1. |
Bring Out Your Dead
05:39
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we parked our wagon a few miles from town
sent our man on the horse to lay the story down
the doctors hadn’t given him much time to live
and not a dry eye in the house was found
as he told them stories and they bought him rounds
this man who still had so much love to give
and when he was sure they’d remember his face
he snuck outside and found a cozy place
where he could rest his head while it was spinning
cus the last shot he had was one that we’d made
makes a live man look like he’s in his grave
and there’d he lay til all around him singing he heard
he lay there til the break of dawn
when I rolled in to complete the con
offering sweet relief for whatever ails ya
i said if you got a problem just bring it on
if you are hurting then you can’t go wrong
the stuff i got oh it never fails ya
but what can you do for our hearts they cried
a beautiful stranger showed up and died
we still haven’t had the time to put him to rest
i said maybe he’s not so dead inside
yes even death can be denied
i think we’ve found the perfect test
won’t you bring out your dead
the one you said left your heart reeling
bring out your dead
and let’s just see if we can’t get him breathing
i wouldn’t expect you to take it from me
so bring him here so we can plainly see
bring, bring out your dead
let’s just see if we can’t get him breathing
before the snake oil even touched his lips
my old friend began to cough and spit
the townsfolk saw their miracle unfold
so they lined up with their pockets out
because they had seen beyond a doubt
that our elixir was worth more than gold
we made haste with their dreams in tow
loaded up with everything they used to own
the cost of living these days is getting pretty high
and the stranger followed us down the road
where we split the profits of those poor souls
the next town we’d meet would hear us cry
bring out your dead
the one you said left your heart reeling
bring out your dead
and let’s just see if we can’t get him breathing
i wouldn’t expect you to take it from me
so bring him here so we can plainly see
bring, bring out your dead
let’s just see if we can’t get him breathing
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2. |
Don't Say Nothin'
03:55
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If you don't got nothin nice to say
don't say nothin at all
seems i've been hearing that
since the time I could crawl
but I always talk too much
and my words are sometimes raw
if you don't got nothin nice to say
don't say nothin at all
my throat is sore and tired
my voice is growing weak
can't find a reason these days
to open my mouth to speak
besides whispering to myself
reading the writing on the wall
if you don't got nothin nice to say
don't say nothin at all
I spent long nights talking to the walls
for fear of hurting those I love the most
I'd rather bite my tongue than see a teardrop fall
if you don't got nothin nice to say
don't say nothin at all
those suits been crackin down
on what they think is nice
you ask them questions
all they give you is advice
about your questions
and the terror they can cause
if you don't got nothin nice to say
don't say nothin at al
I spent long nights talking to the walls
for fear of hurting those I love the most
I'd rather bite my tongue than see a teardrop fall
if you don't got nothin nice to say
don't say nothin at all
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3. |
No Rest
04:58
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lying on a mattress on the floor in a basement in a bad part of town
weighing all my options my errors i’m in trouble i’m in the shit now
my life ain’t no picnic no business ain’t wanting a worker like me
my lady’s beside me my baby’s inside and they’re both fast asleep
i light up a smoke to lighten the load every time that i breathe
i feel so ashamed at the way i see others that do it with ease
but this is my bed this that i’ve made and wrapped myself in
and this is the way i maintain and i do it all over again
no rest for the wicked tonight
why’d i even bother to close these eyes of mine
no rest for the wicked in sight
when all the good in me sleeps
no use complaining or saying the things that we already know
the journey up yonder is longer when starting from so far below
running out of time out of my mind all these thoughts overwhelm
i’ll reach where i can reach for your hand if you offer some help
no rest for the wicked tonight
why’d i even bother to close these eyes of mine
no rest for the wicked in sight
when all the good in me sleeps
when all the good in me sleeps
when all the good in me sleeps
i’d love to drink til my eyes just won’t stay open
it’s hard to think of another way of coping
i lie to myself pretend that i’m still hoping
but i can’t fall asleep
no rest for the wicked tonight
why’d i even bother to close these eyes of mine
no rest for the wicked in sight
when all the good in me sleeps
when all the good in me sleeps
when all the good in me sleeps
i might let you down let me explain this ain’t something new
i tried to get straight tried to get paid but i barely got through
it might be tough but might be enough to live on the grind
i’m not here long i’ll be long gone so i don’t really mind
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4. |
Long Way to Go
03:48
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5. |
Can't Complain
05:20
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The time had come for settling down, I needed some advice.
