+ 1. Mentality

Written by Jacob Hemphill at band practice right before the studio session for Strength To Survive.

Even asleep, mentality’s awake – nobody realizes how much we can take Let’s save the future of the world for our sake, it goes “forwards ever, backwards never,” We were the students but now we’re the ones who teach – we were the children and your lies we did believe But we ain’t kids no more and we don’t need your speech, it goes

“forwards ever, backwards never,” and truth and right is yours to control now, there’s no way, no how we will never do what you have done under Jah sun

You’re right and we’re forever wrong: IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, VIETNAM, BP OIL, HYDROGEN BOMB “forwards never, backwards ever”

The plane’s in the air… Look down, the animals are scarce… oil is water now, and water’s everywhere, we cry “Fuck your system, I’m not with ’em”

+ 2. Strength To Survive

Written by Jacob Hemphill

I’m amazed, in a way that we got this far… at the pace we’re going, you’d think we’re gone, Amazed, in a way, that we’re all still here – just look at our last 50 years. and our test, in the west, in the years to come: Does the dollar really matter when the whole world’s gone? Worry about yourself while the world still turns, but wait until we’re watching it burn…

[Chorus] Stuck in the revolving door, and caught in our race for sure – just look into your eyes: Do we have the strength to survive?

It’s not like cigarettes, not like your T.V., it’s bigger and broader than any other thing – it’s consume less and giving back more, and leave your old ways at the door. And by the way, if we don’t, we can kiss it good-bye – our sun, our moon, our earth and our sky. Our world will recover in a billion years, but fuck it if we’re not even here, when we are stuck in the revolving door

[Chorus]

+ 3. Everything Changes

Written by Jacob Hemphill in 2010 at Joe’s house. “I had been complaining about all my ‘troubles’ then wrote this realizing I really had none, in comparison to the majority of the world’s population. This song started Strength To Survive and so on.”

What do we really need in this life? I look at myself some times like it’s not right People out there with no food at night and we say we care, but we don’t so we all lie but what if there’s more to this, and one day we become what we do not what we say and we end up in all the shit that they’re in, and roles are reversed and it was different? We were the ones with nothing to eat, We were the ones with blood in our streets, We were the ones with only our screams, and they were the ones just watching on TV? We were the ones broke down and torn, with our life at our back and our wife in our arms and they were the ones like “Damn that’s so sad” and we were the ones like

[Chorus] “Nothing ever changes, it’s the only thing I know – nothing ever changes, I’m looking down this road, and nothing ever changes.”

Look at your dreams and your intentions, how selfish it is for you to mention turning your thousands into millions, marry a model and then have children

Well they got their dreams too, I imagine like water that won’t come back to kill them, Sleeping at night without a murder in some little town you’ve never heard of Now look at your nightmares, and all of your worst fears, your car and your house and your girl and it stops there All these things you can’t imagine losing, like “Oh no, what if that happened to me?” Well what you got they’ll never have – to be like you, to be your chance – to be like you before they’re gone, but no –

Nothing ever changes at least that’s how we act like God has got our backs looking down this road, I can see the pain is only gonna grow + grow + grow

Maybe we need more shoes on our feet, maybe we need more clothes + TV’s, maybe we need more cash and jewelry, or maybe we don’t know what we need maybe we need to want to fix it – maybe stop talking, maybe start listening maybe we need to look at this world less like a square and more like a circle maybe just maybe God’s not unfair maybe we’re all his kids and he’s up there maybe he loves us for all our races maybe he hates us when we’re all so racist maybe he sees us – when we don’t care, that it’s heaven right here but it’s hell over there, then maybe the meek will inherit this earth, ‘cuz it was written before, so…

Everything changes, nothing stays the same everything changes and if you feel ashamed, maybe you should change this before it gets too late maybe you should change this my brother, we’re standing at the gate everything changes everything changes, right in front of me.

+ 4. Don’t Worry

Written by Jacob Hemphill

Why do we have to break down to know if it’s real? Why do we have to hurt ourselves to learn how to feel? Why do we learn the right way by doing the wrong? Why does it start to make sense when it’s in a song? I know that you told me once but would you please tell me again When do I kiss goodbye my troubles? The struggle never seems to end Why is the truth always so painful? Why are the lies so easy to take? Don’t worry, I can wait

I know there’s somebody out there who knows what I mean silent on the outside, inside you scream trying to let it out but it’s just too much then it all comes out when we’re so drunk

Truth always so painful, Lies so easy to take – don’t worry, I can wait.

