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Hem — Betting On Trains
Album: Rabbit Songs
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 680









Released: 2000
Length: 2:39
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Someone's waving
Someone's counting
Someone's leaving

There's fifty dollars on this pony
Chase him down these tracks
Well won't nobody take my business
I'll teach you how to come back

I saw one hundred miles of steel over wood and let her go
I filled my pockets up with coal black with mud and let her go

I'll throw my hat off when I beat you
Find it when you're gone

There's straw and cotton around the station
I'll make myself a new one

I held a silver dollar tight inside my fist and let you go
I've counted all the things I've lost that point to this and let you go

The whistle's sounding
You are leaving
I am counting
Comments (60)add comment
What a beautiful voice this lady has
Posted 9 months ago by lovelyhelicopter    [ Reply ]
Nice guitar work.   Was about to file this under 'New Country' and then I read the wiki entry:

Their music has been variously described as "folk", "indie", "Americana" and "roots". Stylistically, their songs bridge 19th-century American parlour music, Appalachian folk music, gospel music, traditional American ballads, the European art song, early jazz, and even contemporary classical music.


OK, I give up. 
Posted 1 year ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
I keep hearing tiny little guitar-plucking  nods to Allman Brothers' Midnight Rider. 
Posted 1 year ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
This was one of the albums that got me through a terrible divorce and helped me get my head above water again.  Calming and beautiful in its simplicity, but amazing story telling that transported me back to better days.
Posted 2 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
From Wikipedia:
Months later Sally Ellyson called Messé in response to the ad, cautioning that she was not really a "singer". A skeptical Messé asked Ellyson for a demo tape and was greatly surprised when he heard the very spare recording, which featured Ellyson's a cappella renditions of several old-time lullabies that she had recorded for the infant son of a long-time friend.

What a voice.  Wish she could sing lullabies to me all night long.
Posted 2 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
Very touching tender quality to this audio. I can visualise with meditation the true beauty of life! 9/10
Posted 3 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
 ClaireWild wrote:
Brilliant album.
 
Absolutely
Posted 11 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
Ty
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Brilliant album.
Posted 12 years ago by ClaireWild    [ Reply ]
The whistle's sounding
You are leaving
I am counting...



Posted 12 years ago by Derecho    [ Reply ]
One of the most beautiful albums ever.
Posted 13 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
still as in love with it as the first time.

Posted 14 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
I thought that this was Alison Krauss.
Posted 14 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite artists that I've come across in my time here on RP
Posted 14 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
blech
Posted 14 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Where have I heard that guitar riff before?  A B D  D  B D    Something from the 70's, methinks.  Allman Brothers?

Posted 14 years ago by rluking    [ Reply ]
Nice rabbit, shame about the singer. A fine lullaby which would cure even the hardest of hard-core insomniacs {#Sleep}
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]

Yummy!   Never heard of them before RP.  

What a voice Sally has, and what great musicians backing her.

If you like this song, I doubt you'd be disappointed with a single song on this CD.     Buy it!  Buy it as a gift - someone will really be touched.   I've sent several - all rave reviews.
This group has such an interesting history - they pretty much bet everything on this first recording - and made one of the most beautiful and unique albums I have ever heard. 

I wish whoever borrowed mine would return it! 


