1. |
How Were the Roads?
02:41
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LYRICS
Well come on in
Let me take your coats
Glad you could make it
How were the roads?
Come on in
Make yourselves at home
Sure good to see you
How were the roads?
Can you believe
How cold it’s been?
Since, who knows
I can’t remember when
We’ve got coffee, hot cocoa
Sure good to see you
How were the roads?
Oh, not too bad
Just a few rough patches
Of ice between
Here and there
The rest was fair
And here we are
We made it
Hello, daughter
Hello, son
Did you make it to
Your destination?
Thanks for calling
On the phone
So good to hear you
How were the roads?
Oh, not too bad
Just a few rough patches
Of ice between
Here and there
The rest was fair
And here we are
We made it
Come on in
Come on in
Come on in
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2. |
Court Report
03:31
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LYRICS
Did you see who made this week’s
"Court report"?
Some who are and aren’t the sort
I mean, what’s this world coming to?
Did you read all those bad deeds
In the "Court Report"?
People losing my support
I mean, what else am I supposed to do?
We all have our bad days
Do stuff that we shouldn’t
Say things we wanna take back
But just don’t cross the line
Or we’re gonna find you
On page nine, "Court Report"
Mr. McNilty pled guilty
To going way too fast
Hey what’s your hurry, man?
Enjoy life, smell the roses
Mrs. Dabbs had expired tabs
But not only that
She failed to pass proof of insurance
And oh boy, this one’s a doozy
John Brian was boozy behind the wheel
Man, what’s his deal?
I remember when he was such a nice boy
We all have our bad days
Do stuff that we shouldn’t
Say things we wanna take back
But just don’t cross the line
Or we’re gonna find you
On page nine, Court Report
We all have our bad days
Do stuff that we shouldn’t
Say things we wanna take back
But just don’t cross the line
Or we’re gonna find you
On page nine, "Court Report"
Did you see who made this week’s
"Court report"?
Did you read all those bad deeds
In the "Court report"?
People losing my support
There’s some real juicy stuff in here
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3. |
Paper Route
02:35
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LYRICS
My big mouth, what was I thinking?
Four A.M., who was I kidding?
My parents were right, but I can’t pout
I begged and begged for this paper route
My first stop is Mrs. McCarthy
She won’t tip if I am tardy
I pedal my bike as fast as I can
It’s darker outside than a frying pan
Oh, my big mouth, what was I thinking?
Four A.M., who was I kidding?
My parents were right, but I can’t pout
I begged and begged for this paper route
Well, maybe this time he’ll be on his leash
Benny the bulldog, he hates me
I gently set the paper down
But ol’ Benny he hears me anyhow
Oh, my big mouth, what was I thinking?
Four A.M., who was I kidding?
My parents were right, but I can’t pout
I begged and begged for this paper route
Now, just my luck, the rain starts pouring
I think of my friends still in bed snoring
But mamas and papas, their sons and daughters
Are counting on me come hell or high water
Well, I don’t know what I was thinking
Four A.M., man, the devil’s still sleeping
My parents were right, but I won’t pout
I’m a kid on a mission with a paper route
Oh, my big mouth, what was I thinking?
Four A.M., who was I kidding?
