We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Good Water Safe Camp (Remastered)

by James Dean Cotton

supported by
debseymour-fan
debseymour-fan thumbnail
J J Reed
J J Reed thumbnail
David GUILBAULT
David GUILBAULT thumbnail
mrprimitivemusic
mrprimitivemusic thumbnail
pablokent
pablokent thumbnail
nanaj3
nanaj3 thumbnail
/
1.
Ballad of the Big Thompson Flood, 1976 (See Her Run) 04:45
lyrics
buy track
BALLAD OF THE BIG THOMPSON FLOOD, 1976 We were celebrating on a Colorado night You could see the campfires glistening along the riverside From Loveland up to Estes and all the way back to the Great Divide I could hear the laughter as my grandpa made a joke The women did the dishes as the men stepped out to smoke And somewhere up the canyon, a breeze began to rise and thunder spoke But see her run She’s beautiful and deadly as a gun And only made of water, anyone Who’d listen to that melody, oh son, If you could only see that river run We could see the water rising, and we knew we couldn’t stay And by the time the truck was started up, the bridge had given way And a wall of rocks and water then descended and took everything away We could hear the helicopters circling overhead And feel the boulders grinding in the bottom of the riverbed A morning sun would shine upon a hundred and forty-four dead See Her Run She’s beautiful and deadly as a gun And only made of water, anyone Who’d listen to that melody, oh son, If you could only see that river run They straightened out the Thompson back in ‘32 For Roosevelt, The New Deal, just to bring the West to you To sit beside a river in the loveliest of places with a view To see her run She’s beautiful and deadly as a gun And only made of water, anyone Wouldn’t blame her for the thing she’s done If you could only see that river run Shining like a diamond in the sun Only made of water, anyone Who’d listen to that melody, oh son, If you could only see that river run
2.
The Faded Black & White 04:08
lyrics
buy track
THE FADED BLACK & WHITE I’ve been flipping through the pages of a photo book I found all the black and whites that my mother took Not a one I can remember, not my birthday in September Kind of like I was never there Just a couple taken...before I was born Arms around each other in a trailer court Young and thin and cavalier and then his pictures disappear Kind of like he was never there Images on paper don’t mean much to anyone Much to anyone but me They're only made of light and silver and faces so familiar Think of all the stories still alive Living in the faded black and white Christmases and Easters on a carousel A dozen different houses, who could even tell What the state was we were in, if it was time to move again? Kind of like we were never there Someday when these pages have been lost or sold Scattered like the memories that they used to hold Or turned to yellow plastic in a box up in the attic It’s kind of like they were never there Images on paper don’t mean much to anyone Much to anyone but me They're only made of light and silver and faces so familiar Think of all the stories still alive Living in the faded black and white The day will come when all of my possessions have been analyzed Scattered like confetti to the wind That don’t mean they didn’t count, Even if they never count again Images on paper don’t mean much to anyone Much to anyone but me They're only made of light and silver and faces so familiar Think of all the stories still alive Living in the faded black and white Images on paper, don’t mean much, don't mean much anymore Images on paper, don’t mean much to anyone Images on paper, don’t mean much, don't mean much anymore Images on paper, don’t mean much to anyone Images on paper, don’t mean much, don't mean much anymore Images on paper, don’t mean much to anyone Images on paper, don’t mean much, don't mean much anymore
3.
Robin 04:18
lyrics
buy track
ROBIN When I was young and still at home Summertime was full of bugs and heat Dad would put us in the car The factory would shut down for a week Didn’t stop, drove straight through Sandwiches and Mountain Dew Racing hard against a silver moon We got to Aunt Ruby’s house Somewhere on the Colorado plain They talked about the family and the price of gas A thing called Watergate I ran down Cheyenne Street Tennis shoes on dirty feet Looking for a place to be alone She was kicking up the dust around a swing Neither one said much of anything But when she told me that her mom was feeling better, then I knew I felt better too She said her name was Robin And I asked her, “Do you mean like a bird?