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Turning Pages

by Andrew McKnight

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1.
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Climbing on this big jet plane, headed into, a western sky if I had a rearview mirror, that's how I'd pass the time looking back on, leaving I've done, should be old hat by now do I want too much, lingering touch, did I hold her too long Chorus Eighteen hundred miles, from the Chesapeake to this Great Divide Eighteen hundred miles, separate me from the truth inside and I am lonesome, lonesome under western skies Verse 2 Drive these roads that long ago, echoed with hooves, Arapaho and as I pass these ranches I almost feel their ghosts riding along never cared for, conquistadors, plundering mountains for gold so please don't fear, I haven't come here, to prospect for love or reward Chorus Verse 3 50 West, beckons like an old friend, leading me to, parts unknown and I draw gallons of cold comfort, knowing this road, can lead me home is it my heart, missed her from the start, or just thin air getting to my head Chorus
2.
Stardust 03:11
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 House lights dim, background music fades, anticipation fills the room hush in the air, our silence like prayer, til you enter from a place we'll, never know, where demons and angels go Verse 2 What lives in your mind, and every word and every line does the microphone connect or separate? spotlights frame your halo, and us mortals here below, hang on every note while you bring, heaven down Chorus One voice, one guitar, one soul and one heart, touching deep inside of us, sharing your stardust Verse 3 No one knows, the line that divides the fiction from the facts of you glimpses inside, words that cannot hide, that's the only piece of you we can take home Chorus
3.
Diary 05:16
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1998 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Jefferson writes, "Dear diary, what have I done? I have crossed the line, beyond shadow of a doubt, for the shadow that’s her skin, that I can’t live without Across this great divide, between black and white, our hearts they have touched, we are the same inside Between wrong and right, between flesh and blood, we cannot make a stand, but in here it’s safe to hide" Chorus (He said) "you are both a prisoner and a princess" (she said) "you're a man of principle and means, (duo) but this is not our time, this is not our place, and so we cannot be" Verse 2 We can only guess, how history will judge, what it cannot understand, Archaeology, can provide them only hints, to these artifacts of love, and how I stood up to my neck, in this ocean of sin Chorus Instrumental Break Verse 3 Quietly she said, "I believe in God, I believe in providence, and I do believe in love, in whatever shape it's sent you could not invent, you could not engineer, love such as this, no architect worked here" Last Chorus (He said) "you are both a prisoner and a princess" (she said) "you're a man of principle and means, (duo?) you cannot change this time, you cannot change this place, (duo) so we cannot be" Tag A slave woman dreams, "Dear diary, you would not believe"
4.
22 03:37
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 I didn't know how to love you, did not know how to touch, I never would have dreamed I'd ever learn so much I couldn't quiet your demons, could not survive your doubt but that battle taught us both what all the fighting was about Chorus We are old friends now, doing the best that we can do come a long way somehow, since we were 22 Verse 2 It seems so long behind me, left us bobbing in my wake and that still floats in my memories with all my big mistakes but I never will regret you, and I never will forget the part of you that comes along with everything I am Chorus Bridge phone calls and letters run like threads through the years the tapestry they weave is one that I hold dear Verse 3 20 years into the future, our hair is all gone gray we've both acquired a little bit of wisdom on the way like what faith and hope and love are, the pure ringing tones of truth, and I've never lost those lessons you taught me in my youth Chorus We are old friends now, done the best that we could do come a long way somehow, to get to 2022 here in 2022, since we were 22
5.
Winter 03:31
Words & music A. McKnight, ©2000 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Winter's face hangs on the moon, its tranquil sea so far from June foxprints in the fresh snowfall windows frosted, blue jays call Chorus Light is lasting longer, shadows slowly shorten in my room the cold is taking wing, the snow surrendering winter will soon be leaving Verse 2 Colors muted in the chill, some might call these bitter pills I've stopped to take this freeze-frame view of how that ice broke me and you Chorus Break Chorus
6.
Bad News 03:21
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Telephone rings, pulse picks up the beat, got no explanation for, my rising body heat guess I'm, expecting bad news Verse 2 My least favorite words, are "we gotta talk" they're usually followed by, a long and lonesome walk cause' I'm, expecting bad news Bridge When the mailman comes, let the dog run loose, I won't shoot the messenger but, delivery refused call me irrational, but I won't lie to you cause' I'm, expecting bad news Solo (over bridge) Verse 3 If you've got issues, I don't want to know here's some advice for you, just pack them up and go you can keep those letters coming, call me if you choose but keep your secrets, if you're bearing, bad news, I just, can't take no more bad, news
