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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of A Survivors Guide For The Bleeding Heart, No Secrets Here, Always The Optimist, and Let's Grow Old and Strange Together.
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Survivors Guide for the Bleeding Heart
A survivor’s guide for the bleeding heart,
Your wounds are deep so keep ‘em clean
Keep your story 200 words or less.
Your wounds are deep, best keep ‘em dressed
Those will want to hear the details to compare their scrapes to scars
But to each their own its glory, we’re all survivors from the start
If you only heard the words I’m saying
In my head, to myself, under breath when I’m praying
If you only seen the things I’ve done,
Just to find peace of mind, and the truth in someone
If you only knew just how I felt
About me and my life, and the cards I’ve been dealt
We’d be none the wiser, none the wiser, none the wiser (2*)
A survivor’s guide for the bleeding heart.
Your wounds will heal, but let’s be real
You’ll be tempted to want to test its strength.
Your wounds will heal, but at arm’s length
They’ll be those who’ll want to dig in, Say you’re in it for yourself
So you choose your own adventure
pinned up on your sleeve or put upon a shelf
Those will want to hear the details to compare their scrapes to scars
But to each their own its glory,
we’re all survivors from the start
We’d be none the wiser, none the wiser, none the wiser
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2. |
Sometimes The Bull Wins
03:46
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Sometimes the Bull Wins
My father always told me, things won’t come so easily
Even though they come to me, just fine
He always asked me gently what struggle even meant to me
Cause it’s gonna come for me, in time (he said)
There’s always gonna be a thing of two that’s hard to learn
Just when you’re standing on a sinking ship or bridge to burn
There’s gonna be a side you’ll find you wished you didn’t choose
There’s gonna be a time you pick a fight you’ll hope to lose
And sometimes… you’ll just give in
And sometimes, the bull wins
And as the years just charge on by, I’m still trying to figure out the why
Of me being there, right place right time, for I’m known
Cause I’m my own worst enemy, perfection is a killing spree
Can’t say those horns ain’t come for me, I’ve been thrown (because)
There’s always gonna be a thing of two that’s hard to learn
Just when you’re standing on a sinking ship or bridge to burn
There’s gonna be a side you’ll find you wished you didn’t choose
There’s gonna be a time you pick a fight you’ll hope to lose
And sometimes… you’ll just give in
And sometimes… you’ll just give in
And sometimes…. sometimes… the bull wins
D. BELL
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3. |
Indifferent
02:58
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Indifferent
It seems the world’s no longer kind and like most, to keep my mind,
I’ve grown indifferent
Me, I long to separate and just can’t seem to relate,
I’m now indifferent
I’m perfectly imperfect, realize my impatience is wearing thin
‘Cause if my moods go unchecked,
they threaten to consume me from within
I have found no strong connection, realize through introspection,
I’m indifferent
Don’t know how to find rapport with anyone but you, amour.
It’s all indifference
I’m perfectly imperfect, realize my impatience is wearing thin
‘Cause if my moods go unchecked,
they threaten to consume me from within
What you’re doing with me is a mystery that I may never get
But I hope that you’re not finished with me yet
It seems the world’s no longer kind and like most, to keep my mind,
I’ve grown indifferent
Me, I long to separate and just can’t seem to relate,
I’m now indifferent
I’m perfectly imperfect, realize my impatience is wearing thin
‘Cause if my moods go unchecked,
they threaten to consume me from within
I worry that this love for me may soon someday fill your heart with regret
But I’m thankful that you’re not done with me yet
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4. |
Friends, Folks and Foes
02:50
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Friends, Folks and Foes
Do you, do you believe in love? Do you believe in anything?
I try to get you high on yourself,
but we’re too down low, we’re too down low
Do you, do you believe in being free? Do you believe in anything?
I try to get you to open your mind,
but things are too damn tight, they’re too damn tight
I know that things can tend to seem a little bleak
We choose our battles, just to take them on the cheek
For those friends and folks and foes and those
who wave around their nose at better things
For those friends and folks and foes and those
are dealing with their blows instead of dreams
Do you, do you believe in peace? Do you believe in anything?
I try to get you calm yourself down, but you’re too damn wound,
left ‘em all dumbfound
I know that things can tend to seem a little bleak
We choose our battles, just to take them on the cheek
For those friends and folks and foes and those
who wave around their nose at better things
For those friends and folks and foes and those
are dealing with their blows instead of dreams
Do you believe in love? Do you believe in anything?
