Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

—

Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

Find more about Tom’s Netflix special and his new book, You’re Doing Great!, at tompapa.com.

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

—

Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

—

Listen to our May 23 rebroadcast with Pixies, Black Pumas, Crooked Still, Freestyle Love Supreme, Aoife O’Donovan, and Tom Papa

—

Lyrics:

1.

Morse: A nibble!

Lincoln: A bite!

A reason to be thankful—

M: —for another sleepless night

But how best to set the hook?

L: How best to reel him in?

M: Hmm...what to send?

L: Hmm...what to send?

M + L: Not my name

L: He’ll know it

M: Rendering this another unclean slate

L: Another couple hours answering for these Divided States

M: And being the amplifier of this rift between Americans

Won’t help me make a friend

L: What to send?

M + L: Hmm...what to send?

L: What are the chances of this meeting? I won’t let it get away

M: Who else will dance me through the dead of night unto the break of day?

L: If I believed in God I’d ask him

M: Father, tell me

M + L: what to say

To make a friend out of this stranger on the wire

L: How’s the weather where you are?

2.

M: It’s hot as stock in Western Union

The air’s as thick as the brow of a grim patent judge

L: Is that your field of law?

M: Nice try. How’s the weather where YOU are?

L: Hot as the barrel of a freshly fired cannon

Air as thick as the skull of McDowell at Bull Run

And the smoke rising up to the sky

Over sons that were loved as much as mine was

M: I’m sorry for your loss.

L: I’m grateful for your ear

I hope I haven’t scared you off

M: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

L + M: How’s the weather where you are?

M: Cold as the sweat I woke up in an hour ago

L: Cold as each toe in each boot marching south through the snow

M: Exactly further yet from their hearths and our peace

Were I Abe I would bid each brave toe retreat*

L: What of the war for freedom lost?

M: I don’t believe it’s ours

I hope that doesn’t scare you off

L: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

‘Cause you can learn a lot about someone from asking how they feel about the weather where they are

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times: livefromhere.org/give

—

Listen to our May 9 rebroadcast with Paul Simon, Vagabon, Anaïs Mitchell, Ryan Hamilton, Ron Funches & Holly Laurent

—

Lyrics:

Here’s a song

For the good folks who

We pay to look for bombs

In each other’s boots

Sure this line is long

Longer than my fuse

But you’re just doing your job

And what a job you’re doing

For the put-upon

Bearers of bad news

Now and forever caught here

Between us and our due

As platinums golds and silvers

Singing the Delta blues

“I can’t believe it’s not in your

Power to move me

To the seat I want

And just forgot to choose

I know you’re doing your job

But what a job to do”

And for the mom

Running stoically through

Each kid-unfriendly gauntlet

Doing the work of two

‘Til the boarding process

Drops her off next to

A childless man of business

Whose cares are few

Enough to voice his problems with

Her toddler on fumes

I heard her tell him off like

“Who the hell are you

To assess this job

That you could never do

Just put your headphones on”

Then away we flew

Then away we flew

—

Listen to our May 2 show with Sylvan Esso, Watkins Family Hour, Gaby Moreno, Josh Gondelman & more

Please support Live from Here with Chris Thile to help us stay strong during these tough times livefromhere.org/give

—

Lyrics:

