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  • Full Digital Discography

    7
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1.
Sundown (Disc 1) 03:41
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1) Sundown m.litton (music by m.litton & doc nelson) Sundown, blood-red sky Hoedown, give a coyote cry See my baby, she’s dressed for the show Like a saddled-up pony rearin’ to go Now giddy-up, baby, don’t be late Got the motor runnin’ on a hot V-8 Let’s hit the dance ‘n kick up our heels Gonna drive the river road to that far range of hills Chorus: Gonna ride it, girl...gonna roll it, babe Gonna burn our fire till the ashes lay We’re Americans, we can’t go slow We’re Americans, babe, gotta ride ‘n roll Thigh-bone fiddle and a hickory fire Dead men chant in an angel choir Life’s a riddle, it’s anybody’s guess But only a free man is blessed I’m a guitar picker and a joker wild Jump another ditch every country mile Sing my song and laugh into the wind Gonna dare that ol’ devil when my road dead-ends (chorus) Grandpa drove a Model-A Daddy drove a Harley ‘n a Ford V-8 Me I race that highway through the night Till the white line leads to the morning light From the North Atlantic to the Golden Coast From the southern clime to where the wind blows cold Spin the bottle and take another chance Turn your face to the sky, free your spirit to dance (chorus)
2.
Day Job (free) 04:47
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2) Day Job m.litton Hey listen to a common story I work a day job, man, it’s boring Forget your dreams ‘n pray it matters And dream you’re happy ever after Now there’s a blue sky ‘n trout stream Up in my Rocky Mountain day dream Been so long I can’t remember Since I hiked above the timber Chorus: I’ve laid the tracks out of Ol’ Moline Drilled for oil off of New Orleans Poured concrete up in Chicago Worked Detroit factories Lord, I’ve rocked ‘n I’ve rolled But I’m still workin’ a day job They’ve got me prayin’ to the Lord God Got my dreams on lay away A dream is just a day away, they do say But I’m still workin’ a day job today Got me playin’ the state lottery Got me dreamin’ of a spending spree Spend a dollar, buy a little hope Scratch the number, read the daily joke Say, I ran into an old friend He laughed at me, I laughed back at me Started spittin’ out our sour grapes Never guessed this would be our fate (chorus) Bridge: Seems like every Monday morning Keeps rollin’ on back Like a damned ol’ freight train And you’re tied to the track Here comes that ol’ train... Keep bankin’ on the next crop, farmer Keep truckin’ and you don’t stop, trucker Belly up and ‘bout to bankrupt, boss Workin’ night ‘n day to catch up, hoss They got us workin’ all this overtime Got me starin’ at the ol’ white line Like to stop ‘n see the Milky Way Tired of racin’ down this ol’ highway (chorus)
3.
Boxcars 'n Boneyards 04:45
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3) Boxcars ‘n Boneyards m.litton & robb popp He’s eased down from a boxcar, he limped along a track All he owned was a walkin’ cane ‘n the clothes on his back Long ‘n lean as the shadows etched in the settin’ sun He creased his hungry eyes at me And said, “I’m an old soldier on the run...” We slipped into a side saloon where they played a rockin’ song He sipped the beer I bought for him ‘n tapped his foot along He said, “I summered up in Alaska, been a month now southern bound “Fixin’ for to winter, boy, in a Tex-Mex border town...” Chorus: “And it’s boxcars ‘n boneyards, smoked out ol’ cigars “Empty whiskey bottles like memories shot away “There’s a cold wind a’blowin’ down the road I’m a’goin’ “It’s boxcars ‘n boneyards and old dog’s grave “I got this wound in ’68 smack-dab in Vietnam “They served a fete for us at Tete “It was blam...blam-blam-blam! “Not one of them Rockefellers even knew our names “They sent us off to fight for them “And it’s a shame, shame, shame (chorus) “I once had a peachy woman, thought I held a winning hand “Sweet as brandy on my tongue ‘n swore I was her man “She left me stomped down in an alley “Like a damned ol’ stray dog “Took up with a preacher to praise Jesus every song...” (chorus)
4.
Meet Me In The Morning 04:39
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4) Meet Me In The Morning bob dylan / ram’s horn music Meet me in the morning 56th and Wabasha Meet me in the morning 56th and Wabasha Honey, we could be in Kansas By time the snow begins to thaw They say the darkest hour Is right before the dawn They say the darkest hour Is right before the dawn But you wouldn't know it by me Every day's been darkness since you been gone Little rooster crowin' There must be something on his mind Little rooster crowin' There must be something on his mind Well, I feel just like that rooster Honey, ya treat me so unkind Well, I struggled through barbed wire Felt the hail fall from above Well, I struggled through barbed wire Felt the hail fall from above Well, you know I even outran the hound dogs Honey, you know I've earned your love Look at the sun Sinkin' like a ship Look at the sun Sinkin' like a ship Ain't that just like my heart, babe When you kiss my lips
5.
Jailbreak 03:41
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5) Jailbreak m.litton Chorus: It’s a lazy day, it’s a lazy night It’s a lazy summer, babe, it’s a lazy ol’ life I’d say “Hello, pretty baby” But you just gonna wave it bye-bye I came into town like the 5 o’clock train Smokin’ ‘n a’steamin’ like the main parade Came to your house, girl, he saw ‘n pulled the shade Don’t wanna be caught flyin’ high When I ought to lie down so very low Smoke ‘n dagger scene on every corner Chorus gals singin’ their can-can dream Went into the parlor, waited till they called my name They said, “You ain’t our baby no more “So doncha go cryin’ all o’er the floor” (chorus) Took a shot of whiskey, turned me inside out Went to the backroom where they’s playin’ pool Got hot with the barmaid, she said, “Boy, stay cool “You been gone so long in jail “I’d just bend your rusty ol’ nail” (chorus)
6.
Same Ol' Song 04:44
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6) Same Ol’ Song m.litton So many times I’ve heard the same ol’ song Closed my eyes and simply played along I’d ask you why, but what’s the use? They ain’t no answer this time, no excuse Chorus: Tonight I know just where you are Same ol’ song, you’re playin’ in the bar, in the bar... I gaze up at the flashing neon sign Turn to leave then I change my mind Roll up my collar, lower my hat brim Walk inside and see you with him (chorus) In the darkness he lights your cigarette The dance has ended, your bodies sweat He brings you each another glass Will you leave with him? Well I’ll be your sweet...yes-yes-yes-yes (chorus)
7.
If Wishes Was Horses (Gene Autry Blues) 03:58
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7) If Wishes Was Horses / Gene Autry Blues m.litton Chorus: “I wish I’s in the saddle again “Out where a friend is a friend...” If wishes was horses and I had my choices I’d be back in the saddle again I’ve got a room above the hotel bar A cute little lady and a black fast-back car Now we dance, we drinks alotta whiskey Still I ain’t ever done nothin’ worth a memory Good Lord, doncha know I shoulda been born long ago When a man chose his way like he chose his bride When there weren’t no big roads, the mountains held the gold Back when you could jump a horse ‘n ride ‘Cause I don’t like airplanes, don’t like big cities Don’t like cuisine food ‘n your fancy privies Just can’t keep my mind on these modern ways I’m a cowboy and I’ve been misplaced (chorus) But ya gotta live ‘n ya gotta eat Still somewhere my dream and my needs don’t meet Now I don’t really know but if I had my way Well buddy, we’d be seein’ us a better day I’d roll back to the sea all the fences ‘n the roads I’d burn these cities to the ground I’d let the wild flowers bloom, let the young gals swoom And the lone coyote be the only sound And the buffalo would roam again And the antelope would play again And you ‘n me, my friend, we’d need brand-new clothes Made of buckskin so we could jump a horse ‘n go If wishes was horses and I had my choices I’d be back in the saddle again...
8.
