Quiet Desperation

Quiet Desperation

Up at the five, out by the six
I beat the rush hour, I know all the tricks
I sleep in the traffic while the rest of you play
Don't you worry about it, my truck knows the way

Now I'm forty-nine and I'm feelin' old
Used to be I'd look down and I could stare at my toes
Now I can't see past the mortgage, I'm actin' my age
Am I worth any more than the shit I am paid
I used to look through my dreams
Now it's the bars of this cage

And the mass of men
Lead their lives
In quiet desperation
Jus' lookin' to hide
Down in the dark
Jus' waitin' to die
Be quiet
Listen, you can hear it
Be quiet
Listen, you can hear it

I used to travel a road made of bricks colored gold
And I could do anything, 'til I put it on hold
Oh, where did that record and that best-seller go?
If the truth was known, it'd never get told

Now, I'm tired like a train pullin' up a steep grade
And the light in the tunnel is beginning to fade
And I drink even more than I ever did
And it's on the way home, 'stead of just now and then
And I don't ask for help and I can't shout it out
I just lay here and drown
In my soul

And the mass of men
Lead their lives
In quiet desperation
Jus' lookin' to hide
Down in the dark
Jus' waitin' to die
Be quiet
Listen, you can hear it
Be quiet
Listen you can hear it

Up at the five, out by the six
I beat the rush hour, I know all the tricks

© D. Dain, 1996.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

My favorite Christmas song -- I have accented the verses I use in red. I like to sing the first three verses. The forth verse is lyrically weak in relation to the others and the fifth verse, while very good, in my mind detracts from the strongest lyrical point of the song, which is the end of the third verse.

Bruce Cockburn has the best recording of this song, on his "Bruce Cockburn Christmas".

The slight pause before and after the word "still" rings that "Bell In My Chest" every time.

And, there is still time. For now.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Lyrics by Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893.
Music by Lewis Redner, 1830-1908. (The tune is named simply "St. Louis")

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child,
Where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
And Christmas comes once more.

O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel

My Best Friend

Merle (Chalky) Pittman was a Veteran of the Korean War, a Mailman in every sense of the word, and in the end, dignity personified; a remarkably composed, gracious and mercifully understanding friend.

My Best Friend

My best friend was a mailman
Through rain and sleet and snow
God chose to take him early
So let us look at what we know

Seems delivery times are much improved
And the service is so very smooth
The mail is hardly ever late
So let’s call this an even trade

He'd quit smokin’ 20 years ago
Then they said he got the bug
He was kinda proud it was so rare
They said the only cure was prayer

Seems grace and mercy are conveyed
By a Higher Power far above harm’s way
And there’s not life enough to understand
And not a lot of faith on hand

My father had this theory
That the chosen should be tested so
That the ones spared, not scarred by pain and loss
Are the ones God does not know
- He does not know

Still, delivery times are much improved
And the service is so very smooth
The mail is hardly ever late
So let’s call this an even trade

My best friend was a mailman
Through rain and sleet and snow
God chose to take him early
So let us look at what we know

My best friend was a mailman
Through rain and sleet and snow
- that’s all I know

© D. Dain, 1997.

Winter's Hand

A song for my earthly Father.


Winter’s Hand

I’ve seen Winter’s Hand a-creepin’
‘cross my Father’s brow
And I know that certain things have changed between us
But I’m not certain now just when and how

And if I did not have that certain hope of Glory
And I did not know just where I’ll be
I fear despair would overtake me
With Winter’s Hand so close to me

But, there is a beauty buried in that sorrow
Though we may not think it very plain to see
It takes a hold upon the souls
Of those who do believe
And it throws us toward the Promised Land
It pushes, drives and binds
These fragile ties together
In a song of the sublime


Sometimes I feel it reaching out to me
And though all of Nature screams against it
I cannot help but want to leave

For there is a beauty buried in that sorrow
Though we may not think it very plain to see
It takes a hold upon the souls
Of those who do believe
That we are more than just mere numbers
More than Chance can think upon much less conceive
And we are who we are
And He is who He is
And Winter’s Hand just sets us free

Winter’s Hand
Oh, Winter’s Hand
Just sets us free….

