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Once Upon a Time

by Aerik Watson

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  • Streaming + Download

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

    10 original and 2 re-imagined cover tunes.
    Featuring collaboration with local artists.
    Canadian content.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 CAD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Physical copy of Aerik's Debut Solo CD, "Once Upon a Time"
    Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Dale's House Productions in Braeside, Ontario, Canada

    Includes unlimited streaming of Once Upon a Time via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 CAD or more 

     

1.
Don't Know What I Want To Be (When I Grow Up) 05:32
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When I was a kid I played with, Legos and cars Building Rockets that would, take me to Mars I played a lot of hockey 'till I, busted up my knee Dreamed of training to be a ninja, but that wasn't meant to be High school came along and I, bought my first guitar Played some tunes with my best friend, yeah we were gonna be rock stars I worked a few jobs, played a few smoky clubs Didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up My kid came along when I was, 20 years old Put that guitar on the shelf, put my, life on hold Though things with his mom didn't, work out as planned He grew up to be a hell of a man Days turned to months and time went by Chasing some elusive dream Some days were good, some days were rough I did what I could, though it never seemed enough Didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up Spent the, next 20 years, chained to a desk Climbed that corporate ladder, trying to be the best 60 hours a week, yeah well, it took its toll But I had to chase that dollar, work those fingers to the bone Took me, 10 years of friendship with a girl I met online To realize that my true love had been with me that whole time We did the best we could, and while we were, madly in love We didn't know what we wanted to do when we grew up Months turned to years and time flew by Chasing someone else's dream Some times were good, some times were tough We did what we could, though it never seemed enough Didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up Yeah I've fronted bands, acted on stage, filled coffee cups for minimum wage I've skated fast, prepared tax, said some things that I can't take back I've built computers, programmed games, I wrote a book with a pen name I guess it's time to face the truth, I just don't know what I wanna do So I finally packed my things, got away from city lights Moved back to my hometown where you can see the stars at night Dusted off that guitar, thought I'd try my luck Cuz I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up Months turn to years and time flies by Think I've forgotten how to dream Most days I'd say are good enough Doing what I can, but when, push comes to shove I don't know what I wanna be when I grow up Yeah, don't know who I'm gonna be when I grow up
2.
Little Candle 04:41
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I see the clouds up in the sky. I watch them race across the heavens I close my eyes- I'm halfway there Oh, the things you said to me. Oh, here comes the rain on my parade Who wants a new tomorrow? I want my yesterday Build me a castle on the clouds (up in the stratosphere) And I'll live there with my, bottled dreams (just like my toothpick boat) Call the king and send in all the clowns (I need a laugh now and again) Life can never be quite, what it seems (Little Candle burn away now) Trying different pairs of blue jeans. Trying to find a shade to match my mood I stand there by the mirror, I'm not quite there. (or halfway to anywhere) Oh, here comes that rain again. Oh, I still remember every word you said Build me a castle on the clouds (up in the stratosphere) And I'll live there with my, bottled dreams (just like my toothpick boat) Call the king and send in all the clowns (I need a laugh now and again) Life can never be quite, what it seems (Little Candle burn away now) A little candle burns upon the table. A little cobweb hangs above my bed Build me a castle on the clouds (up in the stratosphere) And I'll live there with my, bottled dreams (just like my toothpick boat) Call the king and send in all the clowns (I need a laugh now and again) Life can never be quite, what it seems. Little Candle where's your flame now? Build me a mansion in the sky And I'll look from there down on my shattered dreams Someone please call heaven and ask (why), If there's a God why won't he answer? Life can never be quite what it seems. Little Candle burn away now A little candle burns upon the table. Little cobwebs in my head. I stare up at the sky and try to. Forget the dreams that we once had
3.
Heroes 04:02