Dead End Road 04:44
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8) Dead End Road m.litton Searching for freedom, rollin’ down the freeway Takin’ every chance, boy, goin’ all the way Took a shoot of whiskey just to warm our veins Turned up the music, roarin’ down the fast lane With nothing to believe in, we’d set the world on fire Racing each curve, boy, higher ‘n higher Then we crashed like lightnin’, now my friends lay cold Found out the fast lane was a dead end road Chorus: It’s a dead-end road, let the devil take it, friend It’s a dead-end road, ain’t drivin’ it again It’s marked by the wrecks, the big black X Of those who’ve fallen by the way I live the pain of two who were slain down the ol’ fast lane Bridge: Each night I dream the same scene again We roll down our windows to capture the wind “Let’s cheat the devil, boys, gun ‘er to the edge...” ‘N never see the sign that reads Dead End Ahead Should of took the exit, but raced into the curve The pavement narrows and that’s when we swerve The tires scream as we spin into the air I’m thrown clear but the devil wins the dare So if you’re searchin’ for freedom, lookin’ for a free way Takin’ every chance, boy, goin’ all the way Let me tell ya now, brother, ya ain’t never growin’ old If you stay in the fast lane, it’s a dead-end road (chorus)
9.
My Lady Been Gone 03:33
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9) My Lady Been Gone m.litton O Lord, she left me on a Tuesday So Wednesday I stared out the window Thursday I got stoned, Friday I danced with my shadow Now every night I sleep alone Chorus: ‘Cause lately my lady been gone O yeah, lately my good gal been gone She only left last Tuesday mornin’ Still it seems it’s been so goddamn long Hey listen to it blow Listen to that ol’ north wind blow It makes me sad ‘n lonely Wish my lady’d come runnin’ on back home Say now, ever see a little moth dive into the flames He don’t wanna crash ‘n burn He simply dies to ease the pain Well Saturday it rained ‘n rained Yeah, Saturday it rained and it rained The sky felt gray ‘n cold Just like the iron on an ‘ol freight train So I drink that whiskey for my sleep Drink alotta “Early Times” for my sleep Now that my life is an empty dream All I do is lay awake all night ‘n weep Hey now, ever hear a little dog Lost or gone astray Ain’t no one gonna take him home So he points his nose to the moon ‘n bays Yeah, Wednesday I stared out the window Thursday I got stoned, Friday I danced with my shadow Now every night I sleep alone (chorus)
10.
Redheaded Woman 04:30
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10) 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 My first sweetheart was an Oklahoma man He talked real slow but he drove real fast He ran the combine up 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 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 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’s born in a wheat town...
11.
Fishin' In The Wrong Hole (free) 03:17
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11) Fishin’ In The Wrong Hole m.litton Fishin’ in the wrong hole, come up empty every night Fishin’ in the wrong hole, git a snag on every bite Bait my hook ‘n cast my line Ain’t caught a keeper in a long ol’ time Hey buddy, doncha know, been fishin’ in the wrong hole Headed down the wrong track, trouble nippin’ at my heels Headed down the wrong track, chasin’ thru the woods ‘n fields Run me outa town just the other night Caught me anlin’ for the sheriff’s wife Oh buddy, that’s a fact, been headed down the wrong track Chorus: Fishin’ in the wrong hole, headed down the wrong track Fishin’ in the wrong hole, what I catch I gotta throw back Maybe it’s time I mend my way Read the good book, learn to pray Oh buddy, doncha know, been fishin’ in the wrong hole A quiet little water hole, she had a fetchin’ smile Quiet little water hole, she said, “Sit ‘n chat awhile” By ‘n by her knee nudged mine Felt her tuggin’ on my line, then her man come ‘n said “Whoa, boy, you’re fishin’ in the wrong hole!” (chorus)
12.
Taco 'n Wine 04:51
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12) Taco ‘n Wine m.litton Went down to Maria’s for a taco ‘n wine But when I left Maria’s I’s crawlin’ on my knees a’cryin’ Oh Lord, I’s cryin’ She’s a demon lady, her flesh is made of iron She makes her bed on a spider’s web I’d had a lot better luck at lovin’ a lion Yeah, yeah, lovin’ a lion ‘Cause Maria dances in the shadows Wears them roses in her hair And any man who tries to hold her Has gambled a losin’ pair He’s gambled a losin’ pair She always said she would love me Through my darkest hour But when I cried “I need you, babe…” She just laughed so loud ‘n called me a coward Curled back her pretty lips ‘n called me a coward So I went down to Maria’s for a taco ‘n wine When I left Maria’s I’s crawlin’ in my knees a’cryin’ Shot her with a gun and left her dyin’ It was a long barreled gun ‘n I left her dyin’ Yeah, Maria died in the shadows Seen her beauty fade away Took them roses from her hair Laid ‘em on her grave Laid them four roses on her grave Say my trial just ended, gonna hang for what I did But I’d rather tide this prison train Than see that low mean woman live Than see that sweet, sweet Maria live I’ll be ridin’ on the cupola of the devil’s caboose I pray it snows in heaven And I pray to God the man’s got a slick noose Yeah, I pray, Lord, Lord, I pray I pray, Lord, Lord, I pray...
