Death and Doctor Hornbook
SOME books are lies frae end to end,
And some great lies were never penn’d:
Ev’n Ministers they hae been kenn’d,
In holy rapture,
A rousing whid, at times, to vend,
And nail’t wi’ Scripture.
But this that I am gaun to tell,
Which lately on a night befel,
Is just as true ’s the Deil’s in hell,
Or Dublin city:
That e’er he nearer comes oursel
’S a muckle pity.
The Clachan yill had made me canty,
I was na fou, but just had plenty;
I stacher’d whyles, but yet took tent ay
To free the ditches;
An’ hillocks, stanes, an’ bushes kenn’d ay
Frae ghaists an’ witches.
The rising Moon began to glowr
The distant Cumnock hills out-owre;
To count her horns, wi’ a’ my pow’r,
I set mysel,
But whether she had three or four,
I cou’d na tell.
I was come round about the hill,
And todlin down on Willie’s mill,
Setting my staff wi’ a’ my skill,
To keep me sicker;
Tho’ leeward whyles, against my will,
I took a bicker.
I there wi’ Something does forgather,
That pat me in an eerie swither;
An awfu’ scythe, out-owre ae shouther,
Clear-dangling, hang;
A three-tae’d leister on the ither
Lay, large an’ lang.
Its stature seem’d lang Scotch ells twa,
The queerest shape that e’er I saw,
For fient a wame it had ava,
And then its shanks,
They were as thin, as sharp an’ sma’
As cheeks o’ branks.
»Guid-een«, quo I; »Friend! hae ye been mawin,
When ither folk are busy sawin?«
It seem’d to mak a kind o’ stan’,
But naething spak;
At length, says I, »Friend, whare ye gaun,
Will ye go back?«
It spak right howe – »My name is Death,
But be na’ fley’d.« – Quoth I, »Guid faith,
Ye’re maybe come to stap my breath;
But tent me, billie;
I red ye weel, tak care o’ skaith,
See, there’s a gully!«
»Gudeman«, quo’ he, »put up your whittle,
I’m no design’d to try its mettle;
But if I did, I wad be kittle
To be mislear’d,
I wad na’ mind it, no that spittle
Out-owre my beard.«
»Weel, weel!« says I, »a bargain be’t;
Come, gies your hand, an’ sae we’re gree’t;
We’ll ease our shanks an’ tak a seat,
Come, gies your news!
This while ye hae been mony a gate,
At mony a house.«
»Ay, ay!« quo’ he, an’ shook his head,
»It’s e’en a lang, lang time indeed
Sin’ I began to nick the thread,
An’ choke the breath:
Folk maun do something for their bread,
An’ sae maun Death.
Sax thousand years are near hand fled
Sin’ I was to the butching bred,
And mony a scheme in vain’s been laid,
To stap or scar me;
Till ane Hornbook’s ta’en up the trade,
And faith, he’ll waur me.
Ye ken Jock Hornbook i’ the Clachan,
Deil mak his king’s-hood in a spleuchan!
He’s grown sae weel acquaint wi’ Buchan
And ither chaps,
The weans haud out their fingers laughin,
And pouk my hips.
See, here’s a scythe, and there’s a dart,
They hae pierc’d monie a gallant heart;
But Doctor Hornbook, wi’ his art
And cursed skill,
Has made them baith no worth a fart,
Damn’d haet they’ll kill!
Twas but yestreen, nae farther gaen,
I threw a noble throw at ane;
Wi’ less, I’m sure, I’ve hundreds slain;
But deil-ma-care!
It just play’d dirl on the bane,
But did nae mair.
Hornbook was by, wi’ ready art,
And had sae fortify’d the part,
That when I looked to my dart,
It was sae blunt,
Fient haet o’t wad hae pierc’d the heart
Of a kail-runt.
I drew my scythe in sic a fury,
I nearhand cowpit wi’ my hurry,
But yet the bauld Apothecary
Withstood the shock;
I might as weel hae try’d a quarry
O’ hard whin-rock.
Ev’n them he canna get attended,
Altho’ their face he ne’er had kend it,
Just shit in a kail-blade an send it,
As soon’s he smells ’t,
Baith their disease, and what will mend it,
At once he tells’t.
And then a’ doctor’s saws and whittles,
Of a’ dimensions, shapes, an’ mettles,
A’ kinds o’ boxes, mugs, an’ bottles,
He’s shure to hae;
Their Latin names as fast he rattles
As A B C.
