The Way Down Wanderers

Principles of Salt  

I packed my dusty old guitar  

I cancelled all my credit cards 

I had to run to change my name  

I think I missed the rapture or else somebody snatched her  

Taking me out of the frame  

I'm too stressed and  

I’m repressed  

Saying all that's on my mind  

You led me and you get me  

So let's just leave it all behind  

Life is one big cover up  

America had given up  

And overdosed on adderall  

I'm on the quest for common sense  

You can keep your picket fence  

It does not interest me at all  

I'm too stressed and  

I repress  

Saying all that's on my mind  

You led me and you get me  

So let's just leave it all behind  

And in certain circumstances  

It ain't a crime  

But I'll take my chances with you  

Anytime  

I'm too stress and I repress  

Saying all that's on my mind  

You led me and you get me 

No you don't  

Nevermind 

Frozen Through 

I’m running to the river  

I gotta get my head clear be for long 

The headlines are my hangover  

I’m making a break forward I’m moving on  

I’m running to the river  

I hear the white pines whisper a simple song  

They say I gotta consider  

There’s nothing really out there  

Besides love  

I know that time is just a fleeting thing 

So I’ll lie in the dirt without suffering  

Yes I’ll lie in the dirt without suffering  

I know the river is frozen through 

Not a seed is with me without you 

Not a seed is with me without you  

Well I ran out of letters  

What’s been written  

is what’s getting me a long  

A man of many measures  

There’s only time to be treasured time alone  

I know that time is just a fleeting thing 

So I’ll lie in the dirt without suffering  

Yes I’ll lie in the dirt without suffering  

I know the river is frozen through 

Not a seed is with me without you 

Not a seed is with me without you  

I know that time is just a fleeting thing 

So I’ll lie in the dirt without suffering  

Yes I’ll lie in the dirt without suffering  

I know the river is frozen through 

Not a seed is with me without you 

Not a seed is with me without you  

She’s Alright 

She’s alright 

But she don’t love me  

She wont try  

She won’t she won’t  

She’ll treat me kind 

As long as I don’t find  

What she keeps she’ll sleep just fine  

Well I know I know  

In front of my eyes 

It’s been going down oh my  

Believe I’m leaving this time 

So tonight  

You go your way  

And I’ll go I’ll go mine 

I’m alright 

But she don’t love me  

I pretend that I don’t mind  

Cause I don’t I don’t 

When our love ran out 

It’s over now you sold me out  

I’m a dying dove in a hollow house 

So burn it down burn it down 

Until you told me how  

How I can do without  

With all of me I thank you now  

I’m not the type  

To take to the high road 

When I know the low is passing by 

But I did didn’t I  

I treated you like  

A blade of grass in a corn field  

The last thing left here to die  

But I didn’t did I  

The stones you’re casting now  

They’ve been hittin waves on his lake 

Skipping the mistakes you found  

I’m alright now  

But she don’t love me  

Can’t pretend I’ll miss having her around  

Cause I don’t I don’t  

When our love ran out 

It’s over now you sold me out  

I’m a dying dove in a hollow house 

So burn it down burn it down 

Until you told me how  

How I can do without  

With all of me I thank you, I thank you, I thank you now  

Our days are spent  

Dreaming away what’s been wasted 

Seeing the way it’s always been  

I don’t expect it to change 

You can’t say you don’t feel the same  

When we’re coming around to the day’s end 

Love will become so vacant  

When you’re weighing out the candidates 

Well I won’t I won’t wait 

Well she’s alright  

But she don't love me cause  she won't try  

She's alright  

Crooked Pines   

Once I found a tree it grew on its own  

It didn’t need the hand of a farmer  

or to call on the leaves it had grown  

And now there’s a gleam deep in the hollow  

It shines by your home Now the shade hides from the shadows  

Well I look to the West and I see your old disguise 

Buried beneath the willows and those crooked pines 

I realize the truth we’ve been told is all just a lie  

The only truth is gone from my mind  

If you can find the stream you’ll see just where it shines 

Near the leaves in autumn  

But far from the trail and the stones it hides 

If I could take you home you know I surely would   

But I lost the road and the glen that collides  

So I left the worst unspoken right where I stood  

