LYRICS
Waiting On a Train by Ross Johnson
My pockets are half empty, my head is always full
Of crazy dreams and things I’ve left undone
Standing on the platform, I leave it all behind
Lift me Flying Scotsman, and take the trouble from my mind
And there’s no ticket back - Only miles of endless track
Only steam and smoke that drift away
It’s a one-way fare, it won’t take me anywhere
But I think it will - waiting on a train
The north it don’t call many, so I travel on my own
And circumstances tell me I might not be back again
There is no destination, there’s only traveling town to town
I hope you’ll always be there, baby, even when I’m not around
‘Cause there’s no ticket back - Only miles of endless track
Only steam and smoke that drift away
It’s a one-way fare, it won’t take me anywhere
But I think it will - waiting on a train
My bag it lies so lightly on my shoulder
An old guitar and penny souvenirs
I could leave it all behind if I were bolder
But they’ve been my best companions through the years
And there’s no ticket back - Only miles of endless track
Only steam and smoke that drift away
It’s a one-way fare, it won’t take me anywhere
But I think it will - waiting on a train
Salthill by Julia Brown
It should be raining, but it isn’t. It should be raining, but it isn’t
The sky was grey this morning. The wind was up this morning,
Guess they lied
We should have been there, but we weren’t
We should have been there, but we weren’t
No time to cut and run. No time to cut and run. Come outside
We wheeled our bicycles along your great uncle’s orchard road
We carved our names—Is it cruel to carve our names into the stone?
I haven’t seen you, so come meet me at the bottom of the Baltic Sea
Where nobody can see our strange rebellion
I can’t promise you rainfall, but I can promise you weather
So I guess you’ll stay in love, and I guess I’ll just stay insane
Looks like you’re leaving, so come pack up your umbrella
Just in case you travel somewhere where the clouds are more obliging
I won’t try and stop you, I just wish that you would leave me
In the morning, not before
It should be raining, but it isn’t. It should be raining, but it isn’t
So we run on down the streets. You know those muddy cobbled streets
The sun and me
I should’ve written, but I haven’t. I should’ve written, but I haven’t
I got your empty postcard. Just one blank picture postcard
From the sea
Solitaire Waltz by Ross Johnson
Well fussin’ n’ fightin’ and losing your head
To trials and troubles and feelings gone bad
There ain’t nothin’ new in this world anymore
Just old acquaintances we all have had
Before - you could find a friend behind every door
We never played solitaire before
We abandoned our trappings and ran in the park
Without a belonging or cent to our name
And we felt just as safe in those huddling crowds
As babies back in mama’s arms once again
Before - you could find a friend behind every door
We never played solitaire before
Well the crowds are all scattered, the people are gone
To cities and country towns all just the same
But a few us stay on the road here to roam
Looking for life in the wind once again
Before - you could find a friend behind every door
We never played solitaire before
I’ll never play solitaire anymore
I’ll find a friend behind every door
The Commander by Julia Brown
It was moonrise over Phaaros when the second engine failed
The fight was nearly over, and the heroes had prevailed
But that one last ship was falling, soon the pilot would be dead
The Commander faced his destiny, and this is what he said:
If I could, I would come home to you
And if you dream, when you dream
I’ll be home with you
Together we’ve seen glory days, together we’ve faced trials
I’d give up half my memories for one more of your smiles
If I could walk away from this, I’d follow where you lead
Though the seven moons are rising, you’re the only light I need
And if I could, I would come home to you
And if you dream, when you dream
I’ll be home with you
I wish that I had known you when I still was young and wild
It seems like I’ve been broken down since you were just a child
A boy alone a-waiting for the squadrons to return
The thought of you surrounds me as the fighter starts to burn
And if I could, I would come home to you
And if you dream, when you dream
I’ll be home with you
You never asked for promises the day we said goodbye
You said, “I can’t love a pilot and expect you not to fly”
But know that you are with me as I draw my final breath
The memory of your laughter sings me softly into death
And if I could, I would come home to you
And if you dream, when you dream
I’ll be home with you. Oh, if I could, I would
Riding Away by Ross Johnson/Julia Brown
Riding away, Riding away
It’s cold on the plains, winter sky steel grey
“Summer will come,” you’d always say
But it took too long, so you just rode away
You said, “I can’t stay”. Riding away
Ground cold as stone, I got wood in the shed
Where my summer tools are asleep in their bed
Your dusty old bike points towards yesterday
No debts to repay. Riding away
Roll the throttle, ease the clutch
Watch you go, but don’t think too much
Lovin’ me is no easy load
Hope you find better down the road
It’s cold on the plains, night sky steel grey
“Comfort will come,” I’d always say
But it got too hard, so you just rode away
You said, “I can’t stay”
No debts to repay. Riding away…
Something About You by Priscilla Thomas
Something about you makes me want to be good to you, baby
Something about you makes me want to be kind
Something about you makes me want to be good to you, baby
So good to you, baby, Just like if you were mine
Something in your smile makes me want to be your best friend
Ah, but something in my heart wants so much more
Is it something in the air makes me so restless all the time?
