Get all 11 Conor Ryan Hennessy releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Seagull Songs, Bridge Street Blues, The Big Race, Two Problems, East Palestine Ohio, Live at the Gulu Gulu Cafe, All in This Together, Hangdogs & Nightcaps, and 3 more.
1. |
Oh, Henry
02:49
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The other day I met an old friend, who lived a bit too long
And we talked about our living, and our dying and our faults
Do you remember when we robbed a town? Stole a thousand hearts
What happened to us Henry? Why'd we never play the part?
I see people go to work in tired faces
And they always come back home, just as tired as can be
And they'll look at you and smile, ask you: "why you hate your job?"
And fall asleep all standing up, just dreaming through their teeth
I've got brothers, and I've got sisters, who kiss the hand of god
Cause it gives them loving feelings, in their aching, breaking hearts
But Sepulchral men in ancient garbs, like to pull their strings
And my brothers and my sisters start believing crazy things
Like to love Jesus Christ before your mother
Treat your neighbor like a brother, well unless of course he's gay
Sure, faith of course is fine, if it helps you through your days
What happened to us Henry, when's the last time that you prayed?
Well you have to find a job, like you have to find a church
And you gotta vote your hardest, prove to a party what your worth
Buy a house, a car and animal, sure probably a dog
And wonder why you hate yourself commuting to your job
But the money lenders help when you're in trouble
There's a percentage for your ailment, boy why you look so blue?
Hell, nobody can own you, at 49%, now go and pay your landlord
He pays his landlord with your rent
The other day I met an old friend, who lived a bit too long
And we talked about our living, and our dying and our faults
And we looked around in silence to the people at the bar
Amongst their mirth and laughter, knew we never did belong
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2. |
Millennial Mesmerism
03:22
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I ain't as stupid as they say, I quit trucking with that church
I ain't taking orders from no god
But if mercury's in retrograde, please don't bother calling
My shaman says my chakra's might get clogged
cho.
I've been wandering all around, all around my troubled mind
I need a firm set of rules to pass my time
I need a box to climb inside of, whenever I'm misguided
I need a guy to tell me how to live my life
I've got an app for horoscopes, and it tells me how to cope
Sometimes it tries to sell me discount shoes
But that's only 'cause it's free, advertising don't work on me
Why, yes, these Doc Martin's are brand new
The other day I read Nietzsche, and he told me god was dead
I read Freud and he told me god was dad
I read the bible and some hippy kept on saying he was God
There were plot holes and the ending was real sad
Well my psychic raised the rent, and my yogi recommends
That I buy a lamp made of Himalayan salt
My Reiki Healer got her check, and the palm reader says
I should buy that old book about John Galt
Well, I have to think on average, we're all smarter than we're told
I admit, sometimes I can get confused
But it makes me mighty sad, when I see my people buying
From hucksters selling yesterday's old news
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3. |
My People Look Tired
03:53
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I hate seeing their faces, on that downtown bus
Hearts aching and bleeding, they don't talk very much
'Cause the work day's upon them, or it's just passed them by
Man, my people look tired, and I think I know why
All them old triple deckers, despite decades of snow
Stand sagging there proudly, like the Greek gods of old
But unlike old Carthage, or the Colossus of Rhodes
They got turned into condo's, instead of good homes
cho.
And the work day's upon them, or it's just passed them by
Yeah, my people look tired, and I think I know why
Look all around you, when you're at Faneuil Hall
Once the cradle of liberty, is now just a mall
With Irish themed dance clubs, light beers in their cups
As small as shot glasses, seven dollars a pop
Kenmore Square's just a steakhouse, Brighton Ave's a cruel joke
Where the wealthy unknowing, learn to pretend to know
What it's like here in Boston, they'll stay there four years
When asked what it's like here, they say like the show Cheers
Have you been to Dorchester? Have you seen Dudley Square?
Have you heard about Chelsea? Have you smelled Malden's air?
You ain't met Winthrop's sisters, but you love Fenway park
Beacon Hill's just like Paris, who the hell's Lenny Clarke?
