The Squirrel Hillbillies, by The Squirrel Hillbillies

The Squirrel Hillbillies

by The Squirrel Hillbillies

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1.	Insane When We're Apart 03:46	lyrics
Insane When We're Apart © 2011 The Squirrel Hillbillies When darkness falls these walls close in on me The old wood floors tip like a ship at sea The leaky faucet drips the rhythm for my heart Seems I go insane when we're apart The telephone it moans when you don't call The clothes you leave behind go traipsing through the hall The mattress and the pillows turn cold and hard Seems I go insane when we're apart Without your hand, I'm out of touch Without your voice, I don't hear much Your burning gaze fills my darkest days with light I hope you bring my senses back tonight When I peer into the mirror there's a face I've never seen My perfume faintly smells of gasoline For comfort, I curl up with a rusty wrecking bar Seems I go insane when we're apart
2.	Omaha 03:36	lyrics	buy track
Omaha © 2011 The Squirrel Hillbillies I found you in the summertime; lost you in the fall You wanted something better and drove off to Omaha Wandering those streets alone, wondering who to call Winter’s not the best time to be lost in Omaha I could have made a life for you much better than it seemed My thinking had all leveled out in the early spring By the time the snow was gone and ice began to thaw I was wishing you were driving back to me from Omaha I still send you letters though I know they’ll be returned Telling you I’m better and not to be concerned About the way you left me here, how you left me in that place Someone who looks a lot like you goes by here everyday Friends who used to know you say you have the life you chose What I have to give you never wanted, I suppose Still sometimes I see myself your rescue from it all But something stops me every time I set out for Omaha
3.	Something Awful 02:52	lyrics	buy track
Something Awful © 2011 The Squirrel Hillbillies The first time I saw you I fell off my bike And I smiled as my head hit the ground You laughed and you asked was I feeling alright I said you turned my world upside down You kneeled at my side and I reached for your hand You frowned but you didn't resist I lifted my head and got ready to stand Then you knocked me back down with a kiss I love you something awful And that's the awful truth My poor heart will break if your love starts to fade Like the strip from that old photo booth The way that you run with the dogs by the lake The notes that you leave by the door You can say all you want about timing and fate But I know what I'm hoping for The look in your eyes when you're looking at me Makes me stumble and step on your toes I will dance with chickens and talk to the trees If it means that you'll never let go I love you something awful And that's the awful truth My poor heart will break if your love starts to fade Like the strip from that old photo booth
4.	The Carny 04:23	lyrics	buy track
The Carny © 2012 The Squirrel Hillbillies The carny came in wagons, set up at the edge of town Ropes and cables tangled on the ground Creaky wooden stages and saggy little tents A crooked sign that advertised, “Admission 50 cents” By the time the people from the factory headed home The sun was barely in the sky, the carny was aglow Passing by the wagons sitting empty on the rocks Most of us lined up and dropped our coins into the box The carny show ran through the night, I stayed until dawn As I stepped outside the tent, I heard a little song... The music drew me back inside and everything was wild A monkey walked the tight rope, or perhaps it was a child? Feathers fell from rafters tickling clowns who scratched their heads A man appeared from nowhere and this is what he said: "The wonder and the longing that have brought you in this tent Are fuel for the long journey you're embarking on, my friend If you lose your way, it's OK, just close your eyes Listen for the little song and let it be your guide” I still work the factory, turning knobs and gears Making things nobody needs, my mind is far from here I’m back at the carny balanced high on the tight rope Or maybe it’s not me but just a monkey in a coat? “For a little happiness to help your life along, Step right up, step inside and listen for the song...”
5.	Organic Chemistry 02:59	lyrics	buy track