Boy you’re gonna tire

Yourself right out pretending

That you can write a happy ending

To this story by yourself

‘Cause it’s a long way

Across the wire

Ain’t no shame in falling

Just in being ashamed of calling

For a friend to come and help

Yeah it’s a long way

Across the wire

And it’s been a bad day

Boys you’re gonna tire

Yourselves right out pretending

That you can write a happy ending

To this story by yourselves

‘Cause it’s a long way

Across the wire

Ain’t no shame in falling

Just in being ashamed of calling

For a friend to come and help

Yeah it’s a long way

Across the wire

And it’s been a bad day

But I bet it’ll get a little better

Bet it’ll get a little better

Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better

Whoop

Let it get better

Let everybody in

‘Cause buddy with everybody in I bet it’ll get a little better

We ain’t gonna tire

Ourselves out pretending

That we can write a happy ending

To this story by ourselves

‘Cause it’s a long way

Across the wire

Ain’t no shame in falling

Just in being ashamed of calling

For a friend to come and help

Yeah it’s a long way

Across the wire

And it’s been a bad day

But I bet it’ll get a little better

Bet it’ll get a little better

Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better

But I bet it’ll get a little better

Bet it’ll get a little better

Boy let a buddy in I bet it’ll get a little better

Whoop

Let it get better

Let everybody in

‘Cause buddy with everybody in I bet it’ll get a little better

Listen to our brand-new #livefromhome episode now, with remotely recorded music from Chris Thile and our amazing band of Live from Heroes (Madison Cunningham, music director Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Jeremy Kittel, Trevor Lawrence Jr., and Brett Williams), along with #livefromhome Challenge performances from Rachael Price with Taylor Ashton, Theo Katzman, Louis Cato, Megan Burtt, Kayce Guthmiller, Laurens Joënsen, and Kaitlyn Kelly Faraghan. Plus: Mike Marshall joins Chris for a Bach birthday salute, Claire Coffee helps us celebrate Stephen Sondheim's birthday, and Bodine Boling encourages you to stay creative with an essay from Elizabeth Gilbert.

Head to our YouTube channel for a few behind-the-scenes videos of the recording process.

—

Lyrics:

[BALLADEERS]

He believes (belies (belabors))

Himself into the wee hours of the morning

‘Til even he finds it boring

So he leaves it to long (and then look) for

Someone else with some midnight oil that wants burning

And seeing as he’s made up so much of this story

(We will too)

Behold dear listener some 50 years early

(The first CQ):

[MORSE]

Mark what goes on under the sun

Bonds are broken feuds are begun

Behind veils of pride that no pastor’s son

Can peek through

Peek through

But these treacherous partners with their envy and lies

Have drifted off and left me to my

Own beloved darkness where I

Seek you

Seek you

CQ

[BALLADEERS]

And who should hear our hero

But a sleepless God of Wire in Waiting

Who jumps up from the cot where he ought to be sleeping

Having implored (empowered (imperiled))

The free world into the wee hours of the morning

And because that world keeps adding more to his story

(So will we)

Behold the rail-splitter of Illinois

(At the straight key:)

[LINCOLN]

Mark what goes on under the sun

Bonds are broken wars are begun

Behind veils of pride that no farmer’s son

Can peek through

Peek through

But these treacherous generals asking “how, sir, and why?”

Have drifted off and left me to my

Own beloved darkness where I

Seek you

Seek you

Seek you

[MORSE AND LINCOLN]

Mark what goes on under the sun

The dream is over the nightmare’s begun

Behind veils of pride no daughter or son

Can peek through

Peek through

Let these embattled children with children and wives

Drift off to sleep and leave me to my

Own beloved darkness where I

Seek you

Seek you

Seek you

CQ

CQ

CQ...

The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Jeff Babko, Matt Chamberlain, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Noam Pikelny.

—

Lyrics:

“Canst thou send lightnings

So that they may go

And say unto thee here we are?”

A rhetorical question

From our Father In Heaven

To Job in his suffering

Here below

To Job in his suffering—

As we sent the first lightnings

All those years ago

I quoted that question by heart

Then delivered the answer

Full of magnets and wire

On behalf of a dreamer

Here below

On behalf of a dreamer—

“Sounds like you did this”

I did but—

It was the least that I could do

—than I would do to serve his genius

To serve his—

`“Sounds like it’s time to set the record straight

Nothing’s wrong with calling a good man great, but a bad man...”

No, he’s not a bad man

Though it’s true before we met

The God of Wire was struggling to connect

What he had with what he dreamt

Then I applied a method to the madness

And the thing began to click

We were like a couple little kids

‘Cause it was clear this was it

I’d take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he had seen

And pan whatever gold was in his stream

Of consciousness that flowed between his heart and anything like love for the doer of his dreams

“Sounds like he used you”

He did but—

Oh how I burned to be of use

—to be of use and not be slave to

A mind as—

As cold and dry and barren as this one is

At least when in comparison to one like his

“You have a great mind”

No, his is the great mind

And it will never be at rest

Will ever trade this moment for the next

And what it has for what it’s dreamt

So even if the present is exactly what he wanted it to be

He’ll miss his un-manifested destiny

And find a better man than me

To take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he’s been seeing

And pan whatever gold’s still in his stream

Of consciousness that flows between his heart and anything like love for me

I send him a lightning

Every now and then

Saying unto him “here we are

I don’t expect you to answer

But I miss you dear dreamer

And what we did together

Here below

O what we did together here”

Find Tom’s tour dates and more information about his forthcoming Netflix special You’re Doing Great! at tompapa.com.

Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

—

Lyrics:

This is the Sully—

—As fine a ship as you

can sail from Le Havre France to New

York of a mild October

in the year of our lord

1832

Blessed be the quiet mind—

—such as wielded by a Sully

passenger named Samuel F.B

Morse the nearly famous artist

coming up for air post

years of work and study

Quiet be the weary mind

That hovers o’er the water—

—grateful to be homeward borne by true and perfect boredom

Hallowed be its name

‘Cause—

—weary be the troubled mind

That hovers o’er the water

With its lonely sons and daughter

On the shore ahead

And on the shore behind

So much unfinished business

But there ain’t a cure for distance

Save a long long time

Tick tick ticking several decks

below in steerage next to less-

considered travelers nothing

but their fevers running

wild from bed to bed

To bed

Quiet be their weary minds

Between the old and new world

No more to seek approval

From the loved ones wedded to the shore behind

Calling “y’all are gonna miss us,

Unless you find the cure for distance”

—and in that instant

There it is

A ceaseless current

A boundless grid

A prayer a potion

With form and function

To deliver us

To each other

From each other

Racing be the blessed mind

To a future long imagined

Bright with glory, fame and fortune

It had left for dead

On the shore behind

Jedidiah are you listening

Your son has found a cure for distance

And blessed be his quiet mind

That hears the roaring of an instant

God hath wrought the cure for distance

And that cure is mine

—

Lyrics:

Chris: Tell me beloved

Why is there a tear in your eye?

Tell me beloved

Why is there a tear in your eye?

Sarah: It’s a trick of the winter light

Love everything is fine

C: Then tell me beloved

Why are you now clenching your teeth?

S: I didn’t dress for the winter air

Should’ve worn another layer

Whereas you’ve got your coat and wool underneath

C: Then tell me beloved

Why won’t you let me give you that coat?

S: ‘Cause it’s good to be cold in the wintertime

Love everything is—

Fine it’s because you make me tell you

And I don’t wanna have to tell you

That I have nothing to tell you

‘Cause I’ve said it all said it all said it all before

And you can’t make it all ok

Make me say it all say it all again

And darling we’ll be further from the end

And closer to the forming of another circular mistake

C: Tell me beloved

Why are you angry with me?

S: Well well well look who’s taking on

The role of the hurting one

Who can’t keep his heart off his sleeve

C: Tell me beloved if I could where would we be now

S: Some sweet place where it’s understood

A girl doesn’t have to—

C: Look I thought you wanted me to ask you

And didn’t know what I should ask you

S: I don’t wanna have to tell you

That I have nothing to tell you

‘Cause I’ve said it all said it all said it all before

And you can’t make it all ok

Make me say it all say it all again

And darling we’ll be further from the end

C&S: Cause we’ve said it all said it all said it all before

And we can’t make it all ok

S: Make me say it all

C: If we

C&S: Say it all again

And darling we’ll be further from the end

And closer to the forming

of another circular mistake

C: Tell me beloved

Why is there a tear in your eye?

Find "I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City" in Jessica’s book Spilled and Gone.

—

Lyrics:

We float above the recycling

And the catcalls

A prelude to the hardest

We will ever fall

No bar is too loud

No bar is too loud

No sidewalk’s too crowded

No stoop too well-lit

No head is too cloudy

For an East Village first kiss

Text me

Text me

Text me

Text me

Don’t forget

Don’t forget me

I will take out the recycling

And pick up the take out

While you stir a pair of Manhattans

And a mocktail

No child is too loud

No dinner’s too hurried

No morning too big

No future’s too blurry

For a South Brooklyn next kiss

So text me

Text me

Text me

Text me

Don’t forget

Don’t forget me

Find Tom’s tour dates and more information about his forthcoming Netflix special You’re Doing Great! at tompapa.com.

