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Leaving West

by Terry Lee Hale

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1.
Regret 03:09
2.
Cheyenne 03:25
CHEYENNE REVIVED, COFFIN BREAK, SUFFOCATED, I COULDN’T WAIT IT'S TEN BELOW AND A BLACK TOP ROAD NOBODY'S OUT THERE, TONIGHT IT'S LONELY PASSING THROUGH I THINK A DRINK IS DUE, I’II TAKE TWO OUT OF CHEYENNE INTO PINEY WOODS, THIS DRIVE WILL DO ME GOOD REMEMBERING WHAT SHE SAID, WHAT SHE SAID "I'M NOT YOUR ENEMY NO, I'M NOW IT, CAN'T YOU SEE IT’S THE PASt THAT BINDS, THAT'S NOT AN ALIBI BUT YOU NEVER TRY, WHY DON'T YOU EVER TRY?" I REMEMBER A WISHING WELL WHERE WE STOOD AND WHOSE HAND THAT I HELD AND THE COIN THAT WAS TOSSED AND WHAT IT GOT CIGARETTE SMOKE AND EMPTY ROADS IT'S 4 AM A STUPID JOKE BUT WHAT DO I KNOW ON A LIST I'M ALONE EINSTEIN, BARFLY, WHICH ONE WHAT'S THE FACE TONIGHT BUT THE LAST THING SHE SAID AS THE PHONE LINE WENT DEAD "IF YOU ROLL ALONE I’LL LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON IF YOU ROLL ALONE I’LL LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON IF YOU ROLL ALONE." (D# G A# G A# D)
3.
SAY IT AND SEE IT’S FUNNY I SHOULD FEEL THIS GUILT WALKING AROUND WITH THIS SMILE WHAT'S THE CRIME? I’VE PAID MY DUES AND I’VE CLAIMED MY DEBTS AIN’ T GOTTA LIE, THIS ONE’S MINE THIS ONE’S MINE YOU MIGHT LAUGH AND SHAKE YOUR HEAD SAY YOU KNOW ME, SAY YOU’VE SEEN THIS I DON’T MIND, THIS TIME I DON'T MIND SO OK, ALL RIGHT I’M GONNA SAY IT AND SEE I LOVE HER AND SHE LOVES ME I WASN'T LOOKING, WHO'D A FIGURED HOLDING OUT LIKE THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET THE PICTURE NOW IT'S A HAND TO HOLD AND OH GOOD, LITTLE TOES WITH OUR PASTS WE ARE QUITE MODERN SHE’S GOT SCARS AND I’VE GOT THE DAUGHTER BUT IT FITS, WE LIKE THE FIT BUT IT'S TRUE IT'S A HANDFUL IT'S MODERN LOVE AND LOOK OUT BELOW AH, BUT WE KNOW OH YES, WE KNOW SO OK, ALL RIGHT I’M GONNA SAY IT AND SEE I LOVE HER AND SHE LOVES ME F A# D F A# D# CAPO 4
4.
Freak Show 03:51
FREAK SHOW NOW I GUESS IT’S TIME WERE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE I’M READY FOR YOU, I BET YOU'RE NOT READY FOR ME I’VE BEEN AWAY A LONG TIME, I COULDN'T HANDLE THIS SCENE I ONLY RETURN TO WIPE THE PAST CLEAN BECAUSE I’M ASHAMED OF MYSELF AND FOR SOME OF WHAT I’VE DO BUT IT'S HARD TO KNOW THE TRUTH, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG AND IT'S HEY HO, HI-DY HO I CAN ALWAYS DO THE STOMP AT A FREAK SHOW BUT MAYBE I'D JUST LIKE TO LET IT GO PLEASE DON'T PLEASE DON’T TELL ME THAT YOU NEVER LIE I SEE SHADOWS CREEP YOU COULD NOT DISGUISE I’M NOT COMING BACK TO MAKE THEM PAY BUT THE THINGS I’VE GOT INSIDE YES, THEY NEED TO HEAR ME SAY BECAUSE IF I DIDN'T SAY IT THEY’D NEVER KNOW I’M A SENTIENT CREATURE AND NOT A PIECE FOR THEIR FREAK SHOW I’M NOT A PIECE FOR THEIR FREAK SHOW AND IT’S HEY