LYRICS FROM MUSTARDS RETREAT ALBUM "A Resolution of Something"

1. The Road Back Home to You

(words: Tamulevich/Hough, Music: Tamulevich) David- vocal, guitar, harmonica Michael- harmony, bass The Kennedy's- harmonies, 2nd acoustic guitar Danny Cox- drums

I heard the screen door slam, heard the gravel grind heard that voice

inside my head say: It really is the end this time. So I gathered what

I needed, it didn't take me long It's easy once you've crossed that

line, and the only place to be is gone.

And I thought I'd find a somewhere that had never know your eyes A

tomorrow where you eyes had never filled the empty skies. A place that

held no echoes, and a space that held no tears where time would not

stand still the way it did when you were near.

CHORUS: Still I find I'm driving down that road to nowhere. Nowhere's

every town I've been through. In my heart I know I'll never find that

somewhere because every road I'm on leads back to you.

So I went looking for some answers with the passions of my youth but I

didn't find much till I started looking for the truth. And there among

the scars and ashes, was a path that headed home and the knowledge that

you were the greatest gift I'd ever known.

Now I hear you've moved to Michigan, to a town outside Marquette Where

the pace of life is saner, far from history and regret. Please forgive

me this intrusion, but there's so much that still rings true that if

you'll take the chance, I'll make the trip, just to talk with you.

2. The Summer and You

(words & music: Tamulevich). Thanks to Jack Williams for opening the door to this one, and Greg Brown forÉjust

being Greg Brown David- vocal, guitar Michael-bass Jack Williams- 2nd

guitar

There's a moon tonight, down behind the trees. A starry sky, and a

chilly breeze. The Summer runs, like a little stream as it hurries

south, full of big time dreams. There were dreams here once, all shiny

and you, but they all went south, with the Summer and you.

I split some wood. stacked it too. I never could seem to find the time

when I was with you. And there are secrets here. Answers too, but you

need to know the right questions, and I never do. The road out front,

is just an old dirt track. It's the one you took, without looking back.

The frost will come, in another week or so, then it won't be too much

longer before the first snow. I've always liked it here, where the

season's change: I never could understand your need for things to stay

the same. You do the best you can, with what's given you, but what was

best for me, was not enough for you.

The moon peeks out, then disappears again, not wanting to intrude, just

like a worried friend. It's a familiar place, I thought I had forgot

but like a crossroad's deal, seems it's what I bought. I played my

hand, seems it fell straight through, and it all went South, with the

Summer and you.

3.Stars on My Left

(words: Tamulevich/Hough, Music: Tamulevich) Michael- vocal, guitar,

bass David- harmony

Stars on my left, moon on my right My only companions on this road

tonight. A ring round the moon holds the promise of snow. The future's

ahead, far behind's all I know.

Now you've found someone who's love sings to you. And I've been the

king of denial, it's true. We worked all these years just to nurture

this flame now our hopes are in ashes, but love still remains.

And this is the road where I make up my mind. My choices are clear as

the moon in the sky. Words may confuse you: your heart never lies. Now

I'm on my way, still wanting to stay here with you.

There's no rage inside me, no vengeance no blame. The ghosts of the

past are still chanting my name. But the time always comes when

there's nothing to do but let go of the old and so hold something new.

And yes, I remember, the times and the seasons the words that were

promised and all we believe in. And somewhere there must be a rhyme and

a reason in having to go, but wanting to stay here with you.

Stars on my left, clouds to my right. I'm left with my conscience and

memories tonight and I'd make a wish, but I'm torn straight in two. I

guess in the end you just drive straight on through.

4.Phone Messages

(words: Hough/Tamulevich, Music: Tamulevich) David Ðvocal, guitar

Michael- bass

Woodsmoke drifts on a Winter's night Snow blows across my two

headlights The sky is dark, the fields are white We go to work in the

morning.

Blossoms grace the hawthorne tree. Love is gentle, but not to me. I

gave no thought to what might be: I never looked for a warning.

CHORUS: The house is clean, it's up for sale. Changed my address, not

much mail. You all come to my big yard sale to buy a dream for nothing.

Thunder rolls in the Summer's night. Bird songs welcome the morning

light. May all your troubles turn out right. I'll call you back if you

need me.

5.The Fishing Video

(Hough/Tamulevich) Michael- vocal,guitar, bass David- harmony

Watching the fishing shows, my lady and me she said they were boring.

I had to agree. I said, "Somethings missing, but I don't know what?"

She said " Take me fishing. I'll think about that."

So we went to a trout stream a short drive away. She made up a basket

for spending the day. She brought watercolors, sandwiches and brew and

a big jar of beads to have something to do.

I took my old fly rod, my Dad's wicker creel. I spent $200 on a

Hemingway reel my old leaky waders, and camouflage hat and a vest with

more pockets than I knew how to pack.

CHORUS: Sometimes the river whispers, sometimes the river roars

sometimes the river chuckles with the secrets of the shore. The river

hurries onward, the creek runs clear and freeÉ Sometimes these things

just roll along the way they ought to be.

I put on my waders, she took off her shoes we stepped in the water

together. I knew that I'd better not say what every fisherman knows

there were hellgrammites crawling right under her toes.

I fished slowly upstream, she walked on the stones neither of us was

completely alone our thoughts ran together, though separately drawn and

each time I looked around she had one less thing on.

Now trout fisherman are a hard headed lot but my Hemingway reel could

not spool up my thoughtÉ The air was like mystery, the water felt

colder she was perched like a mermaid on top of a boulder.

Now you only find trout in the loneliest places where it's rare to see

ladies with light in their faces. I chased her, she ran up the back

like a deerÉ. and I in my waders squelched right after her.

Now everyone knows what I'm singing about. It's a wonder I actually

caught a nice trout. She actually painted a picture or two when some

boy scouts came drifting along in canoes.

She was combing the pine needles out of her hairÉ and they checked out

my fish, but they were looking at her and one asked her, " Now why are

you looking so pleased?" and she said, "There's a big one I caught and

released."

6. Shenandoah

(Traditional) David- lead vocal Michael- harmony

7. Down the River

( words: Traditional, Tamulevich, Hough,

Music: Tamulevich) David- vocal, guitar Michael- harmony, bass DC

Fitzgerald- 2nd guitar The Dijonettes ( )- harmonies

Oh the river is up, the channel is deep the waves are steady and

strong. Let the voice of your oar, the measure keep as you row your

boat along.

Oh the water is bright, it's sparkling like gold in the rays of the

morning sun. And out here on the river, these times that you keep fill

your dreams when your day is done.

CHORUS: Down the river, sweep and row another day is done. Down the

river, off we go, out in the morning sun.

There's a rhythm that runs through the fabric of life. It's a simple,

yet elegant, weave. It reminds us of who it is we want to be, a

perspective and balance we need.

And with the sun through the trees, and the geese overhead and the

morning as clear as a song each pull of these oars is an answer I've

found in a world sometimes terribly wrong.

CHORUS

8. The Water is Wide

(Words: Traditional, new lyrics by Michael Hough, Heather MacFarland, and David Tamulevich, Music: Traditional)

Michael- vocal Garnet Rogers- guitar David Woodhead- piano

I saw your face once in a dream and looked at me, or so it seemed. Our

hands reached out, across the water's grace and the dream was gone, all

except your face.

When first we met, a kiss told all. As we stood amazed in the soft

snowfall. I asked you once, " Is it really you?" And your eyes said,

"Yes". You have found me too.

CHORUS: The water is wide, I can't cross over. Nor do I have bright

wings to fly. Build me a boat that can carry tow and both shall row,

my love and I.

Now you lie so near me in this night. And your eyes shine clear in the

candle light.. From a stream of lives joining heart and hand we can

take this chance to love again.

And we steer this boat down a mighty stream past the banks of time

between songs and dreams. We are restless souls who have found a home

and who could not cross that stream alone.