—

Lyrics:

We’re here

For the vibe

For the grog

For the people

That brought us

We’re here

For the love

Of these Gods

That ain’t trying to stop us

And I’m here

‘Cause it calms me down

Why are you here, Barkeeper?

We’re here

For a glance

From a girl

Or a boy

That reminds us

There’s more

To our lives

Than the goals

Dead ahead

And behind us

And I’m here

‘Cause it calms me down

Whispers breathe in

Don’t just breathe out

And I’ll stay for as many rounds

As it takes you to answer

Why are you here, Barkeeper?

It ain’t the money ‘else

You would’ve made a killing

Selling out to those Scientologists

They would’ve had to clear all of us to raze this building...

Of the vibe

Of the grog

Of the people

That brought us

Of the love

And these Gods

That ain’t trying to stop us

And I’m here

‘Cause it calms me down

Whispers breathe in

Don’t just breathe out

And I’ll stay for as many rounds

As it takes you to answer

Why are you here, Barkeeper?

It ain’t the glory ‘else

You would’ve been out years ago

Before the movie stars soured on your Zombies

Now you’re laying ‘em on me like I’m Brando

And you’re the man in the photo on the back wall

And I wonder

If a fella’s ever shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow

Yeah, a fella’s never shone brighter in his daddy’s shadow

Well, I hope you all are having a good night

It’s Wednesday which is when I like to toast my dad, Ray

That’s his picture up there, you’ve probably seen it.

Anyway, he was the master ninja, he built the tiki, so

Here’s to you Dad

All right

Bottoms up, everyone

Have fun

—

Lyrics:

Three Advil and a coffee

Could cure whatever ailed me

In my twenties:

Sunlight loomed like a wall

(On a late morning after)

I woke up in a well

(They threw me a ladder)

I said “thank God for y’all

(I thought I was a goner”)

They said “we're happy to help

(At least ‘til you’re older)

Soon it won’t be last call

(That’s leaving you hammered)

It’ll be the plight of the world

(And the vanity of your efforts)

So keep your eye on the ball

(Your mind over matter)

And they’ll help find you a girl

(Sooner or later)

And when you fall down a well

(She’ll throw you a ladder)

And when the world goes to hell

(You can crawl out together)

Singing

‘Darling you’re my Advil

Darling you’re my coffee

In the bitter light of morning

Darling you’re my Advil

Darling you’re my coffee

In the bitter light of 2019

Everybody trying to do the right thing

If only for their own’”

So Darling be my Advil

Darling be my coffee

In the bitter light of morning

Darling be my Advil

Darling be my coffee

In the bitter light of 2019

Everybody’s trying to do the right thing

Who knows? It might get done

The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O'Donovan, Rich Dworsky, Mike Elizondo, Alex Hargreaves, Julian Lage, and Ted Poor.

—

Lyrics:

Don we now

Our winter coats

Cheery as a Christmas bonus

Deck the yard with icons

Our neighbors may not like 'em

Set up the lights

And the plastic sheep

Watch our seasonal belief

start to trickle down

May our seasonal belief forever trickle down

Damn we now

Our vague concerns

The sky could fall, Rome might start burning

Deck the hall with revelry

And no regard for history

It's all rum and dancing

Fun and games

'Til someone slips on the perspiration

that trickles down

Someone catch the perspiration as it trickles down

Ornaments

Hang from the branches

Hang from the branches

The year that was

Hangs from the branches

(Hangs in the balance)

Hangs from the branches

America

Hangs in the balance

Hangs in the balance

Dim we now

Our screens in bed

Exhausted as a line of credit

Deck the room with worry

Dream of fire and fury

We smell the smoke

We smell the smoke

We smell the smoke

From the burning hills

We hear the senate swear their millions will trickle down

May the good lord let their joy and comfort trickle down

I know I'm on your list

Because I got my wish

But something's gotta give

'Cause someone always lifts you up

In America we trust

God's been good to us

The band: Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, Mike Elizondo, Eric Doob, Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves, Brett Williams

—

Lyrics:

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Chris)

Sleep my child and peace attend thee

All through the night

Guardian angels God will lend thee

All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping

Hill and vale in slumber steeping

I my loving vigil keeping

All through the night

Though I roam a minstrel lonely

All through the night

My true harp shall praise sing only

All through the night...

