Sad Truths & Innocent Lies

1. TRAINS JUST MAKE HER CRY

Terry (rhythm guitar/harp/pedal steel), Eva (piano/organ), Amanda (drums), Tom (bass), Vocals (Terry, Eva, Leanne Auger, Kelly Ouimet)

She’s known to walk or drive miles out of her way. To avoid the end of town where the railway tracks lay. I’ve asked her time and time again, but she would never say; Till some of it came spilling out of her today. She knows exactly what time those trains come rolling through; She turns the radio up real loud every time they do; There’s not a hint of a whistle; There’s not a rumble to make her blue; The volume drops back down when they’ve passed; she hits it right on cue.

Chorus:

She said the sound of a train just makes her cry; Something ‘bout their song; To her it means goodbye; It’s been 18 years since she stood long side that railroad track; Now she stays away so it won’t start her thinking back.

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Bridge:

She said a train is like a finger on a trigger on a gun; Held to my heart; It’s like someone’s pulled the hammer back ; Then the tears just start. I asked her what it was that’s caused her so much pain; Who rode away or vowed to her that they’d come back again; She rubbed her hands together; like she was scrubbing off a stain; And she mumbled that she couldn’t stand; the sound of a train.

Chorus

She said the sound of a train it just makes her cry; Something ‘bout their song; To her it means goodbye; It’s been 18 years since she stood long side that railroad track; Now she stays away so it won’t start her thinking back.

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2. I WOULDN’T CALL IT LOVE

Terry (rhythm guitar), Don (fiddle), Eva (organ/double bass), Vocals (Terry & Eva)

He thinks he’s a pistol; She thinks he’s a goof; When he cranks it up real high; He shoots right through the roof; He thinks that she’s a goddess; But he thinks she can be tamed; She thinks his head’s so full of him; He leaves her feeling pained. He has this long-term vision; Of how life’s gonna be; He’s worked it up in detail; It’s there for all to see; She’s never been consulted; Or asked how she can fit; She’s never signed on a dotted line; She thinks he’s full of it.

Chorus:

But the stars come out on occasion; And the meteors shower down; And they burn the night so darn bright; They light up this little town; The sparks are flying everywhere; And rockets rise above; You can call it what you want; I wouldn’t call it love.

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Goes home in the morning; And he loads the pick-up truck; And he disappears for days on end; He’s never feeling stuck; She walks the dog outside of town; Hums a song she learned as a child; The dog runs on ahead; He’s caught the scent of something wild. And hearts ain’t made of paper; They ache but they don’t tear; They’ll see each other sometime; It’s not like they just don’t care.

Chorus:

But the stars come out on occasion; And the meteors shower down; And they burn the night so darn bright; They light up this little town; And the sparks are flying everywhere; And rockets rise above; You can call it what you want; I wouldn’t call it love. He thinks he’s a pistol; She thinks he’s a goof; Some things are so far off base; You can’t find any truth.

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3. HEARD IT ALL BEFORE

Terry (rhythm guitar), Jeff Lundmark (lead guitar), Amanda (drums), Tom (bass), Vocals (Terry, Eva, Leanne Auger, Kelly Ouimet)

I was laying in a hammock in the darkness out back of a Mexican motel; I was wonderin’ about how anyone’s life could all become such a living hell; How a seemingly good idea all up and went so wrong; How once you catch what you’re chasing, a lifetime’s far too long. What do you mean; Don’t give up on you; I barely gave you fair consideration; I’m afraid I’m just gonna let you down; If you came here with expectations; Sometimes it feels like bad news is sending chills up and down my spine; Every time I move my feet; I’m told I’ve stepped over the line.

Chorus:

We can handle hurt and heartbreak; We can handle tons of grief; But deceits and dishonesty they strip down our souls like a thief. If you’re searching for a mystic; There’s one hiding just down the street; The air is blue around him; And there’s children at his feet; And if you listen close enough, You’ll see that he’s like the rest; He’ll paint you a picture of paradise; But it’s hollow at its best.

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Bridge

I don’t need no medication; And I don’t want your protection; I don’t know what it is that’s out there; But I know it needs correction. I looked for myself this morning but I could not be found; Called my name out loud; Didn’t hear a sound; I’ve got this empty feeling that there’s something that I missed; So I called up my friends; They said I don’t exist. So the measure isn’t bank accounts; Fast cars or acclaim; The measure’s how you live your lives; While others hide their shame. If you would just quit preaching those things ‘cause I’ve heard them all before; And after a while I just tune right out; it’s all such a deadly bore.