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5. |
She
03:02
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She
She’s fine and she’s fierce and she’s flagrantly kind.
Quite often outspoken, she must speak her mind
I’m literally lost. She was my one great find
and she wants to be mine…
May mull over matters, but puts up a fight.
Conjectures in colors to my black and white
She leans to the left, but more often she’s right,
and she loves me despite…
Loose with the lines, while I’m stumbling over my parts
Can’t seem too eager and fumble while holding her heart
She notes of a need and quickly volunteers.
Dives deep in head first, does not give into fears
It’s all for family, her needs now in the rears,
while days stretch into years…
Loose with the lines, while I’m stumbling over my parts
Can’t seem too eager and fumble while holding her heart
She’s due for a doting and all that sweet stuff.
I own all the answers, while she calls my bluff
She looks for a lifeline, I try to talk tough,
and just hope I’m enough…
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6. |
The Likes of Which
03:45
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The Likes of Which
Reminded little’s understood.
Events happen that never should
Change comes, along with it, new rules
See it for what it is, another tool
Bring things back to where they autta be.
The likes of which we have never seen.
Cast bad habits, swiftly out to sea.
The likes of which we have never seen.
Announcement now hereby is given
Things occur can’t be forgiven
Change comes, along with it, new life
See it for what it is, embrace what’s right
The thought of winning wearing thin
Things pass that never will again
Change comes, along with it, new times
See it for what it is, and don’t be blind
Bring things back to where they autta be.
The likes of which we have never seen.
Cast bad habits, swiftly out to sea.
The likes of which we have never seen.
The likes of which we have never seen,
might not be as bad as it screams
Talk, action, borderlines obscene.
Pushing forward new extremes
The likes of which we have never seen,
might not be as bad as it screams
Talk, action, borderlines obscene.
Pushing forward new extremes
Complicated current states of men
Things happen time and time again
Change comes, along with it, new fools
See it for what it is, and keep your cool
The likes of which we have never seen.
The likes of which we have never seen.
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7. |
Intimidating the Witness
02:54
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Intimidating the Witness
Met the bystander, tied up loose ends,
and in spite of all this, we’ve become fast friends.
I trust his judgement. I think it’s sound.
For he knows if he talks, he’ll never be found
Am I the bad guy? Am I what’s wrong…
is society what’s to blame all along?
Don’t want to hurt him. Out of my hands.
He knows what he did, I’m sure he understands.
Following the footsteps of a dance that we perform
Around a story that will never see the press.
Take actions to prevent the need to guess.
Intimidating the witness. Intimidating the witness.
Am I the heavy? Am I no fun?
Just ‘cause I’m the one that does what must be done.
You may think I’m cruel… Some call me mean,
though they brought this on themselves, my conscious clean.
The job is quite a grind, bosses unkind, the hours aren’t great
But the benefits keep me steeped in excess
For causing no small amount of distress
Intimidating the witness. Intimidating the witness.
Balancing my moral compass and the duties of my work
From cruel to kind at times takes some finesse
A childhood of memories to repress
Intimidating the witness
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8. |
Fine
02:37
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Fine.
Sometimes I’ll love you til it hurts
But I won’t tell you when I don’t
Sometimes I feel I’m withering on a vine
Sometimes I feel like that first taste of wine
Sometimes I’m feeling mighty free
But I won’t tell you when I’m choked
By haunting thoughts so dark n’ hard n’ lonely
Cause folks don’t get that part of me
I’m fine (You don’t owe folks a smile),
Fine (sit with your thoughts a while)
Fine, fine fine/thanks for asking
I’m fine (You’re free to have bad days),
Fine (and you don’t need my praise)
Fine, fine, fine/ how bout you? Hey, me too.
Sometimes I’m bold n’ brave n’ strong
I really want to get along
But doubt can overcome and seep into my bones
And I just want to be alone
Sometimes I’m wondrous and wise
And I can shake you with a look or a smile
That I would surely show you if you’d want to see
But folks don’t get that part of me.
I’m fine (to lead or to retreat), Fine (to join in or compete )
Fine, fine fine/thanks for asking
I’m fine (And fierce, more than enough),
Fine (to rise above this stuff)
Fine, fine, fine/ how bout you?
I’m fine (You’re free to feel the things),
Fine (I’m here for listening)
Fine, fine fine/thanks for asking
I’m fine (We could make good, instead…)
Fine (Let’s put this day to bed)
Fine, fine, fine/ how bout you?