LINCOLN (Sarah)

My dear Sir and Madam

In the loss of your noble son

My affliction here

is scarcely less than your own

Our acquaintance began less than two years ago

Yet I can proudly say we knew each other well

And that the honors he labored for so laudably, and, in the sad end, so gallantly gave his life for, he meant for you, no less than for himself.

May God give you that consolation which is beyond all earthly power

Yours in our common affliction...

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Chris)

Love's young dream, alas, is over

Yet my strains of love shall hover

Near the presence of my lover

All through the night...

LINCOLN:

Dear Mrs. Ainesworth

I’ve been informed by an adjutant general

That your noble husband

Has died on the field of battle

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine

As sorrow threatens to blot out the sun

And blind you to what might yet be won

Let the memory of the brave man you loved remind you

Remind you

How much the prize of freedom is worth

How great the role is of death in rebirth

And such peace as there exists on this earth

Will find you find you find you

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Sarah)

Love to thee my thoughts are turning

All through the night

All for thee my heart is yearning

All through the night

LINCOLN (Chris)

Dear Fanny I am deeply saddened

To hear of the death your father

Sadder still to think of the pain

Your young heart is being made to suffer...

Dear George I too was a child when I lost my first parent

Dear Sir as you know I’m a parent whose buried his child

So I know what I say when I say that

As sorrow threatens to blot out the sun

And blinds you to what might yet be won

Let the memory of your father, husband, son remind you

Remind you

How much the prize of freedom is worth

How great the role is of death in rebirth

And such peace as there exists on this earth

Will find you find you find you

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS (Sarah, then Sarah and Chris):

Though sad fate our lives may sever

Parting will not last forever

There’s a hope that leaves me never

All through the night

The band: Chris Thile, Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo, Chris Eldridge, Marcus Gilmore, Brittany Haas, Brett Williams

—

Lyrics:

1.

Morse: A nibble!

Lincoln: A bite!

A reason to be thankful—

M: —for another sleepless night

But how best to set the hook?

L: How best to reel him in?

M: Hmm...what to send?

L: Hmm...what to send?

M + L: Not my name

L: He’ll know it

M: Rendering this another unclean slate

L: Another couple hours answering for these Divided States

M: And being the amplifier of this rift between Americans

Won’t help me make a friend

L: What to send?

M + L: Hmm...what to send?

L: What are the chances of this meeting? I won’t let it get away

M: Who else will dance me through the dead of night unto the break of day?

L: If I believed in God I’d ask him

M: Father, tell me

M + L: what to say

To make a friend out of this stranger on the wire

L: How’s the weather where you are?

2.

M: It’s hot as stock in Western Union

The air’s as thick as the brow of a grim patent judge

L: Is that your field of law?

M: Nice try. How’s the weather where YOU are?

L: Hot as the barrel of a freshly fired cannon

Air as thick as the skull of McDowell at Bull Run

And the smoke rising up to the sky

Over sons that were loved as much as mine was

M: I’m sorry for your loss.

L: I’m grateful for your ear

I hope I haven’t scared you off

M: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

L + M: How’s the weather where you are?

M: Cold as the sweat I woke up in an hour ago

L: Cold as each toe in each boot marching south through the snow

M: Exactly further yet from their hearths and our peace

Were I Abe I would bid each brave toe retreat*

L: What of the war for freedom lost?

M: I don’t believe it’s ours

I hope that doesn’t scare you off

L: Fellow stranger au contraire

Any night you feel like hopping

On this wire I’ll be here

Waiting to ask you how’s the weather where you are

‘Cause you can learn a lot about someone from asking how they feel about the weather where they are

—

Lyrics:

Here’s a song

For the good folks who

We pay to look for bombs

In each other’s boots

Sure this line is long

Longer than my fuse

But you’re just doing your job

And what a job you’re doing

For the put-upon

Bearers of bad news

Now and forever caught here

Between us and our due

As platinums golds and silvers

Singing the Delta blues

“I can’t believe it’s not in your

Power to move me

To the seat I want

And just forgot to choose

I know you’re doing your job

But what a job to do”