CHORUS

9. Pay the Toll

(Words: Hough, Tamulevich, Music: Hough) Michael: vocal, guitar, bass

David Harmony, guitar Garnet Rogers: Electric Guitars

The introduction to this song (in italics) was written by David

Mallett. David Tamulevich-vocal, guitar Michael-bass

Darkness falls, their fires they light pity those who live in fright.

mercy upon those who fight for someplace in the sunset.

Sounds of war, pistols roar violence walks among the poor. Danger lurks

at every door and people's eyes are blinded.

Stop and shop, a hotel flop, killers, fools and crazy cops. It all goes

on and never stops no love, no rest, no reason.

Concrete walls, dingy halls drunk men sleeping where they fall. Living

hard, and dying small and drowned and disillusioned.

Dragon queen, street machine, fading fast and feeling mean. An old man

sits and eats his beans he know his loves lies resting.

And poet's spears, pale but true they all send their love to you. And

they all know what they must do to purify their senses.

Pay the Toll

I can see the future coming, it's a hundred years away it's still

running from the war we're still preparing for today. It's a desperate

group of people who are hungry on the road with a mule to pull the

wagon, and the kids up on the load. You might think I'm talking crazy,

but I am what I must be and I want you all to know that I can see.

Oh the leader is a dreamer. He's a lot like you and me. And his eyes

are looking down the road as far as he can see. When you travel at a

mule's pace, the world is very vast and in every lonesome valley

there's a lesson from the past. You might think the world is crazy, you

might think we've lost control but the road unfolds before us. Pay the

toll.

If you see the future coming, and you think you'll ride the wave you

might put your mind to what you'd like to bring along and save. I'm not

much for new religions, or for politics and suchÉ riding shotgun on the

wagon, I'm not asking very much. You might think I'm talking crazy,

but I am what I must be and I want you all to know that I can see.

Every human in the story that is written in the earth holds a fistful

of the destiny that we chose before our birth. If you measure your

reflection by the length of shadows cast then the future builds a

fortress in the ruins of the past. You might think I'm talking crazy,

but I am what I must be and I want you all to know that I can see.

And I can see the future coming, it's a hundred years away it's still

running from the war that we're preparing for today. It's a desperate

group of people who are hungry on the road with a mule to pull the

wagon and the kids up on the load You might think the world is crazy,

you might think we've lost control but the road unfolds before us. Pay

the toll

10. Solitary Beach

( Tamulevich) David- vocal, guitar David

Woodhead: Bass

It could be nothing but a dream. A dream is nothing but a wish. Wishes

sometimes do come true on a magic night like this.

But you are so far away. More than time and words can reach as I sit,

at end of day, on this solitary beach.

I'm not often in this place, where the bottom can't be found as I fall

and twist and spin never reaching solid ground.

And I have tried the best I could to walk down a sacred path like a

child lost in the woods hoping bread crumb trails will last.

CHORUS: Questions are like skipping stones that we throw across the

sea. They mark the distance, heading home further, farther, now from

me.

If there's one thing that I know, that I remember here tonight in a

world so dark and cold you are my one and only light.

11. Mindy's Song

( words: Tamulevich/Hough, Music: Tamulevich) David: vocal, guitar

Michael- bass, harmony Karrie Potter- harmony, 2nd guitar

Yeah, it's an early morning, getting up at 5. The world so still and

quiet, helps me feel alive. No one I've got to talk to, no questions

why. Just headlights Ôcross the empty fields and a twilight sky.

I work a county road crew, on a paving team. Out in the Summer weather

I can thing and dream. The wind and sun tattoos my skin a tawny brown

and the rain, well it's the rain, and it just pours on down.

CHORUS These county roads are dangerous, people fly on by. They never

even see you: most don't even try. All rushing for tomorrows that may

never be, but for I'm happy being here, just being me.

It's not a place I ever thought my life would lead. To my surprise it

gives me something that I need. And I've finally realized that things

work out somehow Ôcause I've been through some tough times, but it's

all right now.

Old friends don't seem to understand, or want to know. "is this what

you went to college for?" I just let it go. Life's made of songs and

mysteries and little poems as we all search for that someplace we can

call our own.

