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Born Older

from Vivement l'Automne by Exebelle

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about

This song is based on the life of my paternal grandfather, who is one of my heroes. Some of the minor details are slightly fictionalized because I decided to follow Guy Clark's advice: "Never let the truth ruin a good song."

The impetus for the song began as a challenge made by my friend and fellow songwriter, Wynn Walent. Wynn and I are great fans of the Frank Capra film, It's A Wonderful Life, and we once discussed the part of the film where George Bailey's father says, "George, you were born older," which is supposed to emphasize George's assumption of responsibility for the Bailey family and the town of Bedford Falls at an young age. Wynn and I thought it would be fun to each try to write a song called "Born Older," and this is my attempt. I think Wynn is still working on his.

My good friend and former bandmate, Jonathan Crawley, recorded the piano part for this song, and our friend Sean Harrington recorded several cello tracks as well. Phil helped out on harmonica and channeled his inner Freddie Mercury to deliver some lush vocal harmonies. I used my great-grandfather's 100-year-old Gibson L-4 acoustic to get a very old and mellow guitar sound.

lyrics

Leo grew up in west Caroline
His mama said, "Son, your daddy done died
A long time ago."

But he didn't think too much 'bout it though
It's so hard to miss what you never did know
And how could he know?

A house-cleaner's wages could hardly meet ends,
So he got an after-school job when he was just ten
at the picture shows.

He was born older
And the weight crushin' down on his shoulders
Broke him down to the ground.

He picked himself back up, knocked the dirt from his shoes
And high school baseball chased them blues
Away, away.

He met a girl, fell in love, got married right away
And the St. Louis Cardinals said they'd pay him to play
A hundred dollars a day.

But the draft came in a flash; it stunned him for awhile
He kissed his girl goodbye; she was carryin' his child
And he sailed away.

He was born older
And the weight crushin' down on his shoulders
Broke him down to the ground.

Pressure makes diamonds, iron, and steel
But three weeks on Iwo cut scars that wouldn't heal
On his shakin' hands.

The St. Louis Cardinals expressed sympathy
But said, "We can't use a man who's got a family
and can barely stand."

Honorable discharge, medals, and epaulettes
Couldn't save him from the factory where he made cigarettes
With his tired hands.

He was born older
And the weight crushin' down on his shoulders
Broke him down to the ground.

credits

from Vivement l'Automne, track released February 6, 2010
Hutcherson

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Exebelle Richmond, Virginia

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