Well I look to the West and I see your old disguise 

Buried beneath the willows and those crooked pines 

I realize the truth we’ve been told is all just a lie  

The only truth is gone from my mind  

If hell was just for healing than the sick would soon get clean 

And if bells were just for ringing  

Then you would know just what I mean  

Well I look to the West and I see your old disguise 

Buried beneath the willows and those crooked pines 

I realize the truth we’ve been told is all just a lie  

The only truth is gone from my mind  

The only truth is gone from my mind  

  All My Words 

To this stranger 

To this friend 

Between us there are fields of no end 

How will our words ever carry 

Without digging up what’s been buried  

If the grass has never been greener 

You’re sure to find that the dirt won’t be either 

In a careful nerve I fell in love with chance 

Risk brought a smile while it made my heart a dancer 

There’s never an easy answer 

So don’t you cry my dear  

Rolling golden tears 

There are not dreams broken or disappeared 

The memories we’ve forgotten and cleared 

Are for us, for our sake, and the time we have left here 

Im losing all my words 

They were bought for a cost  

That I just can’t pay 

For better or for worse 

You won’t be hurt by the things that I never did say 

And I know you won’t be the first one to say 

I, I’m losing all my words on the page  

We might as well burn today  

If we were sewn in different clothes 

Put in each others roles 

Would you still be loveable  

I suppose that your soles won’t walk to me  

Without taking a toll for feeling incomplete 

If the sky has never been so gray, love 

It because it has never been okay 

In a careful nerve I left it all to chance 

Risk brought a smile while it made my heart a dancer 

Im losing all my words 

They were bought for a cost  

That I just can’t pay 

For better or for worse 

You won’t be hurt by the things that I never did say 

And I know you won’t be the first one to say 

I, I’m losing all my words on the page  

We might as well burn today  

First there is love  

Next the complication 

Something worth fighting for 

Is nothing more than complicated 

Two parts of sacrifice  

Candlelight and afterlife 

I hoped to have it right 

After all the laughter died 

Third time to be the charm  

Always up in up in arms 

In all ways im moving on 

But nowadays my mood is gone 

Four score and about a day ago 

I lost all my words and it hurts to let you know 

Im losing all my words 

They were bought for a cost  

That I just can’t pay 

For better or for worse 

You won’t be hurt by the things that I never did say 

And I know you won’t be the first one to say 

I, I’m losing all my words on the page  

We might as well burn today  

Heartland  

Everything about her brings me back 

Brings me back to better days 

As the sun rises she’s chasing blue  

Into a morning of the deepest grey  

It’s a long line for the promised land 

I know that she’s my only way  

Her eyes are the heartland in my mind 

Someday I’ll die I’ll be fine with her by my side 

Western winds can’t sweep her away  

My mirror in the water belongs to her 

It’s hers forever more  

Guitars in the corner still have their place 

My visions blurred I only see her face  

It’s a long line for the promised land 

I know that she’s my only way  

And I sing every day for her  

Every step forward we won’t be alone  

Her eyes are the heartland in my mind 

Someday I’ll die I’ll be fine with her by my side 

Western winds can’t sweep her away 

I’ll chase her breath when the bitter frost comes 

Can’t escape from death or who I once was  

But she walks with me and she will run with me  

Even when I’m falling down  

Ah  

Her eyes are the heartland in my mind 

Someday I’ll die I’ll be fine with her by my side 

Western winds can’t sweep her away 

Western winds can’t sweep her away 

Illusions  

I’ve got wheels to find ya through the snow 

I’ve been absent a fragment of who you know  

Your magic mind can’t define your perception 

Sometimes I hide that you have my affection  

Now I’m staring at the ceiling for souvenirs 

Stay golden like our younger years  

I must have forgotten if I once was there  

Staring at the ceiling I don’t know where 

I don’t know where  

The roads we roam are lost but not forgotten  

Old mementos are childhood arcade tokens  

Put em in the slot watch them fall like a rock in the ocean  

My hiding heart will close in on your emotion  

