Art Hatley

official website

Art thinks of these as "music-less songs." Here is a sampling....


A complete publication of all song lyrics and music-less songs is available for $20 USD.

PRETENDED ©Arthur Hatley, 

I want you to know
I've tried everything

Wine, women, and song
And a tanker or two
Of Ketel One

'Cause when you're feeling low
You'll try any ol' thing
When you're drowning in wrongs
Stinging
From the of lack of truth
And the deeds that can't be undone

            But don't you worry 'bout me
            'Cause I don't think of you much anymore
            And when I do remember
            I remember
            The person you pretended to be

Oh it's getting better all right
Better every day
Smoldering ruins I walk among
The Untaming of the shrew
Tell me
Did you have your fun

So I keep looking for the light
End of the tunnel they say
A silver lining betwixt the throngs
Of misconceptions that you brewed
The battle played
And you have won


Maybe this left you with a struggle
Some things to contemplate when alone
Maybe this caused you some trouble
But I doubt it when your soul is hardened stone

            But don't you worry 'bout me
            'Cause I don't think of you much anymore
            And when I do remember
            I remember
            The person you pretended to be

ANGRY HEART©Art Hatley

​​My angry scarred soul screams
In pain
My aching heart hurts to extreme
Again

Twelve hours ago I said good-bye
Hoping against history
You’d change your mind
The tears you gestured were just a lie
It’s no mystery
Why you’re so unkind

All I asked of you was the truth
All I wanted was to love you
My heart you would never lose
The fantasy was an unnecessary ruse

So go back to your world of shining facades
Drink your champagne and fix your smiles
But complain to me no more
Of love’s affection lost
You made your choice
Now pay the costs



 


 

EMPTY SAIL 

Art Hatley, AUGUST 2019


For so long I knew we’d be together
There was no question in my mind
I always thought
You’d be mine forever
Eternal spirits
That would shine

But my demons ruined our good essence
My apologies
Not near enough
My fantasy
Clouded our good present
You had to save yourself

Down the road I see a lonely trail
No partner by my side
A silent soul
An empty sail
And no partner by my side

I hope that you are happy
I hope that you are serene
I’m glad that you moved past me
Into a peaceful scene

Maybe in years ahead
We can be friends again
Maybe the pain I caused will fade
Maybe we can get past our sins
And see the good that we have made

But down the road I see a lonely trail

No partner by my side

A silent soul

An empty sail

And no partner by my side

EARTHLY LULLABIES  

©Art Hatley May 2016

I'm still wondering
How it ever got this lean
And I don't understand the why
I know there's got to be
Something in between
All these earthly lullabies

I've retraced my steps
Back from A to Z
Half the truth and all the lies
It's got me running in circles
But no closer to relief
From all these earthly lullabies

     Help me
     Help me
     Help me please
     There's got to be
     Somewhere you can find me
     Help me help me please

The pull of this worldly dust
Is too easy to easy to believe
Illusions of fancy rob me blind
These vaporous dreams
Are what our senses do perceive
It's all these earthly lullabies         

This constant struggle

To set my spirit free
Pains my heart and makes me sigh
To try to rise above

This darkness' gravity
Of these earthly lullabies

     Help me
     Help me
     Help me please
     There's got to be
     Somewhere you can find me
     Help me help me please

I know there's got to be something in between
All these earthly lullabies



FATHERS DAY  Art Hatley


I just spoke to a man I do not know

He says he is my Father

We said our words

And did our show

Maybe I shouldn't have bothered


But O Dad

I try to reach you

I've been reaching all my life

My arms are tired

But up they stay

Until I finally teach you

That I am your son

Your flesh and blood

Beyond our dying days