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The Anchor

by Whitherward

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vleryk
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vleryk Like all their albums, this one is beautiful, with just the right amount of haunting melody and catchy lyrics. Love the stories they tell! Favorite track: Burn The Roses.
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1.
The Anchor 03:40
There's an anchor at the bottom of the ocean Staring up at the roof of the sea At the ship casting shadows on its garden Of bottles and ropes and weeds And the anchor is covered in coral 'Cause she's been waiting for way too long For the ship to pull up on her heart strings To the sun where she belongs How long will she wait for the weight? To buckle her knees and break? How long can she hold her breath? Before they all think she's dead She can wait, she can hold on too But she won't believe the ship is you And the anchor is me And the ship has forgotten the anchor And how his sailors cast her over the side And now as he sails for the harbor He slowly drags her behind How long will she wait for the weight? To buckle her knees and break? How long can she hold her breath? Before they all think she's dead She can wait, she can hold on too But she won't believe the ship is you And the anchor is me There's a snail at the bottom of the ocean He's been chewing through strings in the weeds He bit the last one Like a rubber band gun And set the anchor free How long will she wait for the weight? To buckle her knees and break? How long can she hold her breath? Before they all think she's dead She waits, she holds on too And now she knows the snail is you And the anchor is free
2.
Free 01:10
I left my stones in Puget Sound Because they didn't belong to me I gave them back to the earth As an offer to the sea I sacrificed my chance to lose Everything you mean to me Just to learn how to let go And remember to believe In another way to say goodbye On this American journey I shed my skin in every town And set the anchor free
3.
I used to know why I loved you But now it's all gone wrong   The image I cultivated   From your sweet siren song You never said as much But I advanced too much I do confess We could've had something so strong 
You must be Deaf, dumb, and blind, deaf, dumb, and blind Deaf, dumb, and blind, deaf, dumb, and blind Speak up, speak up, speak up, Speak up Speak up 'cause I can hardly hear Over the sound of your madness You cannot see what is to be But you're tellin' me what's going down My dear, thou doth protest A bit too much, I guess Your mouth is open But I can't hear a word that's comin' out You must be Deaf, dumb, and blind, deaf, dumb, and blind Deaf, dumb, and blind, deaf, dumb, and blind You've got your sanctimony You've got your cross to bear You've got your acrimony While I've got a heart that cares A heart that cares too much Too much to let you go It twists and turns at night But you would never know So I confine myself To visions of a world Where you and I give it a whirl You must be So in love with me You're so in love with me We'll be together   In sunny weather There is no reason We can't live forever The walls that pad this room are Nice and thick And the jacket's warm, too The dreams I have of you are good and bad Even though we are through I've never seen a love So vivid, in spite of   the fact That it never, ever, ever once existed at all What remains of this brain creates a victory hall I've got my golden palace Suspended in the air I've got my sweet delusion You will be waiting there
4.
All dressed up in shades of black Dark sunglasses, don't look back I still smell the burning heart I guess 'till death do us part Burn the roses to the ground Plant the ashes six feet down Watch my fire put you out Burn the roses to the ground Take these flowers from the grave Throw them in this dying flame Lie inside the bed you made Say goodbye, I walk away Burn the roses to the ground Plant the ashes six feet down Watch my fire put you out Burn the roses to the ground Smoke fills the air It's hard to breathe I'm choking on your memory One of us will come out alive So rest in peace tonight Burn the roses to the ground Plant the ashes six feet down Watch my fire put you out Burn the roses to the ground Burn the roses to the ground Plant the ashes six feet down Watch my fire put you out Burn the roses to the ground Burn the roses to the ground Burn the roses to the ground Burn the roses to the ground Burn the roses Burn the roses
5.
Interlude 01:53
6.
Are you there, Lord? 
It's me 
Got another thing to ask you 
It's not about the car or the broken guitar this time 
If you're so humane
 Then why am I this way?
 Oh Lord...I think i answered my own question 
Are you there, mom? 
It's me 
I know it's been far too long
 Tell me all the stories and tired allegories from my hometown 
It used to be so nice
 But now it's cold as ice 
I can't help thinkin' that I've worn my welcome down It's all in your head
 People like to tell me 
Think positive instead
 Easier said than done 
It's time to let go
 Of the demons in the closet 
'Cause the needs of the many
 Outweigh the one Are you there, kid? 
It's me 
I know just what you're thinkin' 
If there only was a way to make the pain go away from your heart 
With darkness comes fear
 And it only gets worse from here 
A young malaise is a somber way to start 
It's all in your head 
People like to tell me 
Think positive instead 
Easier said than done 
It's time to let go
 Of the demons in the closet
 'Cause the needs of the many
 Outweigh the one Are you there, love? 
Hang on, I don't think that's the right word, sorry.... 
Are you there, friend? 
It's me 
Got something to tell you 
It's not about the way that you occupy my daily moments 
Give me a reason why
 I'm not the apple of your eye 
Despite the fact that they all see
 How perfect we would really be 
Excepting that I'm quite insane
 I barely can recall your name 
Or what it is that people do
 When they find a love that's true 
Excuse me if I seem unwound 
Especially when you're not around
 To see me crying To see me crying 
Are you there?
7.
You can’t knock on a door And expect it to open When you know Nobody’s home You can’t ring a bell That’s already broken So you go Inside alone
 This house is haunted by me I roam the halls when I can’t sleep The shadows are sideways The mirrors are highways To the soul of a mystery You won’t believe This house is haunted by me You can’t burn it down It’s already ashes Let it be Let it bleed You can’t warm the snow With a hand so cold Just let it be Let it freeze This house is haunted by me I roam the halls when I can’t sleep The shadows are sideways The mirrors are highways To the soul of a mystery You won’t believe This house is haunted by me Lost in the dark Of an abandoned heart What I fear most Is I’ve become your ghost This house is haunted by me I roam the halls when I can’t sleep The shadows are sideways The mirrors are highways To the soul of a mystery You won’t believe This house is haunted by me
