1. |
Back in the Hills
02:33
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The scenery is changing
And I haven’t moved a step
I sat down at dusk
Where I sat is where I slept
The moon set at one o’clock
The sky was star-filled
For another from the lost village
Back in the hills
With the breeze for a blanket
Slickrock for my bed
Young smiles from young women
Starlight in my head
There’s no settling down
There’s no keeping still
When you've been dreamin’ of the lost village
Back in the hills
I’ll cover ground at dawn and dusk
And sleep through the midday heat
With every generation that came before us
I will know what it’s like to use my feet
I will know what it’s like to use my feet
Tomorrow I’ll move onward
Call it progress I guess
Onward and forward
To a bigger, greater mess
To the smaller, lesser something
Of kill or be killed
To collect what’s left of the lost village
Back in the hills
And maybe I’ll meet you
On the road somewhere
I too ride the highways
With a hypocrite’s stare
Oh I’d meet you in the desert
If it was up to freewill
And reminisce of the lost village
Back in the hills
I’ll cover ground at dawn and dusk
And sleep through the midday heat
And with every generation that came before us
Know what it’s like to use my feet
The scenery is changing
And I haven’t moved a step
I sat down at dusk
Where I sat is where I slept
The moon set at one o’clock
The sky was star-filled
For another from the lost village
Back in the hills
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2. |
One Frame
03:03
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Let me tell you what I see
Together like they’re meant to be
A picture of you and a mirror of me
In one view, one frame, one scene
And if I take a few steps back
We're closer to scale from where I’m at
But from that vantage point I realize that
We've become more distant to see
So far away we have become
We’ve become so far away
But I have a view in my eyes
Of us together in one frame
Let me ask you how I rate
Am I the image in your place
The photograph alongside
A reflection of your face
Tell me, tell me that you see
Together like they’re meant to be
A mirror of you and a picture of me
One view, one frame, one scene
So far away we have become
We’ve become so far away
But I have a view in my eyes
Of us together in one frame
Let me tell you what I see
Together like they’re meant to be
A picture of you and a mirror of me
In one view, one frame, one scene
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3. |
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You take care of the mountains
I’ll watch over the sun
I’ll make sure it sets out in the west
The same way it’s always done
At dusk I’ll pass it off to you
Leave it in your hands
If you take care of the mountains
I got the borderlands
You see to the south shore
I’ll tend to the north
Some day we’ll meet half way between
And find out what it’s worth
There’s a lot of water out in that lake
And plenty of rain clouds above
If you don’t fret over the weather
I won’t worry about love
Don’t be confused by what they’re saying
They live their lives for T.V.
But you and I have got sunsets
On lakes and rocks and trees
And you and I’ve got music
Whether or not we know all the words
We’ll bring it home together
On that you can rest assured
You take care of the mountains
I’ll watch over the sun
I’ll make sure it sets out in the west
The same way it’s always done
At dusk I’ll pass it off to you
Leave it in your hands
If you take care of the mountains
I got the borderlands
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4. |
Alcohol Confessin'
03:59
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It’s not the alcohol talkin’
It’s the alcohol confessin’
What’s concealed is revealed
In a sobering lesson
And I’m a slow learner
But eventually I’ll get it down
It may take a few cups of coffee
Probably another round
There’s something in the bottle
I’ll open it up to you
When I’m faced enough to face it
And loose enough to let loose
There’s something in the bottle
I’ll open it up to you
With the handle on a drawer
Or the edge of a stool
I need a dose of liquid courage
To fulfill a selfish sober wish
To let you know just how I’m feeling
To let this guarded heart confess...
That I love you when I’m drinking water
You warm my heart when I’m all out of wine
Cold orange juice or hot apple cider
You easily please my mind
And I love you when I’m drinking water
You’re sweet honey when I’m drinking tea
Your kindness is overflowing
No matter the drink that's in front of me
That’s not the alcohol talkin’
That's the alcohol confessin’
All the sober feelings
I have trouble expressin’
There’s one voice cautionin’ me to “behave”
The other‘s pressing me to “be brave”
Be brave, be bold
Let loose, let go
Be brave, be bold
Let loose, let go
Be brave, be bold
Let loose, let it go
Let her know, let her know...
That I love you when I’m drinking water
You warm my heart when I’m out of wine
Cold orange juice or hot apple cider
You easily please my mind
And I love you when I’m drinking water
You’re sweet honey when I’m drinking tea
Your kindness is overflowing
No matter the drink that's in front of me
And that’s not the alcohol talkin’
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5. |
My Latest
02:56
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I wonder little birdie
Where is it you go
In that snagged-up tree
Down that woodpecker hole
Is it some kinda portal
To some kinda relief
Where the music is pleasing
And there’s a moment of peace
Won’t you take me along
Won’t you take me along
Is there room for me
In that moment of peace
In that snagged-up tree
In that snag
I wonder little lady
Where is it you go
With those wondering eyes
Aiming out that window
That’s some kinda focus
Some kind of ease
Must be easing on in
To this masterpiece
Won’t you take me along
Won’t you take me along
Is there room for me
Contemplating deeply
This masterpiece
This, my latest
Tell me what you think
And I’ll tell you what it all means
I wonder little lady
Where is it you go
With that little brown birdie
Down that woodpecker hole
That’s some kinda focus
You’ve somehow achieved
Could a sound so pleasing’s
Pleasure increase
Won’t you take me along
Won’t you take me along
Is there room for me
In that moment of peace
In that snagged-up tree
In that snag
Won’t you take me along
Won’t you take me along
Is there room for me
For this song and me
This masterpiece
My latest
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6. |
This...
