Wanderer, by Steve Macdonald

Wanderer

by Steve Macdonald

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Digipac cover design by Anke Herodek, cover art by Jane Irwin.

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Full Digital Discography

5

releases

Get all 5 Steve Macdonald releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Wanderer, The WorlDream Project, Reap the Wind, Playing in Traffic, and Crossroads. , and , .

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1.	There And Back Again 04:49	lyrics	buy track
There And Back Again ©2002 Steve Macdonald Time, time passes so long When you're far away Time, time passes so long When friends are far away... Planes land, cars drive up Trains pull through the station Summer, Winter, Spring, and Autumn too; Another weekend's begun And we'll sing on through the night And we'll hold each other tight Yes we'll sing on through the night Soft shoe tap dance, New Year's toast Ties and tails all around All those who bring us here each year Even Mad Hatters abound And we'll sing on through the night And we'll hold each other tight Yes we'll sing on through the night What a year, oh, what a year! All those many voices raised as one, together What a year, oh, what a year! To stand and join the song- Bardic circles give us each a turn Cat's cradle, puzzle, buckyball Yet Chaos abounds all over the world It's to our hearts the songs call And we'll sing on through the night And we'll hold each other tight Yes we'll sing on through the night What a year, oh, what a year! All those many voices raised as one, together What a year, oh, what a year! To stand and join the song- Pegasus flies, SAM holds his pose More Fame in the Hall Contests, parodies, a golden Kazoo New music enriches us all And we'll sing on through the night And we'll hold each other tight Yes we'll sing on through the night What a year, oh, what a year! All those many voices raised as one, together What a year, oh, what a year! To stand and join the song- Planes landed, cars drove up Trains pulled through on their way Wherever you were, all over the world The feeling was the same And we sang on through the night No noise limiter in sight Yes we'll sing on through the night Emotions higher than a kite Sing on As One All One Sing on Time, time passes so long When friends are far away Time, time passes so long When you're far away...
2.	Waiting is... 03:06	lyrics	buy track
Waiting is... ©1999 Steve Macdonald Step by step the ladder grows The upward climb is all you know The higher up, the further to fall Which rung will break? Plummet, lose all... Waiting is ..... Brittle broken, done to myself No one can reach in - none can help A thin veneer covers the pain When will it crack, break again? Waiting is .... Life goes on, there are brand new dawns So they say, start a new day Before the dawn though, the nightmare's long Ignore agony - just hang on - Waiting is .... Look to others, escape your head Ignore the pain, and what they said Build community, come what may For you know one day it will all go away Waiting is ..... Waiting is ..... Waiting is .....
3.	Smithsonian Tech 02:36	lyrics	buy track
Smithsonian Tech ©2001 Steve Macdonald Solar powered sail ships Contragravity Q-Beam clips Gravitonic firing guns Atom power, tapes that run Chorus That's the day I wanted to see Not this future history Gas, coal, steam and sweat I know we will get there yet Orbit high Dream of sky Teardrop ships, robotic laws Pinero's lines Monofilament saws Arisia, Trantor too Explore the skies Where's my silver suit? Chorus Bridge Heinlein, Sturgeon, and Asimov Doc Smith, Bradbury, Clarke These and others gave us future dreams It's up to us to make them real Valentine Michael Smith Barsoom, invasion Terraforming gifts Flying cars, LaGrange colonies Tourist flights to Luna City Chorus
4.	Expanding Circles 04:16	lyrics	buy track
Expanding Circles ©2000 Steve Macdonald Driving out from your home- in the night Just a few short hours - you hope the time is right Getting ready to risk your song- risk your heart Hoping and praying that you don't- fumble at the start... Chorus Family met that wasn't there before A few short hours and your life has changed once more Expanding circles- the world is smaller and more warm Hold your loves within the circle of your arms... Sitting in a corner, silent- while you watch the waves Of friends with years between them- feel lonely and afraid Is this the way it will be- alone again? How best to break the silence- make the aching end... You want- Chorus and Instrumental Sitting in a corner, silent- one note moves your lips Then your soul comes pouring out- something inside rips One note becomes a Song; the chorus pulls you in Your Song and heart then join the Dance- you belong again... Chorus x2
5.	Jerusalem 03:18	lyrics	buy track
