Tracklist
1. Still Walkin (2:58) (lyrics)
2. Spotted Mule (2:39) (lyrics) (Listen)
3. Highway 17 (3:43) (lyrics)
4. Takin Baby Steps (4:31) (lyrics)
5. Good God Man How Big a Car Do You Need? (3:13) (lyrics)
6. Jack of All Trades (3:22) (lyrics)
7. Entertaining an Angel (3:03) (lyrics)
8. Broke (2:44) (lyrics)
9. Not Stubborn Not My Mule (4:09) (lyrics)
10. Old-Tyme Heaven (4:23) (lyrics)
11. Running Down a Dream (2:50)
12. High and Lonesome (4:22) (lyrics)
Still Walkin
A long walk often helps me hash out a song idea, so this seemed an appropriate
topic for the opening track. I love the sound of a dobro. Trading that back
and forth with the harmonica had a nice feel.
I learned to walk on two small feet
Kept on walking to the end of my street
Walked a path that always lead home
til I found the nerve walk on my own
Im still walking
Walked in places where I used to play (but you)
Cant go back everythings changed
Walked down roads I knew I shouldnt
Walked up hills I thought I couldnt
And Im still walking
Walked with people Im glad to have met
Along with a few Id best forget
Im sure Ive had the same effect
A few good breaks, a few regrets
Still walkin
Out walking my dog at the end of her leash
A black and white world is all she sees
Man, I wish it were simple that way
But this whole world is just shades of grey
I wouldnt have it any other way
All I can do until I call it a day
Is keep walking
Im still walking
Im still walking
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Spotted Mule
My wife and I passed this gorgeous brown and white spotted mule on the
way home one day, and she said, You should write about that mule.
This was one of those rare songs that just fell into your lap.
Saw him out on Larkins Farm
Standing in the rain
They take in horses to raise and train
This odd beast was just standing in a field
I think I know how he feels
Spotted mule on Old Adobe Road
Dad was a donkey momma was a roan
Pass him every day on my way back home
Wonder if he feels alone
Hes no Silver or Trigger you see
Wont be in the movies or up on the TV
But if I had my way, Id saddle him and say
Heigh-Yo spotted mule, away
Spotted mule on Old Adobe Road
Pegasus rose from the blood of Medusa
Spotted mules mom was a brown Appaloosa
A mule doesnt breed hes one of a kind
If youre a misfit, friend
Youre a friend of mine
Spotted mule on Old Adobe Road
Yeah, hes unique like you and me
and everyone I know
Wonder if he feels alone
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Highway 17
The scenic, four-lane highway that connects Santa Cruz, California to San
Jose (Silicon Valley) is a hairy experience when youre dodging distracted
drivers, gravel trucks, and motorcycles splitting lanes
even in
the pouring rain.
High-strung yuppie in an SUV
Hits the brakes in front of me
6:00 a.m., highway 17
Motorcycles splittin' lanes
Even in the pourin' rain
People ain't too bright, on highway 17
Out the door in the dark again
First thing in the morning, coffee in hand
Getting ready to make that dreadful drive
See there's this windy road on the way to work
People goin' to fast and they don't even look
While the rest of us wonder if we'll make it back home alive
Gravel truck spittin' rock
The guy behind him cuts me off
Every day on highway 17
There's some guy changing a flat
Everybody slow down - take a look at that
So much to see on highway 17
It's a perfect picture of the human race
There's a chick on the phone
Some guy shaving his face
Once I saw a driver in the fast lane w
Watching TV
We're just going to work
It shouldn't be that hard
You just keep up with traffic
Look out for cars
Everybody play nice
Like when we were three
Porsche passes me at 85
Cop gives his partner a big high five
Pickin em off on highway 17
Horns are honking, cars are rude
Lots of pent-up attitude
Then one day, it all occurred to me
See it took me years to realize
Some people just ain't satisfied
Unless theyre doing all they can to get ahead
So you can drive like an idiot, I dont care
Theyll still have work whenever I get there
Hurry on by - Ill take my time instead
So its up at 5:00 and out the door
Wonder what the hell Im doin this for
But now I have my own philosophy
It aint hard, let people pass
Keep your eyes on the road, stay off my back
We'll survive highway 17
Day after day on highway 17
Got my life in my hands on highway 17
Just get me home, from highway 17
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Takin Baby Steps
This was written for my little cousin Emily, now four years old and way
beyond baby steps.
