From the recording THE MARIONETTE: This & That from Hither & Yon
Jeffery Williams is another one of those names I used to hear in the wind around town. I had been tinkering with computer modeling and animation for a while, and in 2008 or thereabouts, we nearly met. He is an amazingly talented CG artist and filmmaker and I had called him at his studio just to try and get a feel for the work he was doing and how I could improve my own efforts. Due to scheduling snafus, and good old-fashioned procrastination on my part, we never got together, and my tinkering with CG sort of ran its course. Years later, I was contacted about playing a blind street musician (later revealed to be the Devil) in the afore-mentioned feature film, Everything. Well, as they say, wild horses couldn’t have kept me away from that! It was written, directed, and produced by… Mr. Jeffery Williams. What can I say, fate has her ways! Everything about this experience was stellar. It was my first paid film acting gig. Jeff insisted on paying everyone involved, which is extremely rare in these parts. The cast is a veritable who’s who of local talent and it was sublimely surreal to see my name in the opening credits alongside such prominent Springfield icons. I did not write this song, but this is the song my character performs in the film, and is also the movie’s theme song.
Lyrics
When it’s my time to go, will I fear the other side?
Or will I cross that bridge alone and smile?
If I had the chance, would I run away and hide?
Or would I have the grace to not postpone my trial?
Kiss me one more time, I’m growing cold
Oh, I wish I didn’t have to go away
Holding on to everything is fool’s gold
Oh, I didn’t know the truth before today
Sleep with no dreams. I’ll close my eyes
Remember our love, then say goodbye
Don’t send me flowers, please don’t cry
I’ll sleep with no dreams when it’s my time
Funny, but I thought that it would be so dark and cold
Not this peaceful place I’ve found here just for me
I walked into the light, found the mirror of my soul
Looked the darkest angel in the eye - and now I see
Judgement day has come, we’re guilty just for livin’
I’d take you with me if I could. And you know I could
Everything inside me says, “just give in”
The end is so misunderstood - and this is the end
Sleep with no dreams. I’ll close my eyes
Remember our love, then say goodbye
Don’t send me flowers, please don’t cry
I’ll sleep with no dreams when it’s my time
Crazy, but I know I’m going home
If I have to wait forever, you know I will
A better place I’ve never known
You’ll know I’m close beside you when you feel the chill
Sleep with no dreams. I’ll close my eyes
Remember our love, then say goodbye
Don’t send me flowers, please don’t cry
I’ll sleep with no dreams when it’s my time
Music by Bill Bruce, Lyrics by J. Allen Williams.
© 2015, Bill Bruce & Parallax Studios
Arrangement by David Greathouse.