DISCOGRAPHY
Canis Majoris
Brimming with confidence and charisma, Esquela roars to life with their third release Canis Majoris. From the opening strains of the doo-wop inspired “It Didn’t Take” to the closing cover of the Blue Mountain classic “Blue Canoe,” Esquela finds its musical roots embedded deep in the grit of rural America. You’ll hear songs of love and loss, a stinging critique of our unique brand of American greed, and even a musical retelling of one of the most infamous games in baseball history. Together they form the backbone of a stirring work from a band who’s found its footing.
CHORUS:
It didn’t take, outside my door
It didn’t take, it’s three am
It didn’t take, He’s ringing my bell
It didn’t take, now I’m back in hell
He said I ain’t goin to the shack
I said, “baby why you treat me like that”
So I’m thinking this guy’s got to go
That’s what I said when I walked out the door
He said you’re funny, it’s really cute
He never thought I would give him the boot
I was serious and I told him so
He said, “baby please don’t go”
CHORUS
Next week it’s the same old show
He’s saying that I can’t go
I’m never gonna take his ring
If he keeps telling me that I can’t sing
I tell him I can’t do this no more,
He says just you wait for what’s in store
I say, “No” that “I can wait”
But he would not take the bait
CHORUS
SOLO
BRIDGE:
He thinks that I want to live like this
He thinks that I can live like this
How did I get to this place?
I guess I shouldn’t have opened the door
Chorus:
Too big to fail, too rich for jail
How much do you need to cure the greed
How much stuff to say, “enough is enough”
Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered
If it turns a profit you’d probably sell your own daughter
Just a bunch of greedy fat cats
Same fat cats from the frats
Just the same old fat cats from the frats
Chorus
Auditors, bankers, brokers, lawyers too
Everyone’s in on the ruse
It sounds too good to be true
Selfish, arrogant, psychopath, spoiled brats
We’re doing the time
For their crimes
It’s the same old fat cats from the frats
It’s the same old fat cats from the frats
Chorus
Chorus:
Baby, I’m sorry… Don’t know what else to say
I messed up and shouldn’t have treated you this way
See I was running with the big dogs… I was howlin’ at the moon
Now I feel like a snake in the grass, tears falling like a monsoon
Chorus
Cause it didn’t mean nothin’, just a one night stand
I’m not plannin a residency, I’ve got no world tours planned
Chorus
Solo
It was a moment of weakness, yes you, you know it’s true
I’m the baby in the bathwater and I’m in love with you
Chorus
Answer Song:
When you’re out running with the big dogs
Humpin’ whomever’s leg
I’ve been with the gardener in your own bed
What started out as “another thing” has now blossomed into love
This talk came at the perfect time because our time is up
I’ll have my stuff out by the weekend and P.S. The gardener quits
So as far as your one night stand goes baby… I really don’t give a shit
Cause you’re sorry
Yeah you’re sorry
You’re sorry
You’re sorry
July 24th, nineteen eighty-three
On a trip with the junior legion team
Yankee stadium, the field of dreams
No place for a Mets fan to be
Top of the ninth, Royals down by one
Brett up to bat, on first was Washington
There I was rooting for the underdog
Couldn’t root out loud – didn’t dare make a sound
George launched Goose’s ball into flight
Just beneath our seats in right
As he rounded the bases the crowd was stunned
It looked as if the Royals had won
But Billy came out to protest the at-bat
Too much pine tar near the top of the bat
The umpires agreed and Brett was gone
Hard to believe the Yankees had won
Walking down the ramp, wondering what just went down
The crowd didn’t care, for the Yankees had won
Gaylord tried to hide the evidence
He was ejected for his offense
But justice was served, justice prevailed
The ruling overturned by Lee McPhail
The game was finished 25 days late
To finally seal the Yankees’ fate
Well they raised up the prices of roses today
All because they said it was a holiday
It’s the day that I’m supposed to say, “I love you”
But I love you anyway and everyday it’s true
CHORUS:
And I don’t need no hallmark holiday
To tell me how I feel about you
Cause everyday is Valentine’s Day
Whenever I’m with you
The next day roses are half price
But that doesn’t mean I’d treat you half as nice
Cause every day is Valentine’s Day
Whenever I’m with you
CHORUS
Gonna save up all my money some day
Build you a greenhouse with all of my pay
Then I’d grow roses for you everyday
To show my love and give it to you
Chorus Out
Chorus:
The Irish need not apply
The Irish need not apply
They were the blacks of Europe
Looking for hope
The Irish need not apply
Famine drove them from their homes
They came to The States in droves
Some didn’t like their beliefs
Now the Irish need not apply
Chorus
Their tight-knit community
Provided them with unity
Their votes gave them power to give them a say
Now the Irish, they can apply
Solo
Chorus
Chorus
Give an inch and you take a mile
There is no telling behind the smile
Pay your dues while he grows old
Count up the loot before the body’s cold
Travel the world see the seven seas
Have no cares do as you please
No nine to five, not up your alley
No sense of value or reality
No sense in working to pay the rent
You ain’t broke, hell you ain’t even bent
Always looking for the next free ride
Have you no dignity, where is your pride?