“ I’d almost forgotten how she laughed and said “That’s one I’ve never heard” Smelled the grass, on evening wind She said that she’d best go in But didn’t know where her daddy was She was kicking up the dust around a swing Neither one said much of anything But when she told me that her mom was feeling better, all I knew I felt better too I can still recall the streetlight and her laughter in the dark And we stayed and played till someone said we had to leave the park Just two lonely kids upon a playground, she and I Then she was gone, and barely said goodbye... I was kicking up the dust around a swing Wasn’t thinking much of anything Just hoping that my mom was feeling better, and I knew ... I felt better too She was kicking up the dust around a swing Neither one said much of anything But when she told me that her mom was feeling better, all I knew I felt better too I felt better...too
4.
Mothership 03:45
lyrics
buy track
MOTHERSHIP Lately, been thinking how all of these leaves litter the ground Discarded letters I never could read in yellow and brown They're blowing around on a breeze in the sun Stretching for millions of miles A circular journey, only to rest for a while Lately, been thinking ‘bout all of this water running to ground It flows through my body then down to the ocean, then just turns around I hear the rain on my window pane, washing the dust out to sea She cries like a baby if only to get what she needs Wherever I go, whatever I do Fall into the ocean, fly into the blue, ‘cause People were made to stumble a bit when they roam Whenever I’m lost, and haven’t a clue I remember the stars shining high above you Everything living, built upon everything gone The mothership’s sailing. She’s my home. We’ve been spinning around In this blue water town And fighting like a bunch of little kids She’s been holding us close While the Winter wind blows, and Saving us from the abyss Wherever I go, whatever I do Fall into the ocean, fly into the blue, ‘cause People are made to stumble a bit when they roam Whenever I’m lost, and haven’t a clue I remember the stars shining high above you Everything living, built upon everything gone The mothership’s sailing. She’s my home The mothership’s sailing. She’s my home
5.
Dear John 03:43
lyrics
buy track
DEAR JOHN Dear John, hope you get this letter Dear John, hope that you remember Last time that I saw you I was walking out of art class at the bell You said ‘good luck in college, you’ll be so successful, give ‘em hell Well the summers turned to seasons and the seasons turned too fast You painted the perspective but the color’s fading fast Dear John, hope you get this letter Dear John, hope that you remember Dear John... When I tried to track you down, Patty said that you had disappeared For anyone who’d listen they’d say it was getting pretty weird But I found you in the front yard, just watering the grass A living Leonardo, and a man without a past Dear John, hope you get this letter Dear John, hope that you remember Dear John... A steady hand that straightened every crooked line I drew You may not remember that, but swear to God I do… Dear John…oh, Dear John Dear John, hope you get this letter Dear John, hope that you remember Dear John...oh, dear John Dear John...
6.
Bigfoot! 03:09
lyrics
buy track
BIGFOOT! One day I went out walking Up in the Cascade hills Looking for a respite From all these urban ills Thought I was alone Until I heard a snap And a heavy breathing Sent a chill right down my back Is it Bigfoot? You know what that means Is it Bigfoot? Way up in the evergreens Is it Big Foot? He’s hairy and he’s mean, but He’s the one that we've been looking for Oh, that’s Bigfoot! I heard he was a legend From the natives of this land I heard they saw him walking with Gigantic swinging hands I heard they got the video Authenticated real, and Plaster casts, size 38 Taken toe to heel! Is it Bigfoot? You know what that means Is it Bigfoot? Way up in the evergreens Is it Big Foot? He’s hairy and he’s mean, but He’s the one that we've been looking for Oh, that’s Bigfoot! Mmm, when the cities have all crumbled And our culture’s in decline He’s the one who’s living in the hills And doing fine... So let’s call Bigfoot Let’s call Bigfoot Mmm...lets call Bigfoot You know what that means Let’s call Bigfoot! Way up in the ancient evergreens Let's call Bigfoot! He’s hairy and he’s mean, but He’s the one we all been looking for He’s a man with just a little more Oh, that’s Bigfoot! Oh, that’s Bigfoot! Oh, that’s Bigfoot!
7.
The Great Famine 04:08
lyrics
buy track
