1. |
Welcome
01:39
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Ya’ll wanna hear a story? All right then, gather in close and listen. Deep in The Southern Mythic lies an old lost cemetery guarded by Haints and Boogers. Well, ol’ Twitch and Jimbers caught tell of it and knew that they just had to go and investigate. They went on a full moon in Oktobrr, dressed as grave digging crows. Them Boogers and Haints bowed low and opened the cemetery’s rusted gates right up for ‘em. In the dead center of the burying grounds was an old and gnarled oak. Twitch and Jimbers climbed up it and ran their hands over the bare branches until they found what they were after- Ghost Apples. They plucked as many as they could hold and slinked on back to their ship, tipping their hats to the ghosts as they went. Back onboard, they distilled and fermented those Ghost Apples into a dark, murky Song Cider. So, go on and turn out those lights, wrap yourself up in a warm blanket and let Twitch and Jimbers pour you a cup of that cider right now…
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2. |
Where the Lines Cross
05:56
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Let’s go now
no time for hesitating
dress for the weather
because Fall is waiting
Button up your shadow
proper and tight
cause crows like to eat them
and that ain’t right
I pull on my boots, my hat and my coat
determined as a stubborn old billy goat
I run my hand across a tree covered in moss
which opens up the map where the lines cross
I can’t decide
if Fall’s one or the other-
a dark scary beast
or a long-lost brother
Depends I suppose
on who you are that day
and if you’ve got
a heart and mind set to play
I pull on my hat, my boots and my coat
determined as a stubborn ol’ billy goat
I run my hand across a moss-covered tree
which opens up a map deep inside of me
Sometimes I’ll wait for Fall
and brood the trees bare
but when I feel alone, I call Fall is always right there
Fall is always right there
Sometimes Fall likes to give chase
and I’ll play seek and hide all over the place
laughing and running in this in-between space
pumpkin seed tears shining bright on my face
I pull on my coat, my boots and my hat
determined to find out where my heart’s at
I run my hand across a tree covered in moss
which opens up the map where the lines all cross
I burrow deep down in the season, regardless of the reason
Wrapping it round and round and here’s what I’ve found
Fall is the season I feel most at home
it’s where the lines cross and there’s freedom to roam
So come on now, no time for hesitating
dress for the weather because Fall is waiting
laughing and running in this in-between space
pumpkin seed tears shining bright on my face
shining bright on my face.
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3. |
Haunted Song
04:02
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Well, remember our time in that haunted house?
Creeping around timid as a mouse
hold up... I’m sorry, I tend to forget
that this story hasn’t happened just yet
Instead, let’s focus on the task at hand
and see if we can come up with some sorta plan
this is no time to daydream or nap
we need to pull ourselves up out of this trap
Cause this here’s a haunted song
no need to worry it ain't so long
written, played and sung with such delight
to offer up such wondrous frights
and dark delights
If only I hadn’t ah written this song
But then you played it and sang right along
let’s not point fingers at who’s wrong or right
we’re caught up in this web with no escape in sight
We’re stuck in this song made haunted house
there's no point to grieve or grouse
strange how there’s no exit in here
best lean in and enjoy the fear
You’re caught up in a haunted song
you didn’t think it would be this long
written, sung and played with fright
enjoy this ride of dark delights
and wondrous frights
Every time this song is played a door appears
to usher in more souls who dared to hear
this song is haunted by anyone who listens
listen here, there's one way out but it ain't that clear
from a haunted song, it's a haunted song...
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4. |
The Old Ways
05:06
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Hush, hush the stirring dust traces spirals in a giddy rush
wearing weaves of fruit and leaves they come
with toes painted in gold leaf
that never touch the ground beneath they come
Sporting crowns of horns, some earned some born
shutters bang and branches creak
the journey here has left them weak
our offerings and tributes seek, to calm their weary state
Around, around then back and through
the needle’s path, now me and you
we glide these waters deep and true
To shimmer in their midst
They move like smoke from home to home
the decorations of flowers and bones
do lend them strength
the love they’ve shown returned
Their ancient hands now open wide
rain down the blessings held inside
here, take my hand I’ll act as guide
as we weave these mythic tides
Around, around then back again
the needle’s path, just us my friend
we glide these waters true and deep
an ancient promise still we keep
They come from before Time was born
a fever pitched imagination storm
given birth from need with love adorned
they enter our mind’s fray
The answered cries and power lent
to many they were Heaven sent
but the way was corrupted and bent
now mere echoes past
Around, around then back and through
the needle’s path tells what to do
we glide these waters deep and true
to speak to those remaining few
Throughout the years as we progressed
and needed their help less and less
to take their leave they thought it best
and returned to haunts beyond
This time of year sends out a call
the days grow short as leaves do fall
a few here still remember, though numbers small
the old ways and their teachings
Around, around just one more time
the needle’s path stitches this rhyme
we glide these waters deep and true
a secret shared between me and you
So, carve the pumpkin’s scary face
and offer flowers in a hidden place
take long walks through crunching leaves
but throw bread crusts to shadow thieves
remember there is more to here than you can touch or see
Between each thought and breath and deed
they dance and plot and intercede
both sides sharing the same need
to convince the other to believe.
