The first release from Ten Ton Flood. A small sampling of 28 songs written during the pandemic of 2020.

Demos: Side 1

Chord charts: https://www.tentonflood.com/the-pride-of-man

A cabin in the pines
And spirits in the hills
When we look around
How do they feel
The cities appeared
Built out of stones
We wander the oaks
While we’re alone

We mixed our paints
With cinder and mud
Did we fight our battles
For malice or love
We built our stairs
for heaven in the sky
We always set out
As time slips by

The pride of man
The tales and deeds
The pride of man
Slipped through the trees
The pride of man
The love that we need
The pride of man
The tales and deeds

You have your reason
Stuck by your guns
We’ll ride your horses
And shine in the sun
We packed up a pipe  
For stones we cast
Out on the prairies
So timeless and vast

After all the rains
The wind died down
Can you hear the whisper
Do you hear their sound
The blackberry winters
Rhythms and rhymes
Reap what you harvest
Time after time

The pride of man
The tales and deeds
The pride of man
Slipped through the trees
The pride of man
The love that we need
The pride of man

The tales and deeds

On the banks of the rivers
Hear the voices and the whispers
On the banks of the rivers
Where the clear waters shimmer

The Pride Of Man

Sometimes

https://www.tentonflood.com/two-dog-throw

Look at old Snake Eyed Sam
Threw a pair of pips from his greasy hand
Check out Hunchback Joe
Is he sloppy drunk or on a roll?

​Under a bridge in a soggy tent
If Sam had a penny for every dollar he spent
You know he prays, prays to god
Did he have a child? Did he have a job?

​Yeah, yeah, yeah
That’s how it goes
You know we fight battles on the road
As bombs explode

​On the beach, gonna make it right
Slippin’ through the grass in the darkest of night
Got a medal and not forgotten
Sweet little Jessie keeps on nodding

​That corner somewhere and first
Y’all got something sweet to quench your thirst
Diry wrinkles sparkle in his eye
Fussin’ with Jessie, the love of his life

​Yeah, yeah, yeah
That’s how it goes
You know we fight battles on the road
As bombs explode

Two Dog Throw

https://www.tentonflood.com/the-piper

Talked to the Mayor about problems with the plague
The Mayor he had to agree, too 
Agree to pay
You know I was quick 
Picked a pipe
Led the way

Oh, I thought we had a deal
You reneged 
Guess I’ll have to come to your house
Take 'em away
Go ahead, while you look at me
Lay your blame

One by one, they jumped on in 
That didn’t take too long
One by one, again and again 
As I played; I played their song 

Did they raise their hands on the street like they say?
Did they dance in the dirt all the while mother’s prayed?
You know the mayor
Didn’t keep his word
I felt betrayed

One by one, they jumped on in 
That didn’t take too long
One by one, again and again 
As I played; I played their song 

I might wear all my colors 
Or maybe forest green
You can follow all the others 
As they follow me
You can follow me

Best they gather up all
the posies on Saints Day 
Might take them to the hill 
Or a forgotten cave
And you know I
I’ll get my my flutes
Ease their pain

One by one, they jumped on in 
That didn’t take too long
One by one, again and again 
As I played; I played their song

The Piper

https://www.tentonflood.com/shades-of-blue

As I look out across the valley

I can see

Gold flowers on waves green

I can see

A proud stallion without a care

​

Was thinking how you've been doing

This I know

Sometimes it rains for days

This I know

That you found good fortune

​

Oh Elizabeth, your words ring true

Oh Elizabeth, our many shades of blue

Oh Elizabeth

Our many shades of blue

Of blue

​

We are your sons and daughters

Don't worry now

Ain't gonna start no trouble

Don't worry now

As you watch over us

​

We kicked rocks along our way

Remember that

Winding down to Fire's Creek

Remember that

I will always remember that day

​

Oh Elizabeth, your words ring true

Oh Elizabeth, our many shades of blue

Oh Elizabeth

Our many shades of blue

Shades Of Blue

https://www.tentonflood.com/my-my

Look at the rocks
The rising glow, my my
And I'll be your man
Take my hand, my my
On the mountain
That we climb
Bound for glory
At the edge of time
My my

