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Simple Truths and Pleasures

by Michael Holland

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1.
The sun shakes, the moon baits How long will she make me wait? I’ll go ask the stars, they know all about her. The sun shakes, the moon waits. Oh Lord, what difference does it make? I won’t lose nothing tonight if I die here. Down the road we’ll wait and see. I’ll wait for you, will you wait for me. The sun shakes, the moon waits. Oh Lord, what difference does it make? I won’t lose nothing tonight if I die here. Take my hand, what it does to me. I’d follow you, would you follow me? The sun shakes, the moon baits, By the roadside patiently she waits. Oh, on this night I’ll know all about her.
2.
Please, please, please I’m down on my knees All I have you’ve taken All I want you’ve got So please, please, please Please, please, please, I’m down on my knees You think that I’m a fool But better a fool than cruel So please, please, please When I was young life was a treasure Good times naturally followed me Now you’re robbing me of simple pleasures Please, please, please Please, please, please I’m down on my knees You’re leading me to ruin But I know what you’re doing So please, please, please.
3.
Bill Payne had a twenty dollar bill For that twenty dollar bill he had to kill Down the road he's setting his sights Kissed his ma goodbye as she said goodnight Bill Payne's headed for the sweet bye and bye Bill Payne's momma gonna cry, cry, cry Wash Turner just along for the ride Carolina breeze passing bye Never meant to do any harm Just a wild country boy from the farm Wash Turner headed for the sweet bye and bye Gas chamber gas gonna rise, rise, rise George Penn killed by Bill Payne's gun Bill Payne and Wash on the run When they broke the news to George Penn's wife She kissed her child goodbye as she said goodnight Momma's headed for the sweet bye and bye Momma's little baby gonna cry, cry, cry Momma's headed for the sweet bye and bye Momma's little baby gonna cry, cry, cry
4.
I was thinking that I’d never live without you I was thinking how we both gonna pass away But it doesn’t get me down, all the good times abound I see them each and every day Now I’m headed out for a drive into the country, To the country, with no one else in site Starry Nights, oh those starry nights, A good friend to have, a starry night Now we’re headed out for a drive into the country, To the country, with no one else in site And I’m sitting here with you, On a blanket made for two, a good thing To have on a starry night Starry Nights, oh those starry nights, A good friend to have, a starry night
5.
I know you’re probably thinking of me In a different kind of light. You should thank the stars above me. What would make you so uptight? Don’t you give up on me darling, ‘cause two wrongs make a right. If you think I’m nothing for you, Let me change your mind tonight. I know you’re probably thinking of me In another kind of way. While we sit here in the bar light. You don’t have a thing to say. Don’t you give up on me darling, ‘cause two wrongs make a right. If you think I’m nothing for you, Let me change your mind tonight. You’ll be surely thinking of me, While you lie awake at night. You should pray to God above you, What would make you see the light. Don’t you give up on us darling, ‘cause two wrongs make a right. If you think I’m nothing for you, Let me change your mind tonight. Let me change your mind tonight.
6.
It’s true that trouble has no end It comes like an unwelcome friend. Ingratiate itself to you, then leave You tired, alone, and blue. Bring back that blue eyed joy to me. Bring back that blue eyed joy to me. Bring it from the heavens up above. Bring back something I can be sure of. They say that every word is true, But pray, what really can you do? Go out and drink until you drown, And hope your body will rebound. Bring back that blue eyed joy to me. Bring back that blue eyed joy to me. Bring it from the heavens up above. Bring back something I can be sure of. It’s true that conflict has no end, Between a lover and a friend. But what you reap is what you sow. What you want is what you just let go. Bring back that blue eyed joy to me. Bring back that joy for all to see. Bring it from the heavens up above. Bring back something I can be sure of.
7.
I remember Lesley Riddle, Though I never heard him play His voice calls out from the Rock of Ages. I remember his story like it was yesterday His ghost cries out from golden pages. With my family gathered around me Singing songs so soothing Exalting the blanket of His care. When my maker comes to meet me Takes my hand and leads me I will climb that bright and beautiful stair. I will climb I will climb I will climb that bright and beautiful stair. When I cry out in a sad and lonely desperation And the music playing lifts me up from within. And no matter how sad and bleak my situation The clouds start breaking up and the sun comes Shining in. Yes it calls, yes it calls me. Yes it calls, yes it calls me. Yes it calls, yes it calls me, that bright and beautiful stair.
8.
