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Big Car Town

by Chris Buhalis

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1.
Side of the road rain keeps a coming Everything works she just ain’t a running Begging and pleading never seems to work over time I’ve been mistook, I’ve been mistaken Laid on the gas when I should have been braking You’d think that I’d know this old road, but I can’t read the signs And the weird old world just keep spinning around On the TV news at the end of the day I watch them throw loaded dice in these games that they play They’re saying that 5 and 2 somehow add up to 9 Cheating to win, showing no mercy I watch it roll down their chins while others go thirsty Thinking Lord if you can hear me, I hope that you wake up in time And the weird old world just keeps spinning around You say that you’re scared and you’re tired of hiding Getting drowned out by this wave we’ve been riding You’re running for cover, but the trees just get further away Sleep with the dogs, sing to the stars When you get there you’ll find out it wasn’t too far Memories linger tomorrow turns into today And the weird old world just keeps spinning around
2.
Big Car Town 03:43
I come from a big car town We shine ‘em up and drive ‘em all around Believe what goes out comes back around And that Jesus saves but Gordie Howe puts in the rebound Everybody told me since I was just a kid You’d better get it straight, boy, get it through your head This life ain’t roses, there’ll be trouble up ahead So keep your eyes wide, that’s the way it is We’d walk to school sometimes we’d even run Teacher told me how the west was won They shot ‘em dead before they knew that it’d begun It seemed to me, that Custer had it coming Still, all my textbooks talked about destiny And civilizing savages to set their souls free Meanwhile stealing everything that they can see That’s the way it is, ain’t ancient history I put in a little factory time I saw the rolling never-ending down the line I watched the faces when the whistle whined and I told myself, “it don’t whine for me” But it did and it does, that much became plain When I saw my people they’re standing in the rain For bread or the punch clock it’s all about the same The way it is doesn’t feel no shame Man on the TV wants my vote If truth were singing, bet he couldn’t hold a note He’s got a smile like there’s a gun beneath his coat He belches lies, and doesn’t say excuse me I wonder how he stand there deaf to all the cries He’s mugging for the cameras dollar signs in both his eyes I see through him and his cheap disguise The way it is, don’t take alibis I come from a big car town We shine ‘em up and drive ‘em all around Believe what goes out comes back around And that Jesus saves, but Gordie Howe puts in the rebound
3.
I’m driving the midnight run On past the Gunflint Trail out on Highway 61 The sun’s scowled off, the moon smiles down Reflecting like a pinwheel tonight Spinning ‘round and ‘round My dear wife left, said I’ve got no style She’s a black haired Madonna with a machine gun smile She’s a magician of great skill She can make a mountain out of a mole hill The stone bridge sleeps, the lighthouse beams Blue thoughts weaving in and out of my red-eyed dreams Sometimes I see hear in the cloud-line seams But I know, it’s only wishful thinking Night after day, I drive this road Try to steer around the deer and pick up another load Stories change as pages fly Red Riding Hood has just run off with a sheep in wolf’s disguise The stone bridge sleeps, the lighthouse beams Blue thoughts weaving in and out of my red-eyed dreams Tonight I don’t know just exactly what it means But I know, it’s only wishful thinking So I’m driving the midnight run On past the Gunflint Trail out on Highway 61 It’s 4am, I’m near the end of my line Drop the mail at the station, I hit it right on time The stone bridge sleeps, the lighthouse beams Blue thoughts still weaving in and out of my red-eyed dreams Sometimes I see her in the cloud-line seams But I know it’s only wishful thinking
4.
Whiskey Six 04:23
I’ve got the doors pulled off, bored her out for speed Four inches of ice and starless night are all I need Three lights flash on the other side That’s my cue to ride I light a smoke and put her into gear Braving death and cold ‘cause friends there ain’t no work ‘round here I met Ray at the Lantern late one night We decides to set things right If you see me tonight in my Whiskey Six You’d best steer clear I’m coming throttle wide It’s four below with forty cases in tow And I can’t stop ’til I reach the other side I said, “Joe sent me” to the eyes behind the door We walked inside, Ray laid out the score “You get to Walkerville, you load it up and then, You bring it back again” Our first wet run we ended up near Leamington He said “watch for Purples and black ice means you’re starting to swim” The wind she howled, that ice cracked and moaned And that engine drone If you see me tonight in my Whiskey Six You’d best steer clear I’m coming throttle wide It’s four below with forty cases in tow And I can’t stop ’til I reach the other side Four miles down and three long years behind The padlocked doors of Old Man Ford’s assembly line Across frozen waves my Whiskey Six and I Make sure your town ain’t dry If you see me tonight in my Whiskey Six You’d best steer clear I’m coming throttle wide It’s four below with forty cases in tow And I can’t stop ’til I reach the other side
