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The Present Tense

by COURIER

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1.
The Present Tense 03:26
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When the closest parts of your life make the least sense When your golden years run off with your innocence When every single day breaks down your defense When going on this way feels like a death sentence Then would you say, oh Maybe this is right where you're supposed to be Today, oh The present tense Oh ay we go high and low Anywhere in between When the hardest part is the letting go You let the day go free Oh ay we go high and low Anywhere, anyway When you’re wondering when you’re gonna go Might as well be today You’re trying on an old life like an old prom dress You'll be fighting back the tears when you're feeling the difference But what was meant for one night can’t take the thousand since Some seasons pass without a goodbye kiss But would you say, oh Maybe this is right where you're supposed to be Today, oh The present tense Oh ay we go high and low Anywhere in between When the hardest part is the letting go You let the day go free Oh ay we go high and low Anywhere, anyway When you’re wondering when you’re gonna go Might as well be today When the closest parts of your life make the least sense The bravest part of your story to tell ‘em is the present tense Oh ay we go high and low Anywhere in between When the hardest part is the letting go You let the day go free Oh ay we go high and low Anywhere, anyway When you’re wondering when you’re gonna go Might as well be today
2.
Neverland 03:23
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Do you want to run away? Pick up the pen and go our own way Rewrite everything So our tomorrows don’t look like our yesterdays It won’t be easy But we could play the hand we're given baby Or fold No shame in calling it Oh, we’ll be forever young Oh, jump off this generation train Oh, we’ll be forever young Oh, make it to Neverland someday Fighting every day Waging war on our DNA For this family tree We're changing the course of its trajectory It won’t be easy But we could play the hand we're given baby Or fold No shame in calling it Oh, we’ll be forever young Oh, jump off this generation train Oh, we’ll be forever young Oh, make it to Neverland someday Isn’t it perfect Isn’t it perfect Isn’t it perfect Not being perfect? Oh, we’ll be forever young Oh, jump off this generation train Oh, we’ll be forever young Oh, make it to Neverland someday
3.
San Francisco (Feat. Sidney Rudder & Josh Gabbard) 03:31
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West bound, far as he could make it on denial Touched down, looking for the darkest street on the bay Hoping to start a revolution, a revival A few days in and he can already say San Francisco, I been there before I kicked down the door at those Golden Gates San Francisco, I been there before So near to the shore but so far away Here we go, San Francisco Here we go, San Francisco Made do working at a hostel through September One room, a blanket and a Bible, all that he had Some days never saw the sun on streets so tender Some nights, they felt like fights against going mad San Francisco, I been there before I kicked down the door at those Golden Gates San Francisco, I been there before So near to the shore but so far away Here we go, San Francisco Here we go, San Francisco Here we go, San Francisco Here we go, San Francisco The sons of thunder in a dome off West End God willing he found a town where he had a friend But he thinks about that city every now and again Wondering if he changed it like it changed him Wondering whether he ever had it together inside If he might recognize that sigh in his own eyes That he sees peeking out from those cardboard signs The streets are all the same And he says, the streets are all the same Music city by the bay San Francisco, I been there before I kicked down the door at those Golden Gates San Francisco, I been there before So near to the shore but so far away Here we go, San Francisco Here we go, San Francisco Here we go, San Francisco Here we go, San Francisco
4.
Blacklist (Feat. Rebecca Roubion) 04:07
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The sentence comes, the courts adjourn Before the jury can take its turn Living under the law, girl, you had to learn That when the gavel falls, the verdict stands For thirty years you threw up your hands Born into a life nobody understands It was not the hand of God That penned you to the blacklist It was not the hand of God That penned you to the blacklist But do you believe it? Lonely in your blood, but you’re not alone Take it in, take it in, and bring it home When you lose your root then you grow your own Take it in, take it in, and bring it home You’re walking on a wire, playing with fire Go ahead, let the ember take it higher Lonely in your blood, but you’re not alone Take it in, take it in, and bring it home Roll up your sleeve, reveal the scar Show us yours, we’ll show you ours We all need somebody to know who we are But do you believe it? Lonely in your blood, but you’re not alone Take it in, take it in, and bring it home When you lose your root then you grow your own Take it in, take it in, and bring it home You’re walking on a wire, playing with fire Go ahead, let the ember take it higher Lonely in your blood, but you’re not alone Take it in, take it in, and bring it home It was not the hand of God That penned you to the blacklist It was not the hand of God That penned you to the blacklist But do you believe it? Lonely in your blood, but you’re not alone Take it in, take it in, and bring it home When you lose your root then you grow your own Take it in, take it in, and bring it home You’re walking on a wire, playing with fire Go ahead, let the ember take it higher Lonely in your blood, but you’re not alone Take it in, take it in, and bring it home