Jerusalem ©1997 Dan Bern (used by permission- go buy his stuff at danbern.com!) When I tell you that I love you Don't test my love Accept my love don't test my love 'Cause maybe I don't love you all that much Don't ask what kind of music I'm gonna play tonight Just stay awhile Hear for yourself awhile And if you must put me in a box Make sure it's a big box With lots of windows And a door to walk through And a nice high chimney So we can burn burn burn Everything that we don't like And watch the ashes Fly up to Heaven Maybe all the way to India I'd like that All the ancient kings came to my door They said, "Do you want to be an ancient king too?" I said, "Oh yes, very much But I think my timing's wrong" They said, "Time is relative Or did you misread Einstein?" I said, "Do you really mean it?" They said, "What do you think we come here for Our goddamn health or something?" Everybody's waiting for the messiah The Jews are waiting The Christians are waiting Also the Muslims It's like everybody's waiting They've been waiting a long time I know how I hate to wait Like even for a bus or something (Yeah, I messed up this line...) An important phone call So I can imagine How darned impatient Everybody must be getting So I think it's time now Time to reveal myself I am the Messiah I am the Messiah I am the Messiah Yes, I think you heard me right I am the Messiah I was gonna wait till next year Build up the suspense a little Make it a really big surprise But I could not resist It's like when you got a really big secret You're just bursting to tell someone It was kinda like that with this And now that I've told you I feel this great weight lifted Dr. Nussbaum was right He's my therapist He said get it out in the open I spent ten whole days in Jerusalem Mmmm Jerusalem Sweet Jerusalem And all I ate was olives Nothing but olives Mountains of olives It was a good ten days I like olives I like you too So when I tell you that I love you Don't test my love Accept my love Don't test my love 'Cause maybe I don't love you all that much
6.	October Sky 04:29	lyrics	buy track
October Sky ©1999 Steve Macdonald In the early fall Of the Cold War A chill hit all our hearts The Bear began to roar- Scanning the skies Looking overhead The moon and the stars And all of space was Red Chorus: That October sky Moving star so high Fears as if we’ll die Seeing with our own eyes And all I wanted was to fly Black faced troglodytes Sinking far from space Coal death in their lungs Their sky a black, rock face Looking overhead Backs bent by their low, low sky There seems no way out But I’ve just got to try Chorus Bridge Sending up my soul Try to touch the sky Fail though I might Let them wonder why Higher- farther- go! Launching dreams up to the sky There is no wall too wide You can’t stop this high Instrumental In the early spring Of my long rich life I was fired by a dream Make my rockets fly Scanning the skies Looking overhead The moon and the stars I’ve accomplished what I’ve said Chorus (x2) That October sky Moving star so high Seeing with our own eyes Sending dreams on high And all I wanted was to fly
7.	Divinity Reflected 02:40	lyrics	buy track
Divinity Reflected ©2000 Steve Macdonald As we stand here in the Circle Hands connected to hands, to hands Calling community here with us Hands connected with hands Air we breathe, and air we (live/swim) in Hands connected to hands, to hands Air sustains, carries drum and voice Hands connected with hands Chorus See in the mirror of Life The light of the world Divinity reflected Taste the waters of Life Feel the hope of the world We all are One now- Fire fuels our passion onward Hands connected to hands, to hands Feel the heat in the Dance, the movement Hands connected with hands Liquid water fulfills our bodies Hands connected to hands, to hands Is a part of us all, connecting Hands connected with hands Chorus Solid earth centers all others Hands connected to hands, to hands The bones and rock that support and hold us Hands connected with hands Chorus
8.	YKW 03:39	lyrics	buy track
YKW ©2001 Steve Macdonald You know who I am Obvious, by my name damned Unfair- condemned to be Kept from my destiny Name- what’s in a name? Outside- I am only blamed. Why am I so set upon? Who would keep me from making my new dawn? He would. Only in the name of good Victory in my grasp One family- so simple to pass Love brings pain and loss Defeat- yet I’ll win at any cost Every man thinks I’m gone Moves through their day- they’re only pawns Only slaves keep me whole Return I will, I’ll reach my goal. Take my flag, if you dare Speak my name, I will be there.
9.	Follow the Moon Home 04:19	lyrics	buy track
follow the moon home ©1999 Steve Macdonald vows broken, promises bled judgement handed down, sealed in red alone and hollow, the journey begins lighting the path to walk through my sins so i follow yes i follow the moon home and i follow yes i follow the moon home miles can be measured by the pace of a song driving home alone, all night long balances made to keep to the goal cost me pieces of my soul so i follow… big and bright- in the eastern hight soft white beacon beckons to the night soul tired alone tonight bone weary i don’t want this fight to go on… instrumental lonely tonight, no one knows how far and deep the damage goes hold me close unto your breast… if only i could really rest… so i follow…
10.	warm 03:23	lyrics	buy track
warm ©1999 Steve Macdonald calm down all your anger you can’t see to the straight road calm down all your anger let it flow- out, out and down and be warm and safe in my arms and be here warm and safe in my arms soothe past your suffering you can’t see to the straight road soothe past your suffering let it flow- out, out and down and be warm and safe in my arms and be here warm and safe in my arms sometimes life happens too much too close, too hard, and too rough sometimes life happens too much but when you fall when you fall i’ll be here. be raised through your sorrow let me help to see the straight road be raised through your sorrow let love flow- out, in and through and be warm and safe in my arms and be here warm and safe in my arms
11.	Hands of a Friend 04:46	lyrics	buy track
