In The Real World
Lyrics & Credits
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1. Take The Stage​
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Lookin’ at a new view
On a new day
Walkin’ up a new road
Wearin’ new clothes
Tellin’ everybody
Everybody I meet
Brother, I’m ready
Sister, I’m headed home
Thinkin’ ’bout this ol’ world
Crumblin’ an’ a-stumblin’ with age
An’ the new world
Waitin’ in the wings
Ready to take the stage
Thinkin’ ’bout the fires
Burnin’ all around
Knowin’ it’s the fear an’ anger in our hearts
Burnin’ our home down
So many dyin’
Dyin’ of thirst
Love is the water
We all need right now
Thinkin’ ’bout this ol’ world
Crumblin’ an’ a-stumblin’ with age
An’ the new world
Waitin’ in the wings
Ready to take the stage
Lookin’ at a new sky
A new dawn
Walkin’ up a new road
Wearin’ new shoes
Tellin’ everybody
Everybody I meet
Brother, we’re ready
Sister, we’ve paid our dues
Thinkin’ ’bout this ol’ world
Crumblin’ an’ a-stumblin’ with age
An’ the new world
Waitin’ in the wings
Ready to take the stage
Thinkin’ ’bout the fires
Burnin’ all around
Knowin’ it’s the fear an’ anger in our hearts
Burnin’ our home down
So many dyin’
Dyin’ of thirst
Love is the water
We all need right now
Thinkin’ ’bout this ol’ world
Crumblin’ an’ a-stumblin’ with age
An’ the new world
Waitin’ in the wings
Ready to take the stage
Ready to take the stage
Ready…
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2. Walk Steady On​
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No more water
But the fire next time
No more water
But the fire next time
Next time has come
Look around
Next time has come
Look around
Trouble rollin’ like thunder
Tearin’ this world asunder
Keep walkin’ in the gospel way
Walk steady on
Walkin’ in the gospel way
Walk steady on
When you get weary
Pray on
When you get weary
Pray on
Sorrow will have an end
One bright day
Lean on the Rock of Ages
When the storm is ragin’
Walkin’ in the gospel way
Walk steady on
Walkin’ in the gospel way
Walk steady on
No more water
But the fire next time
No more water
But the fire next time
Next time has come
Look around
Trouble rollin’ like thunder
Tearin’ this world asunder
Keep walkin’ in the gospel way
Walk steady on
Walkin’ in the gospel way
Walk steady on
When you get weary
Lean on the Rock of Ages
When the storm is ragin’
Walkin’ in the gospel way
Walk steady on
No more water
But the fire next time
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3. Everybody's Got A Right​
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Everybody’s got a right to walk
The way they wanna walk
Everybody’s got a right to talk
Way they wanna talk
Got a right to be
Who they choose to be
Long as they don’t hurt nobody
I do believe
Everybody’s got a right
To wear the clothes they wanna wear
Got a right to choose the style
They wear their hair
Everybody’s got a right to call their maker
By any name, or no name at all
I do believe
Everybody’s got a right
To find their way
An’ not have their path blocked
On account of their color or their kin
Got a right to justice
Not different for black and white
I do believe
Everybody’s got a right
To walk where they wanna walk
Walk through any part of town
Without bein’ apprehended
Everybody’s got a right to walk around
Without worryin’ ’bout when the sun goes down
I do believe
Everybody’s got a right
I do believe
Everybody’s got a right
To be with the one they love
Everybody’s got a right to roll
Way they wanna roll
Got a right to be who they choose to be
Long as they ain’t hurtin’ nobody
I do believe
Everybody’s got a right
Everybody’s got a right
Everybody’s got a right
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4. Best I Can​
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Pullin’ hard on the shackle
Tuggin’ on the chain in my brain
The sound it makes when it rattles
’Bout to drive me insane
Climbin’ high to rise above it
Tryin’ to see the Maker’s plan
Tryin’ to stay true to who I am
Best I can
Givin’ thanks for the strength
To rise and take a stand
Time and time again
Since time began
Workin’ on a buildin’
Shelter from the storm
On a foundation unyieldin'
Anchored in us all
High up on a mountain
Where I can see the sacred plan
Stayin’ true to who I am
Best I can
Stayin’ true to who I am
Best I can
Pullin’ hard on the shackle
Tuggin’ on the chain in my brain
The sound it makes when it rattles
’Bout to drive me insane
Climbin’ high to rise above it
Tryin’ to see the sacred plan
Tryin’ to stay true to who I am
Best I can
Tryin’ to stay true to who I am
Best I can
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5. Make a Change​
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Gotta be a change in the way
We teach our children
Gotta stop lyin’ ’bout the past
Face the music
Tell the truth, spread the word
Best advice I ever heard
Wanna see a change in the world
Make a change in you
Wanna see a change in the world
Make a change in you
Gotta change the way
We take for granted all the gifts
