Get all 15 Tom Alter releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Dispatch from the Lesser Middle, Last Season in the Lesser Middle, Love and All That Comes With It, Chaos in the USA, Poetry and Protest, One Year in the Lesser Middle, Songs For An American Hero, Wading in the Lesser Middle, and 7 more.
1. |
Pike County
02:24
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No great recognition
On his day of birth.
In the line of children
Undistinguished as the third.
Raised on a few acres
Of raw Pike County earth.
Days turn into night time.
And nights blend into days.
Rarely left the acreage
Of that Pike County earth.
Tried to share his spirit
By preaching to the birds.
Raised on a few acres
Of raw Pike County earth.
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2. |
Roads
02:53
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Dusty roads
These old roads of Alabama
Country roads
On these roads over and over
Dusty roads
Dusty roads from Carter's Quarters
Drive these roads
Drive on down
To the farmer's market.
On and on...
And these roads
These old roads lead me on to worship
On these roads
These roads to better days believing
These same roads
Took these roads to make a statement
The same roads
Too often roads filled with grieving.
On and on...
Oh, I've traveled a life time
To Africa and all throughout the States
But every time I see my Alabama
The more things change
The more they seem the same,
Dusty roads
I'll travel one day again
These old roads
One day will carry me home
And I'll go
When the Lord says it's time to go
These old roads
These old roads
Will carry my old bones.
On and on...
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3. |
Side By Side
03:59
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Children, out playing in the sun
When the wind picks up
Dust rises from the ground
And the clouds turn dark
Quick, shelter under roof
One room, huddling crowd
Children.
Gather up, keep it together
Slide to where the floor lifts up
Keep standing tall
To keep this house on the ground.
Side by side
Standing arm in arm
Side to side
Trying to stand our ground
We're all cousins here
Brothers, sisters, friends
As one
Against the storm.
Citizens, sitting just for lunch
Dragged down to the ground
Just riding on a bus
When the storm picks up
Take shelter in a church
One room, huddling crowd
They're just citizens.
Innocents, pressed against the wall
Shrinking from the dogs
Forced into a fall
From the water's gush
No shelter from the storm
Refusing to give up
They're just innocents.
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4. |
Selma
04:30
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Just ahead and up a ridge
Marching toward the Edmund Pettus Bridge
In silence.
Lock step, eyes straight ahead
Feeling strong
But no intent for violence.
There in Selma.
Rewind remembrances
Of sleepless nights and
Three week stint in Parchman
Footsteps synchronized
Temples pound in each head.
There in Selma.
At the crest
A razor's edge
Full force
On the Edmund Pettus Bridge
Crushing horse
Thundering boots
Screams
Shouts
A cracking blow to the head.
Fast drop
To the ground
Flash white
Suddenly no sound
Dead stop
Feeling calm
Dead stop
Waiting for death to come.
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5. |
Restoration
01:03
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6. |
This American Hero
04:42
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And soon, this American hero
Was back into the march.
This American hero,
Was so much more than talk.
With strength of heart
He walked the walk.
This American hero,
With the courage to resist,
This American hero,
Fought with will and not with fists.
Standing so firm,
His life at risk.
He's an American hero.
And in my privilege of white,
I've never faced a sleepless night,
Or the threat of assault,
Just for a step for my rights.
This American hero,
Still continues to persist.
This American hero,
Never ever quits.
Even now.
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Tom Alter Detroit, Michigan
Tom Alter is a singer-songwriter based in Detroit. The influences of jazz, folk, pop, and Latin genres are found in his
original compositions. Tom's lyrics mix world events with the affect on his personal ideals. He has released 3 EPs and 2 albums since 2019. His work can be found on digital and streaming music platforms. He is also a member of the duo After Blue.
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