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Standing on the Great Wall of China

by Jim Heald

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1.
Standing on the Great Wall of China 04:17
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Standing on the Great Wall of China I'm standing on the Great Wall of China looking out into the blue standing on the Great Wall of China and all I can think of is you. I trudged across miles of desert searching lost cities for gold but the fragments of truth fell apart in my hands and the secrets would never unfold. So, I sailed beyond the horizon chasing a sweet mystery. Clutching the moon's reflections and drowning in love's stormy seas. Countless the stars that I've counted countless the times I've been lost countless the times I denied you without ever counting the cost. You came along and tossed me a line unlocked the treasures, explained the design. You came along with a song in your heart. The ground opened up and the sky flew apart. The sages said love was for losers, the sages said love was untrue, the sages have said that love is a dream but the sages have never kissed you. 'Cause love is the light in a dark empty world love is the shelter I've earned I crisscrossed the globe without you and love was the lesson I learned. So, I'm standing on the Great Wall of China looking out into the blue. Standing on the Great Wall of China and I've got my arms around you. 'Cause love is the light in a dark empty world love is the shelter I've earned I crisscrossed the globe without you and love was the lesson I learned. 1982, Chicago
2.
You're the Angel 03:57
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You're the Angel You're the angel that I followed through the clouds of my despair and in the lightning of your smile I see a heaven we might share. Don't you know I'm tired of the darkness? Don't you know I'm tired of the pain? But I'm not ready for the blindness; hold a woman in my arms again. I'm a ship that's tossing on the ocean. You're the waves that roll across my brow. There's an angry god in heaven I think this ship is going down. You're the shadow in the mirror You're the knocking at my door and when I think that love has ended your eyes meet mine and promise more. Angel, light the path I'm walking take my hand and show me how to fly. Cast out the devils I've been stalking. We'll forget the loves that made us die. You're the angel that I followed through the clouds of my despair and in the lightning of your smile I see a heaven we might share. December 1980, Chicago
3.
Old Jalopy 04:04
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Old Jalopy You're an old jalopy with a dented fender sitting by the curb on a couple of flats. You ain't going nowhere; no, you ain't going nowhere... Another Saturday night alone. Out on the strip bright lights are flashing shiny cars are chasing after young girls’ hearts. But you're sitting here grounded with your insides rusting out... Another Saturday night alone. A few quarts of oil and some paint for the rust air in your tires and a rag for the dust A spark in your engines is all that you need You used to be so hot once -- King of the Road -- but your heart's about as low as an old car leaking oil. Where did it go boy, they left you in a cloud of dust? Another Saturday night alone. A few quarts of oil and some paint for the rust air in your tires and a rag for the dust A spark in your engines is all that you need You press down the gas and pull back the throttle, but you can't hold the curves boy; you're moving much too fast. You're swept up at closing with a few broken bottles... Another Saturday night alone. You're an old jalopy with a dented fender sitting by the curb on a couple of flats. You ain't going nowhere; no, you ain't going nowhere... Another Saturday night alone. 1983-1987, Chicago and Austin
4.
I'm Not the One 04:10
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I'm Not the One I'm not the one to hang your hopes on. I'm not the answer to your dreams and if you're thinking I can love you It's not as easy as it seems. I may need someone to hold me but I've been held by quite a few and the sparks that lit those other nights were just enough to get me through. But don't you go away now don't you go away I'm needing you to stay here tonight I'm not the star that you should wish on believe it's not your lucky day and though I never want to hurt you things they just might end that way. But don't you go away now don't you go away I'm needing you to stay here tonight I may need someone to love me but I don't know where to start. I've been so afraid of losing I can't open up my heart. But don't you go away now don't you go away I'm needing you to stay here tonight 1981, Chicago
5.
Juliet's on Fire 04:45
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Juliet’s On Fire Juliet's on fire, she's head over heels Romeo's a nice kid, but he doesn't know how he feels. He writes her poems; they lie laughing in the grass. They feel the sunlight disappear they feel the moment pass She's on fire. As they go walking hand in hand the sun is sliding down She says it doesn't matter he's from the other side of town They watch the clouds turn violet in each other's eyes He tries to whisper love songs he can only manage sighs He's on fire. Don't run away from love, there's nowhere you can hide. Don't try to bottle up the things you feel inside. And if it turns to ashes, there's no one you can blame So, open up your heart and reach out for the flame. Juliet is sleeping and her head is full of dreams. Romeo's in the garden splitting at the seams. He reaches out to touch her and he softly calls her name. Juliet is tumbling and her head is filled with flames. They're on fire He's gazing at the window, and he's dazzled by the light and flames leap up around him as he runs off through the night and somewhere in the darkness Romeo grows cold Juliet's a spirit he didn't have the strength to hold. She’s on fire. Don't run away from love, there's nowhere you can hide. Don't try to bottle up the things you feel inside. And if it turns to ashes, there's no one you can blame So, open up your heart and reach out for the flame. 1986, Austin
6.
Takes Me Away From You 02:32
