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Hip About Time
by Todd Burge ©2005 Bunj Jam-BMI
Tomorrow came in smelling just like today
Tasting the same as yesterday
I flicked my Timex
Then dropped kicked my Swiss
But the days (would) tick me off
The same old way
So cry baby cry, but don't ask who booed who
Get out of bed & stop hitting snooze
I'm so hip about time
He's not sleepin' in…..
I'm so hip about time
he's not sleepin’ in
I'm so hip about time
I was in a fog and Big Ben was sleepin' in
Don't say Fre're Jacque, Dor-mez vous
Ain't been kicking your ass too
So rock-a-bye baby on your rocky top
And if you forget that tune your misery will stop
Breaker Breaker
So cry baby cry, but don't ask who booed who
Get out of bed & stop hitting snooze
Now I'm so hip about time
He's not sleepin' in…..
I'm so hip about time
he's not sleepin’ in
I'm so hip about time
So cry baby cry, but don't ask who booed who
Get your ass up & stop hitting snooze
I'm so hip about time
Son-ne les matines
I'm so hip about time
Ding dang dong
I'm so hip about time
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2. |
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I’m A Shark
I’m a shark
Grey as the day is long in the tooth
In my shark skin suit
Yea, I’m a shark
Don’t mess with me please
As I need someone to eat
You look like you might be
A fine treat for me
Watch the kids
I can make a weaker kid scream
Just by showing a couple teeth
Cuz
I’m a shark
I remember the day when I was king of the sea
Every creature under here
Knew that they had to stay clear
All the young woman would swim
So close to my pectoral fins
And we’d swim and they’d sing
La la la la la la la la
Oh, I loved to hear them sing
La la la la la la
I’m a shark
I’d come eat your ass
If I weren’t for this thick glass
Of the Shark Reef Aquarium
In the Mandalay Bay Hotel
In Las Vegas Nevada
It’s a freakin’ casino man!
Where they brought me to have sex
With this other lady shark
Who doesn’t even like me
Poor bastards
Charging you plenty to stare at me
Being totally….indifferent
I’m a shark
Grey as the day is long in the tooth
Wearing my shark skin suit
I’m a shark
Damn it
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3. |
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Jesus Night Light
Once I was sleeping
Deep into the night
I opened both my lids
And something didn't seem quite right
Oh the light got too low
I needed someone to tell me
Where'd my Jesus Night light go
Once I was certain I'd seen the lord
He eased into my house
Didn' t need a key for the door
Oh the light got too low
Can somebody tell me
Where'd my Jesus Night light go
Now these were some dark days
And I couldn't ignore
The light that should stay lit
From now on and more
I knew some bookstores had them
Big Lots had them too
Flea markets all around
Had them new and had them used
So I bought them by the bushel
Bought them by the pound
I bought two for every receptacle
I had a few just laying around
Then his light was bright
Bright as could be
Blinding me in my kitchen
While I was trying to drink my tea
I couldn't see my wife
I couldn't see my dog
Couldn't see the TV, floor, doors or the walls
Couldn't see this guitar
Couldn't even see this song
My house was so hot
Didn't need to throw on a log all winter long
Somebody asked me
What was I thinking"
I said "Christ"
Got him in my eyes all day
Got him in my eyes all night
Got Jesus in my cereal
Son of God in my Manwich
I got a power bill so powerful
I had to get a second job diggin' a ditch
Dig this
Now God all mighty
I could see his light
Son of God alrighty
It was taking every bit of my mighty
So I said dear lord
I've gotta talk to you
I've kinda overdone your son
Right here in my living room
Got him plugged in my kitchen
In all my rooms even with my bed
Got my life all crazy
Seeing so much likeness of you in my head
Then everything was quiet
Everything was still
I thought God thought I'd overstepped and tripped
On his mansion on the hill
I started to shake
While thinking about my fate
I got the nerve to speak again
But it was a bit too late
Then came a strong wind
With some lightning striking through
Then came a darkness
While I cried for a night or two
Oh the light got too low
Can somebody tell me
Where'd my Jesus Night light go
Then came a deep voice
And it came from up above
It sounded a bit spooky
But it had a good kind of love
He said You've got to like this likeness
Of an image of an image of me
But ten for every room?
That would make any mortal man crazy
So now when I walk through the valley With a shadow
To grab me a midnight snack
I know that chances are I won't fall and break my back
Where'd my Jesus night light go?