Father of the tribe
Walks on Mars, my my
Mighty stone
Will turn to dust, my my
Mountain gods
The wind and rain
What you said
"Never live in vain"
My my

Slow moving engines
Hittin' it hard, my my
Crack of the hammers
'Bout to ring, my my
Oh Ivy
Smell the lightning
Penny-sized hail
We left behind
My my

Break in the storm
The clouds are gone, my my
And I see you see
You're my world, my my
Before the gods
We said, "I do"
Gave their blessing
The skies were blue
My my
My my

My My

Just passed Evansville on the Indiana line 
Took a look in the mirror can’t leave you behind
Hung a right at Toledo know I can’t complain 
The Black Dog of Erie sunk 
the Mary Jane
Late at night you can hear him howl 
Little boats all float around
You know that night was freezing cold
I’ll tell you something you never known

Turned around in Cleveland the way to Kalamazoo 
When I look in the mirror guess I’m missing you
Had to leave Le Griffon on the bottom of the lake
Were they all cursed then for goodness sake 
Late at night you can hear them howl
Little boats all float around
You know that night was freezing cold
I’ll tell you something you never known 

Made a right in Toledo on the way back home 
Didn’t look in the mirror know I like to roam 
Old South Bay Bessie she’s got a ponytail 
Saw her eyes sparkle and all their empty sails 
Late at night you can hear her howl
Little boats all float around 
You know that night it was freezing cold
I’ll tell you something you never known

Black Dog of Erie

I'm going down south to Tucson
If you turn on me I'm gone
I said, "Angie, believe me"
Then you said, "Darling, get on"

And I ain't seen a rainy day in months
Just the showers from my guns
You know I rest in the shadows
You know I ride in the sun

Just a cowboy song in the wind
About the trails that never end
Here's some more ink from the pen
About the trails that never end

My horse he sounds like thunder
Cross the ground the devil's under
No rest for the wicked
They long for the souls as they wander

What's that cooking on the fire?
Last night they joined the angel's choir
You know that smoke sure smells good
The mighty can't get much higher

Just a cowboy song in the wind
About the trails that never end
Here's some more ink from the pen
About the trails that never end

Now we're sitting on the porch
Discussing the wars before
Oh I love this rocking chair
And the times we spent up north

Just a cowboy song in the wind
About the trails that never end
Here's some more ink from the pen
About the trails that never end

Believe Me

All my troubles, left my mind 
Morning glory climbs the fence 
You know it takes its time 

Oh my friend, friend of mine 
Raging river broke the bank 
It’s so muddy and so wide 

The last time I saw you
I thought I’d see you again 
The last time I saw you
You know that I thought, that I would see you again

Alligators, they soak up the sun 
Just like mean old Hunchback 
That one must weigh a ton   
 
Boiling water, not to be outdone
That old duck weed gator 
Look out here he comes 

The last time I saw you
I thought I’d see you again 
The last time I saw you
You know that I thought, that I would see you again

Painted bunting, hear him sing 
From the oak she saw him 
She loves a painted wing 

All my troubles, they left me be
Found some notes you wrote 
Then it occurred to me 

The last time I saw you
I thought I’d see you again 
The last time I saw you
You know that I thought, that I would see you again

All My Troubles

Leather bound and tattered got a story to tell 
Was dusty on the carpet waiting to cast my spell 
Where flying machines desert dreams they dwell 
Leather bound and tattered behold a story to tell 

I was born in the gutter know that I’m going fly 
Was piled on a pile and then I caught your eye 
We’d meet at the bar and make plans on Friday nights 
I was born in the gutter now I’m going to fly

Headed for the hills, we’re gypsies on the road 
Ships will rise as dreamers search for gold 
Headed for the hills, we’re just gypsies on the road 

My friends the inventors know they floated in air 
Yes they had fuel, a recipe I can’t share 
I’d tell you about it but you know I wouldn’t dare 
My friends the inventors know they floated in air 

Leather bound and tattered behold a story to tell
Was dusty on the carpet waiting to cast my spell
Where flying machines desert dreams they dwell 
Leather bound and tattered behold a story I’ll tell 

Headed for the hills, we’re gypsies on the road 
Ships will rise as dreamers search for gold 
Headed for the hills, we’re just gypsies on the road

Junk Shop

Who am I?
Won't you pull up a chair?
People, there was gold
It was everywhere
And I ain't a miner
I'm a butcher by trade
I'm Dellschau
Do you know my name?

