Get all 93 Bill Mallonee releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of "Glimmer" Vol. 1, WELCOME TO STRUGGLEVILLE (Remaster by Pete Lyman) 2024, Comes To Life (New single & free download), NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, & WEST, ABOVE, BELOW & WITHIN (single from Orphan Songs), HERE IT OPENS WITH A PRAYER, BUT IT CLOSES WITH A SONG (2022), A CLAMORING OF GHOSTS (2021), THE LOT OF EVERYMAN (a free download today), STUNNED (an anniversary song), and 85 more.
Excludes supporter-only releases.
1. |
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There's Not Enough Bandages (In The Infirmary)
Words & Music by Bill Mallonee .BMI c.2024
There are people you will hurt
There are people you will heal
There are treasures you will stumble on
while out walking in the field
And the malaise runs deep
Deeper than eyes could see
And there are not enough bandages
in the infirmary
Now, the optics here are funny
Playing tricks upon the eyes
Casting thoughts & shadows
in a million disguises
And the malaise runs deep
Deeper than eyes could see
And there are not enough bandages
in the infirmary
Now I catch You in glimpses
Though you rarely stay for long
I'm wasting my life sittin' on fences
and writing songs
While You slip away up the road apiece
Or just around the bend
A Friend farther up the road who waits
for me to catch up again
We built a world to fall a part
Right before our eyes
With faith in Progress or Whatever
Is anyone surprised?
The malaise runs deep
Deeper than eyes could see
And there are not enough bandages
in the infirmary
Not enough bandages
in the infirmary
Not enough bandages
in the infirmary...
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2. |
PRAYIN' MAN
04:55
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PRAYING MAN
words & music by Bill Mallonee BMI c. 2024
Something’s rattling under the hood
I'm not sure i like that sound
Pull over here if you would
I'll jump out and take a look a round
This old girl's seen the whole USA
More than a time or two million
And it's always more miles than money, Honey,
And I can't tell the saints for the villains
You knew about the rough patch
That footnote about no turning back
You might say you read the writing on the wall
Chorus:
And it sure don't make you special
No, nothing special at all
'cept you're sure to become a prayin' man
if you're in it for the long haul
Take care of your sweetheart
She'll catch you when you fall
It'll soon make you a prayin' man
If you're in it for the long haul
Now small & Insignificant
might be the best of things
Like a songbird cutting loose in Spring
Like rose petals on a stream
Ever since I took my first steps
I have always felt this way
Small & insignificant
Ah, but, baby that's ok...
You might say you saw...
the writing on the wall...
And it sure don't make you special
No, nothing special at all
But you'll soon become a prayin' man,
if you're in it for the long haul
Take care of your sweetheart yes
She'll catch you when you fall
And you'll soon become a prayin' man
if you're in it for the long haul
And it sure don't make you special
No, nothing' special at all
but it will make you a prayin' man
if you're in it for the long haul
Keep your eyes wide open
Careful, lest you fall
And I sure could use your prayers my friend
if you're in it for the long haul...
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3. |
PILLAR TO POST
01:50
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PILLAR TO POST
words & music by bill mallonee BMI c.2024
Why you coming round here with that hangdog look?
With those crocodile tears; Are you pawn or a rook?
You oughta know by now you gotta butter your toast
And get use to going from pillar to post
Ah, why you steppin' out there with that grin on your face?
In no time at it’s gonna be erased
Slings & arrows from some nearby moat
Better get use to going from pillar to post
get use to going from pillar to post
Now God, He whispers in our joys and screams in our pain
Now in a haunted house, honey they're all one and the same
Now, whatever it takes to shake hands with your ghost
and just keep on crawling from pillar to post
Keep on crawling from pillar to post
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4. |
TRUE BLUE
04:48
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TRUE BLUE
words & music by Bill Mallonee BMI c. 2024
It's all true baby blue
It's what the world adores
No "Ifs, Ands, or Maybes"
It's all we've got time for
I'll hold you when you lonely
I'll pray for you when you're sad
If you've gone down a bitter road
and you think you can't get back
No, you think you can't come back...
chorus 1
You & me?
We been paying dues
You & me?
Trying to see it through
I promised you my heart
and you said "Baby, that'll do.
You & me? True blue
You & me? True blue
These streets are low & mean
The world is never quite,
never quite what it seems
I can dream of a land of healing
but it's shifting like the sand
I know you know that country
like the back of your hand,
like the back of your hand
chorus 2
You & me?
Paying dues
You & me?
