1. |
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We made it out of Sodom and Gomorrah
We stayed afloat all through the mighty Flood
But we still lie and cheat we beg steal and borrow
At times we even shed holy blood
Iniquity makes pure hearts dark and dirty
And I’m longing for a light I’ve never seen
I’m up all night with Dante and Capote
By dawn I’ll open Judges 19
Slice her ravaged body in twelve
Distribute her to all of Israel
Deliver up her innocence
Limb by limb
To a greedy world of sin
To a needy world of sin
I went down to the juke joint in the alley
To hear ol’ Buddy Bolden blow his horn
I saw poor Frankie shoot down her man Johnny
‘Cause he wouldn’t leave Miss Nellie Bly alone
Now poor Frankie is goin’ to the gallows
But she’s as true as any girl you’ve ever seen
She’ll say a prayer while walkin’ up the scaffold
And perhaps she’ll quote from Judges 19
Slice her ravaged body in twelve
Distribute her to all of Israel
Deliver up her innocence
Limb by limb
To a greedy world of sin
To a needy world of sin
He was silent like a lamb led to the slaughter
As I watched him stagger up the road
A face of sadness in a sea of mocking laughter
He would stumble and fall beneath his load
I guess I overlooked his invitation
To follow him through suffering supreme
I just gave in to cowardly temptation
It all reminds me of Judges 19
Slice her ravaged body in twelve
Distribute her to all of Israel
Deliver up her innocence
Limb by limb
To a greedy world of sin
To a needy world of sin
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2. |
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Every day I aim
But most days I miss
I just pull the trigger
And run the risk
A man’s gotta do
What he does best
Every day I aim
But most days I miss
Every day I climb
But most days I slip
I hang on for dear life
And try not to lose my grip
I promised you the rose
That grows on the tip
So every day I climb
But most days I slip
If God is almighty
Could he ever make a stone
Too heavy for himself to carry
If I lost my way
Far from home
Would your light be strong enough to guide me
I bring home the bacon
And I pay the rent
I make you cry
But it’s never my intent
I reach for your heart
My holy grail
Every day I try
But most days I fail
If God is almighty
Could he ever make a stone
Too heavy for himself to carry
If I were lost in the rain
Far from home
Could I count on you to spread your wings and shield me
Beware of false prophets
Beware of falling rocks
Life is a duty
And a paradox
An eye for an eye
A kiss for a kiss
Every day I aim
But most days I miss
Every day I aim
But most days I miss
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3. |
Beginning of Sorrows
02:48
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There’ll be wars and plenty of rumors
All through the fat years and through the lean
Bouts of depression plagues and tumors
It could all be worse than we’ve ever seen
But remember Darlin’ we’re in this together
That’s the only promise we must keep
The forces are movin’ hell-bent for leather
The devil’s afoot while we’re sound asleep
So wake up Darlin’
It’s time to go
The wolf is scratchin’ at our cabin door
But don’t let your heart be troubled
About today or about tomorrow
This ain’t the end
Just the beginning
Beginning of sorrows
We’ll see nation rise against nation
You’ll slam the door I’ll holler and shout
There’ll be trials and tribulations
The beast will be howlin’ inside and out
But let me give you a hand with that heavy burden
Let me wipe another tear from your eye
The road is muddy the future uncertain
So let’s say our prayers and keep the powder dry
Wake up Darlin’
It’s time to go
The world is shakin’ all around our cabin door
But don’t let your heart be troubled
About today or about tomorrow
This ain’t the end
Just the beginning
Beginning of sorrows
Beginning of sorrows
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4. |
Sinner Man
04:24
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Sinner man where you gonna run to
Sinner man where you gonna run to
The sun is black the moon’s like blood
Rivers boilin’ in a flood
Glory my oh glory me
Where you gonna run today
Civil man where you gonna run to
Civil man where you gonna run to
To the city hall where the word is free
To the hallowed grounds of democracy
Glory my oh glory me
It’s all crumblin’ don’t you see
Global man where you gonna run to
Global man where you gonna run to
The whole world’s in your hand it seems
With one touch on that little shiny screen
Glory my oh glory me
But the world is dark today
Do you sing in an angel band
Across this lost and fallen land
Do you see the rapture up on high
Or just an empty sky
Stupid man where you gonna run to
Stupid man where you gonna run to
The devil knows who’s bought or sold
He locked you in a house of gold
Glory my oh glory me
And he threw away the key
Lonely man where you gonna run to
Lonely man where you gonna run to
Mirror mirror on the wall
Who’s the fairest of them all
Glory my oh glory me
It’s all broken glass you see
Mortal man where you gonna run to
Mortal man where you gonna run to
You stretch the wrinkles on your skin
But you still owe a wage of sin
Glory my oh glory me
And you will have to pay
Sinner man you can’t run away
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5. |
Holy Ghost Building
04:42
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Well it’s just another sleepless night
A scene that’s all too familiar
The room is lit up in black and white
Shades of dirty gray and silver
On the TV another old film noir
Full of lust and greed killing and lying
