Song Lyrics

Somewhere Far Away: Silver Anniversary Album
Rounder Records, Aug 2, 2019.
1. Both Ends of the Train
(Tim Stafford-Steve Gulley/Daniel House Music, BMI-Gulley's Curve Music,BMI)
I roomed with him in Rockville in 1925
He was doing life and I was doing time
His memory drifted back when he was most alive
When Frank and Jesse James were in their prime
He was a corporal, fought the Kiowa and Sioux
From Sulphur Springs to Kansas clay
Ran into trouble when his soldier days were through
Ended up a thousand miles away
Don’t waste fond words or sad goodbye
Lay me down on the wide open plain
Out beneath the quilted sky
Where I can see both ends of the train
He said I saw the Buffalo, the herds would last for days
Back before the railroad came
Now it’s all moved on without me but I miss the older ways
And I know it can never be the same
They buried him at Rockville and his kind won’t rise again
I hope his soul can find some rest
To the world he’s long forgotten, but to me he was a friend
I still recall his last request
2. Somewhere Far Away
(Shawn Lane-Gerald Ellenburg/Cat Town Music-BMI, Wadako Publishing-BMI)
Have you ever been left all alone like a child
No one happens your way
People stare through you as they pass you by
As they hurry along through their day
In the busy courtyard there the green grass you’ll find
Water flows cool o’er the vine
Pennies shine bright as they glare in the sun
And they happen to be mostly mine
Happen to be mostly mine
Have you ever tried to see all the stars in the sky
Looking up through the big city lights
An empty street gives you a chill in your soul
As a page of the paper blows by
A little bird makes this big city his home
He could leave but he chooses to stay
You wish you could ask him to borrow his wings
And fly somewhere far away
Fly somewhere far away.
3. Dear Kentucky
(Shawn Lane-Gerald Ellenburg/Cat Town Music-BMI, Wadako Publishing-BMI)
I miss the homeplace on the hillside
And the smell of apple blossoms in the air
I miss daddy’s stories by the fireside
And my momma’s voice as she kneeled in prayer
I’m leaving tonight for dear Kentucky
Where wild roses bloom this time of year
I can feel the April sun shining on me
As I walk the fertile ground I love so dear
Is the corn still growing in the meadow
Where Miller plowed the ground in early spring
Are the dogs still running through the red oaks
I’m going back to live that way again
I long to see sweet Angelina
I wonder if she still remembers me
It’s been many years since I’ve seen her
In my heart there’s a place she’ll always be
I’m leaving tonight for Dear Kentucky
Where wild roses bloom this time of year
I can feel the summer sun shining on me
As I walk the fertile ground I love so dear
4. In Texas Tonight
(Tim Stafford-Bobby Starnes/Daniel House Music, BMI-It Says What It Says Music,BMI)
He’s out on the prairie tonight, headed for Austin
She worries about him alone, and prays for him often
She said don’t cover your tracks
So you can find your way back
Not a cloud in the sky as the coyote cries in the distance
In Texas tonight
He camped for the night on the banks of the big Brazos River
And he dreamed of his wife back at home and the life he would give her
He said it wouldn’t be long
Until these hard times are gone
He hums a sweet tune as the gold harvest moon slowly rises
In Texas tonight
No one can say what will be
In life there’s no guarantees
Somewhere on the prairie tonight, this side of Austin
She worries about him alone, and prays for him often
She’ll dream of love without end
Until she sees him again
Not a cloud in the sky as the coyote cries in the distance
In Texas tonight
5. Cochise County
(Tim Stafford-Bobby Starnes/Daniel House Music, BMI-It Says What It Says Music,BMI)
He was born near Hale Missouri
On the day that Vicksburg fell
And heaven hath no fury
like a boy raised up in hell
He heard about Frank and Jesse
And how they robbed to feed the poor
But he robbed to suit his pleasure
and killed for nothing more
Chorus
Dead or alive read his bounty
30 notches on his gun
The meanest man in Cochise County
picked the wrong place to run
Riding out to California
Where no law had heard his name
Near the bright San Pedro Valley
Like a moth drawn to a flame
He hired with Johnny Ringo
Curly Bill and Texas Jack
He loaned his soul to the devil
But he'll never get it back
6. Orville's Webb
(Jason Burleson / Terrible Two's Music-BMI)
Instrumental.
