Steve Albini's Blues Mix
Palace Music: "We All, Us Three, Will Ride"
Will Oldham is no stranger to the SOTD—he has ghosted these days through covers and appeared under Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Here is a track from his excellent album under the name Palace Music, which Albini recorded.
The lyrics here are poetry of the finest order. Note the simple attention to detail and the way the lyrical burst springs forth from the prosaic:
In a small far room the bed is set
With trinkets all surrounding
Yet lone it rests, so dry it sets
With souls aside abiding
I don’t know if there is a better band than Iron and Wine to cover this track. I love it when a band makes a song theirs rather than just mailing in a cover. It reminds me when someone cooks and plates with love.
The album is I Am a Cold Rock, I Am Dull Grass: A Tribute to the Music of Will Oldham.
“We All, Us Three, Will Ride”
In a small far room the bed is set
With trinkets all surrounding
Yet lone it rests, so dry it sets
With souls aside abiding
There moves legs warm and close inside
Though no leg braces a hello
And pictures on walls where paint is lain
Where sinks are friendly running
Reflect, reflect metal cast
My toe has long been swollen
My knees are blue, my eyes are too
My love has not forgotten
Will come, will come, oh he will come
And make me have a baby
Then I foresee we all, us three
Will ride and all together
The hills have eyes, their trees have lives
Disjointed like a hero
No saga told, no things unfold
To make the ride much finer
The length is fine, his hand in mine
Does someone hear our chatter?
A lover’s laugh, a bleating calf
A dog out in the harbor.