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Earthly Trials

by Onion Honey

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1.
Hard Times 02:38
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Let us pause in life's pleasures and count it's many tears, while we all sup sorrow with the poor There's a song that will linger forever in our ears; Oh, hard times come again no more. While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay, there are frail forms fainting at the door Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say; Oh, hard times come again no more. Tis the song, the sigh of the weary, hard times, hard times, come again no more Many days you have lingered around my cabin door; Oh, hard times come again no more. There's a pale sorrow maiden who toils her life away, with a worn heart whose better days are o'er: Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day, Oh, hard times come again no more. Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave, tis a wail that is heard upon the shore Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave; Oh, hard times come again no more.
2.
Safe Home 03:38
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I’m gonna hitch a ride on that train I’ll be the one who’ll keep my head in the game Though the devil’s in the details I’ll be riding on those steel rails And soon we’ll be safe home Safe home, safe home, soon we'll be safe home Whatcha lookin’ at there cowboy, where I’ve been and what I’ve done Would turn your hair to silver, yes the truth would rot your gun So I’ll whisper you sweet nothings and smile while I lie In the morning leave you lonely with no word of goodbye Don’t you walk away or look my gift horse in the mouth I’ve ridden him all over from the North to the South I don’t need a single soul to tell me what he’s worth If you turn me down, I’ll salt the earth Don’t you take all my hard work for granted The house I have built and the seeds I have planted Well it may not look like much, but you’re not one to judge And soon I’ll be safe home.
3.
The Fox 02:37
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The fox went out on a chilly night He prayed for the moon to give him light For he’d many a mile to go that night Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o Had many a mile to go that night, before he reached the town-o He ran til he came to the farmer’s pen The ducks and the geese were kept therein He said, a couple of you are gonna grease my chin, Before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o A couple of you are gonna grease my chin, before I leave this town-o He grabbed the great goose by the neck And he threw a duck across his back And he didn’t mind the quack, quack And the legs all dangling down-o, down-o, down-o He didn’t mind the quack, quack and the legs all dangling down-o The old grey woman jumped out of bed Out of the window she popped her head, Crying John, John, the great goose is gone And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o John, John, the great goose is gone and the fox is on the town-o He ran til he came to his nice warm den And there were the little ones, eight, nine, ten Sayin Daddy, Daddy, better go back again For it must be a might fine town-o, town-o, town-o Daddy, Daddy, go back again for it must be mighty fine town-o The fox and his wife, without any strife Cut up the goose with a fork and a knife They never had such a supper in their life And the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o They never had such a supper in their life And the little ones chewed on the bones
4.
Sittin' On Top of the World 02:54
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Was in the spring, One sunny day My sweetheart left me lord, she went away And now she's gone, And I don’t worry Lord, I'm sitting On top of the world She called me up, from down in Al Paso She said "Come back, daddy, ooh, I need you so" And now she's gone, and I don’t worry Lord, I'm sitting on top of the world If you don't like my peaches, don't you shake my tree 'n Get out of my orchard, let my peaches be And now she's gone, and I don’t worry Lord, I'm sitting on top of the world And don’t you come here running holding out your hand I’m gonna get me a woman like you got your man And now she’s gone and I don’t worry Lord, I’m sitting on top of the world
5.
Hydration Blues 04:50