The door’s closed to the next room where you are
So I can’t hear if you’re asleep or still crying
Now the movie is over and I fight for a while
With my conscience alone in the dark
Then I hear the door open and a squeeze of your hand
Sends a well-known relief to my heart
You remind me again
Like a dove in descent
Of something I already knew
That I’m workin’ on a buildin’
Workin’ on a buildin’
A Holy Ghost buildin’ with you
Well it’s just another workin’ day
Another quarrel at the breakfast table
About a mortgage on the old farm that’s hard to pay
How we must scrimp and save when we’re able
Gotta get them kids to school in time
Your coffee cup clinks as you’re leavin’
But you stop and turn when your eyes meet mine
And a last-minute kiss you’re stealin’
Sometimes I could tear this old temple down
Like Samson all by myself
Brick by brick dream by dream
And let it tumble down to hell
But then a tear you can’t hide
Shows a rainbow in your eye
And there I can always see
That you’re workin’ on a buildin’
Workin’ on a buildin’
A Holy Ghost buildin’ with me
Well people are born and people die
There’s nothin’ new under the sun
We just grit our teeth we struggle and try
To do what must be done
But I see you blush
Like a burnin’ bush
And the fire makes everything new
When I’m workin’ on a buildin’
Workin’ on a buildin’
A Holy Ghost buildin’ with you
I’m workin’ on a buildin’
Workin’ on a buildin’
A Holy Ghost buildin’ with you
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6. |
Camel, Lion, Child
04:40
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Do you hear a call to duty
Ringin’ in the night
When every battle’s lost
And the morning’s out of sight
The camel carries water
Across the burning sand
For the weary wounded soldiers
Makin’ their last stand
You’re my call to duty
That I must heed at every cost
When every battle’s lost
You sing it to me
My call to duty
Do you feel a spark of courage
When the plane starts falling down
When the engines all go silent
And we’re spinning toward the ground
The lion’s in its cage
But with a roar it’s breakin’ out
To fight the mighty dragon
Of oppression fear and doubt
You’re my spark of courage
When the plane is goin’ down
Just before we hit the ground
It could light a furnace
My spark of courage
I’ve seen it comin’ for a while
I’ve seen it in your tears I’ve seen it in your smile
We share the body we share the blood we hold life right in our hands
But we’re still just wayworn pilgrims in search of Beulah Land
Is this the moment of truth
In a calendar of lies
Is this the star that led three wise men
Across the winter sky
To a baby in a manger
That no one hardly cared to find
Born into our world
To fill the void of time
You’re my moment of truth
In a calendar of lies
When time no longer flies
You’re the only good news
My moment of truth
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7. |
Silent Hour
05:57
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In the silent hour
I watch the shadows climb
The walls that are still standing
Between your heart and mine
The crowd always frees Barabbas
It happens everywhere
They curse his name with freedom
A burden that no one can bear
Whoever weeps
Somewhere out in the world
Weeps without cause in the world
Weeps over me
They found nothin’ but a winding sheet
With a strange image of a man
Burned into the cloth
That the scientists can’t understand
But I keep lookin’ in that mirror
Of sorrow torture and scorn
At the bloody wounds from the nails
The spear and the crown of thorns
Whoever laughs
Somewhere out in the world
Laughs without cause in the world
Laughs at me
I walk out every mornin’
And look for the promised land
Sometimes a fellow traveler
Will be there to hold my hand
To walk beside me like a stranger
To teach me how to read the law
To make the scales fall from my eyes
And let me see what no man saw
Whoever wanders
Somewhere out in the world
Wanders without cause in the world
Wanders to me
Hearts will go on beating
Until they can beat no more
Hearts will suffer alone
Until we know what the suffering is for
But like perfect dust in time
Rock will become air
And in that silent hour
You and I will be there
Whoever dies
Somewhere out in the world
Dies without cause in the world
Looks at me
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8. |
All Right No How
03:46
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Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink
You may look for a bartender you may look for a shrink
But the Black Freighter’s comin’ in
And your little boat is gonna sink
So let’s sing another shanty
Sing it like a sacred vow
To never worry ‘bout nothin’
‘Cause nothin’s ever gonna be all right no how
The whole crowd is laughin’ I can hear that joyful sound
When the clown takes the stage to tell the house is burnin’ down
The cheers grow loud and happy
While the ceilin’ starts fallin’ to the ground
The clown then smiles
Through his tears and takes a bow
Says Never worry ‘bout nothin’
‘Cause nothin’s ever gonna be all right no how
The world could end tomorrow but the best that you can do
Today is take an appleseed and try to make it grow
There’s lips to kiss and tears to dry
Songs to sing and mountains to move
Better get behind the mule
Keep your hand upon the plow
And never worry ‘bout nothin’
‘Cause nothin’s ever gonna be all right no how
Some say he took his last ride in a ’52 Cadillac
Some say he beat the devil and that he even made it back
I remember all his songs
They still can stop me cold in my tracks
He said Let the dead bury their dead
Come and follow me right now
And never worry ‘bout nothin’