Sheriff says to Eric Rudolph, “We’ll put the hound dogs on your trail Bring back your teeth for your brother’s right hand Bring you in to jail.” Rudolph says to the sheriff, “For five long years you’ve tried. And you can search as long as you like, you can try with all your might, but I’ll see you in the sweet bye and bye. I’ll see you in the sweet bye and bye.” Sheriff says to Eric Rudolph, “Through caves and abandoned mines, We’ll search through scraps and the old feed sacks. In every old place you could hide.” Judge says to Eric Rudolph, “Pack your bags for Birmingham. There’s A room with a view, and it’s waiting for you. Emily Lyon is on the stand.” Rudolph says to the judge, “Man ain’t nothing but his word, And if I had a dollar for every broken promise, Then I’d be the richest man in the world, Be the richest man in the world.” Judge says to Eric Rudolph, “Man ain’t nothing but a man. And even the mighty must perish, like a Broom sweeping dust in a pan.” Rudolph says to the judge, “These things I’ll never deny. But it bereaves me to see my mother so sweet, Left to sorrow and to die.” Rudolph says to the jury, “A man’s word is his life. And if tomorrow may be my burying day, Then I’ll see you in the sweet bye and bye. I’ll see you in the sweet bye and bye.”
9.
Trouble 05:16
When I’m in trouble And I’m closing down Looking for a good friend But they can’t be found. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. The sun is shining But it feels like rain Never see no policemen But they know my name. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. All of my good friends Fell by the wayside. Now I’ve nowhere to run to No place to hide. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. Oh I find trouble Every place I go Some people can smell it Me I just don’t know. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. There’s a ringing In my ear. I’ve seen the bad things And I know they’re near. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. When I feel trouble I cut and run I leave the good times And the work undone. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. When I feel trouble I draw the curtains tight Keep tossing and turning I lie awake all night. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. When it’s early in the morning And the birds can sing I hear the church bells calling You can hear them ring I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around. When I’m in trouble And I’m closing down Looking for a good friend But they can’t be found. I know trouble is gonna get me When trouble ain’t even around.
10.
Every time she smiles at me it’s Christmas time. Never I get one minute of sleep She rarely escapes my mind. I’m deep with her disease and I feel fine. Something in the breeze is saying I was born to love her, she was born to Make a fool of me. I go search my clothes for any Strain of hair. Rushing around every corner Hoping she’ll be there. Wondering “what’d she mean?” And “does she care?” Any old thing she pleases. I was born to lover her, she was born to Make a fool of me. She shuts me up with a simple Wave of her hand. She waits for me in the Promised Land. I know many of you Would never understand. I see her in stars above and every Grain of sand. She’ll wait for me in the Promised Land. I was born to lover her, she was born to Make a fool of me. I was born to lover her, she was born to Make a fool of me. I was born to lover her, she was born to Make a fool of me.
11.
Hoopin’ and a holler Crying about a dollar Has shown me The bright side of life Work a job It don’t pay Borrow ‘til another day Has shown me The bright side of life Has shown me Has shown me Has shown me The bright side of life Up at dawn Late to bed Tryin’ to keep My children fed Has shown me The bright side of life Hoopin’ and a holler Worryin’ about tomorrow Has shown me The bright side of life Has shown me Has shown me Has shown me The bright side of life Ask the preacher He don’t know “Look it up in the Bible” He told me. Spent the weekend fooling around Smoking up and having fun It told me. Time is passing Hear the toll Wind up old and cynical Or as happy as a clam.
12.
All the simple pleasures That life can offer Shall be coming to you Every noon and night All the little questions That need an answer See the simple truth And you see the light. All the guilty pleasures That life can offer I go ahead and I take them And keep my business right. Excessive wanders, oh They’ll take me where they want to. Where I see the truth, And I see the light. San Souci Women Have a lot to offer And they’re coming by In sweet radiant light. But I’m just sitting here, Picking on my guitar. Sing a simple truth Take it into the night. But I may sing a different song I may have changed my ways If we meet again Some sunny day.
13.
Ah, the memories still remain at the cross-town central station In the ruins a feeling in the air. Just the echoes that betray the pain and frustration of dreams.... dreams beyond compare. But the flicker of the flame of the burnt out wishful feelings that rich folk ain't never had. And all the sad times touched by changed, but I won't shed no tears for them dreams ...dreams beyond compare. Ah the ripples, and the axles, and the moonbeams. And if another mornings dawning, and the day comes, what would it bring? But the flicker of the flame of the last and lonely vigil for dreams...dreams beyond compare. For dreams...dreams beyond compare.
14.
Life of Ease 02:43
How I love the simple life A banjo on my knee Oh to live a life of ease Going where and when I want Doing what I please Oh to live a life of ease Living in simple ways Like the birds and bees Oh to live a life of ease Rolling like a river Flowing like a breeze Oh to live a life of ease Late at night a fat old cat Perched upon my knee Oh to live a life of ease Oh to live a life of ease

