Get all 4 East Row Rabble releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of East Row Rabble, Aliens in my Brain, Strawberries & Cream, and Baggage Claim Live at the Street Theatre - Beth n Ben (Back Catalogue).
Excludes supporter-only releases.
1. |
Back of the Line
04:21
|
|||
|
Hello, how are you, how can I help you?
Remember that I said that, when you want your money back
Hello, how are you, how can I help you?
Remember I remember your name
Hello, how are you, how can I help you?
Remember I just work here, when you wanna kick box me
Hello, how are you, how can I help you?
Can I get someone helpful to help you instead?
But their time is money, And your time…
My time is money, And your time, well...
If you got time for the back of the line
You’re welcome to wait at the back of the line
If you got time for the back of the line we’ll get back to you
Any time between nine and five
Dear Sir, Madam, Miss, Ms, you owe the following for this
Can you pay in X amount of days?
If you can’t pay in time, you’ll surely incur a fine
But hang on the line for a dollar ninety-nine
Dear Sir Madam, Miss, Ms, send your soul away in this
A yellow envelope, with a sticky lip
If you can’t do it right, just call the hot line
Become a member online, it’s only fine ninety-five
My time is money, And your time…
My time is money, And your time, well...
If you got time for the back of the line
You’re welcome to wait at the back of the line
If you got time for the back of the line we’ll get back to you
Any time between nine and five
Dear Corporation, House of Reps, Telecommunications
How bout you owe me some cold hard cash
My lawyer has informed me that the law will soon be smiting thee
Unless you pay for the systems you improperly installed for me
Dear Sir, Madam, Miss, Ms, note the following:
I noticed my CD is playing in your private rest room
Because I have no website yet, I’ll be expecting cash or cheque
Delivered to the letterbox, ON MY FRONT DOOR STEP!
My time is money, and your time…
My time is money, and your time…
My time is money, and your time…
My time is money, and your time, well…
If you got time for the back of the line
You’re welcome to wait at the back of the line
If you got time for the back of the line we’ll get back to you
Any time between nine and five
Since you’ve got time for the back of the line
We’ve saved you a seat at the back of the line
And when your deadline’s at the end of its tether, we’ll get back to you anytime between now and never
|
||||
2. |
People
05:16
|
|||
|
There are People dancing in the mud
And everybody’s happy and smilin high and so full of love
Because of all the People up there on the stage
But somewhere People kill other People in hatred and rage
Despite all these People that are dancing in the rain
There are all of these other People intent on causing pain
And I’m hopin these People that sometimes I have been
Will somehow hear a song that will change their ways the way songs have changed me
But that relies on People singing out this song
Spreadin this message around the world so they can see they’re wrong
So come on all you People sing out loud with me
And as People lets tell the People to come along and be
Yeah to come on and be
The change in the world
You want to see
So one time there was these People and they were stolen from their land
And probably the People my People came from did it with their own hands
And though I’m not the People that treated them this way
I can tell all of those stolen People I’m sorry anyway
But there’s still lots of People getting stolen today
Being broken by other People killed and chased away
Because these other People just don’t want to see
That Peoples is just Peoples despite their colour race or breed
And then there’s all these bigger People in their own eyes at least
Who think that bombs guns and war are the way to bring peace
So come on and be
The change in the world
You want to see
There are many People who taught this song to me
I can’t name them all so I’ll just name one he was a fella called Ghandi
So look out for the People who can teach you a song
And be sure that you play your part, pass that message along
And then one day these People well they finally might be
Just as safe happy free and fine as you and as me
Till then lets tell the People to sing out loud with me
And as People lets tell the People to come along and be
To come on and be
The change in the world
We all want to see
|
||||
3. |
Don't Say
04:34
|
|||
|
I try to call you on the telephone
Always pretending that you’re just not home
I’m sick of making friends with your dial tone
I try to get you on my MP3
They’re not for phone calls apparently
But I don’t know where else to look to find the old you
You know I don’t ask that much from you
So if this is all I get you to do
Just listen when I tell you
Don’t say you’ll be there when you wont
Picked up your picture the other day
The one I promised to throw away
Cause you said you looked like you slept in your car that day
Reminded me of how things used to be
When you’d get off your ass and call me
I hope its not to late to stalk your folks and prank your house
You know I don’t take that much from you
So if this is all I get you to do
Just listen when I tell you
Don’t say you’ll be there when you wont
I’d really like it if you came around
We could have a jam and work it out
Bitch about the chicks that gave us shit in high school
But don’t make excuses for why we lost touch
Or I’ll make ya a hot cup of shut the fuck up
If you say you’re here to stay you wont care for yesterday
You know I don’t take that much from you
So if this is all I get you to do
Just listen when I tell you…
There aint much I wouldn’t do for you
If you got down on your knees and begged me to
So don’t deny it when you know it’s true
You can’t say you wouldn’t miss me too.
