We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Tunneling

by Emily Peal

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Buy T-Shirts

1.
Don't dig up my bones To show them how you think I was, A relic of your past When you thought you were in love. Don't dig up my bones, They're deeper than you'll ever know. Now, at the core, at the heart of it, It's red hot, you're not a part of it- Leave well enough alone. Don't you dig up my bones. I clawed at the air, Till all my edges were perforated. Any push would set me off for good. When you got to be too much, I grabbed my rusted shovel And I tunneled for the center of the earth. So, don't dig up my bones To show them how you think I was, A relic of your past When you thought you were in love. Don't dig up my bones, They're deeper than you'll ever know. Now, at the core, at the heart of it, It's red hot, you're not a part of it- Leave well enough alone... So many useless pieces you've unearthed, The truth is--The truth is gonna hurt like hell. So don't lie, it's only petrified devotion you display, It's better buried away. So, don't you dig up my bones To show them how you think I was, A relic of your past When you thought you were in love. Don't dig up my bones, They're deeper than you'll ever know. Now, at the core, at the heart of it, It's red hot, you're not a part of it- Leave well enough alone. Don't you dig up my bones.
2.
You took a part of me last summer And you put it in a jar And you examined it Like a scientist Your colleagues say, "It's inhumane to leave it in this state" But you say, "It doesn't feel a thing" Through the needles and dissections And the pain in all directions It's been howling Howling Why don't you hear it scream? To stop what you're doing Stop what you're doing You took with out permission To torture and to mar And you made it last Like a psychopath No one came to its aid Though it made quite a racket You'd say "It doesn't mean a thing" Through the needles and dissections And the pain in all directions It's been howling Howling Why don't you hear it scream? To stop what you're doing Stop what you're doing Stop what you're doing Stop what you're doing Today we made a breakthrough Pieces of glass lie shattered and dashed on the floor This heart is going to break you 'Till you're howling Howling No one will hear you scream To stop what you're doing Stop what you're doing Stop what you're doing Stop what you're doing
3.
Hello good sir, I've been expecting you. I've been sleeping with my eyes wide open. And here you stand, The dread of every man. Is that a smile I see? Sweep me off my feet, Carry me to somewhere new, Please be gentle when you're cruel. Hello good sir, I've been expecting you. I won't fight you cause I know you're stronger. My bags are packed, My memories intact, Don't make me leave them too. Sweep me off my feet, Carry me to somewhere new, Please be gentle when you're cruel. If I knew your destination, If I knew you had a plan, I wouldn't be so hesitant to hold your hollow hand. You say it's time, you say it's time to go. You say it's time, you say it's time to go. You say it's time, you say it's time to go. You say it's time, you say it's time to go. I know I said I wouldn't stall, But can I have a second more? Oh no, Oh no, Oh no. Hello good sir, I've been expecting you. I was hoping it would take you longer. I'll take your lead, Uncertain though it seems. Dance into the wild blue yonder.
4.
Everything you say is cursed, Once it's out in the universe, You're liable to regret it. You'll wish you never said it. So the silence is what we choose, Cause baby we got a lot to lose. Let's drink poison together, We'll toast the elephant in the room. Let's drink poison together, We'll toast the elephant in the room. Cause nobody knows him better than we two. When you're sitting with a pretty girl And her come-ons begin to slur, I don't want to hear about it, Cause I'm so full of doubt it makes me sick. So be careful what tales you tell, I might not take them very well. Let's drink poison together, We'll toast the elephant in the room. Let's drink poison together, We'll toast the elephant in the room. Cause nobody knows him better than we two. Whether we talk or not there's poison in our blood, It will be the death of me, The death of us. But good friend denial, He says we got a while, Till goings get tough And ivory tusks Rip our love then trample it to dust. They're going to trample it to dust. This is not a joke, It's a cold hard fact. I keep looking over my shoulder for a knife in my back. I want to forget that it hurts so badly. I want to laugh. I want to laugh. I want to laugh. Till it all goes black... So, let's drink poison together, We'll toast the elephant in the room. Let's drink poison together, We'll toast the elephant in the room. Cause nobody knows him better than we two.
5.
Deathtrap 03:46
