1. |
California Bound
04:34
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CALIFORNIA BOUND
Ten of us kids, a house of pain
No room to move
Nothin’ to lose
Me and my older brother Cain
Struck out on our own
Find a new home
Anywhere we end up couldn’t be this bad
So heart broke sad, no work to be had
So, we’re California, California, we’re California bound
Yeah, we’re California, California, California bound.
All along Route 66
Thumbs in the air
Everywhere
Hungry men with walking sticks
Runnin’ from the dust
The rot and rust
Thirty miles south of Henderson
The sheriff hauled us in “Don’t come this way again.”
Go to California, California, we’re California bound
Yeah, we’re California, California, California bound.
Trucker dropped us off at the Frisco Bay
We worked the docks those long, hot days
We picked the crops down in Monterey
Ended up in LA
Cain became a businessman
Got him a real good wife
Yeah, he did all right
Me, I do the best I can
Try to make ends meet
Keep it off the street
I dream about those days out on the road
so young and bold, so full of hope…
Goin’ to California, California, we’re California bound
Yeah, we were California, California, California bound.
c Phillip Rosenberg
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2. |
Rabbit Holes
05:29
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RABBIT HOLES
We forgot the teachings, we lost the artifacts,
But we discovered science, the art of facts,
Ain’t nothing we can’t measure, we’ll know it all someday:
How far it is to heaven, how much does one soul weigh?
But the closer that you look the less it all makes sense
All those particles and waves sittin’ on the fence
And every time you try to find which one is which for sure
They wink at you, trade places, and slip on out the door
Don’t matter how far down you dig
Can’t find no solid ground
It’s rabbit holes and turtles, all the way down
It’s Cheshire cats and vampire bats
And the eerie silent song
Everything’s been singing,
Everything’s been singing,
Everything’s been singing all along
But hey, who listens to the background music anyways?
Ain’t we way too busy planning out our busy days?
Days that always end up shy of what you think you’ve got
Left to try to untie your tangled knot.
The closer that you look, the less it all makes sense
It’s all so full of empty but it all looks so dense
Each time you cut a thinner slice from the mystery of life
You’re gonna have to find a little sharper knife
Don’t matter how far down you dig
Can’t find no solid ground
It’s rabbit holes and turtles, all the way down
It’s Cheshire cats and vampire bats
The eerie silent song
Everything’s been singing, Everything’s been singing
c Phillip Rosenberg
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3. |
Gaining On You
04:00
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Last night you tried to catch me
In a dark and a desperate dream,
I was running down a rain-soaked street
Trying to catch a train,
And you, oh you were on my heels
Out of the past you flew,
But you couldn’t see
What was gaining on you.
You wore a cashmere sweater,
You were sporting a black beret,
You were quoting Karl Marx all night
Sipping Cerevisiae,
And you were oh, so beautiful
For just a frame or two,
But you couldn’t see
What was gaining on you.
You’re daddy’s rage, the glint of a blade,
You crumpled and fell
And you could not be saved
You reached out for me
As the ground gave way,
The ground gave way.
I woke up half past midnight
Stumbled to the sink
I wiped the sweat from my brow,
I poured myself a drink,
And you, where do you sleep tonight
Are you still pursued?
Is that scared little child still gaining on you?
I hope you’re safe tonight.
You’re daddy’s rage, the glint of a blade,
You crumpled and fell
And you could not be saved
You reached out for me
As the ground gave way,
The ground gave way.
Last night you tried to catch me
In a dark and a desperate dream.
c Phillip Rosenberg
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4. |
You Know How It Goes
05:28
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I’ve been meaning to call for some time, it’s true,
Now I find your phone is dead and so are you,
I’m sorry I waited a little too long,
Ah, but you know how it goes,
‘Cause you’re gone.
We were never that close except for that one time,
I unzipped your heart for you and you unzipped mine,
And in that sacred moment no one was wrong,
Ah, but you know how it goes,
That moment is gone.
Won’t you meet me tonight down here below,
In your pretty, pretty garden
Where that old tree grows,
We can dance around it,
I’ll whisper your name,
You know how it goes,
That was your favorite game.
When I saw you last night didn’t look good,
Cobbled all together like that with wire and wood,
And suckin’ from that bottle I will one day sip,
Now, you know how it goes
With a morphine drip.
Now that you have crossed that last finish line,
There’s some things you could clear up about the other side,
And all he said, I swear it, I’ll swear it all night long,
Was “You’ll know how it goes
When you’re gone.”
Won’t you meet me tonight
Down here below,
In your pretty, pretty garden
Where that old tree grows,
We can dance around it,
We’ll sing your favorite song,
You know how it goes,
So come on, sing along,
Yeah we can dance around it
We’ll sing your favorite song
You’ll know how it goes when you’re gone.
