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    Two-disc in green wallet w/ photos

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  • Full Digital Discography

    7
    releases

    Get all 7 The Gothic Cowboy/The Border Band releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Bare Bones, Between the Wars, Fresh Blood / Old Skin, It's a Short Life, Hard West, Magdalene, and Rootless Seed. , and , .

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1.
You 'n I (Disc 1) 05:06
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1) You ‘n I - hugh campbell I’s enjoying a smoke on the way out of town But I made one mistake, yeah, I brought you along I’m sad brought you down If you’re a bird then fly away If you’d bored then just leave Chorus: Cuz I know it was us and them, and it was you ‘n I I know it was us and them, and it was you ‘n I You ‘n I... I was writing a new song, too bad it sounds like the old one And I’m sorry you came this far for such a redundant star And I’m runnin’ out of space on this blank ‘n empty page (chorus) I’s enjoying a smoke on the way out the door I know I made some mistakes, but I want no regrets You understand what I mean, please don’t feel bad (chorus) I know it was you ‘n I and that’s all that I know...
2.
Better Hurry 04:15
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2) Better Hurry - hugh campbell I was standin’ in a desert oasis, seen over a dozen familiar faces Why’d you all follow me out here, out in the middle of nowhere? I see my friends ‘n my family, just to realize it’s but a dream, yeah Chorus: You check the time, you better hurry Gotta find if it’s right, gotta find if it’s right You check the time, you better hurry Gotta find if it’s right, gotta find if it’s right You better hurry, hurry, hurry, yeah... I was lookin’ down the street Thought I saw something familiar to me Walked up to it and realized I’s starin’ at the desert night, yeah Gotta separate my body from my mind If I hope to survive, yeah (chorus) You better hurry, hurry, hurry, yeah You better hurry... I was standin’ in a desert oasis, seen over a dozen familiar faces Why’d you all follow me out here, out in the middle of nowhere? Out in the middle of nowhere. Out in the middle of nowhere...
3.
Desperado Hair (free) 04:54
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3) Desperado Hair - hugh campbell & m.litton Desperado Hair, sand and flowers everywhere I know they caught you unprepared for the evil out there Our mother cried in grief, couldn’t comfort her or speak Stood so far away that day as they laid you in your grave To our mother’s eyes we were nearly twins But that’s where all likeness ends Like night ‘n day I’s the bad, you’s the good and made her glad When I’s 15 and you were 10, I went to ridin’ with hardened men One mean night I pulled my gun, shot a man ‘n had to run Five desperate years I blazed a trail, a wanted man from busted jails But for you the bounty hunter came Long hair like mine that drew his aim Desperado Hair, your guitar music filled the air With such wild gypsy flair at the festivals and fairs Women came to dance, some gave their heart to you Now they stand alone ‘n stare, hold but a strand of you in hand For the bounty man I went to seek over dead badlands ‘n mountain peaks Across dry creek-beds ‘n cactus plains to avenge your soul and my shame I left him skinned beneath the vulture sky Watched him bleed and watched him die Then rode away ‘neath the sharp cold moon While our mother prayed in her candled room Desperado Hair, sand and flowers everywhere I know they caught you unprepared for the evil out there...
4.
Old Dead Tree 05:47
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4) Old Dead Tree - hugh campbell There you are by the old dead tree Come watch the sun grow cold with me There you are like a fond memory...smiling at me Chorus: I’ve paid for all my sins, I know most of them When I wake my body aches, my head starts to spin My hands are all swollen, my soles are worn thin I keep on tellin’ myself someday I’ll change Yeah, someday I’ll change... You shoved me into reality Restoring life to me I know it’s not easy tryin’ to love me (chorus) There you are by the old dead tree Watch the sun grow cold with me...
5.
Torn Away 05:59
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5) Torn Away - hugh campbell When I was a little kid I had nothin’ Except my little, little ball of hate My days were long and nights restless Some would say I think too much for my age Others would say I’m quite strange Hey-hey-hey, I always thought I was okay Chorus: When I grow up will I remember you? And all the things, all the things that you said When I grow up will I feel the same? Like every day I’m bein’ torn away Like every day I’m bein’ torn away... When I was a little kid I had nothin’ Except my little, little ball of hate As I grew that little ball did too Nowadays I call it, call it my pain I’ll put all my fears into a box Then I’ll send them your way Hopefully soon you’ll understand Why I’m so afraid (chorus)
6.
Welcome To My Cage 04:11
