1. |
Mesabi
02:39
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Mesabi
(instrumental)
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2. |
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America, Your Burning Light
(chorus)
America, your burning light,
beacon of hope throughout the night,
welcome pilgrims on their way,
shine down on our new day
We come in rags from far-off lands,
with open arms and calloused hands
I am like you, you are like me,
not yet perfect, but striving to be
(bridge)
Honoring those who came before
We strive to earn our liberties
Thankful for the rights we share,
the strength to shape our destinies
What we unite, let none divide,
that which we've built, and guard with pride
Equality, diversity
In our hearts, forever be
(chorus)
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3. |
I Am a Lumbercamp Mouse
03:10
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I Am a Lumber Camp Mouse
I am a lumber camp mouse-i-o, if I could talk I might not stop
I'd tell you some things that I have seen, seen a
lumberjack jiggin' wrapped up in a bearskin,
a grindstone a grindin' and sparks that was flyin',
hot coals a-glowin' and winter winds blowin'-i-o, i-o, i-o, i-o
I am a lumber camp saw-i-o, if I could talk I might not stop
I'd tell you some things that I have heard, I've heard
cussin' and snorin' and slurpin' and sneezin',
laughter a-echoing off of the ceiling,
men yellin' "TIMBER" when they was a-dreamin'-i-o, i-o, i-o, i-o
I am a lumber camp lamp-i-o, if I could talk I might not stop
I'd tell you some things that I have smelt, I've smelt
stinky socks dryin' and bacon a fryin',
boot grease and crackers and stale chewin' tobaccer,
liniment, peppermint, kerosene burnin'-i-o, i-o, i-o, i-o
I am a lumber camp spoon-i-o, if I could talk I might not stop
I'd tell you some things that I have tasted,
rancid old beef and buckwheat pancakes,
dried apples and prunes and beans and pea soup ,
gravy and tea, lard and black coffee-i-o, i-o, i-o, i-o
I am a lumber camp bed-i-o, if I could talk I might not stop
I'd tell you some things that I have felt, I've felt
flattened by bodies and heavy horse blankets,
scratchin' and itchin' and muscles a twitchin',
poor hearts a skippin' for the gals they's a-missin'-i-o, i-o, i-o, i-o
o, i-o, i-o, i-o
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4. |
Glorious Age of Steel
05:42
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The Glorious Age of Steel
Ore was born and for billions of years the metal remained intact
Life evolved, took new forms, and grew upon her back
The people worked and worshipped, and watched their children play
They felt no need to disturb a sleeping giant where she lay
Then came the Europeans to blaze a brand new home,
ridding the ponds of beavers, stripping the pines off stone,
leaving bare for fortune seekers, the men possessed by gold,
to scour the land for treasure, and claim it for their own
(chorus)
In the glorious age of steel, oh, the glorious age of steel
They sold their souls for the blood red gold
in the glorious age of steel, the glorious age of steel
There was no gold or silver, most left home for good,
but word got out of a mountain of iron hidden in the woods
Nortalbert Posey brought a rock to George H.Stuntz, an engineer by degree,
who in turn showed Charlemagne Tower, who fell down on his knees
Tower began to mine the land, up north Vermilion way
He built a railroad to Lake Superior and hauled it all away
For the hungry furnaces down below must have the iron you see,
to melt the ore and pour the mold for the glorious age of steel
(chorus)
Leonidas Merritt had a hunch, that would not let him be,
so he gathered all his brothers and paddled, up the St. Louee
They scoured the woods and they sunk test pits for the riches underneath
that rose clear up to the rusty powder they'd kicked up with their feet
Everything was a-hunk-a-dory, they should have cashed in then,
but Mr. Greed's a grabber, they went in over their heads
Only the deepest pockets will see the light of day,
then John D. Rockefeller took it all away
(chorus)
The high-grade ore'd been melted and poured into steel for everything:
skyscrapers, ships, nuts and bolts, bridges, bombs and springs
The range became a chain of gaping holes, the best stuff almost gone,
then Wilson Davis worked the low-grade and taconite came along
Plants went up to crush the rock and pile the waste up tall,
mix the ore with coal and fire it into little balls
As long as they still sell down south, it will remain the deal,
and we'll continue living in the glorious age of steel
(chorus)
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5. |
Dago Red
02:22
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Dago Red
America, she is no paradise to me
I cried and cried for my home in sunny Italy
I work like a dog all week and then I hit the bed
Sunday come we pass around a jug of Dago Red
(chorus)
Dago Red, Dago Red, Dago Red, Dago Red
Dago Red, Dago Red, Dago Red, Dago Red
My house she is what you call a tarpaper shack
A big garden in the front, an outie in the back
My wife she makes the pasta and the sugo and the bread
We buy and stomp the grapes to make our own Dago Red
(chorus)
It's vino when you baptize, and when you make the vow
Salute with the vino when when we kill the pig and cow
My wife she make a bambino, another curly head
The doctor want no money but he take a da Dago Red
(chorus)
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6. |
Hell or High Water
03:49
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Hell or High Water
I've done some hard diggin', I drilled and I blasted
Ran a power shovel, drove a Euclid and a plow
