Salutations to Steve and Terry for this six-pack of strong, dark tunes; a most unlikely production. Thanks to Terry for the warmth, the friendship, and the ultimate music setting; the Bones & Knives Studio. And deepest of gratitude to Steve, for the friendship and inspiration, for the wine and the smokes... Thanks to Dr. Hartung for shining a light into the military-industrial rabbit hole complex. The Last American Statesman is posthumously dedicated to the American Dream. Recorded by Terry Carleton at Bones & Knives Studio Produced by Terry Carleton & Steve Dore Cover photographs by Fredrik Broms Mastering by Vinson Hudson 2012 Songs by D.S. Ewing Ellis Lyrics: - Long, Long Train of Abuses - Twentieth century whiskey and rye Dragon painted stoneware cup Out the window, it's all a blur Far too late to sober up Sways from side to side to side Rolling down a one track mind Recollect a more peaceful ride As the wheel and the rail grind Yes, this thing was built to last By people with heart and soul But the engineers are crazy now Shoveling that god damned coal Shoveling that god damned coal Gauges are busted, pipes are red-hot With weapons, dollars, and fuel Folks didn't think it could get this bad Or dream that it could be this cruel Thank you for visiting, Independence The sign said 'please come back' Habeas Corpus - bound and tied Stretched out across the track Burning like hell in the fire box Out of control, and out of excuses It rolls and rolls and rolls and rolls Long, long train of abuses Long, long train of abuses Yes, this thing was built to last By people with heart and soul But the engineers have all gone mad Shoveling that god damned coal Burning like hell in the fire box Out of control, and out of excuses It rolls and rolls and rolls and rolls Long, long train of abuses Long train of abuses ? ? ? ? ? ? - Late Last Night - Great to see you, late last night You know, you still look good But then, you haven't aged at all So naturally you would This world has changed, in a thousand ways It's too much to believe Wish that you could feel it And that you didn't have to leave I guess you reached the end of the road When you reached the end of your rope I guess that life ain't worth the living When you have no reasons for hope Great to see you, late last night These calls they are so rare Did you lose your way, back home Did you forget the ones who care This world is windswept - thunder & fire Like some tempest you left behind Wishing you were here, my friend But you're another place in time I guess you reached the end of the road When you reached the end of your rope I guess that life ain't worth the living When you just can't get beyond hope Great to see you, late last night But there's a tale left untold I guess it's just lost, forever In the dust at the end of the road Great to see you, late last night late last night ? ? ? ? ? ? - The Last American Statesman - Don't need rose-colored glasses With a brand new wide-screen TV Coup d'etat now in syndication Coup de grce for a pole marquee Congressional shadows, marionette Executives out of control Silverware stolen, now it's war eternal And a gallon of gas for your soul Liars, lawyers, psychos and thieves Zombies just dance to the spin Crowd is chanting, 'Barabas, Barabas' Oh, not that again No hard feelings, jump if you can From the Undead Railroad Line Every moment gets more expensive As you're running out of time Twilight approaches the empire's edge Darkness and liberty lost Quick, say a prayer, light up a candle Bow to the Rubicon crossed Parchment empowered, the many make one Echoes that Latin refrain Pray for the last American statesman And all on board this hell-bound train Pray for the last American statesman Pray for this hell-bound train ? ? ? ? ? ? - Elizabeth - The wind came up and the clouds rolled in, like the sun had left the sky People came from miles around, just to say good bye It was quite a sight to see, all the friends you left behind And Amber gave you paper hearts to stay right by your side But there were too many flowers, too many tears W