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Baby Emma
One year old today
See her hit the floor
And crawl away
Finds a sturdy wall
Tries to stand
That kids determined
She has plans
Should be that easy
Forty years down the road
You need somethin done
You just move forward (but)
Things seem difficult
Theyre really not that way
If she could talk
Little Emmad say (just take
)
Baby steps, so you trip and fall (takin)
Baby steps - before you walk, you gotta crawl
If you stop before you start
Thats as far as youll ever get
Everything begins with baby steps
You might feel stuck
Afraid to make a move
Hung up on somethin
In the past that fell through
Might be your daily grind
Fighting against change
You gotta move (but)
Everything remains
(Youre not takin)
Baby steps...
Every baby learns to walk imagine that
Small steps make big ones if you do the math
So walk along beside me
You dont need to crawl
And Ill be there to catch you if you stumble
Or you fall
Im watching Emma
She finally stands
Holding up that wall with her little hands
Takes her first real steps
Her knees shake a bit
Wish I had the courage of that little kid (takin)
Baby steps...
Everything begins with baby steps
Takin baby steps
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Good God Man How Big a Car Do You Need?
I still remember ten years or so back when the Road Ranger was the biggest
thing on the road. Cars have since become huge (the Suburban, the Hummer),
and parking slots have become smaller. For me, it all boils down to the irony
of an off-road vehicle with chrome bumpers.
Heading home
Late at night
Blinded by two white lights
Rear view mirror
All I could see
Big and bright and it was coming at me
Thought I saw a UFO
Tried to run me off the road
A blue Suburban
Seats fifteen
Good God man how big a car do you need?
Theres a Hummer ahead
I just dont understand
Why not just get a Jeep
And then torch eighty grand?
Theyre crowding the highways
Lined up round the block
I wouldnt mind it so much
If theyd just learn how to park
Roads are such a mess
Everybodys compensating
For something I guess
Maybe its ego
Self-esteem
Good God man how big a car do you need?
Good God man how big a car do you need?
When I was younger - cars were cool
We had a 49 Plymouth - and an old Malibu
Now size is all that matters - apparently
Good God man how big a car do you need?
Good God man how big a car do you need?
Im on the highway
Running scared
Just praying I make it from home from here
But Im surrounded
This aint no fun
These mutant station wagons
Now theyre blocking the sun
Not fooling anyone, ya know
Like that Lincoln Navigator
Has ever been off the road
Maybe its ego
Self-esteem
Good God man how big a car do you need?
Thats about the size of it if you ask me
Good God man how big a car do you need?
Good God man how big a car do you need?
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Jack of All Trades
Everyones bounced around from job to job at some point
in their lives. Heres my list.
Ever since I was a little kid
I always wondered what everyone did
Adults so determined to go on their busy way
I hopped around from job to job
Flipping burgers, washing cars
And never had an answer
Whenever somebodyd say
Aint ya got it figured it out, yet?
Whatcha doing when you grow up son?
Well, I dont mind being a jack of all trades
Wish I could master one
I went to college part-time-forever
Teachers asking me if I knew
What I wanted to do
til it made me ill
There were office jobs, assembly lines
I even wrote for Jay Leno one time
But nothing fun ever seemed to pay the bills
Aint ya got it figured it out yet...
I never had any definite plans
But Ive been here long enough
To know that, man
You just work to live
It aint the other way around
Some people chase careers
Neglect everything else
Waste the years
til the only time left
Is when theyre settling into the ground
A wise man once told me this
Jobs come and go, gve it your best
Do an honest days work
Appreciate the people you meet
Ive left some things to chance
But in a hundred years no onell ask
If I became a doctor or wrote my Ph.D.
Aint ya got it figured it out yet...
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Entertaining an Angel
The bulk of this song is true. The ending might be true. Some people believe
that there are angels cleverly hiding among us. If thats true, this
guy was a good candidate.
The sign said hed work for food
I doubted it
he didnt look so good
But I gave him a couple of bucks
like everyone didI turned to walk away
Heard, Bless you son. Have a good day
Then remembered something I learned
When I was a kid
You might be entertaining an angel
When you give some time
To someone you dont know
Entertaining an angel
You might meet one anywhere you go
He said, I could stand here and scream and shout
Nobody sees you when youre down and out
I stayed for awhile - saw it again and again We talked for awhile til
I had to go
Gave him a twenty, but you know
I think he only needed someone to listen to him
You might be entertaining an angel
I dont know where youve been
What you went through or when
But I wont look away
I might need you to look at me someday
I shook his hand as I turned to leave
Still thinking about the angels, and then he
Smiled and said, I
read that in the bible, too Stranger things have happened, son
Never know wholl you meet when you help someone
But that angel
it might be you
You might be entertaining an angel
Yeah, you might meet one anywhere you go
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Broke
This one was an experiment to pull a lot of meaning out of one simple word.
