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That We Could Find A Way To Be

by Andrew VanNorstrand

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The real-life, physical compact disc of my new solo album. Includes eight-page booklet with lyrics and track info plus a digital album download.

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1.
It's a strange and special thing Like two lovers overheard Like red wings on a black bird Such a story I have to tell For I knew where I was bound And the wonder when I found My debt was paid What am I supposed to say? Let me tell you what I believe Every beating heart is enough I swear love is love is love But every time I see The disappointment in your eyes I know you think that I Have turned away What am I supposed to say? It's a strange and special thing Like dew on a spider’s web Like something that I read And I try not to despair But I fear I've come undone If you think you're the only one Who can be saved What am I supposed to say? Take a breath and turn the page Break the bread and pour the wine Maybe all we need is time But I'll tell you what I know We are just as we're meant to be And if I'm finally on my knees Trying to pray What am I supposed to say?
2.
I said I had no idea As if I wasn’t there I said go ahead As if I didn’t care I’d lose everything, I’d watch it burn If only for a lesson learned Dust I am, and to dust I’ll return With nothing but a lesson learned I said what can I do As if I didn’t know I said what a shame But I bought tickets to the show I’d lose everything, I’d watch it burn If only for a lesson learned Dust I am, and to dust I’ll return With nothing but a lesson learned It's a new day and the tide has turned I'm still looking for a lesson learned Dust I am, and to dust I’ll return With nothing but a lesson learned
3.
One for the morning, two for day Three for the evening, slipping away I’ll tell you, I got it in my mind To let that blue ridge take me for a ride I’m not asking you to change for me Do you think that we can find Do you think that we can find a way to be Tell me darling, tell me darling true Tell me one more time just what this means to you It’s so hard for me to understand But I wanna love you any way that I can I’m not asking you to change for me Do you think that we can find Do you think that we can find a way to be One for the morning, two for the day Three for the evening and I don’t know what to say But the road keeps winding all along the mountainside So I’m gonna let that blue ridge take me for a ride, take me for a ride I’m not asking you to change a thing for me Do you think that we can find Do you think that we can still find a way to be
4.
I met a boy with gray eyes, he took me by surprise His voice was low and kind, like a sweet summer wine Is it a fruit I cannot eat, or a promise I cannot keep He said “You’ll know it when you feel it” Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I met a boy with gray eyes, he took me by surprise He said, “All of this is real, but I can’t tell you how to feel, I can’t tell you where to go, and I can’t say that I know, All the things that you have done, or what you’re running from” I met a boy with gray eyes, he took me by surprise And I knew his hand was steady, but I wasn’t ready What we’re given and what we make, what we leave and what we take I’m a babe out on the water, lookin’ for Pharaoh’s daughter I met a boy with gray eyes, he took me by surprise And I wish that I had stayed, but I was so afraid All we do and all we own, all we ask when we’re alone May we be better than we’ve been, and everyone said “Amen”
5.
I went outside The rain falling on branches bare And I smiled ‘Cause I could feel change in the air You make me happy You make me happy When I can’t remember And I’ve lost my way You take me by the hand I know we’re gonna be okay I went outside The wind was blowing and the ground was hard And it’s no surprise That every time I’m caught off my guard You make me happy You make me happy When I can’t go on To face another day You take me by the hand I know we’re gonna be okay I went outside And I remembered everything How the coldest winter Melts before the coming spring You make me happy You make me happy When I’m broken And I have no words to say You take me by the hand I know we’re gonna be okay
6.
7.
I went searching around the bend The Shenandoah in my dreams And when I reached the end All around me, the deep blue green I found you in the garden The flag painted on the side of the barn And the story that you told me Was written in your eyes and the scars on your arms Oh lord give me strength this day Eyes to see and ears to hear These hills of Virginia Oh, heal my heart and dry my tears Sun was warm in the valley Tomatoes were ripe on the vine You said love is to surrender And I don’t know why but I believed you this time You found me on an August night We stayed up listening to the fire sing And I held you so tight And wondered what the morning would bring “Blood and soil” the crowd cried Under a statue’s silent gaze But the words that I remember “Dear child, do not be afraid” I went searching around the bend The Shenandoah, river of my dreams And if I ever reach the end I’m gonna fall back into the deep blue green
8.
Goodbye my lover This world is so unkind Got a weight on my shoulders And worries on my mind I’m not sure if I’m leaving Or if I’ve been left behind I’m looking for a home Oh, I’m looking for a home Two years in this city Where every man is self-made I’m so goddamn tired And I still never been paid I don’t know where I’m gonna go But I can’t afford to stay I’m looking for a home Oh, I’m looking for a home Pray for safe travels And strength in an hour of doubt Pray for forgiveness And rain to end the drought You make it sound so simple But you left a few things out I’m looking for a home I remember us together Sun setting on red sumac And long walks in autumn Down that old railroad track I don’t think I can ever go back I’m looking for a home Oh, I’m looking for a home Two years in this city I still don’t know I gave it everything And what’ve I got to show There’s nothing left to keep me here And nowhere I can go I’m looking for a home Oh, I’m looking for a home So goodbye my lover This world is so unkind Got a weight on my shoulders Worries on my mind I’m not sure if I’m leaving Or if I’ve been left behind I’m looking for a home Oh, I’m looking for a home
9.
Sugar Babe 06:30
Slow me down, sugar babe Slow me down, it’s a revolution day Sometimes it’s the sun, and sometimes it’s the rain Slow me down, slow me down, sugar babe You can’t love what you don’t know And there’s still such a long way to go I believe that I’ll reap just what I sow Slow me down, slow me down, sugar babe Slow me down, my sugar babe Slow me down, it’s a revolution day Sometimes it’s the sun, and sometimes it’s the rain Slow me down, slow me down, sugar babe Darling, I don’t know what’s best Won’t you please hold me to your breast ‘Cause I did what I could and I couldn’t do the rest Slow me down, slow me down, sugar babe Slow me down, my sugar babe Slow me down, it’s a revolution day Sometimes it’s the sun, and sometimes it’s the rain Slow me down, slow me down, sugar babe
10.
Tell me what you want to do now That we can’t go back It’ll all be different now You can count on that There's no telling What fate will allow So please darling tell me What you want to do now Tell me what you want to do now Baby, I’m all ears Where do you think That we go from here Maybe it’s time To take a final bow Won’t you tell me What you want to do now Tell me what you want to do now That we’ve crossed the line I don’t know What happens this time But I’d follow you anywhere From Dubai to Moscow Just tell me If you know what you want from me Then please darling tell me What you want to do now
11.
It’s been a year now And I wish that I could let you know I don’t think I’m still angry But you’ve gone where I can’t follow You’ve gone, you’ve gone You’ve gone where I can’t go Maybe we’ve changed Maybe it’s always been this way But I understand now That you mean just what you say You mean, oh you mean You mean just what you say I know that I hurt you I know I was lost in my pride But there was a river of sadness And you were on the other side You were on, you were on You were on the other side It’s been a year now And there’s just one thing I want to say I hope you take care of each other I love you and miss you every day
12.

