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Credits
Matthew Fitzgibbons: Music, Lyrics, Vocals, Acoustic & Rhythm Guitars, (Prove It! Lead Guitar), Keyboards, Keyboard Bass, Harmonicas, Drum Programming / Live Drums, Percussion, .223 Rifle, Recording, Mixing, and Graphics.
Gene Calverley: Lead Guitars, Electric Rythmn Guitar and Live Bass
Chris Young: 12 Gauge Shotgun, .44 Caliber New Model Army.
Special Thanks to: My beautiful wife, Bernadette, for her inspiration, advice, musical wisdom, support, and extraordinary patience; Gene, for his musical genius, incredible leads, and far more time than he really had; aidan Nolan, for teaching me how to reach the next level with his invaluable advice and for his friendship; Chris, for always being there; My parents for teaching me that you can accomplish anything in the U.S.A. … if you work hard enough; Lori, Maureen, Jerry, and all the kids for their encouragement; And all of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services for risking, and sometimes giving, their lives so we could have the freedom we so treasure, and unfortunately, sometimes take for granted.
Lyrics:
Patriot ©2005, Matt Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
For The Heroes ©2004, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
Whether you take me for the fool I know that I can be,
whether you see me eye to eye or if we disagree,
I’ll be your friend, until the end. I’ll see you through.
Whether you heal the casulaties, or you kill to keep us free,
whether it’s goods that you prepare, or you help bring them there.
For all you’ve done, for everyone. I won’t forget.
Whether you feel that you’re alone, or you fear your life will end,
know you’ve got three hundred million friends.
For everything you’ve done I sing. You’re in our prayers.
Credits:
Matt Fitzgibbons: Music, Lyrics, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Drums, Harmonica, Recording
Marty Carlson: Mixing & Mastering
Inspiration:
A couple of days before Christmas in 2004, my sister and brother-in-law had a Christmas party for the extended family. When I went home that evening, I was left with the warmth that only being with your loved ones can create. I hadn’t written anything on piano for years and kept thinking about a conversation I had with my cousins Jeff and Karen about really letting go on my vocals. Mixed with my happiness was the realization that many of my fellow countrymen and women were overseas, away from their families, defending our freedom, and that one of their loved ones back home might be getting the letter or telephone call they feared.
For the Heroes was written faster than any other song I have ever written. From start to finish, it took about 1 hour and I had it recorded the next afternoon. I truly believe that this song was a gift in two ways. First, if even one of our (or our Allies) servicemen appreciate it, then it’s a gift to them. Second, I didn’t have the money to join a program to show my support, so in that respect, it was also a gift to me so that I could give them something back for all they’ve done. As my wife taught me, St. Augustine said,
“He who sings prays twice.”
How I Feel ©2002, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
I remember back when I was young,
the world was filled with magic and the days were filled with fun.
And then when I got older, and wise beyond my tears,
I could see the wonder of those early years.
I don’t mean to be so sincere,
but that’s how I feel.
I remember that they told me how to be.
And I saw that they weren’t happy, and I struggled to be me.
They told me there was one way, and to do what they had done,
and I would someday thank them, and I’d be like everyone.
I don’t mean to be so sincere,
but that’s how I feel.
I wonder if they noticed what I did with their advice?
When I saw what they had gotten, and how they dearly paid the price,
I pretended I was listening while I found some other road,
cause whenever I would try it, man, I thought that I’d implode.
I don’t mean to be so sincere,
but that’s how I feel.
Well-Earned / Well-Learned ©2003, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
In ’76 with a stroke of a pen,
Jefferson declared the rights of all men:
That God made us free, and that Government serves
to protect all the rights that each soul deserves.
In ’78 under cold winter skies
The troops were aware they were out of supplies.
With the food all but gone and no shoes on their feet,
They would fight till the end, till the British defeat.
And the Bill of Rights gave them what they earned.
And the lesson that hurts is well-learned.
For two hundred years, so many have died
So we could be free and remember with pride.
We’ve come a long way, and that paper is old
but the meaning is clear to all who are told.
And with the Bill of Rights wounded in the field
an American soul must not yield.
And the freedom we keep must be earned,
cause the lesson that hurts, is well-learned.
Credits:
Matt Fitzgibbons: Music, Lyrics, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Drums, Harmonica, Recording
Marty Carlson: Mixing & Mastering
Inspiration:
This is one of my rare songs that I actually set out to write. In many respects, this is the song that inspired the whole idea of Patriot and PatriotMusic.com, though I had no idea at the time. I wanted something simple enough musically to play around campfires that would draw the parallel between the individual souls that gave everything for United States’ birth, and those that continue to keep us free today. The double entendre of Well-Learned was not originally planned while I was writing it. Like so many things, it just happened..
Side note: I wasn’t at all sure how to get the vibrato effect on the harmonica, but I suddenly knew when I saw Jason doing it on the DVD of the first season of the Waltons.
You Could Only Dream ©2002, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
Once upon a long lost time, I bet you had a dream
when there was laughter and joy in your heart.
Then I guess your life stepped in and put you on the road
where the sorrow would tear you apart.
There were times when you could only the hear
the defeated voice so loud and clear it seemed
you could only dream.
As you watch your time pass by the other voice appears
and it tells you your dreams will come true.
