Get all 12 Andrew McKnight releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Treasures in My Chest, Live: Bound for Glory, Live from the Appalachians to Austin, Sampler Download, One Virginia Night, Something Worth Standing For, 1845, Red-Haired Boy, and 4 more.
1. |
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words & music A. McKnight, 2006©Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
Hurricane flags, flutter in warning
the highway to high ground, unmoved all morning
the least of the least, phantoms in plain view
begging a ride, begging for rescue
From under the bottom line, onto the TV
they're suddenly seen, looking through you and me,
born like each one of us, naked and crying,
somehow left behind, hope sputtered and dying
Scattered like matchsticks, floodwaters preordained
tempest filled teacup, the driftwood of Pontchartrain
call out for mercy, but there's no answer
when we ask how it went so wrong
Chorus
Can you believe, these times we're living in (3X)
Verse 2
Somehow overheated, the road to Salvation
as we lose our grip with each revelation
of unholy deals, fleecing the faithful
shattering vows, cracking the crucible
To steal from the people, was that Jesus teaching,
we recite the words, but lose their meaning
the princes and pundits, cloaked in theocracy
while thieves in the temple, are looting our liberties
Is this what it comes to, power and preference
executive privilege, for or against us
wrapped in the flag, discredit dissenters,
while they tear down all we hold dear
Chorus
Can you believe, these times we're living in (4X)
Can you believe
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2. |
These Shoes
03:26
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Words & music A. McKnight, 2006©Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
In the darkness, in the desert
searchlights glare, and there's gunshots and shouting but
somehow I slipped by, only God knows why,
the trucker dropped me at the Arkansas line
Verse 2
Where I come from, is where the drugs run,
and the men come with money and lust
for honest living, I hope God's forgiving,
for I left my family for this one chance at hope
Chorus
And I, have dreams just like you
If I, let you walk in these shoes
would you be here
Verse 3
Scars and scratches, chemical rashes,
no one trusts me to do more than clean but,
I've got secrets, I've learned English
someday the name on the door will be mine
Chorus
Break
Verse 4
For all the politicians, state their positions,
collecting campaign cash to build a wall behind them but
I do work you won't, dirty jobs you don't,
and all I ask is the right to be human
Chorus twice
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3. |
Worried Man Blues
04:48
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Traditional; new words and music by Andrew McKnight, 2007©Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
Went across the river and I lay down to sleep
went across the river and I lay down to sleep
suddenly, felt shackles on my dreams
Verse 2
Twenty-one links of chain around my heart
twenty-one links of chain around my heart
and on each link, an initial of my name
Chorus
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
takes a worried woman to sing a worried song
I worry now, but I don’t know for how long
Verse 3
I asked the lawman, tell me what I’ve done
I asked the lawman, tell me what I’ve done
I don’t look like you, but I have hurt no one
Verse 4
I begged the judge, for mercy on my soul
I begged the judge, for mercy on my soul
but I got none, he sent me to the hole
Chorus
Guitar verse
Verse 5
I woke up, a stranger in my land
I woke up, in a stranger land
now I believe, that I must make a stand
Chorus
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4. |
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Verse 1
An old man mowing grass on a levee
drenched in sweat in the noonday sun
his back seat stacked with stuff he's picked up
his beat-up car barely runs
Got a million miles worn upon his face
but smiles as he walks my way
lights a half smoked cigarette as he sits down,
before I can leave he turns to say
Chorus
Gotta haul all you need from the river
build your temple up from the floor
be grateful for every gift you get
and find something worth standing for
Verse 2
I've been down in the shadows bout the shape I'm in,
a mess made with my own hands
I could write a book with the lessons I've learned
and hard luck that made this man
I've walked in the valley of darkness
I've known heartbreak, I've known loss
but I'm still standing on these two feet
amazed at all they got me across
Chorus
Instrumental Hook
Instrumental Verse
Verse 3
Before he turned to leave he said “now hear me son”
I could talk til my face turns blue
