In An Election Year

by Andy Ulseth

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about

I wrote a nine-and-a-half minute piece about the year 2020. From election anxiety, to the flaws in our societal infrastructure coming to light. From the constant struggle to get people to wear masks, to personally becoming a father. It’s all in this piece that I call “In An Election Year,” which plays out in four distinct sections. I’m excited to be sharing it.

Part 1- In An Election Year
Part 2- Strange Design
Part 3- The Simple Version
Brief Coda-Morning Birdsong

As an acknowledgment of the struggles and isolation suffered by so many these past 17 months, and in observance of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, all sales of “In An Election Year” on Bandcamp through the month of May will be donated to National Alliance Of Mental Illness Minnesota (namimn.org), a non-profit charity that works to make therapy and treatment more accessible to both adults and children in the state of Minnesota.

lyrics

Part 1 - In An Election Year

On a silent sea,
When it all feels low
On a moonlit night
For a moonlit row.

We could feel at ease
we could fall down, still
On our calloused knees
Up a war-torn hill.

I won’t let ‘em get the best of me
I won’t let ‘em get the best of me now

What is still untold?
Why does time move slow?
On an endless night?
On a lonely road?

Like a hive has bees,
And as these things go,
On a moonlit night,
On a late night show

I can’t let ‘em take what’s left of me
I can’t let ‘em take what’s left of me
I can’t let ‘em take what’s left of me now
--

Part 2- Strange Design

Strange design,
Seldom sought out colors, and unusual lines
Unrefined
Quiet night,
Rounded on the corners with a glowing light

Can’t describe,
How we built these feelings on an overnight,
Like silk that one was weaving to catch satellites
To wear upon your shoulders like an army stripe.

Oh silent moon,
All flushed with such experiences,
Though none will do to light this room.
In silver hues,
like afternoon at midnight
On a honeymoon

Oh, wind subsides,
And leaves behind an etching of a new sunrise
Like milk for one that’s teething as an exercise,
To pass beyond the gums and then to soon incise
Grow in size,
Like balloons are slowly breathing as they come alive
Like heavy breaths we’re heaving on a Tuesday night
To blend into the background in the fading light
--

Part 3- The Simple Version

Disguised,
For all except our eyes
For those who might be needing us
For they may not survive

Revised
As detail comes to light
These aren’t victimless crimes
These aren’t victimless crimes

I’m not the only person
I’m not a lonely soul
I’ll stand behind the curtain
I’ll play my simple role

Again
The sun now seldom shines
Like tears in both your eyes
It’s blurry and it’s grey

Reviled
By those who hate goodbyes,
And those who won’t be needing one
from those they now despise

I’m not a lonely person
I’m not the only soul
I’ll play the simple version
I’ll play my simple role again
--

Brief Coda

On a silent sea,
When it all feels lost
On an autumn eve
When the stars get crossed

credits

released April 30, 2021
Written by Andy Ulseth

All instruments and vocals by Andy Ulseth, with harmonies by Molly Ulseth.

Recorded at home in Richfield, Minnesota in early 2021.

Photo by Kari Keller

All rights reserved Northern Gold Songs.

Reverse Alphabetical, 2021.

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about

Andy Ulseth Minneapolis, Minnesota

Andy Ulseth is a craftsman songwriter from Minnesota. A state known for brutal winters, and liberal politics. His folk songs highlight the vivid and visceral minutiae of the modern world rather than focus on the past. What does it mean to be a millennial? Why does life happen all at once? How have we changed? Every melody is important, and words matter. ... more

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