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I - I wish you could swim Like the dolphins - like dolphins can swim Though nothing - nothing will keep us together We can beat them forever and ever Oh we can be Heroes just for one day I - I will be King And you - you will be Queen For nothing will drive them away We can be Heroes - just for one day We can be honest - just for one day I - I can remember (I remember) Standing by the wall (By the wall) And the guards shot above our heads (Over our heads) And we kissed as though nothing would fall (Nothing could fall) And the shame was on the other side Oh we can beat them forever and ever Then we can be Heroes just for one day We can be Heroes We can be Heroes We can be Heroes just for one day We can be Heroes
4.
The Game 04:00
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She sits there alone, crying tears In a coffee that turned very cold, 'bout an hour before I smile, she says nothing, so I guess her story I've seen it, I've lived it, though some years before Afternoon nightcaps, a love that's gone wrong The trials of a life that has barely begun Dances in moonlight to an old favorite song And chemical candy to help keep it fun She sits there alone, wiping tears from her red eyes Hopeful that no one she knows has witnessed her shame It gets better with time's what I write on a napkin I leave on the table and sign "Good luck all the same" Glamourless parties and faces you don't know Crying yourself to sleep night after night Playing along with the game of life just so You hope you can win maybe just once or twice I wish that I'd know then what I know from being there If I did then I could say I'd take you and show you how life isn't always fair But keep you one step ahead of the game It's hard when you're feeling so lonely While trying to be true to you We all have to play in this game they call life But we don't have to play by their rules I sit here alone, dreaming dreams of a time not so long ago It seems so long ago When I could have been, often seen with a tear in my eye And no place to go I wish that I'd know then what I know from being there If I did then I could say I'd take you and show you how life isn't always fair But keep you one step ahead of the game
5.
Hey, I'm Lost 03:37
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Well I don't know how long I've been gone now Still can't seem to settle down and stay Been feeling alot like Mary and Joseph Everywhere I go I find I'm turned away Now I don't think it's too much I'm asking Just somewhere down the road to call my home And if the winds of luck blow with me I won't walk this lonely road alone Hey, I don't why I can't stop running Hey, I don't know where I am or where I'm going Hey, it's possible I'm forgetting something Hey, I've got to find a place to call my own With my thumb stuck out and my hat on backwards Trying to hitch a ride towards my dreams Yet every time I'm one little step closer Obstenence steps in to patronize me If there's 50 different ways to get where you're going I've seen them all and still I do not stay Though I'm feeling like a dog who has lost his master All he wants to do is find that stick and play Hey, I don't why I can't stop running Hey, I don't know where I am or where I'm going Hey, it's possible I'm forgetting something Hey, I've got to find a place to call my own Sometimes when I look at my reflection, I wonder who the man is staring back at me I wonder if he knows the consequences of his actions. I wonder if he'll ever be just me Well, it's half past high time I found happiness I've walked this road for way too long I want to lay her down in the green grass Kiss her lips, and tell her that I'm home Hey, I don't why I can't stop running Hey, I don't know where I am or where I'm going Hey, it's possible I'm forgetting something Hey, I've got to find a place to call my own Hey, I don't why I can't stop running Hey, I don't know where I am or where I'm going Hey, it's possible I'm forgetting something Hey, I've got to find a place to call my own
6.
Looking For Love (I Never Was) 03:40
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Do you mind if I sit here a while, lost in the warmth of your smile I can feel myself falling for you I know I hardly know your name, it doesn't change That I can't stop thinking 'bout you I never went out looking for love But I tripped and I fell, right at your door Must be a sign from up above So I keep on coming back for more I try not to let you see, all that's inside of me Afraid I might chase you away But though I've tried my best, these feelings they won't rest They grow stronger every day I never went out looking for love But I tripped and I fell, right at your door Must be a sign, from above So I keep on coming back for more Well I don't know how many dreams I've dreamed Or how many times I've seen you next to me But the longer I hold it in me The more I feel like this was meant to be I never went out looking for love, no But I tripped and I fell in love, right at your door Must be a sign, from above So I keep on coming back for more I sit and I watch you smile, mmmm