8.
My eyes dart open My breathing's heavy It was one of those nights For me I saw your face again So close to mine again It wasn't a dream You see
 Look at all the denizens Of the world around us Do you think they feel The same as you? Did they see what I saw In a magic floating castle In a bungalow galaxy For two Maybe it came true In a parallel universe Maybe it worked out After all Maybe I got the girl Maybe I saved the world In a parallel universe The possibilities are endless If you imagine hard enough You can solve any problem If you try It can all go right Or all go wrong Within the safety of your mind These experiments They are expensive The costs are growing far too high But if I spend enough I could reach Nirvana Or at least that castle in the sky 
 Maybe it came true In a parallel universe Maybe it worked out After all Maybe I got the girl Maybe I saved the world In a parallel universe Parallels - kisses and touch - try putting them next together: a pair of L’s living on Rumplstilskin: fairy tails Get me some dust so I can Peter Pan away from hell I think I lost my marbles: Toodles and won’t come back to land unless I fell Head in the clouds I can only see heaven for miles in nine months an extra mouth that’s forever squeeze them lil fingers and toes lil man so clever but that’s another day in the future close to my chest I hold when I close my eyes and wake up will I believe the story the dreams told? it never gets old plunging into darkness feeling gravity so deep in my soul my flesh wakes the same reality I see in the absence of light can it be real and not be fake? I can’t shake that I would hate…if I was wrong but maybe my happy is an aberration and the birth works out wit a lil’ patience put a lil’ light and a smile on my face -in- a parallel universe With open eyes I travel to the place Where everything is right But somehow I'm still wrong And then I see him Over on the hill Serenade the sky With a thousand tearful songs And then I hear him say: “Maybe I was wrong in a parallel universe maybe it worked out for you maybe you got the girl maybe you saved the world in a parallel universe maybe you got the girl maybe you saved the world in a parallel universe"
9.
Nephew 03:02
The middle seat, riding home wasted Seconds to just rest my head Turned to minutes of faded Cigarette breath on my neck But you are a part of his family He's the captain of this wanted car There's construction on 41 highway Good thing we're not going too far It won't kill anyone if I bruise you So hold still, 'cause this one might hurt You are somebody's nephew And I am nobody's girl Do you think he saw me in the mirror Or even cared to look behind? I saw him first but I'm guessing Who I'll go home with tonight How do you love just one person? Maybe I love a little too much He said he wants a lover, but baby I don't think he knows how to love It won't kill anyone if I bruise you So hold still, 'cause this one might hurt You are somebody's nephew And I am nobody's girl It won't kill anyone if I bruise you So hold still, 'cause this one might hurt You are somebody's nephew And I am nobody's Kill anyone if I bruise you So hold onto the ship as we turn You are somebody's nephew And I am nobody's girl
10.
Teeth 04:50
Isn't is something strange I can feel the change Red wine won't do I'm hungry for you And if I lose all control I might just swallow you whole I wanna take a bite Howl at the moon Just give me the night And I'll give into you Give me someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into I don't want to fall in love But I want to make you look Deep into my eyes Hypnotized Before the rise of the sun You'll be waiting for me to come I wanna take a bite Howl at the moon Just give me the night And I'll give into you Give me someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into It's such an easy target I know how to make you mine My dear we know you tried But don't deny me love You cannot hide I wanna take a bite Howl at the moon Just give me the night And I'll give into you Give me someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into Someone to sink my teeth into
11.
Isadora 02:58
Hello, Isadora How are you today? Do you have a minute? I've got something to say I think you're really special Indulge me if you can To read this little letter To help you understand If my heart were in my mind I'd think before you break it I could lay it on the line Or you could just take it I've got this pen and paper It seems I've lost my voice Thoughts of you fill spaces Where once there was a void Your eyes are like the ocean Your hair a subtle breeze Your soul shines like a lighthouse When I'm lost at sea If my heart were in my mind I'd think before you break it I could lay it on the line Or you could just take it A thousand years I'd wait for you If you would just tell me to I have waited that long before I adore Isadora If my heart were in my mind I'd think before you break it I could lay it on the line Or you could just take it Sincerely Isadora If you've made it to the end I'd love to be your lover But I'd like to be your friend
12.
The night I fell for you Was the night that I went numb To everything that mattered Or maybe I was drunk? The night I fell for you Was the moment that I knew You're all I've ever wanted After all that I've been through The night I fell for you Was the same night I met you The night I fell for you You asked me to dance People stopped to judge us 'Cause they didn't like romance The night I fell for you Was the worst night of my life You told me you could love me But you couldn't leave your wife The night I fell for you The night I fell for you Was the same night I lost you The night I fell for you...
13.
Wasteland 05:05
This town looks like it has been leveled Or never inhabited at all And I'm stuck out here driving To pushpins on maps on the wall There's a beat up red truck on the driveway At least there's a sign of some life He's probably bringing chickens To suppertime home to his wife I don't belong here I don't belong here I don't wanna fix A wasteland like this No I don't wanna pray To what doesn't exist I don't wanna stand on a world that never spins And I don't wanna fix a wasteland like this No I don't wanna fix a wasteland Like this It's as flat out here as I was at 13 And probably praying for rain To wash all over my body And grow into something green Where do all the children Go to school around here I don't see any teachers To help them get their degrees They don't belong here They don't belong here I don't wanna fix A wasteland like this No I don't wanna pray To what doesn't exist I don't wanna vote For a candidate that fits So neatly in a package for our future kids I don't wanna stand on a world that never spins And I don't wanna fix A wasteland like this No I don't wanna fix an anchor like this No I don't wanna fix a wasteland Like this This isn't a metaphor It's Texas roads and its plains And as I cross the border I realize it's all the same I realize it's all the same...