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6) Welcome To My Cage - hugh campbell I saw the markings in the sand Led me straight to no-man’s land Sat upon a rock, lost sight of what I sought Sunk into a dream, another uninvited scene, yeah Chorus: Welcome to my cage, yeah, my-my cage Happiness includes me, yeah Welcome to my cage, yeah, my-my cage Freedom ain’t but a dream, a dream away Listen closely to what you say Those words might hurt someday Sat me down for a talk About all the time we lost Listen to me when I say Could it be really happening to me (chorus)
7.
Close To My Heart 03:43
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7) Close To My Heart - hugh campbell You can say what you wanna say You can do what you want to You can stay if you wanna stay You can leave if you need to No matter what you do All I have I’ll give to you Chorus: I keep you right hear Close to my heart Not too, not too far from my soul Not too, not too far from my soul... It seems like every day The pain seep into my bones No matter what I say You ain’t never comin’ home No matter how many drugs I take I will never feel whole (chorus)
8.
Goodbye My Friend 04:00
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7) Close To My Heart - hugh campbell You can say what you wanna say You can do what you want to You can stay if you wanna stay You can leave if you need to No matter what you do All I have I’ll give to you Chorus: I keep you right hear Close to my heart Not too, not too far from my soul Not too, not too far from my soul... It seems like every day The pain seep into my bones No matter what I say You ain’t never comin’ home No matter how many drugs I take I will never feel whole (chorus)
9.
Heavy Thoughts 04:02
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9) Heavy Thoughts - hugh campbell Sit around and I watch the news Tell myself it’s no use, no use Sit around and I tell myself Heavens knows I’ve failed, I’ve failed Chorus: Every day’s just like yesterday Heavy thoughts weigh on me, on me... Yeah, tell me who...thought I’d end up like this Yeah, tell me who thought I’d end up this way Thought I, thought I’d end up this way Sit around and I wait for you Hopefully I’ll be of use, of use I sit around and I talk to myself And heaven knows it helps, it helps (chorus) Heavy thoughts weigh on me, on me...
10.
Say A Prayer 04:48
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10) Say A Prayer - hugh campbell Wake up in a daze My life’s one giant maze Never know which way to go Momma always said, “Do the best you can “Follow your heart ‘n chase your dream “Don’t let pride be your downfall “There’s better ways you can be...” Chorus: Say a prayer for my soul I’ll hold your hand when you grow old You’ll never be alone... Wake up in a daze My life’s one giant maze (or haze) Never know which way to turn Daddy always said, “You’ll have your day “Sometimes you’ll feel weak “Y’know sometimes you’ll get mad “You’ll hurt the ones that you need...” (chorus) Wake up in a daze My life’s one giant maze Never know which way to go...
11.
Goin' Downtown 07:02
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11) Goin’ Downtown - hugh campbell I said hey babe I said hey babe, babe, baby I said, hey babe, babe...baby Baby we’ll go around town, you’ll cruise with me Or maybe we’ll go downtown and see what we see Yeah baby we’ll hold hands, cuz baby you’re free Oh baby don’t worry, cuz hey you’re with me And we’re in no hurry, we’ll be where we be So baby don’t scurry, I know you love me Chorus: And I don’t mean to be mean Or act like it’s all just a bad dream And I don’t mean to be mean Or act like it’s all just a bad dream But I know you’re leavin’, know you’re leavin’ me And I know you’re leavin’, know you’re leavin’ me Hey-hey-hey babe... I said hey babe I said hey babe, babe, baby I said, hey babe, babe...baby Baby we’ll go around town, you’ll cruise with me Or maybe we’ll go downtown and see what we see Yeah baby we’ll hold hands, cuz baby you’re free Oh baby don’t worry, cuz hey you’re with me And we’re in no hurry, we’ll be where we be So baby don’t scurry, I know you love me Chorus: And I don’t mean to be mean Or act like it’s all just a bad dream And I don’t mean to be mean Or act like it’s all just a bad dream But I know you’re leavin’, know you’re leavin’ me And I know you’re leavin’, know you’re leavin’ me Hey-hey-hey babe...
12.
When I Wake Up 06:08
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12) When I wake Up - hugh campbell When I wake up will the world break up My universe die without sound Y’know I never meant to let you down If I did...I apologize Never meant to bring tears of pain to your life When I say goodbye I know I’m a terrible sight A terrible sight, I’ll hang my head And I’ll be sad...when I say goodbye I know I’m a terrible sight, a terrible sight I’ll hang my head and I’ll be sad Seems like every day I make souch fatal mistakes Yeah, there’s no doubt about it, I’m your fool You’re my reoccurring dream, you were a diamond ring That I lost way down there and never found it (chorus) When I say goodbye I know I’m a terrible sight A terrible sight, I’ll hang my head And I’ll be sad...oh baby, baby The world’s full of maybes, full of maybes O baby, baby, the world’s full of maybes, full of maybes But it’s no maybe that I love you Yeah, it’s no maybe that I love you Yeah, it’s no maybe that I met you Yeah, it’s no maybe that I love you When I wake up will the world break up My universe die without sound Y’know I never meant to let you down...
