Murry Hammond was born and raised in the rural outpost of Boyd, Texas, USA, where - like most places in his home state - the sounds of steam engines carried for miles. As soon as he graduated high school, Murry made tracks to Dallas, helping to define a burgeoning punk scene that was equal parts psychedelic pop and slam dancing — even publishing his own 'zine. Murry also helped establish Deep Ellum's reputation as fertile ground for young bands like Edie Brickell & New Bohemians by playing with the influential Peyote Cowboys. During those days, Hammond opened for bands including the Flaming Lips and Hüsker Dü. He also produced the first solo recording by a 17-year-old named Rhett Miller.
Hammond and Miller continued to collaborate, honing their live chops in Big D venues like Naomi's Saloon, the Three Teardrops Tavern, and the historic Sons of Hermann Hall as the Ranchero Brothers (a moniker they still use occasionally to this day).
After a brief stint touring with alt-country godfathers Killbilly, Miller and Hammond joined forces with Ken Bethea to form Old 97's, a band that has released more than half a dozen CDs and tours to this day with drummer Philip Peeples. (Peeples also appears on Hammond's 2008 solo release.)
During his 30s, Hammond lost both his parents after they'd been married 45 years. He also met and married voice actress and singer-songwriter Grey DeLisle, a California girl for whom he left his native Lone Star State to live in the City of Angels. In 2007 they had a son — Jefferson (whom they call "Tex"). These experiences inspired many of the songs on I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm On My Way, which Hammond first performed at Burbank Christian Church during Wednesday night vespers.
Lost At Sea
Murry Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And reply to all the letters
That girl was kind enough to send
To my youth for my better
I put my foot up on the room
That rolls with every boxcar
Oh, I'm gonna ride that restless one
Through every hill and holler
My family's all around
The restless ones like me
I'll comb the ground to find the lost at sea
Out among the columbines
And the pickled hills of Coleman
I coughed away from childhood
Where a girl and I found true love
But the smokey trap that pulls me now
Upsets the sleep I've needed
In a rattled trap of pity
I'm gonna spend my evening
I'm gonna lay right down
My family's all around
The restless ones like me
I'll comb the ground to find the lost at sea
Well if I am untimely
And I miss my next engagement
Sing peace in the valley
Say a word about the pavement
And I cuss with every footfall
On this bent up twisted highway
In rattled trap of free fall
I'm gonna have it my way
I'm gonna lay right down
My family's all around
The restless ones like me
I'll comb the ground to find the lost at sea
The lyrics to Murray Hammond's song "Lost At Sea" seem to be about a journey, both literal and metaphorical, through life. Hammond sings about taking a weekend to reply to letters from his past, to connect with his younger self and the people who knew him then. He talks about riding a train through hills and hollers, searching for something, perhaps himself, or a sense of purpose or meaning. Hammond mentions a past love, but it seems like that relationship is over, and he is now caught in a "smokey trap" that that he can't escape. He's had trouble sleeping, and the journey he's on is not an easy one, but he's determined to have it his way.
Throughout the song, there's a sense of restlessness and yearning for something beyond the present moment. Hammond seems to be searching for a way to reconnect with his past and find meaning in his life. The lyrics are poetic and evocative, painting a picture of a man on a journey to find something elusive and essential.
Overall, "Lost At Sea" is a song that captures the human experience with all its joys and struggles. It's about connecting with our past, finding meaning in our present, and persevering through tough times. It's a reminder that even when we feel lost and alone, we are never truly adrift because we have the love and support of our family and community.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna take the weekend
I am going to take some leisure time for myself
And reply to all the letters
I will use this time to respond to all of the letters sent to my younger self by a kindly woman
That girl was kind enough to send
The letters were sent by a kind woman
To my youth for my better
The letters are meant to improve my younger self's life
I put my foot up on the room
I rest my foot on the boxcar, as I ride aboard a train
That rolls with every boxcar
The train I'm on is constantly moving, jumping from car to car
Oh, I'm gonna ride that restless one
I will ride this train, that is never in one place
Through every hill and holler
I will travel all over, experiencing every kind of terrain
I'm gonna lay right down
I will lie down and rest
My family's all around
I feel like I am surrounded by my restless and adventurous kind
The restless ones like me
People who are like me, daring and restless
I'll comb the ground to find the lost at sea
I will explore every inch of the land and sea to find those who are missing and lost
Out among the columbines
I am exploring the beautiful columbine flowers
And the pickled hills of Coleman
My travels have taken me to the hilly, preserved area of Coleman
I coughed away from childhood
I leave behind my childhood memories
Where a girl and I found true love
I recall the time I fell in love with a girl in my childhood
But the smokey trap that pulls me now
I am now trapped by the temptations of smoking
Upsets the sleep I've needed
Smoking causes me to lose sleep and disrupts my wellbeing
In a rattled trap of pity
I feel trapped and hopeless in this situation
I'm gonna spend my evening
I plan to pass my time here
Well if I am untimely
If I am delayed or do not reach my destination on time
And I miss my next engagement
If I am unable to make it to my next destination or appointment
Sing peace in the valley
I hope that peace will be present in the area around me
Say a word about the pavement
I hope someone refers to the streets and roads beneath us
And I cuss with every footfall
I curse with every step I take on this difficult and challenging road
On this bent up twisted highway
I am traveling along a road that is bent and twisted
In rattled trap of free fall
I feel trapped in a situation where I am falling without control
I'm gonna have it my way
I am determined to follow my own path and take charge of my life
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.