credits

released September 13, 2019

Andrew VanNorstrand: vocals, guitars, fiddle, banjo, bass
Dana Billings: keys, bass, drums, percussion
Kailyn Wright: vocals
Anna Patton: clarinet
Rachel Bell: accordion
Charlie Rose: pedal steel
Angelo Peters: bass (on “Lesson Learned”)

Produced by Dana Billings and Andrew VanNorstrand
Engineered and mixed by Dana Billings
Recorded at Electric Wilburland in Newfield, NY
Additional recording at Black Bear Studios in Danby, NY and SubCat Studios in Syracuse, NY
Mastered by Daniel Bacigalupi at Infrasonic East in Nashville, TN
Graphic design by Leslie Johnston
Photography by Louise Bichan

Thanks to Will Russell, Angelo Peters, Zach Hoyt Banjos, Julie Vallimont, Vikki Armstrong, Derek and Amy Englesberg, Casey Murray, Biff Kennedy, Anne Saunders and the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and all the amazing Kickstarter supporters who helped make this album possible.

Special thanks to Sarah for everything, always.

Music and lyrics written by Andrew VanNorstrand, Magic Minke Music (ASCAP). 2019 Great Bear Records.

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Andrew VanNorstrand

Andrew VanNorstrand is a musician, singer and songwriter living in upstate New York. He has performed on festival stages, concert halls, dance floors and living rooms all over North America and beyond. His original music focuses on the complicated intersections of love, faith, loss and uncertainty, queerness and the search and struggle for understanding. ... more

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