Making efforts to the empty air If nobody hears them do they still stand? Without applause or a hand, Do they still stand? Even when you've hit it the ground? Poor thing, have you fallen down? Darling it's a deathtrap, But you already knew that, When you signed the contract. It states "The art of living isn't very pretty for those who create." So you eat, drink, sleep and try to escape. You serve the people with an empty smile Cause they don't see you, Really see you. Daily life takes its toll with its endless list of needs, Tugging at your feet Like a petulant child. And you can't ignore it that would be neglect, And you can't move forward or watch where you step, And it's "no, no, no" when you just want "yes", Well forget it. Cause darling it's a deathtrap, But you already knew that, When you signed the contract. It states "The art of living isn't very pretty for those who create." So you eat, drink, sleep and try to escape. Brilliance, It won't listen to you. It'll show its unfamiliar face when it wants to. Brilliance, It will strike you down. If you can't find a way to Spit it out in spit of the life you've stumbled on. The teeth won't rest until they think the struggles done.; Well, darling it's a deathtrap, But you already knew that, When you signed the contract. It states "The art of living isn't very pretty for those who create." So you eat, drink, sleep and try to escape.
6.
Disaster 02:54
You crushed me like a leaf, Getting in the way of your busy feet. Did I crackle the way you like? I still flush red When I think of that fall. They say you're a season, But I don't believe them. You're sudden and perilous, You're terribly dangerous. Oh, I believe in disaster, I believe in disaster, Ever since you came through this town And you ruined me. From a distance, you were so intriguing, But up close you pulled me in and left me bleeding. What a sadist I've found, Dragging me along by my knees. Oh, I believe in disaster, I believe in disaster, Ever since you came through this town And you ruined me. In your aftermath, it's always a struggle to let go, I'm still clinging to rubble, But I know, you could come back any day now. So I'll find a basement and fill it with lovers And flashlights, Aluminum covers, Cause these days you can't be well enough prepared. Oh, I believe in disaster, I believe in disaster, I believe in disaster, I believe in disaster, Ever since you came through this town And you ruined me.
7.
Heavy Sounds 02:56
I heard thunder And then I saw you. Well, a flash of you, Then dark. You were sleeping, But I doubt you were dreaming. You didn't stir when I pulled the covers up. Have you grown accustomed to these heavy sounds, That they don't crack your skin and rattle your bones? The back, the back, the back of your neck, A trick, a trick, a trickle of sweat, I'm lying in bed with a mess in my head As big as the storm outside As big as the storm outside As big as the storm outside. You said the thought had crossed your mind, But you still loved me, Didn't I know that? Didn't I know that? Well, I don't know that And now you're sleeping And I hear thunder Shaking down the door. For god's sake wake up, These are heavy sounds, They should crack your skin and rattle your bones. But you're still sleeping And now you'll never know.
8.
Muddy water at my feet, I wade in slowly to my knees. This is love, what did you expect? This is love, what did you expect? Something pretty? I stain my fingers, Casting ripples. This blacked sand is suffocating, I'll keep sinking while you're waiting. With rocks in my pockets, Rocks in my pockets, Oh no, Rocks in my pockets, Down we go. Down we go. You never wanted this desire, So you fight against your stiffened suit, Rushing toward the mire. You join me frenzied, Take my hand, But my heavy clothes have found their home Along the river's floor, It's gonna take more than that to pull me out. With rocks in my pockets, Rocks in my pockets, Oh no, Rocks in my pockets, Down we go. Down we go. I wish you'd learned to swim, You would be bolder then. You'd have kissed my lips Before they were blue and shivering. It's easier to drown instead. It's easier to drown instead. With rocks in my pockets, Rocks in my pockets, Oh no, Rocks in my pockets, Down we go. Down we go. Down we go. It's easier to drown instead. It's easier to drown instead. It's easier to drown instead. It's easier to drown instead.
9.
Fox with two hands, I caught you in the act, Your innocent expression cannot hide what you hide behind your back. What you got there? Yellow lights blaring. You're standing too still, You're fearfully staring. Creature of habit, Even you can be broken in, As you're breaking in to everything. You've got a lot to learn, You've got a lot to learn about stealing. Fox with two hands, It's easy to beguile. Don't matter what you take, just hide the fangs in your smile. Sheep's clothes look good on you, Especially when everyone's looking for wolves. Creature of habit, Even you can be broken in, As you're breaking in to everything. You've got a lot to learn, You've got a lot to learn about stealing. You can fill your gunny sack with the tricks I teach, But keep in mind, I'm a kindred thief. You're mine and you don't even know it. You're mine and you don't even know it. You're mine and you don't even know it. You're mine and you don't even know it. You're mine and you don't even know it. You've got a lot to learn, My god, you've got a lot to learn, You've got a lot to learn about stealing.
10.
Privilege (free) 04:15
If I stay here, Until cobwebs collect, I know you won't mind. If I lay here, A prisoner to your flesh, I'll be captive till I die. But I'll be a smiling skeleton. It's a privilege to know your kiss, And it's a privilege to taste your skin, And it's a privilege to share the air with you. Let's never leave this bed. Wicked world surrounds us, It promises you'll change. Let's stay inside quiet as mice And hope that life forgets to bring us pain. And we'll be smiling skeletons. It's a privilege to know your kiss, And it's a privilege to taste your skin, And it's a privilege to share the air with you. Let's never leave this bed. What is true love? Is this madness--That we embrace in the face of certain sadness? Knowing that loss is the cost of giving our hearts to someone who someday won't breath-- So forgive me if I hold too tightly. It's a privilege to share the air with you.
