We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Preservation

by Lyal Strickland

/
1.
Quarter million dollars don’t buy that much Gonna need another hundred more to keep my daddy’s place up Three years of taxes have gone unpaid And my girl pulls her weight as a hotel maid I left the farm for a year or two Bought a half education that I never use Papers in the desk where I never sit, Got a whole new group of associates Chorus: But you can’t spend your way out of nothing That’s a big hole and you’ll never climb out But if you’ve got a long handle on that shovel in your hands You might hit rock and you’ll know where you stand I broke a piece of glass with my fist last night But I never really meant it to cause a fight There’s sometimes when I lose my mind And I know when I do that I’m not so kind Thought about leaving a time or two But the only good thing I got in this world is you I can get lost and I can be free but there’s no telling what it’ll end up costing me CHORUS Quarter million dollars don’t buy that much Gonna need another hundred more to keep my daddy’s place up Three years of taxes have gone unpaid And my girl pulls her weight as a hotel maid
2.
Gone for a weekend, gone too long Gone somewhere to find yourself but you found it all wrong Not a golden locket, not a pretty little chain Not a handful of careless months till you got that diamond ring Chorus: And I wanted you to know, you’re not alone Wish you the best, but you’ve probably guessed There’s something more, it’s just this Honey you’re missed You and me got a history, and everything but a family Broken homes don’t you see never kept out the rain It’s not your fault, it’s not his fault But if this is your call then I’m walking away CHORUS You are the love of my life and I see you in another man’s eyes And I want to hide Now and then I sit alone and I’m a little bit misery prone There’s things that could save my soul, but they won’t take hold I won’t come out now and I’ll get by somehow You’ll never how I can break my own heart Check on you from time to time, just a little romantic crime I love it when you cross that line, but there’s no hope now CHORUS There’s something more, it’s just this Miss your kiss
3.
Minimum Wage 03:41
I’ll work this farm ’til my days are done Don’t need no watch to tell me about the midday sun You can have your job I don’t need it none Climbing corporate ladders that got no rungs It ain’t just about religion and guns But I find some things in common with the prodigal son Chorus: This minimum wage ain’t gonna be my saving grace It’s just table scraps falling off a rich man’s plate No corporate cage is gonna own my soul all day I can hold my own but I ain’t gonna pull their weight No minimum wage ain’t gonna be my saving grace I ain’t living long but I ain’t gonna run that race Back to back shifts wearing out your shoes Then the paycheck comes it’s not enough to get you through You work your life and you owe it who The boys at the top are tools and you’re kinda screwed So join me brother and we’ll start brand new Don’t need middle manager to approve CHORUS This minimum wage ain’t gonna be my saving grace It’s just table scraps falling off a rich man’s plate No corporate cage is gonna own my soul all day I can hold my own but I ain’t gonna pull their weight No minimum wage ain’t gonna be my saving grace I ain’t living long and I ain’t gonna run that race No rich man’s son’s gonna put me in my place Gonna find a way out of this minimum wage
4.
Clyde and his clippers messin’ up the floor Been cuttin’ the boy’s hair since the spring of ’54 Not anymore Sure wasn’t no big dream, tiny little store But it kept him fed and kept him honest to the core Not anymore Chorus: Ghost on the sidewalk wearing pretty thin Wasting away waiting for folks to come back in Saying where ya been? how ya been, my friend? Lost his business when the big box came in But he didn’t close her down just took it on the chin Now where ya been? Shopping and groceries and banking held within They even got a little hair place with two chairs like twins Now where ya been? CHORUS Clyde and his clippers open every day ’til two Not that it matters ‘cause they all just pass right through Now what’d ya do? Square’s near empty it’s looking awful blue Banged up and burnt up it‘s feelin’ kinda used Now what’d ya do? CHORUS Clyde and his clippers sweeping up the floor Ain’t been much hair there for 20 years or more
5.
There’s a river I see from my room That calls a young man to his doom If he hangs his head he’s gone too soon Oh youth does not make you immune The past is not burdened with proof Like the films I recall from my youth The young man dressed in his father’s suit I can make a lie from the hardest truth Chorus: I always make the mistake oh I Always make the mistake You were drawn to the clouds in his eyes Lord knows what you saw in mine A promise we could compromise Oh love is a foolish prize We could claim a great many things You were the song I needed to sing The truth was you always wore his ring And we were only borrowing CHORUS There’s a river I see from my room And I walk through the pale afternoon And the birds still sing, I recall the tune Perhaps I will see you soon... Perhaps I will see you soon.
6.
Settle In 03:29