Took pride in my work, with the fellows there with me
Blew off some steam in the taverns of town
For 26 years, I worked like a dog
and kept to myself, they liked what they found
Then they made me a foreman, and I's told to do nothin'
But drive around pointing fingers and boss men around
(chorus)
But come hell or high water, I'll stand by the worker
and band with my brothers, whatever the deed
and when the Lord comes a-callin' we'll all be together
to pass through the gates of, eternity
When two trains pinned my old friend like a nut in a cracker,
I talked in a whisper, tried keepin' him calm
Til the ambulance arrived and they pulled them apart
and the life left his body and ran out on the ground
I've watched while a track gang got buried alive
As the timbers and the rocks came a-crumbling on down
I'd give my whole life to be back in there with 'em
Instead of out here with the guilt I've been hauling around
(chorus)
When I retired I got me a pension
and bought up some land to take the dead trees
I saw them and I limb 'em, I chop 'em and split 'em
and give 'em all away to my brothers in need
(chorus)
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7. |
Soft Heart
04:44
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Soft Heart
(intro.)
They laid me off at the mine, and I moved out to Cherry
Year was 1933, I lived on fish and berries
Planted me a garden, spent the winter chopping wood
Ran into town to shop some and my life changed to the good!
Our eyes met at the Co-Op store, peeking through the Mason jars
You told me you pickled everything that you planted in your yard
It was love at first sight, I would learn to pickle too,
until Mister Roosevelt gave us other jobs to do
(chorus)
In these hard times, we all need a soft heart
We all got to take heart, in everything we do
Darling in these hard times, we all need a soft heart,
and I found my soft heart in you
It was during Suomi Festival, at Mesaba Lake,
after the culla mojakka, kaffia and cardamom cake,
that we polka'd around the maypole, I kissed her then proposed,
now we walk hand in hand, down the rough and rocky road
(chorus)
(bridge)
We haven't got a pot to piss in
But with you in my arms, there ain't much missin'
(chorus)
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8. |
This Magnetic Spin
03:42
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This Magnetic Spin
Whenever she's near my compass needle starts to quake
Those hypnotizing hep cat eyes sure make me shake
(chorus)
This magnetic spin I'm in
I can't help myself, I'm falling fast and I just can't win
She's gonna capture me for sure, I can't fight it anymore
I can't break away so I'm finally giving in
The gentle pull of her glance, the sweep of our feet when we dance
She throws me off in this jittery jitterbuggin boppin' romance
(chorus)
(bridge)
I know just what I'm afraid of
I've been lured before by that siren sound,
and I just keep spinning round and round and round
(chorus)
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9. |
The Confessor's Prayer
03:40
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The Confessor's Prayer
Have mercy good Lord on this sinner,
I have tried in my way to love you
I have struggled to be a believer,
and In my heart I have always been true
I confess to have cheated my brother,
of the treasure he rightfully owned
I cowered in place, and I buried my face,
the day that my sister was stoned
To my children I have tried to provide for,
and I wish I had given more time
To my wife I have taken for granted,
this being not the least of my crimes
I have answered the calls of the demons,
and have struggled to keep them at bay
When I needed a fix, I stole from the rich,
and I sold when I needed to pay
To my friends I've not always been friendly,
oft considered a fair weather friend
Even robbing myself of the pleasure,
when they asked of hand for to lend
So have pity, dear Lord, I beg of you,
on my journey, please show me the way
Into the light may you guide me,
and Into your mercy, I pray
Into the light may you guide me,
and Into your mercy, I pray
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10. |
Ad Valorem
03:24
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Ad Valorem
When you make a deal with the devil, you keep your cards close in
When you make a deal with the devil, you keep your cards close in
He can see through mountains, he will sense when you are bluffin'
You've got your dues a-comin', he is addin' up your sins
Remember all you gamblers, it's the house that always wins
When you make a deal with the devil, you think about your kids
When you make a deal with the devil, you think about your kids
They'll be the ones left wiping up the spills you've left for them
Get all that you've got comin', when you make your bid
Tax him on the visible, and all that remains hid
When you make a deal with the devil, you ask for everything
When you make a deal with the devil, you ask for everything
'cause he'll leave you holes to ponder, and rubble helter-skelter,
with no sense of shelter, huddled underneath his wing,
wrapped around his finger, hanging by a string
(coda)
When you make a deal with the devil, deal with the devil,
deal with the devil, deal with the devil
When you make a deal with the devil, it's the house that always wins
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11. |
Talkin' Ranger Blues
03:29
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Talkin' Ranger Blues
Funniest thing I ever found,
is the way they talk in them Iron Range towns
Chopping up words, skipping a few,
so a tongue don't have as much work to do
Why it's almost poetic Makes me hungry
Wanna go to Sammy's?
