NO TIME FOREVER

FARMHAND’S CURSE

Wasted on the hillside

The old familiar mudslide

Working for a man I can’t abide

I left the last of my luck with my last ride

When the comfort becomes so stifling and the walls feel like they’re tightening

I curse at a God I don’t believe in for not being on my side

Drinking in the hay bails

I sigh with every exhale

And breathe in deep the air so stale

Well what you gonna do when everything fails?

Because the money feels like a cheap consolation when monotony is easier than confrontation

I curse the land I cannot leave for making me so frail

In the barren soil I bury my pride

No mourners here to stand beside

I held the sky and together we cried

I left the last of my luck with my last ride

When the fight becomes so emptying and the shadow of my time is lengthening 

I curse at a God I can’t believe in for not being on my side

I curse at a God I don’t believe in for not being on my side.

MAGNOLIA BOX

Filthy apron, polished smile

Pray these walls will keep you up for a while

Check the locks

In/of? My Magnolia box

Feed the kids, the dog, the cat

Straighten the spread

Forget the silence that hangs over your bed

Watch the clocks

And you kiss my sweet cheek, eat my sweet bread

Tell me that longing never enters my head

Keep me so safe, pass me the rock to build my castle

My Magnolia Box

I look outside through cracks in the brick

And imagine a life without dinner at six

And matching socks

In a Magnolia Box

But I can go to the park whenever I choose

Get fit, stay trim, run laps, run back, don’t get mud on my shoes

It’s just a block

From my Magnolia Box

But you kiss my sweet cheek, eat my sweet bread

Tell me that longing never enters my head

Keep me so safe, pass me the rocks to build my castle

My Magnolia Box

My Magnolia Box 

My Magnolia Box

But kiss my sweet cheek, eat my sweet bread

Tie my strings tight, gather the ends

And you kiss my sweet cheek, eat my sweet bread

Tell me that longing never enters my head

Keep me so safe, pass me the rocks to build my castle

My Magnolia Box

BANKS OF THE BRUE

Shipping out of town, got to get on the run

Get on the run from the crimes I’ve done

The people I’ve hurt, the people I’ve loved

Pack up my bags, don’t tell anyone

Tripping down a long and narrowing road

Narrowing road baring down on my whole body 

Even if I’ve got to take it slow 

I won’t end up hanging from the end of a rope

But you won’t get me upon that peak

And I won’t be seen swinging from no tree

I won’t be led upon that peak 

And I won’t let the law make an example

Out of me

Gonna change my name, start anew 

Live my life on the banks of the Brue

Fish all day, take a break at noon 

Spend my nights underneath the moon

And if I die down there well at least I tried 

To live some of my life doing what’s right

I’ll lay down in the mud and I’ll let out a sigh

And you can take off to hell where I’ll do my time

But you won’t get me upon that peak

And I won’t be seen swinging from no tree

I won’t be led upon that peak 

And I won’t let the law make an example

Out of me

But you won’t get me upon that peak

And I won’t be seen swinging from no tree

I won’t be led upon that peak 

And I won’t let the law make an example

Out of me.

BAG OF BONES

Where you goin’ you little bag of bones?

Where you goin’ you little bag of bones?

I prayed you wouldn’t run

I prayed you wouldn’t stand in front

Where you goin’ you little vagabond?

Where you goin’ you little vagabond?

I prayed you weren’t blinded by the face of death

Reminded of how quickly it comes

Where you going you little wisp of smoke?

Where you going you little wisp of smoke?

I moved through you because

I thought you would just rise above

Where you going you little fallen oak?

Where you going you little fallen oak?

Brought down in a stroke, in a fit of rage

Struck dumb on the side of the road

FOLLOW

I’m not licenced in anything special 

Unfortunately I sense a downfall in the mental

Structural nuisance, no benefits or dental

I’m broke.

I’m not versed in anything fancy

Every cold coin a small burst of competency

Coppers in a coin purse shouldn’t rob your sense, need,

Or hope

Oh I’m not straining just to hear myself speak, 

I’m not complaining about the fact that the roof leaks

If my van ran on water, I’d stay by the sea,

But it won’t.

