Call Me Old-Fashioned

I've been digging on this song the past few days.

It describes me pretty well - and it's catchy. 

Here's the Canadian-home-grown High Valley. 

Shout outs to the Albertans on this one. 

I believe in making my money the hard way - so I work for it
And every job I do I do with pride
I believe in keeping a promise that I make - you've got my word on it
When I shake your hand and look you in the eye
I believe in my country and putting your hand over your heart
And taking off your hat when that anthem starts

Call me old fashioned
Call me out of touch for having faith in the way it was
When mom and pop was the place we shopped &
a check was good for cashing
Call me out of style that's who I am
when a neighbor's down I reach out my hand
I just can't turn my head and walk right past 'em
(And open up a ladies door without her asking)
Call me old fashioned

I believe a man should have to ask permission - for a woman's hand
Before he gets down on one knee
I believe in passing down traditions - every chance you can
So children learn what family means
And sitting round the supper table every night at six o'clock
Talking 'bout your day with the TV off

Call me old fashioned,
Call me out of touch for having faith in the way it was
When a golden band on someone's hand meant love was everlasting
Call me out of style that's who I am I believe kids need a mom and a dad
(And) Their worth working out any problems that you're having
Call me old fashioned

Call me out of style - that's who I am - I still say "yes sir and thank you ma'am"
And wish kids still prayed in school before their classes
Sometimes I shake my head and ask myself what happened?
Call me old fashioned

Cold Dust Soul

I'm a sucker for the collaboration of good stories with memorable music. I've been enjoying listening to Bill Mallonee's BandCamp page (the former front man for The Vigilantes of Love; VOL). This is probably one of the more gripping songs that's stuck in my head lately. The end of the chorus is worth a listen... 

Cold Dust Soul - Bill Mallonee

Tell yourself it's only temporary

Just a few years you got to shave off your youth.

But as sure as tomorrow,

with all you had to borrow

the company store won't ever turn you loose.

A miner's world is a dark one

a miner's world is full of ghosts,

a miner's wife I reckon

she prays more than most.

And if I do meet Jesus,

I won't have much to offer,

I won't have much to show,

nothing but this cold dust soul.

There's always one more kid gambling,

there's really no escaping the curse,

when all your measured by down here,

is the veins that you can keep here,

and what you can scratch out of the earth.

A minner's world is a dark one

a minner's world is full of ghosts,

a minner's wife I reckon

she prays more than most.

And if I get to heaven,

I won't have much to show,

nothing but this cold dust soul.

Now to steal the earth's possessions 

surely comes with a cost

And all my friends I know down here

by the sound of their coughs.

I know them by the smile their smiling 

beneath that grimy face.

I know them by those things

they're gonna never say.

Christmas Tuneage!

Since you've been listening to lots of Christmas music lately, knowing the necessity of Christmas music to be started long before December, I have some tracks for you to add to your playlist. Sufjan's official streaming site - made available by his recording company: Asthmatic Kitty. There's 42 tracks and over 90 minutes of Christmas and gospel jams there. Pretty sweet - here are a selection of my current favourites:

O Come O Come Emmanuel
Holy, Holy, Holy
Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day?
Once in David's Royal City
Put the Lights on the Tree
Joy To the World
That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!

Great to play while doing some of that final paper jamming - lately, however, this seems to only be happening with the library photocopier : |

Country Round 2

I posted a recommended list here for country haters about 2 weeks ago.
I've since been recommended some additional tunes and I'd like to share them with you.
This selection has more somber tunes that the previous post, maybe not love bug - hahaha.
Even if you despise country - give these a shot:


Johnny Cash - Falsom Prison Blues (Remix)
The Band Perry - If I Die Young
George Jones - Love Bug
Dean Brody - Brothers
Randy Travis - I Told You So
Miss. T. Swift - White Horse

If you have any other country music recommendations I'm game.

Unexpected Hymns

I've collected here a selection of hymns from people you probably haven't heard playing hymns.
Some of these are updated and some are the same ol' tune.
One band that sticks out right now is Page CXVI (aka Autumn Film's hymn collection).
They've released over 20 hymns in their rock-folk-eerie-(indie?) style;
for any Copeland fans this is the Christian carbon-copy. I've got all three of their EPs - I highly recommend them. But they're not the only ones doing the hymns.
Take a minute and have a listen.
You might just find the same old words sinking in deep.


Page CXVI - I've Got the Joy
Alan Jackson - Standing on the Promises 
Sufjan Stevens - Come Thou Fount
Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art 
Page CXVI - Rock of Ages
Sufjan Stevens - Amazing Grace
Judy Garland - Battle Hymn of the Republic 
Johnny, June & the Cash Family - Will the Circle Be Unbroken

I didn't put Elvis - I figured you've all heard him.

Country for people who hate Country

"I like every genre except country. Country music sucks." I've heard this so many times from friends and acquiantences - not to mention some of my beloved housemates. But this is a sad and general statement about a long lasting genre - not like disco.
I think there has been too much beef circulating around concerning the country genre,
and I ain't talking cattle.
So I've decided to make a list of some of my favourite songs that you can sing to those people who really hate country music.
These songs are so catchy it might just get them whistling along with you as you drive them in your red-pick up truck.

Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire 
Taylor Swift - Tim McGraw
Johnny Reid - Darlin'
Alan Jackson - Summertime Blues
Taylor Alison - You Belong With Me
Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling on a Line
Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart
John Denver - Country Roads
Johnny Reid - Dance With Me
Paul Brant - Alberta Bound (Stauff shout-out)
Johnny Reid - Let's Go Higher
TAS - Back to December
Billy Cunnigham - People are Crazy
Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin Boogie (or Booty)
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr - Sunshine on my Shoulders
Brad Paisley - Whisky Lullaby
T. A. Swift - Love Story
The Judds - Momma He's Crazy
and not willie nelson.

Giving glory, giving glory!

This song has been in my mind, and several other of my friends lately.
We sang it this past week in our sunday church service. Have a read and a listen...

Father Long Before Creation

Father, long before creation thou had chosen us in love,

And that love so deep, so moving, draws us close to Christ above.

Still it keeps us, still it keeps us firmly fixed in Christ alone.

Though the world may change its fashion, yet our God is ever the same;

His compassion and His covenant through all ages will remain.

God’s own children, God’s own children must forever praise His name.

God’s compassion is my story, is my boasting all the day;

Mercy free and never failing moves my will, directs my way.

God so loved us, God so loved us that His only Son He gave.

Loving Father now before Thee, we will ever praise Thy love,

And our songs will sound unceasing, ’Til we reach our home above,

Giving glory, giving glory to our God and to the Lamb;

Giving glory, giving glory to our God and to the Lamb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMCSrYNv-zQ 

(this is the Caedmon's Call version - which has an extra chorus - 

its catchy and well put together vocally & acoustically)