Lyrics

FARMHANDS AND FACTORY GIRLS  
Release Date May 1, 20013


1. Punchin' Holes in Canvas -  © Mike Sheehy 2006

half way to Memphis I heard someone mention
time ain't been kind to them  well I know what you mean
cuz I've heard and I've seen more than one man should

hey ho pack your things and let's go
or we'll never find out what's at the end of the road

just in from Toledo in a thrift shop tuxedo
eyes were wide open  well I'm moving and morphin'
and I feel like an orphan dressed to the nines on change

we're not punchin' holes in canvas to see if a bigger picture exists
 we're punchin' holes in canvas and painting with our fists

drove to the Dakotas drinking whisky and sodas
and falling asleep at the wheel we were raising the bar
and shooting at stars watching bullets fall to the ground

we're not punchin' holes in canvas to see if a bigger picture exists
 we're punchin' holes in canvas and painting with our fists

moved on to Missouri where it reminds me of misery
I said show me a thing or two so they held up a mirror
and I started to shiver what more could they do

we're not punchin' holes in canvas to see if a bigger picture exists
yeah we're punchin' holes in canvas and painting with our fists
painting with our fists painting with our fists


2. Old Marching Band - © Mike Sheehy 2011

This town used to have pride before the economy died
when the late '80's came everyone cried
get out while you can and save your own hide
as the old marching band limps along

Budum bump bump bump budadum
Budum bump bump bump budadum
Budum bump bump bump budadum
As the old marching band limps along

And the only ones that stayed were the drunks and the addicts
fixed income seniors and religious fanatics
who scorned and scolded the sinners and their crimes
as the old marching band limps along

And the clock in the tower don't tick any more
the train left the station
your loves out the door
so pick up the pieces and don't ask for more
as the old marching band limps along

And the dirty little children play down at the junction
while parents mingle and drink to disfunction
on the stairs of the church never feeling compunction
as the old marching band limps along

And the clock in the tower don't tick any more
the train left the station
your loves out the door
so pick up the pieces and don't ask for more
as the old marching band limps along

Budum bump bump bump budadum
Budum bump bump bump budadum
Budum bump bump bump budadum
As the old marching band limps along

And the old grange hall echoes of happier times
put your ear to the boards and you're sure to find
a verse and a chorus and a melody line
when the old marching band was young

And the clock in the tower don't tick any more
the train left the station your loves out the door
so pick up the pieces and don't ask for more
as the old marching band limps along
as the old marching band limps along
as the old marching band limps along


3. For Your Life - © Mike Sheehy 2009

Farmhands and factory girls
dirty fingers and short tight curls
spit in the hand that spins the world
and hang on for your life

He took her to the corner of an long dark room
launched a rocket that took her to the moon
but he left orbit just a little too soon
and now she's running late

And so they hit the road in a rusty old car
rented out a room above a dirty little bar
where she's a waitress and he plays guitar
so badly that he'll never get far

And when they dance they dance for their life
dodging bullets and ducking knifes
The menu's dull but the lights are bright
so hang on for your life

And so they threw it all down on the roll of the dice
ripping off the boss on the deal of his life
now they're rolling in dough but they're running for their lives
victims of the vice

So they threw an old dart at a spinning globe
that landed in the Gulf of Mexico
but they didn't speak Spanish so went to San Diego
somewhere down in Mission Beach
where they're hiding in plain view under a golden tan
sleeping on the beach and pulling off scams
And they've got their stash buried in the sand
over by the zoo

And when they dance they dance for their life
dodging bullets and ducking knifes
the streets are hot and the sun is bright
so hang on for your life

and then it got around that the guy who played guitar
was selling good dope out of the trunk of his car
and no one heard the shots
but they found him 'neath the stars
with a name written in the sand

And when they dance they dance for their life
dodging bullets and ducking knifes
talk is cheap and words are so contrite
so hang on for your life


4. Has Been - © Mike Sheehy 2003

I'm just one suckered punched drunk
sobered up and wearing my bloody heart on my sleeve
and it's no fun being the last one
to leave the party and my ship's going down

