They tell you all the money’s been spent
But have you ever stopped to question where it all really went?
‘Cause once you do improvements to our roads, seas, and skies
Begin to look like manufactured wars and more children’s cries

From the moment we’re allowed to take our first breaths
It’s a rat race through money mazes that all lead to death
And if you want a chance at what they call a gainful life
You’d better budget enough to subsidize all their endless lies

So there I was at the top of my game
They said “look up” and in flashing lights I would see my name
But when I looked up I saw His face and heard His voice
And I knew I had to get out while I still had a choice

So I gave up the gold and they called me a fool
Now my wallet is empty, but my soul is full
‘Cause the currency of heaven won’t fund their earthly facades
I traded in the emperor’s new clothes for the armor of God

And now the Sheriff of Nottingham is beating down our doors
To continue giving to the rich what he takes from the poor
But I sleep like a baby inside my humble abode
While they lie awake in their mansions fearing when it all will implode

‘Cause there they are still living like it’s 1913
Blissfully ignorant of the cost of their greed
When all along they have bankrolled death after death
I knew it had to burn down ‘til not even the foundation was left
(So burn it all down)

So I gave up the gold and they called me a fool
Now my wallet is empty, but my soul is full
‘Cause the currency of heaven won’t fund their earthly facades
I traded in the emperor’s new clothes for the armor of God

Finally at home in my white collar exile
It’s like I’ve got Michael and Gabriel on speed dial (on speed dial)
Surrounded by angels who can’t be sold or bought
I traded in the emperor’s new clothes for the armor of God

They shake their heads and think about what I could have been
But these struggles are worth every dollar I traded in
‘Cause when their green-backed paradise comes crashing down
I’ll still be gilded in His grace with my feet cemented to the ground

‘Cause I gave up the gold and they called me a fool
Now my wallet is empty, but my soul is full (my soul is full)
‘Cause the currency of heaven won’t fund their earthly facades (earthly facades)
I traded in the emperor’s new clothes for the armor of God
(So burn it all down)

Finally at home in my white collar exile
Like I’ve got Raphael and Uriel on speed dial
Surrounded by angels who can’t be sold or bought
I traded in the emperor’s new clothes for the armor of God

Released February 23, 2024
Music and lyrics by Grant Joseph Guillot. All rights reserved.

He was standing to the left of His Father
When he was let in on the plan
He would travel to a town called Nazareth
And pave the path for the Son of Man

He watched as she shared all of her dreams
With the other Galilean girls
Never could she ever have imagined
Her womb would bear the Light of the World

She stifled her scream as he shook her awake
Told her she was chosen but not to be afraid

Now they deck the halls and hang the lights
But they lost sight of the brightest star in the sky
Yet every year they say they hope this was
Finally the last blue Christmas

Nine months later he watched from afar
Under a starry middle-eastern sky
As the maiden who came to trust him
Soothed her newborn’s powerful cries

He stood by that boy as He grew to a man
And finally became ready to implement their plan

Now they decorate the trees with lights
That blinded them to the brightest star in the sky
Yet every year they say they hope this was
Finally the last blue Christmas

He puts his trumpet down with tears in his eyes
As he watched the Message he delivered be crucified
Another year of revelation was
Just another year of hoping for the last blue Christmas

All he wanted was for them to see
They were all they ever needed to finally break free
That boy didn’t come here to redeem sins
But to remind them salvation comes from within

They say the angel is still watching everyone else
Praying they will finally flip the tables themselves

Now the chains they couldn't see have materialized
As they finally lift their heads and open their eyes
Maybe now they’ll finish what He started because
They’re ready for this to be the last blue Christmas

And now they see through the red and green lies
Salvation comes from how He lived and not how He died
So maybe next year we can truly say this was
Finally the last blue Christmas

They say that the angel’s still watching and waiting
For them to decide this will be the last blue Christmas

www.grantguillotmusic.com

We never thought that freedom could be taken away
By vultures who would pick apart every word we would say
They thought that their masks would silence our voices inside
And when we would start to stir they would say, "Keep closing your eyes"

