(D run, twice) Plastic bags are catching air they’re dancing Reaching wings white as wedding gowns Haven’t known for years where you are, I’m not asking The revival must be over. The tents are coming down. (em A run) oil derricks old men bending Is it me or is it everything that’s ending (D run, twice) I was a boy when they built the new corn palace There’s ’s nothing like it anywhere they’d tell us It ’ll bring folks in from everywhere, far away as Dallas Corn palace will save the town (chorus) Bet you never been back to South Dakota You said there’s nothing here but indians and gin Don’t know how you’d find me I don’t look much like the photos Whatever man you’d come to look for I’m not him (D run twice) Hollas creek is running high so much snow last winter Cows are chewing sideways bet you know why I think of you If you ask me the sun has gotten thinner I can stare straight up at it. Something you’re not supposed to do (em A run) Nobody bales now days. They roll em It’s quick and easy but there’s a lot of wasted hay (D run) Why’d we waste so much money getting married at the Palace Forget why it had to be Saint Catherine’s day (chorus) Bet you never been back to south Dakota You said there’s nothing here but indians and gindon’t know how you’d find me I Don't know how you'd find me, I don't look much like the photos Whoever you’d come to look for I’m not him (D run, twice) Plastic bags like dancers at a wedding Its crazy the things folks throw away What if we’d got hitched at the courthouse instead an Put the money down on the Hartman place (em A run) angry for years after you left me Don’t know where those years or where that anger went (D run) Is it true what they say when you left you were pregnant That you had the kid and gave the kid away (em A run) Think of you when I see hay rolls. Of you and all that wasted hay (D run) Everybody got so drunk at our wedding at the Palace Hey why’d it have to be St. Catherine’s day? D run: D G A, with long base walkdown Em A run: em A em em/G A Chorus: Em A Em G A D G A (em A run followed by the D run) April 2019

90 miles outside Eli chopping wood where they chopped whales, the noon day sun was far Away and weak. After one and ½ six packs my old man was feeling young. luckily he Tripped and fell asleep. We fished through his pockets, found the keys to the truck. What I hoped Would be his wallet was just chew. Third try the pickup started. We didn’t say a thing. But what that wind was bringing in, we both knew. Bent pines like a soup line standing round. Made me nervous being watched by all of them The weight of the snow, brought one to the ground. And In that moment, I thought I understood the wind. she drove, I’m no driver. she asked North? I said fine. Or West or south, it was all The same to me. an hour in, snowing sideways, hand deep on the highway. Missed a turn and drove into a tree. We both knew no one would come and anyway no way they’d stop. Her coat looked dangerously thin. We slogged out into the woods, like Always she were praying. found a shack, broke a branch and we broke in. Bent pines like a soup line standing round. Made me nervous being watched by all of them The weight of the snow, brought one to the ground. In that moment, I thought I understood the wind. An oil barrel fireplace shedding rusty flakes. It was wrong to wreck the table, legs caught fire like saints. We shook out a rolled up blanket, full of frozen Bugs. One shelf, can of pork and beans, a box of .410 slugs. The dancing orange fire, her breast In silhouette, the whole world was only her and me. Wherever heaven was, that night we made love. she fell asleep. I ate the pork and Beans. The bent pines standing like a soup line. If you’ve seen one fall you understand the wind. In the morning we got out. Every good day ends. Since then. I’ve been, slowly, turning into him. March 2019

Straight simple beginning Long twisted path Branches reaching for sunlight Roots reaching back A Garden needs Tending We just never Did I don’t know when it’s ending I just know  it is. (new verse) You still got that same strong beauty I hope I haven’t changed The things that drew you to me Now push you away  (chorus) Lying here awake next to you Your shoulder, My hand I don’t know when I’ve leavin I just know I am  We might have some more months Darling What we don’t have no more are days Your smile, something’s missing That’s the hardest thing to take  (chorus) (music break)  (chorus) 9/2018

Red Lake’s largest Walleye is mounted on Flannigan’s wall eyes were the size of quarters mouth held a soft ball Erin Flannigan worked bar and listened to everyone lie. We’d go hunting, and fishing. I spent a lot of time wishin Erin was mine. (bridge) Deep green eyes. I can see em today. Skin pearl white Red mouth she didn’t paint. She taught me to shoot. She taught me to cast. She’d gut em and filet ‘em for me. We’d camp out after fishin. I’d lie awake and listen to her breath. Jones claimed he hooked the Walleye, always fighting to get into the tribe. A half sized trailer just off the rez is where he lived his half life He cut a trap door in the ceiling so he could have fires inside Gave us whiskey if Erin would kiss him or if I let him touch mine (bridge) Red lake is as big as a city it don’t freeze till winters half gone To drive a truck out on it was stupid. So was Jones Its way deep off the point. At The point where he went through the ice 10 years and the truck is still down there Jones is inside (bridge) We dropped down through the trap door. Made a fire from books he used like logs 7 years we’d known Jones. So we each did 8 shots Erin passed out her head leaning back on the old style beer sign. I kissed her red mouth. Kissed her just that one time People don’t change much. just their hair and their names I was back in Milacs so I went up to red lake for the day. Erin left town to shoot down from choppers. And take down Saddam Hussein. What’s broke won’t heal but stops hurting. Till you Touch it again. Flannigan’s is Hannigan’s pub now, but the Walleye is still on the wall. So I ordered jack and when the boy turned his back, I grabbed the soft ball. May 2019 Capo 4. Finger verses C,F,G. Bridge E Am, E Am F C G

