Get all 10 Myshkin Warbler releases available on Bandcamp and save 10%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Ravens (single), Peace (single), Trust and the High Wire, Faithless (single), That Diamond Lust, Sigh Semaphore, Corvidae, Rosebud Bullets, and 2 more.
1. |
Fallow
04:01
|
|||
|
ONE BUMP ON THE HEAD AND SHE LOST HER WHOLE WORLD
NOW LET IT BE SAID SHE WAS A HARDY GIRL
WORE HER HANDS FISTED AND HER TIRE TRACKS TWISTED
IN AN INFINITE FIGURE EIGHT TO THE BAR
BUT ONE SLUMP IN THE CURVE AND SHE SPUTTERED AND STOPPED
SHE LOST HER NERVE AND HER HANDS JUST DROPPED IN HER LAP
SHE SAT TO WAIT FOR A MIRACLE OF FATE FOR TO
PICK HER UP IN IT’S GEAR GRINDING ARMS
AND THE GRASS GREW AROUND HER
AND THE SUBURBS SEEPED OUT OF THE CITIES
TO ENCIRCLE HER FALLOW LITTLE FORM
AND AS SHE WOKE FROM HIBERNATION
TRIED TO FIND HER TRUE VOCATION
SHE WAS LOST IN THE WASH OF THE SHALLOWS OF THE NORM
ONE TRUMP IN HIS HAND AND HE LOST HIS WHOLE SOUL
NOW LET IT BE SAID THAT HE WASN’T BORN COLD
HE HAD WORN HIS BELIEFS ON THE TIPS OF HIS TEETH
HE HAD BITTEN HIS OWN TONGUE NEAR IN HALF FOR THE CAUSE
BUT ONE JUMP IN THE RANKS AND HIS LIPS SLAMMED SHUT
HE SMILED AND HE NODDED AND HIS TEETH GREW BLUNT
HE SAT TO WAIT FOR A MIRACLE OF FATE FOR TO
SPIT HIM OUT OF IT’S GEAR GRINDING JAWS
AND THE GRASS GREW AROUND HIM....
HE HEARD A BUMP OUT HIS WINDOW ON A WINTER NIGHT
WELL SHE WAS CAUGHT LIKE A RABBIT IN HIS RAZOR WIRE
HE OPENED THE DOOR SLOW SAID “WHERE WERE YOU TRYING TO GO”
SHE SAID “JUST TO THE NEXT TOWN WHAT EVER IT IS, IS IT FAR?”
HE TOOK HER INTO HIS TOWER AND SHE TOOK HIM APART
HE FLEXED HIS POWER AND SHE RACED HIS HEART
SHE HUMMED AS SHE WAS DRESSING
HE WAS NUMB AND KIND OF STRESSING
THEY WENT OUT FOR A DRINK AND HE LOST HER AT THE BAR
AND THE GRASS...
fall 95 new orleans
© 1998 MYSHKIN
|
||||
2. |
Angola
03:58
|
|||
|
FOR 45 YEARS I WAS THE MAN WITH THE KEYS
FROM WALKING THOSE HALLS TO SIGNING THOSE RELEASES
I’VE HAD THEM SPIT ON ME I’VE HAD THEM ON THEIR KNEES
I’VE BEEN CALLED EVERYTHING FROM SATAN TO JESUS
I CLAWED MY WAY TO THE TOP OF THE HEAP
‘TIL I RULED THIS LITTLE KINGDOM OF KILLERS JUNKIES AND THIEVES
45 YEARS OF FACES THAT ALL LOOK THE SAME
COME IN ONE DARK DAY MAYBE LEAVE MOSTLY COME BACK AGAIN
WHAT A MAN USED TO BE MATTERS ABOUT AS MUCH
AS HIS MAMA’S MAIDEN NAME IT’S A MATTER OF RECORD
BUT IT’S ANCIENT HISTORY AFTER ABOUT 3 DAYS
CAUSE IT’S A WHOLE OTHER UNIVERSE MAY AS WELL BE OUT IN SPACE THAT PLACE WHERE THE WORLD THROWS
WHO IT DON’T WANT AROUND IT AWAY
RELEASE ME FROM THIS LIFE I WILL SEEK MY PUNISHMENT
ON THE OTHER SIDE BUT THE JUDGE SAID
“WARDEN IN COLD BLOOD YOU SHOT YOUR POOR POOR WIFE
YOU’RE GOING BACK TO ANGOLA, THERE YOUR HELL TO FIND”
NOW I WORKED HARD AT MY CAREER GAVE NO THOUGHT TO MY LIFE
I WAS BREATHING DOWN THE NECK OF 50 YEARS ‘FORE I TOOK A WIFE
I MARRIED A MYSTERY WRITER ‘BOUT HALF MY AGE ‘BOUT HALF MY SIZE
