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Treehouse (2019 Yearbook)

by Sean McGaughey

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1.
One Pump Town 03:19
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One Pump Town © Sean McGaughey Aug 31, 2019 Ver 3 (Blended) V1 Am E7 They talk about the glory days, but glory for whom? E7 Am When this town had 4 hotels, a sawmill and saloon Am E7 There’s been a century of bust but there was never any boom E7 Now the buildings look too tired to fall down E7 Am Folks sleepwalk through a one pump town V2 Am E7 The sign above the station is faded but it lights E7 Am Offering Food and Fuel on the darkest prairie nights Am E7 Old Jack sleeps on a cot out back, he’s open till 9 E7 Am If you ring the bell, he’ll give you hell, but he’ll serve you anytime. Am E7 Cause no station’s open for fifty miles frozen ground E7 Am That’s how it’s done in a one pump town. Chorus 1 F Am And the ghosts in the streets are all still breathin G Am They haunt the Legion complaining, never leavin’ F Am The kids drift away as soon as they are grown G Am Can’t make a living, just survive-- in a one pump town Verse 3 (Dark) Am E7 They found old Jack in a Cadillac, on the hoist in the shop E7 Am Smoke pouring out the windows. Someone called the cops. Am E7 For some folks it ain’t sink or swim, it’s hang or drown E7 Am No one gets out alive in this one pump town. Chorus 2 F Am And the ghosts in the streets are all still breathin G Am They haunt the Legion complaining never leavin’ F Am The kids drift away as soon as they are grown G Am There’s no hope to be found in this one pump town Bridge C G Once in a Blue moon, a young couple comes back around F C G Spruces up an old place and proceeds to settle down F C Once absent, children’s laughter fills the playground G C Am Dreams still come to a one pump town, Chorus 3 F Am And the ghosts in the streets are all still breathin G Am They haunt the Legion complaining, never leavin’ F Am The kids drift away as soon as they are grown G Am Dreams still come to a one pump town, G Am There’s still room for hope in a one pump town.
2.
Don't Let it Start This Way 02:30
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Don't let it start this way Tell them I wrote something Tell them I told them a wonderful tale Don't pull the curtain back Let them be certain I Strove for success when I opted to fail Don't let it start this way Thrown in the spotlight No mouth and no trousers, no something to say Don't let me be the deer Caught in the oncoming Headlights of 'nothing to see here today' Don't let them see me A minuscule mortal With migraines and cobwebs inside of my head The pistol is smoking The masses are roaring The gates are flung wide but the greyhound is dead The seconds are ticking The runners are restless The starter is waving the flag of bright green No portrait of Dorian For this old writer Laid outlined in chalk as the crowd flee the scene Don't let it start this way Tell them I came in With blazing of guns and a swashing of coat Don't let me greet the dawn Wrapped in my darkest hour Don't let it start this way Tell them I wrote
3.
An Old Love Song 02:56
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An Old Love Song (c) Sean McGaughey Feb. 1, 2019 Slow fingerpicked ballad C Am Dm G etc, etc... We talk about the weather. We talk about the game We gossip about people only famous for their fame. We question the newscast. What's he on about again? But no truer words were spoken, when I whisper your name. Shoulders brush in passing, as we go about our day. Hug and peck at the door, as we head out on our way. Reminisce on love's first days, each touch a flame, a spark With whispers and caresses, shared undercover (..in the dark). Dm- G Old fires burn slowly, not as hot and white as new Dm-G They radiate a steady warmth, constant and true C Am Dm G I guess this is an old love song, but in my heart it's true These words are pale reflections of what I share with you Comments
4.
Under Her Hat (feat. Eric Agner) 04:31
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E B She. she is beautiful. A E She doesn’t track hairstyles or next week’s clothes. E b She, she has style A E, she presents herself quietly, nobody knows. E B She, she’s empathic. E C#M b She's there for the ones who needs it most. CHORUS? B A You talk to her, she’s got depth B A She’ll answer no question without context B She’s whipsmart A Maybe smartass B All her best qualities A Are under her hat V2: She, she is an artist. She sees the world in a different way. She, she’s in a costume. Wear the ordinary going through her day She, she's telepathic. She hears what you believe but never can say V3 She, she leaves the lights on, shining bright when the world has gone dark She’s lit by her own fire, she paints the world she sees with her heart. She, she is magic. She’ll turn your dark ravens into bright skylarks OUTRO: E A Ad nauseum She’s smart as hell, she keeps it under wraps She keeps it all under her hat