Bump and a brew, eggs in a jar,
playing Smear at the Homer Bar
Talking about deer, talking about fish,
"Five pound crappie, don't you wish!"
"I caught him on a pinkie--tipped with a shiner"
"You shittin' me?"
Couple of ol' timers, walking in a mall,
pointing out the places they could still recall
"That was a Herbergers, that one over there,
this is where Jukich cut your hair"
"What the hell happened? Used to be full!
Now all we got is a pet store, and a slot to pay your bills"
Some call him a traitor, some call him a sage,
would you come back if they booed you off stage?
I like his music, I seen a show,
he seems like a good guy, I don't know
"Bobby Dylan. You call that guy a singer?
My three-year-old can sing better than that"
What ya gonna do with a hole in a ditch?
Build some trails, stock some fish
"We made it a playground for you to enjoy,
bring the whole family and all of your toys.
Recreation. Tourist dollars.
Why it's the future!"
"Did you hear about Denny, fell at home,
slipped on the driveway, broke two bones
No insurance, truck's still dead,
shitload of bills over his head"
"You guys are too honest!
Should have told them it happened on the job!
Could have got on worker's comp"
Marble girl says to Taconite ,
"Hey Melissa, what's going on tonight?"
Taconite girl, she replies,
"Party at the pit, might be nice"
"Right. It's freakin' November.
Your gonna freeze your ass out there!"
Not all the folks around here talk like this,
I guess I'm exaggerating a little bit
But days I come back, don't take but a few,
for me to be talkin' Ranger too
Why it's almost poetic. I'm not ashamed.
Fits me like a glove.
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12. |
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Saturday Night at the Drive-In
I can hear the gravel popping, underneath the tires,
I catch a whiff of sweat and grease and skunk
Galaxie 500, whispers in the dark,
we're sneaking in the drive-in in the trunk,
sneakin' in the trunk
Tonight's a double feature, underneath the stars,
"The Hills Have Eyes", and "Night of the Living Dead"
Hot dog flips into a bun, kids into a car,
eight minutes left until the show begins,
until the show begins
(chorus)
Saturday night at the drive-in
Saturday night at the drive-in
Pop a top and hop on the hood, it's an orangey sky tonight,
catch a whiff of popcorn passing by
Blood and guts splatter on the screen, then the honkin' starts,
plunge that steely knife into his heart, yeah,
into his heart!
(chorus)
Suzie's daughter fell asleep, just like her momma did,
into the Passion Pit, and the arms of her new boyfriend
We rip the speaker off the post, trying to beat the rush,
a field of zombies coming after us,
coming after us
(chorus)
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13. |
Blueberry Pickin'
03:12
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Blueberry Pickin'
I been blueberry pickin', all day long,
blueberry pickin', all day long
blueberry pickin', all day long,
now it's time for a long neck
Later I'll sit, on the sand,
my and my good friend, on the sand,
later we'll sit, on the sand,
on the little beach on Big Sturgeon
Maybe throw my frisbee, in the lake,
my new Wham-O frisbee, in the lake,
maybe throw my frisbee, in the lake,
to the girl I'll soon be courtin'
Chop some wood, sun going down,
chop some wood, sun going down,
chop some wood, sun going down,
sweating out the blues in the sauna
Sleep like a baby, all night long,
sleep like a baby, all night long,
sleep like a baby, all night long,
and dream about pickin' blueberries
I been blueberry pickin', all day long,
blueberry pickin', all day long
blueberry pickin', all day long,
now it's time for a long neck
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14. |
Iron Ore on Your Tires
02:58
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Iron Ore on Your Tires
Comin' home again with the iron ore on your tires
It's a tell tale sign, you probably partied hard last night
Well I know where you've been, I've been there too,
where the cold beer flows and you crank up the tunes,
and you can see your breath, laughing around the fire,
and the iron ore on your tires
Comin' home again with the iron ore on your tires
It's a tell tale sign, you mighta lost your heart last night
Well I know where you've been, I've been there too,
where the radio plays a new love tune,
and the windows fog as you're staring into her eyes,
iron ore on your tires
iron ore on your tires
(bridge one)
No, don't be afraid to be straight up with me
There's a little bit of kid still up my sleeve
It wasn't just the beer, though we did have a few,
or the stories we shared by the light of the moon
No, we can't wash away our zest for life,
or the iron ore off our tires
(bridge two)
I pray your angel always knows just where you are,
and when the party's over you're careful in my car
Memories are made at the old mine dump,
where the town lights fade and the stars come out
It's a tell tale sign, the smoke smell you've acquired,
