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Trusty Dusty Ghost Suit

by Peter Hazen

/
1.
Well those promises you gave me, you made them prematurely I said surely you don't want my wedding ring You said that this will be the best, but then our progress was arrested when you next said, “Well, I can't be sure of anything.” So I watched that train pull out the station with it's windows tinted black and those big black metal wheels pointed southbound down the track so I couldn't see you wavin' if ya waved, or cryin' if ya cried all I knew was that I didn't know if you were comin' back So just ride those tracks, baby, ride 'em hard Go forth and find out who you are You'll never know where to go if you don't look far enough Everyone must find their guiding star I wished you'd never promised nothing that night I heard the phone ring I slept with all my clothes on and the dishes in the sink You said “I need a break from this,” I said “Okay, well take it, and take my heart, 'cause I won't need it in the interim.” I promised that I'd never make a promise that I couldn't keep, keep it honest so I don't wake up from tossin' in my sleep, but since you been gone the words we speak all become complicated patient negotiations, careful not to wade too deep So just ride those tracks, baby, ride 'em hard Go forth and find out who you are You'll never know where to go if you don't look far enough Everyone must find their guiding star
2.
Red Sky 03:54
well, ya thought ya made a clean break, but I saw ya hop that train with a satchel and a chip on your shoulder in the bitter winter rain you can only cheat the cards until the dealer kicks ya outta the game you'll always be yourself no matter how often you change your name no matter how far you run, you'll never outrun yourself it's no surprise your factory of lies is poisoning your well so now you're runnin down the sleeper car, tryin to avoid detection but I tell ya this train is runnin off the rails the emergency break handle's broken off – there ain't no stoppin' her now you're like a mineshaft collapsing underneath the hills you're like a stowaway at the baggage-claim you're like a fugitive wearin old blood stains red sky at midnight – you'll never get away so ya hit that dusty trail, you think that nobody's spotted you but I've got your number down, you're in my sights now, I know I've got a shot at you yeah ya hit that dusty trail, you're ankles all blistered and bruised and your nostrels burn from the smoke of the burning rubber on your shoes but no matter how far you run, you'll never outrun yourself it's no surprise your factory of lies is poisoning your well you're like a stowaway at the baggage-claim you're like a fugitive wearin old blood stains red sky at midnight – you'll never get away
3.
Busy Man 04:10
give me a dollar and i'll give a story back give me ten dollars and i'll tell you a secret it makes no difference to me – i'm a busy man give me a dimebag and i'll take ya to the roof i've got a pound of flesh if you have got a room it makes no difference to me – i'm a busy man i've got no need to steal, i've got no need to kill it's never come to that – but don't test me or i will the give and take, but some take and don't give back take it or leave it, but this one is all i have it makes no difference to me, but there's been a change of plans pick me up down at the railyard, by the hole in the fence night by night i take the bitter pill decide what you want to do, call me if you're in still sometimes you choose the path, sometimes the path choose you when there's blood on your hands, you know your number's due when your nights are so long, and your days are numbered few just call this number – charlie will tell you what to do i've got no need to steal, i've got no need to kill it's never come to that – but don't test me or i will pick me up down at the railyard by the hole in the fence we'll change our passports at the dock, the boat leaves by ten i'm a busy man – but there's been a change of plans and if we're very, very lucky we can never go home again
4.
Broken Box 04:31
Sometimes I scare myself when I go out, myself when I go out on the street I can see myself like I'm floating above the ground, pulling on my own puppet strings Oh, I can see many versions of me! Sometimes I scare myself when I go out, hit the scene and I throw down, and like it's all meant to be Sometimes the best part of the show's when it lets out, take the barricades down and do whatever feels free Oh, I can see the cracks in your street! I've got gypsy's blood moving my veins around I hear ancestors sing, but I can't explain the sound I've got shaman's blood pushing my brain Take it easy on me – my skin is a broken box The way the whiskey sings may seem out of character There's a ghost in my bones rearranging the compass points The words you'll hear me say needn't frighten you Just embrace what the night can do – spirits invited you here Oh, I can see the hearts up your sleeve! I've got gypsy's blood moving my veins around I hear ancestors sing, but I can't explain the sound I've got shaman's blood pushing my brain Take it easy on me – my skin is a broken box Sometimes I wear myself out and I slow down Put my knees to the ground and I lay myself down to sleep
5.