about

“….aptly titled, a disarmingly straightforward collection that delivers often-thorny truths with a smile.Real life characters…all of whom are on the lam in one way or another. But Holland sounds like he’s exactly where he ought to be.” David Menconi, No Depression

“…an American sensation for more than 15 years….this is about as close to hayseed nirvana as one is likely to find……a rare example of truth in advertising, a paean to a time when music was made for back porches and barn raisings instead of beer commercials. - Daryll Smyer, Dallas Observer


“Holland's most traditional disc yet, but it still feels vibrant and fresh, like an accomplished player and writer finally finding his way home. Rooted in North Carolina lore and homestead loneliness, it's a welcome arrival.” – Grayson Currin, Independent Weekly

“…with his beautiful new record he should find more friends not only in the internet.”
- Christoph Dallach, Der Spiegel (Germany)

"...4 1/2 stars (out of 5) Highly recommended for all Maverick readers." - Alan Cackett - editor, Maverick Magazine, UK


This is the third solo release by Michael Holland, from Carrboro, North Carolina. Previous releases include Bootleggers Dream (Big Johns, 2003), and Tomorrows American Treasures (Sit-n-Spin, 2005).
Less an album and more a collection of songs, Simple Truths and Pleasures is once again performed with members of the Big Fat Gap Bluegrass Band from NC – the vast majority of it learned, rehearsed, and recorded live in the studio. More traditional than the previous records, the earthly songs reflect influences by Earl Scruggs, Blind Boy Fuller, Mississippi John Hurt, The Carter Family, Doc Watson and especially Hank Williams. The music is a perfect and very melodic mixture of truly timeless Southern musical forms: acoustic country, folk, bluegrass, honky-tonk, old time string band, blues and gospel, led by Michael Holland's warm and haunting voice.

credits

released January 22, 2008

Produced and mixed by Michael Holland
Engineered by Jerry Brown at Rubber Room
Mastered by Travis Leonard at Kitchen Mastering
Executive Producer Jan Szlovak

All songs by Michael Holland copyright 2007 shiny shiny music BMI

Arranged and performed by: Michael Holland, John Garris, Carl Jones, Robert Mitchener, Jon Stickley, Andy Thorn


Photography by Michael Traister
Design by Elke Hartl

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The Holland Brothers Carrboro, North Carolina

This is the official site for North Carolina musicians, and Jennyanykind members Michael and Mark Holland . Here you can listen to and purchase (if you wish) all of the recorded songs in Michael's solo catalogue, Mark's catalogue, Jennyanykind, and their collaboration, the Holland Brothers. ... more

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