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Late for the War

by Albert Rouzie

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1.
Solace 03:32
Solace Savory mushroom in red wine garlic sauce Olive oil and butter With angel hair tossed Keeps me here, keeps me here Living without a care. Dogs ears pop up, tuned in to the sound Thunder in the distance, trembling in the ground Red flash of blackbird wing Keeps me here Not wanting anything. There’s solace in the savory mushroom Solace in warm breezes of June Solace in my baby’s laugh Hope we find some relief soon, at last. Outside the window, it all looks the same. Everything feels different, everything changed My Love’s eyes gaze into my own Lay my head on her warm lap, Soothing to the core. Keeps me here, keeps me here Living without a care. There’s solace in the savory mushroom Solace in warm breezes of June Solace in my baby’s laugh Hope we find some relief soon, at last.
2.
Cracked Eggshells Like a glove grips a hand, Like the desert holds the sand, Sun lighting up a hill, A tank waiting to be filled, Like thunder and lightning bring rain, I love you in spite of the pain. Like a root through damp earth, A baby’s first breath after birth, Eagle high up on the fly, Spanning cracked eggshells of sky Like whales in the ocean deep below, Sending sounds only other whales can know, When a robin leaves the nest, I love you despite this bleeding mess. Like a rolling dice just before it freezes, A branch that sways along with silent breezes, Emptiness emptied after love has gone out, A sign pointing down no particular route, Flavor savored when love is to be tasted, So much time you think must have been wasted. I hope you’ll love me deeply even though There’s no right place I know of I can go. I’ll go on I can’t go on but even steps Eventually will get me through the crimpy wreck Of whatever track time tries to put me on. My love stays with you long after you’re gone. Like a glove grips a hand, Like the desert holds the sand, Sun lighting up a hill, A tank waiting to be filled, Like thunder and lightning brings the rain, I love you in spite of the pain.
3.
The Rivulet Hymn I saw myself in a droplet of dew Another drop joined, in it was you Our dewdrop fell silently from leaf to the ground People searched widely but we never were found. Blended with others, flowing down the ravine Invited by rivulet to marry the runnel. The channel carries us far out to sea To nourish the krill, the shrimp and the whale. The cycle of water now rains us back Once again dew on the leaves by your homes Cascading over the red bucket rim, Chanting the chorus of the rivulet hymn. The rivulet hymn is sad and its laughing Pulsing with you, slapping with me It mocks all our plans and asks us to hear Its rhythm and beauty whenever it’s near. The cycle of water rains us all back Once again dewing the leaves by our homes Cascading over the red bucket rim, Singing the chorus of the rivulet hymn.
4.
Death by Harley Joe saved up all his life for his new Harley Bike. He loved its full-throated roar, the low-slung handlebars he liked. Move with the rising road, lean into dead man’s curve, thrills a long time coming, once he’d found his nerve. Death by Harley, death by Harley, there’s worse ways to go. Why lie down when you could fly to life’s opposing shore? Janie said she understood why he had to do it. She clung tightly to his back and felt vibrations through it. Sticker shock was wearing off though she worried for his life, Happier than he’d been for years and easier with his wife. Death by Harley, death by Harley, there’s worse ways to go. Why lie down when you could fly to life’s opposing shore? The doctor of oncology stood grim behind his desk. ‘Try to get some living done in the time you have left.’ Joe spent days out on the road as if on a mission Janie stayed at home and drank her soul into submission. Death by Harley, death by Harley, there’s worse ways to go. Why lie down when you could fly to life’s opposing shore? One night police came to her door, their faces looking down. Joe had flown up off the road, flat against a tree was found. She knew Joe would never lie dying in a morphine fog. She was not surprised he had chosen … Death by Harley, death by Harley, there’s worse ways to go. Why lie down when you could fly to life’s opposing shore?
5.
Late for the War Pick it up, man, you’re gonna be late for the war. A place reserved for you, Don't make ‘em wait. You’re not like anyone else. Get going, girl, you're gonna be late for the war. Surprises await you And glory, glory. You have what it takes. Even if it takes your life, even if it takes your life even if it takes your life: It will take your life. If you come back home They’ll thank you for your service, Ask what you did over there, And you’ll stare Stare like you’re listening To an alien tune, Tremors in your voice, Singing for your late friends. Even if it takes your life, even if it takes your life even if it takes your life: It will take your life. Nightmare re-enactments greet you. Your spouses can’t understand. Your gimp leg says you’re a casualty. In dreams the purple heart bleeds. You had what it took, You had what it took You had what it took Even as it took your life. One day, something snaps. You don't go to work You don’t go home You stab your finger on a map You’ll go where no one knows What you were like Before you went to war, Before screams peopled your dreams. You had what it took, You had what it took You had what it took Even as it took your life Hurry, time’s almost up. It takes your life But you’re not too late You’re not late yet. Even if it takes your life, even if it takes your life even if it takes your life, It will take your life.
6.
