Name: What Do I Owe?
Duration: P00H04M08S
Description: An aging family man faces down his creator. Loosely inspired by the book of Job. (That's from the Bible.) But I didn't care for the biblically abusive ending. So I fixed it: I let the guy have the last word in the argument, and keep his dignity on the strength of the case he makes for himself.

What Do I Owe?

by John Shipe

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An aging family man faces down his creator. Loosely inspired by the book of Job. (That's from the Bible.) But I didn't care for the biblically abusive ending. So I fixed it: I let the guy have the last word in the argument, and keep his dignity on the strength of the case he makes for himself.

lyrics

What do I owe the sky for making me feel so small?
What do I owe the trees for growing so tall?
I sent my daughter to college. I gave my son to the war.
I gave my body to these oil fields, ‘Til I had nothing to give no more.
What do I owe?
I loved their mother with all my might ‘til the Good Lord took her away.
And I made my peace at her funeral. That’s all I got to say.
What do I owe the Heavens? What do I owe the wind?
What do I owe Anything that took everything from me in the end?
What do I owe?

I stand for the flag with my hand on my chest.
I rise to the occasion when I’m put to the test.
And I always do right by my family crest.
I did all that I could and I left the rest.
What do I owe?

Now I don’t believe in Heaven. And I don’t believe in Hell.
But if you’re gonna go on living, you oughta do it well.
Ever since I could count to seven, I committed every one of those sins.
But I took my bread unleavened, and I always told the priest where I been.
What do I owe?
What do I owe the seasons? What do I owe the times?
I ask for those who keep paying the price who committed no crimes.
What do I owe the Union? What do I owe the suits?
What do I owe them that take my labor’s fruits
From the branches to the roots of my family tree.

I heard about the Light above that never reaches me?
I heard source of love that never teaches me.
You talk about the mountains, and you talk about the sea.
What does any of that got to do with me?

credits

released February 9, 2024
Produced by Tyler Fortier (guitars & piano too)
Shipe - acoustic guitars (12-string, too), vocals
Mike Walker - organ, piano
Bryan Daste - pedal steel guitar
Lilli Worona - violin, vocals
Nate Barnes - drums
Sam Howard - bass
Erin Flood Fortier - vocals

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about

John Shipe Eugene, Oregon

Gushing reviews surround Shipe’s Americana work, charting in 6 countries on 3 continents. He's opened for Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Cake, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Jerry Joseph, Jimmy Cliff, Derek Trucks, Los Lobos, Hootie & Blowfish, and Blind Melon. Shipe music is described as cinematic, appearing in feature films, shorts and documentaries. 36 Shipe tunes rotated on 100 radio stations. ... more

johnshipemusic.com

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