Calces o’ fossils, earths, and trees;
True Sal-marinum o’ the seas;
The Farina of beans and pease,
He has’t in plenty;
Aqua-fontis, what you please,
He can content ye.
Forbye some new, uncommon weapons,
Urinus Spiritus of capons;
Or Mite-horn shavings, filings, scrapings,
Distill’d per se;
Sal-alkali o’ Midge-tail clippings,
And monie mae.«
»Waes me for Johnny Ged’s-Hole now«,
Quoth I, »if that thae news be true!
His braw calf-ward whare gowans grew,
Sae white an’ bonie,
Nae doubt they’ll rive it wi’ the plew;
They’ll ruin Johnie!«
The creature grain’d an eldritch laugh,
And says, »Ye needna yoke the pleugh,
Kirk-yards will soon be till’d eneugh,
Tak ye nae fear:
They’ll a’ be trench’d wi’ monie a sheugh,
In twa-three year.
Whare I kill’d ane, a fair strae-death,
By loss o’ blood, or want o’ breath,
This night I’m free to tak my aith,
That Hornbook’s skill
Has clad a score i’ their last claith,
By drap and pill.
An honest Wabster to his trade,
Whase wife’s twa nieves were scarce weel-bred,
Gat tippence-worth to mend her head,
When it was sair;
The wife slade cannie to her bed,
But ne’er spak mair.
A countra Laird had ta’en the batts,
Or some curmurring in his guts,
His only son for Hornbook sets,
And pays him well,
The lad, for twa guid gimmer-pets,
Was Laird himsel.
An bonie lass, ye kend her name,
Some ill-brewn drink had hov’d her wame,
She trusts hersel, to hide the shame,
In Hornbook’s care;
Horn sent her off to her lang hame,
To hide it there.
That’s just a swatch o’ Hornbook’s way,
Thus goes he on from day to day,
Thus does he poison, kill an’ slay,
An’s weel pay’d for’t;
Yet stops me o’ my lawfu’ prey,
Wi’ his damn’d dirt!
But hark! I’ll tell you of a plot,
Tho’ dinna ye be speakin o’t;
I’ll nail the self-conceited Sot,
As dead’s herrin:
Niest time we meet, I’ll wad a groat,
He gets his fairin!«
But just as he began to tell,
The auld kirk-hammer strak the bell
Some wee, short hour ayont the twal,
Which rais’d us baith:
I took the way that pleas’d mysel,
And sae did Death.
poem by Robert Burns
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Related quotes
Hype, Demystified
it lies in the sleigh of the hand
it lies in explosions before triggers
it lies in making up for the fact.
it lies as the investment of an investment
it lies in the trajectory of its rapture
from itself towards itself
being reeled up in limbo
being enjoyed in its self-indulgence.
it lies baiting for a prize
which lies as the bait
it lies oxidized
in the pulling of airs.
it lied in a climaxing flux
out of nowhere towards nothing
it lied in the whimper of its orgasm
it lied in turning you on
it lied.
poem by Chris Jelens
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Telling Lies
You tell your lies unto your daughters
You told those lies unto their fathers
You tell them lies, in such a disguise
So later in years them you could deny.
You tell your lies unto your friends
You told those lies to all your men
You make up an excuse, just to confuse
So no one knows what you put them through.
You tell your lies unto your teacher
You told your lies unto your preacher
You then shed a tear, so with pity they'd hear
And also when no one else is ever near.
You tell your lies to any caller
You told your lies unto your lawyer
You say any word, though may be absurd
Even though from someone else you heard.
You tell your lies in your prayer
You told those lies to the choir
But you still will be blamed, for all the pain
As sadly you and your lying will remain.
You will tell your lies each and everyday
You will tell those lies when you get old and gray
Sadly you will tell them till, your heart beats still
But then hearing those lies no one else ever will.
You will tell your lies when you meet GOD
You will tell those lies with a pitiful nod
You will beg him again, that you did no sin
But GOD will know where you have been.
You will tell your lies when you meet the Devil
You will tell those lies as as you are at the same level
But at you he will grin, as he knows all your sin
As with you all those times he too has been.
Your daughters will sin and tell their lies
As to anyone that will listen they will also cry
As you taught them not the truth, but only how to use
So also their destiny from lies they did choose.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lies, Lies, Lies
[verse 1]
I see you coming through the door
Creepin
Its a quarter past four
And
I smell the scent of cheap perfume
Who is she?