All the gifts Mother Nature provides
Bless more, drive less, use your feet
Smile more, curse less, eat less meat
Wanna see a change in the world
Make a change in you
Wanna see a change in the world
Make a change in you
Get to know your neighbors
’Specially the ones don’t look like you
Invite ’em into your home
Break bread together
Best advice I ever heard
Tell the truth, spread the word
Wanna make a change in the world
Make a change in you - hear me, brother
Wanna see that change in the world
Make that change in you
Got to see a change
Gotta be a change in the way
We teach our children
Gotta stop lyin’ ’bout the past
Face the music
Tell the truth, spread the word
Best advice I ever heard
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6. This River (Chains & Free)​
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We’re somewhere in the middle
Water ’round our hips
Tryin’ not to stumble
When the riverbed dips
Singin’ those spirit songs
Makes you stronger
When you feel like you can’t go on
Very much longer
We’ve been wadin’ ’cross this river
Wadin’ - you an’ me
We’ve been wadin’ ’cross this river
One that runs between chains an’ free
Gonna take faith like a tree
Standin’ by the water
Members, keep your eyes on the prize
’Cause in the middle of the stream
Someone’s holdin’ your hand
Hold on for the Promised Land
We’ve been wadin’ ’cross this river
Wadin’ - you an’ me
We’ve been wadin’ ’cross this river
One that runs between chains an’ free
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7. Stealin' Home
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Thirtieth day of September
Nineteen fifty-five
Tension in the dugout
Buzzin’ like a bee hive
Yankee Stadium went wild
When Jackie won the race
I nearly lost my mind
When the ump called him safe
He was fearless like Daniel
Daniel in the lion’s den
Takin’ on an evil system
With the courage of ten men
Can’t count the times
He caught a hateful look
Keepin’ his cool
While his insides shook
Seen by a whole nation
All eyes on the game
Not losin’ his concentration
When he was called that ugly name
I felt joy - in every bone
Watchin’ Jackie stealin’ home
Of all the good times I remember
Growin’ up in the land of the free
There’s one etched in my soul
A part of me
I felt joy - like a boy at Christmas
In every bone
Watchin’ Jackie stealin’ home
I felt joy - like a boy at Christmas
In every bone
Watchin’ Jackie stealin’ home
Ya can’t count the times…
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8. If There's Any Rule​
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If there’s any rule we’re born to follow
It’s love each other
If any rule’s gonna guarantee tomorrow
It’s love
Let’s consider the plight of a beggar
Bowed in pain
Thinkin’ ’bout children in danger
Where bullets fall like rain
In a world where big money buys the laws
When wrong’s alright and right is wrong
If there’s any rule we’re born to follow
It’s love each other
If any rule’s gonna guarantee tomorrow
It’s love
This might be the last chance
To work it out
Let’s get real, we’re at the edge
In a world where justice depends on
The size of your cash
In a world where the color of your skin
Determines who’s left out and who gets in
If there’s any rule we’re born to follow
It’s love each other
If any rule’s gonna guarantee tomorrow
It’s love
It’s love
It’s love
It’s love
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9. King of The Castle​
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Used to be the nightwatchman at a big studio
Pandemic hit, they let me go
Couldn’t find work, Lord knows I tried
Before I knew it, I was livin’ outside
My home is this castle, welcome to the neighborhood
Castle made of cardboard - down in Hollywood
Came out here from Texas, back in ’73
Had a cousin in Venice, let me stay for free
Then, I got drafted - sent me over there
War is truly hell, more than I could bear
A lifetime ago, somehow I made it back
Though it never felt like home, somethin’ inside me cracked
Had a wife an’ two boys, back in the day
But all my drinkin’ drove ’em away
Now my home is this castle, welcome to the neighborhood
Castle made of cardboard - down in Hollywood
Still got my guitar, still got the blues
Got pictures in my wallet - hope I never lose
Tried to live in the shelters, too crowded for my taste
People steal your stuff - I needed more space
Underneath this freeway is where I now reside
King of the castle, I still got my pride
So, when you write your story ’bout this neighborhood
Call me the king of the castle - down in Hollywood
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10. Neshoba County​
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Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Somethin’ happened in the county of Neshoba
Back in the summer of ’64
Freedom Summer I remember
Somethin’ happened that changed my world
Forever more
Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Did not die in vain
Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Did not die in vain
Let’s not get ahead of the story
True story - a moral tale
’Bout three Civil Rights workers - true story
’Bout what happened when they landed
In a Mississippi jail
Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Did not die in vain
Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Did not die in vain
Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Did not die in vain
Goodman, Schwerner an’ Chaney
Did not die in vain
Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney
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11. Dear Mavis​
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Dear Mavis,
I’m writing this letter to you
Hopin’ it gets through
Wanting you to know
How you heal my soul
Dear Mavis, that’s what you do
Dear Mavis, that’s what you do
The way you sing your song
Mendin’ wounds for all the wrongs
So grateful for the gift
God gave to you
In a world full o’ lies
Where push always comes to shove
Dear Mavis, you spread love
Dear Mavis, that’s what you do
Pray on, your family tol’ the world
Pops had a vision, still not gone
Pray on, your family
Tol’ the whole wide world
Pops had a vision, still not gone
Every time I hear your voice
I thank God I’ve got a choice
Dear Mavis, I’ll pray on
Dear Mavis, that’s what I’ll do
Dear Mavis,
I’m writing these words to you
Prayin’ you’ll read ’em some day
I just wanted you to know
How you heal my soul
Oh, Mavis, that’s what you do
Dear Mavis, that’s what you do
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12. Roll On Buddy​
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How can I roll
When the wheel won’t go?
Roll on, Buddy, roll on easy
How can I roll
When the wheel won’t go?
Roll on, Buddy, roll on easy
I looked at the sun
Sun looked high
I looked at the boss
He looked shy
I looked at the sun
Sun looked low
I asked the boss
Was it time to go
He said: Roll on, buddy
Roll on, easy
Every little thing
You see shinin’
It sho’ ain’t gold
Sho’ ain’t gold
Every little thing
You see shinin’
Sho’ ain’t gold
How can I roll
When the wheel won’t go?
Roll on, buddy
Roll on easy
How can I roll
When the wheel won’t go?
Roll on, buddy…
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13. Judgement Day​
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If I had a chance to speak my mind
To all the warmakers in the world combined
We reap what we sow
That’s what I’d say
An’ every day is judgement day
You can lie, spread fear an’ hate
But there’s one fact you can’t erase
You reap what you sow
So you could say
Every day is judgement day
You can run, cheat an’ lie
But here’s a truth you can’t deny
You got to reap what you sow
So, in that way
Every day is judgement day
If I had a church where I could preach
I’d gather the young ones - here’s what I’d teach
We reap what we sow
So, in that way
Every day is judgement day
Sit around the table - talk on an’ on
Spread out your maps - new lines are drawn
But there’s no road to peace
Peace is the way
An’ every day is judgement day
Every day is judgement day
Every day is judgement day
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14. The Real World​
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In the real world, if you ask me
There’s always music in the air
In the real world, there’s no fine print
All is clear, all is fair
In the real world
A gift from above
There’s only love
But there’s a world out there
Full of fire an’ thunder
Pain an’ hunger
Where babies are born
In the rubble of war
In the real world, angels are singin’
The sound of kindness soothes my soul
In the real world, every wayfarin’ stranger
Finds a friend, finds a home
In the real world
A gift from above
There’s only us
But there’s a world out there
Where might’s always right
Where men love to fight
Where greed is their guide
And mercy’s denied
In the real world, if you ask me
There’s always music in the air
In the real world
This gift from above
There’s only love
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15. Victory Voices
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One by one, I wrote down the names
Of the friends in my life
Who belong to the same tribe
I don’t mean race, color or religion
But being united by a common decision an’ vibe
Deciding in our hearts to be
Voices for the victory
Of love, light an’ harmony
Over darkness
We’ve already won in our minds
The trick is not to buy into the fear
That binds our wings
An’ teach our children to lean on
Spirit an’ the truth an’ trust the dawn
An’ sing
Knowing in our hearts we’re free
Voices for the victory
Of love, light an’ harmony
Right now
We’ve already won in our minds
The trick is not to validate the fear
That binds our wings
An’ teach our children to lean on
Spirit an’ the truth an’ trust the dawn
An’ sing
Knowing in our hearts we’re free
Voices for the victory
Of love, light an’ harmony
Right now
We’ve already won, let’s make that clear
The trick is not to validate the lies an’ fear
We’re free!
