Get all 14 Jeff Black releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of 20th Century Recordings 1990-1991, A Walk In The Sun, Folklore, B-Sides And Confessions, Vol. 2, Plow Through The Mystic, Christmas Sunshine, Mining, Sleepy Town, and 6 more.
1. |
Needed The Rain
03:30
|
|||
|
Needed The Rain
rained a little
then it rained a little more
then a big ol’ thunderstorm
come a knocking at my door
before I got my boots on man
she’d done passed through town
really left me reeling
and some old trees laying down
got me wondering where that
blue sky was hiding
the fields were taking on
her latest refrain
dogs were barking down there
at the end of their chain
there's a new moon rising
but he's pretty hard to see
a little change in the atmosphere
put the change on me
got me wondering about
this big rock shaking
what with all of these
new thoughts I’m thinking
worry never served me well
like staying in a cheap hotel
you’re stuck there in that little place
and there just ain’t no space
to change your mind
no space to change your mind
pulled out my harpoon
I signed for the bill
left my troubles laying down
there on the windowsill
old black crow flying
hey you’re a friend of mine
meet me at the rising
and the red sky line
way on out there where
that big sun is breaking
what with all of these
new thoughts I’m thinking
worry never served me well
like staying in a cheap hotel
and though my boat was sinking
all I know is that we needed the rain
|
||||
2. |
Stumbling
04:50
|
|||
|
Stumbling
I didn't know what to believe
before the day that I became
aware of this world and likely as not
God and I we were robbing the same train
then I realized it's not some creed
but how I feel in my own skin
that gave me cause to follow my heart
to begin to begin again
I don't feel bad about stumbling around
I don't even give it a second thought
because ain't that how we all find
what we really want
what we really want
a handful of days a walk in the sun
the weight of the light upon my face
a few precious moments alone with my love
a calliope song through the garden gate
I looked through the papers, the balcony stairs
bottles of booze the smoke and the wine
every single solitary place you'd find a fool
while I was wearing it well well well
right here all the time
|
||||
3. |
Until I Learn How To Fly
04:02
|
|||
|
Until I Learn How To Fly
I’d like to start at the beginning
when the world was turning slow
Little Medicine Creek is rolling easy
through summer fields of green and gold
I can see you running barefoot mama
dancing down the hill
along the fencerow where
the garden is growing
with the blackbird and the whippoorwill
it’s such a bittersweet farewell for now
and since I don’t know how to say goodbye
I’ll just keep on kicking this stone down the road
until I learn how to fly
have we not been here forever
have we not seen everything
every footstep so familiar to me
are you changing skies on a bluebird’s wing
What I would not give for one more day
or to see through those hazel eyes
from above the sky
before the stars
fade away
I’ve been dreaming about a Catherine wheel
lighting up the night
diamond sparks in a ribbon of smoke
disappearing in a ring of fire
it’s such a bittersweet farewell for now
and since I don’t know how to say goodbye
I’ll just keep on kicking this stone down the road
until I learn how to fly
until I learn how to fly
|
||||
4. |
Machine
03:37
|
|||
|
Machine
I got a decent education
kicking an old bass drum
trouble seemed to find me easy
in my little town when I was young
I’ve got some work in Kansas City
I’m going to need that gasoline
oh lord hope you forgive me
for getting caught up in that machine
high tension steel around me
I was drawn in to the cause
with a blade the drill the oil spill
all of mother natures laws
I’ve got some work in Kansas City
so I’m going to need that gasoline
I hope that you forgive me
for getting caught up in that machine
Oh I I’d like to change the world
I’d like to hit on that high road
but unbelievable refractions
distorted everything I know
there’s men walking on this planet
who are lucky to be alive
because I’m a gentleman with a lot to lose
the only reason they survive
I’ve got some work in Kansas City
I’m going to need that gasoline
oh Lord I hope you forgive me
for getting caught up in that machine
Oh I want to change the world
I want to hit on that high road
I want to walk the streets of heaven
but I don’t want to sell my soul
|
||||
5. |
Satisfied
03:49
|
|||
|
Satisfied
So you wrote it down
and the wish came true
you're wondering now
who they were talking to
so you check the time
because the play ran long
and you just don't know
if that's where you belong
may the stray dogs offer
you a place to rest
and comfort in your claim
there at the turn of the clover
when you place your bets
oh you're on your way again
Are you satisfied
are you satisfied
did you ever get your answer
or did you let it slide
are you satisfied
so you’re headed out
for a little more
perhaps a cut above
what you settled for
do not despair
you are not alone
there's a number of us
on our way back home
may the stray dogs offer
you a place to rest
and comfort in your claim
there at the turn of the clover
when you place your bets
you're on your way again
are you satisfied
are you satisfied
did you ever get your answer
or did you let it slide
are you satisfied
you chase your hat down Fannin street
like it might help you play the blues
though it never fit you well
it’s one you hate to lose
and the wind keeps blowing
it just keeps on rolling
and you go there knowing
that there’s nothing here to prove
may the stray dogs offer you a place to rest
yes I will see you once again
though I may not look or sound the same
you'll know who I am
|
||||
6. |
Calliope Song
04:38
|
|||
|
Calliope Song
there used to be a little dancer
running fast down through my day
you can tell me not to worry
but she’s been gone a long long time
no lens or magic camera
could capture or replace
the way we used to feel
