Fireside Rising

{fingerpicked acoustic guitar, intimate warm entry}

On a cold winter’s evening

- on a train to Montana

I met up with a gambler

We were both too tired to sleep

So we took turns a-starin’

Out the window at the dirt piles

The boredom overtook us

And the gambler began to speak

He said, “you know,

I’ve made a life

Out of readin’ people’s job sites

Knowin’ the contract terms

By the way they held their eyes

So if you don’t mind my sayin’

I can see you’re out of defaults For a taste of your

Sundrop

I’ll give you some advice”

You have to know when to dig it,

know when to cap it,

Know when to cut,

know when to fill

You never count your money when you’re sitting on a grader

There’s plenty time for counting when the hole is dug.

{swelling fiddle and vocal harmonies} So he took his gold to Wisconsin

Far away from Montana

Met up with Mariah - a girl with the sparkles in her

eyes

Now the family has grown to 100

with lots of laughter and fun

Or at least that’s what they tell us

When they make us pick their side!

You have to know that they love you,

Know that they’ll break you,

Know when to smile through it,

know when to cry You never win a Ryan reunion,

you just survive it laughin'

There’s no escape from family

when the skits are on the line {triumphant instrumental

peak} {acoustic guitar fading out,

soft whistling, quiet fiddle}