And we spoke up and we got shot down
They let you speak the truth 'til they no longer like the sound

They told us we were crazy and not to trust what's in our sights
They made our vision hazy by blinding us with gaslights
And they'd hit the snooze button when the alarm clock would ring
And so we slept through what should have been our American Awakening

So many years later we're jolted from our sleep
Decades chained in darkness, but now the truth has broken free
We're stepping into sunlight and rubbing our tired eyes
Liberty was never free, a fact we just now realized

'Cause when we spoke up, they shot us down
Our words were always free 'til they no longer liked the sound

They told us we were crazy and not to trust what's in our sights
They made our vision hazy by blinding us with gaslights
And now the truth has shaken us, a long due reckoning
No longer can we close our eyes to this American Awakening

Some saw red, while others saw blue
Some tried to see purple, but none of us saw the truth
We didn't see their tears, couldn't hear their cries
Why did it take us so long to open our damn eyes?

Like those who came before us we owe it to those who will come behind

Well, now we've got them on the run because the truth is in our sights
We are ripping off these masks and tearing down their gaslights
Our flag is still here, and we finally hear the sound of freedom ring
Stars and stripes, red, blue, and white, a beautiful American Awakening

Their darkest lies could not survive the light of our American Awakening
American Awakening

Hush hush, don’t shed a tear
No need at all to fear
If the monsters leave a mark
‘Cause they took that light in you
That brought the shadows into view
And gently snuffed out the spark

Now demons bought and paid
With the honest living that you made
Serenade you with their spells

While angels sent to you
To wake you with the light of truth
Have been locked up in padded cells

And they gave you proms and homecomings, Super Bowls and championship rings
Starlets walking red carpets, isn’t this Americana a beautiful thing?
But I wouldn’t know ‘cause I spent two years just trying to pry open your eyes
And while I was busy finding the truth you were lost in lullabies

They told you “use your voice”
As though you really have a choice
But you’re not sure which color’s best

Cause purple, red, and blue
Are all the same historic hues
That decorate their family crest

From your very first breath
Until that moment of your death
They plan how your story will end (how your story will end)

And one thing I can tell
If you don’t break out of this hell
You’ll do it all over again

But they gave you rhythm and blues, jazz, and country
Rocking and rollin' across six steel strings
Mesmerized by the music, isn’t this Americana a beautiful thing?
But I wouldn’t know ‘cause I spent two years just trying to pry open your eyes (pry open your eyes)
And while I was busy finding the truth you were lost in lullabies

You say you miss the way the glory days made you feel
But was any of it real?

Skyscraper heights and Times Square lights, Golden Gate and Lady Liberty
You choose not to see what’s lurking there beneath this Americana, it’s terrifying (what's lying there beneath)
But despite all their tactics I’m never distracted by all their gorgeous lies (gorgeous lies)
And while I am busy exposing the truth you are still lost in lullabies

Hush hush, don’t shed a tear
No need at all to fear

Never forget - the greatest power we have is the POWER OF THE PEN!

Two years later and the movie's still playing on
'Cause they still just haven't figured it out
I screamed the truth at the top of my tired lungs
Not sure how much louder I could shout

They all wait on Jesus to set them free
As though he alone must bear that cross
They never learned salvation comes from within
'Cause I guess in translation all was lost

So, what if I lose my way with words
And all these messages go unheard?
Will I drown in their tears
'Cause they never found the ears to hear?
What if the sun sets on this age
Without me having found a way
To remove the scales from their eyes
So they can escape this labyrinth of lies?
Will these revelations be heard
Or am I losing my way with words?
Am I losing my way with words?

And I would gladly march to the front of the battle lines
To bring this sinking ghost ship crashing down
But the Snake built basecamp in the belly of the Beast
And there's only so much I can do stuck here in this small town

So, what if I lose my way with words
And all these messages go unheard?
Will I drown in their tears
'Cause they never found the ears to hear?
What if the sun sets on this age
Without me having found a way
To remove the scales from their eyes
So they can escape this labyrinth of lies?
Will these revelations be heard
Or am I losing my way with words?