13.
Wanderin' (free) 03:15
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13) Wanderin’ - hugh campbell I can feel you standin’ at my side I hear you laughin’, laughin’, laughin at me Yeah I can see that smile that’s on your face All content, content with this place That’s when you say, yeah, you say to me “Come a’wanderin’, wanderin’, wanderin’ with me...” I can see you at the end of the week You tell me, tell me that I can be free And all I have to do, yeah, is believe You’re not jokin’, jokin’, jokin’ with me That when she says, yeah, she says to me “Come a’wanderin’, wanderin’, wanderin’ with me...”
14.
Victrola Blues (Disc 2) 03:40
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1) Victrola Blues - m.litton Chorus: Cat’s got my tongue, dog’s got me treed Been so damn lonely thought I’d bleed A’rollin’ down the highway like a needle in a groove Put my teeth to the wind, gonna sing Victrola blues My world goes around like a lazy Susan Home today, tomorrow I’ll move on Come in a’crawlin’, exit twirlin’ a can Don’t ever think of winnin’, just in ‘n out of every game Bridge: So crank me up, boys, I’ll sing Victrola blues Point me straight ‘n put me in the groove You pour the whiskey, I’ll tune my fiddle Then pipe this room plum full of riddles Little pieces of the puzzle come awake most every night Gonna sing Victrola, Victrola blues Sing Victrola, Victrola blues I wanna sing, yeah, sing them blues Wanna sing, Lordy, sing them blues Put my teeth to the wind ‘n sing Victrola blues... I been kickin’ cans ‘n spittin’ nails Bendin’ steel ‘;n ridin’ the rails Been ballin’ the jack ‘n slippin’ nearly every noose Been cuttin’ ‘er wide, shootin’-the-moon on a deuce (chorus)
15.
Nothin' Aint Tryin' 04:31
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2) Nothin’ Ain’t Tryin’ – m.litton Well bless my soul it’s a rodeo, let’s get a horse ‘n go ridin’ Ain’t no sense in duckin’ down, ain’t a bit of use, no use in hidin’ You bet a nickel, I’ll bet a dime, can’t catch that fish every time Love ya, girl, no I ain’t lyin’, some get nothin’, but nothin’ Hey-hey-hey! It ain’t tryin’...oh no, nothin’ ain’t tryin’ Now my grandpa fought in the First Big War He ‘n the ghost of Robert Lee He plowed with mules named Pete ‘n Bob Always had a friend, good friend, and a fine story I got a bullwhip, Danny got a gun, Johnny got a brand-new saddle And if you paint that Kansas sky, best use a brush made of sable Chorus: I-I-I’m goin’ on a spree to Kansas City Yeah, you ‘n me in Kansas City We get a little loaded on the wine Some get nothin’, yeah nothin’, but nothin’ ain’t tryin’ You gotta plow to plant that corn, need that sunshine to make the hay Wash my body in a thunder storm, drink my whiskey in the summer shade I’m gonna die just cus I’s born, ya can’t outrun that shadow, no Chase your tail ‘n curse the moon, drown like a fly in a bottle (chorus) You bet a nickel, I’ll bet a dime, can’t catch that fish every time Love ya, girl, no I ain’t lyin’, some get nothin’, but nothin’ Hey-hey-hey! It ain’t tryin’...oh no, nothin’ ain’t tryin’
16.
Johnny Moore 05:58
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3) Johnny Moore – m.litton Said the old man, “I recall so well “How the sunlight thru the shaded woods fell “On the rider of the black-saddled gray “As his stallion jumped the stream “A coin fell to my feet “I bought a candy at the store “Thanks to the outlaw Johnny Moore...” Johnny Moore was a’ridin’ south Johnny Moore had his six-gun out He was shooting at the riders close behind Ah but the posse kept a’comin And though Johnny kept a’ runnin’ They caught him at the border, Johnny Moore They held his trial in a big hotel The young widow wore a long black veil On the Bible she swore and testified That Johnny twirled her around In her low-cut gingham gown Till her husband for Johnny Moore Chorus: He’s the one with the ready smile Yes mam, please...drives the daughters wild Curly hair all the women adore... Go my son and sin no more He’s the one they named the Rebels for Quote the judge “Nevermore...Johnny Moore” So the seasons they come and go There fell a gentle ‘n blew a howlin’ snow From the limb of a tall old sycamore There dangled a noose where they cut the body loose And dug a shallow grave for...Johnny Moore There’s been a century of hard death and birth Now the satellites circle the old earth Tonight a coyote cries out on a lonely hill And as the moon shines thru the trees a young girl has a dream She wakes up calling for...Johnny Moore (chorus)
17.
Louisiana Nights 05:13