5.
The Virgins 04:56
The whole world’s gone green Guess I stared at the fire too long But these things I’ve seen Make me wish that I was blind But I see you can’t ever right some wrongs But that don’t mean there ain’t no use in trying I left Calumet All scarred by the Copper King I kept having of dreams Of being buried in the mines I took a job felling trees with the Johnston Company And hopped a train on that Copper River Line Tonight I’m running With the Virgins on my mind They built Chicago And all that you can see The company gains And all that remains Is two old Virgins This river and me It took four days Just riding through the north woods rain They said there’s green gold For all eternity In four short years All them Johnston boys and me We cut ‘em down Leaving nothing for the breeze Tonight I’m running With the Virgins on my mind They come from Ludington and Manistee The company gains And all that remains Is two old Virgins This river and me One summer day It was the year Charlie Williams died The foreman called down Said “tomorrow, boys we ride” I looked up at the last two trees And just between you and me I fell to my knees and for my sins I cried Tonight I ‘m running With the Virgins on my mind They fueled the flames That forged the Model T The company gains And all that remains Is two old Virgins This river and me Now the embers glow Smoke’s on the rise They say in Detroit I could get five bucks a day I guess it’s factories and cars Or the Virgins and the stars As those pine cones fall I know I’m gonna stay Tonight I’m lying With Virgins on my mind They come from Grand Marais and Menominee The company gains But all that remains Is two old Virgins This river and me
6.
My daddy worked the high steel With the wind and the weld and the climb Red Wing boots with his jeans tucked in At work or on a picket line When that work bell rang He answered every time Daddy worked the high steel His daddy worked the line Said he was a greaser Jamming Jerry Lee in his ’55 The war’d been won he was an only son The town felt so alive Met the girl he’d marry At the grill by the dime and five Got a union card Had a car to drive I learned from him Working ain’t no sin It was working folks who built your town Whatever town you’re in Lost their hearing to clanging beams Or the shrieking shop floor whine Daddy worked the high steel His daddy worked the line When times get tough As times will do Like a MIckey Lolich fastball riding up and in To make the count 2 and 2 He always digs back in That’s all there is to do He’ll stand for me And he’d do the same for you So you can quote Ayn Rand Promise that you’ll take us back in time You can open up a factory Turning bible quotes into campaign lines But mister if you’re wondering Why I don’t believe you when you’re lying My daddy worked the high steel His daddy worked the line On it goes And everybody knows It was working folks who built this land It didn’t sprout from a pot of gold So forgive me, Mr. Banker If I don’t hear you when you’re crying My daddy worked the high steel His daddy worked the line I ain’t smart But I’ll tell you what I know You ever try and tell my old man what to do He’s gonna tell you where to go He’s got love in his heart And steel in his spine Daddy worked the high steel His daddy worked the line
7.
Full Circle 04:56
Hey girl It’s been a long while Years have flown by, your fears have grown to the sky Since I first felt your smile You drive life No stop and all go But through your try-too-hard smiles I can see all the miles Beginning to show You never tried to make it alone Ain’t it hard to learn to walk When you’re full grown I’ve seen your friend Annie That boy you say you love, too They’re running around all over town Looking for you But you cry like the sun A splash and then a flame But it all stays the same Another heart on the run Round and round Full circle you’ve flown Ain’t it hard to find that you’re all alone I’ve heard you’re strong In fact, I heard it from you You might be strong for your size but can you carry your lies And keep your head above too Maybe time for just one more song You’re pulling away There’s nothing to say Until the truth sings along You never tried to make it alone Ain’t it hard to learn to walk When you’re full grown Round and round Full circle you’ve flown Ain’t it hard now to turn and leave you alone