Posted 15 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
Wow - that's some nice stuff! It's going on the 'to buy' list. Thanks Bill.
Posted 15 years ago by nmcvaugh    [ Reply ]
Easily one of the best voices to come along in a long time...and so nice to hear it, every time!
I too am one of the listeners who owe knowing this to RP! 
Thanks!
Posted 15 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
auburntigerrich wrote:
This whole album is marvelous. Picked this one up sheerly from RP listening.
I as well! It seems a fair number of RP listeners found, and fell in love with, Hem via hearing it here...
Posted 16 years ago by phrawzty    [ Reply ]
sub-arctic wrote:
That makes two of us!
Me three.
Posted 16 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
auburntigerrich wrote:
This whole album is marvelous. Picked this one up sheerly from RP listening.
That makes two of us!
Posted 16 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
auburntigerrich wrote:
This whole album is marvelous. Picked this one up sheerly from RP listening. (Take that, RIAA...)
I heard Half Acre on another radio stream at one point, liked it, downloaded it is as a SCARY ILLEGAL MP3 OH GOD CALL THE POLICE, then proceeded to buy the CD from Amazon a few days later. Yep, clearly MP3's are ushering in a new dark age...
Posted 16 years ago by phrawzty    [ Reply ]
Hmm, nice.
Posted 16 years ago by wookie    [ Reply ]
Likes me a nice rabbit stew.........
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
auburntigerrich wrote:
This whole album is marvelous. Picked this one up sheerly from RP listening. (Take that, RIAA...) One of the best tracks on the album, next to Half Acre, Leave Me Here, and Waltz. This tune is a good representation of the rest of it. Delicious.
Tell your congressfukers this!
Posted 16 years ago by heyjoe3577    [ Reply ]
The second she started to sing, I knew this was Hem and I was in for a real treat this morning. Thanks for sending some Hem my way, folks at RP!
Posted 16 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
This whole album is marvelous. Picked this one up sheerly from RP listening. (Take that, RIAA...) One of the best tracks on the album, next to Half Acre, Leave Me Here, and Waltz. This tune is a good representation of the rest of it. Delicious.
Posted 16 years ago by auburntigerrich    [ Reply ]
yashpheh wrote:
Rabbits don't sing.. :-#
Oh they make plenty of noise. Our cats used to catch little cottontails and they'd squeal like heck. This sounds a lot better. I like her voice almost as much as I like Neko Case's.
Posted 16 years ago by ctdfalconer    [ Reply ]
lmic wrote:
This album gives me faith in current music.
Yes, along with The Wailin' Jennys, Neko Case and a few other sweet ones
Posted 17 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
Music for a winter's night. Buy the album, it'll keep you warm and well-fed, spiritually.
Posted 17 years ago by coldatlantic    [ Reply ]
This album gives me faith in current music.
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Beanie wrote:
Second that emotion. I bought Rabbit Songs, in part because of this song. It's on my regular "dinner party rotation", and somebody always comments on it. It can peace me out on even the worst day. Thanks to the wise one who uploaded this. You've introduced us to a gem.
Me three. I often put this album on when going to bed. Not that it puts me to sleep, but it definitely has a calming effect. RP has introduced me to another great band that I wouldn't have otherwise heard.
Posted 17 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
tg3k wrote:
This album (Rabbit Songs) is one of several I've purchased as the result of hearing music here on RP. If you like this tune, the others on the album will likely appeal to you -- they sure work for me.
Amen. I heard Half Acre and The Fire Thief on RP, bought both albums and have been in love with Hem ever since.
Posted 18 years ago by timandjuliet    [ Reply ]
Some while ago I gave this an 8. Still is.
Posted 18 years ago by nausicaa    [ Reply ]
I like some Hem songs, but not this one.
Posted 18 years ago by serendipity_blue    [ Reply ]
Rabbits don't sing.. :-#
Posted 18 years ago by yashpheh    [ Reply ]
Ok. I give up. Why is this a "Rabbit Song?"
Posted 18 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
pauleywalnuts wrote:
very nice. i like her voice.
Me too
Posted 18 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
very nice. i like her voice.
Posted 18 years ago by pauleywalnuts    [ Reply ]
tg3k wrote:
This album (Rabbit Songs) is one of several I've purchased as the result of hearing music here on RP. If you like this tune, the others on the album will likely appeal to you -- they sure work for me.
Second that emotion. I bought Rabbit Songs, in part because of this song. It's on my regular "dinner party rotation", and somebody always comments on it. It can peace me out on even the worst day. Thanks to the wise one who uploaded this. You've introduced us to a gem.
Posted 19 years ago by Beanie    [ Reply ]
As I have posted on other songs by Hem, they are so stirring to see live---I now have created a treasured memory as a result of going to their show at Schubas, last month....
Posted 19 years ago by Tritter    [ Reply ]
This album (Rabbit Songs) is one of several I've purchased as the result of hearing music here on RP. If you like this tune, the others on the album will likely appeal to you -- they sure work for me.
Posted 19 years ago by tg3k    [ Reply ]
lotus_65 wrote:
that was cool
It was good for me too ;-)
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
................imbeginningtolikehemjustfineverysewntogetherooohimadeafunny..............
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
redeyespy wrote:
I love this cd. Goes beyond folk melodies, and what a voice!
It is really and truly is a gorgeous album indeed!
Posted 19 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
I love this cd. Goes beyond folk melodies, and what a voice!
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
that was cool
Posted 19 years ago by lotus_65    [ Reply ]
All right.
Posted 20 years ago by Patrick    [ Reply ]
As far as I'm concerned, one of the most beautiful ballads, played by RP. One that's sensitive, but keeps from getting corny. (Btw, 'him' is 'hem' in Dutch ).
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
9-volt wrote:
nice. her voice kinda reminds me of joni mitchell.
Her voice draws me in also. sounded like Natalie Merchant a bit to me. the_jake likes it........
Posted 20 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
I hear the band just signed with Dreamworks.... Surprised?
Posted 20 years ago by halcatus    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP for introducing me to HEM. I never had the urge to sit on the front Porch until I bought this Album
Posted 20 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
rabbit songs is a lovely album. \'when i was drinking\' is a great cut. story goes that the vocalist was hired after she was convinced by her friends to try out -- missed the deadline -- convinced the band to listen to her tape - singing lullabies. her voice just soars on a little snippet of a tune on the opening track.
Posted 20 years ago by kellyeden    [ Reply ]
nice. her voice kinda reminds me of joni mitchell.
Posted 20 years ago by 9-volt    [ Reply ]
Who or what is Hem, \'cause I like it!
Posted 20 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Ohhh I like it. :D
Posted 20 years ago by dorko16    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by gypsy222    [ Reply ]