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Great Possessions

by The Giving Tree Band

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1.
I got a woman Though she drives me a little crazy in the head And tired in bed Feeling like the old man who Stays home to play the fiddle When he should be at the railroad working instead And I wanna dance with you in the daytime And I wanna dance with you in the night And I never felt like this before If your love is free then give me more and more Remember there’s peace upon the mountain Remember the love light shines so bright Whenever I drink up from your fountain It makes me love you all through the night Let me love you all through the night I got a heart It’s as big as an ocean Deep as a canyon But twice as wide My love is stronger than Six wild horses running for a drink By the railroad side I wanna rock with you in the daytime I wanna roll with you in the night I never felt like this before If your love is free Then give me more and more Someday I’m gonna tear me down a city And build a meadow to grow enough wild flowers to keep you high You’ll have enough to pick long time after To fill up my grave past the day I die I wanna make you sing in the daytime I wanna make you sing in the night And I never felt like this before If your love is free Then give me more and more
2.
Say you can’t find no gold In a silver mine Can’t find love In this old lonely heart of mine But if you try and see the best in me We can find romance If you just give me half a chance My baby gets kind of stressed when she sees a mess In all my crazy ways She still comes to my defense She helps me understand the things I do She says, “If you believe in me Then I believe in you” Teaspoon of sugar Teaspoon more of sugar She gonna stir it up And make it real sweet Teaspoon of sugar One more teaspoon of sugar She gonna stir it up And make a tasty treat Then she take me to the bridge She lays me down like this Under the willow tree And I could not resist I could not help myself
3.
Mother Divinity You are the earth I am the tree Sprung from your heart But now it seems I’ve grown apart Though I make good to you Somehow I have lost sight of my roots They say this old forest ain’t nothing but dirt But I’ll crack and I’ll snap And fall back in your lap When this tree becomes one with the earth Mother Divinity I am a wave You are the sea Just a form on the formless Imaginary independence Without me you stay whole Without you I could not remain They say this whole ocean is your body And I’ll crest and I’ll bend And I’ll find rest in the end When this wave becomes one with the sea And this wave will be one with the sea Your embrace is all I can feel Your voice is all I can hear Your face is all I can see Your grace is everywhere Your grace is everywhere
4.
She grew up in Illinois She fell in love with a local boy She headed out of East Moline For the mountains she never seen Said goodbye to her ma and pa Who were headed down to Arkansas Gonna meet a real cowboy someday And that’s the time She went away All in all We’re all long gone Like a river that roars its lonely call Through the dark and cold winter nights The sun will rise Down the long, long road I’ll be coming home She crossed that river Deep and wide When she reached the other side She felt a freedom she didn’t know Now her nights were dark and cold Back home he prayed to the Lord above That he would always be in love She couldn’t feel his warmth from miles away And that’s the time she did stray He knew he best be moving on For that fair love of his was gone And time don’t wait for any man Although some days he’d go back again His brother took on the family farm Never meaning any harm The bottle never was his friend And that’s the time he met his end
5.
The Stream 04:11
I wanna go where the yellow corn grows Stand in the shade of an old oak tree I wanna go where the whistle blows And ride that train until I’m free I wanna go where the green grass grows Picking cat tails down by the stream I wanna go where the river flows And sail away right out to sea I wanna go where the cool breeze blows I wanna squish that sand beneath my toes I wanna go where the pale moon glows And lights the night so I can see Life is a long, long dream A dream is just a short life My spirit hides on a mountain side Near a one room cabin I call my home When I climb to the top I shake hands with the sun And we smile down at the earth below Look front to see my life before me Look back to see what used to be A head full of plans And a dream in the hand And the sound of the stream to comfort me In the nighttime the sky is a silver screen All the stars come out to comfort me The full moon glows And the cool breeze blows me A song from a band of coyotes
6.
As the days go by The memories will fade Like the setting of the sun upon the earth And all we leave behind is the friendships we make So understand a smile for what it’s worth Just one thing I ask before you go Play me that old song you used to know And I will sit right here Just wondering where all the time has gone For all the things we never had And all those things we never did And all those things we’re never gonna do And all those dreams we never dreamed And all those things we never seen And all those things we’re never gonna follow through Just one thing I ask before you go Play me that old tune you used to know And I will sit right here Just wondering whatever became of you If left it all right now to follow you behind Perhaps somethings weren’t meant for me to find For all the things I have and all I have to learn I’d be sinning if I left those stones unturned Just one thing I ask of you my friend Never try to change a man again Cause I’m gonna sit right here Watch life go by my side Wondering how it ever passed me by And it’s just one thing i ask of you my friend Cause I’m gonna sit right here And watch life go by my side Wondering how it ever passed me by I’ll be wondering how it ever passed me by
7.
If this life was mine I’d pick the time When I leave this world Behind closed doors Willingly I know I have to go When you call me home So this life is really yours Help me to serve you Help me to serve you Help me to serve you Help me to serve you When times were good I misunderstood You need a few holes in the lampshade To let light through When I had no choice I heard your voice Now I know exactly what I need to do Help me to know you Help me to know you Help me to know you Help me to know you Let the songs of saints Adorn my ears And my hands with rings of charity I’d like a necklace of a gentle voice Sweet words like pearls That shine with honesty Help me to love you Help me to love you Help me to love you Help me to love you If this rocky earth should be my bed The entire sky would blanket me And I’d be dressed in an endless forest And I’d smile at myself in the mirror of the sea Help me to be one with you Help me to be one with you Help me to be one with you Help me to be one with you Help me to serve you Help me to know you Help me to love you Help me to be one with you
8.
Together 02:52
The song I came to sing remains unsung The song I came to sing remains unsung For I have spent my days Unstringing and restringing my instrument The lamp I came to light remains unlit The lamp I came to light remains unlit For I have paid the price of years Searching here and there for the right lampshade The moment I prayed for has not yet come The moment I prayed for has not yet come And from the start of anticipating The pain of waiting It fills my heart Seems I’ve loved you now countless times Seems I’ve loved you now countless times Together Life to life Age to age Forever
9.
Rack Up 02:30
It’s your break Here’s the cue I can’t take my eyes off of you Eight ball or nine Either ones fine You gotta rack up Rack up your love for me Come on and put your arms around me baby You will see How to say just what I wish I’m gonna put a spell of love Using eight ball or nine Either one’s fine You gotta rack up your love Rack up your life for me Come on and put em in the pockets One two three Chalk up Solids and stripes You know the green felt It felt so nice In the day In the night I’m banking on you to turn on your love light
10.
Early To Bed 03:52
Early to bed Early to rise Leaves your life with no surprise I got no ears to hear your lies I got no eyes to hypnotize Fall in love Or fallin’ out Leaves your life with no doubt Got no voice to scream or shout Still you know what I’m talking about As I sing Price of a man to make his stand They send you off to a foreign land I got no time to play my hand I guess I’ll fall in line again But I’ll sing
11.
Pegged 03:03
Well I met a sweet mama In her hand was three dollars She was about to board a CTA train She said, “I gotta get going cause the wind keeps blowing and I wanna stay outta the rain” Now I walk down a few blocks Where the money always talks And the glasses fill up with wine And they said here’s a quick toast To the host with the most So I got outta there in five minutes time Oh walking these streets Dragging these feet Carrying my worn out legs The bus is running late It’s a quarter past eight And this time’s got me pegged Well I went to your house Just as quiet as a mouse About four in the afternoon But you snuck up behind me Said, “Please don’t lie to me Since when have you been wearing perfume?” Now I stand trial on the Magnificent Mile It’s not so magnificent in the rain And I’m hungry and broke And my clothes are all soaked And now it’s time for me to get on the train Riding this train Racking my brain Resting these worn out legs The rain overhead is falling like lead And this time’s got me pegged
12.
If I knew the price of your advice Your advice, I would take And if I knew the price of your advice Your advice, I would take And if I knew your worth Well I’d scour the earth I’d scour the earth just to find If I knew your worth I’d scour the earth just to find you But if all that I find was piece of mind Well piece of mind would be fine If all that I find was piece of mind Well piece of mind would be fine But if all along I saw all that was wrong All that was wrong I would change If all along I saw all that was wrong All that was wrong I would change So give me the strength to be the change To be the change that surrounds Give me the strength to be the change To be the change that surrounds me But if all that I knew If all that I knew Was all that was true I’d be free If all that I knew Was all that was true I’d teach it to you to be free too
13.
In my life I have seen the changes I have know the ranges You have left me to ride And I will meet my barefoot brothers And we’ll greet each other When we reach the other side And I’ve been trailed By men with horses And men with torches Wanting me to feel their fire But I have found My steady sound And my stable ground Has pulled me from the mire I don’t know when I’m returning Leave a candle burning So the flickers catch my eye And I will see your smiling face Feel your warm embrace In the sweet by and by In my life I have see the changes I have know the ranges You have left me to ride And I will meet my barefoot brothers And we’ll greet each other When we reach the other side
14.
Guest House 02:31
This being human is a guest house And every morning, a new arrival The joy of depression, a meanness Some momentary awareness Comes as unexpected guests Welcome and entertain them all Even if they are a crowd of sorrows Who violently sweep your house Empty of its furniture Remember to treat each guest honorably He might be clearing you out for new delight This being human is a guest house And every morning a new arrival The dark thought, shame ,and malice Greet them all at the door laughing Laugh, invite them in Welcome and entertain them all Even if they are a crowd of sorrows Who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture Be grateful to each guest who comes Because each one has been sent as a guide from above This being human is a guest house
15.
Oh my heart What shore will you cross There’s no ocean, no boatman Oh my heart What end will you reach There’s no road, no traveler before you A cloud of rain Becomes a river A river dries Becomes a cloud Like a ray of light from the sun Love We are not two We are one Oh my heart When boundaries depart And the thought of being bounded Oh my heart Remain in your seat You are whole And ever complete
16.
Mama didn’t pay her any mind Thought that she should bide her time Her love was like a rattlesnake She would warn you off so many times And getting close was a big mistake She headed north to Santa Fe Knew she had to get away Never took no one’s advice The day that she left home She was gone without thinking twice And all that’s left is gone away He never had enough to wet his taste Though she said it was an endless well He knew it would dry up someday She dreams in colors Greens and blues Says they never do come true But she forgot about the rest She held tight to what she thought was right And loose to what she knew was best She said that fate was just a game And that we all end up the same And this was how she lived her life It’s a wonder that she did so well Living on the edge of a knife She said that love was just a lie Made up by those afraid to die Sometimes I think she’s right How can we let go when our hearts Get lonely in the night
17.
It’s a hard It’s a hard life to live When your love When your love goes unreturned And you got so much to give And it’s a hard It’s a hard life to live When you got so much to give And no love in return Well you got so much to learn But I believe I believe in peace on earth For what it’s worth I know we can make amends I know we can all be friends I can’t find I can’t find no easy way To make up For all the things I didn’t say And all the things I did So take the time Take the time to say it right You could’ve lied You could’ve lied to be polite But you know I can’t take a joke Cause it’s a hard It’s a hard life to live When your love When your love Goes unreturned And you got so much to give And it’s a hard It’s a hard life to live When you got so much to give And no love in return Well you got so much to learn Now if you left If you left it up to me You may not agree With the things you thought you’d see Or what it oughta be That don’t make That don’t make your garden grow What do you know about it anyhow That you didn’t know by now
18.
Only Good 06:20
Look up to space Because it’s so pure Detach from this place Look at the trees And how they endure Summer’s heat And winter’s freeze I feel the grass below my feet It’s humbly watching us pass Feel the air upon my cheek Whispering, “Be prepared to move anywhere.” We’re given two eyes to see Only good We’re given two ears to hear Only good We’re given two hands to do Only good We’re one heart to love But do you really know what love is? Do you really know what love can do? Do you really know what love is? It ain’t something you give to only a few Do you really know what love is? True love says to everything that is near I will take good care of you I will take good care of you I look at the sun and how it don’t judge Shines on the good ones and bad ones Came to a rich town to see the best dressed But everyone worn a frown I knew a beggar who had no arms His smile was wide and warm I go to the sea just to see how it breathes Conscious and rhythmically True love says to everything that is near I will take good care of you

