Over Time

Over Time Paul Murphy Volume 28 in the series collecting the lyrics of singer/songwriter Paul Murphy. This anthology contains all the known extant material composed in May 2025. An amazing 60 songs were created in just 31 days - ballads, torch-songs, social commentaries, political excoriations and, as might be expected from a man fighting the final days of his Functional Moror Neurological Disorder, some dark, contemplative pieces. The material is presented in the order of composition, and each lyric is accompanied by a photograph of its original handwritten manuscript, where available; due to the spread of paralysis, several of the final works were composed live-to-camera and transcribed from there. Also included are song notes written by Paul, detailing the back-story and circumstances to the works. These notes are presented as their original draft, as no final edit was able to be completed. Once again, these works show the narrative mastery of a unique artist in the songwriting halls. I Wish I Had Faith I wish I had faith, what can I say? When I reach for it, it moves away "Too late now" it says, "the time has gone" "You didn't want me then and I've moved on" I searched for faith in the lonesome night If I could find it, I'd hold it tight But it always stayed five steps away "You said 'No' then, so I'm saying 'No' today" Faith has a beauty all of its own You see it clearer when you're all alone "One more chance" I plaintively cried "Open up your door, and let me inside" "I was always here," it smiles in reply "But you only want me now - I wonder why?" "Can it be that you've realised" "Faith is more than what you see with your eyes" You won't get far if you don't have faith Without it your heart is an empty space When faith comes, your soul goes aflame And nothing is ever the same again - - - - Closing Time Closing time - the axe is falling Closing time - the widow's calling She says her grave has room to spare She points my way - and I don't care Pull the cord - turn the handle My tie's on tight - let me dangle The hands have stopped, the clock-face broke I said "So what" - but I misspoke What's my name - I can't remember All my dreams lie there dismembered The raven smells what tongues won't tell Far more than tears this bleak day fell Take my hand - now point it forwards See that glade it's beckoning towards? From whence I came, I still don't know But closing time - means I must go I said to faith "I am ready now" "I want to proceed but I don't know how" Faith said "You want me when you're in need" "And that's the very worst kind of greed" I unclothed my mind and said to faith "Please let me in before it's too late" "I looked past you to what was in my hands" "And only now do I understand" Faith spoke soft in its resonant voice "I only go to those by their own choice" "If you truly seek me, search within" "That is where our journey will begin"