what matters ain't the words you say
it's all the little things that you do
don't be afraid to help another
when your time’s up there's nowhere to hide
and the walls we build to keep us safe
are prisons that trap us inside
Chorus
So haul all you need from the river
build your temple up from the floor
be grateful for every gift you get
and find something worth standing for
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5. |
Hour of Darkness
03:51
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Verse 1
In my hour of darkness, before the morning light
that's when the demons stalk me, in the dying night
for all their rage and anger, fuel flaming my fears
drive a man to desperation from the doubt that he hears
Chorus
And I crumble, like stone into sand
life blows like dust from my hand
Verse 2
The showdown approaches, at high noon desert sun
on the barren plains of truth ain't nowhere to run
they say if a man should wander, long enough in the heat
and he survives the solitude, his soul he'll meet
Chorus
Instrumental
Verse 3
The final hour is upon me, as twilight claims the sky
to darkness I surrender, for no peace I find
so dig my grave gently, upon a tall tree hill
though my body's lost the battle, know my soul never will
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6. |
Ansel Adams
03:57
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Words & music A. McKnight, 2007©Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
Will there be another Ansel Adams, American original
sculptor of shadow and light
will another have the patience, to await the perfect moment,
when the elements and angles are just right
Verse 2
Ansel Adams was no hero, cursed with pride and foible,
but like any Einstein you find, take everything you can
seraphim of film and format, wizard of the lens,
freezing magic in a frame of stone and sand
Chorus
In a range of light a gentle man revealed his heart
showed us treasures God in plain sight hid
and in a sacred setting, shutter clicking on the wind
let us see like Ansel Adams did
Verse 3
A moment is so precious, in our hurry rush-rush lives
seems the only way to save it, is hang it over the TV
our modern generation, focused on the destination,
is it still a thing of beauty, if we move too fast to see?
Chorus
Verse 4
I'm a man who chases shadows, been known to talk to ghosts
and I strain to hear echoes of the past
his reflections in still waters, spires soar into the sky
all remind me that this heartbreak will not last
Chorus
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7. |
Bridges
04:40
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Words & music A. McKnight and Jon Carroll, ©2007 Catalooch Music, BMI and Ordinary World Publishing, ASCAP
Verse 1
1964, the summer I was born
2 black boys went to Jesus neath the Mississippi moon
knock on the door, hearts sink through the floor
and a flood of mothers tears run fast for souls taken too soon
while my parents far from harm, new babe safe in their arms
must have wondered at the hands that twist such fate
Chorus
The call comes in the night, a hand fumbles for the light
is it joy or tears that come with curtains drawn
the river gives and takes, our hopes and our heartaches
they rush by, and round the bend and then they're gone
leave us letting go or holding on too long
Verse 2
under this highway night, galaxies burn bright
in conversation with a face I cannot see
a sudden shooting star, I wonder who you are
I hope the life we give you is everything you wish that you could be
like my parents must have done, wonder what this world's become
do I dare to think it's fair we're blessed with you
Chorus
The call comes in the night, a hand fumbles for the light
is it joy or tears that come with curtains drawn
the river gives and takes, our hopes and our heartaches
they rush by, and round the bend and then they're gone
leave us letting go or holding on
Bridge
Across the generations, every parent's trepidation
the leap of faith to take our place within the flow
Verse 3
I await the news, you're now a parent too
as the current carries all this old man's learned
despite our best intent, and fortunes heaven sent
sometimes we must swim waters spanned by bridges that we've burned
Chorus
that call comes in the night, hands fumble for the light
will joy or fear come with curtains drawn
the river gives and takes, our hopes and our heartaches
they rush by, and round the bend and then they're gone
leave us letting go or holding on
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8. |
Count Your Blessings
04:02
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Words & music John Rickard and A. McKnight, ©2001 Short Hill Music, and Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