And for the mom

Running stoically through

Each kid-unfriendly gauntlet

Doing the work of two

‘Til the boarding process

Drops her off next to

A childless man of business

Whose cares are few

Enough to voice his problems with

Her toddler on fumes

I heard her tell him off like

“Who the hell are you

To assess this job

That you could never do

Just put your headphones on”

Then away we flew

Then away we flew

—

Lyrics:

What hath God wrought

Of strength unfelt

Gifts neglected

And love withheld

What hath God wrought (x3)

Lucretia left the world without a fight

Father left it clutching the handle of a knife

His memory never failing to give that knife a twist

All has led to this:

Mutton—

My children scattered like so many seeds

Separated from one another and from me

All my colleagues snickering at Samuel Morse the Scientist

All has led to this:

Mutton— (x2)

Dark magic or miracle

I don’t care

It’s wonderful

Listen, America’s about to bare her soul

And maybe her teeth as well

It’s a sound

To behold

Good or bad only someone else’s time will tell

—and strawberries

And a wire to connect the world

A wire to remind it

That nothing can become itself

‘Til something else defines it

One wire to connect the world

One wire to remind it

That nothing can become itself

‘Til something else defines it

Now a ghost of wire haunts this world

A ghost of wire drives it

Unto the need to know itself

And with that knowledge binds it

One ghost of wire haunts this world

One ghost of wire drives it

Unto the need to know itself

And with that knowledge binds it

‘Til we use it to connect the world

And let the world remind us

That none of us become ourselves

While someone else defines us

—

Lyrics:

“Canst thou send lightnings

So that they may go

And say unto thee here we are?”

A rhetorical question

From our Father In Heaven

To Job in his suffering

Here below

To Job in his suffering—

As we sent the first lightnings

All those years ago

I quoted that question by heart

Then delivered the answer

Full of magnets and wire

On behalf of a dreamer

Here below

On behalf of a dreamer—

“Sounds like you did this”

I did but—

It was the least that I could do

—than I would do to serve his genius

To serve his—

`“Sounds like it’s time to set the record straight

Nothing’s wrong with calling a good man great, but a bad man...”

No, he’s not a bad man

Though it’s true before we met

The God of Wire was struggling to connect

What he had with what he dreamt

Then I applied a method to the madness

And the thing began to click

We were like a couple little kids

‘Cause it was clear this was it

I’d take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he had seen

And pan whatever gold was in his stream

Of consciousness that flowed between his heart and anything like love for the doer of his dreams

“Sounds like he used you”

He did but—

Oh how I burned to be of use

—to be of use and not be slave to

A mind as—

As cold and dry and barren as this one is

At least when in comparison to one like his

“You have a great mind”

No, his is the great mind

And it will never be at rest

Will ever trade this moment for the next

And what it has for what it’s dreamt

So even if the present is exactly what he wanted it to be

He’ll miss his un-manifested destiny

And find a better man than me

To take him by the hand and lead him to whatever future he’s been seeing

And pan whatever gold’s still in his stream

Of consciousness that flows between his heart and anything like love for me

I send him a lightning

Every now and then

Saying unto him “here we are

I don’t expect you to answer

But I miss you dear dreamer

And what we did together

Here below

O what we did together here”

—

Lyrics:

Morse has chained the lightning

The rumors are true

All this dashing and dotting’s gonna bring the world home to you

And tell you what it is or what it might be

So drink today’s coffee with tomorrow’s news...

There’s no more elsewhere

Everywhere is here

With an o-perator, tap-tapping our hope and fear

Speculation and excitement

The clock hands froze the miles disappeared

When Morse chained the lightning

Morse has chained the lightning

Behold these tyrants

Assassins and thieves

Haters of light, law

And liberty

Then behold Morse’s lightning

Nipping at their heels

Fixing to strike them in the middle of the battlefield

Where they left America dying

Of the great divide in what she thinks and feels

Before Morse chained the lightning

Find Tom’s tour dates at tompapa.com.