We’re free!
We’re free!
We’re free!
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Credits:​
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Eric Bibb - Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo Guitar, Nylon String Guitar.
Glen Scott - Drums, Percussion, Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer, Synths, Programming, String Arrangement, Backing Vocals, Fingersnaps, MiniMoog, Rhodes, Piano.
Robbie McIntosh - Slide Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Solo Slide Guitar, Solo Electric Guitar, Lead Electric Guitar.
Esbjörn Hazelius - Fiddle, Cittern.
David Davidson - Violin.
David Angell - Violin.
Monisa Angell - Viola.
Carole Rabinowitz - Cello.
Paul Robinson - Drums.
Michael Jerome Browne - Harmonica.
Chuck Anthony - Solo Electric Guitar, Wah Electric Guitar.
Greger Andersson - Harmonica.
Lily James - Lead Vocal.
Sara Bergkvist Scott - Backing Vocals.
Johnathan L Mongi - Backing Vocals.
Emmanuel Enwokeforo - Backing Vocals.
Sepideh Vaziri - Backing Vocals, Adlib Solo Vocals.
Arezo Vaziri - Backing Vocals.
Shaneeka Simon - Backing Vocals, Solo Adlib Vocals.
Emilia Franklin - Backing Vocals.
Agnese Stengrevics - Additional Fingersnaps.
Chris McGreevy - Additional Fingersnaps.
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Produced, arranged, mixed & A&R by: Glen Scott
Recorded by: Håkan 'Brollan' Söderström / ELECTROSOUND AB
Mastered by: Larry O'Malley​
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Producer, Arranger, Engineer & A&R: Glen Scott
Executive Producer: Jesper Wikström
Engineers: Katie May, Glen Scott
Assistant Engineers: Ben Koch, Faye Dolle
Additional Engineers: Taylor Pollert, Robbie McIntosh, Esbjörn Hazelius, Chris McGreevy
Mastered by: Larry O’Malley - Audiobec Canada
String arrangement & Orchestration: David Davidson (Tracks 4 & 14), Glen Scott (Tracks 2, 6, 8 & 15)
Recording Studios: Real World Studios - Bath, Repute Records Studios - Sweden/London, LittleBIG Sound - Nashville
Studio Coordinator: Lisa Murton - Real World Studios
Artist Management: R.A.M (Repute Artist Management)
Artist PA: Ulrika Bibb
Record Label: Repute Records under exclusive worldwide license to RHM Linus, LLC. Marketed by Stony Plain Records.
Label Management: SGO Music
Product Management: Sophia Ongley, Agnese Stengrevics
Artwork Photography: Jan Malmström
Artwork Design: Jan Malmström, Sophia Ongley
Videography: Maynard Wheaton - Kanin Films
Video Editing: Maynard Wheaton, Glen Scott
Lyric Videos: Shaye Smith - customlyricvideos.com
Publishers: IAX Music Publishing Ltd / SGO Music Publishing Ltd, BMG UK Ltd
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â„— © 2024 Repute Records Ltd under exclusive worldwide license to RHM Linus, LLC. Marketed by Stony Plain Records.
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