Oh, Sonora
Been looking for you
Your sister city
And I'll see her soon
California's waxing moon
Oh, Sonora
I'll be there soon

What do you say?
Can you really fly?
Oh yeah, Prussia
So high in the sky
You tricked my ear
I have my paints
Can you show me?
Do I have to wait?

Oh, Sonora
Been looking for you
Your sister city
And I'll see her soon
California's waxing moon
Oh, Sonora
I'll be there soon

Old Hamlin's got a cure
That girl, boy she ain't so pure
88 days and 49 niners
Jacob's a dead man and I can't find her
Hint of masa in the air
All the desperates and all their wares
How many years since the ten ton flood?
Melt the wax and stamp the crimson dove
Pocket ships; the endless winds
Lord knows I'm here where I've been

I'll find a story
And make it my own
I take liberties
And see where they go
The simple gist is
What I'd like you to see
Well above the clouds
And above the trees

Oh, Sonora
Been looking for you
Your sister city
And I'll see her soon
California's waxing moon
Oh, Sonora
I'll be there soon
Oh, Sonora
I'll be there soon
Oh, Sonora
I'll be there soon

Sonora

Off to the foothills, did you read my words?
I left Harris county, is that what you heard?
E Clampus Vitus believers of the absurd 
I left Harris County gonna sing like a bird 

Packed all my brushes a pick and a pan 
I sat in the saddle kicking up sand 
I’ll meet some flyers I’ll shake their hand 
I sat in the saddle I knew where I’d land 

I may stretch the truth
But I won’t tell you lies
In a dream for you
There is time to fly
I may have the proof
If you look to the sky
In a dream for you
There’s always time to fly

Old Mr Washington yes he took me in  
The sign in the window be back at ten 
At Ok Trade thats where it all begins 
Old Mr Washington said, “come on in.”

I may stretch the truth
But I won’t tell you lies
In a dream for you
There is time to fly
I may have the proof
If you look to the sky
In a dream for you
There’s always time to fly

Over Sacramento those papers got it right
Barreling for the heartland in the dead of night  
Oh the dreams we dreamed
Did you see them Angeline? 
Oh the dreams we dreamed  

Left you some pictures, I left you my worth
I left for the foothills, is that what you heard?
E Clampus Vitus and all that I’ve learned
I left Harris county gonna fly like a bird

Harris County, Texas

Mercury

What happened to Jake don’t you know 
If I knew anything more wouldn’t tell you so 
Hear he clipped a tree went down in flames 
That’s what they say he met his fate 

Heard one of the boys got cold dead aim 
Not sure what your saying what did you say
Couldn’t keep a secret he carried some loads 
Eighteen forty nine Sharps inlaid in gold 

Hanging in the sky the crescent moon 
Bitters from the rind some hundred proof
What goods a dollar in a dead man’s hand 
You hear what I’m saying do you understand 

Do you understand we watched him fall 
Do you understand 
Do you understand his engines stalled 
Do you understand 
Do you understand it’s one for all
Do you understand 

What do you think about the universe 
Ain’t thought about it for what it’s worth 
Yeah it looks so close  it’s  so vast and far 
All of the sparkles of all the 
stars 
 
Look me in the eye I gotta keep my word 
Oh so you think we can fly like birds 
Greed took him out yes it did him
In 
Now he’s just a whisper on the wind 

Jacob did some deals just to make a buck
As he held the wheel he had to try his luck 
Then he cracked a smile and showed his hand 
You hear what I’m saying do you understand 

Do you understand we watched him fall
Do you understand 
Do you understand his engines stalled 
Do you understand 
Do you understand it’s one for all 
Do you understand?

