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Perfectly Damaged

by Rory Ellis

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1.
THE RAINFALLS LOW IN THIS OLD TOWN, THE DOLE QUEUES LONG AND THE NATIVES FROWN. SO I SPENT 6 MONTHS IN MY DRESSING GOWN, HOLES IN MY SOCKS, MY JEANS TURNED BROWN. LET THE RAIN FALL HARD ON MY WEATHERED GROUND, GONNA SHINE MY SHOTGUN, TRY MY LUCK, CAUSE’ I’M WAITING FOR THE ARMAGUARD TRUCK. MY MOTHER NEEDS PILLS TO KEEP HER TALKING, AND HER OLD FRAMES RUSTY NO MORE WALKING. AND HER TICKER NEEDS CRANKING LIKE A WIND UP CLOCK, IF SHE LIVED IN THIS REAL WORLD SHE’D DIE OF SHOCK. LET THE RAIN FALL HARD ON MY WEATHERED GROUND, GONNA SHINE MY SHOTGUN, TRY MY LUCK, CAUSE’ I’M WAITING FOR THE ARMAGUARD TRUCK. NOW I’M SITTING OUT HERE ON THE OLD FRONT PORCH STARING AT THE MONEY TREE, NO FRUIT, NO LEAVES, NO BUDS, NO NOTHING, NOTHING HERE FOR ME. MY OLD TIN PALACE FALLS AROUND MY EARS, AND THE WIND BLOWS OFF ANOTHER SHEET OF TEARS. NO WATER, NO POWER, NO ICE COLD BEER, THE SUN SHINES INTO MY LOUNGEROOM HERE. AND THE GRASS GROWS HIGH ROUND’ MY FOUR FLAT TYRES, THE RENT LONG DUE AND THE LEASE EXPIRED. LET THE RAIN FALL HARD ON MY WEATHERED GROUND, GONNA SHINE MY SHOTGUN, TRY MY LUCK, CAUSE’ I’M WAITING FOR THE ARMAGUARD TRUCK. WAITING FOR THE ARMAGUARD TRUCK, WAITING FOR THE ARMAGUARD TRUCK, WAITING FOR THE ARMAGUARD TRUCK.
2.
Jesus Lane 03:54
FATHER CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE BIG GUY DID TODAY DID HE MAKE ANOTHER INSECT DID HE WALK ACROSS THE SEA, DO THE WASHING UP OR SELL 3 WISHES ON TV, FIX THE CAR, OR FLY DOWN FROM ABOVE TELL ME FATHER PLEASE, IS HE REALLY LOVE ? WELL I’VE NEVER MET THIS MAN BUT I SURE DO KNOW HIS FACE, SO I WALKED A WHILE THROUGH CAMBRIDGE, STUMBLED ON A PLACE, NEVER BEEN A TRUE BELIEVER, BUT I’VE GOT THE MYTH EXPLAINED, I FOUND JESUS AND I’VE WALKED ON JESUS LANE. FATHER CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE BIG GUY DID TODAY DID HE COOK A HEARTY BREAKFAST, DID HE MAKE IT HOME OKAY, GET THE KIDS TO SCHOOL ON TIME OR MEND HIS ROAD WORN JEANS, WORRY BOUT’ THE FUTURE, OR THE HARD TIMES WE HAVE SEEN, TELL ME FATHER PLEASE, IS HE REALLY LOVE WELL I’VE NEVER MET THIS MAN BUT I SURE DO KNOW HIS FACE, SO I WALKED A WHILE THROUGH CAMBRIDGE, STUMBLED ON A PLACE, NEVER BEEN A TRUE BELIEVER, BUT I’VE GOT THE MYTH EXPLAINED, I FOUND JESUS AND I’VE WALKED ON JESUS LANE. I’VE HEARD HE’S EVERYWHERE, THAT’S A CLEVER TRICK, HE DRIVES A HOLDEN AND HE LIVES IN ELSTERNWICK. NEVER BEEN A TRUE BELIEVER, BUT I’VE GOT THE MYTH EXPLAINED, I FOUND JESUS AND I’VE WALKED ON JESUS LANE. FATHER CAN YOU TELL ME IF MY QUESTIONS ARE OBTUSE, DO YOU HAVE SOME ANSWERS, THE STORIES ARE SO LOOSE. I’VE FOUND SOMETHING SOLID ON A PAVEMENT IN A TOWN, THAT’S THE CLOSEST I HAVE COME TO PROVE THIS GUYS BEEN AROUND. TELL ME FATHER PLEASE, IS HE REALLY LOVE WELL I’VE NEVER MET THIS MAN BUT I SURE DO KNOW HIS FACE, SO I WALKED A WHILE THROUGH CAMBRIDGE, STUMBLED ON A PLACE, NEVER BEEN A TRUE BELIEVER, BUT I’VE GOT THE MYTH EXPLAINED, I FOUND JESUS AND I’VE WALKED ON JESUS LANE, I FOUND JESUS AND I’VE WALKED ON JESUS LANE.
