Lyrics and Liner Notes
Harlem River Blues (cover)
Harlem River Blues (cover)
Harlem River Blues (cover)
JT was a good songwriter and had to live with the pressure of being "Steve Earle's kid". His tribute at The Ryman was very moving and I had to cover one of his songs. Rest easy Cowboy.
(Chorus)
Tonight I'm goin' Uptown - to The Harlem River to drown - dirty water 'gonna cover me over. And I'm not going to make a sound.
I'm on a roll - Mamma I gotta go - got to get there while I still can. Troubled days are behind me now because I know they're going to let me in. So when you see me walkin' down [sic] the FDR just a singin' and clappin' my hands - tell my Mamma I love her - tell my Daddy I tried - and give my money to my baby to spend.
(Chorus)
Good times come and they go. And even a good man will break. When he finds his troubles have buired him whole - even when he knows what's at stake. So I'm takin' no chances - 'carryin over - while I'm still in his good grace. You see I'm no fool buddy I know the difference between chancin' and choosin' your fate.
(Chorus)
(Chorus)
Letter To My Home
Harlem River Blues (cover)
Harlem River Blues (cover)
Traditional music always pulls at my heart-strings. There is a power that Sea Shantys have that is unique and unmatched.
I see that Gypsy smile as she stands in front of me – I guess I’ll write one last letter to my home
And there’s nothing but this rocky coast – as far as I can see – I guess I’ll write one last letter to my home
Oh the burdens that we carry, some grow stronger every day – I guess I’ll write one last letter to my home
And it doesn’t much seem to matter if we curse or if we pray – I guess I’ll write one last letter to my home
Will there be a Norther Star – Will there be some guiding light
Is there a Church Bell I hear ringing in this dark and stormy night
Let me close my eyes to listen before it all fades away
maybe the echo that I was hearing was just some deal I had to make
(pedal steel solo)
So keep your eyes on the horizon and a hand upon the rail – I guess I’ll write one last letter to my home
Because the devil will never find you when you set out all of your sails - I guess I’ll write one last letter to my home
Will there be a Norther Star – Will there be some guiding light
Is there a Church Bell I hear ringing in this dark and stormy night
Let me close my eyes to listen before it all fades away
maybe the echo that I was hearing was just some deal I had to make
Let me close my eyes to listen before it all fades away
maybe all that I am fearing is the debt I’ve yet to pay
A Song For Blackie
Harlem River Blues (cover)
Let Your Heart Decide
Note: The single art is of Chewy but this is the late, great Blackie - our sweet girl.
This is a lullaby and is just as much about missing people as the animal parts of our family. Putting a loved one on Hospice care or making that call to put down a horse put a lonesome shadow on the time you have left with them.
"My old cat - she doesn't do too much these days. Mostly lays around in the sunshine - to pass the time away. And I wonder, what she's thinkin' all day long. Sometimes she tries to tell me - as she listens to my songs.
What you call struggle - well it's mostly in your mind. And the only thing you can never replace - is the way you spend your time. The ones you love - they could be your family or your friends. And remember that it was me, who found you in the end.
This ol' world - so lawless and untrue. You brush aside the cheats and lies to carry on the way you do - one of these days, I'll have to watch your setting Sun. And I only hope that I can find the strength to let you drift along.
My old cat - I think she would have liked ol' Hemmingway. And I believe that she'd listen just the same - to the things that he might say. Maybe they're up there - Earnie's drinkin' whiskey with his wine - I like to sit back and imagine that I could tell her one more time.
My sweet girl. My one and only.
I'll never leave you out, in this wicked world so cold and lonely
How can I tell you - There's no easy way for growin' old
How I miss your smiling eyes - and your little heart of gold.
Let Your Heart Decide
Let Your Heart Decide
Let Your Heart Decide
Featuring fellow Utah Songwriter Alicia Stockman, 'Let Your Heart Decide' is the tale of the wise and committed Woman and the hard-headed Cowboy...a story for all times.
"I've been chasin' you through Texas most of the Summer - but I don't think that it's me that you're runnin' from. These balmy nights are turning into lonesome Autumn days - and I keep hopin' that your wandering days are done.
I ain't the kind of man that minds hard livin - and I ain't the type that easily settles down. But every time I see the shine, of the gold that's in your eyes - you're the only one that can turn this world around.
(Chorus) These desert plains ain't no place for 'dyin' - and it's a bitter road to the lights of the next town. Let your heart decide to give up what you've been hidin'. Don't let another tear fall to the ground. Don't let another tear fall to the ground.
I ain't runnin' short of horses - I'm just runnin' short on time. And the Highwaymen are beginning to know my name. But I've 6 rounds on my left hip and another upon my right - and I can match any Desporado with the same.
There's no Heavenly reward for 'dyin without honor - and the graveyards are full of valiant men. No I can lie and wait around forever. While you drift away and break my heart again.
