Lyrics

The songs of Acceptance – the words & the credits

ACCEPTANCE

Music: Connor Derraugh
Lyrics: Cordelia Donovan

I only say the words if they make me
They never ask and I don’t tell them
But maybe I could change the times
If I looked the other way
But I don’t dare

We haven’t answered all my questions
The ones I haven’t asked just yet
Well maybe I could find my answer
In October Song
Your song

This ride brings surprises
And honesty fit for mortal men
Day by day, by the lights
I escape, I collide
Into moments frozen in time

These silly faces in my mind
I see your smile in mine
And in those eyes, in these eyes
A memory 
Never left behind

I only say the words if they make me
But if they ask I think I’ll tell them
I’ll tell them all
Though I would take 
One more day in a second
I’ll stay with my reflection
And seek 
Acceptance

Cordelia Donovan: Vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano
Larry Roy: Acoustic guitar
Julian Bradford: Upright bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

I WANNA TELL YOU                         

Music:  Connor Derraugh  
Horn Arrangement: Larry Roy 
Lyrics: Matt Derraugh

In the middle of the night, I hold you tight                        
Make it feel so right for you
But I don’t know how to say it, so let me play it
Let me play it all for you

I wanna tell you, tell you that I love you
This time around I’ll let the music speak for me
I wanna tell you, tell you that I love you
Now I just hope that you agree

What better time than now, to show you how 
Just how much you mean to me
It should be no surprise, just open your eyes
And then we’ll finally see

I wanna tell you, tell you that I love you
This time around I’ll let the music speak for me
I wanna tell you, tell you that I love you
Now I just hope that you agree

It’s now or never, escape forever
That much will always be true
When you give your love to me, you’re all I need
I’ll give it all back to you

I wanna tell you, tell you that I love you
This time around I’ll let the music speak for me
I wanna tell you, tell you that I love you
Now I just hope that you agree

Cordelia Donovan: Vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, tenor sax
Larry Roy: Electric guitar
Julian Bradford: Upright bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums
Jon Gordon: Alto sax
Joel Green: Trombone
Garrett Malenko: Trumpet

SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE

Music: Connor Derraugh
Lyrics: Cordelia Donovan

Holding on to
Memories of living rooms
Spoken art in
Well it cut right through

No understanding only standing in the shadow cast
No going back
Takes only sixteen bricks of pavement and I’m back
Falling, I’m falling, I’m falling, I’m falling fast

But I’ll be ok
I’ll be alright
Oh and I’ll know it when the feelings right
You’ll know when I’m ready
Go slow and steady
Cause I know I’ll see you on the other side

3 a.m.
Words they seem to multiply
Every time we share our minds
Breathe it in
Sing me one more melody
Take me back to you and me

I know my day will come to knock upon your door
Tell you all the things I tried to tell you once before
Cause you’re my conscience, you’re my guide
You make me feel alive
You make me wonder what goes on, on the other side

And I’m ok
And I’m alright
Oh and I’ll know it when the feelings right
You’ll know when I’m ready
Go slow and steady
Cause I know I’ll see you on the other side

Leave a little time
To take me up
Leave a little light
To heat me up
Calling on the night
To feel the love
On the other side I’ve been dreaming of

Oh I’ll be ok
I’ll be alright
Oh and I’ll know it when the feelings right
You’ll know when I’m ready
Go slow and steady
Cause I know I’ll see you on the other side

Cordelia Donovan: Vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, alto sax
Darryl Havers: Synthesizers
Julian Bradford: Uprights bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums
Marco Castillo: Shakers

IN A LITTLE WHILE

Music: Connor Derraugh
Lyrics: Cordelia Donovan

Oh you can go
Maybe in a little while
Slip through the crack in the door when you’re sure 
I’ll close it in a little while
I’m getting cold
I just want to go back home
To you
To you

But I can wait
I’m brave
And in your wake
I’m awake

Enjoy your show
I’ll be there in a little while
I’ve got some errands to run
When I’m done 
I’ll join you in a little while
Would you save me a seat?
What a lovely place to meet
With you
With you

But I can wait
Will you wait for me?
I’ll be brave
I’m awake

Are you dreaming, love?
I know that you were feeling tired
But it’s so easy to love you 
There’s no one above you
I sing for you every night
When I let down my hair
On the pillow we shared
Then I’m with you 
Then I’m with you

