1. |
South to North
03:22
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Another summer came in May, Took the wondering day by day;
Wasn't any other way, To reason with herself to stay
Not an easy place to sit, Between the valley and the ridge;
All the troubles get back-lit, Trying hard to make it fit
She'll slow down when that water's still, When all the ways down get back-filled;
Maybe the rivers aren't supposed to run, South to north, Back and forth, 'Round here
Pass on through water gap, To the dark side of the map;
Even though an even flow, Line's too thin, the bank too black
Hold her steady for another mile, Let the water rise on higher;
To keep the edge, try to file; The weathered weave of wood and wire
She'll slow down when that water's still, When all the ways down get back-filled;
Maybe the rivers aren't supposed to run, South to north, Back and forth, 'Round here
Another summer went thereby; Overburden to the side; Gave the ol' small town try; she was bound to stay untied
She'll slow down when that water's still; When all the ways down get back-filled;
Maybe the rivers aren't supposed to run; Big and tall; Even at all; 'Round here
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2. |
Super Bloom
05:03
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When it's set to fade
Down slow to a still
One by one the way is paid
The house needs small bills
Running on the dirt is strong and sure if the winds ignore it
Comes out in the wash
Ride along, the road is four by four, we'll be fine, you swore it
Another thin divide to cross
We could lose the blazes in the field if you wanna
This red sink has never looked so green
We could roll by way of California, ohhh
Break down stage for this whole scene
No more trying to make hay
No things to be overdone
No one's shining in this play
But they sure are having fun
Evening long, the rain is gone before, we missed the morning
No telling where it's been
Water's drawn, the river's high and wide, and the dam is warning
Every drop has poured off since
We could lose the lead and drift out field if you wanna
This red sink has never looked so green
We could roll by way of California, ohhh
Break down stage for this whole scene
We could stretch the day and drift for real if you wanna
This old waste land, no where prayer, has never looked so green
We could roll by way of California, ohhh
Set up stage for this whole scene
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3. |
Excavator
04:03
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I put my head on for the picture
Told you not to count to three
Hit play and look the other way
Just here to wait and see
All bent up the day is calling
Fed up without the heat
Time to make a big election
Coffee, prairie or concrete
Can you believe all this trouble
We've been having in first gear
The excavator must be running hot
Where to dig is unclear
Muddle a lot, make use of little
Confess while you're awake
They say while your eyes are closed
There's a whole lot more at stake
Well I can't say we're here awhile but who knows, time it throws, a line grab hold and here we go
Slow down for a minute or a mile, or maybe three, I'll be here, just take the lead
Put my head on for the morning
Sun rises as it's pleased
One leg dressed, turn to the west
With eyes back towards east
The road is getting heavy
The traffic's closing in
Car's packed my
Mind full up with everywhere I've been
Can you believe all this excitement
We've been having in third gear
The excavator must be running hot
Where to pile is unclear
Spin a lot and pick a little
Pull the thread while you're awake
They say with eyes wide open
There's a lot more shots to take
Well I can't say we're here awhile but who knows, time it throws, a line grab hold and here we go
Slow down for a minute or a mile, or maybe three, I'll be here, just take the lead
Can you believe this rearranging
We've been doing in fourth gear
The excavator must be running hot
And it hasn't been for years
Well I can't say we're here awhile but who knows, time it throws, a line grab hold and here we go
Slow down for a minute or a mile, or maybe three, I'll be here, just take the lead
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4. |
Long Cold Winter
02:58
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Another round, the road has been covered for days;
Can't seem to unfold my map out in this place; Nothing to show
See clear to the City from this hill now and then;
They're calling for a wintry mix up again; On the radio
I know these roads are unincorporated; But they have been just the right speed
You're the guy wire; The stud on my tire;
The only thing that gets me through the long cold winter
A long February rides out on a rail;
From this side our cares seem too little to fail; But they grow
They try to tell about moves comin' up in the weather;
But what's whipping up the wind right now would be better; To know
You think this ramble is coming up empty; But we have got all that we need
The rearview on my truck; My five gallon bucket;
The only things that get me through the long cold winter
You're the rake on my roof; That's my gospel truth;
The sand on my ice; My solicited advice