You step in the room
With a guilty look upon your face
Busted
And you started to say
but really baby I can explain
Save your breath
Ive got something to say
[chorus:]
Every word you say is
Lies, lies, lies
And now Im leaving you, so
Bye, bye, bye
And I cant take no more of this
Cry, cry, cryin
You know that you aint @#%$
With your
Lies, lies, lies
Ohhhhh
[verse 2]
Dont bother to apologize
Its too late
Ive heard it all before
And
This should come as no surprise
Im leaving
Ive packed my things
Cause Im through with this merry go around
Im getting off
Ive finally found
My strength waiting down
I should have left your @#%$
After the first round
Ohhhh
[chorus:]
Every word you say is
Lies, lies, lies
And now Im leaving you, so
Bye, bye, bye
And I cant take no more of this
Cry, cry, cryin
You know that you aint @#%$
With your
Lies, lies, lies
Please, please
Oh please
[laughs]
Yeah
What you goin do?
Tell your boys
All how you got over again?
Yeah right
Get off your knees
Oh, baby, please
Go ahead and tell the truth
Yeah
You know what
You see this fire in my eyes
Its all because of you
All you do is lie
[chorus:]
Every word you say is
Lies, lies, lies (goodbye, yeah. whooo)
And now Im leaving you, so
Bye, bye, bye (leaving you, leaving you, ohhh)
And I cant take no more of this
Cry, cry, cryin (too many tears over the years)
You know that you aint @#%$
With your
Lies, lies, lies (every little word you say is driving me crazy, insane)
Every word you say is (why lie? )
Lies, lies, lies
And now Im leaving you, so (bye, bye)
Bye, bye, bye
And I cant take no more of this
Cry, cry, cryin
You know that you aint @#%$
With your
Lies, lies, lies (you aint @#%$ with your li, li, li, li, lies)
[revamp:]
Li, li, lies, lies
Whooo
Lies
Li, li, lies, lies
Lies
Li, li, lies, lies
Lies
Li, li, lies, lies
Lies
Lies
Lies
Bye, bye
Lies
Bye, bye
Lies
Bye, bye
Lies
Bye, bye
Lies
song performed by by Toni Braxton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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How Many Lies ?
Once there were times,
Once there were reasons filled with rhymes,
Everything shared, everything told
You keep me so warm,
Protect me from all those mighty storms
And dreams seem so old
So look at us now, just look at us now,
With our hands on our hearts
And lines on our brow
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, its for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
Do you read through the lines,
Or believe the tv and the times?
Where can we find more ways to see?
You strain on the truth,
And make believe all when you cry wolf,
And the lies youre giving me
So look at us now, just look at us now,
With our hands on our hearts
And lines on our brow
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, its for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
Oh, well the truth is hard,
So when they write the book,
Fictions what you wanna be
Well, its your freedom of choice,
But you know that lies, are the cancer of democracy
Youve painted your face,
And now youve tainted your words
And now youre ready and armed with love
Well if youre head is steady,
And your soul is ready,
Were going up above
So whatever you wanna be,
Just come on along with me,
If theres truth in our hearts,
Maybe we can break free
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, its for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
How many lies must we tell?
How many lies must we see?
How many times must we say, its for the best?
And leave truth as the casualty?
How many times must we say, its for the best?
And leave nothing, yeah
song performed by by Spandau Ballet
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Stigmata
Stronger than reason
Stronger than lies
The only truth I know
Is the look in your eyes
The look in your eyes!
Just like a car crash
Just like a knife
My favourite weapon
Is the look in your eyes
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Theres a ton locked in your empty eyes
Get out of my life!
Im chewing on glass
And eating my fingers
Im not the one
Whos run out of lies
Lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of lies!
Youve run out of time!
Cutting my face
And walking on splinters
I lost my soul
To the look in your eyes
Your eyes!
You ran out of lies!
You ran out of lies!
You ran out of lies!
You ran out of time!
Stigmata!
O, you have empty eyes!...
They tell me nothing, nothing but lies
song performed by by Ministry
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Refusal to Conform
I'm so tired of being sensible,
Tired of being wise,
All of the things I should do,
It's lies, lies, lies!
I want to get drunk instead,
I want to get right out of my head,
All of the things you told me to do,
All the ways I could have pleased you,
It's lies, lies, lies!