|
||||
4. |
Two Simple Chords
04:53
|
|||
|
Two simple chords is all I need
Two simple chords used to bring, the bee to the honey
But throughout the seasons, though my sweetness went sour
It’s that time of year again, fresh for new beginnings
That time of year again for a simpler living
Two simple chords just say it all
You know them inside out and they will always break your fall
Though others seem new and interesting
They just don’t got that soul, that magnetic resolve
No they don’t got that soul that make two halves into a whole
No they don’t
Two simple chords is all it takes
To make the hairs on my neck stand straight or the disks in my spine shake
When four bars of music can speak to your bones
You don’t forget how it goes, no matter how far you roam
You won’t forget that tone, all the highs and the lows
Two simple chords is all I have
I’ve developed them to the point that I’m back where I began
And though I find myself right back at the start
Right back at the start could be the key to your heart
Right back at the start one day might win me your heart
Two simple chords are you and me you see
On the cutting room floor cause it’s just too easy
But when that love song lacks the essence of love
They will find my hand and they will place it in yours
And they will marvel for hours at just two simple chords
Two simple chords
Ain’t ever gonna make me bored
Two simple chords
Don’t seem to make me bored
Two simple chords
Ain’t ever gonna make me
Never gonna make me bored
|
||||
5. |
As the Hail Rains
04:59
|
|||
|
The object of these tears
Has disappeared into her fears
But I wouldn’t trade a minute for the sun
So I’ll tilt my bottle high
As the hail rains from the sky
And I’ll keep it up there till it’s done
Well we knew that this day
Would be coming our way
But I’m glad it was put off till now
Coz the road we took has shown us
More than we could ever know
And gives hope for the future somehow
But go now, go now
Coz this path just aint ready to pave
And despite what we’ve lost, you can be sure that the cost
Won’t amount to the things that we’ll save
And hear now, hear now
These wounds aren’t the worst I’ve endured
So just know and be assured, that these cuts you see before you
Sting less than the ones you have cured
They sting less than what you’ve already cured
And the sky still lights up
As I stare at this cup
Not quite sure if it’s full or empty
If its time that is needed
Let the warnings be heeded
Take your time, coz of that there is plenty
If it’s just not meant to be
Then I’m sure in time we’ll see
That what we had before is no longer there now
If it is well then we’ll know
That all the places we should go
Were preserved by the space we lay bare now
So go now, Go now,
Coz this path just aint ready to pave
And despite what we’ve lost, you can be sure that the cost
Won’t amount to the things that we’ll save
And hear now, hear now
These wounds aren’t the worst I’ve endured
So just know and be assured, that these cuts you see before you
Sting less than the ones you have cured
They sting less than what you’ve already cured
The Object of these tears
Has disappeared into her fears
But I wouldn’t trade a minute for the sun
So I’ll tilt my bottle high
as the hail rains from the sky
And I’ll keep it up there till its done
|
||||
6. |
Just Enough
04:27
|
|||
|
I worry I need people more than things
I’m worried that some people need their things
More than they need me
Bur that will have to do for me
I worry that you don’t know what I mean
Because I speak in metaphor and that just aint no way to talk
To your fellow man
But your man enough for me
You better watch which way the wind blows
Before it changes your face the way the day grows old
You better watch which way the wind blows
Before it changes your face the way the day grows old
Just to make you smile that kind of smile
That wrinkles up beside your eyes
And makes you cry a little
Just to make you strike that kind of pose
That wrinkles up above your nose
And makes you choke a little
Well it’s just enough for me
I worry I need my teeth more than my toothbrush
I’m worried I need me and I need you more than I need us
But that will have to do for me
I’m worried that you don’t know what you got
I’m worried that you won’t see, I’m worried that you don’t see
I made this up on the spot
And it’s not enough for me
You better watch which way the wind blows
Before it changes your face the way the day grows old
You better watch which way the wind blows
Before it changes your face the way the day grows old
Just to make you smile that kind of smile
That wrinkles up beside your eyes
And makes you cry a little
Just to make you strike that kind of pose
That wrinkles up above your nose
And makes you choke a little
Well it’s just enough for me
I worry after twenty years time
