We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Shifting Gears

by Machinery HIll

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

1.
I'm a religious man, yeah I am. Make the people cry Jesus like noone else can. Salvation, damnation, original sin- I've got all three. I'm no catholic boy or Methodist preacher; no hell-fire snake charming religion teacher. I'm walking through Pentecostal fire and what don't burn is set free. My first three wives didn't understand me. If you don't either then leave me be. I'm not your martyr or your prophet. I'm not dragging around your cross. So follow your own god or build an idol. Write a twisted, short-sighted adaptation of the bible. I've been burned in Pentecostal fire and I will be set free. Broke my parent's hearts because they broke mine so let's call it even and leave it all behind. If I'm band then I'm bad and that's good enough for me. I'm going to trade up water to wine and raise the dead while my misinterpret everything I've said. I've been burned in Pentecostal fire and I will be set free. I'm a religious man. Yeah, I am. Make the women cry Jesus like noone else can. Salvation, damnation, original sin- I've got all three. I'm no catholic boy or Methodist preacher. No hellfire snake charming religion teacher. I'm walking through Pentecostal fire- Burned in Pentecostal fire Burned in the fire and I will be set free.
2.
Rat Bike 03:28
Some poser says “What do you guys ride?” If you’re talking to me- a dyna wide glide Fred here rides a heritage softtail Nasty and Jay- FLH Waste has a shovelhead custom hardtail Yeah they’re all Harleys. What did you think? Same question from another slob Wild Bill says " I ride a street bob" And Al has an electro glide ultra classic But the best bike here, the one you should get Wrench rides a rat bike; a panshovel custom hardtail With a jockey shift. Go on -give it a spin Hey- don’t you wanna ride? Come on - Let’s take it outside. Nothing on the handlebars but the throttle Left foot clutch, Right foot brake. Reach down with you left hand to shift it by the open primary- and ain’t that great? Hey rub, are you gonna bail On riding the Pan shovel custom hardtail? Do you still want to know what the big boys ride? Come on- let’s take it outside. Johnny rides a chopped up “87 Sportster Billy has a black Road King Kip rides a shovelhead Custom Wideglide Yeah they’re all Harleys. What did you think?
3.
Extinction 03:07
What if this Friday were the last that you would ever see? Would you cry and rue the day, or would you now feel free to eat that piece of chocolate cake to hell with calories. With hours left, no rules at all-we’ll eat just what we please. Some of us will sit at home and love our families, But others drunk out on the road are smashing into trees. To die before the denouement would seem a foolish trend. We’ve come this far; we might as well be witness to the end. If your pleasure’s fishing then get out on your boat; And if you’re into dancing then go and grab your coat. Leave the guns out in the hall.They can’t help you now, We’ll teach you how to party,if you’ve forgotten how It might be plague or meteors.It might just be ennui. The end is here for all of us.There’s nowhere left to flee. We all hate the Reaperso here is what we’ll do, We’ll point four fingers at the sky Guess which one’s for you? Hey This one’s for you.
4.
Sometimes it’s hard to see why you think so little of me. I’m as flawed as I can be but I’m not alone with that. Sometimes it’s hard to know why you would up and go Yeah I know you told me so but I thought you were a class act- And the world is flat. The sun revolves around it. When angels come to save us, my bags are packed. I’m buying up swampland; gallons of snake oil The things we want to believe are only that—they’re more fiction than fact. This place has lost it’s sense of home. It’s only a house when I’m here alone. A bunch of rooms where I can hang my hat. But don’t think I’ve lost my sense of self. I’ll take it back down off the shelf. Where apparently it’s been by itself while I hung out with the class act- And the world is flat. The sun revolves around it. When angels come to save us, my bags are packed. I’m buying up swampland; gallons of snake oil The things we want to believe are only that—they’re more fiction than fact. My friends keep checking in on me. Secretly I think they’re relieved to be living their lives instead of mine. Things fall apart. The center cannot hold in this is the pack of lies that I’ve been sold. But don’t you worry I’ll be fine- And the world is flat. The sun revolves around it. When angels come to save us, my bags are packed. I’m buying up swampland; gallons of snake oil The things we want to believe are only that—they’re more fiction than fact. Sometimes it’s hard to see why you think so little of me I’m as flawed as I can be but I’m not alone with that. Sometimes it’s hard to know why you would up and go Yeah I know you told me so but I thought you were a class act- And the world is flat—the sun revolves around us.
5.
Yonder stands little Maggie with a dram glass in her hand. She's drinking away her troubles. She's courting another man. Go away, go away little Maggie. Go and do the best you can. I'll find me another woman. You can get you another man. Last time I saw little Maggie She was sitting on the banks of the sea. With a forty-four around her And a banjo on her knee. Go away, go away little Maggie. Go and do the best you can. I'll find me another woman. You can get you another man.
6.
Outlaw Biker 04:44