The Ballad of Jacob Misher

The sun shines so bright for Adeline 
The light illuminates the things she finds
As she wanders like Virginia vines
Smiling she tells me what on her mind

The worlds, the worlds inside are beautiful 
The worlds inside our minds are beautiful 
Even if we stray along our way
Even if we stray along our way

You carved me a nickel you carved the face
You carved me a nickel trimmed in lace
Flipped it, it sparkled spinning in space 
Told me something, stated your case 

The worlds, the worlds inside are beautiful 
The worlds inside our minds are beautiful 
Even if we stray along our way 
Even if we stray along our way

Adeline the birds flew on gilded wings 
To our orchards, stands of apple trees 
Amused you said, “Do you hear them sing?”
When you hear their song you may believe 

The worlds, the worlds inside are beautiful 
The worlds inside our minds are beautiful 
The worlds, the worlds inside are beautiful 
The worlds inside our minds are beautiful 
Even if we stray along our way
Even if we stray along our way 
Even if we stray along our way 
Even if we stray along our way

Adeline

I lost my love some years ago
And my dark-eyed boy
The tragedy, the insanity
Ever search for joy

From a curtain, a splintered light
And a tale before I go
It's hard to believe what I've seen
And all the roads I've rode

The sky's so big
Baby it's a big old sky
The sky's so big
Baby it's a big old sky

The colors creep the papers
Just between the lines
The humanity, the gravity
The blind don't lead the blind

Some folks think I'm crazy
My Angie she took me in
Some folks think I'm crazy
I'll show you where I've been

Are they lies?
Are they truths?
The visions in my head
Are they lies?
I want some proof
Of my exploits out west

The sky's so big
Baby it's a big old sky
The sky's so big
Baby it's a big old sky

Big Sky

The heavens roar, the lightning strikes 
They illuminate the blinds 
You told me then I’d find some peace 
Just open up your mind 
If you plant a seed and watch it grow 
It’ll grow in good time


Before the dawn the birds they sing
Singing for the day 
Looked at me and you said to me 
Do you have some faith?
There’s a road it can take you home 
You can find your way  

It’s been a long long road 
I’m coming home 
It’s been a long long road 
I’m coming home 
It’s been a long long road 
It’s been a long long road 
I’m coming home

I climbed the walls for the cobalt blue 
And a breath of air 
There’s a golden owl on the ledge 
I’m focused in its stare 
As I watch it, it slowly turns 
My presence, its aware 


Behind the glass, the crystal glass 
In a meditative state 
When you looked at me you said to me 
Do you have some faith?
There’s a road it can take me home 
I can find my way


It’s been a long long road 
I’m coming home 
It’s been a long long road 
I’m coming home 
It’s been a long long road 
It’s been a long long road 
I’m coming home

Cobalt Blues

The Meaning Of Life

That rusty old wagon
Rained fire from the sky 
Painted like a dragon 
Always ready for a fight 
Got a chip on my shoulder 
You got your wicked ways 
Little crusty and older
I’ll take it to my grave 

We told your sergeant,  you’re a sad old man 
I got the secrets, and fate in my hands 

Spilling from the beaker 
It’s what they seek 
The molecules demeanor 
I can see you Angelique 
Said you saw my vision  
Made your way out west 
Down at the mission 
Said he’s better off dead 

It’s over their head, like a sky so blue 
I told you man, we got nothin for you 

Our great aviator 
Built a grand machine
Peter was a traitor 
He never came clean 
So you want a ship 
A weapon for war 
No we can’t help you
Settle your scores 

Slap of the pistons, little rings of steam 
Lighter than air, deep back in our dreams
As you plan your retreat
We’re deep in our dreams 
It’s your time to concede  
We’re deep in our dreams

War Wagon

Annie's Gone

You know I gave you
Gave you my all 
Oh some of us dream
Some of us fall 
My brush and paper
A paper and pen
All of the papers that floated in the wind 

The New York harbor 
The California hill 
The truest love 
The strongest will 
I know you’ll be heading there soon
I’ll meet you at the gateway to our world 

Annie, you left us while I labored for love 
Can hear your voice in the song of a dove
And as I paint mixing the water and red
She changed her name
She lives in my head 

The New York harbor 
The California hill 
The truest love 
The strongest will 
I know you’ll be heading there soon
I’ll meet you at the gateway to our world

Gateway to our World

I'm Not Going To Take You To My Grave

Chapo the Crow

I Knew A Girl

https://www.tentonflood.com/shattered

Good Lord, I'm shattered
Broke my glass
Spilled my wine
I got so drunk
That's the truth

Look at me
I fell down
What about it?
Cut me loose

​Gonna roll like a tumbleweed
Roll along as I please
Roll like a tumbleweed rolls
You know mama, yes indeed
Ever since you set me free
Gonna roll like a tumbleweed rolls

​Does it really matter?
What I did?
And for what?
Stains of time
You don't know
Little sore
Chipped my tooth
Just my luck
Yeah, yeah, yeah

​Gonna roll like a tumbleweed
Roll along as I please
Roll like a tumbleweed rolls
You know mama, yes indeed
Ever since you set me free
Gonna roll like a tumbleweed rolls

​I climbed a ladder
I'm so tired
Feeling sick
Now I lost my true love
Shake it off
Turn around
Just woke up
Tied my shoes

​Gonna roll like a tumbleweed
Roll along as I please
Roll like a tumbleweed rolls
You know mama, yes indeed
Ever since you set me free
Gonna roll like a tumbleweed rolls

Shattered

Chord charts: https://www.tentonflood.com/before-the-flood-chords

Before the Flood

https://www.tentonflood.com/worm-moon

Just like that we were gone, we were on our way
Sitting in the Pinyon, there’s a Woodhouse Jay
Looked above that cinder hill
Saw the worm moon rise
In that fleeting moment  just passing by
In that fleeting moment  just passing by

Guess I’m riding shotgun now, we got April in tow
The golden clouds set a drift in the indigo
Dam you know that winter was cold as hell
Joshua’s in the promised land, the best I can tell
Joshua’s in the promised land ,the best I can tell

Behind every shadow there’s a light
Sometimes dim, most often bright
Splinters on the pages black and white
Behind every shadow there’s a light

There’s a pickup at the depot on the line
Behind the glass on the wall, it was frozen in time
And every time you look at it

You learn something new
Railroad ties in the sand, under shades of blue
Railroad ties in the sand, under shades of blue

Sipping from the nectar
There’s a White-winged Dove
In your mind at the edge of time
Can you feel my love?

Where the rocky roads unravel
We’ll swim in the sea
We can open the door pick a lock
'Cause we don’t need a key
We can open the door pick a lock
'Cause we don’t need a key

​Behind every shadow there’s a light
Sometimes dim, most often bright
Splinters on the pages black and white
Behind every shadow there’s a light

Worm Moon

Chord charts: https://www.tentonflood.com/rosemary-chords

Rosemary, Rosemary, come on in
Stood by me through the thick and thin
Rosemary, Rosemary, what do you know?
Gonna light your fire in the freezing cold
The smoke rises, it twists and turns
As the wood pops and curls and burns
Rosemary, Rosemary, come on in

Let’s rob a bank and give it one last shot
I used to ride with Frank believe it or not
We’d sit in the saddle most every day
Talk to the teller cause he’d give it away
We can throw away your worn out shoes
Then go to town, get some brand new boots
Let’s rob a bank and give it one last shot

Well maybe baby, it’s time to quit
Let’s get a little farm and a place to live
You know how I love your pretty little guns
I’m getting kinda tired of robbing on the run
Well Frank gave up, know he gave up too
He turned himself in back in 82
Well maybe baby, it’s time to quit

Step right up and get your ticket punched
You’ll enjoy the show, we've got a hunch
Sit by the Governor and take a seat
They say that the show is hard to beat
And you might see dancers or a boxing match
While we’re picking berries in the berry patch
Well step right up and get your ticket punched

Rosemary

https://www.tentonflood.com/peaks-and-valleys

In the land of the snowy mountains
The tattered flags are there up above
Around the Stag are the Black Hat Dancers
Turquoise and gold; a Tibetan dove

