Album Notes

This is a song that came out of my research about the mood of America in the aftermath of the Civil War. The character in the song is dizzy with possibilities for his life, and desperate to settle. Despite being uprooted and restless, he is ever hopeful.

Music and words by Whitney Smith (SOCAN).
Produced by Kurt Swinghammer and Maury LaFoy. Recorded and mixed by James Paul at Rogue Studios, Toronto. Mastered by Jeff Wolpert.
Kurt Swinghammer, guitar; Maury Lafoy, bass; Jeff McPherson; Todd Lumley, piano; Lenny Solomon, violin; Whitney Smith, vocals.

"Drift and Misery"

Music and lyrics by Whitney Smith (SOCAN)

Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
My country loves the world, my country loves me.
Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Lord Jesus said, “I promise there’ll be rest for Thee.”
Once I had a home where I’d been born,
Carolina farm, lotsa cotton ‘n’ corn,
Momma said, “This is your place, my son.”
But I knew there was so much more could be done.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Gonna find a piece ‘a land for to settle me.
Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Up and down these hills like a jailbird free.
Got a sack of seed and a ten dollar bill,
Got some walkin’ shoes and an iron will,
Gonna make me rich like the preacher said
‘Cause a man whose lean and hungry must be fed.
Must be fed. Must be fed.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
I’m a hired hand who ain’t meant to be.
Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Where’s the pretty little missy who’s my bride-to-be?
All the towns I pass all look the same,
No one welcomes me. Could it be my name?
But the Lord, he said, there would be a sign —
At the right place I’ll make water into wine.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
These old shoes are worse than the scenery.
Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Rockefeller’s gonna put me in his company!
Gotta hurry to the city on the next fast freight.
Gonna make me a plan, gonna set me a date.
When I get to the city Momma’s gonna be proud
How her boy from the sticks sticks out in the crowd.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Sold my place for a profit in the Bowery.
Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Gonna buy a suit and join the Rotary!
Gonna buy a suit, something dark like me
So my friends who come will be glad to see
Their pal made it good with a smiling face
He finally dropped his bags and found his place.

Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
My country loves the world, my country loves me.
Drift and misery! Drift and misery!
Lord Jesus said, “I promise there’ll be rest for thee.”
Rest for thee. Rest for thee. Rest for thee.