I LIKED THE WAY SHE CURLED UP SMALL IN MY ARMS AT NIGHT
BUT THEY MADE ME RETIRE WHEN I WAS 65
FOR 13 YEARS I’VE BEEN SITTING HERE WATCHING THAT WOMAN WRITE
SHE GETS DRESSED BEHIND A CHINESE SCREEN
SHE’S GOT A SHELF FULL OF BOOKS SHE WROTE YOU CAN READ
SHE GETS FAN MAIL AND PHONE CALLS AND ARTICLES IN MAGAZINES
SHE’S GOT A ROOM WITH A LOCK SHE HOLDS THE KEY
I’VE GOT 45 YEARS OF FAST FADING BAD MEMORIES
AND PEOPLE I DON’T EVEN KNOW THAT HATE ME
NOW PRISON CAN DESTROY A MAN JUST LIKE A WAR
DON’T MATTER IF YOUR WINNING OR LOSING
OR INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THOSE BARS
I AIN’T TRYING TO MAKE EXCUSES YOUR HONOR
I’M JUST TRYING TO SAY WHAT FOR
I TOOK THAT 45 OUT OF IT’S CASE OUT OF THE DRAWER
I FULLY INTENDED TO USE THAT GUN ON ME
I GUESS IT’S JUST FORCE OF HABIT MADE ME TURN IT ON HER
fall 97 New Orleans
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
3. |
Blue Gold
02:41
|
|||
|
I LIVE IN INA ILLINOIS AND EVERYBODY HERE
THEY ALL WORK AT THE PRISON YOU CAN SEE IT FROM THE HIGHWAY
IT’S AS UGLY AS A SORE BUT IT PAYS THE RENT ALL YEAR
AND IT BUILT UP THIS LITTLE TOWN
AND NOW IT’S INA ILLINOIS AND ALL THE MEN DRINK BEER
THAT’S WHY THEY COME TO CHARLIE’S
WHEN THEY’RE FINISHED WITH THEIR SHIFT
AND THEN THEY WANT SOME DANCING THAT’S WHY I’M PAID TO BE HERE
IT IS THE CLOSEST THING TO ROMANCE IN A PRISON TOWN LIKE THIS
AND MAYBE IF THIS WAS CHICAGO OR MEMPHIS
ST. LOUIS OR NASHVILLE OR NEW ORLEANS
I COULD PRETEND IT WAS SHOW BIZ OR GLAMOROUS
A GIRL IN PURSUIT OF HER DREAM
BUT THIS IS INA ILLINOIS AND ALL THE WOMEN SNEER
IF THEY HAVE TO STAND BEHIND ME IN THE CHECKOUT AT THE GROCERY
EVERYBODY THINKS THEY KNOW WHY I DO WHAT I DO HERE
BUT EVERYBODY IS A PRISONER OF WHAT THEY THINK THEY KNOW
I KNOW INA ILLINOIS
MAYBE IF THIS WAS CHICAGO...
BUT THIS IS INA ILLINOIS AND EVERYBODY HERE
THEY ALL WORK AT THE PRISON YOU CAN SEE IT IN THEIR FACES
EVERYBODY THINKS THEY KNOW WHY THEY DO WHAT THEY DO HERE
BUT EVERYBODY IS A PRISONER OF WHAT THEY THINK THEIR PLACE IS
MINE IS INA ILLINOIS
MAYBE IF THIS WAS CHICAGO
winter 1997 Illinois
C MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
4. |
Hammertown
02:31
|
|||
|
ARM FLIES UP, WEIGHT COMES DOWN
THAT’S HOW IT GOES IN HAMMERTOWN
ONIONS ROT, SCRUBBY MOUNDS
OUT ON THE EDGE OF HAMMERTOWN
WINDY GIRLS WALK QUICKLY BY
SHUT THEIR EARS WITH SKIP ROPE CHANTS, SQUINT THEIR EYES
FIELDS CONFESS BUT THE GIRLS DON’T HEAR A SOUND
THEY’RE ON THEIR WAY TO HAMMERTOWN
GRASS IS GRAY, SKY IS BROWN
THAT’S HOW IT LOOKS IN HAMMERTOWN
HOUSES WARPED, STREETS UNWOUND
THIS IS THE STATE OF HAMMERTOWN
DUSTY BOYS LIE SLEEPING YET
IN ENGINE DREAMS AND SULFUR SHEETS MOAN AND SWEAT
SUN COMES UP BUT THE BOYS STAY BEDDED DOWN
OUTSIDE SLEEP THERE’S ONLY HAMMERTOWN
BIRDS HAVE GONE, RATS ABOUND
THAT’S HOW IT IS WITH HAMMERTOWN
BUILT A CITY UNDERGROUND
MIRROR OF HUMAN HAMMERTOWN
RUSTING WIDOWS STAY OUT OF SIGHT