Every night I ask the Father for a sign
That they are ready to free themselves from this unholy design
And meanwhile they’re still screaming for this storyline to end
Not realizing that all along they have held the pen

I’ll help them find their way with words
They will wake up and be willing to learn
That they can drown their fears
‘Cause they’ll finally find the ears to hear
And before the sun sets on this age
They’ll know that true sight comes from faith
And with torches in their eyes
They will burn down this labyrinth of lies
These revelations will be heard
I always find my way with words
I always find my way with words

I'll always find my way with words

Tossed and turned all night
Knew something just wasn’t right
And when morning came my worst fears were confirmed
I screamed, “Alas, Babylon!”
But they just carried on
Watching the November leaves turn

Two years stuck in two worlds
Awaiting truth to unfurl
While everyone just played pretend
So when the planes passing by
Prepared to light up the sky
They didn’t hear the sirens

And they just closed their eyes
Ignored the dust in the sky
Tuned out all the screams and shouts
Despite all that had gone wrong
They casually strolled along
Through the wreckage and the fallout
And when they finally learned
Of the radiation burns
That covered the world they once knew
They just took another shot to drown out the sorrow
It’s always paradise now, apocalypse tomorrow

And after those two years
Once all the smoke had cleared
Having long willfully played blind
No longer sheltered in place
They now came face to face
With the dystopian orange skyline

They cry ‘cause they wanted more
Than all this fog of war
As their throats begin to tighten
But there will be no escape
From this burning hell scape
Cause they didn’t heed the sirens

And they just closed their eyes
Ignored the dust in the sky
Tuned out all the screams and shouts
Despite all that had gone wrong
They casually strolled along
Through the wreckage and the fallout
And when they finally learned
Of the radiation burns
That covered the world they once knew
They just took another shot to drown out the sorrow
It’s always paradise now, apocalypse tomorrow

And you know the sum of all fears led to this moment here
Cause instead of rising to defend
When the Devil came for his pay, they locked themselves away
And couldn’t hear the sirens

And they just closed their eyes
Ignored the dust in the sky
Tuned out all the screams and shouts
Despite all that had gone wrong
They casually strolled along
Through the wreckage and the fallout
And when they finally learned
Of the radiation burns
That covered the world they once knew
They just took another shot to drown out the sorrow
It’s always paradise now, apocalypse tomorrow

It’s always apocalypse tomorrow

Can’t you hear the damn sirens?

A sinking ship on a turbulent sea
Oh, how I drifted before you found me
But now I'm anchored by your light
My shining beacon in the darkest night
Your my shining beacon in the darkest night

Your love is all I've known
The closest thing to heaven I've ever been shown
And when I am lost your love will guide me home

Like a prisoner I spent all my years
Locked inside my own fortress of fears
But you broke through all of my walls
I never dreamed they could so quickly fall
I never dreamed I could so quickly fall

But your love is all I've known
The closest thing to heaven I've ever been shown
And when I am lost your love will guide me home

And your love is my northern star
And when I lose my way your voice is never too far
The sweetest sound, and I know I've found my way home

You know I'd follow all your strides
Walk off mountainsides
And never once ask why
Dancing through the sky (I'm dancing)
Never thought that I (that I)
Could ever fly so high

But your love is all I've known
The closest thing to heaven I've ever been shown
And when I am lost your love will guide me home (your love)

And your love is my northern star
And when I lose my way your voice is never too far (never too far)
The sweetest sound (I'm dancing), and I know I've found (that I) my way home (so high)

We always thought that it was our God-given right to question everything they would say
But when we demanded answers, they warned that the truth was not worth the price we would pay

We never asked for a war
And all we wanted was more
Than to be chained to their lies
But they left us with no choice
Chipped away at every voice
Leaving only our battle cries

Baptized in firelight
Fighting for our lives
Threw our hands up and cried
“God save America!”
Prayed we would win this fight
And that by dawn’s early light
The Sun would be burning bright
God save America
We grieved over lost liberty
And then we questioned whether we were ever really free
Forced into choosing sides
Speak out or just comply
Either way we were gonna die
God save America
God save America

