Bethlehem PA ~ They know me well here. All of a sudden I’m back in high school. The Jimmy Longneck summer. The Jimmy Longneck story. Years later the story would be found. Somewhere. A story leads to a novel. Back To Bethlehem. The novel would become a CD release. Slouching Towards Bethlehem. The “Beth” album. This song, along with “Nothing (Where’s Jimmy Longneck?)” are cornerstones .. poster children for the novel. This song didn’t make the album so it’s in an even more precarious spot here on the boat. An older song that’s already been kicked to the curb. But a night and day difference from the original demos. A bit of a lyrical re-write as well. So when the novel is presented to you on our site in 2019 you’ll hear this song. All dolled up. It’s a crazy ass ride of a story, much grittier than Adventures In Cowboyland .. best armed is forewarned. Just one of many irons in the fire. I imagine if Jimmy, our American draft dodger, faces his demons there will be a baptism of fire. He’s already wanted in Canada .. and not by the angels .. xoRJ
lyrics
Here I am in Bethlehem
Looking for your street
In a ’60 Ford I found along the way
When night hits Alabama
Some woman’s gonna freak -
Ford ain’t where she left it yesterday
You said if I got lonely
It was best to come on by
After twenty years or more
What’s a few more miles ..
I’m driving aimlessly through Bethlehem PA
Looking for an address that was postmarked ’98
I’ve got to see the girl but I can’t stay
They know me well here ..
Might be time to change my ride
Find a small sedan
I don’t recognize the street I’m on
When dawn hits ol’ Savannah
Somebody will come home
To a ransacked house and all their money gone
But, yeah - you said if I got lonely
It was best to come on by
I just came back to say hello
Before I say good-bye
I’m driving aimlessly through Bethlehem PA
Looking for an address that was postmarked ’98
I’ve got to see the girl but I can’t stay
They know me well here
Oh they know me well
Yes they know me well in Bethlehem PA
They know me well
Ah, they know me well here
They know me well in Bethlehem PA
They know me well here
They really know me well here
They know me well in Bethlehem PA ..
credits
from Sweet Tooth (Demos),
released January 20, 2023
RJ: Lead & Backing Vocals & Electric Guitars
Astrid Ash: Bass Guitar
Rhett Black: Drums
Beaverdell Humes: Keyboards & Horn Arrangements
Lyrics & Music (c) 2018 Robert James
Angry Lion Publishing SOCAN/ASCAP
A division of Horace Media 2018
As always special thanks to Rhett Black & Beaverdell Humes
of Meet The Blacks. They appear courtesy of House Of Horace Records.
Recorded at Wholly Goat Studios, Wetaskiwin, Canada horacemedia@gmail.com
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