It comes as no surprise
That getting drunk is the only way out,
Let me stand on the rooftops and shout
'Lies, lies, lies! '
You'd have liked me to be a good boy,
Someone your colleagues could employ,
Someone who fitted in,
Who didn't have the courage to sin,
Someone to make you proud,
Someone who didn't shout out loud
'It's lies, lies, lies! '
I wasn't prepared to say yes to you,
I wasn't prepared to do what you do,
Go to hell, old father,
It's lies, lies, lies,
And that is the way a hero dies!
poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lies That Lie
Lies that lie eyes that cry baby
Try and try to understand maybe
Skies were meant to fall on me
Just like people will be free
Living lies and takin' sides daily
Dimmer minds and duller times maybe
Life is just a fight to survive
Only dreams can make me feel more alive
Despising agonizing every word
It's so absured to me
I guess it's better to observe
Another problem but who said I'm right
I don't wanna fight it
I gotta fight it
Get in line, think of a better one baby
Written rhymes to keep a clearer mind, hey hey
You can take it out on me
Let's just see what you can do for me
Lies that lie and eyes that cry baby
Try and try to understand maybe
Who ever thought of this?
The good times are times I've missed - Lies that lie
Don't wanna swing to miss
I'm still reading down my list - Lies that lie
Despising agonizing every word
It's so absured to me
I guess it's better to observe
Another problem but who said I'm right
Don't wanna fight it
I gotta fight it
Before I go
Don't wanna fight it
I gotta fight it
Before I go
Don't wanna fight it
I gotta fight it
Before I go
Lies that lie, lies that lie, lies that lie, lies that lie
Lies that lie, lies that lie, lies that lie, lies that lie
song performed by by 1208
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tellin Me Lies
(myles goodwyn)
Published by northern goody two tunes, ltd./capac - ascap
Why should I be embarrassed
Say things I never mean
Worry too much for no reason
Cant last, not the way Im feelin
Tellin me lies, tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, no alibis
You say youre feelin restless
Im sure thats what you said
Its alright, just be on the level
Theres no need playin with my head now (ooh yeah)
Tellin me lies, tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, no alibis
Heartaches, always the same story
Heartaches, always the same story
No more sleepless nights alone
Last time, youre gonna lead me on heartaches
Two wrongs dont make it right girl
Someone has to be true
Come on, tell me how you want it
Just dont treat me like a fool (ooh yeah)
Tellin me lies, tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, no alibis
Tellin me lies
Tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, tellin me lies
Tellin me lies
Tellin me lies
Tellin me lies, no alibis
song performed by by April Wine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Fundamental of Liar Chapter XLII: What Lies Beneath
beauty lies beneath
sense lies beneath
secret lies beneath
character lies beneath
rule lies beneath
mind lies beneath
past lies beneath
foundation lies beneath
root lies beneath
dark hole lies beneath
poem by Maria Sudibyo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Tell thee truth, sweet; no
TELL thee truth, sweet; no.
Truth is cross and sad and cold:
Lies are pitiful and kind,
Honey-soft as Love's own tongue:
Let me, love, lie so.
Lies are like a summer wind,
Wooing flower-buds to unfold
Lies will last while men are young.
Tell thee truth, love; no.
Let me, sweet, lie so.
Lies are Hope's light ministers,
Footless birds upon the wing:
Truth's a name for plodding care:
Tell thee truth, sweet; no.
Truth's the east wind on the Spring—
'Tis the wind, not Spring-time, errs.
Lies will last while maids are fair.
Let me lie, love, so.
poem by Augusta Davies Webster
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Lies give life
Lies not deductible: - History.
Lies acceptable: Prose.
Lies unbelievable: Epics.
Lies Unimaginable: Poetry.
They are dry without lies.
20.07.2000, Paralekhemundi.
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Freedom Lies
Freedom, theres more to your life so now[? ]
Old laws, man has made only blind.
Oh, give us freedom, a call to the brave and the strong,
To stand in the face of all wrong and show the way.
Freedom lies, freedom lies, freedom lies.
Freedom to live out the dream in a song,
Give hope to the hearts of the young.
Oh, give us freedom to act out of love and not fear,
So all that is true will be clear.
Hear tomorrow, calling hold me, show me.
Freedom lies, freedom lies, freedom lies.
Freedom lies, freedom lies, freedom lies.
song performed by by Kinks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Little Lies
If I could turn the page
In time then Id rearrange just a day or two
Close my, close my, close my eyes
But I couldnt find a way
So Ill settle for one day to believe in you
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you cant disguise
(you cant disguise, no you cant disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
Although Im not making plans
I hope that you understand theres a reason why
Close your, close your, close your eyes
No more broken hearts
Were better off apart lets give it a try
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you cant disguise
(you cant disguise, no you cant disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
If I could turn the page
In time then Id rearrange just a day or two
Close my, close my, close my eyes
But I couldnt find a way
So Ill settle for one day to believe in you
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you cant disguise
(you cant disguise, no you cant disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you cant disguise
(you cant disguise, no you cant disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(tell me, tell me lies)
song performed by by Fleetwood Mac
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Slipping of Meet Notes
Accustomed to lies.