THE ONE WHO STAYED (THE GREAT FAMINE) You and I, oh my my Been holding on to these hard times Not a bite to eat, and no money coming in The fields are black with something bad And it’s blowing into all we had You're done waiting for the wind to blow again But someone has to hold the fort Throw kisses from the Old Town port Watch the mainsail slowly fade away and Disappear into the sun Someone has to be The One Who Stayed You and I, we sacrificed 'Cause for every one that left, one died Buried in the greenest fields where we once laid I coulda gone, God knows I tried And be born again on the other side, till the Memories and sorrows finally fade But someone has to hold the fort Throw kisses from the Old Town port Watch the mainsail slowly fade away and Disappear into the sun Someone had to be The One Who Stayed May I lay upon the altar of the land of saint and scholar That a father shouldn’t ever leave behind? Forgive me, sons and daughters For leaving in the very worst of times Now who is gonna watch these kids? Tell ‘em all the things you did? Tell them all about your new life, babe? I'm coming home and when I do I'll be running right back into you For seein’ the eyes that never seem to change But someone has to hold the fort Throw kisses from the Old Town port Watch the mainsail slowly fade away and Disappear into the sun Someone has to be The One Who Stayed Someone has to hold the fort Throw kisses from the Old Town port Watch the mainsail slowly fade away and Disappear into the sun Someone has to be The One Who Stayed Disappear into the sun, and Someone has to be The One Who Stayed
8.
O Captain! My Captain! 03:36
lyrics
buy track
O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN! O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and vaulting O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red Where on the deck my Captain lies, fallen cold and dead O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red Where on the deck my Captain lies, fallen cold and dead O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning Dear Captain! Dear Father! This arm beneath your head! Is it a dream that on the deck, you’ve fallen cold and dead? Dear Captain! Dear Father! This arm beneath your head! Is it a dream that on the deck, you’ve fallen cold and dead? My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done From fearful trip the victr’y ship comes in with object won Exult the shores, and ring the bells! But I with mournful tread Will walk the deck my Captain lies, fallen cold and dead Exult the shores, and ring the bells! But I with mournful tread Will walk the deck my Captain lies, fallen cold and dead O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting Follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and vaulting O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red Where on the deck my Captain lies, fallen cold and dead O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red Where on the deck my Captain lies, fallen cold and dead
9.
Heroes 03:29
lyrics
buy track
HEROES Lately I’ve been drifting without compass, or a sail Straight in the center of a storm There’s something in the water and it’s just beyond the veil Feeding on a fear that’s without form, without form I’ve been searching in the heartland, in the cities and the malls And all the places that I used to go But all I see is weariness, and shadows on the walls In the eyes of everyone I know, everyone I know Well, Hamilton and Lincoln, have really got me thinking Mahatma Ghandi, and Martin Luther King John Lennon and Da Vinci, no need to convince me We could use a hero once again Like a seabird on the ocean, or a lighthouse on the shore Shining on to all anonymous For every generation, and all we’re living for They become the best in all of us, the best in all of us Well, Hamilton and Lincoln, have really got me thinking Mahatma Ghandi, and Martin Luther King John Lennon and Da Vinci, no need to convince me We could use a hero once again Well, Hamilton and Lincoln, have really got me thinking Newton, Einstein, Martin Luther King Bob Dylan and Da Vinci, The Doctor Madame Curie We could use a hero once again We could use a hero once again Calling all good women And the best of all men living... We could use a hero once again
10.
The Big Easy 04:00
lyrics
buy track