+ 5. Tell Me

Written by Jacob Hemphill, originally for Boomer but we ran out of time!

From the very first time I saw you I felt my old life and it was all new I felt my knees get weak my heart went crazy I felt some yes and no, I even felt some maybe I’d climb a mountaintop, I’d swim the ocean, too Get down on my knees, but only if it was for you I think that I would do about anything You’re in my dreams and in the song I sing

[Chorus] Come on tell me anything and I will believe you tell me not to go and I will never leave you Tell me I’m yours, tell me you’re the same tell me anything

I’ve seen so many girls and heard so many lines and once or twice I thought that one of them was mine but how it always goes and how it’s always been – I start to think that we’d be better off if we were friends but there’s a new turn yeah there’s a new twist I know I said before that I just couldn’t handle this I’m not the type to write you love songs so it would help if somebody sang along and said tell me anything From the very first time I saw you, there was something different, and it was all you it’s in the way you move and how you look at me like being stuck on you is something I’m supposed to be And that’s okay too, and if you feel the same, then we can trade looks, maybe we can trade names and we can look back down the road and you can say, remember how the song goes? It goes Tell Me Anything

+ 6. It’s Not Too Late

Written by Jacob Hemphill in Brasil in 2010 @ soundcheck.

It’s not too late Everyone, we seal our fate If it’s not too much for me to say, this whole thing is our responsibility Everyone is under Jah sun

Every day we’re all here no use in fighting your brother we’re all in it together this whole earth is your mother and I work for the father and it’s not too late Your hands are part of His plan

It’s like we’re all here for one reason, and it’s clear – No use in fighting your sister, there’s no way you can get her This whole earth is your mother, brother, and I work for the father and it’s not too late

+ 7. Gone Today

Written by Jacob Hemphill

When I look and see the sun I see positive + negative at once I see a brand new day, or the same old one, so I wait just to see exactly what kind of day it’s gonna be – picking my head straight up – life is what I need and I could be gone today – tomorrow could be close or it could be go far away I guess what I’m trying to say, is if you can hear me now, just know I’m happy

When I look and see the moon, I can see those before me who’ve all done it too – I can see, through all my troubles, that somehow, they got through, ‘cuz we’re all family – even if we don’t act like it, or, we just don’t see,

I guess I’m thankful for who you think we could be There could maybe be something else Like not something you see or touch, but something that you felt – There could maybe be a road? It’s like (Rootz) Underground said, but it stays in the corners of my soul

+ 8. Let You Go

Written by Jacob Hemphill

It occurred to me as things are slowing down that it’s always much better when you’re around, and it’s slowly turning me upside down – wait – you can be who you want to you can see who you want to there’s nothing I can tell you now, except: I’m always thinking of you even when I don’t want to in more ways than I count –

[Chorus] ‘cuz I didn’t mean to Let You Go, should’ve been the first one to let you know. Change your mind, and let me slide just one more time, it doesn’t have to be this way, we could stop fighting and wake up in your place, or, I could go, leave it to chance and just let this go on…

And when we’re in the future, and “Now” is a million miles away, will we start to reconsider what now belongs to yesterday This whole life is moving fast for me, is it for you the same? Do you dream? When you do, do you wake up saying my name? We were only children, still deciding who to be, I remember following you, hoping you’d look back at me, but then a band became my life, and you heard California’s nice, and then we got older, like people do, but I didn’t mean to Let You Go.

+ 9. Not Done Yet

Written by Jacob Hemphill

It’s hard for me when I think about the things that never been, they keep coming back again, like they’ve got something to prove. I love my memories, but they have a way of controlling me at times – I’m so lost without you. And I can’t get far from it and from what went wrong, and I know it’s stupid, ‘cuz it’s been so long. The farther I get away, the more I hold on. It’s just this feeling I get, it’s like I’m not done yet.

[Chorus]

I think about those times, when we were young, and everything was so brand new – our words were so true, and you looked into my eyes that one last time – if I had known back then what I’d be living with today, we might’ve stayed, but I can’t get far from it and from what went wrong, and I know it’s stupid, ‘cuz it’s been so long – the farther I get away, the more I hold on. It’s just this feeling I get, it’s like I’m not done yet.