7.
Rainbows, Trees and Flowers 04:58
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Moonbeams shine on the riverbed As children lay down their sleepy heads Dew drops form on the flowers, silver droplets As lovers hesitate by the garden and share their first kiss Can't we have another night like this Across the sky, a rainbow's brilliant colours I watch the children play, splashing in the water The flowers drink the life that Mother Nature sent them As we held each other tight, it all seemed like Heaven Can't we have another day to be The beautiful something, that once was you and me Cuz now the rain, just fills the river of broken promise Flowing to a sea of heartache and of pain Now the sun, instead of bringing the wonder of a new day Just proves to me that I'm alone, and I'll never see you again Well once, life was carefree. But then, I woke up again To the same, re-occurring dream, can't chase the memories God please get me out of here Time. Time they say. Has a way, to turn things around But time, won't heal the pain That I felt, on my way down Cuz now the rain, just fills the river of broken promise Flowing to a sea of heartache and of pain Now the sun, instead of bringing the wonder of a new day Just proves to me that I'm alone, and I'll never see you again Well I got up and left it all behind, trying to forget the life I lead But everywhere I go and everything I see, can't escape the thoughts in my head The river's dry now, mud cracks on the bottom The children have moved away, they've almost all forgotten The flowers that years ago were turned into a highway I hope you're doing well, seems nothing's going my way And we'll never again have the chance to be Running together, young, in love and free Cuz now the rain, just fills the river of broken promise Flowing to a sea of heartache and of pain Now the sun, instead of bringing the wonder of a new day Just proves to me that I'm alone, proves to me that I'm alone Just proves to me that I'm alone, and I'll never see you again
8.
Cuckoo Bird 04:13
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Hello my friend, my little cuckoo bird You sit in your clock and you don't say a word Except every hour, when you come out To tell the time to me Life's little trials, they don't mean much to me As long as you're here, to keep me company I can depend, on you You'll never let me down. No I sit in my clock, a little cuckoo bird Locked in the dark, behind this wooden door I can't get out, 'cept every hour To tell the time to you. I wish I could fly, high, like all the other birds Way up in the sky, not like a cuckoo bird Who sings the same song Over and over and over and over again Maybe next time when clockwork lets me out Instead of "Coo Coo" I will scream and shout LET ME OUT I remember when they made me And they told me what I was to do But I've been in this clock for 25 years And it doesn't look like I'm going to be out soon. I'm sick to death of Coo-coo-cooing And dodging sneak attacks by the cat I want to take to the open skies What's so bad about that I never knew, that you felt this way When you said "Coo Coo" I thought you meant to play Although I am young, I'll do what I can do To rescue you Be ready when the clock strikes To pull me from my perch Set me free, please set me free I don't want to be a cuckoo Bird Hello my friend, my little cuckoo Bird You lay on the floor, and you don't say a word Your time has run out And I will shed a tear for you
9.
Don't Give Up (feat. Sonya) 04:53
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In this proud land we grew up strong We were wanted all along I was taught to fight, taught to win I never thought I could fail No fight left or so it seems I am a man whose dreams have all deserted I've changed my face, I've changed my name But no one wants you when you lose Don't give up - 'cos you have friends Don't give up - you're not beaten yet Don't give up - I know you can make it good Though I saw it all around Never thought that I could be affected Thought that we'd be last to go It is so strange the way things turn Drove the night toward my home The place that I was born, on the lakeside As daylight broke, I saw the earth The trees had burned down to the ground Don't give up - you still have us Don't give up - we don't need much of anything Don't give up - 'cos somewhere there's a place where we belong Rest your head You worry too much It's going to be alright When times get rough, you can fall back on us Don't give up, please don't give up Got to walk out of here, I can't take anymore Gonna stand on that bridge, keep my eyes down below Whatever may come and whatever may go That river's flowing, that river's flowing Moved on to another town Tried hard to settle down For every job, so many men So many men no-one needs Don't give up - 'cos you have friends Don't give up - you're not the only one Don't give up - no reason to be ashamed Don't give up - you still have us Don't give up now - we're proud of who you are Don't give up - you know it's never been easy Don't give up - 'cos I believe there's a place There's a place where we belong