7.
Company Town 04:07
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1998 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Coal trains run through our veins, moving monuments to better days that mountain stands over our darkened lungs, we've time to ponder what we've become Chorus In this company town, it's what we know, change comes hard, change comes slow until the bottom falls out, that's how it goes down, til the money's all drained, from a company town Verse 2 Well-dressed Yankee bosses worked us so hard, for their well-dressed children and well-kept yards while coal camps echoed with mournful sounds, of impoverished voices from deep in the ground, under this company town Chorus Bridge Our parents' memories of World War II the mines worked round the clock, was the American thing to do families gathered round their radios, to hear FDR say, we'd make it somehow, in our town Verse 3 Bright shafts of morning light, on jobless faces and their grim plight, while four men and a dragline blow the mountaintop off, to take its heart out, now it knows what we've lost Chorus Tag til the life's all drained out, of a company town
8.
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Jesus left town on the nighttime train slipped out in the darkness to minimize our pain really wasn't much for him to do some bum picked his pocket and his credit was no good Chorus Faith may move mountains, faith may cure the ill faith will fight outnumbered, where doubt never will faith does not make bullets, faith will not wage war, faith won't twist the truth and faith ain't found 'round here no more Verse 2 The preacher laid his cards out on the deck, said "Boys my ride's waiting, now it's time to collect" then he clutched his chest and fell to the floor said "I'll be fine, my heart stopped a long time before" Chorus Verse 3 I met Jesus on the nighttime train in a couple thousand years he'll be back to try again left me with this parting advice whatever comes easy ain't worth the sacrifice Chorus Jesus left town on the nighttime train
9.
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Grew up on our mountain farm, down Nelson County way, wish I'd live to see it again, but that is not my fate for on my 16th birthday war marched all around our land I joined Virginia's volunteers, and Robert Lee's command Verse 2 Two days passed upon the march towards Yankees and the front, I knew my trusty rifle, the difference was the hunt we smashed into their backside up Loudoun County way I'll not forget three boys in blue, I sent to early graves Chorus On the road to Appomattox, where bullets whine like bees, cut blossoms from the trees on the road to Appomattox. turned boys into men, men into memories Verse 3 We fell back from Gettysburg, with calloused feet and heart saw most of my company fall, in Pickett's cursed charge Winter spent on Valley farms, with little food or warmth hellfire came with spring advance and the smell of burning corn Chorus Intro Verse 4 Perilous nighttime retreat, the fall of Petersburg, the city burned around us, the Federals charging hard, I heard them call the chaplain, they heard me call on God, whate'er reward awaited me, was not far off Chorus Verse 5 There were battles won on both sides, the history books confirm, but no one ever wins at war, the last loser asks for terms Chorus Intro (Outro)
10.
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Dear Colonel Mosby, please sir a moment of your time I know it's strange, I write from 1999 I send this letter, in the hope that it will find you on the darkest day of your life Dogwoods bloom, the date is April 29, the year it ended, eighteen hundred sixty-five so much blood spilled, on this land you would find looks little like what you left behind Chorus we honor this place, as hallowed ground, will we take its defense as we're honor-bound? Verse 2 Here in the future, invading armies cross our land, with big machines, so much larger than a man strip the red clay, cut trees everywhere they stand bring the city ever closer at hand they put your name up, on all their fancy signs like you'd approve, of all their plans to subdivide these rolling farms, that have worked here since your time, under hazy Piedmont skies Chorus Instrumental Verse 3 Colonel Mosby, I am but a simple man but we are common in our love for Virginia's land we'll protect it, we both do the best we can now it's my time to make a stand Chorus Verse 4 I'll take your leave now, for I've shared everything I've learned you need to know it, enjoy eternal rest you've earned you may save us yet, from what big money yearns and I sign "respectfully yours"
11.