Now I’m staring at the ceiling for souvenirs 

Stay golden like our younger years  

I must have forgotten if I once was there  

Staring at the ceiling I don’t know where 

I don’t know where  

Now I’m staring at the ceiling for dead bouquets 

They say you grow and lose your illusions one day  

Mine won’t fade away I will trade them in some day 

Some day 

Some day  

Some day  

Some day  

Moonglow Carolina 

There’s a moon glow in Carolina 

Dying to shine on you 

Headlong to the heartland 

At the Blue Ridge before dawn 

Another ticket into the turnstile 

A blade of grass unto the lawn 

There’s a white line to the right side 

Living forever long 

Some things may never outgrow the cage 

Sometimes puddles become the pond 

Well you know if its the last thing i’ll do 

I’ll back track to you to show you something true 

Cause we’re soon to be old searching for a new  

There’s a moon glow in Carolina 

Dying to shine on you 

The wind blows through the clothes line  

From the windows of my mind 

The windshield is looking like a graveyard 

But it feels like a fence sometimes 

Red barns off the roadside  

How I hope they never say die 

I’ve been to the wishing well a hand full of times 

I’ll leave my dreams to the dandelions 

Well you know if its the last thing i’ll do 

I’ll back track to you to show you something true 

Cause we’re soon to be old searching for a new  

There’s a moon glow in Carolina 

Dying to shine on you 

So long Carolina 

I’ll be your reminder 

That a boy who’s born from the cut down corn 

will be sworn some day to find ya  

I’m a song upon your wintergreen 

And when birds become the backbeat 

I’ll be feeling torn and needing more than suburbs and the backstreets  

Well you know if its the last thing i’ll do 

I’ll back track to you to show you something true 

Cause we’re soon to be old searching for a new  

There’s a moon glow in Carolina 

Dying to shine on you 

Lonesome

You climb up where the trees dont grow 

Rails and roads above the sea 

You know that the valley turned stream 

Filled by a lifetime of half met dreams 

I cant stand looking at you 

When youre lookin past me 

Cause where your bound is lonesome 

I can't follow you there no more 

no more, no more 

Heading back to better 

I was better off before 

Ive seen you in your high end hat  

Eyes of blood, eyes of a stone 

Burn one bridge just to build another  

Another wont take you home  

I cant stand lookin at you  

When youre lookin past me  

Cause where your bound is lonesome 

I can't follow you there no more 

no more, no more 

Heading back to better 

I was better off before 

Waiting on the rains to come 

For the springs to fill your patient heart  

There’s a lesson and a blessing in it all 

I hope you learn it, son, its time you start  

I cant stand lookin at you  

When youre lookin past me  

Cause where your bound is lonesome 

I can't follow you there no more 

no more, no more 

Heading back to better 

I was better off before 

Im Talkin to me 

 im lost in 

talkng to you 

Words they get around 

Someones always talkin talkin’ (too?) 

You dont listen to me too often  

listen to yourself  

Just know its been like hell  

Trying to live and love and leave here soon  

We live to run where we want to  

‘til the last leaves outlast me 

I cant stand looking a you 

When you’re looking past me 

Patient Pretender 

You were born out of the cold  

On the first of November  

near the year’s first snow  

It’s for the best I guess  

It’s all left unknown 

There’s a warmth at my center 

The winter is leading me on 

Eyes like embers  

They can’t help but glow  

You’re the first thing I remember 

The last thing I want to leave alone  

Let’s save the way that we felt that night 

Never feel nothing more 

I thought the better part of my heart was dying 

Now I rest assured 

Its okay, its okay, its alright to belong 

I was torn when I got home 

And sworn to be ready 

Hands were heavy, heavy, heavier 

Hold what’s seeking you 

See it grow 

Some things we run to  

What loves you comes on it own 

Patient pretender surrender so slow  

All I remember is all I wish I have ever known 

All I remember is you entered my heart and soul 

Let’s save the way that we felt that night 

Never feel nothing more 

I thought the better part of my heart was dying 

Now I rest assured 

Its okay, its okay, its alright to belong 

Steady was the silence 

In safety you’re singing to the sound 

Save the way you’ve never been quite like 

And never quiet down (x2) 