On my way
Give me your strength
I’ll be brave
I’m awake

On my way
I never wanted to lose our maybes, baby
Give me your strength
I’ll be brave
I swear I never refused our maybes 
Safe and sound
Love locked down
May we find our maybes
Next time around

Cordelia Donovan: Vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, tenor sax
Larry Roy: Acoustic guitar
Julian Bradford: Uprights bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

RMB (featuring Ismaila Alfa)

Music: Connor Derraugh
Rap lyrics: Ismaila Alfa
Chorus lyrics: Cordelia Donovan

Sometimes a spark can amplify the sunshine
And change the frame on your pain when it’s crunch time
Roll with the punchline connectin’ dots
Collectin’ thoughts forever ya rhythm it never stops
That, shirt off ya back type, no one had a laugh like
Soul still shinin’ like a lamp in the black night
Lightin’ a path like M-J in Billy Jean
Step by step line by line I’m readin’ in between
Like it was in a dream…We got roots in common ground
Even though you’re not around we produce an awesome sound
Lock it down… No one can ever take our memories
Put it into melody and fill it up with energy
Plus the best of me (yo) a duo so dynamic
You know my style’s magic and it keeps the legend livin’
No room for pessimism, yes I’m givin’ all I got
No time to watch the clock cause fate’s callin’ all the shots

Where do my days go?
Why do all the hours slip away?
Won’t somebody come back for me?
I might need a little time
Promise not to leave me behind
Don’t you leave me here

Old souls that fit right like they’re puzzle pieces
Sky’s the limit but the launchin’ pad’s the earth beneath us
Sole of my sneakers you give me faith to take the leap
And through my life your negativity won’t make me weep
We keep our bonds Barry and knock it out the park
Like it’s involuntary, but ever since the start
Greater than the sum of our parts it’s inexplicable
Jokes stay inside, good vibes are cyclical
Indivisible but still two individuals with free will
And power of the people
Equal, pushing each other off to greater heights
These days I write just thinking of the ways I might
Capture your spirit in song lyrics are drawn from space in time
I’ve made my mind every time on every climb
This my grind daily, and this is what it means
No one will ever change in the way that you changed me

Where do my days go?
Why do all the hours slip away?
Won’t somebody come back for me?
I might need a little time
Promise not to leave me behind
Don’t you leave me here

Ismaila Alfa: Rap vocals
Cordelia Donovan: Chorus vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, alto sax
Julian Bradford: Electric bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

LOCKDOWN

Music: Connor Derraugh
Lyrics: Cordelia Donovan

Ride along with the rising sun
One step behind the same song
What’s left to do but play along?
Try our hands at the meditation
A fine line from cold stagnation
I can only lay so long

You gotta let me out of here
Where is left to go I’m out ideas
This cell is calling on my fears
We can try all the simulations
And a cacophony conversation
I can only stay so long
When we sing all the same old songs

And we try to get by
With a memory of our home
With the sound of friends and family
Dancing all night long
In the night, in the light
Where we all know we belong
But for now we’ll lock it down

I’ll be getting my metro kicks
Don’t you dare there’s other space to sit
Which part of distance don’t you get?
But you’re my first acquaintance in eight months
And I guess the patience evades us
We can only stay so long
When we sing all the same old songs

And we try to get by
With a memory of our home
And the sound and friends and family
Dancing all night long
In the night, in the light
Where we all know we belong
But for now we’ll lock it down

Take your comfort where you can
Mark it on the walls
Depleted and I’m hollow
Counting on tomorrow
Counting on tomorrow

We know we’re never gonna get 
No less than this
No way out but up and over
I’m over falling when the last day ever hits

The kitchen can’t contain my cakes
I’ve got so much to give but no one to take
Who’s gonna clean the mess I’ll make?
And if I stand by an open window
Maybe I’ll catch a glimpse or worse
Maybe that’s the way this works

Oh we’re falling
Let me out
I can only stay so long
No more lockdown
No more
No more
No more
Oh we tried
Oh we tried
Oh we tried to get by

Cordelia Donovan: Vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano
Larry Roy: Electric guitar
Julian Bradford: Electric bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

REACHING OUT

Music: Connor Derraugh
(Instrumental)
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano
Larry Roy: Acoustic guitar
Julian Bradford: Upright bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