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4. |
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I Believe This, I Believe
There’s a path we all take but it splits at some point
Some know where it goes but others they just don’t
Some choose to walk on blind while others choose to see
I believe this I believe
Some will grab for the hand of the man they say they know
As they walk with him towards some light that they have never known
I’m not sure I know him, but the thought of him is sweet
I believe, yes I believe
There’s a church in the valley and it sits on a river road
By an old house with a widow walk a new family calls it home
With a 2000 year old faith and they found it on their knees
They believe, yes they believe
Years ago I lost my way and I looked for my home
I went back but all I knew had changed or was long gone
I hoped like hell that heaven would come shining down on me
Could I believe? Could I believe?
But I never felt a hand never found a promise land
Never had a revelation bringing instant salvation
But I took the time to know the now took some time to breathe
Got to know the “me, myself and the I “of my dreams
Now I believe, now I believe
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5. |
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Time to Waste Time (April 30 2014)
By Todd Burge ©2015 Bunj Jam BMI
Spring is here the bugs have come
It’s time to dumb it down
My head is filled with morning mist
The moss is boss for now
My list of things to do has been
Misplaced someplace unknown
It could be lost forever now
Unread, un-shown and thrown
Away
I’m off in my mind, out of my head
I’m off in my mind, out of my head
Time to waste time
With so much time on my hands
Most doors need to be opened for me
I’m leisurely and out to please
Just me, myself,
And me
I’ll work for food, if the work is easy
And if the food is good
Cause Spring is here and the bugs have come
And I couldn’t care if I could
Chorus
Forever more’s been around the bend
Since before the bend was invented
Since Father Time asked his dad for a dime
and the keys to his Buick
Some teen whoopee was in the offing
In that big fat back seat
The key to life lies neatly within
Father Time’s time in….
That… back…. Seat..
I’m off in my mind, out of my head
I’m off in my mind, out of my head
Ready, or not ready yet
Time to waste time
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6. |
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The Good Dog (1/7/04)
by Todd Burge ©2005 Bunj Jam-BMI
Capo 2 (E, F#m, A, B, C#m, G#m)
My friend's pup
Just threw up
In the kitchen
By the Door
That bad boy
Sure ain't good
With his #2
Falling on my floor
Who knew that you,
Who knew you………… were the good dog?
'Cause when I whistle
You do come
At a steady pace
No matter where from
And when you sit there
So Politely
And wag your tail
While I strum
I think, who knew that you
Who knew that you……… were the good dog?
The bone I found
Underground
Was not in
Your lost and found
This took me 6 years
To get a clue
But for you it felt like 42
Who knew that you,
Who knew that you…….. were the good dog?
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7. |
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Joseph’s Prayer – By Todd Burge
Intro E, G#7, A
E G#m
My name is Joseph and my friends all call me Joe
A B
But you believers know me as the daddy of your lord
E G#m
But not the father of his flesh, nor the father of his soul
A B
Because when it comes to those our Holy Father claims them as his own
E – A – E
I had a humble life from the day Jacob begat me
And forever I’ve been told that Abraham begat our family tree
And it grew many branches 14 generations times three
Then it was up to me to start another branch I’m sure you see
A G#m F#m B7
So I hooked up with Mary and we wed right away
A G#m
But I never laid a hand on her I swear
F#m B7
I never laid a hand on her I swear
E, A, E
So what’s a man to do as he has a wife with child
And he knows all that I knew and all I know you now know too
So we decided to run away instead of hanging our heads in shame
But an angel said to stay and rejoice in this new born king
And embrace his name
But I never laid a hand on her I swear
I never laid a hand on her I swear
E G#m
So now when I pray to God I pray to my baby son
A
I pray, please baby Jesus give me strength
B
To believe what that angel told me in my sleep
E G#m
And I’ll do the best I can but I’m just a mortal man you see
A B
But at times I wake up late haunted by this doubt I keep
B-Bb-A G#m--------B
About your dear mother, because she’s mortal too
A G#m
I never laid a hand on her I swear
F#m B7
I never laid a hand on her I swear
A G#m
I never laid a hand on her I swear
F#m B7
I never laid a hand on her I swear
E – A- E
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8. |
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Looking for my Nuts (Aug 13 2010)
Lately I’ve been going crazy
Just looking for my nuts
Lately I’ve been going crazy
Just looking for my nuts
Seems I’ve lost my balls
And I’ve got my guts
In a big ol’ rut
Lately I’ve been going crazy