All the time, Please don’t let it end
When I hear you say my name, it’s like a hurricane
When I see that look in your eyes, I want to see it again and again
Something about you makes me want to be good to you, baby
Something about you makes me want to be oh, so kind
Something about you makes me care so much for you, baby
I care for you, baby, Please be mine
I care for you baby, Please be mine
Josephine by Julia Brown
If you remember, please say “hi” to Josephine
She won’t believe you if you say that you saw me
It’s been a long time since we lay on her front lawn
Waiting for ice cream, hoping that summer would always go on
But it didn’t, it faded away
It’s far too chilly for ice cream today, hey
I went to college, she stayed at home and made
Beds for her husband, children are on the way
Still in the old town, everything’s quiet and news travels slow
Always reminds me of all of the places we said we would go
But I don’t think she cares all that much
I suppose that’s why we fell out of touch
Josephine - Rainfall at sunset’s the prettiest sound
Josephine - How do you run with both heels on the ground?
Josephine - Did you imagine your life without me?
I used to ask her, “Jo, why don’t we run away?”
And then she’d answer, “What would my boyfriend say?”
Girl, if you loved me, we’d have boarded the train and run straight out of town
We would run so fast, kick off from the earth and we’d never come down
But we both knew that people can’t fly
We’d hover a moment, but then fall and die
I never called you, you never asked why
It’s just ‘cause I’m no good at saying goodbye
Shack Out Back by Priscilla Thomas
I’m tired of livin’ in the shack out back of your heart
You don’t want me around, then you don’t like to be apart
You won’t let me in, you won’t let me go
Now I’m out here poundin’ on your big front door
I’m tired of livin’ in the shack out back of your heart
She left you in the dirt so long ago
That cute little rich girl with the right shade of hair
She was the one who could take you to the top
I guess what you saw wasn’t really there
You told me once I was your real love
And all you wanted was just a little fun
And if I’d bide my time for just a little while
You’d be back in my arms, soon as you were done, but now
I’m tired of livin’ in the shack out back of your heart
You don’t want me around, then you don’t like to be apart
You won’t let me in, you won’t let me go
Now I’m out here poundin’ on your big front door
I’m tired of livin’ in the shack out back of your heart
Your friends got the money, cars and lots of class (ya gotta get it somewhere)
Clever conversation, you gotta stay primed for that (that’s such hard work, baby)
You come ‘round after they’re all done with you (it don’t take too long)
When the sexy girls sashay on to someone new (ain’t that a shame)
I been sittin’ out here with your boat and the cast-off chairs
Keepin’ the heat on and your fridge full of beer
But if your palace ain’t for me, my simple love ain’t for you
And I’ll catch the next bus right out of here, because
I’m tired of livin’ in the shack out back of your heart
You don’t want me around, then you don’t like to be apart
You won’t let me in, you won’t let me go
Now I’m out here poundin’ on your big front door
I’m tired of livin’ in the shack out back of your heart
Yeah, I’m tired of livin’ in the shack out back
Better watch out, ‘cause my bags are packed
Tired of livin’ in the shack out back of your heart, yeah (Bye bye, baby)
Sara by Julia Brown
Sara walks out on the ice late at night
She looks for the spots that’ll hold her
She’s wearing no coat and she carries no light
Her figure’s obscured by a flurry of white
I’m on the shoreline to call her back home
And she’d never survive on her own
No she’d never survive on her own
Sara makes bets with the guys at the bar
She drinks all the shots they can serve her
She gives out her number and fights with the jerks
She’s sweaty and sloppy, but somehow it works
I’m in the back watching over her phone
And she’d never survive on her own
No she’d never survive on her own
Sara takes off for New York on a train
She tells me she’s got an audition
She’s there for a week but has no place to stay
She outright refused when I offered to pay
I’m in the doorway watching rain turn to snow
And she’ll never survive on her own
No she’ll never survive on her own
Sara’s been gone for a couple of months
She got a shit job in Manhattan
She has no insurance and barely makes rent
She hasn’t replied to the letters I’ve sent
I’m in the bar getting drunk all alone
And she’ll never survive on her own
No she’ll never survive on her own
No she’ll never survive on her own
Between The Lines by Ross Johnson
I draw the buildings on the square
Ink on paper straight and clear
Scenes of the old town for twenty pounds a sheet
In perspective, true to form
Precision I have gained through time
With my ruler, pad and pen I measure every line
I looked up, I saw things that I cannot explain
Shapes and forms and colors I cannot name
I looked up, I saw strange and beautiful signs
Moving between the lines
You wandered in to see the square
A bright bandana held your hair
I thought the shops were all you’d see
When you entered in my view
At first I feared to sketch from heart
Free of structure, a lover’s art