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5. |
A Better Place
03:52
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Get in the truck, we’re going for a ride
past the full moon and onto the dark side
mile markers blur in the headlights beam
till reality just ain’t what it seems
Old bare trees hang over the road
the breeze whispers things best not told
we pull over to stretch out our legs
while good sense whimpers and begs
On a pitch-black road with no refuge in sight
we long since passed what’s safe and right
strange shadows lurk just beyond the headlights
and it’s just you and me on this Oktobrr night
We drive on for hours without saying a word
as cicada buzz is all can be heard
the truck coughs and dies, leaving us stranded
I pull over at a house long abandoned
Way out in the sticks, too far for a signal
chance for help seems pretty dismal
a bolt of lightning and rain on the wind
leaves us no choice but to go in
On a pitch-black road, no soul in sight
we long since passed what’s safe and right
move through the dark and swallowing fright
it’s just you and me on this Oktobrr night
Our steps on the porch make the boards speak
my mouth is dry, my knees are weak
creak the door open and walk right inside
heart’s thumping cause of this dark ride
We enter a room at the end of the hall
the scratch of a match makes my heart stall
a gnarled old man with a grin on his face
whispers, ‘In the Shadders is a Better Place…’
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6. |
Haunted House
04:32
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I am a haunted house welcome to me
the ghosts are memories of what I used to be
noises and shadows are how I express
tales that made me into this broken-down mess
Sit here and listen while my stairs creak
whispered stories I’m unable to speak
You’re welcome here if you’re inclined to stay
the flickering of shadows will show you the way
I’ll rattle my windows and you’ll feel a chill
are you scared to death or is it all a thrill?
They tell you not to go down to the cellar
but sometimes it’s the attic that wants to be the story teller
You might notice some stains on the floor
you don’t wanna know, or you’d run for the door
it’s getting light, so you best get along
but you can come back tonight
and we could share this song
I am a haunted house
welcome to me
I am a haunted house
welcome to me
I am a haunted house
welcome to me…
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7. |
The Spirit of Oktobrr
02:36
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Walking to avoid talking
unaware of my striding
as the dappled lighting
filtered through me
Caught surprised
not trusting my eyes
to find the season without reason
sitting in the crook of a tree
I bowed a curtsy formal
the gesture felt oddly normal
then turned without a thing to say
and kept right on my walking way
I left my neighborhood
to go walking in the woods
hoped it would do me some good
but I got way more than I should
A tap upon my shoulder
prompted a spin to my beholder
there stood the spirit of Oktobrr
and with a mind to play
We stood a hidden moment
whispering our intonements
what was shared I cannot say
then it turned and led the way
The season danced around most gleeful
and I joined in the upheaval
grateful for the lack of people
the forest a church in all but steeple
I went walking in the woods
To escape my neighborhood
hoped it would do me some good
and I got way more than I should
With our spinning now quite finished
Oktobrr heaved diminished
then said we should replenish
and invited me for a cup of tea
We sat and talked all wondry
about marvelous and sundry
till the sun sunk hotly
right into the sea
I bid my fond farewells thus curtaining the spell
then turned to walk home
through the crunching leaves
while listening to the whispers of the trees
I left my neighborhood
to go walking in the woods
and boy did it do me some good
cause I got just what I should.