I went to see my grandpa and said how do I do this right?
He laughed and set a spell, the memories took him back
to a diamond in his pocket, working up the courage to ask.
He finally pulled over on a lonely gravel road.
He’d been hinting for weeks and she watched it all unfold.
The nerves they shook him, his words barely got through
but he handed her the box saying ‘this is for you.’
If I could do it again boy I’d do most the things the same.
I learned from my mistakes so there ain’t no reason to change.
I’d like a few more days and another shot with that ring
but when I look back at my life, on my kids and my beautiful wife
all things the same, I can’t complain.
He said it’s amazing the change my eyes have seen
and though I’ve never travelled far, there’s places that I’ve been
that are mine forever because they’re a long time gone,
homes we built and lost as the prairie has moved on.
I worked hard here feeding my family with my back
making up with love for anything that we lacked.
I never could have been a lawyer or an uptown business man
I’m glad I built our life with the strength of my two hands.
If I could do it again boy I’d do most the things the same.
I learned from my mistakes and there ain’t no reason to change.
I’d like a few more days of hard work on these plains
but when I look back at my life, on my kids and my beautiful wife
all things the same, I can’t complain.
He never tired of working, but the smoking wore him down.
He took me on a drive with him on my last trip through town
up to his garden where they told him that nothing could grow
and we worked in silence there among those beautiful rows.
When I got the courage he sat and lit his pipe
and I told him how lucky I was to be a part of his life.
Then I took his picture hoping he’d stay in that frame
but life doesn’t work that way, at least he had a chance to say,
If I could do it again boy I’d do most the things the same.
I learned from my mistakes so there ain’t no reason to change.
I’d like a few more days and this garden could use a little rain
but when I look back at my life, on you kids and my beautiful wife,
I’d do it all over again and I’d never complain.
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6. |
First Day of School
04:30
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wake up my son
first day of school
i know you're scared
it's not that unusual
come over here
and sit on my knee
i'll braid your hair
like it was done for me
your mom has made your favourite meal
I hope that we can make a deal
I won't forget that boy i love
you don't forget the man your dad was
she bites her lip
as he waves goodbye
she'd doing her best
to not let him see her cry
daddy looks down
at the three that remain
he know that time
will steal from his home again
maybe my boy'll be better off
learning to be what I am not
i'm not quite sure what he'll be taught
i wish i knew where I belonged now
and I just hate it
it's not so long ago
last generation
was taken from their homes
who's to debate it?
there's graves and no grave stones
assimilated just wasn't in their bones
just have a seat
soon you will learn
your hair on the floor
is what we think you are worth
eyes to the front
just mind your tongue
best you forget
where it is you come from
one day you'll thank us for all we'd done
send us your daughters and your sons
your child will come home a different one
fit for a world where you're forgotten
if you get ill
no need to mend
instead of a pill
why not go hug a friend
who's to complain
if you don't return?
besides we've got space
out back beneath the earth
and I just hate it
it's not so long ago
last generation
was taken from their homes
who's to debate it?
there's graves and no grave stones
assimilated just wasn't in their bones
and I just hate it
it's not so long ago
last generation
was taken from their homes
who's to debate it?