I'm just one working class punk
razor back charm but at least I never sold my soul for rock 'n roll
and it's no fun being the last one to leave the party
to leave the party and my ship's going down
I could use that life boat now

what's it gonna take to get an even break
I'm not looking for a favor I'm looking for a fair shake
and it's no fun, I'm just one, I'm just one


5. Shutting the Old Plant Down - © Mike Sheehy/Jan Sheehy 2009

they're shutting the old plant down
the only decent place to work in this town
gave it half my life and so did my wife and so did my uncle and so did my dad

and he lost two fingers in an old machine
worked for man who was hard and mean
never came in late never called in sick
never got a thanks or a nod or a pat on the back

they called us in to a room
gave us the news that our jobs were doomed
they found a bigger building with cheaper rent and cheaper labor
so over the boarder they went

someone's gonna make a billion but I don't see the sense
building wealth on a broken home with a burning fence
the CEO is lying, can't you see this town is dying
and they're shutting the old plant down

the Henrys are packing the car
Jack got a job but it's kinda far
the house is up for sale they've got to bail
push came to shove so they're leaving the place that they love

the place they've called home for thirty years
five broken hearts and a thousand tears
school mates and teams family and dreams
neighbors and friends and it's all got to come to an end

someone's gonna make a billion but I don't see the sense
building wealth on a broken home with a burning fence
the CEO is lying, can't you see this town is dying
and they're shutting the old plant down


6. Lifetime Guarantee - © Mike Sheehy 2009

well he proposed on his knee gave a lifetime guarantee
but broke down after one year and the marriage only lasted three
then he took to the bars and she waited 'til the scars healed
and hit the road with $100 bucks in a '89 Chevy

and she sang roll roll roll roll roll
there's gotta be something better for me then this life of misery

and she was right
she met a handsome man with a job a little money and a pretty nice car 
well at least it started every day he even had table manners -napkin on his lap

but there still was a hole in her heart where the other man used to stand
so she picked up the phone and complicated everything 
and he said darling I love ya and I swear that I've changed
and if you send me $800 bucks I can pay off these fines
and I'll come sweep you off your feet

and she sang roll roll roll roll roll
there's gotta be something better for me then this life of misery

well it took three months and he showed up stinkin' drunk
the two men squared off and the battle begun
there was blood and sweat and broken kitchen chairs
and it's hard to say who the winner was
but it surely wasn't her, no it surely wasn't her

and she sang roll roll roll roll roll
there's gotta be something better for me then this life of misery

well she got the man she deserved and my final word is
you better know what the hell you want in this life before you go wishin' and a hoping

and she sang roll roll roll roll roll
there's gotta be something better for me then this life of misery


7. Escape from Crete - ©  Mike Sheehy 2010

sometimes we're imprisoned by our own device
sometimes it's hard to take good advice
well he escaped with wings made of wax
but flew to close to the sun
and fell into the sea that now bears his name
Oh the foolish young

and his soaring pride took the old man for a ride
instead of sharing his talents
he kept them close by his side
he thought the enemy was his apprentice
but fear and ego were the real nemesis
and it's hard to get pity from me for a man like that

we've got to get out of here we can't accept defeat
we've got to break free of these chains and escape from Crete

sometimes we meddle where we don't belong
and our good intentions can end up so wrong
he thought he'd prove his skill and his cleverness
and help the poor Minos with the bull and the Misses
but he should of stayed away from the whole damn mess

and the wicked old king ain't missed much now that he's died
he's a judge in the underworld of the afterlife
well they scalded him to death as he lay in his bath
they cleaned up his act and he felt their wrath
It's hard to get sympathy from me for a man like that

we've got to get out of here we can't accept defeat
we've got to break free of these chains and escape from Crete
we've got to get out of here we can't accept defeat
we've got to break free of these chains and escape from Crete


8. Lying Tooth - © 2003 Mike Sheehy

there was a town built on lies
built by men who lived lives filled with lies
and their wife's they're liars too
no one ever knew the truth

then one day truth walked into town
tried to rent a room and settle down
but they told a pack of lies and drove the truth away
the truth is gone but not too far away

whatcha gonna do with the truth
whatcha gonna do with the truth
sharpen it up and use it as your lying tooth
whatcha gonna do with the truth

then one day this town faced a lie
a lie so damn bold they could not deny
so they held a meeting and all the liars came
the gavel hit the bench the meeting did commence
but know one knew what to say

bahp bada bahp bada - so the lie just walked away

whatcha gonna do with the truth
whatcha gonna do with the truth
sharpen it up and use it as your lying tooth
whatcha gonna do with the truth


9. Candyland - © Mike Sheehy 2006

this is a true story...