We met them on the battlefield foolishly hoping that they would negotiate
They said our stubborn refusal to kneel before their selected king had finally sealed our fates

The heroes we were told to praise
Took one look and ran away
Rather than risk their rewards
The people came from miles and miles
And the instigators smiled
As the peacemakers drew their swords

Forged in the hottest flames
And when the time finally came
We saw just who was to blame
God save America
Our convictions avowed
As the quietest in the crowd
Were screaming clearly and loud
“God save America!”
We braced ourselves for their attack
As our children all hid safely behind our backs
No more shedding of tears
No more feasting on fears
Our war cries deafened every ear
“God save America!”
God save America

One by one we dragged their lies kicking and screaming into the light
So they took our gold and they burned our fields thinking we would give up the fight

But then like a firebird
Our rising voices were heard
Haunting them with our words
“God save America”
We prayed with all our might
As our blinding collective light
Vanquished them into the night
God save America
And when all the embers died
Our flag was still flying high
No longer drunk on rage
Freed ourselves from their cage
The start of a brave new age
God save America
God save America

Lost in the chaos we all heard an inner voice
Telling us we were different and that it was our choice
To leave behind the calmest home we ever knew
To be here in this moment to usher in the truth

We were so angry that the world could just move along
Leaving us to sort through all that had gone wrong
We placed everything we hold dear in harm’s way
While the other ninety-nine percent just hid away

So here’s to the ones who had to watch the world they knew
Burn to the ground with every realization of truth
When others cowered in fear, we rose up and persevered
We are the battle-scarred but never broken volunteers

We’ll bring it all up, up, up, up, up
Soaring like a flock of dove, dove, dove, doves
They tried to shoot us down by slinging their mud
But we’re just getting started bringing everything up

And though we are only one percent, we’re enough
To knock down their brick house of lies with just a single puff
We are the whistleblowers shining light in the darkest of places
We are the parents who fought to keep the sunlight on our kids’ faces

So here’s to the ones who had to watch the world they knew
Burn to the ground with every realization of truth
When others cowered in fear, we rose up and persevered
We are the battle-scarred but never broken volunteers

We’ll bring it all up, up, up, up, up
Soaring like a flock of dove, dove, dove, doves
They tried to shoot us down by slinging their mud
But we’re just getting started bringing everything up

And one by one we began to awaken from their spell
Now nothing can stop what is coming, come high water or hell

So in the name of all that is red and white and blue
We’ll build a new world with every single ray of truth
‘Cause when the whole world drowned in fear, we rose up ‘cause our mission was clear
The time had finally come for the twenty-first century volunteers

We’ll bring it all up, up, up, up, up
Soaring like a flock of dove, dove, dove, doves
They tried to shoot us down by slinging their mud
But we’re just getting started bringing everything up

And the stories our descendants will hear
Will tell of the twenty-first century volunteers

You slithered your way into my mind
Infested everything you could find
But I was so desperate for someone to hear
That I ignored the sirens blaring in my ears

You weakened my entire mind frame
Took my clarity and bound it in chains
And after years of self-loathing I know now who's to blame

'Cause you've never been burned, you've never known the shame
'Cause your heart is made of porcelain and can withstand any flame
And your eyes are impermeable, letting through no tears
And you were a parasite feeding off of my fears

The colors that once lit my way
Slowly but surely all faded to gray
My hopes were as high as the warmest blue skies
'Til you shot them down with your cold brown eyes

While I was running toward the nearest light
You were busy worming your way through my mind
How could I have been so perceptive and yet so damn blind?