there's graves and no grave stones
assimilated just wasn't in their bones
one day you'll thank us for all we've done
send us your daughters and your sons
your child might come home a different one
fit for a world where you're forgotten
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7. |
Drive Slow
03:20
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Here I am standing at your door It’s leaving time again
The bags are already in the car I’ve officially packed it in
I know I’ve said this more than once and I never got down the road
I’ve taken all that I can stand and it’s time for me to go
I’m gonna drive slow so i can see you in the mirror just a little bit longer this time
I’m gonna drive slow ‘cus I ain’t in a hurry to be leaving your body behind
Put the pedal to the floor If I think for a second that you might be changing your mind
I swear this time I’m gonna go but I’m gonna drive slow
Some guys leave in a hurry throwing rocks and dust
I’ve never been the kind to worry about none of that stuff
If you’re gonna see me leaving you might as well enjoy the show
You know I’m gonna take my time now that it’s time to go
I’m gonna drive slow so I can see you in the mirror just a little bit longer this time
I’m gonna drive slow ‘cus I ain’t in a hurry to be leaving your body behind
Put the pedal to the floor if I think for a second that you might be changing your mind
I swear this time I’m gonna go but I’m gonna drive slow
Why is everyone in such a hurry these days
They never heard that slow and steady wins the race
You know I like to take my time with you
So driving away that’s what I’ll do
I’m gonna drive slow so i can see you in the mirror just a little bit longer this time
I’m gonna drive slow ‘cus I ain’t in a hurry to be leaving your body behind
Put the pedal to the floor If i think for a second that you might be changing your mind
I swear this time I’m gonna go
I’m gonna make it on down the road
Slow and steady as she goes
Or you could stop me I suppose
‘Cus I’m gonna drive slow
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8. |
Call the Cops
04:29
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someone call the cops on me today
I was staring at a man and I didn't like his face
I bloodied my fists now he's in pieces all over the place
call the cops tell them to bring their restraints
someone call a doctor today
I'm by myself and I still don't feel safe
I don't need his meds but a house call would be great
if you could please send a doctor my way
If I know someone's on their way
then I think I will be okay
when I'm all by myself there's no one I can blame
call someone right away
it's up to me to make them stay
I just can't be alone today
someone call a priest for me today
I think I'm ready to fess up to my mistakes
I don't care the faith I just want to lift this weight
if you could please send a holy man today
maybe allI needed was a friend today
if you can't make it please send someone in your place
I'm not too picky but I'd prefer a familiar face
if you could please be that friend for me today
If I know someone's on their way
then I think I will be okay
when I'm all by myself there's no one I can blame
call someone right away
it's up to me to make them stay
I just can't be alone today
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9. |
Hand Me Down Guitar
04:14
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it was hard to put your things away
the pain and hurt was worth the wait
just some clothes stuffed in a bag
what's left of you
it's hard to tell what goes and stays
there's nothing here that's quite my taste
it never offered any peace today
or piece of mind
like my grandpa's shirt
that buttons up with tears
i wear his smile each time i put it on
we'll both wear through the years
one day i'll be a photograph
someone will pick up and they might ask
what was he doing with style like that
and all that hair
or maybe I'll be a piece of clothes
that you can hold up to your nose
and breathe it in so we feel close
the way I do
with my grandpa's shirt
my baby brothers shoes
i want to be a hand me down guitar
when I've sung my last for you
it's more than wood and more than strings
more than the joy that playing brings
it's how you heal every time you sing
i want for you
i hope i'm lessons handed down
mistakes i've made please do without
i've piled them up so you can walk around
find your way through
with my grandpa's shirt
my baby brothers shoes
i hope you play this hand me down guitar
when I've sung my last for you
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10. |
Radio Man
05:35
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He used to be a radio man
before I’d come to be.
His voice was deep and velvet smooth
as he ordered from his seat.
He always wore a trench coat
over one time fine attire
from when he sat behind a mic
and his voice went over the wire.
The radio man only paid with change
but he always tipped a dime.
Cash that would have impressed the girls
back there in his prime.
He’d lost his job and all the hype
years ago to the booze.
Now he sat and tapped his toes
reporting forgotten news.
Oh you used to find him on that dial
He's only been bringing in static for a while
Mr Radio Man is fading away
The last of his words are drifting into outer space
Mr Radio man, you're fading away
There was so much more he'd left to say
He’d sit and tell the weather
from the smoke he’d had outside.
He’d glance at the tv’s
and read sports from time to time.
No one was there to listen.
He always drank alone
and he would bounce from bar to bar
until they sent him home.
Mr. Radio had more than fifteen
but all his minutes were up
he’d finally worn out his welcome
at most of the neighborhood pubs.
They just got tired of hearing
his tragedies from the past.
They all knew word for word
the one he’d save for last.
Breaking news. This just in.
She’s never coming home.
She took my girls, took my life
and left me all alone.
Radio Man is fading away
The last of his words are drifting into outer space
Mr Radio man, you're fading away
There was so much more he'd left to say
If he’d scrounged enough money
He’d grab liquor on his way home.
Enough for each of the pictures
that he’d look at all alone.
With tears he’d open the album
that his old life did keep.
His voice was deep and velvet smooth
as he sang them all to sleep.
Oh you used to find him on that dial
He's only been bringing in static for a while
Mr Radio Man is fading away
The last of his words are drifting some where in outer space
Mr Radio man, you're fading away
There was so much more he'd left to say
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The Snake Oil Salesmen regina, Saskatchewan
The Snake Oil Salesmen began creating their unique blend of alt-folk-rock back in 2011. The strength of their music has always lay in heartfelt, honest story telling which they deliver during highly energized shows.
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