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Party at the Halfway House

from Loose Ends by Dave Stagner

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This song was inspired by the Southern Baptist churches I attended as a kid. There's an interesting dynamic between the sinners and the church ladies. They really do need each other in order to feel better about themselves.

This is a scratch track I recorded to teach the song to Carpe Jugulum, a jug band that played back in 2014. There's a long vocal-free section that I left for a fiddle solo.

Written around 2010?

lyrics

Jesus in one ear, the Devil in the other
In her left hand there's a beer, in her right hand there's another
She's such an old woman for such a young mother
There's a party at the halfway house

Her younger one's six, her older one's ten
And she's just so proud of her little men
Maybe next month they'll let her see them again
It's a party at the halfway house

A life to be proud of, the wife of a good man
She'd have it all if she just tried
But deep down she knows better, this road just goes nowhere
The only way off it is high

Sunday is church, she'll dress all in blue
Hung over and praying not to hurl in the pew
Them church ladies love to feel better than you
It's a party at the halfway house

A house with a garden, a car and a tv
And everything money can buy
She can feel things are changing, her new life is waiting
The best way to get there is high

Jesus in one ear, the Devil in the other
Salvation is one way, getting high is another
Coz Hell's all around her, but Heaven's above her
There's a party at the halfway house
There's a party at the halfway house

credits

from Loose Ends, released July 23, 2016

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Dave Stagner image

Dave Stagner Minneapolis, Minnesota

I am a guitarist, songwriter, recording engineer, and musical polymath based in Minneapolis.

I have played in countless bands over the years, most notably the Feng Shui Ninjas, Beth Kinderman & the Player Characters, and Al Amarja.

All recordings produced at Extraterrestrial Highway, my home studio. I love living in the future! ... more

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