We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Thunder Train

by Willie DE

supported by
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Go old school with the physical copy that includes a lyric booklet and cover artwork by Thomas Dean

    Includes unlimited streaming of Thunder Train via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

1.
1) Thunder Train Near Christmas time, my body got cold; No heat in the house, and my boom box got sold! I’m tapping my feet to the sound in my head Walked past a dealer with snaky dreads. Feel down and dirty in all kinds of ways Like a broke actor on an empty stage sure as one plus one is gonna take you to two, The thunder-train comes roaring through! Chorus: You think you’re gonna break my heart You gonna spit it right out You gonna look it over Until I scream and shout You know I ain’t gonna run away Because I’m the thunder train! I’m the thunder train! All the days, living in the shack So black and dismal, thought I’d never come back. Rueben and Steve—and all your friends, Pulling me down—they got to make amends! Didn’t want to look bad in front of you guys: But now I’ll treat ‘em like a mound of flies. Sure as one plus one is gonna take you to two, The thunder-train comes roaring through! Chorus You burned my bridge, but here I stand Swiggin’ justice with a lightning hand I don’t need to look the other way And I’m still gonna dance today. I’m the thunder train, down the track: Thunder train: I won’t ever look back. Sure as one plus one is gonna take you to two, The thunder-train comes roaring through! Chorus
2.
2) Ivory Castle Walls By Willie DE On the misty fields The wilderness comes to life. The bluebirds sing to the grasshoppers On this damp autumn evening Outside these Ivory Castle walls. Curtains close, candles die. I fold into the castle that’s mine. Forever within myself, I swim despairingly— Inside these Ivory Castle walls. Chorus: Near the wild of the field she waits? For these ivory castle walls to come down. Cold-hearted beast Roams those misty fields. She’s not afraid to wander in the flesh of spring! —Outside these Ivory Castle walls. What is sacred is where I can’t go. By the flowers in the highest field. Her mind glides, —in a current of air Beyond these ivory castle walls. Chorus I Imaginine her freedom I pray hard for my thoughts of love This year, she’ll lie in the misty fields. And maybe, together, we will hear the castle walls come down.
3.
Kobra King 02:45
3) Kobra King He’s caught you in his arms You’re warming up his soul Clenching your hands Your breath takes him home Scent of cinnamon swirling Swirling in the air You’re one more Kobra love affair. He thinks you’re fool, but you’re a wonderful thing You’re hangin’ round with the Kobra King He’s got big greasy hands He says it don’t matter Kobra hands you the drinks You climb the ladder Don’t get so sweet on him— He can’t be sweet on you Temptation is the devil Don’t give the devil his due. Thought your were a fool, you’re a wonderful thing You’re living big with the Kobra King You let him call the shots Baby that ain’t wise Pays the bills He says he loves all his wives Don’t get him going Honey please don’t try He’s gonna dump you And leave you on the fly Though you’re a fool, you’re a wonderful thing Can you walk away from the Kobra King?
4.
4) Seven Sparrows Seven sparrows sitting in a row: One flew off and was found crippled in the snow; No leader to guide the way; Heavy as a stone with wings of clay. Burning wounds in the snow; Will I stay or will I go? make me a fortress in the woods; Five-story building tilted strong the way it should. Chorus: Are we at the Pharaoh’s feet? Born to tend the Pharaoh's sheep? Stuck like little chimney sweeps? I'm like the sparrow That’s been struck by the arrow Down from my beautiful tree. I’m a sparrow in a rage, Going down this crazed highway Looking for my kith and kin: All I see are severed wings They whirl me down the mountain in the wind Chorus Seven sparrows sitting in a row: One flew off and was found crippled in the snow; No leader to guide the way; Heavy as a stone with wings of clay. Chorus
5.
Diamond Days 04:12
5) Diamond Days The silver owl flew through the night And rested on the lady’s arm It became a tattoo that she never knew Kept her away from harm. The lady spun in the air She sparkled in her ballet clothes She twisted her wrist, flew like a fish But she managed to land on her toes. If only you got to see the way Before the keenest diamond days When the darkness wants to roam for a while It climbs up to the shore Then soon the moon will come on strong And the darkness will be no more. Her world runs like a clock Gears turning in her brain She isn’t blind, but is always on time And she stays pretty sane. If only you got to see the way Before the keenest diamond days. She’s placed in a tall glass bottle Bending on her knees and toes She tries to dance but there is no chance She becomes a shadow. But she’ll revel in the morning light Cut a shrewd deal with her muse, Feel our desire. Sink our teeth in the wire And send a bright spark through the fuse. If only you got to see the way Before the keenest diamond days.