EAT ONIONS IN THE MORNING, ONIONS AT NIGHT
SKY WON’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE ANYHOW
IT’S ALWAYS DUSK IN HAMMERTOWN
THERE’S A ROAD THAT LEAVES THIS PLACE
FOUND BY CHANCE FOLLOWED BY GRACE
THERE’S A WIND KNOCKING AT THE WINDOWPANE
AND THE DUST SLOWLY WAKES
WIND PICKS DUST UP OFF THE GROUND
SIGN SAYS YOUR LEAVING HAMMERTOWN
ROAR AND GRIND GROW QUIET NOW
ALL LEFT BEHIND IN HAMMERTOWN
WALK FOR DAYS IN A STRAIGHT LINE
TIME HAS A SHAPE, FLESH HAS A TASTE, SUN IS HIGH
FAIL TO SEE THAT ROAD SIGN NOW AIN’T THAT A PITY
SAYS ONE MILE TO HAMMERCITY
spring 96 new orleans
© 1998 MYSHKIN
|
||||
5. |
Ruins
02:36
|
|||
|
TWO NIGHTS AGO I DREAMED OF A BOY WHO MADE MUSIC
WITH SOME BUTTONS IN HIS FINGERS IT WAS BUILT INTO HIM
HE ALSO HAD SOME MAGIC SOME MAGIC IN HIS LEGS
HE COULD LEAP OVER ROOFTOPS AND HURDLE DUNES
BUT ONCE S A CHILD HE KILLED A FRIEND THIS WAY
HE DID NOT KNOW THE DUNE WOULD FOLLOW
HE DID NOT KNOW THE DUNE COULD FALL SO LOW
AND SO HE GREW UNKNOWINGLY AFRAID OF HIS POWERS
HE STOOD ONLY WATCHING AS TERROR BURNED DOWN HIS VILLAGE
A DISASTER NATURAL PERHAPS HE STOOD ONLY WATCHING
SO NOW HE ONLY LETS HIS FINGERS SING AT PARTIES
SO NOW HE INVITES THREE WOMEN TO THE BALL
AND THOUGH THEY ALL DRESS ONLY FOR HIM
TAKES NONE OF THEM WALKING...IN THE DUNES
LAST NIGHT HE DREAMED HE BLED ALL OVER EVERYTHING
LAST NIGHT HE DREAMED EVERYTHING IN RUINS
winter 92 santa fe
© 1998 MYSHKIN
|
||||
6. |
Meat Plant Rag
02:37
|
|||
|
BACK IN CALIFORNIA I DIDN’T HAVE A HOME
FACT MISTER I HARDLY HAD A HOPE
COMPANY CAME AND TOOK ME OFF THE WELFARE ROLL
GIVE ME A BUS TICKET AND A PLACE TO GO
SO I’M NOT COMPLAINING I GOT A ROOF OVER MY HEAD
I GOT THREE SQUARES A DAY I GOT NOTHING BAD TO SAY
ABOUT THE WAY HEY RUN THIS PLANT
I’M NOT COMPLAINING MISTER UNION MAN
SURE MY HANDS ARE SORE FROM THE CUTTERS AND THE COLD
SURE I MAKE THE SAME CUT SOME TWELVE HUNDRED TIMES A DAY
BUT I AIN’T GOT NO SKILLS YOU COULD CALL SALABLE
AND THEY GIVE ME A DOLLAR MORE AN HOUR THAN THE MINIMUM WAGE
SURE I HEARD THE STORIES BOUT THE GLORY DAYS
A BODY COULD MAKE THREE TIMES WHAT I GET PAID
YOU COULD RAISE A FAMILY ON THAT WAGE
HAVE SOME SELF RESPECT YOU HAD A TRADE
SURE I DON'T KNOW HOW IT CAME TO B THIS WAY
WELL BUDDY THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED WELL IT MUST BE TRUE
I GUESS THE COMPANY MUST BE HURTING TOO
THAT’S WHAT THEY TOLD ME WHEN THEY TOLD ME NOT TO TALK TO YOU
BACK IN FEBRUARY A WOMAN ON THE LINE
GOT HER ARM CAUGHT UP IN THE CONVEYER BELT
BOBBY MITCHELL CUT THE BELT IN TWO JUST IN TIME
AND FOR HIS TROUBLE BOBBY MITCHELL WAS FIRED
SO I’M NOT COMPLAINING... THIS IS MY LAST CHANCE
GOT NOWHERE TO FALL IF I FAIL AT THIS
I DON’T KNOW NO ONE IN TEXAS
fall 1997 Texas
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
7. |
||||
|
THAT PLACE HAD ALWAYS SMELLED LIKE GERBILS
NO MATTER WHAT SHE DID
MADE HER FEEL LIKE A LITTLE GIRL
THOUGH SHE WAS GROWN AND HAD HER OWN KID