© D. Dain, 1998.

Lord....

How much do we really love?

Lord....

Lord, where we goin'?
Do I really want to go?
How do I handle knowin'
Jus' Who is in control?

I bite the hands that love me
Cut 'em off to save my soul
Keep my head down, screw my friends
Mosy back on to the fold


Oh, It only finds You early
Only Blesses chosen ones
Most times you miss that Train to Glory
Shot thru by Destination's Gun


No oil left to light the lamp
So thirsty that it hurts
We read it all, we left it lay
And now we pay the curse

And I cast my lot so long ago
The choice was bound to stone
Desparate blood is in my eye
Not the kind that can atone

And Lord, it's gettin' warm down here
The course is almost run
Horsemen crest the ridge above
Look down on what we've done

Mark my forehead, mark my hands
Mark my soul's march to Mt. Doom
Mark the Word and slam the door
The Inn has no more room


Lord, where we goin'?
Do I really want'a go?
How do I handle knowin'
Jus' Who is in control?

I bite the hands that love me
Cut 'em off to save my soul
Keep my head down, screw my friends
Mosy back on to the fold


Oh, It only finds You early
Only Blesses chosen ones
Most times you miss that Train to Glory
Shot thru by Destination's Gun


Megiddo and a White Throne waitin'
And then Your Golden Eye
All my fault and all my failing
All my love and all a lie

© D. Dain, 2006.

Train Thing

This is an old one.


Train Thing

I saw her on the 4th Street Bridge that overlooks the freight yards
And a hundred directions and the choices are so hard
She was standin’ at the railing, with a grey wind at her back
I said "I always find you here" - she looked away and softly laughed
Then she motioned toward the weeds that are always there beside the tracks
And she said “The lies can grow so high, that love can never make it back.”

And I said, “It’s just a train thing.
You jus’ got a thing for trains.”
It's just a train thing
And we held hands and made our way on home

Well, the metaphor escaped me and I took comfort in the fact
That stability could mean much more than a rusty, old, train track
Her daddy was a preacher man, she grew up singin’ in the choir
With a voice that gently slit your soul, then set your brain on fire
Maybe I’m a little slow, it sure took some time to see
Maybe even then she knew her train would someday leave

And it’s just a train thing
She’ jus' got a thing for trains
It's just a train thing
And I made my way on home

Now I come down to the 4th Street Bridge that overlooks the freight yards
And a hundred directions and the choices are so hard
And I hold on to that railing and the life that's at my back
Sometimes I see her here and I always hear her laugh
And I look over the weeds that have covered all the tracks
And know the lies can grow so high that love may never make it back

And it’s just a train thing
I jus’ got a thing for trains
Oh, it’s just a train thing
And we hold hands and make my way on home

© Daniel Dain, 1996.

God's Golden Eye

God’s Golden Eye - John Hiatt

We came through the forest
Of jealousy and greed
All our loved ones before us
They gave us everything we need
To cross that great river
Of every tear been ever cried
And we find ourselves staring
In God's golden eye

In the desert love waited
Licking salt water from her skin
We could have been sedated
For all that we put in
We thought it was some devil
Who put the cryin’ in goodbye
’til we found ourselves staring
In God's golden eye
Found ourselves staring
In God's golden eye

And we did all that we could do
We couldn't run from me and you
We did the best we could
No matter how hard we tried

Like babes we come whining
For some forgotten sin
Surprised to be shining
Just like diamonds in the wind
Every facet so perfect
And every cut the proper size
When we find ourselves staring
In God's golden eye
Find ourselves staring
In God's golden eye

Destination's Gun

I'm not the first person confused by the "Doctrine of Predestination ". And I guess I won't be the last to overreach and try to explain his anger.