THE BIG EASY Took a holiday down in New Orleans That Big Easy ain’t as easy as it seems All waitresses and dreamers and muddy water Running to the sea Took a carriage ride around the Vieux Carre I heard everything that driver had to say History in one liners, the dealers and diviners And the ghosts I saw “HOMESICK” written on a red brick wall And a kid asked me for LSD, but I had none at all They’re marking time since Katrina and the folks who’ve never seen her Live illusions while the Mississippi sleeps That Big Easy ain’t as easy as it seems Had a bourbon at the Spotted Cat one night Man, that band was doing Dixieland up right We all shouted ‘Hey!’ out loud Passed a hat among the crowd They’re barely getting by I saw “HOMESICK” written on a red brick wall And a kid asked me for LSD, but I had none at all They’re marking time since Katrina and the folks who’ve never seen her Live illusions while the Mississippi sleeps That Big Easy ain’t as easy as it seems And you wake up to the laughter and you breathe the morning after And suddenly it hits you between the eyes In the bells of the cathedral, there’s a song that you’ve been needing But don’t know why And I saw “HOMESICK” written on a red brick wall And a kid asked me for LSD, but I had none at all They’re marking time since Katrina and the folks who’ve never seen her Live illusions while the Mississippi sleeps That Big Easy ain’t as easy as it seems That Big Easy ain’t as easy as it seems
11.
The Girl Wants a Love Song 03:45
lyrics
buy track
THE GIRL WANTS A LOVE SONG Lately I’m thinking of the roads we’ve been on The turns that we’ve taken, detours long gone Been driving all night, and I see the dawn If I’m reading you right, The Girl Wants a Love Song We’ve had a fine year, far better than some The pictures are hanging, of the places we’ve gone The kids have moved out now; our time has come And you’re feeling lonely The Girl Wants a Love Song With lilacs in June And a big yellow moon Let me sing it to you The Girl Wants a Love Song I see your eyes glisten Though nothing is wrong And this boy’s been listening The Girl Wants a Love Song With lilacs in June And a big yellow moon Can't sing it too soon The Girl Wants a Love Song With lilacs in June And a big yellow moon Let me sing it to you The Girl Wants a Love Song
12.
Better Late 03:59
lyrics
buy track
BETTER LATE I knew you well when I was young And we got through some serious stuff Floating upon a rickety ark Then taking it down, to tear it apart I’ve walked through a lot of weather, and I'm losing the ones I will love forever, but Honey, we’re together in this line Better Late than never, Better Late than never, Better Late than never, And just in time Remember the day I went back to school Sold my guitars, turned my back on you? It was the only escape that I could define To get out of Dodge, and out of my mind I’ve walked through a lot of weather, and I'm losing the ones I will love forever, but Honey, we’re together in this line Better Late than never, Better Late than never, Better Late than never, And just in time I was just a lonely boy from nowhere Looking for the light I used to know there But let’s not go there It’s Better Late than never Better Late than never Better Late than never Better Late than never, time to go Better Late than never, and right to show it Better Late than never And just in time

about

This album contains nearly four years of writing some of my most personal songs. Several are tributes to great people. Others, tributes to great memories. There's an environmental thread. There’s tragedy, travel, death, despair, love and hope and it won’t be long until they give way to updated versions and the things we so cherish simply become The Faded Black and White. That’s how it’s always been.

credits

released April 26, 2023

All words & music by James Dean Cotton, with the exception of O Captain! My Captain!, which is the poem by Walt Whitman set to music in D major. Vocals and instrumentation by James Dean Cotton, with the exception of violin by Bryan Djunaedi and cello by Susannah Miller. The steady and honest encouragement of my friend, Carmen Zullo, is sincerely acknowledged. Photography by the talented Mark Ippolito. Graphic design by Natalie Sierra Cotton and David Benson.

Remastered January, 2024 at Fuzzywallz Mastering, Edmonds, Washington, USA

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

James Dean Cotton image

James Dean Cotton Seattle, Washington

James Dean Cotton hails from the Missouri Ozarks where bluegrass and Americana infused an easy, 70's acoustic style. He writes and performs solo and with the acoustic duo, American Sons, in the Seattle area.

contact / help

Contact James Dean Cotton

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like James Dean Cotton, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now