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4) Louisiana Nights – m.litton These Louisiana nights seem so cold All these Southern gals are pretty but I’m so shy Can’t they tell by the way I look at them That I don’t wanna be lonely tonight Please don’t leave me lonely tonight Outside the traffic rolls on like a river The streetlamp glows just like a moon The rain starts to fall and I shiver As her eyes say Hello, how are you Ain’t got much to say, suppose I’ll say How d’ya do Chorus: This lover in my heart like the shadows on the wall Is gonna call for you I’ll whisper like the breeze ‘n hope you might see My eyes following you Oh Louisiana nights, what a long, long way to roam Louisiana nights, she’s so far away ‘n I feel just like a ghost Oh yeah, like a ghost... Yes, it’s plain that many men have hurt you Did you try too hard to please? I can see where you’ve been ‘n you’re a giver Now won’t you give your warm lovin’ to me I won’t break your heart, I won’t steal your dreams (chorus)
18.
James Street Bridge (free) 04:20
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5) James Street Bridge – m.litton In a tailored suit, a Stetson triple-X With a gold watch chained to his vest Came a country boy, yeah, to the city Across the James Street Bridge Across the James Street Bridge my ol’ grandad did go As a young man to sell cattle by the boxcar load There in the valley beyond the river’s edge Lie the Kansas City stockyards across the James Street Bridge He shined his boots and he brushed his suit ‘n hat Combed his hair, yeah, in the looking glass Wound his gold watch then he left the depot And he crossed the James Street Bridge, yes he did Ah the gambler was friendly, the ladies they seemed kind They said big boys spend their money on the poker and the wine He drew aces at midnight, a full-house at dawn But come next evening all his money it was gone The gambler said, “Hey kid, it’s time ya fold “But you can call ‘n show the cards ya hold “Just lay that gold watch down on the table “Or cross the James Street Bridge...oh the James St. Bridge “Go on home kid...” From the James Street Bridge he could’ve jumped for shame But he hoboed back home on an old freight train When my granddaddy died he was laid to rest In that tailored suit and the gold watch in his vest In a tailored suit, a Stetson triple-X With a gold watch chained to his vest Came a country boy, yeah, to the city Across the James Street Bridge Oh the James Street Bridge Yes he did...
19.
Talkin' Old Times 04:31
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6) Talkin’ Old Times – m.litton Yeah I’m talkin’ ‘bout them old times Old friends I once knew Talkin’ ‘bout them old times They were wild and crazy times too We thundered down a hundred roads In V-8 Fords ‘n Chevy cars Thundered down ol’ thunder road Like we owned the night ‘n all the stars And we drank each bottle dry, oh yeah Threw ‘em up at the moon Swore we’d rather die than live a lie And what we swore we swore was true Chorus: And the boys ‘n girls down by the river danced While the drums beat on and the guitars jammed Yeah, talkin’ about them old times They played that old time Rock ‘n Roll “Green River” “Summer Time” ‘n “Wild Thing” And them wild things stole the show Man, how ‘bout them long hot summer nights When the sweat and music brewed Till the soft wind touched you skin to skin And that deep fever was soothed (chours) Talkin’ about them old times When red was better dead and we were red, white ‘n blue God still ruled the heavens, boys Before man stepped down on the moon And how about that golden summer When Maris hit over 60 home Didn’t need no steroids back then Just a good eye, guts ‘n tobacco But them were also dark ‘n angry times From the riots to Vietnam So many marched, so many died So many never really gave a damn (chorus) Yeah, talkin’ about them old times See that sun a’fadin’ fast My long ol’ night’ll be comin’ on You can curse, weep or laugh Yeah, been talkin’ ‘bout them old times Guess I’m an old-timer now Lived a dream and woke to find So many old friends in the ground Still the boys ‘n girls down by the river dance While the drums beat on and the guitars jam...
20.
Jewell County Jail 03:46
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7) Jewell County Jail – mlitton Alright now let’s go harvest tonight Ain’t gonna worry about the law, naw-naw If they catch us they can feed us, that’s right But if we get fettered, we’ll send ma-ma a letter She’ll go our bail...at the Jewell County Jail Say Michael, see the jug gets filled Have we got all we need? I bought the Schnappes to cut the chill Let’s grab our machetes ‘n hop in the Chevy Gonna drop, you know, about a mile up the Burr Oak Road See the moon up above the trees Ain’t she big ‘n bright The sky is clear, there’s a sountern breeze Let’s “Ba-ba” black sheep, gonna cut us all each Three bags full, and brother that ain’t no bull, no Chorus: Hey, ain’t gonna worry now Ain’t no use in worry anyhow Pick us up about a quarter to five At the plum thicket by the gate There’s a patch of hemp, hell, 12 feet high Let’s move down the draw, keep your flashlights low Hey, who got the tarp...doncha get lost in the dark, naw That Rock Chalk momma best not be late Like she was a week ago, no-no It’s half-past twelve, let’s take a break Now pour that java then we’ll bag the marijuana Don’t it smell like money...it’s the land of milk n honey (chorus) Whoa Bob, see that light upon the hill Hear them car doors slam There’s more down yonder Let’s not set still Hunker down on your knees, hit it for the trees Then run like hell, that’s the sheriff on our tail (chorus) Alright now let’s go harvest tonight Ain’t gonna worry about the law, naw-naw If they catch us they can feed us, that’s right But if we get fettered, we’ll send ma-ma a letter She’ll go our bail...at the Jewell County Jail At the Jewell County Jail, at the Jewell County Jail...