Igor tells Butcher, I'll meet you in a half hour. This place ain't so great. I'm gonna go And if Pony don't like his name, some things don't change. Some things never change, oh no. Themadones ride shoulder to shoulder-- wheel to wheel Take all the life they can hold on to and string it out on nerves of steel. The Prospects heed the call and a man alone could fall but a brother is there to keep him from the edge. Wasted and Wild Bill know it only goes to show What don't kill you makes you stronger in the end. Igor old-style in leather with his colors on holds steady on the inside and signals the next turn and if Tippy don't like his name, some things won't change Some things will not be unlearned. Themadones ride shoulder to shoulder- wheel to wheel Take all the life they can hold on to and string it out on nerves of steel Heaven holds sinners and Hell may send out angels armed with knives, questioned and profiled by police. All will stand their ground. No one backs down. They'll take a stand for what they believe. Themadones ride shoulder to shoulder- wheel to wheel Take all the life they can hold on to and string it out on nerves of steel Themadones- shoulder to shoulder wheel to wheel shoulder to shoulder wheel to wheel
7.
It's been a long time since I've had my better days. It's been a long time since I've seen your face. Going to take a stroll. Try to heal my soul. It's been a long time. It's been a long time. It's been a hard road and every step takes it's toll. The waves are breaking down the stone. Fading memories are making a mess of me. It's been a long time. It's been a long time. George Formby rolls along my memory. Without a break in time. Looking to seal the deal. Going to take some time to heal. It's been a long time. It's been a long time. It's been a long time since I've had my better days. It's been a long time since I've seen your face. The fading memories are making a mess of me. It's been a long time. It's been a long time.
8.
It was early in the morning and late in November. Way too early to tow that party line. I went down to the crossroads and waited for the sunrise. I was minding my own business when Dave walked by. The sun was out and I was blinded. Now Dave tell me, if you please- When are you coming round? He turned- I saw a shadow of a smile. Said "sooner than I please." And I said Hey, Dave Ray- where are you going? Where have you gone, Dave Ray? And is it all just another song? Days still go by one much like another. Sometimes you notice a missing song. The lights dim and the birds they sing more slowly And it's a little more lonely now that Dave is gone. And I say Hey, Dave Ray where are you going? Where have you gone, Dave Ray? And is it all just another song? Hey, Dave Ray- where are you going? Where have you gone, Dave Ray? And is it all just another song?
9.
Hell 04:00
I dreamed I died and went to hell and found to my surprise That all the things I owned in life went with me on demise. The rules they are all carved in stone- your stuff goes down to hell For clutter is a torment and the devil thinks it's swell. The devil thinks it's swell, boys, the devil thinks it's swell. For clutter is a torment and the devil thinks it's swell. In hell you drive to your reward if you've been really bad. But traffic to the lake of fire can really drive you mad. The commute there is six hours long. You're bored right to the bone. You're always late. You'll never find your wallet, keys and phone. Your wallet, keys and phone, boys, your wallet, keys and phone. You're always late. You'll never find your wallet, keys and phone. The only Democrats in hell are blue dogs through and through. it turns out that the parable is absolutely true. We are our brothers keepers just like the bible says So wish unlucky souls to hell you'll end up there instead. You'll end up there instead, boys, you'll end up there instead. So wish unlucky souls to hell you'll end up there instead. In hell the rooms are painted beige. The meetings never done. The weather outside is beautiful but you'll never see the sun. The chairs are hard. The lights are harsh. Powerpoints on the blink. A beer would be salvation but we're not allowed to drink. We're not allowed to drink, boys, we're not allowed to drink. A beer would be salvation but we're not allowed to drink. In hell the TVs always on. The elections on the news. No matter what your politics you're always going to lose. George Orwell knew a thing or two in 1948 When he invented the telescreen which the devil thinks is great. The devil thinks is great, boys, the devil thinks is great. When he invented the telescreen which the devil thinks is great. When I awoke my dream dissolved just like they always do. Trying to remember but I haven't got a clue. The meeting starts at seven sharp. I'm bored right to the bone. I check my pockets looking for my wallet, keys and phone. My wallet, keys and phone, boys, my wallet, keys and phone. I check my pockets looking for my wallet, keys and phone. Your wallet, keys and phone, boys, your wallet, keys and phone. You're always late, you'll never find your wallet , keys and phone.
10.
