Blue Highway

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