Get all 8 A Metropolitan Guide releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The One That Isn't Burned, The Girls You Sang to Sleep, Alternate Histories Vol. I, These Hills Are Gonna Rise, The Grand Revolution of Lakeside, Simulation Avenue, Pioneering, and Lesser Tragedies.
1. |
Sailing
03:29
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Rise and shine, little dove, the ships are in the harbor and the stars' above
We're casting off in an hour flat, you better find yourself aboard the invitation's not gonna' last
The days are long, the nights even more, but you're wasting your time peddling on the shore
That's the thing about the spoils of war --when you think you've gone and tapped 'em all you go and find some more
So go sailing
we're not gonna' wait for the tide to be just right
so we sail
so we sail tonight
Captain, sir, you've all gone mad; there's nothing out there better than I have
Every man thinks the way it is that when ten ships burn just means the flames won't get his
And I don't care about the spoils of war and I certainly don't care about something more
Take that ship of yours out to sea and when it sinks to the bottom just know it's not taking me
So go sailing
to run that horizon through to see if it moves
you're just gonna' find
another side of blue
But I'll be here when you return
at the end of some comprehensive prayer
for while you're out there
So go sailing
for nothing but the intoxicating thrill and I'll salute you
if this is goodbye
we'll toast to your demise and to you
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2. |
Streetcorner Rainstorm
04:04
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The steady beating of the trickling rain
dripping off the hats of those on the scene
the homeless philharmonic weeping where they went wrong
and as the rain comes down they show their wares to the gathering crowd
The first man tips his hat once, to the left, once to the right
then pulls it down until the brim covers his eyes
he starts the percussion line with a flick of his wrists
and in four-four time begins the song that starts like this
The second man tips his hat and begins to clap
directing the growing crowd just like a map
the rain's pouring harder now try not to lose heart
for the show you all came to see is about to start
The third man tips his hat once and it falls to the ground
the raindrops filling up inside are the only sound
a splash of a coin interrupts the rhythm, from a child dropped
and just for a moment the rain, the drums, and everything stops
The first two tip their hats again and the third leans down
picks up the hat pulls out the coin and pours the water out
the claps of the crowd grow louder now as they shake on the ground
and as the rain subsides they harmonize their victory song
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3. |
Row, Little Lady
03:21
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They’ll start with nothing more than a general label and they’ll offer you a place at their high-flying table
then the gardens and the trees will make you weak in the knees and they’ll question if you’re able
But it’s all in perception, and just a dose of introspection
and a space in a child’s fable
So, row little lady, row little lady
come and take your stage
row little lady, row little lady
row, row away
there’s not gonna’ be a second chance to pull yourself out from the muck
so, row little lady, row little lady until you make it above
Go marching down the river with your boat full of fame but don’t send me the bill or any of the blame
and if some of my deception was a shot in your direction well that never was my aim
But the safe ones come and go, the ones who sink are the ones we know
and the ones who transcend the game
When you build your house of cards use the jokers and kings so it can be what you want combined with the finer things
and when the time comes to fall you gotta’ have the wherewithal to rebuild with aces and dreams
Oh, but we’ve gotta’ watch it too
so make it a worthwhile view
and send the royalty to the balcony
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4. |
Simulation Avenue
03:53
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The violins don’t play much anymore down here
on Simulation Avenue, that we all loved when it was new
but they haven’t been around or even passed through
but you can bet we’ll check tomorrow and the next day too
in case they do
Bring all your comrades in tow
and anyone else who knows
and maybe the fading sound of the gathering, distant crowd
will bring ’em back around
The nights get pretty quiet anymore down here
on Simulation Avenue, that we all loved when it was new
now it’s just bars and churches and some cafes too
but we’ll be born again tomorrow and the next day too
on a different avenue
Bring all your comrades in tow
and anyone else who knows
and maybe the raucous sound of the saved and drunken crowd
will bring ’em back around
They went and set up shop in a cozy little spot
on the outskirts of town
on Simulation Avenue always one or two’s gonna’ make it through
so when they say they’re never coming back
and it’s all about what this place lacks
that’s more opinion than some ironclad fact
Bring all your comrades in tow
and anyone else who knows
and maybe the fading sound of the roar of the distant crowd
will bring ’em back around
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5. |
Treetops
02:31
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6. |
Little Plane
03:38
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The sun is rising
materializing
through the side window pane
of this little plane
The fog’s a-lifting
the target’s shifting
through the town below
they don’t even know
Who to blame
to some it’s nothing more than an adolescent game
to fly this little plane
Celebrity’s expanding
the runway lights fading
as the church bells ring
for this little plane
Just five more to fly
and we’ll take it all for granted if you make it back alive
they all turn and wave
towards this little plane
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7. |
The New Attractions
05:07
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The only thing left on the side of the road is that low-hanging lantern light
shining off like the flash of a pistol frozen in time
we’re not moving our operation, no matter what they say
we’ll just bask in the glow at the edge of the road and wait for day
Set up our tents on the other side of this little rotting town
and set out the main attraction along that gravel road we’re travelling down
because folks they’re more likely to go the extra mile
to see something new and dangerous just to leave in denial
So please welcome the new attractions as the lifeblood of this town
and be the first to celebrate as we smash our stakes into the ground
while the others build up enterprise we’re just trying to survive
Three towns ago Amos met a girl and said she was passing through
he said “the sparks may fly with the butterflies, but son she ain’t for you”
the Reverend said she’d come again if I work and pray
“and if you do it right she’ll not just arrive, but son she’ll choose to stay”
Three shows a day, on the weekends four, is how we do it now around here
at least until the money dries and we’re up and out of here
but for tonight the money’s good, so up and raise a glass
because for one more night the curtains rise and our encore’s the best
So please welcome the new attractions as the lifeblood of this town
and be the first to celebrate as we smash our stakes into the ground
while the others build up enterprise we’re just trying to survive
The only thing left on the side of the road is that low-hanging lantern light
illuminating the tents and dreams we built but leave behind
we’re moving our operation to some more fertile spot
in the hopes to find the chance to survive and the girl I’m lost without
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8. |
Twilight Waltz
04:33
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Just look around, the rich and the destitute
pilots and captains, and violins, too
waltzing down Simulation Avenue
they’ll all stop if you want them to
but love, oh love, they’re all waltzing for you
Amos down on the corner there
with his travelling girl, his fingers through her hair
don’t you care?
even if you don’t, just pretend to and stare
Wave to the Captain now
before the sea pulls him underground
before the Reverend preaches how to save yourself in ways he’ll allow
and while you still have the loyalty of the gathered crowd
You might not even know
what constitutes the status quo
or if the steps are fast or slow
just raise your glass to one more show
Just look around, the rich and the destitute
pilots and captains, and violins, too
waltzing down Simulation Avenue
they’ll all stop if you want them to
but love, oh love, they’re all waltzing for you
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