21.
Dream Drifter 04:29
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8) Dream Drifter – m.litton Past midnight, the Northern Star Shines like a beacon above the phantom bar I drifted upstairs in this twilight dream Where the music had died, there was a smoke-filled scene From the shadows in a long black duster Black hat ‘n boots, stepped an old drifter He had a salt ‘n pepper beard, stray-dog eyes He strummed a vintage guitar as he sang these lines: Chorus: “If anyone could live without love “If they could live without the memory “If anyone could live without love “They’d suffer even more than me… I can’t really say she did me wrong Cuz she’d done me right for so long But they’re gamblin’ cards, the jack and the queen A woman wagers love, a man wagers dreams Then one night the clouds just form And in your heart ‘n mind comes a terrible storm The wind blows wild, your passions wonder, You turn around and she’s yours no longer (chorus) Bridge: I’m dream-driftin’, dream-driftin’, dream-driftin’ down… I’m dream-driftin’ for your love, babe Driftin’ through your memory... I been walked out back, dealt from the bottom Thrown from the saddle, but I got back on ‘em I’m an old outlaw, once young ‘n lean But the flower goes to fruit ‘n the fruit goes to seed Of love and my lady, I loved and lost But I’d lose again ‘n again...I’d gladly pay the cost (chorus) (bridge)
22.
Redheaded Woman #2 03:59
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9) Redheaded Woman – m.litton I’s born in a wheat town, my name is Marty Joe My man trucked livestock, he died last year On the road to Saint Joe, they say he lost control The road was icy, he’d had alotta beer Now I’m a lonely, Lord, unholy, redheaded woman Now my first sweetheart was an Oklahoma man He talked real slow but he drove real fast He ran the combine out on my uncle’s land His whiskey made me dizzy, his lovin’ just made me laugh And I’m a lonely, Lord, unholy, redheaded woman Bridge: I don’t wear no wedding ring, don’t need no alibi I’m a salt ‘n pepper lady, ain’t no man’s sugar pie Redheaded woman, redheaded woman... I got a brand-new bottle, an old problem to solve It’s a late night in August and it’s a country bar That jukebox is playin’ truck-drivin’ songs Let’s drink ‘n git happy and forget who we are ‘Cause I’m a lonely, Lord, unholy, redheaded woman Yeah, I’m a lonely, Lord, unholy, redheaded woman
23.
Night Gives To The Day 07:10
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10) Night Gives to the Day – m.litton Well the sun he follows the day Where only the good children play Me I run ‘n cower, I ain’t no sunflower Cannot, will not ever follow the day I live the night, endless night, drinking in that evil way Yeah, at night I go down to the bar There I listen to that blue, blues guitar Hold my head lowly, drink my beer slowly Never do I have one little ol’ word to say For the night, endless night, for the night she gives to the day The bull, sweet stardom and gloom They lead me to dear Lucy’s lagoon I ask her, “Where is your ol’ man, is he in the Army?” Well she says “Yes...” and begins to caress My arms, my neck, and then my chest I take her down, she’s like a lamb Then like a cat she claws at me I stumble out ‘n down the stairs So really glad I’m out of there Now ya see me, I’m kinda wheezy Won’t the good Lord, good Lord, help me come down Well the boys in the band they had played The hounds way over town yipped and bayed For the owl and the nun, the priest and the Hun As one are their ghosts in the wind I ain’t lyin’, I’s tryin’ to find my way back again Outside stands a neon sign high above the common grime An all-night diner draws ‘em in like fallen moths with broken wings An uptown judge ‘n a glitzy blonde move among the ragged throng Like he’s an ace and she’s a queen to all the jokers on the scene And there I sit among the score till there ain’t no laughter anymore Turn the page, same ol’ story, the night grows cold and boring Down the street I walked, walked I raved Yeah, built some fires and dug some graves Lord, my only crime was I’s outa time I had no place to put my weary load Some sinners have their saints, but each one born must die alone This ol’ town’s like any city, got great sorrow but no great pity I headed towards the railroad tracks, the street was wet from all the rain Now the morning moved fairly nigh like an evening in disguise I heard a whistle at my back, turned ‘n saw the west-bound train Along its side I ran ‘n screamed, but I’s runnin’ in a dream When I jumped and hit the ground, oh Lord What a long way to come down Hey, the lightning struck from a cloud I heard the devil, ol’ devil cry so loud “You pick the hour, I’ll pick the flowers “Takes your boots off, boy, let it slide, slide away “Have no sorrow, there ain’t no tomorrow “For the night she gives to the day “Have no sorrow, there ain’t no tomorrow “For the night she gives to the day...”
