From the recording Short Stories
TK/Pierce Pettis
©1997
The poet Jimmy Santiago Bacca says that if men could cry the world would be a safer, less violent place, and I imagine he’s right. So much therapy and healing work is essentially about learning to feel the feelings that come up. Easy to say, but it’s hard to do when we’ve made a lifetime practice of covering up and holding in.
I showed Pierce this idea when he came over to write, thinking it might be a bluesy thing. He immediately played the opening riff and said he felt it more as a church-like, Muscle Shoals flavor. Thanks, Pierce!
Having the Fairfield Four come in and sing on this was one of the thrills of my life. Mark Prentice was playing bass on the track, and he had just produced an album for the group. When he offered to ask them if they’d sing on it, I flipped. I was then required to attend one of their business meetings so they could check me out–quite an experience in itself! After they’d talked it over, bass singer Dickey (real name: Isaac Freeman) leaned over to me and said in a subsonic near-whisper, "What you gonna do if we mess up yo’ record?"
Lyrics
No need to hide what’s going on
Your story’s all over town
And it’s all right that it’s all wrong
Just come on down to the crying ground
Dark skies, feels like rain
Just look at all those thunderclouds
I’ll bet that dam is just about to break
Better come on down to the crying ground
Come on down to the crying ground
We are talking holy water
Rolling down your face, ain’t no disgrace
Come on down to the crying ground
I can see you want to steal away
Where you will never be found
But sometimes everybody feels this way
So come on down to the crying ground
Come on down to the crying ground
We are talking holy water
Rolling down your face, ain’t no disgrace
Come on down to the crying ground
No need to tell me what you’re going through
Cause sister I’ve been right where you are now
You know exactly what you need to do
So come on down, down, down, down…
Come on down, down, down, down, down…
Better come on down, down, down, down…
Come on down, down, down, down, down…
We are talking holy water
Rolling down your face, ain’t no disgrace
Come on down to the crying ground
Better come on down to the crying ground
Come on down to the crying ground
Better come on
words & music: Tom Kimmel & Pierce Pettis
©1997 Chrysalis Music/Drala Music/PolyGram Music Publishing (ASCAP)