Destination’s Gun

Steel spires stretch up toward heaven
They rip the belly o’ the sky
Built by the church of too much thought
They scratch the wrath of God
Sour grapes spring forth in rage
And deface the face of love
Hate might never take its place
If heaven is enough

A wounded sky, an angry God
A little too much thought
They say that truth is where you find it
… most times it’s not
Most times it finds you early
Or blesses chosen ones
Most times you miss that train to Glory
Shot down by destination’s gun
Oh, by destination’s gun
Oh, destination’s gun
Most times you miss that train to glory
Shot down by destination’s gun

I understand Ecclesiastes
ALL of Saint John, Chapter Three
Those are not threats, they're promises
And I weep for what we leave
Look down into that forest glade
Into that sparkling stream
Can heaven with its angry God
Touch these shades of green?
Touch these shades of green
Touch these shades of green
Can heaven with its angry God
Touch these shades of green?

All The Diamonds - Bruce Cockburn

My brother Timothy has his 40th birthday tomorrow. I still remember my dad holding me in his arms as he steadied my mother down the stairs out into the fall night air, into the car and on to the hospital.

Love you, Tim.

All The Diamonds -- Bruce Cockburn

All the diamonds in this world
That mean anything to me
Are conjured up by wind and sunlight
Sparkling on the sea

I ran aground in a harbour town
Lost the taste for being free
Thank God He sent some gull-chased ship
To carry me to sea

Two thousand years and half a world away
Dying trees still grow greener when you pray
Silver scales flash bright and fade
In reeds along the shore
Like a pearl in sea of liquid jade
His ship comes shining
Like a crystal swan in a sky of suns
His ship comes shining

Party Line

I'll preface this by saying that the rough draft was written approx. two weeks before the 9/11 attacks. I had just come back from New York. Took me awhile to finish it. The famous "Bottom Line" is closed. There are several musical references throughout, notably to JG's "Land of the Bottom Line" and the song/magazine, "No Depression".

Party Line

Took some time last week, got up to The Apple
Land of the Bottom Line, then I grabbed me a Snapple
Headed out route 22
Got to New Jersey, turned and looked back
Like Lot’s wife ummmmm….
I jus’ had to
Didn’t turn to salt, jus’ felt the need for a shower
Headed south, down thru the mornin’ hours
Drivin' fast - amazed I’d got on past

(chorus)
And I’ve heard them all, almost
And almost all their songs are good, 
Almost all the time 
They toe that party line
And you can can tell just where they're goin'
All the trials and tribulations
They have made it through
They are alllllll, just soooo misunderstood



I turn on NPR to catch the BBC
No Depression, I jus’ feel the need
To know things - still don’t agree
You get used to it, and you pick on thru
And in between you catch a bit of news
You take it anyway, ‘cause you know that play
Huge island in between the coasts
Don’t count much ‘less they’re countin’ votes
And only sometimes
And it’s all jus’ one big reservation
It’s a wonder how they’ve caaaged a nation
District at a time, inside them party lines

I pull off the road, surprise, surprise
It’s a two lane truck stop diner-dive
‘jus too close to real for some
Make a great short-short to marvel on
Oh notice how the colors run together
…. No matching federal funds
If I don’t pay the tax, I must not love my neighbor
“Government is good!”, and I can buy its favor
And the party line mmmm….
And it’s back to one big reservation
Amazing how they’ve caaaged a nation
District at a time, to save that party line

(Chorus)
Got to New Jersey, turned and looked back
Like Lot’s wife ummmmm….
I jus’ had to
Didn’t turn to salt, jus’ felt the need for a shower
Headed south, down thru the mornin’ hours
Drivin' fast


Ó 2003, D. Dain

9 Marbles

As far as I can recall, this was the first song I ever finished and put to music.

9 Marbles

There has got to be something more
Outside this rough and wild and ruthless world
Full of Your sick and tired and wretched ones
Mostly Harmless, mostly poor

How can we find Someone out there
When we can’t see outside our own disease
A life of peace is a guarantee
That we will hunt You down and nail You to a tree

Nine marbles in a silver circle
Maybe ten or maybe more
With a silver shooter in the middle
Who knows how well She’s worn?