My parents were right, but I won’t pout
I’m a kid on a mission with a paper route
I’m a kid on a mission
I’m a kid on a mission with a paper route
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4. |
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LYRICS
There’s a place I like to go
When summer brings the carnival
With you
Spins us ‘round then up and down
I feel dizzy, I’m spellbound
With you
Tilt-a-whirl
Tilts my world
Tilt-a-whirl
Tilts my world
I look up and see the stars
Somehow they don’t seem so far
With you
And I dream my biggest dreams
I know I can be anything
With you
Tilt-a-whirl
Tilts my world
Tilt-a-whirl
Tilts my world
Spins us ‘round then up and down
I feel dizzy, I’m spellbound
I dream my biggest dreams
I know I can be anything
Yeah, I know I can be anything
Tilt-a-whirl
Tilt-a-whirl
Tilts my world
Tilts my world
There’s a place I like to go
When summer brings the carnival
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5. |
Sheltering Oaks
02:56
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LYRICS
Well, grandma broke her hip
That was the start of it
The family began to talk
Even if we share
All the work to take care of her
It’s too much, so we made the call
Sheltering Oaks nursing home
On the edge of the golf course
Residents watching passerby offspring
Swinging sticks at the ball
All the workers who work there
They bathe her, take good care
Oh, the childhood of old age
And I’m ashamed to admit it
I don’t often visit
There’s a smell that’s just hard to take
Sheltering Oaks nursing home
On the edge of the golf course
Residents watching passerby offspring
Swinging sticks at the ball
Well, I suppose someday I will be there
I suppose that’s just how life goes
My children and all of their children
Will need help carrying the load
Sheltering Oaks
Nursing home
On the edge of the golf course
Someday I’ll be a resident watching
My passerby offspring
Swinging sticks at the ball
Sheltering Oaks nursing home
On the edge of the golf course
Residents watching passerby offspring
Swinging sticks at the ball
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6. |
Liver and Onions
02:29
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LYRICS
Liver and onions on Tuesdays
Me and grandpa at Nelson’s Cafe
Yuck, ish, the look of that dish
But I liked going there anyway
I suppose it was just to be near him
Oh the things a kid does to be seen
I wish liver and onions on Tuesdays
Had been every day of the week
Well, my uncle Duane was the barber
I rode my bike for a haircut 'round noon
‘Cause I knew he would soon take a lunch break
And a good chance he’d take me with too
I suppose it was just to be near him
Oh, the things that we do, but don’t say
If only my hair had grown faster
I’d get it cut everyday
Setting up chairs Sunday mornings
I’d go with my dad to help out
Sometimes he’d pour me a coffee
I’d drink it, though it was too stout
I suppose it was just to be near him
Close enough to catch some of his rays
If only the church held more people
Sunday mornings would take up all day
Liver and onions on Tuesdays
Me and grandpa at Nelson’s Cafe
Yuck, ish, the look of that dish
But I liked going there anyway
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7. |
The Amway Years
03:35
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LYRICS
I remember those years so full of hope
It would not be much longer till
We had nice things and a bigger house
A car that started on the first try
Oh my, how the future was bright
My oh my, how the future was bright
Shinier than the shiniest light
The brightest thing was the future
My dad made calls to coworkers and friends
My mother took orders of cleaning supplies
The long stretched cord on the telephone
My sisters and me used to play limbo
Oh my, how the future was bright
My oh my, how the future was bright
Shinier than the shiniest light
The brightest thing was the future
There are two kinds of people
Those who get in the ring
And those on the outside
Some criticizing
Maybe they saw two people failing
But we saw two souls
Daring greatly
And oh my, how the future is bright
My oh my, how the future is bright
Oh my, how the future is bright
My oh my, how the future is bright
Shinier than the shiniest light
The brightest thing is the future
The brightest thing is the future
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8. |
Peewee Hockey
02:49
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LYRICS
I hear coach Gary Gunderson
Coming down the stairs
Whistling a melody
A warning to beware
He’s almost to the locker room
Put childish ways aside
Tighten up your laces
Push down the fear inside
Eeny meeny miny moe
Peewee Hockey 12 years old
If you holler you will pay
What goes on here stays
I smell coach Gary Gunderson
The ash of cigarettes
Old Spice cologne
The rum upon his breath
And he cusses like a sailor
We’ve made him look a fool
Losing to the Warriors
He paces in the room
Eeny meeny miny moe
Peewee Hockey 12 years old
If you holler you will pay
What goes on here stays
It stays
It stays
It stays
It stays
I see coach Gary Gunderson
He’s in my neighborhood
He asks me how my summer’s been
I tell him it’s been good
And he says “So long I’ll see you then”
And I watch him drive away
I breathe in deep the sweet relief
And live to fight another day
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9. |
Unspoken Request
03:03
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LYRICS
The pastor at the pulpit
Looks out among his flock
“Are there any more prayer requests?”