I hate seeing those faces, on the that downtown bus
Heart's aching and bleeding, they don't talk very much
'Cause the work day's upon them, or it's just passed them by
My people look tired, and I think I know why
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4. |
They Call Me Barba Roja
02:47
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There's a rumor going round this town, there's cars in Chandler's pond
A friend of mine, he has a friend who stole them after dark
In 1982 I think, or maybe '88
No it probably never happened, best forget the words were said
There's a gin game down in Union Square inside a little bar
I couldn't say the name of it, or tell you just how far
They call me Barba Roja when I get funny in the head
No it probably never happened, best forget the words were said
There's a riddlist there in Harvard Square, or was it Harvard Ave?
Regardless of the locale, you can hear his toothless shout
"How far the cat run through the woods?" Five dollars was the bet
No it probably never happened, best forget the words were said
And there's a pool hall in Korea town that sells beers if you're polite
The Spanish said inside that place, it isn't very nice
There's lots of talk of little dogs, whenever they're upset
No it probably never happened, best forget the words were said
Well Revere I hear, this time of year, is quite the place to be
The gals up there on Fenno street were always nice to me
I found some shells up on that beach that used to carry lead
No it probably never happened, best forget the words were said
East Boston, Malden, Quincy boys have stories you won't believe
Mattapan and Chelsea girls steal hearts from worn shirtsleeves
But, commuters and the students have headphones strapped to their heads
Yeah to them, it never happened, to them, the words are never said
Naw, to them, it never happened, to them, the words are never said
yeah, to them it never happened, to them, the words are never said
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5. |
My Fellow Man
02:13
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I'm gunna buy me a low-rent feeling so I can understand my fellow man
I'm gunna buy me a hunger-pain screaming, I can't beleive it can get this bad
And I'll Instagram the whole thing, drive home to the wife and kids
And now I can understand, my fellow man
I'm gunna buy me a nice education, wonder why more people don't?
Straight A's, yeah it's getting pretty easy, especially since I don't work
And when you think about it's great, just as long as somebody pays
And since I can, I can understand my fellow man
My grandpa Jack had a rough upbringing, he grew up in Mattapan
Back then, see the neighborhood was different
He moved out when the blacks moved in
And it had nothing to do with race, it's just the busing went a little too far
And now we live in Wellesley and we understand our fellow man
I think I know a thing or two about suffering
I go to church two times a year
I think I know I'm better off than the average
American, but it's not my fault
You see, they just don't know how to invest, it's so simple that I can't explain
Cause that's how I understand my fellow
That's why I get to arrest, my fellow
That's why I get to tax my fellow
That's why I'm against the immigration of my fellow man
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6. |
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Well I just had breakfast, at Cafe Cheapstuff
The fat old waitress says I'm cute
Well I'm going down market, cause I heard about a card game
I hear a lot about card games, I haven't heard about you
And I can hear them church bells ringing at St. Kill-joy's
Spanish service starts at 9
Yeah I'm going to my own church, the bar around the corner
Laughing at the Mass Pike, as the cars go by
Well I'm shaking the ashes out of my jean cuffs
People shaking their asses at the Model Cafe
Yeah there's good old Charlie, smoking rolled-up cigarettes
'Says they ain't addictive, he rolls em up all day
And I can hear the door-man bitching 'bout the Bruins
Needs another Stanley-Cup, tattoo on his hand
Well he's only got the one there, hanging on his left one
It's a little bit crooked, but he's a real good man
Well there used to be a bar there, that we used to call Red's place
He used to let house-cats run around the bar
And it only got robbed once, but they put it on the TV
He didn't like the attention, that was the end of Red's bar
And whenever I walk home, the rats walk beside me
Just like dolphins, following a friend
Yeah, I don't mind much, they don't ask for handouts
Laughing at the mass pike, while I'm walking to my bed
If you're ever at the Cantab, there's an old bird Marcy
She says I owe her money, but she's just confused