Well, if you and I could live forever
Do anything we wanted to
Fly deep into the heavens
Vacation on the moon

But you and I don’t have forever
We’ve only got this little tune
It’s short and really not that sweet
But this life will have to do

Nine marbles in a silver circle
Maybe ten or maybe more
With a silver shooter in the middle
Who knows how well She’s worn?
Who knows how well She’s worn?
Oh, God knows how well She’s worn


© D. Dain, 1992.

Wolfe County

I lived in Wolfe County, Kentucky. This is an accurate description.


Wolfe County

It’s a muddy road
That rides rougher than the run-off ditch beside it
Back up the ridge
A little farm lies hidden behind the trees
And if you look real hard
And it you know jus’ where yer goin’ ya jus’ might find it
Used to be a Federal subsidy
Now it’s a monument to a real growth industry

‘cause, ya see, nothin’ ever changes
Down there in Wolfe County
Where cancer was the cash crop
And things always stay the same
If you can smoke it, they can grow it
Down there in Wolfe County
They’ve always been in tune with Nature’s ways

Down by the creek
Lays the town of Campton, it’s the county seat
Back in them hills
Where young boys learn the skills of basketball
And high school history
Provides the rules of white supremacy
And any fool can see
There’s two things that really go together

‘cause, you see, nothin’ ever changes
Down there in Wolfe County
Where cancer was the cash crop
And now it’s methamphetamine
If you can smoke it, they can grow it
Down there in Wolfe County
They’ve always been in tune with Nature’s ways
Ah, they’ve always been in tune with Nature’s ways


© Daniel Dain, 1997.

Sir Robert

Sir Robert

Well, Sir Robert said "the cruelest lies
are often told in silence"
But I always looked on Silence as my friend
Else I would utter thoughts that rise
from this old and bitter man
And to paraphrase Al Tennyson,
I'd break far more than I can mend
Yes, I'd break far more than I can mend

And I am led through these dark valleys
Where only One Wide Will does shine
So little faith for so much promise
Still, I know that You and they are mine
And I know that Death will one day die
Yes, I know that Death will one day die

When work is done, one bright note
will break into the air
And Silence will no longer be my friend
I will sing a song of joyous praise
in a voice that finally can bear
A melody untouched, unstained by man
A melody, untouched, unstained by man

Well, Sir Robert said "the cruelest lies
are often told in silence"
And I don't talk much, anyway
And I am led through these dark valleys
Where only One Wide Will awaits
Where only One Wide Will awaits
One Wide Will, One Wide Will....


© Daniel Dain, 1997.

Stone Table

Yesterday was my Mom's Birthday. Happy Birthday, Margaret Lee Canterbury.

She has always said she wants "Pomp and Circumstance" played at her funeral.

Here's a little ditty I wrote several years ago. I think it was wrought from the combination of a C.S. Lewis inspired nightmare and the after-effects of some bad choices, acquainting me with mortality. Again.

Stone Table

Lay me down on the Stone Table
Watch with me through the night
When the sun shines on the Stone Table
I feel my soul take flight
Take flight

When mornin' comes you will find me
Dead to the World and its ways
Like my brother the Son and my father before me
I've no desire to stay

Where doubt and fear plague the nations
And most men walk alone
Where everybody's askin' questions
But few have directions home

Lay me down, shelter my spirit
Lay me down, God rest my bones
Lay me down on the Stone Table
Good Lord gonna take me home

Oh, lay me down, shelter our Spirits
Lay me down, God rest my bones
Lay me down on the Stone Table
Good Lord gonna take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home


© Daniel Dain, 1997.

Western Blvd.

Western Blvd.


It happened down on Western Blvd.
The cobblestones, the broken bottles, broken cars and hearts
Too little sleep and too much drink
Combined to leave no room to think
But we think we think we know....