10.
Once Upon a Time (Alice's Nightmare) 03:34
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Once upon a time in a land called La-La Lived a girl that I once saw Long black hair straight down her back and Eyes of green that seemed to catch Your stare and she would not let go Until the sheep came running home Dragging their tales behind them When I met her she was dowing her third shot of rye Didn't believe what she said till that rabbit ran by She talked of uspide down trees, an invisible cat And a tea party, where you wear five hats Please help me, I'm afraid for my life I see that evil look in Alice's eyes Eenie, meenie, minie, mo Catch your lover by the toe Lay her down and kiss her gently Jack was nimble, but then he Sitting in a rubber tree, looking at the honey bee Busy, busy, buzzy bee, just the way he aughta be Purple moon lights up the night sky Shining down to where you and I Sit eating our curds and whey Just another busy day in a land they call La-La Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum? I'd love to girl but I've gotta run Things are getting too weird here to stay She offered me some cake and she said I'd shrink I said that who you need to see I think Things are getting too weird here today Please help me, I'm afraid for my life I see that evil look in Alice's eyes Jumping over candlesticks will get your ass burnt Living on Monopoly but when is it my turn Lovers stray by the garden pathways But when they are gone then the band will play Be aughta he way the just bee, honey the at looking tree Rubber in a sitting Lala call they land a in
11.
Heartache's All I Found 03:45
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I lie awake in my room. It's been raining all night long I wonder why it ever had to end. I wonder where you've gone How can it be that we, have grown so far apart You said goodbye and left me holding the pieces of my heart Standing by the window rain coming down, down, down All I want is for you to be around again To make it alright Photographs of me and you. I have spread across my bed I never got to tall you all the things I should have said Now it's too late. I took too long Thought you knew the way I was feeling I guess that I was wrong Standing by the window rain coming down, down, down All I want is for you to be around again Every day I miss you more and I try not to cry Never thought our love could ever die, oh why Every day I miss you more and I try not to cry Never thought our love would ever die in vain Memories of what we had come back time after time I'd give the whole world just to make you mine again Standing by the window rain pouring down, down, down Through your love, a heartache's all I've found
12.
In The End 04:57
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Listen, on the rooftop, sounds like rain She watches through her window made of glass Counting every drop on the window pane She bides her time and prays to a silent God Look, in the green grass, blooms a rose Reminding her of days been and gone Days when life was special, times she's lost And will she have the strength to carry on The dreams she dreams of bright white angels They take her from the earth She soars the clouds her thoughts behind her No more life in a constant nightmare But when she wakes they're gone, and life goes on And old clock on the wall slowly ticks away But time no longer grips her in its jaws Wiping back a tear falling down her face She knows it's there but can't recall the cause Pictures tainted yellow, days gone by She looks back on the years, her thoughts askew Where once familiar faces met her eyes Strangers have replaced the ones she knew The dreams she dreams of bright white angels They take her from the earth She soars the clouds her thoughts behind her No more life in a constant nightmare But when she awakes, they're gone, and another day rolls on When she wakes they're gone, and life goes on She slowly wakes in darkness, but sees the light All fear is gone, a smile is her response The old clock ticks, she has no more tears to cry She sees the gate, she knows the bridge to cross The dreams she dreams of bright white angels They take her from the earth She soars the clouds her thoughts behind her No more life in a constant nightmare

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released November 1, 2021

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Dale's House Productions
©2021 Aerik Watson/Dark Crane Media

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Aerik Watson Renfrew, Ontario

Singer/Songwriter from the Ottawa Valley.

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