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.

Taking a Tree Down

from Turnaround France by Will Clark

/

lyrics

when the car broke down and mother pushed it up the muddy slope
it was cold for the day it was
it was wet for the place it was
and I was
and a man, and a neighbor, and his friend
having locked up the gas station
taking a tree down

with the car in reverse
in the middle of the night
but with proper permits

it was late for the year it was. 1989.

his first memory is being audience to an out-of-tune piano
his first memory is of the second house they sold
he wants his boy to grab him by the throat

he’s been holding the map for hours now
on his way to
taking a tree down
(slowly, and without a sound)

that parking lot was worth a lot! soon it will be worth a lot more.
if you build it, they will come, in pairs of pairs of pairs (and no need for repairs)

mountains may depart before you see the past again
to see that day when you were all together, taking it down
(slowly, and without a sound)

so he spends a lot of time wishing he could do it on his own
dig a hole in the ground, fill it with some fish and one lonely snake
(slowly, and without a sound)

he fell far for the fruit he was
an apple or a pear
he dreams a melody skirts across a plateau
until it falls off a cliff, like a buffalo
(slowly, and without a sound)


his first memory is of mountains topped with brilliant caps of smoke
his first memory is of Tammany Hall, shitting out his guts
that horse is broken but not broke
he’s powering the engine
with the idea of God
and I’m placing my bets
on what is likely to win
I have no illusions
about changing the outcome
that tree is going down

you would take it home if you could make it worth the dragging



























I feel written but not rote

credits

from Turnaround France, released July 9, 2021

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Will Clark image

Will Clark Brooklyn, New York

Will Clark plays guitar for Madam West. He's not the erstwhile guitarist. He still plays.

contact / help

Contact Will Clark

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Will Clark, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now