6.
Joy & Sugar 02:46
6) Joy & Sugar I’m traveling towards Loreena I’m waiting on Loreena She was sick, now she's well: We’ll go dancing on the hill, Joy and sugar is in the air. I’m holding on to Loreena I’m listening for Loreena: She was lost now she’s found We’ll go jumpin’ into town, Joy and sugar is in the air I’m in trance with Loreena But I’ll take a chance with Loreena: We’ll float off like a red balloon, Love her late and love her soon, Joy and Sugar is in the air Joy and Sugar’s bustling in
7.
7) Louie Haryll’s Party Laughing under the crescent moon, Mr. Paint will be here soon. He can’t wait to get to you, Mr. Paint’s got business to do. Chorus: Come all ye children, Sons and daughters of men, Swing on forward; swing back again. Let’s begin the best time of your life: It’s Louie Haryll’s party tonight. Now Mr. Paint he comes flying in black, Bats with baby faces flapping at his back; Mr. Paint sees what you’ve done; He’s got the sins counted, every one. Chorus Josh the Eskimo will be there, too; He knows just what you didn’t do. Josh is a spook on his own mission— Crying out ‘bout the sins of omission. Chorus Step out of the party, step into the light: Tell Josh and Paint, you’re through for the night. Tell Louie Haryll that you’re going home. Tell his spooks they better leave you alone. Chorus
8.
8) Southwest Ramble Started out in old Decatur, Knew I’d get there sooner or later, Started out down in Decatur, Met a Georgia girl—some kind of gator. I took a ramble down, down Southwest. Got myself to Auburn town, Strangers staring far and wide, Got to a college town, They toasted too long and got fried. I took a ramble down, down Southwest. Reveling in New Orleans, Got the gumbo on my mind. Dancing in New Orleans Joyous times aren’t hard to find. I took a ramble down, down Southwest. Back here in my homeland It’s all familiar now. I know where I am in my homeland, Virginia is sweet and sour I took a ramble down, down Southwest: I was feelin’ lucky, and I was feelin’ blessed.
9.
9) Release them Hounds I’m gonna take a night ride to San Francisco. I can feel that train’s old engine going. I can hear the whistle as it blows. Summer’s almost over and soon it will be cold. Chorus: So when the fleas bite and the wool gets damp, I’ll be waiting for the spirits to take your hand. I don’t know what I’ve found, One of these days we’re gonna release them hounds Twenty-four cents to go into the pictures. Fifty cents for a little rice lo mein. Feels like I’m living inside of a castle. San Francisco makes me feel this way. Chorus I’m gonna take a night ride to San Francisco. I can feel that train’s old engine going. I can hear the whistle as it blows. Summer’s almost over but it doesn’t have to go. Chorus
10.
Swampy Blues 03:33
10) Swampy Blues The roosters are loose; Chewing sunflowers in the field. Got your motorcycle juiced, Black thug boots astride the wheel. No time left to lose. You gave me the swampy blues. Slip a tooth on a chain, You wrap it around your neck. You’re a chief of the plains On your highway trek. No time left to lose: still I got the swampy blues. You dig gamblin’ in the back of bars Eating lobster near the bay. You dig Smoking Cuban cigars And getting drunk in the heat of the day. No time left to lose. Will I always have the swampy blues? I’ll keep on fighting through While you roll and hum, down the avenue. Oh let me crawl away from all that’s you. No time left to lose. Oh to be rid of the swampy blues. Been bitten by a copperhead, Never seen a great white shark. To a balcony in New Orleans, I said. To Barcelona, I should embark. No time left to lose. Cheer the end of swampy blues.

credits

released October 25, 2016

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Willie DE Charlottesville, Virginia

A native of Central Virginia, Willie has toured extensively and shared the stage or opened for a diverse group of top-flight musicians including the North Mississippi All-stars, David Olney & Sergio Webb, Ivan & Alyosha, Alash Ensemble, Eric Taylor, and The Hackensaw Boys. His first solo album, Egg Cracked, The Bird Went Wild, is full of songs of rebirth and regeneration. ... more

contact / help

Contact Willie DE

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Willie DE, you may also like: