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Bohemian Ghosts

from Shangri​-​La West by Jesse DeNatale

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lyrics

Bohemian Ghosts


And they road on in from the east coast
Into the home of the brave
On the trail of the bohemian ghosts
Who so kindly set the stage

And unpacking every costume
The captain said aloud
I’m just amazed we made it
I’m just amazed I’m not proud

Here are trees that knock on heaven
And the grass all full of gold
Water cool and plenty
Where the land it unfolds

And the children came out running
And circled round the rest
And the dogs began a barking
In that last town of the west

And back behind the buildings
In the hour of a summer rain
We stood way up high on cans
To look through the window pane

And what I saw was a palace
Glowing in the red and blue light
And a pretty ballerina
She changed the day into night

Well who knows the real reason
They carried on that way
We all looked at each other
With not a whole lot to say

Silver stars twinkling in a black ceiling
Her perfume was in the air
And a blind piano player
He was leaning way back in his chair

And she danced around a wishing well
In the center of the room
Looking like some exotic flower
She was gettin’ ready whoa to bloom

You know and then the blind man he played louder
His keys were jangling in the light
And make believe or not
You know something wasn’t right

And then the ballerina danced around the piano
Oh but you know the blind man he was possessed
She drew a knife and stabbed him
Quietly in the chest

And I jumped down round off those big cans
And ran off in the summer rain
I ran off through the tall grass
With the speed of a runnin’ train

Well who knows the real reason we do things this way
Way out here in the west in the home of the brave

credits

from Shangri​-​La West, released January 1, 2003

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Jesse DeNatale California

Jesse DeNatale has released four critically acclaimed records: Shangri-La West (2000), Soul Parade (2006), The Wilderness (2021) and The Hands of Time (2023). His music has been described as evocative & hopeful, a combination of poetry and storytelling

"A unique and original American voice"- Tom Waits

"The Bard of Tomales Bay"- Ramblin' Jack Elliott

"A dynamic tune-fountain"- Billy Collins ... more

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