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Takes Me Away from You I woke up this morning looked around the room the alarm clock was wailing like the trumpets of doom I've got to get up but it's much too soon It takes me away from you. I've got a hot cup of coffee and the morning news a glimpse of your shoulders as I'm tying my shoes Keep your kisses on ice ‘til the workday's through It takes me away from you. The water keeps on rising we can barely keep afloat what happened to that gentle tide was gonna lift up every boat? I put on a tie, took the inside track now I'm rumbling like a train toward a heart attack. I've come so far that I can't look back and it keeps me away from you. It's lonely at the top and it's a long way down and there's nowhere to hide in this skyrocket town. I thought I was up ‘til I hit the ground and it takes me away from you. The water keeps on rising we can barely keep afloat what happened to that gentle tide was gonna lift up every boat? I've got to get out but where can I go I can feel the flood rising and the cold wind blow It's all up to me and I just don't know but it takes me away from you. What would they do if I called in well? If I told all my bosses to go to hell? If I just wasn't there when they rang their bell cause it keeps me away from you? I woke up this morning looked around the room the alarm clock was wailing like the trumpets of doom I've got to get up but it's much too soon It takes me away from you. 1986, Austin
7.
Miguel's Song 04:36
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Miguel's Song (the Gravedigger's Song) I could dance in the meadow to the song of a lark sweet smell of grass rising into the sky. If I were a cool breeze, I'd chase a butterfly but I'm burying memories and breaking my back. The people stand silent; the ground's neatly trimmed; handkerchiefs ready to catch a stray tear. So, I put my dark glasses on and lower another man into the grave. How do they see me, eyes filled with tears? How can I touch them, they're so choked with fears? What will they think of my truce with death, as I pick up a shovel and take a loved one away? After the people go, I dream of Mexico mangoes, manure, soil of my youth. Pick up my old guitar, play a soft lullaby, sweeten the burden of all the goodbyes. If it's not what I dreamed, I'll take it my friend. it's only a moment and then there's an end. Icy wind, freezing rain slitting my wrists; the ground's like a stone but the job never quits. Holding a child, a casket's so light there's nowhere to hide and it doesn't seem right so, I put my dark glasses on and lower another man into the grave. How do they see me, eyes filled with tears? How can I touch them, they're so choked with fears? What will they think of my truce with death, as I pick up a shovel and take a loved one away? And it's not what I dreamed, but I'll take it my friend. Life's a short moment and then there's an end. 1978, Chicago
8.
Ginger and Fred 02:54
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Ginger and Fred Walking down the road with your hand in mine. We've got some bread and cheese and a bottle of wine. The breeze is soft, and the moon is bright. The night's so hot but it feels alright. The sky fills with stars as we dance on the beach. On wings of desire there's nothing out of reach. I can hear your heartbeat soft and low, saying you're the only girl I want to know. Streaks of moonlight in your hair. We've got sand between our toes and we ain't got a care. We'll be like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire Tonight. Like shells in the sand washed up by the sea, I'm clinging to you and you're clinging to me. We'll be dancing in the starlight at the break of dawn. My love for you goes on and on. Streaks of moonlight in your hair. We've got sand between our toes and we ain't got a care. We'll be like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire Tonight. Tomorrow in the morning we'll be strolling along. The birds up in the trees, they'll be singing our song. Your eyes will be like diamonds sparkling in the sun. I've got no doubts that you're the one. Streaks of moonlight in your hair. We've got sand between our toes and we ain't got a care. We'll be like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire Tonight. 1987, Austin
9.
I've Played the Game 04:26
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I've Played the Game I've played the game and lost it just as often as I tried. The wheel spins around, the aces drop, the dice fall and collide. My pockets always empty as they dim the lights and close. I wander home through empty streets, is this the life I chose? Alarm clocks ring and devils fling the sunlight in my eyes. I've slept on pitchforks all night long and listened to the lies they've woven in my fantasies, my wishes and my dreams... this life is like a mattress splitting at the seams. I don't know how, or what or why but something isn't right. I think I've waited long enough but I never found the light. I'm not the man I thought I was more often I'm a fool. The time is just unraveling and I'm left with the spool. I've played the game so many times there's nothing left to lose. The winners are all sleeping as I'm pulling off my shoes. The mirror's looking terrible the last drink's tasting stale. I'm gazing out the window and the moon is up for sale. I've played the game and lost it just as often as I tried. The wheel spins around, the aces drop, the dice fall and collide. My pockets always empty as they dim the lights and close. I wander home through empty streets, is this the life I chose? 1978, Chicago
10.
Takes Me Away from You (Solo Mix) 02:31
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Takes Me Away from You I woke up this morning looked around the room the alarm clock was wailing like the trumpets of doom I've got to get up but it's much too soon It takes me away from you. I've got a hot cup of coffee and the morning news a glimpse of your shoulders as I'm tying my shoes Keep your kisses on ice ‘til the workday's through It takes me away from you. The water keeps on rising we can barely keep afloat what happened to that gentle tide was gonna lift up every boat? I put on a tie, took the inside track now I'm rumbling like a train toward a heart attack. I've come so far that I can't look back and it keeps me away from you. It's lonely at the top and it's a long way down and there's nowhere to hide in this skyrocket town. I thought I was up ‘til I hit the ground and it takes me away from you. The water keeps on rising we can barely keep afloat what happened to that gentle tide was gonna lift up every boat? I've got to get out but where can I go I can feel the flood rising and the cold wind blow It's all up to me and I just don't know but it takes me away from you. What would they do if I called in well? If I told all my bosses to go to hell? If I just wasn't there when they rang their bell cause it keeps me away from you? I woke up this morning looked around the room the alarm clock was wailing like the trumpets of doom I've got to get up but it's much too soon It takes me away from you. 1986, Austin
11.
1989 KUT Folkways Interview with David Obermann 06:46
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No Lyrics. Includes a live version of the song Takes Me Away From You.