Yeah, You’ll know how it goes
when you’re gone
c Phillip Rosenberg
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5. |
I'll Meet you There
04:17
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If I told you I was sorry
Would it make difference now?
Are you still so deeply wounded
Is your sorrow still that strong?
Does the anger still protect you
From the things we’ve said and done?
Is the blame you laid against me
Still the wall your leaning on?
I’m looking for a way,
Looking for a sign,
Searching for a place we can find,
A place beyond Right and wrong,
I’ll meet you there.
If we had it to do over,
Ah, but what’s the use in that,
When there’s nothin’ gonna change things
Locked forever in the past,
But I’d like to think that maybe
There’s a door that opens wide,
With the promise of forgiveness
Waiting on the other side.
I’m looking for a way,
Looking for a sign,
Searching for a place we can find,
A place beyond Right and wrong,
I’ll meet you there
In a place beyond right and wrong
I’ll meet you there
I’ll meet you there
I’ll meet you there.
© Phillip Rosenberg / Lynn Langham
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6. |
Drive
02:56
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I've got me a wife, a job and kids,
Living the life I’m supposed to live and be satisfied
But sometimes I get the urge to run,
Point this truck into the sun and drive,
just drive,
Yeah, I can feel the pull of the wheel
The unlived life I’m wanting to steal away
She was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen
I didn’t deserve nothing that clean
But I took it anyway
Kids came fast, the work got slow
A chilly wind began to blow our way,
hmmm
Baby, can’t you feel the pull of the wheel
The unlived life you’re wanting to steal away
You draw your cards, you place your bets
Brace for the worst, hope for the best and try
to be satisfied
But lately I get the urge to run
Point this truck into the sun and drive
Just drive
Yeah, can’t you feel the pull of the wheel
The unlived life you’re wanting to steal away and drive,
Baby just drive,
Drive.
c Phillip Rosenberg
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7. |
Austin
04:35
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I thought about you just today
And how you used to say
“Baby, try to keep the faith,”
But faith was never my strong suit,
In fact to tell the truth,
I never had what real love takes,
But there was that one time old friend,
I’d like to think you still remember when
Every star burned brighter
Every load felt lighter
Every day was full of sun
When you were the only one
First fire of the season/ Lying on the floor and teasin’
Late September, Austin was a ball/ Before the fall.
I guess its true that nothing lasts
Yeah, don’t it go by fast,
That fire burned out long ago,
It still amazes me to find
after all this time
How warm these embers glow,
Every time I hear your name
What comes back to me is always the same:
Every star burned brighter
Every load felt lighter
Every day was full of sun
When you were the only one
Makin’ love was never better/ Makin’ plans for forever,
Late September, Austin was a ball, Before the fall
Lovers have come and gone since then,
That kind of love has never come my way again,
Do you remember Austin at all?
c Phillip Rosenberg
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8. |
These Bones
05:41
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I knew all along you’d be coming
Yes, I got the memos that you sent
When you said I’d better be ready
I misunderstood what you meant
I had it all worked out perfect
Best laid plans gone wrong
Thanks for the wind and the sirens
I could not help but listen to their song
I had a dream and you were in it
Or maybe it was your dream I was in
We were wrestling on the kitchen table
I knew there was no way for me to win
The painting, why yes it’s progressing,
Thanks for the canvas and the frame
I tried to paint a wild forest fire
looks more like a puny candle flame
And the wheels keeps on spinning
And The sky’ll meet the ground
These bones have always known their destination
But I keep trying to turn this train around
Have you noticed that the landscape is changing
faster and faster every day
I hear the old circumference isn’t holding
I hear the beast is on its way
And everybody’s sort of anxious
You hear it in the nervous laugh
The turbulence is really crazy, but
No one thinks it's really gonna crash.
And the wheels keeps on spinning
And The sky’ll meet the ground
These bones have always known their destination
But I keep trying to turn this train around
I’ve heard we come in trailing clouds of glory
I couldn’t really say if that were true
I can’t name a thing I’m really sure of
I’m not even really sure of you
I’m glad you’ve got a sense of humor
After all the trouble I have caused
After all I just did my duty
Wasn’t that what my duty was?
And the wheels keeps on spinning
And The sky’ll meet the ground
These bones have always known their destination
But I keep trying to turn this train around
I keep trying to turn this train around.
c Phillip Rosenberg
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9. |
Windy Day
04:29
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Just when i got my arms around it,
I lost my grip and let it fall
Just when I thought I’d finally found it
I found it wasn’t what i wanted after all
I thought I had it so together
Watched it all blow away
Seems a man can spend forever
Sweeping leaves on a windy day
You know I try to keep my chin up
I try to look on the brighter side
Go out and buy another trinket
Like another trinket might satisfy
I thought i held you close enough
But i let you slip away
Trying to keep a hold on love
Is sweeping leaves on a windy day.