Chorus:

We can handle hurt and heartbreak; We can handle tons of grief; But deceits and dishonesty; they strip down our souls like a thief

Bridge:

What do I do now and what is it I’ve done wrong; You know I’ve lived with myself for much too long.

Out on instrumental

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4. HARD TO BELIEVE

Terry (rhythm guitar), Don (fiddle), Dave Patterson (lead guitar), Eva (piano), Amanda (drums), Tom (bass), Vocals (Terry, Leanne Auger, Kelly Ouimet)

I just kept right on doing; All the things I thought I should Then all of a sudden; And out of the blue; Life is pretty damn good. I never thought I’d lay eyes on you; After all those years had passed; But some things are just meant to be; Some things are meant to last.

Chorus:

It’s hard to believe we got here; Makin’ it up as we go along; It’s hard to believe we got here; It’s all gone so right when it all could have gone so wrong.

INSTRUMENTAL

Waiting is the hard part; Nothing happens ‘till the time is right; It can be months; Or it can be years; Or it could be tonight; Major life alterations; They happen when you least suspect; You gotta be willing and open; Ease back and accept.

Chorus:

It’s hard to believe we got here; Makin’ it up as we go along; It’s hard to believe we got here; It’s gone so right when it all could have gone so wrong.

INSTRUMENTAL out

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5. ROSIE’S LAND

Terry (banjo), Don (fiddle), Eva (double bass), Amanda (spoons), Vocals (Terry & Eva)

Hens and roosters; geese and ducks; Barnyard’s silent; No quacks or clucks; Rosie’s at the table; With her head hung down; Doctor’s on the buckboard; Haulin’ Henry off to town. Cows ain’t milked and the hay ain’t baled; Off to his glory Henry sailed; Rosie’s no spring chicken; And she’s in a state; The hay’s all right; But the cows can’t wait.

Chorus:

Sometimes there’s a warning; Sometimes you see it coming; Sometimes it hits you ; Leaves your head a’hummin’; No matter how it happens; No time to spare; Rosie’s in the barn; And the cows are glad she’s there. The preacher paid a visit; But he didn’t stay too long; He’d eyed Rosie often; And he wasn’t feeling strong; Neighbour down the road; Gave a helping hand; All he really wanted; Was Rosie’s land.

Chorus:

Time’ll tell you honestly; Time will tell you true; There wasn’t nothing else that she could do; But get up every morning; In the cold damp dew; Get up every morning; And do the work of two.

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6. THIS RIVER SEEMS WIDER

Terry (rhythm guitar), Jeff Lundmark (lead guitar), Eva (organ/piano), Amanda (drums), Tom (bass), Vocals (Terry, Eva, Leanne Auger, Kelly Ouimet)

This river seems wider than it ever did before This mountain’s a whole lot higher than I remember, that’s for sure; This life has sharper edges; it’s all become a grinding chore; This river seems wider than it ever did before. Clouds roll on the horizon as the sun sinks out of view; Try as I might with all my fight I can’t stop myself from thinking of you; While I search for guidance, I don’t have to wonder what you did this for; This river seems so much wider than it ever did before. You gave me ribbons; You gave me amber and pearls I gave you time; I gave up dreams; I watched you paint out your life in murals; I never gave it enough to know what any of this was for; This river seems so much wider than it ever did before.

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Bridge:

I lost you slowly; you didn’t run; you eased away; I was there but I wasn’t; It still hurts to say; But the mountains are so much higher than I remember; that’s for sure; And this river seems much wider than it ever did before.

Bridge:

If I could turn back the hands of time; Or find some other way; You’d be here now and we’d move on; There’s no chance we’d go astray. This river seems so much wider than it ever did before This mountain is a whole lot higher than I remember, that’s for sure; This life has sharper edges; it’s all become a grinding chore; This river seems wider than it ever did before. Than it ever did before; Than it ever did before.

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7. JUST NOT GONNA PLAY

Terry (guitar), Don (fiddle), Eva (piano/double bass), Amanda (drums), Vocals (Terry & Eva)

I was walking down the road; A week or two ago; And I heard a woman yelling from her house; Get out of here you good for nothing useless piece of trash. You low down bottom feeding louse. Now some would feel compelled to reflect upon this scene; And feel bad for one or the other; But I guess my heart’s had it’s fill of grieving and crying; So I smiled to myself; I didn’t bother.

Chorus:

Cause nothing’s ever gonna get me down again; No, nothing’s gonna rub me the wrong the way; To the extent that I’ll feel bitterness or anger or remorse; Cause I’ve decided I’m not gonna play; Yeah, I’ve decided I’m not gonna play. I walked a little further and a funeral passed me by; I didn’t give a thought to who had died; I saw those mourners weeping But I couldn’t empathize; Cause I know for sure that all of my tears have been cried. Now, some think I’m hard hearted; And some may think I’m mean; And I’m pretty sure there’s those who think I’m cruel; But the truth of the matter is a woman done me wrong; And played me for her everlasting fool;

Chorus:

But nothing’s ever gonna get me down again; No, nothing’s gonna rub me the wrong way; To the extent that I feel bitterness or anger or remorse; Cause I’ve decided I’m gonna play; Yeah, I’ve decided I’m not gonna play.

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Till I get the nerve to leave; Or I find someone new; Or one of us departs for parts unknown; I’m closin down this sad side; I’m pasting on a smile; And I won’t let it get broken by no frown.

Chorus:

Cause nothing’s ever gonna get me down again; No, nothing’s gonna rub me the wrong way; To the extent that I feel bitterness or anger or remorse Cause I’ve decided I’m not gonna play. Yeah, I’ve decided I’m not gonna play.

INSTRUMENTAL out

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8. THE TIME THAT I’M STILL HERE

Terry (slide guitar/vocal), Eva (piano), Amanda (drums), Tom (bass)

Well, it all seems so confusing when you think about today Like something’s out to get us all; Something evil comes this way; Maybe it’s the climate change; Or some exotic flu; So just in case there’s little time; I’ve still got a few things left to say and do. The doctor told me yesterday I’m a candidate to go; He didn’t say how or why; He didn’t say fast or slow; So I’m lookin’ over my shoulder, Cause my options are all spent; I thought I could weather any storm; I don’t know where the time went. So the thing I’ve got to get off my chest; In the time that I’m still here Is to spell out a few truths; And make a few things clear; To muster up the courage And say what must be said; Then I won’t mind sliding off; To see what happens to me when I’m dead.

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Love is all there really is; Without it there’s no hope; The children are the most precious things; Just keep them off hard dope; Corporations rule this planet; They will as long as we sit still; And as for politicians, the very thought just leaves me feeling ill. I’m just a simple country boy; Not a bone in me that’s mean; I say let the air be fresh; Let the water be clean; Let the food be pure; Let this earth be green; Just wanna go out knowing; That it’s the best it’s ever been.

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Racism and intolerance; Leave scars on our souls; We might as well be living; Down in deep dark dirty holes; We gotta embrace our differences; Learn from one another; Remember everybody out there; Is your sister or your brother. We’ve got to lay down guns everywhere; And stop this insanity; We’ve got to find some lasting peace; let everyone be free; Now there I’ve gone and said All I had to say; So now the Lord can come whipping down And whisk my soul away.

INSTRUMENTAL

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9. GOOD LIFE

Terry (mandolin/pedal steel), Don (fiddle), Eva (piano), Amanda (drums), Tom (bass), Vocals (Terry, Eva, Leanne Auger, Kelly Ouimet)

I come home drunk and late and you treat me like a dog So I stumble back out to the truck and I sleep there like a log Till you find me out there at the first sign of light And you kick my butt a dozen times until you get it right.

Chorus:

And they call this the good life and I’m wondering what’s so good I’m doing the best I can, just not doing the best I should.

We’re only about a month or so behind in the rent Your paycheque’s not going so far; you say I’ve always got it spent But there’s some things that are just too important to ignore Like drinking and fishing and drinking some more.

Chorus:

And they call this the good life and I guess sometimes it’s good I’m doing about the best I can, but not the best I should.

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Chorus:

And they call this the good life and I guess sometimes it’s good I’m doing about the best I can, but not the best I should.

Bridge:

Those old factory jobs ain’t nothing; And they’re disappearing fast; I’m not thinking about the future; Cause nothing ever lasts. They repo’d your car a week ago; fortunately I’ve still got my truck I’d be doing good but your attitude’s got me feeling down on my luck I don’t know why you’re complaining; the bus ain’t all that bad At least you’ve got a job; you’ve got no reason to be mad.

Chorus:

And they call this the good life and I guess for some it’s good I’m doing about the best I can; but not the best I should.

INSTRUMENTAL VERSE

Chorus:

And they call this the good life and I guess for some it’s good I’m doing about the best I can; but not the best I should. I’m doing about the best I can; but not the best I should.

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