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Medicine Show

from Minus Mary by Minus Mary

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about

I wrote "Medicine Show" in the Fall of 2016, thinking about how snake oil salesmen and master con men had been with us for many years, and that we were witnessing such a man and his traveling show in the rallies for the Republican candidate for President that year. I was trying to figure out who the folks were that were supporting him and believing in his message and seemingly endless penchant for lying and blaming others for any ills. I don't claim to have solved that mystery, but the chaos and darkness of the song as we recorded it at least points in the direction of how things felt then. And for years afterwards.

lyrics

Medicine Show
Written by Dan Gabel

The orange-faced man and his medicine show
Pull into town and everyone knows
Cause the barker cries out so loud and with flair
"This elixir he brings is so incredibly rare
It will make you feel whole
Give you back your fair share"

I don't usually go for this kind of thing
But lately I've been on an awful string
This pain in my leg means my work is gone
And one look at my wife tells me she has moved on
I don't know where to
but she's long gone

Down at the tent they're filling the seats
I see the suit from the bank and that vet from the street
There's a feeling in here between hope and rage
We all know this town is on its final page
We've seen it all fade
to this one sad page

He takes to the stage in a bright white spot
Starts telling me how my problems are not
My fault alone there are others to blame
He knows who they are and starts naming some names
He'll clear them all out,
get rid of our shame

Because he's studied the problems a little you see
And made this elixir that's perfect for me
It works its way down to the pain in your life
Just buy four vials, he'll make it alright
Just give him a chance
and we'll all win this fight

It's been six long months and that elixir is drained
I'm left with nothing but this lingering pain
My orange-faced friend he hasn't been seen
Since he pulled out of town carrying most of our dreams
He said he'd be back
But it won't be for me
He said he'd be back
But it won't be for me

credits

from Minus Mary, released September 1, 2018
Written by Dan Gabel

Minus Mary is:
Dan Gabel - guitar, mandolin, vocals
Alexis Hyatt - fiddle, guitar, vocals
Jason Loeks - bass, vocals
Dave Tavel - drums, percussion, vocals

Recorded at Owl Box Studios, San Rafael, California
Engineered and Recorded by Damien Rasmussen and Jason Loeks
Mixed by Damien Rasmussen
Mastered by Steve Orlando
Artwork by Katie Kincade

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Minus Mary San Francisco, California

Minus Mary is a San Francisco Bay Area band that plays acoustic-based original roots music and versions of some of our favorite country, old-time, Irish, Americana, and rock songs. Alexis Hyatt on fiddle, Jason Loeks on acoustic bass, Dan Gabel on guitar and mandolin, and Dave Tavel on drums and percussion. ... more

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