about

This release comes as a bit of a surprise. Why am I doing this after 34 years? Some of the material was released again on a CD called Old Jalopy back in 2007.

Of the songs not released on that CD, only one was not subsequently released at other times in other forms. The one song not re-recorded and released before 2007 – Takes Me Away from You -- was re-recorded in 2015 with full band and released on my CD Chiaroscuro.

I guess I need to go back to the very beginning. This album was originally released on cassette in 1988. In late 1987, I was performing a fair amount around Austin. I had a bunch of songs and really wanted to get decent recordings to use as demo tapes to try and get more gigs. I was also acting as the host of an Open Mic at a little club called Chicago House.

-from the Extended Liner Notes

credits

released July 31, 2022

Recorded and Engineered by Wayne Gathright at Music Lane Studios in Austin Texas, 1988. Digital editing and mastering at Hawkins Way Studio, 2021-2022.

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Jim Heald Sarasota, Florida

Originally from New Jersey, with transformative stops in Chicago and Austin, singer-songwriter Jim Heald has covered a lot of ground in his music. He is a two-time finalist at the Kerrville \Folk Festival New Folk Competition. Jim also lived in the DC area for almost 20 years performing at area folk clubs, wineries, coffeehouses and festivals, before moving to Sarasota FL in 2017. ... more

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