Hands of a Friend ©2000 Steve Macdonald & Steve Simmons Step off the airplane, pass through the gate Struggle with backpack, guitar in its case An ocean of strangers flows by like a race You pause, confused, undone by the pace “Can I help with your bag?” You hear a voice lend Help with your burden, your fear’s at an end With the face of a stranger, the hands of a friend You’ll go now… You sit silent, adrift and alone A room full of faces that you’ve never known One player sings, you feel the sound flow Connecting all strangers in song’s bouyant glow But catch sight of an eye Electricity fanned Then harmony rises, unknown and unplanned From the voices of strangers, to the hearts of your friends You sing on… Right now- we have sung Right now- just begun Right now- we are one Sitting in circle, in songs bardic dance Your turn comes around, you take a large chance You sing tremulous, unsure of your place You know that you’re done before starting to race Some lend their voices Some lend their hands Some who just smile and nod as they stand Each one is a part of the moment at hand A gathering of strangers, now a chorus of friends Right now– Right now- we have sung Right now- just begun Right now- we are one Instrumental Go to the airport, pass back through the gate The stewardess puts your guitar where it’s safe As you fly over oceans, rivers and straits You sleep well, a smile on your face Lands lie below you close to your hand Sleep on in comfort, know when you land You’ll find faces of strangers, the souls of your friends And go on… Right now- we have sung Right now- just begun Right now- we have won Right now- we have sung Right now- just begun Right now- we are one
12.	Silver Gilt 04:27	lyrics	buy track
Silver Gilt ©2001 Steve Macdonald She wanted to make music Pipe with silver gilded tones Send spirit soaring with melody Live her life as a song But she was told it couldn’t be She didn’t have the heart Stay earthbound, heavy down, plodding on Live life in the dark Live life in the dark Chorus Dreams are made of tender stuff Easily denied They need light and love and laughter To grow larger than the sky Be a shelter for each other Weather every storm And your dreams will be stronger with each dawn. He was everything she’d dreamed Fair of face and kind She told him of her childhood past How she knew she’d never fly He heard of passion long denied Then, woke her in the dark Gave her Music wrapped in music’s case Took her dreams out of the dark Crushed dreams reborn again Chorus Love and care will make a garden grow Treat your harvest with respect and love Walking busy shop filled streets Music flashes in her eye In shape of string wrapped mahogony Here’s a new way to fly Money’s short, it can’t be had She walks away knowing But he sells a part of his legacy She’ll live her life as a song Live her life as a song Chorus2 Love is made of tender stuff Easily denied It needs light and Dreams and laughter To grow larger than the sky Be a shelter for each other Weather every storm And your love will be stronger with each dawn.
13.	Dark Wanderer 03:12	lyrics	buy track
Dark Wanderer ©2002 Steve Macdonald Wander on From time To time and hand to hand Borne by will All I Touch becomes my land Dust and moon Black things that call the dark Are part of my art Just the Hand that goes with the Eye The power behind the mind The strength of circles is to bind Once found I will rule them all… I awakened Cold shock Cut from bloody hand Chose to see my land Bearers found To bind unto my will Plant and rock Meadow and field League on league to me will yield I’m the hand that goes with the Eye The power behind the mind The strength of circles is to bind Once found I will rule them all… Instrumental Now I’ve seen my land Up and Down and end to end And I’ve heard the Call Now bend My Bearer home again Dust and death Black things that call the dark Are part of my art I’m the Hand that rules the Eye The power behind the mind The strength of circles is to bind Once found I will rule the Eye…
14.	Run 03:42	lyrics	buy track
Run ©2003 Steve Macdonald Life was not as easy as you planned All your dreams have drifted in the sand Ignore the sound of thunder in the sky For your dreams are too important to let die Walk as though the sky has the sun ‘Til the rain and lightning have won… So you run, oh you run Yeah you run… Run, boy run run You thought you’d take that rocket to the stars You didn’t look to see how far they are Ignore the sound of engines as they die Limits don’t exist; you don’t ask why Fuel to reach your goal And the price might be your very soul So you run, oh you run Yeah you run… Run, boy run run Running from yourself, you can’t stop Though you always lose But it’s the path you always choose. No shelter lies in motion No matter how you try Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide Staring at the ceiling in the dark The well worn paths in your head leave no mark The sun comes up for another day Fool! You still think that there’s a way You’ve lost before you’ve begun The rain and lightning have won Still you run, oh you run Yeah you run… Run, boy run run
15.	Merry Meet 04:09	lyrics	buy track
Merry Meet ©2001 Steve Macdonald The time has come for parting To go diverging paths Too little time, now done. God speed you on your journey Go safely on your way Wrapped in the love of us- made one… Merry meet Merry part Merry meet again. Many are the trials We’ve seen together Many the struggles and harm Together back to back Shoulder to shoulder We’ve held each other safe and warm Merry meet Merry part Merry meet again. God speed you on your journey Go safely on your way Raise the parting glass of hope Time goes on too quickly But time comes ’round again Sing to circle ’round back home… Merry meet Merry part Merry meet again

