The Promised Land

darlington county

working on the highway

brilliant disguise _cover nachosbv

When I look back on it now
It all seems a little bit crazy
Like how could we not see 
What was transpiring
It’s all so vivid and clear
At this remove
But back then
We were locked in 
Like hard wiring

Ruff and tumble it was
In those frontier towns
At the very lip of civilization
It was balls of brass
It was manifest destiny 
That made us this great nation

We had to be nuts
I mean, what were we thinking
But the sun shined down
With its bright rays
Back in those wild and woolly
Back in those wild and woolly
Back in those wild and woolly days

When I look back on it now
I have to laugh a little
I mean, how could we have been
So dumb
We brunched with the devil
We bought his line of spiel
And we didn’t walked away
No, we did succumb

We thought we were outlaws
We were sticking it to the man
But lo, the man stuck it
He stuck it to us
We acted so shocked
Like we didn’t see it coming
I guess that fucker
He really knew us

When I look back on it now
I get a catch in my throat
And a wave of grief
Rages over me like a storm
I mean, we did it to ourselves
We shot our own foots
And now our prospects are at best 
Less than lukewarm

We can curse our politicians
We can blame our fucking president
We can scream at the sky 
Till we are red in the face
Or we can drift off into our digital dreams
In uncanny valleys
That is close but not quite like
This god forsaken place

These are parlous times
That test your resolve
It kinda makes you think
There is no god
You can look for the truth
But it does you no good
When the world is shrouded
In fraud

Who can you blame
I mean, there's gotta be someone
Who is causing all this misery
But if we look real close
We can uncover the culprits
The culprits are you and me 

Wild and Woolly Days

downbound train

Our Hometown

From Prince to The Replacements, Minneapolis music has always reflected the moment. The moment now is urgent, as immigrant communities live in fear amid a sweeping federal crackdown that has led to massive deportations and the killings of two innocent people. One musician stepping into the moment is Tony Ortiz, best known for a one-hit wonder in the 80’s. His new song, “Americans,” calls for unity and acceptance of diversity. Yet despite being a U.S. citizen, Ortiz now carries his passport, just in case he’s stopped by immigration agents.

Ep 14- Shut Up and Sing? Minnesota Musician Confronts Immigration Crackdown

I'm on fire

There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying…

USA for ∆frica - We Are the World (re disco ver ''Just You and Me'' Our Own Lives ꨄ︎ Mix) back to 85

Soundcloud site for the band Tribute to Venus Carmichael, the only known tribute band to the eponymous singer-songwriter some say is a legend, some say's a myth of their devising. For more info, go to www.tributetovenus.com.

The Front Porch Movement is a voice in civic engagement, profiling ordinary people with extraordinary stories.  Led by award-winning journalist Ted Canova, we aspire to build community through credible storytelling, and in the process take on the unprecedented polarization gripping the United States and the world.

Where is the purpose in your life
Where is the truth
Do you remember your hopes Your dreams
They are no longer your own
This day is for living your own life
Don't let this world capture your heart
Your passion lost to a thousand themes
Surrendered to the screen
This is not a story
This is not a book this is your life
And this is not a play
Some TV show you've seen
This is real life

New tracks tagged #Springsteen