We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Shadows On The Wall

by Bill Milford

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

1.
Alliby 01:29
Alliby (Allison's Lullaby) C C/B Am G You are the light of my life, C G G7 You are the light of my life, C C7 So perfect, So right, F Dm I could hold you all night, C G7 C You are the light of my life. 2. You are my sleepy eyed child..... 3. You are the child of my heart.... 4. You are the love of my life....
2.
Growing Up 02:50
GROWING UP Jimbo says “honey” and Jeannie says "dear", Michelle had a baby and Paul had a beer, Din bought a condo; Barb's got a new car this year, Something's going on here, Something I fear, They're growing up. Went back to school and what did I get? Another year older and knee deep in debt, Now I'm married to my honey, And that's the best news yet, When she calls me "darlin'" I just seem to forget, I'm growing up, growing up, I moved in and out the fast lane & I've learned a lot, Like when you "just say no" you never know, Quite where is your spot, Now this jelly on my belly's the only "pot" that I got, I found it's easier getting going than it is just to stop Growing up, growing up, growing up. Sometimes life seem like a game, That I'm always rehearsing, Sometimes life seems like a game, In which I try to succeed, Now I know that there are no happy endings, Just happy persons, And I forget how blessed I am just to be me.... I thank my family and I thank my friends, I thank the source of inner peace, Whose love never ends, I thank each and every stranger, Who’s been kind to this man, It gives me the faith of a child, Who feels loved and begins, Growing up, growing up, growing up, I can't get enough of that growing up stuff…
3.
Have To Wonder Why In fifty-nine I was a sparkle in the eye, Was I born to live or was I born to die? By 68' I was wondering why, Wondering why. Family love and good friends to hug, I was saving the heart for someone to come, And looking at wonder at a war nobody won, A war that still isn't done. Sometimes I have to wonder "why", If I'm just passing time till I die, Not enough done to feel like I'm one, Born to live while I'm alive, Punished in school for breaking the rules Do they want me to think? Or do they think I'm just a fool, I got eyes to see that everybody's got a tool, Or somebody 's somebody mule. The President can lie, The soldiers can die, "Peace with honor" was a mask that cried, With power and money anybody gets by, Anybody gets by. (CHORUS) Who's in charge here, Does anybody really know? Seems we're always stopping each other, From getting where we want to go, I'm going live by a law of love, And try to keep my conscience clear, I'm going to struggle just as long as I can, And try to lend a helping hand, There's got be a point where everybody will stop, And talk so we can understand. Sometimes I have to wonder "why", If I'm just passing time till I die, Not enough done to feel like I'm one, Born to live while I'm alive, Sometimes I have to wonder "why", If I'm just passing time till I die, I don't want the blame so I'll work to make a change, Cause I'm born to live while I'm alive!
4.
THE ONE I LOVE It was a night for the impossible, It was a night for the unsure, And the more I thought, The more I really wondered, Do dreams really come true anymore? Why does the moon seem to follow me, Why do the stars shine up above? The answer seems to be, If taken logically, They're shining for the one I love, How do the birds singing in the trees, Know that their song is sweet enough? The only simple reason is romance is back in season, They're singing for the one I love. I've had some moments to remember you by, The sweet moments just stay on my mind, I just want one chance to build some romance, And leave all my worries behind. Why does my heart seem to skip a beat, Whenever you are near enough? The doc says it’s fibrillation but I've a speculation, It's beating for the one I love. Why does my heart beat so rapidly, Whenever you are near enough? The doc says it's tachycardia, but I think it's just part of, Being round the one I love, Just being round the one I love.
5.
HIGHER GROUND Sometimes in wonder, A heart full of thunder, Roars in discovery of life brave and new, In prayerful season, Fear moves to reason, And a heart full for one makes a home there for two. But I thought my searching was only my call, To search for a home I'd not found, But once inside your heart, I journeyed the last part, Through you I have higher ground. In playful relations, Life's revelations, Are of hope, help and humor and grace that is true, And of father and mother and sister and brother, And of faith and of friends who were bridges to you. I thought my searching was only my call, To search for a home I'd not found, But once inside your eyes, I found to my surprise, In you I've found higher ground. Life is so curious and death has such sting, And too few are the moments to say, That I celebrate life and the love in my heart, And the faith that has swept me away! In my darker hours, I'll look to the power, Of these precious moments so strong in mind, And the memories and faces, And the Spirit that graces, With assurance of love so gentle and kind I thought our searching was only our call, To seek out a home we've not found, But in solemn union and faithful communion, We're taken to higher ground. In you I have higher ground. With you I've have higher ground.
6.
In The House 03:52
In the House In the house of my father, All day long, There are tools that pry, And a table vice, To fix what had gone wrong. Then late at night there's a single light, Shining through a piano song, In the house of my father, All day long. In the house of my mother, All through the day, Creation shines through the gifts sublime, That grace each table space. Small bouquets that gently say, That life is good and fine this way. In the house of my mother, All through the day. The small and fragile pieces, That make up my memory, Fade as each day ceases, While I try quietly, To understand the kind of plan, I have set in front of me. Trying to find my way home. In the house of my children, Scattered on the floor, Are papers and toys, And things that make noise, And pictures I adore. In a big wooden chest, We throw all this mess, Till they can make some more, In the house of my children, Scattered on the floor. In the house of my lover, As I look everywhere, Are symbols and signs and momentos of times, Of our struggles, love and care, Built upon one another, Forging times to share, In the house with my lover, As I look everywhere.
7.