7. Ain't No Better, Ain't No Worse
(Wayne Taylor-Tim Stafford/Forty WAT Music-BMI, Daniel House Music-BMI)
Another day just like the last
I can see my future living in the past
Same ol’ chapter, different verse
Ain’t No Better, Ain’t no worse
Ain’t getting no younger, least I’m getting older
Got the weight of the world on my shoulders
Need to put my problems up on the shelf
stop feeling sorry for myself
You’re a young man, all you got is time
That’s what I thought when I was in my natural prime
Keep digging that hole, one day you’ll see
Buddy You’ll wind up just like me
8. A Place I've Never Seen
(Shawn Lane-Gerald Ellenburg/Cat Town Music-BMI, Wadako Publishing-BMI)
9. I Already Do
(Tim Stafford-Steve Gulley/Daniel House Music, BMI-Gulley's Curve Music,BMI)
1) He could tell the car was comin' from the dust a mile away
He climbed down off the tractor, without too much to say
A handshake and a promise of riches he'd never seen
He said "My Daddy bought this land when he was seventeen."
2) The man in the suit just smiled and said "I don't think you understand."
If you just sign these papers, you'll be a wealthy man
Buy a mansion on a hilltop, Just enjoy the view
The old man looked out in the distance and said, "I already do"
CH) The wind still blows the fields of corn where we worked when I was young
I still smell the honeysuckle, taste the water on my tongue
In my eyes, the skies are always Carolina blue
You say I could live anywhere I want,
I already do
3) He climbed back on his Farmall, watched big money drive away
He still had things to do and it was way up in the day
He wiped the sweat out of his eyebrows, Cut a chew of King Bee Twist
Never gave another thought to all the things he might have missed
TAG) If you have a life that's simple, someone whose love is true
You hope one day to have it all, but You already do
10. Life Song
(Shawn Lane/Cat Town Music-BMI)
11. I Can't Think of One
(Wayne Taylor-Ronnie Bowman/Forty WAT Music-BMI, William Franklin Publishing-BMI)
12. That Sounds More Like Heaven to Me
(Wayne Taylor/Forty WAT Music-BMI)

Original Traditional
Rounder Records, Sept 9, 2016.
* 2017 GRAMMY Nomination - Best Bluegrass Album
* 2017 IBMA Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year Nomination ~ Hallelujah
* Number # 1 Album on Roots Music Report and Bluegrass Unlimited Charts
* Two # 1 Songs on Bluegrass Today Chart
* Number # 6 Album on the RMR Top Bluegrass Album Chart for the Year 2017
2. If Lonesome Don't Kill Me
(Tim Stafford-Bobby Starnes/Daniel House Music, BMI-It Says What It Says Music,BMI)
Chorus
The whiskey's for the hard times
From here it's all uphill
So if lonesome don't kill me
Maybe the whiskey will
Maybe the whiskey will
Verse
Well she left me without warning
Packed it up and gone
She'll hit Galax by morning
Time for moving on
Fare thee well, so long
Verse
Well you know This ain't my first time
and she won't be the last
All I need is a reason
George Dickel And a glass
it's coming on me fast
Verse
I'll be over her tomorrow
But hurtin just the same
Cause tonight I'm drowning sorrow
And blowing out a flame
Just like a hurricane
2. Last Time I'll Ever Leave This Town
(Tim Stafford-Jon Weisberger/Daniel House Music, BMI-Use Your Words Music,BMI)
Chorus
I'm leaving this town for the last time
Don't look for me cause I won't be around
I should have been smarter the first time
It's The last time I'll ever leave this town
Verse
The first time was only a warning
Trouble's coming down the line
It moved in to stay come the morning
So I'm leaving this cold town behind
Verse
I'm wishin' that I'd never met her
And wonderin' if I'll ever learn
The next time is bound to be better
One day it's gonna be My turn
9. Wilkes County Clay
(Tim Stafford-Bobby Starnes/Daniel House Music, BMI-It Says What It Says Music,BMI)
Verse
In North Carolina, in the County of Wilkes
There's a tale of deception, murder and guilt
I'll spare no compassion, the truth I will tell
Let God alone judge me, this side of hell
Verse
Miss Annie and Laura, the fairest of fair
Cast a spell on all suitors, with beauty so rare
One was jealous, the other naive
One planned to marry, one to deceive
Chorus
Tom won't you play your fiddle?