5.
Pretty Little Picture 01:25
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Sean McGaughey Pretty Little Picture SS060719H (C) July 6, 2019 Still life in 3 acts. 2nd draft July 17 Key of D Dx2, Ax2, Gx2 Dx1 Ex2 Played at Fret 6&7 aka uke position with open strings ringing. A pretty little picture still life with flowers hangs above the table a light in pre-dawn hours A pretty little picture inside a prince's yacht bought at auction for millions for a museum then forgot. A pretty little picture Stick figures drawn in brown hangs on a locked wire door She cries Mama, no one's a round. 1st Draft July 6 A pretty little picture still life with flowers hangs above the breakfast table Spreading joyful light in pre-dawn hours A pretty little picture hangs inside a prince's yacht bought at auction for ninety million promised to a museum then forgot. A pretty little picture Stick figures drawn in brown Pinched into the links of a cage Cries of Mama, but there are none around.
6.
Well Actually 03:57
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Well, Actually Sean McGaughey (c) Feb. 16, 2019 FAWM#10 Intro: Bm E A F#m I can make myself up nice with my beard and clothes just so Bm E I can keep a spotless house, take the kids where they need to go A F#m I can work outside at my little job, and get home to cook a meal Bm E And I’ll smile cause I look masculine. I love how that makes her feel. F#m D Well, actually, why can’t a boy have it all? Bm E I want to eat my cake and have it too? A F#m My dad used to tell me son, there’s nothing you can’t do. Bm E Well, actually, that ain’t true. A F#m I can get up early to work out, keep my body fit and trim for her Bm E I can keep my little hobbies, a male musician and author A F#m I can work years in a department for two thirds the wage Bm E To be passed over for promotion by a woman half my age F#m D Well, actually, why can’t a boy have it all? Bm E I want to eat my cake and have it too? A F#m My dad used to tell me son, there’s nothing you can’t do. Bm E Well, actually, that ain’t true. A F#m I take care to dress so I don’t attract, an unwelcome advance. Bm E Because every young boy learns they should not lead on a woman. A F#m I dreamt of being a boy astronaut, or a male congresswoman Bm E But my dreams evaporated when she left me for a younger man. Bridge: D And if this song sounds odd, coming from a man E Switch the genders around, then you’ll understand. F#m D Well, actually, why can’t a boy have it all? Bm E I want to eat my cake and have it too? A F#m My dad used to tell me son, there’s nothing you can’t do. Bm E Well, actually, that ain’t true
7.
Good Old Days 01:50
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July 12: Revisions and chords Good Old Days Sean McGaughey (c) Sean McGaughey July 7, 2019 G Am D G I G Am Those, those were the good old days. D Kids played on the streets without their mothers G Am We had little but we didn't suffer C People looked out for each other D and kept their business to themselves. II G Am Those, those were the good old days D When you knew all your neighbours G Am Got a day's pay for an honest day's labour C People prayed to one creator D Least it seemed so at the times III G Am Those, those were the Good old days D If you had the right complection G Am Spoke with a certain inflection C Your Daddy had connections D D G And you knew how to shake hands. Those were the good old days G Am By an accident of birth C If you inherited net worth D and disregard the earth G Those were the good old days (X3). Am D Those were the good old days G Those were the good old days Good Old Days Sean McGaughey (c) Sean McGaughey July 7, 2019 Those were the good old days. Kids played on the streets without their mothers We had little but we didn't suffer People looked out for each other and kept their business to themselves. Those were the good old days When you knew all your neighbours Got a day's pay for a day's labour People prayed to one creator Least it seemed so at the times Those were the Good old days If you had the right complection Spoke with a certain inflection Your Daddy had connections And you knew how to shake hands. Those were the good old days By an accident of birth If you inherited net worth and disregard the earth Those were the good old days (X3).
8.
Hope 02:18