Wear used clothes but deep down a snob
Love is work and you’ve never had a job
When you gonna make your own way
All that work just means you get no play
Chorus/Bridge:
Gold digger, gold digger – When you gonna pay your own way
Gold digger, gold digger – All that work just means you get no play
Gold digger, gold digger – When you gonna pay your own way
Gold digger, gold digger – All that work just means you get no play
You taught me how to write this song
Gonna miss you when you’re gone
You taught me about things in life
Living, learning and how to survive
You taught me how to fly bat blind
Even when the sounds weren’t kind
I always listened to what you said
You always got the drummer laid
Bridge:
I didn’t know a key from a note
You taught me Credence, note for note
I didn’t know a one from a half
To you it was just great sounding jazz
The advice you gave often sage
Even though the bottle is your cane
I realize how it is not too late
We can all change our own fate
You taught me how to write this song
Gonna miss you when you’re gone
You taught me how to write this song
Gonna miss you when you’re gone
I like animals because they are cute
Dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs and newts
Horses smell when you hold out your hand
Not all dogs need 4 legs to stand
Dogs will stay with you all the long day
Cats will bring you their gifts of prey
Pigs are the magic animal
They give you pork, sausage, bacon and ham
Chorus:
Moo, moo, cheep, cheep, cheep
Cows, goats, chickens and sheep
Moo, moo, cheep, cheep, cheep
Cows, goats, chickens and sheep
Lambs drink milk from a baby’s bottle
Lambs drink milk from a baby’s bottle
Cats are soft, cuddly and cute
Some don’t care and they give them the boot
Dogs hunt frogs, bunnies and squirrels
They are the best friends in the whole wide world
Chorus Out
ALBUM CREDITS
Esquela is Brian Shafer – Guitar; Becca Frame – Vocals; John “Chico” Finn – Bass/Vocals; Matt Woodin – Guitar; Todd Russell – Drums/Vocals Guest Musicians Eric “Roscoe” Ambel – Guitar/Vocals; Brian Mangini – Keys; Matthew Polashek – Saxophone; Mark Spencer – Pedal Steel; Tom White – Banjo/Tin Whistle/Fiddle Writers John “Chico” Finn; Chico and Becca Frame (Track 3); Chico and Emmylou Finn (Track 9); Porter Cray Hudson and Laurie Stirratt (Track 10) Publisher Livestock Music (BMI); Universal Music Careers Publishing (Track 10) Producer Eric “Roscoe” Ambel Recorded by Mario Viele at Back in the Hole Studios, Bovina, NY Additional recording by Brian Shafer at Project Awesome, Richmondville, NY Additional recording by Andris Balins at Back in the Hole Studios, Bovina, NY Mixed by Eric Ambel at Evie’s in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, NY Mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY Artwork Liz Hirsch – Design; Chico – Cover Photo; Amanda Popp – Inside Cover Photo; Todd Russell – Back Cover Photo This album is dedicated to the memory of Matthew Albritton Frame 1951-2015