down on this side of the line
will I never get to play you
my calliope song
will I forever be reminded
one might never right a wrong
I know you’re out there
twisting turning churning in the blue
do right by me darling
I was true to you do right by me darling
I was true to you
in a dirty bombed out basement
full of Reagan devotees
jacking my redemption
and pissing on my name
hangs a picture of my old friend
who forgives everyone but me
I guess science and religion
always need a poor boy they can blame
from the first light out the window
honey you’ve been free to fly
I can’t make you love me
I won’t even try
|
||||
7. |
How To Save The World
05:28
|
|||
|
How To Save The World
you wake up early in the morning
break your back to make your bed
you get the coffee boiling, Black
whatever it takes to clear your head
then you walk to the window
with your thoughts to meet the day
you count your blessings boy
then you best get the hell out the way
then you learn to forgive
and you forgive it all
because the hate
just leaves you cold, cold
and you forgive yourself
because you’re not a fool
and now you can’t say you didn’t know
how to save the world
how to save the world
it’s a bitter pill to take
and pride she go down slow
iand n those small hours turning late
you’re learning how to let it go
then you hear the children laughing louder
and you know you’ve got a decent start
you spend more time listening now
than trying to break your own heart
you take a deep breath
let it out slow
turn the key
and you let it roll
|
||||
8. |
The End
03:22
|
|||
|
The End
Jehovah’s witness knocking at my door
they want to know when the suffering will end
I had to ask them when they thought it started
yeah we've all got some place to begin
baby's born and she starts crying
Mom and Daddy they just disappeared
now I’m working for the broken hearted
do you ever wonder where you’ll be next year
look at that sky
that ain’t blue
that’s just how she does
when the light shines through
there is no truth
in the end
love, it’s only love
old friend
now they want to know if I believe
and if I died today where might I go
hell I suppose but I’m not afraid
I got something good cooking on the stove
now I’m leaning on your understanding
and how so many different roads will take us home
better keep a good sense of humor handy
for when you get outside your safety zone
look at that sky
that ain’t rain
that's just angels flying
from lake Pontchartrain
there is no truth
in the end
love, it’s only love
old friend
there are no stars
in the sky
that’s just ancient light
from days gone by
there is no truth
in the end
love, it’s only love
old friend
love, it’s only love
old friend
|
||||
9. |
The Best I Can Do
03:04
|
|||
|
The Best I Can Do
we need a river
we need a meadow
we need wildflowers now
lightning bugs and little whispers
and a clear way out of this crowd
I’ve got a feeling I could lean on you
can’t hold the television
newspapers or religion
or rumors on the radio
with much regard for any
true information lately
or inspiration for my soul
I’ve got a feeling now though
I’m getting through
remember the reasons
and us laughing out loud
I believe there’s more out there than
what we’re finding now
I’ve been searching
I’ve been longing for that one quiet day
when the sun fell softly upon our bodies
and we weren’t trying to fly away
I won’t try explaining the changes you own
and you don’t know what I’m going through
but for changing my life
I’m thanking you now
that’s the best I can do
that’s the best I can do
|
||||
10. |
||||
|
Always On My Way Back Home
last time I was in Chicago
I said goodbye to my old friend
I sang a song there for the gathering
then I disappeared again
Illinois in August
left a bad taste in my mouth
so I set my sites on Shiloh
and my little home down south
so I won’t always feel like I’m waiting
so I won’t always feel like I’m so long gone
I keep you here with me
in my little book of dreams and
I’m always on my way back home
I think children are the bravest soldiers
in any war that I’ve ever known
they stand and smile and hold your hand
while the bad guys drop the bomb
then they run laughing down through the ruins
to find a better way
and the best that you can hope for
is that they remember you someday
I appreciate your kindness
and the northern star last night
these lines out on the highway
and the time to make it right
thank you for the music
and the family reserve
thank you for this life
and so much more than I deserve
|
||||
Jeff Black
Jeff Black -
“His words and voice hold down center stage with a craft so deeply in the
artistic pocket that it obscures anything outside.” - No Depression
"The tradition of an artist delivering songs that are damn near perfectly crafted and filled with the wisdom of the ages."
Jedd Beaudoin | PopMatters
... more
If you like Jeff Black, you may also like:
I Recall Standing As Though Nothing Could Fall
by Matthew Ryan / Strays Don't Sleep / PINES
supported by 5 fans who also own “A Walk In The Sun”
go to album
Boxers
by Matthew Ryan / Strays Don't Sleep / PINES
supported by 4 fans who also own “A Walk In The Sun”
Matthew Ryan is brilliant. The fact that he is not better known is criminal. May Day is spectacular, so is East Autumn Grin and Regret Over The Wires. Boxers successfully captures the spirit and grit of those albums, which in my opinion, are his best. Please keep making these fabulous albums Mr.Ryan!
go to album
Collaborating remotely with 12 songwriters from all over the world, Kim Edgar emerged with a work of striking art pop.
go to album
Into the Depths of Hell
by Joshua Burnside
Joshua Burnside uses field recordings, drone, delay and spoken-word sample to modernize traditional Irish music.
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Oct 6, 2020
go to album
This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music.
go to album
House and Land
by House and Land
House and Land offer a stirring take on classic Appalachian folk; this is delicate, heartfelt balladry.
go to album