'Cause you've never been burned, you've never known the shame
'Cause your heart is made of porcelain and can withstand any flame
And your eyes are impermeable, letting through no tears
And you were a parasite feeding off of my fears

And I try to not look back, cut myself some slack
'Cause we were only children
But I thought they would be safe 'cause for God's sake
They were only children
They were only children

In my life I have one regret
It's how close I let you get
To everything that I hold high
You infected it all with your toxic lies

Well, you can find a new fool who will fall for your lines
He'll learn soon enough that they're not worth a dime
And you'll never come close to having a life like mine

'Cause you'll never be burned, you'll never know the shame
'Cause your heart is made of porcelain and will withstand any flame
And your eyes are impermeable, letting through no tears
And you're just a parasite who feeds off of fears

I'm talking to the stars again
With no one to hear me but the wind
And though I'm alone once thing's for sure
The illness was far worse than this cure

When everyone around him blissfully ignored the lies
Despite the truth flashing like a siren glaring in their eyes
When they told him to keep quiet ‘cause some freedoms aren’t worth the fight
That 11th of December was the very day he died

They refused to wake up and for a moment he wanted back in his bed
They called him “little boy” and dismissively patted him on the head
When they carried on like nothing was wrong his faith in them was crucified
That 11th of December was the very day he died

He decided then and there to take the trophies in his room
And to melt the gold to decorate the effigy in his tomb
To commemorate his escape from their prison of greed
By sitting down and writing his own eulogy

“Here in the place lies what’s left of a man
Who spent forty years toeing a line in the sand
Until one day he finally chose a side
December the 11th was the very day he died
They say he suffocated on a foolish dream
But inside that casket he could finally breathe
Through freedom of death his soul was revived
December the 11th was the day he came alive”

They gathered in black suits to give their grandstanding goodbyes
He watched from above and couldn’t help but to roll his eyes
As they lowered him into the ground the elders all shook their heads
Disappointed he forsook their path and the gold to which it led

And the town gossips all reveled in the tall tales and lies
About the pretty wife and children they thought he left behind
And the apprentices couldn’t see why suddenly changed gears, screaming
“Jesus Christ, could he have not waited four more years?”

Here in the place lies what’s left of a man
Who spent forty years toeing a line in the sand
Until one day he finally chose a side
December the 11th was the very day he died
They say he suffocated on a foolish dream
But inside that casket he could finally breathe
Through the freedom of death his soul was revived
December the 11th was the day he came alive

And he’d like to think if they’d seen tears in his eyes
As reflections of the truth then they’d apologize
For trying to use his youth to cut him down to size
‘Cause the America they live in is an America that’s losing

But now he sees the gift they gave him through their disdain
Forged his determination with red, white, and blue flames
From that day forward he refused the stay in the game
Unless the America he lived in was the America of his choosing

When they went to leave him flowers oh how shocked they were to see
What they thought was resting peacefully was never resting in peace

Now everyone is talking about that man
Who fooled them into thinking he had run out of plans
But then like a phoenix he rose again
December the 11th was the day they thought he died
Decades in darkness, now he clearly sees
Exactly who he was always meant to be
Fighting unapologetically for all that is free
December the 11th was the day he came alive

No longer making excuses for where he went wrong
‘Cause every misguided step led him right to writing this song
Lighting his torch with the voice of a million strong
And burning down every inch of the America that’s losing

Don’t mistake for sadness what you see in his eyes
It’s the enormity of his having realized
He is now where all along he was meant to lie
‘Cause the America he lives in is the America of his choosing

We were the storm all along.

A song about finding your calm in the middle of the storm.

What started with a blue November
Is ending with a red October

We formed a coalition united by our rage and our pride.
And we're headed for a revelation, they couldn't stop it even if they tried.

If you know then you know.

www.grantguillot.com

She didn't want to set the world on fire but she did, and now we're forever changed by the Time Traveler.

Sometimes we categorize a notion as a conspiracy theory not because we are certain it is false; rather, the truth of its existence defies the limits of what we have been conditioned to accept.

Check out www.grantguillot.com for more info!

This is a song for ANY American - black, white, man, woman, gay, straight, left, right, liberal, conservative, democrat, republican - who has ever felt frustrated with the forces the American people empower to influence public discourse. While we may not always agree on the identities of these forces of division, we are united by the fact that these forces have only as much power as WE THE PEOPLE give them. EVERY American has the power to effect change - it all starts with us! By appreciating the common threads that bind us while respecting our differences, I believe we make this nation stronger than it ever has been before.