Their debut album, "Live The Dream" (2011), explores addiction, recovery, politics, and friendship in the context of trying to make serious life changes without selling out what's important. The raw, self-produced follow up, "Who are your friends gonna be?" (2012), finds home in a darker space with more developed arrangements. Both albums are up for free streaming at http://ramshackleglory.bandcamp.com.
Ramshackle Glory has toured all over the United States. Currently the group is on hiatus after completing a 68 day tour in the summer of 2012, a journey documented by the band in the documentary "One more time for Texas!" (2012), available at http://youtu.be/9rmDXpoiUOE.
The band consists of Disdane on bass, Douglas on banjo, Eric on trumpet, Luke on drums, Nick on accordion, Pat on guitar, and Wyndham on piano. Andrew Link from the Taxpayers filled in on bass for parts of the summer 2012 tour while Disdane was stuck at home in Arizona, facing down 20 years in prison for standing up against Nazis in Phoenix during November 2010. (Disdane is currently not in jail, on three years of probation, after pleading guilty to one felony charge of Disorderly Conduct. More about that is on http://azantifa.wordpress.com.)
First Song
Ramshackle Glory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But won't somebody show me how to get back up?
I thought about killing my landlord, but he was pretty nice
Instead, I paid my rent on time as often as I could
I've been making strange friends in the desert (yeah)
They love Jesus and America too
It ain't as bad as it sounds; someday I'll explain it to you
It's not that I mind sleeping all alone in the grass
But nothing's been quite the same since you shot yourself
I don't know if you believe in ghosts; I hope you'd haunt me if you were one
I've been trying not to steal from everybody I know but so far that's impossible
But here in the desert, somehow I hope that someday it won't be that way for me
No it won't... be that way for me, anymore
The lyrics to Ramshackle Glory's song "First Song" depict a narrator who is struggling to find their place in the world after a tragic event. The opening lines express the idea that the singer is able to "get down" or feel low, but is unable to "get back up" or recover from those feelings. The next lines reveal that the singer has had thoughts of violence towards their landlord, but ultimately chooses to pay their rent on time instead. This could suggest that the singer is trying to maintain a sense of stability in their life, despite their internal struggles.
The chorus of the song then shifts focus to the singer's experiences in the desert, where they have made friends who share their religious and patriotic beliefs. The lyrics suggest that the situation is more complex than it may seem at first glance, and that the singer intends to explain it to the listener at some point in the future. The following lines touch on the theme of loneliness and isolation, as the singer describes sleeping alone in the grass and feeling like they are still in a dreamlike state.
The final verses of the song reveal that the singer has experienced a traumatic event - someone close to them has committed suicide. The lyrics suggest that the singer still feels a connection to this person and hopes that they would haunt them if they were able to do so. The singer also admits to struggling with stealing from those around them and hopes that their time in the desert will help them overcome this behavior. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer expressing a belief that they will someday be able to escape their current struggles and find a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
No one needs to tell me how to get (get get) down
I don't need anyone to teach me how to party or have a good time
But won't somebody show me how to get back up?
I need someone to help me when I'm feeling down or struggling
I thought about killing my landlord, but he was pretty nice
I had some violent thoughts but didn't act on them because the person didn't deserve it
Instead, I paid my rent on time as often as I could
I acted responsibly and took care of my financial obligations
I've been making strange friends in the desert (yeah)
I've been meeting new people who are different from me in the desert
They love Jesus and America too
They have strong religious and nationalistic beliefs
It ain't as bad as it sounds; someday I'll explain it to you
The situation is better than it seems and I'll describe it in the future
It's not that I mind sleeping all alone in the grass
I don't have a problem sleeping outside by myself
It's just that I've been dreaming since... well maybe I ain't woke up yet
I feel like I've been in a daze or dreamlike state for some time
But nothing's been quite the same since you shot yourself
Things have changed significantly since the person killed themselves
I don't know if you believe in ghosts; I hope you'd haunt me if you were one
I'm not sure if you believe in supernatural beings, but if you became a ghost, I'd want you to stick around
I've been trying not to steal from everybody I know but so far that's impossible
I'm making an effort to not take things that don't belong to me, but it's been hard
But here in the desert, somehow I hope that someday it won't be that way for me
I'm optimistic that the environment and people around me will positively impact my behavior
No it won't... be that way for me, anymore
I'm confident that my behavior will change for the better and things will get easier for me
Contributed by Elijah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shiloh Stout
No one needs to tell me how to get (get get) down
But won't somebody show me how to get back up?
I thought about killing my landlord, but he was pretty nice
Instead, I paid my rent on time as often as I could
I've been making strange friends in the desert (yeah)
They love Jesus and America too
It ain't as bad as it sounds; someday I'll explain it to you
It's not that I mind sleeping all alone in the grass
It's just that I've been dreaming since... well maybe I ain't woke up yet
But nothing's been quite the same since you shot yourself
I don't know if you believe in ghosts; I hope you'd haunt me if you were one
I've been trying not to steal from everybody I know but so far that's impossible
But here in the desert, somehow I hope that someday it won't be that way for me
No it won't... be that way for me, anymore
dennis bernard
I’m on a deployment in Africa right now, the strange friends in the desert line is really hitting home. They sure do love jesus and america too. It really isn’t as bad as it sounds... someday i’ll explain it to you. <3!
Horse Man
gross
dennis bernard
@BabyPuncher38 America
BabyPuncher38
UN?
Cindy Metrick ODell
Thank you son for turning me on to your music. I love it so much and I see you every time I hear it.
Landuit
@No Stop it My thoughts exactly
No Stop it
And the award for sweetest YouTube comment goes to...
macklemore
no offense but the lyric "but nothing's been the same since you shot yourself" is fucking heart-shattering
STM RECORDS
SUCH a different feel from johnny hobo and wingnut, but a GREAT song none the less!
Ludwig Lobsters
These guys have too many good songs. They're seriously clogging up my favorites.