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Lyrics: Sean McGaughey SS070519c (c) July 5, 2019 HOPE A squall is often followed by a rainbow. Sunrise concludes the darkest night. The ugliest of caterpillars dissolves into goo, becomes a painted butterfly and takes flight. When everything you touch turns from gold to brass. And every situation is perfectly designed to kick your ass. You wander through crowds, yearning for a friend, and wonder when you'll finally go around the bend Every time you thought you could not make it through, you did. It"s been that way since you were a kid. When you're holding the last thread of your rope. Hang on, this is hope.
9.
Dona Nobis Pacem 01:12
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10.
One Uke Short of a Load 01:41
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Music and Lyrics: © Sean McGaughey May 18, 2019 Key of G: Country Truck Driving song feel. Written for Midland Ukefest [Verse 1 ] G I just pulled off of the interstate C Gotta pick up load a load of freight D I pull up to the Kala Factory D G Wonderin' What they got for me. [Verse 2] G Dispatcher said you're going to Midland C There's a Uke Fest there on the two-four weekend. D They loaded me up and when they were done. D G I had sixteen gross of ukes minus one. [Chorus] G I'm one uke short of a load C One uke short of a load D Gotta get this show on the road D G But I'm one uke short of a load. [Verse 3] G So I headed out along the highway C Van riding low from all the ukuleles D Passed a field of tulips D G On the way. [Verse 4] G Then I heard a gentle weeping C The ukes rang out with the wheel's timekeeping D It was like Chalmers Doane was D G sitting in the cab with me. [Chorus] [Bridge] D I couldn't believe when I saw C G A convoy coming from Ottawa C G D Bytown ukes hauling 16 tons of gear. [Verse 5] G And to my right beside the tracks C Was an old ukester in a denim jacket D His thumb was out, and I said D G Doug Cameron hop into the rig with me
11.
Yup, That's Me 01:10
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Yup, That's Me Sean McGaughey (c) July 7, 2019 Yup, that's me I'm Seb's Dad Yup, I'm pretty proud He sure is. Yup, we're glad he helped you out. Yup, that song was his, that painting too Yup, we think he's doing OK. Used to be I'd be recognised by grown kids I taught or otherwise by old acquaintances while they passed by Sometime someone even came along Who said they liked my songs. But not today That's OK Yup, I'm Seb's Dad.
12.
I Call You Joy 04:11
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I Call You Joy Sean McGaughey (c) Apr 2016- Feb 12, 2019 Intro: Gx2 Ax2 Dx2 Chorus D I call you beloved, F#m I call you an artist G I call you beautiful A7 I call you my own D You will always be my child F#m Woman, man, girl or boy. G From the first that I knew you, A D I called you, I called you Joy D I gave you a name. Em It was a good name A7 Carried with pride on both sides G A7 of the family tree D But the name and your body Em Chafed against you oddly A7 An ill fitting uniform G A7 That couldn’t match what you were inside Chorus Then you chose a new name... That suited you better. Changed your appearance, And pronouns as well. You slowly emerged A grand transformation A butterfly released From a crystalline shell Chorus Instrument Solo Chorus Vocal Outro: {G From the first I knew you, A D I called you,} 3x A D G A D I called you Joy
13.
I Still Make You Laugh 02:18
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I Still Make You Laugh © Sean McGaughey Feb 26, 2019 Intro Gx2 Ax2 V1 D A Just saw a picture from our wedding day Bm F#m You in a white dress, me in black. D A Your head back laughing, me with a smile Bm F#m We wished it could always be that Chorus G D I Still Make You Laugh G A Our smile tends to blend together V2 More than two decades we've walked hand in hand We've seen more ups than downs, Me, you understand We've built a fine family, watched as they grew Still we lean inwards, stronger as two. Chorus Bridge F#m Bm I've cried with you F#m Bm When folks had passed F#m Bm Nothing to be said G A We just held hands V3-- pt 1 instrumental Pt 2 You're still laughing- I still grin Turns out it was the best way to begin… Chorus Outro Gx2 Ax2 D
14.
Origin Story 02:36