There was a grandchild of Genghis Khan
He rode to the valley before the thaw
Snow fell on those Devils Horsemen  
No one really knows where they are

Venus greets the morning sky
Just behind the mountain five miles high
Voices meet the frozen fog
On the way to Lhasa from Shangri La

From the hills on their journey
They’ll find their way, the youngest sons
It won’t take long with minds so open
Behold the light and they’ve just begun

Yellow silk, the drums and the trumpets
A great debate and clapping hands
They packed their tents and beads of coral
As they wondered that forbidden land

Venus greets the morning sky
Just behind the mountain five miles high
Voices meet the frozen fog
On the way to Lhasa from Shangri La

A thousand rooms with a thousand windows
They sit upon the roof of the world
Bend a bow, send the flaming arrows
Cast the treasures as the waters swirl
 
A long time ago there was an army
Brought a storm, they came down hard
In the night the people tell the stories
By their warm fires under the stars

Venus greets the morning sky
Just behind the mountain five miles high
Voices meet the frozen fog
On the way to Lhasa from Shangri La

Peaks And Valleys

https://www.tentonflood.com/remember-mary

Do you remember Mary and her friend Angeline?
Her worn out shoes so dirty
Sparkling eyes so green
You know it snowed for days
We must have got ten feet
Do you remember Mary and her friend Angeline?

​She built a little garden
With a Buddha on the shelf
And when she got busted
You know she took it so well
Even under the covers
You know she'd never tell
She built a little garden
With a Buddha on the shelf

​When I see the light
Fall from the heavens to the ground
It would shine so bright
Every time that she'd come around

​If you get thirsty she can quench your thirst
She can shoot you stars across her universe
She can tell you stories
You know she's well versed
If you get thirsty she can quench your thirst

​She would spill her colors on an old creaky floor
Bring some jars of candy from the candy store
When she sends her magic
It's hard to underscore
She would spill her colors on an old creaky floor

​When I see the light
Fall from the heavens to the ground
It would shine so bright
Every time that she'd come around

​You see the man was none the wiser
As she followed the track of the tiger
The sun was shining brighter and higher

​Do you remember Mary and her friend Angeline?
Her worn out shoes so dirty,
Sparkling eyes to green
You know it snowed for days
We must have got ten feet
Do you remember Mary and her friend Angeline?

​When I see the light
Fall from the heavens to the ground
It would shine so bright
Every time that she'd come around

Remember Mary?

https://www.tentonflood.com/polaris

As we sail on
A cerulean tide
The North Star shimmers in your eye

As we sail on
A cerulean tide
We left behind those heavy times
We let the sail open wide

When you’re out on the horizon
Give a nod, the little bear
As you float you ponder
you wonder how you’ll really fare

It’s our ship, our tiny boat
On the calm and wicked sea
In a bottle you toss a note
Sail on the twilight’s breeze

Time to pull the anchor
From the bottom of the sand
Falling from the ceiling
Catching stardust in our hands

When you see Polaris
Won’t you keep it in your sights?
Hold the helm steady
Don’t get left behind
When the boat starts rocking
Big waves look like wine
Some will pack their fortune
Some will steal it every time
I don’t have much room for them
To stow away in my mind
When you see Polaris
We know we’re doing fine

Flying fish always shimmer
When they swim the Milky Way
Well did you ever question
Those storm clouds held at bay?

Listen close, hear their cries
The great whales are down below
They’re so close when they rise
From their depths so unknown

In the dark we skate across
The water turned to glass
We had to leave the harbor
And all the things of the past

When you see Polaris
Won’t you keep it in your sights?
Hold the helm steady
Don’t get left behind
When the boat starts rocking
Big waves look like wine
Some will pack their fortune
Some will steal it every time
I don’t have much room for them
To stow away in my mind
When you see Polaris
We know we’re doing fine

As we sail on
A Cerulean tide
We left behind those heavy times
We let the sail open wide

Polaris

Featuring Benji Shanks on guitar.
Chord charts: https://www.tentonflood.com/roses-and-rain-chords

Ten Ton Flood

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