THAT CHILD TIED HER TO THE WORLD
JUST LIKE A STRING ON A BALLOON
AND SHE WOULD BUMP ALONG THE CEILING
WHILE HE WAS OFF EACH DAY AT SCHOOL
THAT PLACE HAD ALWAYS LOOKED LIKE NIGHTMARES
THOUGH SHE COULD NEVER THINK WHAT FOR
ORDINARY DOORS ON TOP OF THE STAIRS
ORDINARY ROOMS BEHIND THOSE DOORS
THOSE DOORS THEY HID HER FROM THE WORLD
JUST LIKE A CURTAIN ON A STAGE
AND SHE WOULD MELT INTO THE CARPET
ALL THROUGH THOSE ENDLESS WINTER DAYS
AND THAT PLACE HAD ALWAYS FELT LIKE PAPER
LIKE ANY DAY IT WOULD CAVE IN
THE FLOOR WOULD CRUMPLE UP BENEATH HER
THE WALLS WOULD RIP DOWN WITH THE NEXT BIG WIND
THAT WIND WOULD BRING HER TO THE WORLD
JUST LIKE A FACE UPON A SCREEN
AND SHE WOULD FLOAT ABOVE THE ROOFTOPS
LOOKING FOR A PLACE SHE COULD CALL CLEAN
fall 1997 New Orleans
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
8. |
Nicky
01:46
|
|||
|
RICKETY STEEL WHEELCHAIR ON THE FRONT PORCH
NICKY SIT HERE FEELING GRAY AS THE STORM
WATCHING THE COLD DUMB WIND
WASHING THE BOLD YOUNG KIDS
OUT OF THEIR HOMES DOWN THE STREET PAST HIS DOOR
NICKY FEELS OLDER THAN GOD AND HE’S JUST 24
SHOT IN THE BACK TRAFFIC SLOWING TO SEE
A KID DRESSED IN ORANGE WITH SHACKLES ON HIS FEET
THE MARSHAL WITH THE RIFLE SAID HE AIMED FOR NICKY’S CALVES
BUT THOSE MARSHALS WITH THEIR RIFLES
HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO STRETCH THE FACTS
NICKY CAN’T RUN ANYMORE AND HE NEVER COULD READ
WAKE IN THE NIGHT IN A FEVERISH SWEAT
THE WHITE STRIPE OF STREETLIGHT ACROSS NICKY’S BED
IS JOINED BY THE RED AND BLUE
OF A CRUISER THAT’S CUTTING THROUGH
OFF TO DO BATTLE WITH THE FAILURE OF THE PROMISED LAND
NICKY DONE LONG AGO RAISED HIS SURRENDER FLAG
FREEDOMS JUST ANOTHER WORD FOR EVERYTHING THAT NICKY NEVER HAD FREEDOMS JUST ANOTHER WORD
spring 97 new orleans
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
9. |
Book of Numbers
04:57
|
|||
|
10 YARDS OF PRINTED COTTON
COULD HAVE MADE ONE WINTER DRESS APIECE
FOR 2 TEENAGE GIRLS IN LONDON
MADE BOLD BY YOUTH AND POVERTY
DID LYDIA TRIP DID I CRY OUT
WERE WE SEEN SMILING NERVOUSLY
OUTSIDE THE SHOP WE WERE CAUGHT
SENTENCED TO SWING FROM THE TYBURN TREE
6 MONTHS LONG ALL MY BROWN EYES SAW
WERE THE BLACK CELLS OF NEWGATE JAIL
BUT THEY COULD NEVER HANG US ALL
THE PLACED ME ON THE PRINCE OF WALES
BY MERCY OF HIS MAJESTY
ON MAY 13TH THAT SHIP DID SAIL
UPON THE SEAS BEYOND THE SEAS
EXILE TO THE END OF THE WORLD
11 SHIPS CROSSED THE ATLANTIC TWICE
HEAVY WITH HUMAN CARGO
WE LAY IN HOLDS BUILT FOR TEA AND SPICE
NO LIGHT OR WIND OR ROOM BELOW
THE SOLDIERS USED US AS THEY WOULD
SHACKLED OUR ARMS WHEN THEY WERE DONE
FOR BEING BAD AND NEVER GOOD
FOR BEING BOUGHT BY SOLDIERS RUM
IF YOU FIND THE STONE DOWN AT SACKVILLE REACH
WHERE LIE THE BONES OF ANN FORBES HUXLEY
YOU’LL KNOW ONLY THAT I SLUMBER AFTER LIVING 80 YEARS
BUT THERE IS A BOOK OF NUMBERS THAT IS BURIED WITH ME HERE
1 MAD NIGHT ON VIRGIN SOIL
