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Fast Track for a Slow Horse 11/22
It was a fast track, for a slow horse
Put my money down, but he came up short
It was an inside tip, on a sure thing
Laid down my bet, ran like a bird with a broken wing
All I need is a little hope, and a little bit of luck
When my horse comes in, that’s more than enough, more than enough
We work the dirty jobs, we make the tough calls
Sometimes we punch the clock, sometimes we punch the wall
There’s a chestnut filly in the third race, we’ll be right there with her every step of the way
She’s gonna win, take us far away from the troubles of these days
All we need is a little hope, and a little bit of luck
When our horse comes in, that’s more than enough, more than enough
She thinks back to the days when she was a young girl
And all of her dreams with horses were filled
Now her world is the backstretch, and maybe this year
She’ll have a fast horse, and she’ll hear the crowd as it cheers, maybe shed a few tears
The groom brushes her horse, his coat shines in the sun
She walks him in a circle, tells him she knows he can get it done
The trainer needs a winner, a little help to pay the bills
The jockey’s feeling alright, he can win this war of wills
All they need is a little hope, and a little bit of luck
When their horse comes in, that’s more than enough, more than enough
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2. |
Somewhere Else Café
04:10
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Somewhere Else Café Bowman/Boudreau 2/22
Bacon’s frying, eggs are on the grill
Ordered my usual, guess I always will
Morning paper, it’s been passed around
Conversation, is easily found
When it’s time to rest my bones
In a place that feels just like home
Where the waitress knows your name
And many faces are the same
All gathered at the somewhere else café… we’ll pass the time away
Mary owns the place, been here 18 years
Through blood and sweat, and just a few tears
She starts at 5 am, before the sun is up
Pours out her heart, into each coffee cup
When it’s time…
A slice of life, with a slice of pie
All you have to do, is stop on by
Joe and Sally, argue politics
Jim ignores them, he’s got a roof to fix
In her high chair, Kate throws cheerios
Mary sweeps them up, hugs her before she goes
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3. |
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Remember Those Old Times Well
The phone sits by my chair, but it doesn’t ring
We used to chat for hours, ‘til time flew like it had wings
Now the only ones who call to talk to me are those who’ve got something to sell
Don’t ask me about what happened yesterday, but I remember those old times well
We skated outside in 20 below ‘til we couldn’t feel our feet
We’d come into the shack with a wood-stove, pouring out the heat
Once we were warm, we’d get back on the ice, skate hard ‘til darkness fell
Don’t ask me about what happened yesterday, but I remember those old times well
I read the paper but the news never seems to change
The same sad stories, over and over again
We used to believe we might fly into space and come back with stories to tell
Don’t ask me about what happened yesterday, but I remember those old times well
I visit my friend who they put in a room to keep him safe from himself
In a building that’s all locked up like some big prison cell
When I play him his favourite songs, he knows all the words
He’s back in that high school gym sock hop, dancing with a pretty girl
I turn on my computer to find out what my friends ate for dinner
All the arguments and insults, losers and winners
When friends are people you barely know, it’s every man and woman for themselves
Don’t ask me what happened yesterday, but I remember those old times well
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4. |
Some Day
03:32
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Some Day Greco/Boudreau/Bowman 10/18
Some days come easy, and some are tough
Some days are diamonds, some are rough
Won’t have to wait much longer, I’ve waited long enough
Some day I’ll find the love I’m dreaming of
Some day
Some days it’s just too hard, to get out of bed
The hurt is sinking in, I’m in way over my head
I look at what I didn’t do, words I left unsaid
Some day the sun will shine instead
Some day
When it feels like the whole world is sitting on my shoulders
And all the walls are closing in
One by one I threw away the chance to hold her
And she’s never gonna come my way again
Some days come easy, today is tough
Some days are diamonds, but today is rough
Some days it takes all you have, to fight your way through
Some day will be the best you ever knew
Some day
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5. |
Arbutus Tree
04:01
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Arbutus Tree Boomer/Boudreau/Bowman 2/21
My eyes aren’t what they used to be, but I still see him in my mind
Dressed in layers as he went to sea, for all the cod that he could find
I still listen for his footsteps, the sound of an opening door
But my hopes are never answered, I know he’s gone for evermore
I shed my skin like an arbutus tree
Stand on these cliffs in the ocean breeze
My branches bend as I shed my leaves
My roots grow deep to eternity
There were storm clouds on the horizon, the last time I saw his face
I’d hoped that he might stay at home, but the ocean was his place
The waves rose high and thunder clapped, I went down to where he docked
But the water never gave him back, he’s gone where angels walk
I shed my skin…
From time to time I stand by the sea, to watch the boats come in
Though you might find me foolish, I still hope one will be his
Cause it’s hard to know he’s gone, without a chance to say goodbye
So I look out on the water, though I know he’s in the sky
I shed my skin….
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6. |
Social Mediocrity
03:51
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Social Mediocrity Boudreau/Bowman 4/23
There’s a long list of issues
That we can’t talk about
Cause someone else will disagree
Others will scream and shout
The insults will start flying
Are you a nazi or a commie?