about

In 2001, Steve traveled to every filk convention to record as many filkers as possible- all singing a single song. This project was called The WorlDream. It was a large project, and in the end it took 20 years to complete.

Some of the songs on this album reflect Steve’s thoughts and feelings that helped develop the WorlDream, and some of these songs reflect the impact that the WorlDream project had on him. All of the songs on Wanderer were written between 1999 and 2003. Steve started recording the album Wanderer in 2004, and intermittently worked on it for the next 18 years.

The album title "Wanderer" is appropriate in more than one context. First of all, it reflects the wandering that was done to accomplish the WorlDream. In another context, it’s a single word statement of Steve wandering off to Germany to get married. The media used to record this album has wandered from digital tape to hard disk to SSD, and the song list has changed many, many, many… many times. MANY times.

Lastly, and perhaps most appropriately- "Wanderer" means the same thing in both English and German.

Steve hopes that you will enjoy this collection as much as he has in presenting it to you. He just hopes that you don’t need another 18 years to hear the songs.

credits

released October 29, 2022

Dramatis Personae:
Steve Macdonald: Lead & harmony vocals, 6 & 12 string acoustic rhythm & lead guitars
Katy Dröge-Macdonald: Accordion
Kristoph Klover: Irish Whistle, Bouzouki
Arlene “Callie” Hills: Flute, Bass Flute
Eva Van Daele-Hunt: Melodeon, recorder
Harmony vocals by Katy Dröge-Macdonald, Kristoph Klover, Eva & Rafael Van Daele-Hunt, Alex & Sibylle Levin, and Renee Macdonald

____________________________________________________________
All songs copyright ©2022 by Steve Macdonald except:

"Jerusalem" Lyrics & Music copyright ©1997 by Dan Bern

"Hands of a Friend" Lyrics copyright ©2001, 2022 by Steve Simmons & Steve Macdonald, Music Copyright ©2001, 2022 by Steve Macdonald

____________________________________________________________
Cover Art by Jane Irwin
CD Package Design by Anke Herodek

Recording Engineers: Steve Macdonald, Kristoph Klover
Mixing & Mastering: Kristoph Klover

Recorded
2000, Consonance; Santa Clara, California
2004, Thin Ice Studios; Ypsilanti, Michigan
2007, Thin Ice Studios; Hamburg, Germany
2022, Flowinglass Music; Oakland, California
2022, Triskelion Productions; Hamburg, Germany
____________________________________________________________
Dedication
For Nancy. I love you, sis.

Thank You
First of all, thank YOU for buying this album- this makes it all worthwhile. Without the care and support of many people over the last 18 years, this album never could have come to be. This album would not be what it is if it weren’t for the contributions and inspirations from many people. Luke, Joshua, Alyse, Maedbh7, Evil, Chris, Gordy, Ju, Lissa, Annie, Talis, Phil, Merav, Susan, Bille, Alex, Steve S, Eva, Rafael, Callie, Renee, Stoph, Jane, Anke, and most of all, Katy- thank you.

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about

Steve Macdonald Hamburg, Germany

A Michigan native transplanted to Germany, Steve Macdonald has been performing his brand of folk and folk-rock all across the USA and in Europe.

His concerts have been described as energetic, funny, and heartwarming. He sings songs from his life; as well as standards that everyone can sing to.

“A powerhouse, intense and focused.” – (A Fan)

“He’s clumsy and runs at the mouth.” – (His Big Sister) ... more

stevemacdonald.org

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