You’ll finally have the guts to drop me a line
I worry after fifty years time
I’ll trade every dollar and I’ll trade every dime
Just to make you mine
And that’s not enough for me
|
||||
7. |
Apples & Grapes
05:47
|
|||
|
I woke beneath the leaves
And suddenly ascended from the darkness
Was awestruck by the starkness of the light
The life the love and ease
The way the air smells when you’re there
The way the light shines off your hair
And before long, I had gone
A branch or two beyond the height
That I ever thought I might
But it’s too soon, so have your room
And never be afraid to knock
‘Cause my door is never locked for you
Well my finger took the fall
And it started with a smile
But now it’s gone on for a while
Its not worth it at all
To try and make it go away
‘Cause it’s always gonna stay
And in a while, I’ll see your smile
And I’ll reach for that last branch
Because I have to take that chance
And one fine day, I’ll be able to say
That I’m standing at the top
And I’m never gonna drop
‘Cause I climbed so high and I’ll stay up here
With my apple in the sky
So until that day baby I’ll just wait
Till it’s my time
Well I know this is for real
‘Cause I’ve travelled all this distance
Despite meeting such resistance
‘Cause I know how you feel
And I know there’ll come a day
When you feel that it’s ok
To trust again, so I’ll wait till then
And I’ll be there when you call
And I’ll catch you if you fall
And one fine day, I’ll be able to say
That there’s nothing left to fear
‘Cause I made it all the way up here
And I climbed so high and I’ll stay up here
With my apple in the sky
So until that day baby I’ll just wait
Till it’s my time
|
||||
8. |
Your Gods
05:13
|
|||
|
Well there’s dust in my throat from this city
And there’s dust in my mouth from this town
And there’s dust in my brain
Its drivin me insane
But I just can’t stop guzzling it down
Yeah there’s light in my eyes and its burnin
To the depths and its warming my soul
Yeah this lights burnin bright
And its blinding my sight
But I swear its gon’ fill up this bowl
And my baby wakes up in the morning
And shes gone before I wanna let her go
But she comes home to me
Shows me more than I can see
But why she stays, only your gods can know
Singing lai diddy dai dai dai dai dai
Singing low diddy doe doe doe doe
Singing lou diddy do
What the hell’m I s’posed to do
Can you tell me where I’m s’posed to go
When there’s war in this world that we live in
And there’s war on the streets of this town
And there’s war in my mind
And I think you will find
That in war what goes around comes around
And there’s love in my chest and its pumping
To my feet and my head and my hands
Yeah theres love in my veins
And its drivin me insane
This much loves about all I can stand
And my baby wakes up in the morning
And shes gone before I wanna let her go
But she comes home to me
Shows me more than I can see
But why she stays, only your gods can know
Singing lai diddy dai diddy dai dai
Singing low diddy low doe doe doe do
Singing lou diddy do
What the hell’m I s’posed to do
Can you tell me where I’m s’posed to go
|
||||
9. |
This Life
05:53
|
|||
|
The seasons get under your skin
The reasons evade the logic trying to fight within
And the bright blue sky fades into grey
And at night you just lie awake and dread the coming day
And the battle ever takes its toll
And sometimes instead of risin you just fall
The believing gets harder every day
And the deceiving goes in and out and every which way
And this place is no longer fun and games
And the face you once saw in the mirror doesn’t look the same
And the light in the tunnels goin out
And you can’t tell what the hell its all about
So you say
This life of mine, I’m running outta time
I’m fallin out of touch, I’m fallin outta line
This life of mine
Sometimes I just can’t get out of bed
Sometimes I can’t stand the shit that’s running through my head
And my friends are leaving town
And my teeth are falling out
But I guess it’s not that bad after all
Yeah it’s really not that bad after all
Cause as sure as they come they’ll fade away
And the more you endure the more you’ll love those brighter days
And the dark grey sky starts shinin blue
And its warm days of lying with ya friends around the pool
And the battle’s well and done by now
And you managed to survive it all somehow
So believe in the fact that things will change
When you’re feeling all down and out and funny weird and strange
Cause you don’t stand alone in this shit fight
And you won’t stay in the mud yeah soon its gonna feel alright
And the light in the tunnel sparks again
And you’ll love this messed up world again by then
But you still say
This life of mine, I’m running outta time
I’m fallin out of touch, I’m fallin outta line
This life of mine
|
||||
10. |
Carboard Charlie
04:15
|
|||
|