3.
TEN FEET AWAY WITH A FENCE IN BETWEEN, NURSING YOUR LAWN, TO A FINE BOWLING GREEN, WORSHIP THE CAR, AND A STATUE OF EJ. YOU SHINE LIKE GLASS IN THE GUTTER, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL. I DID BREAK THAT STREET LIGHT, I WAS KICKING MY FOOTBALL, EVERY MAN HAS A GOOD SIDE, BUT YOU’VE GOT NONE AT ALL, SO I NICKED ALL YOUR APRICOTS AND MOTHER SHE MADE JAM. YOU SHINE LIKE GLASS IN THE GUTTER, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL LIBERACE ON PILLS COULDN’T SMILE LIKE YOU DID, LIBERACE ON PILLS COULDN’T SMILE LIKE YOU DID, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL WITH A SINISTER GRIN, NEIGHBOURHOOD NANNA WITH A VOODOO PIN. SHE TRACKS YOU TO THE STATION, A NEW WIG FOR THE CHASE, WALKING LIKE A RANDY DOG, SHES THREE LENGTHS OFF THE PACE, SHE JUMPS ON YOUR ROTTEN BONES TO PROVE THAT SHE STILL CAN. YOU SHINE LIKE GLASS IN THE GUTTER, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL. THERE'S A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. CAN I NICK THE OLD MANS BOOZE, MY WISDOM TOOTH'S BEEN PLAYING UP AND YOU GOT SOME TO USE I HEARD THAT LATE NIGHT SCREAMING, THE TV SET UP HIGH. YOU SHINE LIKE GLASS IN THE GUTTER, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL, YOU SHINE LIKE GLASS IN THE GUTTER, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL. STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL. YOU SHINE LIKE GLASS IN THE GUTTER, STREET ANGEL HOUSE DEVIL.
4.
IT TOOK A LOT OF HARD YEARS TO GET THIS GOOD AND I WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING. THESE SCARS ARE LIKE COINS YOU HIDE IN YOUR POCKET, YOU WIN EM’, WEAR EM’ AND YOU LOSE EM’ REAL FAST, YOU WIN EM’, WEAR EM’ AND YOU LOSE EM’ REAL FAST. I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED, NO I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED. I’VE LIVED IT HARD ON THE EDGE AND MY BACK IT’S BEEN BROKE, I’M A JUNK YARD PUPPY WELL MAYBE THAT’S TRUE. WHEN IT’S ALL POINTING SOUTH I’VE NEVER SHUT MY MOUTH, A MAN AIN’T A MAN IF HE NEVER SPOKE, A MAN AIN’T A MAN IF HE NEVER SPOKE. I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED NO I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED. I’VE BEEN HIT BY A TRAIN, BENT OUTA’ SHAPE, 40 ODD YEARS BUT I LOOK GREAT. BECAUSE I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED. LIKE A PAVEMENT THAT’S SPIT ON, I’M CONSTANTLY HIT ON, OLDER AND WISER IS MY DEBT TO PAY. AND THERES NO POINT DENYING FATHER TIME IS NOT LYING, I’M GETTING BETTER WITH EVERY DAY, I’M GETTING BETTER WITH EVERY DAY. BECAUSE I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED. NO I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED. NO I’M NOT GETTING OLD, JUST PERFECTLY DAMAGED.
5.