The only thing that gets me through the long cold winter; the long cold winter
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5. |
The Ways
03:43
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Who to root for, where to set a match
Soft wood on the ground, it'll all burn too fast
But the big trees, line the old roads
To my aims, and my intents, and all those things that make one whole
Now I'm moving on again, trying to make space
Said a few hello's, goodbyes and see you down the ways
Though this advice is heavy, it'll do somebody good
I had promised I would carry it, so carry it I would
Just counting the steeples, at the end of this drive
Why can’t I at the same place, buy liquor, beer, and wine
What of the old town, when the new highway is cut, can't tell
Who decides, who makes out, who has to settle up
Now I'm moving on again, trying to make space
Said a few hello's, goodbyes and see you down the ways
Though this device is heavy, I won't leave it where I stood
I had promised I would carry it, so carry it I would
Into a crowded room, nobody here I get
No time for formalities, I haven't picked 'em up yet
Man asks how to get along in this high atmosphere
They told me, don't mind him, we lose a couple every year
Now I'm moving on again, trying to make space
Said a few hello's, goodbyes and see you down the ways
Though this life is heavy, mama told me to make good
I had promised I would carry it, so carry it I would
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6. |
Groundskeeper
03:51
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I can't explain a thing
Sit back and watch the day bring
A wince and smile to see this through
Got us pegged well good on you
The good guy was last to arrive
Now he's swept up for the ride
Push to pedal back a few
That is quite the grand display
Watch for what you can't unsay
We all got problems to tend to
Don't think anybody knows what's going on round here, except the
Groundskeeper, the cook, the teacher, dash of reason, always deeper
Don't think anybody grows while shutting up in here
Let's ask the good preacher, the fortune seeker, washes out with the street-sweeper
And then it goes down hill
I can't refrain or pay heed
Not all who run should take lead
One step, two, a race to be seen
Grease the wheel, it's just a machine
The morning after before parting
Wave hello to the herb garden
Holding out for some good news
I heard it from a working stiff
The only soul here on this ship
Who's got anything to lose
Don't think anybody knows what's going on round here, except the
Groundskeeper, the cook, the teacher, dash of reason, always deeper
Don't think anybody grows while shutting up in here
Let's ask the good preacher, the fortune seeker, washes out with the street-sweeper
And then it goes down hill
Mark one down for my two cents
No good conviction goes unspent
Thinkin' bout our new old deal
Canned up in my automobile
Don't think anybody knows what's going on round here, except the
Groundskeeper, the cook, the teacher, dash of reason, always deeper
Don't think anybody grows while shutting up in here
Let's ask the good preacher, the fortune seeker, washes out with the street-sweeper
And then it goes down hill
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7. |
Another's Behalf
03:27
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Toothbrush is gone; Don't see that razor, shaving cream; Can
you believe; Thought he'd be; Better off without me, oh;
Hell; Where did my better judgment go;
On with the trial; This thing ain't black and white I know
My favorite big sweatshirt; Taken away;
Closet still full; Maybe he needed space for his
Scrap it though, take your show; And drive til shapes on highway signs
Change.. of pace never hurt nobody
You think I've been playin' blind; But every chip you leave behind; Is cash in hand;
Don't need your one mind, stay all gone; Find another's behalf to speak on
This heart is posted; Please seek authorization; 'fore you
Rethink; Crossing that line of reasoning
You come, you go, you take, you owe; It's really quite habitual;
And I'm a’gonna shut it down
My diagnosis; Self righteous, centered, serving; It up
Cold; Gotta dig up out this hole
-y ghost of average man at most; My weakness everybody knows;
And now I'm gonna take back ground
Well you think I've been playin' blind; But every chip you leave behind; Is cash in hand
Don't need your one mind, run along; Find another's behalf to speak on
You say you've gone up and grown, go 'head and swim out on your own; I'm stayin' on dry land
Don't need your one mind, go get gone; Find another's behalf to speak on
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8. |
Little Sadie
02:32
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Went out last night to take a little round
I met my Little Sadie and I blowed her down
I went right home and I went to bed
44 Smokeless underneath my head
Began to think what a deed I'd done
I'd grab my hat and away I'd run
Made a good run but a little too slow
They overtook me down in Jericho
I was standing on the corner, reading the bill
When up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville
He said, young man, ain't your name Brown?