Count your blessings, don’t count your gold
don’t need money, when you’re lying cold
you can’t buy your way, into heaven I am told
count your blessings, don’t count your gold
Verse 2
Count the good deeds, that you’ve done
lend your hand, to help someone
Saint Peter’s got his list, he’s checking everyone
count the good deeds, that you’ve done
instrumental over verse
Bridge
In spite of all your troubles, all you need is on your back
believe in all your blessings, don’t worry bout all you lack
Verse 3
Count on Jesus, to be your friend
stick with you, right to the end
he’ll be by your side no matter how you’ve sinned
count on Jesus to be your friend
instrumental over bridge
Verse 4
Count the lessons, you learn each day
let them guide you, show you the way
follow the word, you won’t go astray
count the lessons, you learn each day
Repeat Verse 1
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9. |
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Traditional melody, words by A.P. Carter; Jeff Arey, ©1998, arranged by A. McKnight
no lyrics, instrumental version
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10. |
Surveillance
03:57
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Words & music A. McKnight and Les Thompson, ©2007 Catalooch Music and Les Thompson, ASCAP
Verse 1
These are dangerous times, and devious minds
lurk in shadows everywhere
so I’ve been authorized, to search and scrutinize
and you won’t even know I’m there
Verse 2
All quiet along the Potomac tonight
but while that power city sleeps,
suspicious silhouettes among the monuments
trade secrets dark and deep
Chorus
So I’ve got to keep you under surveillance
I’ve got to know every move you make
I can tell by the way you whisper when you walk
I’ve gotta keep an eye on you
Verse 3
With terror in our midst, your profile’s on my list
shapely charm can’t erase your trail
through the wi-fi café, same time every day
I bet you’re getting more than mail
Verse 4
To the library, so anonymously
avert any attention you’d arouse
slip between the stacks, cover up your tracks
but I watch everywhere you browse
Chorus
Guitar solo over verse/fiddle solo over chorus
Verse 5
You weave a tangled web, of mixed messages
but I am a patient man
I’m looking over, your boss’s shoulder
you can’t escape my scan
Chorus
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11. |
George Washington
03:55
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Words & music A. McKnight, ©1996 Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
The sign says George Washington lived here,
now there’s a guy who had a couple of good ideas
but I wonder what he’d say
to see this thing he started in the state it’s in today
Chorus
We don’t get our way, we’ll go to court and that’s just fine
we'd love to know our neighbors but haven’t got the time
I don’t know if it’d be better anyhow,
if George Washington lived here now
Verse 2
Driving in my car the other day,
a rich lady in a Jag she cut me off and flipped the bird my way
there's anger everywhere we turn
we've got no need to listen when we've nothing left to learn
Chorus
Break
Verse 3
They say we don’t need the family farms no more,
we’ll subdivide, suburbanize, we’ll plant seeds and grow chain stores
locked safely in our cul-de-sacs,
we're hollering at the TV and the TV’s hollering back
Chorus
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12. |
The Fox
03:56
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Traditional
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13. |
Cedars
04:06
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Words & music A. McKnight, ©2007 Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
The unmarked blacktop winds back in time,
remembered ways I've known and left behind
the signs have changed but the way is clear
it's been so long since I've been here
Memories point past that sycamore tree
make a left where the Miller's red barn used to be
the gravel gently gives beneath my wheels
and I remember how it feels
Chorus
A rusted tractor rests among the cedar trees
a pause between the past and what's to be
ten thousand houses don't leave any space
this was home, when this was a different place
Verse 2
These windows watched three generations grow old
silent statue stands to times long ago
when they say you can't go home again, I know what they mean
I still see those fields of green
Chorus
Verse 3
Now open red clay wounds weep every time it rains
castles grow instead of acres of grain
I wonder if those kids will know where food comes from
and if someday they'll ask where we have gone
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14. |
Safe Home
04:06
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Words & music A. McKnight, ©2007 Catalooch Music, BMI