My name is Cardboard Charlie
I sit under sunny skies and starry nights
In the corner of the garden
The grass is taller at my feet
Pouring rain and searing heat
Become my burden
Now my spine is but a curve
Please don’t tell me I deserve
This kind of exile
My only shelter is this tree
But the damn thing has no leaves
And you wonder why I never smile
You see me every day from your perch on the porch
While you’re smoking your cigarette
And I just got to say I would not have it any other way
Cause its me the world will not forget
Cause I am Cardboard Charlie
My name is Cardboard Charlie
I sit under clouds of black and rain attacks
The every try to break me
But I stand strong and tall enough
These elements are not the stuff
That could forsake me
My name is Cardboard Charlie
And I’ll sit alone under this tree
Until my burial
Cause Daddy always used to say
The pulp inside me is not grey
But colourful material
|
||||
11. |
Happiness
05:55
|
|||
|
I saw you at the Charnwood Video Ezy
It’s been years, you have two beautiful children
And I blushed when you smile at me
And all these thoughts are running through my head
Of all the brilliant things I could have said, like…
Don’t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
Don’t you know that you told everyone I stink
Don’t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
But happiness, happiness, happiness
Is the best revenge
I saw you at your sister’s farewell party
It’s been years, and you’re quite the charming man now so I just blushed when you looked at me
And all these thoughts running through my head
Thinking all the things I could have said, like
Don‘t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
Don’t you know that you rubbed my hat in poo
Don’t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
But happiness, happiness, happiness
Is the best revenge
I saw you on the dance floor at King O’Malley’s
You work at a suit store round the corner
You said hi and you were surprisingly nice
All these thoughts are running through my head
Of all the wicked things I could have said, like…
Don‘t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
Don’t you know that you called me a festy dyke
Don’t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
But happiness, happiness, happiness
Is the best revenge
I saw you, at the Lyneham IGA
It’s been years, you’re buying VB with shrapnel
So I just smiled, when you looked my way
All these thoughts running through my head
Of all the witty things I could have said, like…
Don‘t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
Don’t you know that you called me a crusty fag
Don’t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
But happiness, happiness, happiness
Is the best revenge
I saw you
At a party with a bunch of our old friends
You’ve been round the world and back
And I’m so proud of you my friend
And all these thoughts are running through my head
When suddenly you just came right out and said (Beth) (Ben)
Don’t you know you were a bitch to me in high school
Don’t you know that I don’t care what you think
Don’t you know that I got rich since we left high school
Cause my happiness, my tolerance, my forgiveness
Is my sweet revenge
|
||||
12. |
Little Lady
04:17
|
|||
|
Little Lady in the corner of my eye
Little Lady shinin’ oh so bright
Little Lady dancin’ next to me
Little Lady likes the way I drum on my belly
So Little Lady she give me a cheeky smile
Little Lady dancin’ talkin’ flirtin’ for a while
Little Lady drinkin that chai with me
Perhaps Little Lady wants to be
Perhaps she wants to be
She might want to be
Well I hope she wants to be
My Little Lady
Little Lady’s like no one I ever met
Little Lady’s a little lady that I just got to get
So I take Little Lady up the hill to see
The Woodford sunrise over rolling hills with me
Then back down the hill Little Lady roll
As the morning sun begins to shake away that cold
A little later Little Lady wants to see
If she can defy the laws of gravity
So she fell out of that tree
And rolled around on the ground with glee
Now I hope she wants to be
My Little Lady
Now this festival fling
Is turning into something
I never knew that it could be
Cause now she wants to be
Yeah I think she wants to be
My Little Lady
|
||||
13. |
Walk On
04:42
|
|||
|
I’ve never been known for making too much sense
And I’m trying not to live under false pretense
But sometimes circumstance
requires a braver face than I can paint
I’m not about to let the shit that’s runnin through my head
ruin my relationship with one of my good friends
But sometimes new romance
Can find a way of messing with my brain
So I got to find a way
To cut these strings and peel away the things I have to
Now I’m lookin for a better day
Cause there are things I think and feel that I can’t say to you
Anymore
So walk on walk on