WAITING ON YOU

Music: Connor Derraugh
Lyrics: Cordelia Donovan

You’ve got me blushing
Bloods rushing through my veins
I give you all my love and still you walk away
I can’t understand it
I can’t explain
Oh why you never look at me this way
Can’t you see?
My lips my eyes would hypnotize you
Suddenly

Well I’ve had enough
Of your shallow love
And it’s clear that you want to change it up
Well I don’t mind if you waste your time
Oh but I sure won’t waste mine
Waiting on you
Oh waiting on you

Like a rock in a river
You wear me down
But I’m smoother than ever for it
Can’t you see?
Well I push it up and you don’t touch it
That don’t work for me

Well I’ve had enough
Of your shallow love
And it’s clear that you want to change it up
Well I don’t mind if you waste your time
But I damn sure won’t waste mine.

Waiting

I’m invisible
This miserable existence
Got me missing out on living now
Participation’s not the expectation for ya
Don’t you see that I adore ya
And you know
You could have it all if you could do it
At least you make me wanna make a little music
I’ve gotta to use it
What’s the problem with I want a little you babe?
Say you got it in your heart but what could you say?
Oh that could change

Well I’ve had enough
Of your shallow love
And it’s clear that you want to change it up
Well I don’t mind if you waste your time
But I damn sure won’t waste mine
Waiting on you
Oh wait on you
I won’t wait on you
I won’t wait,
I won’t wait on you

Cordelia Donovan: Vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano, tenor sax
Larry Roy: Electric guitar
Julian Bradford: Electric bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums
Jon Gordon: Alto sax
Joel Green: Trombone
Garrett Malenko: Trumpet

COMING HOME

Music: Connor Derraugh
Lyrics: Cordelia Donovan
Cordelia: There is an early version of the song that included a vocal bridge in place of the piano solo. I’ve included this in the written lyrics as well to give a bit of added context to the story we tell here. You’ll notice it’s written in italics.

I’ve been hurting in the worst way
I’ve been feeling left behind
Am I only good for working?
Am I ever worth your time?

You don’t ever call me baby
Lately, you’re letting me go
Oh when a house don’t feel like a home
I think I might be better alone

Swear I only bring the worst in
Dream of leaving in the night
Ask me if I know my worth and I
I’ll say I’ve yet to find mine

You don’t ever call me your baby
Could you love me just like before
Will I ever see past the crack in the door?
I don’t feel like fighting no more

If we only could take down our walls
Then we could see it’s not a war
And we could understand the raw emotions that call
I’ll be one to take it on
Let them see that I am strong
So maybe I could come back home

Oh and I’ll be baby
You’ll say, “my how you’ve grown”
I’ve been looking out for you all along
And I promise you’re never alone

Do you see me, your baby?
I’m not so different you know
I forgive and I’ll let go
I think I’m ready
I’m coming home
I’m coming home
I’m coming home

Cordelia Donovan: Vocals
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, Fender Rhodes piano
Larry Roy: Acoustic guitar
Julian Bradford: Upright bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

LOOK FOR THE POSITIVES

Music: Connor Derraugh
(Instrumental)
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, tenor & alto saxophones
Julian Bradford: Electric bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

FAR TOO SOON (featuring Alan Curtis Ediger)

Music:  Connor Derraugh  
Lyrics: Alan Curtis Ediger

No time to say goodbye
Or sing one last lullaby
Nothing left to do but cry
You’re just a memory
Far too soon

That smile, that quirky laugh
As unique as an autograph
Can’t capture it with a photograph
You’re just a memory
Far too soon

In the silence, there is only you
Just you, playing like an old time movie reel
So we make noises, to distract us what’s from real
So we don’t have to feel
Like we’ll never heel  

Seems like just a moment ago
You played the drums and I watched you grow
Now you’ve played your last show
You’re just a memory
Far too soon

In the silence, there is only you
Just you, playing like an old time movie reel
So we make noises, to distract us what’s from real
So we don’t have to feel
Like we’ll never heel

You only cared about what really mattered
Made everyone laugh and you always flattered
Now you’re gone and we’re shattered
You’re just a memory
Far too soon
You’re just a memory
Far too soon

Alan Curtis Ediger: Vocals       
Connor Derraugh: Yamaha C7X grand piano, Hammond B3 organ
Larry Roy: Acoustic guitar
Julian Bradford: Upright bass
Curtis Nowosad: Drums

All songs Copyright & Publishing 2022 Connor Derraugh. All rights reserved. 
All songs MAPL
Made in Canada