This Fading Ember

Once aflame this fading ember now streaming from the sky
disoriented charred and weathered a fallen satellite
endeavoring to piece together in hope that it just might
with careful restoration be made capable of flight


Northern lights illuminate frost bitten nights
beacons beckoning assuring anxious grounded flights
casting lots for intervention waiting on the day
light is sweet yet darkness prays duality my name


Set my heart at rest
let my mind attest


Stranded next to nowhere the wreckage caving in
awkward steps toward in short my bearing wearing thin
a wandering to find a faltering defined
the static sky mesmerizes my heart and mind


For the voice inside finds favor in the quietness of dark
and a turning taking precedence urging me to break apart


This fading ember a remnant to be set aflame (There is yet hope)
This heart to render surrender and trust in your Name (There is yet hope)




Written by Matthew Clifford (Copyright 2009)


These lyrics were written for a prior band, and are representative of my perspective of my Spiritual condition at the time.

Death and Tax

This present tense shadowed by these ominous faces of complacency

self seeking edifices reigning and opposing the plight of the passer by

who passively seeking a life of liberty are forced to find cover or climb

to chip away corrupted spires built upon such a simple but beautiful design

we must guard the way and tame the path

lest we be burdened beyond death and tax

With bloody palms and faces like flint we bear the blades of axe and pick

to deconstruct what time has wrought and tear the tares from perch and plot

till future guards are set once more and peace resounds from shore to shore

the means to which our voice our pen our dissent divides to mend

We must guard the way and tame the path

lest we be burdened beyond death and tax

Our knees must bow and to our God make solemn vow

commend to Him determined fate then rest in providence and grace

Written by Matthew Clifford (Copyright 2009)

These lyrics were written as a commentary on our current political climate in the United States. A friend of mine, that goes by the name of Donk, wrote and performed the musical aspects of the song.

I Wait

I wait, and I wait

Counting down the seconds to the end of all these haggard barren years
Glimpses of oasis shine and shimmer, foster hopes and summon fears
An omen for tomorrows not yet certain even vague to gifted seers
Compelled to forge ahead even when that which is longed for disappears

Still straining to see a semblance of purpose in this struggle

I am waiting and am weighted down with cares and aspirations
Wearied by these complications, I am jaded by hiatus

Yet I know this waiting is worth it's weight in gold

Written by Matthew Clifford (Copyright 2009)

These lyrics were written for a demo for a band from California. The lyrical theme of this song is knowing that you have been given great talents, but you do not have a means to express them, and the ensuing struggle of waiting for the next opportunity to enable you to do so.

The Templar

We are the Templar taking pride in our battle scars, We are the Templar
Take thee a vow, drive the infidels out, blessed be the martyr
Serve your king, bear his word
Take up your sword guard your heart stand ye firm
Thou art the Templar

Heaven sheds tears for your service, but do not be discouraged
Hell will praise you for all of your efforts, and handsomely reward them

The innocent perish by the guilty hands that brandish
The keys to the kingdom, but surely a reckoning will come upon them

The proud wil be humbled and the humble exalted
Their burdensome troubles will soon be forgotten

Raise up the banner mount up your horse, until this side of heaven has been taken by force
Marching on for victory upon the narrow way, a sudden bright light blinding and demanding that you lay
Prostrate in the dust and ashes, bury all your shame, to hear the voice Almighty whisper to your lowly frame

Heaven sheds tears for your service, but do not be discouraged
From this day forth bestowed with a new hope, forgiveness is afforded unto you

I am the chief of sinners and the least in the kingdom of heaven

Written by Matthew Clifford (Copyright 2009)

These lyrics were written for a demo for a band from Florida. The lyrical theme is that religion cannot be imposed upon people, it must be chosen. The crusades are a good example of this, so I used them as the basis for the plot of the song which resolves with the antagonist recanting his false religious zealousness.

The Plot

All hail

Laying low the high and mighty, shining brightly he falls like lightning

Sharpened words, drawing blood that teems with anger
Tethered tongues, letting fly and warm with danger
I can't bear, burying these painstaking efforts
Count the cost, cut my losses and these fetters

My flight above this graveyard is a raptured ressurrection, from the slow death waiting room I've left below
Casting shadow salutations on your good intention tomb, as I soar to heights that you may never know

Rest in peace

Fold your hands and close your eyes, tarry in the twilight of the finite divine

Rest in peace you weary eyed kings, as thick as thieves in your complacency

All hail

All hail the dethroned king his bitter reign of tyranny has ended
The plot to overthrow the headstrong sovereign, though a desperate degree
proved to be a great success, three cheers for mutiny

Written by Matthew Clifford (Copyright 2009)

These lyrics were written in response to the remaining members of a band that I resigned from. The lyrical theme of this song is that we as band members were blessed with talent and were metaphorical "Kings". My leaving the band was due to my dissatisfaction with their shortsightedness, and their subversion of my desire to lead the group in a more successful direction.