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Well my old man’s got a hole in his head (drink that water down) Sometimes when he’s sleeping I wonder if he’s dead (drink that water down) Drink that water down, drink that water down He sleeps so still and silent that I wonder if he’s dead Drink that water down When I see those Pearly Gates I’ll weep and I’ll moan (drink that water down) If they send me up to Heaven I’ll be running back home (drink that water down) Drink that water down, drink that water down Won’t be singing hymns in Heaven, I’ll be running back home Drink that water down Old Joe Brook’s got a taste for humble pie (drink that water down) If he makes anymore we’ll be eating ‘til we die (drink that water down) Drink that water down, drink that water down Don’t want no more of Old Joe’s humble pie Drink that water down The Grand Valley aquifers are wet and clean and cold (drink that water down) They’re selling them to Nestle who profits hundredfold (drink that water down) Drink that water down, drink that water down If Nestle drains those aquifers we’ll all be living lean Drink that water down They put a tax on bourbon so we’ll have to make it stretch (drink it watered down) There’s foul play the USA so it’s probably for the best (drink it watered down) Drink it watered down, drink it watered down Got to ration for this trade war so we’ll all get by on less Drink it watered down
6.
Lady Killer 03:50
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To get by in this world, you need man, they say And I’ve got no shortage looking my way But I’m very particular about my type. Say you want a man’s affections, you gotta earn ‘em. Naw, the way to his heart is straight through the sternum. That man'll love me the rest of his life. You’d think that’d stop gentlemen comin’ around, (comin' around) But I’ve been courted by near every man in this town. (in this town) One even asked me to be his wife, So I took out my second best knife. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. I need a man who’s got my back, Or I’ll bury him in the garden in a burlap sack Right beside the turnips and the peas. He’ll find his final resting place there Next to the doctor, and on top of the mayor. He’ll regret coming by sayin’ “darlin’, please”. I need a man who’ll tend to my roses, Or I’ll put a space on his face where his nose is. A man who won’t spout tired lines at me One said my eyes were like blue pools of wonder, So we went to the ocean and I held him under. Said he always wanted to visit the sea. Don’t need a man who’s my kind of villain I just want somebody I don’t feel like killin’ Who won’t come by my gate to waste my time If I found someone who was honest and plain, I’d hesitate before causin’ him pain, Just speak your mind, we’ll get along just fine.
7.
The Old Millstone 03:13
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Been all across this country from East to the West But I’m never at my home with the one I love the best I’ve lost count of the days and I’m feeling pretty low And I’m getting tired of that old bumpy road My heart is worn my hands are tired I’ll find my rest when I’ve expired The day grows long, the sun’s gone down I think it’s time I left this town I want to hear my lady’s voice, if I can’t see her face There’s only one payphone in this whole forsaken place I’ll call the operator, tell her to put me through So I can tell my darlin’ I’ll be coming home soon My guitar’s getting heavy, my back’s getting sore I’m lonesome and weary, can’t take too much more I’ve played my fingers right down to the bone But I’ll write one more song on this old millstone
8.
Hoedown Tea 03:55
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I’m gonna get some (get some, get some) I’m gonna get some hoedown tea My mama’s fallen sick, please Give her some hoedown tea I don’t know what else to do Give her that hoedown tea Since my lady left me Drinkin’ that hoedown tea I’m so sad and lonely Give me that hoedown tea Got laid off last Saturday Got kids to feed and bills to pay Up all last night drinkin’ In the morning I’ll be hurtin’ Lost my ticket, missed my train I need something to dull that pain
9.
Mealy Apple Blues 04:27
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I’m tired (tired) exhausted and sad And I feel like an apple about to go bad But I know there ain’t nothing wrong with me I’m just tired, tired, tired Well I can’t fall asleep and I can’t find my rest I talk to the doctors, they’re s’posed to know best But they tell me there ain’t nothing wrong with me I’m just tired, tired, tired Well I got me a job and I work all day And I know that’s a good thing - I’ve got to get paid And there’s food on the table and warm place to stay But I’m lying awake in the bed that I made One is for sorrow, two is for joy Three for a girl and four for a boy Five for slumber, six for repose Seven for eyes that still just won’t close Someday I’ll get older, then I’ll lay me down No sandman’s a-coming, no peace to be found I think I’ll be spent and wasted and worn ‘Til I’m dead to the world, six feet underground
10.
Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me 03:40