BY MORNING THERE WAS NOT ONE VIRGIN LEFT
BEAUTY IN ONE DAY CAN BE SPOILED
I FOUND A MAN THE VERY NEXT
WITH HAND AND HOE WE PLANTED WHEAT
THE SEED WE SOWED DID NOT APPEAR
THE SEED IN ME BORE FRUIT BUT SWEET
SHE DIED BEFORE SHE’D LIVED A YEAR
12 WEEKS BEFORE RELIEF ARRIVED
THEY SENT ONE THIRD OF US TO HELL
MAROONED ON CRUEL NORFOLK ISLE
OUR SHIP IN SPLINTERS STARVING STILL
WE LIVED BY EATING MUTTON BIRDS
WE LOST OUR CROPS TO GIANT RATS
OUR BACKS WERE LASHED OUR BELLIES BURNED
MY HANDS THEY BLED FROM NORFOLK FLAX
3 CHILDREN I DID BIRTH AND SUCKLE
I MARRIED WILLIAM DRING
HE HAD A QUICK SLY GRIN AND HARD WHITE KNUCKLES
HE WAS THE GREATEST RASCAL LIVING
THE RUM CORPS SOLDIERS OWNED THE TOWN
ONE OF THEM THOUGHT HE COULD OWN ME
MY WILLIAM KNOCKED THAT SOLDIER DOWN
THEIR DUEL SPARKED A MUTINY
IF YOU FIND THE STONE DOWN AT SACKVILLE REACH
WHERE LIE THE BONES OF ANN FORBES HUXLEY
YOU’LL KNOW ONLY THAT I SLUMBER AFTER LIVING 80 YEARS
BUT THERE IS A BOOK OF NUMBERS THAT IS BURIED WITH ME HERE
4 YEARS I WATCHED HOW EVERY SHIP
THAT CAME FROM SYDNEY WAS RECEIVED
EACH BATCH OF CONVICT WOMEN STRIPPED
AND AUCTIONED INTO SLAVERY
THEY CALLED US WHORES AND BATS AND CRACKS
THEY CALLED US CATTLE AND CONVENIENTS
I CLUNG TO WILLIAM LIKE A RAFT
TILL WE WERE FREE AND ON THE MAINLAND
7 BITTER YEARS A PRISONER SPENT
OF GOVERNMENT AND MARRIAGE BOTH
BUT A PRISON TERM CAN NEVER END
IF THERE’S NO HOPE OF CARRIAGE HOME
I SERVED MY TIME OUT AND THROUGH
I GAVE MY WILLIAM DRING THE SLIP
HE WAS A PRETTY LOUT AND TRUE
BUT I WAS TIRED OF BEING HIT
70 ACRES ON THE HAWKSBURY
I FARMED WITH THOMAS HUXLEY JONES
I NAMED IT PARADISE AND HE
DID HIS BEST TO MAKE IT SO
WE BATTLED FLOOD AND FIRE AND DEBT
AND RAISED TEN CHILDREN WITH OUR HANDS
I AM THE STAIN, DISDAINED AND YET
I WOVE THE FABRIC OF THIS LAND
IF YOU FIND THE STONE DOWN AT SACKVILLE REACH
WHERE LIE THE BONES OF ANN FORBES HUXLEY
YOU’LL KNOW ONLY THAT I SLUMBER AFTER LIVING 80 YEARS
BUT THERE IS A BOOK OF NUMBERS THAT IS BURIED WITH ME HERE
IF YOU FIND THE STONE DOWN AT SACKVILLE REACH
WHERE LIE THE BONES OF THE LAST OF THE FIRST FLEET
YOU’LL KNOW THAT I AM BURIED AND MY PAGES GONE TO DUST
BUT MANY THOUSAND OF YOU CARRY MY BOOK OF NUMBERS IN YOUR BLOOD.
WINTER 97 NOLA
© MYSHKIN 1997
|
||||
10. |
Sweet Coffee
04:08
|
|||
|
I AM SWEET COFFEE
I AM FAIR WARNING
I AM FINE WEATHER
AM I STILL WHAT YOU WANTED
I AM SOFT AS MOSS
I AM SMOOTH AS SHEETS
I AM ALL COTTON
I AM YOURS FOR KEEPS
I AM STRONG AS SILENCE
ON A SUBMARINE
I CAN HOLD MY BREATH
FOR UP TO 14 WEEKS
I AM NOT RACE CARS
I AM NOT TORTURED
I HAVE ONLY BEEN BLOWN ABOUT A BIT
BY THE SWEET SUMMER BREEZE OF FORTUNE
I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE TRAGIC PAIN
ALL THE ARTISTS IN MY FAMILY
THAT STUFF RUNS IN MY VEINS
BUT I WILL NOT LET IT RUIN ME
I AM BORN LUCKY
I AM TWICE REMOVED
I AM MILES DOWN THE HIGHWAY
AND IN THE SHOTGUN WEDDING SEAT IS YOU
I AM SWEET COFFEE...