play a joyful song
Don't worry about tomorrow
Cause tomorrow you'll be gone
Verse
Annie said Laura, Tom said to me
Meet him on the hillside neath the sycamore trees
just after midnight this last day of May
Go to him Laura, and both run away
Verse
She hid like a panther in the black of the night
and killed Laura Foster with a bone handle knife
She buried her body in a cold shallow grave
along with her secret, in the Wilkes County clay
Verse
Now Sheriff Bob Grayson was a hard jealous man
All that he wanted was young Laura's hand
His heart was broken, his head full of rage
when he blamed Tom Dula, not a question was raised
Verse
In the village of Statesville, his case quickly tried
He spoke not a word, in defense of his life
They hung him by the neck on the last day of June
And His final request was an old fiddle tune
11. She Ain't Worth It
(Tim Stafford-Steve Gulley/Daniel House Music, BMI-Gulleys Curve Music,BMI)
1) Thought I'd give it one more try
But she was setting me up to say goodbye
Just like this teardrop in my eye
she ain't worth it
2) Picked mysef up off the floor
Watched her walk right out the door
Reached for my old 44
but she ain't worth it
3) But that was a long time ago
Now I've taught myself just to let it go
Just sit and bathe in the afterglow
Cause she ain't worth it
CH) She ain't worth the worry man
Better get out now while you can
Get that girl off your mind
boy that reason ain't got no rhyme
Ain't no need to waste your time
she ain't worth it
4) Every day a brand new fight
She'll break your heart just for spite
Something here don't add up right
She ain't worth it
5) You might think I had it made
but you don't know the price I paid
Let's just call a spade a spade
boys she ain't worth it
6) Before the ring was off her hand
She was making plans with another man
I hope by now you understand
She ain't worth it

The Game
Rounder Records, January 2014.
* Nominated for 2014 IBMA Album of the Year
* Nominated for 2014 IBMA Song of the Year - The Game
* Reigned at #1 for 7 months on the Bluegrass Unlimited Album Chart (Jun-Dec 2014)
* Named the #1 Bluegrass Album of the Year by critic Daniel Mullins in his end of the year Top 20 Albums of 2014 list in Bluegrass Today.
2. Remind Me of You
(Tim Stafford-Craig Market/Daniel House Music, BMI-Drop D Publishing, BMI)
I started slowly like I always do
Day old coffee at the crack of noon
I found your number in the pocket of my pants
The good day I was wishing for never had a chance
Jumped in that pickup that I bought for you
Guess they don't make 'em like they used to do
Turned on the radio and much to my surprise
There ain't no way you know, to Hide Your Lying Eyes
CH) Just like the sun keeps comin up and down
Some memories keep on coming back around
I don't need another reason to believe
Like I need anything reminding me of you
It's always love that turns your head around
It hurts like hell when it comes crashing down
We lost track of right and wrong somehow
Who's to blame and does it matter now?
We had our moment but it's come and gone
A ghost that's haunted me for way too long
I wish that I could close the book, and let the story end
But every time I turn the page, you're turning up again
5. A Change of Faith in Tennessee
(Tim Stafford-Steve Gulley/Daniel House Music, BMI-Gulleys Curve Music, BMI)
V) I used to believe every line, used to hang on every word
girl, If you said it, it was true
Now the things i took for gospel just get more absurd
And the Truth is just another point of view
CH) In Montana, the mountains are forever
blue skies as far as you can see
In California there's no changing of the seasons
But there's been a change of Faith in Tennessee
V) I woke up born again this morning, finally saw the light
And so many other things I couldn't see
a brand new Book of Revelation gave me back my sight
there's been a change of Faith in Tennessee
Br) you were my redemption but the cost was way too high
salvation dont mean nothin til it's free
V) I made my peace with my maker, now I'm ready to move on
Roll the stone across the door
The body of our love is laying in the tomb
Its gone and will rise again no more
7. Church Bell Wedding Blues
(Tim Stafford-Jon Weisberger/Daniel House Music, BMI-Use Your Words Music, BMI)
Walking down the boulevard on a Sunday afternoon
Feeling good right down to my my shoes
Then I heard 'em ringing out, where I'm headin, there's no doubt
I've got the church bell wedding blues
Every time I hear them old bells ring, ring ring
For everybody else its Happy news
But all I hear is another song of how you proved untrue
And I get the church bell wedding blues
Maybe if I blow this town, change my point of view
Some might just give up but I refuse
Put the pedal to the floor just to hear my engine roar