GOT A RABBIT IN MY HAT AND BAG OF TRICKS, A FEW HARD WORDS SOME OLD BLUE LICKS, NOW I’VE DONE A FEW MILES BUT THE MOTORS FINE, JUMP ON BOARD AND RIDE MY LINE. ONE BEAN, TWO BEAN, THREE BEAN, NINE, NEVER COULD COUNT BUT I’M SURE YOUR TRYING, IT DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, SOLD ANOTHER TICKET FOR THE GRAVY TRAIN. YOU TAKE A FIRST CLASS SEAT WHEN THE TRAIN RUNS HOT, SIT DOWN, KICK BACK, TAKE THE LOT, NOW THE MONEY’S ALL GONE, I CAN’T EXPLAIN, SOLD ANOTHER TICKET FOR THE GRAVY TRAIN. ONE BEAN, TWO BEAN, THREE BEAN, NINE, NEVER COULD COUNT BUT I’M SURE YOUR TRYING, IT DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, SOLD ANOTHER TICKET FOR THE GRAVY TRAIN. IT DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, ALWAYS ROOM ON THE GRAVY TRAIN. HIT THE PLATFORM RUNNING AS THE TRAIN PULLS IN, THIS RIDES OVER, THERE’S NEW TRAIN COMING, POCKETS FULL AND YOU’VE BEAT THE RAIN, SOLD ANOTHER TICKET FOR THE GRAVY TRAIN. ONE BEAN, TWO BEAN, THREE BEAN, NINE, NEVER COULD COUNT BUT I’M SURE YOUR TRYING, IT DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, SOLD ANOTHER TICKET FOR THE GRAVY TRAIN. IT DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME , ALWAYS ROOM ON THE GRAVY TRAIN. IT DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO CAUSE’ IT’S ALL THE SAME, ALWAYS ROOM ON THE GRAVY TRAIN.
6.
65 Pontiac 04:52
I NEVER FELL IN LOVE UNTIL I SAW YOUR BODY, YOU WERE BLUE AND I WAS THERE, I COULD SEE THAT SOMEDAY MAYBE YOU COULD SHINE, WITH A LITTLE LOVE AND CARE. LIKE A LAMB STUCK OUT IN A BIG OLD FIELD, NO SHELTER FROM THE RAIN, I TOOK YOU IN AND CLEANED YOU UP, I’LL NEVER BE THE SAME. IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, WHY SET IT FREE, YOU’LL ONLY WANT IT BACK, I MISS YOU MORE THAN EVER, MY 65 PONTIAC. A TOUCH OF FRANCE, SWEET PARISIENNE, FROM FAR AWAY YOU CAME, OSHAWA, ONTARIO, YOU WERE BOUND FOR GLORY DAYS. TO A FUNERAL HOUSE IN BENDIGO, T O THE LONG GRASS AROUND BORONIA, I FOUND YOU BEGGING FOR REDEMPTION, SOMEONE WHO WOULD OWN YA’. IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, WHY SET IT FREE, YOU’LL ONLY WANT IT BACK, I MISS YOU MORE THAN EVER, MY 65 PONTIAC. CARRIED THE HEARTS OF THE GRIEVING, AND YOU’VE BEEN FROM A TO B, WE DROVE ALONG SO MANY HIGHWAYS, I MISS YOU SWEET MAREE. ON THE HIGHWAY TO HELL WE SANG OUT LOUD, INSIDE YOU I FOUND LOVE, ONE HUNDRED MILES FROM HEAVEN, YOU WRAPPED AROUND ME LIKE A GLOVE. IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, WHY SET IT FREE, YOU’LL ONLY WANT IT BACK, I MISS YOU MORE THAN EVER, MY 65 PONTIAC.
7.
FORTUNE SEEKERS, HALLOWED GROUND, VEINS OF GOLD RAN THROUGH THIS TOWN, IRONBARK THE WILDBIRDS FOUND, C’MON YOU PEOPLE ALL GATHER ROUND’. THERE’S A FIGHT TO SAVE OUR CHOSEN PLACE FROM ANOTHER LANDLORD WITH A DOLLAR EYED FACE. BUT YOU’LL ALL GET RICH, CEMENT TO SPILL, GONNA FILL YOUR BOOTS ON SKELETON HILL. BUILD MORE CITIES, WITH WHAT YOU’VE KILLED, CRACK THEM BONES ON SKELETON HILL. BLACKFELLA’ LAND, LONGTIME HOSTS, EUSTACE AND MCCUBBINS GHOSTS. BIG COMPANY NEVER WALKED THIS LAND, NEVER HELD ON TO A SKELETONS HAND. ANOTHER DEEP HOLE, SKELETON GRAVE, INDIGO BLUE WITH A SHADE OF GREY. BUT YOU’LL ALL GET RICH, CEMENT TO SPILL, GONNA FILL YOUR BOOTS ON SKELETON HILL. BUILD MORE CITIES, WITH WHAT YOU KILLED, CRACK THEM BONES ON SKELETON HILL. AND YOU’LL ALL DRIVE PAST, TURN A BLIND EYE TO ANOTHER LOST LAND, ANOTHER BLACK SKY. YOU WONT BE HERE, YOU WON’T CARE, WHEN OUR BACKYARD DISAPPEARS OUTA’ YOUR HEADS, OUTA’ YOUR HEADS, OUTA’ YOUR HEADS. BUT YOU’LL ALL GET RICH, CEMENT TO SPILL, GONNA FILL YOUR BOOTS ON SKELETON HILL. BUILD MORE CITIES, WITH WHAT YOU KILLED, CRACK THEM BONES ON SKELETON HILL. ALL GET RICH, CEMENT TO SPILL, GONNA FILL YOUR BOOTS ON SKELETON HILL. BUILD MORE CITIES, WITH WHAT YOU KILLED, CRACK THEM BONES, CRACK THEM BONES, ON SKELETON HILL.