Well, this is why I've changed my mind: no one keeps time, and we all die alone. Everybody's wishin that they had a bigger kitchen and a bigger fridge for fittin drinks for drinkin and forgettin and nobody's learned the lesson trading blood for paid expenses I've heard every dark confession – well, we all have been molested I call up my representatives in my fits of depression Lord, I'm mess and excessive and I'm pressed with many questions! Who's runnin this show? Well, it ain't no one I know! How do I put up with all of these down-lows? Oh, now I'll never get to Mexico! In the businesses of distance the accountants are persistent they insist on hidden clauses, prophet margins and permissions and the bison hit extinction 'cause they didn't read the fine-print but at Wounded Knee they didn't treat the problem, just the symptom Tossin wrenches in the system? Well, don't get the wrong impression. In a pinch you'll get conscripted and they'll have ya diggin trenches! Who's runnin this show? Well, it ain't no one I know! How do I put up with all of these down-lows? Oh, now I'll never get to Mexico! So now I'm stitchin up my britches, cryin missin all my women, puttin patches on my sinnin soul so I'll stay outta prison Now they're tearing down my building, say it isn't fit to live in Since I moved into my van, got fifty parking ticket written I'll never win, I'm sick and dismal, I give into my addictions I'm sticking to my story, but there ain't nobody listenin Who's runnin this show? Well, it ain't no one I know! How do I put up with all of these down-lows? Oh, now I'll never get to Mexico! How will I get home?
6.
Ghost Suit 03:57
I've got one hand six fingers short I've got one foot on distant shores But I don't care who's keepin score I'm makin bets I can't afford But I put my ribcage forward, look to the sky and I shrug my shoulders, 'cause you'll never break me down I got my liver second-hand My lungs are full of soot and sand I pierced my skin, I bled a river This shattered frame continues to give But I throw my ribcage forward look to the sky and I shrug my shoulders, 'cause you'll never break me down I've got a spasm in my side, I've got a mind that's choosin sides as I decide what's mine, what remains is left behind You drive your circus to the bank roll down the hill on an empty tank I hear your hollow bones inside your shell, burlap sack of matchsticks, drag yourself back up the hill But you will never die, 'cause you are a part of mine until we both can see the light, our moments peace just pass us by But I throw my ribcage forward look to the sky and I shrug my shoulders, 'cause you'll never break me down
7.
I'll give you a lift, if you've got a sieve you can help me sift for gold in the river I'll give you ride if you've got the time, but I'm taking the scenic way home And in the dark woods at night, if the lions tear you apart then the crows will sew your bones back together by the morning light I hide in the thickets, don't need any witness because it's nobody's business but mine I'll pay you a visit no matter the distance and get back to my camp in the twilight But in the dark woods at night, if the lions tear me apart then the crows will sew my bones back together by the morning light I've got a few on the side – hey you could be one of mine, if you don't mind a little challenge once in a while I take it in stride, but if you come back a second time, you may find the road folds back over many times And in the dark woods at night, if the lions tear you apart then the crows will sew your bones back together by the morning light And in the dark woods at night, when the lions tear us apart then the crows will pick our bones clean by the morning light I'll give you a lift, if you've got a sieve you can help me sift for gold in the river
8.
tried to hitch a ride on my way outta town ended up walking fifteen miles in the dark and it wasn't anything you did, and i'll be comin back again but when those circles wrap you in, you gotta turn it around i said oh, you gotta turn it around no no, don't let it bring ya down oh, when you hear that sound then you know it's time to turn it around i don't know what it was that drove me on some things you can't explain as simply as a song but when your bones tell you there's rain, and you know that something's gotta change you'd be a fool not to listen to your heart when it tells you to rise up, gotta get up and go 'cause if ya don't ever then you'll never know you gotta rise up, gotta get up and go the padlock to my heart's got a skeleton key and inside of my mind's an invisible city you can get lost on the same old street, or travel miles and not see anything just let the spirit of the wind come set you free when it calls you to rise up, gotta get up and go 'cause if ya don't ever then you're never gonna know you gotta rise up, gotta get up and go you gotta rise up, gotta get up and go 'cause if ya don't ever then you're never gonna know you gotta rise up, gotta get up and go the road will lead you many places and one of them may be home the road will lead you many places and one of them may be home

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Recorded in Albany, NY at the studio of Craig Dutra.

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released September 25, 2013

Bass, keyboards, extra guitar and production by Eric Margan. Drums by Chris Kehoe. Music, lyrics, and vox by Peter Hazen.

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Peter Hazen Portland, Maine

Keeper of stories and songs. Blues, rock & folk in the American tradition. Sprouted & grown in New York State, hardened through many lake-effect winters, tempered by several season on the Maine coast, dazzled by the brilliance of nature & the cultures of man, amidst the dizzying phantasmagorical spectacle of life, Peter Hazen cannot help but burst into song! ... more

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