02:04
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I may work for my living but this...
This is my life's work
Piled up on itself and now this
This here's a life's worth
Of heartbreak, hope, hell, and heaven
Each time I picked up the pen
At it again with this
Some folks they been writing since birth
Like it is their birthright
To let it all out on the page
Not too concerned if their words're right
But with heartbreak, hope, hell, and heaven
Each time we pick up a pen
We're at it again with this
This was never meant to be judged
So use your best judgment
'cause I never got too tangled up
With just what meaning was meant
So try not to misunderstand all of this
But understood just how am I missed
For my part or someone else's
Reason or rhyme it's
Been heartbreak, hope, hell, and heaven
Each time I pick up the pen
At it again with this
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7. |
The Odd Critter
03:29
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Possum, he’s the odd critter
Up in these north woods
How he makes it through the winter
Is hardly understood
Frostbit feet and furless tail
Ears and nose exposed
I’d wager that even I’d fair better
Birth-naked in the snow
So what is it then Possum
That brings you to these parts
Are you running from the law’s long arm
Did a young girl break your heart
It seems to me, Possum
I’m a bit like you
I’ve done some crime now I’m past my prime
Brokenhearted too
Playing possum
I’ve been done that road
Playing possum
Can be so lonely and cold
Possum, he’s the odd critter
Always playing with our heads
You’ll never know if it’s all for show
If he’s fooling or if he’s dead
Body stiff and still
Tongue hangin’ out the side your mouth
You ain’t gonna fool this Northwoods boy
Sure that trick may work down south
So what is it then Possum
That brings you to these parts
Are you running from the law’s long arm
Did a young girl break your heart
It seems to me, Possum
You’ve come a long way just to put me on
Did you play with their emotions too
Pretending that you were gone
Playing possum
I’ve been done that road
Playing possum
And dying’s just some kind of joke
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8. |
Again
03:13
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If it didn’t hold me together
I scrape off my skin
Every freckle, every blemish
Smooth, red porcelain
But my skin was made to stretch and feel
And keep my insides in
This skin was made to stretch and feel
And I want to feel again
If it didn’t keep me in motion
I’d tear out my heart
Every murmur, every pulsation
Every broken part
But this heart was made to beat and ache
And keep my insides in
This heart was made to beat and ache
And I want to ache again
If it didn’t make me human
I’d trade in my soul
All the shame and compassion
To deprecate and extol
But my soul was made to live and breathe
Fill this life I’m in
My soul was made to live and breathe
And I want to breathe again
If it didn’t weigh the options
I would lose my mind
Every thought, every expression
Brainwashed, brain-dead, and resigned
But my mind was made to pick and choose
Regret every decision
This mind was made to pick and choose
And I want to choose again
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9. |
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Ever since you got electrocuted
You ain’t been the same
You been spendin’ most all of your time
In that dirt-covered grave
I’d hoped you come out and say hi
You know we are your guests
But ever since you got electrocuted
Man, you been a mess
And ever since you got electrocuted
You ain’t been returnin’ my calls
I don’t want nothin’ but to chat
I am your friend and all
But I won’t be quick to judge
You just might be bust I guess
But ever since you got electrocuted
Man, you been a mess
Ever since you got electrocuted
You’ve let your grass grow long
The neighbors are starting to wonder
Whether or not you head’s gone wrong
Their sayin’ your job put you over the edge
That your under too much stress
And ever since you got electrocuted
Man, you’ve been a mess
Ever since you got electrocuted
You ain’t been paying your bills
If you don’t think they will turn out your lights
I know from experience they will
If it’s money, you know I’d help you out
You’ve helped me out in the past
But ever since you got electrocuted
Man, you been a mess
Ever since you got electrocuted
I seen your girl with another guy
I’ve seen them walking and holdin’ hands
Once I saw them kiss each other good-bye
So I think I’m going to key his car
Right after I wish him the best
‘Cause ever since you got electrocuted
Your life it ain’t been blessed
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10. |
Autumn's Air
02:54
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She’s pressed between the pages
With words set down in ink
With words set down alongside
What I dream, what I think
I scribble in two dimensions
What in truth is 3-D
And a thin, pressed flower
Is all that is left for me
Autumn’s air would have ended you
But I was up all night
Pressing you between pages
With every word I write
And who would have ever thought
I’d keep you around this long
I’d preserve a story
Though I admit it might be wrong
To thumb through the pages
Pick my memories this way
They’re picked like thin, pressed flowers
Of a thin, pressed bouquet
And autumn’s air would have ended you
But I was up all night
Pressing you between pages
With every word I write
And autumn’s air would have ended you
But I was up all night
Pressing you between pages
With every word I write
And autumn’s air would have ended you
But I was up all week
Pressing you between pages
With every word I speak
And autumn’s air would have ended you
But I’ve been up all these years
Pressing you between pages
Knowing that you’ll disappear
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11. |
Soon Sunrise
03:29
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What time is it where you are?