+ 10. Slow Down

Written by Jacob Hemphill in Rhode Island in the hotel.

You can search the world for signs of life, and realize the truth was in your heart. You can try to become who you want, and never get away from who you are. You can trust another like no other, watch them fall and then you fall apart, tears you apart. Always seen myself alone but in my darkest hours, there you are… where’s my guitar… so I can say

Oh now you got to slow down, oh, when all I have is now.

I’ve been all around the world to find “it,” travel east and west like everyday I’ve been high + low since I have lost “it,” how do I get back to yesterday? It feels like a game… I have seen “that” look in people’s eyes sometimes, and all I do is chase them away. I’ve been all around the world to find “it,” but every time I do, I don’t let “it” stay, I chase “it” away… so now I say: slow down when all I have is now slow down when all I have is now

+ 11. Be With Me Now

Written by Jacob Hemphill at the very last second and I begged John to get everyone back in to hook it up. Thanks buddy.

In two months, I’m through the door way – put my guitar on the floor and you will sit and tell me that you can’t take any more and you will sit and wonder What I can only speculate – that time is gonna be telling us what we don’t want it to say, so

[Chorus] Just be with me now, Feel your hair wrap around my finger, feel your words turn into whispers, feel your fall asleep and dream Dream that you could be with me now as I keep track on my fingers – the cities, and the strangers the pieces of my dreams

Part Two It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, almost forgot your face. Time brings people closer – it does the opposite to me ‘cuz I’ve got my Hallways, and My Hotels, and a ticket with my name. – so long since I’ve seen you, and there’s so much to say but just be with me now Dream

+ 12. When We Were Younger

Written by Jacob Hemphill right before the Diversity Tour.

I never really got why we’re here – Just look at all we build in our lives, then we all disappear a few of us are born with so much, while most of us are chasing down a dream that we just can’t touch so why we try so hard in this place when pain + suffering’s a guarantee, and happiness is a phase? I wonder if one day we’re at peace? or will this whole world just become like the Middle East?

[Chorus] But when I was younger, I had the answers, I’ve gotta say But all of my answers, now that I’m older, turn into questions right in front of me

I wonder where we go when we die? If there is anything past all our sun + our sky? ‘Cuz airports only take us so high – is it hidden in the stars, what’s the answer to your soul’s light? I wonder do we get to come back? I wonder if I will remember these questions I’ve asked? Or will I just start over again? I hope it’s not too hard to find all of my old friends But when we were younger

[Chorus]

I wonder do we get one true love? Or maybe there’s a few out there? Or maybe not even one? I wonder if it’s made up by man? I wonder, if love is what we make with our own two hands? I wonder why I write all these songs? I wonder if you know what I’m saying when you sing along? And will you know my name when I’m gone? Or are you just too sick of all these love songs? But when we were younger…

[Chorus]

+ 13. Gone Today (Acoustic 2010)

Written by Jacob Hemphill

When I look and see the sun I see positive + negative at once I see a brand new day, or the same old one, so I wait just to see exactly what kind of day it’s gonna be – picking my head straight up – life is what I need and I could be gone today – tomorrow could be close or it could be go far away I guess what I’m trying to say, is if you can hear me now, just know I’m happy

When I look and see the moon, I can see those before me who’ve all done it too – I can see, through all my troubles, that somehow, they got through, ‘cuz we’re all family – even if we don’t act like it, or, we just don’t see,

I guess I’m thankful for who you think we could be There could maybe be something else Like not something you see or touch, but something that you felt – There could maybe be a road? It’s like (Rootz) Underground said, but it stays in the corners of my soul

+ 14. Jah Is Listening Now (Acoustic 2010)

Written by Jacob Hemphill

I know you feel like you’re, you’re all alone And all you can depend on now Is your flesh and your bones So look around now And let it talk to you, yeah And when those colors run together Remember, that Jah is listening now

When you wake, he’s listening now When you sleep, he’s listening now When you’re smiling, he’s listening now When you weep, he’s listening now If you don’t, he’s listening now And if you need, he’s listening now When you talk, he’s listening now When you don’t speak…

I know you think that you know Real and fake Well sometimes reality is Truly just what we make I know you feel like you’re in total control But when things spin out of your hands You should know, you should know, you should know… That we all fall down And we will one day We all land here We all drift away We all stand on this Earth The same ground We’re all so lost, but I’ve found Jah is listening now

