This year we’re thankful for Jesus
We’re grateful He’s still around
He’s our rock, our Lord, and there’s nothing to fear
We know He won’t let us down

While Caesar rules and runs roughshod  
Priests and their flocks go astray
People keep worshiping idols
And their money and pitchers of clay → 

We live in an age of complaining
But how has that offered relief?
Finger pointing has been people’s pastime
Since the Garden of Adam and Eve → 

Thank you for carving the turkey
Please pass the ‘taters around
Eat some pie and pray for the baby 
Have faith that the fever dies down → 


Thankful For Jesus

(LYRICS BELOW TEXT)
The Madden Road Music Fest was on a rainy day in August. Nevertheless, the community showed up for a folk festival. And a folk festival they got. 

I had been honored with the task of leading festival goers in campfire sing-alongs (and my original songs). This happened, just after sunset, around a beautiful campfire. The whole festival had a beautiful vibe. Beautiful in every way. Beautiful people listening and performing beautiful songs. 

Inspired (and attempting to stay dry during an earlier downpour), I sat in the van and made this up. Recently, I punched it up a bit, but essentially this is still the first take, recorded in the van and in the rain. It was beautiful.

ZW

Madden Road Folk Song
By Zach Whitney © 2016

I got to get down to Madden Road
They got the campfire burning and they’re putting on a show 
We got to get moving, we can't be slow
Got to get down to Madden Road

A folk song ain't nothing but a song
A folk song can't be done right or wrong
If you sing it loud enough, they'll always sing along
A folk song ain't nothing but a song → 

Ain't it nice, getting outta town?
Down the old dirt road before the sun goes down
It don't really matter if the rain keeps coming ‘round
It's nice, getting outta town?

We got neighbors, some rich, some poor 
Neighbors ain't only the folks who live next door
Neighbors helping neighbors ain't that what we're here for?
Black or white, rich or poor  → 

I’ll sing a new song, same as the old song 
That way old folk songs live on and on
Recycled melodies we remember wrong
Put ‘em back together, voila folk song →

Viola, Folk Song!

Madden Road Folk Song

**LYRICS BELOW**
Writing songs about the people and the places where you've been. That's lesson number one from Jerry Jeff Walker. There's lots of artists whom I admire, but only one who caused me to move half way across the country. That was Jerry Jeff Walker. We even ended up frequenting the same coffee shop in our neighborhood. I love his music and I always will. Thanks Scamp!!!

"Just Like the Gypsy Songman"
By Zach Whitney © 2016

This is the song I sing for the gypsy
Who taught me to ramble with words and for miles
This is the song I sing for songman
Who taught me 'bout turnin' my tears into smiles 

This is the song I sing for Ron Crosby
An unknown to many, but a hero of mine
It's the same song I sing for Jerry Jeff Walker 
Who made a career outta crossing the line

Yo-da-lay, yo-da-lo... I gotta go
Gotta go back to Texas, she's calling me home
Yo-da-lo, yo-da-lay... I'm on my way
With the shirt on my back and my guitar to play

And just like the Gypsy Songman
I'm bettin' on my losing friends
And my basket of songs

It comes down to a moment in time
When I'm laying my life on the line
And my whole soul's rolled up in a song
And I'm getting' by and hanging' on

His songs are as real as the days that he lived ‘em
Pickin' his guitar and tellin' tall tales 
Like meeting that street dancer down in New Orleans
The night he got so drunk he wound up in jail

Or cruisin’ to Florida crammed in that Packard
With the windows rolled down 'til the "southern most" sign
It was fun while it lasted, but after a season
He hitched back to Texas, left Buffett behind --> 

Ok Buckaroos, this song ain't just for Jerry 
It's for Rusty and Ray and for the Lost Gonzo band
For late night sangria at the old Armadillo
Or kicking up good times on the Luckenbach sand

Singing your friends’ songs can be life's greatest pleasures
Or making ‘em up about the folks you've known
These days my friends are mostly hairy-ass hillbillies
But you can bet that they're still up and hanging on

#2016

Just Like The Gypsy Songman

This is Zach Whitney's debut album. Recorded between October 2003 and April 2004. The players are: Zach Whitney on songwriting, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, 12 string guitar, and harmonica. Jason James on lead electric guitar, baritone guitar, bass guitar, harmony vocals, and trumpets. Rich Restaino on lead acoustic guitar, mandolin, and harmony vocals. Bukka Allen on piano, hammond B-3 organ, Wurlitzer organ, and accordion. Chris Drbek on drums, percussion, cymbals, and cowbell.

Zach Whitney

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