I saw a puppet running
with scissors in his hand
his strings were cut
he was laughing and thumbing his nose at the man

and the punching clown
watched in horror and shouted
please don't leave
I need a friend to share my misery

and the moon looked down
and cracked a smile and said
your defiance is as hot as the sun
and that I do admire run puppet run

run puppet run
run as fast as you can
and don't stop running 'til you get to Candyland

well they sent out planes and they sent out tanks
they sent out the National Guard
they hung a million posters
that said wanted dead or alive

and the puppet said I'll take my freedom in life
or I'll take my freedom in death
'cuz living at the end of those strings
is like breathing half a breath


run puppet run
run as fast as you can
and don't stop running 'til you get to Candyland

well the news got out the people lined the streets
the back alleys and boulevards
they cheered the puppet on
and they blocked the National Guard...and they all shouted in unison

run puppet run
run as fast as you can
and don't stop running 'til you get to Candyland

run puppet run run
run as fast as you can
and don't stop running 'til you get to Candyland


10. Took All the Sunshine - © Mike Sheehy 2011

you took all the sunshine and only left shadows
now I'm hanging like a dead man in the gallows
waiting on redemption while you're wading in the shallow end of the pool

you say life is hell and you feel my pain
but you remind me of a psycho killer standing in the rain
and no one disagrees when I say that you're insane and someone's got to take the blame

shame on me shame on you
I taste poison in my food
trust taste s bitter when it's not served right
I should have known better when you said take another bite

well I went to the doctor and he gave me a pill
he said you have to stay away from the things that make you ill
am I a glutton for punishment when will I get my fill
or will I binge my life away

your consumed with the madness that's gone to your head
and with your pills, wine and compliments your ego's feed
and you smile in vain as it's going down the drain
to you it's just a game

you took all the sunshine
you took all the sunshine 
you took all the sunshine and only left shadows

you took all the sunshine
you took all the sunshine yes you did
you took all the sunshine and only left shadows

you took all the sunshine
you took all the sunshine baby
you took all the sunshine and only left shadows


11. Kissing Bridge - © Mike Sheehy 2010

I'm gonna take you down to the kissing bridge and spend a little time
taking little pieces of your heart if you don't mind
and if you don't mind,  I'm gonna make you mine

I'm gonna spend a little money on my honey's diamond ring
put a smile on her face and a song in her heart to sing
and if you don't mind,  I'm gonna make her mine

I'll be hers and she'll be mine, we'll be together all the time
you can't drive a wedge big enough to change her mind
she'll be mine till the end of time

we're gonna take a drive to the country store
and find a little bliss
take a walk to the covered bridge
and sneak a little kiss

if you don't mind
if you don't mind
if you don't mind
if you don't mind
if you don't mind, mind, mind you're gonna be mine till the end of time


12. Runaway Grace Train - © Mike Sheehy/Jan Sheehy 2009

are you built for speed can you keep the pace
saving you a spot no time to waste
so don't you disappear without a trace
we'll come looking for you take you to your place

I got a one way ticket on a runaway grace train
one way ticket on a runaway
got a window seat no baggage on the rack
well there's no first class and there's no second class
and there's no looking back

put on your shoes put away your blues
take a walk with me I've got good news
I gotta one way ticket on a runaway gotta one way ticket on a runaway
gotta one way ticket on a runaway grace train

so cast your line into that lake 
you're gonna catch something make no mistake
might be a cat fish might be a trout
just cast your line and have no doubt

I got a one way ticket on a runaway grace train
one way ticket on a runaway
got a window seat no baggage on the rack
well there's no first class and there's no second class
and there's no looking back

I got a one way ticket on a runaway grace train
one way ticket on a runaway
got a window seat no baggage on the rack
well there's no first class and there's no second class
and there's no looking back