Now tell me, young sailor -- did you see the cicada grazing
Is it near or is it far -- on your maiden voyage under a dark star ?

You can show me, one hopeful -- has the dust been beaten off of
The trail so rough as it need be -- to a quiet village by the sea ...

Turn me, astral prodigy -- need I lead a life of worry ?
No -- convey the thoughts and feelings -- to a friend, in time who'll learn ...

Relay now, fine tin soldier -- to every action there's reaction
In every motive, a hope for pleasure -- in any conquest some hidden treasure

Hold off now, sweet starchild -- from bad omens or indiscretion
Away from carelessness, absurdity -- and from any unwanted lesson ...

Stand tough now, destiny's warrior -- adhere to lands, possessions
Materialistic concessions -- dent our minds' true glory ...

Explore now, worldly traveler -- assign yourself the long tour
We're here for the duration -- somehow we all need to be sure ...

Relax now, frightened dreamer -- while foreplay's deep in your eyes
And constant touch on your mind -- reach out, see just what you'll find ...

Ascent now frees the barrier -- of loneliness, confusion
Non consent while disillusioned -- ever since we gained solution ...

Adjoin now, mystic sage -- grimoires and scrolls unrolled now
Controlling certain movements -- a spell of love allowed ...

Kick back now, carefree master -- your youthful face so ruddy
Regroup troops tired and bloody -- avoid paths to disaster ...
 

It's you ...

It's only you ...

It's only you that life is after ...
 
 

"Cicada"
(keyboard & vocal rough demo version)
 
 

Lyrics and Music by Al Tavers
Title inspiration/ concept:  Sean Smith
copyright 1995 by LanSea, Ltd. / Prodigy Productions
All Rights Reserved
 

We were always making jokes about ageism, sexism, racism, homophobia - "fagism," and anything and everything in between - primarily laughing about the total ignorance that creates these various "isms..." We'd also been listening to Silverchair's "Frogstomp" a lot that summer (for those of you who might not know, there's also a song called "Cicada" on that CD), and the REAL cicadas outside were making a LOT OF noise - so that's probably where the whole "cicada" joke came from initially. But the "cicadas" were a group of horses which we'd pass on our way here and there on one of the back roads near my house - between where I live in Dighton, and where Sean was then living in Fall River. So, that's where the "grazing cicadas" thing came from ... Sometimes they'd be really close to the fence right near the road, sometimes off in the distance - sometimes we'd look and wouldn't see them at all ... They've been gone now for a few years - there are houses all in through there now. Even a new road. It's been "developed," in other words.

Total pain in the ass - all of this so-called "progress."
Aerosmith said it YEARS AGO on their first album,
"I say we've gotta move it out 'cause the city's movin' in ..."

For some reason, I guess I just thought I'd never live to see it ...

Of course, the "sailor" mentioned in the song is said with a definite lisp ...

You get the idea ...