24.
Bluebird 03:38
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11) Bluebird – m.litton Chorus: I know why, I know why the blue bird sings When he flies he’s such a beautiful thing And I know why, I know why my heart aches and cries Since I lost you that blue bird don’t fly, he don’t sing Since I lost you that blue bird don’t fly… The day you walked out you took my light away Left me standing like a candle with no flame Like the sun goin’ down, the moon lost in the clouds Like the stars that fade before the rain… Bridge: We used to fly like the flesh givin’ wing Sweet as the breath of a rose You used to lay yourself beside me So dear and precious to hold… (chorus) Now I go out each night and I try to light the flame And I drink till the laughter hides my tears Sometimes I dream that the blue bird still flies But when I wake you are never here… (chorus)
25.
Farmin' Blues (free) 04:04
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12) Farmin’ Blues – m.litton That ol’ wind it blows the dust around Ol’ devil wind goes spinnin’ round ‘n round I pray for rain, ain’t no rain comin’ down That sun he blaze hot to burst That noon-day sun, now, he blaze hot to burst Gonna bake my shadow deep down in the dirt Chorus: Woe me, I got them farmin’ blues Woe me, I got them farmin’ blues Ain’t got a nickel, not one red cent to lose Old cow she don’t give no milk Old cow gone dry, now, she don’t give no milk Never jumped the moon ‘n I doubt she ever will I wanna shuck some corn ‘n brew me up some shine Hey, shuck some corn ‘n brew me up some shine Dance the jake-leg, boys, ‘n drink till I go blind (chorus) They say there’s ice-cream on the moon Sweet vanilla ice-cream on the moon Gonna dip me some when I get a silver spoon Woo-woo the train comes down the track Woo-woo the train comes down the track Wanna hop that train ‘n never once look back
26.
Ashes 'n Dust 05:01
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13) Ashes ‘n Dust – m.litton So you’ve heard all about them barroom battles Fought with blades ‘n guns Over some black-eyed Gypsy beauty Raped by a rambler’s love Well I know the ash ‘n dust of life won’t change just because Some roadhouse poet sings a song of lust ‘n blood But through the rights of passage he would travel Once he came of age And to many a lonely queen of hearts He played his black-jack ace He kept his dagger hidden by the smile on his face He soon forgot his father’s words And the promise he had made “Son, don’t get caught in the trap the harlot in black sets for you “Death she will bait us if we let her, saying, “Let us be true…’ “You’ll not escape her, don’t embrace her “Promise never to make the first move “We’ll each possess her one day forever all too soon “Now you may think life is a river that never runs dry “And passion is a fire reaching the sky “But through the mist of the water “And through the smoke of the flame “Ashes ‘n dust and old memories of are all that remain…” As it came to pass he found the rose he’d pictured in his mind Their love was like a dream that happened once upon a time They laid beside the river beneath the moonlit night Not caring for a moment that she was another’s bride But then the hand of vengeance cast his shadow Across the path they walked The only warning given was a hammer being cocked The bullets blazed burning deep into their flesh Their bodies embraced in the agony of death And though the nigh grows still the wind never will Reveal one word from their dream The lovers lie buried on the bank by the river Together forever they sleep “Now you may think life is a river that never runs dry “And passion is a fire reaching the sky “But through the mist of the water “And through the smoke of the flame “Ashes ‘n dust and old memories of are all that remain…”
27.
Solomon Smoke 04:46
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14) Solomon’s Smoke – m.litton Sultry summer evening on the ol’ mill damn Old men cursin’ while the young ‘uns stand Some are drinkin’ whiskey, others sippin’ wine They watch the river ripple ‘n the moon shine Fires in the distance, wheat fields aglow The old harvest has ended, yeah Memories lyin’ low in the wind Breathe in the night, my dues been paid I wanna drift away dreamin’ in the sweet river shade Chorus: Solomon smoke rings the moon There’ll be some weather soon Falling star means the witch is dead Solomon smoke is the river’s breath Hey, a shot in the mornin’, a man falls dead Rest of the valley wonderin’ what he said Something about the lion ‘n the lamb at peace And if you ever sing it, son, best sing it sweet Back there in ’53 my daddy had a farm home He beat ‘n begged its naked soil Worked it to the bone, to the marrow “Peace in the valley, Lord, when I die...” That’s all he sang to me Then he raised his gaze to the sky (chorus) All dream of heaven on this earth Each cursed and blessed soul On summer days I’m dreaming Listening for the crows calling me Sing an old hymn to the rising sun Comin’ on another day Lay me to the good earth when my day is done (chorus)