HO, HI-DY HO I CAN ALWAYS DO THE STOMP AT A FREAK SHOW BUT MAYBE I’D JUST LIKE TO LET IT GO LOOKY, LOOKY HERE WHAT YOU'VE GONE AND DONE I’VE SPENT LONG YEARS TRYING TO GET THIS KNOT UNDONE CRAZY AUNTS AND UNCLES, MOM AND DAD TOO WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK ME AND MY SISTER ARE SUPPOSED TO DO? WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG IT'S HARD TO SAY "LEAVE US ALONE," I DON’T WANT TO PLAY, I DON'T WANT TO BE IN YOUR FREAK SHOW I DON'T WANT TO BE IN YOUR FREAK SHOW AND IT'S HEY HO, HI-DY HO I CAN ALWAYS DO THE STOMP AT A FREAK SHOW BUT MAYBE I'D JUST LIKE TO LET IT GO
5.
6.
THE ORPHANAGE THERE'S A LITTLE CANDLE LIGHT WHERE THE CHILDREN SLEEP AT NIGHT IN THAT HOME ON TOP OF THE HILL WHERE THEY DREAM OF HANDS TO HOLD AND NEVER ALL ALONE AND MOMMY AND DADDY DON'T FIGHT IT’S JUST A SIMPLE WOODEN HOUSE LEFT ALONE AND DONE WITHOUT BUT WITH ANGELS ABOVE AND BELOW AND THE CHILDREN RUN AND PLAY AS THEY PASS THE TIME AWAY WAITING AND WANTING TO GO FOR A LITTLE WHILE IT MIGHT BE ALL RIGHT IT MIGHT BE OK FOR JUST A FEW SHORT DAYS BUT FOR THE UNLUCKY ONES, NO ONE COMES AND THEY'RE WAITING THERE STILL IN THAT HOME ON THE HILL WELL, I WAS A LUCKY ONE I SPENT SOME TIME AND THEN IT WAS DONE AND MY NEW PARENTS ARE HAPPY WITH ME I SUPPOSE BUT I’LL NOT FORGET THOSE DAYS AND THE LITTLE BED IN WHICH I LAY AND MY FRIENDS I LEFT THERE WAITING AND WANTING TO GO FOR A LITTLE WHILE IT MIGHT BE ALL RIGHT IT MIGHT BE OK FOR JUST A FEW SHORT DAYS BUT FOR THE UNLUCKY ONES, NO ONE COMES AND THEY'RE WAITING THERE STILL IN THAT HOME ON THE HILL (D G A# G A# D)
7.
I Don't Know 03:30
I DON'T KNOW I'M GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING I’M NOT GOING TO LIE SO IF YOU COME HERE EARLY HONEY DON’T SAY YOU'RE SURPRISED I’D LIKE TO STAY FOREVER BUT I'M FEELING FILLED UP AND FULL SO I’VE PACKED MY BAGS, I’VE FOUND THE KEY I GUESS IT'S TIME TO GO BUT OK, FRIENDS THINK I’M CRAZY FRIENDS THINK I'M STUPID BUT I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW I’LL BE LOOKING FOR SUNSHINE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS RAIN COURSE IT'S TRUE, I'M SAD ABOUT LEAVING BUT I'M NOT GOING TO STAY THAT WAY YOU CAN’T SAY WE NEVER TRIED NOW YOU KNOW WE DID WHAT WE COULD 'COURSE I ALWAYS KNOW THAT THERE IS MORE THAT YOU CAN DO BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD BUT OK, FRIENDS TELL ME IT'S EASY FRIENDS SAY IT’S SIMPLE BUT I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW I DON’T KNOW I’M NOT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE BUT I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF BLUE I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR AND HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE DARLING, DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT YOU OF COURSE I COULD WRITE A LETTER MAYBE PUT THIS IN A SONG IT'S BEEN NICE, DARLING, I LOVE YOU TOO BUT TAKE A LOOK AND I’M GONE BUT ALL RIGHT, FRIENDS TELL ME IT'S EASY FRIENDS THINK I'M CRAZY FRIENDS THINK I'M SIMPLE BUT I DON'T KNOW ALL RIGHT, EASY TELL ME IT'S ALL RIGHT I DON'T KNOW (D# C A# G A# D#)