Old Ford 

I know where your heart is 

And mine has always been with you  

With you it’s been the hardest  

Like a harvest without a doubt a drought too 

From you I heard a promise back in August 

When you said we’d be found 

You left me dead in the ground 

And you skipped town I bet you’re eating your words now  

Through all this and all of the hard hits 

My heart gets still  

I thought we had time to kill 

It was a hard break now it’s heartache I feel 

I forgive you my friend 

As you begin to hold your own 

Say hello to a long time of saying goodbye  

Cause life it aint long enough 

If I could take the days gone by  

Well I’d hold on but before long they turn to dust 

Last day in a landslide 

Ride or die but the road is never long enough 

Take a look at a long time  

It’s full of goodbyes I hope that I learn to adjust 

If I could return  

I’d be the first to learn it all the same 

There’s not a thing that I want more 

Than that old ford heading toward that reservoir  

We ran through those fields 

We had no fear 

For years we built our names  

What was understood was a brotherhood 

Or atleast it felt that way  

How I wish some things they would never change  

Don’t think that you can hold on 

By the time it has come it’s already gone 

Say hello to a long time of saying goodbye  

Cause life it aint long enough 

If I could take the days gone by  

Well I’d hold on but before long they turn to dust 

Last day in a landslide 

Ride or die but the road is never long enough 

Take a look at a long time  

It’s full of goodbyes I hope that I learn to adjust

MORE LIKE TOMORROW 

Well I’ll be home tonight 

But its more like tomorrow  

If there’s anything that I know, it’s my way to you  

And I’ve been up all night just staring at tail lights 

Each glow more like a halo with every cargo I drive by 

Find somewhere to keep love where no one will take it 

I’d love to leave you sleeping, but I can’t wait to wake you 

Cause our day will fade away and be gone 

What more are borderlines than dark marks on a paper 

Between my thoughts and prayers there’s a layer unopened 

And we all feel like the road is for warriors, that it holds no horror 

Open doors, so many houses that i’ll never feel at home in 

I aint gonna be the one that says home is where you make it 

I don’t want to sleep hon I just want to lay here 

Let the day fade away song by song 

All I need are my eyes back on your front door 

Kitchen floor under my feet, paw prints on the concrete 

What more are border lines than dark marks on a paper 

Only in my thoughts and prayers will I stay here always 

Find somewhere to keep love where no one will take it 

I’d love to leave you sleeping, but I can’t wait to wake you 

Cause our day will fade away and be gone 

HARD TIMES 

I don’t know how but I let it happen 

I felt my heart fall out I layed down on late night  

laughing 

If that feeling is forgotten it’s good as dead when  

its gone 

But it’s good as hell when you’re hanging on 

We don’t have to be happy all the time 

We don’t have to hide from hard times 

We dont have to hide from hard times 

I don’t know how but two and two me and you we add up 

I felt my fear fall out heard heaven is only as heavy as us 

Hope you would let me know when leaves of love have fallen 

Cause I’ve been hanging on to them 

We don’t have to be happy all the time 

We don’t have to hide from hard times 

We dont have to hide from hard times 

FOREVER 

I need something tangible 

Something that my hands can handle 

A written note to know its okay 

A list of differences that I could make 

Is it understandable 

Is it more than a heart can handle 

I took a loss, I came across that way 

The list of incidents sent me on my way 

To change what I had to  

I know it aint that bad 

I’ll be sad if it never gets better 

I know i’ll find my way back 

And be back forever  

Ah ah ah ahhh 

This aint incompatible  

Could never be dismantled 

I’ve been looking at the picture of us babe 

I ain't ever pictured it another way 

You and I know it goes and comes back 

We can never change that 

Along the line I lost my way 

A certain point and time we decide to stay 

To change what we had to 

I know it aint that bad 

I’ll be sad if it never gets better 

I know i’ll find my way back 

And be back forever  

Ah ah ah ahh 

I’ve been absent again 

Overreacting 

To keep my habits hidden 

It’s not a lot you’re asking 

To change what I had to 

I know it aint that bad 

I’ll be sad if it never gets better 

I know i’ll find my way back 

And be back  

I know it aint that bad 

I’ll be sad if it never gets better 

I know i’ll find my way back 

And be back forever  

Two Parts, One Heart  

These days we aint sleepin in 

The boy on my hip, he’s like a piece of my left side 

He sleeps on the bedside 

I fell like a landslide 

He don’t even look like me yet 

These days are all that I’ve needed 

With him on my hip I am close to completed 

Its hard to believe it, its harder to leave him 

He aint even teething yet.  

Ooh well I  

Am pulling my pieces apart 

To find that you and I  

Are two parts of one heart  

These days see so many changes 

they’re always waiting to never be wasted 

The coolest companion that I can complain with 

He aint even speaking yet 

To be here instead of so many places 

Turning the pages through all of his ages 

His mamma is famous 

Doesn’t know what my name is 

And he don’t really need to yet 

Ooh well I  

Am pulling my pieces apart 

To find that you and I  

Are two parts of one heart