With time so short, people can't count the days.
In an endless storm of sin, 
we don't pay attention to the man on the cross. 
We just look in the mirror and dream of such silly things.

If you shout, “look out” It would only echo in and out. 
But as we lonely children cry in the streets. 
We cry out for the love that they don't find. 
If only they took it to the cross, they would be lonely no more. 

The man is Jesus and it is His hand that reaches out from the dark.
Once not so long ago He gave us a spark of life.
In the game we hid our shame and pain. 

But if we can trust just one more time, 
He is the man that can heal us all with love and joy if only we trust.
Because in the end, time will get you. 

David Gates, 3/2003

Prayer and Pain
 

I find myself calling to God on my knees 
late at night with all my might,
Can you hear me as tears roll down my face?
I have done enough to be excommunicated from most churches. 

I cry out in the dark but there's not a sound around me.
Can you feel my pain?  Has my soul left me? 
Am I just an empty shell? 

If so, fill me up with happiness and good times 
instead of all the bitterness I have. 
I ask for help but am not happy with what I get.

As tears roll on, I say that I believe, and yet I'm not happy. 
Why are some so happy? 
Life is too short for me to carry that stuff on my back, 
so I must let go. 

I may still call in the darkness, but if I want to be free,
I must let the man with the plan do his job, and I must believe.
Can you? Will you? 

I'm not perfect and not all I ask for do I get,
For we must work for the better things in life. 
You like me must get on your knees and pray. 

Some things I want are of this world and He can't do that.
I have been on the streets and when I prayed I did not get much,
Because they were things of this world. 

I love God and you can too.
So pray with me my new friend and I’ll pray for you too.
 

David Gates 3/17/2003

Lonely Soul
 

The ones that did little or no crime are being hanged 
or send down the line, and now, we are doing time.

 Scumbags today get away, leaving me to pray for the light of day.
Whither now I go, I lift my cry today, 
As I learn how to pray to our Savior. 

With a small untruth, I’m here today.
While the liars and thieves are set free. 

I’m praying on my knees..
I know about this lonely soul because it’s me!
You would know about this to if you gave up your freedom like me.
And for what, I just don’t know any more.

So in the end say a prayer for me 
and the love I gave away so freely. 
 

David Gates 3/17/2003

The Test
 

I don’t believe in lie detector tests 
because liars and thieves get by with the greatest of ease. 
And one brought me down to my knees.

It was a day of sorrow when, for me there was no tomorrow.
I was a proud man, 
But pride doesn’t get you anywhere but out in the cold.
 

When they closed the doors, I knew there was no way out,
And all I did was pout. 

I tried to cry out but it did no good.
I would cry in the rain if I could begin again.

They were good times and bad times, 
but when they closed the doors for the last time, 
I lost all sense of time. 

I felt the wind when they closed the doors in my face,
I felt the disgrace.
I felt lower than anyone in the human race. 
That is why I don’t believe in lie detector tests.
 

David Gates 3/17/2003

63B
 

Mad, Mad mechanics up front, way behind, 
Know matter what line they call we serve their shots fired, 
and no one to come home to.

No matter how bad you got hurt, 
When the roll call comes, you stride up and answer the call. 

If you are broken, we fix it.

We are like a sick dog, patched up and sent back.

We were 63B.
 

Mad, Mad mechanics 63B and rolling.
 

David Gates 3/17/2003

Memories
 

I remember way back when your soft little pudgy hands would putt out cookies and cakes from never, never land. 
Like magic to one so small, but I loved them all. 

I remember your love for me from one day to the next.
I remember how you would make me so happy 
and feel very special inside.  I was never lonely. 

I remember how you always gave the holidays 
your distinctive touch and loving heart. 

I remember all the piano music you played 
that filled the house and made a house a home. 

I’ll always remember your loving arms around me. 
No matter how far we are apart,
Our love will always be there close to my heart. 

I will always remember you as the rose in my life.
As the stem is as firm as your word,
The thorns are your low and the petals are as soft as your hands,
Just like virgin snow. 

The leaves are always stretching out 
to share the love in your heart.
The roots that run deep is the love that has stood the test 
of time for all our family and forever more. 

I remember all the fun we had like playing in the snow 
or the card games we had back then. 

I remember the taste of the home-made ice cream 
and the fun of decorating the tree. 

I will always remember the lost love we now share,
So far apart, but you will always be close to my heart 
and right here with me. 

I only wish I could be there for you.  I love you.

You will always be my snow angel, 
my gal and best friend all in one. 

I remember on each holiday how it was back then,
because a holiday without you  is no holiday at all. 

I’ll remember from here and how I feel 
as a bird that lost it’s way, 
and the cold winter snow has already come. 

I’ll always remember how all these memories come back 
to me like a tidal wave from the ocean current,
Putting new sand at my feet and to my dreams. 

I remember on scary nights how you would come to me and hold me your loving and warm arms. 

I’ll always remember on cold or hot days 
or on long days of play you were there for me,
No matter how much trouble I got into, there you were. 

I’ll always remember how I’m here and you are there,
And how I can’t be there for you as you were there for me. 

I love you and just wanted you to know 
all these sweet memories of yesterday and today.
 

David Gates, 3/17/2003

I’ve Got a Secret
 

The forbidden love, the one you can’t touch only see.
To cherish one as pretty as the merry colors in fall. 