Remember the night you shot Sadie down?
I said, yes, sir, my name is Lee
I murdered little Sadie in the first degree
And first degree and the second degree
If you got any papers, won't you read 'em to me?
They took me downtown and dressed me in black
Put me on the train and started me back
They crammed me back in that Thomasville jail
And I had no money for to go my bail
That judge and the jury, they took their stand
The judge had the papers in his right hand
Forty one days and forty one nights
Forty one years to wear the ball and the stripes
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9. |
Dance in Line
04:41
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Smoke streaks, summer sky, can't tell the clouds from mountains high, oh yeah
Throw down, even score, play the game and count it for the record
Right patch, wrong plant, made a rash arrangement can't you see
He said, she said, let's decide when bows are tied we'll have a laugh, or three
Girl just dance in line; Steppin' matter over mind
Dance 'til the band resigns; In the morning you'll be fine
Girl just dance in line; Steppin' matter over mind
Ground your heels into that pine; In the morning you'll be just fine
He showed up with Susie Blue, trouble fired where it was due, uh huh
The caller yelled a 'come around', the mando make a reckonin' sound, like this [mando lick of some sort]
She threw a fit, shout holy writ, kicked it high and stomped in double time
Quick feet, slow drawls, and yankee brawls, we got it all at this grange hall
Girl just dance in line; Steppin' matter over mind
Dance 'til the band resigns; In the morning you'll be fine
Girl just dance in line; Steppin' matter over mind
Ground your heels into that pine; In the morning you'll be just fine
Double down and hide'er tells, hang on to that good fortune well, alright
Knowin' to the circumstance, hit the road, I reckon she just might
Cat tails, old rails, white whales, the river's wide and strange
Tease 'em, please 'em, string along, why fish the pond if you can prearrange
Girl just dance in line; Steppin' matter over mind
Dance 'til the band resigns; In the morning you'll be fine
Girl just dance in line; Steppin' matter over mind
Ground your heels into that pine; In the morning you'll be just fine
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10. |
Union Reeanactor
03:06
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I'm a union reenactor, godwillin'
Proud part of the Ohio First
I pack up my blues, head to Chattanoo
But the battles at home are the worst
She don't like my friends or my family
Spends my money, more than I have got
Like in old Virginee, she's Stonewallin' me
And I can't make no sense of the lot
She always walks ten feet behind me
She thinks my old hound dog's a pill
Like a rebel advance, she don't miss a chance
To put her two cents in the till
Joined up with the boys for the weekend
And lord, we put on a good show
When I marched back her way, it ruined her day
Can't get a how-do or hello
Well I'm a union reenactor godwillin'
With my wife, well it's best I play dead
Despite my best pleas, far be it from me
She up and ran oft with a Reb
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11. |
Odds and Ends
03:14
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What morning has in store for you; More branches than a tree;
So many lines to ramble on; If you've the master key
My brothers ties are broken; He'll roll right off the vine;
No one to hear the break but for; That little gal of mine; That little gal of mine
And here we find another hour; Set on uneven ground;
In his musings dark and dim; The better thoughts do drown
The other's webs are woven; And his full of debris;
He'll shape it into mountains for; My little gal and me; My little gal and me
What was recorded faithfully; The fine print took away;
The accounts left on the books; Would be there come what may
My mother's eyes have spoken; They say to wait and see;
You'll just find out the hard way too; Tis' better for all three; Our little gal and we
What morning has in store for you; More branches than a tree;
So many lines to ramble on; If you've the master key
There's nothing wrong with hopin'; The odds and ends are free;
He'll shape them into mountains for; My little gal and me; My little gal and me
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Kimberley McKee Montpelier, Vermont
Kim is a singer-songwriter based outside of Montpelier, VT, who goes where the clawhammer banjo takes her.
She also sings and plays banjo in the Vermont string band Two Cents in the Till: www.twocentsinthetill.com
... more
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