Just looking for my nuts
Spring is here
And I know I’ve placed them somewhere
Not here
Not there
But somewhere
Maybe under that tree
Believe me
I’m not exactly clear
I’ve been all around this yard
And I might starve
Or that big ol’ dog may get lucky
And eat me
When will this end, I can’t tell
But until then I hope I don’t end up in hell
Heaven waits for those who wait
Patiently, but I tell ya it’s total hell being so
Hungry
Lately I’ve been going crazy
Just looking for my nuts
He’s looking for his nuts
He’s looking for his nuts
Lately I’ve been going crazy
Just looking for my nuts
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9. |
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The LONGER
by Todd Burge ©2015 Bunj Jam BMI
I’m taking pictures of you behind your back
I once was told that doing that
Would make it last
Longer
I long for this to last
Longer
Fifty years have come and they have passed
But AARP ain’t stopping me
From wanting to be with you
Longer
I long for this to last
Longer
Anchors aweigh
Can’t keep this thing at bay
Can’t keep the beast in me away
You’re stuck inside my mind ‘n I’m out of my head
After years of this, I’ll admit
This gift has gotten
Stronger
I long for this to last
Longer
I long for this to last
Longer
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10. |
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My Roots
by Todd Burge ©2005 Bunj Jam-BMI
Let me tell you about my family
And let me sing about its tree
How I've climbed up on the branches
How some have broken under me
But as my bottom hits the ground
I'll tell you what I always find
My roots have covered my backside
My roots have covered my backside
You know my mother had a mom
And my dad he had a dad
And if you listen to their stories
You’ll hear the good
You'll hear the sad
From the Seneca Rock
To the beginning of all time
My roots have covered my backside
My roots have covered my backside
So I’ve got to dig deep
To find out what is true
I need to know my yesterdays
So I can figure out what's new
Before the Blackwater River
Cut it's first jagged line
My roots have covered my backside
My roots have covered my backside
So, it's not a dirty story
But you’ve gotta dig it deep
It started with a single seed
That one that started you and me
It's sewn in every foreign land
And grows through every grain sand
My roots have covered my
Roots have covered my
roots have covered my backside
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11. |
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She Looks Up To Me (Because She Has To)
(G, Em, C, D… Em decend)
She looks up to me because she has to
It’s simple so I’ll tell it to you simply (G7?)
A sun has come and burned my shade away from blue
Because, she looks up to me because she has to
Now she’s a bit weak in the knees
And my brain is big and her brain so tiny
She’d never say, but I’ll bet she thinks of me as Big Daddy, it’s true
She looks up to me because she has to
I tower over her in many ways
I’m the man of this house there’s just no doubt
I carry her weight and put her in her place
Then look down on her and smile in her face (Em decend)
Now she’s telling me she needs a change
She’s screamin’ and cryin’ like a little baby
When you’re twelve weeks old, you communicate that way, it’s true
She looks up to me because she has to
She looks up to me because she has to
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Ask Them To 10-22-14
By Todd Burge ©2015 Bunj Jam BMI
Your best work\Has gone unnoticed
Your finest hour/Is acting its age
Before beauty/Is in the eye of the beholder
The sole proprietor /Has some soul searching to do
Someone is bound to reach out
If you just ask them to
Someone is bound to reach out to you
Just ask them to
It might sound corny/But one stock won’t do
It’ll grow alone/But never ever produce
So get your bees to buzzin’/Or call up a kissin’ cousin
And make some noise/That only two can do
Someone is bound to reach out
If you just ask them to
Someone is bound to reach out to you
Just ask them to
There’s one thing/The lonely can’t see
Love is there/It never ever leaves
A dormant state/Can be released
If you congregate/That gate will open
It’s true
Someone is bound to reach out
If you just ask them to
Someone is bound to reach out to you
Just ask them to…….
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13. |
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First Day of Spring
It’s the first day of spring
The first day of spring
So why is it so damned cold?
I need to sneeze
Need to release
The last of a winter
That has made me
Feel two whole years older
Maybe this year
When and if this snow clears
I’ll start going to church
God knows it’s been years
But it’s all his fault
Cause no sane man
Would drive to congregate
In this frozen screwed up mess
Chorus
Our good dog is gone
He was old and could not pass
Through one more season
Like that last one
But the cold still sticks around
Kickin’ me in my happy
I suppose I’m just
Sad about
This man’s best friend’s end
On this first day of spring
First day of spring
Why is it so damned cold?