Pictures of my mother  My mother as a bride   Washed clean in Easter water Water from the other side  The river moves so slowly You can  lose track for a time.  First time  my mother held my daughter  They both cried   When your eye’s not on the river  That’s when the river flows Would that I’d been wise enough to know   My mother seemed to see that  She was sowing seeds on stone  Would  that I could ring the bell That calls my mother home   The storm has worn the sky out   It hangs low and apple green  Where mom’s from it rains all day Rains sudden in Abilene    No chance now to roll  the hay We’ll let it sit  a spell.  My mom would call me from the fields, God’s truth,  With a hand held swiss cow bell. The poets seem to know   That they cast their words on stone  Would that I could ring the bell   That calls my mother home My eyes back on  the river  I’m not who I thought I’d be  Things you cant climb It hurts to try   My daughter’s heart is warm and wise  That doesn’t come from me.   The first time mom held Rosie   They both cried   The bible seems to show it all   When I read  it as a poem   Would that I could ring the bell   That calls my mother home May 2019    Finger in E (and chords given in E), play with capo 1 (making it F) E A E B7 A  G# C#min E B7 E.  First G# comes on “lose, of lose track ..”  Pattern changes slightly over the verses. 

(G run) New day cracked open the yolky sun rose Folks came by for capons corn mash and dope Kept himself healthy. Sunbathing.  No clothes.  Then tell em take their trade elsewhere. Or keep their eyes closed  (G run) He’d hound us. wake us make us all go to mass   Me on the altar in dresses altar boys had  Whoever mom was, with him, in the front row You bring home a few bucks boy, no one’s gonna know (C run)  The wind in that flat world all summer it blows I shot at milk bottles I made my brother hold  Sheets on the line snapping.  White Ghostly wings Brought Bird to a cock fight couldn’t throw him into the ring  (G run)  Hauling hay in praying for summer to pass  Unbending barbed wire and castrating calves  A Ford El Torino someone left  in the woods  I shot out the windshield. Sledge hammered the hood.  (C run) The wind in that flat world all summer it blows  I shot at milk bottles I made my brother hold  Sheets on the line snapping. There’s no trapping ghosts.  Bird pecked at my fingers. I did not let go.   (C run)  Started liking my brother bout the time he turned 10 When I beat up a girl who was bothering him I’m  scared of  holding the  bottle. Please don’t make me Sean  Then toss it high as you can man.  Shattered glass shattered sun.  (C run)  We make cheese now for money.  I’d like to sell grass. Never put up a gravestone. Nobody asks. The winds getting stronger.   I don’t feel it.   I saved at least one bird. I hold on to that.  Try to hold on to that  3/2019

I never look through Crystal balls it’s too easy to be fooled by them, now time cannot touch you at all, some hurt hardens some Hurt mends . A Green eyes, you kiss hard, there's always things you don't expect. Is the carved bench still there in the yard? It was when I went back to check. Those years with you are a single day. The turning years a single page. Of course there are more leaves than rakes, more wet stones than there are lakes, love is covered not erased. The woman in The flat bed truck, she only stopped cause you were there, We climbed in back, I watched you cry, she slid the panel to the side, handed out an open beer. Green eyes, you kiss hard, there's always things you don't expect. Is the carved bench still there in the yard? It was when I went back to check. Those years with you are a single day. The turning years a single page. Of course there are more leaves than rakes, more wet stones than there are lakes, love gets covered not erased. The woman in the flat bed truck Stopped Cause she liked your hippy hair We chose clouds, yours joined with mine She slid the panel to the side Handed out an open beer Your freckled face, your missing tooth, you would not let me touch the gap, green eyes, You kiss hard, Each time I was surprised by that. 10/2018