I guess I might Give up on love We never get along ‘cause this road I’m on It is no home Can’t take the hurt Trying to be clean When I feel like dirt It’s best if I’m on my own 90 miles an hour Down the interstate Changing lanes tempting fate My attempt to roam Away from her into the arms Of a waiting world Chorus: I’m on my own terms again Unforgiven Path of sin With a chance of redemption If I ever settle in My poor sick Mom My broke down Dad Things wouldn’t have to Be so bad If they would just atone I tried my best to keep the peace But I failed that test They’re on their own No model of love Save for the child Living on the road Both meek and wild I’m on my own CHORUS That pretty girl From the bar last night She’s got me feeling alright It’s nothing I should condone But I can’t take it back Now all I have to do is pack Then I’ll be on my own CHORUS Never wanted This kind of love Always wanted To be someone to trust But now all I’m doing isPicking up dust on a Path of sin with a Chance of redemption If I ever settle in Path of sin with a Chance of redemption If I ever settle in
7.
The words of our last fight, rolling into the night It’s a good thing nobody’s around Keep it locked down tight, just let me hold you tonight And in the morning you can leave when you like Chorus: We’ve been here before, promise to change As you’re heading for the door I know it ain’t easy, but if you could take me Without needing more I’ve got a pretty good core The last time that we talked we didn’t say that much Just cuddled up and let it go But in the morning light we didn’t seem so right You were moving on I was ready to go CHORUS The last song that I sing your name will ring It’ll find you wherever you are But I hope by then it’ll settle in You should have picked me over him CHORUS Words of our last fight, rolling into the night It’s a good thing nobody’s around For if they heard those words they’d think for sure I never cared and I always will
8.
Last time in her house he held her Bible in his hands Muttered underneath his breath “I hope she understands” Moved her in on a Tuesday to a room somewhere in town We’ll treat her like a queen they said She don’t even need a crown Far cry from perfect, closer to Hell They’d call him every time she fell And he’d tell them she’s tough as nails They couldn’t keep her down, she’d walk those halls all night Looking for her one chance to still put up a fight Chorus: She’d walk her way back home, taking no one’s path but her own She’d loved and she’d lost, got mad and paid the cost Stubborn as sin and she’ll fight till the end to see him He’d stop in every day when his health was still all right Got fewer and far between till he finally saw the light And she’d say “Where’d he go, where’s that man, The one with the smiling eyes, the one that held my hand” Fifty years of marriage, ten of divorce Wasn’t really her talking when she didn’t take him for worse Should have seen it coming, she’d always cause a scene Never took much notice just thinking she was mean CHORUS Last week of her life, man it was something else What family we had left and the cards that she was dealt She’d raised two of her own but to look in her eyes You couldn’t miss the innocence of a child pushing five When she’d say “Where’d he go, where’s that man, The one with the smiling eyes, the one that held my hand” CHORUS Last time in her house I held her Bible in his hands, Muttered underneath my breath “I know she understands’"
9.
There ain’t enough cool sides of the pillow To ease my wasted mind When that morning light streams in the window I turn from side to side I bury myself beneath the bedsheets For the first time the third time this week Chorus: Oh things ain’t always gonna be this bad I’d up and change but right now I can’t One of these days I’m gonna get my chance I make plans My wicked ways only bring me sorrow But that’s far from who I am When I’m looking towards tomorrow I hope you’ll understand That I find myself in the contrast In the backlash In the wobbly rebound CHORUS (2x) There aren’t enough cool sides of the pillow To ease my wasted mind When I’m looking towards tomorrow I hope it will be kind
10.
The old cat on the roof He could stand a little push ’Cause he’s got Nine good lives to live But like my mama said You only live til you’re dead And you got to give And give, and give There’s a pebble in the pond Going on and on Making waves and tides And ripples and rain Chorus: Seems like everyone is out Looking for the sun Singing rain and pain On he who hesitates But it’ll shine when it shines You might think I’m wasting time But I’m just a good old boy Who’s learned to wait There’s a leaf in the wind That don’t know where to end Chasing days and ways And wishes and dreams Whippoorwill’s in the dawn Pretty soon he’ll be gone ‘Cause he’s got one good song to sing But like my daddy said It’s in your heart not your head And you’ve got to sing And sing, and sing CHORUS There’s a window in the wall Looking out on it all Leaving fears and tears And troubles alone There’s a fire in the stove Keeping out the cold Warming wine and winters And babies and homes CHORUS

credits

released August 1, 2016

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Lyal Strickland Buffalo, Missouri

contact / help

Contact Lyal Strickland

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Lyal Strickland, you may also like: