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Context

by Bob Wiegers

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1.
on a cold winter’s night in St. Elmo the year was 1906 miss Nevada Taylor attacked and waylaid and dark was the criminal’s skin and dark was the criminal’s skin worst crime in all the towns hist’ry Chattanooga was pulsing with rage the hounds came up empty so the sherriff’s deputy found a black man of young age found a black man of young age Ed Johnson declared he’d done nothing he’d been at the Last Chance Saloon but downtown they took him and justice forsook him though he had done nothing wrong though he had done nothing wrong the lynch mob came with their fury they stormed with rifles and rope but the guard stood strong and sent the crowd home and Ed had a glimmer of hope and Ed had a glimmer of hope 12 white jurors assembled a trial was speedily done Nevada wasnt quite certain but her hand pointed to him he was probly the one he was probly the one the appeal went to the courts highest Judge Harlan granted a stay but the lynch mob returned to kill and to burn and noone dared stand in their way and noone dared stand in their way for hours they hammered the jail doors they mocked and they beat young Ed down and down at the span each woman and man rejoiced as his feet left the ground rejoiced as his feet left the ground so here on the Walnut Street Bridge remember poor Ed and lament for the last thing they heard were his final words: God bless you, I am innocent God bless you, I am innocent
2.
(G) Twas a moonlit night, million (C) stars in the sky, (G) Another night camped on the (D) hill. (G) Another long day had (C) faded away (G) And everything got (D) suddenly (G) still. (Em) The sky exploded with (Am) light, (Em) We were sure we would (Am-G) die. But a (Em) strange voice said: (Am) Don’t be afraid! (chorus1) (G) Good news! Great joy! You’ll (C) find in a boy: (G) The Savior, Christ the (D) Lord! (G) He’s in King David’s town, Go (C) worship him now. (G) The One who was (D) promised is (G) born (G) I was still afraid and (C) rather amazed. (G) The night sky was bright as the (D) day (G) I thought I was dreaming but the (C) angel was gleaming, (G) Talkin bout (D) mangers and (G) hay (Em) And quick as a bolt, the (Am) one became thousands (Em) Each bright as the sun, and (Am) singing as one: (chorus2) (G) Glory to God in the (C) highest! (G) Peace to those whom He (D) loves! (G) Glory to God in the (C) highest! (G) Peace to (D) those whom He (G) loves! (G) I wanted to ask just (C) what all this meant (G) But quick as they came they were (D) gone (G) So we all decided to (C) go down and find him (G) To worship (D) Messiah the (G) Lord (Em) The sheep had all fled, but (Am) we didnt mind (Em) We ran down the hill to see (Am) what we could find (singing) (chorus 2) (G) We searched the whole town but he (C) couldnt be found in the (G) places a king ought to (D) be (G) But then we remembered the (C) hay and the manger (G) And found them, a (D) young fami(G)ly. (Em) They looked tired and (Am) scared, (Em)Asked why we were (Am-G)there. We (Em) told them our story, and (Am) glimpsed at God’s glory.
3.
I live in the shadow of the mountain 1/2 a mile from the Georgia line in a little neighborhood treats me so good founded eighteen-eighty-five come spring the trees are in full bloom cherry and pear so fine when the wind blows it looks like snow with the flowers that fill the sky (chorus) call it Lookout Town call it St. Elmo call it Chattanooga I dont mind whatever you call this little old place I’ll call it home sweet home of mine we got ourselves a little history got an incline railroad too an amazing mile will bring a smile beautiful smokey mount view got all kinds of folks round here all colors both old and young try to get along ‘cuz we all belong every nation tribe and tounge
4.
Tear it down 02:36
When the wall came down It gave a mighty groan Dust and dirt all ’round Exposing steel and stone An old brick building Eight stories tall Piece by piece they’ve come To make it fall (chorus) Tear it down, tear it down Cant keep the old around There’s no room in this town So tear it down. (repeat) There’s machines and men Come to tear away What machines and men Built back in the day Got a new one now It’s just four blocks down Nine stories high Finest site in town (chorus) Take it down to dirt You knew it wouldnt last We’ve no further use For relics of the past Leave no trace behind Pave it over, all black Sometimes to move ahead We’ve got to turn our back
5.
Be my Nancy 03:24