Maybe we all need
To be brought to our knees
To be thankful for
What this new spring
Will eventually Bring
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14. |
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The Never Ending End (My Letter To Harold Camping
Chorus
I thought it was over
I thought we were done
I thought I would walk with my God
On golden streets in the sun
Where the Summers are endless
And the Sorrows have ended
But I'm still with you sinners
Is this end never ending?
I spent my last year
Thinking is really was my last
I spent my last penny
Burned my last tank of gas
Prayed a whole lot
Had a little tiny bit of fun
While waiting for May 2011, day 21
Chorus
I've spent a lifetime
Thinking about my ending
Spending most my days
Focused on the final day of my living
Putting up with the Adams & Eves
That apple was eaten
They're rotten to the core
And now I know I've gotta be with Them
For a few months or more?
Chorus
Break
Dear Harold Camping,
I hope this finds you well.
I'm writing because, until October,
we've got more living to do.
With four kids and a wife. More living to do.
I've spent my last dime on you
and I've got more living to do.
A non-believer now has my job
and well, yes, unfortunately,
I have no fortune like you,
but still we both have more living to do.
So, I'm sure you won't mind if we all move in with you.
I thought it was over
I thought we were done
I thought I would walk with my God
On golden streets in the sun
Where the Summers are endless
And the Sorrows have ended
But I'm still with you sinners
Is this end never ending?
Will this take forever?
Is this end never ending?
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Another Sunny Sunday
I drop the kids at school
And I spin the wheel around
Think about how things used to be
In this wheel spinnin’ town
If I knew any better
It would have to be my best
But I’ve been to the peak
And it took only a step to get (there)
This tiny sip won’t float my ship, but that’s okay
I’m just being blue on another sunny Sunday
I woke up slow last evening
And been in a funk ever since
Just thinking about myself
And that’s as funky as thoughts get
So if I seem messed
It is because of this mess
I won’t blame any names
But it rhymes with mine I guess
This ship sailed so far away, but that’s okay
Cause I’m just being blue on some sunny Sunday
Nothing ever changes
Nothing stays the same
My phone it just keeps ringin
But the caller can’t pronounce my name
I could use a pillow
A place to lay my tired head
Or use it as a tool
To stop the caller’s breath instead
I could buy this farm with nothing down, but not today
Cause I’m just seeing red on some sunny Sunday
So if I just take this time (sing like the last 2 lines of second half of each verse)
And let the moment pass
I’ll see another clearing
Or I’ll hear another storm
I’ll know another morning
And another star filled night
I’ll weather some more brain storms
And kiss some more good friends goodbye
But there’ll be another baby
Cry while being born
And I’ll see my children learn
A lifetime maybe more
And I’ll see my boat come back to town
Ain’t it great the world is round?
Ain’t it great the world is round?
Ain’t it great the world is round?
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Enough About Me June 17, 2008
I pulled this songs out of my guitar
I swear they were hidden deep in there
And at some party, I played it out
For a bunch of drunk jokers to hear
A bunch of buzzed jokers to hear
My intention was to mention
Some thoughts so deep
That they’d sear your ears and bring on tears
And at the end you’d stand
Slack jawed in awe
Applaud and cheer
In Awe and applaud and cheer
But that’s enough about me
What do you think?
That’s enough about me
What do you think
about
me?
If dad had hugged me
Once or twice as a baby
Maybe I’d be an accountant
Counting your money
And in my spare time (maybe)
Counting a bunch of mine
Counting a bunch of mine
So lets face it folks
I’d be some sort of fake
If I said I was here just to share
I’m here to show off a bit
In hopes that it will get us to
Some sort of trade that we both think is fair
Some sort of trade that we both think is fair
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It seems like the day before yesterday when I was dreaming about being on Mountain Stage. Here I am, twenty five years later, presenting you with some of my favorite memories from the program. In that timespan, my idols have become mentors and close friends. I am forever grateful to Larry Groce and everyone at Mountain Stage. Your program continues to amaze and inspire me. You have helped lift me up to places I was unable to see or reach. Thanks for the fine work over the years and thanks for the cape! Todd Burge (March 2016)
For more than 30 years, Mountain Stage with Larry Groce has been the home of live music on public radio. Produced in West Virginia and distributed by NPR, each two hour episode of Mountain Stage can be heard every week on more than 150 stations across America, and around the world via NPR Music and
mountainstage.org.
