1. |
Four Walls
04:21
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It takes four walls to make a prison
It takes four wheels to drive me home
Take these four pills, the doctor told me
And after that you’re on your own
Hey look at that, we’re on the highway
Hey look at that, we’re going home
Ain’t no state trooper is gonna stop me
Ain’t no flat tires on this road
I wanna tumble through the gospel
Through Matthew Mark, Luke and John
But ain’t no meeting that I can go to
And ain’t no glory but in song
Chorus
Now I don’t mind saying I lost my patience
I don’t mind saying I lost my nerve
I left my worries on the pavement
I left my sorrows on the curb
Chorus
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2. |
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A tunnel ain’t nothing but a hole in the ground
A camel ain’t nothing but a hump
And I’m not myself when you’re not around
A heart it ain’t nothing but a pump
Well they’re digging the street up just outside my door
The air in here feels just like tar
And the neighbors are shouting, I can hear through the floor
I don’t know where you went, but it’s far
Like a preacher when the pews begin to shake
Like a ski boat on a man-made lake
We were cruising, baby, we were on the make
I guess you’d took all that you were gonna take
Well my friends they’ve all got the best of intents
They say come stay with us for a while
But a house guest ain’t nothing but another expense
And they don’t want me cramping on they’re style
You taught me how to be a better man
You put me on your work’s health plan
Two lines of footprints leading off into the sand
I guess you’d stood all that you were gonna stand
Now I keep to myself, I don’t go out much
A bar tab ain't nothing but a bill
There’s people who’ll tell you that drink is a crutch
But there’s still so much time left to kill
Well the bells they keep tolling
The trucks they keep rolling
Hear ‘em rumbling all over the town
Like cinderella with no slipper
Like the Braves without chipper
I’m not myself when you’re not around
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3. |
The Lottery Song
02:50
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Well I walked into the deli
And I looked up at the screen
Powerball was pulling
Next drawing at 6:15
So I thought I’d take my chances
Throw my hat into the ring
And I hope I hit my number now
I said, Give me seven tickets
And a turkey and swiss
Wish me all the luck
And please, don’t hold the mayo, Miss
I’m so ready to be called up
To that land of wealth and bliss
And I hope I hit my number now
Well my finances are a shambles
But I’m trying to save face
I’ve got a less than average income
But I’ve got expensive taste
And I’m so tired of being caught up
In this infinite rat race
So I hope I hit my number now
Well folks you might’ve guessed it
There’s no sense in asking why
I trusted lady luck
And lady left me high and dry
Now I’m right back where I started—
Set to give it one more try!
And I hope I hit my number now
I’ve got a good feeling
Yes I hope I hit my number now
I’m getting closer . . .
Yes I hope I hit my number now
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4. |
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If only I had money, I’d not worry anymore
My problems would dwindle and fade
I’d be fancy free, in fine company
The jet set, the carriage trade
I’d be far more fun, if I had the funds
I’d stand every round at the bar
No more Mr. Uptight on Saturday night
With money I know I’d go far
With money I know I’d go far
Now some I know say, you must work for your pay
And what’s easy gained’s easy lost
That a man, he must toil, in factory or soil
And learn of the spoils their true cost
But I wish that the men who do so contend
While sitting at home at their ease
In the honey and clover, would just fork it over
Then maybe my worries would cease
Then maybe my worries would cease
I try to reflect, when I get upset
At being so down at the heel
It’ll all work out fine, it’s all state of mind
You’re only as rich as you feel
But the rent’s due each month, and there’s still bills to pay
The doctor, the tax man, ConEd
And in place of this worry, I wouldn’t be sorry
To simply have money instead
To simply have money instead
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5. |
Everybody
02:30
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6. |
Dehydration Blues
04:42
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Well I could buy me a cheap
Electric guitar
Might not make it weep
But I could get pretty far
Yeah I could bother the neighbors
On a Saturday morn
I could channel my rage
Through a power c(h)ord
Dehydration blues
Wish I knew what to do
I’m just trying to get through
Dehydration blues
I went to go see the doctor
He said it’s not looking good
We could operate now
And I believe that we should
‘Cause if we wait any longer
You’ll only suffer the more
Don’t wanna put any pressure on you, son
The choice is yours
Dehydration blues
Wish I knew what to do
I’m just trying to get through
Dehydration blues
Dehydration blues
Guess I’m paying my dues
I just don’t have a clue
Dehydration blues
Now I’m just riding the subway
N/Q/R, 3/4/5
I never felt so elated
I never felt so alive
See, I discovered the secret
Now I’ve got troubles no more
Maybe one day I’ll reveal it
Stand clear of the closing doors
Dehydration blues
Man I don't have a clue
I'm just trying to get through
Dehydration blues
Dehydration blues
Guess I'm paying my dues
Not too good, how 'bout you?
Dehydration blues
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7. |
Kickin' the Anthill Over
04:23
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I’m kicking the anthill over
I’m stirring the wasps’ nest up
I’m not gonna run for cover
I won’t refuse the cup
I just wanna see what happens
And watch it all go down
I’m not gonna try and stop it
’ll try to stand my ground
Oh I got so tired of waiting
And staying up late at night
want the worst to happen
C’mon, Disaster, won’t you strike?
I see no harm in trying
To help speed things along
So let the blows start flying
And let it all go wrong
I’m kicking the anthill over
I’m poking the hornet’s nest
My hands are off the wheel
Now God can do the rest
I’m kicking the anthill over
I’m rattling the lion’s cage
I’ve packed up all my sorrows
I’m left with only rage
Yeah I’m kicking the anthill over
I’m throwing matches in the brown bear’s cave
I’m too washed up to dry out
I’m too far gone to save
I’m tired of doing the limbo
I’m tired of wait and see
I’m kicking the anthill over
Let it be
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8. |
The Old Revolution
10:50
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9. |
The Other Side
04:18
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Well the people I come from
Knew a gentle Jesus Christ
Who would be there waiting for them
When they died
Who am I to say they're wrong?
Who am I to say they lied?
I'm sure hoping they found Jesus
On the other side
My grandfather would have dreams
Of a river in his mind
And on the far bank were the friends he knew
Who'd died
And they'd beckon him across
They'd plead with him, and they'd chide
But my grandpa wasn't ready
For the other side
On the other side
On the other side
We're all hoping we find something
On the other side
(repeat)
Now I've read Nietzsche, and Camus
And their words fill my head
But I'm not much of a rebel
In a hospital bed
You can call it a return
You can call it a backslide
But I'm hoping I find something
On the other side
Chorus
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Shelto Marx Brooklyn, New York
Shelto Marx is the nom de plonk used by Marshall Yarbrough (Rube, Glass Bead Band, Power Hour). Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, with a formative stint in Athens, he now lives in New York City, where he plays curly-headed piano pop music. Eat your heart out, Randy Newman. ... more
Shelto Marx recommends:
When We Wake Up It's Gonna Hurt
by Rube
Sun on warm brick but the bottom of the air is cold
go to album
Closed circuit analog grooves
go to album
A good-time album with a bad-time backbone
go to albumIf you like Shelto Marx, you may also like:
Clean, Masculine & Confident
by Rube
supported by 4 fans who also own “Shelto Trismegistus”
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Chansons tristes pour Noël
by Cœur de pirate
Spare, beautiful seasonal music, with proceeds going to Le Phare Lighthouse.
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 7, 2014
go to album