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9. |
Grim Hymns for Her
03:34
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Grim Hymns for Her
What if I drowned?
What if filled up my pockets with rocks and sank silently down?
Would you sail the seas searching for me ‘til my body was found?
Or never even notice that I’m no longer around
What if I burned?
What if I topped my canteen with kerosene, ‘cause I’ve never learned?
That spirits a bit to pure to cure true love that was spurned
Or would my ash seem a bit rash and not cause you concern
Don’t mean to sound grim while I sing you my hymn,
Know it’s hummed from the one loves you most
Purpose bedim, I admit that it may seem morose
All I want is to haunt as your ghost
What if I leapt?
What if the pavement and I peacefully both agree to accept
They’ll be no reprieve, none to grieve, and no tears will be wept
So I organized my demise, while you comfortably slept
Don’t mean to sound grim while I sing you my hymn,
just a labor of love and free verse
Purpose bedim, but admit, It could always be worse
Then to have me oversee your curse
Don’t mean to sound grim while I sing you my hymn,
Know it’s hummed from the one loves you most
Purpose bedim, I admit that it may seem morose
All I want is to haunt as your ghost
What if I drowned?
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10. |
No Secrets Here
03:04
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No secrets here
I know you know. You know, I know you know
We both know, I know you know. There ain’t no use in lies
I know you know. You know, I know you know
We both know, I know you know. Feel free to criticize
I hate to break it to you dear, but we have no secrets here
I’ve seen you saw. You see, I’ve seen you saw
We both see, I’ve seen you saw. There’s no use to pretend
I’ve seen you saw. You see, I’ve seen you saw
We both see, I’ve seen you saw. Beginning of the end
I hate to state the obvious, this will likely finish us
Our time’s expired, and it’s time to pack it in
It’s tough to say enough, we have so much fun making sin
I heard you heard. You heard, I heard you heard
Both aware I heard you heard. No reason for the hate
I heard you heard. You heard, I heard you heard
Both aware I heard you heard. Naught left to contemplate
I hate this constant state of blues, but I come bearing bad news
I hate to state the obvious, but this will likely finish us
I hate to break it to you dear, but we have no secrets here
Bm/// Am/// D/// E/// (4*) Bm
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11. |
Hell's Belle
03:06
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Hell’s Belle
I’m still atoning, so I rarely give in
But how much longer must I pay for my sins
Want to get back to living. When will I be forgiven?
Why can’t I have any fun? It’s not like I killed someone
In my opinion, punishment don’t fit the crime
The guilt I carry should suffice for quite some time
I found I’m bound to believe, for me they’ll be no reprieve
Accent screams of the south. Her father, ‘you-know-who’
Daunting expectations to live up to, Hell’s belle...Hell’s belle
Practiced to deceive for the promise of sex
Instead, I received the wrong end of a hex
Seems I committed offence, now face a stiff penance
I left that witch bereft, and fell under her spell
Now nothing left of my story to tell, Hell’s belle…Hell’s belle
The Autumn equinox, season of the shrew
Holidays long forgotten, she paid homage to
This girl is not worth the price, serving as some sacrifice
My Hell’s belle, my Hell’s belle, my Hell’s belle
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12. |
Mal
04:39
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Mal
The desert is drinking up the rain
The sky is thick, and the air is cool
And I’m listening and watching and thinking about Madeline
Cause there are times like these when she would call
and ask me if it’s raining there at all
Only miles away, and we’d talk about the weather
And the husbands and the kids and the failed recipes
She is now gone, but the memories remain
that change with the weather/yet not much with the pain
The sky is clearing up again, I feel the sun, caress my face
And I’m hopeful, and happy, and wondering about Madeline
Cause there are times like these when she would call
and ask me if its really worth it all
Only miles away, and we’d talk about the weather
And the what-ifs, and the whens, of the failed destinies
She is long gone, but the memories remain
that change with the weather, yet not much with the pain
The leaves are changing on the trees,
their holding on for what is to come
Yet I’m living, and loving, and laughing without Madeline
Cause there are times like these
when she would call
and I wouldn’t answer it at all.
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The Unwieldies Nevada
With Danielle on guitar and Robert on the upright (both sharing vocal duties), Jack Ball on violin, Richard Wells on dobro
and Eric Frommhold on banjo.
‘This first track on the CD (Star Struck) tells the story of the beginning when Robert and I spent many late nights hanging out, strolling his neighborhood and falling in love, that happened too.’
We love each other so you don’t have to….
... more
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