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8. |
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Out past route 6 and on up in the sticks
you’ll find a haunted feed store
head on past and turn down the dirt road
until you think you can’t go any more
the road gets rough but soon enough you’ll come a’crossed a lightning split tree
move real slow and listen as you go cause that’s where ol’ Punkinhead will be
His family’s been around since before the war
eating what they grew and hunting wild boar
on one Halloween night his Ma gave birth
to the strangest child on God’s green earth
Singing the tale of ol’ Punkinhead
hangs on the heartstrings heavy as lead
abandoned at birth as he caused such a scare
folks that mean him harm had best beware
His Ma cried and wailed with a terrible force
his Pa put him in a feed sack and jumped on his horse
laid him under a tree in the hills far away
heard a crash of thunder as he galloped away
A wolf found the babe crying all alone
and carried him away to the home of a crone
she taught him her ways and those of the land
filling his Punkinhead with stories so grand
This is the story of ol’ Punkinhead
given a home that was free of dread
raised by a witch who was so kind
and a wise old crow who could speak his mind
Well, one morning the old witch up and died
poor ol’ Punkinhead cried and cried
her soul stepped free of mortal chains
so he built a pyre and burned her remains
Punkinhead was alone once again
except for a crow that called him friend
taking the hag’s old guitar to play
he packed a bag and went on his way
Punkinhead, oh Punkinhead
listen to what the old crow said
play your guitar for the earth and the stars
and the one who loves you will never be far
So if you ever find a lightning split tree
and hear a guitar playing sweet as can be
count yourself blessed and hear what I said
leave him in peace, it’s just ol’ Punkinhead
leave him in peace x4
it’s just ol’ Punkinhead...
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9. |
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It's a Better Place...
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10. |
Ghost Train
07:55
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‘Making All Stops Along The Southern Mythic line, All Aboard!’
Well, once in late September, or it coulda been Oktobrr
I dreamed about a long-lost friend who said to come on over
I woke up with a start, a tattered ticket in my hand
for a train called The Southern Mythic, destination Ghostland
I headed to the station with a Jack o’ Lantern grin
and I heard that whistle blow as she came rolling round the bend
in all the spooks and sparks and steam there appeared a phantom form
he checked his watch and tipped his hat and hollowed, ‘Alllll Aboard!’
All aboard the Ghost Train all you haunted souls
the engineer’s been drinking, but his monkey’s in control
all aboard I’ll punch your ticket, please do take your seat
cause live or die this here’s a ride guaranteed can’t be beat
This long black train picked up speed and rolled into the night
it’s kinda weird I shoulda been scared but everything felt all right
there were ghosts and witches, clowns in stitches, werewolves and bugbears too
I settled in for the ride and wondered what I got myself into
Then the pullman porter started telling stories about pioneers and trains
about outlaws and heroes who gave their lives to save the day
men who broke their backs to build the tracks on which we ride
he said you’ll get to meet them all on the other side
All aboard the Ghost Train all you haunted souls
the engineer should be here, but his monkey’s in control
many legends most unknown rode this train before
if you don’t know where we’re going, I can’t tell you anymore
and that’s for sure
We rode on through Oktobrr, approaching All Soul’s Day
time had lost all meaning as the odd hours slipped away
but the train kept rolling, my fear a’growing as I began to lose my nerve
were we bound for glory or something gory around the next curve?
As we flew down into a tunnel when all kinds of hell broke loose
the fireman screamed we got no brakes and the monkey’s in the caboose!
Fear now overwhelmed me as I remembered where we were bound
it looks like we’ll there soon because this train it won’t slow down
it won’t slow down, no way
All aboard the Ghost Train all you haunted souls
the engineer has disappeared and the monkey had to go
so all aboard, I’ll punch your ticket, please do take your seat
live or die this here’s a ride that you can’t repeat
Then I thought I saw a light in the tunnel on up ahead
I crossed my fingers and I said a prayer and I woke up in my bed
and I found that ragged ticket punched and lying on the floor
I left my resting eye because someone was knocking at my door
Well, I swung it wide and to my surprise there stood my long-gone friend
he said I tried to reach you last night, but the line was dead
I reached out to shake his hand, but I couldn’t get a hold
I just felt the sense of passing through and touched something cold
All aboard the Ghost Train all you haunted souls
no engineer but never fear, the monkey’s in control
many legends most unknown rode this train before
and if you don’t know where we’re going, I can’t tell you anymore…
“Making all stops along The Southern Mythic line, All Aboard…”
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11. |
Coda
01:04
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Looks like this cask of cider is tapped out, but lucky for you Twitch n Jimbers recorded it all so you can dip in for another cup whenever you feel the need. Until we meet again, keep your eyes, ears, mind and heart open while you travel these winding roads of the Southern Mythic. You never know what's just around the next bend...
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Twitch n Jimbers
Twitch and Jimbers are lost deep within The Southern Mythic, where they make music, art and tell stories. Welcome along.
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