8.
Tonight 03:40
TONIGHT SAY NO MORE, I’LL TAKE THE CHANCE YOU’VE HAD YOUR SHARE I KNOW BUT I'M NOT THAT KIND OF MAN I’LL TAKE CARE AND BESIDES, I’VE GOT A DIFFERENT KIND OF PLAN WHY DON'T WE JUST HOLD HANDS? NOT FOREVER AND A DAY, OH NO I COULD NOT STAND THE WAIT AND I'M NOT SO VERY STRONG AND BESIDES. YES I’M SURE I KNOW THAT YOU’RE THE ONE I WANT IN TIME AND FORTUNATELY LET’S DANCE ALL NIGHT TONIGHT OK, I KNOW, IT MIGHT BE IMPOSSIBLE A SILLY NOTION, DUMB IDEA BUT IF YOU WANT TO GET CLOSE AND SEE CAN ANYBODY LOVE? CAN YOU AND ME? LET’S DANCE ALL NIGHT DANCING ALL NIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT (D# G A# G A# D)
9.
10.
ONE SINGLE ROSE ONE CALENDAR PAGE, TOO MANY DAYS THIS IS BORDERLINE INSANITY TO BEND MY KNEES AND HAVE TO WAIT BUT I’LL TRY TO LAUGH AS I WIPE MY EYES AND TRY TO REMEMBER SOME INNOCENCE AND WONDER IF THIS LIFE WILL BE KIND FORGET ABOUT THE RUNNING FORGET ABOUT THE DEVIL’S CURSE I NEVER SAW THIS COMING NO TIME TO STEAL AWAY OR WORSE SO I AM FORTUNATE BUT I AM STUNNED SOMETIMES DRAWING BLANKS JUST LIKE A CHILD CONFRONTED WITH STUPID ADULT QUESTIONS SILENTLY I CLIMB, STRAIGHT TO THE TOP WHERE I’LL CATCH MY BREATH AND TRY TO SEE YOU CAN WATCH BUT I WON'T FALL IT’S ONE SINGLE ROSE, GROWING IN THIS GARDEN WAITING I HOPE AND FASCINATED ENOUGH TO SEE AND LOVE (EGBGBE) CAPO7
11.
Big Stick 05:43
BIG STICK BECAUSE I WANT IT AROUND HERE DON'T MAKE IT SO SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS CORN FIELD MY DADDY WARNED ME TO GO HIGHWAY 41 I KNOW AND JUST WHERE IT GOES I CAN'T, I WANT BUT I WON’ T DAMN THIS DRY COUNTY AND NUMBER NINE COAL I WISH WE DIDN'T NEED THE HEAT SO BAD BUT CHRIST IT'S GETTING COLD NO JOB HERE AND NINE FINGERS BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES THERE'S NOT MUCH LEFT HERE NOW. BUT I WONDER IF I COULD STIR IT WITH THIS OLD STICK WHAT WOULD FLOAT? I USED TO LIKE THIS LIVING, WORKING THE LAND WHEN MY DADDY WAS ALIVE IT MADE A LOT MORE SENSE BUT THINGS WAS DIFFERENT BACK THEN NOW HE'S GONE, MOST OF MY FRIENDS TOO AND I'VE GOT THE ITCH WHEN A LITTLE LUCK WOULD DO I CAN'T, I WON'T, I CAN'T MOVE A BAND-AID, CIGARETTES, THIS LAND I WALK I’M NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT THE CHEVROLET TROUBLES I'VE GOT ENOUGH NOW NANCY'S PACKED AND WANTS AN ANSWER FROM ME OR SAYS SHE'S NOT COMING BACK THERE'S NOT MUCH LEFT HERE I KNOW BUT I WONDER IF I COULD STIR IT WITH THIS STICK WHAT WOULD FLOAT? THERE'S NOT MUCH LEFT I KNOW BUT I WONDER IF I SHOULD SPEND A LITTLE MORE BUT I DON'T KNOW
12.
Baby Bean 03:23