It was the best job I ever had down at the John Deere plant Near the quad cities- east Moline. Third shift was all they had. The third shift was not that bad. My bending steel and metal work was clean. Was heading back feeling tired. An over-shift- I was new hire. When this dog runs out from the curb. He was dead for I could slow down. No point to turn around And show up late for work. I was proud of the job I did. Proud to take my wages back to Marie. We held on for a while- Marie of the trailers- Saint Marie. It was the best job I ever had down at the Harvester works Pushing steel through the powerbrake. Been there less than six months- through the noise and the dirt And the talk of striking. So I take my place in the picket line and survive On sixty-five bucks a week for strike pay. The union was strong but it still took long. Six months to the day. I was proud of the job I did. Proud to take my wages back to Marie. We held on for a while- Marie of the trailers- Saint Marie. John Deere kept the long term men but there was no job for me. The strike was longer than my time there. Out on the street again with the other short term men In the unforgiving light. I pushed the steel through the powerbrake- bent the metal. Did what it takes. I don't see this as failure. The combines will be built fine but not on my time Or for Marie of the Trailer. I was proud of the job I did. Proud to take my wages back to Marie. We held on for a while- Marie of the trailers- Saint Marie.
11.
Over You 04:32
Ever since you broke my heart in two, I wonder what I did or didn't do. You left me here in pain As I stumble through the rain And dream about the day I get over you. Walking on the beach toes in the sand. We break the ways we had a better plan. Thinking all along where should we turn. Now I know I've been truly burned And I know where you've been. But I can't get over you- until you get out from under him. I miss your Subaru out in my drive. I wish we could have kept our love alive. I don't like riding solo in my truck. Without you- I just don't -- give a darn. You'd have your glass of wine, I'll have my beer. You crave romantic movies. I kill deer. It's lonely in this bed. You're on my mind. Your leaving me alone was so unkind. And I know where you've been. But I can't get over you- until you get out from under him.
12.
Tulsa 05:44
Going back to Oklahoma to breathe my share of fine red dust and the streets may not be paved with gold but met some people there I think I can trust First there are fields for miles and miles. Then it’s flat as cola out in summer. But when I’m feeling kind of tired—Tulsa is the world on fire. Heading past Ozark Mahoning. Grandpa said it didn’t count for much but he was a man of many secrets- and married the queen of the Methodist church. They took me out every evening- to make sure the sun was setting. Driving fast on the roller coaster road- the whine of the engine, riding the clutch My father’s father spoke from the bible. He grew a garden none could rival. His wife made quilts from scraps of linen, but Tulsa- is better than sinning. Sometimes stopped a while in Lawrence, at the gray house across from the park. Sitting calmly in the parlor – or staying up way past dark. But we always kept on moving. The Arkansas is dragging by. There’s oil in the air, oil in the water. Tulsa is the world on fire. My father’s father spoke from the bible. He grew a garden none could rival. His wife made quilts from scraps of linen, but Tulsa- is better than sinning.
13.
Shady Dale 02:56
14.
Drove down to Chi-town, the old stomping ground. Dressed most in leather but feeling a bit older than the last time he passed this way around but he's got a better ride now and a sharper outfit. Pulled in to a bar, they should have known his name. Place looked different and pretty much the same. Ponytail asked if that thing is water cooled. He was kind of snide and cocky, strutting like a fool because Jimmy that's one fine motorbike. No denying that's one fine V-rod. His brother Bob stopped by to bring his ma around. Your hair is kind of long, son. You're looking like a clown. Ma, in my heart, I'm not a business man. I can tow a lot of line but I won't change who I am. And I should have bought the house with the outdoor grill. Or maybe married someone who didn't wish me ill. But for everything I've done wrong, I've done one more right And I'm heel shifting through the night. And Jimmy that's one fine motorbike. No denying that's one fine V-rod.
15.
'm a poor wayfaring stranger traveling through this world of woe Yet there's no sickness, toil, or danger in that bright land to which I go I'm going to see my father I'm going there no more to roam I'm only going over Jordan I'm only going over home I know dark clouds will gather o'r me, I know my way is rough and steep Yet beauteiful fields lie just before me Where God's redeemed their vigils keep I'm going there to see my father I'm going there no more to roam I'm only going over Jordan I'm only going over home I want to wear the crown of glory when I get home to that good land I want to shout salvation's glory in concert with the blood washed band. I'm going there to see my fbrother I'm going there no more to roam I'm only going over Jordan I'm only going over home I'm going there to see my mother. She said she'd meet me when I come I'm only going over Jordan I'm only going over home

credits

released July 1, 2016

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Machinery Hill Minneapolis, Minnesota

Machinery Hill is:

Mike Ries: Bass and vocals.

Bill Lee: Alto Sax, Clarinet, Ukulele, Flute, Harmonica

Ric Lee: Violin

Datta Hartman: Accordion and vocals.

Dale Engquist: Guitar and vocals.

Brian Handeland: All sorts of saxophones, flute. Probably other things too.

John Gwinn: Percussion/ drums
... more

contact / help

Contact Machinery Hill

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Shifting Gears, you may also like: