HOUSE ARREST The Live Quarantine Sessions

Michael McDermott

Release Date | 2021

SONG LIST

1. Unanswered Prayers 2. The Wrong Side of Town 3. Contender 4. I Wanna Know Why 5. Trembling Hour 6. Broken From Birth 7. Dance with Me 8. Scars from Another Life 9. Nights Like These 10. Unemployed 11. Knocked Down 12. Stumblin’ 13. Postcard Saturdays 14. New York, Texas 15. Bells

michael-mcdermott.com | #michaelmcdermottmusic HOUSE ARREST | The Live Quarantine Sessions

We are living through history…

2020 was a year to remember, that I'm sure many of us would like to forget. A global pandemic, social injustice and political upheaval were just the proverbial, tip of the iceberg. Standing in the shadow of the tragic and senseless loss of human life was the shuttering of live music and concerts.

At a time when people needed music more than ever, they found a void in their lives. Musicians faced a similar void when they lost the ability to connect with their fans. What that vacuum created was something new and different. Communities were made and friendships were formed. Born out of a spiritual need to heal, belong and connect; music rang out like the bells to Sunday Mass.

The end results were shared moments of gratitude. Where the artist and fan walked away feeling equally drained and exhilarated. This record documents some of those special moments. After all, we're all in this together.

— Jim Cardillo

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

UNANSWERED PRAYERS | Originally released on Stories, Lies & Legends (2020)

My mother told me, when she would Midnight in his one room hold me He took out a bible About the saints and the angels He prayed for the strength How they were near The strength not to run Then we pray for father When his drinking got heavy Oh Father, who art in heaven We had no money Is there anybody even there? And our future was unclear What becomes of the fallen? Then mother started working What becomes of the faithful? Then we never even saw her What becomes of our unanswered prayers? My sister and my brothers Grew to resent her So tonight, I’ve been thinking Everything fell apart About saints and sinners From the weight we were carrying About losers and winners It didn’t occur to me Which one am I Until many years later There are sheep and there are serpents There are the meek and the madmen Oh Father, who art in heaven Which one are you Do you even care It’s up to you to decide What becomes of the fallen? They say that the kingdom of God is at hand What becomes of the faithful? Is it above or below? What becomes of our unanswered prayers? Or is it inside There are martyrs that murder William walked out of County There are prophets that profit When his sentence was over There are devils and demons Some state money in his pocket Alive and well tonight A one room apartment in town His options weren’t many Oh Father, who art in heaven His days seemed numbered Do you still even care What once were pastures of plenty Of what becomes of the fallen Was now barren ground What becomes of the faithful? He had a friend up in Providence Of what becomes of our unanswered prayers… He had a cousin in Chicago He knew if he went there He knew what would become

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

THE WRONG SIDE OF TOWN | Originally released on Orphans (2019)

Hey there baby Feelin' foolish I must be crazy coming here It seems lately The way I always seem to All I know is I ain't thinking very clear I was hoping I just wanna be with you It was my fault That maybe you'd change your mind For doing all the things that I did It was your I ain't joking fault For tonight I think it’s ours to find For loving me through all of it

Come on baby Let's confront it Will you ride with me downtown Let's get crazy Let's stare into the great abyss No more running Drink our troubles down In desperate, lonely nights like this If you ain't You always save me coming Every time I start to drown I'll be waiting I can't say I blame you none I've been wondering Tonight on the wrong side of town Who it is we really have become

Hey there babe Come on baby I must be crazy asking you It seems lately Will you ride with me downtown Let's get crazy Drink our troubles down You always save me It’s all I really wanna do I was hoping Every time I start to drown I'll be waiting Yeah, that maybe you'd agree Tonight on the wrong side of town The doors wide open If you wanna take a ride with me

Come on baby Will you ride with me downtown Let's get crazy Drink our troubles down You always save me Every time I start to drown I'll be waiting Tonight on the wrong side of town

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

CONTENDER | Originally released on What in the World... (2020)

Ever since I was young, Hey Charlie man, I could have been a contender I always thought I’d be the one Not like the pretender that I am To save the world, Or at least the girl Through the years, And through the maze, When I was just a boy of ten, I tried my best to change my ways, In my room I’d pretend I was Moses, Tried to become a better man With rock star poses I screwed things up pretty good, I’ve been up and I’ve been down And anybody that even stood fairly close to me, I’ve been kicked all over town Became my enemy The good things always Yeah, I hurt the ones I loved most, slip right through my hand I burned bridges from coast to coast, Hey Charlie man, I coulda been a contender I just didn’t fit, I was an idiot Aw, I coulda been a contender I’ve been weak and I’ve been strong, You see I always dreamed, I could fly, I’ll keep fighting all along, Break through walls, had X-ray eyes These things I swear I’ll never understand I would be the one, Hey Charlie, man, I could have been a contender Loved by everyone Aw, I could have been a contender Yeah, I could have been a contender And I still believe, be a way, Not like the pretender that I am And I’ll come back to save the day, Be your hero babe, I could have been something And your heart I’ll save I could have been amazing I could have been incredible Things they didn’t quite work out, I could have been legendary I became a slave of doubt Come on babe take me by the hand It felt like I was cursed among the damned I could have been a contender

