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The Reddleman's Lullaby

from Small Stars by Doug Davis

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about

The archaic figure of the reddleman, in English agricultural history, was a traveling peddler of red ochre, who sold his wares to sheep farmers in order to identify their flocks and their breeding habits. In Thomas Hardy's Return of the Native, a reddleman plays a prominent role, appearing as a bit of a lone-wolf pagan gypsy type, sleeping on the moors, surrounding by an almost devilish aura, his skin permanently stained red by his wares. A type not wholly unfamiliar to us traveling musician folk.

I'm fairly certain that this song began as a conscious attempt to write a "Cat's in the Cradle" for my own young daughter, but I think it quickly morphed into a larger musing on the healing powers of the road - the idea that distance, as well as time, helps heal wounds.

Corky McClellan's drumming and Patrick Ferguson's guitar contributions were intuitively perfect and exactly what I'd imagined. Chris Stamey mixed the track and provided sonic sweeteners, as well as brought in some great editing ideas. He also added some harmonies, and hearing that wonderful plaintive voice that I've listened to for so many years harmonize with mine for the first time on a record is a real dream come true.

lyrics

sometimes our house gets so loud
sometimes I stand ‘neath the blackest of clouds
love's when the walls all come down
times I forget just how much I can hurt you

the clock ticks slow
I’ve got miles to go

it’s hard being gone for so long
I’ve got a history of holding you wrong
don’t know what happens to me
I can’t find the notes in our sweet harmony

but I’ll drive all night

trade this fight for flight

close your eyes
let the silence wash over you now
nothing can hurt you tonight
the hours before daybreak
the stars sweep the sky
under the moon’s cleansing light
may you find peace

Taking for granted the trials
sometimes I have to drive hundreds of miles
to find it all falling in place
plain as the nose on the end of my face

between love and peace
sometimes wonders cease

please don’t forget what I said
specially the parts that I left in my head
everything I’m all about
sometimes gets lost in the screams and the shouts

let the highway flow
feel my heart beat slow

close your eyes
let the silence wash over you now
nothing can hurt you tonight
the hours before daybreak
the stars sweep the sky
under the moon’s cleansing light

credits

from Small Stars, released January 8, 2021
Doug Davis: lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic 12-string guitar, fretless bass
Patrick Ferguson: electric guitars
Corky McClellan: drums
Chris Stamey: acoustic 12-string, keyboard strings, harmony vocals

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Doug Davis Winston Salem, North Carolina

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