11.
Wise To You 02:45
I'd like to have an owl on my shoulder, To tell me what you say behind my back. An extra pair of eyes To help me realize when you're on the attack. I need to find myself a familiar, To get reacquainted with you. Spots that I am blind in, You are so unkind in, I need a new view--Hoo hoo. Oh, but I'm gonna get wise to you, I'm gonna get wise to You-hoo-hoo-hoo You-hoo-hoo-hoo You-hoo-hoo-hoo A passion for passive aggression, Sharpening words into blades. My armor won't be dented until you've relented, Please give yourself away. Oh, but I'm gonna get wise to you, I'm gonna get wise to You-hoo-hoo-hoo You-hoo-hoo-hoo You-hoo-hoo-hoo What'll it take to make you warm, My lips or my scorn? You can have them both, But you should know... One night I'll hold all your secrets, Even the ones you can't stand. Cause mystery's appealing, But if you stop concealing, I'll find it in my heart to love you again. (Owl Solo) Oh, I'm gonna get wise to you, I'm gonna get wise to You-hoo-hoo-hoo You-hoo-hoo-hoo I'm gonna get wise to you, I'm gonna get wise to You-hoo-hoo You-hoo-hoo-hoo Hoo.
12.
Wallflower 03:48
Here's to an old soul, That got young. Somewhere along the lines you hid your clever tongue. Down by the weeping willow You covered your tracks, But you couldn't unearth 'em when you came back. You found new footprints In the snow, You followed them in silence like your father had before. You followed them in silence like your father had before. Cause your roots are in the wallflower. In twisted comfort, You keep out of sight. You were once read in the books of the dead, But you severed your ties, Even with them. So, no one's seen your strange bloom, If you opened for a moment all your light would fill the room. If you opened for a moment all your light would fill the room. But, your roots are in the wallflower. Your roots are in the wallflower. Your green fingers curl into fists as you watch life through windows. You dream of all the sun you've missed standing in your own shadow, Your own shadow. So, here's to an old soul. Here's to an old soul. Don't let your old soul die young.
13.
Picket Fence 05:18
You built a house With your bare hands And nobody helped you, They just stared. You opened your door, To only me, Knock three times, Soft Loud Soft. And the furnishing inside, The wallpaper dripping with life, Made me never want to leave. So, together we built a picket fence, And together we painted it white, And nothing gets past that picket fence, We built our cage, And we clipped our wings, And we lost our minds. Keep my head out of our home it knows that something's not right, Just keep it outside. Keep my head out of our home it knows that something's not right, Just keep it outside, Keep it outside. We ate in bed With our bare hands. The look of love Turned to a blank stare. You opened your arms, Expanded your ribs, You breathed me in Like you had to. And the furnishing all died, Cracking and showing the lie, I never wanted to leave. So, together we built a picket fence, And together we painted it white, And nothing gets past that picket fence, We built our cage, And we clipped our wings, And we lost our minds. Keep my head out of our home it knows that something's not right, Just keep it outside. Keep my head out of our home it knows that something's not right, Just keep it outside, Keep it outside. There's misery in company And there's misery alone. There's misery in company And there's misery alone. I'm not sure which I am, I just don't think anymore. Keep my head out of our home it knows that something's not right, Just keep it outside. Keep my head out of our home it knows that something's not right, Just keep it outside. Just keep it at bay, Just keep it away, Just keep it from me Outside.
14.
Creator 04:32
You molded me with your hands, The clay stayed in your lifelines. You thought you were done, Didn't you? You thought you were done, done, done. You left me out one day, Cause suddenly I lost my splendor. You thought you were done, Didn't you? You thought you were done, done, done, done, done. Well, I'm sorry to say there's still work to do. Creator, who's gonna finish you? You're so far from benevolent, You're not even close to kind, To cast your creations with an end in mind. When I rose from the ground, I screamed your name, The one you carved on my neck Before you left for your next masterpiece. Well, I'm sorry to say there's still work to do. Creator, who's gonna finish you? You'll never find the beauty that you seek. Those ruby reds and violets all drain from our cheeks. And what will be left standing when you can't hide behind your art? Your colorless fabric, Your empty insides, You'll fall like a ragdoll, When you're criticized. And suddenly everything will seem like a big mistake. Well, we're all poorly made, With little say in how we're shaped, But we can always change. And, I'm sorry to say there's always more work to do. Creator, who's gonna finish you?
15.
If there is light At the end of this, I won't need peace, I won't need quiet. Instead I'll learn to sink and swim, Cause I will never be, never be, never be weightless. With rocks in my pockets, Rocks in my pockets, Oh no, Rocks in my pockets, Down we go. Down we go.