I AM HARD AS GRANITE
I AM ROUGH AS GRAVEL
I AM ALL BLUE VEINED MARBLE
I AM ALL YOURS TO UNRAVEL
I AM STRONG AS SIGNAL
FROM A SATELLITE
I CAN HOLD A NOTE FOR OVER 14 DAYS, 14 NIGHTS
I AM NOT HEROIN
I AM NOT TORTURED
I HAVE ONLY BEEN BLOWN ABOUT A BIT
BY THE BENUMBING BREEZE OF FORTUNE
I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE TRAGIC PAIN
ALL AN ARTIST IS SUPPOSED TO BE...
spring 97 new orleans
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
11. |
Discontent
03:03
|
|||
|
ALL THE HOOSIER TOURISTS TRYING NOT TO NOTICE
ONE OUT OF THEIR BROOD HAS GONE BAD IN THE SOUTHWEST
AND I SWEAR IT’S ONLY LOCALS THAT EVER THROW ME QUARTERS
MY SONGS FALL ON TO THE SIDEWALK ROLL TWICE AND COME TO REST
IN THE STREET IS FULL OF SPLINTERS THE STREET IS FULL OF SUNLIGHT
THE STREET IS FULL OF SAVIORS IF THEY ONLY JUST WOULD THINK
HOW MUCH A DOLLAR COULD MEAN TO A GIRL FROM INDIANA
WHO DOES NOT WANT TO GO HOME BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DRINK
IN THE BAR IS POLYNESIAN BEAD CURTAINS ROUND THE TABLES
A PARROT ON THE SIGN AND THE OWNER HE IS GREEK
AND I’LL SEE THAT BLOND BARTENDER WHO JUST SPOTTED ME A BEER
AFTER WE EACH MOVE TO NEW ORLEANS AND HE BECOMES A THIEF
IN THE NIGHT IS COMING CLOSER NIGHT IT SWAGGER DOWN
NIGHT COME TO KEEP WATCH OVER US DISPLACED CLOWNS
AND I AM CAUGHT BETWEEN ELATION AND MY UNPAID RENT
AND THIS MUST BE THE FIRST SUMMER OF MY DISCONTENT
ALL THE TEA IN TEXAS COULDN’T EVEN COME CLOSE
TO SATISFY THIS THIRST IN ME
AND I AM PLAYING SAMSON TO SOME PSYCHO KID’S DELILAH
WHO HAS JUST GOT TO BRING DOWN EVERY STRONG WOMAN HE
SEA IS FULL OF FISHES SEA IS FULL OF SNAKES
I JUST HAPPENED TO GET HOOKED BY THE WRONG ONE ONE DAY
WE DRIVE OFF INTO THE DESERT WITH THE SUNSET AT OUR HEELS
WASH UP ON PADRE ISLAND LIKE A PAIR OF PICKLED
EELS AND CRABS AND CRAWFISH TWO WEEKS IN NEW ORLEANS
HE WANTS ME TO TAKE THAT JOB ON BOURBON STREET
YOU KNOW THE ONE WHERE I SAY “I AM A MUSICIAN” AND THEY SAY
“WE GOT ENOUGH OF THOSE HON, IF YOU WANT
TO MAKE SOME MONEY YOU ARE TAKING OFF YOUR”
CLOSING TIME’S A BLESSING IF YOUR BECOMING A LUSH
AND NEW ORLEANS NEVER CLOSES SO WE GET BACK ON THAT BUS
AND I AM CAUGHT BY WHAT IS BOUGHT BY ALL THE MONEY SPENT
AND THIS MUST BE THE SECOND SUMMER OF MY DISCONTENT
ALL THE TENNESSEE BOYS ARE TERRIFIED OF ME BOYS
AND RIGHTFULLY SO CAUSE I JUST PASSED A BITTER WINTER
IN THE WILDS OF NEW YORK CITY WHERE I SHED EVERY SHRED
OF DECENCY I NO EXCUSE FOR ME BOYS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS
YOU LAY DOWN WITH SNAKES YOUR GONNA GET BIT
I’VE LOST SOMETHING IMPORTANT I DON’T QUITE KNOW WHAT IT IS
MAYBE A PIECE OF MY SOUL OR THE WHOLE OF MY
SKINNY DIPPING WEATHER BUT I’M WORKING ALL DAY LONG
TRYING TO GET BACK TO WHERE I BELONG
I’VE BEEN WILD FOR YEARS I THINK WILDS OK BUT HEY
THERE’S GONNA BE SNAKES IN THE GRASS OF ANY ENDLESS SUMMER
DAYLIGHT COMING CLOSER DAYLIGHT COMING UP
DAYLIGHT GONNA FILL MY WISHING CUP
GONNA GO BACK TO NEW ORLEANS GONNA LOVE AND SING AND SWEAT
AND THIS WILL BE THE LAST SUMMER OF MY DISCONTENT
fall 97 new orleans
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
12. |
Butter
05:17
|
|||
|
IT WAS JUST THE KIND OF MESS YOU WOULD GET INTO
YOU’D SOLD SOME TO SOME KID WHO’D SOLD SOME TO SOME KID
WHO’D DIED ON IT
AND I KNEW NOTHING I HAD NOT EVEN SEEN YOU
FOR YEARS TIL WE WERE PULLED OVER ON I-25 ON IT
AND I’D JUST BEEN MAKING FUN OF YOUR SILLY FANCY CAR
AND THE WAY YOU GOTTA TAKE EVERY WHIM YOU GOT MUCH TOO FAR
FEELING SNUG IN MY LAW ABIDING LACK OF ALL DESIRE
SO I LAUGHED OUT LOUD WHEN I SAW THOSE BLUE LIGHTS FLASHIN
AND IT WAS JUST THE KIND OF MESS I WOULD GET ALL WRAPPED UP IN
I WAS TALKING TO THE COP WHO WAS TALKING TO THE COP
WHO HAD HIS HANDS ON YOU
AND I WAS STILL FEELING COOL AND DETACHED FROM THE SITUATION
TIL I LOOKED UP AT THOSE DALMATIAN HILLS THEY SQUEEZED MY HEART
AND I KISSED YOU
THEY WERE BURNING EFFIGIES OF THE MAYOR IN THE TRAILER PARK
AND THE DEAD BOYS DOGS RUNNING AROUND YOUR HEELS IN THE DARK
I SAID BABY WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT THIS PLACE AND A SPARK
CAUGHT AND THERE WAS A CONFLAGRATION
AND IT’S JUST LIKE YOU TO KNOW THE NAME AND THE PRICE
OF THE BEST ONE OF ANYTHING
AND LIE JUST TO STEAL JUST TO GET THE MONEY JUST TO BUY IT
AND PAWN IT IN A YEAR OR LESS JUST LIKE YOU DID WITH ME
WHY YOU SO SURPRISED PAWN SHOPS ALWAYS BURNED DOWN
TIME YOU GET BACK FOR IT?
CAUSE HONEY NOT EVERYBODY’S GOT THE KIND OF TIME
TO SIT AROUND IN AN EASY CHAIR RUBBING OUT THE LINES
OF THEIR FUTURE TIME TRAVELING
TIL YOU’RE BACK IN YOUR OWN CHILDHOOD
SO HUNGRY YOU’RE CROSSING THAT MYSTERIOUS DIVIDE
EATING BACKWARD INTO SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE
AND THE SUTURES UNRAVELING THAT HOLD THIS THING TOGETHER
AND YOU’RE BACK AROUND THE TREE AGAIN TURNING INTO BUTTER
YOU’RE BACK AROUND THE TREE AGAIN TURNING INTO BUTTER
YOU’RE BACK AROUND THE TREE AGAIN TURNING INTO BUTTER
fall 97 New Orleans
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
13. |
Sun on my Bones
04:16
|
|||
|
YOU SLEPT ON MY SHOULDER AS IF IT WERE SOFT
WHILE I KEPT A LOOK OUT FOR NUNS AND FOR COPS
IN THE GLOOMY CATHEDRAL WITH TOMBS IN IT’S WALLS
DESIGNED TO BELITTLE AND BUILT TO AWE
YOU WERE ASLEEP SO HOW COULD I SAY
HOW MY LOVE CLIMBED THOSE PILLARS
AND SPRAY PAINTED THE CEILING WITH YOUR FACE
YOU ARE THE SUN ON MY BONES AND I AM THE CUT IN YOUR SKIN
I WON’T HEAL AND YOU WON’T GET COLD
EVEN AS WE GROW OLD AND OUR BLOOD THINS
WHEN I AWOKE IN A BUMPY BED
IN THE MIDDLE OF LONDON IN AN OCEAN OF DREAD
CAUSE SOME TOO HUMAN MONSTER INSIDE MY HEAD
WAS FILLING A FRIEND OF MINE FULL OF LEAD
IT WAS 4 IN THE MORNING SO HOW COULD I TELL YOU
HOW YOUR LOVE DIVED MY DEPTHS
AND YOU HELD ON TILL MY HELL BURNED AWAY
YOU ARE THE MOON IN MY THROAT AND I AM THE SEA IN YOUR EARS
I WON’T DRY UP AND YOU WON’T SWALLOW
EVEN AS WE FOLLOW EACH OTHER THROUGH YEARS
NOW CONSTANTINOPLE, PERSIA, SIAM
ALL FALLEN AND BUILT UP AND FALLEN AGAIN
BY MEN WITH THEIR JEALOUSIES MEN WITH THEIR PLANS
GOD ON THEIR TONGUES AND SWORDS IN THEIR HANDS
WHILE YOU AND I SLEPT THE SLEEP OF THE UNBORN
EMPIRES WERE WON AND ALLIANCES TORN
AND LOVERS MADE LOVE SONGS AND LOVERS MADE LIES
AND LOVERS MADE EMPIRES IN EACH OTHERS EYES
NOW YOU AND I WALK ON THIS SAME DANKY DUST
AND FIDDLE WHILE OUR NATIVE EMPIRES RUST
AND NATURE IS TORTURED AND TORTURERS MOURNED
AND THE NATURE OF MAN IS SO NATURALLY SCORNED
NOW YOU AND I SLEEP THE SLEEP OF THE ALIVE
BUT EACH DAY WE WAKE UP FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME
WHEN YOUR SMILE HITS MY EYES AND I CRY
YOU ARE THE SUN ON MY BONES.......