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Blues all on the ocean, blues all in the air; Can't stay here no longer, I have no steamship fare. When my earthly trials are over, cast my body out in the sea; Save on the undertaker bill - let the mermaids flirt with me! I do not work for pleasure; earthly peace I'll see no more; The only reason I work at all is to drive the wolf from my door. When my earthly trials are over, cast my body out in the sea; Save on the undertaker bill - let the mermaids flirt with me! My wife controls our happy home; my sweetheart I cannot find. The only thing I can call my own is a troubled and a worried mind. When my earthly trials are over, cast my body out in the sea; Save on the undertaker bill - let the mermaids flirt with me! Blues all in my body; my darlin' has forsaken me. If I ever see her face again, have to travel 'cross the sea. When my earthly trials are over, cast my body out in the sea; Save on the undertaker bill - let the mermaids flirt with me! Blues all on the ocean, blues all in the air; Can't stay here no longer, I have no steamship fare. When my earthly trials are over, cast my body out in the sea; Save on the undertaker bill - let the mermaids flirt with me!
11.
Pickled Sheriff Yodel 02:33
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The hour was getting late, and the town was closing down We were getting rowdy drinking, and we had no plans to leave But the sheriff came a running, said “Get out of my old town” So we threw him in a barrel and got a brief reprieve Well the sheriff he got free, and called in some recruits We could take our wagon now and pay the barman what we owed Or spend the night in jail wearing dirty striped suits When they drew their guns, we shot first, then we hit the road Yodel-ay-eee... The wagon started rattlin’ like a wheel was coming loose Racing through the mountains and heading for the coast We were hootin’ and a hollerin’ and running from the noose With every other bump we broke another spoke And the turns were getting tighter and the cops were getting close The horses breathing heavy were nearing their last mile We heard the shots a’ringing down the stone walls of the road And when every bullet hit, we returned it with a smile The clouds were rolling in and something spooked the mare We could hardly see the turn before we felt it in our bones We were barely holding on when the wagon hit the air We tumbled down the cliffside to the water and the stones
12.
Lonesome Road Blues 02:40
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I’m going down that road feeling bad Bad luck’s all I ever had Going down that road feeling bad, lord lord I ain’t gonna be treated this way Got me a way down in jail on my knees This jailer he sure is hard to please Feeds me on corn bread and peas, lord lord I ain’t gonna be treated this way Sweet momma, she won’t buy me no shoes She left me with the lonesome jailhouse blues My sweet momma won’t buy no shoes, lord lord I ain’t gonna be treated this way I’m going where the chilly wind never blows I’m going where the climate suits my clothes I’m going where the chilly wind never blows, lord lord I ain’t gonna be treated this way I’ve got them old Lonesome Road Blues Lord, I’ve got them old Lonesome Road Blues Got them old Lonesome Road Blues I ain’t gonna be treated this way I ain’t gonna be treated this way
13.
A Distant Land to Roam 02:32
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I remember very well on one dark and dreary day Just as I was leaving home for a distant land to roam Mother said (mother said) my dear boy (my dear boy) I hope to see you next year again Fare you well (fare you well) fare you well (fare you well) So I left my dear old home for a distant land to roam Now I wandered far away from my home I've gone astray Now I'm coming coming home never more from thee to roam And these words she said to me as she took me by the hand If on earth we meet no more may we meet at God's right hand
14.
No Quarter 04:01
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My working man’s hands are scarred and worn No rest for the wicked, the poor, or the stricken In this zero sum world no quarter is given If you can’t find shelter in this storm I’ve got tools to help me work I’ve got folks to help me cope But I’ve got thousands of dollars in debt to repay And I’m almost out of hope Got a place to call my home And we can pay the rent But the bank owns my back and my home and my debt And I can’t make a dent I’ve got holes in my shoes My clothes are second hand This dollar’s got to stretch an awful long way And I feel like half a man The ends just barely meet I’ve got credit to get me there But if my ride breaks down, I’ll be sticking around I’ll still be going nowhere

credits

released April 5, 2019

Dave Pike (vocals, mandolin, guitar) Esther Wheaton (vocals, banjo, washboard) Leanne Swantko (vocals, guitar, mandolin) Kayleigh LeBlanc (vocals, bull fiddle) Alison Corbett (fiddle)

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Onion Honey Waterloo, Ontario

Onion Honey makes folk music, sharp and sweet and mixed in with banjo and mandolin, washboard and double bass, fiddle and warm five-part harmonies. It’s a recipe for a great time and good for what ails, home-cooked comfort food for the ears.

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