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Paradise is Burning

from The Seeds of Today by Mark Bishop Evans

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lyrics

Paradise is Burning – Mark Bishop Evans – 20220425

In the hot wind of November, the Sierra’s parched and dry.
The drought has lasted ten years now and if trees could they’d cry
No water in the rivers or moisture in the ground
and the Santa Anna’s blowing, and she makes a mournful sound

So, it’s really not surprising that the wind took down a line
sending sparks into the brush on Camp Creek number nine
And embers rising to the sky soon settle the ground,
like firebirds they start a blaze wherever they touch down.

There’s fire on the mountain and the smoke is in the sky
Blazing like a fountain as it burns into the night
It rages through the valley as fast as eagle flew
And Paradise is burning and there’s nothing we can do

As the town was slowly waking-up to start another day
the ash had started falling and fire is on its way
On the outskirts homes were burning and the calls were pouring in,
but they were told they’re on their own, resources were too thin
As the sun broke the horizon an alarm was finally raised,
but by then it was far to late and for the forest was ablaze
And panic starts to smolder when there’s nowhere left to turn,
and the roads are blocked, and the town is caught, as walls of fire churn

Now they’re trying to evacuate on the one road out of town,
but that became a stalemate as the burning trees came down
Minutes can be hours when you’re trying to survive,
and the only thing that matters is to keep your kids alive
In a last and desperate gamble, the fire trucks circle ‘round,
and all those who were able came and huddled on the ground
As a tidal wave of raging flame swept across the land

until not a single building, barn or tree was left to stand
The people in that circle lived and many others too,
but over 80 of their neighbors died, all people that they knew
Nineteen thousand buildings burned with nothing left but ash,
and Paradise is no more, and it happened in a flash

Now some have promised to return while others chose to leave.
But as temperatures keep rising the dangers just increase
So, if you want that life again this truth you’ll have to face,
and perhaps you build your Paradise in a different place.

credits

from The Seeds of Today, released January 17, 2023

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Mark Bishop Evans Phoenix, Arizona

Mark grew up in California where his major musical influences were Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and pretty much any folk, folk rock or beach music. He has a way with words and melodies, bringing them together in pleasant and poignant combinations. His music is an intriguing blend of Folk, folk rock and ballads, lyrically rich in emotional content and melodically comfortable. ... more

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