When you wake, he’s listening now When you sleep, he’s listening now When you’re smiling, he’s listening now When you weep, he’s listening now When you don’t, he’s listening now When you need, he’s listening now When you talk, he’s listening now When you don’t speak, he’s listening now He’s listening now He’s listening now He’s listening now, now, now

+ 15. She Still Loves Me (Acoustic 2010)

Written by Jacob Hemphill

[Chorus] I know it’s hard, now for you to see – you can’t change how it was, or how it’s gonna be – I’m what she wants, you’re just what she needs. She still loves me, she still loves me

Where is her sweater? – It’s not in her car – It’s not at her friend’s house – It’s not at the bar I think you’d better think with your heart take a look at yourself, and see how lucky you really are But I don’t believe in luck after all, neither does she, but you know that now. You should forget her, cuz I’ve got her heart, but she hates the way that I tear it apart.

[Chorus]

What does she talk about when her father calls she says what you say, she tells her old man that you’re the one But what does she talk about when her mother calls, you don’t come up, you don’t come up at all

[Chorus]

+ 16. Prison Blues (Acoustic 2011)

Written by Jacob Hemphill

These prison blues, a standard issue Even when our shirts ain’t blue We’ve got shake downs on a daily These prison blues, a standard issue Even when our shirts ain’t blue We’ve got shake downs on a daily Shanks, hooch, and snitches too Those bars lockin’ down a cell block Warden’s yellin’ down the hall Was you gonna make my prison thicker? Higher, sharper wall?

[Chorus] I lift that hammer, hammer’s heavy And let that fall upon a stone And let that shake these chains that bind me And build these walls I call my home I’ve got scars that poorly mended And I don’t seem to fit no more Yet I wake myself each mornin’ Just prepare for what’s in store For what’s in store for me

So tonight it’s cold as bullets Keys walk up and down my tear Tell myself the end is coming soon To chase away the fear That same fear that’s got me drinkin’ And put these tracks all down my arm That same fear’s been inside me, ever since I was born

[Chorus] Freedom’s just a distant memory I lose more and more each day Can’t forgive the man inside me My tranquility is dead

Every day’s like every other (x3) Every day’s like..let me out of here Let me out of here Let me out of here now

Let me go, no you won’t, you say so Just let me out of here

Just let me go far away And never return, not one day Just let me out

CREDITS All songs written by Jacob Hemphill All songs arranged by SOJA Produced by John Alagia Recorded at Lion and Fox recording studios, Washington, D.C.; the village in Santa Monica and Musiciscweapon Studios in Arlington, VA. Recorded by Vim Fox, Mike Caplan and John Alagia.

Guests: Zac Rae on keyboards, Michael Chaves on guitar, Davey Chaegwiddeu on percussion, DU Chris Crisis (cuts) Art and layout design by Jacob hemphill. Artwork by Raul Gandolfo (P)(C)2012 ATO Records, published and licensed by SOJA L.L.C. (ASCAP) 2012 DMV Records

Thanks to our manager Elliott Harrington and Red Light Management; John Alagia and Brian Scheable; Coran Capshaw and Dave Matthews: Patrick Jordan, Jon Salter, Paul Dryden, Stephanie Alexa and all our friends at ATO Records; Duffy McSwiggin, Mike Greisch, Taylor Schultz, Chip Hoper and all of our friends at the Paradigm Agency; Rob Markus, Jared Rampersaud, Mark Gelger and everyone at William Morris Agency; Stephan Schulmeister, Rolf Radny, Tillman Otto aka Gentleman and the whole Bush house Mush Crew; Elliott Groffnan, Jonathan Horn; Jim Fox, Mike Coplan and Lion and Fox Studios; Zac Rae, Michael Chaves and Davey Chaegwiddeu; Grover Duvall, Paul Reed Smith, Paul Miles and everyone at PRS Guitars; Matt Brownell (happy b.day Mac.N.Cheese), Trevor Young, Soljie Hamilton, Joey Stakes, Derrick Pasker and Mark Curran; Marc Carlini and Full Count Films; Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs; Jackson Besty, Mr. and Mrs. Besty and all of our families, all of our friends, everyone we used to know, and everyone we know now.

Mostly, though, we need to thank our fans. This has been an incredible experience and we wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Everyday I wake up and still can’t believe all this is real – we will never stop, because of you. Together we can change the world.