It must be afternoon
And here I am, I'm off to bed
In response to a glowing moon
I 'guess I need to set an alarm clock
To see this whole deal through
'Cause you know I'd sleep a-whole-lot better
If I knew you were sleeping better too
I don't know what keeps you awake at night
But it saddens me just to know
That's why I'm setting my alarm for 3am
So you won't be lying awake alone
We can sing some old songs together
Or I could sing one just for you
You know I'd sing it softly and sweetly
The way I've always wanted to
It's soon sunrise, it's sunrise soon
Somehow sunrise is the perfect time
For a goodnight sunshine tune
Maybe a song about the mountains,
The desert and happy times
Or a song about surviving love
A prayer of its own kind
The songs I sing, the prayers you pray
My prayers and yours combined
No, we're not alone in this together
We're just separately passing time
And it's soon sunrise, it's sunrise soon
Somehow sunrise is the perfect time
For a goodnight sunshine tune
What time is it where you are?
Likely time for heavy eyes
And here I am greeting the morning sun
With this guitar and a lullaby
Something like...
It's soon sunrise
It's sunrise soon
Somehow sunrise
Is the perfect time
For a goodnight sunshine tune
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12. |
Song for Your Sentiment
03:09
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There was a night you placed in my pocket
A sentiment so sincere
I sing only for those who'll listen
And I'm thankful for your ear
Now I'd like to return the favor
With this simple gesture clear
A song for your sentiment - o-oh my
If you let me dive down deep
I'll find the mud to make the world
And on the back of a turtle
We can watch it all unfurl
And you can set the whole thing spinning
God knows you love to twirl
God knows you set me spinning – oh my
Of Singapore
I know next to nothing
And you know little of the loon
But I am sure
If we share a few stories
And if given enough shared moons
I'd be convinced that Singapore
Was brought about to bring about you
A wise old woman once told me
From the stern of a canoe
To take care how I step
So as not to cause the ruin
Of the sweetest of berries
And if my intentions are true
In my life there'll be wild berries – oh my
Of Singapore
I know next to nothing
And you know little of the loon
But I am sure
If we watch how we're stepping
And if given enough shared moons
I could learn more of Singapore
And tell strawberry tales to you
There was a night you placed in my pocket
A sentiment so sincere
I sing only for those who'll listen
I just hope I still have your ear
'cause this I sing with sincerity
And if the meaning isn't clear
Just know this song for your sentiment - oh my
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13. |
The Way the Courier Can
03:28
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I'm writing you a letter
'cause I can't trust that electronic mail
Could deliver my thoughts unfettered
The way the courier can
I'm sending you a photograph
Not another attached jpeg
The kind that's got to be developed
With the smudges from a human's hands
I'm walking to the post office
'cause I can't afford the gas
I'm working against the traffic
Of everyone who somehow can
Everybody's up and leaving
'cause everybody just up and can
Makes me wish for the old days
When we all just stuck to the plan
I may as well have been an astronaut
I know many who've settled for less
Been giving my first choice a second thought
But my first love is to second guess
Been breaking down slowly
Body, spirit, and mind
Perhaps I'm just lonely
Maybe I just need to unwind
That's why I'm planting you a garden
Getting dirt underneath my nails
Want you to know for certain
From just where your food prevails
And I'm writing you a love song
Never been quick enough to speak
Any words with a melody
They always just come out weak
In the snow things are brighter
When the moon's shining full above
With hot cocoa or hot cider
Or the cold hands of a warm new love
I've been breaking down quickly
It was apparent when things started making sense
I'm not healthy, I'm not sickly
I'm nothing at all at your expense
I'm just writing you a letter
I'm sending you a photgraph
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14. |
Six-month Stints
02:11
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Trails traveled
Slopes scrambled
Ponds paddled
And lakes lilly-dipped
Time raveled
Fortune gambled
Still something saddled me
All along my trip
This life’s been a series of six-month stints
Of semi-delirious, hushed-over hints
Of what might be, of what might come
When it all becomes clear
I’m moving on, I am...
I’m moving on
Feelings fathomed
Thoughts at random
Are quick to abandon
But slow to forget
It’s the elderly’s anthem
It’s the toddler’s tantrum
So commonly seldom
We responsibly regret
Life as a series of six-month stints
Of semi-delirious, hushed-over hints
Of what might be, of what might come
When it all becomes clear
You’re moving on, you are...
You’re moving on
‘Cause you got
Trails to travel
Slopes to scramble
Ponds to paddle
And lakes to lilly-dip
You got time to ravel
Fortune to gamble
Just don’t let nothing saddle you
On your trip
Don’t let nothing saddle you
On your trip
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