Cant make an omelet
til you break a few eggs
Rooster doesnt crow
Until the breaking of day
Cant get in shape
til you break a little sweat
Yaeger broke the speed of sound
And said You aint seen nothing yet
Sounds funny
But it aint no joke
Some things dont work
Until theyre broke
God made Elvis
And he broke the mold
Sutter broke a rock
And he discovered gold
Gotta break a horse
To ride out on the range
If you never break the rules
Things will never really change
Sounds funny ...
Break a mirror and pay for seven years
Like the superstitious say
Sometimes youll bend until you break
Sometimes you gotta break away
A man dont really pray
Until hes broke down on his knees
To win the race
You gotta break into the lead
til you break a fever
Youre gonna stay in bed
If youre tired and youre hungry
Lets break a little bread
Sounds funny...
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Not Stubborn Not My Mule
After recording Spotted Mule, I learned that stubborn
as a mule was really a myth, I felt the least I could do was document
that in a song.
I have a friend she lives out back
Feed her breakfast from a gunny sack
Strap on our bags, and we hit the road
Theres days ahead and miles to go
Shes not a donkey, not a horse
Theyre one step back in her family tree (of course)
They call her stubborn, but that aint true
Shes not stubborn, not my mule
She has a reputation
Its an exaggeration
She sticks to her own set of rules
You get an honest hardworking day
Shell plow your fields and haul your hay
But shes not stubborn, not my mule
A mules smart - she just dont like change
If it were up to mine
Things would stay the same
But she does the work and dont complain
Like a postman
Through the sun, and snow, and rain
She has a reputation
Cant make a horse whos not thirsty drink
Buy a man a book and he still wont think
Cant count chickens before they hatch through
But my mules a rock
Shes dependable, thats true
She has a reputation
She keeps going til the sun goes down
My mules a good ole girl to keep around
Shes not impulsive she thinks things through
Stick around you might learn a thing or two
She has a reputation
Its an exaggeration
Trust me shes nobodys fool
You get an honest hardworking day
For a handful of grain and a little hay
But shes not stubborn, not my mule
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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Old-Tyme Heaven
When we lost Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, I wanted to write something.
But I didnt want a maudlin hero-worship song. Instead, I wrote a song
about old-tyme gospel music. This song really did start with a dream about
a big ship with gospel music emanating from it.
Climbed onboard a ship last night
I was lost at sea
The sails were trimmed and pearly white
A hand came down to me
Didnt have no money
But a man said come on board
You wont be a wayfaring stranger anymore
Then the music started
And I knew the sound
It was old-time gospel
I was back on solid ground
When I hear those old, old songs
I didint feel alone
We were off to old-tyme heaven
II was going home
(and they sang
)
Ill Fly Away
Lets go Down to the River to Pray
Heading off to Canaans Land
Where the soul of man dont die
In old-tyme heaven the circle lies unbroken
Bye and bye
Saw Mother Maybelle Carter
Daughters by her side
June was holding Johnnys hand
He looks good in white
Mahalia Jackson led the choir
And asked us all to stand
Carter Stanley played along
It was a real live Angel Band
(and they sang
)
Ill Fly Away
Woke up this morning
Old-tyme heaven was a dream
But the captain told me stay on course
A and hell come back for me
Never been a perfect soul
I know Ive sinned
But when I lay me down to sleep for good
I hope my ship comes in
(and Ill sing
)
Ill Fly Away
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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High and Lonesome
The CD concludes with a not-to-serious tale of a boy who almost gets the
girl at a music festival. They meet. They connect. And then he discovers that
things arent meant to be:
Met her at a festival on one hot summer day
Dancin in the meadow
To a bluegrass band onstage
Standing in the beer line, saw her and I knew
The body of an angel, a face like Emmylou
Waded through the tye-dye
An low-back concert chairs
True love within my reach
AsI saw her standing there
Moving past the t-shirt stand
I finally made my way
Walked up beside her
And found the nerve to say
I was high and lonesome
Sad and blue
Just high and lonesome
Until I found you
We talked about the music
And it was clear to me
From Bill Monroe to Newgrass
She knew her history
I was singing sad ole songs
Until I found this girl
A happy man again
I was Sittin On Top of the World
I was high and lonesome
I heard opposites attract
I guess the opposite is true
I told her how I felt, and then I knew
Too sweet to tell me, she took me by the hand
Pointed out her boyfriend
Playing banjo in the band
So Im standing in the grass again
Happens every year
Remembering how I saw her
Standing over here
The music aint the same no more
Its very sad but true
And everytime I hear a banjo
It just gives me the blues
Im high and lonesome
Sad and blue
Just high and lonesome
Darlin without you
Yeah darlin without you
Lyrics copyright 2006 Michael Gaither / MaryLou Tunes / ASCAP
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