—

Lyrics:

This is the Sully—

—As fine a ship as you

can sail from Le Havre France to New

York of a mild October

in the year of our lord

1832

Blessed be the quiet mind—

—such as wielded by a Sully

passenger named Samuel F.B

Morse the nearly famous artist

coming up for air post

years of work and study

Quiet be the weary mind

That hovers o’er the water—

—grateful to be homeward borne by true and perfect boredom

Hallowed be its name

‘Cause—

—weary be the troubled mind

That hovers o’er the water

With its lonely sons and daughter

On the shore ahead

And on the shore behind

So much unfinished business

But there ain’t a cure for distance

Save a long long time

Tick tick ticking several decks

below in steerage next to less-

considered travelers nothing

but their fevers running

wild from bed to bed

To bed

Quiet be their weary minds

Between the old and new world

No more to seek approval

From the loved ones wedded to the shore behind

Calling “y’all are gonna miss us,

Unless you find the cure for distance”

—and in that instant

There it is

A ceaseless current

A boundless grid

A prayer a potion

With form and function

To deliver us

To each other

From each other

Racing be the blessed mind

To a future long imagined

Bright with glory, fame and fortune

It had left for dead

On the shore behind

Jedidiah are you listening

Your son has found a cure for distance

And blessed be his quiet mind

That hears the roaring of an instant

God hath wrought the cure for distance

And that cure is mine

—

Lyrics:

In a sunburnt park

Eating greenhouse tomatoes

I warm to my work

As worse comes to worst

Singing heave ho

‘Cause failure isn’t forever

Oh failures aren’t forever

Unless they never try to do better

We’ve left too big a mark

Casted too long a shadow

But failure won’t be forever

Oh failures aren’t forever

Unless they never try to do better

We’re gonna need some believers

To believe that failure isn’t forever

It’s just a point in time to get better

We welcome the dark

That pours through unlit windows

As worst recedes to worse

And we warm to the work

Singing heave ho

Failure isn’t forever

Oh failures aren’t forever

Unless they never try to do better

We’re gonna need some believers

To believe that failure isn’t forever

It’s just a point in time to get better

—

Lyrics:

Dit dah

Dit dah

Dit dah

As in

Alfred asks a bit of advice from his father

And anxiously for another few hundred dollars

(Dit dah) Dit dah (Dit dah)

“Well son I believe a patient waiter is no loser

And America believes in cash why disabuse her

AKA yes here son good luck

When you fall

Fall hard

Fall forward

When you fail

Fail out

On and up

Now go fill

That wire

With this message

Attention:

The Universe”

Thus the future hangs on Vail iron and copper

Thus the distance possible grows ever greater

From father’s heart to Morses code’s lip’s

"When you fall

Fall hard

Fall forward

When you fall

Fall hard

Fall forward

When you fail

Fail out

On and up

Now go fill

That wire

With this message

Attention:

The Universe"

Dit dah

Dit dah

As in

Attention:

The universe

—

Lyrics:

Out the front door

The melting snow

Would turn our creek into a river

Now from the airplane

I catch a glimpse

Of the Mississippi

And my young self asks me

If we’re doing all right

When the pressure of living

Is too much for the wine

I turn to the water

‘Cause none of our failings

Can worry my mind

To the point where a river can’t soothe me

Out the front door

The melting snow

Would turn our creek into a river

And brave explorers

Could sail the globe

And still be home in time for dinner

Now from the hotel

I hear the song

Of the mighty frozen Mississippi

“Under ice and trouble

We will roll along

Bring me your burdens

For all that you’ve earned them

There are no shoulders broader than mine

When the pressure of living

Is too much for your wine

Turn to my water

‘Cause none of y’all’s failings

Should worry your mind

To the point where this river can’t soothe you”

When the pressure of living

Is too much for the wine

I turn to the water and choose

To believe that no failing

Can worry my mind

To the point where this river can’t soothe me

—

Lyrics:

Sing we now our mid-year hymn

Breathe in love

Breathe in

Shush your mind with oxygen

Breathe in love

Breathe in

You need this

Amen

Rest thy voice click-off thy pen

Breathe in love

Pluck not thy weary mandolin

Breathe in love

Breathe in

You need this

Amen

Take thy summer medicine

Breathe in love

With one foot in the looney bin

Breathe in love

And when Fall asks you where you’ve been

You can breathe out

Again

So breathe in love

Breathe in

You need this

Amen

—

Lyrics:

Morse has chained the lightning
The rumors are true
All this dashing and dotting’s gonna bring the world home to you
And tell you what it is or what it might be
So drink today’s coffee with tomorrow’s news...