SHADOWS ON THE WALL There is a silence so still and deep, Peaceful as within a dream but I'm not asleep, There's no single memory that comes to mind at all, Except the sight of angels in shadows on the wall. Each soul seeks communion, Strength in heart when weak, Balancing the need to join while making life unique, And there within the darkness, a single candle flame, Casts the light of union as each one looks the same, And as timeless as the people who proceed, And as timeless as the bread and wine that feeds, And as timeless as the love that will succeed, Us all, My hope is with the angels, The shadows on the wall. In my mind I've struggled, so long with many doubts Trying hard to understand what faith is all about, Seeking to make sense of what is felt, And what is known, Craving to find balance in holding on and letting go. To my surprise I've found a place, Made of wood and dust, Rafters filled with memories, Moments built of trust As sacred as the earth below, And stars that fall above, And everything that's in between, That touches me in love. CHORUS: Voices in the night, A sound, a song, a chant, Motion cuts right through the light, A step, a breath, a dance, A movement all together, But each in it's own time, Hand in hand and tethered, A heart with many minds. Within my meditation, I think of absent friends, I think about the journeys, The beginnings and the ends, Across the circle, faceless figures help me to recall, That someday I will join them. As a shadow on the wall. Trygnala Rumjana (Traditional Rumanian Folk Melody)
8.
Two Cities 04:56
WE LIVE IN TWO CITIES We live in two cities now, And though you are far away, There is hardly a time, You don't cross my mind Sometime during my day. And I remember how slow and so easy, It was for us to be in touch. But we live in two cities now And I miss you very much. Looking back on how we planned and schemed, It’s a wonder how we stayed so strong, Creating illusions and following hopes, And practicing each other's songs. In the place where I am, Most folks don't give a damn, And this city can be so cold and hard. But we live in two cities now. Though I wish you weren't so far... away. As we live with our lovers, Or look from afar. A lesson of life becomes clear. Without a lover around, The pain is profound, Without friends though it's twice as severe. So we hope for the best, And we endure the rest, And try to keep our feet on the ground. But we live in two cities now, Though I wish you were around.
9.
The Big Bop 03:32
THE BIG BOP Here's the story of man, Who really loved his mother, He loved his wife, cheese and lots and lots of butter, He said if a little is good, Then alot must be better, Until he heard a sound, From underneath his sweater, Going... Chorus: Boom, boom, bop, bop, Boom, boom, bop, bop Boom, boom, bop, bop! (bop) That was the bop that made his heart go flip flop, He was the kind of a man, Who could just eat up his stress As long as he had his cup of coffee, And a pack of cigarettes, He had his daily routine, He didn't need to take a rest Until he heard the drumming. Coming underneath his chest! He lived a life of perspiration, With just a dash of recreation, Till in a fit of desperation, His heart cried out for some respiration The doctors came in, And with judge-like chagrin, Began to detail the sentence, That the man would have to begin, They said “Your crime’s a terrible tort,” “Your sentence isn't short,” “Cause you have been found guilty, In cholesterol court,” “So if its dairy Be wary, To the salt Call a halt Beat a retreat, From the sweets Make pleasant thoughts, Your Gestalt, Hold the mayo and red meat, Take your Shredded Wheat neat, Forget the car you lazy bum, Go out and use your feet!” So take the advice of a man who's known defeat Cut the smoke, Cut the fat. Baby, cut out the sweets Cut your stress And always exercise those "healthy heart" drills, And learn to love life and Metamucil! And your heart will go boom, boom, bop, bop, Your heart will go boom, boom, bop, bop, Your heart will go boom, boom, bop, bop!_ Big Daddy, Live long, And love every day you got…, (That is the story from your third boy…)
10.
SHOW ME MY HEART When I am angry let love be my guide, When I am angry keep peace in my mind, When I am angry let me know my part, When I am angry, Show me my heart. When I am lonely..... When I am fearful...... When I am thankful.....
11.
Quarter Moon 04:47
QUARTER MOON Cheryl Wheeler And they seem to know each other very well, They speak across the garden but not a soul can tell, They can read the summer skies and they can hear the back woods swell, And they seem to know each other very well. And they drive up North on Sunday afternoons, And he buys her wooden windmills, whales and quarter moons, And she feeds the birds all winter and she knows them by their tune, And they drive up North on Sunday afternoons. And all summer long, They make the garden grow, And keep the greens so strong, And oh, wish them well, For standing on their own. And they buried their old dog in their back yard, With a fence and plastic roses, And St. Francis standing guard, She speaks of him quite often to this day she takes it hard, And they buried their old dog in their backyard. She brings me plants and flowers all the time, And we dig the holes together, she has to help with mine, And when she pats the soil around them, Oh my God her eyes do shine, And she brings me plants and flowers all the time, And all summer long, They make the garden grow, And keep the greens so strong, And oh, wish them well, For standing on their own. And they speak about their lives as almost gone, Waiting for sunset from an old and distant dawn, Selling off the land except the part they're living on, And they speak about their lives as almost gone. And they seem to know each other very well, They speak across the garden but not a soul can tell, They can read the summer skies and they can hear the back woods swell, And they seem to know each other very well.
12.
CONSTANT COMPANION Stay by my side, Deep in to night, I have the battle, You have the fight, Lose all your worry, Find patient delight, In being my constant companion. Keep to your faith, Rest when you can, Be kind to the child in me, Who seems to demand, As I'm losing me, You know all that I am, Please be my constant companion, I've lived a dream, A tale of romance, With you Queen of Hearts, And I, Lord of the Dance, Together we fashioned, A life full of chance, And touched many hearts on the way. Be long to sunrise, Don't hurry to sight, For I'm not alone, In the dark of this night, A gentler hand, Guides us both in the light, With you as my constant companion, Always my constant companion. Forever my constant companion.
13.
LIGHT YOUR WAY May the light that shines within us, Lead us safely through this day, Till we meet again, I wish for you my friend, Love to light your way. ALLIBY (Reprise) You are the light of my life, You are the light of my life, So perfect, so right, I'll hold you all of your life, You are the light of my life....

