From the recording Finally
The song was inspired by Tom Cooper referring to keeping shared secrets in a vault. The first track recorded set the stage for the recording process. I listened to Kansas and Jethro Tull in preparation for this track. Thankfully Craig added some touches to give the song a bit of that flavor. In retrospect, there is some redundancy that should have been colored with a solo or eliminated. Charley added lyrics for the bridge. Stephanie Waugh, my stepdaughter, recorded the flute solo for this song. A high point in the song is Craig’s guitar solo.
Lyrics
The Vault
(Bridge lyrics by Charley Neises)
Tell me the truth. Tell me some lies.
I’ll put them in the vault, where they’ll never die.
Johnny tended bar just across the street,
Serving up cocktails as the patrons warmed their seats.
They’d tell him their tales and they’d cry in their beers.
He’d vault their stories. He’d count their tears.
Father Frank preached the truth to the empty pews.
Parishioners shared their sins in the confessional cube.
The sacred and profane meet in a box,
Where the priest keeps a vault with the strongest lock.
The truth is the light. Lies are dark.
Both in the vault. Both leave their mark.
Tell me the truth. Tell me some lies.
I’ll put them in the vault, where they’ll never die.
Treasures can be stolen and hidden somewhere safe,
Buried deep inside us to save for ‘just in case.’
Digging up the vault of the guarded soul,
Sharing just one secret can leave an empty hole.
The truth is the light. Lies are dark.
Both in the vault. Both leave their mark.
Tell me the truth. Tell me some lies.
I’ll put them in the vault, where they’ll never die.
Sandy cut hair, permed and dyed it too.
Her customers would tell her, “You won’t believe it’s true.”
She’d lock it in the vault and throw away the key,
But their next time in, right there the truth would be.
My friend and I were talking down at Johnny’s bar.
I told him some things, perhaps I went too far.
He said my gems were safe, locked inside his vault.
But I know very well, he just might let them out.
Tell me the truth. Tell me some lies.
I’ll put them in the vault, where they’ll never die.
Tell me the truth. Tell me some lies.
I’ll put them in the vault, where they’ll never die.