This Is Not It
words and music by bob padgett
September 4-12, 2005—Stony Brook, NY
©2005 clamchop creative studio

For the victims of, and all those affected by, Hurricane Katrina
And for others


This is not it
…take a look around you
Autumn’s death gets blanketed
  in white
…take a look around you
the Winter’s snow will
  water Summer’s grass

This is not it
…take a look around you
The clouds that hide the sun
  they blow away
…take a look around you
The dark of night will fill
  with morning light

Though this brings death
and this is bitter cold
and this is thick with clouds
and this is full of dark
This is not it.

This is not it
…take a look around you
This pressure now tomorrow
  diamonds makes
…take a look around you
This solitude be swallowed up
  with Love

This is not it
…take a look around you
This burden borne will make
  your back so strong
…take a look around you
Your heavy load be lifted
  one day

Though this bears in so hard
and this is lonely now
and this is hard
and this weighs you down
This is not it.

This is not it
…take a look around you
The walls, the windows, doors
  they pass away
…take a look around you
This may just be a stop
  along the way

This is not it
…take a look around you
Surrender leads the way
  to victory
…take a look around you
This night will surely yield
  to mercies new
…take a look around you
That Day shall come when night
  will be no more

Though this has doors closed tight
and this feels far from Home
and this makes you so weak
and this chokes life with tears
and this brings darkest night
This is not it
This is not it.