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Fast Track For A Slow Horse

by John Bowman

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1.
Fast Track for a Slow Horse 03:52
lyrics
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
2.
Somewhere Else Café 04:10
lyrics
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
3.
Remember Those Old Times Well 03:21
lyrics
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
4.
Some Day 03:32
lyrics
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
5.
Arbutus Tree 04:01
lyrics
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….
6.
Social Mediocrity 03:51
lyrics
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
7.
Our Dreams Will Overcome Our Fear 04:05
lyrics
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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)
8.
We Were Someplace Once 03:15
lyrics
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)
9.
Solid Ground 04:14
lyrics
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
10.
How We Fall 03:59
lyrics
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
11.
Be My Emmylou 04:11
lyrics
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)
12.
Layers 04:47
lyrics
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 …

about

Much thanks to Ivan and Brian for providing great support musically for these songs. Your professional approach made this recording project run very smoothly. Also thanks to Ivan for writing most of these songs with me, and for your production assistance and advice during the making of this album. Also thanks to Soren at studio downe under, for making us feel at home at your studio and for all of your technical expertise, which made these songs sound so much better. As always, thanks to my wife and partner, Diane, for supporting me in this always financially dubious venture of performing and recording my songs. Thanks to my son Mitch for his help in putting together the graphics (with help from Diane) for the CD and for his help with various computer-related matters. A big thanks to those who buy my CDs and come out to see me perform these songs and thanks to those people who hire me to perform at their venues. This wouldn’t work without your ongoing support.

credits

released December 3, 2023

Recorded at studio downe under, Abbotsford, BC
Producer/Engineer: Soren Lonnqvist
Mastered by Craig Waddell, Gotham City Studios

Musicians:
John Bowman- Acoustic Guitar and vocals
Ivan Boudreau- Bass
Brian Nicholl- Pedal Steel and Dobro

Tracks 1, 3, 7 and 12 written by John Bowman, (SOCAN). Tracks 2, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 written by John Bowman and Ivan Boudreau, (SOCAN). Track 4 written by Bowman, Boudreau and Thomas Greco (SOCAN). Track 5 written by Bowman, Boudreau and Jack Boomer (SOCAN).

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John Bowman Vancouver, British Columbia

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