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

I WANNA KNOW WHY | Originally released on Hey La Hey (2009)

I wanna know why, why love never ever seems and tell me where, where our love went? to last Somebody tell me why, why love never So if you start to cry, you should know you're ever seems to last not the only one It feels like you're gonna die Thought I could hold up the sky and let you walk But know a new love someday will come out of the rain Tonight it's no suprise I wanna know why, why love never ever seems I let you down baby just the same to last Somebody tell me why, why love never But there you stood as beautiful as I've ever ever seems to last seen Babe I ain't no good I never seem to give what you seem to need Over on Sunset and Vine, before my eyes I I wanna know why, why love never ever seems watched you disappear to last Somebody tell me why, why love never I know we've both been trying, but I think it's ever seems to last time to hit the highway dear Lord I hate to say goodbye I wanna know why... Maybe I got a fear of abandonment Would you look me in the eye Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

TREMBLING HOUR | Originally released on 620 W. Surf (1991)

I was dreaming last night as the moonlight shone And descend upon all of those who are cursed or so bright coerced Down into my bed as the dreams did dances in It is now for which I live in the trembling hour I my head have been present in the time of a death I saw a shoeless man who smiled in the winter I’ve scorned the sky in a winter’s night and felt Saw a masterpiece painting from a man they said the Warmness of your breath was crazy Looked into the eyes of a child holding out his Heard the words of my Savior who was nailed to hand I stared at the castle which controls reign of a cross this land I saw one man give his life to help a And the betrayal of a man whose reasons were million others stand hazy Well I look into the sun, until my eyes start And heard one man say, “I couldn’t give a damn” to melt Felt and dealt the worst hand which I I saw a dream shatter near the light of the moon have witnessed It is now for which I live in the trembling house Calling out the end of this dream which came too soon I saw a bush burning brightly on the hillside Feeling that now is the time for which I live in the Got burned by the heat which had smoldered trembling hour from the inside I was startled by a pale hungry child I heard footsteps right behind me, I turned and I saw days of pouring pain that would never end I no one was there saw a face that wasn’t allowed to smile I heard echoes in the darkness, bitter words filled And a lonely man without a friend with despair Seen false prophets sitting by the fire in my mind Saw a girl flee from herself to reappear Turning the flames they saw into a bitter wine Running from her problems and running from her It is now for which I live in the trembling hour fear I heard one man break free I heard another Saw a star in my lover’s eye, she looked to the cry for love sky and turned away I saw an endless ocean from the wings of a dove I got down on my knees only to realize I didn’t Felt a cold hand on my shoulder, I turned and it know how to pray was gone I saw machines digging up a brand new earth Saw a girl scared and frightened, crying in the Seen a child die in the struggle of birth alley near dawn I saw one man who always ended up first and She whispered “Now is the time for which I live in watched another man the trembling hour” Slowly die of hunger and thirst Desperate words like fire will burst

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

BROKEN FROM BIRTH | Originally released on Stories, Lies & Legends (2020)

Hey there Father, if you’re able There’s so many pieces here, so many lines Would you sit down, at my table and tell me I couldn’t put them together if I had all the time All the things that you know in the world

Hey there Mother, don’t mean to bother I’ve never known, much belonging I miss you so…like no other I’m so alone, and always longing to be Would you hold me…telling me you love me so Something greater than I am

Whatever it’s worth all I seem to feel is hurt I’ve had my fair share, my share of problems Maybe I, maybe I, was broken from birth It’s not like I don’t care, I know, everybody’s got them Hey there sister, can you hear me? But it seems sometimes, it gets so hard to I want you close, I want you near me now understand Like we were when we were kids Whatever it’s worth all I seem to feel is hurt Hey there brother, can you help me? Maybe I, maybe I was broken from birth Maybe I’m on the run, they’re out to get me now I, maybe I was broken from birth How has it come to this? Maybe I, maybe I was broken from birth

Whatever it’s worth all I seem to feel is hurt Maybe I, maybe I was broken from birth

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

DANCE WITH ME | Originally released on Ashes (2004)

Tell me, tell me true Do you speak with the spirits the way I do? Who cares and what if they do? Do you dance their dance, with their hands on It’s no one’s life, it’s yours and it’s you Will you you? Do you sleep at night? kill me if I asked you to? Do you know me yet? Coming down from above I heard the trumpet speaking of love Free me, free me from this But there’s no peace here, any peace to speak of It hurts like hell, but they tell me it’s bliss I’d sell Will you dance with me? my soul, my love for one kiss

What difference does it make? You can walk the line or make a mistake Forgive Would you offer it to me? Candle burning i me now, I got something to shake Do you see t’s still that monkey here? Up there in your window sill High upon the loneliest hill Is that light for me? So dance with me, take my hand I’ve become a person I don’t understand So dance with me a silent dance With you I can finally find a place to land If you With you to my breast dance with me I could stand a chance Beyond the perimeters of circumstance Will you Fear not, I fear you no more walk with me? You can dress in black, or crawl on the floor You can touch me now, or wait by the door You’ll Talk with me always have your chance Lend me your smile I’ve been twisting and turning awhile Been one I’ll write the song of my life long lonely mile after mile Will you dance with I’ll cast it in the air, as sharp as a knife I’ll me? puncture it, and feed it some light We can call it death C’mon dance with me, take my hand I’ve become a person I don’t understand This room, sweats of your name With you I can finally find a place to land Will You know it too, cause we love the pain Blinded you dance with me? by, the colors of rain Haunting me C’mon dance with me C’mon dance with me C’mon dance with me Dance with me So dance with me just one time I’ll do anything if you can name the crime I’ll accept everything, I’ll be fine If you dance with me

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

SCARS FROM ANOTHER LIFE | Originally released on Hit Me Back (2012)

Hallelujah...the choir they all sang You’ll wrap [throw] your arms around me and to As I walked by St. Mary’s in a misty rain Sinatra we will dance ’Twas so long ago, I think it was yesterday “One more for the road” in a holy light I was so down, I had completely lost my way Won’t you sway with me babe...with the scars When I hit Broadway I began to realize from another life That all they are, are scars from another life Singin’ Hey La Hey La Hey La Hey Percy drank his coffee then said to me Scars from another life I’ve been thinking about where the river meets Singin’ Hey La Hey La Hey La Hey the sea Scars from another life I’ve been pickin’ poison fruit from a troubled Don’t run away, they’re scars from another life tree Don’t be afraid, they’re scars from another life Because sometimes it seems your past won’t let Won’t you sway with me babe... you be You can kill it with a gun if you do it right I smoke these haunted memories every night Or run that far from the scars from another life While I think about the scars from another life

Singin’ Hey La Hey La Hey La Hey Scars from another life

I’d been blessed with love but threw it away Now I wait for it to return everyday And say “You’re forgiven boy...you deserve another chance”

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

NIGHTS LIKE THESE | Originally released on Gethsemane (1993)

Silence fell like healing, as I turned to shout But there’s penance and passion, patience and “Won’t somebody up there please help peace Lovers were made for nights like these me out?” There’s a dead end street around every corner Now the cool majestic evening invites me to I take and the daylight displays my greatest burn I’ve been waitin’ for tomorrow but tonight mistakes Hallucinations, body and soul it’s my turn Intoxicated by the banter that the Each night I feel a little more less in control bluebird sings She spoke of Whitman and the turnin’ of the By the visions of forgiveness when those church leaves Lovers were made for nights like these bells ring I’ve seen the face of evil, sometimes it looks like I’ve been waiting on the wonder, I dream does mine I’ve confronted all my weaknesses, down exist They smile as I’m goin’ under and claim I’ll on my knees be missed One step away from paradise one step away from pain Lovers were made of nights like these The seeds of despair bloom into weeds Dreamin’ was made for nights like these of shame I’ve seen a fallen rainbow in white Salvation was made for nights like these and black Forgiveness was made for nights like these I can feel that restless shadow stickin’ knives Lovers were made for nights like these in my back

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

UNEMPLOYED | Originally released on Last Chance Lounge (2000)

I know how to turn water into wine I’m filthy Hallelujah, I’m over joyed rich but I haven’t a dime I’m drunk again and I’m unemployed I’m luck in love by my girls’ got a man Most of The things I’ve wanted I’ve just destroyed these things I can’t understand Drunk again and I’m unemployed

I can take tragedy, loss and defeat Drunk again and I’m unemployed Choke your bitterness until your blood Singing la hey, it’s gonna be ok turns sweet I must admit that most times I get bored Cause Hallelujah, I’m over joyed the things I want I still can’t afford I’m drunk again and I’m unemployed People say “Michael you’re very easily amused” Say hey mama ain’t I still your boy Ask if as a child I was somehow abused

Drunk again and I’m unemployed Call me a slacker, call me a waste I’m just a Singing la hey, it’s gonna be ok pauper with a prince’s taste People always ask me what it is that I do and very rarely do I ever tell them the truth I’m a Hallelujah, I’m over joyed consultant, a pilot, a thief or a cook I’m drunk again and I’m unemployed Or I’m just about to publish my very first book Say hey mama ain’t I still your boy Drunk again and I’m unemployed Sometimes I’m a hunter, sometimes I’m a clown Sometimes I’m a matador who just moved Singing la hey, it’s gonna be ok to town

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

KNOCKED DOWN | Originally released on Out from Under (2018)

It’s always been like this Nothing’s changed I've been hustled and muscled Left for dead Since the day I was born Had my face to the wall, And a gun to my head I always felt a little strange I always did I've been cheated, defeated Played for a fool I always do Everything I ever needed Always came from you Sometimes I get a little lonely baby I think it’s time we order, another round How ‘bout you? I know a thing or two about being I always do I always did knocked down You better be careful When you're messin' with the kid Two days of riding shotgun in a Yellow Cab It ain't no big thing Started talking to a Priest right outside a Meth It’s all the same to me Sometimes a little leak Lab I did not say, what I was trying to do of light Is all you need I said "Hell is arbitrary, it’s a point of view" I In these hard times You gotta take a few think he got it, I ain't no glass jaw joker Baby that is true I think he understood I'm pretty sure he knew You can see the stars better from the That I was up to no good Then I gave him a hug underground I know a thing or two about Went right in being knocked down Sometimes you find heaven in a place of sin Hallelujah, I lived like a dog Slept in the street Boy it’s never enough I had a home in the bushes, With the rats at my That which doesn't kill you man It makes feet I've been so strung out you tough In dirty hotel rooms Had girls on the pipe All afternoon Then I'm the toughest thing goin' baby, pound I've been ridden like a horse for pound I know a thing or two about being knocked down All night and day Been turned out and burned out Led astray I could hear the voices callin' from the corner That's the way it is I'm tellin' you straight men tellin' me to stay down, that we had I gotta pocket full of rocket reached the end I thought, " Fuck that..." and I'm looking for a hard eight Nobody's callin' this fight I'll decide when, I'm a skid row savior, spike for a crown There's still time to make it right It’s your life I know a thing or two about being knocked You get only one down I know a thing or two about being So you'd better beware of what you let it knocked down become I'm telling you straight, telling you true Do you choose your life or do you let it choose I got this old guitar, an Irish hat you? I said, I know a thing or two Spent 20 years’ baby Yeah I know a thing or two about being With a monkey on my back That was hard time knocked down Even harder still If the left one don't get you Then the right one will

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

STUMBLIN’ | Unreleased

He sat at the diner, drinking coffee Every time, you keep on stumbling He said “It’s a thankless job, this one I’ve got.. Every time you get so close to be If I knew something else, you know I’d do it… Every time you get so close to me It’s like this carousel, just won’t stop.” You keep on stumblin’ Take my hand Morning greets me like an angry lover Take my troubled hand The nigh time is like a joke I’ve heard before It’s a strange, strange feeling, when you discover Summer always brings about some changes You don’t wanna play this role anymore… No matter how far I go He looked like death, Confusion comes along I was walking into the I could smell the booze on this breath downward steps of danger He said “Why is it every time… Wondering what the hell went wrong I try and take a forward step… It’s a Midwestern night I keep on stumblin’” With a Louisiana moon It’s a strange laughing voodoo wind that blows Down Paradise Lane I was humming a fallen angels She was walking in the rain Broken tune She wondered why this happens Searching for faith’s dying rose Time and time again I wonder why She was much too smart It seems every time To ever try and complain There’s always something “Sadness... she said Knocking me from behind Is my true forgiving friend.” I keep on stumblin’ She locked the door Every time I get so close to you She lit her candle Every time you get so close to me 4 months had passed Every time I get back on my feet 4 months she’d been clean Every time I get so close to me Failure was something Every time I get so close to him Daddy couldn’t handle Every time I get so close to her She liked to lose herself in between I keep on stumblin’ Frustration breeds what desperation needs Tomorrows promises can leave you blind Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