CHORUS

12. A Resolution of Something

(Hough) Michael- vocal, guitar, David- dulcimer David Woodhead: bass, piano

My Father's ghost came to me in my sleep and took me on a spirit walk.

He said, " Before I died I never got too deep with you. Too busy being

me. But deadÉ Old needs and plans have sifted from my head and I've

been listening to your songs. I knew my children walk on paths I'll

never tread. But I have learned how much I'm part of you.

"So here's a picture for you, that I drew. I want you to remember when

you wakeÉ Each line and stroke's a gift out of the blue the love that's

mine to give, and yours to take." He said " I like the music that you

play so wake up now, and write this down. It's day."

13. Bowling Green

(instrumental) (Tamulevich) David- dulcimer Michael-bass Karrie Potter- 2nd guitar, banjo

14.The Michigan Mosquitoes

(Words: Hough, Traditional tall tale, Music: Hough) Michael- vocal,

guitar. bass David- harmony Madcat Ruth: Harmonica

In Michigan not long long ago, mosquitoes could not fly but they were

big and bad enough to look a logger in the eye. And every Spring they'd

plant their feet on both sides of the stream and pick the loggers off

the rafts that floated down between. Well Paul Bunyan heard about this,

and he said it would never do he said "I'll go get reinforcements:

teach those bugs a thing or two!" So he went down to Texas and brought

back some Killer Bees to try and start an insect war beneath the

northern trees.

CHORUS: Oh Paul Bunyan, see what have you done When you mess with

Mother Nature, she comes back to have some fun. Oh Paul Bunyan, see

what have you done? These Michigan mosquitoes have got us on the run.

Oh the Texas bees were nasty, the mosquitoes were tough and mean. There

was buzzin' and bitin' and stingin' and fightin' like no one had ever

seen. But the battleground grew silent with a hush between the trees

when the king of the mosquitoes met the queen of all the bees. He was

brown and bad and handsome with his sword and suction pips. She was

beautiful and deadly in her black and yellow stripes. As they circled

around each other looking for an opening close enough to touch antennae

little birds began to sing. They sang thisÉ CHORUS

Soon it seemed like they were dancing, they decided not to flight so

the war became a pow wow and the party went all night. Angry buzzing

turned to humming, open war to wedded bliss and the loggers were heard

to mutter " Nothing goods gonna come of this" So our Michigan

mosquitoes are the children of that night twice as big and twice and

ugly all in brown and yellow stripes. And they fly in tight formations,

roaring like a mighty wind they're exceptionally fuzzy and they've got

stingers on both ends.

CHORUS

15. A Mile Beyond Trouble

( Words: Tamulevich/Hough, Music: Tamulevich) David- vocal, guitar

Michael: bass Jack Williams- guitars Danny Cox- drums

I found myself with some time in the city just looking for something to

do. And I thought, what a shame and a pity that I couldn't spend this

time here, with you.

Life has a way of making you crazy has a way of leaving you feeling

small. But today I'm a mile beyond trouble and none of that can touch

us at all.

I took the time just to let my feet wander to go wherever they wanted

to. Down the streets, through the shops and the gardens: so much here

reminds me of you.

Once you and I almost had something special, I remember, on a day like

today. Too many voices, too many distractions and we just let that

chance slip away.

CHORUS: So much of life is tension and trouble. So rare these moments

that are simple and plain. Thinking of you helps me burst through that

bubble and find a balance in the things I can change.

Later in the day I was down by the river where we used to go when

nothing was clear. There you were, and you smiled as I walked up and

said "You know I hoped you'd be here."

We found ourselves with some time in the city let the problems of the

world rise and fall "cause today we're a mile beyond trouble and none

of that can touch us at all.

This project would not have been possible without the extraordinary and

generous work done by the musicians and engineers who's names and

studios appear here. The majority of the recording, assembling, and the

mixing was done in Ann Arbor, MI at Solid Sound, with the assistance of

long time collaborators and friends Rob Martens, Willard Spencer, Chris

and Eric . Additional recordings were done by, and at:

David Woodhead, DC Fitzgerald Glen Brown Marcus Michael King (Peter O)