BABY BEAN HELLO BLANK PAGE, DISASTERS GALORE BEST DOUBLE TIME IT, TELEVISION SORES WHITE NOISE CHICKEN, SCRATCH PAPER PIE FOLD OVER CORNER, SLIP GOES THE NIGHT CAN'T YOU HEAR HER KNOCKING NOW SQUEEZING OFF A SNEEZE TRY A LITTLE HARDER, BETTER SAY IT LOUDER PLEASE A FRIEND INDEED, SANG HIS SONGS FOR ME SO GOOD LUCK MAMA AND LITTLE BABY BEAN DOWN NEAR THE BOTTOM NOW RUNNING OUT OF REACH DON'T BOTHER HOLLERING NO ONE WILL HEAR YOU SCREAM A FRIEND IS GONE THE ROCKING CHAIR CREAKS BUT GOOD LUCK MAMA AND LITTLE BABY BEAN GOOD LUCK MAMA AND LITTLE BABY BEAN (CGCGCE) CAPO 4
13.
Was A Friend 02:41
(D# G A# G A# D) capo 1
14.
Slow Poison 04:13
SLOW POISON HELLO POISON, WE HEAR YOU CALLING FAMILIAR LIKE A FRIEND AT LEAST NOW IT'S IN THE GREAT WIDE OPEN IT'S GOOD WE DON’T PRETEND IT’S TAKEN TIME, TELEVISION AND TIME OF COURSE WE KNOW LIVING LIFE HERE IN THE CITY IT'S EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK AND SEE THE HATEFUL STARES AND THE SILENT SIGNS DIRECTED AT MY DARK SKINNED FRIENDS AND ME BUT WE KNOW WHY WE KNOW WHY OUR NATION PLAYS TRICKLE DOWN AND LIES TO CONTROL WE KNOW WHY THEY'RE JEALOUS AND FEAR TO EVER REALLY LET GO OH WE KNOW SAME OLD TRASH, OVERUSED BEDSPRINGS SAME OLD TAKE AWAY BABIES GROWN AND JUMPING BUSY DOING NOTHING NO WORK OR MONEY TO PLAY AND IT'S WHY TRY SLOW POISON SO DISSATISFIED NOWHERE REALLY TO CLIMB IF YOU WANT TO RUN WHERE DO YOU GO? WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE? WHERE DO YOU COME FROM? AND WHAT'S PRIDE? BUT WE KNOW THAT OUR NATION PLAYS TRICKLE DOWN AND LIES TO CONTROL WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE JEALOUS AND FEAR TO EVER REALLY LET GO OH WE KNOW WE KNOW (D C# A# C# A# D) CAPO 1

credits

released November 12, 2020

Produced by Terry Lee Hale
Assisted by Kevin Suggs and Bruce Wirth
Engineered and mixed by Kevin Suggs
Recorded at Squirrely Studios(RIP) and John and Stu's Place
Seattle, WA. February and March 1996
Mixed at John and Stu's Place
Edited at House of Snacks by Bruce Wirth
Songs written by Terry Lee Hale
Copyright c1996
Published by Tender Loving Hell Music/BMI

TLH - vocals, guitars
Jon Hyde - bass,
Sean Sipple - drums
Bruce Wirth - violins, accordion, harmonium, organ, lap steel, mandolin
Amen Corner Girls -Michael Buergner, Dawn Mermer, Michael Shuler, Sheila Hartley, Anne Gruel, Lisa Brisbois, James Palmer, Andrew Hare, Caroline Berthet, Bruce Wirth
Cover design - by Ben Thomas Thompson
Photographs by Frank Betermin

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Terry Lee Hale Marseille, France

Currently a resident in Marseille, Hale has been releasing albums for more than three decades. Hale’s work is stubborn and transcendent of genres and deeply evocative in a way that only a true original can be.

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