fall 95 Germany
© 1998 MYSHKIN
|
||||
14. |
Sycamore
04:29
|
|||
|
ANGEL WAS ARRESTED ON AN AUTUMN EVENING
IN THE BACK YARD OF THE BROWN HOUSE ON SYCAMORE
SHE HAD ON MRS MICHAEL’S BIFOCALS AND MISS DREW’S EARRINGS
SHE WAS DISSECTING THE CORPSE OF THE KING’S LABRADOR
ANGEL WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BABYSITTING MAGGIE
BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND MAGGIE FOR AN HOUR OR MORE
‘TIL MR ARTHUR CHECKED THE ATTIC
CAUGHT HER PLAYING AT A NEW GAME
WITH A KNIFE THAT SHE NAMED ANGEL AND A MONOPOLY BOARD
PARK PLACE, BALTIC, MARVIN GARDENS
PEELED OFF CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
GO, JAIL, GO TO JAIL, FREE PARKING
SHREDDED LIKE THE SKIN OF A SYCAMORE
MRS ARTHUR’S EARS WERE BURNING IN CHURCH THAT SUNDAY
PRYING EYES SCATTER EACH TIME SHE TURNED AROUND
MR ARTHUR FEARED THE SERMON WELL IT WAS QUITE BLUNTLY
AN ATTACK UPON HIS HOUSEHOLD AND IT’S MORAL GROUND
THE DAILY NEWS RAN FEATURES ON TEEN DEVIL WORSHIP
HER DOCTORS WROTE REPORTS THAT ANGEL NEEDED REST
THERE WERE NOTES FROM MAGGIE’S TEACHERS
HER FINGER PAINTINGS WERE DISTURBING
THE CHURCH LADIES MADE SIGNS AND PICKETED THE GRATEFUL DEAD
BUT ALL THAT PAPER SHOULD HAVE STAYED TREES
NONE OF THAT PAPER TOLD ANYMORE
THAN THE BABBLE OF THE BREEZE
THROUGH THE BRANCHES AND THE LEAVES
AND THE SHREDDED SKIN OF A SYCAMORE
ANGEL CAME HOME ON A FEBRUARY MORNING
TO THE BACK ROOM OF THE BROWN HOUSE ON SYCAMORE
SHE’D BEEN ABSOLVED IN VALIUM AND THE BABY HAD BEEN BORN
AND ADOPTED BY A COUPLE OUT IN OHIO
NOW SHE SPENDS HER ALLOWANCE ON HARLEQUINS AND DOWNERS
SHE BOUGHT A DEADBOLT FOR HER BEDROOM DOOR
AND MR ARTHUR KEEPS LATE HOURS AT HIS OFFICE AND HE SHOWERS
HIS DAUGHTERS AND HIS WIFE WITH THE FRUITS OF HIS LABORS
HE’S SELLING OFF BALTIC BUYING UP MARVIN GARDENS
BUT ALL THAT MONEY SHOULD HAVE STAYED TREES
SELLING OFF MARVIN GARDENS, BUYING UP PARK PLACE
BUT ALL THAT MONEY MAY AS WELL BE LEAVES AT THEIR FEET
AS LONG AS NO ONE WANTS TO SEE BENEATH
THE SHREDDED SKIN OF SYCAMORE STREET
winter 96 new orleans
© MYSHKIN 1998
|
||||
Myshkin Warbler Astoria, Oregon
Myshkin and an ever-evolving crew of restless gamblers—string, horn, drum, key, and and wave players. Passions range from tango to electronica, folk-noir to gypsy-swing to modern classical to rocknroll. Literate & spooky. Myshkin mostly plays guitars. When warm, she sings like a shiver down your chakras. Like a heart breaking all wide open. Like one in utter control of uncontrollable things. ... more
If you like Blue Gold, you may also like:
Beautiful and mysterious folk-adjacent songs from this UK outfit that wreathe delicate acoustic guitar in mist-like synths.
go to album
The Spell Between
by Caroline Blind
Swirling goth-rock from the big voice behind '90s outfit Sunshine Blind, featuring a who's-who of dark underground denizens.
go to album
Dark Sight of the Moon
by Micropixie
This San Francisco singer-songwriter mixes jazz, trip-hop, and experimental pop for a heady brew that's social change-minded.
go to album
A visceral LP centered on the subject of death; deft layers of instrumentation that blurs the line between organic and electronic.
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jun 27, 2017
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 6, 2015
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jun 17, 2014
go to album