As untamed as the wind, yet unhappy. 
The forbidden “Love,” will it stamp out the light in me? 
Can it hurt me”  Will it bring joy or pain? 

I see you in my sleep then I awake and you’re gone.

Can’t you see? 

Love is like a virus that is choking me,
But only in secret. Can’t you keep it? I have, can you? 

Will it be like the cold on a bitter cold winters day?

Love is like a weed in spring. 
It could  be as barren as the sand in a desert, 
or as sweet as wine.  It can stop time. 

Some say it’s the pain in rain.
It can be the sun in sunshine. 

I’ve got a secret, and I love you.
Will you be true? 

David Gates 3/17/2003

In the Storm

Christ is the bridge in the canyon of life.

We cry on the walls and street of home.

We see the children die in the streets 
and back alleys with no shoes on their feet. 

We live in a throw-away society where no one cares anymore.

Do you or can you?

Christ is the bridge in the canyon of life. 

But if it so, Why do we hurt one another so much?

In a place where the blood stains on that wall tells the story of us all,
That only covers the paint of a time that know one sees.

The story of a time long gone by,
As time is time again.
 

David Gates 3/17/2003

My House to Your House

Under a halo of lies and alibis,
In a place of cold steel,
Sing me a song all day long. 

In the night as dark as sin, 
Spin me a tale of sad, sad sorrow.

I hope that peace comes tomorrow.

In a State that has been painted red if they catch you in bed,
Search for the truth and they may let you loose. 

Bing, Bang and all the rain
If I say good bye, you may cry.

If your sure you may die lonely, Hay ho, I must go.

Mr. Bean
 
 

Coffee bean has sailed the world.

There is nothing like the bean.

Know one can go without liking the mighty bean.

We fight over it, we have killed for the planting of it.

We import it.

The price has gone up and down,

But lately it has gone up.

If I was a bean and had so much publicity,

I would be a happy bean. 

This story though short 'tis true,

Just look and see the mighty, mighty bean.
 

David Gates 3/17/2003

GLORIA
 

I once had a woman in my life that wanted to be my wife.

I once had a friend that I gave my heart to, and then she had me singing the blues. 

I did not know how to cry, but that was more than water in my eyes.
I could not hold back and that was a fact. 

But Gloria was just a friend to the end, but now she is gone too.
We met in a place of horror that was named Ancora. 

Gloria wanted my heart too, 
But I was to busy singing the blues to be true.

All good things must end.
I wish I could only begin again. 

If only you could find a friend,

If you can find a way to hold on to that friend you may find happiness.

Now that Diane is out of my life, 
I wish I could tell Gloria how I feel. 

I may yet have happiness if only? 

Now I am sad because I lost something I did not know I had.

For you it may not be to late,
You should be glad that there’s a tomorrow and yesterday is now gone. 

In the end, time does not have room for a broken heart.

Only death has the final word.

Forget about tomorrow if today only brings sorrow. 

Dave Gates, May 2003

ARMY
 

You see it every day where the innocent are sent down the line.

Shame, shame to those that lie to get by.

Today like so many days I’m paying for one of those little lies. 

So you see my faith in my prayers to end this life of pain that had no gain. 

I’m not all innocent, but you see the guilty run and play their little games as you die. 

I was in the army not so long ago, but it all ended in shame when someone played their little game.

You would know too if you gave up something you really loved. 

I know, for I was that lonely soul.

For years I did not pray and I lost my faith. 

You see I let my pride lead me like a dog on a chain around and around, til I fell down like a clown.

Now I feel well being on the ground. 

My only thought was I wanted to get this all over with.

One day I was so low I prayed, and lo I lived.

You see It’s going to be hard but you will live too my friend.

In the end you will see to that.

All the games that are played you will get through. 

David Gates, May 2003 

LITTLE BOYS AND LITTLE GIRLS
 

Life is like fashion and pain, tears and rain.
The illusions of happiness all wash away.
The secret’s exposed, 
Nowhere to run, with no more fun. 

Peace to your brothers and mothers if you have one. 

When your all grown up and still have the little man peeking out from the mirror of broken glass that shows your past. 

Another day down and you ask for another round.
How old do you have to be to let go and let the tears roll?

When all you got is shame and all that pain? 

Was it your fault?
But you carry the burden around downtown and uptown.
You hold your breath, but it doesn’t go away.
So you think you should prepare for death. 

Is it different for little girls?  No! pain will always hurt. 
If you hold it in you just might explode.
But no one would know and you got to let go.

Somehow you must find love and let the tears roll and roll and roll. 

I can’t say give it to God, because for you there may not be one.

But for me, I found one. 

Time ticks as the bomb gets bigger and bigger. 

So find love, for me there was one, and time rolls on and on. 

David Gates, May 2003

A BUTTERFLY
 

Death is but a doorway for you and me.
We grieve for the lost and God hear’s our pain. 

The love that is lost is not lost but only for a little while.
Our tears that sometimes flow like a river will soon be gone.
But our memories will always be. 

We vow not to love again, but love is only a word.
But as the butterflies fly, you will see the next sunrise.
I can’t put a chill in the cold air, but soon it will be summer.
And the cold wind will be gone. 

Again you will see more butterflies,
And as a little cocoon that opens,
You will spread your wings and fly up into the sky.
And the wind will come and go to where we don’t know. 

And someday you will have a new friend,
And just maybe, you may love again like the butterfly.
And in the end you’ll see death is only a doorway and you may love again.