The Dairy Queen I lived in the Dairy Queen, she said to everyone, I lived in the Dairy Queen. Omitting, to their confusion and even consternation, the fact that her parents had bought the abandoned DQ building on the edge of town, moved it to their twenty acres outside of Huntsville, Texas, wherein she resided for a time recovering from removal of a malignant brain tumor. I lived in the Dairy Queen. I lived in the Dairy Queen, she said. I lived in the Dairy Queen.
7.
The Time Is Now Don’t never mind what the time is, don't ever look at the clock Not matter how hard you stare, ain’t gonna make it stop. Funny thing about time, I can't say why or how, Whatever your watch say, the time is now, now, now. The only time there is, is now. You can't live in the future, you don't exist in the past Sometimes it go slow, other times it goes fast Always keeps moving on, just beyond your grasp Only one thing for sure, the time is now. At midnight two hands become one. Now is the time for love. We danced in your house, and time did the boogaloo I woke up on the floor, but there’s no sign of you. You wake up early in the morning to make it to work by eight You get a thirty minute lunch, and two fifteen minute breaks. Strap a clock to your wrist, set the alarm to seven There better be no clocks if I ever get to heaven. The only time there is, is now. Don’t never mind what the time is, don't ever look at the clock Not matter how hard you stare, ain’t gonna make it stop. Funny thing about time is, I can't say why or how Whatever your watch say, the time is now. The only time there is, is now. The only time there is, is now.
8.
Whistle Like the Wind In the beginning you wore greens and blues Like when a tree grows fast and strong, straight and true, Before a lightning strike burns the crown And logging trucks roll in to cut it down. Only the night is long; dawn shines purple doom. You might be bent and broken down by noon. And the wind misses the limbs and sighs, ‘too soon, Is there nothing more to do? But whistle like the wind, past towers and steeples Whistle like the wind, through it hurts your ears. Whistle like you think the end never will come And there is no end to love. Like a song suspended in the middle of a bridge, Like a nighthawk glides between the living and the dead, And the cornstalks chatter an elegy of blood, While the wind keeps asking, is there nothing to be done? But whistle through the stalks, whistle through the trees, Beware that song can bring you to your knees. Whistle like you think the end never will come And whistle like there is no end to love. there is no end to love. there is no end to love. there may be nothing below, nothing above but there is no end to love.
9.
If I Had a Cameraman If I had a cameraman I could play back the changes in my life Edit all the unpleasant scenes, record the flares of falling leaves If I had a cameraman. If I had a sound man, I could play the song in another key Blend in new harmony with the timbre of the trees If I had a sound man. If I had a geisha girl, she could walk all along my back, Sprawl on her tatami mat, fill up the spaces of my lack, If I had a geisha girl. Birds cry, bees buzz and drone, crickets zip and leap Through ambient fields of our poignant song. If I had an intermission and something sweet to eat, Some time to think about the ending of everything, If I had the time. If you were to agree to be my camera, sound and geisha girl We might create a different world, reshoot the final scenes, If you were to agree. Birds cry, bees buzz and drone, crickets zip and leap Through ambient fields of our poignant song. If I had the joy to burn a rocket booster to the sun, Returning with the northern lights, shine on the world to come, If I had the joy to burn. If I had the joy to burn.
10.
Catch the Stars We trekked up Pencil Canyon, up past Beggar’s Reach Skirted the shear cliffs above Devil’s Hole, Over the natural bridge to the ridge near Quandary Creek, Stopped to set up camp to cook and eat and Catch the stars as they reel and roll, Shake scorpions out of our bedrolls, And drink cowboy coffee to wash down the beans. We were so tired we didn't miss a wink. We were hot on the trail of a bandit named Bill, Notorious robber of every stage and train. The chance of catching him was mighty slim, But the bounty was higher than we had ever seen. So we catch the stars as they reel and roll, Shake scorpions out of our bedrolls, And drink cowboy coffee to wash down the beans. We were so tired we didn't miss a wink. We came upon a body mauled by a cat, Ravaged by coyotes, vultures and crows. You could not recognize who the man had been; We bagged up his remains for the reward. I took his belt buckle, metal painted black, Got it home, scraped it clean. I smiled to see the gleaming gold beneath. I am ready to head out again into the back country and Catch the stars as they reel and roll, Shake scorpions out of my bedroll, And drink cowboy coffee to wash down the beans. I will be so tired I won’t miss a wink. I will be so tired I won’t miss a wink.
11.
The Black Lagoon At the bottom of the black lagoon, Creature waits to be hailed. Called up from the depths of murk, his mouth moves but he does not speak. I think I can hear what he’s trying to say; I’ll translate for you: He says he wants a woman to love and to be true. And I would if I could buy up all his shame Drown the sorrow, cremate all the pain. King Kong was misunderstood, it’s plain for anyone to see. Ruled his dominion where only Kong could be king. They came to enslave him and taunt upon a stage; Of course, he tore Manhattan up, roared out virulent rage. And I would if I could buy up all our shame, Drown the sorrow, cremate all the pain. Godzilla’s forbears ruled the earth for so long before we came. Who are we to judge who’s best, humankind or reptiles mean? The big sea lizard was reborn from fires of Hiroshima blast. We dropped an Atomic bomb on him; His family’s coming and they’re really pissed. And I would if I could buy up all their rage Drown the sorrow, cremate all the pain.
12.
Electric Mud 02:50
Electric Mud “More mud!” Earl yelled through the Red Man in his cheek, So I moved the shoot for the shovel men to spread. It was another scorching day Working for minimal money on the federal highway. A spark flashed and arced from above Where a crane severed the line. The men buck-danced on wet cement. Through two jolts I sizzled, crawled and writhed. Just a near death experience on a scorching day Working construction on the federal highway. With turds in my jeans, the ER cleared my heart. I drove home shaky and sore. I could not sit still and all I wanted Was something I'd never had before. The grocery store was empty and cold. I bought an avocado and a mango. When I got home I wondered why You’d ever eat fruit this hard. Back on the site I nearly got killed again But it’s what you did back then. Shrugged it off once more and went back to work Another scorching day Working construction on the federal highway.
13.
Houseboat Flotilla Godzillas of love do battle To death with dragons of hate We’ve got to find some respite from this weather Before it’s too late. So we’ll set off down the bay, Past the crowded peninsula And float to the sheltering sea In a houseboat flotilla. We beat down the land until it rose up in anger Hurled cars and buses in the wind Fires danced all around us And there was no place left to live. So we set off down the Keys, Past empty vacation villas Toward a vision of the floating world In a houseboat flotilla. Though I don’t believe in the devil The world sure looks like hell. I don’t expect paradise Or that fish’ll fly up on the deck But There might be a haven for us yet. We don’t want to leave but the dragons Of hate are scorching the earth. Though Godzillas of love are still fighting, We’re low on food and running out of time. So we’ll set off down the Keys, Leave the past behind Toward a vision of the future world In a houseboat flotilla. In a houseboat flotilla.
14.
Tell Me Why 04:08
Tell Me Why His arms are looped in a knot, Voice like a rattling chain. Seen him lurking in the corner lot And dark alleys of my dreams. For some reason I’m supposed to save him, Even of it means losing my life. There’s a banded snake thirty feet long, Thick around as my thigh, Cold malice in his eyes. Why tell me why I had to do this. Why I was so obliged. Now the serpent bit me And I’m bound to dying. I want to run far away as I can From this reptile of the night. I took a stand between snake and man, Held my ground, stared him down Told the man to fly. Why tell me why I had to do this Why I was so obliged. Now the serpent bit me And I’m bound to dying. Serpent coil vanished in a twist of smoke I went to find the man with the looping arms Down alleys, through an endless chain of rooms. He was nowhere to be found. Why tell me why I had to do this Why I was so obliged. Now the serpent bit me And I’m bound to dying. I still see the serpent in my dreams But I never see the man. Yet I know, if I had to, I'd save him all over again. Why tell me why I had to do this Why I was so obliged. Now the serpent bit me And I’m bound to dying.
15.
Our Lady of Wood Smoke, Pine Breeze and Sorrow She strode in on a Friday, bank busy, abuzz. Revolving door spun her in. She smelled like wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow, wrinkles circled her lips, Tan skin neck, smooth as milk chocolate. She sat in a chair at the loan manager’s desk. I kept an eye trained on her. Arm on arm, still as a windless night, The other guard had eyes on a biker, I watched over our lady of wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow. She asked the man in the suit if they could make her a loan To rehabilitate her falling down home. He asked for collateral, she didn't have any, Said she wouldn't need to borrow If she had any money. The man’s eyebrows arched, he shook his head no. I hope you understand I’ll have to ask you to go. She didn't move an inch, hands on the chair, White knuckles from the pressure, Eyes locked tight, they took each others’ measure. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” She began to chant “I knew it, I knew it, ah, ah ah ah I knew it” [bridge to Dmin] She made no motion to leave. Here to take what she came to borrow, Our lady of wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow. A crowd gathered ‘round to gawk at the scene. Thick with the blues her voice gathered steam. The vault guard and I hoisted her chair Aloft in the air she sang “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” again. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” “I knew it, I knew it, ah, ah ah ah I knew it” We blazed a wide trail through the crowd to the door. She swore an oath she’d come back tomorrow. Our lady of wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow, Head held high, like the queen of England. Outside the door, she resumed her chant. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” “I knew it, I knew it, ah, ah ah ah I knew it” “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” She began to chant “I knew it, ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah I knew it”
16.
Wild Jolene 03:10
Wild Jolene Slick as slate in freezing rain Twisted as the wrinkles in Einstein’s brain Hot and steamy as August in New Orleans Thirsty as drought-fed fire burning down the riverside Jolene, Jolene, you’re the wildest creature I have ever seen. Cool as a vampire on a full moon Warm as the breezes on a June afternoon Your curves put the Blue Ridge Parkway to shame You make me feel so loose like a broken barn door Or a silly old goose. Jolene, Jolene, you’re the wildest creature I have ever seen. Thinking about you is all I can do Gonna call you up in a day or two Cold and clear as a mountain spring You quench my thirst when I want to drink You're the grease on the hinge makes us swing You’re a 1 AM wakeup call To drive out to see the meteors fall. Jolene, Jolene, you’re the wildest creature I have ever seen. Jolene, Jolene, you’re the wildest creature I have ever seen.

about

This album (my 4th) of all-original songs demonstrates the range of my songwriting, musically and lyrically. My songs are a fusion of folk, blues, rock, and country cooked down to my own Americana gumbo.

credits

released January 12, 2023

Produced by Albert Rouzie and Bernie Nau
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Bernie Nau at Peachfork Studio, Pomeroy, OH

Albert Rouzie: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars; electric bass; keyboards on The Black Lagoon
Mark Hellenberg: drums on Cracked Eggshells and Death by Harley
Bernie Nau: keyboards on Cracked Eggshells and Whistle Like the Wind; backing vocals on Our Lady of Woodsmoke, Pine Breeze and Sorrow
Jeanie Thiecken: backing vocals on Late for the War and Tell Me Why

All songs © 2022 by Albert Rouzie
Colossal thanks to Bernie, Mark, Jeanie, Mara, Ellee, Bruce, Billy, Tuesday Night Songwriter Circle, Jeff, and that beastly dog, Pasha. Special thanks to the anonymous barista who made the cappuccino.

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Albert Rouzie Athens, Ohio

I have lived in New Orleans, piedmont North Carolina, Portland, Oregon, Austin, Texas, and Athens, Ohio, all places that have influenced my songwriting, a fusion of blues, folk, rock, and country cooked down to my own Americana gumbo. Songs range from offbeat fantasy to focused realism and love songs somewhere in between. I have three albums out, and one, Late for the War, due out in Jan. 2023. ... more

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