about

ABOUT LISTENING

Please note that you should adjust the volume on your computer or phone once the song starts as I think Bandcamp starts every tune at a pretty loud volume which can affect the quality of sound.

Speaking of which, listening to these recordings here (in WAV file format) is the closest you may get to an original recording. Many songs that you hear in an MP3 format are degraded in that the compression of the file size causes a loss in the quality of the sound. I am glad that Bandcamp utilizes this system so you can hear the highest quality online.

My songs are copyrighted however I offer them free for your listening and downloading pleasure.

I encourage you to click individually on each song as that will provide you with the both the story and context behind the song plus the lyrics.

If a song is meaning for you or you have a question or comment, I would enjoy hearing from you and your response to them. Please feel free to email me at bmilford@thomasu.edu .

ABOUT "SHADOWS ON THE WALL"

"Shadows On The Wall" - the entire album - was intended to be "a developmental song cycle" - that is, each song representing a different stage of life. It was quite the revelation to me when I was putting together all of the songs I wanted to record and noticed the stages of my life - both actual and anticipated - had been included. So I decided to make that the intentional theme.

This recording is a group of melodies that are linked together with some sort of logic in mind. In this case, these songs represent important stages in my life and in the lives of those I love.

1. Alliby, A lullaby to celebrate the birth of life.

2. Growing Up examines some of the subtle changes that have alerted me to the fact that life grows up around me as much as with me.

3. Have to Wonder Why is an adolescent recollection of thoughts and energy, sort of an internal teenage rebellion.

4. The One I Love is a simple love song of infatuation and courtship.

5. Higher Ground takes that love to another level of communion and commitment.

6. In The House explores the awareness that comes as a new generation arrives.

7. Shadows On The Wall celebrates the wisdom, gifts and rituals of a community.

8. Two Cities is a lament about the separation from family and friends that occurs as we create our own families and careers.