Trying to break through
I gave you my heart
and you said "That's the Golden Rule."
You & me? True blue
You & me? True blue
chorus 3
You & me?
We been paying dues
Ya' gotta wonder sometimes
if folks were born to lose
What if I gave you my heart
and you said "Babe, that'd be cool!"
You & me? True blue
You & me? True blue
You & me? True blue
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5. |
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EYE TO EYE & HEART TO HEART
words & music by: bill mallonee BMI c. 2024
(possibly the saddest, most intense & sweetest song on the record)
Tell me that story one more time
The one about how you & I were once together
Down a long stretch of life's lonely highway
I can almost remember
Yeah, and, and didn't you have long red hair?
And Oh my, your finger tips!
The one's that grazed my face & pulled me in
And offer me those lips
Musta been a dream
They say that's how my mind's inclined
But, tell me if you will that sweet story one more time
Eye to eye from the start
You & me in the dark
Eye to eye and heart to heart
I remember I gave up on life
Became everything I dread
How can one have so much
and still be starving for a crust of bread?
Somehow you broke down the walls
You looked at me and said:
"Baby, just between you & me,
I can raise the dead..."
Musta been a dream
They say that's how my mind's inclined
But, if it's true would you please tell me,
Tell me that story that sweet, sweet story
one more time
Eye to eye from the start,
You & me hands clasped in the dark
Eye to eye and heart to heart|
Eye to eye
They say electricity can heal you
I feel it every time I pick up this guitar
But, you gotta wish & you gotta pray
That's why God made so many stars
So, was it your long red hair,
Oh, that smile and your fingertips?
The ones that raised my lost face
and offered me your kiss
Musta been a dream
They say that's how my mind's inclined
But, if it's true would you please tell me
the story one more time
Eye to eye from the start
You & Me hands clasped in the dark
Eye to eye and heart to heart
Eye to eye and heart to heart
Eye to eye and heart to heart…
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6. |
MOUNTAIN SERMON
04:02
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MOUNTAIN SERMON
Words & Music by Bill Mallonee BMI c.2024
Out here the mountains whisper sermon
and sweetheart, they don't wait
After they finish up the preachin' part
they pass the offering plate
I'd played 3 sets a the casino
just the night before
So I threw in a Benjamin
and headed for the door
You gotta shake hands with the snowy peaks
ever ice-aged
And those paths that lead straight to your heart
Over the Hills & Far Away
Baby, I gotta get back
while the sky is blue
And I'm smitten by the scenery
that's deep inside of you
So you take some inventory
How could you be surprised?
At those wayward acts and thoughts
that keep running thru your mind?
Those clouds they form a bridge
from where I stand to skies of blue
And I'm smitten by the scenery
that's deep inside of you
And I'm smitten by the scenery
The mountains whisper sermons
All quite unabridged
Life disappears and re-appears
ridge after ridge
Baby, I gotta get back your way
while the sky is blue
and I'm smitten by the scenery
that's deep inside of you
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7. |
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SHE'S GOT HER EYES ON YOU
words & music by Bill Mallonee BMI c. 2024
I was looking for work
when the carny came through
And the burlesque barker said: "I'll see what I can do"
Let me take a peek 'round the corner and see what I can do..."
But, before we transact and make it official
There's Ginger on trapeze,
she's the cute one in the middle
She's got her eyes on you
She's got her eyes on you
Got her eyes on you
Now, that girl could swing
She's a farm boy's dream
and my fortune's reversed right there on the scene
She said: "Aren't you new 'round here?"
I just nodded and agreed
Then she took me by the hand for a walk in the park
She gave me here poems, but she stole my heart
She said: “I've got my eyes on you...
I've got my eyes on you
I've got my eyes on you”
I was looking for work
when the carny came through
The barker for the show girls said: "I'll see what I can do,"
“Let me take a peek 'round the corner and I’ll see what I can do..."
But, before we transact and make it official
There's Ginger on trapeze,
she's the cute one in the middle
She's got her eyes on you
She's got her eyes on you
She's got her eyes…
Eyes on you
She's got her eyes on you
She got her eyes on you…
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8. |
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THIS SIDE OF THE VEIL
words & music by bill mallonee BMI c. 2024
Just why you coming in here with that hang-dog look?
Did you forsake someone or were you forsook?
Just what can you tell me; No, no you can't go wrong
The whole wide world is yearning for Love
in almost every country song
chorus:
Didn’t no one ever tell you
the undertaker over took?