and the iron ore on your tires
iron ore on your tires
iron ore on our tires
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15. |
North of Nashwauk
02:35
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North of Nashwauk
Twelve miles north of Nashwauk, on the shores of ol' Buck Lake,
I spied the fairest damsel, buck naked as a babe
Then I spied her partner, he was, buck naked too,
sheepishly I crept away, there was not much I could do
(chorus)
North of Nashwauk, north of Nashwauk
You can't buy a better time no matter where you go
North of Nashwauk, north of Nashwauk
Fill 'er up young dude let's hit the road
Somewhere north of Nashwauk, there lies a fishing hole,
I keep it a secret, I've never told a soul
Once I hooked a monster there, bigger than my boat,
it broke my rod, then dove down deep, and that was all she wrote
(chorus)
Way up north of Nashwauk, where 65 hits one,
I stopped off at The Junction, to have a little fun
The band was inside kickin' ass, Bigfoot at the bar,
I'd tell you what I saw out back, but that'd be going too far
(chorus)
Let's go north of Nashwauk, come with me today
I'll show you things you won't believe, you'll probably want to stay
(chorus)
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16. |
One Slip
03:14
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One Slip
I'd take anything, almost anything,
what else can you give, to make me feel better?
Laid up on the couch, momma's on the floor,
there's knocking on my door
(bridge one)
County's comin' for my daughter
This time maybe they should take her away
She'll be in better hands, if I let her go,
comfort when she cries, to make her feel better
This back is killin' me, these pills ain't doing shit,
what else can I get, to make me feel better?
Haven't got a choice, how you gonna live,
nothing left to give
(bridge two)
All it takes is just one slip,
then one day they take it all away
I'd be in better hands, if I let it go,
how could it be worse? Maybe make me feel better
Waiting for the boy, from the candy store,
there's knocking on my door
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17. |
On a Frozen Lake
04:18
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On a Frozen Lake
Come November, or December, you tempt your fate and pray it
holds you,
you've heard that it's thick enough to bear your weight
That first glide gets you high, the sound of blades shaving ice
We all see more clearly on a frozen lake
(pre-chorus)
Take your boots off and shut the door,
leave your worries on the shore
For the moment you have the power to do anything
(chorus)
Some years it'll freeze like that, smooth as silk and clear as glass
Lace up your old ice skates and skate away
Ooh, ooh, ooh, skate away
Lace up your old ice skates and skate away
These days it gets dark by five, death waits on the other side,
it's a risk just stayin' alive, for heaven sake
Better grab that blue moon when it shines, ride it right across the sky,
we all feel much better on a frozen lake
(pre-chorus)
(chorus)
(bridge)
If the sun don't melt it and the snow don't come,
you can skate clear to Kingdom Come
(chorus)
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18. |
Whispering in the Wind
05:31
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Whispering in the Wind
They took the opportunity to make a better life,
and went where they were needed most, come toil, struggle and strife
They were willing to change their destinies and take what they
could find,
and sailed across the ocean blue, to work down in the mines
(chorus)
Oh that mighty white pine, she gives and she takes,
she bends with the breezes so she won't break
Born before Mesabi began to shake,
she'll be a long time whispering in the wind
They jumped into the melting pot, and became Americans,
and learned to speak the language, and taught their next of kin
They fought the higher powers to earn a decent wage,
and never had it easy, and rarely did complain
(chorus)
The future may lie in the sky, or down deep in the ground,
it may come by carloads of tourists into town
Maybe by diversifying will bring a brand new day,
some say the only future is to move far far away
(chorus)
(bridge)
Clouds bound to form, four winds bound to blow
Water's bound to rise, everybody knows
(chorus)
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Greg Tiburzi Duluth, Minnesota
Inspired by pop radio, the American songbook, folk and world music, and rock from Chuck Berry on, Greg Tiburzi blends guitar and harmonica to back his compositions of loss, redemption, and fragility of the human condition. He reveres the healing quality of music, the ability to lift and better connect us to each other, our surroundings, and ourselves. ... more
Greg Tiburzi recommends:
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On this LP of gentle folk-pop, Durant looks to the water for the answer to life’s questions.
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