9. The Big Bop is a "light-hearted" look at a major health problem and the conventional wisdom that is part of the cure.

10. Show Me My Heart is a prayer (placed appropriately after the health concern) that asks for guidance to be graced with love.

11. Quarter Moon paints a vignette of an older couple who are so comfortable and easy in their ways with one another that their communication and expressions of love are second nature.

12. Constant Companion honors the art and privilege of being a caretaker to someone who is ill or dying.

13. Light Your Way is a benediction and blessing for our journey, that wherever we are going in life and death, may we always be aware of the love that lights our way. The recording ends and begins again with Alliby, suggesting that in every moment, we have the opportunity to become new people in a new world…

For cover trivia fans, going clockwise at 12 o'clock is the Memorial at Winni with plaques hanging in memory of community members, my daughter Kate on my lap, Dotti Siftar, my parents Dorothy and Alan Milford, the closing ceremony at Winni where we gather as community holding candles (usually this is outside but it must have been raining as this is in the barn), Lindy Hearne, Barb Siftar, and performing, my lovely wife Joann, and my daughters Allison and Kate. The middle graphic is a photo taken by Joann of Barb and I holding hands, mimicking the shadow that is referenced from the dance experience in the song, "Shadows On the Wall".

While the album is described as a "Song cycle about life..." - community plays a central role in my understanding of relationships and spirituality - so "Shadows On The Wall" became the thematic focus of the album.

The majority of the album was recorded at Doug Long's recording studio, drums were added to some cuts at Perry Nelson's studio, and "In The House" and "Quarter Moon" were recorded at Craig Bishop's studio - and he mastered the entire album for production which was both CDs and cassettes.

credits

released September 1, 2000

Shadows On The Wall- A song cycle about life…

1. Alliby (Birth) 1:30 Allison and Kate Milford-vocals
2. Growing Up (Growing Up) 2:48 Sonny Dunaway-bass; Barb Siftar-vocals
3. Have To Wonder Why (Adolescence) 3:08- Mark Patton-lead vocal, guitar; Mark Leadon-Banjo; Dave Leporati-Mandolin; Mark Demont-vocals
4. The One I Love (Courtship) 4:52 Dennis Vail-piano
5. Higher Ground (Commitment) 3:46 Sonny Dunaway-bass; Barb Siftar-vocals; Richie Summa-lead guitar
6. In The House (Family) 3:53 Barb Siftar-lead vocal; Lindy Hearne-vocal, guitar
7. Shadows On The Wall (Community) 5:48 Barb Siftar-vocals
8. Two Cities (Separation) 4:56 Barb Siftar, Jodi Drew, Sonny Dunaway-vocals; Richie Summa-lead guitar
9. The Big Bop (Health) 3:31 Dennis Vail-piano; Drs. Jeff Jones, Jeanne Mockard, Mark Demont-Physicians, Jodi Drew, Sonny Dunaway, Mark Demont-vocals
10. Show Me My Heart (Prayer) 3:14
11. Quarter Moon (Companionship) 4:47 Barb Siftar-lead vocal; Lindy Hearne-vocal, guitar
12. Constant Companion (Caretaking, Dying and Death) 3:21.
13. Light Your Way/Alliby Reprise (Journey and Rebirth) 2:31 Barb Siftar, Jodi Drew, Mark Demont, Sonny Dunaway, Rick Robbins-vocals

Bill Milford played all other instruments except for the drums, which were played by Perry Nelson.

All songs written by William F. Milford (ASCAP, 2000) except “Quarter Moon” by Cheryl Wheeler (Penrod & Higgins Music/Amachrist Music/ ACF Music Group International)

Recorded in Tallahassee, FL at SUN01 (Doug Long-engineer), CGC (Perry Nelson) and Sleepy Hollow (Craig Bishop) Studios from 1996-2000. Mixed/ Mastered at Sleepy Hollow (Craig Bishop).

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Bill Milford Tallahassee, Florida

Bill Milford lives in Tallahassee, FL. He performed professionally during his 20's and still plays out occasionally. He has performed with Barb Siftar, Lindy Hearne, Lynn
Adler, Chris Peters, Gail Nickse, Fred Griffeth, Richie Summa, and many other fine artists. He made dozens of dollars during his folk career so he offers his recordings without charge.
... more

contact / help

Contact Bill Milford

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Bill Milford, you may also like: