Get all 10 Jeff Elbel + Ping releases available on Bandcamp and save 65%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Threefinger Opera, No Outlet, Gallery, The Eleventh Hour Storybook, Engine of Destruction (live 2003), Loyal to You, The Eleventh Hour Songbook (instrumental sketch), Live at the Crooked Bar (plus), and 2 more.
1. |
I Can Change
03:54
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01 i can change
man, ol' jonah, he was in a jam
didn't like the job he had
didn't want to preach to the sinning folk
and let 'em know the lord was mad
instead of ninevah, where he was s'posed to go
to tell the people what they ought to know
jonah skipped town on a joppa boat
sailing off and feeling glad
but the boat kept rocking on a stormy sea
'til the captain threw him overboard
after three long days in a smelly fish
jonah said, "excuse me, lord ..."
i can change
i can turn around
i can change
and head for higher ground
better men than me have done it before
and it isn't so doggone strange
i can change
it's what you want from me
i can change
i'll be what i ought to be
took a look around and it's easy to see
the time has come for a change
mean old saul was an angry man
moving down damascus road
with a hard, hard head full of bad intent
you'd think it was a heavy load
a white hot light marked an end to his tricks
he fell face down like a load of bricks
a voice said it's hard to fight against the pricks
and you've been kicking the goad
saul rose up, but he couldn't see
much to his great surprise
and he stayed like that for three long days
'til the scales fell from his eyes
and he said ...
i can change
i can turn around
i can change
and head for higher ground
better men than me have done it before
and it isn't so doggone strange
i can change
it's what you want from me
i can change
i'll be what i ought to be
took a look around and it's easy to see
the time has come for a change
as a young man acting like a stubborn mule
lord, i got my way
set my jaw and made my mind
to keep it 'til my dying day
i learned a few hard lessons along the ride
and i look pretty silly when i wear that hide
once i finally saw the mess inside
the old man, he couldn't stay
some ain't willing to say they're wrong
afraid to lose their cool
when any blind man sees plain as day
he just look like a first class fool
i can change
i can turn around
i can change
and head for higher ground
better men than me have done it before
and it isn't so doggone strange
i can change
it's what you want from me
i can change
i'll be what i ought to be
took a look around and it's easy to see
the time has come for a change
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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2. |
My Own Best Enemy
04:00
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02 my own best enemy
i've gathered up my sailing gear and headed out to sea
thought i'd take the three hour tour to find the real me
with one hand i'm drilling through the bottom of my boat
the other swings a bucket bailing hard to stay afloat
oh-oh, you
could be my best friend
by the weekend
i'll be rid of the last one who
tried to change me
what a nerve, he said
i'm my own best enemy
the bridge was not yet burning
'til you made it to the scene
and saw me with a matchbook and a can of gasoline
you cautioned me against it
told me i should think it through
now we're choking on the ashes
man, you can't tell me what to do
oh-oh, hey
i think you like me
i'm the big cheese
i'm the life of the party, hey
where you going?
who are you to say
i'm my own best enemy
you told me you were weary when i called you up for help
i'm sorry, but i did not want to do it by myself
why should i say thank you?
did you give it all you had?
you left me disappointed
guess there's no use getting mad
oh-oh, hey
what are friends for?
they're a resource
there to use when you need them
ain't it funny
they don't stick around too long
whoa-oh-oh, you
said you were true blue
what did i do
now you're changing your story
just like the others
a conspiracy
"i'm my own best enemy"
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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3. |
I Forget
04:20
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03 i forget
many days i cannot hold a thought within my head
it used to be occasional; the tendency has spread
my consciousness is empty like a white and spotless page
that awaits eraser shavings to be brushed back into place
i forgot to do the dishes, i forgot to bag the trash
i forgot to do my taxes, i forgot to save my cash
i forgot to set the clock alarm, i left the cat outside
it’s as if my thoughts have vanished in a pit both deep and wide
and though something was bothering me, i really can't complain
my mind is like a leaky boat i’m rowing in the rain
brilliant thoughts and theories are circling 'round the drain
i've forgotten all my troubles
i forget my blessings, too
but i remember you love me
and i remember i love you
thoughts enter and then leave my brain through greased revolving doors
it broke my mother's heart when i asked, "have we met before?"
i don't remember birthdays 'til at least a day too late
i've forgotten anniversaries and my wife won't tolerate it
so, please don't ask or count on me to recall what you say
when i can't tell you what i had for breakfast just today
i cannot find my way home after work without a map
my mind is like a hidden, steely, rusted-open trap
i don't remember figures and i don't remember facts
i can't remember which to cut, the red wire or the black
pretty soon enough we're finding out - you might want to step back
amid the fragments raining down
i never had a clue
but i remember you love me
and i remember i love you
my ol' hound is begging, he wants his morning chow
i thought i fed him. either way, he still wants to eat now
at the park i'm losing count of disapproving frowns
i get because i'm walking with the fattest dog in town
oh, please don't be offended in the future when we meet
but names vacate my memory with most alarming speed
i'll swear the taste is smoldering and burning through my tongue
and scramble to unlock it 'til the tardy bell has rung
i’ll blank on who i’ve dialed when you're answering my call
if not for fleeting memory then i’d have none at all
but if you need a friend, you can rely on me for sure
remind me (maybe twice) and i’ll be right there at your door
i’m shouting out "eureka!" but it's gone within a flash
i’ll stop and ask directions in a hundred meter dash
truly i’d forget my head if it were not attached
my mind is like a swiss cheese
thoughts are falling through
but i remember you love me
and i remember i love you
i surely would have lost myself
if it were not for you
but i remember you love me
and i remember i love you
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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4. |
Light it Up
03:39
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04 Light it Up
Trampling a field of eggshells
Leaving not a screw unturned
Dancing 'til the mines have flashed and flared
Flaunting every scar we earn
Cannot cross the bridge; it's burning
Past the point of no returning
But I don't mind if you don't mind if I don't mind
So, what's there to fight about?
Red coal to the kettle
Light it up, light it up
Hot wire to the metal
Light it up, light it up, yeah
Hillary summits the molehill
He's gonna plant his flag at the top
She's jumping to her own conclusions
without looking for the sudden drop
Stove is on and something's burning
Meeting of the minds adjourning
And you don't care if I don't care if you don't care
Aw, who cares, anyway?
Red coal to the kettle
Light it up, light it up
Blowing fire from the bellows
Light it up, light it up
I don't mind if you don't mind if I don't
You don't care if I don't care if you don't
I won't start if you won't start if I won't start
Who's gonna finish this?
I'm looking for something sweet
But there's blood in the sugar
Blood in the sugar bowl
Something natural from the honey bee
But the flies took the honey
Flies in the honeycomb
Red coal to the kettle
Light it up, light it up
Hot wire to the metal
Light it up, light it up, yeah
Red coal to the kettle
Light it up, light it up
Blowing fire from the bellows
Light it up, light it up, yeah
I won't fight if you won't fight if I won't fight [both]
So, what's there to fight about?
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel with bridge lyric by andrew oliver.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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5. |
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05 in a place where shadows grow
you know you really hurt my pride
when you put my place behind you
go ahead and say that it’s not me
who was always looking out for you
you ran headlong into harm’s way
i’ll have to measure what i say
live to fight on another day
in a place where shadows grow
when you handed me the keys
i was never more alive
i’d like to give them back today
i’ve been a pretty reckless driver
i want you by my side
you, the one that i denied
stood you up like a jilted bride
in a place where shadows grow
anyone can see the state of things
and the ruin at the altar
if i'm the rock upon which you stood
pick me up and skip me ‘cross the water
take back those things i’ve said
i’ll sleep here; i’ve made my bed
string me up from toe to head
in a place where shadows grow
pour the wine and break the bread
in a place where shadows grow
pull me from beneath the surface
tell me when i’m not quite worthless
teach me of the times i’ve blown it
every dawn when that rooster’s crowing
pray all night for the coming day
in a place where shadows grow
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel, with brant hansen.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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6. |
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06 make sure your eyes are fine
some folks got to speak their mind
got their piece to say
some folks walk on anyone
who stumbles in their way
you don't like the way i talk
you don't like where i've been
you don't like my manners much
and you don't like my friends
make sure your eyes are fine
when you're checking mine
some folks love to criticize
love to know they're right
some folks love to tear you down
do it day and night
mind your business and leave me be
'cause i got things to do
i’m well aware of my own faults
i need no help from you
i don't need you schoolin' me
like you're a holy man
i've been talking with the Man upstairs
and i know where i stand
some folks pick apart your words
trap you in your speech
some folks grab for any flaw
that passes near their reach
have a good look at yourself
might be work to do
i’ll take care of little ol' me
while you take care of you
your mama shoulda taught you better
it shouldn't be for me to tell ya
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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7. |
Your Wicked Mirror
05:05
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07 your wicked mirror
i remember the time
before you came around
i was doing fine
nothing was gettin' me down
but that was long ago
and those days are gone for good
they say you can't go home
but baby, if i could ...
i would take off my shoe
and shake the dust from the heel
don't blame me for the hard-headed things you've done
baby when we met
you were oh, so sweet
i was your loving pet
and you were mine completely
but when we wed
you changed the tune
you turned the chapel bells
into the chimes of doom
and you say it's all
because we lost the garden
don't blame me for the hard-headed things you've done
your wicked mirror
tells wicked lies
if it's not showing you what's right before my eyes
don't make me say it
i told you so
you took that inch as far as it can go
i know that i've been wrong before
but that don't make you right
Eve may have pulled the fruit from the tree
but Adam took the biggest bite
'til the sun is cold
and hell is freezing
don't blame me for the hard headed things you've done
well, i'm not in love,
but i love you still
and the crush is gone
now it's an act of will
i await the day
you become the man
who will respect himself
the way i know you can
everybody knows who caused the trouble that we're in
don't blame me for the hard-head things you've done
your wicked mirror
tells wicked lies
if it's not showing you what's right before my eyes
don't make me say it
i told you so
you took that inch as far as it can go
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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8. |
Simple Song
03:10
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08 simple song
i wrote a simple song for you
with simple words that all ring true
high and low
and everywhere i go
it mystifies me
you’re right beside me
you and me
together we will be
and when you’re happy
that’s when i’m happy
i wrote a simple melody
a line for you a line for me
well, now you know my simple song
and we can sing it all day long
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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9. |
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09 early birds and night owls
it takes no rocket scientist
to see we're not the same
you enjoy the summer sun
and i'll pray for the rain
but it's no cause for quarrel
we agree to disagree
('cause) when you take your coffee black
there's sugar for my tea
early birds and night owls
they gather every spring
shaking off the winter
gonna get their feathers clean
calling to each other
as they carry on their way
some bring song into the night
some will sing all day
kimmy gets so serious
and johnny, he's a clown
but he can lift her spirits up
and she can calm him down
they seem like oil and water
but nonetheless they're found
sharing in that blessed thing
that makes the world go 'round
here's to gentle nature
and a colorblinded view
planted by the water
the tree shall not be moved
find it all around the world
or in your neighborhood
find it in the spicy stuff
that makes the world taste good
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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10. |
Time Enough at Last
04:04
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10 time enough at last
another monday morning and he’s dreaming on the job
it wouldn’t be the first time he’s be caught with copperfield
action to distraction and a caution from the boss
pages fall from henry’s lap and his passion is revealed
with none to call companion
he’ll never fall into despair
with dickens in his pocket
he’ll be happy anywhere
glory, glory, rhyme and story
time enough at last
coming to ya, hallelujah
time enough at last
thunder rolls through heaven and fire fills the sky
henry’s rolling with it on a raft with hemingway
crawl into the gray light of a shattered world gone by
humming as he rummages the grocery aisles all day
the unrelenting hands of time
finally going to take it slow
beta come omegaman
will have a moment of his own
glory, glory, rhyme and story
time enough at last
coming to ya, hallelujah
time enough at last
all mr. bemis wants is time to read in the afternoon
living another life through books he keeps in a quiet room
shout it from the mountaintop
where did all the people go?
searching for a sign of life
static on the radio
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records.
published by zimbalon (ascap).
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11. |
Comfort Me
03:58
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11 comfort me
holy father won’t you hear my plea
holy spirit won’t you fall on me
sweet jesus in my hour of need
the lowly man of sorrows
the lovely prince of peace
put your hand upon my should and comfort me
in the morning when i call your name
in the evening when i do the same
each night when i kneel to pray
praying for forgiveness
praying for relief
praying for your presence to comfort me
listening for tiny whispers
the tender words you say
you fashioned me of dust and breath
and you love the thing you made
when the shadow falls across my face
when all hope has gone and left no trace
when the mirror puts me in my place
my faith can be so tiny
it’s nothing but a seed
won’t you send the rain to water it and comfort me
jeff elbel + ping: gallery
available at http://www.marathonrecords.com and iTunes
lyrics written by jeff elbel.
copyright (c) 2012 marathon records, zimbalon publishing (ascap).
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Jeff Elbel + Ping Wheaton, Illinois
Thanks for visiting! We're proud to be your source for roots rock and roll storytelling with wit and heart. Remember our motto: "No band could love you half as much as Ping."
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