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The Kinfolk Chronicles -NEW TOMMY WIGGINS ALBUM

by Tommy Wiggins

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1.
The Ballad of Slim Beltman 04:46
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The Ballad of Slim Beltman ©2018Tommy Wiggins/Robert Dimit Slim Beltman was a drinking man, he had a drifter’s soul Painting houses for his keep, always on the roll Tarpaper shack down by the tracks, Slim was often found Sleeping off a bender in that Blackfeet border town Cold, Cut Bank, Montana up on the Empire Line Vagabonds and ne’er-do-wells, Slim, he fit in fine Busted by a crooked cop a time or two before Some guys, they just never learn, always wanting more Slim Beltman, he was riding high down a cold low road Till that devil in the bottle collected what he’s owed Slim was trippin’ bar to bar, Miss Orrie by his side All good times and bright lights, deep into the night Drinking, dancing, having fun, a noisy neon scene Until she saw it in his eyes, Slim was turning mean Miss Orrie said, “I’ll get my wrap from Billy Neil’s shack. She went in the front door, then slipped right out the back. Fearing for her life, she knew she had to get away Slim blew up and flew into a killing whiskey rage Refrain Slim threw a punch at Billy that knocked him to the ground Wrapped his hands ‘round Billy’s throat, death was going down Right before he passed out, Bill grabbed up a 2x4 When wood meets bone, nobody’s home, Slim dropped to the floor Billy dragged his friend inside and wiped away the blood Beltman finally came around but went back to the club “Bartender keep ‘em coming, and make ‘em double shots!” Slim knocked back a few more rounds, then dropped dead on the spot Refrain The constable cuffed Billy and marched him to the jail For unintended homicide, the judge denied him bail Bill swore it was self-defense, the jury heard his plea And when they read the verdict, the carpenter went free Miss Orrie gave up drinking and running ‘round in the bars Found a solid working man, and won his honest heart They moved on down to Bozeman, and bought a little place Every day she begs the Lord to grant Slim Beltman grace Refrain Slim Beltman, he was riding high down a cold low road Till that devil in the bottle collected what he’s owed
2.
A Good Wife 04:05
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A Good Wife Red’s a color that knows no hesitation Never looking back to wonder why Blue is the mother of midnight inspiration Cuz that’s the time when you don’t have to try Yellow is the color of my sweet sunrise Purple brings a sunset to the night You are every color Every color in my rainbow- a good wife Snow melts on the mountain in the springtime From the great divide down to the sea Mixing with the tides of the seven oceans Fixin’ up a feast for you and me Yellow is the color of my sweet sunrise Purple brings a sunset to the night But you are every color Every color in my rainbow ooh Red, blue and yellow-green All the colors in between Every season, every year All the oceans far and near Red’s a color that knows no hesitation Never looking back to wonder why But blue is the mother of midnight inspiration Yellow is the color of my sweet sunrise Burple brings a sunset to the night But you are every color Every color to my rainbow Yellow is the color of my sweet sunrise Purple brings a sunset to the night a you are every color Every color in my rainbow a good wife a good wife ©2010 tommy wiggins
3.
You Can't Take it With You When You Go 04:13
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You Can’t Take it With You When You Go Legs ain’t what they used to be years have got their grip on me don’t know when it happened, no I don’t even care no more I’m still trippin’ on down the road smilin’ as I go, you know still carryin’ my own load and I don’t worry no Cuz you can’t take it with you when you go can’t take it with you even though we can live a lifetime tryin’ ‘till its time to say goodbye and you can’t take it with you when you go not a whole lot that you can do when the time down here is thru blowin’ like a shifting sand we’re all part of a bigger plan dust to dust, ash to ash we can’t hang on to the past we’ll be headin’ home at last rollin’ with the flow I’m still tippin’ on down the road smilin’ as I go, you know I be carryin’ my own load, and I don’t worry no ©2009 Tommy Wiggins
4.
EZ Come EZ Go 03:51
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EZ Come, EZ Go All I gotta do is sit right here Everything comin’ clear All I gotta do, is sit right here take some time to clear my mind never know just what I’ll find take some time to ease my mind EZ come, EZ go out at the lake rollin’ with the flow all I need is a pole in the water, oh Billy’s gonna come, bring some bait gas in the can, work can wait Billy gonna come, bring some bait try our luck down at the point maybe roll us a skinny little… hmmm try our luck down at the point EZ come, EZ go out at the lake rollin’ with the flow all I need is a pole in the water, oh Catch some fish, maybe not don’t matter how many we caught catch some fish, maybe not later on, build us a fire sing songs while the flames gettin’ higher fireflies flickering in the yard EZ Come, EZ Go out at the lake, rollin’ with the flow all we need is a guitar and a fishin’ pole ‘n we’re good to go ©2009 tommy wiggins
5.
You Just Know It 02:36
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You Just Know It How do you know when you found someone to be there forever more from the break of day ‘till the setting sun how do you know it for sure? maybe a look, or maybe a smile from a friend that you’ve known for a little while that turned into something more You just know it a feeling in your heart you just know it you’re makin’ a brand new start it takes a leap of love from somewhere up above you just know it You both been around for a little while you put on a couple miles lookin’ before you leap into something big like walkin’ down the aisle we never see it coming ‘till we’re headed for the great fall the look of love on both of your faces surely tells it all You just know it it’s a feeling in your heart you just know it you both are makin’ a brand new start it takes a leap of love from somewhere up above you just know it you just know it you know it you know it ©2008 tommy wiggins
6.
On a Catalina Day 03:03