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Origin Story Sean McGaughey (c) Feb 7, 2019 FAWM #5 1-4-5 swing-blues -ish I've never been bitten by a radioactive spider If I did I'd probably get very sick and die I'm pretty sure my mother never found me in a crater Because I can't see through walls and I don't know how to fly I'm a little claustrophobic and I'm not fond of the dark I've not been struck by lightning or spied a magical light I never went exploring to find ancient ring or ark I have nothing to avenge, my folks are still alive. I used to dream of racing into danger to save the day Stopping disasters and meeting a nice girl along the way I don't have super strength, I can't read minds or fly But still I dream of tights and capes and taking to the sky I never got an invitation delivered by an owl I never took a ride with a doctor in a phone booth I'm too chicken to hitchhike and I've mislaid my towel My only secret weapons are three chords and the truth. I don't have superpowers but that's alright by me Stan Lee taught us how to write our own origin stories
15.
Mountaintop 02:49
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Lyrics: Mountaintop Sean McGaughey (c) August 10-14, 2019 Written at the David Thompson Resort while gazing at the mountain view. C F Woke up inside a cloud this morning C G To the whispering of the leaves in the tall pine trees. C F Feeling the rumble of the falls into the canyon C G C Savoring each breath of the cool mountain breeze. Chorus F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies F G7 C Feeling mighty small within the expansive view. F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies. F G7 C Except for standing here with you. C F I say your eyes are as green as the water C G You answer mine are as blue as the skies C F We hold hands down two hundred stairs to the falls. C G C And we peer along the canyon as far as the hawk flies. Chorus F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies F G7 C Feeling mighty small within the expansive view. F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies. F G7 C Except for standing here with you. C F Everything is bigger as we sit on a mountaintop. C G Everything that is, but the worries that we left behind. C F Every moment a sunbeam reveals another wonder. C G C Leaves us in a mountaintop state of mind. Chorus F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies F G7 C Feeling mighty small within the expansive view. F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies. F G7 C Except for standing here with you. Bridge. G C I know tomorrow we'll come down from the mountain. G C Back to our lives in the city below. G C But our hearts took a snapshot of the peaks and the valleys. D G G7 We can have a bit of mountaintop wherever we go. Chorus F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies F G7 C Feeling mighty small within the expansive view. F G7 C There is nothing like standing alone in the Rockies. F G7 C Except for standing here with you.
16.
Fare Thee Well 02:31
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Fare Thee Well Music and Lyrics: © Sean McGaughey Feb29, 2019 FAWMcloser #22 Key of A Waltz A line of cabs awaits outside the hall We've had our last dance and last call The final chords of the band have given way To a chorus of small talk as we try to delay It's not a last goodbye, but fare thee well Save me a dance at next year's soiree We have old friends, new friends, some great memories. And treasury of new songs to play Farewell to old friends, new friends, I have sweet memories and a treasury of new songs to play.
17.
Purcell's Canon 01:24
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about

I have become very comfortable artistically with the concept of seasons of writing. For the past several years, my main songwriting seasons are February Album Writing Month and the 50 songs in 90 Days Challenge that runs from July 4- October 1. By the end of 2019, I had written 51 +/- songs. Many of them stood up to re-listening months later.
This album is a selection of my songs for 2019. Most are demos written and recorded very quickly but they hold up.

I have priced this as a pay what you want album starting at zero dollars because I wrote 'em and I want to share them. Any funds received will be greatly appreciated and will be put to the cause of creating more original music.

Enjoy,

Sean
December 28, 2019

credits

released December 29, 2019

Thanks to Eric Agner, Stephen Wort for the great collaborations.
Thanks as always to Nancy for putting up with all this creativity.

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Sean McGaughey Ontario

I am a folk singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and children's entertainer in Simcoe County Ontario. By day, I am a mild-mannered Elementary School teacher-librarian.

Since 2013, I have been participating the the February Album Writing Month Challenge at fawm.org to write 14 songs in February.

This year I challenged myself to up my musicianship and production values. This is the result. ... more

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