13.
Dakota Wind 05:09
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13) Dakota Wind m.litton It was years ago out in Denver town I was half a soldier and half a clown In an alley shadowed by the Larimer lights With a whiskey bottle I went to hide I walked the pavement and came to dare A painted lady with painted hair She laughed ‘n cried ‘n moaned a curse Flashed a thigh beneath her skirt I followed her down till the dust ‘n smoke was slumberin’ I moved from that edge with my blood and senses thinned Chorus: And that ol’ Dakota wind was howlin’ Heard it howlin’...hey, hey, hey... a’howlin’ At first you think your home’s too small But once you leave you’re only half so tall From every side the road looks gray The ol’ road leads back from where ya came That homegrown gal with the kitten eyes Vowed to love me her whole life But when I came home one bitter morn Muddy boots had crossed our floor The shadows of my pain fell like our child’s dominoes My blood came to boil, then my heart just froze (chorus) Now the ax of guilt waits to fall But the serpent speaks a double law We’ve tipped the scales, what’s done is done I drink my whiskey, she has her fun... I drive out past the ol’ rail line Where the weeds have grown thru the broken ties I park my truck high on a hill To view this land of frozen fields The winter sun is slanting south The sky hangs in one gray cloud And if I was brave then I’d pray the sun to set on my last day Cause life my just a picture of something that once was real Hidden in a dark room, just an image on a film (chorus)
14.
Keep It Comin' (Disc 2) 03:46
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14) Keep It Comin’ m.litton Heatwaves off the pavement, smog hangs in the air She enters from the shadows underneath the stairs There’s garbage in the gutter, she’s clean-cool as polished stone Walking down the alley like she just stepped from a throne She’s a hot potato I’d like to hold A juicy tomato ripe for the soul Her blue jeans ache with her body’s accent In her white silk blouse she’s high, tight ‘n cinched Chorus: Hey baby, you got this boy wantin’ to play Baby, you got everything comin’ Oh girl, I see ya comin’, everything a’comin’ Oh girl, keep a’comin’, everthing comin’ my way... Like a switchblade flashin’ forth to tap a viens Like neon colors runnin’...bleedin’ in the rain Babe, I got a hunger only you can fill I’ll take you like a hunter, take you if you will We’ll laugh at the scene, light up the town Roll up main street, shut the power down Dance by the river ‘neath the salsa moon Let the rock’n roll lambada make our rhythm swoon (chorus)
15.
Honkytonk Guitar 03:40
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15) Honky Tonk Guitar m.litton I’m a full-moon calf, some swear I’ve lost my reason Throw back my head ‘n I laugh when laughin’s out of season Let my fingers pick a bar on my honkytonk guitar Now my papa told me, “Son, there’s a lowdown feelin’” And my mama said, “Poor boy, doncha ever take to stealin’” Then I heard the devil said, “Ain’t no music when you’re dead” Chorus: I play the honkytonk guitar, old blues in the smoky bars Play the honkytonk guitar for fast women in their fancy cars I’s dealt a wild card, born to play the honkytonk guitar Ba-dala lady, hear that honkytonk guitar... Now there’s a great black storm out on the horizon Just as sure as you’re born there’ll come thunder ‘n lightnin’ Let the devil take the farm, I’ll play the honkytonk guitar (chorus)
16.