He holds a pen to jot
Well, Myrna’s been having migraines
John’s upcoming surgery
And Judy’s still in the hospital
But she should be coming home this week
The pastor begins to put his pen
In the pocket of his vest
When someone in the back row says
“Unspoken request”
Now almost without a sound
Heads discreetly turn around
Wondering what could be so bad
That it could not be said out loud
And while the pastor gives his sermon
Who knows, maybe his best
It falls on minds preoccupied
By an unspoken request
Could it be drugs or alcohol, or infidelity?
Embarrassing complications from a vasectomy?
At the very worst, murder
At the very least, IBS
Yeah, this is where the mind is led
By an unspoken request
So if you really must
Call upon the Lord
Say the very worst thing
That you can afford
Believe me when I say
And don’t put it to the test
There ain’t nothin’ louder
Than an unspoken request
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10. |
Deer Hunting
03:27
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LYRICS
It’s early November, I follow my father
Our footsteps crunch in the snow
Somewhere in the middle of Beltrami forest
My toes have already froze
We stop at a tree, a tall creaky pine
With two-by-fours nailed to the limbs
I climb up and sit down, then wave to my father
Who’s promised to return again
But if I didn’t know better, I just might believe
This deer hunting thing is a crime
High up in a tree, my rifle and me
With nothing to kill but time
The first half an hour I do pretty well
I sit still and don’t make a sound
At forty-five minutes I become real jealous
Of anything touching the ground
Now it’s been several hours, I can’t help but wonder
If my father’s even alive
For all I know he’s been eaten by wolves
If I wait I might wait till I die
If I didn’t know better, I just might believe
This deer hunting thing is a crime
High up in a tree, my rifle and me
With nothing to kill but time
I see orange in the distance, oh joy, happy day
My father is on his way back
He says, “So, how’d it go?”
I wipe nose and I tell him
That I had a blast
But if I didn’t know better, I just might believe
This deer hunting thing is a crime
High up in a tree, my rifle and me
With nothing to kill but time
Well if I didn’t know better
I just might believe
We all must be out of our minds
High up in a tree for eternity
With nothing to kill but time
Nothing to kill but time
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11. |
Bluewater Summer Camp
02:27
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LYRICS
You travel on a bus
Your baggage in the back
You find it when you get there
You pull it from a stack
Drag it to your cabin
Choose a bunk to sleep
Lay down the thing you’ve carried
And run out to the beach
Bluewater summer camp
On a lake far away
Bluewater summer camp
Wash away, wash it all away
You swim all afternoon
Fish for some perch
A bell rings for supper
Another one for church
They teach you silly songs
And some are serious ones
They talk about forgiveness
No matter what you’ve done
Bluewater summer camp
On a lake far away
Bluewater summer camp
Wash away, wash it all away
And when it’s time to go
You take the long ride home
But somehow your luggage
Feels lighter
Bluewater summer camp
On a lake far away
Bluewater summer camp
Wash away, wash it all away
Bluewater summer camp
Wash away, wash it all
Bluewater summer camp
Wash away, wash it all away
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12. |
Special Music
03:45
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LYRICS
They say David played his harp for a king
And Solomon had a tune for everything
So maybe I could play my guitar and sing
Sunday Morning
Special music
God can use it
Out of tune and shaky voices
Turn into joyful noises
Hallelujah
They say that Moses had a stutter in his speech
And David had a mean old jealous streak
So even if my hands are trembling
Sunday Morning
Special music
God can use it
Sweaty palms and fingertips
"Amazing Grace" on nervous lips
Hallelujah
And now the preacher’s starting to pray
That’s my cue to quietly make my way
I wish the Second Coming had been yesterday
Sunday morning
Special music
Just get through it
And if I make a bad mistake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
Hallelujah
Special music
God can use it
Hallelujah
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13. |
Special Thanks to...