Walking down the road early spring in the cold Dirt starting to show through the melting snow Houses he’s passing, Folks he doesn’t want to see. Up at Kane’s corner where the school house had been an orange panel van with the door dented in He looked in the window. Course there wasn’t any keys. In the Railroad yard was a hanging ball crane He wondered what they’d wreck with that huge heavy thing And a low electric humming, he wondered where from His heart felt old. Face cold in the wind. Thought a lot about stopping but he kept walking Then he heard a truck coming. Put out his thumb The truck pulled a trailer full of yellow baled hay Northfield Minnesota if you’re going that way Na the walking man wasn’t. And then he was He had a way of making silence other folks filled in Driver talked feed prices, his wife, and his kids And lately he’d been feeling a little empty You know, just because He looked through the windshield at the church going by And up along the steeple to where the cross touched the sky There’s angels in this world. And even god had to die. Northfield Minnesota built of proud red brick Hanging banners brag about beating Billy the Kid You never said where you were going No. I never did. He looked around to buy a bottle But Sunday northfield is dry The American Legion had a lenten fish fry Could I get a second helping? She said Not without Please Rosemary Casey had been a Vietnam Bride looked a little like his daughter A lot like his wife She brought Grainbelt and bitters Said the fish tastes better with these The muddy cannon river’s slow Like where you might go to die But when spring melt comes sudden Suddenly she’s alive And there’s waves, foaming waves A long way from the sea. (music) A long long way from the sea

Thinking of coming for christmas Haven’t see ma in a while  Spend some time splitting pine and post oak  Build up the wood pile Here there’ s snow that  they don’t even notice Your breath hangs in the air   Thinking of coming for christmas I hope Pony’s still there  Thinking of coming for christmas Like to ride  Pony I’ll be bringing my pistols  And recent history Thanks for sending the letter You say you think things are better We’ll just have to see (music break) Thinking of coming for christmas Some things I left there I need I’ll be bringing my pistols And recent history In your letter you said You thinned out the rose bed Now there’s blooms where the thorns used to be I hope the sames true of me  LIke to be there for the fire fair I been cold for some time Take gran and grandpa out To the haufbrau again just like old times  Up here the church choirs been caroling  I get some looks but I sing  Thinking of coming for christmas Maybe stay on till spring  1/2019 

How can it be autumn already so cold How can it be autumn already so cold How can it be autumn already so cold Throw A shovel of dirt on this day  She did not speak one word till she got up and sang Till she got up and filled the whole church with her pain For some fool  it was time for the church bell to ring  Throw a shovel of dirt on this day on this day Throw a shovel of dirt on this day Be a heart bring that box of her letters  Be a heart bring that box of her  letters   Be heart bring that box of her  letters   another shovel of dirt on this day  You glide through still water it’s ruined New water washes water washes water away  We  brought ruin on her when we brought her  Ruined by the way she was raised  she was Raised   Ruined by the way she was raised Paper would rather be fire  Words would rather be flame  Time circles down only  fire circles higher Throw a shovel of dirt on this day  on this day Throw a shovel of dirt on this day Maple leaves  look like life when they’re dying In the Picture  looks like she’s been crying  I’ll pour the last glass of whiskey here by the fire and  Throw a shovel of dirt on this day  On this day  Throw a shovel of dirt on this day Fingered in G (capo 2 so actually A)  (G) C G D7 C G Cm Bm Em G D7 G (and in the Verses with doubled last line its G D7 G C G D7 G). In a few verses the Cm is Cmaj7. Song starts with G, Other verses start on C.  June 2019

Long extended morning  Sheets of pounding rain  New friends, new beginnings The old familiar pain    I don’t write that many love songs Save those words for when they’re true That empty space because you’re missing Almost feels like you Just got up to let the cat out Now he wants back in again Paused and read a little gospel Though I know how it’s gonna end I haven’t written many love songs Not a one that wasn’t true I’m sad you’re gone, the same time grateful  To feel so much love for you (Bridge) Such a cool, surprising, Texas August day I close my eyes, see you sleeping Your soft, warm, forever, lovely face If I’d been there on that morning When they rolled the stone away Always been the last to notice that, Something real has changed I don’t write that many love songs When I feel this way I do a little scared about what’s coming And damn lucky I found you  (bridge) 8/2018

Lou Hartman was a farmer’s son Hands made for moving bales Hair like rust he lived with us between trips to juvie jail. His ma and ma were sisters Sisters more than friends Lou’s ma was thin and haunted Still as water in a pan My ma was my whole world Up til lou moved in They farmed family land From lou’s old man. But we did not speak of him This world’s half broke open Half this world’s missing We planted angel’s eyes Up on the rise Where we buried lou hartman That Boy was long as a log chain With rusty colored hair Had a 14 weight composite bow He said would stop a bear He said that he loved learning But it was hard to tell Day we learned about the rapture Said I hope preachers go to hell This world’s half broke open Half this world’s missing There’s angels eyes up and down the rise Where we buried lou hartman. You can cover up so much ugly Under one two foot of snow Grain Silo choked with grain dust A smoker should not go Middle of those three silos burning fuck you finger made of flame Now lou hartman Like his old man We do not speak his name This world’s half broke open Half this world’s missing I lie and watch the sky Up on the rise Where we buried Lou Hartman. We slept together In a bunk bed He told me all about Rosie Anne I told him about some men who messed me up. He said they won’t do that again. Who else laughed at preachers? Who else had that hair? 14 weight composite bow That boy could stop a bear 2/2019

Baptism River High Falls Rusty water falling The iron ore worth selling is all gone Behind the falls falling water water falling Has carved a cave out in the stone I heard today you had a second daughter That guy you used to go with told me so It struck me then I’ll never touch your face again The thought makes My fingers feel like bones Below the falls we made it all the way Me carrying the baby Cross the river jumping stone to stone The harsh cries, seagulls The roaring of the falls Where does all that water go? The morning lights too bright I look forward to evening Lately it seems I only sing one song The world’s flipped up and over Everything is falling Soon all I would call me will be gone Jumping stone to stone we crossed the river Me carrying our baby the whole way The roaring of the falls The harsh cries, seagulls Those voices stay with me (I heard voices then I hear them again today) (If they were voices I know what they’d say) (I don't want to hear what those voices say) I learned today you had a second daughter It was hard hearing it that way It struck me then I’ll never touch your face again Please write. I’ve been wondering about her name. 10/2018

Blanco County (newest version) (verse D A G) She sits by the window Moon fills up the sky Her minds on things that might have been Hears arswings and thinks of flying things she tried to bury She tried but they came out Always been one just to get it done She would if she knew how   Northwest Blanco county Trees bare of leaves are holding up the sky Debra Jean wears  her pretty things  On the days her son comes by He was never one to worry He’s plenty worried now He sees here pain in everyday things and wants to help her He would if he knew how Chorus (chords D, em, F#m,G,D,em, A, D)  chorus Only do after verse 2 and 3 Young uncounted days Those happy foolish ones That love you’re leaning on You feel it when it fades You feel it when its gone Out in the Seguin prairie  Grass up to his knees Long gone days since he moved away She’s where she wants to be  There’s things he has to carry, Things he can’t set down He feels the past as emptiness In the here and now Chorus  Still one chair there in the front room the window’s swelled, stuck tight On his chest, the weight of it The weight of all that time   The things he has to carry He carries them around The past persists as emptiness In the here and now.  

Open D tuning Section 1 Run up the “b” (now a) string, starting on 9 7 5 2 5 0   9 7 5 2 5 9  Em add 2.  Sometimes: To open   D Em add 2  Run: G A D A G  G A D Em add 2 open Em add2 open D Bridge.  F (bar 3 in open D), G (bar 5), open D  bar 3, 5, open D, Em add2  D, Em add2 D Section 1  Sunset  sawgrass prairie sure is pretty  Cornflower blossoms brush against your knees They say everyone’s got one            good love in ‘em (open D for a measure) possibly They say every daughter, every son Just needs one , of em,  to believe  (old line: hard to believe that was true of Lee)  Section 1  (repeat the basic F# etc line to the funky chord)  She was smart that way, and  so she finally figured Figured out how much he’s missing deep inside  When she left, she left behind the pickup  When she left, she left  on our one good bike Run  What kind of man splits a 12 pack with children What kind of man shoots an elk on tribal land  He’d talk about Nepal  the Berlin wall And what it all  meant to him (open D)  Talk about a row of pine  trees, tall He never took the time to plant   Section 1 We were there that year  the 13 day night blizzard 9  foot drifts with frozen steer inside To watch that man, bare head, bare hands Working his snow shovel.   (open D)  I felt warm and safe there with him.  I felt  very much alive. Section 1 The best thing come spring. The rope swing  Ripping through the air so fast  Sky water tumble   sky water sky water    Splash   Sky water,  Sky water sky water splash Only suckers sleep away the summer The long Wyoming winters taught us that Mountains. All you ever hear about Wyoming I Never lived anywhere so flat. ) Crushed Corn Husks,.  The snow dust  on my face Cold Gust.   above us. Outerspace.   First thing come spring Fix the Indian and   fly away.   When spring begins  Fix the indian and   fly away All the talk of canoeing that last long  stretch of river all the way out  to Missouri, me and Dad To see him in his  hole diggin   (open D) Diggins  all he knows Diggins all he knows Diggins  all he has  What kind a man splits a 12 pack with children What kind of man dresses out an elk with his bare hands  (right there on the hood of the car)  talk  of Taj Mahal  South Sea Squalls  And what it all  meant to him (open D)  Talk about a  wall of Pine trees, tall He never took the time to plant The best thing come spring the rope swing  Ripping through the air so fast  Sky water  Sky water sky water  Splash sky water sky water   sky sky sky sky   splash  (end with section 1, slow)  10/2019