Hombre 04:40
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16) Hombre m.litton Hombre you have nothin’ to believe in Hombre you ain’t got no home Angels cry in heaven Diablo he asks for your soul Hombre you’re woman lies sleeping The Rangers wait coiled to strike Listen El Coyote is calling Will you ride and escape with your life Wil you ride to your woman tonight Hombre you hate more than you love A hate that lies cursed in your bones Angels cry in heaven Your woman cries all alone Hombre you ride to meet the Rangers You reach for your pistols ‘n draw Now the guns are blazing And now the Rangers they fall Hombre you ride on with a fever For one Ranger bullet struck home The angels cry in heaven Your woman prays for your soul Hombre the flesh is but a shadow The earth is the mother of all You give your last cry to the wind In answer to El Coyote’s call
17.
Winter Rain 04:24
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17) Winter Rain (for my son Matt) m.litton Winter rain, cold dark day Feels like my soul has turned to clay Said goodbye to our soldier son He’s gone away to the sound of guns He said, “Dad, do not fear” He said, “Mom, I’ll soon be here” Until that day the clouds remain Like a cold dark winter rain Chorus: Winter rain, winter rain We said goodbye in the winter rain Empires will rise, empires will fall To pounding drums, to the trumpets call The child you hold becomes a man He’ll taste the dust of a foreign land Like a ghost at noon that casts no shadow He stands alone at the edge of battle You watch ‘n wait for his return By a darkened window as the candle burns (chorus) When our soldier son comes marchin’ home A flower will bloom deep in our soul The clouds will part to a sky of blue The sun will shine, son, when we see you He said, “Dad, do not fear” He said, “Mom, I’ll soon be here” Until that day the clouds remain Like a cold dark winter rain (chorus)
18.
Red Rose Blues 04:16
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18) Red Rose Blues m.litton Got a red rose today, got a jailhouse sorrow Got a red rose today, got a jailhouse sorrow Ain’t a good man’s noose just the Evil One’s halo The birds won’t sing long’s you carry a gun And the wind will never blind you If you never race a horse that can run And your rose will never grow to wither, girl If you never ever let it see the sun Ah, show her the son... There’s a fire on the moon But ya know that fire don’t burn hot, no You may have visions in your mind But the fusions all glow from the heart I swear a woman can’t love a man Unless she thinks he’s a devil or he’s a god Got a red rose today, got a jailhouse sorrow Got a red rose today, got a jailhouse sorrow Ain’t a good man’s noose just the Evil One’s halo Ain’t a good man’s noose just the Evil One’s halo
19.
No Diamonds 04:58
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19) No Diamonds m.litton Chorus: I don’t send no diamonds, I don’t send no gold I don’t send no diamons ‘n I don’t send no gold And I’ll never buy a fur coat to keep you from the cold Whoa but babe, I love you, I’ll come runnin’ on back home There are those who compare your beauty to a queen They see you as some distant one as in some misty dream Yeah, they can never hold you, they’ll never bar the door When you see my ship return, girl When you feel my surf beatin’ on your shore Now I could never whisper as through a garden wall For when I get too near to you I wanna howl ‘n call Like a warrior or a wolf man Babe, I’m the storm upon your land Let’s crawl into that river’s moon And draw its silk about our hot cocoon (chorus)
20.
Jam In Nam (free) 04:58
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20) Jam In Nam m.litton Your girlfriend was there when you left, you’re right Her brothers were there when you left, you’re right With the ol’ man’s shotgun when you left, you’re right And that’s why you left, you’re right That’s why you left, hey-hey, you’re right That’s why you left, poor black and poor white Owed a little bill on the GTO Payment due to the Highway Patrol Clocked through a 30 doin’ 91 The judge said, “Now that’s the third time, son” That’s why you left, hey-hey, you’re right That’s why you left, poor black and poor white When you were in a jam, it was Vietnam When you were in a jam, son, it was Vietnam Tired of the job, tired of the books Took one toke and you were hooked Rock ’n Roll and revolution everywhere Miniskirts and long blonde hair That’s why you left, hey-hey, you’re right That’s why you left, poor black and poor white Had a little game called the lottery Pick a high number and you go free But draw one below a hundred or so Why you’re a winner, you get to go Step to the left, you’re gonna fight Step to the left, poor black and poor white It was greetings from Uncle Sam They said, “Welcome, boy, to Vietnam...” Twenty years later our Commander-in-Chief Waved a flag and made a speech Talked alot of peace ‘n sacrifice “Now when the country called, the boys went to fight” As usual he was about half right He never talked to poor blacks or poor whites Well enough been said about that old war I’ll say this once this I’ll say no more Them were damn good boys that fought ‘n died For God, Mom, Country ‘n Apple Pie That’s why they left, that’s why they died God bless the poor black and poor white Hey they were in a jam in Vietnam Them boys was in a jam, son, in Vietnam Hey they were in a jam in Vietnam Them boys was in a jam, son, in Vietnam Now the jam is back, Jack, in ol’ Iraq Yeah, the jam is back, Jack, in ol’ Iraq...
