1. |
The Preacher's Daughter
03:34
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I remember a day, a washed-out afternoon:
Winter's on its way and the summer's gone too soon.
She came in on the breeze as I walked past the mill
and the painted trees to watch the sunset on the hill.
She said, "I am the preacher's daughter, but I've run away.
I know what you're thinking and I know what they'll say,
but you're the only safe place I've found!
So if its not a bother, I'd like to stay around!"
Her father preached the Word with a voice like a thunderclap;
The congregation stirred as she snuck out the back.
The church bell rang, she was miles down the road;
They clapped and sang as she came in from the cold.
She said, "I am the preacher's daughter, but I've run away.
I know what you're thinking and I know what they'll say,
but you're the only safe place I've found!
So if its not a bother, I'd like to stay around!"
I reached for her one night, I didn't find her there;
Switched on the light, but she vanished into thin air.
Where has she gone? Is she all alone?
Did I do something wrong? Why can't she just come home?
You see, I love the preacher's daughter, but she's run away;
I know what you're thinking, I know what they'll say:
"She's nowhere to be found,"
and I could never ask, but I wish she'd stay around!
She said, "I am the preacher's daughter, but I've run away.
I know what you're thinking and I know what they'll say,
but you're the only safe place I've found!
So if its not a bother, I'd like to stay around!"
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2. |
Pictures
03:48
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Build me out of plastic and Styrofoam:
I was manufactured, never grown.
Dumped off the line into this uniform, I was born...
Did I tell you about the pictures on my wall?
Did I tell you about the screaming down the hall?
Did I tell you about the fireworks at night,
and how you make it alright?
They cut and folded on the dotted lines,
cleaned me with their antiseptic shine.
They took the heart they said was never mine, but I'll be fine...
Did I tell you about the pictures on my wall?
Did I tell you about the screaming down the hall?
Did I tell you about the fireworks at night,
and how you make it alright?
Did I tell you (oh)?
Did I let you know
that I don't wanna let you go?
Did I tell you about the pictures on my wall?
Did I tell you about the screaming down the hall?
Did I tell you about the fireworks at night,
and how you make it alright?
(And I'm alright!)
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3. |
Gather 'Round
03:17
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She's not too shy and she's not too proud
to dance wit the Devil if the Devil brings a crowd,
so put it all in lights
on a Friday night
and watch all the people gather 'round!
She lost herself to the camera crews,
didn't know about it 'til she saw it on the news;
its just a couple cents
for your innocence,
if you have any left to lose!
She raised her glass and she slurred a toast,
"Sorry boys, I'm leavin', and I'm headed for the coast!"
East or west?
That's anybody's guess!
Whichever one pays the most!
I swear to God, I've seen her myself,
through an open doorway or a picture on a shelf.
No matter what I say,
it won't matter anyway:
She's already somewhere else!
She came back home on a sudden gust,
"What more could you want?" I cried, and threw my hands up.
She said, "Ah hell,
don't you flatter yourself!
I'm only here to kick up dust!"
I heard all the bullshit that she spread around;
I've rolled up my pant legs since she's back in town,
but these days, heck!
I'm up to my neck!
If she don't leave soon, I'll drown!
She's not too shy and she's not too proud
to dance wit the Devil if the Devil brings a crowd,
so put it all in lights
on a Friday night
and watch all the people gather 'round!
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4. |
The Only Way we Learn
03:46
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Don't tell me you're sick, or blame a change in the weather;
don't tell me you're tired, because I know you better.
I know what I said, and I'll stand firm:
The hard way's the only way we learn!
Say that I'm crazy, tell me I'm wrong,
but I'll burn my guitar and forget all my songs;
in case you've not noticed, they're all about you!
Considering my options, its the best thing to do!
So leave me in the rain,
I know I've been your curse.
Forget my face and my name
before it gets any worse!
My good-natured ignorance is what keeps me sane.
I don't mean to cause trouble, I don't mean any pain.
It's my own clever tactic, my own little way
to shutter the windows and keep the world away!
So leave me in the rain,
I know I've been your curse.
Forget my face and my name
before it gets any worse!
Don't let this town
get you down
or make your makeup run;
just sail away
to brighter days
beneath the Carolina sun!
So leave me in the rain,
I know I've been your curse.
Forget my face and my name
before it gets any worse!
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5. |
Snake's Skin
08:12
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I.
She has your smile, and she has your laugh:
A high, wild song that is carried along on the breeze.
She has your smile, and she has your eyes:
They shine in the sun like a river tat runs through the trees.
She is ours! We are hers! Olivia!
She is peace, the sun in the East: Olivia!
Since you've been gone, she asks for you;
and so I try to explain to her why you're not there.
But my hands will shake and my voice will crack
before I begin, it's so much more than I can bear!
She is ours! We are hers! Olivia!
She is peace, the sun in the East: Olivia!
Sometimes it's hard to remember,
she makes you hard to forget!
Sometimes it's hard living here, but here...
II.
Here in this home
we're not alone,
with the Sun and the Hill and the River.
The Hill lifts us up,
the River fills our cup,
and in the Sun, we never shiver.
I've raised her here,
keeping them near:
The Sun and the Hill and the River.
We raised her up
with more than enough.
We've given all we can give her!
But you were our patch of blue,
as the storm clouds grew!
Late in the night
you took flight,
into the arms of the city.
They said you were home,
took you as their own,
took all the joy that was in me!
But I know one day,
you'll come our way,
leaving behind the World;
I know you'll see
you've missed me
and so much of our little girl!
But you were our patch of blue
as the storm clouds grew;
you were our shelter from the wind!
You threw us off like snake's skin!
You threw us off like snake's skin...
III.
She is ours! We are hers! Olivia!
She is peace, the sun in the East: Olivia!
This is our place, with the sun on our face:
This is our place in the sun!
I've kept them near, she's happy here:
This is our place in the sun!
This is our place in the sun...
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Stephen Schlaack Howell, Michigan
Acoustic singer-songwriter from Southeast Michigan with a head full of songs.
"Johnny O. and Other Stories" out NOW!
Stephen Schlaack recommends:
Great Michigan punk rock! I can't get enough of this EP.
go to album
The Red Queen EP
by The Red Queen
This is the punk band I play bass for. You'll hear me sing a little, too!
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