5.
Black Panther 02:57
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Black panther in my room Wakes me up to scare me Thought I was safe inside Walls of wooden make Oh all my trembling From the fangs nightmares were bearing Black panther haunts my dreams So I stay awake Black panther in my room Wakes me as he beckons Now he's the only thing I cannot control Staring at the ceiling Praying hours into seconds Black panther keeps me up Through each midnight toll You won’t always beat me I won’t let you beat me Black panther in my room Wakes me up, reminds me The things I saw the day Sister turned so gray Oh how I fought him Finally wrestled him that evening Black panther touched my hip Popped it out of place Oh how I fought him Finally wrestled him that evening Black panther touched my hip Popped it out of place
6.
Gonna Get Outta Here 04:03
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Beginning of fall hit him every July Watching the busses go by Only eighty down the road to another life He’d pick up a six string when he was a kid And every time that he did People ask him, is he gonna make it big And he says, now man, you know I’m not trying to catch on fire And he says, I mean, I’m fine with a little bit of fire I’m just saying Oh I, oh I, oh I am I'm gonna get outta here He’s saying, someday, somehow, can't right now But I'm gonna get outta here When the Autumntide swells, The Music City sun goldens up the year Then oh I, oh I, you know I am I’m gonna get outta here He found him a honey, found him a home Found him a gig on the road But the burnout was like nothing he’d ever known And he says, now man, you know I’m not trying to catch on fire And he says, I mean, I’m fine with a little bit of fire I’m just saying Oh I, oh I, oh I am I'm gonna get outta here He’s saying, someday, somehow, can't right now But I'm gonna get outta here When the Autumntide swells, The Music City sun goldens up the year Then oh I, oh I, you know I am I’m gonna get outta here He's counting the seasons until they move on But some of them stay for so long Burning both ends of the candle till it’s gone And he says, now man, you know I’m not trying to catch on fire And he says, I mean, I’m fine with a little bit of fire I’m just saying Oh I, oh I, oh I am I'm gonna get outta here He’s saying, someday, somehow, can't right now But I'm gonna get outta here When the Autumntide swells, The Music City sun goldens up the year Then oh I, oh I, you know I am I’m gonna get outta here
7.
La Calle 03:21
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All the kindness of Buenos Aires, they Sing their songs to the sun And I can't help but listen I can't help but listen The air is cleaner in Argentina, I Fill my lungs to the brim But I can’t ever keep it in I can't ever keep it in I teach en el primerio A language full of contradictions Each word is like a human soul— A dozen working definitions I won’t forget the walk down Armenia Carrying my bags along behind That little calle is a million miles away That little calle is mine Eighty keys on these Dusty ivories, I Play a rag, a Joplin The children’s hearts are glowing Feel the whole city going oh oh oh I was surprised to call it home But felt it true with deep conviction Our heads and shoulders, knees and toes— The same despite a different diction I won’t forget the walk down Armenia Carrying my bags along behind That little calle is a million miles away That little calle is mine I won’t forget the walk down Armenia Carrying my bags along behind That little calle is a million miles away That little calle is mine
8.
Go With Me 03:24
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I gave it a while But maybe the arch over this city’s just a smile Turned upside down Never been so tired Seeing on every other street corner a fire We can't put out It's not giving up It’s not walking out Will you, will you go with me now Will you, will you go with me now Back to what we loved Back to that tune town Will you, will you go with me now Will you, will you go with me now I wish I could explain it I wish that my words were like a faucet, I could drain it Get it all out But we’ll still make it If we could leave this town the darkness might start fading At least for now It's not giving up It’s not walking out Will you, will you go with me now Will you, will you go with me now Back to what we loved Back to that tune town Will you, will you go with me now Will you, will you go with me now And if I’m being truly honest Feeling a little like I’m losing faith Maybe I’ll never get beyond this Will you go with me anyway?
9.
The Bleeding Heart of America 04:26
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How can I make this better? How can I pull you up from your despair? I know you feel the pressure Would it help to talk and clear the air? Just want you to feel better But I don't know how to get you there How can I make this better, better, better Will it be like this Will it be like this forever? Don't know if I could take it if it is. 'Cause it's been so hard Putting two hearts together But I'll keep trying I'll keep trying If it's alright I'll follow you into the fight I know it's not how we planned it I know it's not how we planned it And if it's okay I could shoulder some of the pain Even though I don’t understand it Though I don’t understand it It’s all fires and fetters In this bleeding heart of America I know we gotta do better, better, better Or it'll be like this It'll be like this forever Don't know if I could take it if it is. Nothing I can do For burning St. Lou but shiver Some things never change Oh, but I heard Bruce say, girl don't you believe it Don't you believe it Though it's still so hard Putting two hearts together I'll keep on trying Oh I'll keep trying If it's alright I'll follow you into the fight I know it's not how we planned it I know it's not how we planned it And if it's okay I could shoulder some of the pain Even though I don’t understand it Though I don’t understand it Tell me what’s wrong I hear you, I hear you Tell me what’s wrong It’s the only thing I know to do (It’s not giving up Not walking out I will, I will go with you now To what we loved To that tune town I will, I will go with you now) If it's alright I'll follow you into the fight I know it's not how we planned it I know it's not how we planned it And if it's okay I could shoulder some of the pain Even though I don’t understand it Though I don’t understand it Tell me what’s wrong I hear you, I hear you Tell me what’s wrong It’s the only thing I know to do
10.
Still Alive 03:40
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When I came back to my senses Woke up bleeding on a stranger’s property Something happened, some collision But liquor’s mercy is to drown the memory Car is crumpled in the creek bed Popped my collar permanently out of place Nurses frowning on the ceiling Cops got nothing on me long as I can say I'm Still alive I'm Still alive Is your momma gonna sue me? Got your bandage on, you’re gonna be okay A broken nose returns to beauty But you know we’re never gonna get back this day You and I We're still alive, you and I Still alive Oh I'm Still alive I'm still alive My heart's still beating and I'm Still alive Grabbed my sponsor by the shoulder If I’m honest, I've been feeling so afraid The fear of God has kept me sober But I got this suspicion that it's really by his grace That I'm Still alive I'm Still alive My heart's still beating and I'm Still alive Oh I'm still alive
11.
It Isn't Over 03:39
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Do you recall The day that you told me How far you fall You thought it would send me running Send me running But I said come on You said it's lose/lose I said you're wrong You said what good is good news If it's old news? Did you believe it was over? Well, babe, it wasn't over Do you know the light you are to me? You don’t have to say you’re sorry It isn't over We don’t have to talk Baby, that’s alright Let's take a walk The Parthenon lights are glowing The lights are glowing Do you believe it’s over? Well, babe, it isn't over Do you know the light you are to me? You don’t have to say you’re sorry For better or worse Richer or poorer Blessing or curse We’ll take it on together It isn't over Babe, it isn't over Do you know the light you are to me? You don’t have to say you’re sorry For better or worse Richer or poorer Blessing or curse We’ll take it on together It isn't over
12.
Familiar Arms 04:03
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September was fair in youth When I look back, you're there Packing our lunches full Laboring towards our care Before the cancer scare I cried when I got the news Dad had a voice like a child He handed the phone to you I tried to recall your smile Don’t go yet Don’t go yet Don’t go yet Don’t... You whispered into my ear The night that we danced at my wedding I prayed for you all these years But mother, I’m just not ready Don’t go yet Don’t go yet Don’t go yet Don’t go yet That black disease Sent its tendrils oozing, spinning We fought it so long But we couldn’t help losing It was winning I watched as your shoulders rose With every labored breath How precious, declares the Lord Are all his saints in death So lay all your labor down Fly to the waiting Glory Fall into familiar arms— The same that taught you to hold me Go ahead Go ahead Go ahead Go ahead
13.
Clean 03:59
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Hard times, dark nights You lie awake, I know A new light in your eyes From the wars you waged and won You cannot hide it You cannot hide it away I know You cannot hide it You cannot hide it today ‘Cause you been through the fire Now you're coming out clean The old is gone, now you're gonna believe it You can laugh when you wanna Cry when you wanna See what tomorrow’s gonna bring You been through the fire Been through the fire Now you're coming out clean Heartbreaks, high stakes The pains of growing old The truth hurts, but it’s worth All its weight in gold, you know You cannot hide it You cannot hide it away I know You cannot hide it You cannot hide it today ‘Cause you been through the fire Now you're coming out clean The old is gone, now you're gonna believe it You can laugh when you wanna Cry when you wanna See what tomorrow’s gonna bring You been through the fire Been through the fire Now you're coming out clean You can’t hide it Why would you want to? You cannot hide it You cannot hide it away I know You cannot hide it You cannot hide it today ‘Cause you been through the fire Now you're coming out clean The old is gone, now you're gonna believe it You can laugh when you wanna Cry when you wanna See what tomorrow’s gonna bring You been through the fire Been through the fire Now you're coming out clean

