Pickup Band

Told the band I worked the lines

From Silverton to Isa mines

No one could believe a Fetler played my way

As far as rhythm sections go

Could take or leave them even though

A fiddle on it’s own is out of step

Friends went quiet and fell away from younger heights

Turnarounds that I hear every night

I’m playing in a pick-up band

Learn my part get paid the cash in hand

I can play for miles around

Got my wheelhouse rank and file

I’m playing in a pick-up band

It’s the only thing I understand

Backstage waiting patiently

Front of house they get the best of me

I’m playing in a pick-up band

Chops are up and chips are down

Sydney’s not an option now

All the faces in the dark have turned around

History’s where I hang my hat a

A three month run will grind you flat

And every hall feels like a distant day

Time got cheap, days grew loud

They all play like demos now

With songs that skirt the bruises of my heart

I’m playing in a pick-up band

Learn my part get paid the cash in hand

I can play for miles around

Got my wheelhouse rank and file

I’m playing in a pick-up band

It’s the only thing I understand

Backstage waiting patiently

Front of house they get the best of me

I mine the memory every night

Of fingers flying for the first time

Gentle sweat, hazing smiles and footlight glare

Steady pride a courting game

The magic that she saw me tame

Although I cut the room and ripped the dark

But all we saw were houses passing by

Home began to feel just like a lie

I’m playing in a pick-up band

Learn my part get paid the cash in hand

I can play for miles around

Got my wheelhouse rank and file

Maybe I won’t set the world on fire

Travel back to you and fall in line

But it won’t be for the longest time

No it won’t be for a while