I watch the world going crazy
Watch it spinning out of control
Watch my friends trying to change things
Well, trying to change things can take it’s toll.
Man, we fought that revolution,
Maybe these chains are here to stay
Left me broken and disillusioned
Sweepin’ leaves,
I was sweeping leaves on a Windy Day.
c Phillip Rosenberg
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10. |
Foothill Boulevard
03:22
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There’s a Starbucks on the corner
Where the Winchell’s used to be
Big Mike and gang have all moved on
Remember that chick Rita
She just turned 63
The hog farm and the long hairs all gone
The ghost of Alfie Obar
Shooting hoops at Sunland Park
As if that El Camino never rolled
Sweet Jane and me
In the back seat of my car
The greatest story never told on
Foothill Boulevard
Foothill Boulevard
The boys are getting’ ready
To ship out over there
Flags wave and the line’s out the door
JD takes his hat off
Virginia strokes his hair
Says “You know I love a man in a uniform”
The mayor’s giving speeches
And sipping his Jim Beam
As the band plays Down by the Schoolyard
Hey, look! Here comes Downey
And the whole football team
singing Bye, Bye Love as they march down
Foothill Boulevard
Foothill Boulevard
There’s Bikers and there’s Birchers,
Lost soul searchers
Scrub oak sage, scraggly pinion pines
At the foot of Camel’s Back
Old stone shacks
See that one over there, well, it’s mine on
Foothill Boulevard
Foothill Boulevard
Foothill Boulevard
c Phillip Rosenberg
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11. |
Smokey Joe's
04:24
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It’s 4am on sunset the traffic’s moving slow,
The purple neon flashes: “Come on in, we never close.”
Outside, the line is forming, the wannabees all flirt
They buzz around the doorman, lifting up their skirts
Inside the royalty reclines In the afterglow
The congregation’s gathering downstairs at Smokey Joe’s
There’s Mr. Clark and Johnny and everyone can tell
Those smiles that they’re wearing’ are illegal as hell
They’re slicing red tomatoes, the home-grown variety
And laughing’ like those good ol’ boys can laugh in Tennessee
And guy, he’s drinking’ whiskey, a single malt, you know,
The kind you can’t find anywhere ‘cept down at Smokey Joe’s
Bobby’s quite the joker, you cannot pin him down
Between those devil’s horns he sports a dark and thorny crown
He whispers to Johanna "Let’s get out while we can
Before they turn us all into statues made of sand
Yeah come on, let’s go fishing’ I brought my line and pole
There’s always something biting’ downstairs at Smokey Joe’s."
Lenny’s old ‘n horny and in his holy way
Perfectly imperfect he removes his clothes to pray
And everybody’s bowing' to gods unseen again
For every drop of golden ink that passed down through their pens
Yeah, thanks for "What’s it to ya” and “Everybody Knows”
They’re singing “Hallelujah” downstairs at Smokey Joe’s
Tom parks his ol’ ’55, slips on his hat and coat
He takes another swig o’ wine, he takes another toke
There’s paparazzi everywhere, but Tom walks in unseen
They’re busy interviewing the home coming’ queen
Well, her lips are fat as oysters but the doorman, he says “No
That ain’t the look they’re looking’ for downstairs at Smokey Joe’s."
I know its unappealing to see me on my knees
Begging' like an orphan “Just a crumb, sir, if you please”
But who else can I turn to in my hour of need
To save me from the oblivion of mediocrity
Now, who are you to criticize? I saw you with your soul
Whispering’ to the devil out behind Smokey Joe’s.
© Phillip Rosenberg
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12. |
Flower Time
04:38
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Today I went out walking down my garden path,
The lilacs and the lilies had all gone to seed,
the leaves of golden maple, they let go one by one,
but the berries were full and round and sweet,
And the garden smelled like earth
with the shadows growing long,
And the robins and the wrens
they were singing a different song.
Flower time is over, I’m no rose by any name,
Precious dreams plowed under, seems they’re coming up again,
And don’t they all look different in this late September sun?
Flower time is over boys, The ripening has begun.
I traded in these six strings for a 9-5,
Had rent to pay and little mouths to feed,
But I couldn't hear the music in that simple daily grind,
You see, back then I was still a little green,
Now the garden hums a tune it was singing all along,
Now it strikes a deeper chord,
now I’m singing a different song.
Flower time is over, I’m no rose by any name,
Precious dreams plowed under, seems they’re coming up again,
And don’t they all look different in this late September sun?
Flower time is over boys, The ripening has begun.
So gather round, raise your glass, celebrate the seeds we cast,
Taste the fruit, it’s here at last, at last,
Flower time is over, I’m no rose by any name,
Precious dreams plowed under, seems they’re coming up again,
Oh, and don’t they all look different in this late September sun?
Flower time is over friends, the ripening has begun,
Flower time is over, the ripening has begun.
c Phillip Rosenberg/Catherine Svehla
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