Organic Chemistry © 2011 The Squirrel Hillbillies You got that free range look Unshaved and barefoot No artificial color schemes You are as real as you seem Loving you comes naturally Must be organic chemistry I like the way you meditate Your gaze puts me in a state You got that gentle healing touch You smooth things out when life gets rough Loving you comes naturally Must be organic chemistry I like the chickens in your yard Your pumpkin patch and your Swiss chard Your gifts are precious and so rare You’re like a good night’s sleep And a breath of fresh air The solar panels on your roof Your loyalty to local food The way you compost and reuse Your being green soothes my blues Loving you comes naturally Must be organic chemistry The yoga poses that you strike The way you look by candlelight I like your elemental properties Bonding with you requires no scientific expertise I’m stuck on you like sap on trees Like nectar from the honey bees Must be organic chemistry
6.	Sammy's Old Country Band 03:29	lyrics	buy track
Sammy’s Old Country Band © 2012 The Squirrel Hillbillies I played guitar in Sammy’s Old Country Band We hit the radio and little bars now and then Sammy's old now; he can hardly stand He paid us in cash, said he felt like a wealthy man Lara arrived and Sammy said, "Boys, take five" She packed my guitar and headed outside Motor running, Lara said, "Would you please drive?" We pulled away slowly and she put her hand on my thigh Wind whistled, the car at cruising speed Lara said, "We have much more than we ever will need We’ll live like kings in the desert, near old Genesee" The scenery changed and the air became harder to breathe Oh, mama, I have gone astray Chasing a song for so long I keep losing my way I still play guitar but the stations and bars have all changed Lara’s been gone now for years, said she just couldn’t stay Things I’ve seen in the desert they rattle my brain I wish I was with Sammy’s Old Country Band again
7.	What You Gonna Do 03:13	lyrics	buy track
What You Gonna Do? © 2012 The Squirrel Hillbillies Baby crying, ma’am What you gonna do? Flapping her little hands You got them Lord-have-mercy blues Busy talking on the phone At the bus stop heading home Baby feeling so alone World weighing down on you What you gonna do? Boyfriend on the phone What you gonna do? He don’t want to be alone You got them can’t-be-bothered blues Stories running on the screen Way too tired to cook or clean Boyfriend wants to see his queen World weighing down on you What you gonna do? Landlord at the door What you gonna do? Time to pay him more You got them empty-pocket blues Working hard as you can Moving fast without a plan Landlord ain't a patient man World weighing down on you What you gonna do?
8.	No Bone 03:21	lyrics	buy track
No Bone © 2010 The Squirrel Hillbillies Open up my fridge, now what do I see? Just empty space staring out at me Fridge say, "Now, what you gonna do?" Little ones are depending on you Stew pot say, "There's not much here" (There ain't much here) Spider moved in late last year (Oh my, oh dear) Stove say, "Go, before it's too late!" (No meat, no fat, no bone) Been so long since the little ones ate (Go now, don't you wait) No meat (No meat!), no fat, no bone No meat, no fat, no bone Well it's gonna make me shout and moan Leave my little ones all alone No meat, no fat, no bone I started on down the street (I started down the street) A big rutabaga come after me (How can that be?) I took it down, I took it home (No meat, no fat, no bone) Fed it to my little ones, so alone (They're so alone) No meat (No meat!), no fat, no bone No meat, no fat, no bone Well it's gonna make me shout and moan, Leave my little ones all alone No meat, no fat, no bone The little ones ate 'til their bellies were full Went to sleep in the mixing bowl Slept on through 'til half past ten (No meat, no fat, no bone) Said, "let's have rutabaga again!" (C'mon let's eat again!) No meat (No meat!), no fat, no bone No meat, no fat, no bone Well it's gonna make me shout and moan, Leave my little ones all alone No meat, no fat, no bone
9.	Joe & Donna 02:31	lyrics	buy track
Joe & Donna © 2011 The Squirrel Hillbillies Joe met Donna at the bowling alley He was sittin’ with her best friend Sally Donna come over said, "Who’s this dude? Sally, is this guy bothering you?" Sally said, "Nah, he ain't no trouble 'Fact, he seems your type, baby face and no stubble" Donna took his hand and gave him the eye She said, "Hey boy, wanna go for a ride?" Donna drives an eighteen wheeler Has season tickets for the Steelers Joe knows how to please her... They drive on the parkway and park downtown Dance in the fountain ‘til the sun comes ‘round Donna’s a certified bodyguard Joe feels safe in her arms When she moves her freight it gives him a rush When she flexes her muscles it makes him blush For his Donna Joe cooks all day She likes his cooking and she puts it away After three dozen eggs and a half o’ cow She says, "What you gonna feed me now?" Donna drives an eighteen wheeler Has season tickets for the Steelers Joe knows how to please her... They drive on the parkway and park downtown Dance in the fountain ‘til the sun comes ‘round Through the Squirrel Hill Tunnels ‘cross the Liberty Bridge Donna steers that big ol’ rig Eighteen wheels up McArdle Road Over the rivers and the lights below She parks hanging over the Mon incline, and says, "This is when you ask me to be your bride!" Donna loves her eighteen wheeler ‘Bout as much as a season of the Steelers. But they're off to the new car dealer... Gonna trade in the truck for different rig ‘Cause Joe don’t know how to drive stick shift!