Four in the morning and a date with destiny
He left that light so late that he was way too early
It was a shiny red Impala, and the sight is with me still
He flew right through that windshield and was impaled upon the grill


(Chorus)
And we think we think we know
Think we’ll hear the footsteps
Think we’ll know it’s time to go
We think we think we know

Well, his mom was from Missouri, so he had the attitude
She left him in Ohio, and he had oh so much to prove
Never was the pretty boy, had to fight to hold his own
Desperate blood was in his eye and he left it on the chrome


(Chorus)

(Bridge)
Most of us get everything we need when we are born
We start out healthy, big, and strong, and still manage to ignore
Don’t take what’s freely given and try to make it any more
And I'm thinkin' we're all so surprised when the Mover slams the door


Dried blood is so much darker than bright cherry paint
And it stains the cobblestone
Here's hopin' he's still on his game
And that he finally made it home

(Chorus + chorus)

It happened down on Western Blvd.

The Libertarian Folksinger's Lament

Several years ago, from the last row of a John Gorka show, but written for Fred Eaglesmith.

The Libertarian Folksinger's Lament - (Get My Way)

I’m fairly certain it can’t be my pretty face
And my taste except for music is just way too commonplace
….To suit you
My dress is not androgynous
I don’t cater to that new-age fuss you make….
Aww, that pretty fluff you take

But I’m happy jus’ to be here
And you know I came to play
And I know that we can get along
If you would only, let me…. get my way

My politics aren’t where you think they have to be
I’m jus’ plain full of antisocial tendencies
My friends are all annoying; forgive if I offend you all by toying
With your genteel sensibilities

(Bridge)
My girlfriend’s lookin’ way too tough,
My lyrics are not sweet enough to sell you
And I paid the band in cash
And they are out there gittin’ trashed
An’ if you think they drink too much, well….
Jus’ let me tell you….

But I’m happy jus’ to be here
And you know I came to play
And I know that we can get along
If you would only, let me…. get my way

I’m here because I heard your towers call to me
From your ivy-covered eyes and universities
Adversity is hard to see, empowered tho’ you be
When your crystal’s on the fritz
It takes some balls to be….

Happy jus’ to be here
An’ you know I came to play
And I know that we can get along
If you would only, let me…. get my way

© 2004 - D. Dain

The Road Of Good Intentions -- John Gorka

The Road Of Good Intentions


I wish to point out that the "Religious Right" (which I thought used to include me, but doesn't now, even though I am a Christian - i.e.: Follower of Jesus) has been thoroughly, almost universally duped. I say this as I watch my brother (one of the finest Christian men I know) watch Bill Blowhard O'Reilly.

It's amazing what a few promises will do. Just because a guy says he's against killing babies doesn't make he or his cadre of "neocons" fit to guard the borders, run the economy, and stave off the inevitable (he's hastening it, but he don't know it -- obviously going to the wrong Bible classes) in the ME.

Viewing things purely from the practical side, I would like to point out that our preemptive strike has so far cost us approx. four times the money it would take to seal US north and south borders and pay N.Guard to patrol them for the next ten years. Or five years, if we want to spend the savings on a LOT more smart bombs (I recommend it - but smart bombs cost more than soldiers, evidently).

‘Course maybe in the end it’ll be worth it. Maybe they'll stick some factories in Iraq that will sell things to Wal-Mort at “always low prices.... Always." That'll be worth it.

Our problem, as Americans, is when we stopped acting as a "country" and started acting as an "empire". And we all know what eventually happens to empires, don't we....

Personally, I don't think we have much time. Gonna be a tough little go before the even tougher 7 years.


The Road Of Good Intentions -- by John Gorka

there's addition and subtraction
but division over all
hope once in fluid motion
is slowed behind a crawl

oh, the images are strong
and the words are pretty good
but there's more fiction out of washington
than out of hollywood

on the road of good intentions
all gets justified to hell
the price revealed in stories
too short, too sad, to tell

is this permanent improvement
through abbreviated lives
or another tragic venture
shocking when the bill arrives

by the rubble where the house was
there are markers in the dirt
children with no need of freedom
they can no longer be hurt

on the road of good intentions
all gets justified to hell
the price revealed in stories
too short, too sad, to tell

and the soldiers and their families
with life and limb they pay
while the ones who sent them marching
get to dance the night away

i always come back to the soldiers
with their courage and ideals
i've seen them smoking in the airports
there's no telling how it feels

on the road of good intentions
all gets justified to hell
the price revealed in stories
too short, too sad, to tell

New Band Name List....