credits

released July 1, 2011

Emily Peal - vocals, piano, keyboards, organ
Andrew G. Nault - drums
David Marvuglio - bass
Mike Agentis - guitar, mandolin, rhodes, euphonium, trumpet, sound design, background vocals

Annette Philip - background vocals (Dig Up My Bones)
Elana Brody - background vocals (Dig Up My Bones)
Kyle Oppenheimer - harp (Privilege)
Nick Grinder - trombone (Wise to You)
Connell Thompson - clarinet (Wise to You/Privilege)
Cara Dineen - baritone sax (Deathtrap)

All songs arranged by: Emily Peal, Mike Agentis, Andrew G. Nault, and David Marvuglio.
Background vocals on Dig Up My Bones, horns on Wise to You, and harp on Privilege arranged by Mike Agentis.

Special thanks and adoration to Mom, Dad, and Bax, Joanne Abing, Josh Adelson, Scott Adelson, Sue Agentis, Stephen Croes, Ed and Marcy Goldstein, Jonathan Feist, Brendan Landis, Geam Lim, Tim Lukens, Glenn Mathes, Rhiannon, Susan Rogers, Daniel Saslow, and Kevin Winter.

Produced by Andrew G. Nault
Engineered by Alex Prieto
Recorded at Woolly Mammoth Sound 
Mixed by Alex Prieto and Andrew G. Nault
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music

www.emilypeal.com

All music and lyrics by Emily Peal, except for Creator by Emily Peal and Mike Agentis.
©2011 Emily Peal

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Emily Peal Boston, Massachusetts

Female-Fronted Heavy Indie Rock from Boston, Massachusetts.

contact / help

Contact Emily Peal

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Emily Peal, you may also like: