Hurley's debut album, First Songs, was recorded for Folkways Records in 1965 on the same reel-to-reel machine that taped Leadbelly's Last Sessions. He was "discovered" by blues and jazz historian Frederick Ramsey III, and subsequently championed by boyhood friend Jesse Colin Young, who released his 2nd & 3rd albums on The Youngbloods' Warner Bros. imprint, Raccoon. In the late 70's, Hurley made three albums for Rounder, all of which have since been reissued on CD. His 1976 LP Have Moicy, a collaboration with the Unholy Modal Rounders and Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones, was named "the greatest folk album of the rock era" by the Village Voice's Robert Christgau.
In 1996, Koch Records released Wolfways with Hurley backed by Mickey Bones - Drums, Gus Ziesing - percussion, Jill Gross - Harmony Vocals, Jim Harvey - Trombone, Dan Archer and Bob Jordan - Guitars and Mike Boise - Bass. Tours with Son Volt and high praise from younger performers like Lucinda Williams, Vic Chesnutt, Calexico, Cat Power and Robin Holcomb followed.
Greg Weeks of Espers noted in an eBay auction in July 2006 that the band has begun work on a collaborative album with Hurley.
Gnomonsong released the Michael Hurley album titled "Ancestral Swamp" on September 18, 2007. Backing was provided by longtime Hurley associate David Reisch of the Holy Modal Rounders and new friends Tara Jane O'Neil and Lewi Longmire.
In 2021 Hurley released "The Time of the Foxgloves".
The Tea Song
Michael Hurley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ohhhhh
I like six cups not one or two
Mmmmmm
Break out the cups and the honey too
Ohhhhh
And turn on the tea and let it brew
Heeeeahhh
Mmmmmm
Just so long as the cupboard's full of tea
Ohhhhhh
My nerves are shakin' and my heart is breakin'
Whoaaaaaa
That's just because of all the tea I've taken
Mmmmmmm
The poor old Buddha turned into stone
Ohhhhhh
That's why I drink tea alone
Mmmmmm
Buddha's made of stone and his eyes are rubies
Mmmmmm
But his thoughts and dreams are distilled in the tea
Ohhhhhh
I drink my tea and sit and dream
Mmmmmm
I'll conjour up a leprechaun to dance upon the stage
Ohhhhhhh
I'm drinking my tea and it's getting late
Ohhhhhhh
Thought I heard somebody pass my gate
Oooooooh
"The Tea Song" by Michael Hurley celebrates the simple pleasure of drinking tea. The song extols the virtues of six cups of tea at once, with honey poured in for good measure. The singer is going through a difficult time but finds comfort in knowing that his cupboard is stocked with tea. He drinks his tea alone and imagines conjuring up a leprechaun to dance upon the stage. The song incorporates Buddhist themes, referencing the Buddha as being turned to stone and his thoughts and dreams being distilled in tea. The repeated phrase "Turn on the tea and let it brew" serves as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment.
The song is a testament to the simplicity of finding pleasure in the little things in life. Michael Hurley's subdued, folksy singing complements the unpretentiousness of the lyrics. The song highlights the power of tea not only to provide comfort and warmth but also to inspire the imagination. The Buddha and the leprechaun represent the different aspects of the human psyche that are stimulated by the ritual of tea-drinking. Perhaps by simply turning on the tea and letting it brew, we can access these deeper parts of ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn on the tea and let it brew
Start preparing a fresh brew of tea
I like six cups not one or two
I prefer drinking a substantial amount of tea, not just a single cup or two
Break out the cups and the honey too
Get the cups and honey ready for the tea
And turn on the tea and let it brew
Start brewing the tea and let it sit
I don't care that she's left me
I am not bothered that she has left me
Just so long as the cupboard's full of tea
As long as I have an ample supply of tea in my cupboard, I am content
My nerves are shakin' and my heart is breakin'
I feel agitated and heartbroken
That's just because of all the tea I've taken
My agitation and heartbreak is due to the amount of tea I have consumed
The poor old Buddha turned into stone
The statue of Buddha has become lifeless
That's why I drink tea alone
I prefer to drink tea by myself as a result of Buddha's lifeless state
Buddha's made of stone and his eyes are rubies
The Buddha statue is made of stone with ruby eyes
But his thoughts and dreams are distilled in the tea
The tea contains the essence of Buddha's thoughts and dreams
I drink my tea and sit and dream
As I drink my tea, I sit and daydream
I'll conjour up a leprechaun to dance upon the stage
I will imagine a leprechaun dancing on stage as I drink my tea
I'm drinking my tea and it's getting late
I am drinking tea and time is moving on
Thought I heard somebody pass my gate
I think I heard someone walking by my gate
Writer(s): Mike Hurley
Contributed by Aiden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnbedggood5911
as an avid consumer of tea and heartbreak this song cuts me deep
@sarahevans1580
I feel ya
@betsyhoffman8246
☺️teahee
@crazypunkrasta
The most human heartbreaking raw honest song I’ve ever heard. How can I let this man know how much his music means to me?
@jamiestewart1644
Buy his music
@patriciajoubert426
I only knew of him recently when they played a song of his at the end of the Deadwood movie. I liked it so much, I looked him up. What a revelation. Haunting, all his crazy life in his voice crying out in subtlety. Don't understand why I didn't know of him before. I am71 years old and was in to Bob Dylan, but this is something else again. Thank you.
@susanmcclean6036
Patricia Joubert : love Michael Hurley, I also am 71 now. Knew him in 1977ish when he came thru Charlotte, NC with his son Rollin. His music is classic FREEDOM.
@murkartik
Was lucky enough to see him about 3-4 years ago in Dublin (Ireland). He is an incredibly subtle, but sophisticated guitar player. I remember thinking afterwards how hard it would be for anyone to mimic what he was doing, it was so utterly unique. The voice is lighter than on this album but he's still doing what he needs it to do. May he live forever.
@bolinjo
One of the most beautiful songs ever written, in my humble opinion.
@earthentonespublication2073
I came across this song just over a month ago. I think it is so beautiful. the purity of emotion in his voice and the unfolding lyrics that tell of the terrible void that can come from losing somebody. a desperation yet somehow just keeping it together.