Lyrics: “Ghosts of Christmas” by Dare Dukes
The Christmas lights they flicker red, green, and white,
Hung in the baggage claim by an irate overtime janitor.
This time of year it’s crazy ’round here.
Elbows and packages crammed into cabs with drunken strangers.
Chorus
The children chew on cellophane.
While the fat actor rings for pocket change
This time of year it’s crazy ‘round here.
This time of year it’s crazy here.
CNN calls for blizzard through the East.
We at the terminal bar share a laugh and reach for cell phones.
Outside the shapes of planes stuck at gates covered in snow.
We are ghosts of Christmas and we’re cheered to never get home.
Chorus
Fa la la la la la la…
Bloodshot and tipsy we flirt between Parchese moves,
Avoiding questions about the relations pictured in wallets.
A touch the hand when peanuts are passed back and forth.
In my eyes I suspect you surmise my love of airports.
The terminal’s quiet as the sick and tired snore and wheeze.
We are the ghosts of Christmas and we have all we need.
We are the ghosts of Christmas and we do not need.
Chorus
Fa la la la la la la…
Mailman Song
Zim Dukes and Dare Dukes rough out their next hit single, Mailman Song, a tender ballad about love, loss, and man’s inhumanity to man.
No Depression Posts Live Performance of “Sam’s Cathedral”
Over at No Depression they’ve posted a lovely performance video of us. On our winter 2012 tour we worked up this warm and wooden version of “Sam’s Cathedral,” and most nights, if we thought the audience cared, we would end by stepping off the stage and walking into the center of the audience to perform this song. It’s one of my fondest memories of this band. The video of us playing this song was shot in Asheville by Jesse Hamm, right before our show at the Lexington Avenue Brewery. The only thing missing is audience members encircling us.
This photo is of our performance, with audience, at the LAB the same night:
Tickled: Savannah Stopover Festival 2012
You have two chances to come see and hear me, backed up by my talented pals Phillip Reynold Price and Rachael Perisho, at the Savannah Stopover Festival 2012.
Performer Magazine: Review
Performer Magazine is saying some very nice things about Thugs and China Dolls:
“…nothing short of beautiful…”
My Old Kentucky Blog: Exclusive Premiere
I am so very happy to report that the wise and wonderful music site My Old Kentucky Blog is premiering the new single, “When the Sky Breaks,” from Thugs and China Dolls. They’re also offering for free download my previously unreleased cover of my favorite Brian Eno song, “Some of Them Are Old.” Go get you some.