Yeah, this side of the veil
Yeah, this side of the veil
Yeah, Heaven & hell? You get to choose
Maybe no one gets the chance, gets the chance to lose
Maybe no hearts grow so hard, maybe no eyes can go so blind
Who ever stop thirsting for Jesus' wine?
Didn’t no one ever tell you
the undertaker over took?
Yeah, this side of the veil
Yeah, this side of the veil
You can call me a heretic; Ah…but I don't know
When everyone sees Love's banquet?
They’re all gonna wanna go...
They wanna get all dressed up.
They wanna come & get clean
They're gonna bring all their friends to the Party
The Party of their wildest dreams
Didn’t no one ever tell you
the undertaker over took?
Yeah, this side of the veil
Yeah, this side of the veil
I threw the guitar in the trunk
I got ready to embrace
Something like a life of crime
with a smile upon my face
I set out down that lonesome highway
And God He only knows
What Joys, what Heartaches do await
with my good intentions in tow
Didn’t no one ever tell you
the undertaker over took?
Yeah, this side of the veil
Yeah, this side of the veil
This side of the veil…
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9. |
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YOU’RE GONNA BE ALRIGHT (A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER)
words & music by Bill Mallonee BMI c. 2024
It's been a year like no other
I'd go as far to say: "Ain't it been a life?"
One thing that I know, sweetheart
like the back of my hand:
You're gonna be alright
You're gonna be alright
Too much bad luck to speak of
Too many heartaches to keep ‘em all shushed & quiet
Not enough shoulders to cry on
But I swear: You're gonna be alright
Better than your wildest dreams & imaginings
Love, she gets the last word in the end
And that little girl heart will dance for joy
Ah, but first, the sad strings will kick in...
It's been a year like no other
I'd go as far to say: "Ain't it been a life?"
One thing that I know, sweetheart
like the back of my hand:
You're gonna be alright
You're gonna be alright
You're gonna be alright...
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10. |
MAY NOT BE ENOUGH
04:27
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MAY NOT BE ENOUGH
words & music by bill mallonee BMI c.2024
I can sing in the sunshine
& despair in the shadows
Repent in the dead of night
Your smile is all that matters
Loneliness is permafrost
These oceans? They get rough…
Chorus
I can give to you my heart
I can give to you my heart
But, it may not be enough
May not be enough
Baby, keep your fingers crossed at least for today
God promises a million things to take your breath away
There's no hand I’ve ever shaken
that's made of such stern stuff
I can give to you my heart
I can give to you my heart
But, it may not be enough
May not be enough
I can sing in shadows and despair in the sunshine
Repent, if you'll promise to be a friend of mine
I'll give to you my heart when these oceans get rough
But; it may not be enough; It may not be...
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11. |
FINGER IN THE WOUND
06:03
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PUT MY FINGER IN THE WOUND WHEN I HAD TO
words & music by bill mallonee BMI c.2024
All the voices at the table made me think I might be dammed
And the instruments for navigating were salt rusted & jammed
But the winds that came at mid-night were pleasant & fair
And, I learned to read the compass stars all woven in her hair
I needed....something bracing
I needed something beyond 5 senses
I needed something to awaken me...just like what Jesus calls us to.
So, I stumbled thru the nights & rejoiced in the day
I put my finger in the wound when I had to...
We met at the dirt road intersection of tears & laughter
Stoking our wild hope and obsessions with the hereafter
Spent some time comparing notes; Spent some time catching up
I said: "Honey, I promise you my heart."
And you said: "Well, baby that's good enough..."
I needed....something bracing
I needed something beyond 5 senses
I needed something to kick me off all these fences I'd been sittin' on
So I stumbled thru the nights & rejoiced in the day
I put my finger in His wounds when I had to...
Now the railroads smell of creosote
The backroads smell of sweat and dust
May the cities of our wounded hearts
Be full of laughter and full of trust
I needed....something beyond bracing
I needed something well beyond 5 senses
I needed something to break it all down
Just like steppin' out of the womb
So, I stumbled thru the dark nights & rejoiced in the day
I put my finger in His wound when I had to
Put my finger in His wound when I had to...
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Bill Mallonee
Bill Mallonee is an Americana artist w/ 80 plus albums over a 30 year career. Voted by Paste Music Magazine #65 in their
"Top 100 Living Songwriters" poll. He was the
founding member of Vigilantes of Love. He has worked with Mark Heard, Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, & Peter Buck from REM.
His most recent work, "Lead On, Kindly Light" is a 23song double Cd released Feb 2020.
... more
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