Words & music A. McKnight, ©2000 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 When I grow up, want to be an old man, retire to the back roads, live closer to the land sit out on the front porch, wave a friendly hand, when they stop and ask directions, make sure they understand Chorus When youth's used up, and my motor's slowing down I will let the grass grow longer, take my time in town and like my father's father, I will tinker with my hands when I grow up, I'll be an old man Verse 2 Set out to go fishing, forget my pole at home, and while I'm at it wait to leave, until the sun gets warm I'll still bring home great fish stories, they'll still be true to form, the fish will taste as good, as they ever did before Chorus Bridge though I am still burdened, with impatience of youth always moving towards the fast lane, always searching for the truth I aspire to the day I turn to the act of letting go of everything that I must learn, from everything I've known Verse 3 When they say my eyesight's failing, and my hearing's none too good, guess I'll have them where I want them, guessing what I've understood I'll be bouncing grandchildren, on bony bended knee, and sit and talk for hours, without saying anything Chorus
12.
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 You might bet, I was heaven sent, truth is I'm 3rd class delivery I won't deny I'm angel protected, it's full-time work to watch o'er me Now and then I might say something, with an ounce of truth or common sense don't go bettin' that ol' farm on me, or my lacking intelligence Chorus I'd fall right off of your pedestal, just make my way the best that I can don't you worship, ground I walk, cause a man, ain't nothing but a man Verse 2 Now you think I might just save your life, from the truth of an old country song, don't forget those ol' Nashville cats, seen a few like me come along Chorus Bridge Don't go making a sacrifice, to me or my alter ego those rattling bones in my closet groan, haunt me wherever I go Instrumental Break (verse) Verse 3 now who'd have guessed you would be impressed, I'm some prize in a strange lottery you can take me home, you'll wish you were alone, when you find that upright porcelain seat Chorus I've fallen off of your pedestal, still make my way the best that I can don't you curse at, the ground I walk, told you I, ain't nothing but a man a man ain't nothing but a man Outro
13.
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 I've carefully crafted you this letter though I've tried my best, some words fell out of place I hope each day finds you a little better and each passing night brings, a little grace The story we've written is not a long one, sufficiently poetic I suppose, and now that school is all but over, I've time to analyze the metaphors and prose Chorus but there's no use in second guessing and no changing the fact that that sound is pages turning and turning away from turning back Verse 2 I know you'll never know what lies behind you, so I'll rest my pen and set those details down about love left unmade like the bed we both knew and how these walls don't say much, while I'm around Chorus Verse 3 I hope you find new love worth attracting and he's strong enough to handle all he finds I hope he's everything I'm lacking but I'll keep the credit for these parting lines Chorus
14.
Riley's Life 04:05
Words & music A. McKnight, ©1999 Catalooch Music, BMI Verse 1 Well I wake up to the same old news, same lonesome bed and Einstein doo No genius needed here to know this here's a house of blues Here in my bachelor pad old bachelor dog and a spinster cat These dreams have turned to rags chained to me in the same old bags Chorus Welcome to a day, a day, in Riley's life Welcome to a day, a day, in Riley's life Welcome to a day, a day, in Riley's life Verse 2 Ol' Uncle Murphy had it right you see, I'm a man in misery knew I would not amount to much, with my reverse Midas Touch Every woman I meet gets to watch my tongue wrapping around my feet the day you come along I'll be wearing my coffee, and living this song Chorus Bridge You might call me crazy, you might call me mad but I'm still the best thing, you ever had Verse 3 Well the lawn ain't mowed and the sink's piled up and the trash sticks out of the trash can top phone rings in the middle of the night wrong number, someone looking for a fight Weather Channel's on, it's the same old news, it's the dog day summertime blues rattle round this house like a wrecking ball, sometimes I think of you Chorus Chorus

about

“a disarming delight ... McKnight’s vocals have a lovely tenor-range timbre well-suited for his brand of acoustic country flavored folk/pop” (The Journal)

“Talent, enthusiasm and real content make this a welcome album in a time when so many people out there seem to be mostly fluff and packaging” (Victory Review)

““Diary,” is ... a moving song that brings the characters, especially Jefferson, to life” (Green Man Review)

* * * * * * * * * *
Where his first two albums focused largely on the stories of rural characters and their relationship to the land, Andrew's third effort turns his considerable vision towards the landscape of the heart and soul.

Among this collection of stories, reflections and letters can be found some of his most stunning songwriting gems; imagining the “Diary” of Thomas Jefferson and his longtime slave mistress Sally Hemings (a duet with Mary Byrd Brown), the humorous and bluesy ode to Hoagy Carmichael (“Bad News”), the simple driving clarity of “Winter”, the haunting diary of a Virginia farm boy on “The Road to Appomattox”, and a provocative hard-edged collaboration with renowned urban folk poet Chris Chandler on “Jesus and the Nighttime Train”.

credits

released May 1, 2001

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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

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