I’ll be your Norman, if you’ll be my Nancy I’ll pick out a simple tune, nothing all too fancy If I try the melody Will you sing sweet harmony? If I’ll be your Norman, will you be my Nancy? Will you play a steady beat? Sweet runs voiced in a different key. Pick out notes that intertwine Two hearts, one song: that’s oh-so-fine We can sing some happy songs About our little home where we belong Or maybe a tune about long ago When things were simple and life was slow I might never pick too good But honey I hope it’s understood That if you’re playing by my side Sweet music rings out far and wide
6.
Ed Bass 02:24
His name was Ed Bass He needed that road done fast There wasnt a way around To the south side of the town The old warehouse was in his way Georgia said it had to stay But Ed was the kind of man To take things in his hands (chorus) So grab your axes and your shovels boys Here’s what we’re gonna do We’ll take that darned old building down We’ll split it right in two As the night began to fall Ed’s bulldozer attacked the wall Soon a band began to play And South Broad was on its way They worked all through the night So Georgia couldnt put up a fight Round midnight Ed drove through That old warehouse torn in two After this Ed stuck around 20 years he led this town and he should always renowned for taking Broad street all the way down (to the town of St. Elmo)
7.
Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace, In three-quarter time you don’t mind the rain, Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace. With black dress swirling, a curl in your face, You playfully try to lead once again, Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace. Now missing a step, the downbeat we chase, The one-two-three pulse we slip, then regain, Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace. My eye searches yours, sees barely a trace, Of the forthcoming frustration and pain, Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace. But tonight in this mysterious place, Your smile and delight I seek to sustain, Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace. Oh for the power to pause time and space; Take away sorrow and let this remain: Lover and friend, full of beauty and grace, Laughing and dancing in spinning embrace.
8.
My Aya 02:50
A picture here pinned in my cube Little hand, you were just two Little hand, outlined in green I keep it close by so I see How small you were not long ago. Oh I love watching you grow. Oh my Aya I’m so happy you’re my little girl Oh my Alice You know I would give you the world Your photo here, I see it each day You sleep so late I dont see your face I miss your smile and your curls That sweet voice of my little girl Your brown eyes, that spot by your ear These truly are the best of years (chorus) I wonder just how you will be Growing up, it’s so hard to see Your way in this confusing world But you’ll always be Jesus’ little girl Trust Him and remember to pray He’ll keep you close by each day (chorus)
9.
1. (G) Write this down, it’s (C) tried and it’s (G) true (G) Jesus is making (D) everything new 2. New (G) heaven and earth, and (C) no more (G) sea (G) God sends down His (D) holy (G) city 3. (C) He’s coming again, this (G) time to (D) stay (C) Death is dead, (A7) tears wiped (D) away 4. (G) Everything’s done, the (C) last and (G) first (G) Come to the well, (D) quench your (G) thirst 5. (G) No temple, just the (C) Lord and (G) Lamb, no (G) sun nor moon, his (D) glory’s the lamp 6. (G) Gates are open, (C) never a (G) night (G) Bring your praises, (D) dance in the (G) light 7. (C) No room for sins, or (G) those who (D) deceive (C) Just the Lamb’s, are (A7) His (D) eternally 8. (G) Are you the Lamb’s, His (C) beautiful (G) wife? (G) Is your name in the (D) book of (G) life? Repeat 1, 3, 8

about

“Context” is a collection of songs about the things close to my heart: family, home and faith. This is a completely hand-made and home-made collection, done very simply in every way. I am not here to impress you with clever or obscure language, or fanciful guitar and mandolin work, but I do hope to simply sing a story in a pleasing way. So here you have songs about falling in love with my wife and kids, songs about my old home town (new and old, good and bad), and songs based on classic Bible stories. I have certainly enjoyed making these songs, and I hope you enjoy hearing them.

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released April 1, 2008

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Bob Wiegers Bennington, Vermont

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