And just look the other way
I’ll just keep on keeping on
But for now I gotta say
Just walk on walk on
And just look the other way
And I’ll just keep on keeping on
I’ll keep on keeping on
till this gets easy
Cause its gonna get easier some day
I’ve never been known for takin these things slow
Got a tendency to rush the things I should let grow
Coz sometimes it’s a waste of time
To let the things you want slip by
I’m not about to let an opportunity I get
Go by and fade way to yet another regret
But most times it’s the pace and time
I mess up every time I try
So I got to find a way
To cut the chord and just ignore the things I have to
Yeah I’m lookin for a better way
To store away the things I can’t afford to say to you
Anymore
So walk on walk on
And just look the other way
I’ll just keep on keeping on
But for now I gotta say
Just walk on walk on
And just look the other way
I’ll just keep on keeping on
I’ll keep on keeping on
till this gets easy
Cause its gonna get easier some day
|
||||
14. |
The Musician
06:04
|
|||
|
Big old words, little meaning in a song
Fortunate for me, not being blessed with many
Seems I know how to rhyme and do it in time
But that’s not how we get round everyday life
And I can’t find the right words to use with you
So I turn my manners on the way my mumma taught me I
Stick to my guns the only way my daddy’s ever fought me
But nothing that I try can catch let alone keep your eye from travelling
Everyone’s direction but mine
So I got to find a way to make you stay
Just long enough to hear me play
Cause I don’t got the moves to get you other ways
Excuse the things I do but
Hear me when I sing the blues to you
Oh lord oh oh oh
Don’t go oh oh oh
No no oh oh oh
When I’m lucky
You’re not watching and you accidently sit next to me
But I can’t improvise to save my life
When I have to look straight in your eyes
Tell me what can I say, what can I be
What’s gonna getcha come home with me
And before I’ve time to think about those very words come out my mouth
Without me even being slightly drunk
So I turn my manners on the way my mumma taught me I
Stick to my guns the only way my daddy’s ever fought me
But nothing that I try can catch let alone keep your eye from travelling
Everyone’s direction but mine
So I got to find a way to make you stay
Just long enough to hear me play
Cause I don’t got the moves to get you other ways
Excuse the things I do but
Hear me when I sing the blues to you
Oh lord oh oh oh
Don’t go oh oh oh
No no oh oh oh
I will sing you any tune you like
I’ll fill your days with melody and syncopate your nights
Just don’t go not yet my baby please don’t go not yet oh baby
You don’t have to go, before my last song
Big old words, I don’t miss them when they’re gone
Seems I’ve nothing to say that notes can’t play
When a beat like yours comes along
So give me a break, tell me you’ll wait
Oh you know I want a spot on your stage
And I might find the right words to sing to you
So I turn my manners on the way my mumma taught me I
Stick to my guns the only way my daddy’s ever fought me
But nothing that I try can catch let alone keep your eye from travelling
Everyone’s direction but mine
So I got to find a way to make you stay
Just long enough to hear me play
Cause I don’t got the moves to get you other ways
Excuse the things I do but
Hear me when I sing the blues to you
Hear me when I sing the blues
Hear me when I sing the blues to you
|
||||
East Row Rabble Canberra, Australia
East Row Rabble delivers a slick mix of funk, ska, blues and soul with heavenly horn lines that will get your booty shakin' and your feet shuffling. Addressing a mixture of world issues and daily curiosities, Ben Drysdale’s songs explore the many, varied, and often conflicting elements of any situation with honesty, hope, and a little cheekiness. ... more
If you like Baggage Claim Live at the Street Theatre - Beth n Ben (Back Catalogue), you may also like:
Taught Of A Culture
by AfriCali
On this jubilant EP, AfriCali pair the skipping tempos and darting melodies of Afrobeat with muscular hip-hop.
go to album
Excursions in soul reggae funk & dub
by Gee Recordings
A collection of hard-to-find tracks from Soul Sugar is an essential addition to the dub and reggae group's catalogue of classics.
go to album
Making subtle but effective refinements to their reggae-infused funk sound, New Zealand's L.A.B. exude confidence with every groove.
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio May 9, 2017
go to album
Why can't we live together
by SOUL SUGAR featuring LEONARDO CARMICHAEL
featured on Bandcamp Radio Nov 22, 2016
go to album
"Strangers b/w Strangers version"
by Courtney John
featured on Bandcamp Radio Nov 1, 2016
go to album
BEACH DIGGIN' 4
by Various Artists
featured on Bandcamp Radio Sep 13, 2016
go to album
