We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Shantytown

by Monkeygrinder

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Album download also includes a bonus track as well as photos and rare band flyers
    Purchasable with gift card

      $5 USD  or more

     

1.
Shantytown 02:55
lyrics
buy track
down here in shantytown the buck stops short just look around skin and bones strewn down the block the suit-clad swells don’t take no stock down here in shantytown down here in shantytown take a sip of the madness spend an hour on these walls churning river of sadness sweeps us over the falls down here in shantytown the unseen hand comes bearing down decrepit fenced up factories toll of adam smith’s philosophy down here in shantytown down here in shantytown down here in shantytown worthless wretch sprawled out face down begging in the back alley spare change for liquid therapy down here in shantytown take a sip of the madness spend an hour on these walls churning river of sadness sweeps us over the falls take a sip of the madness spend an hour on these walls churning river of sadness sweeps us over the falls
2.
Final Curtain Call 04:09
lyrics
buy track
Creaking I sit in this old wooden chair watching the autumn turn to gray topographic lines on my weathered face white thinning hair my years betray Discarded life, worn out like these old shoes a restless soul put on display new faceless mob filling each nameless town witnesses to my slow decay And the lights they’re slowly dimming marking my final curtain call …the lights they’re slowly dimming take one last bow before the fall My crooked cane resting by the door a tattered tophat flung nearby pack of bicycles pepper the dusty floor select a card and toss the die And for my final trick I’d like to ask one intrepid volunteer to slice a pinewood box where I’ll lay myself to rest in pieces with the mice And the lights they’re slowly dimming marking my final curtain call …the lights they’re slowly dimming take one last bow before the fall and then I’ll disappear in one glorious theatrical puff of brilliance my smoke and ashes spiraling through the blackening sky And the lights they’re slowly dimming marking my final curtain call …the lights they’re slowly dimming take one last bow before the fall
3.
Polecat 04:32
lyrics
buy track
polecat driftin' all lazy eyed through the twilight fireflies hiked up overalls twisted all askew wheezin' from the puff of the corn cob pipe tattered straw hat perched carelessly atop that sun baked brow casually hidin' behind the lamplight shadows his mischievous smile throw off those shoes feel the sand beneath your feet come and stand in the river for a while polecat driftin' away polecatin' vagabondog days polecat, polecat draggin' polecat, polecat draggin’ river pulls him on his way cattails merrily waving in the weary wandering breeze a constant chorus of salutations to the innocent passerby stubby toe hangin' in the cool water trailing a tangled web of fishing filament line stringing along the desperate hope for a little somethin' black pan-fried throw off those shoes feel the sand beneath your feet come and stand in the river for a while polecat driftin' away… something looming in the moonlit tide steamboat churnin' up the river wide chasin' currents on his lashed up ride howling madly as the crafts collide polecat drifting away…
4.
Enjoy the Show 03:55
lyrics
buy track
Everything happens in the circus Breathe in the mysteries of the night Kick up the stones teaming with life Perched on the razor of a knife Open the house up and let in the storm Under one big top we unite Our cheap religion fortunes and tricks Before the three-ringed crucifix Our cheap religion fortunes and tricks Before the three-ringed crucifix ‘Cause everything happens in the circus Let your imagination go Everything happens in the circus Sit back relax enjoy the show Elephants trumpet cue the trombones A drum roll adds to the suspense Crowd’s sea of faces drowning in lights Lapping up all our dark delights Crowd’s sea of faces drowning in lights Lapping up all our dark delights ‘Cause everything happens in the circus Let your imagination go Everything happens in the circus Sit back relax enjoy the show Dazzling display of life’s temptations Lay waiting in that rosy tent So all you gentlemen quick off you go I hear they put on quite a show So all you gentlemen quick off you go I hear they put on quite a show ‘Cause everything happens in the circus Let your imagination go Everything happens in the circus Sit back relax enjoy the show Everything happens in the circus Let your imagination go Everything happens in the circus Sit back relax enjoy the show
5.
Falling in Love is Like Dying 03:36
lyrics
buy track
Clown prince of cheap drama Working in the dark sell my shadows to the wide eyed mob Few tired tricks sleeping in my shabby suitcase Nobody buying The door’s wide open, step into the night Cry, beg, steal if I have to She’ll mourn my empty chair Taste her name on my lips As I drink to the pain she left me Rest my head down on the track, ‘cause falling in love is like dying Taste her name on my lips As I drink to the pain she left me Rest my head down on the track, ‘cause falling in love is like dying Faded Cleopatra Silhouetted against the tattered projector screen Beauty resting on the petals of her wilting smile Snowstorm of ticket stubs all come to glimpse that flower Staring into her cracked dressing room mirror Silky morning dew caressing her rose cheeks Glinting trails of memory tumbling softly down her dress Clown prince of cheap drama My tragic designs unfolding on the imaginary stage of life Turning back, my final disappearing act, Cast myself upon the mercy of the night Taste her name on my lips As I drink to the pain she left me Rest my head down on the track, ‘cause falling in love is like dying
6.
La Dama del Alba 03:29
lyrics
buy track
foreboding feeling this morning a dreary darkening sky merciless mistress approaching a trembling tear in her eye ...she’s singing, yo soy la dama del alba quick bid your loved ones goodbye yo soy la dama del alba today you’re doing to die dimly devoid of compassion she sheds her tear mockingly and grasping grimly your shoulder she states, your path lies with me ...and singing, yo soy la dama del alba quick bid your loved ones goodbye yo soy la dama del alba today you’re going to die a sunrise smile, delicate disguise seductive stare beneath her beauty lies hand in hand, greet the day as the dawn slips away ...while singing, yo soy la dama del alba quick bid your loved ones goodbye yo soy la dama del alba today you’re going to die

about

A collection of artists with a taste for the bizarre celebrating the music of carnies, clowns, hobos, pirates, crazed elephants, and other characters on the fringe.

Previously unreleased recordings dating from 2004-2012

credits

released April 3, 2017

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Monkeygrinder image

Monkeygrinder Salt Lake City, Utah

A collection of artists with a taste for the bizarre celebrating the music of carnies, clowns, hobos, pirates, crazed elephants, and other characters on the fringe.

contact / help

Contact Monkeygrinder

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Monkeygrinder, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now