Verse 1
In the shadow of this dark mountain, where the sun but rarely shines
blessings fair, are hard to come by, in the cold black damp Kentucky mines
For there ain't nothing to hold our young ones, since this mountain's heart ran out of gold
there's no future here in this holler, so we wave when they leave down that road
Chorus
But the same moon shines wherever you are
So I'll listen when the night wind starts to moan
I'll light a candle when darkness falls
and pray til you're safe home
Verse 2
Mountain boys they love their country, and they never shy from a fight
but it's so hard, to let our daughters, answer the call to glory's light
For every mother hopes her children, will someday have more than she’s known,
but in these hard hills, hope is precious, and a better life is a gambler's throw
Chorus
Instrumental Verse
Instrumental Chorus
Verse 3
My only daughter gave her body, when duty called, to desert sands
now the bloodroot and dogwood blossoms, can't hide the work of war's evil hands
Chorus
But the same moon shines wherever you are
So I'll listen when the night wind starts to moan
I'll light a candle when darkness falls
and pretend, that you're safe home
Chorus
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15. |
Wind Whispers Your Name
02:29
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Words & music A. McKnight and Randy Barrett, ©2007 Catalooch Music and Jolly Mountain Music, BMI
Verse 1
There's a hole in the sky, where the sun streams through
as the storm gives way to its flame
where thunder and tears have soaked green earth
and the wind still whispers your name
Verse 2
There's a hole in the choir, where your voice once rang
but the melody sustains
in God’s Great House, the notes linger on
while the wind still whispers your name
Verse 3
There's a hole in the flag, two boots turned back
twenty one guns of honor and pain
a purple heart and a silver star
but the wind still whispers your name
Verse 4
And a whole world grieves, in the gathering night
a mother's loss is the angel's gain
and a new star gleams, and flickers to life
while the wind still whispers your name
while the wind still whispers your name
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16. |
Crossroads (Revisited)
03:09
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Original words and music Robert Johnson, © 1990 MPCA King Of Spades (SESAC), new words and melody A. McKnight
Verse 1
Came to a crossroads, no sign marks the way
Came to a crossroads, no sign marks the way
there's great darkness gathering, I know I can't stay
Verse 2
Stand at the crossroads, don't know where to turn
Stand at the crossroads, don't know where to turn
feel the heat at my back, while our house burns
Verse 3
We're leaving this crossroads, a mighty hill to climb
Leaving this crossroads, a mighty hill to climb
Set these burdens down, never look behind
Guess I'll have to trust my soul
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Andrew McKnight Lincoln
Nationally-acclaimed singer/songwriter and guitarist celebrates rural America, weaves masterfully crafted songs, humorous stories and poetic drama into a musical soundscape sketched with shades of Appalachia, tasteful slide and jazzy blues, feisty anthems, and rustic folk. 5 solo CDs heard on many public & community radio, plus NPR "Art of the Song" & "River City Folk" and XM/Sirius. ... more
Andrew McKnight recommends:
Besides being my bandmate in Beyond Borders, Lisa is an amazing all around talent - singer, songwriter, musician, human. Check out "Camelot" - one of my alltime faves.
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West Virginia Serenade
by Keith & Joan Pitzer
I miss my friend from West Virginia's Cheat River Valley deeply. Thankfully, we have his amazing songs to savor - celebrations of the Mountain State's troubled landscapes. Great guitar & singing!
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Calm Before the Storm
by Nor'easter
Once upon a time in a little town far from the beaten track, we dreamed of hard rock stardom - here's the proof we existed ❤️
go to albumIf you like Andrew McKnight, you may also like:
Pittsburgh artist Merce Lemon makes tender and open-hearted indie pop with echoes of Frankie Cosmos.
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Sweet and honest bedroom pop made with the sparest of instrumentation and topped with poetically melancholy lyrics.
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The Bridge in The Mountain's Hands (A Travelog)
by Haotian
Combining Chinese folk music, ambient, & spoken-word poetry, Haotian has made a gorgeous, enveloping travelogue.
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