New Band Names


Prompted by Andy Whitman's Blog "Razing the Bar", here are a few possibilities:


"Bump and The Skin Tags"

"The Preemptive Balls"

"Over the Little Hocking" (Obscure covers of already obscure "Over The Rhine" songs)

"70% Off"

"Red-Neck Pickup Truck Drivers On Meth"

"The NASCAR Sticker Bunch" (Logo: obviously a t-shirt with large #3 and the statement "Dale died for your party!")

"The Meth Lab" (Logo: pic from rear of 1975 Plymouth Fury with trunk open)

"Call Me Idiot" (Logo: hillbilly riding pig, complete with straw hat and sporting a pitchfork)

"The Additives"

“Walt Mort and The Greeters”

"The Wife-Beaters"

"Cult of Mediocrity"

"Cult Kool-Aid"

"The Phish Sticks" (condensed versions of jam-band songs)

"The Bris Doctors" (Hasidic speed metal versions of klezmer classics)

"Mile High Collagen Blow-Out" (any number of visuals here)

"The Old Lady's Workin' Agin" (actual quote from guy at bar)

My Vote For Best Album Ever!

Just a note.

Because my opinion might be the only one that counts.

Blue Rodeo's "Five Days In July" may well be the best
top to bottom album ever recorded.

For Amy. And the August moon.

Yeah.

"When the Lilacs bloom the Stripers run...."

Here's a little song for spring.

Wrote this one several years ago after listening to
an NPR interview of a Canadian fisherman, and
the first line of the song is a direct quote from the
old guy.

Still play it at art shows, the occasional folk club gig,
in elevators, and at carwashes and Friday afternoon VFW fish fry's.

The saying also works as an indicator for mushroom time,
if you're in southeast Ohio.


Life Goes On


Oh, when the lilacs bloom, that's when the stripers run
And I hear the river callin' me to come and join the fun
Down that short slide into summer
We are the lucky ones


(Chorus)
And Life goes on, we take what we are given
'cause this is Life and this is Love that we are livin'
And Life goes on....


Ah, when I cast my line, I don't expect too much
A simple word, a little fun, and a gentle, lovin' touch
I never knew what Time can do
Until I spent some Love on you....

(Repeat 2nd verse and chorus)

Jaime Brockett and John Gorka -- The short version of my musical Salvation.

Jaime Brockett and John Gorka -- The short version of my Musical Salvation.



Practically everyone who knows me also knows that I am a John Gorka fan. I spread the Gospel of Gorka practically everywhere I go.

After all, I DO know what’s best for you.

I’d like to tell how I met him, for he and his music have had a profound effect on my life.



Here goes.


I actually met John in a social setting before I knew his work. Jaime Brockett, the outlaw-folk legend ("Ballad of the U.S.S. Titanic") who's life seems to continue to provide excellent research material ("Ballad of Jaimie B.", "Blue Chalk", "Always Going Home", etc....) lived for about eight years in my hometown of Lancaster, Ohio.

Jamie introduced me to John (I was just fresh out of college) right about the time of the release of "I Know".

Jaime was a regular at Godfrey Daniels, a coffeehouse/folk club in Bethlehem, PA and John knew him from there. Jaime used to say that he "taught John the ropes", but I like to think that even then John knew inspiration when he met it.

John watches better than anyone I have ever known. It's what makes the songs, I think.

Jaime had a music store in Lancaster and John would stop by occasionally to visit, sometimes on the way to and from gigs.

In those days Jaime was still a regular at many of the folk festivals and, along with my friend Karl Conrad, I was privileged to serve as "roadie". I got to spend a bit of time with John when Jaime opened for him at various gigs and festivals.

Great days.

Through Jaime I met a lot of people that a small town mid-western boy would never have had a chance to meet.

And the boy who ran down the roads in a souped-up Torino, listening to Rush, now has Chris Smither, Bruce Cockburn, Paul Thorn, Todd Snider and the like in his cd player.

Never would have known good music but for Jaime and John.

Talk about Salvation.



-jackscrow