8.
Finish Line 03:23
They said walk I started running When they said slow down I was already gone Too much talk and red light running Too many tries singing the same damn song I’ve tried trying and playing with fire Baby up ’til now, I’ve mostly been wasting time It’s a white knuckle ride, it’s a windy high wire But I’ll be there at the finish line You said talk, I started mumbling I raised my voice but couldn’t even carry the tune My hear won’t balk, though it might be bumbling My kick is strong, and I’m running straight back to you I’ve tried trying and playing with fire Baby up ’til now, I’ve mostly been wasting time It’s a white knuckle ride, it’s a windy high wire But I’ll be there at the finish line Well this love, will grab you by the onions Knock you down, sock you square in the dreams But I won’t stop, no I’m gonna keep a coming No matter who or what ever tries to get between I’ve tried trying and playing with fire Baby up ’til now, I’ve mostly been wasting time It’s a white knuckle ride, it’s a windy high wire But I’ll be there at the finish line
9.
I’m standing tall with my guitar and all Feeling like a lucky man I’m yours your mine and it blows my mind Your capacity to understand The way I am part heart part ham But you always did see through me I love your smile and crave your smile When there’s someplace you’ve got to be I’ll take you down where the river runs so cold You look around worrying about the way things might unfold I can’t promise I won’t tell you a story that I’ve already told But loving you never gets old There’s a guy in town says “I like your sound You want to make it boy you’ve gotta leave Face it you ain’t going nowhere with that crazy long hair And a woman tugging on your sleeve” If you can hear me, man, you can kiss my can ‘Cause living ain’t wasting time Time don’t lie and the truth’s that I Will be with you ’til the end of mine I took you down where the river she runs so cold You wore a frown, had a worried mind and a heavy load Sometimes it seems like my American dream has all but been bought and sold But loving you never gets old Patagonia, Macedonia, Rangoon or even Waikiki If I can see your face Time or place Don’t matter too much to me We went down where the river she runs so cold I looked around and the whole world turned into a pot of gold If I’ve gotta listen to another politician, I think my head might explode But loving you never gets old
10.
My memories tell me stories Partly lies mostly true In case that matters much to you. Tales of failure and of glory. Songs and sighs Rocks in shoes and the paying of the dues I was standing on the roadside The world went spinning round Chasing all the shadows Going from town to town Never wore a halo Or got fitted for a gown and the time just flew Spent a long time running Away from you. I ain’t much for dreaming. But you know I had one a time or two May not look it But it’s true Things aren’t always like they’re seeming Like fortune cookies and tattoos Freedom and the blues Well I went up on the mountain Strolled across the sands Walked a thousand miles With a guitar in my hand As alone I wandered I’ve found my fellow man would see me through Spent a long time running Looking for you I never run from trouble Ask me why I’ll tell you true Most times walking fast will do This world is just a bubble Flying around the cosmic stew Until our time here’s through You can drop me in the ocean hurt me from afar tell me that my notions are all floating in the stars But I know that I’ve found salvation In an old beat up guitar And the love of two Been a long time running and I ain’t through

credits

released February 23, 2016

Musicians:

Chris Buhalis- Acoustic guitar, vocals
Jeff Plankenhorn- “The Plank” electric slide guitar, Beard squareneck resonator guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, Weissenborn, Hammond organ, background vocals
Joshua Davis- Electric guitar, Hammond organ
Dominic John Davis-Upright bass, electric bass
Michael Shimmin- drums and percussion
Jim Roll-electric guitar on Finish Line

Additional Background Vocals:
Betty Soo
Jaimee Harris


Recorded Between March 2013 and January 2016

Recorded and Mixed by Geoff Michael
Big Sky Recording - Ann Arbor MI

Background Vocals Recorded by Yayo Sanchez at Space Austin, TX

Mastered by: Jim Kissling Ferndale, MI

Produced by: Geoff Michael, Joshua Davis, Dominic John Davis, Michael Shimmin and Chris Buhalis

Additional Production: Jeff Plankenhorn


All songs written by Chris Buhalis except “Finish Line” written by Chris Buhalis and Jeff Plankenhorn

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