21.
Quittin' You 04:28
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21) Quittin’ You m.litton All the lies, lazy rhymes ‘n tales you ever told me Couldn’t break the spell, oh no Your magic still could hold me But love’s the kinda game where ya have to play along Now I broke a rule or two myself, girl But you went ‘n broke ‘em all Chorus: And I’m quittin’ ya, babe I’m already through Girl, hear me when I say, I’m quittin’ you I could be out ridin’ shotgun, acting out the role But each bandit along the highway Knows the cargo has been stole I swear I’ve been mendin’ fences till my hands are cut ‘n torn Now my hands will heal, so help me But my heart won’t take no more Bridge: Of your lies ‘n lazy rhymes And all the tales you have told Girl, ya know, I believed you then But that was so long, long ago Once I stood just like an oak, now I am willow But come what may, I vow to hold my own I realize quitters never win But your cheatin’ game will never end Now you must learn to sink or swim alone (chorus) In your heart your know I’m gone But your pride will swear I’m dead Well I’m tired of playin’ possum, girl I’ll play the wolf instead Cause there’s plenty of deer in the valley And plenty of fish in the pond And plenty of plums ‘n berries For this ol’ wolf to feast upon (chorus)
22.
Bare Hands 04:25
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22) Bare Hands (words by m.litton / music by r.popp, d.melody, & r.holden) The clouds are black, the moon hangs low I wait for you by the ruined road In my hand a knife, in my heart the pain This lonely ache that speaks your name I wanna hold you, wanna feel you with my bare hands The winter mist lays on the pond The hoarfrost gleams as you walk along My breath comes hot, my breath comes quick Like this knife I hold with the silver tip I wanna hold you, wanna kill you with my bare hands I rip the seam of your cotton dress I grab your soft ‘n tremblin’ breast I drive the blade deep in your bowels In a feast ofn lust I scream ‘n howl I wanna hold you, wanna feel you Wanna love you, wanna kill you with my bare hands The clouds are black, the moon hangs low I lay you down by the ruined road...
23.
In The Jailhouse Now 03:54
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23) In The Jailhouse Now jimmie rodgers / peer international I had an ol’ friend named Campbell He used to rob, steal and gamble He tried everything that was lowdown Out tomcattin’ one night, he started him a fight Pretty soon the police came ‘n knocked him down He’s in the jailhouse now, he’s in the jailhouse now I told him over again, lay off the whiskey, stop drinkin’ the gin He’s in the jailhouse now Campbell broke jail one day, decided he’d go away A policeman come ‘n met him at the train The copper said, “I’ve come for you” Campbell said, “This won’t do “Cuz Campbell never really was my name” He’s in the jailhouse now, he’s in the jailhouse now Yeah, he broke out, all over town the fool walked about But he’s in the jailhouse now Oh I met his ol’ gal, Sady She asked me, “Have you seen my baby?” I told her they had him downtown in the can Sady went down to the jail, just to go his bail She said, “I come down here to get my man” She’s in the jailhouse now, in the jailhouse now So you can understand why ol’ kid Sady’s in the can She’s in the jailhouse now
24.