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On a Catalina Day (For Amanda & Dan) There’s nothing like a Nuptual to put a smile on everybody’s faces in a Catalina Way I’m sending my regrets out in this song that I am singing for you now on your Catalina Wedding Day If I close my eyes, well I can see you holding hands there in the sand where blue water meets the sky Spread your wings and fly fly away together on that sky blue Catalina day Spread your wings and fly there’s gonna be weather when the storm is blowin’ thru hang on to each other’s what you gotta do I’ve stood where your daddy will be giving up my daughter to the man she vowed to love forever more that’s a magic moment for a mother and a father as they watch their only daughter and her man start down their own road If I close my eyes, well I can see you holding hands there in the sand where blue water meets the sky Spread your wings and fly fly away together on that sky blue Catalina day Spread your wings and fly no matter what the weather when the storms are blowin’ thru hang on to each other’s what you got to do Spread your wings and fly
7.
Megan's Song 03:38
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Megan’s Song They wrote in the Book so long ago That the Baptist would come with a message to show To the people, he’d preach and prepare the way Of the Lord, who’d come to His people some day Folks, they travelled from miles around To see just what was being laid down John, he baptized with the water But the Spirit would come if the Lord did it to ya Now Jesus walked over from Galilee To the Jordan, that flowed right into the sea There in the wild land he met old John As they stood in the water, a dove you could see Well the heavens flew open and a dove flew down To rest on Jesus just like a crown The Lord called down and folks fell on their knees Said “This is my Son, in whom I’m well pleased Holy Water, cleanse my soul Shine on our spirits and make us whole We thank the Lord for His gift of the water So clear and so pure I feel like I oughta Give thanks for the strength of my family Close to each other, it’s a comfort to me Rare in a world where all you can see Are people so far from each other Lord, don’t let it be The tale’s been told down through the years The words and the water eased many men’s fears The children reborn to the good Red Road It makes them feel good and it lightens their load Now I don’t know whether this is all true If water does all its supposed to do But faith is the key that unlocks the door If you’ve found your road you don’t worry no more Holy Water, cleanse our souls Shine on our spirits and make us whole We thank the Lord for His gift of the water So clear and so pure I feel like I oughta Give thanks for the strength of my family Close to each other, it’s a comfort to me Rare in a land where all you can see Is people so far from each other Lord, don’t let it be Don’t let it be
8.
Sarah's Farm 02:10
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Sarah’s Farm Let’s all go to Sarah’s Farm Let’s go to the country Let’s all go to Sarah’s Farm Let’s go to the country What will we see at Sarah’s farm That we can’t see in the city Miles and miles of green grass ground Flowers, oh so pretty We’ll see horses, pigs and ducks We can ride the pony Pet the lamb with the golden fleece When we’re in the country What will we do at Sarah’s farm That we can’t do in the city Bet there’s lots that we can do When we’re in the country We’ll drink fresh milt from the cow mmm… it’s so yummy milk that cow? We can learn how when we’re in the country Should we take the dog and cat When we go to the country Do you think they’ll ever come back When we’re in the country Choose an animal. That animal gets to “sing” its own verse. Meow, woof, cheep, quack, baaaah, oink…
9.
Touch 'n Go 03:51
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Touch n Go Hold me close I don’t wanna leave this room You’re the reason for a mighty fine afternoon we both know that the spell could be broken soon so hold me close I don’t wanna leave this room We’re comin’ down fast from adrenaline rocket ride it was touch and go there for a while but it turned out fine our little girl she started up a family time to get back home and let ‘em be Touch n go is how we know that we’re alive when it takes a toll guess that’s how we grow touch n go Life will slip right through our fingers if we don’t hang on It’s a mad, mad world out there but we can sing along just like the weather, girl you get your highs and lows so we hang on to each other through the touch and goes touch and go is how we know that we’re alive but it takes a toll Touch n go o o oh o o o oh, o o o o, o o o oh o o o o, o o ohhhh ©2010 Tommy Wiggins
10.
Goodbye Captain Kicky 03:32
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Goodbye Captain Kicky Some kind of world that you’re getting into you don’t even know hundred degrees in the shade today hot wind blowin’ so your mama, she’s been workin’ hard four days down the line pushin’ comes to shoving it’s just about your time gentle arms to hold you hearts so full of love birthin’ time is coming pushing comes to shove full of love We’ve been here to witness and we are here to tell that your daddy’s been there for your mama right from the bell she is blessed like you will be blessed by his gentle soul fighting all the dragons at your door CHORUS Owen Thomas Lowrey Walker you’ve had quite the ride no more lookin’ at the world from the inside So Goodbye, Captain Kicky Hello to this world Sarah, we’re so proud of you Sarah, we’re so happy for you ©2010 Tommy Wiggins
11.
Lunar Baby Burrito 02:07
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Lunar Baby Burrito The Lunar baby burrito We think you’re kinda neato Born on a blood wolf moon - eclipse-o Almost nine pound baby burrito Lunar burrito Lunar soft taco Lunar burrito Lunar soft taco 7:48 It’s a date Come out kid We can’t wait The Lunar baby burrito We think you’re kinda neato Born on a blood wolf moon eclipse-o Almost nine pound baby burrito Breakdown Solar eclipses are kinda cool But lunar eclipses they do rule Your brother is a kinetic wiggle worm What kinda boy are you? He do bounce and he do squirm What kinda joy are you? Looking at the world thru your deep purple eyes Come on kid we’re all hypnotized The Lunar baby burrito We think you’re kinda neato Born on a blood wolf moon eclipse-o Almost nine pound baby burrito Jack is a Lunar - Baby Burrito Jack is a Lunar - Baby Burrito Jack is a Lunar - Baby Burrito The Lunar - Baby Burrito © Owen, Pop Pop and Nana 012319
12.
Hey Celine 04:58