credits

released January 20, 2017

All songs written by Blake Mundell
© & ℗ 2016 Old Brown Van Music ASCAP

Except Clean, written by Blake Mundell and Chelsea Gill
© & ℗ 2016 Old Brown Van Music ASCAP
Chelsea Gill Music BMI

Produced by Lucas Morton and Blake Mundell
Engineered by Evan Redwine at the Winebox
Engineered by Zack Zinck at the Smoakstack
Mixed by Justin Kay
Mastered by Mike Cervantes at the Foxboro

PLAYERS:
Graham Bechler: Drums
Charles Myers: Electric Guitars (The Present Tense, Neverland, La Calle, Go With Me)
Julie Melucci: Electric Guitars (It Isn’t Over, Clean)
Quinn Redmond: Electric Guitars (San Francisco, Gonna Get Outta Here, The Bleeding Heart of America, Still Alive)
Lucas Morton: Programming; Bass (Clean, The Bleeding Heart of America, La Calle, San Francisco, It Isn’t Over); Acoustic Guitar (San Francisco); Piano (San Francisco, Gonna Get Outta Here, The Bleeding Heart of America); Percussion; Electric Guitar (La Calle)
Blake Mundell: Acoustic Guitar (La Calle); Piano (Familiar Arms, It Isn’t Over, Neverland); Percussion
Syneva Colle: Cello
Emily Kohave: Violin, Viola
Jason and Erika Piland: Percussion
Jay Ragsdale & Michael Kelley: Gang vocals (Gonna Get Outta Here)
Rebecca Roubion: Vocals (Blacklist)
Josh Gabbard & Sidney Rudder: Vocals (San Francisco)
Chelsea Gill: Vocals (Clean)

Album Photography: Gabe Ford at Ford Photographs
Album Artwork: Eric Pavol

THANKS
Many people sacrificed a great deal of time and money to invest in this project, but none so much as Lucas Morton—and behind him, Evan Redwine and Justin Kay. Friends, thank you for not only lending your musical gifts, but for becoming valued companions along this journey. Among others who lent their talents for little return were so many musicians and engineers: Graham, Charles, Julie, Quinn, Syneva, Emily, Josh, Sidney, Chelsea, Zack. Thank you all for believing in the project and working hard because of it. Big thanks to Gabe Ford for taking incredible pictures and Eric Pavol for the artwork.

Thank you to every supporter who pledged on Kickstarter, and who spread the word.

To those about whom these songs were written: thank you for your friendship and your bravery. If no one else hears these songs except you, I’ll feel every bit as proud of them.

“I love you above the powers of language to express,
For what You are to Your creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity."

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COURIER Nashville, Tennessee

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