St. James Infirmary 03:56
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24) St. James Infirmary traditional / arr. border band I went down to the St. James, my baby there she lay Down on a cold marble table Good Lord, I looked then I turned away “What are my baby’s chances?” I asked the doctor there He said, “Poor boy, by this evening her eyes’ll open wide ‘n stare” Chorus: Oh let her go, let her go, God bless her Wherever she may be, she can hunt this wide world over She’ll never find a man like me When I die I want 5 poker players for my pall bearers An ol’ whore to sing my funeral song A red-hot band just playin’ out, yeah Raisin’ hell as we roll along Hey, you can carry my body down by the ocean Come that ol’ cold, dark ‘n rainy day You can lay my dead body by the ocean And let the ocean wash my body away (chorus)
25.
Saloon Fight 03:10
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25) Saloon Fight roger holden Saloon fight, they’re tearin’ down the walls Kickin’ ‘n fightin’ ‘n bustin’ you in the balls Saloon fight, bust a bottle on your head You cheated at poker, boy, gonna fill you full of lead Whiskey, women, poker, they’ll send you to an early grave Saloon fight, the sheriff’s on the run Kickin’ teeth ‘n breakin’ bone and you’re without a gun Saloon fight, boot hill is where you’ll be There’s gonna be a lynchin’, boy, they’ll hang ya from a tree Whiskey, women, poker, they’ll send you to an early grave Saloon fight, the piano man plays on Knowin’ that the boys are only havin’ lots of fun Saloon fight, they knock you to the floor Bleedin’ from the mouth, boy, but you keep comin’ back for more Whiskey, women, poker, they’ll send you to an early grave
26.
Champagne In The Saddle (free) 04:50
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26) Champagne In The Saddle m.litton Been a month in the saddle, roundin’ up the doggies Roped ‘em down to brand ‘em then drove ‘em to the rails There the boss said to the foreman, “Take the boys out on the town “We’ll meet up come sunup back out on the trail...” Chorus: Sippin’ champagne in the saddle alone... Now those dancehall ladies have eyes for the drover They’ll lean on your shoulder, they’ll fall in your arms But when your pockets are empty they’ll waltz away sober Leave you dancin’ with the bottle ‘n an achin’ empty heart (chorus) Bridge: When a cowboy dreams at night out on the trail There’s a lovely, lovely lady in a fancy hotel He takes her in his arms as they dance across the floor He carries her up the stairs thru the door of his room But then he hears that lone coyote howlin' at the moon (chorus) It’s time that I’m leavin’ for the mornin’ comes creepin’ Take this half-empty bottle, bid you ladies adieu Hold the bottle to the moonlight, see the bottle’s nearly empty Just another dead soldier to lay beneath the moon

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Hard West, scarred by Dakota winds and dead-end roads, where hundred-car freights of loaded coal pass ghost farms, graves and pasture bones; where a redhead mourns her road-killed man in midnight bars with one-night stands, and an hombre rides alone at night in answer to el coyote's cry; where the blues still hatch them old refrains of murder, lust and winter rains. Beneath the dust, ocean rock, and above the land, an endless sky, where shadows labor to the sun in thirst for water, oil or love, till even a damn fool's gotta know he's been fishin' in the wrong hole, But hit town at sundown and cast regret away on whiskey, bets 'n naked sweat in chance for a better day. As night deepens, cars wreck, lives too in haste and ruin. With bare hands you grip the wheel on a rutted road to the distant hills where all is given and all is blest, face another sunrise in the Hard West...

WWW.KINDAMUZIK.NET – "Compares with the ground-breaking work of The Band..." – Maurice Dielemans (October 9, 2005):
"Hard West is a double album from The Border Band and for that reason takes a lot after the superlative album The Basement Tapes from Bob Dylan and The Band. Naturally this is not the only reason. The rudimentary music from this quartet is very reminiscent of original rock-'n-roll styles such as standard blues and country, and they bring together these clear influences in short, harmonious rock songs. Everything in these 26 songs compares with the ground-breaking work of The Band..."

credits

released January 1, 2005

Melvin Litton - vocals and rhythm guitar
Rodger Holden - lead guitar
Dave Melody - drums and lead vocal on #4,10, 22 & 25
Robb Popp - bass and backup vocals
Recorded/mixed/mastered by Colin Mahoney
Photos/layout/design by Steve McAnulla

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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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