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Hey, Celine Hey, Celine, I don’t know you all that well We’re both in-laws in the Lowrey town A big blue ocean lies between us But you and me, we always get along You’re goin’ thru some heavy stuff now Enough to break down a lesser soul Listen close, you can hear the drummer drumming “it’s your time, girl to rock & roll” You rock- across that big blue water Like you once rocked your babies to sleep You roll-just roll with what life brings you Praying for your soul to keep You have got yourself a good man Who’ll always be there by your side To have and hold thru any kind of weather Steady on, steady on just like the tides And you rock- across that big blue water Like you once rocked your babies to sleep And you roll-with the punches that life brings you Praying for your soul For your gentle soul to keep We take the good days when they’re given We count up our blessings one by one Thank the good Lord, then we go on living And finding our places in the sun And so we rock- across that big blue water Like we once rocked our babies to sleep And we roll- with the punches that life brings us Praying for our souls Everybody’s souls Hey, Celine ©2008 Tommy Wiggins
13.
Letting Go 03:16
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Letting Go Brother, you have lived your share of troubles The hour is near as you prepare to go Children by the bedside there to see you Off into the next life, letting go Letting go, letting go Mom and dad, they raised their boys to question Ain’t nobody tells them what to do Look us in the eye and try to shape us We’ll tell you where to go and what we’ll do ‘bout letting go, letting go Out there on the flyway North Dakota plain Duckman looking northward in the Autumn rain Bro, you did it your way Your passion was your pain All that remains Is letting go You have always been a complicated man Quick to anger, hard to understand but we know your heart is filled with love for your family, and up above You’ll be letting go, letting go Out there on the flyway North Dakota plain Duckman looking northward in the Autumn rain Always did it your way Your passion was your pain All that remains Is letting go I’m letting go We’re all letting go ©2022 Tommy Wiggins
14.
The Ballad of Dorothy Lee 03:32
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The Ballad of Dorothy Lee Dorothy Lee was an orphan girl She was sent away back in ‘37 to the little northwoods town sisters and her brothers, they weren’t around the girl just turned eleven She was standing at that station suitcase in her hand Mama just turned eleven with a suitcase in her hand She grew up and she moved on from the little northwoods town left her aunt and uncle at the station The boys were off to war back in ‘43 and there were good jobs in the city and Mama was pretty Look out boys, look out world here she comes, the Orphan Girl she’s gonna’ find a good life of her own Met him at a ballroom dance he had just shipped home from France he fell in love, with the orphan girl Made some babies, made a home her boys made some babies of their own They called her “grandma” She knew she was blessed beyond her dreams cuz’ all she wanted was a family when she was standing at that station suitcase in her hand Mama just turned eleven with a suitcase in her hand Grandkids there to hold here hand picture of her mama on the nightstand Dorothy Lee knew that her days had come to pass and there’d be peace at last Look out boys, look out world you were no match for the Orphan Girl she found what she needed in this life Mama’s gone and that’s all right She’s up there with her Lord tonight She loved each and every one of us the best Train took Mama to that northwoods town back in ‘37 Her three boys, we brought her back again in summer two thousand ‘leven ©2011 Tommy Wiggins
15.
Old Man Sleeping in the Sun 04:49
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Old Man, Sleeping in the Sun Old man, sleeping in the sun I'll be him someday Dreaming 'bout the races run And prices that he paid Good friends that he has known Everybody’s gone Leaving him the older man Sleeping in the sun He was me back in his day Just had to move the mountain Bit by bit he'd chip away The rough edge of the world You try to leave a better place Than the one you’re given ‘n pass it on to younger men like me Old man sleeping in the sun Old man dreaming about the life And what he's done His blue eyes watching over me Living on the run Old man sleeping in the sun Oh, dear father I am listening Tell me now before you slip away I will pass it on To my children when you're gone When you're gone Old man sleeping in the sun I'll be you someday Dreaming 'bout my races run And prices that I paid I'll try to leave a better place Than the one I was given And pass it on to younger men than me © Tommy Wiggins
16.
Everything Girl 04:29
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Everything Girl I gotta say you're my everything girl I'm the luckiest boy in the world I wouldn't trade it, not for a minute Living my life, girl without you in it Thirty-four now, if you're keeping score Got me wishing for thirty-four more I believe what I know to be true I believe in you We both laugh at the same parts in the movie We both love a quiet little weekend for two We both learned how to live life with another Working it out one way or the other I believe what I know to be true I believe in me and you Boy meets girl Tilt-a-whirl Say I do She does too Promised land Making plans Life goes on While the singer sings the song I gotta say you're my everything girl I'm the luckiest boy in the world I wouldn't trade it, not for a minute Living my life, girl without you in it I believe what I know to be true I believe in you I believe in the sun shining through I believe in me and you I believe in you And me together ©2005 Tommy Wiggins
17.
It's Christmas Eve 04:04
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It’s Christmas Eve It’s Christmas Eve the middle of the night the clock is slowly ticking towards the morning light. Wrapped up in the glitter of a twinkling Christmas tree dreamin’ bout those Christmases that used to be. Our kids were small the magic years thumbing thru those catalogs of Christmas cheer. How did Santa really know who’s naughty and who’s nice goin’ back in time this Christmas Eve. Sweet peaceful slumbers children tucked into their beds sweet peaceful slumbers bless those little sleepy heads sweet peaceful slumgers children tucked into their beds sweet peaceful slumbers a few more hours and they’ll be tumbling down the stairs with hearts ‘a pumpin’ It’s Christmas Eve the middle of the night the clock is slowly ticking towards the morning light Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Merry Christmas It’s Chrismas Eve ©2009 Tommy Wiggins

about

kin·folk /ˈkinfōk/ a group of people who are related by blood and share common ancestry
chron·i·cles /ˈkränək(əlz)/ factual or detailed written accounts of important or historical events

There's a song in every memory that we make. When this hardwired song-maker observes flashpoints of family life around me, these events often become songs. THE KINFOLK CHRONICLES is a heart-load of these personal songs, written to, about and for my extended family. Each is a snapshot of life and love, that I've shared with family and now with you. Memories are songs.

The Ballad of Slim Beltman
Every family has its sketchy past, and thanks to brother-in-law John’s ace research, Grandma Vi’s brother Slim’s story can be told. IMO it’s the perfect song to get this album started. “Slim Beltman, he was riding high, down a cold low road. ‘Till that devil in the bottle collected what he’s owed.” Kudos to forever friend Rob Dimit for pitching in on this one.

A Good Wife
“Yellow is the color of my sweet sunrise. Purple brings a sunset to the night. You are every color, every color in my rainbow…a good wife.”

Can’t Take it With You When You Go
You surely can’t, but I’ll keep singing this at every family and friends memorial. Mom and dad, Jack and Eleanor, this one’s for you. I’m hoping that someone will sing it for me when I’m gone. “You can’t take it with you when you go. You can’t take it with you even though we can live a lifetime trying, then it’s time to say goodbye. Cuz you can’t take it with you when you go.”

