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This was the first track recorded for third album "Keep the Devil out of Hillsboro" (2009). We weren't entirely warmed up yet, I guess, but the reason it was abandoned was more the fact that its folkiness wasn't exactly right for the record we wanted to make. This is an imperfect rough mix and the only version I've got. This was a clear stage favorite at that time though.

lyrics

Settlement

The elders went into the woods to build a settlement
Come howling wolves and callous hands-worthy hours spent
A solid heart and solid faith would never leave their chest
Never once would they settle for less—
--never once would they settle for less.


Their sons and daughters worked the land 13 months a year
Rotten crops and child disease but still no trace of fear
The pride to see their flowers grow would be their sweet caress
Never once would they settle for less—
--never once would they settle for less.


Grandfather worked the factory and shaped the flowing steel
Behold the mighty war machines-machines that never heal
And when the siren finally rung, he’d wear his sunday vest
Never once would he settle for less—
--never once would he settle for less.


My father crawled through office hours like in a serpent’s lair
He wrestled with the octopus-the king size of despair
And once the daily battle lost his liquor’d give him rest
Never once would he settle for less—
--never once would he settle for less.


And I, myself, in all those years since I was a boy
I didn’t build a thing of mine to put into the void
The elders come to haunt my dreams – they tell me I’m a mess
It seems that I’ve settled for less—

It seems that I couldn’t –

--care less.

credits

from Spike (Rare and Unreleased Tracks) 2000​-​2012, released September 5, 2012

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Hemlock Smith Lausanne, Switzerland

Hemlock Smith come from Lausanne (Switzerland). Since 2002, they’ve released 7 regular albums with intelligent pop, as well as 2 soundtracks for silent film and 2 collaborations with Noise duo Les Poissons Autistes. Fronted by singer-songwriter Michael Frei, Hemlock Smith's distinctive voice is complemented by a talented band seamlessly blending Pop, Folk, Rock and Trip-Hop Sensibilities ... more

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