(Chorus)
Galway Girl
Let Your Heart Decide
Never Coming Home
Look at that beautiful picture of my darling Wife "Mrs. Mountain Town" aka 'The Colonel'...but that's not who this song is about in strict terms. When I returned home after a long time away, I ventured out after a red-eye flight and quick coffee at home to visit the family of my oldest friend because they have a place in town. Your loved ones are not limited to those in your bloodline.
"Sometimes, in the middle of the darkest night - I'm reminded of your smile. I can see the dawning of the light - it's only going to be a few more miles. It seems that I, have been, far away from home - you watched over my heart - while I wandered and I roamed. It's times like these - that I know - all the truth left in the world - That there's nothing that can take the love - of
(Chorus) My Galway Girl.
The waves, they rise and they fall - yet I remain the same. The days run one into another - and in the evenings' remain - I hear a voice call out to me - so familiar to my ears - the message it is the same - that it's been for all these years - let the Ocean bring you back - let those mighty Seas unfurl - I'll be right here waiting for you -
(Chorus) Your Galway Girl
These towns - and their broken city streets - I don't care for their names - just another lonely port of call - they all start sounding the same - be it the shadowed streets of Perth - Or the Midlands open roads - you'll always be there by my side - and in my heart I know - there's no set of diamonds, rings of gold or strings of precious pearls that can every take the place
(Chorus) Of my Galway Girl
Never Coming Home
Let Your Heart Decide
Never Coming Home
This is an incredibly sad song - but it may be the best one I've ever written. We've all experienced hopelessness and loss but this one is especially for my colleagues at Portsmouth...particularly our hand surgeon - who didn't make it out of the ICU.
"I hear the panes of the windows - how they rattle in the wind, when there's nothing left inside of me to break.
And I don't have enough of my own teeth that I can form up to make a smile. And I don't know how much longer I can wait.
It's not about 'tryin' to get to Heaven' or 'the way you left things behind' - all my running lines are safely stowed away.
It's more about asking for forgiveness from the angels in my mind. Let the shadows go out to fight the light of day.
(Chorus) Tonight it's going to rain up in the Mountains - while I'm tied up to these pilings in the sand.
This old vessel might not hold through 'till tomorrow - might well end up in pieces on the land.
So when you lay me in the ground - with the flowers all around - don't you worry 'bout a marker made of stone.
And if you cry a lonely tear - because you thought you lost me dear....Long ago I realized I was never coming home.
There's nothing left to sort before this last battle. Only time to take stock of what might pull me through.
I don't mind runnin' short on midnight rations - as long as I have this old picture of you.
'Gonna loose an anchor before this whole thing is over. Good thing for me I thought to bring in all the sails.
Nothing left to do but watch the swinging of the lanterns. Best just to close your eyes and let those North Winds wail.
(Chorus)
Stillwater Saloon
Stillwater Saloon
Stillwater Saloon
In rural Utah, there are no bars - just your home kitchen and a couple of stools (like in Antimony, UT where the Wilson ranch is). Working out East, the flat we rent (Hawthorne at Stillwater) is not in walking distance of anything, so 'The Colonel' and I rented a garage at our complex and made it our tavern. The company is fantastic, you're not limited to a Utah 1 oz pour and they play my favorite songs!
"One thing I'm sure I know - is some days it's Jim Beam and some days it's Old Crow
But either with work just fine for this device.
You take a 1 Oz. shot and mix a little water in...and a cube or two from that old ice tin - and maybe just a little itty bitty squeeze of lime
(Chorus) So step right up - don't you wait in line - pretty soon we'll be havin' quite the time - the frendliest place in town is waiting for you.
The music's right and it's not too loud/and the folks there are your kind of crowd - have another 'smechel' at..the Stillwater Saloon.
Now we're tellin' jokes - and we're havin' fun - so it's time to go mix up another one - and this time friends it's going to take some serious science. As I negotiate the center of the glass I think it's going to take more than just one pass of this here handle - to get my calculations right. Now by this time friends we've gone through the ice but to make up for it we'll just add another slice of this here lime - 'cause after all...WE ARE CIVILIZED! (Chorus)
Now we've got some rules here on the ranch and the farm - like takin' that wristwatch of you arm because, 'no evening should be brought to a close before its time'. We've solved the energy crisis and planed to rob a bank and it's this empty whisky bottle that we have to thank and friends...at this point in the evening - I'm switchin' over to wine.
(Chorus 'dont you be eyeballin' my bottle a' wine)
Reconcile
Stillwater Saloon
Stillwater Saloon
A tale I hear time and time again in our Mountain Town is the story of failing relationships where the people involved are trying as hard as they can to fix problems...but with the wrong tools.