04:38
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TRANSCRIPT
Hi, this is Aaron Espe. I just wanted to say thanks for listening. This album was made possible by my Secret Songs Club, a community of supporters who help me get new music into the world. In return, they hear the music first along with unreleased songs. You can learn more at aaronespe.com/secretsongsclub.
This album was also made possible by the generous donations of the following people, who I am so thankful for: Alice Michel, the Greta and Tom Stinar family, Barry and Becky Pederson, John Niño, Holly and Eric Yochim, the Poshak family, Nels Carlson, Barbara Kanadet, Mark Fulton, Taru Liisa, Shawn Cullen, Kristen Otto, Mary Kate Melnick, the Courliss family, Hanna Pratt, Matt Henderson, Gavin Slate, Scot Sustad, Winnie Dreier, Ethan Kvidt, Josef Erl, the Fightmaster family, Kirsten Bengston, Jon and Amanda Rubis family, Luke and Krystal Langholz, Kaitlyn Leen, Patrick Damphier, Cousins of Josh Broten, Stephen and Steph Quanbeck family, Darin Anders, Noah and Ali Hormann and family, Stuart Willes, Marty and Ericka Espe, Peace on Earth in Unalakleet, Alaska, Dorothy Bergh, Jeff Noël, Anonymous, Kara Hedlund, Phoebe Lee, T Drieling, Amanda Harris, Caleb Nelson, Emily and David Greco, Kevin Novacek, Tember Dickman, Keri Van Havermaet, Tami Espe, Heather Johnson, Karmon and Rick Trontvet, Lee Patkos, Mick and Sheila Stafford, Dayna Bonebrake, Jamie and Jeff Linsenmaier, Mike and Katie Lucero, Kecia Stroot, Buddy and Debbie Erickson, the Stynsbergs, Mary Stoe, Marco Schlövogt, Olivia and Lennon Rubis, Michael Coors, in honor of Busbee, Glen and Glenda Johnson, Sheri VandeRiet, Eric Sievert, Hudson Amiot, HoJo, Jean Wysocki, Justin Walker, Tony and Traci Fichter, Matt and Jenna Rubis, Dale Pratt, Susanna Grace, Mark Bechler, the Jon and Hannah Langness family, Erik and Courtney Strom family, Nolan Soltvedt, Theo Shepard, Jeremy Siemers, John Chrysikopoulos, Tommy Grafstrom, Scott Manson, Micah and Cassidy Rude, Emily Svendsen, Nicole Rubis, Martin Stetzka, Mark Converti, Erik Espe, Davis Keats, Kevin and Karleen Quackenbush family, Margaret Nelson, Baxter and Margie Swenson, Josh, Natalie, Ezra, Iris and Sylvi Rude, Anonymous, John Hofer, Stephen and Elizabeth Clark, Amber Rubarth, Scott Austin, Alex and Julia Amiot, Tim Sundin, Greta Morgan, Bob Arnold, Brandon Warne, Susanne Hettling, Connie Decrescenzo, Adrienne Johnson, Mark Ewert, Laura Johnson, Phaedra Amiot, Teresa and Ward Ortmann, Joanne Selightholm, Bethany Leonard, Jeff and Heidi Larson, Sherri Kukowski, Kari Dejong, Joel Molascon, Chelle Winczewski, James Paterson, in honor of Kasey Altman, Joel Maxwell, Nathanael Johnson, Jennifer Setten, Tallie Habstritt, Bruce and Lorraine Helgeson, Tim and Linda Rubis, Kelly and Dean Meyer, Darren Tutt, Kat Denison, Kavan Lovgren, Ben and Shelly Zuehlsdorff, Lori and Gary Finn, the Capps family, Colleen Wallin, Anna and the Krahn family, and Jason Bock.
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Aaron Espe Nashville, Tennessee
I'm probably what Bob Ross would sound like if he'd been a singer-songwriter. Calming, positive music with a hint of sadness.
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