And drive away These Church bell wedding blues
Every time I hear them old bells ring, ring ring
For everybody else it's Happy news
but all I've got is a broken heart and it's left a mighty bruise
Sounds like The church bell wedding blues
Every time I hear them old bells ring, ring ring
For everybody else it's Happy news
But all I hear them telling me is son, you'll never lose
The low and lonesome church bell wedding blues
7. My Last Day in the Mine
(Tim Stafford-Wayne Taylor/Daniel House Music, BMI-Forty WAT Music, BMI)
V1) It's my last day on the job, after forty years of loading coal I knew one day I'd face the end
Seems like only yesterday, a straight backed boy barely twenty one who didn't have to strain to catch his wind
There's a lot of mixed emotions, all the friends and family I've seen come and go down in the hole
And I'm not sure if I'm the kind of man, who can spend all day sitting by himself, slowly growin' old
With a fishin' pole
CH) it's my last day in the mine
I never thought there would come a time
Id never go back underground, lay my dinner bucket down
It's my last day in the mine
V3) the super said to me, today we're gonna keep you off the line, just stay behind
Well I know that's how it goes, but I'd rather throw my marker in the car one last time Would be so fine

Sounds of Home
Rounder Records, 2011
* Nominated for 2012 IBMA Album of the Year
* Nominated for 2012 IBMA Song of the Year - Sounds of Home
* Nominated for 2012 IBMA Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year - Roaring Creek
3. Bluebird Days
(Tim Stafford-Craig Market/Daniel House Music, BMI-Drop D Publishing, BMI)
CH) Bluebird Days, the way I remember them
Fly fly away at summer's end
remember my friend
Till they come around again
1) Frozen in my memory, the day that I met you
I saw the end of winter in a flash of powder blue
Did I hear you say that he was carrying the sky upon his back?
2) Now the nights are getting colder and the days are not so long
I think about you every time I hear that song
I'll be waiting if you find your way back home to me again
5. Heather and Billy
(Tim Stafford-Steve Gulley/Daniel House Music, BMI-Gulleys Curve Music, BMI)
1) Heather and Billy only had one son of their own
But you hardly ever saw him playing all alone
Some were abandoned, some abused, some neglected, others used
But every Monday’s child felt at home, never alone
2) Sad-eyed Samantha, she’s only six years old
But she tells you things a kid should never know
How she cried herself to sleep, and prayed the Lord her soul to keep
It’s a wonder she’s standing here today, God made a way
Br) Never thinking of themselves, just how to care for someone else
A quiet home just never was their style
Can’t say they had a vision, or something more proufound
Truth is they just couldn’t turn ‘em down
3) Heather and Billy, they’re just like me and you
But look a little closer and you’ll learn a thing or two
How to love, how to grieve, How to make yourself believe
When Billy says we’re gonna make it through, we always do
9. If You've Got Something to Say
(Tim Stafford-Jon Weisberger/Daniel House Music, BMI-Use Your Words Music, BMI)
1) Lately you been acting like there's something on your mind
tell me would you like to clear the air
It's hard for me to reach you when you're preoccupied
Honey that won't get you anywhere
CH) But If You've Got Something to Say
Come right out and say it, I'll find out anyway
Don't put off till tomorrow what you oughtta do today
If You Got Something to Say
2) Yesterday you told me that you lost your wedding ring
Today I found it tucked inside your purse
You say that you still love me, Baby that don't mean a thing
Empty words only make it worse
CH) But If You've Got Something to Say
Come right out and say it, I'll find out anyway
Don't let me go on living in this dream of yesterday
If You Got Something to Say
BR) If you really think it's over
You don't need an alibi
I can take the truth but I can't take a lie
TAG) Don't make me wait forever Babe, you know I'm turning gray
If You Got Something to Say
12. Drinking From a Deeper Well
(Tim Stafford-Bob Minner/Daniel House Music, BMI-Missouriboy Music, BMI)
1) Grocery line headlines
all kinds of stop signs
Do it now deadlines
were bringing me down
My way of living
was taking not giving
the art of forgiving
was short in supply
CH) These days I listen
for what I've been missing
Like stories my son wants to tell
I've learned how to slow down
Every day I'm above ground
I'm Drinking from a Deeper Well
2) Today's all we're living
tomorrow's not given
but riches are hidden
in everyday life
So find your own reason
and there'll be a season
keep on believing
and drink till you're full
TAG: sweet inspiration
simple salvation
Drinking from a Deeper Well