Recorded live on Mountain Stage and used by permission of Mountain Stage, West Virginia Public Broadcasting - Francis Fisher (engineer), Larry Groce/ Andy Ridenour/Adam Harris (producers) Patrick Stevens (additional mixing on “Nuts” and technical assistance)
Mastering: David K. Shipley at Foxwood Mastering – Nashville TN
Photos by: Josh Saul, Amos Perrine, Brian Blauser, Lisa and Todd Burge
www.toddburge.com
LINER NOTES BY LARRY GROCE
I’m a true fan of Todd Burge. In a world of thousands, or probably tens of thousands of singer/songwriters (and believe me, I hear from a lot of them), he continues to distinguish himself. This is all the more impressive because he lives and mostly works out of the spotlight and away from the hotbeds of his peers. Whatever you may say about Parkersburg, WV, you won’t say it’s a lot like Austin or Boston or Asheville or Nashville or Brooklyn or Portland. It’s in the national media black hole of West Virginia, where musical artists usually remain invisible unless they fit into certain “culturally correct” stereotypes: folk, old time Appalachian, bluegrass or country. But that hasn’t stopped or even slowed Todd.
Not that he hasn’t been influenced by some or all of those styles, he surely has been. But instead of comparing him to country folkies, you’d find more similarities looking at the work of John Hartford, Roger Miller, Loudon Wainwright III and maybe even Peter Stampfel, Tom Waits and Randy Newman. I hear flashes in Todd’s work that remind me of all those touchstone songwriters.
He’s the rare artist who continues to grow and progress, even into middle age. Long after the time when many others have started repeating themselves, he makes ever widening artistic leaps of faith. Some of those are on this recording.
Todd’s style might be called eccentric, quirky and/or whimsical. His songs are full of word play, they often have an unusual point of view and can sometimes be a bit surrealistic. But they’re so comfortable to hear that they seem totally normal. I don’t exactly know how he does that, but I will say that this ability is not unknown in West Virginia. Things are often not quite what they seem to be here.
Part of Todd’s appeal is his voice. He’s a very fine singer, even if that may not be the first thing you would say about him when you hear him, because he doesn’t draw attention to it. He has a wide range and can bend notes and make them jump and control his singing in ways that are hard to do. If you don’t believe me, try to sing some of these songs yourself.
For an illustration of the last two paragraphs, take a look at the third verse of “Time to Waste Time” which he performs solo in this collection. Then listen to it.
Forever more’s been ‘round the bend since before the bend was invented
Since Father Time asked his dad for a dime and the keys… to his Buick
Some teen whoopee was in the offing in that big fat back seat
The key to life lies neatly within Father Time’s time in that… back seat
I’m off in my mind, out of my head…off, off
Off in my mind, out of my head
Ready or not ready yet
Time to waiee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee-eeeeest
Ti…i-i-i-i-i-i-hi…i-i-i-i-i-i-hi…i-i-i-i-i-i-ime
Maybe I should have added ee cummings to that list writers whose works have some similarity to Todd’s.
Todd has been a guest on Mountain Stage at least ten times (our record keeping is not what it could be). I’m really happy that we’ve been presenting him to a wider audience for two and a half decades. His first appearance was in 1991 on a show with Pere Ubu, Lisa Germano and Songs from a Random House. He fit into that interesting mix nicely. He also worked well on our 20th anniversary show in 2003 with Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Tim & Mollie O’Brien, Chris Smither, The Holmes Brothers and Fontella Bass. Originality fits in many contexts.
No one collection of songs, even a big one like this, can give a complete picture of an artist, but this does pretty well. Todd’s own side man, William Matheny, and the Mountain Stage Band, with harmonies from Julie Adams and Ron Sowell, give the songs great support and add interesting colors. But the solo numbers never sound incomplete. Todd usually performs solo on his live dates and knows how to do it.
Todd may never become a star. Fame has many ingredients, some of which are more chance than skill. But better or lesser known, he will remain a talent to seek out. He will continue to delight, surprise and entertain audiences as long as he’s out there, and here’s hoping that even if his name does become a household word, he will never stop emerging.
Larry Groce
Host/Artistic Director
Mountain Stage
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Distributed by NPR
www.toddburge.com