Like there’s only one thing you can eat
Either lettuce or salami
Chorus
It’s social mediocrity
A trainwreck you can’t help but see
You’re a fool if you don’t follow me
That’s how we disagree… in social mediocrity
Like a scene from a zombie flick
We walk but we don’t see
We think our phones are smart
But I have to disagree
Sitting across the table
Staring at our phones
No friendly conversation
Might as well be alone (chorus here)
If we saw something was wrong, we took action
Now we’re all caught up, in technological distraction
If we see someone in trouble
There is no need to intrude
We’ll just film it on our phone
And put it up on You Tube
No need to get involved
Or be part of the solution
When with a few taps on the keyboard
You can start the revolution
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7. |
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Our Dreams Will Overcome our Fears July, 2019
You left the bathroom light on
So I can find my way to where you sleep
Cause my eyes aren’t good at seeing in the dark
I get up and make the coffee
We read the paper sitting side by side
In a perfect world, that’s how our morning starts
I’ll follow you where there are no roads
When it’s hard to see, what the future holds
For every day that we are here
Our dreams will overcome our fears
We used to hike the mountain trails
Climb in caves so dark and cold
Now we walk a gentle path, hand in hand
We ran to keep up with our kids
Worked hard to live the life we wanted
Thankful we have found a place to land (chorus)
Now our bodies sometimes let us down
We help each other when we fall
Take pleasure in the moments that we share
A glimpse of nature’s beauty, the kindness of a stranger’s smile
It’s all so much better cause you are there (chorus)
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8. |
We Were Someplace Once
03:15
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We Were Someplace Once Bowman/Boudreau 1/19
There’s an old brick factory at the edge of town
With broken windows and holes in the roof
A chain link fence wrapped all around, that kids climb over after school
They’re too young to remember the smoke and the noise
The fire that lit up the sky
Not there’s piles of rusted metal, someone’s abandoned toys
Come and gone, in the blink of an eye
We were someplace once
With streets full of people and their dreams
We had a fair and a parade, but those colours all fade
Will we ever be someplace again? Will we ever be someplace again?
No jobs to be had in empty factories and stores
The young leave, wondering which way to go
There’s just a few old timers, sitting on their porch
Cities suck out our life, we’re like a crop dying slow (chorus)
We’ll hold out as long as we can
We’re too old to change, this will be our last stand
We’ll live on our memories of what used to be
Turn out the lights when the last of us leaves (chorus)
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9. |
Solid Ground
04:14
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Solid Ground Boudreau/Bowman 2/20
I see the lovers on the sidewalk, holding hands as they pass by
Young and full of passion, once that was you and I
What we have’s like that old oak tree, gets stronger as it grows
We built our love on solid ground…. all those years ago
An empty piece of land, waiting for a home
We dug a firm foundation, to carry the heavy load
Framed the walls and windows, the roof kept out the cold
We built our love on solid ground…. all those years ago
These rooms are filled with care and hope
We held each other close, when tears would flow
The passion we’ve burned, so many times before
Keeps us safe from storms, just outside the door
Hardwood floors still shine, well polished where we’ve walked
Sometimes late at night, we can hear the old beams talk
The rain runs down the eaves, makes music as it flows
We built our love on solid ground…. all those years ago
We’ll need to fix a thing or two, add a coat of paint
Patch up any cracks, with the patience of a saint
We’ll keep it warm and cozy, even when it snows
We built our love on solid ground…. all those years ago
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10. |
How We Fall
03:59
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How We Fall Boudreau/Bowman 12/20
I chased fame til I’d had enough, never got to fill my cup
I had a lot of fun along the way
Don’t think about what might have been, races I will never win
Glad to taste the sweetness of the day
We feel like kings, we feel like slaves
The love we hold can drift away
In the good times we’re flying like we’re ten feet tall
In the end, it’s all about how we fall
I used to be a ladies’ man, master of the one night stand
Now I’m looking for a love that lasts
Don’t fret about the bridges burned, chalk it up to lessons learned
There ain’t no future living in the past (chorus)
I tripped and went down, sprang up from the ground
Brushed all the dust from my jeans
I’ll take it as it comes, I walk, no need to run
Stopped trying to figure out what this all means
Now I wake up to the morning light, happy to escape the night
The birds are singing three-part harmony
I choose to smile and appreciate, good things come to those who wait
I’ve waited long, I’ve waited patiently
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11. |
Be My Emmylou
04:11
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Be My Emmylou Boudreau/Bowman 9/19
I’ve been looking for an angel
Who could sing like an ocean breeze
Hold a note so perfectly
Who’d understand a fool like me.
A perfect two-part harmony
A passion for the words
A journey started long ago
Full of lessons learned
I’d gladly share the stage, to hear your melodies
Each time we’d sing a love song, your eyes would look at me
I’d thank my lucky stars, for guiding me to you
I could be your Gram Parsons, you could be my Emmylou
If I find that angel, I’d celebrate her with a song
About the first time I heard her voice, how I had to sing along
I felt the strength in the songs she sang, it called out from her soul
A shelter from the hard times, that every singer knows (chorus)
Maybe we’ll play in concert halls, maybe we’ll play in bars
As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we are
Could be driving down a highway, singing to the radio
Smiling at our good fortune, as we head to our next show (chorus)
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12. |
Layers
04:47
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Layers 4/20
He grew up in a house of fire and brimstone
All hell and damnation from preachers on the radio
When war broke out and young men were asked to volunteer
He couldn’t wait to pack his bag and go
I wish, I could have peeled back the layers
The hard, tough surface pulled aside
Seen the young boy running wild and free
With a future, still undefined
I wish, I could have peeled back the layers
Found the gentle heart far below
But the man I saw was made to be hard and strong
It was the only side I ever saw him show
The war left him scarred and gave him nightmares
He was the only member of his crew to make it home alive
When you look death in the eye you don’t forget his face
He kept running like those demons were right behind (chorus)
He grew restless with his wife, impatient with his family
They wouldn’t heed his orders, so he spent more time away
He came home to find his troops had all deserted him
Now the TV keeps him company all day
I wish …
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