POSTCARD SATURDAYS | Originally released on Postcard Saturdays (2011) the end is near ....good day we’re dying every day good morrow your cab’s been runnin good day half an hour good-bye... in the screamin rain pretend you’ll miss me i hug the door tell me you’ll write fog up the pane a postcard, saturdays i drag my finger or that you might through the droplets come through on holiday with your name or even send for me it’s etched in stone when you are lonely ‘least in my veins in the death of night you drop your bags and tear on back one more by the bed for one again one more on the floor one more just like that one more to that song one more for the road one more for my soul one more for this rose i drop my words one more for... like oiled glass one more with your life they splash like stars one more for evermore and stab my feet one more with eyes close so i can’t stand one more for the road to watch your coat one more for i don’t know drag from behind ....one more for the road as you look back at me as if you were still mine one more ‘neath the moon one more by the lake one more for my mouth one more for the road

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

NEW YORK, TEXAS | Originally released on What in the World... (2020)

She said, “Have you ever been I am fortune's fool, to New York, Texas? I only wanna be with you I’m not sure anybody really has Take me in your wing You see Mama always said that God Can’t you see, would bless us, I ruin everything If you’re grateful for what it is we have.” Can’t you see, I ruin everything Headed straight into the heart of nowhere, Coffee City, 20 miles behind Yeah, yeah Nine weeks now, And she’s already showin’ I’m not sure what it is we hoped to find Pulled over, got a hotel off the highway, In the morning we would get an early start But I know…Something’s coming, I said, “Babe, maybe it's time we try I can feel it…The engine's runnin' things your way” Come on let’s go…It feels so near She said, “Why you only truthful, in the dark?” I wanna take you away babe, Anywhere but here I said, "Have you ever been to New York, Texas? I think maybe it's time for us to go It started on a night up in Ben Wheeler, Hell, your mama always said that God I was battered by a bitter breeze would bless us, But I can’t shake the look of that dealer, And bless the wayward runners of the road.” The moment that I brought him to his knees But I know...Something's coming, And she said, “Have you ever been I can feel it…The engine's runnin' to New York, Texas? Come on let's go…It all seems so clear I want someone to tell me if it's real I wanna take you away babe, You see, Mama always said that God Anywhere but here would bless us, If we just stay true to what we feel.” Something's coming, I can feel it…The engine's runnin' And I know…Something's coming, Come on let's go…It all seems so clear I can feel it…The engine's runnin’ I wanna take you away babe, Come on let's go…Babe do not fear Anywhere but here I wanna take you away babe, Anywhere but here Anywhere but here, Come on, let’s go... She said, “Don’t get any bright idea, smart guy.” It's like she was reading my mind She said, “Don’t leave me here alone, Feels like you’re fixin' to go, Are you fixin’ to go?”

Michael McDermott HOUSE ARREST

BELLS | Originally released on Michael McDermott (1995)

It’s been a long time girl, since I slipped inside Singin’ hey hey la, hey la hey, your world hey hey la, hey la hey It’s almost like I’ve never even been there Just waitin’ for them bells to ring Though the battle’s just begun I feel the damage has been done Ringin’ out from the mountains And I know there’s nothing left that we Ringin’ out from the valleys could repair Ringin’ out for my homeland Sermons were sung and seven psalms And the blood in the alley were hung Ringin’ out for the drunk ones On the walls of my dyin’ faith Ringin’ out for the sober I’m just waitin’ for them bells to ring Ringin’ out for the lover, who knows that its over There’s a statesman in the yard, preachin’ like Ringin’ out for the hungry some bandit bard Ringin’ out for the homeless But me, I move along most unaffected I never Ringin’ out for the righteous noticed the decay or when things didn’t go my Ringin’ out for the hopeless way Ringin’ out in the blackness Life’s everything I ever expected Ringin’ out for the soldier With my warrior mask and ignoble task Ringin’ out for the future, Listen to the hunter, whispering He’s just waitin’ waitin’ over your shoulder for, just waitin’ for them bells to ring Ringin’ out for the sinner Singin’ out for the accuser Singin’ hey hey la, hey la hey, hey hey la, Ringin’ out for the winner hey la hey Ringin’ out for the loser Just waitin’ for them bells to ring Ringin’ out for the orphan And the disbeliever If I gave you my heard, could you heal it Ringin’ out for the honest And the deceiver If I gave you my song, would you sing it Ringin’ out for me Let’s sing it all night long Ringin’ out for you

Though the lines have been drawn, in the And all the things that we’ve been through breaking of the dawn Hey hey la, hey la hey, hey hey la, I will cross this bridge prepared to fight hey la hey And though my blood may soon be shed, I feel Just waitin’ for them bells to ring that peace lies up ahead Near the belfry’s healing light And ring if it does, like Picasso’s peaceful dove I will fly free, far away. I’m just waitin’ for, waitin’ for them bells to ring