‘Cause nothin’s ever gonna be all right no how
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9. |
Fool
05:08
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You fool don’t you know you’re gonna die tonight
Don’t you know tonight you’re gonna die
Your barns are overflowin’ with barley wheat and rye
But your time is up in the twinklin’ of an eye
And you fool don’t you know you’re gonna die
The fields are ready for the harvest
The threshing floor is ready for the sheaves
The grain is ready to be separated
From the chaff that the fire is ready to receive
An abundant crop calls for celebration
So fill your glasses friends the wine is runnin’ free
Drink and be merry don’t mind the writing on the wall
I guess it’s written there for only me to see
It says You fool don’t you know you’re gonna die tonight
Don’t you know tonight you’re gonna die
Your barns are overflowin’ with barley wheat and rye
But your riches cannot help you through the night
You fool don’t you know you’re gonna die
We look into each other’s eyes and wonder
If anything we see there may be true
Like a shadow cast from the deep dark grave
Or a holy spark that tears the veil in two
Hey buddies life is short let’s have another
The drinks and the laughs are all on me
Here’s the key to the kingdom now it’s yours to keep
I’ll be takin’ nothin’ with me when I leave
You fool don’t you know you’re gonna die tonight
Don’t you know tonight you’re gonna die
The old folks will be moanin’ the little ones will cry
When it’s time for you to kiss the world goodbye
And don’t you know tonight you’re gonna die
You fool don’t you know you’re gonna die tonight
Don’t you know tonight you’re gonna die
Go walk that lonesome valley rough and rocky steep and high
But fear not ‘cause I’m walkin’ by your side
You fool don’t you know you’re gonna die
You fool don’t you know you’re gonna die
My friend don’t you know you’re gonna die
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10. |
Of What One Cannot Speak
03:42
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Another year has come and gone
With temper lost and children grown
With idols broken by the old grindstone
With bleeding hearts and roadkill
Left to mend their own
Dirty dishes and bills are due
Another wrinkle just showed on you
Blood and sweat and toil and tears
Have shared our bed of roses
Through the years
I wish I could tell you that pressure makes a diamond
That tears are only rain to make love grow
But of what one cannot speak one must be silent
Drop a match in an easy chair
Let it smolder like trench warfare
Fall upon the thorns of life
Make amends and make ends meet
Between a husband and a wife
Another year has just flown by
To where all birds of youth must fly
But never mind we got work to do
When we have shared a cup of kindness
To what’s left of me and you
I wish I could tell you that pressure makes a diamond
That we’ll rise together stronger than we fell
But of what one cannot speak one must be silent
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11. |
Rebel Song
06:06
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I’m nothin’ but a plain old soldier
In this revolutionary war
Winter’s long and cold I’m down on my luck
And I forget what we’re fightin’ for
But then I think about my wife and my children
I think about the birds that used to fly
Above the land where I caught my first songs as they fell
Like manna from the sky
Like manna from the sky
I wish I could hear a little bird singin’
Singin’ his rebel song
Like a ray of light in this shadow of death
Where we’ve been walkin’ for so long
Like a wake up call to the snowdrops
To rise from their frozen tomb
I can almost hear that little bird singin’ now
He’s never out of tune
A little bird is never out of tune
As a little boy I’d hide under the table
And listen to the old folks talk
They were laughin’ and drinkin’ singin’ precious songs of old
I always tried to build upon that rock
I was the youngest man in the family
And I had a lot to learn
I became the oldest man one day my father went a-huntin’
And never did return
He never did return
I wish I could hear a little bird singin’
Singin’ his rebel song
Like a ray of light in this shadow of death
Where we’ve been walkin’ for so long
Like a wake up call to the snowdrops
To rise from their frozen tomb
I can almost hear that little bird singin’ now
He’s never out of tune
A little bird is never out of tune
We camp a little while in the wilderness
Where no mercy can be found
We march away to the firing line
I hear my brother’s blood cry out from the ground
I’m nothin’ but a plain old soldier
In this cruel revolutionary war
But as soon as winter’s past and guilt forgiven
I’ll study war no more
I’ll go home and study war no more
Then I may hear a little bird singin’
Singin’ his rebel song
See a ray of light in this shadow of death
Where we’ve been walkin’ for so long
Hear a wake up call like the snowdrops
To rise from our frozen tomb
I can almost hear that little bird singin’ now
He’s never out of tune
A little bird is never out of tune
A little bird is never out of tune
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CS Nielsen Samsø, Denmark
CS Nielsen: sangskriver, sanger og guitarist. Igennem en omfattende koncertvirksomhed og med fire kritikerroste og
prisnominerede pladeudgivelser har han etableret sig som en markant dansk ambassadør for Americana-musikken – samt som en historiefortæller med stor poetisk og musikalsk tæft.
Diskografi:
Against the Dying of the Light (2007)
Man of the Fall (2012)
Jericho Road (2016)
Pilgrims (2020)
... more
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