V1: Why can’t I be modern?
I’m lighting the garden, to see where I fit in
I’m getting bombarded, my world is unguarded, my life is just starting
I never thought about, just getting what I need
It’s always been about our community, it’s hard to understand…
V2: I’m not working the harvest
I’m not reading my verses, I’m just scratching the surface
They call it Rumspringa, and it’s a cruel teacher, it’s a brow-beater
I get to mess around, go drinking have a ball
Don’t have to worry’ bout, pretty much anything at all, it’s hard to understand…
V3: And it’s a big party
My mind’s a bit foggy, there’s no escaping my responsibility
To make my decision, about my religion, they give me the option
I’ve got to keep in mind and realize the only life I know
It’s hard to walk away from freedom’s sway but where would I go?
It’s hard to understand, oh oh, it’s hard to understand
Br: How a man, could do a thing any bigger
Oh oh, to make it through this Rumspringa
Oh oh oh, it’s hard to understand
How a man, could do a thing any bigger
Oh oh oh, than make it through this Rumspringa
Oh oh oh, it’s hard to understand, oh oh oh
This was a live soundboard recording of Moth & Butterfly at Rollo Time's show with Big Head Todd & The Monsters at the Tivoli Theater earlier this year on April 25, 2014. It's a bit unbalanced but it captures a bit of the energy of that night. Enjoy!
This one is the longest groove of the week we've posted yet. Recorded just a few weeks back, this one clocks in at over 13 minutes! Great for streaming - we've also enabled this as a free download. Enjoy!
Another weekly installment of our freaky, weekly funk jams for your audio enjoyment!
These are just some clips from some new songs we've been working on. Hope you like them! We'd like to get in the studio soon!
Another improv snippet from Rollo Time!
ON THE GROUND
I’ve seen guns and violence, too much to mention
They’ve ruined lives regardless of their intentions
They tear our sons and daughters’ hearts out
There’s gotta be another way of releasing tension
Wanna know, do things have to be this way?
Wanna know, is there some way to set things straight?
You and I are victims of the crown
We’re bearing arms to keep the G-men down
Do yourself a favor look around
You and I are victims of the crown, of the crown
I’ve had lots of chances to show my dissension
But freedom is the mother of this invention
Wanna know, wanna know if there’s any way to stop it
Any way we can move in another direction
Bridge
I’m tired of seeing victims on the ground
Tired of suffering and deadly sounds
Do yourself a favor look around
Let’s stop this senseless killing on the ground, on the ground
This is a song/story about a con-man who lives life by taking advantage of others. After his latest scheme is exposed to the police, he tries to flee the country but gets caught near the border and ends up in an infamous prison in Arizona. It features some nice dobro work by the engineer/producer of "Victims", Doug McBride.
He’s driving cross the country in his late model car
He listens to the ladies as he puffs his cigar
His clothes are whipping in the wind like flags on a pole
There’s nothing quite as valuable as baring your soul
He didn’t have far to go, just a mile or two to Mexico
He didn’t have lots of dough, they stopped him on the side of the road
It’s off to Eyman Prison where they gave him some clothes
They fed him bread and water yeah you know how it goes
They gave him television and a book for the time
They gave him solitary and they messed with his mind
He didn’t have far to go, just a mile or two to Mexico
He didn’t have lots of dough, they stopped him on the side of the road
Chorus: Now he’s busting out of Eyman Prison
He’s got an alibi and a mission
He did a little crime his decision
Busting out of Eyman Prison, prison
There’s nothing he can talk about, you don’t hear a sound
Because of all the positives and negatives ‘round
He’s frowning ‘cause he’s drowning like a fish in the surge
And often times he’s drooling when he’s feeling the urge
He didn’t have far to go, just a mile or two to Mexico
He didn’t have lots of dough, they stopped him on the side of the road
Chorus
Bridge: Ba da da, ba da da da, ba da da, ba da da da….
He stated that he’s plated every car in the city
He’s saving every penny for his own little kitty
His license operation leaves the others to waste
But a wall of separation keeps him far from the taste
He’s busting out of prison just to get him some space
But a wall of separation keeps him far from the taste
He dreams about the ladies wearing leather and lace
But a wall of separation keeps him far from the taste
This is a song about Sean's demise. It's a secret really, but we joke about it all the time!
This was the first single released for "Victims of the Crown". It was tracked at Gravity Studios in Chicago. We hope to release a lot more singles soon!
Never gonna know, never gonna show
Yet I can’t believe it, can’t complete it
Then you’re on the phone, leaving me alone
On my own
You can talk but I can’t sort it through
I’ve lost my way but I’m too scared to move
Either way I lose
When you tell me what to do, to do
When you gonna go, when’s it gonna flow
Can you paint a picture, quote some scripture
Say the words again, they’re finally sinking in
To my head
You can solve what I just call untrue
Can’t help but be amused
When you tell me what things to choose, to choose
You can talk but I can’t sort it through
I’ve lost my way but I can’t sort it through
It might have been but it never crossed the line
I’m not blind it was a different time
Where have you been now?
You can’t convince me
I’m never gonna go, never gonna go, never gonna go…
You can talk but I can’t sort it through
I’ve lost my way but I’m too scared to move
Either way I lose
When you tell me what to do, to do
This is a song Jon wrote for his wife and soul mate, Karen.
You won’t find a better buy
This kind of deal is hard to find
Think of all the time you’ll save
Knowing that you’re not a slave
You’ll never have to paint again (she’s maintenance free)
She’s guaranteed to stop the rain (she’s maintenance free)
Just in case you change your mind (there’s nothing on me)
We’ll refund the purchase price (there’s nothing on me)
Ch: I can seek, I can hide, I can find the other side
I can be, I can do, I can fall in love with you
This one’s going to change your life
Think of all the extra time
Time you wasted in the past
It’s yours because she’s built to last
Now it’s time to take her home (she’s maintenance free)
We offer zero interest loans (she’s maintenance free)
Just in case you change your mind (there’s nothing on me)
We’ll refund the purchase price (there’s nothing on me)
Chorus\
Br: And though the brand is not well known
She’s in a class that’s all her own
She won’t scratch or chip or dent
You won’t spend another cent
Can’t beat the economy
She comes with a warranty
She’s Maintenance Free
She’s Maintenance Free
There’s nothing on me
There’s nothing on me
Chorus (last line: That’s why I’m in love with you) – She’s Maintenance Free
This is a song about Jon's sister in law, who just a few years ago sold everything she had and backpacked across Europe for several months.
This is a song about "row row row your boat" and how, if you look at life in the right way, you can enjoy the boat ride as you "merrily" go through it recognizing that life is "but a dream".