It felt so odd but just a start. You opened up my eyes
I looked up, I saw things that I cannot explain
Shapes and forms and colors I cannot name
I looked up, I saw strange and beautiful signs
Moving between the lines
I draw your face in memory,
A smile, a curve so dear to me
You nudged my hand and set it free
From a life of rigid line
You broke me out of my cold frame
My pictures they just aren’t the same
You get the credit and the blame. For how I feel today
I looked up, you were smiling at me in the rain
Shapes and forms and colors I cannot name
I looked up, I saw strange and beautiful signs
Moving between the lines, Moving between the lines
City Kids by Ross Johnson
Do what the city kids do…
You could hear it every night on the radio
Coming through now loud and clear
You could see it on the cover of the magazines
What the city kids all wear every day
Boys in black leather jackets and cuban heels,
And a brand new pair of shades
Girls in bright colored stockings with their painted nails
Made it seem like a parade, or a picture show
Way off on the horizon, you could see the city lights
Come shinin’ through, so we’d do - do what the city kids do
Well I think about leaving nearly everyday
Headin’ for the lights of town
But my momma and my poppa they said, “Stay away
Cause it’ll only bring you down – somehow”
When I get up in the morning and I do my chores
I got a lot of chores to do
I couldn’t help thinkin’ there was something more
That the city kids get to – but that’s not me, no
Well it all seemed so appealing, made my senses spin
Some call it style, so we’d do - do what the city kids do
I’m spinning old vinyl on my stereo,
Thinkin’ ‘bout times long ago
Playin’ old rock’n roll on the radio
As I fed cows and shoveled snow, yeah
Twenty years in the city working second shift,
The sky is gray and the streets are black
I wished I could go back to my old hometown
But there ain’t no going back, ‘cause it’s all gone
It was better as a daydream, so grand from far away
It pulls you through, so you do - do what the city kids do
A Mighty Ocean by Priscilla Thomas
Drifting in the midnight clouded waters
I dreamed a sea of waiting sons and daughters
Waiting for a brand new day with skies of blazing blue
And crystal rivers flowing through the trees
Some of them woke in a jailhouse, some on a fire-scorched plain
Some woke to burning hunger, all of them calling my name, saying,
“Where is that sparkling river? Where is that peaceful land
Of storied days when we were strong and free?”
I said, “It’s not my problem, I never asked for this
The parasites won’t loose their grip, I’m helpless to resist
Too small to fight the hatred and the greed that they have fed”
When a small voice said, “Grandmother, tell me what the legend said”
That a single drop of rain falls in vain on dry ground, a million drops make a mighty ocean
A single drop of rain falls in vain on dry ground, a million drops make a mighty ocean
A mighty ocean
Will you just be one more silent witness?
Will you stand, or will you only beg forgiveness?
I went down to board that midnight train of justice
I looked around, and I felt so alone
So I called out to the conductor, saying, “What can one human do?” She said,
“Stand up, speak out loud, and bring your sisters and your brothers along”
‘Cause a single drop of rain falls in vain on dry ground (stand up),
a million drops make a mighty ocean (speak out loud)
A single drop of rain falls in vain on dry ground, a million drops make a mighty ocean
A mighty ocean (X8)
Starting Over by Julia Brown
Pack up what you got, you’re moving ‘cross the country
Looking for a home and a point of view on God
Roll the windows down, but wait to look behind you
Wait ‘til the sun hits the skyway
Every city sounds the same
The day you arrive and the day you leave
Even when you’re far away
You’ll carry the gifts that you’ve received
Can’t help slowing down, construction ‘round Chicago
Go twenty-five for miles, stuck behind a cattle trailer
It’s kinda nice to see the city and the country
Not a bad way to spend Sunday
Open road goes rushing by
You sing along to the highway roar
Take a moment with this skyline
Echoes of where you’ve been before
Night is black as coal, you’re somewhere in Ohio
Took a turn off course, now the radio’s gone quiet
She says, “It’s just our luck to get stuck in Amish country”
Might as well wait ‘til the morning
From a farm a distant song
You sit on the hood, feel the engine heat
These folks found where they belong
And, sooner or later, so will we
Noon is hot and long on the Pennsylvania Turnpike
End is comin’ near and you think you might regret it
Then she takes your hand, and a cooler wind starts blowing
Home is a thing that can travel
Starting over’s not for cowards
Haul your roots to a ground that’s new
Watch the sky break into showers
Just as the city comes in view
Barrel Flash is:
Julia Brown, Ross Johnson, Priscilla Thomas
Featuring:
Mandy Fassett – violin, viola, cello
Reid Kruger – drums and percussion:
Alayna Jacqueline Barnes, Will Dierenfield, Rob Pieh, Lauren Piper, Zoë Rodine — backing vocals
Recording, Editing and Mastering by: Reid Kruger, Waterbury Music + Sound, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. www.waterburymusic.com
©2022 Barrel Flash