What does the truth really mean?
Accustomed to lies laying low on the scene!
Accustomed to tell them...
And protect when told.
Accustomed to lies,
Whether fresh released or old held on hold!
Accustomed to lies...
Without a bat of an eyelash moving!
Accustomed to lies.
Dishonesty is accepted and shown.
At the work place
Where the slipping of meet notes,
Does not provoke disdain.
Accustomed to lies...
And that's how our lives remain!
In heated sex away from home!
Regardless of who spies on another,
Both buffer their suffering by what's condoned.
Accustomed to lies...
And what is taught is always known!
Accustomed to lies.
Accustomed to holding on to them,
Until time flys!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Stung
Lies.
My lies.
My lies.
I learned to quick admit them.
Lies.
My lies.
My lies.
I learned to quick admit them.
When I was young I said I was stung by a bee.
And I was told not to go where I shouldn't be.
And then I 'fibbed' thinking this would benefit.
And right away my mama punished me for it...
'Cause I led.
Lies.
My lies.
My lies.
I learned to quick admit them.
Lies.
My lies.
My lies.
I learned to quick admit them.
My mama struck me and my lips went out poked.
She said don't ever lie and she was no joke.
And I cried.
I cried.
I cried.
My mama stung and I was punished...
From lies.
Telling lies.
My lies.
My mama stung and I was punished...
From lies.
Telling lies.
My lies.
And I learned quick to admit them!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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N4
my theory lives thru
as you have said it: these are all lies
lies and more lies
and you know them all to be lies,
but as you said it,
you begin to understand the truth
beneath these lies
a layer of grass
another layer of flowers
another layer of clouds
beneath is the niche
burying the nuggets of
my own wisdom, how i live my life
and justify it later
before God, shall all lies be
truths
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Blood Stained
Atrocities
Made every day
Religiously
Their sins
They hide
Can never disguise
Blood stained hands
Blood stained times
Blood stained deeds
Blood stained lies
They wage their wars
Such profiteers
Will nail us all
Their crimes
Concealed
Despicably reveal
Blood stained hands
Blood stained times
Blood stained weapons
Blood stained lies
They fire at will
Intent to kill
They have no conscience
They have no conscience
Ethnic cleansing nothing more!
Blood of nations blood of war
Turn blind eyes
From all your crimes
You bare our souls
Show no remorse
You cannot wash
The bloodstains off
They turn their backs
While others
Commit grisly acts
Were scared
For life
By politicians greedy
Blood stained hands
Blood stained times
Blood stained weapons
Blood stained crimes
Blood stained lands
Blood stained minds
Blood stained deeds
Blood stained lies
And while such predators
Stalk this earth
Disguised as saints
They kill our faith
Obsessed by greed
Lying through their teeth
They cannot wash
The blood stains off
song performed by by Judas Priest
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Truth Within
Fons et origo boni ple luxque perenis
Salvificet pietas tua nos bone rector, eleison
The golden wine flows through my veins
I know the meaning behind the holy words
A lesson must be learned - so listen all
Let your heart rule or we all must fall
We cry out for help, a prayer for your soul
When you will know the end is near,
you will faster crawl
The whole body withdraws with the pain of birth
And once again I know the true meaning of life
Once again I know that looking through their eyes
... As they came with their love...
I know the truth of life and it lies before my eyes
The truth lies within you know
The truth lies within the holy words
song performed by by Orphaned Land
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Truth & Lies
Truth stands to last
Lies fall so fast
Truth shows the light
Lies bring the blight
Truth makes a way
Lies spoil the day
Truth makes life groom
Lies give life doom
Truth leads to gains
Lies lead to pains
Truth you cherish
Lies you don’t fish
Truth gives one thrill
Lies make one ill
poem by Obinna Kenechukwu Eruchie
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Truth Are Lies.. Lies Are Truth..
speak your truth from your quivering lips
but also your lies comes through them..
your half lies are also your half truths
yet your half truths are also your half lies
what shall you talk about them if your thruth are your lies
and your lieas are your truths
then this world would be filled of noise
being lies and being the truth
until all of us will be lost
what to believe and follow
will it be the half lies
or the half truths?
which one is to choice
the truth is yours but also are the lies..
so let us all live with he truths and the lies
within our hearts within our minds
till we are lost in a maze of half lies and half truths
poem by Villiamor Calventas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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