I’m not read in anything literal

My head sits somewhere between conservative and liberal 

As long as I’ve got bread or a peanut butter dinner roll

I’ll float

I’m not self taught I’ve got a million teachers

When this home rots I’ve got my guitar and my t-shirt

I’d happily trade your coffee for my expertise sir,

I’ll have you know.

Oh, there’s no running from this competition 

Between borderline breakdowns, lost in transmission

There’s no fine print between stupid decisions

But don’t you choke, now.

So follow your hope, and keep your head down low

Your mind shallow and you might just move along

Take a deep breath, and keep your mind off death

And allow those who keep you strong to come along

So come along

Keep those boots on 

And let your fingers run 

Down that worn old beaten board

Don’t you fret anymore 

Soon they’ll see you

However you want them to

On or in, whatever they’re looking through 

Screened calls or radio

Lost and Found (Luna’s Song)

This enclosure, my new home

Has no walls at all

Deep within the Valley trees

Barred owls call

Coydog roams these unpaved streets

Majestic gypsy of the Moon

Leaving ever these sights and sounds

Would be leaving too soon

You know you are alive when you feel it

You know you are alive when you see

You know you are alive when you hear it

Luna’s Song as it flows above the trees

Ashes rise into the night 

To join with stars graciously lit

Silent eyes in the dark create

A comfort I’ll not soon forget

Creatures creep in the treeline deep 

Eyes in the distance without sound

Where the wild in me finds sanctuary

Among the lost and found

You know you are alive when you feel it

You know you are alive when you see

You know you are alive when you hear it

Luna’s Song as it flows above the trees

You know you are alive when you feel it

You know you are alive when you see

You know you are alive when you hear it

Luna’s Song as it flows above the trees

PASS THE BUCK

I had a dollar, I had a dollar but it’s gone

It’s spinning in the jukebox, 

Teaching some old man a brand new savvy song

I had a dollar, I had a dollar but it’s spent

On laundry, booze, and small cigars

This tough and dirty broken tent

I had a dollar, I had a dollar but it’s dead

In the heavy plump pocket of some well rounded

Smart, business man

I had a dollar, I gave a dollar to the poor

Into a slice of corn-product it transformed, 

But still he needed more

Obviously.

I had a dollar, I had a dollar to keep me sane

Then I took it for a good time, doomed to piss my last dime

Down that dirty drain

So now I holler, now I holler on the corner

Now I’m fresh out and I could really use the help if you could spare

A lonely quarter.

So if you have a dollar, if you have a dollar please pass it on

Via teachings of old, or some new age gold, or a fancy singalong

So if you have a dollar, if you have a dollar please pass it on

Via teachings of old, or some new age gold, or a fancy singalong

EXTENDED ARMS

I’m writing a letter

I’m writing a letter to my friend

In it holds a message

Of extended arms, extended hands

I know roughly what you’re going through

I’ve been there before

I don’t know how better to reach you

So I’ll do the only way I know how

So smile, smile, smile like I know that you can

So smile, smile smile, like I know that you do

Smile, smile, smile for me and I’ll smile for you

I’m writing a letter

Writing a letter to my friend

And in it holds a message 

Come back soon again

You are loved here by many

More than I think you know

And though you’re miles away now

We still consider this your home

So smile, smile, smile like I know that you can

So smile, smile smile, like I know that you do

Smile, smile, smile for me and I’ll smile for you

So smile, smile, smile like I know that you can

So smile, smile smile, like I know that you do

Smile, smile, smile for me and I’ll smile for you

HOMEURUN HOUND

Well Roy was a kitten without many friends

He lived In/at/on the house on the corner at the end

He ran from the dogs with the left ear bent

Outta shape they all huffed with a pant

Every morning he’d chase Roy again

Fuck, those dogs never learn their lesson

One Day Roy was feeling agitated

It was early in the morning but the dog still waited 

Roy ripped around the corner, the dog’s eyes fixated

Roy trotted up ahead but the dog still waited

No obedience school could keep his ass on the ground,

Rather than deliverance Roy was chased by the hound.