There’s no more elsewhere
Everywhere is here
With an o-perator, tap-tapping our hope and fear
Speculation and excitement
The clock hands froze the miles disappeared
When Morse chained the lightning
Morse has chained the lightning

Behold these tyrants
Assassins and thieves
Haters of light, law
And liberty
Then behold Morse’s lightning
Nipping at their heels
Fixing to strike them in the middle of the battlefield
Where they left America dying
Of the great divide in what she thinks and feels
Before Morse chained the lightning

—

Lyrics:

In a sunburnt park
Eating greenhouse tomatoes
I warm to my work

As worse comes to worst
Singing heave ho

‘Cause failure isn’t forever
Oh failures aren’t forever
Unless they never try to do better

We’ve left too big a mark
Casted too long a shadow

But failure won’t be forever
Oh failures aren’t forever
Unless they never try to do better
We’re gonna need some believers
To believe that failure isn’t forever
It’s just a point in time to get better

We welcome the dark
That pours through unlit windows
As worst recedes to worse

And we warm to the work
Singing heave ho

Failure isn’t forever
Oh failures aren’t forever
Unless they never try to do better
We’re gonna need some believers
To believe that failure isn’t forever
It’s just a point in time to get better

—

Lyrics:

“Monette”
He whispers at the backdoor
“This is just a trap your
Loving folks have set
But you don’t have to spring it
Gather up your things it’s
Time you placed your
Own bet”

Monette
Replies “boy don’t I know it
But I’d be disowned if
I just up and left
In the middle of the plan to
Raise our family’s standing
By what man I wed
My mom and his are in the parlor
Talking guest list dresses drinks and rings
My father asked his then he asked my father no one’s bothered asking me

So Milkman
Lover boy
Adam whatcha after
A partner
Or a pretty toy
Adam whatcha after
I’m almost scared ask ‘cause
What if you’re too scared to ask me too and—

“Monette
I’m after marrying a goddess
Giving her just cause to
Bless the day we met
Yeah we’ll be in San Diego
Spreading avocado
On our morning
Toast yet”

Monette
Replies “well ain’t that nice
But dear a high society
Girl daren’t accept
Why don’t you run along and party
With those movie stars and
Give them my regrets
My mom and his are in the parlor
On to what our children’s names should be
My father asked his then he asked my father
And that’s quite enough for me”

Milkman

Loverboy

“Monette”
His heart sinks as he whispers
“Well I guess that’s it for
This huh please forget
That I so misunderstood us
As my train rolls good-guy-
-Like into the
Sunset”

Monette
Replies “Christ on a cracker
Hon, I’m kidding, packed, and
Not a bit upset
But since you couldn’t tell I’d
Chase your love to hell if
That were where it led

So Milkman
Lover boy
It’s off to California
I’m your partner
Your my pretty toy
And we’re off to California”

—

Lyrics:

Three Advil and a coffee
Could cure whatever ailed me
In my twenties:

Sunlight loomed like a wall
(On a late morning after)
I woke up in a well
(They threw me a ladder)
I said “thank God for y’all
(I thought I was a goner”)
They said “we're happy to help
(At least ‘til you’re older)

Soon it won’t be last call
(That’s leaving you hammered)
It’ll be the plight of the world
(And the vanity of your efforts)
So keep your eye on the ball
(Your mind over matter)
And they’ll help find you a girl
(Sooner or later)
And when you fall down a well
(She’ll throw you a ladder)
And when the world goes to hell
(You can crawl out together)
Singing

‘Darling you’re my Advil
Darling you’re my coffee
In the bitter light of morning
Darling you’re my Advil
Darling you’re my coffee
In the bitter light of 2019
Everybody trying to do the right thing
If only for their own’”

So Darling be my Advil
Darling be my coffee
In the bitter light of morning
Darling be my Advil
Darling be my coffee
In the bitter light of 2019
Everybody’s trying to do the right thing
Who knows? It might get done

Find "I Love You More Than All the Windows in New York City" in Jessica’s new book 'Spilled and Gone': https://www.upress.pitt.edu/books/9780822965725/

We’re back with new shows! Check out our season schedule at livefromhere.org/tour.

We’re back with new shows! Check out our season schedule at livefromhere.org/tour.

Originally from January 27, 2018.