She was a pioneer when it came to mixed drinks
She can make a rosé, that can cure your blues
First you take a house red, then you mix it with a white one
Put it in a pint glass, and gin for taste
Sure it ain't to pretty, but it's highly effective
When you're feeling real ugly, it makes you feel OK
And I can hear them church bells ringing at St. Kill-joy's
Spanish service starts at 9
Yeah I'm going to my own church bar around the corner
Laughing at the Mass Pike, and the cars going by
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7. |
He's Just a Little Tired
02:52
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Well I'm going back to the bar were I left my car last night
Say hi to all the folks as I go walking by
Heads all full of hammers, skulls on fire
Hoping one more cigarette will get you, off my mind
Cause I worry big, I think too slow, I'm hanging on
I laugh to keep from crying 'round the folks I know
And I ain't too good looking I'm just some sweet woman's child
And ever since she's left me I've been wild, wild wild
And the bar man has a book that he'd like me to read
It's a thriller 'bout forensics in the '20's
And the Micmac mechanic says I look like shit
And I do, it's just the way my face looks, when I'm tired
But you ever seen the star's even though it's hard
Cause them city lights come on whenever it gets dark
And all the cats and rats and street dogs look funny
When you drink until everything's all funny
And I guess I got a job, some of my friends don't
And the bills are getting paid for I'm pretty sure
And my teeth ain't to rotten, little crooked that's fine
Never seemed to stop me from meeting gals at night
'Till the morning comes and work's a mean old gangster
Laughing at ya like a story he just told a friend
Even after cars, buses trains and airplanes
Take broke down people to their homes
Cause after that there really is no going home
No, after that there really is no home at all
There's just places were we go to get the money
To pay for places were we wait to get more money
And I'm going back to the bar
Where I left my car last night
Say hi to all the folks as I go walking by
Heads all full of hammers, skulls on fire
Hoping a cigarette will get you off my mind
Hoping a cigarette will get you off my mind
Hoping a cigarette will get you off my mind
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8. |
Little Blue Crystals
02:28
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cho.
Little blue crystals, all on them sidewalks
Sapphires and Diamonds all shine alone
But life's apricities from all antiquities
Are in little blue crystals, not bands of gold
There was an old man, who had his cards straight
Bought a full house with diamonds flush
Now he's resting, up there in Weston
Up in his mansion, he'll turn to dust
There was an old bird, who had a favorite song
This land is your land, this land is mine
She used to sing it, all by her lonesome
Up there in Marblehead, until she died
Take a look at rock salt, all on them sidewalks
As it works together, to keep roads dry
Yeah just like rock salt, we fade away my dear
Don't waste you're time dear, on counting dimes
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9. |
Lefties and the Rights
02:20
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I remember in December, when the students were all gone
And the bars were finally left for all us loners after dark
Yeah, it's awfuly big important, to remember all your life
When your dreams are dead and gone, god bless, the lefties and the rights
We've got good old christian ethics, we've got atheists and sinners
We've got people who ain't human, we've got pets who all get triggered
We've got people in big houses, teeth bleached brighter than the light
When the homeless are all gone, god-bless the lefties and the rights
Well a friend went to Afghanistan, and his friend went to Iraq
They were given guns and armor, ammunition on their backs
Only one of them came back again, with nothing beneath his thighs
When he wonders why he fought, god bless the lefties and the rights
When we dream about our country, it's got meadows full of green
there's a bubbling brook a bubbling, rainbow trout swimming upstream
When we wake up, we know better, the world's a burning by and by
When the planet's stripped of love, god bless the lefties and the rights
Well I wondered in a nightmare all around old Ringer Park
And I found an old cheeseburger, quite half-eaten in the dark
What was sitting there before me, well I couldn't believe my eyes
Some rotten teeth had written god bless the lefties and the rights
Now when the workday's over, and the work week not yet done
For to meet my family's mortgage I work a liquor store for fun
Hey at least I'm still a patriot, for that flag I'll proudly die
And when I do, put on my tombstone, god bless the lefties and the rights
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10. |
Common Sense Blues
02:43
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I know lawmen, who have families
and I know some us law-breakers do too
Ain't it a shame that us family men
Can't quite get along
Ain't it a shame there ain't nothing we can do
Lord, lord, ain't it a shame there ain't nothing we can do
Last night I had a dream I wasn't 'fraid of them police
What a lovely thought, but Jim, that ain't true
Yeah a dream is just a dream, like I'm a simply human being
And that's the plain and simple god-forsaken truth
I know politicians find religion, I know religions have powers they can use
Ain't it a shame that them power hungry, typically white old men
Happen to be a pack of angry fools, lord, lord
Ain't it a shame there ain't nothing we can do
Last night I had a dream, church and state had between
A separation that was made for me and you
But a dream is just a dream, like I'm a simply human being
And that's the plain and simple god-forsaken truth
Sometimes I ain't good with people, and I sure ain't good at making plans
But I've come to know a few things, we can all here understand
Keep on drinking beer, eat your red meat, make sweet, sweet love to your lover, and to the passerby, I whole heatedly advice to show some respect to your brothers, and your sisters
And if you're looking at me like "Mr. Hennessy, I'm a vegan with an allergy to beer"
Well I wish you the best my friend, I only hope you have good luck, cause without at least some booze, you'll probably need it
I know plenty of good people, who are just that, and plenty more who should probably be shot
But it ain't up to me, it's up to us collectively
To change this world by using what we've got, lord, lord
We'll change this world by using what we've got, holding hands
We'll change this world by using what we've got, using common sense
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11. |
Methadone Mile
01:58
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Xanax bars, Phenergans, Klonopins and Johnnies
Benzos, Percs, Buprenorphine, patches to fill the tummy
Johhny's singing Clonidine like a newsboy on the corner
Getting ripped as he walks the methadone mile
Mass Ave's blues have fuchsia hues that come on opaque bottles
80 milligrams to make ya dance, then there's nothing 'till tomorrow
The symphony has melodies, the Christian Science jerks hate doctors
But you and me kid, we've got the methadone mile
MIT and Newbury Street I've noticed ain't much different
The cost of entry either way, was much more than I was given
Designer clothes that come with holes, hey baby you can keep it
Just stay away from me and the methadone mile
People dream until they scream at 25 they're puppets
Mouthing words they've learned in herds at work or and in college
Central Square has empty stares who's names are long forgotten
Who hide themselves from you on the methadone mile
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12. |
That's the Way
03:08
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Sure you've got your golden thoughts, but could they ever turn a profit
That's the way these winds are blowing 'round today
Yeah, I've heard you sing your songs, the word were great
but just all wrong
That's the way these winds are blowing 'round today
cho.
Yeah, that's the way, the winds all blow
To little people who like to loathe what they don't know
yeah, that's the wind, we'll march against
If only to prove you and I were friends
Why don't you work much harder, there's no union here to bother
That's the way these winds are blowing 'round today
Why don't you like our wars, that peace-time crap is all a bore
That's the way these winds are blowing 'round today
There's a lot of mean old men, who don't use guns just fountain pens
That's the way these winds are blowing 'round today
Gutted the country in '08, sure their pension plans were paid
That's the way these winds are blowing 'round today
Now don't get too dismayed, the winds are changing every day
That's the way these winds are blowing 'round today
I have a hope that someday soon, the wind will change for me and you
That's the way these winds will blow around, someday
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13. |
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Ten years ago it must have been, or maybe one year more
My good friend Sonny Clifford, found himself quite mighty bored
So he built himself a banjo, and he walked down to the park
And he played for anybody till the sun turned light from dark
cho.
When the sun sets in the west, and the stiffs have all gone home
There's a gathering by the river, we named Charlie long ago
Sonny Clifford's Flying Circus it's the strangest thing to see
But to hear it is to know that there's still hope for you and me
Well tell me old boy Clifford, were the gathering is to be
By the abandoned amphitheater quite well known to you and me
There's a fire-breather coming there's a lady with a snake
There's some boys who are bringing bottles, that almost taste like champagne
Well Don Mora sang corridos, miss Stoyovka shook her thighs
Crazy Mike was giving lectures on how to correctly steal a bike
Eddie the riddlist said his riddles, answers to this day unknown
And when Marcy brought her wine out, she denounced us all as foes
Well before the nudist comic, after the woman who spoke to god
The blue-boys from the precinct snuck up on us in the fog
And they asked about a permit, and we had to tell the truth:
"It's a Marty Walsh fundraiser" and they joined in for a tune
Well the cops got drunk and drove home, and then Marcy made her peace
Some people were making noises like some feral cats in heat
And we all went home with smiles, and we woke up wracked in pain
I look forward to seeing you next year, when we do it all again
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14. |
I've No Clue
01:49
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I've heard the songs young singers sing, they always preface them as sad
And when asked about a reason for a song like that they'll laugh
'Say "It's fun to know that feelings can be shared 'tween me and you"
And I say "I understand" but to be honest I've no clue
Cause a hundred dollar jacket, well that's something new to me
Never knew that cigarettes were only smoked two days a week
Those two days before a Sunday, cause that's when you have your brunch
Which I've discovered is just breakfast more expensive served for lunch
And I heard through the grape-vine you can get yourself a date
Grab a hold of any phone, like and old god's grip on fate
And if you're lucky you will have a found a love that burns bright as it is new
And in the morning turns to cold, and fades away like morning dew
I've noticed people take an interest as to where you've gone to school
And they'll ask about employment like it's the only thing you'll do
And they'll sing their sad new songs, and go to work with great big smiles
And I'll never understand them, hell, at least not for a while
Cause I've heard the songs they'll sing, they always preface them as sad, and when asked about a reason for a song like that they'll laugh
'Say "It's fun to know that feelings can be shared 'tween me and you"
And I say "I understand" but to be honest I've no clue
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15. |
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What happened to smell the roses? I haven't a single rose to smell
You know the grass is always greener, it doesn't help when you can tell
In the end if you can't change, the world will help you like it will
Fate she's always got a bottle, sometimes she's even got some pills
cho.
Well I've spent my time in this world, I lend my light to it's dark
I'm here to tell you my friend, this place ain't no walk in the park
But for right now here today, kid I'm alright and so are you
Take your light and keep on shining bright, what else you got to lose
I lost on love and won some card games
Paid the rend and missed some bills
Crashed some cars, and built some houses
Killed myself and somehow lived
And the mornings they kept coming, and the nights they passed us by
I found my hopes of dying early never stopped me living life
If anger makes a man, it breaks him, broke me down not long ago
Never was much good a fighter, only took two punches to know
Some people get their noses broken, yeah and others get much worse
You're greatest failures are good stories, you'll tell em all when you get hurt
We've all got brothers and we got sisters, we all got cousins, aunts and uncles
We all got Grandma's and those old guys that used to beat up on our fathers
Yeah, and each and every one, has felt the same since times of old
Don't you quit me on your travels you've still got much more world to roam
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16. |
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In between, two tall mountains
There's a place called lonesome not sure why they call it that?
I'm never lonesome and I've been there
See that bird, hanging on my window-sill, he's singing whipper-will
All the night through
See that brook, running by my kitchen door, well it couldn't talk no more
If it was you
Up that tree, there's sort of a squirrel thing, sounds just like we when we were quarreling
In the yard, I keep a pig or two, they stop in for dinner like you used to do
I don't stand, in the need for company, when everything thing I see's talking like you
See that brook, running by my kitchen door, well it couldn't talk no more, if it was you
Up that tree, there's sort of a squirrel thing, sounds just like we when we were quarreling
I bet you think, you left me all alone, but I can hear your voice without a telephone
I don't stand in the need of company when everything I see's talking like you
See that bird, hanging on my window-sill, he's singing whipper-will
All the night through
Just whipper-will, all the night through
In between, two tall mountains there's a place called lonesome
Not sure why they call it that, I'm never lonesome and I live there
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