yourself together?

CHORUS

You point your little finger Into the mirror Does it make you feel better?

Something ugly round here Do you even know what it is you fear? Do you?

CHORUS 10. Memorial Day

I was remembering those who’ve died To bring the victory to our side How the bombs burst in the night And how my mama cried

When she red those words out loud Go on and do your country proud And say a prayer each and every night Fight the good fight. You’ll be all right

I am one among the millions Sent to die for someone else’s cause I am a nameless, a homeless soldier My life don’t count for much It’s my mama’s loss

When my daughter dies last summer Because I couldn’t find water I was ready to kill someone and ready to die

Now I’m standing at a bus stop and in my mind, I’m saying good bye To a world I do not comprehend Although I’ve prayed and God knows I’ve tried.

I am one among too many for whom reason has gone wrong I am a nameless, faceless soldier My life don’t count for much, now that she’s gone

And I’ll be long gone Even if I come home

We were all staring at a statue And no one knew quite what to say About a monument to a broken commandment and those who were made to disobey

To all the ones among the millions Those who’ve died and those whose lives have ceased For all the nameless, faceless soldiers, let’s bow our heads now And pray for peace 11. Jeni

Jeni left Saturday, a legacy of mall-dwelling teenage bliss undone What do we do? Where do we go? Jeni, how come? You had to know You were much more than just prom queen Coolest girl Key High has ever seen What will you be now?

Varsity captain’s crush She never rode the bus. She walked from home with us Brad would drive by. She would just smile He’d say, ”Come on, Jen. It’s damn near a mile. Hell with those snot-nosed little kids. Ride with me, Jen.” But she never did. What will we do now?

Now that Jeni’s going … gone Anywhere but down Guess we’ll be standing still at the bus stop Just hanging around

Jeni was never late She never made you wait or wonder where she was Nowadays, that’s all I do and wonder if I could get away too Not that I’ve got it all that bad Then, again, maybe I have, now that it’s just me

And my dumb brother, Guy, who just gets high and Reads the comic strips all day And so indeed, it’s up to me to be the one kid who lives what they dreamed Now that jenny’s gone away Morally, I’m obliged to stay

CHORUS

Jeni called yesterday to say she was okay and woking at a bar Not making much, but getting by Mom said, “Hello.” Dad said, “Goodbye.” I never got to hold the phone Just a few minutes and she was gone Back to her new world

CHORUS 12. Temporary Blue

Kansas City or Maine Madagascar or Spain I’m going where blue skies prevail Or at least some blue that I can sail Madagascar Blue

Slowly going insane Two parts wisdom. Four pain I’m blowing this tired old place Got a lot of love, but none to waste Tired of being blue for you

Tired of crying of eyes out For love Tired of wasting time On love

Resolution to be okay Say happy new year all day Things were going so good for a while Thought I’d trade my blues In for a smile Call them temporary blues

Brand new vision. Still no sun Pick a purpose, any one I start snowing to keep back the rain Then a tidal wave hits me again Nearly always blue For you

Always partial illusion Of love Dear, I fear I’m wasting time On love

Tired of being blue for you

Tired of crying of eyes out For love Tired of wasting time On love 13. Brand New Life

Woke up yesterday to the sound of no one kicking around the yard Couldn’t get back to sleep Til a little voice in side my head said, “Girl, don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

It had to be you Six to two, doing all that you could do To build the gardens of Babylon The way you saw em in your head You know how I am, Sleeping in until you come back in and Bring all that mud and mess into the bed

Pull my sweater on, cause it’s cold Why don’t you go check on the stove? I guess that’s my job now Put some coffee on. Never cared for the stuff But it’s one of your great loves

It had to be you And your brew. Doing all that you could do “Go on and try it, babe. You might like it this time.” You know me, sipping my tea Digging deep between the leaves To try and understand who I am now

I’m a soul without reason Like a heart that keeps on beating A little too loud sometimes

I still go to work I still pay my bills and my taxes, almost right on time Just like I always have But I’ll be paying Bobby Simpson now He’ll mow the grass for me from time to time And I’ll have to do the math

It used to be you who would do All the counting up and adding figures Making sure the numbers came out right Now it’s just me, drinking nasty coffee I’d give every cent I own for a brand new life 14. Sky

And I can see you say, “Smile and wave. Let them see how beautiful you are. But never once give up your heart Let them see your soul is not for sale.”

Oh and I see the fire in your eyes I know that it will never die If I don’t cry If I don’t let my heartache break me down I’ve got to wear it like a crown Until I get my own up in the sky

And I can see your face Feel you all over this place It is a miracle how beautiful you stay, even though the world tears at your heart Yes, I know your life ain’t been no crystal stair

Oh, but I stole that fire from your eyes I know that it will never die If I don’t cry If I don’t let my heartache break me down I’ve got to wear it like a crown Until I get my own up in the sky

Even on sunny days, I know who reigns I’m the queen of nighttime and of day The only ones who share my throne Realize that it’s not ours to own But the light of the sun shines in our eyes We know that we will never die If we keep trying to make this world a better place to live For the dreamers and the kids Help them keep their minds on the sky