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The Local Expatriate

from Swampland Flowers by Chris Monti

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lyrics

The Local Expatriate
-words and music © 2002 Chris Monti

You know I can't decide if I'm a rich-boy or poor | But I'd like to have my answer ready when they knock upon my door | And they give me the what-for | And they drag me down to the station | And they tell me all about that great nation that they're building under God | They tell me if I join on in I can share in some of that wealth | But how can I make that decision if I'm wondering to myself | Baby am I a rich-boy or am I poor? |

Every day I read the newspaper | Take it for what it's worth | I try to leave behind the question of better off or worse | I take it all as education, learnin about this bountiful nation | That forgets the kids and eats the poor | While Robin Hood, she sleeps on the floor | The line is drawn, the curse is cast | My flag is flying at half-mast | My education costs a dollar a day | But what's it worth if all I have to say is | “It’s all a mess but if you want to write | you're gonna have to find that address for yourself” ?

I ride the bus with paper and pen looking for a metaphor | But each day arriving downtown there's little written when I walk out the door | To dirty streets and peeing in beer bottles | And frozen hands and uncooked meats | There's a story about breakfast and lunch and dinner | But really its not much of a tale | At home there's an artist, a painter, a poet | he loves his work but he's much too frail | Pining away on love lost for a few Who marveled for a while at his head and his hands | But who slowly awayed like the colors do fade | From his paintings of long-ago lands

credits

from Swampland Flowers, released December 1, 2002
James Terris, drums. Gabriel Luddy, acoustic guitar. Alex Luddy, bass. Chris, vocals and electric guitar and harp.

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about

Chris Monti Providence, Rhode Island

Known for his effortless style and musical curiosity, Chris has immersed himself in West African guitar, dug deep into country-blues and old-time music, and moves seamlessly between diverse styles from Egypt, Peru and India. He has toured the East Coast, Canada and points west. He also enjoys his singular role in the community as a strange combination of entertainer, educator, and magician. ... more

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