EZ Come EZ Go
Remembering those times at the lake where everything was picture perfect. The Wiesner clan singing songs. “All I gotta do is sit right here. Everything is coming clear. All I gotta do, is sit right here. Take some time, to ease my mind. Never know just what I’ll find. Take some time, to ease my mind. EZ come, EZ go down at the lake, rollin’ with the flow. All I need is a pole in the water, oh. And I’m good to go.”

You Just Know It
For Megan and Wes.”How do you know when you found someone to be there forever more. From the break of day ‘till the setting sun, how do you know for sure? You just know it.”

In a Catalina Day
I was unable to attend Amanda and Dan’s wedding, so I wrote this for them. “Spread your wings and fly, fly away together on that sky blue Catalina day.”

Megan’s Song
I really don't remember if this baptism song was self-commissioned or not, but it rings as true now as when I first sang it. “Holy Water, cleanse our souls. Shine on our spirits and make us whole.” Eleanor liked this one a lot. That meant a lot to their hippie son-in-law. This is the original cassette recording for Megan.

Sarah’s Farm
I wrote this children’s sing-along for Sarah on her 4th birthday. “Let’s all go to Sarah’s farm. Let’s go to the country. Milk that cow! We can learn how. When we’re in the country.” Totally fun.

Touch ‘n Go
Owen’s birth was a long and tough one for Sarah. “Comin’ down fast from adrenaline rocket ride. It was touch and go there for a while but it turned out fine. Our little girl, she started up a family. Time to get back home and let ‘em be. Touch and go, is how we know. That we’re alive when life takes a toll. I guess that’s how we grow with the touch and go.”

Goodbye Captain Kicky
While waiting for the arrival Owen Thomas Lowrey Walker, aka “Captain Kicky” - “Some kind of world that you’re getting into, you don’t even know. Hundred degrees in the shade today, hot wind blowin’ low. Your mama, she’s been workin’ hard, four days down the line. Pushing comes to shoving, it’s just about your time.”

Lunar Baby Burrito
Owen and I wrote this song while waiting for and just after his brother Jack Lowrey Forrest Walker arrived. Owen came up with the title and we went for it. “Lunar baby burrito. We think you’re kinda neato. Born on a blood wolf moon eclipse-o. Almost nine pound baby burrito. Solar eclipses are kinda cool, but lunar eclipses they do rule. Your brother is a kinetic wiggle worm. What kinda boy are you? What kinda joy are you?” The beat comes from the washing machine at the airbnb.

Hey Celine
“You have got yourself a good man who’ll always be there by your side. To have and hold through any kind of weather. Steady on, just like the tides. So you rock across that big blue water like you once rocked your babies to sleep. And you roll with the punches that life brings you. Praying for your gentle soul to keep.”

The Ballad of Dorothy Lee
This is my mom Dorothy Lee Braasch Wiesner’s story, and I’m sticking to it. Orphaned at eleven, her babies, their babies and their babies’ babies were everything to her. Each one of us was the best, and singing this song means everything to me. “Look out boys. Look out girls. Here she comes, the Orphan Girl. She’s gonna find a good life on her own.”

Everything Girl
“We both laugh at the same parts in the movie. We both love a quiet little weekend for two. We both learned how to live life with another. Working it out one way or the other. I believe what i know to be true. I believe in me and you. Boy meets girl. Tilt-a-whirl. Said I do. She does too.”

Old Man Sleeping in the Sun
My visits with dad at the Minnesota Veterans Home were awesome. He wanted to spend his last days with his brothers and sisters who gave their youth to their country. Their stories were inspiring.”Old man sleeping in the sun, I’ll be you someday. Dreaming ‘bout my races run, and prices that I paid. I’ll try to leave a better place than the one I was given. And pass it on to younger men than me.”

It’s Christmas Eve
This is for our children, and our children’s children. When the house is quiet, not even a mouse… “It’s Christmas eve, the middle of the night. Clock is slowly ticking’ toward the morning light. Wrapped up in the glitter of a twinkling Christmas tree. Dreaming 'bout those Christmases that used to be.”

credits

released December 1, 2022

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Tommy Wiggins Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville’s Tommy Wiggins began writing songs by kerosene lamp in a Rocky Mountain cabin. He’s been writing, recording and performing his own funky blend of folky, bluesy, country-funk ever since. Tommy recently bought a camper van and is writing songs along the road. New album in 2022 - "When My Brain Goes On Vacation." When your brain goes on vactation, where do YOU go? ... more

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