8.
Not Much 02:47
I’VE BEEN GONE A LONG TIME, YOU’D THINK SOME THINGS WOULD CHANGE, BUT WHEN I TALK TO MY OLD FRIENDS, IT ALL JUST SEEMS THE SAME. I’VE BEEN WORKING, DRINKING, PLAYING HARD, KICKING BACK WAITING FOR THE PLANTS TO GROW, BIG IN MY BACKYARD. WHAT YOU BEEN DOING HAS THE WORLD BEEN GOOD THEY ALL ANSWER WITH, NOT MUCH, NOT MUCH. NOW ONE WOULD THINK AS THE YEARS GO BY, LIFE’S PATH WOULD EXPAND, BUT NOT MY FRIENDS THEY ALL STAND IN ONE SPOT, PLAYING IN PART TIME BANDS. THEY’VE BEEN WORKING, DRINKING, PLAYING HARD, THE KIDS ARE GOOD, I’VE BEEN STAYING IN, SAVING FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. WHAT YOU BEEN DOING, HAS THE WORLD BEEN GOOD THEY ALL ANSWER WITH, NOT MUCH, NOT MUCH. I HEAR MUM DIED, THE HOUSE BURNT DOWN, YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER FLIRTS, BUT ITS ALL GOOD, I’VE BEEN LAYING LOW, BUT WHEN I SIT IT HURTS. COULDN’T MAKE IT DOWN TO YOUR SHOW LAST WEEK, CAUSE’ I COULDN’T GET OFF THE COUCH, THE FOOTY’S ON THE TV THE FRIDGE IS FULL, AND THE LITTLE WOMAN WANTS TO TOUCH NOT MUCH, NOT MUCH. SO WE’LL CATCH UP SOON, YOU SHOULD DROP ROUND, SIT HAVE A GOOD LONG CHAT. GIMME’ A BUZZ WHEN YOUR BACK IN TOWN, HAVE A DRINK, MAYBE CHEW THE FAT. I’LL BE HERE, I AIN’T GOIN NOWHERE, CAUSE’ I’M PAYING FOR A TROUBLED SPOT. SO MY FRIEND LETS MOVE RIGHT ALONG AND TALK ABOUT WHAT NOT MUCH, NOT MUCH, NOT MUCH
9.
PC Love 03:12
I GO HOME LATE AT NIGHT, PC ON, FEEL ALRIGHT. GIRL I LOVE, SHE TALKS TO ME, I CALL HER UP, RSVP. PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE. SIT RIGHT DOWN, TURN IT ON, CURTAINS DRAWN, I GET GONE. GIRL I LOVE, I CAN’T SEE, SHE TELLS ME THINGS, RSVP. PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE. IT GETS HOT, SHE DON'T MIND, IF I LOOK STRANGE, SHE IS BLIND. GIRL I LOVE, SHE’S NUMBER THREE, SHE TELLS ME THINGS, RSVP. PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE. SHE DON'T KNOW, I FOOL AROUND, SHE AIN’T THE ONLY, LOVE I’VE FOUND. I’VE GOT A FEW, THEY TALK TO ME, FEEL LIKE A KING, RSVP. PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE, PC LOVE.
10.
