Sunsets, Circles and Waves (2026)
Produced and recorded by Gren Bartley at Wooden Walls Studio
Mastering by Patrick Lester-Rourke at Forge Mastering Studios
Wooden Walls Records
All songs and lyrics written by Gren Bartley
Gren Bartley - vocals, guitars, harmonica, shruti box
Lyrics
1. The Weekend
Start her up
Bringing the horizon down
We were heart set on the weekend
We don’t know where we’re going
Or where this will end
But keep your hands tight to the wheel
You’ve got to roll with the change
We don’t know where we’re going
Or where this will end
Breathe in
Breathe out
Begin
It’s creeping in
A grey veil on an amber sky
Falling on our skin
I feel alive
We don’t know where we’re going
Or where this will end
Lean your hand out of the window
And let it curve with the wind
We don’t know where we’re going
Or where this will end
Breathe in
Breathe out
Begin
2. Hardest Days
Buried deep in the fire
Sunsets, circles and waves
Reaching higher and higher
In these hardest days
An innocent choice of words
To keep you down
But he kept his soul protected
And free
Some day he’s going to reach out.
Buried deep in the fire
Sunsets, circles and waves
Reaching higher and higher
In these hardest days
These roads that you walk upon
They will get easier
These letters you write to the wind
They won’t fly
But maybe someday
3. New Leaf Over
Answer carefully
Because I’ll remember
What is love
Tell me all that you can
About you
But don’t push it
Two agendas
One ideal
And no scores
Truth is I have no answers to give
And that’s ok
I get carried away
Hey look at us we’re
New leaf over kind of lovers
And we’re just talking
Just two pieces stuck together
Maybe that’s love?
Tell me what does trust mean to you?
Because love’s two pieces
Soon untether
That’s love.
I thought we’d grow old
Forgive me for dreaming
I get carried away
Hey look at us we’re
New leaf over kind of lovers
Oh shut your mouth
Some of us fight against that hopelessness
By reaching out
Else what the hell are we doing here?
We’re new leaf over kind of lovers
Awkward meetings
Over coffee
That’s life
But there’s nobody left in the bar
It’s just us
And we’re still talking.
4. Hold the Line
Breathe a little deeper baby
Tell me you’re ok
We’ve got nowhere to run to
But we’ll find another way
Words get lost in tears
So hold the line
It’s ok to be guarded
Rarely things have gone your way
It’s funny how their actions
Never match just what they say
But trust in spite of fear
And hold the line
Maybe this all begins today
Dreaming every moment as it comes
Hold the line
5. Meditation #25
Slow healing
Keep your head in water
Starve you of the light
Can’t live this way
Feel what you’re oughta
And say your words just right
But the sun still rose today
Slow breathing
Low talking
I know that you’re hurting
But keep your focus tight
To ships on the horizon
Unclench your fingers
And drop your shoulders down
We’re digging out the poison
6. The Witching Hour
Dry your eyes when the sun goes down
Dry your cheeks in the witching hour
Because when the sun comes up
I’ll be your friend
We’ll watch the day wear through to its ragtail end
And watch the moon ascend
Building in your chest like an engine block
Spluttering smoke from a heart attack knock
Your shaking voice and the taste of blood
Your tightening eyes and the coming flood
Dry your eyes when the sun goes down
Dry your cheeks in the witching hour
Because when the sun comes up
I’ll be your friend
We’ll watch the day wear through to its ragtail end
And watch the moon ascend
I’ll never say that it ain’t that bad
Because what kind of friend would say a thing like that?
I’m the voice that you hear when there’s nobody else
I’m the choice you make to love yourself
Dry your eyes when the sun goes down
Dry your cheeks in the witching hour
Because when the sun comes up
I’ll be your friend
We’ll watch the day wear through to its ragtail end
And watch the moon ascend
7. The Thief and I
In the dark we feel it all
Breathing slow
Like waves that crash against the wall
The thief and I
Fingers light and thunder crack
Breathing slow
Beads of water down your back
The thief and I
On all sides I see your face
Breathing slow
Tender are your wildest strays
The thief and I
Stumble first then dance as one
Breathing slow
We rise and sing the carillon
The thief and I
8. Time Lays Flowers
I hope the universe knows what it’s doing
Keeping us so far apart
Hammering down the miles and miles
While we’re beating thunder in our hearts
So long until I see you
Lifelong
Read me another poem about how miracles come true
I hope the universe knows what it’s doing
Keeping us so far apart
Hammering down the miles and miles
While we’re beating thunder in our hearts
It’s south to Corazon
Riding tides
But you never turn your back
When the winds get high
Time lays flowers at your door
I hope the universe knows what it’s doing
Keeping us so far apart
On the shaking ground and in the howling wind
We’re beating thunder in our hearts
Hammering down the miles and miles
While we’re beating thunder in our hearts