about

The Anchor is the first full-length album from this nationally touring indie-folk duo. Drawing on a lot of experiences, inspiration, and skills from friends and colleagues, The Anchor is a collection of stories both timely and timeless, running the gamut from simple love letters to expressions of sheer madness. The Anchor draws upon the lives and experiences of songwriters Ashley E. Norton and Edward Williams to create a document of the trappings of a life on the road.

credits

released May 20, 2017

Whitherward is:
Ashley E. Norton, Edward Williams, Patrick Hershey and Stephanie Groot

The Anchor
produced by: Whitherward
engineered by: Edward Williams
assistant engineer: Max Masano
recorded at: Gold Cap Studios, Scottsdale, AZ
mixed at: Dreams Captured Productions
Mastered by: Kedron Porter
cover and interior photos by: Lulu Grace Photography
cover design by: Edward Williams, Ashley E. Norton, Michelle Penington, & font design by Emma Jones
CD design by: Emma Jones


Instrumentation by:
Ashley E. Norton - vocals (1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13), background vocals (3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), acoustic guitar (6, 10) , glockenspiel (6) 
Edward Williams - vocals (1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11), background vocals (2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13), acoustic guitar (7, 9, 11, 12), electric guitar (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), glockenspiel (6), drum programming (4), piano (13)
Patrick Hershey - acoustic upright bass (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13), electric upright bass (7, 10), electric bass (4), acoustic guitar (4)
Stephanie Groot - acoustic violin (3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13), electric violin (1, 2, 4, 8, 10), background vocals (2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13), mandolin (6, 9), glockenspiel (6, 11)
Tony King - drums, percussion (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
Erik Jarvis - string arrangement (12)
Jhan Doe - vocal performance (8)
Liise Russell - background vocals (13)
Millie Davis - background vocals (7)
The Whitherward Chorus - vocal performance (6): Ashley E. Norton, Edward Williams, Liise Russell, Stephanie Groot, Patrick Hershey, Maxwell Masano, Kaysee Combs, Rebecca Tomany, Luke Cassidy, Karen "The Photographer" Gallagher

© 2017, all rights reserved. whitherward.com

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Whitherward

A little bit Simon and Garfunkel, a little bit Civil Wars, a whole lot of fun.

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