You tell the world you’re doing fine despite the way you feel
and the people who see that are few.
Keep your course and keep your cool
know that you are no one’s fool though it seems
you can only dream.
Hold your faith and hold your smile.
It will only be a little while till you’ve seen
what you could only dream.
You could only dream.
I’ve Got To Be Free ©2005, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
The U.S.A. is at a crucial stage
It’s not because of foreign wars we wage
It has more to do with the colors blue and red.
Too many laws and too much government
Can you tell me where the Constitution went?
The Bill of Rights is just hanging by a thread.
So many people trying to cross the border
and politicians build the New World Order.
And too many minds still believe they should be lead.
I’ve got to be free the way God made men
and I won’t be ruled by the damned U.N.
They’re taking your right to self-defense.
They you’re safer but they don’t make sense.
The dangerous ones will not turn in their guns.
All the unions always ask for more
but all we buy is made on foreign shores
There will come a day when there will be real hell to pay.
I’ve got to be free the way God made men
and I won’t be ruled by the damned U.N.
Don’t Think Twice ©2002, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
I had to learn the same old lesson once again
that you can’t hold on when a thing is meant to end.
I never really thought you would want to stay.
When you said goodbye, you were more than on your way.
It didn’t surprise me. It didn’t concern me.
I didn’t act wisely, but you didn’t burn me.
I don’t feel sorry. I don’t feel hurt.
And you don’t see the reason.
We should have known we couldn’t last for much more time.
Just go your way. Don’t say a thing and I’ll go mine.
I guess the words we use must take their final toll.
Well you can have what’s left, cause I haven’t lost my soul.
It doesn’t surprise me. It doesn’t concern me.
I don’t act too wisely, but nobody burns me.
I don’t feel sorry. I don’t feel hurt.
Cause I don’t see the reason.
Don’t think twice about the way I feel.
I’m accustomed to the raw end of the deal.
Don’t think twice about what you’re going to say,
We both know you wouldn’t mean it anyway.
It doesn’t surprise me. It doesn’t concern me.
I don’t act too wisely, but it doesn’t burn me.
I don’t feel sorry. I don’t feel hurt.
Cause I don’t see the reason.
Don’t think twice about the way I feel.
I’m accustomed to the raw end of the deal.
Don’t think twice about what you’re going to say,
We both know you wouldn’t mean it anyway.
I Believe in You ©2004, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
Have you ever been poor, so poor,
you’re ashamed all the way to your core?
Have you ever been broke, so broke,
you had to choose to eat or to smoke?
Have you ever been in debt, in such debt,
that even when you sleep you can’t forget?
Have you ever been down and out?
Do you know what I’m talking about?
I believe in you.
I believe in you.
Have you ever been scared, so scared,
and not a soul around you cared?
Have you ever alone, so alone,
that anywhere you were was your home?
I believe in you.
I believe in you.
Did you ever feel it’s all supposed to be
the way it is for reasons that you can’t see?
Did you ever see it all work out?
Do you know what I’m talking about?
I believe in you.
I believe in you.
Prove It! ©2004, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
It’s been one week since the job, and the cash he had is gone,
And he screwed his only partner, because the evil makes him strong.
See, there’s no such thing as this guy turning over a new leaf
because when he looks into the mirror, he likes to smile at the theif.
And he owes the lady rent, but that’s nothing in his mind,
because he’ll kick her little door in and he’ll steal what he can find.
Yeah, You’re gonna have to prove it
beyond a reasonable doubt.
Yeah, You’d better look behind you
cause one day he’ll be out.
So he buys a .41 from a guy he used to know,
and he hocks the lady’s ring and he does a little blow.
Then he heads out on the highway and he’s coming to your town
and if you meet him on your doorstep, man you’d better lay him down.
You see he likes to hunt the suburbs,
and your daughter is his goal.
And he likes your picket fences,
and he loves your gun control.
Yeah, You’re gonna have to prove it
beyond a reasonable doubt.
Yeah, You’d better look behind you
cause one day he’ll be out.
Entities ©2002, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
Beneath the starry skies near someone’s wheat field,
about 150 years ago,
a man lay safe behind a farmer’s rock wall,
at least until the early morning glow.
His friends and fellow soldiers blessed the darkness
for just a couple of hours of needed peace.
And someone spoke of indian battles waged there,
and said the tribe of souls would soon increase.
He thought of those he loved and how he’d never say goodbye,
for tomorrow, he knew he’d die.
And as he sat and shook in silent terror,
of what would happen to him the next day,
he noticed eerie sparkling in the darkness,
and orbs of light that seem to float in play.
And then he found his terror had turned to wonder,
he knew the glowing clouds had once been men.
It seems that they had kindly come to show him,
The body’s death is not the final end.
And when at noon the call had come,he charged the field with pride,
and he heard the shot as he died.
The Passing ©2002, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
Instrumental
I Will Follow You ©2002, M. Fitzgibbons (ASCAP)
I can tell the way you feel from your spirit’s light.
And I know that you can sense I am here tonight.
I will follow you.
I can see the things you dream, standing by your side.
When you wake I’ll still be here, guardian and guide.
I will follow you.
When you see a flash of light in the corner of your eye,
it’s just me reminding you, you will never die.
I will follow you.