Well they bolted through the alley and they ran through the trash

They smashed passed the kitchen through the door at the back

The greasy, dirty chef was having none of that

One swipe with a broom, two swipes like a bat

Third strike hit a home run hound but they couldn’t get the cat,

Roy was outta trouble just like that

Barret was a hound often running from the pound 

He had a few friends, but they left him in the end

Now he wonders as he ponders what’s up around the bend 

As he smiles, through his eyes bright red.

Barret never wanted the trouble that he always found

And Barret never wanted to chase the cats he saw down town

And dammit if he only knew someone to have some fun

That’s when Roy popped up and said…

Lets go for a run.

They both had an ally, they were both on the attack

They were breaking into kitchens, they were taking all the snacks

Barret was the boulder, roy was sitting on his back

Well the cat had the brains and the dog had the cat

They both kept running and they never looked back 

And together they were outta trouble just like that

Imagine a dog with a cat-back-pack

Running and a running down the Cul-de-Sac

Well Roy was a kitten with a brand new friend

They lived in the house on the corner at the end

They led the dogs on with a sinning half grin

Outta shape they all huffed with a pant

Every single morning they’d start the hunt again

One goal in mind: To open up the bins

They were pretty determined not to get caught in

Stealing from the market-shops, and the

Stupid humans.

THE TRIBE

I use Sticky Tack to fix all my guitars

It’s not about how straight they play

It’s how many you can fit in the car

And when they finally cringe and crumble

And inevitably fall apart

Well then I’ve got a new mahogany drum

That I will beat through every bar

Because the instrument doesn’t matter 

It’s the message, it’s the vibe

And I thought this was gonna be a sad one

But how can I be sad when I’m running with this tribe?

I use lubricant to seal all my mistakes

Some say “Jon, you can’t fill those cracks

With that green high pressure grease”

But I don’t want to fill’em

I want to learn and carry on

Smoothly if possible

Quickly, and in good fashion

Because the instrument doesn’t matter 

It’s the message, it’s the vibe

And I thought this was gonna be a sad one

But how can I be sad when I’m running with this tribe?

I use on-the-spot ideas, and jimmy-rigged techniques

So don’t have too much fun tonight cause your seats are 

Held together by Duct Tape, and W.D.

And when you finally cringe as they crumble 

And inevitably fall apart

Well it’s Kelowna, man

Someone will just come along and turn it into art

Because the medium doesn’t matter 

It’s the message, it’s the vibe

And I thought this was gonna be a sad picture

But how can I be sad when I’m running with this tribe?

Because the instrument doesn’t matter 

It’s the message, it’s the vibe

And I thought this was gonna be a sad one

But how can I be sad when I’m running with this tribe?

TWO SUGARS

Tie up your shoes, take a deep breath

There’s nothing to be won from staying in bed

Don’t think about clothes, don’t brush your hair

You don’t need to look good to come around here

I won’t try to define what’s going on in your head

Or justify things that you may, or may have not said

The orchard’s in bloom, the sweet smell of home

We grew up in these hills, barefoot, safe and singing we’d roam

I’m sorry for the days, weeks and months, that we’ve spent apart

What I wouldn’t give now just to hear you laugh

It’s ok to feel hopeless sometimes it’s ok to feel small

Just as long as you know that to me, you’re a hundred feet tall

Two sugars for you, and we’ll sit

In my kitchen, drink tea and talk shit

Two sugars for you, and we’ll reminisce 

About the things that we’ve learned, 

And the people we miss

WHEN IT’S RIGHT

We played to another empty room last night

And we only got paid in food again last night

We’ll make it out of this town, but not now

When it’s right

We broke down on another highway for a while

Tired eyes, fingers crossed, we might just have to coast this next mile

We’ll make it back on the road, take it slow

When it’s right

We slept in another car park last night 

Under another artificial semi dark last night

We’ll make it out west, but not yet

When it’s right