10.	Engine Blues 03:11	lyrics	buy track
Engine Blues © 2010 The Squirrel Hillbillies You may think this is funny, you may say it's untrue But without an engine, my car just won't do It sits like a sculpture, all quiet and demure When it wants to be a 70-mile an hour blur My engine's missing, mislaid, it's a mystery Lost in space someplace between Pittsburgh And Memphis, Tennessee I've lost lots of money and my daddy's pocket knife But I never lost an engine in my whole entire life Was it abducted by an alien race? Or detained for questions in an undisclosed place? My engine's missing, mislaid, it's a mystery Lost in space someplace between Pittsburgh And Memphis, Tennessee Maybe my engine's on a street in New Orleans Being loud, drinking hard, running rough and mean Anyone dares to suggest a repair It'll spit a little oil and just vanish in the air My engine's missing, mislaid, it's a mystery Lost in space someplace between Pittsburgh And Memphis, Tennessee If you see my engine, here is what to say, "You got brand new pistons from Califor-ni-a, So motor down to Memphis, they will fix your pings, And send you home to Pittsburgh to a car again." My engine's missing, mislaid, it's a mystery Lost in space someplace between Pittsburgh And Memphis, Tennessee
11.	Strange Life 03:18	lyrics	buy track
Strange Life © 2011 The Squirrel Hillbillies There's a crack across the windshield Don't remember how it got there Seems like something's always kicking up along the road There's a book by Vonnegut My copy worn from reading it Years ago I circled every phrase of, "So it goes" It's a strange life, it's a beautiful, strange life It's a strange life, it's a beautiful, strange life Flowers in the hallway You bought for my birthday Seems they should be wilting but they look just the same Houseplant growing like a tree Tangled in the drapery Seems it wants to fill the world right through the windowpane It's a strange life, it's a beautiful, strange life It's a strange life, it's a beautiful, strange life By the time you realize it You're planning out your exit Divvy up the bank accounts, stereo, TV Documents are written Speeches have been scripted Saying what a wise and gentle person you could be It's a strange life, it's a beautiful, strange life It's a strange life, it's a beautiful, strange life There's a crack across the windshield Don't remember how it got there Seems like something's always kicking up along the road...
12.	When I'm Gone 02:53	lyrics	buy track
When I'm Gone © 2011 The Squirrel Hillbillies I spill the milk, I spill the beans I've run every stoplight I've ever seen I play the wrong chords and I sing out of tune and I tell all the punchlines way too soon When I'm gone pour beer on my grave Sing me a song about how I'll be saved Drive my old car into the sea Just don't forget about me (Singing off key) Don't forget about me I drink too much coffee and keep you awake With stories of nonsense adventures I take I talk to the trees and I sing to the stars And I dance with the chickens out there in the yard When I'm gone pour beer on my grave Sing me a song about how I'll be saved Drive my old car into the sea Just don't forget about me (Talking to trees) Don't forget about me Give my guitar to the girl down the street My coat to anyone cold that you meet When I'm gone I won't cry anymore About hunger and greed, anger and war When I'm gone pour beer on my grave Sing me a song about how I'll be saved Drive my old car into the sea Just don't forget about me (When you're sipping your tea) Don't forget about me (When you smell Patchouli) Don't forget about me

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released September 16, 2012

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The Squirrel Hillbillies Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From deep within the urban forest of Pittsburgh's East End, the Squirrel Hillbillies often emerge to share their eclectic mix of acoustic roots, spanning folk, country and blues. Duo partners Jenny Wolsk and Gary Crouth have been writing, arranging, recording and performing together since 2010. Their original songs have been played on radio programs in the US, Europe and around the world. ... more