August 2019
Writing lyrics can be very tedious, but this was one of those rare moments when it was really fun and emerged mostly spontaneously over a simple guitar line. It was like going back to the source, a refreshing experience on the barren wastelands of present day galloping individualism, which oddly enough is the inspiration for penning this piece. We live in a world of 'I and mine'. We have blind spots in the way we see things and ourselves that damage society and endanger the earth herself. We are unaware of our own ignorance.
We don't know what we don't know. In fact, we cannot know because of the confusion and control caused by corporate greed, political powers, and just downright selfishness. Screens, devices, and modern urban life are confusing and distracting us, separating us from our own nature. In danger of losing our way, we are trying to drive a broken machine down a pot-holed road to nowhere (or worse). That sentence reminds me of AC/ DC's song 'Highway to Hell’.
Who are we and where are we going? "The trouble is... you don't know. You don't know what you don’t know. We might all be swept away." So pay attention. Be aware. There is inner and outer work to be done. Pay attention to what you say, what you do, and be mindful. Peace.
You Don't Know, What You Don't Know (F.Hostetler-2019 ascap)
I got a message on my phone, came outta the blue, but it was right on, and it rang true. It said, "You don't know, what you don't know
You don't know, whatcha don't know"
So be aware, be aware, beware You reap just what you sew
Just open your eyes, take a look around
Better get prepared, for what's coming down. The wheels are turning, spinning out of control, Nowhere to turn, nowhere to go
Like a runaway train, about to jump the track
Warning flags are waving, stand back, watch your back.
Refrain: You don't know, what you don't know, You don't know, whatcha don't know, 2x
Get outta the box, turn the page
Take a walk outside, see a brand new day
Now is the time, to make a change
Ready yourself, we're movin' to a different stage, C'mon people now live and learn, Before it all falls down, and we crash and burn.
This 'ME FIRST' feeling, gotta be the worst
It’s a game for fools, who forget the Golden Rule
They're moving too fast, always talking trash
Everywhere they go, they're gonna be reaping what they sew, everywhere you go, gonna reap what you sew, everywhere you go you're gonna reap what you sew.
Outro: You don't know...what ya don't know. You don't know what you don't know. You don't know what you don't know... the trouble is... the trouble is...we might all be swept away, we’ve got to pray or they’ll be hell to pay, they’ll be hell to pay, pray, pray...