about

Fresh Blood/Old Skin was greatly inspired by our bass player, Hugh Campbell, a young man of proud Navajo heritage and stout Scottish name. No stranger to borders, child of the desert Southwest come to age in River City, Kansas, he moves like a Skin-Walker between cultures, time, and place to bring an intriguing mix of power, passion, and tender yearning in his songs. He’s been with us nearly three years – give him a listen and I think you’ll see why we were pleased to add his fresh blood to our old skin... (Disc 1, Fresh Blood, all songs by Hugh Campbell -- Disc 2, Old Skin, all songs by M. Litton)

“ The album “Fresh Blood / Old Skin” confirms the exceptional class of Melvin Litton & The Border Band. Again, it is incontestable a roots rock / alt-country / Americana album and undoubtedly, an unique gem...”
Eric Schuurmans
www.rootstime.be
rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2015/DEC1/CD67.html

credits

released November 13, 2015

Melvin Litton - rhythm guitar and vocals on disc 2 "Old Skin"
Hugh Campbell - bass and vocals on disc 1 "Fresh Skin"
Roger Holden - lead guitar
Dave Melody - drum and lead vocal on # 17 & 22
Recorded at Wolfdog Studio by M.Litton & The Border Band
Mastered by Colin Mahoney
Photos and CD design by Erica Hunter

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The Gothic Cowboy/The Border Band Lawrence, Kansas

I'm a creekbank ghetto boy. Began my singin' near half a century ago in Canada, then hit northeast, down thru Nashville, Austin, out to Colorado and back to Kansas where I started out and will likely remain. My influences are Leadbelly, Jimmie Rodgers, CCR and The Band, while the juices of a hundred others flavor my music, not to mention the devil himself if that's what it takes to make a song... ... more

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