"It takes a 1/2 a pot of coffee every morning - and a 1/2 a bottle of whiskey every night. Your screamin' and your shoutin' start without warnin' - and that cold mascara starts runnin' from your eyes.
It's 1/2 a pack of cigarettes for the daytime - and 1/2 a pack for when the Sun goes down. There's only 1/2 a tank left in this beat up heart of mine - and it's not enough to make it out of town.
(Chorus) I reconcile every morning - but I'm a prisoner in the small hours of the night. Tryin' to pick up all those broken pieces...to put 'em back to make someone who will treat you right.
You'll never teach this old dog new ways - and the evening stars don't last in the sky.
But every dawning brings along a new day - and the chance for us to give it one more try.
No I won't promise you tomorrow - and I wasn't there for you yesterday. To chase away your loneliness and sorrow...or to give you any good reasons to stay
(Chorus x 2 w/ my broken pieces final refrain)
West Texas Wind
Stillwater Saloon
West Texas Wind
'West Texas Wind' is a Country Song. A Guy and Gal piece and you don't know who is leavin' who. What you do know is Corbin Pratts pedal steel guitar and Dr. Jon's voice. Great number.
"Well it's been so long - I can't even remember
All the times - you've done me wrong.
The only thing we've got left is slow burnin' embers...of a fire - that's been out way too long.
What was it about me that made you so lonely?
What did I used to say that made you smile?
You used to tell me that I was your one and only - but our 'forever' only lasted a little while
(Chorus) Pack up your boots - and your country radio - ride away to your - west Texas wind
When you leave my heart behind - you won't find it a surprise if I never see a rodeo again.
I guess I'll make my way back to Amarillo
My saddle's good for a 50 mile day
Don't pin a flower on a high plains drifter
Those prairie winds will just carry them both away
(Chorus x 2)
Uncle Dan
Lost In The Mountains Again
West Texas Wind
Uncle Dan Growler was my friend and and Elder in the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. I was of course his dentist and his art hangs on my office wall. I enjoyed his stories and friendship and we shared many meals together. Dan loved his Cadillac's and worked manual labor until the day he died. We commissioned him to paint a mural on our ranch in 2020 and it was the last project he did before taking the final journey.
"I never saw him have a cigarette - I never saw him take a drink. 'How much 'you want for that Indian art?' - 'Fifty bucks - n' maybe something to eat'. We could sit and talk for hours, or say nothing at all. And now all that I have left is that old painting on my wall.
They thought he was a Navajo - and they worked him to the bone. But then he'd drive the strip at night - always racing to get home. I remember it like yesterday - all polished up and black. They say Geronimo had one - but it ain't got nothin' on Ol' Growlers Cadillac.
(Chorus) So we dance around in a circle - like seasons around the Sun. Listen to the voices - and the beating of the drums - and the Holy Notes rise, from the Desert Earth and sand. They're prayers for all the Elders...and my Dear Ol' Uncle Dn.
The Summers getting warmer - moving slower in these days. And the evenin' spent remembering older times and older ways. Wash out that old paint bucket - pass me up my broken pain. I'll be dammed if I don't finish this last one before my old heart fails
(Chorus)
Lost In The Mountains Again
Lost In The Mountains Again
Lost In The Mountains Again
Just a simple song about the longing to be home when you're away. A heartwarming piece with banjo and harmonica. And the art was taken at our neighbors house - too cool!
"I've been searchin' for peace of mind.
Lately it's been something that's been hard to find. I close my eyes and feel for the wind.
(Chorus) Wish I was lost in the mountains again.
Well the people, they come and go
When they talk it just sounds like a radio show. I sit still and listen for the voice of a friend.
(Chorus)
Well the further you get from the lights of the town, the closer you get to the beauty that's around. There's no strangers among those who are out on the trail. And if you're loosin' your way - let your gravity prevail.
Up here the air may seen quite thin.
Then other places seem harder and harder to fit in. When this long lonesome journey comes to an end, We'll get lost in the mountains again
(Refrain)
Barrel Racer Blues
Lost In The Mountains Again
Lost In The Mountains Again
"Barrel Racer Blues" was released by The Animal Farm (London, UK) and was a blast to work on. From session players to final mastering a great collaborative effort between artist and label.
"Hold on to your hats my friend - take a look, at just who walked inside. I don't think you know just what you're signing up for - you punch that ticket - she'll take you for a ride.
Well she's been in town a time or two before my friend, I think she knows her way her around. By the time your sizing up your saddle my friend - I believe she'll have you on the ground
(Chorus) It's turn and burn, when you open up the gate, it's turn and burn from the first light of the day, it's run 'em hard - cause it don't pay to loose - 'cause it's the name of the game - barrel racer blues.
You should've listened to what I told ya - she's movin' on to her next show. But don't just sit there cryin' in your whiskey glass - for tonight it's another rodeo
(Chorus)
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