about

Recorded in Baraboo, WI, Great Possessions was produced using only solar-powered energy. The band camped out in near by Mirror Lake State Park and for 30 days biked 10 miles to and from the Aldo Leopold Center where they set up a recording studio in the conference room. The album's instrumentation is sparse and entirely acoustic. The instruments used in the recording were made out of reclaimed woods finished with a non-toxic lacquer.

The physical album is printed on 100% post-consumer paper and wrapped in a biodegradable corn cellulose.

credits

released August 18, 2009

Music written and recorded by
The Giving Tree Band
Eric Fink: vocals, guitar, upright bass, harmonium, ukulele, dulcimer
Todd Fink: vocals, guitar, banjo
Patrick Burke: vocals, upright bass, mandolin, guitar, dobro, glockenspiel
Phillip Roach: violin

With:
Ryan "Catfish" Chindlund: percussion
Justin O'Connell: percussion and backing vocals on "Rack Up"
Bethany Chindlund: backing vocals
Andy Goss: backing vocals
Erik Norman: backing vocals
Josh Klocek: backing vocals

Also Featuring:
Susan Howe: vocals on "Mother"
Tony Delgrosso: trombone on "Pegged" and "Just One Thing"
Derrick Lord: trumpet on "Pegged"
Jason Tomassone: trumpet on "Pegged"

Backing vocals and horns on "Pegged" arranged by Patrick Burke
Trombone and string arrangement on "Just One Thing" by Phillip Roach
Music features eco-instruments (guitars and mandolin) from HighlandStrings.com

Produced by E. Fink
Executive Producers: Tom and Tobi Staudacher
Engineered by Ryan "Catfish" Chindlund
Mixed and mastered by E. Fink

Recorded, edited, mixed, and mastered with 100% solar energy at The Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo, WI
Project coordination by Cara Wasielewski
Production assistance by Bethany Chindlund
Album artwork, layout, and design by Jen Husted
(www.jihdesigns.com)
Album insert design by Mary Sue and Cara Wasielewski

Manufactured with 100% renewable wind energy
Packaged with 100% recycled materials
Printed on with nontoxic soy inks
"Shrink-wrapped" with 100% biodegradable corn cellulose
10 trees planted for every 1,000 units to offset pollution created from shipping
Crooked Creek Records
Yorkville, IL 60560

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The Giving Tree Band Yorkville, Illinois

"A traveling band must be able to channel their hometown and aura into a space. It's sometimes difficult to conjure the backroads and nature so often sung about in Americana music. The Giving Tree Band has mastered this quintessential aspect of performing live. They are able to accomplish what great writers have long proven..." Appoet.org ... more

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