In addition to his own albums, Eaglesmith frequently collaborated with the late Willie P. Bennett, a past member of Eaglesmith's band, who had to step down after a heart attack in spring 2007. Eaglesmith's fans are known as Fredheads because of the similarities to deadheads. He has appeared in several movies, including "The Gift" and "50 Odd Dollars." His band is known as The Flying Squirrels or The Flathead Noodlers. Both bands have the same lineup, but play different styles. The Flathead Noodlers play bluegrass, while the Flying Squirrels play more folk and rock. An early incarnation of the band was known as The Smokin' Losers. When Fred does solo appearances he bills himself as Fred J. Eaglesmith. In addition to the songs, a typical Fred Eaglesmith show includes several lengthy between-song comic monologues by Fred. Topics in the past have included stories about crossing the U.S./Canada border, Newfoundlanders, and some friends from an Indian reserve. Eaglesmith is the owner and president of A Major Label, which publishes his records.
Current band members
* Fred J. Eaglesmith - Guitars, Vocals
* Matt Simpson - Acoustic guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
* Kori Heppner - Drums
* Luke Stackhouse - Bass, Vocals
Former members
* Willie P. Bennett - Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals
* David Essig - Mandolin, Guitar
* Kevin Komatsu - Drums
* Roger Marin Jr. - Pedal Steel, Guitar, Vocals
* Ralph Schipper - Bass
* Jude Waldman - Drums
* Dan Walsh - Dobro, Guitar, Vocals
* Skip Wamsteeker - Drums
* Washboard Hank - Washboard, Dobro
* Darcy Yates - Bass
Discography
* Fred Eaglesmith (1980)
* The Boy That Just Went Wrong (1983)
* Indiana Road (1987)
* There Ain't No Easy Road (1991)
* Things Is Changin' (1993)
* Paradise Motel (1994)
* Drive-In Movie (1995)
* Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline (1997)
* 50 Odd Dollars (1999)
* Live: Ralph's Last Show (2001)
* Falling Stars and Broken Hearts (2002)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 1' (2002)
* Balin (2003)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 2' (2004)
* Dusty (2004)
* Milly's Cafe (2006)
* Tinderbox (2008)
www.fredeaglesmith.com
White Ash & Black Ash
Fred Eaglesmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're coming
I know that they're coming for me
I loved a woman but she wasn't human
There's no use in trying to make 'em see
White ash and black ash
Sharp edges strong back
Them are the facts
Got an old leather bible
And a buffalo rifle
There won't be a trial
And I know that
Down by the water I caught me an otter
And after I shot it I boiled it down
Hiding for rope
Tarrow for soap
Put the rest in a pot in stir it around
White ash and black ash
Sharp edges strong back
I been a bad man
Them are the facts
Got an old leather bible
And a buffalo rifle
There won't be a trial
And I know that
White ash and black ash
Sharp edges strong back
I been a bad man
And I know that
In "White Ash & Black Ash," Fred Eaglesmith tells a twisted tale of a man who is anticipating his own demise. He has been standing at his window for eight days straight, waiting for someone to come and get him. The reason for his impending doom is that he was in love with a non-human woman, and people are coming to get him for that. However, he knows it's no use trying to make them see that he had no control over whom he fell in love with. The chorus of the song, "White ash and black ash, sharp edges strong back, I've been a bad man, and I know that," seems to suggest that this man is accepting of his fate and the punishment that awaits him.
The verses of the song describe the man's preparations for his own death. He has a leather bible and a buffalo rifle, and he's caught an otter to boil down for tarrow and soap. He seems resigned to his fate and has accepted that there won't be a trial – he knows what's coming for him. The song's title, "White Ash & Black Ash," seems to refer to the ashes of the fire that the man has been building, possibly for warmth or for his preparations.
Overall, "White Ash & Black Ash" is a dark and eerie song that tells a story of a man who is facing punishment for a love that society deems forbidden. The man seems to have accepted his fate and has made preparations for his own demise.
Line by Line Meaning
For eight days in a row now I stood by my window
I have been waiting and watching for them to come for eight consecutive days
They're coming
I am aware that they are coming for me
I know that they're coming for me
I have reason to believe that they are coming to apprehend me
I loved a woman but she wasn't human
I was in love with a supernatural being, not a human
There's no use in trying to make 'em see
It is futile to attempt to persuade them to understand my situation
White ash and black ash
Ashes from burning buffalo bones (white) and coal (black)
Sharp edges strong back
I am tough and able to withstand pressure
I been a bad man
I have not been a good person
Them are the facts
These are the indisputable truths
Got an old leather bible
I possess an aged book of religious texts
And a buffalo rifle
I own a firearm designed for hunting buffalo
There won't be a trial
I am convinced that I will not receive a fair trial
And I know that
I am confident in my belief that there will be no trial
Down by the water I caught me an otter
I captured an otter near a body of water
And after I shot it I boiled it down
Once I had killed the otter, I boiled it to utilize its fat
Hiding for rope
I am gathering materials to construct a hiding place
Tarrow for soap
I am making soap out of the otter fat
Put the rest in a pot in stir it around
I am cooking the remaining otter meat
And I know that
I am certain of my situation and my actions
White ash and black ash
Ashes from burning buffalo bones (white) and coal (black)
Sharp edges strong back
I am tough and able to withstand pressure
I been a bad man
I have not been a good person
And I know that
I have full knowledge of my actions and their impact
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Elgersma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Duffin
on John Deere B
"The original B" s/b "The original paint"
"Then I saw I saw the mirror" s/b "Then I saw them narrow"