The Gift 02:57
NOW WE’VE MADE THE BIGGEST BUST WE’VE EVER SEEN HERE IN THESE PARTS, SURELY WE’LL BE FAMOUS TO OUR PEERS WE’LL GET OUR PHOTO IN THE PAPER FOR OUR ACTS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, THIS BUST WILL RING THROUGH TIVERTON FOR YEARS. 13 KILOS OF THE STUFF, GRADE A TO BE PRECISE, OF PURE FORM UNCUT BENZOCAINE, MR OGILVY I THINK I’D LIKE TO MEET YOU, DID YOU LEAVE A GIFT TO HELP RELIEVE THE PAIN WELL EXCUSE ME CONSTABLE DID YOU EVER TEST THIS STUFF, BEFORE WE GOT ARRESTED FOR THIS CRIME YOU MAY NOTICE THAT WE LOCALS CAN’T AFFORD GOOD DENTISTRY, SO WE THOUGHT WE'D STOCK UP HARD ON NUMBING CREAM. 13 KILOS OF THE STUFF, GRADE A TO BE PRECISE, OF PURE FORM UNCUT BENZOCAINE, MR OGILVY I THINK I’D LIKE TO MEET YOU, DID YOU LEAVE A GIFT TO HELP RELIEVE THE PAIN THE OLD PRINCE REGENT MAY BE CLOSED, BUT ITS FAME WILL LINGER ON, 300 GRAND WENT DANCING THROUGH THE FLOOR, NOW YOU MAY BE STUCK IN PRISON AND IF THIS JOKE IS YOURS, WE’LL BE HIGHER UP THAN WILLHAYS FAMOUS TOR. 13 KILOS OF THE STUFF, GRADE A TO BE PRECISE, OF PURE FORM UNCUT BENZOCAINE, MR OGILVY I THINK I’D LIKE TO MEET YOU, DID YOU LEAVE A GIFT TO HELP RELIEVE THE PAIN 13 KILOS OF THE STUFF, GRADE A TO BE PRECISE, OF PURE FORM UNCUT BENZOCAINE, MR OGILVY I THINK I’D LIKE TO MEET YOU, DID YOU LEAVE A GIFT TO HELP RELIEVE THE PAIN MR OGILVY I THINK I’D LIKE TO MEET YOU, DID YOU LEAVE A GIFT TO HELP RELIEVE THE PAIN DID YOU LEAVE A GIFT TO HELP RELIEVE THE PAIN
11.
THE WORLD WOULD BE SAD IF WE ALL THOUGHT THE SAME, YOU’LL NEVER SEE IT THROUGH MY EYES. I’VE GOT MY OWN TONGUE, YOU’LL NEVER HEAR, SO WE’LL WALK UNDER DIFFERENT SKIES. I’VE GOT MY OWN FEET FOR THE JOURNEY, I’M RICH AND I’LL USE WHAT I OWN. I’LL PAVE MY OWN WAY, WITH WHAT I’VE GOT, ONLY THOUGHT SEPARATES FLESH AND BONE. RUN ME HERE, RUN ME THERE, I DON’T WANNA CHANGE, I’M HAPPY TO HAVE WHAT I’M GIVEN. I’LL BE WHAT I AM, I CHOSE IT THAT WAY, IT’S JUST A DIFFERENT CIRCLE I’M LIVING. I’VE GOT MY OWN FEET FOR THE JOURNEY, I’M RICH AND I’LL USE WHAT I OWN. I’LL PAVE MY OWN WAY WITH WHAT I’VE GOT, ONLY THOUGHT SEPARATES FLESH AND BONE. COME HERE NOW FATHER, LISTEN TO ME, LISTEN WELL TO THE BEAT OF MY DRUM. I MAY DO THINGS THAT SEEM A LITTLE LEFT OF CENTRE, BUT I’M HAPPY, AND MY TIME WILL COME. I’VE GOT MY OWN FEET FOR THE JOURNEY, I’M RICH AND I’LL USE WHAT I OWN. I’LL PAVE MY OWN WAY WITH WHAT I’VE GOT, ONLY THOUGHT SEPARATES FLESH AND BONE. ONLY THOUGHT SEPARATES FLESH AND BONE, ONLY THOUGHT SEPARATES FLESH AND BONE.

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released March 20, 2010

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Rory Ellis Australia

An underground hero of Americana in Australia.

His path traverses the globe having performed at home and internationally for over 30 years.

Every twist and turn toward his Americana leanings, always had a great story lurking in the background. Always the primary inspiration. Gifted with a soul-wrenching voice praised by media worldwide, he’s experienced every word delivered.
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